[CHANGELING ADDED AS PARTY ESCORT!]
[The Changeling is akin to a normal party member with full inventory and abilities, but cannot be controlled during battle and cannot be switched to via the Change Perspective command.]
 
>Inspect Stratus Swing
[A powerful attack discovered from latent magical properties that breaks the tension of the air in front of the hammer’s swing, creating a speed vacuum that cumulatively empowers the swing with bone-crushing force. Can only be used with Hammers/Maces. (R, +100 PA, +20 MA, ½ chance to crit for x3, 7tcd)]
 
>Before you decide to choose, you turn back to the Changeling with a specific thought.
“Hey, when we get to your Hive, the shadow’s going to be coming after you as well. Would you like to pick up some armor and a weapon for yourself?”
>It stares at you as if you were trolling it or something, and speaks to you in that instantly-familiar neutral buggish voice.
>”You trust me with such things?”
“I have no reason not to, and I can stop you if you try anything, believe me.”
>The guards don’t seem to like where this is going, but they know it needs to stay alive for this journey.
>The Changeling nods after a moment.
>”Chainmail. Must keep my speed. … Small weapon.”
>You add something extra to the list you’ve figured.
“Alright, let’s see here. AJ, if we get you a new set of armor, can you give your current set to Redheart?”
>”Ah don’t see why not, sure. She’s beefin’ up to my size pretty well.”
>”H-hey, I’m not getting that big!”
>”Are ya’ll sayin’ I’m fat?”
>”You called me fat!”
>”Them’s fightin’ words, nurse!”
>”Oh yeah!?”
>Fuckin’ mares and their weight, holy shit.
>You let them argue over their slimness as you step forward and begin to select the items.
>...
 
>You have selected the Sergeant’s Slammer, Highguard Plate set, Officer’s Spear, Captain’s Curve, Crystal Arrows (12), Triple-Reinforced Hollowmetal Arrows (12), Crystalline Chainmail set for the Changeling, and Crystalline Hacker for the Changeling.
 
>Berry cuts in.
>”Hey, if you’re getting me a spear, you better train me or I’ll call Redheart fat again!”
>”WHAT?!”
>The standing for the Empire’s defenses after taking these items will be satisfactory.
>Do you want to take these items? Y/N
 
 
 
>Y
[Berry Punch has unequipped Clawed Thick-Iron Horseshoes.]
[Berry Punch has received and equipped Officer’s Spear.]
[Redheart has unequipped Crystalline Chainmail set.]
[Applejack has unequipped Crystal Plate set.]
[Applejack has unequipped Empire Express.]
[Applejack has equipped Sergeant’s Slammer.]
[Redheart has equipped Crystal Plate set.]
[Redheart has equipped Highguard Shield Wall.]
[Applejack has equipped Highguard Plate set.]
[Pinkie Pie has unequipped Hunting Bow.]
[Pinkie Pie has equipped Captain’s Curve.]
[Pinkie has filled her quiver with Crystal and Triple-Reinforced Hollowmetal Arrows.]
[Changeling has equipped Crystalline Chainmail set.]
[Changeling has equipped Crystal Buckler.]
[Changeling has equipped Crystalline Hacker.]
[You give Iron Will Reinforced Yeti-Hide Armor.]
>...
 
>CHANGELING (Escort) [HP: 120/120][MP: 100/100][Stats: +20 PD/MD base / +12 PA, +20 PA/MA base]
 
Abilities: Flight (Allows 3-dimensional travel / +20 PA, 40% bleed chance for 5 turns, 4 turn CD), Will of the Hive (+20 MD/MA), Chitin Exoskeleton (+20 PD/PA), Shapeshift (-12 MP, transform body and voice to fit another living being previously seen), Chaos Blast (-20 MP, Good attack, 50% chance to poison/stun, 3tcd), Mastery Acting Skills (Flawlessly depict another personality), Love Drain (Drain the love magic from another being, strength depending on situation. +HP/MP and provides sustenance), Buck (+15 PA, x3, 5tcd), Corrupted Bite (+50 PA, 25% chance to manaseal, 5tcd), Basic Axe Combat
 
Inventory: Missive from Queen Chrysalis
 
Equipped: Crystal Chainmail Coronet (+4 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Chainmail Breadth (+6 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Chainmail Sabatons (+4 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Chainmail Flankguards (+6 PD/+1 MD), Crystal Buckler (+10 PD/+1 MD), Crystalline Hacker (1H, +12 PA)
 
>You remove the Window of Reality from your bag, looking into it with an intent question.
>The light reflecting from the surface slowly dissipates until the window is black, and from it two paths suddenly split from the center of it, exploring two possibilities.
>The first path is what happens if you use the Blessing of Harmony on the Changeling. There is a bountiful fall of what seems to be pure magic, and a flash of radiant colors.
>The second path is what happens if you don't use the Blessing of Harmony on the Changeling. The path stays black, as if nothing were to happen at all.
>With its work finished, it shimmers back into a normal mirror, awaiting its next task.
 
>...
>Everyone gets acquainted with their new armor whom got some, making sure it’s all fit correctly.
>Berry tries to get used to her spear, adjusting it as well as possible.
>”For the record, Anon, I wasn’t joking about training me. You know how this shit works, so you better make sure I don’t lob off somepony’s head.”
“I know, I know. Anyways, we better get going, got some things to do after all. Thanks for giving us the gear, guys.”
>The guards salute you, and you and your party exit the guardsrooms.
>With some small conversation abound as you head for the Palace’s exit, you turn to the armor-clad Changeling while doing so.
“Now, if you’re going to be staying with us, you’re going to need a name. It sounds better than just calling you Changeling all the time, and it’ll help you be set apart from other Changelings we might run into. Do you have any preferences?”
>It thinks for a moment, and then shakes its head.
“C’mon, anything at all?”
>This time it furrows its brow in concentration, and after a longer moment it speaks.
>”I am the 93,865th of my mother’s brood…?”
“...O-okay, alright, how about we call you by the last number, uh, Five?”
>”...Five.”
“Five.”
[CHANGELING RENAMED TO ‘FIVE’]
“Alright, that’s good. Everyone, remember that. Call her by that name.”
>They each nod with varying degrees of acceptance.
“Secondly, you’ll need a disguise while you’re out in public.”
>”I have a multitude of identities to take from.”
>You ponder about the possibilities for a moment, when it suddenly hits you.
>She’s probably seen countless ponies in her time, so what you have here is your own little dress-up doll.
>Oh yes, this should be good.
”Alright, Do you have any…. mare unicorn identities?”
>”1,012.”
>Gonna have to narrow it down.
”Red mane and tail?”
>”232.”
”...Hazel eyes?”
>”31.”
>Damn, there’s a lot fitting that description.
“Hmm…”
>Before you continue, a hoof taps you on the waist.
>You turn around to see a weirded out… well, entire party, but Redheart’s the vocalist.
>”May we ask what you’re doing?”
“Trying to figure out an inconspicuous disguise.”
>”...Why those choices, then?”
“I have my reasons.”
>”I highly doubt you could have any semblance of common sense with any of those rea-”
[ http://vocaroo.com/i/s1pYpuxby22D ]
>You just whipped out your phone and played it while she was talking.
>Everyone immediately stops in shock of this horrid, stale, out of style song.
>Redheart instantly grows furious, her cheeks puffing red.
>Then you get a horrible, horrible idea.
“AJ told me to do it.”
>”WHAT?!”
>”AH DID WHAT- RED, WAIT!”
>Red pounces on AJ before you can even register what’s happened.
>Holy shit, it’s a catfight in the middle of the Palace.
>Well, not much of one, it’s one-sided in Red’s favor.
>Iron, Gable and Berry all start whooping and hollering at them while Pinkie tries to pry them off to no avail.
>You said you’d get them back.
>Pinkie with the video.
>AJ with the baby that’s got back, bitch.
>Payback.
>While the insecurity issues rage, you turn back to Five.
“Anyways, those traits I said before still withstanding… How about white fur?”
>”3.”
>So there’s three you could choose from.
>What could separate them?”
“Do any of them have cute, pouted lips, by chance?”
>Five pauses before speaking.
>”One has the qualities of which you speak.”
“Good, can you try that one, then?”
>Five’s horn begins to glow a soothing emerald, stopping the catfight instantly as everyone stares.
>Her body suddenly shifts from black to white, from hoof to horn, a lavish red mane and tail with pouty red lips, no wings, hazel eyes and a Baseball bat for a cutie mark.
>It definitely reminds you of something from your memories, and you like it.
>Berry looks Five up and down.
>”...Huh. I’d fuck her.”
>”Berry, come on!”
>”Oh shut up, Will.”
>Five has the smallest grin on her muzzle.
>With everything sorted out and AJ with a big bruise on her head and ego, you and your party finally exit the Palace, coming back into the crisp, cool air.
“Oh, Five.”
>She looks at you promptly, already accepting the monicker as her own.
“Tell me about your Queen. What should I be expecting in regards to her methods of fighting and techniques?”
>”I cannot tell you information that would potentially harm my Queen. I was told it would be a peaceful negotiation after our Hive is safe, and that is what I will stand by.”
“But what if she decides to attack us?”
>Five is silent.
>Well, there’s a good point there, but you have a feeling things could turn south if you don’t do this just right.
>It is currently 10:00 A.M.
>Is there anything else you’d like to say or do on the way to the Diamond-Ridge Park to see Fluttershy?
 
 
 
>You risk a quick status glance at Redheart after the little incident.
>She’s still rather flustered, cheeks rosied and a single strand of hair popping from her bangs.
>You have to cheer her up.
“Red, you’re the most beautiful mare I’ve ever seen. It’s just cute when you get so defensive about it.”
>”I know you played that song yourself Anon, AJ told me you lied. Hmph, you’ll just have to sleep in your own booth in the train tonight.”
“Aw c’mon, you know I didn’t mean it, babe. Why else would I have ever went after you and you alone? There’s nopony prettier than you by far.”
>Red’s frown begins to turn.
>”...Keep going.”
“You are the most amazing, beautiful, absolutely immaculate mare that I have ever laid eyes on, and I don’t lie about things like that. You’re perfect, Red.”
>”...Okay…”
>She nuzzles against you, and Berry makes a gagging noise with her tongue out.
>”Guuuh, you two are disgusting!”
>She then promptly turns over her flask and starts drinking sloppily, rum squeezing out of her suction and pouring down her cheeks.
>Yes, the epitome of delight.
>However, you have more pressing matters at hand, and you end joke time as you turn back to Five.
“I have no intention of harming your Queen outside of removing the corruption that could be in her and the hive; But if it’s anything like Princess Cadance at all, it might result in a fight to remove it. We need every edge in this battle, if we fail she will not only succumb to a cruel death and the destruction of the hive, but the world is a step closer to complete destruction. So it's up to you to provide any information that might help.”
>Five stares ahead blankly as you and the party near the park.
>”I cannot tell you. It directly contradicts my will and the trust of my mother. If there is anything else I may tell you, ask it.”
“Can I read that missive you have there?”
>Her head snaps back to the scroll popping out of her shapeshifted fur, which seems to be in reality tucked under her chitin.
>An invisible limb suddenly sucks it under into cover, probably her limb.
>”It is not for your eyes.”
>You cannot read the Missive.
“Fine, fine. By the way, if you get hungry, just tell me. I have plenty of love to spare.”
>”...Soon.”
>After this, your party reaches Diamond-Ridge Park.
>It’s very much cleared out now that the tournament and the fair have been removed; there are only a few crystal trees and rolling blue plains, looking to be a very natural place, like a sanctuary.
>To the left out in the distance is Iron Will’s trailer, with a box laying up next to the door.
>In the center path there is a large building with animals flying and scampering around it.
>To the right leads to Black-Diamond Avenue.
>What would you like to do?
 
 
 
>That box seems to be the shipment that came in.
“Hey Iron, it looks like the mics came in. Wanna grab that real quick and hand AJ over here one of them?”
>”Oh, would you look at that. Iron Will will be back in a flash!”
>He starts up a brisk jog as he starts running off towards his trailer.
“Meet us at the center building!”
>He waves you off as he’s busy exercising.
>Looking back at the animal-infested building, you know that it has to be where Fluttershy is.
>Going forward, you approach the doors and many of the animals take shelter in the trees or gutters, and you reach out and knock on the door.
>Seconds pass until there’s a yell from the inside.
>”Hold on! ...Who’d be coming here of all places? Fluttershy, did you bring friends?”
>Silence.
>”Well answer the door, they’re not my friends!”
>More silence, at least until the knob slowly turns and the door opens, revealing a shy, timid pegasus.
>”Oh… h-hi everypony. Come on in, uhm, make yourselves at home!... W-who’s this?”
“Oh, this is a… new friend of ours. Introduce yourself.”
>You look at her carefully.
>Five nods and manages a half-smile.
>”My name is … Five. Hello.”
>Maybe you should’ve asked her to use a personality.
>“Hi.. I’m Fluttershy… You look tired, please, let me make you some tea. ...So, I see you came to help with the bird seed, Anon?”
“That’s right. We’re sort of taking care of last minute-things before we left for Appleoosa, but I remembered I promised to do this for you, and I’m not about to skip out. So, where is it?”
>”Uh, well, let me just get it ready…. Be right, um, back..”
>She flutters away, and the party disperses to the various lobby seats.
>It seems to be a pet store, but from what the other voice said it’s not visited often, which probably explains the ‘pets’ running everywhere rampant and free.
>Speaking of the voice, you see a bunched up blue and red mane peeking from underneath the counter at the back of the room.
>The mare responsible finally shows herself, a freckled, light red fur, blue-eyed tired pony looking like she’s searching for something.
>”Oh, hey, what’s going on. Lot of ponies. Well, ‘Shy said she was gonna have some help, so I guess… wait while she gets the back door open. Wanna buy a pet?”
>Getting a pet probably wouldn’t be the best thing to do in your situation, but it’s a nice thought for later in your life.
>What would you like to do while Fluttershy is preparing your task?
 
 
 
“Uh, is there anything I can help you with while we’re waiting?”
>The pet store owner looks back at you almost half-asleep.
>”...Oh, no no I’m fine, just trying to find a squirrel that’s missed his shots. I think he’s hiding in the tunnels. Got some excavating to do now, so don’t bother me.”
>...Hmm.
>Her plot’s wiggling in the air now, apparently looking for those tunnels.
>As much as you know you need to read, you feel yourself beginning to straighten out.
>Straightening real hard.
>You have a powerful urge to jump over that counter and priest-pump that rump.
>Are you sure you want to act upon this urge? Y/N