Never Meant to Be Ch3

Chapter 3
I Am Conflicted

                The peaceful sound of the trees rustling in the wind was the only thing she could hear, as Zecora balanced upside-down on an unsupported staff suspending her a few feet over a shallow pond. As she continued keeping her balance, Zecora tried to clear her mind as she began slipping into a deep meditative state. However, it wasn’t one full minute before her thoughts became clouded with concern, as her balance was broken, causing her to fall from the staff and into the water below.

                With the water being less than two feet deep, Zecora stood up and rubbed her head as she looked into the water below her just as the settling waters revealed her reflection to her. As Zecora looked at her reflection, she shook her head in disappointment. She knew what really broke her concentration, and she knew that it went far beyond something as simple as balance. What was really breaking her focus and preventing her from clearing her thoughts, was the thought that within the next twenty-four hours the one zebra she has seen since she left home was about to leave.

                Trying to overlook her concern, Zecora trotted out of the shallow waters and onto the shore as she rubbed her head in irritation. She always knew that his visit was only temporary, and she knew that as soon as his strength was back that he would leave, but even with these truths circling in her mind, Zecora couldn’t help but feel distressed at the thought of never seeing him again. This thought concerned her so much that Zecora decided to forget about meditating for today as she left the staff floating in the pond and began trotting back to her home.

                Back at Zecora’s tree, Zeil was sitting in the bed as he started removing the bandages on his hoof from the temberwolf attack the night before. Though it had only been twelve hours ago, the wound on his hoof was already healed leaving behind small bald spotting where each temberwolf tooth broke the skin. Zeil knew that if this wound would heal like the rest, then the fur on his coat would grow back within the day and leave no scars just like the many cuts before which now seemed nonexistent. That is, all but the stitching on his back, which still wasn’t completely gone, but did resemble a closed and healing wound. As Zeil looked over his hoof one last time, he shimmied himself to the edge of the bed as he climbed out and stood straight with no soreness or need of assistance.

                Feeling that his strength had completely returned, Zeil took a number of steps around the room to make sure he was completely fine. As he did, he started trotting with high steps, jumping and even shifting his stance to test every part of his muscles. Nevertheless, with every action, he couldn’t feel a single hint of his pain that he had felt for the past few days, which meant only one thing… It was time to go. Though he felt completely fine, Zeil trotted to the mirror and looked into it as he examined every part of his zebra disguised body for any sign of injury, even though he knew that he was really just stalling his departure.

                As he looked into the mirror, Zeil finished looking over his body as he sighed in disappointment, “Looks like… I'm completely fine… I guess…”
With a deep and concerning thought, Zeil sat down in front of the mirror as he started to think about what he felt last night. He started to think about the sight of Zecora as she stood on the edge of the cliff with the lone firefly circling her as the soft shade of light cascading from below lit up the area. He started thinking about the peace she was feeling, and the peace he started to feel at the exact same time. He tried to remember the emotions that radiated from the sight as he mumbled to himself, “it… it wasn’t her feelings… but mine… and… and it felt like… like lo…”

                All of a sudden, the door to the house opened as Zecora trotted in with an unhappy expression on her damped face. Trying to forget about what he was thinking Zeil turned to Zecora as he blushed slightly, “Oh… um… Good morning… I um… wait… are you all right Zecora? You look a little… wet.”
Zecora tried to hide her concern as she rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment, “yes, quite… an accident it would seem. The rocks were a little slick as I crossed the stream.”
Zeil smiled a little as he reached for a towel and gave it to her, “Well, not all mornings can go flawless.”
As Zecora took the cloth and dried herself off, she hesitated as she spoke, “your bite mark… it’s healed, as much as I see. I suppose it won’t interfere much with the rest of your journey.”

                When Zecora mentioned his bite, Zeil started rubbing the area where he was bitten as he replied, “oh… yea, it wasn’t as bad as my soreness anyways so I wasn’t worried about it one bit… although the stiches on my back are still healing.”
Zecora approached Zeil as she took a closer look, “Come to me, and let me see…”
Zeil could only watch as Zecora approached him and looked at the healing wound on his back. Looking at the wound from just a few inches away, she could tell that it was healing, but much slower than the rest of his wounds so she nodded her head as she started to turn to his face, “the wound is fine from as much as I can te…”
When the Zecora looked at Zeil from as close as she was, she found herself looking into his eyes from point blank. As the two’s eyes made contact, both she and him froze for a split second until Zeil realized what was going on and looked away as he blushed and cleared his throat, “so… um… it’s still healing?...”

                When Zecora realize what was happening she too looked away and blushed as she tried to break the awkwardness, “Um… yes… from what I can tell. It’s healing very slowly, but its healing quite well. With a few more days, and some proper care, the wound will vanish, and with no scar to bear.”
While looking away from her to break the awkwardness, Zeil began trotting back towards the bed he was using as he replied, “Well… if that’s the case then… I should be fine to get ready to leave… I still have… places to go.”
Zecora gave Zeil a fake smile as she replied, “yes your mark, to find who you are. But I wish to give you something for all your help thus far.”
Zeil looked at Zecora in curiosity as she trotted to her cauldron and picked up a saddlebag sitting beside it.

                After picking up the saddlebag Zecora trotted back to Zeil and smiled pleasantly as she held it out to him, “Take this for help, it will assist, you see. Some food and provisions to help in your journey. Just take the main trail, and turn right when it splits. And that’s all you need to do, it doesn’t take much wits.”
Zeil looked at the bag as Zecora held it in front of him. He had no idea how to react, it was one thing for her to bring him in and heal his wounds when he was injured, but to give him previsions to aid in his travels, he had never been shown such kindness in his life, not even from his queen. As Zeil reached out and grabbed the saddlebag, he looked at Zecora with a confused look as he tried to speak, “I… I don’t know what to say… but… um… thanks?...”
Zecora smiled as Zeil put on the saddlebag, “To thank me for this, I see no need. To help a friend is a most pleasing deed.”

                With a pleasant smile on their faces, Zeil and Zecora trotted side by side to the door of her home as they both exited and stopped in front of the trail leading away from her tree. As Zeil looked down the trail and into the forest, he turned to Zecora and hesitated as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, “well Zecora… I… um… guess this… is good bye…”
Also stalling Zecora looked away as she rubbed the side of her hoof and replied, “I know it is… and I'll say this too… May good fortune smile upon you.”
Zeil stood there for a few more seconds as he replied, “good fortune… well as long as I refrain from flying… I guess I'll always have it.”
Though it was an uneasy chuckle, both Zeil and Zecora shared in a brief laugh before Zeil raised his hoof towards her as he stalled for a few more seconds, “Well… Zecora I… um…”
Zeil sighed in hopelessness as he patted her on the shoulder and replied, “Thanks for everything… if I… ever find myself in this area…. I'll um… stop by for a visit.”

                Zecora could only sigh in disappointment at his actions as she looked him in the eye and smiled pleasantly, “I can’t wait till then, though I know that I must. For your friendship Zine, I will always trust.”
Zeil smiled as he nodded his head and turned towards the trail, “Well… good bye… Zecora…”
Trying not to look back, and greatly disappointed that he only left her with a pat on her shoulder, Zeil began trotting down the trail as he started making his way down the trail towards the tree line. As Zeil reached the edge of the tree line, right before traveling out of Zecora’s sight, He paused and turned back to her as he smiled and gave her a friendly nod-saying goodbye. Zecora responded by waving to him as they locked eyes from a distance for what they could only assume to be the last time, as Zeil turned back to the trail, trotted into the tree line and vanished from her sight. Once he was gone, Zecora sighed one last time as she turned back to her home, trotted inside, and closed the door behind her.

                As soon as Zecora was back inside her home, Zeil who was only hiding behind the tree line, made his way around Zecora’s tree and to the bush that housed his severed wing. Looking around to see that he was alone, Zeil reached under the bush and pulled out his wing as he started to examine it closely. Though there was dried blood on it, he felt relieved to see that there was no decomposition since the thin insect like wing fell off with no flesh attached. However, the thin transparent film, which gave the wing its shape and appearance, was deeply scared and damaged to a point that would have permanently grounded him if it were still attached. Even though this almost made him give up on any hope of flying again, Zeil felt that taking it with him might become beneficial later in case he were to find a way to reattach it. So, with hope in his thoughts, Zeil placed the wing into the saddlebag that Zecora had given him as he turned back to his trail and continued on his journey, out of the Everfree forest.

                As Zeil traveled, his mind started going through many thoughts, however, none of them had anything to do with the changelings, Queen Chrysalis, or even where he was going. The only thing on his mind, was the thought of what he had felt with Zecora the night before, what he should have said or done when he said good bye to her for the last time, and why he was feeling disappointed to leave. With these thoughts going through his mind, Zeil mumbled to himself, “ why am I feeling this way… sure she had feelings for me… and I kinda feel bad to ignore them like this… but… am I feeling… no. no its impossible.” Laughing in his denial, Zeil mumbled to himself, “To think a changelings like me… falling in love… it’s ridiculous. I mean, even if I could, why would it be with a zebra of all things.”

                With his mind clouded by denial of his own feelings, Zeil continued on his path and completely missed his turn that he was supposed to turn on to get out of the Everfree Forest. Instead, he found himself taking the turn after that, which didn’t lead him out of the forest, but deeper into it. Soon, the Changeling still disguised as a Zebra had traveled for almost three hours before realizing that he was completely and utterly lost. With his thoughts now focused on his situation, Zeil looked into the sky and mumbled to himself, “great… less than an hour till sunset and I can’t even find my way out of this forest. I couldn’t even find my way back to Zecora’s to ask for directions.”
As Zeil looked back onto the unfamiliar trail, he could hear growling from the tree line as he looked to see a lone temberwolf watching him from a safe distance. Seeing the cautious creature, Zeil smiled as he turned to the beast and spoke, “You wanna play again?”

                Hearing the threatening sound of his voice, the temberwolf turned around and vanished into the forest, as Zeil smiled, “I didn’t think so. Darn, one I can handle, but if night comes along with more timberwolves, I'll become lumber-chow. I better find shelter, and fast.”
Hastening his steps, Zeil continued traveling down the trail as he desperately tried to find a place to take shelter. Not long into his hastened search, the mists started to roll in with the twilight as they covered his trail and slowed his travel. With careful steps, Zeil followed the trail as best as he could until the thickening mists became too much and overshadowed even the trail below his hooves. As Zeil tried to look around he mumbled, “great… this crap again. I gotta be careful; Zecora isn’t here to stop me from trotting off a cliff this time.”
With each step, Zeil grew even more worried since the sun was almost gone and he wouldn’t be able to defend himself if he were attacked in this mist at night.

                Zeil continued on the trail as he made sure that every step he was about to take was going to be on the trail below him. However, when his next step sounded like a knock on a wooden surface, Zeil paused. Thinking that the knocking sound could have been his imagination, Zeil took the step a second time then scraped his hoof along the ground to find that under the dirt was a wooden plank. Then when he looked at his next step, he found that it also was wood, but was much easier to see then the previous step. As Zeil looked further ahead, at what the mist would reveal, He could see that wooden planks below were the start of a long rope bridge in front of him. With no way to identify how long the bridge was or even what was on the other side, Zeil looked to his side to see the support stakes that held the rope railing in place. Zeil reached up and grabbed the rope as he shook it back and forth trying to test its durability. So when the rope proved to be sturdy enough to support him, Zeil mumbled to himself as he started across, “Well, it’s not like I have many options. Here goes nothing.”

                Zeil then trotted out onto the bridge and began crossing with extreme caution on each step. It wasn’t long before for the thick mist covered not only where the bridge led, but where the bridge started as well, not to mention the ground that was an unknown distance below him. Knowing that there was much at stake, the fake zebra took a deep breath as he continued on his current goal of reaching the other side of the long rope bridge. Finally he was able to sigh in relief as the ground on the other side of the rope bridge emerged from the mist as he trotted onto the cliff and looked back to the long bridge he just crossed, “whoa, I'm glad that that is over with… but where am…”
As Zeil looked ahead of him, the mist started to thin out as he saw a massive shadowy structure just ahead of him. With an increasing curiosity, Zeil slowly approached the massive stone structure, as what seemed to be a gigantic shadow, emerged from the mist as old ruins of an abandoned castle.

                When Zeil looked at the emblems on the castle gate, he could only mumble to himself, “The symbol of the royal alicorn sisters… but, this isn’t Canterlot. I wonder wha…”
Before he could finish, Zeil turned and looked into the mists behind him as he heard the loud howling of timberwolves from across the rope bridge. So with a somewhat relived thought of finding shelter, Zeil pushed the massive doors open as he entered the old palace corridor. With each passing step, Zeil ventured deeper and deeper into the castle until he reached the doors of the old palace throne room. However as he entered the room, He could only pause in shock as he looked into a room that was nearly demolished by war. Deep scars from battle could be seen on the floor and walls. The ceiling above had holes that were blasted open by magical beams, and even scorch marks from some kind of spell could be seen on the floor. Zeil had no idea what to make of this particular room, however, now this room was nothing more than an abandoned ruin, with no sign of life anywhere.

                Continuing passed the throne room and into a large lobby, Zeil approached the master staircase as he called out, “Hello!?!... Is anypo… Ze… is anyone there!?!...”
When he received no reply, he called again, “I need a place to stay for the night!... is it alright for me to take refuge here!?!...”
Once again, his call was only answered by silence so he shrugged his shoulders as he started up the stairs, “Well… I didn’t hear any objections. Looks like I found a place to sleep.”
With slight curiosity, Zeil began searching the castle for anything he could use. With his search, Zeil found a library, a kitchen with no food and ended his search when he reached the top of a tall tower and found a large bedroom with tarps covering the furniture.

                Sitting his Saddlebag on a covered table, Zeil looked around as he looked at the condition of the room, “this should work, a little dusty, but all in all I’ve slept in worse.”
 While trotting past a tall partially covered piece of furniture, something caught Zeil’s eye as he approached the large object and lifted the tarp slightly. When he saw an eye staring back, Zeil pulled the tarp down as he found himself staring at his own reflection in a tall full body mirror. As he looked at his reflection, Zeil noticed that ever since he left Zecora’s home, he kept his Zebra appearance without even the thought of changing back to himself or into something else. So with his attention on his reflection, Zeil transformed back into his changeling appearance as he looked at himself, no irises or pupils in his green eyes, a curved horn bearing the same black coloring as his normal body, and now, only one wing. As he looked at his appearance that he was born with, Zeil could only sigh as he turned away from the mirror and look towards the bed that sat right next to it.

                As he approached the tarp-covered bed, Zeil put pressure on it to see how comfortable it was. The bed creaked with the sound of the now rusted metal springs but it still seemed usable even though it seemed as if it hasn’t been touched in decades. After feeling the bed, Zeil began looking around the room more until he saw a light shine through the glass on the balcony doors. Wondering what the light was, Zeil trotted to the glass doors as he pushed them open as saw the light of the full moon as it shined down and lit up the landscape below. As Zeil trotted onto the balcony of the lone tower, He was surprised to see that the mist had cleared as he looked into the forest that surrounded the abandon castle ruins. From here, he could see a large portion of the Everfree Forest, almost as much as he could see from the cliff that Zecora had shown him the night before. In fact, as his eyes skimmed through the forest below, he started to see a small cluster of lights in the distance as they appeared and began flying over the top of the trees at the far edge of the horizon. As Zeil saw this, he sat down and smiled as he started thinking about the only thing he could guess it to be.

                As he looked at the lights as they danced just barely in his sights, he started to think about the night before, and the zebra that was with him when he saw these lights up close. He started to think about where she could be, and if she were at that cliff, would the fireflies be circling her as that one did last night? Zeil started to feel a little at peace as he thought about this sight the soft glow which made her stripes more visible and her the blue in her eyes resemble a darkened night sky. The thought gave him a peaceful smile that is until he realized what he was thinking.

                With denial clouding his mind, Zeil could only sigh as he put his hoof on his head and mumbled to himself, “What am I doing… thinking thoughts like this… if the queen or the other changelings saw me like this, they would cast me out… call me a traitor or something like that.”
While mumbling, Zeil opened his eyes and could see through the holes on his changeling hoof as he sighed and removed his hoof from his head. Then he looked back into the distance and tried to ignore the lights as he looked at the other sights that the tower’s vantage point had to offer. In the distance, he could see a small clearing with a lone tree and an unusual bluish glow. Then he looked closer and could see the Poison joke fields where he and Zecora gathered the poison joke the night before. Then as he continued looking around, He paused as he caught sight of a tree with light glowing in its center.

                As Zeil looked at the tree, he immediately recognized it as he nodded his head, “Zecora’s home… I can see it from here… and…”
Trying to shake her from his mind, Zeil trotted back inside, and began pacing back and forth as he mumbled to himself, “Why do I feel so bad… what is it that makes me want to go there… I… I'm going to bed… “
As he stopped pacing, Zeil immediately turned to the bed and began trotting towards it, however, as he trotted past the mirror, he slowed his pace as he looked at his changelings appearance, before turning his head away as he approached the bed, climbed in and tried to fall asleep. Although, with many thoughts weighing on his mind, Zeil laid there for almost two hours before he finally fell asleep.

                The next morning, Zeil awoke to the sun shining down on his face through a small hole in the ceiling as he sat himself up and looked around the room. Though it took him a second or two, Zeil slowly remembered where he was as he climbed out of the bed and trotted to his saddlebag that he left on a table in the middle of the room. As he did, he trotted past the mirror in the room and paused in confusion. He didn’t know when, but some time while he was asleep, he had changed himself into his Zebra form without even noticing. Feeling a little confused, Zeil turned back into a changelings as he rubbed his head, “I must have had a dream or something, it’s not like me to sleep-change.”
Continuing to avoid the topic, Zeil turned away from the mirror and picked up the saddlebag that he left on the table the night before. A little curious as to what Zecora had given him, Zeil looked through the saddlebag as he mumbled to himself, “ok, some extra bandaged, a flask of water, some hey… like I need it… some apples, Well at least these aren’t bad. And… what’s this?”

                As Zeil looked through the bag, he found a small slip of paper that was folded and placed in the very bottom of the bag. Curious as to what it was, Zeil looked at the writing on the outside, “For your great and noble journey, wherever it may roam. Keep this close, so you will find your way home.”
Zeil could only smile as he mumbled, “Even in writing she rhymes…”
Then he unfolded the paper before placing his hoof on his forehead in annoyance, “A map… she gave me a map to lead me out of the forest…”
With his hoof in his head, he began laughing at the irony as he continued, “I was lost in the Everfree forest for hours yesterday… and I’ve had a map on me the whole time? That’s just my luck isn’t it, and to think that she would give me a map after all that she has already done fo…”

                Just then, Zeil froze; He couldn’t help but think to himself. Why she gave him a map? After everything she had to go through with him being there, why would she put up the extra effort? Not to mention this map was hoof drawn, meaning that she made it herself. So, did she give him her only map? Or even worse, did she make a second one just for him? With a curious and precise stare, Zeil looked at the map and noticed that this map not only had every trail and landmark that the Everfree forest had to offer, but it even had Zecora’s home marked on in. When he saw it, Zeil could only think to himself, “Is… is she trying to… tell me how to return if I wanted to?...”

                As Zeil saw her home on the map, he started looking through it as he followed the trail from the ruins that he was at to the home of the Zebra who had given him this map. After finding out how to return to her home, Zeil shook his head as he put it down and started pacing through the room, “What is wrong with me… Why am…”
Sighing in disappointment, Zeil sat down as he looked at the mirror that sat in the room. Then with a heavy heart, he approached the mirror and looked at his changeling appearance, “fine… fine… I admit it… I enjoyed being around her. I liked her company. She was interesting in many ways and I hate to leave when we both would prefer that I stay. But…”

                Zeil looked at the mirror and changed back into his zebra form as he continued, “This isn’t who I am… I'm not a zebra I'm a changeling. I'm a servant to my queen and I must do as I'm told… although… My queen is nowhere to be found, and I'm stuck in this forest. So…”
With that, Zeil placed his hoof on his face and continued mumbling to himself, “What am I saying?... I can’t just go back; I mean… what reason would I have? It would seem suspicious if I had just shown up and for no reason asked to stay. It would put me and my race in danger. Even if she likes me… if she knew the truth, she would cast me aside just like the rest of Equestria… unless.”
Zeil removed his hoof as he looked at his zebra appearance, “if I have a good reason for staying, something that I needed but could only get from her, it would make me seem less suspicious, and it would also help me out more… but what?”

                Hoping to think of something, Zeil stood up and turned himself around as he observed his appearance, “The scar on my back it almost completely healed, but going back to remove the stiches would seem kinda pointless since any doctor could do that. I have no other injuries so first aid would be even worse to ask for… what could I…”
As Zeil looked at his flank, he couldn’t help but smile, “That’s it… That’s my alibi!”
With hope in his thoughts, Zeil turned to the map, picked it up, and quickly studied the trail. Then he dropped it on the floor as he turned to the door, and sprinted out of the room. With no hesitation, Zeil sprinted down the stairs as he went through the main lobby, pasted the throne room, out of the castle gate, and crossed the bridge as he went down the trail and began sprinting as fast as his hooved could take him.

                With every step getting him closer and closer to his destination, Zeil mumbled to himself, “This has to work; I know I shouldn’t do this, but I'm sure this will please the queen if I explain how much this could benefit the swarm.”
With a hastened sprint, Zeil reached every fork in the trail and took the direction that he had burned into his mind as he made his way to Zecora’s house. Finally Zeil Stopped himself immediately as he reached the tree line just outside the Enchantress’ home. Breathing heavily from his long rang sprint, Zeil slowly exited the tree line as he approached the home and stood just outside the door. Raising his hoof to knock, Zeil Hesitated, “Wait… What if… she says no?... what if, she turns me away?”
Still trying to catch his breath, Zeil slowly lowered his hoof as he stood in front of her door and continued mumbling, “Maybe… I rushed here too quickly… or, not quickly enough… What if… she has already forgotten me?” Zeil shook his head, “No… I'm already here so I might as well ask. Besides, she isn’t that kind of mare. She is too kind hearted for that… isn’t she?...”

                With his heavy breathing starting to slow, Zeil took a deep breath to ready himself as he raised his hoof to knock, “Here we go…”
Zeil drew his hoof back to knock, however before his hoof could make contact with the door, it began to open as Zecora started to exit. As soon as she saw him, Zecora froze as her eyes widened, leaving her expression of surprise all too recognizable for them both. Feeling a little awkward, Zeil hesitated before speaking, “oh… I… um… H-hi… I came to… well; I wanted to ask you something… if… it’s alright with you?”
Blushing a little, Zecora replied, “oh… I see, you’re return is a little soon, but if you have a question, then now is most opportune.”
Zeil hesitated as he began blushing, “Well… you see, I still don’t have a talent, and I was wondering that… Zecora you’re amazing when it comes to magic, and you achieved this without a horn and everything… well what I'm trying to ask is… Zecora, Will you teach me how to do magic? You’re the only one I know who can, and I think it would be an honor to learn from the best… that is… if you will teach me.”

                Still blushing Zecora looked away as she hesitated with her answer, “you want to learn magic, and you want me to teach? I can’t say I am certain, it will be within your reach.”
Trying to convince her, Zeil stepped closer, “Please Zecora, I'll work as hard as you need me to. I'm sure that with you as a teacher, I can get my cu… Placement mark without any problems.”
Looking back as Zeil Zecora replied, “If you are quite sure, then I'll teach you all I can. Although I hope you excuse me, for I have no lesson plan.”
With a relieved smile on his face, Zeil replied, “Thank you Zecora I promise I'll do everything I can to make it easy for you. So from now on, would I refer to you as teacher, or sensei or something like that?”
Zecora could only giggle as she replied, “no tittle is needed, Zecora is fine, for that is my name just as yours is Zine.”
Feeling like he had just gotten punched in the gut with the last comment, Zeil held his expression of joy as he replied, “Yes… Zine… that’s me all right… just… Zine…”
Although he felt terrible about continuing to keep his identity hidden, Zeil couldn’t help but feel happy knowing that Zecora seemed pleased with the task, as he felt content knowing that he had a legitimate reason to stay. Although he knew that one day, he would have to tell her the truth, and when he did, he wondered just how she would react to it.

                Back in Canterlot, Princess Luna, Twilight Sparkle, and Shining Armor were standing in the Castle courtyard as Princess Celestia’s carriage flew over the walls and landed in front of them. As Princess Celestia stepped off the carriage, Princess Luna spoke, “Welcome home sister. How did your Journey fare?”
Princess Celestia smiled, “Surprisingly, it went as planned. King Talan wishes to lend his full support as well as increase the defense on his borders to prevent any changelings from crossing.”
Shining armor replied, “And, the relic your majesty?”
Princess Celestia nodded her head as she looked to her carriage as a few guards pulled a chest from the back, “I have it here. It’s called an Everstone, and as expected, it will neutralize the magic that Changelings use to change their appearance. However, the effects are temporary and the stone has to make contact with the targets skin. Also, the stone will affect Unicorn magic as well as changeling. So if you touch the stone, then you won’t be able to use any spells.”

                Twilight stepped forward as she asked, “What about something like levitation? Could we use a spell to press the stone against a changeling?”
Princess Celestia shook her head, “Also impossible, since the stone will absorb magic from anypony it touches, it’s only natural that any spell used on it will also be absorbed.”
Princess Luna asked, “So… how long will this Everstone disable magic?”
Princess Celestia replied, “The king said it depends on the Changeling’s abilities, but from their tests, they concluded it to work for at least an hour.”
as the guards laid the chest in front of the group, Shining Armor opened it as he looked at the odd, Yellowish stone that sat inside, “one hour hmm… That’s plenty of time. Guard? Take this to the local Blacksmith and have him use this to make weapons. I want spears, swords, arrows, picks, and axes. Then gather all pegasi and earth pony guards. I want to begin arming each squad with at least one of these weapons. To include myself.”

                The guard saluted Shining Armor as he replied, “Yes your majesty, Right away.”
As the guard closed the chest and carried it away, Twilight spoke, “But if you carry one, wouldn’t your magic be disabled too?”
Shining Armor smiled with confidence, “Don’t worry sis, I don’t need magic to beat something as wimpy as a changeling. Besides, it’s you who needs her magic, as long as your there to use your transporting spell then we shouldn’t have any problems.”
Twilight though to herself as she replied, “well… I guess so.”

                Princess Celestia spoke, as she gave shining armor a skeptic look, “I wouldn’t judge them so lightly prince armor, Remember that changelings aren’t as dimwitted as they seem. I would suggest treating each and every one the same as if they were Queen Chrysalis herself. However, I still highly recommend nonlethal force. At this point, I can only assume that each one is worried about their own personal safety right now. We may be angered at their actions, but we must still prove ourselves merciful. I would like to avoid any fatalities, from both sides.”
Shining armor nodded his head as he turned to follow the guard carrying the Everstone, “I understand your majesty, I'll try not to kill any.”
As Shining Armor continued out of earshot, Princess Celestia looked at Twilight and spoke, “Twilight, what was this plan your brother mentioned? Something about transporting the Changelings away?”

                Twilight nodded her head, “Yes your majesty, I know where they came from so we put together a strategy that will allow us to transport them back to their original kingdom.”
Princess Celestia nodded her head, “good, then I'll leave that part up to you. Please don’t take offence, but I worry that if I gave that task to your brother, he would transport them to a dangerous place. I worry that his feeling in this matter will overpower his judgment.”
Twilight nodded her head, “I understand your majesty, but are you sure he would do anything juristic?”
Princess Celestia nodded her head, “Yes… As a soldier, Shining Armor is trained to hide his anger so that he can keep a clear mind when the situation calls for it. But like all ponies, anger can get the best of them when hiding it becomes hard. I trust that he will be able to hold back his temper, but he will need support, otherwise it could be more dangerous to himself, than those around him.”