All around them, were the agonizing sounds of the dead finding their way into the earth. The soldiers lay in their craters which became their graves. Some were still hanging on the little life they had left. The healthy changelings who stayed behind snapped their necks and saluted them. Gushing, green innards lay about disgustingly due to splattering on hard rocks. In this filthy mess, every living changeling gathered around a single crater. It was the largest one. Queen Chrysalis was dead.
They stared at her corpse for hours until nightfall. That was when a suggestion was made Chrysalis’s royal advisor to bury her and mark her grave. Then, until day break, they argued on how to bury her. Should she lie in her crater or should a new one be dug out? If so, how deep? Also, how will it be dug? With bare hooves, transformed hooves, maybe some makeshift item? What would that makeshift item be? Changeling chitin, rocks, branches? What kind of rocks or branches? How about all three? Or just two methods of excavation? Only one? Or maybe there were more methods waiting to find them. Who would discover these methods? A group or individual? Would these methods work in the provided time frame? What was their provided time frame? Did they have a particular due time at which to bury her? What would happen if they did not reach that time? The changelings telepathically argued and thought of what to do with their former queen.
It took three days to figure out where to bury her (her crater was too undignified so they decided on a twenty foot deep hole), how to dig (It was ‘more heartfelt’ to use their own, transformed hooves), when to dig (they decided to respond to the death as soon as possible),where to dig (The garden where she grew her rare plants), how to transport her (on their backs as dignified as possible while singing the few, traditional changeling hymns), how to lay her down (they weren’t just going to throw her in the hole), what to say after (this one took the longest since every live changeling said a few words; most just saying ‘what the guy before me said’), how to bury her (some changelings still couldn’t believe the suggestion of burying her under her other dead subjects bodies!), how to mark her grave (Someone found a beautiful marble stone and carved ‘Queen Chrysalis’ in it), and how long to grieve (the process itself took three days so everyone was over it pretty soon after). The royal advisor looked around at the other bodies. It was agreed not to bury them, but to say final good byes to those they knew. It took a total of eighty-four hours to finish all this.
The changelings sat about two miles outside the vicinity they called their home. Each telepathically thought to each other not knowing what to do. They were hungry and their rations were emptied; hence the Canterlot Invasion. It was another two hours until the royal advisor thought of something and another three agreeing on whether to do it or not.
Ponies screamed and panicked. They ran out of the streets and locked their homes. Down Mane Street was the entire, living force of changelings. They marched through the street with eager, but patient looks on their faces and anxiety all around. Some civilian unicorns blasted some with magic. When one changeling would fall, another would pick it up and continue on their instinctual march. They walked around poles, carts, and passed out ponies. All had their eyes on the castle.
“Halt! In the name of Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor!” A group of Crystal guards commanded. None were paid attention to. A braver pegasus grabbed one from the pack. Every changeling stopped and turned at the offending pony. They ducked their heads aggressively and vibrated their wings making an unbearable, ground shaking buzz. All glared on the same target. Along with the buzzing, they started hissing which further irritated every pony’s ears. All this sound was directed into one place; the pegasus guard. He neighed in primal agony and dropped the stolen changeling. Every changeling resumed marching like nothing happened.
“Ready? And shield!” A large group of unicorns created a wall of magic. The combined force field was a toxic looking magenta. The changelings didn't seem to care. Two pairs of changelings stood on one another’s backs. Their horns glowed green and plunged into the barrier. They side stepped creating an opening.
“Ready the second shield!” The captain yelled. The guards stood shoulder to shoulder. The changelings didn’t hurt them, but they pushed the living blockade with all their might. “We can’t let’em get to the Crystal Heart!” The captain yelled. “They’ll suck out every drop of love we have!”
The Crystal Heart was the energy source that powered the spring barrier. Thousands of years ago, the harmony between a group of ponies caused a power surge in a magic crystal. This crystal, later called the Crystal Heart, reflected the harmony between the ponies and reflected the warmth in their hearts. The magic created a dome with a permanent spring-like environment. Here, the ponies flourished and the Crystal Kingdom was found. Without it, the harsh arctic cold would reclaim its land.
The changelings pushed on the guards, but with no success. Realizing this, the other changelings jumped on the others’ backs and walked over them.
“No!” The captain yelled as another black hoof stepped on his back. The swarm approached the crystal display and went through it.
“What?” All startled, the other guards were pushed aside. The magic force field lost strength and faded allowing the four changelings to return to their march. They broke through the castle doors easily. Servants and castle guards alike just watched. The pony-like creatures didn’t break a single vase or bump into a single wall. Again, they walked over and around fainted ponies and any other obstacle. As though they knew where to go, the herd trotted upstairs.
“Prince Armor! Princess Cadence! There’s an odd invasion of the castle as we speak!” A pegasus said as he slammed open the chamber door. It was still morning so they’d just gotten dressed for the day.
“What’s the situation? How did they get this far with no pony stopping them?!” Shining yelled. The pegasus guard gulped.
“We tried to stop them. A barrier of magic and soldiers could not stop them. Many attacked them, but they simply picked up the injured and walked along unfazed. I grabbed one and they used their wings and vocals to create this horrible sound wave! I thought my ears were going to blow up!”
“How soon will they be here?” Shining demanded. His question was answered when the doors were thrown open by a massive swarm of changelings. “Damn it!” His wife screamed. Ever since the Canterlot invasion, the princess was absolutely frightened of changelings! She was still getting inconsolable nightmares from the event! “I can handle this!” Shining Armor used the protection spell used to prevent changelings from entering Canterlot. The bubble was smaller making it more powerful. The changelings touched the force field hissing a bit at old memories. The changelings began ramming into the shield with green, physical tackles. They attacked in unison to strengthen their force. “Cadence!” Shining yelled with new sweat dropping and strain in his voice with every hit. “You…have to…help…-” The barrier shattered. Prince Armor was out cold. The swarm surrounded the vulnerable princess. She screamed with tears in her eyes.
She’d only been a princess for a couple days and so many things were going well! Sombra was defeated, the Crystal Empire was hosting the Equestrian Games, and she was married to the love of her life. Her kingdom was stable for the first time in years, Celestia and Luna respected her like a real ruler, and the little arctic country just officially reclaimed their land from the Caribou of Antlerta, Cannonda who took it during their thousand year curse!
The creatures surrounded her as she shut her eyes hoping it’d just end soon! Then silence.
…
Lots of silence
…
She opened her eyes. Every changeling…was bowing down to her.
That's something new i need to say. Lets see how you will roll it out
Well, she is the Princess of Food. Um. Love.
I haven't read it yet, but I definitely will. Changelings are best pony. However, I think a little more spacing between paragraphs might make the text more aesthetically pleasing and easier to read. Not commenting on paragraph breaks yet because, like I said, I haven't read it yet, but will as soon as I finish typing this comment.
Edit: Okay, finished reading, and I like what I've seen so far. This will be interesting ^_^
Well it is different than all the Twilight becomes Queen fics.
A good start.
Anterla, Cannonda! Awesome! - says the pegasister from Alberta, Canada.
IMPORTANT RULE: Main is actually "Mane"
Always.
Hmm, unique. Will most definitely track.
2680355
Aye, the Brony living in Alberta Canada agrees.
I'm guessing Cadence's reaction will be somewhat similar to the Doctor's if he were confronted by a horde of Daleks that had just dropped round to say "Hi."
Methinks I shall follow this, and see what develops.
2680355
Ah, still no puns on Ontario I presume.
let's see where this goes.
Interesting and a nice premise for many outcomes.
Interesting idea, I think making Cadence scared of them will work for this. The only question I have are: exactly how many changelings are left and what the hell happened before the start? Was that from after the Invasion or did something happen?
I can't wait to see what will happen next this is a great premise.
I can just see the 1st year anniversary of the land reclamation, with two Caribou with presents of a pack of two-four and hay baconback eh.
Albertan Foo Ta Woo!!!
I suggest you space your paragraphs out a bit (one of the prereaders here caught me with that and I think my stories have looked a LOT better ever since). I was a little shocked by the slightly graphic nature of the changelings' defeat after the wedding, but I suppose it wasn't exactly out of place.
In any case, this is a very interesting first chapter, and I look forward to seeing more. Have a thumb and a star, courtesy of myself.
Interesting idea with some nice funny bits as well. What strikes me odd is that apparently the events of several S3 episodes took place less than a week after the wedding, assuming that it was the Canterlot invasion that left the changelings in the state that they were in at the start. I figured the Empire would have to have been back for a while before it could be considered for the Equestria Games. Not to mention all of the disputes over the land were apparently worked out in this time. And I guess Cadence and Shining had to interrupt their honeymoon to go deal with Sombra.
I'll try not to think too hard about it and just enjoy the story though. I'm interested in seeing where this goes.
2684257
Perhaps the Changelings simply staked out the Empire for awhile before making their move? Or maybe they didn't want to risk a confrontation with Celestia and or Luna before they could reach Cadence, so they simply waited till she and Shining were safely outside the Canterlot city limits before making their move.
Though it would have been odd that Sombra didn't get absolutely buried in a couple hundred angry changelings the moment he began ranting about crystals and slaves, let alone making even a remotely threatening move towards the 'Queen'.
2682552
Thanks! And this is after the invasion. It's been about six days. Bodies arrived at about noon. Bodies stop coming and Chrysalis's is found at 1pm. Five hours later the sun goes down and the royal adviser suggests a burial. Three days later its done and they stare at their ex-home. Three days later, they arrive at the Crystal kingdom. In that time, Cadence asks for their land back and does other princess stuff to get the place organized. I hope this helps a little
So that would mean most of season 3 happened in one week...
2685140
Um....yes. Again, this is only the second story I've ever published here so sorry my logic is off. (making this up) The mane 6 took half a day to get to the empire then the rest to set up the crystal fair. Then Sombra attacked and you know the rest. So Sombra ate up about two days. Then Cadence had to re-organize things which took about three days (her work is no where near finished). A caribou representative of Antlerta came to negotiate land with Cadence which took most of her day.
2684246
Thanks! I shall take your advice! You may never have it back! Mwa ha ha!
th08.deviantart.net/fs71/150/f/2012/118/8/2/changeling_stole_my_love_by_senselesssquirrel-d4xu5hw.png
Just a spot of advice - find an editor. Follow the magic link to a magical world of grammar rules and style conventions.
dude what you just said sounds like a damn zombie outbreak where they force themselves though things without any care. and i can only picture her face at the bowing changelings.
sad that so many died but still im dieing---eager to see where this leads! :D
I Shall give this one a go.. do not disappoint :)
2685140 Well no one said all the episodes happened in order
2686642
*opens mouth to respond*
...
Good point
2686986 Same here.
2687169sorry, I'm tired. I was agreeing that this is gonna be good. Also, hijinks.
A good premise, please continue. As some advice though, try to make it less like a list.
Other than that great start.
Honora Imperator
More. More. More. More. More.
MOAR!
2685198
how long till next chapter? :3
2690626
The beginning part was supposed to be like a list. It's meant to emphasize how indecisive changelings are and how sheep-like they are
2693504
It's coming, Every time someone watches me, adds a comment, or favorites it makes me nervous my next chapter will not be perfect. But I am determined to get it out soon
I love how the Changelings have been written! It reminds me a little of the Geth from Mass Effect with the way you've represented the 'hive mind' aspect of the Changelings.
Oh, there's no possible way this will end messily. Nope. No way at all.
2693989
Ah right, I get it, no problems then great story all round, can't wait for the next chapter.
Keep it up.
Honora Imperator
Heh. Funny. Formatting could use a bit of work though. The paragraphs ought be spaced out a bit and the indention seems inconsistent. The first couple of paragraphs, especially, are really hard to read.
What the what?
Well, only thing that 'bugs' me is the changelings being able to just break through Shining's shield like that.
They could only get through the Canterlot shield because Chrysalis, by that point, had sucked so much of his energy out he could barely hold it together anymore.
These changelings are far fewer in number and starving. They might ahve enough energy left to weakly bump their heads against the shield, but that's about it.
The ponies would pretty much just need one can of Black Flag to deal with the lot of 'em!
A bit excessive with the exclamation points at the end there, but I want to see where this goes.
4537930
Probably that was only the attack squad. This time it's the entire hive.