A changeling's purpose

by SwarmLordAbdonis

Speeches and doubts

Most ponies already know that our ability to devour love can increase a changeling's magical power and can keep us from starving? But there is more to it than that. One example is that love can also be manipulated for the sake of healing purposes. Whereas a pony would need to wait days for a minor injury to heal, a changeling can heal using love and recover in minutes should we choose to do so. For ourselves or others at least.

It seemed that this manipulation had already been used on me when I was still unconscious. My shock from discovering more of my kind distracted me from it at first, but I soon learned that the hoof I had first injured from the winds was now fixed. My wings however had taken more time to heal and took until the morning until I could so much as fly once again.

Had I known they had planned to use a fraction of their remaining love to heal me faster, I would have refused. I certainly was unhappy about it and made it clear by arguing with the infiltration leader. He insisted that it was for the best, to keep the highest ranking warrior in top condition. I was in no mood to continue a discussion about what had already been done and dropped it at that. As far as I could see it, a limited source of love should not be wasted unless every-ling was in agreement about it. I seemed to be the only one in disagreement.

It was just as well in the end I suppose, considering the sleeping arrangements.

As you can imagine, sleeping on the ground of a dangerous forest is risky. Therefore our solution was the branches above. Most thick enough to support our weight.

So, once every-ling was ready, they simply flew up and rested on the best branch they could find, some even arguing over who got a certain branch. Fang helped me to mine and that was that. No-ling else spoke a word as they almost immediately fell asleep. I however remained awake in thought.

I remembered what I had told Fang earlier about what our top priorities should be. He was in agreement but of course there were some problems. The biggest being how do we find the queen? I did not know, obviously. And without her, the other priorities fell apart. A force of eight changelings was never going to be enough to deal with the entire land of Equestrian.

So I continued to think of a solution. A hint, an idea, anything that would help in any way. But nothing came.

So instead I took a different approach. Instead of thinking about what we didn't have, we needed to look at what we DID have.

We have this camp, as small and weak as it is. But even a fortress can be created from nothing. Even the hive was built in the land of nothingness and it throughout time was once the power and might of our kind. We have maps, which I learned the warrior stole from the pony castle before they fled. Most of them showed the forest we were currently residing in and the nearby pony settlements near it. I'll be sure to take a look at those tomorrow and with luck get a proper fix on our location. And we also had Chitin Scarabs. Every infiltration team were expected to carry them when on missions if ever they needed to inform the queen of their progress. They didn't seem of much use at the moment but perhaps in time they would. That was everything we had other than my armour.

I remembered at that moment, when I was a drone, my own Swarm Leader told us that every resource you carry can be used to great effect no matter how small it may be. That a single device was all that was needed to save your live.

It would be a step in the right direction if I followed that advice. But how to apply it to my advantage, in this situation was something else.

Perhaps I'll go over it tomorrow with the group and raise some ideas with it.

...........

Hours pass and the light of the sun finally seeps through the dense forest and into the camp. And like every other morning I rise the instant I feel its heat, as do the others. Every-ling takes flight and descends below to the ground floor Before I try the same I give my wings a quick test to see if they are fixed. A loud buzz tells me yes.

That's some good news at least. Better than sleeping on the ground.

A few minutes go by. I decide that now is a good time as any to go over my "battle plan", so to speak. Something I choose to do to raise confidence and bring smiles where they are most needed. Which was right here, right now. A simple talk to boost morale before planning the bigger steps. To Tartarus if any-ling believes that THIS is how they are going to spend the remainder of their lives, we are stronger than that! And I shall prove it.

A few minutes more pass and I have every-ling where I want them. All eight including myself sat down in a circle. No-ling but the Infiltration leader knew what this was about. Now was as good a time as any to take the first steps towards progress, was it not?

"I imagine that most of you are wondering why I have brought you here instead of scavenging for food, yes"?

The infiltrators nodded in confusion while the warrior continued to listen.

"Last night I spoke to your infiltration leader about what our top priorities should be, regarding our situation. And as I'm sure you should know, finding the queen is the most important priority of all".

This earned a number of cheerful responses and hisses. But what I would say next would silence them as quickly.

"As important as it is that we do this, we will not".

As I expected, their smiles turned to confusion. A few even hissed in anger at my words. Good. It proves their loyalty to the queen.

"We will not, because we can't. Not in our state".

I stood up. Now was as good as any time to lay down the truth of the matter, for those who did not already understand the seriousness of the situation.

"We are most likely all that remains of an army of thousands. A mere eight soldiers. To stand against the might of both our former brothers and ponies would be impossible. And perhaps we may never regain what has already been lost. But that does not mean we will lay down and accept this future, will we"?

Mutters of agreement rose from the mouths of a few changelings.

"No. We shall not. We will continue to survive as we always have for generations. As long as we remain, the changeling race shall continue to survive. Each and every one of you is a beacon of hope that will continue to shine as we find a way to climb out of the darkness. We are changelings and we do not accept defeat. We shall endure and survive the harshness of reality as we always have and will overcome it like we have before."

More positive responses and replies could be heard. They seemed much more cheerful now. Not a hint of fear or sadness could be detected.

Speeches, I shall admit are not my strongest point. I'm sure my fellow changelings knew it as well. But I know what every-ling here wants, including myself. Hope. A way to reverse the damage we have already suffered through. Something to hold onto as we climb from the pit of despair.

It was a start at least. As the ponies say themselves, it is best to strike while the iron is hot. We shall continue.

For the remainder of the time I went over every-ling with the maps, trying to figure out the closest pony settlement. As I said our power and hunger for love will begin to gnaw at us in time. We would need to be quick, precise and stealthy to pull it off. But that was a matter for later.

Finally, after most important details were dealt with I left the maps to the two best changelings that understood pony cultures and moved on. The warrior seemed to notice this and took the chance to speak with me.

"Swarm Leader, if I may discuss an important matter with you"? He asked patiently as he walked alongside me.

"Of course. And please, I rather you use my name, Abdonis".

He nodded. "As you wish, swarm leader Abdonis. During your little... talk with us, you mentioned we needed to build up our strength, yes"?

"It would be a necessity, yes".

"In that case, I must ask how? With the dangers of the forest, what is to stop a group of timberwolves from rampaging through this campsite"?

The warriors' tone seemed rather hot tempered. Like he was critical of me. For now I bit my tongue on it but continued to talk on his subject of interest.

"I don't believe that there is much that would be damaged, other than a few mere sticks for the campfire. Those can be replaced with ease I'm sure". We are in a forest after all. Though I am sure that is not what he's getting at.

"Perhaps so, but a changeling can't. If something were to happen to one, the damage done will not be replicable. I can be most certain of that".

"You doubt your fellow brethren"? I asked. Could the tone in my voice be a little angrier I'm sure the entire forest would pick up on it.

"They are the ones I am doubting, Swarm Leader Abdonis. However I believe I may have a solution to keep that from happening".

"Then perhaps you would feel free to share it before it does happen"?

The warrior stopped after we had walked a fair distance to the end of the camp. I turned to face him and he raised a single hoof and spoke as though what he had to say was simple knowledge.

"As you know, the Throne of Chrysalis is made of a rock that wields unnatural properties, capable of cancelling and expelling any magic within it's range".

"Even a nymph knows this general knowledge warrior. Get to the point".

"Were we to take that rock and place it here, its effects would boost our defences. Animals, magical or not will be able to sense the rock's power and keep their distance from it. Ponies would be that much weaker and easier to deal with should we be attacked. This is something we need".

"Then you are a fool. The throne has already been destroyed and the magic it holds is long gone".

"Not entirely true, Swarm leader Abdonis".

It's not? The look on his face is confident enough and I can't find a hint of doubt in his emotions. So what is it he knows that I do not?

"Explain".

"If the throne is destroyed, and lies in pieces then the magic isn't gone, but merely seeping out from the broken areas, as blood does from a wound. Were we to gather a piece large enough and round off the broken area, it would be enough to mimic the effects the throne had before but on a much small scale. Enough to protect the camp at its current state at least. Even a lowly warrior such as myself, knows this general knowledge, Swarm Leader Abdonis".

His rudeness aside, I had to admit. It SOUNDED like it would be a big advantage. But that would mean some-ling would have to go back to the hive, collect one of these stones have they not already been destroyed and gather the right tools to round and smooth out the broken areas. To me, it sounded too risky. To go all that way back to the hive just to end up with nothing in the end.

"I will... consider this. But until I say otherwise, no-ling is to go back to the hive under any circumstance. Not yet. Do you understand this"?

I received no response other than a slight shift of anger in his emotions.

He surely would not be foolish enough to disobey would he? I swear if he is thinking otherwi-

"Yes. Swarm Leader Abdonis. I understand perfectly".

...

"Good. Now go and help the others with the maps. It would be helpful for all of us to pull our weight around here".

"Yes. It would Swarm Leader. I just hope you'll manage. Being the last swarm leader of the hive probably isn't an easy thing to take in".

The warrior, having said his peace left and carried out the order I had given him. For a moment I was content with the short amount of time I was given to be alone with nothing but silence.

"What was that about"?

While it lasted...

The Infiltration leader, Fang seemed to make himself noticed by me as he asked his question and pressed on.

"He seemed rather hot headed when he was just leaving your side, wasn't he"?

I suppose it's only fair I explain. Most infiltrators know little of the relationships between warriors and their leaders.

"It's not so surprising to me. I had the feeling it would happen at some point anyway".

Fang for his part seemed confused. I suppose infiltrators have an easy relationship in the chain of command.

"When I began as a warrior, I served under the command of Swarm Leader Thorn. A changeling who controlled the force of three hundred warriors. See, each Swarm Leader is given a certain number of warriors to command depending on his experience. And like I did, each warrior is expected to give their courage and loyalty to the one Swarm Leader they serve under. Just the one. Including our warrior right here in this campsite. Throughout that time, warriors bond with that Swarm Leader and build a mutual trust. No other Swarm Leader can just take control of a warrior who's loyalty lies with another Swarm Leader and expect him to fully comply. That is why your warrior is acting with a lack of professionalism. I would be lucky if he sees me as even a fraction of his former Swarm Leader. In short, I need to earn both his trust and loyalty, and that is a very difficult thing to do if he knows nothing about me".

"That sounds... a little confusing I must admit". Fang spoke with slight discomfort.

"Call it a warrior thing if you wish". I smirked. "It just means I need to show that I'm a leader who knows what he's doing. Which will be challenging all in its own way".

"Surely not that challenging". Fang smirked. "You're a swarm leader yourself right? I have confidence you will prevail. Chrysalis knows how many warriors you have commanded".

My smirk fell.

"Perhaps it would interest you to know that I actually have very little experience as a swarm leader Fang. I have only held that title for two years. Most other swarm leaders with warriors to lead at that time were too experienced or too young at that time to be replaced".

And thus Fang's smirk fell.

"So... you mean to say that no-ling has served under your command"?

This next part was going to be a little embarrassing to admit...

"In the two years I have spent as a Swarm Leader... you and your team are the first official changelings I have ever taken under command".

I did not see his face but I could sense surprise. Couldn't say that I felt the same.

"Well, it's an honour to be the first I suppose, hm"?

I looked over to see Fang smile. An actual genuine smile. Now I could say that I felt surprised.

"This... does not disappoint you, what I've just shared"?

"As my own leader used to say Swarm leader, there's no better experience than learning on the job, out in the field".

"That is... a good point actually. Thank you, Fang".

"Happy to help sir".

With that, he left me on my own. I couldn't help but feel a little better after his talk. He did raise a good note or two. Either way only time will tell if I can prove to hold my rank or not.

For now however it would be best to check on how well the maps are coming along.

Comments

[Razzy]

Keep strong, 'lings, for the Queen is counting on you.

It'd be hilarious if the anti magic stone also worked on the original_character_do_not_steallings, since they certainly aren't changelings anymore.

[PonyDragon]

It continues! Yay!
I'm curious what they are going to do next. Probably collection somelove, but how and where?

Also: At first I didn't found the sequel, since you forgot to add the "Prequel Story"-information in the story-settings. You may add it there, to make it easier to find.
And, in my opinion, it would look better to start all words of the title uppercase.

[DirtCore]

I looked over to see Fang smile. An actual genuine smile. Now I could say that I felt surprised.

This is pretty cute scene ^^ It holds so much to me