Disappointed with his natural talents, a changeling is sent to Ponyville to gather food for his people. What he finds in the colorful town could be a breakthrough for his kind, or put them all in peril.
Disappointed with his natural talents, a changeling is sent to Ponyville to gather food for his people. What he finds in the colorful town could be a breakthrough for his kind, or put them all in peril.
Prequel/spinoff of "The Wrong Hoof" (set during the course of season 3)
All names have a meaning, some connotation or purpose to define who they are. Sometimes I wonder if mine is a good thing or if it’s a curse that I have to live with.
“Dolus, front and center.” Nearly every time I hear it, I think about what it must be like to be normal, to be someone else who was born just a little different, although I suppose wanting to be someone else is what makes me, me. Dolus, an old word for deceit, lying, tricking people into thinking you’re something you’re not. For some, lying is a pleasure, others a necessity. For me, lying is just how I survive.
“Yes, sir?” I walked over to the general. Albeit slightly nervous of what he might ask, I had a job to do. We all did.
“Some of the guards want to take part in the invasion of Canterlot to support their queen. We need them here, escorting civilians to their new homes. Think you can talk them down?”
“I’ll try, sir.” It didn't help my chances much that I was conscripted into the changeling army for my natural talent, as some would call it. They’re not usually big on conscription but they had to make an exception for my case. They call me a professional prevaricator, but that’s just a fancy way of saying liar.
I found the guard that General HoneyRock was talking about, geared up in his armor and ready to go, pacing back and forth. I could tell he was anxious about being kept here. Part of what I do is reading people’s body language. “Sergeant,” I called as he turned his head to face me, looking me up and down, almost instantly forming his opinion. I may belong to a race of shapeshifters but I still can’t help the fact that my body is smaller than most. I was often teased when I was younger for baring more resemblance to a mare rather than any proper stallion. Not that I let it bother me, but it still didn't get me any respect.
“The kiddy pool’s that way,” He said, pointing his hoof back the way I came.
“That’s not the proper way to address a superior, sergeant.” I could see him barely contain a laugh as he eased up a bit. For the moment all anxiety seemed to wash away until he caught sight of my face again and realized I was serious.
“Superior? Says who?”
“Says me, Colonel Brigand.” I pulled out a fake colonel’s badge and showed it to him as I watched him nearly fall over, regretting his previous choice of words. Brigand was the first thing I came up with but that didn't make it any less believable. Names never make sense, why should a fake name?
“What’s your license number?” For a split second I felt something close to surprise at the question. Most guards blindly follow the chain of command so it’s uncommon for one to ask for proof.
“04729B.” I was bluffing. Nearly everything I say nowadays is a string of the first words that come to my head. Sometimes they don’t even make it that far before I say them aloud. It didn't matter though, the guard was bluffing as well, he had no way of checking the phony number. He couldn't even tell me if it was the right number of digits.
“Sergeant Herring.” The guard swallowed his pride and bowed before me. “I meant no disrespect Colonel, I just thought that-”
“At ease, sergeant. I’m not here for you to kiss my boot.” Herring nodded and stood up straight, presenting himself as a guard yet still trying to figure out if he saw me as a worthy leader to follow. After all, he disobeyed HoneyRock, why should he listen to me? “I've been informed that you have been questioning your orders?”
“I was recruited for my abilities to serve the queen in any way I can. It doesn't feel right to let her lead an attack on her own while I’m stuck on escort duty.”
“She’s not on her own. Queen Chrysalis has at least 50 changelings at her side ready to strike once she has weakened their defenses. These are changelings who would serve her with their lives. Not that I am questioning your devotion to the queen, but you’re no good to us eating hospital food. Do you understand sergeant?”
“Hospital food?”
“This is above your pay grade sergeant, but most of those changelings aren't expected back any time soon.” The guard nodded as he understood. He even saluted me briefly before responding.
“Yes sir. I understand sir.”
“And one more thing sergeant, if you tell anyone what I just told you, I will deny everything and have you expunged. Do I make myself clear?” The guard smirked at me, assuming I was joking, only to gulp a few seconds later when he realized I wasn’t. He nodded with solemn understanding at the bluff. All it comes down to in the end is who has the better poker face. “As you were.” As I turned around to leave the room, all I could hear from behind me was a relieved sigh that I was finally leaving. Whether he saw me as a worthy leader or not, the guard definitely learnt his place. Sometimes I hate being a colonel.
“Has Sergeant Herring settled down?”
“I wouldn't exactly say settled, but he won’t be causing any more trouble.” General HoneyRock gave me a brief smile before jerking his head, motioning for me to follow him. As we both traveled through the changeling camps, I could see many disgruntled and upset families. Most were sitting still and patiently awaiting the guards’ instructions, some were scrambling around looking for food, and none were happy about being forced to leave their homes. The famine only made things worse. Some say we’re leaving because there wasn't enough food, others say we’re hungry because we’re leaving the food behind. I don’t think the two are connected. It seems like I’m the only one around here who believes in bad luck.
“You've been doing some impressive work these past few days Dolus. If it weren't for you, we’d have riots destroying what’s left of what little we have.”
“Just glad I can help sir.” Although I was glad I could prevent at least some damage to the community, General Honeyrock knows better than anyone that I didn't choose to be here. Though, it’s still polite to act like you would have done it anyway.
“I have someone who would like to meet you.”
“Great.” I tried my hardest not to sound sarcastic. As much as I’d like to believe whoever this is could become a new friend, I’m just not that lucky. We walked up behind two guards discussing something quietly while looking over what appeared to be a map. The one on the right was dressed in the traditional black armor of the queen’s guard with seams that glowed red. But the one on the left was wearing something different. Similar in shape yet the armor was crafted out of a different material, lined with golden scales down the back of his neck and on his sides. Maybe he was a new kind of guard? But not even the general had this kind of armor.
“Dolus, meet your new leader, Prince Vano.”
“P-Prince?” I couldn't help stuttering the word. I knew what the word meant but I had never heard of a changeling prince. No one ever talked about an heir to the throne. He turned his head to glance at me before whispering something to the other guard. As He walked away, the gold clad prince turned around fully to look me up and down before greeting me with a warm smile which I somehow found even more unnerving.
“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Dolus. I've heard a lot about you.” Many changelings would feel honored to finally meet a member of royalty, but nothing happens without a reason. Whatever Prince Vano wanted with me, it couldn't be good.
“What? N-No, I’m fine.” I couldn't help it. I’m normally a great liar but how was I supposed to lie to an heir to the throne? I couldn't pretend to be someone else because General HoneyRock already told him who I am, what I do, who knows how much else he knew. I suppose it can’t be too much if he still wanted to meet with me.
“Could you excuse us, general?”
“Of course sir.” As he left me alone with the prince, all I could think about was how I knew nothing about this person, he could’ve been an innocent ball of fluff for all I knew, or my worst nightmare.
“Walk with me Dolus.” He waved his hoof, signaling for me to follow as he started walking away from the changeling camps. I started following him but still preferred to keep my distance just in case. “You’re nervous. I understand. It’s not every day you’re brought face to face with royalty and when it does happen, you’re skeptical.”
“A-Are you reading my mind?” He chuckled softly at that. I suppose if he found me amusing, he might go easier on me.
“You have a very special skill set, but you can’t assume you’re the only one who can read body language. I was brought up to be a prince, meaning I have experience in most areas from arts to science, to mathematics. Psychology is no different.”
“So, you’re a demigod?” The prince smiled as he shook his head.
“Many skills are easy to learn but would take years to master. I have experience in a lot of areas, yes, but I’m far from mastering any of them. But enough about me, I want to know how comfortable you are with what you do.”
“You mean lying?”
“If that’s how you wish to refer to it.”
“I’m good at it, never said I liked it.”
“It’s an easy job if you can do it right. That’s how politicians earn a living after all. So what would you rather do instead?” It was hard to tell with his helmet on but I could’ve sworn the prince raised an eyebrow at me as we started climbing a hill that appeared to be four, maybe five times the height of any of our tents which seemed like specks in the distance by now.
“I don’t know. I guess I just wish there were some other way I could help the starving families without lying directly to their face.”
“I know exactly what you mean. It’s hard lying to the ones you love. Being so adept at it, it must feel like a curse to you. It can’t help much that your name literally means deceit.” It’s been ages since someone actually knew my name. I couldn't even remember where I first heard its meaning from. I don’t even think the general knew what my name meant, so how did he?
“How did you-”
“It’s Latin. A dead language, very old. You should know that just because your name brands you as a liar, doesn't mean that has to be a bad thing. Do you have any idea what mine means?” I had to think about that one for a moment as we reached the top of the steep, grassy hill, stopping to take a quick break as the prince admired the view over the changeling camps. I had to admit, it did look beautiful in a sad sort of way, seeing the entirety of our kind’s devastation, still holding together to survive. But the prince asked a question and I wouldn't even know where to begin with guessing.
“Vain?”
“Close.”
“Really?”
“No, sorry, it means empty. But that wasn't a bad guess, at least you thought about it. The point is, if someone is empty, everyone assumes it’s a bad thing. I see it as ambition. A drive to find something or someone to make me whole.”
“Why did you bring me up here?” He paused, looking at me for a moment before turning to face away from the camps, looking at a mountain.
“I have an offer for you. You want to make the world an easier place for us to live. I have a way of doing that. However, it can be very dangerous. I wouldn't let anyone else front this mission unless I trusted in their ability completely. That, or they had a way of staying out of danger completely.”
“What do you mean, staying out of danger?”
“With your abilities, you can walk amongst anyone as anyone else, practically invisible to countless communities. As changelings, we may be able to disguise ourselves as others, but only very few of us can act the part.”
“You want me to walk among others? Who?” It wasn't until I asked the question that I noticed why the prince was still staring at the mountain. I looked up at it and found a gleaming white castle built into the side of it, about half of the way up.
“This is a very important mission Dolus. Your kind needs you to gather food to help feed the starving and the weary. If you choose to accept this task, you’d be doing us all a great favor. Travel to the land of the ponies and do whatever is necessary to bring back material food, food that the ponies would have put a lot of love and consideration into making or growing. I know it doesn't taste as great as direct love, but it will help us all get by.” I didn't know how to respond, on one hoof, it seemed exciting, meeting a whole new race of people who might think of me as one of their own. But the thought still lingered in my mind, what if I got found out? Either way, it still beat the work I was currently doing.
“I’d be happy to help, sir.” Who knows? Maybe I could become good enough friends with someone there that they might not care that I’m a changeling.
“Glad to hear it. If you run into trouble, head to Canterlot and ask for someone named Flash Sentry. I’ll do what I can to dowse suspicions of changelings in pony territory but if something comes up, don’t hesitate to find me.” The prince smiled at me and lifted his hoof to pat me on the back. I can’t remember the last time someone pat me on the back but to be honest, it felt kind of nice. “Oh, and one more thing.”
“Yes sir?”
“This may seem like an odd request, but you cannot make friends in Ponyville. You may walk among them, smile if you will, even wave, but if you keep contact with anyone, they will find you out, and they will turn you in. That is a risk we cannot take. Understood?” He looked at me with concern as I nodded slowly in response. There goes any hope of survival.
Walking through the small town named Ponyville, I found myself completely lost. Everyone seemed so happy and carefree, I couldn't help but question if I was even awake. For the time being I disguised myself as a white earth pony mare with a yellow mane. The colors seemed bland enough that I might avoid suspicion. That was until I found an all pink mare bouncing up and down through the street. Normally I’d steer clear of direct contact as per my orders, but I was hungry and tired with no idea where to start.
“Excuse me?” I asked, hoping to grab the mare’s attention. She seemed to stop midair although I must have imagined it. The mare with the fluffy, pink mane started bouncing backwards, retracing her path until she could see me. As soon as she could, she smiled and bounced towards me, stopping barely an inch in front of me.
“Hi!” She shouted with an upbeat, cheery tone which nearly deafened me. I was dizzy enough as I was from hunger, she probably didn't realize she was making things worse. “Have I seen you before?”
“No, probably not. You see, I-“ The mare gasped and interrupted me as I shrunk into the ground.
“I've seen everyone in Ponyville which means if I haven’t seen you before you must not be from Ponyville. If you’re in Ponyville that must mean you’re new here! And if you’re new here and I haven’t seen you then you might not know anybody, you might not even have any friends here.” The mare gasped again at the thought as I sat perfectly still, hoping she would stop. “If you don’t have any friends here then you must be all alone with nowhere to go, unless you've already met somebody like Rainbow Dash or AppleJack. But if you already met one of them then why wouldn't they tell me? I don’t remember them telling me anything about a stranger in Ponyville, but I suppose I could have forgotten. Isn't that the worst when you’re trying to figure out why something didn't happen for ages until you suddenly remember that it did?” She paused for the smallest fraction of a second and I decided it was probably my best chance to interrupt her, otherwise I could be here for an eternity, starving to death before she even takes another breath.
“I’m actually pretty hungry, do you know of someplace I can get something to eat?” The eccentric pony wasted no time in delivering an answer.
“Of course, silly. Sugar cube corner is right there, they always have something tasty to eat.” She didn't bother lifting a hoof but instead pointed her fluffy pink tail directly at the nearest building, colorfully decorated with all shades of pink and brown as if the entire shop itself was made of food.
“Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do for a friend!” I panicked at hearing the last word. Did this pony see me as a friend? That meant that she was going to find me out, that she was going to turn me in, that I've failed me entire race in the first day on the job. The mare stared at me with what was probably confusion but it was hard to tell as I was running in the opposite direction, desperate to put as much distance between me and her as possible.
I turned the corner and dove into the nearest bush, waiting for what felt like ten minutes before I set hoof out of the plantation again, scanning my surroundings to make sure the pink one was nowhere in sight.
“Sugar cube corner.” I repeated to myself, trying to remember where to find the shop. I peeked around the corner and suddenly thought I probably should have run further when I realized the bright and colorful building was only just down the road. As I approached the shop, I had to squint as the sun caught my eye. It was already setting.
“Good afternoon.” The blue mare on the other side of the counter greeted me as I walked inside. As I looked up and down between her and the cupcakes she was selling, I couldn't help but notice that her pink mane and the icing on the treats looked almost exactly the same. “What can I get you?” she asked as I walked up to the counter.
“Do you have any… cakes?” I had no idea what to ask for. We didn't bake cakes back at home, all I knew about them was the quick briefing Vano gave me.
“What flavor? We have chocolate, vanilla, strawberry-“
“Surprise me.” The mare smiled and walked away into a back room, quickly coming back and showing me a decently sized box that gave off a peculiar yet enticing aroma.
“That’ll be 20 bits,” she said cheerily. I was almost intoxicated by the smell of the icing until her request snapped me out of it.
“Come again?”
“I said that’ll be 20 bits. The cake costs 20 bits, dear.” I had forgotten all about the currency system. I didn't know what to do. On one hoof, I really didn't want to leave without the cake. On the other hoof, without any money to pay for it, my only option left was to steal it. I couldn't steal anything. That would certainly get authorities breathing down my neck not to mention it just felt wrong considering how nice this pony had been to me. I opened my mouth to say something but I had nothing to say. The only word running through my head, repeating itself over and over was bail. So I did. As I ran out of the store, I could feel my stomach growling at me, trying to tell me to go back, but my legs wouldn't listen. I kept running, determined to beat my runaway high score of the bush down the road.
Eventually I started to wonder if I had run too far as I found myself in the middle of a dense group of trees that stretched as far as my eyes could see before me. I looked around and it seemed to stretch in every direction. When I looked up I recognized a series of shiny, red, ball-like things hanging from the branches. These must have been the apple trees I was told about. According to Vano, the red fruits were edible but I had no idea how to reach them from down on the ground. I would fly up but this disguise didn't have wings and I couldn't risk changing forms while I was still in pony territory, even if I didn't see anyone around. I tried climbing up but there were no low hanging branches to grab on to. I tried running up the side of the tree, determined to silence my grumbling stomach but before I could reach the apple, I fell flat on my back as gravity returned to me. I groaned audibly, wishing the day would just end as I stood up and dusted myself off. I decided to start looking for shelter as the night rose over the land, but I was distracted when something hit the top of my head. When I looked at the object rolling across the ground I noticed it was red, shiny, and oddly ball-like. I must have shaken something loose when I hit the ground but I was too hungry to care. I scrambled to the ground, stuffing the apple in my mouth as I could taste the love that had gone into growing it. Every minute of this tree’s growth was absorbed into the form of a red ball and it was delicious. My joy of finally finding something to eat didn't last long as I heard voices nearby, slowly drawing closer.
“I thought I heard something over this way. If one of those thieving varmints is after my apples again, there’ll be hay to pay.” Did these trees belong to someone? Was I stealing? I bolted again. It seemed like I was starting to make a habit out of it but I didn't care as long as it got me out of trouble. Or at least I thought it did. As I continued, the trees grew darker and the night air grew colder. Howling could be heard in the distance as I started looking around frantically for something I could use to defend myself. My eyes landed on a dark cave off to my left, embedded into the side of a hill. I figured a place to hide was even better as I walked towards it, exploring the inside to make sure I was alone.
My face found a wall on the other side of the cave and I figured it was probably empty. Even if it wasn't, it was probably too dark for something to find me even if it was sitting right next to me so I didn't care. As I calmed down and relaxed behind a rock, the warmth of being inside a shelter, away from the night air overtook my body as I felt the exhaustion of today’s activities finally hit me. I turned off my disguise, letting my body rest into the stone floor of the cave.
“Maybe I could make this cave my home,” I thought aloud to myself as I drifted off into a well-deserved sleep.
“I need a new disguise.” The first words I could think of the moment my eyes opened in the morning. I made such a fool out of myself the day before. I couldn't possibly face those ponies again. That is unless I had a different face. I shifted into a new creation, a yellow pegasus stallion with a red and yellow mane. With wings this time, it should be easier to pick those apples, but I can only imagine they keep tighter security on them during the day. “I need a job.”
Standing on the outskirts of the town, I was even more nervous than last time. I normally hate disguising myself as a stallion since people are much more likely to go easier on a mare, but I couldn't run the risk of being associated with my last disguise. I figured the bright and playful colors might actually fit in better here considering the types I've seen so far. I started bouncing my way into the city. Of the three ponies I've come across so far, one was bouncing, one was standing still, and the other I didn't even see. So far I haven’t seen anyone walk. When in Rome.
“Are you alright?” I heard a mare’s voice from the right as I immediately stopped bouncing, hoping she wasn't talking to me. When I turned to look around, sure enough, there wasn't a single other pony in sight and the purple pony was staring right at me.
“Yes. I’m fine, thank you. Why do you ask?” She started walking closer to me as I started to feel more and more uncomfortable. I’m usually not good with talking to other mares. If they think I’m just another mare like them, they treat me like one of their own, but as a stallion, this was terrifying.
“It’s just that you were jumping around everywhere.”
“That isn't normal?” That question earned me a puzzled look as the unicorn continued staring at me. Messed up again and it hasn't even been five minutes. I think that’s a new record.
“No. Why would you think that’s normal?”
“Well… it’s just, I saw the pink one doing it.”
“Oh. That would be Pinkie Pie. She’s… different.” There was something unnerving about the pause she gave before saying the word.
“Different?”
“No one really knows why Pinkie does what she does. It’s often easier just to not question it. You must be new here. What’s your name?”
“Ember Sand.” Really? That was the best I could come up with? That’s not even a name, that’s literally just the first two words that came to my head. I suppose Pinkie Pie doesn't make much sense either, but like she said, the pink one is different.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, my name is Twilight Sparkle.” Never mind, I guess they all have weird names here. Maybe I’ll call my next disguise Table Leg. “Also you don’t seem to be using your wings much either.”
“I prefer to walk.”
“It’s just that the only other pegasus I know who doesn't like flying is Fluttershy. You two might get along.” No thanks, the last thing I need right now is another friend.
“Actually, I accidentally forgot my money back in my old home at Cloudsdale and I’m a bit too tired to make the trip back their tonight. I don’t suppose you know somewhere I can get a job and earn my keep?”
“Well I don’t know too much about work. Princess Celestia covers most of my fees so that I can continue my studies.” A unicorn with ties to a princess. Perfect. I’m sure this will work out just fine. I wonder if they have a cliff I can throw myself off of too. “But you might want to speak to AppleJack. She’s the hardest working pony I know, she might have some spare jobs for you.”
“And where can I find AppleJack?”
“Her family owns sweet apple acres. It’s actually just over that way, not far from where you came from.” As she pointed to the orchard I knew all too well, I realized I may have already stolen from AppleJack. “But if you want to get something to eat right now, I can lend you a hoof.” The mare’s horn started to glow as a small bag of coins floated towards me. “That’s 25 bits. That should be enough to cover you for about one day.”
“Really? Do I have to pay you back?”
“Of course not. Just focus on getting a job so I don’t have to keep buying you meals.” The mare smiled at me and I realized there was something different about these ponies. The kindness, the generosity, everything down to the bright colors of their manes, you just couldn’t find a place like this in any changeling hive. “I’ll see you around,” she said as she walked away, still smiling as if she had just made the world a better place, and for the changelings, she had.
I walked back into sugar cube corner, determined not to leave empty-hoofed a second time as the blue mare greeted me again.
“Good Morning. What can I get you?”
“Could I please get a strawberry cake?” The compassion that the unicorn showed me earlier was enough to last me a few hours at least, but I could still think of some other changelings who might need some food. When she came back with the cake, smelling just as delicious as before, I dropped the small coin bag on the counter, smiling. As I started to lift the box onto my back, trying to keep it steady with my wings, the mare counted up the coins in the bag.
“The cake only costs 20 bits, dear. You gave me 25.”
“Keep the change,” I said happily as I turned to walk out of the store. From what I can tell, being generous is what makes the world go round around here. Kindness is just as much a currency as bits.
