//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Tales from Tinies: Pupa's Purpose // by Pixel Berry //------------------------------// Note: Today is Pupa’s first day out of the hive. After such a long time of preparation, we will see if all of the time pays off and she's the next queen when I'm gone. I pray that she succeeds; Raising the first human-changeling hybrid is almost as bad as Tartarus… and this will be even worst than losing total control those two times. Hopefully, my spies will keep her on track. Both Pupa and Chrysalis stood outside of the hive with her teachers and some of the other Changelings. Pupa had herself a satchel filled with various fruits and vegetables, and a map to Ponyville. Chrysalis nudged her forward. “Go and fulfill your destiny.” She spoke. “Find your ‘Home’, learn about their way of life, and lure them to us.” Pupa couldn't help but feel intimidated by the town that was rather far from their palace. In front of her, were nothing but gray dirt and jagged rocks. But further up ahead, she saw a green dot that she could only guess was the borderline to the changeling castle. She gripped the strap of the satchel as she only looked back up at her mother, a look of fear and nervousness in her eyes, two things that didn't look right on the positive and optimistic hybrid. The other Changelings were tearing up, obviously, they're going to miss their little princess, with a couple holding signs reading “I <3 Pupa” and “Never Forget”. It was clear that their encouragement was present, but it just made her a lot more nervous. Chrysalis only stared, uncertain if Pupa was going to move or not. “You know, the longer you stay here, the more your subjects will starve, and I don't want to label you as a traitor… unless, you want that.” She got more scared at the thought of being called a traitor. “I-I'm not a t-traitor.” Pupa stuttered as she looked up at the queen. “Then I suggest that you start right now.” “C-can I at least say something before I go?” She asked, tilting her head a little as she turned to look up at her. “Make it short.” Chrysalis turned to her. Using the little non-changeling magic she had, her hands glowed green and she was able to pull Chrysalis' head down with small, but effect tugs. Once Chrysalis’ head was down to her level, she wrapped her arms around her muzzle, her eyes shut as small tears going down her cheeks. “I love you. And I'll miss you…mommy.” She hugged a little tighter. “... We all will.” She pushed her gently. “But, you won't be alone. Take this.” Her horn glowed and she packed a scarab looking medal. “Use this every night to give me your report. I expect you to talk by tomorrow morning. Now, go.” She nudge her away. “Today is your exception; your mission officially begins tomorrow.” She nodded, knowing that she couldn't try and waste time with her mother. She wiped the tears from her eyes before she turned back to where she was supposed to go. She let out a shaky exhale, before she literally took her first step out of the castle. She turned back to see the other changelings, having a small wave goodbye before the entrance and exit started closing. It felt as if time slowed down, as she watched the four most important changelings in her life. Even after they told her they had a rough time with her from the beginning, the love they had for each other only grew. Just the thought of that made her tear up again. And once the hole closed, she was now officially alone now. Journal entry 1: It has been at least an hour since I finally reached the edge of the changeling territory, and I already feel more lost and a little scared. The grass here is almost as big as me(it most likely being cause it always grows) and the trees are even bigger up close. So far I have seen some butterflies, birds and a bunny in the distance, but other than that, nothing but plant life. It felt like forever, but Pupa took a small break, taking a cherry out and had herself a nice snack. Some of the critters there stopped and watched her, but dashed away, most likely too busy for her, or plotting something. She sighed, wanting to go back, but somehow knew that something bad was going to happen if she did. So she began to do something that would mostly make her feel better when her mother was too busy to be there. She began to sing. I've never dreamt Of a far-off place Where a great huge danger Will be waiting for me Where the crowds will jeer When they see my face And a voice keeps saying ‘This is not where I'm meant to be’. But I will find my way, I can go the distance I'll be Queen someday If I can be strong I know every smile Will be worth my while I wouldn't go most anywhere to not feel like I belong… She sighed again, packing her things and continued to her destination. All that raced in her head was what if she failed. ‘Mom never told me what happened to traitors. Are they banished forever? Executed? Or-?’ She shook her head. “What am I thinking about!? Come on, Pupa! Now’s not the time to panic! The hive is relying on us!” But I am on my way, And I can go the distance. I don't care how far Somehow I'll be strong I know every smile, Will be worth my while I wouldn't go most anywhere to know where I belong! She stepped out of the forest and seeing that she was on a mountain cliff side, and in the distance, when she squinted her eyes, there was a castle on another mountain’s cliff side. Below it all, closer to her, was a fairly large village, but sticking out was a castle made entirely out of Crystals. Her mother and teachers told her that Ponyville wouldn't be noticeable, were it not for the castle. Running through Pupa’s head, she saw her entire kingdom cheering upon her arrival. She took a deep breath and jumped off, her wings flapping rapidly and allowing her to glide to the town’s borders. I will break the walls! I can go the distance! I will face the world, Fearless, proud and strong. I will please them all! I can go the distance! Till I return to my hero's welcome Right where I belo---ng!!! Below, a lavender Alicorn’s ear twitched. She turned to the small, Purple and green baby dragon next to her. “Spike? Did you hear someone singing?” “Eh, it's Tuesday, what'd you expect?” He shrugged his shoulders before walking away with dirty dishes to clean. “Oh… right, Tuesday.” She continued to read, but jumped. “IT'S TUESDAY!?!?!? Spike! Get the nets! We gotta let those thieves know that they can't steal from us!” She got up and ran away, followed by the baby dragon. As soon as they left, Pupa stuck her head out of a bush. Her song came to a crash, literally, as some doves thought she was a Beetle. They weren't entirely wrong, but Pupa made a mental note to avoid birds now. She shook the small sticks and leaves out of her hair as she started looking around from her hiding spot. The whole world around her looked more colorful and vibrant than inside the changeling palace. She had to rub her eyes at how bright everything was. ‘Okay. I'm finally here. But what should I do now.’ She went back within the bush as she took out a small book from her bag. She opened it to see a small sheet of paper that had her mission written on it. It simply saying to collect five or more tinies. “Okay. Just need to get five tinies. I can either be bold and just grab five random tinies, or be more strategic and find out the easiest way to get at least five of them.” She told herself as her fingers rubbed the edges of the book. “Well, the only thing I can do is to be strategic. I don't have the strength or endurance to go fast with all that weight.” She said as she closed the book with one of her thumbs between the sheets. “From what mother told me, she said that a Tiny village is the most obvious place to find some. But only tinies are allowed inside unless a pony was allowed in by a resident of the village.” She hummed as she thought about it. “But there's got to be another place than a simple little village. I can't collect tinies looking like this. If I was a pony, maybe I could carry them on my back. But that would require gaining enough trust for them to even get on willingly.” She then face palmed herself. “Oh, Duh! I can be one of them! Tinies trust other Tinies!... But I gotta be careful around the ponies… maybe I can be the mixed ones as mother told me about?” “And are you done talking to yourself?” A voice asked. She jumped at the sudden voice. “Huh!? Who said that!?” “The rock next to you.” She looked to her left and noticed a rock next to her. In green flames, another Changeling appeared. “And as a tip: Don't sing! There's only oh so much fuzziness we can take… and to not reveal yourself.” “... Who are you?” “I'm Eyeballs, one of Chrysalis’s drones and reporters. And you were close to getting yourself captured and ruin our way of life!... Your highness.” “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just--” She shook her head as she looked down shamefully. “Not even five minutes in this town and already I’m messing things up.” Her ears wilted. “... Eh, relax, it happens to everyone when they get out of the hive. Though singing is something I haven't seen someone do. But, hey, you made it, much earlier than we expected.” “Wait, you were expecting me? I guess you’re just here to make sure I do the mission successfully.” She spoke, glancing away at the last part. “That, and I'm sort of your caretaker for this time… when you return ‘home’ of course.” He looked up nervously and turned into a Grey, wonky eyed mare, whistling in conspicuously as a butter yellow pegasus with a long, pink mane and tail approached. “Um, excuse me, Ms. Muffins, but some of my little friends said they found something here.” “... Oh? Like what?” Eyeballs spoke in a somewhat confused and dumb voice, standing before sitting on Pupa. While Pupa was under a under another flank, at least it was lighter and, for a lack of better words, soft, unlike her mother's. But, she could tell that it was his way of saying ‘Change or else we're caught!’. She let out a small, yet muffled, yelp as she was caught by surprise at the sitting. ‘Great! I thought I'd be away from the being sit on ordeal, but I guess not.’ She thought, but a dark lightbulb lit up in her mind and she smirked evilly. In a small ring of fire, she turned into a small object, a sharp nail to be exact. ‘This'll show him not to sit on me!’ She thought as she only waited for his immediate reaction. “YEOWCH!!!” ‘Muffins’ yelled as she jumped, looking to see the nail that appeared on her rump. “Oh dear,” Fluttershy spoke. “That's the third nail you sat on this week.” She turned to her birds. “And you shouldn't made me so nervous! I really thought it was a Changeling for a second. Are you going to be alright, Muffins?” “Yeah… I'll be fine.” Muffins glared at the nail. “I'll bring you a fresh batch of muffins tomorrow, if that'll help.” She turned and flew away. Eyeballs turned back to his original form, then glared at Pupa’s form. “Very funny, your highness. You're lucky to be a princess!” As soon as she took the disguise off, Pupa couldn't help but start to laugh, it not being loud, but enough to show how much she enjoyed his reaction. “Y-you should've seen your face.” She said through her giggling. “And when she said this happened three times, I thought I was gonna lose my focus.” She clutched her side with one arm as she covered her mouth with her other hand. “Hey! It's not me that did it; it's this ‘Muffins’ pony that did those! Oh, if you were a human, I'd keep you in my gut for a month!” “Hmm, I wonder how mother might feel when I send a report about that… and about that wonderful first transformation in Ponyville.” She smiled as the positive attitude she was showing was also being felt by Eyeballs. He rolled his eyes. “At least you changed. You heard what she said: Those birds thought they had seen a Changeling. I.E.: You. You may have to find a disguise quickly.” The smile on her face disappeared after he said that, she looked away as she went quiet. “... What? It's a mistake. Every Changeling has done it, and I doubt you knew that even the birds were on the lookout for us.” “I didn’t even know those birds could tell me apart from some bug they eat...” She mumbled as she stayed looking away. “Oh… right… uh… I'm sure you'll grow to not be considered a bug. I remember one of us was nothing more but a maggot, and she was taken away by some birds after a dare.” Her eyes widened at what he said. “And none of you decided to try and save her?” She asked as the sight of that happening in her head was a little dark and upsetting. “We were little and untrained. Besides, she's fine… albeit, acts like a bird now. A chicken, specifically. There she is!” In the streets was a lone chicken. “That’s her? What if it’s just a regular chicken you’re pointing at?” She asked, looking at the bird as it just walked around. “Never mind,” She shook her head. “I… do have some of my own personal forms I could be, but I just don’t know which one to use.” “Well, you should be safe about it and explore this town: get to know it's layout and learn some of it's important residents. Just don't try to bring attention to yourself… or chat with the ‘heroes’.” “Why not? Isn’t it normal for ponies to want to talk to the heroes?” She asked as she tilted her head. “I mean, me and mother aren’t heroes, but it seems that every changeling that we interact with acts almost like fanmares.” “Your royalty, and we're not fanmares! And you should already know that this town is on the hunt for us. If they at least, even just a little bit, suspect us as Changelings… be prepared for a fate worse than death.” “Will it be worse than being labeled a traitor to mother?” She asked, a little curious if it would be worse than whatever she had planned. “Oh yeah! Even worse than that! But fret not, for you just need to avoid seven mares: Fluttershy, the one I spoke with, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and, the two you NEED to be on the lookout for, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her student, Starlight Glimmer. Don't go near them, and you should be fine… emphasis on the should, since you still have a week long tomorrow.” “Wait, there’s a princess here too?” She quickly got up from her sitting position, her tail wagging happily. She never heard of another princess. ‘Maybe she’s the princess of Ponyville. Or ponies entirely!’ She thought. ‘I wonder if she had to do a mission to become queen… maybe she is too young to have her first mission.' “Not like that, unless you count annoyance as a mission. She's technically a princess, due to Celestia, but that cake gobbler is a queen, whether she wants to admit it or not. Wait, do you even know about the history of our enemies?” Pupa remained silent, it giving him an answer on its own. He groaned, turning into a yellow stallion with a brown mane and matching tail. “Alright, I guess today is your history lesson. Change into your human form for now, and we'll be going to your momentary home.” She couldn’t help but blush when he knew that she knows nothing about pony history. With the glow of her hands and the ring of green fire going around her, she was now a human that was about the same age as her. She had brown hair, brown eyes, and light tan skin. Her clothes was of a white t-shirt that had a dark heart with two holes in it, blue bootleg jeans and black sneakers. “Why do I have to be a human? Can’t I be a pony?” She asked. “This guy doesn't have a kid. And so I can do this.” He lowered his head and took her in his mouth, again, similar to that woman that gave her the wonderful music box. He was being careful to not crush her in his teeth, but was being quick to get out of the area before anypony would be suspicious on why Caramel was here and not in Appaloosa. Soon, they arrived to what was a totally not-suspicious looking shack, right near the edge of the forest next to the town. He knocked on it. It was answered by a pink mare with a poofy green mane. “... Uh… I can explain.” Eyeballs dropped Pupa before turning back to normal, pushing the door open and walking in. “Yeah, yeah, you wanted some bits for those flowers, Web-head.” Pupa was wiping the saliva off of her face and hair as she lost her focus, changing into her normal hybrid self. “Why did you have to do that?” She asked as she glared up at him. “There were tons of other ways to carry me.” “Of course there were.” He smirked “But you shouldn’t have turned into a nail.” He nudged her in. The shed was small, as she could tell, but above were some cocoons, each holding the ponies they had disguised themselves as and some others, along with a shelf that had some reading material, and a pantry with snacks in it. “Oh my stars!” The other changeling gasped. “It’s the princess herself! Oh, I’ve been waiting to see you! I heard how every changeling went crazy after you-” Eyeballs bumped him. “...Oh, right. Well, I’m Web-Head, the nurse, and our guard, Beaky, is… well... “ “The chicken.” “What?” Pupa was caught off guard at that last part. “Yeah… she’s a guard, but thinks she’s a chicken.” Web-Head spoke, scratching the back of her head “It’s weird… but she’s good at her job!” “As if!” Eyeballs retorted “All she does is cluck around and sit on a rock, claiming it’s an egg! At least her partner, Doomy, isn’t as distracted.” “Who's Doomy?” She asked with a head tilt. “You’ll know him as that guy.” Eyeballs pointed at a cocoon, which held a huge, muscular stallion with comedically tiny wings. “And, like you, he’s a singer… but not in your way.” “What do you mean by that?” She asked unsure on what to expect. Loud, but muffled, music was heard below them. Web-Head grabbed onto Eyeballs. “He’s singing again!!!” “You think I don’t notice!?” Eyeballs replied, pushing her off. “Yeah, you may want to cover your ears.” He opened a cellar, which was invisible to the naked eye, and loud metal music blasted out, followed by some singing. Oh Yeah I'm the man I'm superbad Ponies! You think you Can get me? Wait Maybe they Don't think I do And I think You're dead! Man and a half I'm man and a half Berserker packin' Man and a half! Rip and tear! Rip and tear! Rip and tear! Rip and tear your guts! Rip and tear! (You have huge guts) Rip and tear! (You have huge guts) Rip and tear! (You have huge guts) Rip and tear your guts! Swords are for wusses Swords are for wusses Swords are for wusses Handful of vertebrae! Swords are for wusses Swords are for wusses Swords are for wusses Spinal cord, baby! Turned my back That was stupid You're stupid! Stupid stupid stupid colt! You're gonna be stupid and dead! Dance dance dance dance Bonedaddy dance! Dead dead dead dead Dead dead dead! Rip and tear! Rip and tear! Here it comes! Here comes the night train! Here it comes! Here comes the night train! Rip and tear! Rip and tear! Pupa was watching as the large equine stomped in, the music playing as he was too into singing that Pupa was close to getting squished. She quickly moved just in time as she hid under one of the nearby coffee table. Eyeballs pulled the cord to a boombox, cutting the rest of the music off. Doomy looked around, then glared at them. “What was that for!? I was hitting the night train!” “Yes, and you were going to expose our location, Doomy! And get out of the disguise! You're with us, remember!?” “Ugh, fine!” He turned to his Changeling self… who was much smaller than his disguised self, about the size of a tween colt. “But just you wait! When we attack again, these puppies are gonna be barking!” Pupa only watched the small changeling as she honestly thought she was gonna get crushed… again, but by someone else instead. Web-Head took her out and cradled. “Aww, is the wittle pwincess hurt?” She asked, treating Pupa like she was injured… and five years old. “No. I'm not. Now put me down.” She said as she wasn't amused in the slightest. “But you're royalty! And royalty need extra care.” “What about me!” Doomy yelled. “You can take care of yourself!” “Then I order you to put me down and stop treating me like this!” Pupa said, not too happy about this. Web-Head sighed, putting Pupa down. “And you were adorable as they said.” “She's not gonna be adorable when she rips our enemies hearts out!” Doomy added. “Shut up! Both of you!” Eyeballs yelled before turning back to Pupa, holding a thick book in his magic. “Alright, let's get you to speed on your history lesson.” ~One History Lesson later~ “And our queen valiantly made her escape from the evil forces of the traitorous, self appointed King Thorax, and his partner in crime, Starlight Glimmer.” Eyeballs finished, closing the book. “So, any questions?” “One actually. The way Thorax shared his love and was never hungry again. That actually sounded like a good idea. Why didn't mother at least try that way?” She asked. “... A little help?” Web-Head entered with a fluffy looking baseball bat. “No! Not the Forget-Me-Stick! Answers!” “Oh… right.” Web-Head spoke. “Well… I'm-” “IT'LL MAKE US WEAK!!!” Doomy yelled. “AND WHEN WE'RE WEAK, DRAGONS WILL DEVOUR US TO THE POINT OF EXTINCTION!!! DO YOU WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO US!? DO YOU!?!?!?” Everyone stared, with Pupa noticeably cowering. Doomy cleared his throat. “Sorry… I need a sandwich.” He went up to the shack. “... Minus Doomy’s… approach,” Web-Head spoke. “Yes, that's it, actually. It's not a matter of choice, but we have to do it for survival.” “Why? Wouldn't we not be able to fight if we shared love and was never hungry again. And just think of the constant cycle of love, wouldn't that make all of us really powerful. And the changelings feed off of my love and I share it willingly. Isn't that the same as what they're doing?” She asked, not seeing the point on her mother fleeing. Was…was she doubting her mother’s action of that day? Her questioning was interrupted by water being sprayed into her eyes via spray bottle “Bad! Bad Pupa! Don't question the Queen!” “That's the quickest way to be labeled as a traitor!” Eyeballs added. “I'm not a traitor!” She shouted as she didn't like how cold the water was. “I…I was just thinking.” Her angry demeanor eased down to a bit of shame, her shoulder slumping as well. “I'm sorry… maybe mother did that for a good reason.” She mumbled as the thought of her mother being the real villain eased away from her mind. “Hey, it's okay,” Eyeballs spoke in a supportive tone. “Look, I understand there's still questions rattling around in your noggin, but we have to know that she's always busy and trying to keep us organized. Why, without her, you wouldn't be here. And just be glad Web-Head didn't use… the band of pain.” He shivered. “Band of pain?” Pupa was confused on that. “What’s that?” Web-Head pulled out a rubber band. “This.” Eyeballs backed away from Web-Head with a whimper. “No! Not again!” Pupa got scared as she slowly backed away from Web-Head as she didn’t know what was coming. “What? I'm not gonna use it. At least, not to you two. Doomy!” “Oh no!” Doomy’s voice spoke from above. Web-Head flew up, which was meet by loud crashes, and Doomy screaming in pain after a quick ‘Thwap!’. Pupa only got more scared of this ‘Band of Pain’, imagining how much worse it would be for her since she was much smaller than a regular changeling. Web-head returned with an annoyed look on her face as she placed the Band of Pain in a box. “I swear, he goes from a macho Changeling to a filly when he sees and is hit by the Band of Pain.” Pupa felt a little better that she put the band away, she sat down on the floor before she started rubbing one of her eyes. “Tired?” Eyeballs asked. “N-no. My eyes just itches.” She lied, not wanting them to think she could get tired after transforming twice in one day. “Aw, it's alright to be tired, your highness.” Web-Head added, picking her up in her magic. “Especially after a history lesson with Eyeballs.” “Hey!” He retorted. “No, it’s fine. I’ll,” She was cut off by a rather adorable yawn. “I’ll be okay.” “D’aww! You really do need your beauty sleep.” Web-Head cooed, pulling out an empty cocoon and placing her in it. “There you go. Now, rest. You have a long day tomorrow at the local school.” She gave her a small blanket. “Stop this. I said… I said I’ll be...” She didn’t finish it as she started to nod off, of course not fully asleep as her head would sometimes lift up, trying to force herself to stay awake. Web-Head smiled gently. “Just like your mother.” She turned the lights off and walked out with Eyeballs. The darkness and lack of sound got to her and Pupa fell asleep. ~ Pupa honestly didn’t like that she fell asleep before the sun went down, but that all eased away as she was having the funniest and weirdest dream she has ever had… or the only one since the magic of dreaming was soaked and she would mostly have nothing but a black void to look into. In her dream, she was dressed in what was probably a bear costume and was riding the back of a large, super hairy Humanoid, who was flying over the mountains, despite having no wings. But the tune of another one of her songs played. Down where the sasquatch hide, In the misty mountainside, He's got shiny diamonds that he's got to protect, Look into the sasquatch eye, Did you know that sass could fly? Sasquatch is my daddy and he's going to protect, me! Half man, half machine, On the cover of a magazine, Bigfoot is my father and he's got to protect, me! These lyrics don't make sense, Think I've found the evidence, That yeti is my papa and he wants to protect, me! Just as she had a recorder to play with, everything came crashing as a gigantic Chrysalis came into view and vaporized Bigfoot with some magic. She screamed as she was falling, gravity coming into her dream as her bear costume faded away and she landed on something glass like. When she tried to get out, she couldn’t find an exit. She was trapped in a glass sphere, her mother holding the orb as she showed and evil smile. “Mommy! Let me out! It’s me, Pupa!” She started hitting the glass as Chrysalis didn’t show any sign that she heard her. “TRAITOR!!!” Chrysalis’s voice boomed, followed by the world going back, followed by the piercing blue eyes of the Changelings, and loud hissing. The ball she was in began to close in, tightening up everything up to the point she was seemingly being crushed and suffocating at the same time. “ENOUGH!!!” Another voice boomed. The place glowed white, making everything into the field. Pupa’s ball broke and she fell out, coughing for air. Out of the sky came a dark blue mare with wings & a horn, whose mane moved on it's own, despite the lack of wind, and looked like royalty herself. She stood about Pupa’s height, but gave a curious look. “... Hm, you're nothing I've ever seen before.” She spoke in a motherly tone. “You look human, but also a Changeling.” Pupa was a little scared of this random mare. Never in her life has she seen a pony with a mane and tail like her’s, so seeing this unknown pony made her unsure on whether she should even trust her. She backed away before she spoke. “Wh-who are you?” Was all she could muster out. “A-and what are y-you doing in my h-head?” “Relax, I am Princess Luna, and I was here to stop your nightmares. However, seeing you, I have some questions myself, as you do for me and yourself. Do I stand correct?” “I… I don’t need to answer anything. You’re still a stranger and I’m not supposed to talk to you.” She said, turning away and shutting her eyes, folding her arms as her ears were lowered. “Hm… let me see some things about you.” Pupa felt Luna, even though she wasn't touching her, if that made sense. She turned to see Luna looking through some files. “Hm… oh? Princess Pupa of the Changelings? Daughter of Chrysalis? On a week long journey to bring in five strangers to prove themselves as a leader. Very interesting.” “H-hey! Stop doing that!” She said, pushing the alicorn away from the random file drawer as she closed it, wishing it was locked. But when that thought came through, a cartoonishly large lock was on the file drawer as it was also covered in chains, Pupa barely seeing the file drawer within all the chains. “So, Chrysalis has an heir to her throne? The first Human-changeling hybrid to walk on Equestria. You want to prove to her that you can be a great leader… but I can sense some doubt in you.” Luna summoned some chain bolts and cut the chains off, reopening the file drawer. “Why are you so different? Isn't there a peaceful way to this?... Oh… does she love you? Very interesting.” “I said stop that!” Pupa shouted as she was now angry that this pony was looking through her personal stuff. “Stop looking through my thoughts! I don’t want to share anything with you, and you’re being a jerk by not leaving me alone!” “... I'm sorry, but it's my duty to help all of my subjects, even if it means looking through their personal information.” She closed the drawer and it went underground. “I can sense that you just learned about Equestria, and you have your doubts about your mother, am I right?” Pupa didn’t answer as she turned away from her. “I said I don’t need to share anything from you.” She mumbled. “And I’m not any of your ‘subjects’. I am princess Pupa, the future queen of the changelings. And… and I thought that maybe ponies were more than just food, but I can see that they can’t even accept if someone doesn’t want to share anything with anyone.” She crossed her arms as she only showed a harsh glare to the horned pegasus. “... You sound just like your mother those many years ago.” She stomped her hoof, making the world spin backwards in a rapid way, until it stopped. Standing in front of a different Luna was a younger, plumper, and adorable looking Chrysalis. “I said I don’t need to share anything from you.” The younger Chrysalis yelled “And I’m not any of your ‘subjects’. I am princess Chrysalis, the future queen of the changelings. And… and I thought that maybe ponies were more than just food, but I can see that they can’t even accept if someone doesn’t want to share anything with anyone.” Pupa stared, almost taken back by the exact words she and her mother spoke. “And, I have the answer to one of your questions.” Another stomp, and the place turned into the shed Pupa was sleeping in, and with the three Changelings inside. “Now, rest, little Chrysalis,” The nurse cooed. “tomorrow's a long day.” “Uh… W-Web?” The young Chrysalis asked. The nurse smiled. “Yes, your highness?” “Can I have Eggy?” The nurse giggled. “Of course you can.” She levitated a cracked egg to her. Chrysalis took it and snuggled with it. “Aww, I hope your daughter will be just as adorable with her egg as you are.” “And she said that she threw her egg out when she was your age.” Luna spoke as everything turned back into the field, though now there was a table with some ready tea. “Now, are you willing to listen and ask? I don't have all night.” “Why do you wanna know anyways? Aren’t you just a figment of my imagination?” She asked. “No, I am real. I am the princess of the night, and dreams are my domain. I battle against the Nightmares all of my subjects have and give them advice. I am simply showing you the past and the truth to your mother, Queen Chrysalis. It is up to you on how you will react to this and how you will deal with it.” “...what if I didn’t want to see all that?” She asked as she looked down at the floor. “What if I didn’t want you here in the first place. I mean, nightmares can’t hurt you. Their just bad dreams...” “Bad dreams usually have a meaning. You're afraid of failing this quest and being labeled as a traitor to your family. But, even then, you're unsure if they are your family, or if they're telling you the truth. You want to question, but fear the consequences that will come with it. Are you understanding me now?” “... I guess so.” She mumbled as she didn’t bother looking up at her. “But why would I question my mother. She raised me, and just thinking bad of her makes me a traitor… and I don’t want to be.” “It is good that you love her, but you mustn't be afraid to ask her anything. It's one thing to be labeled as a traitor and another to blindly follow what she says. I was there when Thorax became the King of the Changelings, and despite being a drone, he wasn't afraid to question her.” “B-but now he’s a traitor to his own k-kind.” She said, a lump in her throat starting to be felt. “Did he even care for his siblings when he left? Did he even wonder how many of his own changeling brothers and sisters might miss him?” She asked. “He is only a traitor to Chrysalis, and he did care for his siblings. I've heard how he discovered friendship with a certain baby dragon and, after some time, no longer felt hunger anymore. All he wanted was to share love with his own kind, and when he shared it with Chrysalis. Not only did he change and become King, but so did his siblings, and now, subjects.” She was still looking down at the floor as she didn’t say anything for a moment. “... I don’t believe you.” She mumbled, the lump in her throat gone as she was now glaring at the floor. “And I'm not forcing you to. But, if I may.” Luna opened the cabinet again. “In two days from now, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her student, Starlight Glimmer, will be visiting Thorax. If you don't believe me, then you won't go with them. But, if you are curious, then join them, preferably in disguise, of course. And, I won't tell anyone about our encounter, not even my sister, Princess Celestia. Will that work?” “But I don’t have time for that. You already know what I’m here for and I don’t need another trip to some empire just to admit you're right.” She said as she turned away. “And I won’t let a pony like you stop me from making mother proud.” She smiled a little at the thought. “And I won't stop you. Go and do what you want to do, but all I ask of you is this: Will you stop this cycle? Will you be the one to find a peaceful way for our kingdoms to live in harmony. I will let you think about it when you wake up.” Pupa’s smile left her lips as she looked up at the black void of a sky. “I… I don’t know.” She mumbled. “That's all up to you. And I think a week is enough time to visit some family.” Luna opened a tear and began to walk through it. ‘But that’s all I have...’ She thought to herself. The dream began to fade away… and was followed by the clucking of a chicken.