//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: I AM Human // by Synthetic Soul //------------------------------// Celestia’s eyes opened gracefully, as her internal mental alarm clock woke her from her sleep. She let out a yawn, stretching her limbs, before getting out of her bed. The first thing she did was dress herself with her royal regalia. She used her magic to levitate her golden slippers onto each hoof, before putting her jeweled necklace on. Finally, she lifted up her elegant crown, and placed it on her head. Once done, she made her way to her mirror, where she began inspecting herself. Her fur was a little matted, and a few feathers were out of place, but nothing a good brushing and preening couldn’t fix. Satisfied that she looked well enough to raise the sun, she made her way to the balcony, opening the door, and stepping out into the cool summer morning. As Celestia waited for her sister to lower the moon, she took notice of both the moon, and the night sky. It was…different to say the least. When Celestia had banished her sister, she was forced to take on her role as bringer of the night. But try as she might, the Alicorn could never equate her night sky to her sisters. The night was something that Luna carefully crafted, bringing it as much beauty as she could muster. The stars shined like diamonds, the sky was perfectly tinted, and the moon glowed with vibrancy. Every night, when Celestia tried to replicate it, her failure to do so only served to remind her of how she had failed her sister. Her heart would be wracked with grief when she thought about how she could have prevented Nightmare Moon’s emergence, how if she had just paid a little more attention to her sister, that tragedy might never have happened. When Luna came back, the two sisters felt a happiness that they had not felt in a thousand years. Luna reclaimed her throne along side her sister, and the nights were once again something to be admired. Then, Luna had her child. Midnight was born, a healthy young Alicorn colt, with a black mane, and silver grey fur. For the short time that Luna had her son with her, her night skies were even more brilliant than before. Then he was taken. Luna was devastated, and her night skies suffered with her. They lost their beauty and grace. But, Luna was able to recover, at least somewhat when she found her son to be alive. Alive but separated from her, in an entirely different universe. Even though he was gone, she still held hope, and that was reflected in her work, her art. Then, she found a way to bring him back. A spell that could bring back her son. Her child, the colt that she had loved, the one that she had missed every day since he was taken, a pain only equaled by Celestia’s when she lost Luna to the darkness. And so, with their magic, the four Alicorns brought Luna’s son back to Equestria. But it did not go as planned. For he had had a life in the other world, one that he wanted to go back to. Luna did everything she could, she tried to ease her sons pain, trying to get him to understand that she did what she did out of love, and desperation, but Midnight had too much anger in him to accept her as his mother. When Midnight lost his memories, Luna thought she had a chance to try again, a fresh start. She had her son back, and he accepted her. Her night skies improved as well, becoming almost as beautiful as the first night after Midnight’s birth. But it didn’t last. When Midnight regained his memories, he remembered his adoptive parents. He tried to access powerful magic to transport himself home. Luna tried to stop him, but failed. Severely. In the struggle, Midnights teleportation spell had gone haywire. Luna was launched backwards from the blast. When she regained her senses, she was horrified to find the spot where her son had been was scorched. The spell had gone wrong. Her son had…died. It has been a year since Midnight’s death, and Luna had still not recovered. Her night skies reflected the sorrow that gripped her heart. The stars weren’t as bright, and weren’t as artistically arranged as they used to be. The moon didn’t glow like it did. In fact, Luna could barely muster the energy to move the moon these days. Celestia stood on her balcony, and waited for her sister to exit her room. But she never showed, not even after several minutes of waiting. Celestia sighed. It appeared that Luna was once again too depressed to even leave her bed. Celestia lit her horn, and lowered the moon, before raising her sun, bringing about the day. With that done, Celestia made her way back into her room, shutting the balcony doors behind her. She then exited her room, and started to make her way towards Luna’s tower. When Celestia reached the door to her sister’s chambers, she raised her front hoof and knocked on it three times. She waited a few moments for a reply, but she received none. She knocked again. “Luna?” she called gently. She waited, but was once again was greeted with silence. Pressing her ear against the door, Celestia listened intently for any signs of life. Through the wood, she could make out a soft, muffled crying sound. Celestia released a breath through her nose, before opening the door, and stepping inside. Luna’s darkly painted room was even darker than usual. The blinds were closed, letting only small amounts of light into the room. Celestia looked to see her sister lying on her bed, with tears streaming down her face. Celestia was of course sympathetic, she had gone through a similar phase when she banished Luna, but Celestia honestly thought her sister would have improved by now. But she was still just as sad as the day her son had died. “Luna,” said Celestia gently, as she shut the door behind her. She then made her way to Luna’s bedside, and wrapped her in a hug. As Luna’s sobbing grew in volume, Celestia held her sister, shushing her, and doing everything she could to comfort her. It took a while, but eventually, Celestia managed to calm her sister down. “Luna-“ “It’s been a whole year,” said Luna, cutting her sister off. “One whole year since…since Midnight died.” “Luna, I know it’s been tough. It’s been tough on me too. I miss my nephew, and I’d do anything to bring him back. But there’s nothing we can do. He’s…. he’s gone. We can’t change that. But Luna, you…you have to try to pull yourself out of this. I know it’s hard, but you have to TRY.” “I have been trying Tia, I have! But I just…I just…I can’t…” “I know, I know,” soothed Celestia, gently rubbing her sisters back. “Luna…have you considered my suggestion? Talking to a therapist? It could really help you with-“ “I’m not crazy sister…besides, what happened was my fault. The blame rests solely on me. A doctor would just reaffirm that.” “Luna, therapy has come a long way from what it was a thousand years ago. It’s not just for ‘crazy’ ponies; it’s for ponies that need someone to listen to their problems. I really think it could help you.” “No Tia…I just…I can’t.” Celestia waited a few moments, letting the silence linger, as she thought. “Alright,” relented Celestia, getting up from the bed. “You should try and get out of your room, if only for a little while.” “Maybe.” “Alright. Well, if you need me, just let me know. You know I’m always here for you,” said Celestia as she made her way to the door. She opened it, and was about to leave before she cast one last glance at her sister. “Equestria needs you Luna. It always has.” And with that, Celestia left, leaving Luna alone in her room. She knew she needed to pull herself out of this, but she couldn’t. Her thoughts always drew back to her son, and her failure. And when it did, sorrow returned, stronger than before. She just prayed that her son was in a better place. “Midnight my son…I hope that wherever you are, that you are at peace.” “AHHH!” Tristan cried out, as he took to the sky, ready to finish the battle. Three changelings were moving in towards him, their horns glowing with offensive spells at the ready. The first changeling shot a blast of green energy towards him. The former human tucked his wings in, letting his body fall, before opening them again, and using his magic to give him an acceleration boos. He shot toward the changeling, kicking it strait the gut. The changeling let out a gasp as the wind was knocked out of its lungs. He turned to face the other two, preparing to take them on. The one on the right shot towards him, and started attacking him with a flurry of punches. He used his forelegs to block nearly all the hits, though one shot got in, hitting him right in the jaw. He was launched backwards, but still hovered in the air. Wiping the blood from his mouth with his foreleg, he growled, and charged his magic. He then unleashed a powerful energy blast. The changeling dodged upwards, avoiding the blast. But in that time, Tristan was able to teleport above the changeling, bringing his hooves together over his head, and slamming them strait down on the changeling’s head. His strength proved enough to send the changeling plummeting to the ground beneath it with a thud. He turned to face the third changeling, but was surprised when said changeling gripped him in a tight bear hug from behind. The pony prince struggled against the grip, but was unable to break free. His frustration turned to anger, and with a mighty yell, his horn erupted a shockwave, blasting the changeling back. Both parties recovered in a matter of seconds. Separated by about twenty feet, the two combatants looked each other in the eye, before charging at each other. Right before contact, the changeling threw a magically empowered punch at Tristan. But the young colt was able to duck under the attack, and used his hind legs to grip the changeling’s torso. Using his wings, he began spinning like a tornado, before releasing his grip, sending the changeling down into the ground below. The changeling made an imprint in the rocky surface, cracking it. Before it could recover, Tristan landed right above it, and using his magic, knocked the creature unconscious. The former human took a step back, looking at the damage. Three changelings had challenged him, and now, they all lay unconscious on the ground. The colt stepped away from the bodies, and took a breath, composing himself. As soon as he did, the sound of steady hoof clapping could be heard. He turned his head to see none other than Queen Chrysalis making her way towards him, flanked by two of her elite guards. He turned to face her. “Very good, Tristan. I see your training has proven most effective.” Tristan nodded his head in response. “Now that changeling magic runs through your veins, along with your Alicorn magic, you are a force to be reckoned with.” It was true. Tristan had changed a lot since his supposed “death”. His attempt to teleport back to his home on earth had malfunctioned, causing him to appear, not among humans, but changelings. Normally when the changelings came across a pony, they would be captured, and siphoned of their love until they were a withered husk. But Chrysalis had seen something in Tristan. He was an Alicorn and the son of Princess Luna. But he was different than most ponies. He was full of…rage. Hatred. So much hatred. Chrysalis had then decided that the young colt would prove to be a valuable ally. With him on their side, and with the proper training, he would be a powerful weapon in their plans to topple Equestria. And so, Chrysalis had welcomed him into their fold, and saw to it that he was trained in combat. And it was during that training that Chrysalis made him an offer. The abilities of the changelings at his beck and call. Skills that would prove essential in his revenge. He agreed. And so, Chrysalis triggered a metamorphosis in the colt, and in doing so, he was now half pony, half changeling. His silver grey fur turned to amorous chitin. Holes formed in his legs, and his wings became like an insects. His horn became jagged and sharp, and his eyes had green in them, with slit pupils. With the changeling magic in his system, along with his Alicorn magic, Tristan had a quick boon in his abilities. And now, after a year, his training was complete. Chrysalis walked over to the hybrid, and placed her fore hoof on his cheek, offering him a seemingly kind gaze. “Soon we shall have our revenge my son.” Tristan jerked his head to the side, with an angry look on his face. “I told you not to call me that! I only have one mother…my human mother.” “Oh, very well,” pouted Chrysalis, as she strode off to the side. “You know I was only joking. You ponies are so sensitive.” “I am not a pony. I am human.” “Well, regardless of what you are, you are now our secret weapon. And with your training complete, we are ready to make our move on Equestria. Are you ready?” Tristan thought back, to his times with the ponies. Luna had stolen him from his family in an attempt to replace his mother with herself. She refused to let him return home, and even worse, she manipulated him at his weakest. And the others helped her. He held nothing but contempt for the mare and her underlings. The desire for revenge burned in his chest. He looked Chrysalis right in the eye. “What’s the plan?”