//------------------------------// // What's In a Name // Story: Fortunate Misfortune // by OutOfTheBlue //------------------------------// When it comes to fascinating species, changelings are right near the top of the list. Black, insect-like creatures, changelings are peculiar in both diet and sociology. Changelings are the only known creature to feed off of emotional energy. This energy can be syphoned from a pony in a process we don't truly understand. Mostly harmless, if this feeding continues for too long the pony in question will feel ornery, fatigued, and sick. Now, in regards to their society, it's curious because it is nothing like any other sentient being's. Firstly, changelings do not use a family system. Once an egg is laid it goes to the brood mothers who tend the eggs until they hatch. After hatching, a changeling starts out as what we call a "larvea." This species is one of the only known species that undergoes an entirely new type of metamorphosis. It's entirely new because after about a week of constant feeding, the larvae or "grubs" then enter a cocoon and hatch as a nymph, a smaller, immature version of the adult changelings. They will remain a nymph for around fourteen years and many moltings until they reach adulthood. Changelings, unlike other sentient races, do not have names. Well... most don't. All nymphs are issued a number and a letter designating them for a certain pod, or class. There are some exceptions among changelings when it comes to names. First off, they can earn one by performing exceptionally and rising through the ranks. The more important a leader among the changelings you are, the more names you can have. Most don't entirely think about their names beforehoof and just choose something they think sounds impressive. I met a high ranking officer with the name Blade Thunder Chimichanga. He had no idea what these words actually meant due to most changelings having a limited knowledge of the Equine language, but he heard those words and liked how they sounded. You might have noticed I mentioned that many know none to very little Equine. Well, that is because changelings have a language of their own that is more complex and sensation based than Equine. I had one of the more eloquent changelings tell me what a few Changish words would be for some Equine words and here is what he said, Sun= bright-hot-yellow-sky-eye Grass= soft-green-ground-fur Pony= emotion-sad-happy-*chhrr!* (The last word of that phrase wasn't translatable.) The changelings raised with a full knowledge of Equine are the infiltrators. They collect emotional energy for the rest of the hive for the sake of the Queen. The Queen of the hive I'm staying in (I will not tell you its location on behalf of the personal request of the Queen) is called Queen Laphistira. She is a fascinating and kind individual. And quite beautiful if I may add. And... to be honest... I'm completely smitten with her. But enough about that, I have neglected to tell you about the second way of receiving a name. If a changeling exhibits a trait, either positive or negative, so strongly that they become known for that one trait, they will be named after it. There are only one of these changelings a generation and here are the names and traits. Those that are exceptionally valiant= Mandible. Those that are sensitive and friendly= Thorax Those that are shrewd and cunning= Gladiola And the last trait is one that has not been exhibited in so long, it is thought to be a myth. Those who are cursed with terrible misfortune and bring suffering and woe upon themselves and others= Misfortune. Anyway, the Queen beckons and I must go. I hope my findings will help us learn to accept this fascinating species and maybe even to have them walk undisguised amongst us. Farewell. --Excerpt from Among the Shapeless by Wanderlust ---------------------- I yawned and stretched before lounging once more upon my bed of moss as the day began. I sighed as I realized that I had to leave my little safe zone once again. I am changeling 8/21 Gamma. Although... most call me "Misfortune." I don't try to cause accidents, they just happen! Like, before I got my name, my pod was taking a field trip to the nearby forest to observe the nearby town as part of out infiltrator training. But all of the sudden, the rock I stepped on broke through the ground and caused a small tunnel beneath us to collapse. Or the time when I tripped in one of the new tunnels and caused a cave-in. Well... then there was the time I fell from a stalactite and landed on one of the Queen's guards and accidentally broke his leg. I got punished for that. But what I'm saying is that bad stuff just always happens to me! I haven't gone a day without something like that happening in years. Once I reached adulthood I was supposed to become an infiltrator, but my bad luck got me sent to work in the food distribution room. There, they have me perform the important task of holding a spoon in the corner without moving. Yesterday I dropped the spoon and it bounced up and landed in someone's food, causing them to choke. But today is different. Today her radiant majesty Queen Chrysalis, the most beautiful and wise being in the world, is speaking to all of us. In person! My excitement is enough to push back the anxiety that follows me everywhere I go and give me new strength to leave the safety of my hole. I carefully crawled out of my secluded sanctuary and made my way towards the main atrium. As I pass, changelings run away or hiss in anger. I'm used to it. When your life is a walking disaster you don't tend to be very popular. I stood near the back of the crowd as Queen Chrysalis stepped out onto the dais and cleared her throat. "My children," she began in her melodic, wonderful voice, "We have been living in the shadows for long enough! It is time we take our rightful place as the rulers of Equestria. As we speak, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza the Princess of Love is on a train bound for Canterlot. I shall take her place and feed on her groom to be until I have the power to ensure Canterlot's defenses are useless. You will then join me and together we shall take the city and shall feed on as much love as we desire!" Everyone cheered. This was a dream come true! We wouldn't be hungry anymore! And if Her Majesty said she could do it, she could do it. "Come! We make our way to our proper place in the world! My children! Follow your queen!" As she took the air we all followed after her. The only changelings staying behind were those essential to the survival of the hive. We exited the hive in a great cloud of black carapaces that blotted out the sun. We flew for miles before stopping for the night in a forest near the pony capital. As we slept, the Queen's personal guard, Mandible, approached her and bowed. "My Queen, I have discovered that the changeling Misfortune has come with us. Apparently no one told him to stay. What shall I do? He can not be allowed to ruin your plans." Chrysalis hummed before cackling. "This actually will be a good thing. As everyone else is woken, do not wake Misfortune. We shall leave him here to fend for himself and be rid of him forever." Mandible bowed and passed the word along. ------------------------- I woke up as bright sunlight broke through the trees. I stood up and prepared to depart with the swarm only to find... I was alone. Fear immediately coursed through my body. I had no idea where I was and now I was alone! How could this have happened? Her perfect excellency couldn't have forgotten me! She never makes mistakes! Unless... this wasn't a mistake. Unless... this was on purpose. "No... H-her Majesty wouldn't leave me! W-would she!?" Had... had I caused her so much trouble she had cast me out? Was I truly so useless that I had forced her Royal Highness to... banish me? If so... only I was to blame. I was useless. I had no purpose, no hive, no Queen. I sat down heavily on my haunches and wept bitter tears. "F-forgive me Your Grace! I... I am unfit to even walk the same ground as you!" I should just stay here and accept my fate. Allow the forest to consume me and serve some function. Even if it was just as food for some beast. But... I was scared. I just wanted my hole, my bed, my little refuge from my troubles. Although my instincts screamed at me to stay and either wait for the Queen to tell me what to do or perish, my fear drove me to action as I heard a rustle in the underbrush. I sprang to my hooves and dashed off away from the noise. "I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THIS FOREST!"