//------------------------------// // Chapter 03 - Cloth of the Green Changelings // Story: Changeling - Henry Hoof // by destinedjagold //------------------------------// Chapter 3 - Cloth of the Green Changelings "I hold true to my duties, and so to my brother." --- 1 The wind is so strong, but I didn't care. I flew my way back to the mountain. Never did I expect her highness to be inside this cave. She looked straight at me, horrified. "C...Cloth?" I didn't bother changing my form. It would be a waste of energy. I bowed. "Mistress. May I ask why you are here?" She is not of royalty whom I should pay respect to. But his highness said this pony's his sister. And therefore, she would require my respect... ...no matter how much I hated the idea. "My brother..." she began, "where is he?" "Forgive me, mistress..." I inhaled. "But I remember you not wishing to see his highness." --- 2 I could not believe what his highness is doing! Why is he turning himself back as a changeling, in the presence of a pony!? "Your highness..." I managed to say, but he just shook his head slowly. "She needs to know..." And after he's completely normal, he slowly turned around and opened his eyes. I could hear Miss Daisy sobbing. "GET OUT!" She shouted. "GET OUT!" She shouted again, and quickly ran towards a rectangle thing ponies call as a bed. "Sister, I..." "I'm not your sister! And you're not my brother!" She cried, frustrated... "You're a monster! A monster!" ... "Just...get out...and don't come back...!" I have heard of this before. My little brother used to shout the same message when we had a misunderstanding. It usually means that they need you to stay. But his highness must not have figured this out yet. He slowly changed himself back and slowly walked outside. It was not my place to give out my opinion. I simply followed him outside. He took a long while looking at the place before he asked me to lead the way. --- 3 "That was before!" She shouted at me, standing on all of her four feet. I remain my posture. Surprised or startled, I was not. "Please..." She begged. A tear escaped her left eye. She may not be of royalty, "he was captured," but if his highness wishes it, "by Chrysalis," then I should obey. She cried, dropping herself on the ground. "Cap...tured?" she said in between sobs. I bowed before I turned my back on her. I do not wish to treat her of royalty. But my own needs must come second. King and Queen Metamorph gave me the respect I seeked. In return, I'll give them my loyalty to my last breath. I am Cloth, and I will not stain my name of betrayal. "Why didn't you helped him!?" I turned to her, still lying on the cave's floor. Her head, up high, her face, full of emotion. Emotion... I bowed. "His---" "And stop bowing!" she hissed. "Can't you talk without the need of a bow!?" "My apologies." I managed to hold myself from bowing this time. "Concerning your previous question, his highness ordered me to leave him." She gave me no verbal response. "Forgive me, mistress, but I must search for something." She simply stared at me. Normally, I would bow before I walk, but she asked me not to bow, and so I didn't. I disregarded the darkness. My vision, as a Changeling, is superb. "What are you looking for?" Mistress' voice echoed through this cave. I put my search to a hault to face her. "Shouldn't you be doing something to help the other...Changelings?" "Yes, I should, but I am only following orders of his highness." I allowed two seconds of silence. "I was asked to search for his Ocean's Tear." "For what?" "I am sorry. That information, I do not know." Silence governed. There was nothing more to discuss, so I resumed my search. "If... If you find this Ocean's Tear... Will it help my brother escape?" I halted my search once more to face her. "I do not hold such information, mistress." "I don't care about information!" She snarled. I remained as I was. "I asked for your opinion!" My opinion. Only four Changelings asked me of my opinion. King and Queen Metamorph, the prince, and my brother... Before I'll drift away from the current state, I took a breath. "I believe it may help with his escape." I allowed another set of seconds of silence. "I believe he will not give me such a task if it would not help his escape." "You don't sound so sure..." Yes, indeed, I am not. It's because I based them only on my opinion. She turned away. "I have the Ocean's Tear." "I beg your pardon?" That is a relief to hear. "I said I have it." I wore a smile. "But I'm not giving it to you!" "Ah! But, his highness requires it." "Then you'll have to take me with you." What is this? "Mistress, with respect, the idea would only slow me down." "He's my brother and I want him back!" It would seem I could not win this one. I nodded. "Very well then, mistress." "And stop calling me your mistress. My name's Daisy and I'd like it if you'll call me by my name!" Only my brother is the only one I call with his name. The others, I address them with titles. But if the mistress wishes it. I nodded. "As you wish, Miss Daisy." "That's better." --- 4 For an earth pony, Miss Daisy ran faster than I'd imagine. Fortunately, I am able to catch up. I disguised the way I look as a black alicorn. We went back to her home, where she said she left the Ocean's Tear. Despite the storm, she is determined to come with me to Mount Edge. From it's name, the mountain is located far west from our current location, at the edge of Equestria itself. The journey would take two days in flight, five hour sleep of each day included. On foot, I do not know. I only wish for Miss Daisy to be able to catch up the pace. She came out of her home. She now is wearing a brown item to carry stuff with. I believe it's what ponies call a side bag. "The gem's inside. Now lead the w—" "Daisy!" A gray pegasus pony was running towards us. Shouldn't ponies be taking shelter during a storm? She appears to be of no threat, however, I stood right in front of Miss Daisy, on my stance. "Cloth, what are you doing!? She's a friend!" I stepped aside as the pegasus reached us. "I apologize." "Who's this dude?" "It's a long story, and we really need to go." "Oh! Am I holding you two up?" She panicked, and for what it seemed, she's jogging in place. "The mayor wants to see you!" "What? Why now? It's not the end of the month!" "He said something about Princess Celestia coming over in a few days." "And he needs me for what?" "He wants the library to be in top shape." The pegasus smiled. Miss Daisy, however, doesn't seem to know what to do. "Miss Daisy," I caught her attention, "forgive me for interrupting, but me must make haste." "I know that!" she hissed. She turned to the pegasus, "Ditzy, I'm sorry, but I really need to go!" And she suddenly skipped towards the forest. In all honesty, I was startled by the sudden event. "Tell the mayor I'm sorry!" she shouted back as I flew to follow her. --- 5 We passed the mountain a few minutes ago. This forest we're going through is much too different from the forest to the town. Here, the trees are thicker and closer to each other. Although it allowed us shelter from the storm, a misty fog blocked our vision of the forest floor. This chilly wind is piercing through my scale-like skin. Sharp tree branches and twigs are hanging on each tree. I got myself a number of scratches and cuts before I gave up flying and joined Miss Daisy on going through this forest by foot. In all honesty, I am more of a flier than a walker. My kind; the green-eyed Changelings, are more adapt to flying than out brown-eyed cousins. I need to make haste. No time to waste. Miss Daisy's following me, and we need to get there soon. --- 6 From what I've heard, cats are afraid of water. I am clueless as to why these four large cats are here, surrounding us and preparing to attack. Miss Daisy picked a large stick with her mouth. I gave them a warning growl, but they remained vicious. A few seconds, and I heard the one from behind me jumped towards us. As I turned, I saw Miss Daisy swung the large stick, throwing the attacker under the foggy mist. Another one jumped. This time, the one in front of me. I spitted slime on that cat, throwing it back. I noticed the other two took a step back, still growling. The other one, the one Miss Daisy took down, stood up and ran away. I growled again, and this time, they got the message. The other two ran away. I walked towards the panther, the one I slimed. It's struggling to set itself free. How unfortunate of you. I couldn't hold my grin. "W-what are you doing?" The green slime around the cat glowed, and so did I. I absorbed it's emotion for my own strength. The forest worn me out. But now, I feel strong again. Stronger than earlier. Stronger than yesterday. I heard a gasp. That made me stop. It was Miss Daisy, horrified at looking at the cat. Earlier, masculine, now, thin as a bone. "We should resume, Miss Daisy." I climbed on a tall root of a tree to see the surroundings. The fog got thicker. Night must be near. It's too early to camp for the night. --- 7 Miss Daisy complained of the darkness. She could no longer see through our terrain. It would seem that we need to stop and wait for the day. I turned to her, noticing her bag glowing in blue. She just noticed it as well, and she took out the Ocean's Tear. It's glowing so brightly, bright enough for Miss Daisy to see a few feet in front of her. "We should continue, Miss Daisy." She is breathing deep now, but she nodded. Her determined smile reminded me of my brother. No time to waste. We need to go. --- 8 It is of no use. Even with my sight and Miss Daisy's Ocean's Tear, the fog is thicker and taller now. We camped under the root of a huge tree, where the ground is cold yet dry. She gathered some sticks, and started rubbing two sticks against each other. I am clueless to what she is doing. But I'm in no position to question her actions. After what seemed to be minutes, she managed to summon fire...with sticks. In all honesty, I was impressed. "Good work, Miss Daisy." She smiled back. Now, at least we could stay warm. Now, she complained of food. She looked around, and to my surprise, she took a loose part of the root. She wiped it with her hoof, and bit it. "Not bad," she said in between her chewing. I find it disgusting. "You should try it." "Forgive me, but I would decline your offer, Miss Daisy." She said something about reading it in a 'book', that 'barks' are edible. For ponies, I assumed. --- 9 It felt like we've been lying here for enough time now. The fire Miss Daisy made is now nothing but ashes. I stood up and looked around. The fog is still thick, but it's thinner from before we camped. I heard Miss Daisy mumbled something. I failed to make out the words. I turned to face her, but she's still asleep. I noticed the Ocean's Tear glowing faintly on the ground near her. It must have fallen off of her grip. The Ocean's Tear. If I'll take it, I could be on Mount Edge in an instant. I would of taken that chance, but I couldn't. I need to wait for her to wake up. And then we can continue our journey. "Brother..." This time, I clearly heard what she mumbled. I sat on where I lay sleeping. There is something I don't quite understand. Both Sir Henry and Miss Daisy claim they're brother and sister. Even though his highness clearly showed her of who we are, she's still determined to save him. We are Changelings. Neglected by other races. Why is this pony doing her best to save his highness—a Changeling? There are many questions in the world. This may be one of those without an answer. If that is it, then so be it. I do not wish to distract myself with other thoughts, but having nothing else to do... ...she's awake. She yawned, mouth wide open. "We should go when you're ready, Miss Daisy." She picked the Ocean's Tear. Now it's glowing faintly, she puts it back inside her bag. --- 10 Since we began to continue going through this forest, according to Miss Daisy, it took almost three hours before we saw the sun. The fog is gone, and now that we have clear view, we can properly make haste. The wet forest floor made us slip a number of times. Even the overgrown roots are slippery. We saw a deer up ahead. I don't feel like feeding, so I ignored it. There's three of them. Again, no time hunt them. She is chewing 'barks' while we go through the forest. And often times, she shares a story about how he met his highness, and the stuff they did which she refer to as 'boring'. Listening to Miss Daisy's story didn't help in our journey. It, however, helped attract a black bear living near the area. I spitted slime in front of it, enough to scare the beast away. As we moved on, the mosquitoes have started to swarm on Miss Daisy, and on me as well. Her immediate solution was to cover herself with mud. In all honestly, that was clever thinking. I did the same. "When this mud dries up, the mosquitoes won't be able to sense our body heat." As long as their needle mouths won't go through my skin. --- 11 We're on a dead-end. We shook off the mud around our bodies. We're on a cliff, down below's a rapid flow of water. Unlike yesterday, today seemed to be just cloudy. It indicates no sign of rain. Although the wind is strong. I could fly all the way to the other side, but Miss Daisy... She's still determined to rescue his highness. From where we are, we can already see Mount Edge from afar. It somehow strengthened her determination. She quickly looked around. She saw a hanging vine. It was too high for her. I took it and gave it to her. "Why didn't I thought about this sooner!?" She yelled. She completely forgot about loud voices attracting predators. Thankfully, none appeared. She suddenly wrapped the vine around my abdomen. A bit tight, but I'm in no position to complain. "It'll be faster if we fly there." Indeed, but with you adding to my weight, my thin wings couldn't lift us up. "Now fly!" Rather than going with her suicidal plan, I flew straight up, for, in case something wrong happens, neither of us will fall down the rampaging water down below. And as I thought, I couldn't lift the both of us. For a pony...she's...heavy... Miss Daisy quickly got another idea. She asked me to tie one end on a tree on the other side. I looked at the other cliff, and both cliffs are on the same height. The distance between the two is impossible for an earth pony to reach. I flew to the nearest tree on the other cliff, tied the vine on it's trunk. And the instant I turned to face her, she jumped off the cliff! What in the world!? I flew to the edge as I heard a thud. There, I saw her, biting the vine, her two front feet holding the other parts of the vine, and her two hind feet, seemingly walking on the vertical edge of the cliff as she pulled herself up. The wind is strong here, but she disregarded it. We continued moving onward after she climbed up the cliff. Somehow, she showed me so much determination. I smiled. --- 12 The forest before us was full of slippery surfaces. The forest we're in now is very dry. The sky is still covered by the thick blanket of leaves. The air is warm. Large rocks and boulders on every small clearing. Roots looked like they danced sideways before digging themselves down to earth. There are a lot of crawling reptites here. With long fangs, and poisonous acids dropping like rain. Slender bodies to easily wrap their prey. How unfortunate for them to face a Changeling. They knew the threat I bring, and they kept their distance away from Miss Daisy and I. The predatory cats however are tougher and more determined here. They attack in groups. And we barely escaped the first two encounters. Miss Daisy will bring a scar on her face for her life. I felt ashamed. I allowed her to be hurt by the devils. It will not happen again. --- 13 "Wait!" Miss Daisy said behind me. I turned around, and I saw her, breathing deeply, leaning on an thick uproot...root. "Miss Daisy, we—" I stopped myself. I forgot, she's a pony. Ponies get tired easily than Changelings. "No..." she said between breathing, "...You're right. We should continue." "You are not looking well, Miss Daisy." I walked towards her, stopping a few feet in front of her. Black bags under her eyes. She's tired... She took out the Ocean's Tear from her bag. And...she's giving it to me. "Bring it to my brother..." She took my foot, and puts the gem on it. "Tell him I want him back..." She shook her head. "Tell him I need him back..." She let's me go. I have the Ocean's Tear now. I should... No... I shouldn't disobey an order. Miss Daisy's Sir Henry's sister. Therefore, I should treat them equally. She gave me an order. And therefore...I must do it. I turned to Mount Edge's direction. ... "We'll continue after you rest, milady..." "B-but..." "You are in no condition of protecting yourself from the dangers of this forest." ... I am disobeying orders... --- 14 "When I grow up, I want to be just as strong and loyal as you are, Cloth!" A young brown-eyed Changeling cheerfully said to me. The king and queen, after accepting me in their kingdom, gave me the responsibility of training their Changelings. They informed me that leeching on 'hatred' makes them feel sad. At the time, all they want me to do was to teach them how to leach 'love'. And some fighting techniques. I gladly accepted the job. Out of all the young Changelings, this little one got most of my attention. He would do anything beyond his limits to impress me. Over the years, somehow, I grew attached to him. One day, however, he accidentally called me his 'brother'. Since then, I'm stuck being his brother. But I didn't regret it. I never will regret it. --- 15 Miss Daisy forced herself to continue after, from her calculations, thirty minutes of rest. It was also after I shared her some of my story. The gaps in between the trees are starting to get wider, to our convenience. We no longer need to climb up tree roots. After a while, strangely, it would seem like we are walking on a normal earthy path, where trees are at each side of this path, a slightly swirling pathway after observing our walking pattern from the first step we took. Above, the leaves of the trees are still blocking the blue sky. Though we can see through the small gaps. We spotted a bear up ahead. It carried it's young on its back as it stood there with all it's four feet. After our momentary pause, it went to the trees. We started hearing the birds chirping. Squirrels running through branches. I turned to Miss Daisy. "Miss Daisy, I need to check our current location." She nodded, and I flew straight up, flying through the soft leaves above us. And there, Mount Edge, from a distance. One more day if we keep this pace up. The mountain looks strangely quiet. I don't like what's waiting for us there. I flew back down, and Miss Daisy greeted me with a smile. "I thought you already left me here." I bowed. "I wouldn't even dare of thinking of it, Miss Daisy." I remembered not to bow. I quickly lifted my head back. "I apologize. Avoiding to bow in your presence slipped my mind a while." She smiled. "It's no problem. Let's go." Indeed we shall. --- 16 We continued walking on this path until night fell. She insisted to continue, but I reminded her of her current state. She looks rather ill. She didn't believe me. We gathered around the fire Miss Daisy summoned. We sat there in silence after I returned the Ocean's Tear to her possession. I know she's feeling uncomfortable with this silence. I need to say something then. "Milady..." "Hm?" "Why sacrifice so much for a Changeling?" She looked at the fire with a sad look. I didn't bother to ask. "He's my..." she started, "he's my brother." She faced me with an angry stare. "So of course I'll sacrifice so much to save him." I nodded. "I, too, would do the same for my brother." She smiled. I wondered. "I mean no disrespect, Miss Daisy, but, even if you don't know what lies ahead, you're willing to sacrifice?" She slowly turned to the small fire. She slowly nodded. "No matter the conseq—" "Yes. Whatever happens, I'll do my best to get him back." You don't even know what happened to his highness... --- 17 I stayed awake. I couldn't sleep. I feel something is stalking us. There are a lot of them. But I couldn't see them. Miss Daisy is sleeping in peace. I need to keep it that way. No matter what happens, I— --- 18 "Cloth... Please bring the Ocean's Tear..." "Where is it's current location, your highness?" "'Your highness'? Hah! You make me laugh, Cloth." "Silence, you devil!" "Cloth, please..." "Yes Cloth, do what your little prince orders you too." "One more word from you, you devil, and I'll—" "And you'll do what, Cloth? Don't forget; your queen, your prince, and your...hahahah...you're little brother, are all under my mercy." "You...wicked...witch...!" "Cloth, please..." "Spit it out, little prince, where is it?" "...back...home..." "You hear that, Cloth dear? All you have to do is—" --- 19 Ehh... My head, it's aching... ... My body... I feel like... I'm hanging... My front feet are upwards... I can feel a wall on my back... I better open my eyes... A flat floor. What is this place? Where have I been taken? I looked up... My front feet are chained against this wall. A small three walled chamber of some sort. My right side, an exit, to a dark pathway. Am I inside a dungeon of some sort? To my left... Ah! Miss Daisy, and Sir Henry! They're both hanging on the same wall as where I'm hung, chained, and both unconscious. ... Nothing on the wall in front of me... In front of us... The ceiling... Nothing either... Gah! My hind legs are chained as well? Perfect... I need to think of a way to escape. I looked up... It's impossible for me to aim at the chains... ... I can't tilt my head further down to aim either... My slime is not an option then. What else do I have... ... My wing... I can try and fly to break free. --- 20 It's of no use... I cannot break myself free... ... That bright torch burning on the left wall... ...is annoying... --- 21 "Cloth...?" I turned to where the voice came from. Miss Daisy has recently awaken. "What happened?" "Forgive me, milady. I do not know as well..." "Oh..." She slowly turned to her right. "Is... is this my brother...?" "Yes." "H-Henry... I'm so glad he's okay..." She breathed deeply. "Henry... Henry, wake up..." "Let his highness rest, Miss Daisy. He may have—" It was not my place to express my opinion... "'He may have' what?" She turned to me. "His highness may have worn himself out from whatever wrath that devil Chrysalis brought upon him..." "Chrysalis?" I nodded. Anger grew on her face. "I swear to Celestia, I'll kick Chrysalis' flank so hard, she'll kiss the mare in the moon!" And she struggled to set herself free, only to accomplish nothing a few moments later. "D...Daisy...?" I heard his highness' voice. The rattling chains must have woken him up. Miss Daisy quickly turned to him. "Henry! You're awake! Thank goodness!" Miss Daisy is blocking my sight to see his highness. Not her fault, for we were hung this way. I could see his highness' head looking around our whereabouts. "'Thank goodness' would have sounded a lot better if we were outside, li'l sis..." "You complain too much!" I can hear buzzing sounds echoing. Miss Daisy and Sir Henry must have noticed as well. The three of us looked right, and there I saw six green-eyed Changelings and the devil herself! "Well well..." she landed in front of us, "look who just woke up..." "I swear when I get down from here, you'll be sorry!" Miss Daisy snarled. The devil laughed devilishly. I couldn't hold my anger, but I must, for I need to think of a plan. Spitting might only bring myself unconsciousness. "Chrysalis, let my sister go!" "Well well... What a weird world we're living in." She drove her face near me. Oh, how I want to spit on you. "First, we have a traitor little Changeling who became brothers with his cousins." She flew to Miss Daisy. "And now we have a prince who's sister is a little pony," she smiled, "how sweet." Miss Daisy spat on her, drawing the devil's head back. "Really sweet..." she continued, sarcastically, as she wiped the spit off of her face. "What do you want from us, you crazy witch!?" Miss Daisy snarled once more. "Crazy is right, my dear..." She walked to Sir Henry. "All this wait truly made me go crazy..." She licked Sir Henry's cheek... The devil! "Leave my brother alone!" "Oh, I couldn't possibly do that... I planned him a little reunion with his dear beloved mother." I swear, if only I could break myself free...! "You promise my mother would be safe!" "Relax, little prince. You'll see your beloved mother soon." Her tone dropped to as if she was bored. "Cloth, my dear..." She walked towards me. "I trust you have the Ocean's Tear with you, hm?" "C-Cloth?" Miss Daisy's broken voice echoed... "I don't turn back my word, witch! Now, release Sir Henry, as well as the queen, Miss Daisy, and my brother!" "My my..." Ugh! Her slap...hurts... "...demanding, are you not?" Grr... "Fine," she rolled her eyes, "I'll release them like you asked, but later." She slowly hovered away to the dark narrow path to my right. I heard her minions little smirks as they removed the chains on us. Agh! One of them, however... ...made sure I couldn't fight back... Ack... They're...absorbing my energy... Miss Daisy...and Sir Henry as well... --- 22 "I welcome you all..." I managed to open my eyes... I was unconscious once again... "...to the peak of Mount Edge!" We're on a flat surface of the mountain... Mount Edge isn't really the highest of mountains, but... From the strength of the wind here, even a clear day such as this one, I know we're high above the earth. Two Changelings held my fore feet tight as they hover on the air. My hind feet could barely touch the ground. Chrysalis is a few feet in front. Behind her are her Changelings. They've grown and multiplied from the last time I remember. They're strangely just standing there, as if they don't want us to see what's beyond... No, no time for that. I need to make a plan, fast. On my right, Miss Daisy was held by two Changelings, the same as how I am held. Sir Henry, on the other hand, is chained on a rock pillar thing. What could this devil plan to do!? "Chrysalis! My mother, where is she!?" "Like I said, prince," her toned, quite annoyed, "you'll be reunited with her soon, but..." She smiled, the devil! "The Ocean's Tear. I need it." "I want to see my mother first!" "Hush, little prince. You're not the one I'm offering this deal." She looked at me. "Cloth dear, where is the gemstone?" "Do first what his highness asked!" She rolled her eyes. "Fine." She turned her back on us. Her Changelings are smiling. "But I must tell you something first, little prince." "What is it?" "Your mother, no matter how, oh how many times I try and asked her to cooperate, she wouldn't..." These two Changelings are smirking, softening their grip. "So, I had to do...oh, 'something', to make her cooperate." "What did you do her!?" "I'm getting there," she hissed. "But, oh, little prince," her choice of tone is annoyingly childish, "I didn't mean to, but I somehow, overdid it, and..." A number of Changelings in front of her flew high, revealing before our eyes—! "M-m...mother...?" The queen! She's... "She became all so skinny, and somehow, she died..." "You DEVIL!" She turned to us to see her devil face! "Oh, by the way Cloth..." "Tell me something you'll regret, you devil!" "Maybe, maybe it won't." She grinned. "It all depends. But anyway, there's also this 'one' 'little' 'changeling' that really—" "No..." "—caught my attention—" "No...!" "—and somehow, I grew to 'like' the little bug." "—the devil DID YOU DO TO MY BROTHER!?" A set of Changelings flew to reveal...my... "...brother...?" "I'm really sorry, little Cloth... But it seems, I gave too much of my love... Hahahah-hahahah!" B-brother...? --- 23 "Stay true to your word, witch!" "Oh don't worry, I will." She grinned. "Just don't bore me to death in waiting." --- 24 How could I have foolishly believed her word! Was I too loyal? Was I...? My brother... Please forgive me... --- 25 "The gem, darling." I hung my head down... I cried... I couldn't believe it... My brother...gone...! "I know you have the gem, darling, so give it to me." "All these for a tiny gem!" Miss Daisy... "You're a monster! A heartless monster!" "Yes, yes, now hand it over. My patience is running thin." Chains are rattling. "Don't waste your breath, little prince. I'm saving you for last." "I swear to the sun you'll burn in the lowest pits of hell!" "You amuse me. I just visited hell itself, little prince. Trust me, the three of you are going to LOVE it there." Trust her, she says... "Ah... What's that blue glow in your bag, little pony?" "Stay away from me!" "Oh, hush child. You're in no position to make threats." Chains are rattling again. "That's mine! Give that back!" "Finally, two more to go, and we can finally reclaim Canterlot!" Her Changelings cried for victory. --- 26 "When I grow up, I want to be just as strong and loyal as you are, Cloth!" ... I will never be able to see that day come... --- 27 You laugh at our loss... I swear to the sun you all will regret this...! Despite my dread loss, I need to execute the plan. I still have Sir Henry and Miss Daisy to save. It's up to me now. Smirk, my fellows... I quickly lifted both my hind legs, and exerted all of my strength to push my right hind foot to the side, kicking my captor, losing his grip on me, and smashing right next to Miss Daisy's captors. Now, I'm on the ground. My other captor, startled, I took this quick chance to kick the little devil to hell care where the demon flew. I am free. The devil was startled. I quickly hovered myself over Miss Daisy, kicking the head of her other captor. "Seize them!" Before I took my eyes off of Miss Daisy, I saw her instantly putting a large rock inside her bag. As I landed in front of Sir Henry, I heard a smashing sound, and a Changeling flew pass right in front of me. Miss Daisy must have swung her bag and sent the little devil to kingdom come. "Cloth!" His highness shouted. It could only mean one thing. I hovered up quickly, just in time to dodge a group of green slime. There's too many— No! Numbers won't win a battle! All I need is skill. And I had years of experience of it! --- 28 "Ugh..." Not good... I'm pinned down by a number of them... ...I underestimated their strength... "That was quite a show, Cloth dear..." I can see her slimy feet walking pass me... ...the devil stopped in front of Miss Daisy, pinned down as well. She grabbed her mane, and lifted her up to her head level. Miss Daisy, weakened, still struggled to set herself free. "Put my sister down! She has nothing to do with this!" "Get your devil-arms off of Miss Daisy you witch!" She ignored our cries as she turned to his highness, still chained. "Oh, but my little prince... She looks oh so tasty..." Damn it...! "You wouldn't mind, would you?" "Let her go!" Miss Daisy's swinging her hind legs, trying to kick the devil, but she couldn't reach her. She's too small for the devil. "Do unto me all what you like, but spare her, please, I beg of you!" "Henry... Don't sacrifice yourself just for my sake..." There was a moment of silence... A miracle to my ears... I need another plan... "Eat me... Drain me... Do whatever you want, but let my brother go!" "What a fool of a pony you are, young one. Are you suggesting that you would rather die just for this poor creature you call your 'brother' to live?" Somehow, she sounded confused. "I never realized the queen would be deaf...! Ack...!" She lifted Miss Daisy, and quickly moved her arm from her mane to her neck... "Chrysalis, let her go! Don't hurt her!" She turned to Sir Henry... I am only guessing she's grinning devilishly... "I'll let her go." She moved her arm holding Miss Daisy near her face. "...and I won't hurt her..." To my horror, she threw her off the mountain! "The rocks will do the hurting!" "DAISY!" "MISS DAISY!" Miss Daisy is screaming. The whole moment...seemed...like...everything slowed down until we could no longer see her... "If only it was raining..." The devil said in between her laughter... "...it would have added more effect to this lame drama...!" --- 29 Everything became silent... It was as if my ears no longer serve their purpose. Chrysalis is laughing... Sir Henry was shouting... The Changelings are cheering... I can hear nothing... Nothing... I don't know why, but I won't end it this way... Suddenly, out of all the noises that are present, only the devil's voice reached me... "The last of the brown-eyed Changelings... Henry, was it?" The last of the brown-eyed Changelings... The last... ...last... So my brother...really is...gone... "CHRYSALIS!" I shouted as I managed to bring myself back on my four feet. Unable to figure out how I managed to lift those pinning me down, but I don't care. The devil standing before me must perish! Quickly to her neck, I dug my fangs onto her devilish flesh...! Never in my entire life have I felt so alive. I thank thee, Chrysalis! She shook, I dug my claws onto her neck, securing my grip. I felt her arms pounding on me, I didn't care. I drove my fangs even further. I swear I could rip it off now...! My vision blurred. Her neck's the only focus. This time I feel powerful attacks, from her Changelings perhaps? I don't care. I dug my claws deeper, my fangs. I swear I could taste her blood flowing down my throat. Scream, devil, SCREAM! —! "You forgot your place, you fool!" "AAAHHH!!!" What's this!? My head! It hurts! Grrraaahhh! "I am your queen, and I can do things even hell itself couldn't handle!" My...head... I...swear...it'll explode...gah...! Chains... --- 30 The ground... I'm lying down on the ground... I couldn't...feel...anything... My eyes are partially open... The devil... ...is still alive... I'm...breathing...shallow...and...slow... I'm...dying...? Maybe... Snaps... --- 31 Even with my faintest senses, I could swore I heard the chains just snapped. Instantly, I saw Sir Henry, standing on all of his four feet. Chrysalis must have been startled. Suddenly, his horn glowed brown. He...he is using magic? I then saw a Changeling slamming on the ground right in front of me. And I felt the ground shook. The other Changelings went down as well? This Changeling in front of me, enveloped in brown aura, lifted up beyond my limited sight, and slammed back down again. Instantly after it slammed down, the brown aura vanished, allowing the demon to bounce off of my sight. I saw Chrysalis' looking at her demons, shocked. Seeing her that way satisfied my soul. His highness' horn is glowing furiously, like a wildfire. "You wouldn't dare!" The devil hissed after he turned to Sir Henry, her horn glowed in green. "You killed my mother... You killed Cloth..." ...still hanging...my prince... "...You killed the rest of my kind, and what's worst! You killed my SISTER!" And without warning, from his glowing horn he blasted a furious brown energy beam straight at Chrysalis, who countered with her own green beam. The two casters' feet were shaking. Sir Henry's beam slowly crept closer to the devil. I swore I saw his highness' eyes burning with power and anger. --- 32 "I've always envied you, Cloth." "Why is that, my prince?" "You and the other green Changelings draw power from love... While we draw power from hate..." "..." --- 33 Smoke, from my sensation, covered the entire flat peak after Sir Henry and the devil's beams exploded. I was thrown aback, it seemed like I was just dragged away for a few feet... It was quiet... Too quiet... I couldn't hear anything... ...My ears must have died now... The smoke cleared after moments of wait. ...! Chrysalis, she's standing, with Sir Henry...! The devil held him on his neck with her bloody fanged mouth! He's...he's shaking... His face...stunned and horrified...! His blood, rolling down his neck to his feet...! No...! No...! Uh? Another explosion...from afar... It startled the devil, dropping what it seemed...like...a lifeless Sir...Henry... A multi-colored wave passed through the sky... The devil stared at it, and smiled. "A sign of my victory!" She laughed. Soon, her Changelings slowly hovered around her... --- 34 Sir Henry... My prince... I am sorry... I have failed you... ---------- End of Chapter 3 ----------