Ch.1
The forest was silent, the leaves barely moving as the early Dawn shined on the area. A changeling rushed through the undergrowth, it's eyes alight with fear. Behind it, shapes glowing red flashed by with the same speed. The changeling continued on it's run, weaving through the brush avoiding the strange shapes that followed. The bug soon found a clearing, finding a plain brick building within a clearing. The sound of buzzing drew near, and putting on a disguise it flew towards the structure, the pursuers stopping at the forest edge.
A figure dropped just to the edge, watching with the other creatures as the changeling rushed inside. The dragons right eye glowed in the forests shade, signaling to the others of his battalion. The swarm soon flew off, leaving only one to monitor the building. The dragon gave a smile, then leaped into the air, flying after the swarm of glowing lights he controlled.
The changeling rushed into the doors, despite the protests of the guards outside. He flew into the lobby, only to be pinned by magic from the unicorns that had been posted outside. They stepped in after him, and continued to hold him without a word.
In the meantime, he looked around the small area he had flown in, finally able to think cleanly. He noticed several rooms leading off from this one, a desk to his left. Several ponies and griffons watched him with curiosity and fear, which he ignored to continue to look around. After a minute two characters walked to him distinctly, and he could tell they were leaders of the facility.
The first was a griffon, wearing a dark blue vest over her grey top feathers. She stood with a curious stare as she approached. The one beside her was a smaller pegasus, her green fur complicated by the same dark blue uniform. She wore a single diamond stud in her right ear, and had spent some time dying her feathers tips grey. She carried a clipboard with her, her purple eyes scanning over him. The griffon signaled to the guards, who let him stand to his feet. Her face remained neutral as she spoke.
“This is certainly a treat. Normally we don't get too many changeling guests at this resthouse. Mind telling us why you came in here?”
“Please, I don't want any trouble, I just want some shelter. I've been exiled out of my swarm by the crystal king, and I need somewhere to hide. Please, I'll take a cell, anything to keep from facing them again.” The griffon rubbed her chin, trying to find if he was lying. She pulled out a small radio from her pocket.
“Any signs of movement outside?” their was a bit of static before a stallions voice answered.
“A swarm of some kind, glowing with the crystals of the empire flew by just a few moments ago back to the main town. The captain went with them.” The griffon put away the radio and nodded to the guards, pointing to a set of doors by the end of the room.
“We have a set of rooms downstairs with bars. I can't promise we'll keep you safe, but we can at least get you comfortable before we decide what to do with you.”
The changeling sighed, his eyes now beaming. The two guards walked behind the bug as they lead him to the said rooms. She rubbed her temple, then walked down the room to a different set of doors. She passed in, followed closely by the pegasus.
“I'll tell you Maria, this will be the end of our little refuge if you keep that changeling. I'm sure that the general just flew back to gather the forms used for interrogation.” Maria walked behind a the desk of the office, pulling a small microphone connect to speakers in the facility.
“I'm aware of that, that's why I'm going to signal for a evacuation warning. I doubt we'll need to perform on it, but it's best to get everyone ready.”
She gave the order through the facility, then placed the device back into the desk. The pegasus placed her clipboard on the table and looked over the schedule.
“You still have to meet Dr. Duelblood in the medical area.” Maria growned, then placed her hat on the desk.
“Thanks inktip, I never would have gotten this far in here without you. Let's see what the quack is up too this time.” The two walked out of the office, glancing as soldiers helped with the packing of the others in the facility.
The changeling swarm flew grim and red as it traveled from the small Outpost. The drones soon overcame a wall of dark gold tipped with black spikes, heading into the black crystal empire. The dragon flew on a different path, flying over the lower walls and up to the second level of the palace. Underneath ponies marched wordlessly under the watch of small dragons, their eyes hollow and their bodies made of stone.
The general flew over the second wall, revealing the city of beautiful jewels inside. He flew over it, small foals cheering him on as he traveled towards the palace.he landed in a street just opposite, crystal hydras stand before the looming entrance in silence. The dragon walked to a small shop, where a pony coated in Ruby was working on a small anvil. She smiled at his entrance, and quickly gave a salute.
“Smith, my regalia for the throne room. And sharpen by blade, I imagine I'll have need of it soon.” She nodded, using her magic to help remove his enchanted armor and weapons. She brought his massive sword to the table and began to work on it, the dragon grabbing a half cloak to hide his crystal forearm. After strapping a pair of regal daggers to his underarm, he went into the entrance.
Guards wearing grey armor saluted his entrance, their eyes glowing with the dark magic they possessed. He followed the black flames, illuminating the walls with a greyscale design. He finally stepped into a throne room, the torches glowing in such a manner to hide the thrown in darkness. The dragon bowed, and looked into the lifeless eyes of his Lord.
“King sombra, my mission to flush the changeling invasion was almost a complete success. All but one of the creatures managed to flee us, but they have been tracked to the rest house just to the west of here. I have a guard waiting till further notice. Shall I attack or try and bring them to the cause?” the figure snorted, red lightning illuminating his face and broken horn. He walked down from the throne, his long robe and armor covering most of his muscle. He made a motion, and the dragon stood up.
“An impressive feat, but if that changeling gets too far out, it could very well repopulate.”
“That's why I came to ask for your command, so I may not cause you grief.” The pony smiled, then nodded for him to follow. The two walked out of the room, heading to a balcony attached to the castle. This was the place where we usually thought out his actions, being able to see his own kingdom, and the kingdoms of the sun and moon. He stopped by the railing, and took a breath of the air, the perfumes of the upper town mixing with the magic and acids used in the mines to the sound end of the town.
“General Glassclaw, I suggest you perform the subtle route. Perform an inspection, but have one of our new changelings enter to find the bug. If he is there, feel free to storm the building. But if nothing, leave it be, for it'll be out of our realm.”
“Is that your command my master?” Sombra tilted his head to the dragon, giving a firm glare.
“No, it is my course of action I propose. You do with it as you please.” Glassclaw looked back, his single good eye looking confused at his king. Sombra stared back into the topaz eye, and pointed to his white scales under the cloak.
“Glassclaw, do you remember why I didn't fully control your life with my magic?”
“you said it was for the purpose of giving reason and talking to you.” The king nodded, leaning over the rail.
“Unlike my other minions, who have been controlled through my will, you gave your life to me. You continue to perform like a minion, yet the strange emotion in your gestures show me that I can still be a devoted king. One that I can see help me conquer this world without violence.” Glassclaw rubbed the cloak over his arm, the material almost being cut from the jagged gems on her arm. He nodded, and leapt off the balcony, heading to the blacksmith. The king then returned to his throne, observing the kingdom through his many statues.
“Help, the beast comes to eat me.”
“Rraugh.”
“Fear not my princess, I come to rescue you. Yah and boom.”
“Be careful my prince.”
“Fear not my damsel, for I come to take you away, and not to kill but to tame the beast.”
“My hero. Won't you let me reward you?”
“Of course my darling. Come and meet your…”
“Dr. Duelblood, we need to speak.” the curtain was pulled aside from the medical area, revealing said doctor with a young foal. He quickly placed the doll he was holding on a table near him, and he quickly stood up to salute. His dark blue fur had stains around the eyes and front hoof from washing them. His head was wrapped in a hat held down by a white bandana. He quickly wiped his hooves on his lab coat and turned again to salute.
“Good morning sir, I mean miss, I mean captain, I mean…”
“Duelblood.” The pony stopped, putting down his hood and chuckling. The foal in the bed next to him giggled at him, and he gave her a smile.”
“Don't worry, we can get back to that later.” She nodded, and duelblood followed behind Maria and inktip. They went from the medical area to the same office they had just been in. He closed the door and gave her a sad smile.
“Uhh, how much of that did you hear?”
“Just enough, you're pretty good at role playing with the patients.” Duelblood gave inktip a nod, then turned back to Maria.
“What's this about? Do you need me to mix more pain pills for you?”
“Hardly. Did you not hear the evac message?”
“I did, and I'm acting the same as I normally do. Each time you've given the warning we haven't had need to flee. So what makes today different?”
“You still need to follow protocol Duelblood. I'd at least expect that from our top doctor.” Inktip could just make out a flash of something in Duelblood eyes, but it faded with him shaking his head.
“Tell me, what changed for today to need me to start following your bluffs with the evac? Another inspection? I can work around that just like we have been.” Maria shook her head slowly, and walked behind her desk.
“If you haven't heard, a changeling has asked us for shelter. Apparently it was running from the capital, and I'm sure the captain will be returning to collect it. I'd rather be ready in case they take the place by force.” His eyes widened at the mention, quickly pulling a rag to wipe his brow.
“You kept a changeling the CAPITAL was looking for?”
“It was either that, or let it roam around the area and the general be mad at us. I had to pick the poison, and I choose the one that could leave us with no casualties.” Duelblood put away his rag, then nodded.
“Yes. Yes, I guess that would be the better option. You may be right, so I'll go ahead and get the preparations ready for as many as I can let leave.” He turned to walk out of the room, but inktip stopped him.
“Perhaps you should check on the changeling, to see if it's ok?” Duelblood rolled his eyes, and stepped out of the room. Inktip walked over to Maria to help her prepare for the arrival.”
In a cell under the place, the changeling layed on the bed of a small cell. He had been left here when the guards led him down. He had tested the doors and they were unlocked. This had given him a certainty to behave, and he decided to look around the block. It had eight cells, each built identically with a bed and table built into the wall.
He wasn't alone down there either. In the cell next to where he had been placed, a pony sat in the center of the cell. Though calling it a pony would be a stretch, as it had no eyes and didn't even breath. It simply stared forward blankly, not reacting to anything. The bars absorbed magic, and the figure sat far enough from the bars to prevent being touched, so he simply walked back into the cell and laid back on the bed.
He soon heard hooves on the stairs, and saw a strange pony enter in. He had his head covered and was wearing a medical coat. The doctor stared at him before clearing his.
“Alright bug, you've come here for the sake of getting shelter. So tell me, what did you do to get into this position?” He rolled out from the bed and sat near the bars, running his stomach.
“If you must know, we were running low on a decent source of food. Our queen decided to have us sneak into the Chambers of the mothers who nurse young. It only worked for about a week, since they count the children.”
“Yes, I can see how that plan could work.” He looked to the doctor with a confused stare, and he simply chuckled.
“I think a bit differently from the normal ponies that live here. But just because you asked for safety doesn't mean we can give it to you. Enjoy your time here, since you will join your swarm again soon.” the doctor locked the door using a key, then proceeded to walk out. He watched him go out, and knowing he couldn't really do anything else, fell into a sleep on the bed.
Late in the night, the sound of grinding made the changeling sit up in his bed. He snuck over to the bars, keeping himself just out of the halls vision, and peeked down it.
The wall by the end of the room seemed to be
opening, the changelings eyes making out the cloak of a figure. His thoughts were confirmed by hooves moving in his direction. He quickly bent down in his cell, keeping as still as he could.
The hooves soon approached, the cloaked figure heading by his cell without a glance. He crawled to the edge of the cell, and saw the figure lay a plate of bread and some water on the floor near the statute. The figure tapped on the bar, holding something he couldn't make out.
He walked further out, getting a better sight of the scene. The figure was moving, grabbing whatever it was in the ponys hoof and placing it on its face. The changeling held a gasp, for the figure began to morph before his eyes with a full silver glow.
His once barren body had grown stripes which ran down its back. Three of its legs became solid black, with the left forehoof still being white. A whip like tail bloomed out, and a mane which flowed over the right shoulder. Eyes of brown formed in the empty sockets, and the once lifeless mass became a formed zebra. He smiled and gave the cloaked mare a bow.
“My humble regards to the angel of my life. Once again I find you and you bring me animation. If only you could do more.” The cloaked figure turned their head, and the new zebra began eating the food. As he did, he gave a glance in his direction, and laughed. “Well, my cellmate has arisen from their daze of deception. What insight do you have for me to answer?”
“guess their isn't a point in hiding, since I'm already awake. You're telling me you have a way out of this and yet stay in your cell?” The being gave a sad glance to his partner, then returned to his meal.
“Be easy to escape if I had a key to this cell. But my key has long been burned to keep me here. As for the master key, it can only be accessed by the one named Maria. Besides, without a mask, I cannot function, so escape would only lead to me being killed.”
“What a pitiful thought. You could have been out of here in a few minutes if your friend could fetch a key.” The zebra stopped, then began making signs to his partner. The two began making rapid movements, with him only staring in confusion till they stopped.
“Uhh, what was that about?”
“I can tell you after you help us.” The changeling looked up at this, with the zebra stepping to the door.
“They plan to take you away, but my friend can help you to escape from them. As a changeling, you can change your shape, and thus gain access to the master key. If you can help release me, I can offer my services to any cause you wish.” the changeling thought for a moment, then looked back at him.
“what will I be looking for?”
“My friend has found a drawer that can only be unlocked with a griffons talon. The master key will be in there, along with a violent mask and pendent. My partner can confirm their in the secret drawer, just bring the keys and mask.” The figure nodded their head, and the changeling rubbed his stomach.
“As much as the plan would work, I'm low on magic reserves. Could your friend maybe give some of their love to fuel me?” The zebra made an effort to speak, but was cut off by the figures hoof. They walked to his door, then pulled off their cloak.
The mare before him was rough, her mouth having several scars and a slice on her nose. Patches of burns could be seen just above her ears and onto her dull mane. The unicorns eyes seem to speak more than any amount of words she could say. The zebra gave a curious glance to her.
“Dear Marinette, changelings syphon love from ponies. If you choose to do this, you'll be too weak to move.” But he already began to take in her love. It seemed to the changeling that she gave her love openly, as he ate more then his fill and she didn't even seem winded. She gave a smile and walked back to the zebras cell.
“Dear girl. You really are an angel. I just hope the changeling can keep his word.” He placed the mask he had to Marinette, then sat into the cell, his body returning to its motionless form. She gave him a nod before heading around the corner and hiding. With a smile, the changeling returned to his bed.
It had rained during the night, Glassclaw awakening to the smell of fresh dew. He was glad at times like these to still have his ability to think and feel. But that didn't change things, as he rolled out of bed.
He walked through the small house, stepping into the kitchen and grabbing a glass of wine on the table. A mare coated in blue crystal fixed up a breakfast, Glassclaw nodding to her as he sipped the wine. He moved to the closet by his room, finding his gear for the day. He put on his sword and armor, tying on a shield to his non jeweled arm.
After putting a cloak over his jewels, he walked back to the kitchen, a meal of toast and bacon prepared.
“Thank you mistress, your skills and time are always appreciated.” The mare nodded, then walked out of the room. After eating his meal, he polished the shoulder plate of his armor, the red diamond with black lighting sparkling in the light.
He walked outside, morphing the gems on his back into a wing to match his normal one. Lifting off, two changeling and two alicorn guards flew beside him as Glassclaw flew to the small stop by the city. He landed a few feet from the entrence, a few ponies on the top of the facility moving to signal his arrival.
The doors soon opened, with Maria and inktip walking out to greet him. They both wore a simple jacket with the symbol of the kingdom on their left breasts. Inktip also had a ear piece of the red diamond on her left ear. Maria had put on a set of jeweled gloves, along with a cap which covered her eyes.
The three stood facing each other, the silence making inktip and the ponies behind them nervous. The two then burst into laughter, nearly toppling inktip from the sudden sound. Glassclaw held out his shielded arm, which Maria bumped back before standing back up again.
“So, you old pile of feathers, still running this dump of a facility?”
“Well you oversized glowstick, someone has to run it, and I certainly don't want to go back to city life.”
“You had a decent life working with in the city, this place could hardly be considered worthwhile compared.”
“You only say that because you're a general of a bunch of puppets and not working the counter talked down by snobs.” The two shared another laugh, inktip stepping forward and holding out the documents in her hoof. Glassclaw waved them away and cleared his throat.
“I'm not here to look over the place today. I'm sure you already know why I'm here.”
“You mean about the changeling, right? We have him in the cells below, ready to be picked up. It actually thinks we're helping it escape from you, so it didn't even put up a struggle.” The two shared another laugh, Duelblood shifting his hooves on the other side of the door. Maria then gestured to the guards at the door, who stepped through and too the lower levels.
When they reached the lower level, they found only the chaos creature idel in its cell. The two quickly unlocked the door, looking around to find signs of magic. When they stepped inside, the changeling dropped from the ceiling, its body becoming visible again as he drained the magic from the guard.
At the same time, Marinette ran out from behind the corner and fired a sleep spell at the other guard. He fell to the ground in a comma, the first guard passing out from exhaustion. She stepped out from the corner, watching the changeling absorb the other guards magic as well. She nodded, grabbing the key and gesturing upstairs.
The changeling stepped past her, putting on a quick disguise and heading up the stairs. The office wasn't too hard to find, and was even unlocked. After stepping inside, he found the drawer on the side of the main desk, and shifting to a griffon, inserted and turned one of his claws in the lock.
Out popped a small drawer, and sure enough, inside were a set of keys, the mask, and a pendent. He took out the keys and pendent, placing it to the side. Using his magic he grabbed the keys and mask, and walked out and back downstairs.
Marinette had locked the two guards into the cell he had occupied, with her silver magic took the keys and mask from him, unlocking the cell. She placed the mask on his face, emerald eyes forming and giving a wicked smile.
“Gather as much magic and love as you can, this place won't stand long when I regain my power.” Marinette nodded quickly to his words, the changeling flying back upstairs. After stepping through the door, he found his way to the infirmary, and set to work on the sick.
Maria and Glassclaw chatted for about five minutes, each endulging in the others company and talking on the kingdoms change. After which, both notice that the guards has yet to reappear with the bug.
“normally I wouldn't deny your honesty Maria, but it seems your guards are having a struggle.”
“Yeah, I'm a bit concerned too. The changeling was weak when he came in, and we haven't fed it anything.”
“Could their be another pony in the dungeon it could had fed on?”
“No, nothing that could lead to a serious struggle. I wonder?” At that, she waved to Duelblood, who nodded back and went to the door. When he tried to open it, a blast of purple flames shot him backwards, only being caught by Glassclaws shield. The dragon placed him down, then rushed inside, with Maria and inktip close behind.
Purple flames had begun to engulf the facility,
several ponies rushing to leave through the escapes. Above it all was a purple figure wearing a mask. He had a slim form, with emerald eyes and silver lines leading to several fluffy tails. The thing smiled, giving a bow in midair.
“My dear wardens, who so choose to starve me to death in your prison. Only by the will of angels and your bug have I reclaimed my right. Flee now, and perhaps you may survive instead of being burned by my fury.” The thing laughed, floating down into the central flame. Glassclaw unsheathed his sword, and quickly slashed the creature into five parts. It fell into the flames and disappeared, a new surge of power forming as it left.
“Gather anything worthwhile, these flames can only be put out by a strong magic, so the best you can do is save what is needed.” Maria nodded, rushing past the dragon to her office. Inktip meanwhile stepped back outside, finding Duelblood just getting up from the blast.
“What's going on in there?”
“It seems the discord creature found a way to get its mask back. It's burning down the building.” Duelbloods face paled, rushing past the girl to head into the building, despite her objections. Glassclaw still shielded the flames from the ponies that were heading out from the halls, blocking some of the heat. Duelblood leapt around the fire and rushed to the infirmary.
What he found was his patients, dead and drained of the love they had. He had arrived just as a small filly was sucked dry by a figure looking just like him. It then transformed into the changeling that had been in the cell below, who looked at Duelblood in shock.
“I don't know how you managed this, but I will tear you apart and feed you to this flame!” The changeling backed away, watching as the doctors form changed. The once scrawny pony seemed to swell in bulk, his forelegs ripping apart the jacket he wore. His eyes changed to a blood red color, the same as the blood which pooled over his hooves. Though they were no longer hooves, as a set of claws broke through and clung to the ground.
He leapt forward, his teeth barred in a fury. The changeling threw different beds at the creature, only to be deflected by the scaled forelegs of the creature. It gave a dark smile, silhouetted by the flames from the other room.
“I will break you, then roast you to death like the spec you are.” His voice seemed almost booming, like it came from someone else. The changeling squeaked, then turned into a fly. He quickly flew around him and turned back, rushing towards the flame. He was stopped when a medical bed flew over his head and blocked the door. The changeling only had time to turn and see the thing lunging at him before he was warped away by some magic.
Duelblood smashed through the bed, returning to the main room. The only thing there was the purple flame, engulfing him and the building. He simply walked out of the room, hind legs ablaze and heading to the underground route.
Glassclaw stood watching the building burn, his guards working through his command to help the ones they had rescued from the building. Maria stood beside him, staring into the flame while clutching a small pendant in her claw. The dragon sighed, and looked over the ponies.
“Normally I'd have to arrest so many ponies who simply decided to live in such a place without registration. But considering this, I think it would be best if I let them be.”
“You plan on letting them go without resistance?”
“Not into the city. They'll have to travel to whichever city they feel comfortable going too. Though I imagine the best would be the crystal heart empire.” Maria nodded, looking at the building again. A shout to her left made Maria turn, with inktip running with Duelblood on her back. He was covered in soot and mud, his eyes closed and blood covering his front hooves. Glassclaw nodded, signaling to his guards.
“I'll get your friend to the alchamest in town. You two follow suit when you get the chance.” He took the pony into his hand, then flew off to the city, followed closely by the guards he brought. Inktip looked to Maria, with her nodding to the group that stood near them. She followed, hoping for Duelbloods safety.
The changeling awoke to the mid morning sun, shaking its head to clear his vision. In front of him stood Marinette and the strange pony. Though he now looked like a fox with many tails. As he stirred the two noticed him and walked over to him, Marinette giving a smile.
“Be lucky Marinette decided to have me save you. She seems to think that in helping me escape we can become friends.” The mare nodded, her uncloaked body showing the many scars on her face. The changeling sat up, looking over the matted fur, long slash down her left foreleg, and long burn down her back. This made her blush and turn away, with the other one taking the lead.
“Perhaps we should get to know each other more. I don't have a real name, but for recognition, you can call me Pupter. Do you have a name?” The changeling shook his head, and Pupter nodded.
“Then I guess you'll need one. Marinette, have any ideas?” The mare began making a flurry of movements with her forelegs, magic symbols tipping her hooves. Pupter seemed to understand, then turned back.
“As long as you travel with us, hornet will be your name. Is that clear?”
“Travel with you? What makes you think I will?”
“Do you have a swarm to return too?” The newly dubbed hornet opened his mouth, then stopped when he realized it. He sat silent, and Pupter nodded.
“Thought so. Now, you'll follow me, as I have to gather my own masks again. Marinette wants me to take you, and so I shall.” hornet looked to the city, then turned back to them.
“could we at least see my swarm again in the city? I want to know if it could be possible to bring them back.” Pupter turned to Marinette, who nodded to him. Hornet then walked forward, watching the two before following them on foot to the city.