//------------------------------// // chapter 35: Running into trouble // Story: From the isles of Avalon // by The Drifting Bard //------------------------------// Vashta Nerada? ...Run. Just run. As I stood in front of the mass of Black creatures, I took a few steps back. nearing the edge of the cliff, I could see the insect-like wings on the sickly black bastards buzz with anticipation. I shrugged, drew the pen-dragon from it's scabbard and leaped into the air, slicing through a tree. "that'll be you if you don't back off" however, the strange beings simply edged closer and closer. I swiveled round on the balls of my feet and ran towards the cliff edge, "this is gonna-" I jumped. "SUCK!" As I flew down the cliff face, I began to think about why I jumped. looking back, it wasn't the brightest Idea I had. I dug the sword into the cliff face in an attempt to slow down my decent, how ever, again, those black freaks were simply hovering, keeping themselves level with me. I looked into one set of dark green eyes. swinging out a fist, my hand broke its jaw. they all flew off. Thinking back to the book I read days ago on different beings, I remembered the defining features. Landing on my feet, I instantly ran towards the Library. my sword was still in the open air, the light bounced of the cold steel as i ran. Bursting through the door, I placed the sword back in its proper place and sat down. Twilight walked over to me, then sat down next to me. "what is it, you look like you've seen a ghost" I called for spike. "what? what is it Alan? tell me" Twilight began to get slightly more worried. "Spike, emergency letter to Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Captain Shining" Spike suddenly gulped. The young boy looked at Twilight for a moment, not knowing how he got privileges to use the D-mail. "I'm an official Knight remember? knight of the four winds..." he then shrugged as he began to write exactly what I dictated. Dear Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor urgent, the Changelings have reappeared in the everfree, Awaiting orders and re-enforcement's if necessary sir knightly Twilight looked at me, I watched as a worried expression crept across her face. "I thought.... the changelings were defeated two years ago" I raised an eyebrow in question. she divulged the story although she may have skimmed on some of the details. such as Chrysalis's execution. I peered outside as a dark cloud loomed over the Everfree forest, I see the moon looking down as if it was studying the strange phenomenon. As time slowly passed, I felt a shiver run up my spine. Twilight could finally see the small glimmer of fear in my eyes, and then the flash of light beckoned from outside the library. the knock was heard, Spike opened the door graciously. I took in the worried faces of the crown royals and one captain of the guard. As I relayed what I had seen, the cards had been placed on the table. "so it is as we feared" Luna sighed, I simply nodded. Celestia wore a grave expression as she replayed the information in her head. "these changelings... they decimated a fully grown manticore? they've...no" she began to rack her brain, Changelings only act like this when controlled by a male hierarchy. in theory, the changelings worked as a bizarre bastardization of a hive mind. however, they had individuality as well, though it is rarely seen. She looked over to me, and her voice began to tremble slightly as she spoke. "Sir Gallant Knight, you are tasked with destroying this new threat to equestria," her eyes glowed for a moment as a large chest appeared before her. "only the best will be going with you on this...." she looked down for a moment. Twilight saw the sorrowful look her teacher had, placing a hand on her shoulder. Celestia then looked up at her student, then she heard my voice, driving a fear which always nibbled on the darkest corners of Twilight's mind. "Your sending me and a group on a suicide mission aren't you?" Twilight whipped her head around to see me standing in full armor, The sword attached to my hip. the regal sun goddess nodded slightly. "Meh, knowing me, I'll comeback with most of the team or die trying" Celestia seemed to smile at this. Shining then called for his selected troops. Sure enough, In walked Showdown, Rocky, Sweetspot and some new guy. the new guy looked at me with a pompous glare. "Am I supposed to know who you are?" his jaw dropped. "how do you not know of me? I am Prince BlueBlood!" Author's note: The aforementioned Theory on the Changeling's operating as a Hive mind is my own idea on how the creatures would function.