//------------------------------//
// 18-7-11 
// Story: A Series of Letters 
// by Dashie04 
//------------------------------//

To, my wife, Crystal “Chrissy” Gem.

You’re sounding a bit loopy there, you alright? You’re very incoherent, and you seem to be messing up, stumbling over your words and whatnot. Also, you seem to have forgotten that the enemy is Changelings, and I don’t want to kill the enemy. Slate is also a Changeling. If Sparky isn’t writing your letter for you, I’ll be very concerned with actually reading them. Besides, I’m missing the kids, too, I want to hear Sparky’s dry wit intermixed with these as well.

To wit, you forgot Sparky existed, repeatedly called Jack’s Changeling Rights Movement a ‘peace thing’, and also gave your blessing for me marrying Lance. I know that the Chrissy I love is more well-read, attentive, and possessive than that. I’m really concerned.

However, the battles happened, and I hate it. I had to purposefully kill Changelings and act dumb about it. They led a full on push into the queen’s chambers, and they put me in front because I was a dirty Changeling sympathizer, and I needed to prove I wasn’t such a terrible thing. In addition, to rub it in, they handed me one of the Equestrian army’s three Magical Energy Weapons. The only thing that can reliably kill elite guards and above.

I don’t mean to imply that the queen is all good. I truly think Chrysalis is beyond redemption, but the rest of the Changelings aren’t, and the army thinks they are. Also, capturing Chrysalis is beyond idiotic. She controls the entire bucking Changeling body,  she’s going to pull them right back when she wakes up.

As for what happened in the battle, I don’t know nor do I particularly care. My heart wasn’t in this one, I couldn't just go on a Changeling killing spree like my orders said. I halfheartedly shot at what I was ordered. I did no more than I asked, nor could I summon up the will to go above and beyond.

Presuming you have the mental health and/or capacity to answer me, Chrissy. Is that what it feels like being a teacher, is it this redundant cycle that never ends? Do I have a idea what this feels like, the monotony of following orders? Can you answer me, Chrissy? I’m hoping you can. It just struck me as I was being forced to kill Changelings.

One thing I do remember from that attack is that we managed to keep some of the lower-tier Changelings alive. We also managed to capture Chrysalis, alive. This means that because the army doesn’t believe in how the hive mind works, they’ll be in for a nasty surprise whenever they come around. I’m going to hide throughout it, because they can’t say I didn’t warn them. I told them exactly what the hive mind was, and they didn’t believe me. It’s their loss.

So, in other news, we’ve got a massive Changeling in the base. The queen of the entire hive. Slate’s terrified, the poor thing. He doesn’t want to incur the wrath of Chrysalis. He likes his life here, he’s truly friends with us. He’s sufficiently shared his love for reformation, and Chrissy, I have some big news. In a supernova of love release, after a sufficient push, Slate went from a ratty old bug to something new. New and exciting.

Slate’s become... different, a light purple bug that reminds me of you every time I see him. It’s heartbreaking, seeing someone so close to you so aptly represented by a species so different from ponies. In the same vein, it’s almost soothing, and it gives me hope for the future. Perhaps Changelings and ponies can live in harmony, they just need a little push.

All you need is love
All you need is love
All you need is love, love
Love is all you need.

It’s beautiful, even though his colors are actually kind of an eyesore. It still reminds me of you though, but that crystal sparkle gives that purple a little extra shine.

Regardless, Slate could probably get by by claiming he’s a real pony. Then again, several squad members will see right through. He’s still remarkably unusual, and he still doesn’t want to become a Changeling. This is not helped by the fact that we now have his queen who he’s very particular on irritating in the camp. He doesn’t want to reveal himself for fear of being called a heretic or worse. 

So, he’s still the grey, rough-shaven, heavyset pony, he’ll probably remain that way for a while. I’ll try to talk him out of it when I see you.

At this point, Chrissy, it’s not the fact that I can’t see you. It’s the fact that I’m afraid of what’ll happen if I do. It’s not so much the firing, I don’t want to be a military pony for much longer, it’s the fear of something worse. Something Celestia would try her hardest to keep covered up.

I’m probably paranoid, but let’s hold out a little while longer. You can do that, right?

Now, talks with Lance have become slightly less awkward. I can now communicate my words properly. I think she’s getting used to it. I don’t want to spit on you when you die, so I might not be convincing Lance to stick with me as more than just a friend. You never know, but I don’t see myself doing this in the future. Totally.

Life sucks. While it’s gotten better since last week, I still don’t like it. Lance and Slate are sticking by me, and the army doesn’t see me as a traitor anymore. However, that’s the problem. To get that title, I had to kill so many Changelings, no, ponies, I didn’t want to. Since the army aren’t my friends, this isn’t worth it. Lance and Slate know that I did what I had to. They still love me. 

So, my health is fine. There’s much more pressing matters on my mind then health, though, you among them.

With all love and affection;
Corny