//------------------------------// // 8. The changeling who dared to love // Story: A Poetry Anthology // by Shaslan //------------------------------// I'm watching from the corner and I'm waiting I listen for the whispers of Her hating The ones She wants to live, to die I obey, and still, I try — All I want is to save you All I want is to protect you So listen to me, listen, listen, Listen, and run. We colour the sky black and we are swarming We're descending from above without warning We do as She commands, and though I want to try, and fight, I know — I can only do as I am bid And to kill your kin I am bid Listen to the screams, listen, listen, Listen, and run. The song of the Hive it is within me And not a drop of water but a flood are we The rush of the chase, the thrill The hunt, the shrieks, and then the kill — It's almost enough to consume me But their panicked cries still move me And I listen, Hive help me, I listen, listen, Listen, and I watch them run. My wings are buzzing now without my say-so The Queen wills it and I can't say no Drops of blood arc through the air And my fangs flash, and rend, and tear — Is it your flesh on my tongue Every sense screams this is wrong But I listen, I have to listen, listen, Listen, and pray you can run. Your eyes were sky-blue and your smile was kind You saw so much but love made you blind I was a monster and you bought my lies You trusted me, and now, the skies — Black on blue — black like a bruise Like the ones I leave on your neck — like abuse — Listen to me, listen, listen, Listen, and run. The battle is raging and the fire is rising Emotion flares from the dying and heaven help me, it's appetising Their lives are in my hooves but I don't The chitin is stained, and please, I won't — Resistance is futile, submission divine But what I would give to save the one I call mine Listen to me, I told you, listen, listen, Listen, and run. But there like a nightmare through the smoke The colours of your mane; for a second I hope Can you outrun my brothers and sisters Can you fight back, can you resist us — But my wings are swift, and no, oh no I'm landing hard, and no, oh no I see it in your eyes that you know me Beneath the exoskeleton and the fins still you know me My Queen, please, relent, forgive I've given all that I can give Don't make me, please don't make me —Resistance? My little drone, what is this? A pony, just a pony, oh please, let her live —Equestria has wronged me and I do not forgive. And you are Queen and I am not You will endure while I will rot I love her, oh I love her Though I only fully understand it now But Your will is implacable and I must bow And And my hooves come Down Crack! Crack! Crack! Blood spatters on my face and I am crying I wish that it was me who lay dying I'd have given my life for you I did all a drone could do — I wanted to protect you And I tried so hard to save you And you listened, you listened, You listened, and you ran. I'm cradling you close and I am weeping Through the holes in my legs the blood is seeping The Queen demands — Arise! Fight! But, suddenly, it all seems...trite. Now I lie in my bed of gore I don’t have to listen to Her anymore I won't listen, can't listen — Won't listen, won't run. Something changes inside me and now I'm glowing Over my ruined hide colours they are flowing My hivemates stop and stare, aghast As I become the one thing, at last You would have wanted for me; I look at your broken face, and finally, my love, I'm free.