//------------------------------// // Part Six: A Silver Dream // Story: A Changeling Named Sin // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// A Changeling Named Sin A Silver Dream While sliding into unconsciousness, Sin could just barely make out the sounds of falling sand. The world her mind created for her took mental form as an immense desert. High mountains with falling sand circled her, while she stood in the middle feeling the warm breeze glide across her face and mane. She thought about her life, the choices she was making, but most importantly, the steed that she killed. Silver Blade trudged through the sands of imagination, his lips curled into a pleased smile. He looked as he did when the changeling first met him. No scars or wrinkles. His eyes were well lit up with happiness, and his mane was thoroughly kept in good condition. All that was missing was his general regalia. Princess Sin gulped once he reached her. His smile taunted her memory of his last, dying moments. She just stared at him, listening to the oceanic rustling coming from the sand-falls. Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. Her mind tried to think of something to say, but no sentence would structure itself. It was as if her freedom over everything, physical and mental, had been removed, and all that remained was the senses of smell, touch, sight and sound. The stallion, who still donned that same exact kind grin, torturous to Sin, spoke after too long a pause. “I’ve been to see the gates of death… Their inviting, but… before I go; I want to thank you for accepting my love for you.” Sin’s soul churned with anger made from the appreciation, and she found the strength to blurt out, “You’re a fool!” Silver stared at her, transfixed by the statement. “You gave your life to me! You shouldn’t be happy! Because of you, I’ve had to make the harshest choice in my life…. Why did you have to love me? Why didn’t you stop feeding me when you knew it could harm you even further than what anypony could have expected?!” Chuckling, Silver claimed, “I suppose I’m just that generous. It was my choice, and I knew I would die from it. You needn’t beat yourself up over my death. One could go as far to call it suicide, but I did it for you… I loved you, and still do, so for me not to offer every ounce of energy I had left would leave me depressed. It was worth loving you, than never loving at all.” “But you’re DEAD!" Sin stomped a hoof into the soil. "It’s my fault! I should’ve stopped myself from giving you that infernal kiss… You didn’t need to die! This wasn’t your time to go!” Time slowed down as the two gazed into each other’s eyes, and every petite second slipped by unnoticed. Things were hallucinogenic for Sin. Her best friend, and loved one was standing right in front of her giving thanks for killing him. He lowered his head, and moved in. The love seeped through his being, and as his face rose to make eye contact, the wrinkles grew coating his face and body. Slowly, grey strands of his mane drooped down, sliding over his nuzzle and cheeks. His eyelids became a darker shade, and all in one moment, his form returned to that of him perishing. The memory scorched Sin’s consciousness, and all she could do in this nightmare she found herself in was feed on the nonexistent love he, once again, offered to her like there was a plentiful supply, needing to be given. Its purple hue loomed over her, and the more she fed, the older Silver Blade grew. His face morphed into the crippled appearance of an old steed. His body shriveled with loss of vital nutrition, and soon, skin deteriorated into the emotion, leaving his bones lying there in the sand. The yellow daylight flashed out while the last drop of love was unwillingly gobbled up by Sin’s holes. The sand became dust that blew away with the heavy gusts of wind. They blew the changeling’s body roughly, almost as if the nature-made element was trying to make her fly away. The mare just closed her eyes, attempting to stay put, but when she opened them again, she saw herself to be in a dark, menacing void. The winds of rage ended instantaneously, and was replaced by still air. Voices of her loved ones, and others; Luna, Celestia, Silver, and some of the local guards loomed through the air. Some were mentally made up while others were from deep, longtime forgotten memories. “And why do you think she absorbs so much power?” This was Luna’s voice, asking her sister for the answer. “I don’t know, but she’s behaving in a respectable manner, so I say we let her live.” *** “Sin,” Silver Blade asked, “how’s my favorite changeling? What... you’re running away? Why?! Don’t even try it! They’ll just chase after you, and return you to the palace. Just stay, and everything will resolve itself soon, I promise.” *** “Some say she’s a spy, trying to take over Canterlot. When the time comes, I’ll be there to say I predicted it!” That was an old woman from the streets Sin heard from around the corner when she was just a filly. All these memories conflicted with each other. Some told her she was nothing more than a threat, while others begged her to stay, or return to the safety of her home. Regardless, this wasn’t going to happen. For as long as she could, she’d run, hide, escape, and even fight to keep herself secluded from anypony. If she didn’t... Well, things could get ugly if the world kept trying to accept her, and feed the changeling its love. If it came down to things, she would force others to despise her, something she dreaded on resorting to. While Sin slept in the grassy edge of the Everfree Forest, the princess of the sun awoke to a startling development. Her usual morning would be one in which Sin’s thoughts could just barely be heard in the back of her mind. Instead, calm silence. Nothing but the birds chirping outside the window and the streams of soft liquids pouring from Celestia’s rainbow fountain that sat next to her bed. She frantically jumped to her hooves and ran with haste towards Sin’s chambers. Upon entering the door, all she saw was the messy bed, and a note sitting on the changeling’s dresser. Celestia opened it and read the stunning news. Dear mother, It’s with the heaviest heart in all of Canterlot, maybe even Equestria, that I must inform you that I’m running away from home. You must understand that this is my choice to make and in order to ensure the safekeeping of others like yourself… and like Silver Blade, I must disappear. I know you’ll ignore this plea, but don’t search for me. You’ll never find me, and even if you did, I’d still find some way of escaping. Don't you see? Too many feed me their precious energy, and I’m sick of it! It’s not the taste; it’s the state that I leave them in once my feast has ended. All of them, even you, are weakened and thoroughly unfit for daily tasks, even the simple ones. To return me to Canterlot would be a crime, and you know it! With all due respect, I love you, Luna, and all the other ponies, and it’s because I love you that I must leave now. Good bye… Forever. Sincerely, your daughter, Princess Sin. The note fell to the floor while her highness took off for the throne room. Upon entering, she informed Luna about the situation and ordered guards to seek Equestria for her daughter. “Don’t you think this is a bad idea?” Luna asked timidly. “She’s my daughter. I’ll figure a way out for her to stop absorbing love from us, even if it damages me in the process. There must be a way… there has got to be a solution!” That morning, at least thirty to fifty royal Canterlot scouting guards were sent in search of Princess Sin. Once found, they were ordered to return her to the palace immediately. Considering her low levels of magic, they were informed not to be feared by her, something nopony seemed ready to accept just yet. All the energy Sin absorbed was supposed to be converted to magical power, but never was. Her enchanting abilities were medium at best, but the amount of love that was collected over the years should’ve been enough to generate more power than the alicorn princesses themselves. Ponyville, Manehatten, Las Pegasus, and the Neightherlands had pairs of guards patrolling the inside and outside perimeter of each major city. Small villages and rural towns had only a few, while the ones that covered more ground required the extra enforcements. Posters were hung up on every block with the changeling’s image. Her name was the talk of every borough and tightly knit community, but for what it was worth, it would never be enough. Sin awoke to the sounds of approaching scouters. She heard one yell, “I’ve found her! She’s over here!” Turning to see them galloping her way, she leaped into the forest, and vanished into the void-like darkness with twenty or more pursuers after her, determined to return her highness to the safety of their sanctuary.