//------------------------------// // Part Nine: First Encounter // Story: A Changeling Named Sin // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// A Changeling Named Sin First Encounter Waves crashed against the shore of the beach while a grey overcast took control of the skies up ahead. Sin, the evolved changeling princess trotted with her ghost of a friend next to her, wanting answers. "Who are these… Evolvers?" she thought, kicking some sand up with every unmotivated step. "I mean, what might they really be like? Will I have to defend myself, or…" Her mind relapsed to her mother, Princess Celestia. It’d been almost a week now since they last saw each other. “Princess Celestia’s probably worried sick… What do you think, Silver?” The transparent steed made no signs of agreement or dispute. He just kept walking along. Every step he made in the sands didn’t move the soil at all. He was almost floating an inch above. With them continuing, Sin hoped her mother wasn’t too upset. She didn’t think of Chrysalis as her mother. This was because Sin never really approved of her ways. There might have been a better alternative to feed her children. The golden maned mare cared not about how her blood mother decided on the choices she made mostly for her own, Evolved daughter. For what it was worth, she actually wished to have never been born. “If I hadn’t come into existence, Silver…” she turned her gaze from the ground to her friend’s eyes. “I would have never taken your life… Not only that, but I’ve caused so much pain for everyone who I’ve come into contact with… Mother, the guardians…” She allowed a single tear to escape. Despite her reluctant attempts, crying seemed like the only thing in the world that somewhat soothed herself, if only a little. She never cried for herself, though. She always cried for those who she hurt, and killed. “I shouldn’t even be living!” she shouted out, her anger rising along with her sobs. “I’ve done enough damage to others as it is! I should-” Her chanting was cut off by something in the corner of her eye, something that looked like a rock with seaweed coating the top of it in the far off, murky waters. She turned her head, stared for a moment, and even saw it move. Giving a slight gasp, she wiped the tears away and waited, staring blankly at the now approaching boulder. As it lifted from the fog that rose off the cool waters, Sin began to see two kind looking, sky blue eyes. The mane was a more deep azure color that faded a solid into a liquid. The holed hooves had water seeping upwards, only to delve into her pitch black coat, and the dreary smile she had was almost heartwarming. This being finally reached the land, but remained in the hoof leveled shore, staring deeply into the eyes of Sin. “… My name is Aqua.” Sin blinked, and found herself unable to speak. Aqua, her Evolver sister spread her tattered wings and splashed mist freely into the air. After they returned to her back to rest gently, Sin gulped, and asked, “F-friend… or foe?” Aqua seemed to giggle, but let no sound escape from her mouth. Looking at her kin, she explained, “I am a friend, and I’m the liquid Evolver… You uh... know what an Evolver is… right?” Sin nodded her head and explained she’d learned all about them from Queen Chrysalis, and wished to be on edge about them. “I’ve been to understand… there’s evil ones out there as well… Is this true, Aqua?” Her voice sounded more interrogatively suspicious than usual. “You may relax, my friend… I’m not a threat. I feed of the water and liquids, not emotion. I’m no threat. But… yeah, there are others that can be much more aggressive.” Sin lowered her head, but kept a close watch on the Evolver. Looking up, she said, “My name’s Sin… I wish to say it’s nice to meet you… but I can’t trust you at the moment.” The mare looked to the right and began walking as if she’d not heard Sin say anything. “Walk with me, my sister.” Sin decided to do so, but made sure to keep her wits about in case she turned. “What’s on your mind?” The liquid changeling sighed and began, “We’ve all been through losses… You’ll have to forgive me, but I was eavesdropping on you earlier. Everyone in this world loses something precious. A loved one, a family member, a brother…” Sin’s curiosity piqued at the last word that left Aqua’s mouth. "Go on," she said. “Acid, my brother… our brother was the one who killed the normal changelings. He and I fought, and even though I tried with all my might, he still won. I miss him, and he wasn’t always evil like he probably is now… I don’t know where he might be hiding, but wherever he is, I know tyranny is left in the path he walks.” Sin felt odd, as if she’d been left out of some secret for years, and was only just now getting the opportunity to learn about it. “What should I do?” she asked, concerned for the sister she was starting to feel sympathy for. “Nothing. He’s a power-hungry menace that will destroy you if he gets the chance. The only reason I’ve survived is because… Well, I ran… like a coward… I had no choice though! He was literally going to obliterate me.” Aqua turned her head while stopping to look at Sin with a very animated expression. “He’s the threat that cannot be defeated. You must promise me, Sin, that you will not attempt to challenge his wrath.” Sin bit her bottom lip and contemplated before uttering, “I’ve been given the power of being a conduit… Chances are, I have this power because it is my destiny to end the chaos our brother has wrought. If that’s the case, I’m most likely ten times more powerful than you. All I need to do…" "Is harness the ability of controlling your energy and learning how to use it to your ultimate advantage?" Sin nodded. "I’ve been wanting to find a way into redemption for… Well, you don’t know, but I’ve caused much suffering to ponies whose love I’ve taken… Now is the time to use this power for good. I’m sorry Aqua, but I must decline that request.” The water Evolver shook her head in dissatisfaction. “You’re making a mistake. You’ve only absorbed so much… Our brother, Acid, has literally stolen almost an entire race’s power of love, hope, fear, all those emotions! You’ll need more than what you’ve gathered thus far to defeat him, believe me.” As she turned and headed off towards the sanctuary of the sea, Aqua left with one last note. “Even though, Sin… You’ve got a good idea about what you think is right, you’re making a mistake. Please, be careful, and know I’ll always love you, just as I love all my brothers and sisters… even Acid.” Sinking into the far off greenness of haze, Aqua’s kind, gentle voice sounded stern and highly worried, as she should be. Sin decided to continue on her route and hopefully avoid any threatening beings on her travels. Meanwhile, in Canterlot, Celestia gazed at the land of Equestria, thoroughly stressed from the reports of her soldiers. She had spent most of her mornings and afternoons worrying dreadfully about her daughter. All she really wanted now was to see her again, and to know she was alright. Finally fed up with the whole ordeal, she set out for the Everfree Forest to hopefully find Sin and forcefully return her to the home where Celestia believed she belonged. That's the last reported sighting, after all. Deep in the silhouette shadows of darkness, Celestia flew high above the forest, seeking the being she knew was nearby. The edge had been unexplored, and nopony had dared to go that deep into the horrific backend of the woods. As the blue, shimmering waters entered her sight, Celestia was a bit surprised to find a beach, and made a mental note to map it out in case she’d wish to explore it a bit more once her daughter was back within the palace, safe and sound. Soon, Celestia spotted the overly noticeable glow of Sin’s golden mane fluttering in the wind and landed behind her. Sin made no such movement, but instead, simply closed her eyes; a tear could be felt sliding down her cheek once again. The alicorn came closer, a serious face observed her daughter, wishing for her to say something, anything. No words left, though. The moonlight illuminated their manes, and each one was almost challenging each other on how brightly radiant the other could become. The swiveled reflection cascading upon the waters showed Sin slowly turning to face her mother with truly depressed eyes. “Sin…” Celestia began, but the changeling denied her the relief of saying much more. “I’m not returning to Canterlot.” Silence was heard along with the rustling winds after that. Celestia’s eyes scorned her daughter’s statement. “You will be back in the safety of my palace by the end of the night! If I have to use my magic to-” Without hesitation, Sin’s own horn dimly lit up; ready to battle the one she loved so much. Celestia’s jaw dropped slightly at the sight. The light shielded Sin’s crying eyes, giving her an extremely agitated appearance. The princess closed looked away, became annoyed by her child’s ludicrous choice, but returned with her own horn flaring. “You wish to be left in the wild, abandoned here to die?!” Sin didn’t move while Celestia’s wings extended, her spell weaving slowly. “I will not allow my child to be left here to fend for herself like some... wild animal!” Sin finally objected, “I have to stay away from those that love me, mother! I mustn't allow another pony to love me, otherwise… Just look at what happened with Silver! He died by my hooves! I will never make that mistake again.” Celestia, finally pushed over the edge shot a blast of radiant power at her own daughter, hoping to knock her out, but instead of making a direct hit, Sin released the dormant energy she’d conjured from all the years of feeding, and knocked it away with a simple swing of her hoof. Shortly after that, the same spell she’d used on the guards to put them into a deep slumber was casted upon Celestia. As the orbital sphere engulfed her highness's body, the alicorn’s knees gave out, and she fell into the same type of sleep those protectors were sent into. Sin’s luminous body returned to normal, and for a moment, she could still feel the might of her love seeping from her eyes, mane and coat. Releasing a huff, she looked at her mother, tears still falling freely. She’d been so worried about her life, and now, she understood her destiny. It was simple to understand: Find Acid, along with any other corrupted Evolver and end their reign of terror by whatever means necessary. Celestia would be fine, but as for Sin, traumatized memories would forever reside in her soul, her journey, and her every decision in life.