//------------------------------// // Part One: Harsh Choices for the Greater Good // Story: A Changeling Named Sin: Acid's Rage // by Art Inspired //------------------------------// A Changeling Named Sin: Acid’s Rage Harsh Choices for the Greater Good When one discovers their true destiny, the whole time they’d been looking can seem pointless. Sometimes, the answer was obvious, but without the appropriate information, the answers refused to reveal themselves. In the lifetime of Sin, the world had been cruel, for she’d been the taker of love. Sin, an evolved state of a changeling, one that contained the abilities of forever stealing the vital energy of love and locking it away deep within her heart wished not to grasp this questionable blessing. Her powers had taken the life of her friend, and possible lover, Silver Blade, and with his death came the time for her to abandon the life she once knew, and start anew, hoping to never again end the life of another. Through her journey into the Everfree Forest, she encountered her blood mother, who told the distraught mare of her unwanted gift, and that every soul she took leads them to forever being bound to her through a ghostly form. The curse of an eternity with a constant reminder like Silver, following her and never speaking, but still signaling he was with her forced Sin to tears many times throughout her journey. She also had the displeasure of learning about her brothers and sisters known as Evolvers. There were to be the good, and some evil. She soon learned, however, about the real threat she’d need to keep cautious of. An Evolver known as Acid; a steed who’s soul is said to be darker than the blackest night. He was the one who caused genocide of the entire lower changeling race. His deeds brought power, yes. But, his parched thirst would never be quenched with just that. Sin understood he needed more. For three years, she’d searched for him, hoping to end his path of destruction, but had yet to find any sign of his whereabouts. Not only that, but in this long time-span, she’d only found one other changeling Evolver named Aqua. She’d pleaded; nearly begged her to avoid their brother, but Sin refused to obey this cry for her well being. Instead, Sin realized her entire destiny and the sole purpose of her life wasn’t to wander Equestria in search of nothingness, but instead, to seek out this corrupted villain to put a final end to his destructive ways. If he’d have the ability to slaughter an entire race, then who knows what else he’d done since that traumatic incident. Meanwhile, as Sin searched the forest, desert, nearby creaks and other wildlife locations, her mother, Celestia, sat on her throne with her sister sitting close by in front. In the years that passed, Celestia’s figure, posture and entire appearance had improved thanks to Sin not being there to suck her dry of the love she’d contained for her. Despite the health she’d finally ascertained while Sin was away, she would do anything and did everything in her power to get her daughter back. In the mere three years of Sin’s disappearance, a dramatic increase of guards, scouts and sky seekers had greatly escalated in overwhelming numbers. Most searched the woods. Others patrolled the villages and cities. No matter how much they’d looked, Sin never was found. A few times, they’d come close to actually catching her, only for the mare to escape once again just in time. This made Celestia worrisome, more so than she’d ever been in her whole life. She stared at her sister who was up a bit earlier to watch the sun set over the horizon. Luna’s eyes told her sister she wished nothing more than for her to be, at the very least, somewhat happier about the situation. No matter what she did, however, Celestia never gave a smile anymore. All she wanted was the safe return of Sin. “Irrational… Isn’t it?” Luna looked at her sister, contemplating the words she’d just spoken. “Yes… I guess it is.” “Luna, I know I’m supposed to protect my kingdom as well all my loyal subjects, but what would you have me do? I love Sin more than them, and I know this is both pompous and illogical of me… but, she’s my daughter. I miss her… so, very much.” Luna shook her apologetic head and explained, “It’s time… you ended this. She’s never going to be found. You’ve seen what she can do, and that note explains everything about what she truly is… How were we supposed to know the type of changeling she is.” Celestia levitated the note that sat next to her on the small work bench. It was the only thing that pushed her to forcefully continue the meaningless scavenge. "I seemed so long ago." “When our guards found you, the note sat on your wing, and you were peacefully unconscious. She’s able to put anypony to sleep. It’s happened more times that we can count! Good soldiers are out there harming themselves for this absurd cause. She’s never going to return, and even if she did, you know there’s still the threat of Acid…” The princess of the day read aloud the letter, but not a single tear shed unlike all the previous times when she uttered the words printed on the paper. “My dearest mother, I’ve been so sorry for my actions and know how it must feel to lose a daughter. I’ve lost many things myself, but it’s as a new friend told me. Everyone loses something in life, be it a family member, or a friend. I’ve lost many things, and you’re one of them. You may not be deceased, but I know in my heart this is most likely the last time I’ll ever see your smiling face again. I’ve some information to give you. I am what you should come to know as an Evolver. I can never stop absorbing love. Not only that, but I can unfortunately take the souls of those who I’ve killed through power extraction and have their souls follow my every trotting step. This curse I’ve donned is unwanted, but you losing me is just the same. On a final note, I’m searching for something; A being named Acid. It’s his doings that show me my course in life. If I ever return to the palace, there will be no way of ending his might of chaos. From what I’ve been able to gather, he’s an all-powerful Evolver, and must be stopped. Please, I beg you, end the search for me. I’ll simply use my powers to cast a sleeping spell on my pursuers, just as I did with you. If you keep this up, more of your guards will be wounded or worse. Listen to me plea. It is my last request as both your daughter and friend. Sincerely, a changeling named Sin.” The note was placed on the table, Celestia turned her woeful gaze at her sister, took a deep breath and ordered her to call off the search. Though it was a hard decision, Celestia knew deep within her loving heart, she was finally making the correct choice. Sometimes, when you love someone, you have to let them go.