//------------------------------// // Answering the call // Story: A Changeling's Soul Reflection // by nioniosbbbb //------------------------------// Perspective. It is an almost magical term that can turn villains to heroes, and heroes to villains. At the Canterlot Wedding the "Evil" known as Changelings was repelled and the ponies had the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson - a lesson about how love conquers all. "Oh yes... love does conquer all. Emotions are magic, emotions... are... power!" thought Chrysalis as she traversed the Everfree forest walking through the trees amidst the silence of the forest. Even here she could see... she could see the power around her, the light streams of emotions flowing in the air, dancing like the forest did in a constant cycle. Nothing could stop her from seeing what was ahead... not the darkness of Luna's Night, nor the blinding light of Celestia's Day that seemed to be fighting for dominance at this hour. Emotions and the energy connected to them was something the changelings wanted, that much was known to the ponies. Of course that is simply a fragment of what emotions are... The ponies, though possessing great prowess in magic, had only scratched the surface of the knowledge pertaining to emotions that the changelings possessed. With that thought in mind Chrysalis smirked... though the ponies acted like the dominant race of Equestria, she mused silently, they were still amateurs in some sectors. Emotions are magic... Harvesting emotions is something that can bolster someone's magic immensely... if they know how to use it, of course. Queen Chrysalis was aware... she was aware that victories the changelings achieved were largely due to the en-masse engorgement to the ley-lines created by the flow of emotions. Emotions flowing in the sky like rivers, like wells of magical energy. Those ponies... hippies? Or hipsters? Whatever... they had it right. "Go with the flow" didn't they say? You follow the river... and it leads you to the source, or the pony, or whatever species that would be. After the failed invasion of Canterlot, Queen Chrysalis had temporarily settled in the Everfree Forest. The Forest bore few surprises she wasn't accustomed to: Hydras, Manticores - even Serpents - Nothing she, or her changelings couldn't handle if they tried. However, things don't always remain stable, and so it was upon this day that she felt it. It was like a magnet drawing her to the southern part of the forest where the mountains were harboring the lairs of the few dragons that chose to dwell within this forsaken forest. It's intensity was increasing... and soon she feared that the curiosity of other changelings would lead them there. Great sources of magic often mean great sources of emotion... for one cannot exist without the other. She had to investigate... the danger of some-ling encountering such a force could ripple to the rest of her subjects. No... no matter what she couldn't allow this power to be left unchecked. If it was something she could take care of she would integrate it into her own body, and use it for the good of her people-and the bane of her enemies. If she couldn't, she would conceal it until she could control it, and if she couldn't she would share it with other changelings, and if that didn't work either then... she would destroy it. If the changelings couldn't tame such a source it would be madness for her to leave it just like that for someone else to take it, but first... she had to know what it was. Of course she wasn't alone in this... Emotions are Magic, and Magic is unique to each species, and each member of each species. Each species finds a different way to use their body to manipulate the arcane energies around them, and each individual has its' own preference. To the Queen's eyes it is like the genetic code of a being... complex and intricate but only if you look close enough. If you see the signs, the trails left behind then you could know the one you are looking for. Much like rangers track their prey within the forest Chrysalis could see the trails of her companions around her. The aura of one of them was caught momentarily in the corner of her eye. Like a crime-scene inspector Chrysalis had learned to recognize the signs that made each aura different than the rest. She caught the changeling's scent as it's trail entered her nostrils where her brain scrambled the information like a complex electronic machine. From the hormones she knew it was male, a quite passionate one figuring he didn't go to any lengths to hide it. The heat that she felt coming from it showed he was hot blooded, strong... and as flickering shadows gave in she saw the changeling who landed from the trees around in front of her. His midnight-blue eyes gleamed for a moment in the setting sun as he bowed before his Queen, there it was like always the blaze that she knew that which showed loyalty. Chrysalis stopped as she allowed him a moment to deal with the formalities. The changeling bowed gently closing his eyes for a moment. As he bent his body forward the pitch-black darkness of his short-cut mane barely touched his ears or forehead. His scales a mix of silver and blue seemed to bear the scars of many fights. Some of which the Queen recognized herself... "At ease Mortain... this is no formal gathering..." Chrysalis said finally motioning him to stand at ease. However the changeling did not budge. "It's my duty to protect you... you know this..." he responded raising his one hoof towards his heart. "It's the post you appointed me as Captain of the Royal Guard all those years ago. Don't tell me you have forgotten?" There was however no time to respond another three changelings came from behind with great speed. Chrysalis could discern three kinds of steps, a slight wind coming her way... The first changeling that came had a curly grey-silver mane weirdly tied behind his neck. A small blackened part at the end of it, together with a slight burning smell revealed that fire had found it's way upon the changeling's mane. Chrysalis sighed shaking her head a bit as she placed a hoof at her head. "Nousios... my Lore master... one day you're going to burn the forest with your fires, I am sure." She might have seemed disappointed but inwardly she was smiling. Nousios might have been meddling around, but as the saying went... "Well... no pain no gain right? I mean can't I have a little fun? There's always something you can do with fire and magic! Not enough time! Countless possibilities, more explosions, more explosions, MORE EXPLOSIONS!!!" His protruding violet eyes scanned his surroundings, scrutinizing the smallest thing for whatever interesting information it might bear. In his round pearl-like eyes Chrysalis saw the happy-go-lucky attitude that her lore master had. What he was looking for right now she didn't know... Only that he was having fun, that much was apparent by his wide smile. She couldn't help but chuckle a bit, the way Nousios liked explosions was at least... entertaining. Mortain on the other hand face hoofed a bit shaking his head in comical disapproval. He wished that everything took their work a bit more seriously... "This isn't a playground Nousios... be careful." he said, sounding more than a little bit worried. Chrysalis heard yet another changeling speaking from the triad that was coming towards her and Mortain. "Truth be told though risky, his experiments have never gotten out of hoof." Standing firmly behind Nousios were two changelings. The one who had spoken was a muscular changeling with scarlet eyes and short spiky hair. He had coal black scales and his size reveals that he is of male identity. What he said was true... though a troublemaker Nousios was a useful one, at least he wouldn't have gained his position if he wasn't effective in it. Everyone that ascended in those positions had to be effective and strong both in mind and soul. "Thanks Pineapple Face... I knew you'd understand!" said Nousios in response bumping him with his front hoof lightly in an approving manner. The recipient did not give him the same response however, instead he sighed mildly. "My name is Jonaleth, Commander General of the Changeling military... call me Jon - but please..." he was abruptly interrupted by Chrysalis, who raised a hoof, commanding with a simple gesture that this petty confrontation stop. Jonaleth was insistent on speaking true every time. So much that sometimes he couldn't escape this seriousness of his... However when he assured them that the safety of their camp was not threatened, they all seemed to believe it. Someone who can speak the truth... and convince you about it with the fewest words. She smiled a bit as she spoke. "Easy now Jon... tell me... how goes the influence of this force over the military?" "They've had minor headaches at best... not the kind of influence we've been experiencing." The Queen nodded in response and proceeded to take a look at the last changeling "Alianna, what about you? Has it disrupted any of the processes in the hatcheries?" The last changeling remained carefully hidden behind the rest. A sleek figure with a mane as golden as the sun carefully waited, not making a sound. As soon as her name was called she looked at the Queen with her head facing slightly downwards and to the left. As soon as the dim light of the setting sun doused her face Chrysalis showed her eyes. Emerald green, like the titular gems they had a different kind of spark... Unlike the others she didn't seem serious, funny, or devoted. Her beige scales seemed dirty... stains from dirt, blood, and something she couldn't discern well. She certainly seemed beautiful, despite it being clear that she wasn't taking much care of herself. She pushed her mane aside letting it flow just a bit in the forest wind and spoke with a soft but clear voice. "No... But, I am more worried about some other things, so I might have missed this. I can at least say none of the hatchlings experience any abnormalities due to it. Thank the maker..." She let out a minor sigh of relief as she closed her eyes for a bit. Chrysalis felt that they had wasted enough time on pleasantries and idle chatter, Alianna too seemed to share the thought for action... she as well as Mortain were looking left and right suspiciously, cautiously scanning their surroundings. If that wasn't enough Nousios seemed ready to figuratively explode if he stood one more second at the same point. Patiently awaiting was Jonaleth who didn't seem agitated at all... he was at least doing a good job to stay still, to show no tremble, to keep calm... but he was certainly eager and curious to see the reason behind this beckoning within the Everfree. "Let's go..." she says simply and motions them to follow as she turns around. As she trots carefully into the forest she notices that the closer she comes to pinpointing the source of this energy, the greater the silence of the forest becomes. Perhaps the beasts of the Everfree shunned this magical power. It wasn't not be rare for them to stay away from arcane sources of energy, but this just showed that whatever was causing this was likely not natural which meant... someone was behind this. This was no coincidence... someone knew of their presence in this general area... someone wanted them to find this. Was it going to be an ambush? Was it going to be a greeting? Or a gift? Confrontation seemed unavoidable for Chrysalis. For now however she was bound to have a different kind of encounter. The light fall of a leaf was enough for Chrysalis to rattle her instincts... The wind shifts, and from atop the trees comes a panther. Her eyes glow green momentarily enough to dissolve any suspicion that this beast is not a changeling. Within a few moments of smoldering green flames the skin gives away and the form dissolves revealing a thin changeling female by the looks of her smaller body structure. Below her short mane a pair a brown eyes close for a moment as she put her hoof in her chest as part of a salutation and also a chance to grab a breath. On her she bears a small belt with orbs swirling with grey gas and a some small scrolls and knives. Most of them seem to be rather small pointing that they are used for utility rather than combat. She bears only a crown shaped emblem like a necklace amongst them that Chrysalis recognizes. It was the symbol of the official representative of the changeling crown... an ambassador of sorts, though all changelings bore a side in their professions that was likely darker than most would think. The changeling is the first to grab the chance and speak to the group. "My Queen, I think i have found the place we are looking for. There appears to be a physically blocked entrance at the side of the mountain. From what i gather there is a cave beneath the entrance that requires some sort of password. As far as i can tell there is no other entrance and fortunately there seems to be none guarding it." Chrysalis comforts her in response by smiling approvingly and nodding. "At ease Natasha walk with us and we will face any danger together. Show us the path." Respectfully Natasha joins the rest in the formation. Her steps are swift, light and generally silent. The silence of the forest seems to have caught up with everyone's minds... they all seemed to be in constant vigilance. Natasha conjures a small orb of light to clear any darkness looming ahead. Though the wildlife seems silent, one can never be too safe when facing the denizens of the night. Soon the trees start dispersing giving in to a small clearing near a cliff side. It would all be normal but instead Chrysalis found herself staring at a pitch black rock formation pulsating lightly with runes all over it. Caricatures to some, catalysts of power to others, or simply another language... runes had seen many uses through the eons. It was not unusual for words to be used to seal magic... power was not always drawn from the ley-lines. Sources of magic consisted of many things... magical ore, arcane creatures, or big objects - even planets... If one had the body to withstand the flow of the arcane energies one could attune themselves with the sun even. Few had tried though, and even fewer had lived to tell the tale. In this case the magician likely had conjured up magic that would respond to a specific race... the changelings. Nousios didn't wait to take orders... a short breath of wind passed through Chrysalis' ear as he dashed towards the wall. "Runes! piece of cake!" he said as he giggles, the Lore master's quick mind recognizes the language. He turns towards Chrysalis and the rest and notices their eyes focused on him eagerly awaiting his response. "It mentions here that ‘Only the master of change may pass’ Perhaps it means us changelings? Or..." he noticed Chrysalis raising her hoof, her eyes gleamed for a moment with a sudden realization of the hidden meaning behind the words and so he stopped. "Stop and stand back please Nousios. I think i know what must be done." says Queen Chrysalis as Nousios takes his previous place. When she heard Nousios' explanation it somehow "clicked" her, she knew exactly what had to be done. She walked with confidence in front of the arc and stretched her wings, standing tall in front of the strange arc speaking with her majestic voice echoing in the dark void of the forest. "My name is Chrysalis, and I am Queen of the Changelings, Master Illusionist and Shape shifter! I command you to grant me entrance!" The rocks sealing the way move aside in triangle shapes and an entrance forms as Chrysalis eyes narrow in suspicion of what was to come "Be ready, for I don't know what we are going to find inside." The group walks inside with Mortain in the front standing tall next to Jonaleth, both vigilant to any potential danger. Following them in the back Nousios' and Alianna's horns glow ready to use their magic while Natasha watches their flank, ready to alert the rest in case of ambush. When all of them get inside, the entrance behind them closes, and in its place now lies a wall fully integrated with the surrounding rock. Before anyone is willing to react a bright light shines like a sun descending in the middle of the room they just entered. A holy aura surrounds the newcomer that comes out of the light. Its characteristics are all perfect and flawless. Taking a closer look they see a duck egg blue Pegasus mare in an otherworldly glow with bright brown-golden wings like an angel and golden hair. She bears a cutie mark that depicts a silver sword subtly pulsing with magic. Everyone is stunned by the beauty of the angelic Pegasus that appeared before them and until it touched the ground you could almost grasp the feeling of surprise in your hands. The angel looks upon them and approaching the Queen she speaks "Hello changeling, i greet you. You who are of royal blood... i have been expecting you for quite some time." her voice was calm faintly echoing in the room. "Expecting me? Who exactly are you?" She narrowed her eyes while inspecting the radiating beauty of the Pegasus that almost blinded her in a sense. "My name is Losar, i have existed since the beginning of time, since the first prophecy, was made. I am here to guide by whatever method possible." said the Pegasus, ignoring the curious looks of the changelings completely focused on the Queen. "Guide me? What do you mean? Guide me in what exactly?" The more the Pegasus spoke, the more questions she raised, and although she was curious as to where she came from, Chrysalis somehow knew that she had limited time before the mare would simply leave. This felt like manipulation in a way... but she was curious as surely the rest of the changelings accompanying her were. At least their silence and patience showed as much... perhaps they considered this conversation far too important to interrupt right now. Besides... Chrysalis was looking for the same answers as them... and surely those would come in time. "I mean that you are just not ready for the possibilities that await you, the paths and different destinies that await your people and you. But i can't do things for you, i can only aid you in understanding your path." Her words ringed like an imminent warning. "Where are we... it was your magic that called us here wasn't it? What is this place?" Chrysalis decided that she would take advantage of this situation and started asking as many question as she could. She was suspicious of the Pegasus... but she didn't dare ask questions that would offend her... she knew that this Pegasus was surely not a common one, and she was never a fool to mess with an enemy she hardly even knew. "This? Its a place for testing the soul. Only changelings can see it and it exists only for you.You have been led here, by your subconscious and your will find a path for the changelings in this world, to this place. The first step towards your destiny has been taken:you desire the opportunity to make a great change, and for that the future is open to you. In this place there are 5 rooms each with a different test of your abilities, your mind and fears. I cannot say anything more.. YOU will have to find out for yourself. The first test is already open to you and the rest will also open in time. Until we meet again... hold your head high and know that you are not alone." As the angelic form disappeared the room was brightened up with a white light sphere created by Nousios. Everyone can see a large round room with 5 different doors and the arch behind them not existing. All 5 rooms are sealed with a magic chrome lock except the one to the northeast. Not knowing what else to do, Chrysalis thinks she has more chances with the test than aimlessly trying to escape. "Perhaps if we pass the first test we shall find our way home." says Chrysalis after some time of silent thinking "We are right behind you, my Queen" answers Mortain and the rest nod. "Onwards, then." she said, and once again they all walk, this time heading towards their first test.