//------------------------------// // Terror // Story: Monster or Mother? // by Hivemind //------------------------------// Just remember our rule of secrecy, commander. I assure you, my queen. The others will remain under my watchful eye at all times. They will not catch sight of your son. And? Roseluck as well, though I insist that her time in the central hive be…limited. Why is that, commander? The connection she possesses, the connection that you gave to her. There is a possibility that it could be discovered. I’ve already taken care of that. Keep the others occupied for as long as you can, keep them in training, and message me when you are returning. The future of the changelings depends on Ditto’s safety. And what of any invaders? …kill them, if you can, or I will do it myself. ~~~~~ Deep within the central changeling hive, only a single creature stirred; small in size, but big in bite. Its legs shifted by only mere inches with each silent step as it advanced towards its oblivious prey. In the undergrowth, its eyes peered out a small opening in the dense vegetation. Its target was in sight. A pony, no larger than a small deer, stood silent and still like a bump on a log. The pony’s mane was dirty and disheveled, parted off to both sides like colorful lengths of forest weeds. The creeping predator licked its lips, eager for the moment when its next meal would come. As it skulked along the soft ground, it came across an open exitway; big enough to pounce from, and big enough for it to make a quick escape should things take a turn for the worse. Astonishingly, its target was still standing there, completely oblivious as to what was about to happen to it. Pride welling within its body, the creature kept its eyes glued to the target’s back and moved to take another step. So far so good. All it needed to do was keep its eyes on the prize and spring in for the-- Crack! “Uggh! He did it again!” shouted Roseluck, groaning after she planted a hoof firmly on her face in irritation. Feeling the bitter titillation of shame creeping up him once again, Ditto slowly stepped out of his makeshift training course with his head low to the ground. He knew he was in trouble again, though he could never figure out exactly why. His once-prodigious confidence that was meant to surprise his ancillary caretaker was swiftly overtaken by the weight of his new frown. He idly plonked down onto the ground, letting his wings droop down at his sides in conjunction with his ears. Chrysalis stepped out of the darkness of her hiding place and into the light of the sun that illuminated the ceiling-less central hive gathering hall, moping at the news of yet another one of her son’s failures. She looked upon the long, elaborate tunnel of ropey flora she built as a miniature prowling ground for Ditto. All of her effort had gone into making it look as realistic as possible. Her disappointment could do nothing but escalate after seeing the results it produced. “He just needs…practice,” said Chrysalis, her frown reforming into a hopeful, motherly smile. “These things take time to learn.” “But we've been at this for hours! He’s stepped on that same twig at the exit dozens of times, and he still hasn't figured out that he’s supposed to avoid it!” The sadness in Ditto’s tired sighs struck the queen deeply. She strolled over to her son and gently rubbed the back of his neck to comfort him. Even if it was against the nature of her species, she was more than willing to openly display her sympathy. She wasn't exactly a first time learner herself when her own mother began to teach her the ways of the changelings. “It’s ok. We’ll try it again,” Chrysalis whispered to Ditto, lifting his spirits with an understanding smile. Hearing this, Roseluck groaned, rolling her eyes as she rose to her hooves and strolled over to her pile of sweet, succulent forest fruits gathered by the commander earlier. After sitting out in the hot sun all day, she was in dire need of a refreshing snack. What better way to wash down the taste of absolute failure with something almost guaranteed to knock you flat on your flank? “Can we take a break for a little while?” asked Roseluck. Chrysalis looked at Roseluck and nodded, continuing to relieve her son with gentle motions. Wasting no time, Roseluck lifted a plump, red fruit from the batch and bit down into it immediately. Her upper body quivered as the sugary juices flowed across her taste buds. She paused to absorb the essence of the moment, knowing that she would never tire of such a delightfully addicting sensation. “M-maybe…maybe he just isn't ready for sneaking yet,” suggested Chrysalis, putting a hoof to her chin. “Maybe we should try something else…” “Gee, I wonder what gave you that idea,” mumbled Roseluck, taking another bite. “Maybe...we should practice flying.” “After only a day since he actually learned how to get off the ground?” “Oh? Are you saying you know how to raise my own son better than I do?” “What? No!” Roseluck exclaimed after finishing off her not-so-healthy snack, tossing the remains of the thin core in with the others in an adjacent compost pile. “I’m just saying…well, you’re changelings aren't you? Aren't you supposed to…you know…change into something?” Chrysalis frowned, looking down at her son. “Ditto is far too young to be learning that now. Shape shifting was the last thing my mother taught me how to do before we were forced from our home. One year at the very least is what he needs. Like many other aspects of our lives, it is much harder than you think it is.” “I thought changelings knew how to do that as soon as they were born?” questioned Roseluck with a puzzled face. “After the Canterlot invasion, when the Ponyville librarian returned, she told everypony in town about changelings and how—“ Chrysalis rolled her eyes and bared her teeth, releasing a riled hiss. Ditto smiled and tried to mimic his mother’s gesture, but without teeth all he managed to do was spit saliva everywhere while his tongue was left to dangle out of his mouth, which he quickly retracted. He looked to his mother for a reaction, but was left saddened to have received no response. “Oh please!” Chrysalis started. “You ponies know next to nothing about us, except that we must feed off of love, among other trivial things. Since the Canterlot invasion, it would be completely foolish for anyone to imagine a future where professors and schoolteachers teach their students about the ways of the changelings with such useless prattle.” Growing impatient, the queen magically lifted Ditto into the air and placed him back at the entrance of the training course. He looked back at his mother with confusion in his eyes, but a quick tap on his flank got him moving back inside. Chrysalis then plugged the entrance with a clump of leaves before walking away. “Let’s keep practicing,” said Chrysalis, irately strolling back to her hiding spot. “I’m sure he will get better at it soon. All it takes is time.” “Do I really need to remind Her Royal Highness that her own son is not even a month old?” asked Roseluck in heated disbelief. For the ruler of a species on the verge of complete annihilation, any comeback would have been feasible, whether it be cruel punishment, a harsh, verbal outburst, or even a great spark of magic to keep the unruly in line. Chrysalis however, much to Roseluck's surprise, figured that the best response to such an insult was no response at all. The queen kept her chin up high as she crossed over into the shadow-graced areas of the gathering hall, concealing herself from view. It was a snobby, upstart sentiment at its absolute best, leaving somepony to boil in a crock of their own anger. The queen’s constantly shifting attitude irked the red-maned mare to no end. As much as she wanted, there was nothing she could do about it. A steamy breath blew from her nostrils as she reluctantly trotted back to her place, dreading the next few hours of being forced to play the lamb in the face of an extremely dull wolf. ~~~~~ Its next meal was in sight, and it was as beautiful as it was abundant in love. A sight such as this in the deepest, darkest parts of the Everfree was something that could only be witnessed out of pure luck. A yellow, winged pony with bright pink hair crept slowly through the forest under the thick cover of the bramble trees. The pony’s whole body shivered as it moved, stuttering its speech patterns. The commander could have never been happier as it crept through the bushes and the low-lying fog alongside its path, its trained hooves remaining completely silent as it eyed its prey’s movement through the cover of the natural darkness. The pony spoke of angels as it walked along the forest floor, but it was going to take a lot more than a troop of mythical beings to keep the hungry commander from missing its chance at an effortless meal. Suddenly, there was a disturbance in the forest. A powerful roar shook through the trees like a hurricane, sending the commander flying backward and landing on its back with a hard thud. Alarmed, it scrambled to rise up from the ground. After its senses quickly returned, the commander checked to make sure its prey was still there. Surprisingly, it was, but the pony was in a situation that the commander had desperately hoped to avoid; across the forest path on which the pony walked, a manticore, considered by many to be the most fearsome creature to ever walk the earth, stood mean, tall, and at the ready to strike down the yellow creature before it. Its tail, dawned with the poison-tipped stinger of a scorpion, arched over its back like a viper ready to kill. If they were still alive at this point, any sane creature would have turned tail and fled for miles, but the pony remained still, and…smiling? The great beast took a step forward, bringing itself face to face with the winged trespasser. It belched another great roar directly into the pony’s face, blowing its mane back like helpless weeds in the wind. There was no doubt in the commander’s mind that there would soon be bloodshed, and lots of it. This would completely ruin its plans. The whole forest was going to stink of rotting pony carcass. This whole section of the wood would be a battleground in less than an hour, with several varieties of sharp-toothed, sharp-clawed monstrosities battling it out over the remains slowly being turned into a stinking, bulging pulp by bloatflies and other insects. This means that the central hive would require extra protection to keep the coming predators away, and the trainees the commander took under its wing barely knew how to swing a stick properly. Angered by the fact that its whole day has been ruined, the commander turned around and started to walk away. At least it could take its leave with a bit of entertainment. After all, it was said that a manticore wanted to hear its victims scream in agony before it slaughtered them. The commander knew it would happen any moment now. … Any moment now… Nothing. It heard nothing. No screams, no cries, no snapping of bones or tearing of flesh. In a state of disbelief deeper than the black pit of its own cold heart, the commander turned around and swiftly backtracked to where it once was. From where there should have been a sight of death and decay stood a completely different scene. The ferocious beast of nightmares abundant was on its back, as helpless as a kitten as the yellow pony stood beside it and vigorously rubbed its soft underbelly. “N’oh, who’s a good kitty? You are! Yes you are!” cooed the pony as it continued to rub the giant’s stomach, who purred like a freight train. The commander could barely believe its ears. A powerful being brought down by the soft touch of a pony weakling? Such a thing was absurd! Underneath its cavernous emotional complex, the commander grew extremely angry. How dare they, keeping its next, and possibly its only meal for days, held away from its lips by a measly thread. The ponies of Equestria were practically beloved by anything they came across, but why must the changelings suffer while they remain happy and free? It was completely unfair. Being of such high rank, the commander would have none of it. In times such as these, survival was everything. The commander was an important figure; an icon of high ranking, far up the forest chain. It wasn't going to take starving for the night sitting down. Determined to get its next meal, the commander rose to its hooves and prepared itself to swoop in. Maybe it could stick around for just enough time to absorb enough love to last it for at least the rest of the night. Escaping the beast would be easy. Boldly, the commander took a step forward. Crack! And just like that, its dinner plans fell flat. Immediately, the manticore ceased its purring and bolted to its feet, growling fiercely in the commander’s direction. The faint shadows of the forest did little to nothing to completely conceal the commander’s position, especially not against the farsight vision of the manticore. The commander knew that it was in deep trouble. The enormous fiend was looking right at it, its sharp teeth bared wide and its claws at the ready. Confused, the yellow pony followed its furry companion’s gaze, leading right up to the commander’s position. It took a few moments, but eventually, the pony caught eye of the silvery outline on the changeling's body. The pony, who by now the commander guessed was a female simply by its hot pink mane and slender body, leapt into the air and shrieked out with fright, kicking her hooves wildly in the air as she was already running away. Her hooves made contact with the ground and she took off like a rocket back down the path she came up from, not even bothering to use her wings. The commander was furious, but the manticore even more so. It released a great roar, shaking the trees free of whatever small fauna that occupied it. The manticore then leaped forward and took off in a sprint, bounding straight for the commander. No creature in the forest, if not the entire world, would ever dare take on an angry manticore, and the commander did not wish to stick around and try. It spun around and ran away, its mind full of fear. It longed to leap into the sky and fly away, but the thick tree canopy above prevented it from doing just that. The commander did not dare look back. Its mind already had a clear idea of what it might witness. A foaming mouth, a manic gaze, poison dripping from the tip of its stinging tail…and that’s all the commander would see before its body would be torn to shreds. The commander could sense the beast’s presence only a few meters away. There was no time to try and make it to the nearest clearing. The superior changeling, the once daring form of power, would be dead and dismembered within seconds if it didn't think of a way out, and fast. ~~~~~ “Chrysalis, your taking things way too fast!” yelled Roseluck up towards the sky. “That is none of your concern, Roseluck! I know how to raise my own son.” Chrysalis yelled back as she remained in mid-air, hovering high above the ground with her bug-like wings that beat against the wind like those of a hummingbird. Roseluck could not even begin to fathom just how idiotic the queen’s next step in the learning process was. She guessed that after Ditto failed at sneaking several dozen times, Chrysalis must have thought that he needed to start out with something easier. Granted, Ditto already knew how to fly, which, for his age, is something completely unheard anywhere else. Learning new flying techniques would be easier for him, and it wouldn't be long before he moved on to the more advanced stuff, whatever that was. Yes, he only learned how to use his wings not too long ago, but for someone who discovered their abilities far from even their first birthday put him a place of assurance few ever got to see. Just the thought of seeing Ditto soar through the skies made her think back to the days of seeing Ponyville’s own daredevil doing the exact same thing only ten times faster. But something still didn't feel right. Maybe it was the choice in training grounds. They could have just stayed inside the central hive where it was safe and worry-free, but no, the “professional” just had to go with the less sensible choice. Now, Chrysalis, Ditto, and herself as well, were situated outside of the central hive in the hot, humid daytime air, and only a few hundred feet from its borders. Nothing like the smell of pure danger to get the adrenaline pumping, right? Her hooves were covered with dirt, flies buzzed around her ragged mane, and her coat was in desperate need of a good washing. She had every good reason to complain, yet here she was, helping a mother babysit her own prodigy, who sat quite comfortably in her hooves without a care in the world. “I’m not getting any younger, Roseluck,” Chrysalis called out, freeing the mare of her insightful daze. Roseluck rolled her eyes back up at Chrysalis. “Just let go of him,” Chrysalis insisted, putting on a short smile. “He will be fine. He knows what he is doing.” “You know I worry about him as much as you do,” said Roseluck, sighing. “If something bad happens to him…then what’s the point in me being here?” Chrysalis shook her head. “Nothing bad is going to happen to him. Look!” Chrysalis pointed a hoof at Ditto, who smiled back cheerfully at his mother. “Does he look worried to you?” Roseluck returned her attention to Ditto. If there was anything in the world she would never tire of, besides the taste of those succulent forest fruits, it was that short, adorable smile spanning across the young one’s face. It was so cute it could cause Tartarus to freeze over, and it was more than enough to convince her to stay and provide as much aid as she could to a species in desperate need of it. It represented hope, what little there actually was anyway, but hope nonetheless. “I know I may not look like the motherly type, Roseluck. I doubt I will ever look like anything but a monster…” said Chrysalis, sighing. “But trust me; I know what I’m doing.” Chrysalis extended her forehooves, awaiting the moment when her son would fly up to her on the strength of his own wings. Though with worry still heavy on the brain, Roseluck finally gave in to the queen’s cogent sermon. She gently lowered Ditto to the ground and released him from her hold. “Well? Go on,” said Roseluck to Ditto, pointing up at his airborne mother. “Come on, Ditto,” cooed Chrysalis, gesturing to herself. “Come on. Fly to me. Fly to...mommy.” And fly he did. After he was free, Ditto unfolded his wings and began to hover. He went up about two feet before stopping and looking back up at his mother, who beckoned him to keep rising. Empowered by the sight of his mother’s wanting, the young changeling continued to ascend. “That’s it, come on.” Chrysalis descended a few feet, hoping that her closer proximity would encourage Ditto to keep going. The young one continued to rise, climbing higher and higher until he made it past the halfway point. The spectacle of watching a creature so young and so innocent ascend to the gentle hold of his awaiting mother could not have been any more outstanding, or more endearing, than this. And he was so young too! While most foals were either babbling nonsense or trying to impress their parents with a few new tricks, Ditto was performing feats that were far beyond the mundane traditions of natural learning. All Roseluck could do was stand back and wonder, taking in the vague resemblance of an angel learning how to use its wings. “Just a little bit closer, that’s it!” the queen went on, spouting the usual uplifting jargon. At long last, Ditto had reached his mother’s altitude, stabilizing himself in the full front of the winds. He smiled at Chrysalis and looked down below him, admiring how far he had come. “Ok, good.” Chrysalis breathed a sigh of relief. She kept her hooves extended outward. “Now, come to me.” Ditto continued to smile, but did not obey his mother. “Come on, Ditto,” Chrysalis urged. “Come to me, please.” Ditto looked back at his mother and chuckled. It was clear that he wished to take a break from learning and play around for a little while, and play around he did. He ascended up a few feet higher, causing Chrysalis to become uneasy. This was exactly what Ditto was hoping for. When his mother nervously bit her lower lip, he giggled again. “N-no no,” said Chrysalis, smiling nervously. “To me, Ditto, to me.” Ditto looked down at his mother, but only for a brief moment. With a cheeky grin, he turned his head skyward and took off, flying high up into cloudy blue, his tiny wings carrying his speeding weight in an incredible, seemingly impossible manner. The queen was in shock. “No, Ditto! No!” Chrysalis gasped, taking off after her son. His mother’s traumatized outburst did nothing to silence the infant’s excessive giggling. He continued to ascend, flying high into the cerulean air on a wild game of cat and mouse. Roseluck’s jaw could not have dropped any harder. What he was doing with his wings was preposterous in every form of the word. Despite his enhanced flight capabilities, Ditto’s terrified mother finally caught up with him. Chrysalis dove in and swiped her son from the air, pulling him close to her chest as she quickly stretched out her wings, slamming on the brakes on the wild ride. She held him out and looked down, cringing when she realized how high up they were. “What on earth were you thinking?!” Chrysalis angrily scolded her infant, using her most menacing of faces in order to fully state her emotions. His mother’s disposition was strong, but Ditto acted as if he had no idea what she was on about. He took it all as a game, smiling in the face of his mother like a troublesome puppy in the arms of its caretaker. Chrysalis sighed, feeling very guilty for having yelled at her son like that, despite his unwavering, cheery temperament. She reformed her anger into a smile and pulled him into a firm hug. “At least you didn't get hurt…” murmured Chrysalis, her mind finally at ease. “Hey! Are you two just gonna stay up there and hug each other all day or do I have to go find some food myself?” Roseluck called out from down below. “We’ll be down there soon,” said Chrysalis, smiling shortly. “Let me just—“ In the distance, sudden and thunderous, a mighty roar sounded out throughout the forest. Traumatized, the queen jolted in shock, swiftly turning towards the source of the noise. From afar, trees began to shake, freeing the branches of their avian occupants. “W-what the? What was that!?” Roseluck cried out on the ground, her voice echoing. Having spent nearly all her life under the thick roof of the Everfree, Chrysalis knew exactly what she heard. But why? thought Chrysalis, bringing her son, who had fallen silent, closer to her upper chest for protection. It wouldn't dare go anywhere near the central hive! Suddenly, it hit her. Without the presence of hundreds of changelings to keep the irritating sonic barrier up, the Everfree forest’s most dangerous creatures were free to roam about as they pleased. She and Roseluck were sitting ducks. The distant trees began to shake violently. The beast of the queen’s fears was coming right for them. Panicking, the queen flipped around in the air and made an immediate dive for the ground, landing roughly next to her pony companion, who started firing out questions like a panic-crazed filly. “W-what’s going on? I heard a bunch of loud noises! What should we—!“ Roseluck’s worried ramblings were cut off when Chrysalis forced Ditto into her hooves. “Take him and head back to the hive, now.” Chrysalis commanded with a stern voice and an equal expression. “B-but what’s--?” “Go!” Ringing out on an eerie cue, a second roar, different from the first one, exploded through the forest like a great firework. Its effects were no different from the first. The trees shook in the path of its unnatural gust, forcing many small creatures to vacate their dens. Looking in the direction of the source, the queen’s breath escaped in a frightened gasp when her vision fell upon the sight of two, fast-approaching sets of glowing eyes, one a deep blue, and the other a fearsome yellow. Chrysalis had no time to identify just what exactly was coming her way. Before she could get out of the way, two creatures burst out of the forest dark. A manticore, larger than any other she had ever seen, and the commander, its body covered in a mix of dark flora and scars, skid to a stop quite a ways from her position. “My queen! Stay back!” yelled the commander, fear appearing more than apparent in its voice. The manticore reared its massive head and snarled at the two figures behind it. Hot saliva dripped from its teeth, spattering on the ground as its claws extended from its large paws. It began turning in place to face Chrysalis directly, but was soon forced to stop when a large rock struck the top of its head. Gnash its teeth, the beast whirled around to face the commander once more, who held another rock in its hooves. The commander tossed the rock to the ground and withdrew its rusty sword from its scabbard. There was no doubt in Chrysalis's mind that the commander aimed on killing the manticore, bringing her to remember their earlier conversation concerning just that. For as much harm as it might bring, that option was the best one they had, but her transformed feelings simply would not allow it. The manticore raised its barbed tail and lunged it forward over its head. In the blink of an eye, the commander dodged the attack, rolling off to the side in hopes of striking a blow to its blind spot. The beast anticipated this and quickly swung its body around, staring down the commander once more. The manticore stroked its claws across the ground, menacingly taunting the lesser hunter before it. “Roseluck, get back to the hive, now!” Chrysalis urged, nudging the mare hard. “Take Ditto back inside and hide! I’ll deal with the situation out here.” The pastel mare opened her mouth to speak, but could find no comeback with which to respond. Thinking of the infant more than anything, Roseluck nodded and made for the walls of the hive. The sound of her rapid hoofsteps caught the manticore’s attention, its eyes glancing off to the side and catching the sight of the fleeing prey. Yet again, the beast’s attention was redirected when another large rock struck the top of its head. Instead of staying back and taking chance shots with its tail, the manticore pounced, its built-in knives ready to tear its irritating aggressor apart. But then, a new challenger stepped into the ring. Before it could take as much as a single swipe at the commander, the manticore was lifted into the air by a cloud of green magic before being thrown afar, slamming into the ground and tumbling right into the base of a tree, nearly splitting it in half. The commander was dumbstruck. “My queen!” yelled the changeling warrior, scowling angrily. The queen looked at the commander, bearing an angry scowl of her own after the aura around her horn vanished into the air. “I nearly had it! I could have killed it if you hadn't--!” “Stay out of this, commander!” Chrysalis interrupted. “B-but, my queen!” “I said stay out of this!” Chrysalis retorted, yelling fiercely. Before they knew it, the manticore was back on its feet, shaken, but more than ready to strike down anything that came near it. Its eyes were bloodshot and its scorpion stinger dripped with green venom. The commander stepped out in front of the queen, its sword still clenched between its teeth. Chrysalis couldn't tell if it was openly defying her or protecting her with its life. The manticore took the boast and readied itself to pounce again. What was to come could only be left to prediction, but already the future seemed to be as clear as day. No matter what, someone was going to die. The ground started to shake. ...is it just me, or do I always feel like producing "results" is like going through my own personal crucible? Yes, writing is difficult in the most part, but...wow. A full month of doing buckall anything involving writing took more out of me than I thought it would. It's like every time I write a new chapter I feel rusty, as if I've been away for years. There is a sense of fear of course. I've been taught to write for myself and write whatever I choose to write, but I think about you guys too much, so much so that I often over-correct myself to the point of (almost) sleepless nights, like a chef trying to improve their decent dish with ingredients almost guaranteed to make it look like the fecal product of a night spent chugging Tabasco sauce. Sure, it may sound like a good idea and it may look like a good idea on paper, but no matter what happens your arse will still be burning by the end of the day. Saucy ideas aside, I did have fun writing this chapter, which I should probably mention is one of the few times I have ever had genuine, pop rocks-e fun writing anything. I won't call it a grind, but hey, I like you guys, a lot, and before you break out the laced champagne I'd like to take the final few days of the year to thank each and every one of you for reading Monster or Mother, and any other stories I may have, thus far. Seriously, you guys rock. I want to say exciting things are coming in the future, but I don't want to make empty promises ^.^ -Hivemind