The Jungle was teeming with wildlife, whether it be leopards, birds, or other dangerous creatures. At best, the most dangerous thing here was an Ipphyr, a monster that takes on the form of a jungle tree, waiting for prey to pass by before snatching them with its vines and devouring them. This was a dangerous place, yet many ponies would try and brave the harsh conditions, wheether it be for science or simple defying of nature. Lately, however, more dangerously armed ponies have been coming and actively hunting for something. Something they never thought could exist. A white changeling. A changeling supposedly completely separated from the hive and independant as well. There have been missions issued by Celestia and Luna to find and capture this creature, but nothing seemed capable of doing so. They thought that if this changeling was so independantly minded, it could side with pony-kind, or atleast divulge some information on the hive.
It has been a few months since the search parties were organized into the enormous jungle canopy, yet barely any ever returned. Rumors have surged that the white changeling grew dramatically in size since its last sighting, and that it now began to have a following of the regular colored changelings. More reports have stated that these changelings have changes to their physiology that could go from minor to drastic. Some were stated to be bigger than the others and had horns reminiscent of a ram covering their eyes. Other changelings have had a more...bearing physique, suggesting that this hive does not have a queen like the one controlled by Chrysalis, therefore, demanding different methods of reproduction. What bothers many are why and how these changelings arrived in the forest and managed to morph so quickly and thoroughly in the span of a few months.
Some research has been put into the question, and a few changelings were captured, yet, whenever the caged creature would be pulled out of the limits of the forest, a bright spark would blind them, and the cage would literally be torn open along with some pieces jammed into the ground near the hunters. This was an obvious warning to stay out of the forest and to leave the changelings alone. Whatever this thing was, it obviously found some other method of feeding its hive, as no signs of these morphed changelings had been detected anywhere in the nearby inhabited villags and cities. Unfortunately, a new group had entered the forest. It was a research group with three stallions an two mares. These researchers were hardened from all the dangerous locations they had gone to. Certainly, a little forest with changelings couldn't be enough to harm them, could it?
The second the hooves of these five touched the ground, they were doomed. Very deep underground grew fresh tunnels which slithered every other direction. The sounds of clicking and chirping was the only sound that could be heard here. Several typical changelings crawled around transporting food stuffs or just patrolling, but there were a few with extremely long antennae "swimming" through the mud of the tunnels, supposedly trying to track anything suspicious at the surface of the jungle. One in particular had run into a room full of luminescent mushrooms lining the ceiling and others placed in small crevices around a path reminiscent of a bridge. In front of it stood a white changeling sitting upon a stone throne. It was much bigger than the rest of the changelings, and what should have been green was actually red. The extensions on its neck flickered as its pupiless eyes surveyed the newcomer. It did not need a crown, as its more slender appearance and frightening size were enough to peresuade of its position and power.
The changeling with long atennae slid to a stop at the changeling's throne and bowed.
"More intruders looking for us...for you." it said with an impish voice.
"Hmmm. I sense that they have some internal strength. Perhaps we can convert them, whether it be by will or without it. Send some changelings to capture them and bring them to my throne room. I shall begin preparations."
The changeling bowed once more then fleed out of the open room to start clicking orders to its kind, who then began to scramble about in anticipation of what they were about to do. The unknown, however, heaved a great sigh as it removed its body from the throne and began to widen the path to its seat.
"I have grown tired of these lowly actions. The Nothing may have perceived its defeat in order to allow a proper study of Equestria's abilities, but I fail to see how anything could change in another version of this world. That music box always followed it no matter what it did. The Nothing is my master, but I wonder if I must truly obey it. I have been feeling growing pains since my entrance into existance."
"My lord, they are here."
"Bring them in."
The first two stallions were exact twins, although their cutie marks were obviously different, with one being a compass and another a map. The second was a bulky stallion of a kakis color and a jungle green mane and tail. He actually seemed to be easily scared as any movement in the dirt caused him to scream like a little filly. One of the mares was a bit less concerned with her looks, what with her mane being a rebellious shaped amalgation of diagonal red and pink. Her hot pink coat made her look even weirder, especially with her pickaxe cutie mark. The last one was almost as buff as the kakis, but her feminine silhouette was enough to keep everypony's eyes from tearing out of their sockets and jumping over a cliff. This mare was red with a stripe of white along her chest. Her deep-sea-blue mane and tail were tied up to prevent any problems with the decor. Lastly, her cutie mark showed some form of metallic claw, probably demonstrating a powerful grip that she possessed.
There was a long silence between the two groups while the situation was setting in. Nothing changed much, especially with the changeling's entity looming over them.
"Hey. It's the white changeling." the smaller mare noted.
"Like we--"
"-Didn't know." the twins finished eachother's sentence.
"What are you doing in my territory? I'm growing tired of these intrusions. Every group here tries to capture my changelings and study them. Even worse is when you have tried to capture me. I will simply erase you from existence if this is your goal." the unknown said as some form of field envelopped its horn, then erased a sqerical portion of the floor next to the bulky stallion."Do not tell me your names. I need them not."
"Look, pal. We're only here to learn about you and your changelings, and to see if you're gonna join us to meet--"
"Princess Celestia." the changeling interrupted 'Pickaxe'.
"How did you--"
"I know more than you inferior creatures can hope to comprehend. In my stead, you shall become Nothing."
"Hey. That isn't very--"
"Shut up."
"GAH!" the bulky stallion hung onto the ceiling, causing the others to chuckle.
"What are you going--"
"-To do to us?"
"I have plans, but I believe I can hear your ideas. Ask me questions and, if they amuse me enough, you shall be allowed to leave unharmed...until your next visit."
"You're...bizarrely kind for a changeling." Pickaxe wondered aloud.
"Ask."
"I'll go first. What is Chrysalis doing and where is she?" the bulky mare asked.
"Chrysalis? The queen of a weak changeling hive. I do not know what she is doing, as her existence is not on my agenda. However, I believe she fleed to the Buffalo deserts south of your Equestria."
The changelings outside encroached closer. Their proximity indicated if the white one was amused or not.
"What do your changelings eat if not love?" the bulky stallion squeaked from his position on the ceiling.
Unknown exploded in laughter, letting his voice boom throughout the tunnels. The changelings started to back away.
"Love? What can feed on emotion if not a weak creature? Emotions are a nuisance to existance and must be erased." he ended with no emotion."Continue with your questions."
"Where did--"
"-These changelings come from?"
"There are always stragglers around. If I free you, I would ask that you send them here."
"O...kay." the first twin looked perplexed while the other seemed insulted that the sentence wasn't long enough to complete.
"The changelings are encroaching more. You best hurry." the changeling's eyes narrowed on the five, concentrating pressure on the group.
"How did your changelings--"
"-Morph so quickly?"
The unknown cracked a few bones as it leaned forward."That is not for you two to know. You have not amused me. You will be assimilated."
The changeling turned around as the others behind began to encroach even more, causing the group to start backing up to the throne. The bulky stallion fell off his spot and ran to the foot of the royal seat and asked one thing:
"Is it alright if I listen to my music before being assimilated?"
"...Alright. Once it is over, you will all be taken into the hive."
"Thank you!" the stallion said, near-crying.
The others groaned in annoyance.
"Just kill us now." Pickaxe cried out.
"We can't stand--"
"-His creepy music!"
The stallion took a little music box out of his bag, but accidentally pulled out a picture as well. He opposed the eruption but couldn't catch it in time before the picture slid, upside, to the white one's hooves. The unknown elevated the picture to its face as it studied the object in detail. Accepting the circumstances, the stallion played his music box, letting the extremely weird music to screech through the changeling tunnels. The creepiness was only measured by the instruments used to make the rythm of the notes intertwine perfectly enough. To the stallion, it was a soothing song, but to others...well...let's just say they didn't like it too much. Everypony took their hooves off their ears as some sort of paralyzing scream overlapped the music. The white changeling was in extreme pains and was clutching its chest. Through its mouth came some form of transparent steam. The picture slid onto the floor, revealing the subject of the photograph being the changeling queen's face facing the camera. Her snarl was apparent, but so were her facial features. Only blurs behind her were seen, so the only real value of this picture was the queen's face.
The music box was left where it was, but the changelings quickly grabbed the five and jettisoned them out of the caves, unintentionally disobeying an order from their leader. The five decided that it would be best to leave as quickly as possible before it recovered. They had much to say. They were the first group to actually come back after a direct encounter with the new hive. The music box continued its screeching, and the changeling ruler continue to wail in agony as it tried to reach the pain in its chest without success. A large changeling destroyed the box, quieting the hive by a few decibels as the white one began to calm down. It was sweating profusively.
"My king, are you alright?"
"No. I have horrid pains in my chest. Why? What have I ingested?"
The others looked at him with worry.
"I believe you are experiencing some form of feeling."
"What kind?"
"I do not know. Allow a test."
"Do it."
The changeling grabbed the picture and showed it directly to the white one. He immediately began to scream again.
"I see."
"What?"
"I believe you are experiencing feelings."
"What? Feelings? Preposterous."
The changeling brushed it off and returned to his throne. The one talking to him took on an unamused face and showed the picture to the ruler again, making him cringe. Then he took it away, letting the ruler calm down. He started to do this consitently and began to smile near the end as the white changeling would scream then abruptly stop when the picture was taken away. He kept doing this until the exhausted creature lift a hoof to block the picture.
"Enough! No more. If I am to understand these...feelings, it would be a good idea to speak to the niece of Celestia."
"You will leave us, then? We cannot survive on our own!"
The hive began to buzz and click with panic and worry.
"I am still in contact with you. If your nourishment is needed, I will be far, but I will provide. For now, the pink alicorn in the crystal kingdom is my prime objective."
"Alright, my king."
The unknown left its hive to appear above the forest. Nothing would change while it was gone, but it would be best to resolve these "feelings" to continue the growth of the hive. Perhaps it could finally destroy Chrysalis and widen its territorial gain? Only time would tell. For now, the arctic tundra was the location of choice.