Chapter 6: Discovery
The weeks that followed my initial arrival upon this planet (which I had learned was named Equis) went rather quickly, and mostly involved lessons from Twilight Sparkle, as well as questioning from her as well. I didn’t mind in the least, of course, as the new information and knowledge that came with these sessions allowed me to further integrate myself into normal society, so much so that I often went for days changed into pony form.
That was at least until today.
The Elements of Harmony had gone to a faraway land known as the Crystal Empire, as a calamity of sorts was occurring there. I was not told the details, only that they were needed to protect it from an ancient and powerful being.
This left me alone in Ponyville...cut off from my new friends.
I had come to realize exactly how much my new friends meant to me, namely Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and Rainbow Dash. The three young ponies had taught me much about both friendship and living in general, just in the short time I’d known them. I could only imagine how much I would learn in the coming weeks and months, but that could wait until they returned.
And so, since I was left to my own devices, I returned to the Everfree Forest.
This would be one of the few times I didn’t come to the forest to hunt, and so I simply morphed to my original form and strode about the woods, taking in the sights and sounds that populated it. Over the past few weeks, the beings that inhabited this forest had learned to keep their distance from me. It was strange to think that where I once feared the beasts of my ancestral home of Primus, I was now an apex predator. It was strange in a way, to know that nothing would ever hunt me here, but it was also a refreshing change.
And so, as I strolled slowly through the forest, I couldn’t help but take in the beauty of it...the wildness of it.
It was something a mere pony could not enjoy, as this place was very dangerous for one such as they. For one such as I, however, there was a sort of peace I garnered from it, along with the feeling of belonging on a level that I only found with my newfound friends.
Oddly enough, the only animals that didn’t keep their distance were the birds of prey, namely a large breed of avian I’d come to know as the Nighthawk. From what I’d been told by Twilight Sparkle, the large creature had been hoof-crafted by All-Mother Lunacae herself.
In the Nighthawk, I could see her creative character showing through. It was a very large, dark blue bird with gleaming black talons, a large flesh-tearing beak, and eyes of the fiercest yellow. Its true beauty would only be shown when night fell, however, as the feathers would then glow translucently in the moonlight, giving it a very auspicious appearance. The predator avian was almost as large as the average pony, with a wingspan that was a sight to behold. Even with all of this, the bird apparently only ate fish and smaller warm-bloods...squirrels, rabbits, and the like.
Which was why when one of the majestic creatures took its place beside me as I sat upon the bank of a river, I didn’t think twice about it.
The Nighthawk that had joined me today was one I was familiar with. It had a very noticeable scar running across the forehead, leaving a bald patch where feathers would be. Another attribute that made this particular creature unique was that it had been the only one to directly approach me, though whether it was out of curiosity or genuine interest, I didn’t know.
As I sat next to my neutral companion and enjoyed the scenery, I was faintly aware of a presence approaching from beyond the chasm that led to the Palace of the Two Sisters. I extended my senses further and was now keenly aware of whatever it was...and also aware that it was a predator. Interestingly enough, even when it was close enough for me to hear its breathing, I sensed no hostility from it...which was odd.
Finally wishing to see what I was up against, I turned myself and scanned the bushes before finding what looked like large insect wings hidden behind a shrub, along with a faint buzzing sound.
I sighed and stated openly, “I can see you, so you may as well reveal yourself.”
Rustling was my response, followed by...Fluttershy? No wait, this doesn’t make sense. I know for a fact that she has not returned yet, so this can’t be her...and it doesn’t smell like her either.
Realization dawns upon me from my studies with Twilight Sparkle, and I stand quickly and let loose a warning growl. I firmly stated, “I know you’re not my friend...you smell different, changeling.”
Instead of fear, surprise, or even aggression...I beheld an impressed expression cross the not-Fluttershy’s face. Blue fire quickly overtook the pony’s form, and when it dissipated, I was left looking at a completely different pony.
It had a shiny carapace akin to that of an insectoid of some sort, and wings to match. Fangs were clearly visible over the bottom lip of the creature, and holes marred the hooves and legs of the creature, making it look as if it were decomposing. It had a single curved horn, as well as the most piercing glowing blue eyes I’d ever seen, devoid of any pupil or iris.
“You saw through my disguise...that is a first. Well done.” it said in a buzzing rasp of a voice.
Okay...changelings aren’t supposed to be able to speak, from what Twilight Sparkle told me.
“You can speak?” I blurted out.
The changeling rolled its eyes and sighed. “Is that really so unbelieveable?”
I shrugged, coming to my senses. “A little, yes.”
“I’ll tell you what’s unbelievable...” the pony-mockery started, “a creature I’ve never seen before that garners the respect of the most feared beasts of the Everfree, seemingly from out of nowhere.” The eyes then narrowed as it said, “Just what are you and where did you come from?”
“Well,” I began, relaxing my stance a bit, “I am what the ponies call a Celestial and-”
“Wait wait wait,” the changeling interrupted, now obviously in disbelief, “a Celestial? As in the ancient beings that were created by the pony-princess of the night?”
I gasped and nodded slowly. “Um, y-yes. How did you know that?”
The next time the changeling spoke, the buzzing that backed the voice had all but disappeared, and it...was bowing in reverence. “A thousand apologies, great Celestial. I didn’t know.”
I raised my eyeridge and asked, “What’s all this about a ‘great’ Celestial? We are simply the children of Lunacae Lightflier.”
“She allows you to speak her name?” the changeling spoke with a gasp of shock.
I nodded with confusion. “Uh, yes...she does. Is that so surprising?”
The changeling quickly composed itself before looking me in the eye again. “Apologies, but yes...it is. Let it simply be said that your people are not the only beings directly created by Mother Luna.”
Wait...did this creature just call Lunacae “mother”?
“Did you just refer to her as ‘mother’ or did I mishear you?” I asked curiously, and with a bit of excitement.
A smirk played across the changeling’s face as it nodded. “I did indeed. My race was created directly by her as well, in case you hadn’t figured it out. Where did you think she had the idea to give us the ability to change forms?”
The more I thought about it, the more things started to make sense. These beings were actually the pony version of Celestials, albeit with a very different way of gathering sustenance. This left just one question though...
“If you truly are the children of the All-Mother, then why attack the ponies?” I asked with a hint of anger.
Twilight Sparkle and her friends had told me of the massive changeling attack upon Canterlot, as well as the “queen’s” intentions to completely overtake Lunacae and her sister. It was in fact one of the reasons why I had been so apprehensive to show my true form and abilities, as shape-morphing skills were almost completely associated only with changelings.
Which was why what the changeling said next took me by surprise.
“Just as there are multiple species of ants, there are multiple species of changelings. My specific species is solitary...we do not share a hive mind with the self-appointed Queen Chrysalis, and neither do we answer to her. All that we share is the ability to disguise our form, the ability to feed off of emotions, and the physical form.” she explained.
I began to understand that it was a bit ignorant of me to be so prejudice, so I responded, “Apologies then, I did not mean to offend.”
The changeling smiled a fanged grin and shook its head. “No harm, no foul. It’s not the first time my kind have been lumped into one giant race, and it certainly won’t be the last.”
“Well what makes you so different from the others then?” I asked inquisitively, taking a seat against the rocks bordering the stream.
“Well for one,” the pony-like creature started, “my kind can use magic, the same as unicorns can. Also, I personally do not have any problems with the ponies of the surrounding village, nor do I want to harm them. Most importantly though, I am capable of free thought and speech.”
“Do you have a name?” I asked with a relaxed grin.
The changeling nodded. “I do. By my kin I am known by a name that your tongue cannot pronounce, but you may simply call me Dragonfly. It is as close to my true name as your words can come.”
I bobbed my head a few times in thought before muttering, “Power, intelligence, and respect.”
“What was that?” Dragonfly asked curiously.
I looked up and shook my head. “Nothing, just talking to myself.” I then stood and eyed it suspiciously. “I sense no hostility from you, but do you truly hold no ill will towards the ponies?”
A grin was my immediate reply as Dragonfly responded, “I’m three times as strong as a pony, faster, and more durable. If I really wanted to hurt one, I could. That being said, I’d really rather not do that. First of all, it would be stupid, because even if I got away, I’d be hunted. Secondly, there’s no reason for me to. Lastly, it would be counterproductive. Unlike the the changelings of Queen Chrysalis’ hive, my kind does not need to steal the emotions from ponies to feed upon them. Instead, more often than not, I can sate my hunger on just the ambient emotional energy that fills the air. So you see, there would be no reason for a takeover or even the need to hunt. I simply change my form, walk throughout the pony town until I’ve had my fill, and then leave. It’s a simple life.”
I was quite pleased to be given yet another piece of knowledge, and to find that there were, in fact, exceptions to rules...and I felt I could share this with Twilight Sparkle when she returned. For a moment, I contemplated asking Dragonfly to come back with me, as it couldn’t be very decent to live alone in the forest. However I then remembered just how prejudiced fearful ponies could be. They would not think to differentiate between changelings, and the fact that one could talk would only cause them more fear.
So for the moment at least, I felt it best to simply take this new information and leave things as they are.
I looked Dragonfly and nodded with a neutral expression. “Well it is nice to find that there are certain rules that have exceptions, namely the one that ponies believe is true that says that all changelings are as the ones that attacked their capital. I would consider you a friend, if you would have me.”
“You know, changelings don’t normally have friends...but I think I’d like that. And a Celestial no less...this could be fun.” Dragonfly answered, then motioned to the Nighthawk that hadn’t left my side. “Besides, Nighthawks are proud and powerful creatures. For this one to be so comfortable with being around you, there must be something very different about you.”
I looked at the large avian and smiled before turning back to the changeling and shifting my stance a bit. “Well she and I are not quite friends yet, but it is nice to have such a powerful and beautiful creature be so comfortable around me.”
Dragonfly grinned and trotted over to me and responded, “Nighthawks are not the most physically-affectionate beings of this world. If she is comfortable being this close to you, you are a friend.”
I nodded as I once again locked eyes with that of the large predatory bird before me, and realized that Dragonfly was right. In those eyes I saw so much more than mere instinct. This creature actually thought, as I did, and understood complex things such as the difference between a friend and ally. There was a life behind those eyes, and wants and needs, as well as true emotions...and right now she was caring about me. Even with how fierce her face was, the eyes told a very different story from what the face did.
It was a wonder what the eyes held.
I looked back to Dragonfly and nodded respectfully. “Well it was a pleasure to meet you, Dragonfly. Can I see you again?”
The changeling smiled a toothy grin and nodded. “Just come back to this place, and I’ll find you.”
I nodded once more before focusing my energy and changing my form to that of the new avian friend beside me, and once the change was over, I could see the joy in her eyes. I locked my gaze with hers before taking flight into the sky, ready to spend the night enjoying the air with this majestic creature of the night.
Spending the evening with the female Nighthawk was probably the best idea I’d had in a long time. While it’s true that the species isn’t as physically affectionate as say, a pony, after all my years being a morpher, I was well aware of the different behaviors of different animals.
For example, the only time a creature such as a bird of prey spends any amount of time with another of its kind is if they are fighting for territory, or if they are mating.
This did not seem to be the case with the Nighthawk flying through the air with me, however. There was so much more to her than simple instinct, and that fact had been proven on a few occasions just in the short time I’d become familiar with her. She knew the difference between my different emotions, and the very fact that she could consider me a friend spoke volumes.
After all, instinct didn’t allow for “friend”...only enemy, ally, or mate.
As I was soaring through the cool night air with my companion, I couldn’t help but take in the scenery. Besides a pegasus, a Nighthawk had been the first from I’d ever taken that allowed for flight. It offered a whole new perspective on the world itself, and more than just what I could see. It offered freedom, and the simple joy of feeling the wind in your feathers and on your face. There were so many experiences that were made available for me because of my abilities. I could feel the freedom and joy of flight, the thrill of a hunt, or the simple relaxation and happiness that came with enjoying time with friends.
Perhaps I could bring my new avian friend to meet some of my pony friends sometime.
As dawn began to overtake the beautiful night, my companion and I decided that it would be a good idea to get some sleep. After all, while the both of us were naturally nocturnal, I still had to conform to a diurnal schedule, for my friends’ sakes.
As I arrived with my new friend back at her roost, I couldn’t help but take in the beauty of the sunrise upon her home. It was truly wondrous to behold, and even though she was no longer glowing in an enigmatic way, her feathers still shined in the daylight. I simply gazed at her for a moment before offering a happy warble and flying down to the ground to shift my form.
Although I did not regret my night with the Nighthawk, I now needed to hunt or else I’d risk losing control while I slept. So with that in mind, I changed my form again to that of a k’tra walker before lumbering off towards the inner forest, hoping to find a meal worth hunting.
It took some hours past dawn, but I finally tracked and took down a small water serpent. The large beast was no match for the reptilian predator of my home, and as expected, it fell after a ferocious fight.
As I cooked up the fallen beast and began to ingest the tough, gamey meat, I let my mind wander.
As I expected, the first place I found my thoughts were on that of my friends...all of them. The ponies, the misunderstood changeling, and the reclusive Nighthawk. All were dear to me, as they were honestly the first I could honestly refer to as friends in thousands of years. When I thought about that fact, it was in a way depressing.
I had lived several pony lifetimes over, and it was unknown exactly how long my people lived. After all, I had referred to Cygnus as “old”, but that was only by his age relative to mine. In truth, there had not been one reported death from age yet. All were because of accidents, natural disasters, or the shadow beasts.
Perhaps the All-Mother would have an answer for me.
The second thought that came to mind was more personal and focused...it was of Fluttershy. The young pegasus had been a great boon to me, both because of her friendship and her unwavering kindness and willingness to help. She understood me on a level that not even Twilight Sparkle did, and not because the unicorn didn’t try. No...it was much more than that. In some ways, Fluttershy and I were very similar. We both enjoyed the simple things that life had to offer, we both made it a point to be polite and kind whenever possible, and we both cared a great deal for nature as a whole.
Truth be told, as the days passed, the bearer of Kindness had been on my mind more and more. If she was not around and her name entered a conversation, I seemed to slip into a bit of a daze as thoughts of her ran through my mind. It was a confusing condition to say the least, but it did not seem to have any adverse effects.
Perhaps if I ignored it, it would go away.
As I finished my evening meal and cleaned myself up, I quickly morphed back to the form of a pegasus and flew to town.
I arrived at the library and fished the spare key out from under a certain rock on the front garden before unlocking the door, replacing the key, and closing the door behind me.
With Spike also with his friends, that left upkeep of the library to me alone, which I didn’t mind in the least. I only read a book or two per day, and always put them back in their place. The dishes were always washed, the small bits of laundry always done and folded, and even the floors are mopped.
How the library gets so messy when Twilight Sparkle is around is beyond me.
As I finally made my way upstairs to my provided room, I looked longingly at the bed. In honesty, I didn’t know how I’d slept without one until coming to Equis...and at that moment, it looked to be the most wonderful thing in the world.
That was until...
“We’re back!” shouted a familiar female voice from downstairs.
Ugh...Lunacae help me.
I turned away from the bed that was practically begging me to lay in it, and trotted down the stairs to see a beaming Twilight Sparkle and Spike.
The lavender unicorn looks up to see me flitting down the stairs and smiles as if she’s just won a contest that proved her to be the smartest unicorn in all the land, which I would not be surprised of in the least...so long as she keeps it to herself and-
Wow...I’m cranky when I’m sleepy.
“Vega, you’ll never guess what’s happened!” Twilight Sparkle exclaimed with glee.
I sighed and closed my eyes. “I can’t guess, but I’m on the edge of my seat, Twilight Sparkle.”
I heard her huff as she answered, “Vega, I’ve asked you to just call me Twilight like a million times.”
“Actually you’ve only asked me one-hundred forty-four times...forty-five if you count this one.” I opened my eyes to see her staring at me in shock and I smiled sheepishly. “Sorry...my brain counts for me.”
“Wow...burn.” Spike muttered with a grin as he walked away.
Twilight Sparkle’s momentary shock wore off and she continued. “Anyway, not only did we save the Crystal Empire, but I also passed Princess Celestia’s test! Isn’t that great?”
I offered a tired smile and nodded. “It is, Twilight Sparkle. I’m so proud of you. You should tell me about it.”
She giggled in excitement and nodded vigorously. “Okay! Well first we were summoned by Princess Celestia herself, but you already know that part. Next we-”
“Vega, wake up!”
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the high-decibel shout startled me out of my short nap, which in all honesty I don’t remember falling into.
I looked to the face of Twilight Sparkle and she glared at me. “You haven’t slept yet, have you?”
I shook my head as my heart began to slow and responded, “No, but I’ll be alright.”
“No, you go to bed...right now.” the unicorn mare ordered.
“But-” I attempted to argue, only to be shut down as a zipper magically closed my mouth.
“No backtalk, Vega.” Twilight Sparkle ordered. She then shoved me lightly towards the stairs, but with a caring smile. “I know that you’re naturally nocturnal Vega, so it’s okay.”
I unzipped my mouth and shook my head. “But I’ve learned to rise with the sun, so it’s no big deal.”
The unicorn continued to push me and shook her head. “I can learn to walk on my rear legs everywhere I go, but that doesn’t make it natural for me...or a good idea, for that matter.” As we reached the bottom of the stairwell, she smiled warmly and inclined her head. “Go on. I’ve got a lot of mail to go through today and I’m going to spend time with my friends, so I’ll be okay without you.”
I felt bad about leaving her to go without me for some reason, but at this point my body overrode my mind and forced me to climb the stairs, heading towards the wonderful bed that awaited me.
As I reentered the room I immediately flopped down on the bed and sighed happily, pleased that I was finally going to get the rest that I deserved.
As I rolled over onto my stomach and curled my limbs beneath me, I found my thoughts once again focusing on a certain kind pegasus. Her smile, her eyes, her soft mane...for some reason all of it was running through my mind at a dizzying speed.
This time however, I didn’t have the strength to ignore it, so as my eyelids fell and exhaustion began to overtake me, Fluttershy’s face was the last thing I thought of as sleep claimed me.