//------------------------------// // Emi: Gmat ~ Loyalties // Story: The Chronicle of Tau Niem: Out of Place // by Jack-Pony //------------------------------// I ran for the horizon without looking back…but the further I went, the more the determination that I had begun with bled away. I knew I had done the right thing, I could never leave her behind. She was the sole reason why I continued to rise every day, the vain hope that I would be able to defy fate itself and seize her from its indomitable grasp. However, the more I ran, the more I doubted by decisions, something that troubled me beyond words…so, I continued…I ran, and I ran, and I ran… The miles swiftly fading in the distance I put between myself and the castle. Despite my intentions, my mind fought through the gentle ache of my pumping legs and heaving lungs. Had I made the right decision? For the first time in ages, I felt accepted. My shame meant nothing here, to these people…rather, ponies. I had even found love. Yes, I could admit it to myself, I loved Twilight Sparkle. Something I thought impossible… I love another? Not a passing fancy, but a genuine love…? And I had just given it up. For all I knew, I would be exiled from Equestria for defying the princess? It’s what the Imperators would do. Last time, I had been fortunate, only censured, and stripped of my position and title. My clan would never acknowledge my loss of honor, but off Kelovo, what my clan thought meant little… Now, the fates had been cruel to me once more. Forcing me to choose between my two loves…and now I was beginning to pay for it. Ignoring the gentle burn in my lungs as they worked overtime, desperately trying to feed my muscles’ need for oxygen, I bellowed my frustrations, and redoubled my speed… How could you do that? What else could I do? You left her. To save my love! You love her too… Twily is safe. You hope. What if Celestia punishes her for your acts? She wouldn’t. Are you sure? She isn’t like that. For her sake, you had better hope not… My legs, finally getting their say, faltered, nearly sending me stumbling to the ground. I was well past the point where I should’ve rested… Thankfully, there was a single apple-tree at the top of the short hill I had been climbing. Stumbling a little, I came to an uneasy stop, both hands upon its slender trunk and my forehead upon a low branch. Sighing, I turned back to look at the way I had came, half expecting to see a pegasi chasing me from Canterlot, but all that greeted me was the sight of the white citadel in the distance. It was only with the dull pain in my chest and legs, along with the pounding of my blood in my ears that I realized just how hard and fast I had run. Even with all the military-grade nano-machines in my blood, I had pushed my body to its absolute limits… I was flushed, my body-temperature almost dangerously high and my blood-oxygen lower than normal, along with elevated blood-toxicity. From the way I felt, I hazarded the guess that I had not pushed myself so hard since Limda Prime? …Oh, were they out for blood! It was the first time I had ever tasted battle, and I relished in it, lusting for more, even as my logical mind screamed at me to withdraw. Slumping down at the base of the tree, I sensed the presence of another and looked up just in time to see Queen Chrysalis setting down before me. She looked far more winded than I had expected from a flight capable Equinoid? Perhaps they were not so good a fliers as they appeared? Regardless, I did not care to see her ailing so… The morals I had been taught from a young age told me that it was not proper to allow any living being to suffer needlessly. Without a second thought, I glanced up and plucked a pair of apples with my telekinesis, dropping one into my hand, while hovering the other over to her. “It’s my understanding that you don’t need food for sustenance, but I’m loath to let you feed on me. I hope that this will suffice?” I offered her thoughtfully, careful not to reveal any of my emotions beyond that. She looked down at the apple glumly, clearly not what she had in mind. At that moment, I felt what I could only assume to be her mind brushing against my own. For as alien as it was, like the mind of a Danarii, she would gain nothing from her attempt. I promptly withdrew the apple from her hoof’s reach, in indignation. “Do not try your luck, Queen Chrysalis.” I warned her, “To enter the mind of a Danarii without their consent is a most heinous crime. One that is punishable by death.” Though not at all true under most circumstances, a creature as dangerous as her needs to be kept in check… Tentatively, I hovered the apple back to within her reach. “I suppose thanks are in order…?” she said as kindly as I imagined her able to do genuinely, while taking the apple with her hoof – something that despite knowing the explanation still boggled the mind. All Equestrian-equines – and apparently changelings too – have a subtle telekinesis field that surrounds their hooves, effectively allowing them to hold (light) objects with ease… “Feel free to rest your wings, I think we’re far enough from the castle now.” I offered her, motioning for her to sit, if she wanted. “I think that you left the guard behind miles ago…” She stated with what I thought was a twinge of humor? “Oh? Why do you say that?” I wondered aloud. “The few that tried to follow you quickly gave up once you started hurdling streams and plowing through undergrowth.” She chuckled lightly. Looking down at myself, my lower legs were plastered in mud, while leaves and grass hung from my robes like a ghillie-suit. Taking a first bite of the apple in my right hand, I used my left to start picking clean my robes, or at least as clean as I could make them under the circumstances. That is until she started tittering… “Yes?” I looked up at her with a raised brow, less than amused. “I meant no offense, its just that your kind are so different than the ponies…” She remarked, restraining her mirth. “In what way?” I asked, my features softening slightly in curiosity. “Well, your minds are closed, for example.” She waved a hoof dismissively, “Even the so called ‘stoic’ Celestia’s mind is as open to our kind as a book. Now not only are your minds shut tight, but you realize when we’re trying to gain access.” “You tried to pry your way into a matriarch’s mind without repercussion?” I exclaimed in disbelief. “Oh, no, she tried to assail me. However, it’s rather difficult to attack a queen when she is surrounded by the hive.” She remarked tauntingly. “You better not have hurt her.” I warned her with a slight growl entering my voice. “Only her ego, I assure you.” She chuckled once, “I’ll hand it to her…she injured a great deal of drones before they managed to restrain her.” “You should’ve known better…” I said sourly. “Perhaps, but that first taste was intoxicating…” She hinted at feeding upon her. “She knows I am here?” I gasped in shock, to which the queen merely nodded, “Then let us be off.” I stood and tossed aside the nearly finished apple core, a few more bites would’ve seen the last bits of fruit taken from the core…however it was not to be. Without so much as a glance back, I continued westward. “You really should rest more before continuing.” She stated plainly. I turned my head back to her. “If you need to rest further, you can catch up with me. I’m not stopping yet.” I said dismissively over my shoulder, stopping for but a moment. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ “What happened to that swift pace, biped?” Queen Chrysalis quipped as the sun began to set below the horizon. “We are not E’kuitis, our kind is designed to run for distance more than for speed.” I glared up at her, fluttering about carefree on her insectoid wings, “Moreover, you know the name of my race, if you will not call me by my name, at least make use of that.” “I would call you by your name if only I knew it. Alas Danårian, you have neglected to give me your name.” She remarked with a twinge of spite. My brisk walk abruptly halted, causing her to turn about and alight before me. “She didn’t give my name? Not once?” I glared at her skeptically. She shook her head. “Her conversation skills are somewhat lacking.” Only now that it was darkening did I notice that her eyes actually glowed a little in the faint light of the late evening. “…Why do you stare?” “I’m sorry.” I shook my head, “I just noticed that your eyes glow.” “All changelings’ eyes do.” She stated flatly, not knowing what to make of my admission. “Ah, I see…” I nodded, “Forgive me, I know next to nothing of your kind.” “You know, we aren’t the monsters that ponies make us out to be…” She suggested tactfully. “You did attack Canterlot and try to steal Shining Armor from his love.” I pointed out. “Well, yes, but can you blame a mare? He’s a prize stallion!” she said wistfully, only to receive a critical glance, “…That and fearful ponies seek the companionship of others more readily.” “Wait…you are trying to tell me that you were…creating love?” I asked incredulously. She nodded energetically. “You honestly didn’t think I was trying to take over Equestria? Did you?” She laughed, “Heavens no! The plan was to seize Shining Armor and as many fit ponies as we could and to disappear. I wouldn’t wish the task of ruling that mob on my worst enemy! Ponies are so panicky!” My mouth moved, trying to form something coherent and failing horribly, before I broke out into a chuckle. Shaking my head, I simply couldn’t believe what I was hearing, yet it made so much sense. “What of the ponies you took? I suppose that you’d pamper them?” I continued laughing. “Yes.” Her deadpan answer silenced me. “Seriously?” I asked, not sure what to believe anymore. “Bound ponies do not naturally produce love for their captors,” she said matter-of-factly, “Of course they would not be allowed to leave, but in due time they come to accept us as a new herd. Something tells me that you might be surprised to know just how many ponies willingly join changeling hives?” “I would be indeed.” I nodded, “However, something tells me that we need to get a fire going, or we’re going to get rather cold out here tonight.” The two of us glanced about, the foliage had long ago thinned out and the ecosystem that we were now in was no longer fully temperate. Something more akin to a scraggly grassland with lots of stones and bushes, and only the occasional tree. “If you go find a campsite, I’ll fetch some firewood.” She offered, however, it sounded almost like an order. “You have low-light vision, yes?” She nodded in response, “Then, why do not you fly up and find us something surrounded with stone, or a dense patch of brush?” She looked almost offended for a brief moment, before she realized that my plan had merit. Finally, she nodded and hopped up into the air. Very quickly, I lost her black form in the rapidly darkening sky, leaving only the buzzing of her wings as evidence that she had not abandoned me to the creatures of the night. With a sigh, I set myself to searching for kindling in the twilight… Twilight, my Twily. The thought of leaving her panged within my heart once more, before I blotted it out and fully set myself to the task at hand. My training after all taught me that deserts, and indeed the plains and grasslands about them could get rather cold at night. A flicker of concern flittered across my consciousness, forcing me to stop. Was the changeling cold? Was that why she didn’t want to fly? Was she posturing in front of me, as much as I was in front of her? Suddenly I felt guilty. I was so engrossed with my own thoughts that I had neglected her needs, as odd as that sounded. Sure, she was a changeling, a creature that feeds on emotion, especially love; but even still, she had feelings, desires and needs. Yes, I knew that the queen had a plan for me, but even still, I couldn’t help but feel for her, she’d risked her own carapace walking into the castle of her greatest enemy… Of course, I would not remain with them, but what would be the harm in helping her a little? Making her feel a little better in exchange for helping me? “Danårian?” Her voice trilled. Standing to face her direction, I still couldn’t see her. “I’m still here!” I called back. “I’ve found a good rocky spot.” She responded, however, I almost swore that I heard her voice waver? “Can you light your horn, so that I can find my way to you?” I asked and without even a response, I saw the green glow of her magic, “I’ll be right there…” Before too long I had a small fire going and after only a few excursions, I had enough wood to be comfortable for the night. Indeed, as I finished and regarded the site now bathed in firelight, it was a rather interesting design. I say design, because it was clearly constructed by someone. Three rows of head-height stone pillars eclipsed all light beyond the fire pit and would serve well to insulate the heat within - rather ingenious. At my previous insistence, the queen lay against a rock, basking in the warmth of the fire. One that threw off a good deal of heat. A fact that I was quite proud of. Without warning, I sat down and lay against her side, startling her slightly. “What’re you doing?” She squeaked with shock. “I’m going to help keep you warm.” I informed her, and she appeared about to protest, before I preempted her, “Now’s not the time to be timid. Just lie there and accept it, I’m not going to let you freeze to death.” “Why the sudden change?” She asked cautiously. “I got to thinking down there, where the air’s colder, that you must be far colder than I and…well, you are helping me out.” I admitted plainly, staring at the fire, “I know that you have a plan for me…you’re not doing this out of charity that much I’m sure of, but it’d be rude of me to take advantage of you. After all, you’re helping me get back my love. If all I can do is to keep you warm and comfortable, then that’s what I’m going to do.” “Does that mean…?” She dared to hope. I nodded. “Just don’t go trying to pluck my brains, or bewitch me, or anything like that.” I warned her, “I am laying on your underbelly…” “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle…” she said soothingly, clearly taking my threat to heart. Closing my eyes, I laid my head on the side of her back, which was now facing upwards. Without thinking, I extended my aura out to the soft tissue about the base of her wings and began kneading it, working out the knots in her tense muscles, eliciting an almost catlike purr from her throat. The contact of her mind upon my own was rather like that of a feather upon skin. Truth be told, it was rather pleasurable, not at all unpleasant as I had expected it to be. It felt less like she was feeding on me, and more like what one would assume polishing an antique would feel like to the aforementioned piece. The attention and care being favorable. “Tau Niem…” I remarked in passing, as she glanced upon my shrouded mind. “What?” She remarked curiously at the alien words, pausing briefly in her labors. “Tau Niem A Ne Ni Nei Vas Kelovo, is my name.” I replied simply, “I’m sorry for not giving it to you earlier. Do you have a name beyond Queen Chrysalis?” She shook her head. “No, queens’ names are kept short out of tradition.” She explained. Another long silence washed over us as she continued to ‘feed’ and I massaged her wing muscles. Finally, my weak, half asleep voice flowed into her ears. “I don’t think you’re a monster…” I remarked quietly, slowly drifting off to sleep, with the crackling of the fire and the rise and fall of her mighty chest. Though I did not see it, Chrysalis smiled gently, wondering what she had missed with Shining Armor…but moreover, wondering just how much love she could milk from this alien? ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ “There’s no way that you’ll survive this leg of the journey.” Chrysalis warned me plainly. Looking out over the rocky desert, from the low mesa upon its edge, I was inclined to agree. Nothing but rock and sand as far as the eye could see. The nearby oasis was the only source of green that I could see from where I stood, save back the way we came. I pondered our choices for a long moment… There was no way I could cross such an expanse without any sort of water skin. I would surely succumb to dehydration long before I came anywhere near the hive. Speaking of which, where was the blasted thing? Oh well… Surely, they must have a subterranean source of water? “I can only think of one way across…” I looked to her warily, knowing that she would likely not appreciate the suggestion. Indeed, she regarded me skeptically… “You could carry me.” Her mouth was agape in shock. “I’m no beast of burden!” She growled, baring her teeth, “I’m a hive-queen!” “Quite, and believe me, I would never suggest such a thing if there were any other way.” I said as respectfully as I could. “Why if you were in the hive…” She began angrily. “Now now, there is no cause to become uncivil,” I said as firmly as I could, “After all, I do not expect you to carry me without compensation. I would of course provide you with sustenance.” She continued to scowl at me indignantly, “I know that you’re a good queen, with the best interests of your subjects at heart. Surely, this would help us both? After all, am I of any value if I’m dead?” “This is not going according to plan…” She grumbled quietly. I lowered by brow skeptically. “You didn’t plan forcing me ride on your back only to siphon off more love?” I said incredulously, “…You really expect me to believe that?” “Believe what you will.” She said dismissively, clearly not as displeased with the idea as she appeared, “Fine.” She finally barked, “Do be careful of the wings…” “Of course.” I nodded, as she ruffled her wings, before I hopped up. Even with the size difference, she wasn’t that tall… “Alright.” “You may want to hold onto my mane, but please do be careful not to yank on it.” She requested as humbly as I could imagine her sounding. “You are not the first Equinoid I have ridden bareback.” I informed her plainly. “So you and Twilight…” She was quickly silenced by a gentle yank of her mane, “Ow! Alright, alright…” “I would kindly appreciate you not making lewd comments about those I care for.” I said in displeasure, keeping a tight grasp on her mane. “Just like ponies, no sense of humor…” She grumbled. “Quite to the contrary, I believe that we have a rather developed sense of humor. Irony and puns being our favorites!” I declared with an unseen smile, as she took to the air. “Oh? Well, maybe you’ll like this one…?” Her voice was very quickly lost over the thrum of her violently beating wings, struggling to carry the extra weight that was my person. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ The inside of the hive was better lit and ventilated than I had expected, though perhaps I was just prejudiced about insectoids. The wide corridors seemed to be made of concrete, however, at a second glance, I realized that it was made from a material not dissimilar to that of a termite mound – a strange mixture of insect-spit and earth. Had I not taken a second look, I never would’ve known the difference. Smaller passages that a pony or Danårian would be hard pressed to squeeze down, frequently broke away to parts unknown. Really, it more resembled a fortified city, or regal castle from the ancient age of our long gone great kings. Attested to by the number of changeling guards and larger drones that I had no terminology to describe, beyond behemoth, stood at attention before my presence. Soon after our entrance to the towering hive, our path took us through a huge hall. A high, vaulted ceiling that appeared to be made from nothing but a semi-transparent blue-green substance which could only be compared to silk, towered overhead. It was only at her insistence that we keep moving that I drew my gaze from the majesty of the greatest wonder I had yet seen in all of Equis! Though she tried to hide it, a subtle hint of glee was betrayed. The wonder of her hive had succeeded in awing this foreigner. Chrysalis lead me deeper and deeper into the hive thrumming with activity. Passing through the wide corridors, I noted my surroundings and even, as the queen had promised, a few smiling ponies. As she led me, her drones parted enough to let us pass, though they eyed me as a meal the whole time. Even so, I did not fear them. Truth be told, I had been in worse places and situations before. Far worse. That and the premise that I was mere moments from a reunion with my beloved so long in the making, not even a dragon could’ve extinguished my hopes! Then, as if a whim on a zephyr, her voice broke over the gentle din of working drones. A melodious rhyme in the Danårian tongue, just at the edge of hearing, the words indistinguishable. A wave of glee washed over me, shutting down all thought, blurring out all existence, save that of her voice. With unrivaled vigor, I broke ahead from the Queen of the Changelings at a full sprint. A headlong rush to be in her arms, fueled me like no other thrill ever had! As the segmented chambers, divided by membrane cell doors flew past me and I drew ever closer to the voice, I felt it again. That presence, so familiar, so right, so… I ground to a halt before the cell. Her long, ember-red hair nearly touched the floor, dominating my vision…and my brain seized up completely. Her voice ceased and all was still a moment. A moment that seemed like an eternity. “You came for me,” she said in fluent, though archaic, Danåriii Langa. As she turned her head at me, her golden eyes regarded me playfully... “Are you not happy to see me?” The pulse of psionic energy rippled down my neck and into my limbs, making my hair stand on end. A little ball of anger formed in the back of my mind and slowly, but steadily, spread throughout my body as a heat, much the same way high-proof alcohol would. A fire lit in the sinews and muscles of my limbs, as she sat there regarding me. The sheer amount of emotion and energy sent even the dull witted drones around her cell scurrying back, behind their Queen for protection from me. The walls of the cell and those nearby groaned under the force I was unwittingly radiating. “Lies…” I whispered a growl of intense irritation. “Oh, no…I never lied.” She chuckled, her black muzzle a stark contrast to both her red coat and yellow eyes, “I only told you what you needed to know.” At that, all my rage came to a boil and the thin, yet sturdy threads of silk-like material that acted as bars, crinkled and snapped under the force that was now visibly warping the hard walls of the cell. Yet, amid all this, the red pony sat on her haunches, with her back turned to me confidently, all the while regarding my wrathful expression with a humored one. “You called yourself kin.” I shouted, nay, bellowed, “…You lead me to believe that you were my wife!” “I never claimed, nor hinted that I was your wife…” The pony raised her hoof at me, “I merely suggested that you know me very, very well. We are kin after all…” “We are not kin!” I exclaimed, cracking the walls just a little. “Oh, I’m sure that this form is confusing…” She nodded calmly, “I do appear to be E’kuitis.” “Appear? You are.” I stated definitely, before turning the questioning back onto her, “Now, how do you know my tongue!?” “Your tongue? Nay, our tongue.” She laughed boisterously, before taking a somewhat more serious expression, “You still do not recognize me?” “I have never seen you in my life.” I declared honestly, my rage finally residing somewhat, with the prospect of answers… “Oh no, no you have not.” She chuckled once more, “Perhaps this will help you?” She stood, turned and glanced back at her…stallionhood? I blinked in confusion. She was a mare, no, she had a stallion’s parts too? “You’re a…?” I stammered, my brain trying to make sense of every hint. “Yes…” She, or rather…he(?) grinned. “You’re a hermaphrodite?” I assumed. “Yes.” He, or rather…she(?) nodded. My brain spun in circles. Here, before me was a hermaphroditic pony, with a dark, ruby-red mane and a lighter ember colored coat, her muzzle and ears, as well as other, more intimate places, highlighted in black. Her eyes a bright, illustrious golden color, like that of fresh wheat… and now that I thought of it, she spoke an extinct form of our language, long since replaced, millions of years prior? Then it clicked… “Y-you’re…?” I stammered once more. “Yes.” She nodded animatedly now that I now knew who she was. “Satos?” I murmured, not believing my eyes. She shook with mirth, reveling in my confusion. “All these eons and my clan still remembers me?” She laughed in delight. “Remember?” I gasped, standing before a living paragon of my clan, “Ao Illumi Satos, you are revered! The very essence of our clan!” I pounded both fists into my chest for emphasis, “You are what it means to be Ne Ni Nei! The passion, wisdom, charisma, and that iron-will!” She was moved to tears. “I am revered?” She stammered, in disbelief. “By each and every…” I reaffirmed, not realizing that I too was gently crying. “Oh, so she is not your love, but your hero?” Chrysalis’ voice sounded from behind me in the direction I had come, causing me to turn to face her in surprise, “Even better. Admiration is such a rare emotion!” I breathed deeply and took a step toward her. Every ounce of my aura that was previously scattered about however the fates would will it, was now forced outwards, flooding over the Queen and her drones. Unlike before, it was not a mere unfocused wave, but a purposeful weight pressing down on them… “Do you feel that?” I said, my voice smooth as silk, as Satos in pony form trotted to stand behind me, regarding me in reverence, “You want emotion? How’s about this one? Know it? It’s not love, but adoration. Satos is the paragon of our clan.” I took another step forward and intensified my focus upon the tall changeling. I could see that my aura was literally weighing on her, though she tried to act as though everything was under control… “The last time Satos was harmed, our clan stormed a mighty citadel of the king that slew her, and but a dozen of us sacked a city of three million, razing it to the ground!” I finally stood a hairs breath from her muzzle, the weight now clearly painful, and her drones had long since fled to a greater distance for their own safety, “Do you want to risk your life, your hive, on that fury?” Chrysalis shivered, both in ecstasy of the taste of the exotic emotion and in fear of its power. She remembered what just a little love of two newlywed ponies could do, but the worship of a hero? It frightened her…it frightened her to her core. Her jade crown cracked and the two halves fell to the ground, briefly drawing her attention from my eyes. When she looked back up, into mine, I raised a curious eyebrow. “You get one chance Chrysalis.” Satos spoke from the door of her cell, “Choose well…” Chrysalis shivered a little at Satos’ chiding laugh, clearly she had promised the Queen that exactly such a thing would happen. She swallowed ineffectually, in reality, her mouth had long since gone dry. “Go…” she said meekly, fearful of what I could do. I closed my eyes and nodded, before looking over my shoulder and bidding Satos to join me with a jerk of my head. I looked back to Chrysalis briefly, softening my features. “Our business is done, our deal complete, the exchange equitable.” I stated in the formal form of my people, before taking her head gently with my hands, bringing my lips to her ears, “I knew I could trust you. You are no monster.” Bringing her face back, I pecked her upon the nose, “You have done our clan a great service; honored Chrysalis, the majestic Queen of all Changelings. Should you ever be in need, you have a friend in our people.” I gently released her head, and to my surprise, there was a slight blush upon her cheeks. As I stood straight and tall, I thumped my right fist into my heart, drawing a confused gaze from her. “He honors you.” Satos explained simply to the much taller Equinoid. Not entirely sure what to do, the Queen simply nodded slowly to me. I smiled once more, before turning my attention to Satos standing patiently at my side. “Shall we?” I asked my matriarch. “Yes.” She stated with a pleasant smile. The two of us started down the tunnel, before I rolled my shoulders and shouted at the top of my lungs into the vast great hall before us, packed with drones. “A sample of alien admiration to the drones that can supply us with our own weight in water!” I called out. The heads of no less than a dozen eagerly blushing changelings appeared around the corner, before darting off out of sight in every direction. A single, much larger head of one of the behemoth’s as I had begun to refer to them, leaned down, from his height of nearly a dozen feet. The next thing I knew, it too was blushing, before it eagerly trotted off, thundering the whole way as it went. “You have some admirers.” Satos bumped me with her shoulder tauntingly. “Oh boy…” I sighed.