//------------------------------// // Chapter 6: The Great Escape // Story: Life through Love // by SentientHydra //------------------------------// I swore a long, loud and unspeakably obscene curse, all on the inside of my head of course. On the outside my face didn't change much aside from a tiny droop in my smile, even so I held Fluttershy's iron gaze for barely half a second, before my 'changeling' instincts apparently kicked in, prompting a nervous laugh “Whatever do you mean darling?” I queried, raising my eyebrow and stepping back “I'm the 'real' Rarity, and I'm perfectly fine if you must know.” Fluttershy's eyes were iron, her voice cold granite “No, no you're not. The real Rarity would have fixed her mane after going into that dusty attic, and she would have brushed off all the dust. You haven't done any of that.” As if for the first time I looked at my mane and coat, the thick dust all over, the frazzled nature of my styled mane. I looked a mess. I reacted as appropriate, my acting without doubt perfect, a short sharp intake and squeal “Oh, I'm absolutely Filthy!” I brushed at my chest, my expression horrified at the smudge “This won't do! This won't do at all!” I did a little dance, brushing at my coat and patting at my mane. Fluttershy kept her adamant look up, faltering ever so slightly at my 'panic', an incalculably small chink in her armour, but one my new body's eyes easily spotted. After a moment I stopped my fussing and stomped, making to go past the Flutter's wing-wall “There's nothing for it darling, I simply must find the bathroom and get this fixed properly” I bounced my hanging mane curl with a hoof “I simply hope they have a mirror I can use.” The buttery pegasus stomped her own hoof and flared her wings again “No!” her eyes were furrowed in anger, her tiny little mouth in a cute frown “not until you answer my security question and prove you're the real Rarity.” In the attic I felt the real pony brighten, her emotions tingeing with hope and happiness. I sighed, but maintained my smile “I am the real Rarity dear...” I shook my head slightly, loking her in the eye “But anything to put you at ease darling, ask away” I put on an air of confidence so thick you could cut it with a knife “I have nothing to hide.” There it was, a flash of the demure little Fluttershy I knew and loved, shown for but a second before the mask came up again “Okay... What do we do on Thursdays every week!?” the question was sudden, almost barked into the world. I patted her shoulder with a reassuring smile “Darling, those are our spa days” I set my eyes to 'charm' “Now can we put this all behind us?” Fluttershy let her smile shine through again, dropping her wings and tucking them to her sides “Okay Rarity.” Her happy aura would be one of the highlights of my day. I could feel the mood of the real Rarity sour at that, colouring with a healthy dose of shock and revulsion. As my favourite pony (besides Silver) turned to join my walk she turned demure, and apologetic “um... I'm sorry for doubting you Rarity, I was just so nervous you see” I was about to have a heart attack from all the cute she was giving off “I had heard a lot of bumping and scraping behind me while I checked on Silver Lining, so when you dropped from the ceiling I thought-” I stopped and turned, interrupting her with a stern hoof to the chest “Stop right there Fluttershy, I wont have you apologising for being safe.” I shuddered in revulsion at some hidden thought “I can't even imagine how distraught I'd be if that ghastly creature got his hooves on you.” She smiled and I knew I had her in the frog of my hoof. It was disturbing how easy it was, how very comfortable it was lying to my (second) favourite pony's face and getting away with it! I also took a moment to appreciate the irony of saying it while my hoof was on her chest. We walked in easy silence for a bit then, my minds eye busy tracking the different hunting parties as they made their way through the house. The ruckus they made was making it quite easy to watch them; the furniture being overturned, doors slammed open, I even caught a few glimpses of Rainbow dash and the pegasi guards, zooming in and out of my range as they flew past. When we found the bathroom I acted delighted at the large mirror above the sink, even more so at a set of well used hair and grooming brushes. As I set to fixing my appearance –my new body guided me here, apparently disguise and impersonation required one to have such skills-- I asked Fluttershy absently “Is Silver Lining okay? It must have been a dreadful ordeal for her to have been so close to that thing for an entire day.” The pegasus nodded, joining at the sink to help out, running through my fur with the bristly head of the grooming brush (it had a handle adapted for pegasi, so it must have been Silver's). “Oh yes, she's absolutely fine besides the bite on her neck” her chirpy tone made me feel as if all was right with the world. After a moment of silent brushing she remarked “It's strange though..” I pretended to feign interest “Hmm?”Making an effort to look as if I was concentrating on correcting my mane. (I prayed to every god I could remember that she wouldn't notice that my horn glowed green instead of blue) Fluttershy picked up another brush and went at my tail with calm even strokes “At the door she seemed very convinced the changeling wasn't a threat. I thought she might have been magically brainwashed or something, but when I checked her eyes* and her tongue** she seemed perfectly fine.” Her brushing faltered for a moment while her eyes went into the far distance “Her wings did seem very limp, but I guess her magic must be a bit low after the changeling fed.” I nodded as if pretending to understand “How very odd darling. I hope she recovers and comes to her senses soon. It would be sad to see such a fine mare wasting her heart on a monster.” (*= One well-known side effect of magical compulsion or mind altering spells is a distortion or deterioration of the iris and/or white of the eye, usually accompanied by burst capillaries) (**=other common side effects include multiple bite marks on the tongue or lip, frequently made as the victim fights against the control.) A few minutes of primping later I and Fluttershy stepped from the bathroom with nice clean fur and remade hair. I bounced my curl as I went, smiling indulgently “Remind me to send Silver Lining a gift basket of toiletries Fluttershy. I know it must be hard to find good hair care when you live so far from the town, but I cannot stand to see such a beautiful mane ravaged by such a coarse shampoo, especially one clearly meant for stallions.” Fluttershy smiled her cute little smile, nodding and idly twiddling her own mane with a wing .My demeanour was nice and calm on the outside, but on the inside I was depressed despite my companion; I was lying to her, lying with a smile only moments after attacking her friend, who I was now impersonating. Fluttershy took the steps with skip in her step, her mind at ease despite the situation. I took them rather carefully, unused to the quadruped perspective. Twilight and Applejack were still in the kitchen, the farm-mare leaning on the counter and the librarian to the fore, both chatting pleasantly. Off to the side I could sense a rather annoyed Golden Oats, who was unaccountably silent. Twilight turned to look at us approaching when AJ nodded, both eyebrows shooting up. Sparkle spoke first “Uhh, hey Rarity, Fluttershy. Why are you down here?” Their faces were calculating below the surface, the 'changeling' situation having put them on edge. I answered with a smile and glance off to the side, where Golden Oats was hoof-cuffed and muzzled “We're down to look for Rainbow Dash darling, Fluttershy made friends with a spider she found upstairs.” a carefully suppressed shudder and wince sold it “And apparently Rainbow caused her quite some discomfort.” Twilight looked sat the both of us strangely, where AJ simply accepted it with a nod. Before the conversation went any further it was time to deal with that hint of suspicion in their auras, so I put on my confident air “Now then dears, first things first” my mind raced for but a moment before I looked to the purple mare “Twilight, what is your favourite shampoo?” Twilight smiled, bopping her curtains “Scholar's Pride: Lilac and Vanilla pod” I looked deep into her eyes, stroking her mane and adding warmth to my smile “and it serves you so well.” Twilight closed her eyes and smiled adorably, cheeks glowing at the compliment. I turned “Applejack, what colour was your 'frou-frou' dress at our little sleepover?” Applejack scrunched her face and half seriously 'blech'ed “Powder Blue?” I chuckled at her “Baby blue darling, but close enough.” The three of us shared a snicker Two more elements down, hopefully the last. As easy as it was to simply let my 'changeling' half do what it apparently did best, I was growing sick of it. It was becoming harder and harder to think of myself as a 'brony' Now to nail it down when Twilight asked me back “Okay Rarity. Why did I choose you as the Element of Generosity?” I smiled triumphant, an easy one “Why Twilight, because short tails were in that season, and I couldn't bear to see such an elegant moustache despoiled.” I could tell in that instant that I was safe, at least for the moment. Fluttershy passed her question test and we moved on. “Now I was hoping you two could watch over Silver while we find Rainbow.” Fluttershy added “If that's okay with you” In the cutest possible fashion, scuffing her hoof on the floor and everything. I nodded “I know it's a bit much to ask, given that beast is still on the loose, but-” AJ interrupted, knocking my shoulder “Nonsense! Sure we'll watch Silver for ya. Won't we Twi?” The librarian received a hoof around her withers. Twilight nodded “Sure Rarity, we're done here.” her gaze went to the exiting corridor “I get the feeling that the changeling might be long gone.” I saw her nerves flare and moved to correct it, giving her a light friendly hug “Well if it is, then I'm sure that's the last we'll see of that horrible beast.” A few more seconds idle chat, a few more seconds of betraying everything I was. It was sickeningly simple. They left in good spirits, chatting amiably. I watched them go with a sick feeling in my stomach's pit and a jubilant glimmer on my face, feeling like the lowest of the low, a monstrous villain beneath a hollow mask. Fluttershy made for the back door “Come on, I think I saw Rainbow fly by the back.” I went to follow, but an impulse made me take a second look at Golden Oats, a slightly sadistic idea coming to mind “Hold there a moment.” She nodded, quirking an eyebrow but remaining silent With the buttery pegasus watching me I closed with the bound stallion, leaning in close to his ear. After a few hot breaths to make sure he was concentrating I whispered “Your daughter was delicious” my voice was so soft and quiet I knew only he could hear, and by the way he tensed up I knew he heard me perfectly, “Give her this from me...” I trailed off, pulling away with a smirk on my face, pausing only to give the helpless stallion a gentle kiss on the forehead. His silent rage and icy stab of fear were almost sweeter than love. For appearances I tacked on “...And if I ever hear of you being rough with her again...” My voice turned sub-zero, green fire flickering to show my real eyes –they didn't have pupils, but I think he could feel my glare-- “...I will be back, and I will be very angry.” My eyes went back to normal as I turned back to Fluttershy. She asked “What did you say to him?” Here eye on Golden, who was now thrashing around and snarling past his muffler. I turned her round with a careful hoof and smirked “I simply told him what a deplorable stallion I think he is. Trying to intimidate his poor daughter like that." I tutted ------------------------------------------- The outside was nice, sunny with a few clouds. The two Pegasi guards circling high above and a prismatic blur far off. I had no tears yet I must cry I couldn't do this any longer... I just couldn't. “She'll be fine...” I began, fighting my new instincts with every syllable. My second favourite pony didn't stop walking, only half hearing me “Hmm?” I spoke a little louder now I had her attention “The real Rarity. She'll be perfectly fine once the venom wears off.” I sighed “I hope it doesn't scar.” She froze, wings half-flared and aura sparking with a mixture of terror and confusion “W-what?!” The edge of panic in her voice cut me right on the heart. I pushed up against her, shunting her into a walking motion “Don't stop dear” I smiled warmly, feeling like a bastard of the worst kind “Must keep up appearances.” She walked, mechanically and still half-flared. I spoke casually, sounding as if I were speaking about the weather, or something equally mundane “I imagine you'd like to scream for your friends about now, get their attention somehow. Rainbow would be here in seconds, the rest mere moments after. I would ask that you don't, a little because I don't want to fight anyone, but mainly because I'd like to beg for mercy.” Her confusion sky-rocketed “Mercy?” I nodded “Yes Fluttershy, mercy. A chance to explain myself, to throw myself at your hooves and plead for a second chance.” for the briefest of moments I let my composure slip, showing off my panic, my fear and vulnerability “I... don't want to die.” I had struck a nerve here, I could see sympathy fighting to overcome her “N-nobdy does. B-b-but” she stammered, still walking. “But the great Celestia has deigned me worthy only of death” I put the mask back on, smiling gently as if there was nothing wrong with the world, despite my precarious position “If you would allow me some last few words Fluttershy.” I stopped her with a hoof and turned to face the Element of Kindness, my judge and jury “If you call your friends Fluttershy, I will die... I have not made peace with that fact yet, but I understand what will happen. Once your friends know I am here, I will be killed.” I kept the mask on, but it was a hard fought battle to hold back the tears “I do not claim to be blameless, far from it. I blame myself for losing control, for harming Silver Lining, but she forgave me.” I bit my lip, mirroring the torn little pegasus in-front of me “Even at my darkest Fluttershy, I don't think I'm evil. I can but hope you don't consider me worth killing.” She looked on the verge, time to push. “So Fluttershy, Element of Kindness, friend to all creatures both big and small, I simply ask for mercy. I beg you to, just this once, look the other way and let me escape.” She was torn with indecision, sympathy and perhaps reason warring against her sense of duty, and friendship. Eventually she sighed “Okay...” breathing out with an even expression and looking at me. Then her eyes were Iron, shattering my mask and withering away my will “Okay, I'll let you go... But, I need a promise first.” There was the catch, I could only wait and see how vicious “Anything Fluttershy. Anything at all.” She smiled, not in a triumphant or 'ha ha now I have you' way, but in her demure fashion that melted my alien heart and made me want to be a better changeling “It's nothing much. I just want you to promise never to hurt any of my friends” Iron eyes again, angry steel and echoes of flames “Ever Again.” she was but millimetres from my muzzle, hooves on my chest end wings fully flared. I did all I could not to stumble back in terror. Instead settling for jerking my head back and allowing my true expression to rise up once more. “Okay.” She allowed me a step back to say “As you wish. I pr-” “Promise like you mean it.” The pegasus was back to her cute state, but I could see the edges of her hard eyes coming into view. I nodded and began the motions “Cross my he-” “In your true form.” Her expression wasn't quite a smile but not all a frown, the aura unreadable behind those big... deep... all consuming eyes. I had no choice, there was no thought but her command, no sight nor sound beyond the Pegasus before me. My fire flared high into the night as my form was revealed, in all it's monstrous glory. She did not flinch, for that I was and am eternally grateful, instead only watching and listening as I recited that most sacred of oaths, incomprehensible but sincere “I, Changeling do swear, on pain of death or dishonour, never to bring intentional harm to Fluttershy's friends. Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a need- “GET AWAY FROM HER!!” I was interrupted at the apex of motion, a cyan and rainbow blur slamming into my side and carrying me far from the yellow pegasus, who looked both shocked, relieved and horrified. I didn't fight back, unable and unwilling thanks to Fluttershy's stare and my own brony instincts. Instead I fought to get my hoof to my eye and complete the oath “N-Needle!” She worked the stomach to drive the wind from my lungs. I stumbled, gritting my fangs and thanking my tough, thick chitin. “In” the face came under fire now, it didn't hurt really, the shock of the blows and my plating took away the sting “MY” Even as I bellowed the word she continued to drive sharp hooves into my face and chest. “EYE!” I finished, just in time for an errant hoof to drive my own, directly into the open eye socket. Rainbow couldn't care less, she was furious, unflinching in her desire to subdue the monster. “Quit making those weird noises you freak!” Her voice cracked, breath heavy with the exertion. But my savior came in yellow fur, Fluttershy swooping in and pushing Rainbow away “Stop!” her own voice was desperate, the cute little mare placing herself between me and the speedster. Rainbow was not easily persuaded “Fluttershy!” the weather mare faced down the caretaker “It's right there, we have to stop it!” Fluttershy was not easily moved, wings flared and expression set in a frown “From doing what?!” she demanded “He hasn't done anything to you, he promised not to” Her voice turned soft when she glanced back to me “he's just trying to run..” My unwillingness to defend myself showed through, one eye sealed shut and leaking, both wings crumpled where they hit the tree and plating cracked in more than a dozen places. Rainbow Dash was no champion fighter, but her wild blows had came down like a monsoon rain, three slamming into me for every two that missed. Rainbow spluttered, disbelieving “But Fluttershy, it's a monster!” she took a step, only to be blocked by her friend once again. Then anger bubbled up “Celestia said-” My (close second) favourite pony wasn't moved, interrupting in a rare bark “Celestia's been wrong before!” She panted heavy after the yell, as if after great effort “And so has Twilight” she finished. Rainbow was stunned, stumbling back and contorting her face in shock. It the pause of rainbow's shock Fluttershy turned to me and gave a gentle hug “Go.” Her tone was soft. Below her breath still lay a commanding edge “When I turn around I want you to bite me, hurt me, break something. They won't chase you if I'm hurt, I'll tell them it's a trick, when you're further away.." I made to stammer, to protest, but her Eyes burned into mine and there was no fight. I couldn't disobey, the absurdity of the situation had burned me free of anything like resistance. When she turned back to face Rainbow –who had crept forward-- I lunged, impossible grief clouding my eyes in lieu of tears. Her blood was disgusting as I ripped into her shoulder, biting deep and whipping her into the air. I tossed her from side to side for a moment,Hamming it up before hurling the limp body aside. Warm red vitae splattered over me, the rank smell making me wretch, almost breaking down to weep. But I couldn't, she had sacrificed her pain and blood in a moment of kindness, I couldn't waste it. True to her words Rainbow forgot about me, flying as a thunderbolt to her friend's side “FLUTTERSHY!” she screamed at the sky in panic, a shout that tore my heart asunder, even as I willed my wings and legs into motion. I heard and felt the thunder of hooves as the rest closed in on me I ran. ----------------------------------------------- I stopped only when my wings could bear no more, crashing to the ground in a clearing as night drew in. I dragged myself to a stream and stooped low, pushing my muzzle deep into the rushing water. I wasn't doing to drink, more to wash my mouth of blood. I couldn't weep, much as I wished to, at the bloodied feather floating slowly away. I could barely move enough to drag myself away from the stream, only enough to find a ditch to hide in. It was dark and sodden, with mud and weeds, but I settled in for the night all the same. It was all that I deserved. I took a moment to shift though, changing my shell to match colours with the plants and filth around me.