//------------------------------// // Changing // Story: In the Eyes of the Beholder // by FangPrincess //------------------------------// |Chapter 3| | ~ | Changing ____________________________________________ Ever wonder how their changing ability had come to be? When Emerald first ruled over the changelings, they didn't call themselves that, and neither did the ponies. So how did their name come to be? Back then, they hadn't been unheard of in most places. They'd attack like packs of wolves, some carrying empty bottles to collect some of their spoils. They were the unnamed monsters of the night, storming villages at seemingly random times. So how did they acquire, or even require, this ability? Emerald did not enjoy her appearance. May I remind you that she was a beautiful mare before hoof? She'd taken after her mother's looks, and after being changed by Discord, she believed them to be spoiled. She hated looking at herself, even though she was assured again and again by her Changelings and little sister that she still attained her beauty, Then, one day, it hit her. If Discord could change her appearance, could she not change her own? Why had she not thought of this before? She had been a substantially powerful magic user as a pony, if not more so after her transformation, so maybe she could come up with a spell to mold her looks into what they'd once been. Chrysalis was called to her side to help her with her spell. She found that the actual thinking and creativity that went into her magic was now harder than before, even if the brute strength part came much easier now. How could she form it? How did it work? How could she accomplish her goal? All the while, her little sister stayed by her, watching, listening. She was still quite young at the time, and levitation was easy now. This concept of 'spells' was new to her, and it intrigued her. She wanted to help, to impress, to succeed. So she tried to change her own appearance as well. Not remembering her reflection as a pony, she thought about a random mare she'd seen before she'd been changed. Changed? She liked the word, though she felt that 'improved' fit better. What had she looked like? Yellow fur, green eyes, orange mane... oh! And she'd had wings! Yes, that was it! She wished with all her might to change. Look like that mare, be that mare... Now, she was not as strong as her sister in the magic category yet, but she did seem to have more drive. But since that doesn't stop a pony, or changeling for that matter, from becoming exhausted, she passed out. She was discovered by some drones who happened to be coming her way. No one had witnessed her experiment, and no one had known she was trying. And let's just say she succeeded, and the drones were not happy to see a mare in their camp who was supposed to be a changeling by now. She was brought to her sister, still unconscious, wondering what to do. The now-changeling who had been that mare was brought forth, confirming that she was indeed not a pony any longer. So who was this copy before them? This confused them all, including the mighty Emerald. Chrysalis soon woke, surprised to see that she'd been moved. She greeted her sister, with a simple, "Hello, dear Sister," which caused further confusion. Luckily, Emerald was no simpleton. Unluckily, most of the drones were. Shouts of accusations, threats of violence, and worried whimpers sounded about the camp. Who was this mare, and where was their Princess? Was she alright? Had the pitiful ponies found a way to best them, and trap them? Emerald yelled out for silence, but there was none. The camp was soon over-whelmed with terror; they'd never been scared of the ponies before. How had they kidnapped Chrysalis? How? What had they done to her? Was she dead? Would they have to pay a ransom? How long until they'd all be caught? It was Chrysalis who ended the commotion. She called to them, her voice loud and clear. "It is I, Chrysalis!" She yelled to them, the mere queerness of her words calling attention to her. "It is I, your Princess! In attempt to help my sister, your Queen, I have found a way to change our appearance! A simply spell for those such as us," The crowd murmured. The voice didn't sound like the Princess's, but they way she spoke... Seeing that the changeling were not yet convinced, she changed back right before them, the familiarity of the spell making it much easier the second time, though it still made her a bit tired. "Do you see now, you helpless foals?" Emerald called out as she walked to her sister. "Chrysalis has found a new way for us to hunt, a new type of power. We shall use deception to our advantage." Cheers erupted from the changelings. "From this day forward, we shall be called by a new name. We are not ponies anymore," "NO!" they cried in union. "We have power that they can only dream of," "YES!" "From now on, and forever more, we shall be the feared and all powerful Changelings! Masters of deception, and bane of love," her last words felt sharp on her tongue. What was she saying? All she ever wanted was love... "Yes, my sister is correct! We do not need to feel as the lowly ponies do, only to feed upon it, and destroy it!" encouraged Chrysalis, hyped up by all the excitement. Emerald shook her head. She was different now. She was a Changeling, forever changing, not a pony. She didn't need love anymore. Discord may have thought he was punishing her, but he had in reality given her the best gift she'd ever recieved! Soon, she'd have a kingdom again, and that day would be very soon. The Kingdom of the Changelings.