After a long and harrowing day of monotonus work, our two changelings return to their chamber to play their first game
"So what's first on our list?" Shift asked hopefully, rummaging through the receipts, "I say we do Haylo 4, definetly Haylo 4!"
Alter rolled his eyes, "Shift, that games sucks like resin on the wall. No way are we doing that! Haylo 4 is a big no no! How about this?"
He pulled out a shiny black box that had some sort of metal diamond in the center. As Shift narrowed his eyes to study it, he realized that the symbol appeared to be that of a dragon, its wings slanted to form the diamond like shape. It's neck coiled like a snake and its zig-zagged tail looked like a lightning bolt.
"Alicorn Scrolls V: Equestria?" Shift read the title, "isn't it that game that got into the scuffle with Minecraft?"
"And the same guys who made Fallout Equestria!" Alter squeed like a filly.
Shift sighed, but none the less took the game and began to read the back. "So it says here you're some sort of pony called the Dragonborn? And that the dark dragon Alduin has returned, and what's this about Alicorn Scrolls? I don't get that!"
"Well," Alter pondered, "I believe they are some kind of ancient text written by an ancient race for an ancient purpose! Fascinating!"
"Count me out." Shift grumbled.
"You have no taste for the adventure Marethesda tries to bring us," Alter spat, "absolutely no taste Shift! Besides, this game is an FPS with swords, come on, tell me that isn't amazing?"
Shift tossed the game-which Alter skillfully lunged for and caught-before slumping on their stone boulder. "I'd rather we play a real FPS with some guns and explosions! Not more of this hogwash sword fightin'! Besides, that games looks like it's going to demonize dragons!"
"Bah," Alter hissed, turning on his coltputer, "You can stay and play Rainbow Six Pegasus, or you can come and enjoy some real entertainment."
Shift was silent, weighing out his options. One option was that he did play Rainbow Six Pegasus, get killed by a terrorist, rant a little, and return to Alter. Or, he skipped the whole ordeal and just commented on his brother. Taking the latter, he grabbed a rock, and settled it next to his brother's hunchback form, already downloading the game into his Steam account.
As the two waited for their download to finish, they began to make small talk about their day. Alter had apparently been in charge of handling a very serious leak, and had-as he put it-made sure the maintenance team could handle the work ahead. Apparently, Adhesive Prime-Beta-Alpha-017 was a failure and so Adhesive-Beta-Beta-0156 would be used instead.
"I have high hopes for this new resin we're bringing."Alter happily chirped.
Shift didn't know how to state to his brother about how overly nit-picky he was, so he contended with muttering some obscenities to himself.
"What about you Shift?"
Shift shrugged, "The usual grime as always. But check this out. I'm standing outside, you know, with Haze when we see two guards escorting Morpheus Bloom of all changelings to the Queen's chambers! I guess she wanted to have a chat with him or something.."
"Jeepers," Alter shuddered, "I know Morpheus was a jerk but he was our hatchling friend remember?"
Shifter sighed, remembering quite well Morpheus' relationship with them. When they hatched out of the same egg, Alter and Shifter were placed with their Big Sister, Clarity. As it turned out, she was also on good terms with Retain, another changeling whose little brother just happened to be Morpheus Bloom. To say the least, the three grew up together, and even did a few pranks too.
"Remember that time you and Morpheus tried to prank what's her name?"
"I'd like to say it was Scanner," Shift smiled, "Yeah, Scanner. She was walking down the hall, right, and Morpheus had collected all this resin from the maintenance hives. Then, just as she was passing through, we dumped it. The thing was a waterfall I tell you! To see the look on her face made us laugh for days on end."
Sure enough, Shift began to picture Scanner, all covered in grime, her eyes as big as saucers as him and Morpheus rolled on the floor, howling like two diamond dogs. It didn't matter that they got clean-up duty after that. The best part about it was that he never regretted his decision.
"Shift," Alter began to shake his brother, "Shift, you were laughing like a mad mare earlier, what's wrong?" Shift woke with a daze, and waved his brother off.
"Just remembering the good times I guess." Shift mused silently. As much as he may have hated the changeling, and as much as he would probably still hate him in the future, he had to hoof it that Morpheus was one crazy son of a diamond dog for pranks.
"Well," Alter turned towards the computer, "I believe it's finished finally! Let's get to it!"
Shift's momentary smile faded in a scowl, "I hope you know what you're getting into Alter, I still think we should play Haylo 4."
But Alter was no longer paying attention, his eyes transfixed on the screen as the grey logo of Marethesda popped up, along with the pounding of what Shift thought were drums. "What the-"
Suddenly, music filled the chamber with the ominous, deafening chorus of a thousand voices. Shift was no expert on musical composition, but that didn't mean he had any less appreciation for what he was hearing. The tune continued to grow and grow, getting louder and louder. It felt as if danger was lurking behind his back, and Shift half-hazardly checked his flank. The menu itself was relativley simple, with the dragon symbol on the front cover accompanied by a dark background and fog.
But it was the mere power of the song, the feeling of epic adventure awaiting the next corner, that got Shift's attention. Suddenly the chorus got so loud, that he was now sure the studio room must have been filled with a million of Celestia's guards. Even the stalagmites began to quiver from the vibrations. For a long moment, Alter and Shift just stood there, eyes gaping at the screen as the music continued.
They saw large mountains, frightening monsters, and courageous warriors charging into battle, axes raised as they bellowed out furious war cries. Alter's mouse, slowly, but surely, reached the option that stated, 'New', but he was unable to click, his mouth drooling.
If any changeling had bothered to pass the chamber, they would have been drawn to the music as well, not quite understanding nor comprehending where it came from.
Finally Alter clicked on the option and the music abruptly stopped, replaced with a more melancholy tune. A 3-D image appeared, displaying a fierce dark black dragon with piercing red eyes, its clawed talons gripping a rather imposing chair that seemed to be carved into the stone.
Below was a bit of flavor text that read
"And the Scrolls have foretold, of black wings in the cold! That when brothers wage war come unfurled! Alduin, Bane of Kinds, ancient shadow unbound, With a hunger to swallow the world!"-Song of Dragonborn.
The changelings waited, and soon the darkness was lifted as the two bent over, examining their surroundings. The first thing they saw was a cart, filled with several ponies who had their heads drooping gloomily, probably from the harsh cold. The graphics were far better then their previous game, the snowflakes falling down in realistic patterns as the view from the wooden cart showed they were on a cobbled road. Ahead, white peak mountains rose from the frozen meadow, and as Alter moved his mouse, he saw that he was able to look around. Ahead of them, was a stallion dressed in brown armor, helmet and vest. Below him, two other guards were lugging the cart, their expressions stern.
Sitting next to them, Alter noticed his character was accompanied by three others. One was a beige colored stallion with a wavy yellow mane. Another was a dark brown, lanky colt with a jet-black mate. And the final occupant was a similar beige colored stallion, albeit with a light brown mane and a gag in his mouth.
"Wait," Shift began, noticing for the first time that Alter's character was unable to move, "Are you...going to jail already?"
"No way," Alter scoffed, "this is just the beginning or something, relax! I bet you we were just rescued-"
"I see yer' awake," the stallion in-game said gloomily, his eyes sorrowful even, "Ran into that imperial ambush, same as the rest of us..."
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"SWEET ROYAL JELLY!" the changelings cursed, just as the arrow pierced the dark brown stallion, who was known as Buckir of Roriksteed. Turning back, a mare in Neighperial steel armor sneered, "Anypony else feel like running?"
Both changelings shook their heads, still trying to comprehend the fact that this Neighperial captain had ordered such an execution. As it turned out, Alter's character was indeed going to jail, or rather, it seemed, execution. Being caught in a Neighperial ambush intended for the Stormhooves-who were all earth ponies-, Alter and the deceased thief Buckir were now sentenced to the same fate awaiting them. As for Alter's other cart-mates, the blond-maned stallion had been called Braelof of Riverwood and his gagged companion was Ulfric Stormhoof, the leader of the opposing faction. The Neighperials-who for some reason were all pegasi- were particularly proud of this achievement, and had even appointed some poor, lanky-looking beige colt to read off the list.
"You there," his eyes were suddenly riveted at Alter, who involuntarily stepped down, "who are you?"
In an instant, the screen did a 360 degree turn as it showed Alter's third-person character, a yellow maned earth pony similar in stature with Braehoof. Next to him, was a list of various races, and as Alter scrolled down, he noted his character morphed into whatever race was designated.
"Wow..." Shift mused, "despite the fact that we may die soon, at least you can look nice before you go."
"Shut up," Alter hissed, "and go secrete on some maintenance drone, I wanna see who I can be." Alter began to scroll through, reading the various attributes associated with each.
"Well," he read, "there is earth pony, with natural resistance to the elements. We got unicorns, who have higher magical capabilities. It looks like we also have a pegasus, who can fly for a short duration. Then we got zebras, who have survivalist perks-"
"What about changelings," Shifter asked irritably, "do they have an option for changelings?"
Alter continued to scroll down, passing diamond dogs, goats, mules, and finally, going back up to earth ponies. Both changelings sighed, their own race not included in the game.
"I guess we're too overpowered," Alter gave his brother a pat on the carapace, "but I mean, I think I wanna be this one-"
Shift shrank back, "WHAT? That race? Why the buck would you choose that?"
"What's wrong with it?" Alter selected the race, which expanded a whole list of various tabs and options to customize his character's sex, weight, skin tone, facial structure, and even hairstyle.
"Really," Shift rolled his eyes, while Alter eagerly began to get to work, "Alter please tell me you aren't going to actually make your character-"
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After what seemed like an hour, Alter carefully typed in his changeling name, ending it with an affirmative click. Shift, who had been dozing off, woke with a start, finally eager to see his brother done. "Great now we can get on with this and kick those Neighperials flanks!"
"A goat eh," the lanky colt read, "how did the gods even allow you to...well...nevermind I guess."
Shift facehoofed himself while Alter eagerly awaited his eventual escape. "I mean, it has to allow me to escape right? It wouldn't be fair if we were just executed on the spot?"
"Ulfric," a stallion clad in golden armor announced the name with such contempt it made Alter shiver, "some here in Helgen call you a hero, but a hero doesn't use the power of the voice to murder the Elements of Harmony and usurp the throne."
Ulfric apparently tried to counter this, his muffled mouth uttering various gurgles that sounded like swears.
"You started this war, plunged Equestria into chaos, and now the Neighpire is going to put you down, and restore harmony once and for all!"
A deafening roar pierced the grey sky, causing everypony in the vicinity to look up in bewilderment. The captain seemed undeterred, which couldn't be said the same for the lanky colt, who was now quivering, the list suffocating in his grasp.
"It was nothing," the gold-armored stallion concluded, "carry on."
The captain saluted, "Yes General Gluteus!"
Alter could feel his heart begin to beat as they led a disheveled stallion to a wooden block. Constantly uttering obscenities, he set his head on the block. A rather grim-looking executioner bearing a dark hood seemed to grin as he raised his axe. "My ancestors smile on me Neighperial, can you say the same?"
SPLAT! Blood splattered the crowd as the head landed in a plain wicker basket.
"Ugh," Alter covered his eyes, wishing he hadn't just witnessed the bloody ordeal. Shift, on the other hoof, inched closer, satisfied that at least the game would have some action.
"Next," the captain read, "the errr...goat?"
Another roar could be heard, although despite the worried cries of a few villagers, nopony reacted.
Carefully, walking forward, Alter could see the lanky colt turn away, as if he regretted this decision. Carefully laying his head on the wooden block, the changeling gazed up at the towering executioner.
"I guess this is the end," Alter mused, picking up the box and reading exactly what was supposed to happen in the game.
Just then, a sleek, black, reptillian snaked past the mountain, causing audible gasps as it gave another menacing howl. Shift and Alter gaped, when suddenly the ground shook and the sky became a whirlwind of dust and debris, raining down countless fireballs as, standing right in front of them was...
"DRAGON!" an earth pony cried, just as the beast swiveled its head to meet executioner, who didn't seem to notice the over-sized lizard behind him. With a sudden, tumultous shout, the stallion was thrown off his hooves, embedding his noggin in the axe.
As the shrieks and shouts of various ponies filled the air, Alter could make out General Gluteus shouting commands to get to safety.
"WHAT THE..." Shift was gaping, wide-eyed at the creature before him. "Alter we need to go."
Alter was dancing his hooves over the keyboard, slamming any buttons he could find."I'm working on it!"
"ALTER," Shift shook his brother, "RUN FOR YOUR BUCKING LIFE BEFORE YOU-
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"-choose that one," Shift pointed to the leftmost stone, where the inscription showed a stallion wielding an axe and sword,"I think that one gives you berserk mode."
"Berserk mode," Alter rolled his eyes, "Shift I highly doubt a goat can go in berserk mode."
"Are you done?" Braelof called out, still rubbing his hooves. After their near-encounter with the dragon Alduin, Alter had stuck close to his companion, taking any and everything he could find despite Shift's constant jeers that the castle was collapsing.
"How about this one," Alter bent over a cloaked pony on her tiptoes, surrounded by stars. With a click, the stone suddenly sent a bright green beam in the sky, as a tiny text message above read he had gained the abilities of the thief stone.
"Thief?" Braehoof sounded worried, "It's never too late to change your fate."
"You should have chosen warrior, "Shift grumbled, "I swear Alter you always choose the most inane qualities-"
"Hey," his brother interjected, "I'm a changeling. I know how to be sneaky. What I don't know how to do is run out there like a maniac wielding the Axe of Dawnhoof!"
Shift scowled, "I totally got more kills then you! You're jealous is all!"
"No," Alter pointed, "You're jealous!"
"No you are!"
"No you are!"
"YOU ARE!"
And so the brothers continued to argue as Alter's character blindly strider off into the forest. In fact, Alter's character made remarkable time, until he bumped into a cloaked mare, who elicited a cough.
"Excuse me..." the hooded mare began.
Both changelings turned to face the screen, "Where did we go?"
Suddenly, the mare dug into her satchel, revealing a wicked stiletto, her eye suddenly criss crossing, "but would you please give me all your bits?"
"Uhhhh," Alter turned towards Shift," should we hoof it?"
"Why don't you attack?" Shift pointed at the screen, before he smiled, "oh yeah, you chose the thief stone dumbgrub!"