“And here we go,” the changeling mumbled to himself as he lowered the little black box he was holding onto the cart. He then took a coil of rope and carefully wrapped it around the box and the cart, securing it in place with some simple, but sturdy knots.
“We’re almost set,” he said, turning around. About ten other changelings were there, standing side by side in a line, on a clearing just outside a forest. Some of them were wearily blinking and sniffling, but the others were all awake, despite it being early morning, though the rather thick fog covering the land might be getting to them.
“Cool, #5,” one of the changelings, a lanky female, said. “Let’s get this over with, quickly.”
#5 loudly cleared his throat. “This operation is of the highest importance. I will not accept such a casual tone from any of you.”
The lanky female scowled. “Yes, sir,” she sneered.
“That’s better,” #5 said. “We’ll go over this one last time, so listen up!” He paced back in forth in front of the line of changelings. “You have been chosen by Queen Chrysalis herself for this.” He paused briefly. “For whatever reason,” he mumbled as he walked over to the box. “And this,” he said as he opened the box, “is our charge.”
Inside the box was a shining sapphire, placed in the exact middle of the box, resting on red velvet pillows. #5 closed the box and opened it again. Now, it contained a glittering emerald.
“None other than the Evershifting Stone,” he said. “I hope I don’t have to explain to you dung beetles what that is.”
“Our most precious artifact and the source of the Queen’s power!” one rather dim-looking changeling in line said, raising his hoof and waving it about like he was in a pony classroom.
#5 stared at him for a few seconds, then covered his face with a hoof. “...Yes. Yes it is.” He made a mental note to never leave anything up to these other changelings. Ever. “Since this isn’t just any normal operation, I expect you all to be as alert as possible.”
“But it’s just a walk through the woods from one hive to the next,” the lanky female said. “What could go wrong?”
“Everything,” #5 said. “For example, there wasn’t supposed to be any fog today, according to the weather forecasts for the region. Who knows, maybe some ponies are planning an ambush?”
“Yeah, yeah,” the female said. “But this whole thing is top secret. If any pony knows about this, I’m eating my own legs. Plus, you’re an elite. Even if ponies do show up, you can handle them!”
“That might be true,” #5 said, “but even I can’t take on a squad of their guards.” Though he did defeat a single one of them, once. Which wasn’t easy, at all. “Now stop speculating. The more you talk about ‘if’ and ‘but’, the more likely it is that everything will go wrong.” He scowled. “And don’t make me say ‘I told you so.’”
He double-checked the rope that was holding the box down. It was tied down securely enough that you’d have to rip apart the rope or the cart itself to take the box, so there was no chance of losing it. “Alright!” he barked, turning back to the other changelings. “You pull the cart, you two stick close to it,” he said, pointing at three changelings at random. “The rest of you, spread out and form a wide circle around the cart. Stay hidden.”
As soon as every changeling had taken his or her position, he triple-checked the box. Good, still secure. “Move out!” he shouted, taking his own position at the back of the cart.
The group headed into the forest, keeping a consistent pace. That is, if you considered briefly stopping every five minutes to be consistent. Every sound #5 heard, every single movement he saw made him shout for the group to stop and investigate, only to find out that the source of said sound or movement was something like a squirrel or a small bird.
And every single time, #5 would snort and order the group to continue. One of the other changelings mumbled something about being paranoid, which was ridiculous. He wasn’t being paranoid, he was being cautious. You never know when something is going to jump out, after all.
The fog had him on edge. It wasn’t supposed to be there. Either it was some kind of last-minute weather emergency, or ponies had put it in place for an ambush. #5 assumed it was the latter. He had to prepare for the worst, since none of the other changelings seemed to take this seriously enough.
He wasn’t one to question the Queen’s motives, but he really had to wonder why she picked these changelings to assist him. Some of them weren’t even soldiers, for crying out loud! Then again, it only served to point out how immensely she trusted her own elite, a small squad of changelings #5 proudly counted himself among. She must’ve figured he didn’t need much backup.
“Uh, sir,” one of the changelings said, walking up to him. “I’m honoured that I was chosen for this mission and all, being only a hive construction worker, but...” He hesitated for a few seconds. “Why did the Queen order this mission?”
“How should I know?” #5 sneered. “I’m an elite. I don’t question, I just do. It doesn’t matter what she orders or why she does it. We’re her servants, and we do as we’re told.”
The other changeling mumbled a short “Oh,” then went back to his position, leaving #5 to his thoughts again. As far as he knew, Queen Chrysalis simply felt the Stone wasn’t safe at her side anymore, and wanted it moved to a more secure location. Though #5 really couldn’t think of any location safer than right next to the queen.
Regardless, he couldn’t go back and start asking questions. That would only serve to annoy the Queen, and she already had a lot on her mind. Changelings had started disappearing, following some rumours about being able to live freely among ponies. Absolute insanity. #5 didn’t care about the changelings who vanished because of it. If those changelings really believed something that ridiculous, the hive could do without them.
After about one and a half hours of walking, #5 could finally ease up a little. The wind had picked up, blowing some of the fog away. It was much easier to see through the forest now, to #5’s relief, but he couldn’t let his guard down yet. He wasn’t finished with this job yet. No need to jinx the operation even more.
“Hey, the fog’s clearing!” the changeling pulling the cart said. “The rest of the trip will be easy!”
#5 slapped himself in the face with a hoof. He wasn’t fond of other changelings, even by changeling standards, but this group was pushing it. Hopefully, his next assignment would be a solo thing.
“Keep your eyes open,” he said. “We’re not done yet. Anything could happen, and if I hear someling else say something about ‘easy’, then I’ll—” Suddenly, something slammed into his side, knocking him over. With a smack, his head hit the ground.
Stars spread over his vision, and it took #5 a while to get his bearings. Standing over him was a white pegasus pony stallion clad in golden armour, with a blue crest and tail. The pony’s mane and tail could’ve been the same colour, but as far as #5 knew, those were tucked away under his armour. The pony stared at him with blue eyes, watching his every move, but didn’t do anything else.
#5 looked around as best he could. The other changelings were down on the ground as well, identical guards standing over them, though there were also unicorns and earth ponies. The cart had been turned on its side, with the changeling who had been pulling it struggling in the harness, trying to get out.
To make matters worse, one of the royal guards, an earth pony, reared up and bucked the cart, violently shattering the flimsy wood. The ropes holding the box containing the Evershifting Stone down came loose, and the box clattered onto the ground.
#5 barely managed to choke down a gasp. He turned back to the pony standing over him. While pegasi were fast, they weren’t exactly heavy, and that was an easily exploitable trait. Green flames whirled around #5’s lower body, changing his hind legs into the far stronger, brown-furred legs of a kangaroo. He quickly put his newly-acquired feet on the pony’s stomach and pushed, kicking him off.
#5 scrambled to his hooves, turning his legs back to normal in the process, and jumped towards the box, landing on the ground with a thud and sliding towards his objective. He stood up again and picked up the box.
“S-Stop him!” the pegasus guard shouted, and before #5 could react, he was bowled over again. This time, it was an earth pony, and this stallion was smart enough to hold #5 in place by putting a hoof on his chest.
“Let go!” #5 growled, struggling to get free. No matter how much he squirmed, he couldn’t even get the guard to budge.
The guard turned his head, silently beckoning another pony with a nod. A few seconds later, another pony stood over #5, this one a unicorn. Without a word, he lowered his horn and touched #5’s head while casting some kind of spell.
“I don’t know what you’re doing, but...” #5’s words trailed off. His eyelids suddenly felt very, very heavy. His whole body felt heavy. He tried shaking off the feeling, but any movement only served to make him more drowsy. More sleepy. “The queen will... the queen...”
Before he could even finish his sentence, #5 fell asleep.
#5 kicked as hard as he could, hopefully striking one of the pony guards.
However, he didn’t hit anything, and rolled sideways instead, falling off whatever he was lying on with a surprised shout. He hit the ground for a third time, although this ground was far different from before.
In fact, as #5 stood up, he recognized the ground. It was a bit hard to see in the dim, green light, but this was the uneven, rocky floor of a changeling hive. The room was pretty small, having a single alcove in the wall for sleeping and one torch, burning with green flames.
With a yawn, #5 stretched out. How long had he been asleep? Long enough to be hauled all the way back to the hive, at least. Must’ve been a pretty hefty sleeping spell.
Sleeping spell. Bah. Those stupid, pacifistic ponies couldn’t even resolve a conflict in a decent way. What happened to a good old-fashioned beating? Not that #5 wanted to receive one, but still. He expected at least a little bit of professionalism from the ponies who were trying to steal the Evershifting Stone.
The Stone! #5 frantically looked around, but the box was nowhere to be found. “Where is it, where is it?” he mumbled. It couldn’t have been stolen. It just couldn’t! Who knew what the Queen would do if she found out? #5 ran out of the room to continue his search, but as soon as he set one hoof outside, he was stopped by another changeling, who put a hoof on his chest.
“Get out of my way,” #5 said. “I don’t have time for this.” He pushed the other changeling’s hoof away and headed out.
“The Queen wants to see you,” the changeling said, causing #5 to freeze up.
Uh-oh.
“Why?” #5 asked, even though he already knew the answer.
The other changeling shrugged. “Dunno. But you shouldn’t keep Her Highness waiting.” He turned around and beckoned for #5 to follow.
#5 hesitated for a moment, then decided to head to the throne room. Silently, he followed the other changeling. He didn’t know where in the hive he was at the moment, as he’d never seen rooms as small as the one he’d just been in. The main hive was pretty big, and most of it was featureless, so someling getting lost wasn’t unheard of.
A few minutes later, they reached the throne room. It was a fairly large chamber, with rather minimal decorations. Large torches hung from the walls and ceiling, bathing the whole chamber in green light. In the middle of the room was the queen’s throne, which was made from the same stone as the rest of the chamber. It wasn’t as fancy as anything ponies made, but it didn’t have to be. Queen Chrysalis herself, sitting on her throne, was already impressive enough.
#5 swallowed a lump and stepped in front of her. He gave the deepest bow he could. “You wanted to see me, Your Highness?”
The Queen lounged on her throne. She was as magnificent as ever, standing twice as tall as any other changeling, her carapace a beautiful, bright green. She idly played with her dark blue mane as she glared at #5 with her green, serpentine eyes. It was the kind of glare that was so intense, #5 felt he would be better off on the other side of the world. But only very, very slightly better off.
Both of them were silent for a while. “Your Highness?” #5 repeated.
“Report,” Queen Chrysalis spat.
#5 took a deep breath. “The assignment...” He stared at the Queen for a while, trying to find a way to bring the news in the best way possible. “We failed,” he said. There was no ‘best’ way to bring this news.
“There were unforeseen weather issues. A thick fog covered our entire route. We were ambushed by ponies. Royal guards. They...” He paused again, and swallowed a lump in his throat. “They stole the Stone. We all failed you.”
“Saying you failed is an understatement,” the Queen said. “Do you realize the consequences?” She stood up and walked towards #5. “Do you understand what this means? My most precious artifact, and you lost it!”
#5 took a few steps back. “B-But the—”
“Silence!” Queen Chrysalis shouted, the sound echoing through the hive. “You were the leader of this operation! I thought one of my elite could be trusted with this!”
“I’m sorry! I-I can get it back!” #5 pleaded. “Just give me another chance!”
Queen Chrysalis snorted and went back to her throne. “I have been the queen of changelings for a long time. I have never seen one of you fail this badly, and you should be punished.” She sat down on her throne and sighed. “Though you are one of my valuable elite. It’d be a shame to... get rid of you. Permanently.”
“They were royal guards,” #5 said. “They answer to the princesses. I’ll find them, and I’ll retrieve the Stone.”
“Ah, yes,” Queen Chrysalis said. “And I suppose once you’ve left the hive, you’ll turn tail and run, never to return?”
“O-Of course not, Your Highness,” #5 said. Though the thought had crossed his mind. It just didn’t seem like a very good thought. A life on the run didn’t seem very appealing, especially because it’d be spent on the run from the changeling queen. If #5 did that and ended up captured, there was no telling what her reaction would be. This was already bad enough as it was.
“Well now, I’d almost call that noble,” Queen Chrysalis said. “Or plain stupid, if you’re trying to trick me. No, I need to make sure you get the Stone back, even if it’s the last thing you do.” She rubbed a hoof over her chin for a few seconds. “Ah. Of course. Exile.”
“What?!” #5 shouted. “Exile?!”
“Yes. Exile,” Queen Chrysalis said. “I believe you’re familiar with the concept. And I’ll even throw in a little extra insurance.” She leaned forward, narrowing her eyes. “I’ll have my servants watching your every move. If you even so much as think about abandoning me, I will know. And then, I’ll come for you. Personally.”
#5 nearly choked. His jaw flapped up and down, but he couldn’t get a single word out. Exile? On such harsh terms, too?
“Well then. Let’s get you started as soon as possible.” Queen Chrysalis stood up. “Advisor!” she shouted.
The changeling who had escorted #5 earlier stepped forward. “Yes, Your Highness?” he asked, giving an exaggerated bow.
#5 raised an eyebrow. This was her advisor? This was Her Highness, Queen Chrysalis’ most trusted servant, who occasionally assisted her with important decisions? Who was basically her right hoof? He looked like... Just like any other changeling, really. Average height, average build, average everything. #5 had at least expected something a little bit more impressive, like a scar or two.
“I have decided to exile him. Go get the required things,” Queen Chrysalis said.
The advisor gave another equally over-the-top bow. “As you wish.” He flew out of the room, and not a minute later, he returned, holding a dusty, white box in his hooves. He set it down in front of #5 and opened it.
Inside was one of the worst things a changeling could imagine. It was hideous, it was horrible, and worst of all, it was completely white. It was no more than a long, white piece of cloth, but any changeling could tell you this was the last thing they ever wanted to see.
The advisor removed the cloth from the box, sticking out his tongue in disgust. “The Garb of Shame,” he said. “I’ve never touched this before. There’s a first time for everything, but I don’t think I’ll ever feel clean again.”
With a sigh, #5 allowed the advisor to wrap the cloth around his upper body. It made him feel dirty. #5 hated the colour white, just like every other changeling. The reason behind it was long, complicated, absolutely disgusting, and something #5 didn’t like thinking about. Being forced to wear this was already major punishment on its own.
“Aaand... Done!” the advisor said, taking a step back. “I think you know the deal. It’s magically attached to you until the Queen permits you to take it off, but at least you can move it around. Plus, it’s always visible, whether you’re disguised or not.” He took a critical look at #5 and nodded. “But hey, at least it looks good on you!”
“Shut up,” #5 growled. “When I get the Stone back, I’ll show you who looks good in white.”
“Whoa, hey, no need for threats now,” the advisor said, stepping closer to #5. “That won’t earn you any approval points,” he whispered, subtly nudging a hoof in the Queen’s direction. “If you know what I mean.”
“Advisor,” Queen Chrysalis sneered. “Enough chatting. Escort the exile outside.”
The advisor turned around and bowed. “Naturally, Your Highness.” He turned back again and walked out of the throne room. “Follow me.”
#5 went after the advisor, glancing at the Queen over his shoulder. Her intense, vicious glare made him shiver, so he decided to look ahead instead. Not that it made him feel any better. Exile was better than any kind of painful punishment, but that didn’t mean he was looking forward to it. Sure, he’d been alone for long stretches of time, but all of those times were a set length. But exile? It was a do or don’t thing. And if he couldn’t do it, he could kiss his holes goodbye.
After a few minutes of silent walking, they reached the hive’s exit, a rock-laden path leading to a small forest. “Well, good luck!” the advisor said, ushering #5 outside. “And show those white pill bugs who’s boss, okay?”
Showing those ponies who’s the boss was definitely on #5’s list, all right. But... “Hold on,” he said, turning towards the advisor. “I never said those royal guards were white.”
The advisor tilted his head. “Huh? Aren’t all royal guards white?”
“No,” #5 said, narrowing his eyes. “A lot of them, but not all. How’d you know?”
“Lucky guess,” the advisor said, shrugging. “No need to start pointing hooves. If I really was involved, would I make such a stupid, obvious mistake? I’m the queen’s advisor. Give me at least some credit.”
#5 bared his teeth and growled. He wasn’t angry at the advisor, but more at himself. Not even the dumbest changeling would make a mistake like that. What was he even thinking?
“Besides, I know better than to taunt an elite,” the advisor continued. “I mean, you’re one of the best! I’m sure Her Highness didn’t exactly enjoy kicking you out. You’re pretty valuable, after all.”
#5 answered with a frustrated snort.
“Well, look on the bright side. I don’t know what it is, but it oughta be there somewhere. I, on the other hoof, will see you later,” the advisor said, turning back to the hive. “With the Stone, hopefully.” He casually strolled back in, leaving #5 alone.
He took a few moments to gather his thoughts. The situation was quite simple: he was alone, he had to retrieve his race’s most important artifact, and the only thing standing between him was... Well, anywhere between a few royal guards to the entire Equestrian government.
Joy.
The Garb of Shame wasn’t going to make it any easier on him. He tried taking on a few random disguises, from a simple pony to several different animals, but every time, he felt the Garb’s fabric on him. Sure, other changelings could easily spot him with it, but it made him stick out like a sore thumb among ponies.
#5 carefully unwrapped the Garb. It came off without any problems, until the very last bit. As soon as he tried pulling it off, it stubbornly stuck to his skin. No matter how hard he tried, the obnoxious piece of white cloth just wouldn’t let go.
It wasn’t surprising, but still frustrating. He’d just have to deal with this some other way. After wrapping the cloth around his neck a few times, he left the end dangling just out of reach of the ground. It’d have to function as an improvised scarf for now. At least it made a lot more sense for him to walk around with a white scarf, instead of being wrapped in cloth like he had just escaped from the loony bin.
After checking his surroundings, checking his newly acquired scarf, and checking his surrounding again, #5 realized he was stalling for time. He didn’t know why. Maybe he subconsciously hoped the Queen would come outside and forgave him.
#5 sighed. No, that’d never happen. There was only one way he’d ever be allowed back in, and that was if he retrieved the Evershifting Stone. He turned away from the hive, and started on his long trek to the Equestrian capital, Canterlot.
With a snort, he had to admit the advisor was right concerning one thing. There was a bright side to this.
At least he got that solo assignment he wanted.