Of Crystals and Chitin
By: Gandalf158
Prologue
To say that Melody was having an odd week would be the understatement of the millenium. It all started when King Sombra tried to take over the Crystal Empire, and event which ended with the entirety of the Empire to be kicked roughly a thousand years into the future. After that was settled, she caught a cold, keeping her bedridden for three whole days. And now, it seemed, it was only going to get weirder.
She had no idea what to do, she’d never seen anything like this… thing that was unconscious on her sofa. It looked vaguely pony-ish, but instead of fur, it had a hard, black carapace. It was also ghastly thin, and its legs were riddled with holes. It also seemed to have both a jagged horn and thin, gossamer-like wings.
Whatever it was, Melody didn’t get the feeling that it wanted to hurt her, but its appearance discouraged her from relaxing around it. She had no idea how long she stared at it, but she jumped when it rolled over and opened its eyes.
They were light blue, but had no pupils or whites, and Melody couldn’t help but stare at them. For a few moments, they just sat there and stared at one another, neither one breaking the silence. Then it spoke.
“Please, ma’am, don’t freak out, I’ll be going now.” it said in a raspy, monotonous voice and raising its hooves in a conciliatory gesture.
“No, wait. You don’t have to leave.” Melody said, wanting to know more about this strange creature.
“Aren’t you scared of me?” it asked, looking a bit confused. Melody had to admit, the thing was adorable, if more than just a little bit creepy.
“Why would I be afraid of you” I don’t even know what you are.” she said, taking a step closer to it (him?).
“Really? Hasn’t the news gotten around?”
“It’s been a weird couple of days.” she said.
“Well then, as to what I am, I’m a changeling.” it said.
Melody had heard the term before, but she couldn’t really remember where it came from. All she knew for certain is that it was from after the Time Skip. Something about a wedding in Canterlot maybe? She put these thoughts aside, they can wait for later.
“Do you have a name?” she asked.
“Yes. I am called Wolf Spider.”