//------------------------------// // Emit // Story: Odd one out // by FluttershyBeingDom //------------------------------// 'Okay, let's do this.' I take a deep breath, and exhale it slowly. I had slept early in my little cocoon in my corner so it would gurantee I would awaken before its time. I look around carefully. Too bad I couldn't fly like the others, their flight is much stealthier. But I have ideas. As unappealing as they are. I silently use my magic in my cocoon, which blocks out most of the light so I don't wake the rest up. I must be up about 4 hours early. I silently walk out of my cocoon, somewhat invisible, with my usual pegasi wings, but my hooves were fuzzy so as to remain more silent, as silly as it looks. Last night Chrysalis sought to get a head start, and communicates to us via scrying pools. A scrying pool is easier to use than scrying on a wall, like my first day I transformed. That instance was used on a wall however so more could see it. In scrying pools we could send 3-d blueprints from the water taking shape, we could send 2-d messages and images, and we could send some sound- not too loud though- its just water and doesn't make for a good speaker. Mirrors could also be used but were more difficult to control, and we don't really own much mirrors. Also important to note, only queens can mind control victims, as it is related to her abilities over her changelings as well. The elders however were more resistant over time due to their knowledge in magics. In addition I had also been preparing for a few weeks avoiding eating meat as everypony who eats meat has more body odor. I found out where some artifacts are hidden, but I obviously would tire carrying anything more than a crown or belt of some sort. I cannot change those object's colors. But, I could also simply avoid leaving with the main force. Our hive is located underground at a cavern in the forest just before hayseed swamps. I suppose it wouldn't take much effort to ditch the rest of the hive, but being so close to the old hive feels inappropriate, if they found out I deserted I could be more easily tracked. Especially in the smaller towns, so I if I could should wish to travel beyond Canterlot. I also didn't feel comfortable going beyond Unicorn Range, as Unicorns were infinitely more likely to detect me than simple ponies. Also if I were closer to Canterlot and my hive succeeds it'd be much easier to remain inconspicuous being closer to Canterlot. But I gave this plenty of thought last night and decided it'd be best to head to Ponyville. Its small enough to escape from, but densely packed enough to get the emotions I need without being as noticed. And judging from its name, there really shouldn't be much Unicorns there. Its also peaceful of a town, which means its probably tighter knit of a community- which might be a problem- but it also means less skilled unicorns should be in the area for the ones that do reside. They don't have an army to maintain or anything. So I had it decided. I would be heading to ponyville. Heading out over to the supply rooms I get a little antsy, I feel like I should move faster. But no need to work myself up into a sweat, I would be easier to notice. Not like most had that good of a sense of smell or anything. I also will be heading to the animal room to pick up a bunny, they are quiet, compact, didn't eat much, didn't scare that easily. It would be a good choice, not that I need to drain emotions often, its better to be safe than sorry. And they ration the animals too much I didn't get my feed as often as I would like. The bigger males would feed more frequently than the rest, but apparantly Im half pony and at least I don't need to feed as often as they do. Also it'd be bothersome to try and catch something while fleeing my breathren and holding onto goods, this was just convenient. In the supply room I grab a saddlebag, some smaller gems. Because we didn't really have much uses for gems they were not heavily guarded or anything. I knew from scrying they could be worth something however. Looking back at some of the larger gems I decide perhaps its better to be overprepared than underprepared. Leaving the room with some rope, soap, a canteen, and twice my previous amount of gems, leaving half of the space in my bags remaining. I might have to reconsider how much I carry. Except I am up early, if I need to I can simply drop my saddlebags and retreat, but being up this early I could at least see if its possible, better than leaving empty handed as I cannot impersonate a pony well enough to take over their lives I think frowning. I head to the artifact room, so far so good. I quickly scry outside with a nearby scrying pool. Oh, I took longer than I thought, I'm going to have to hurry, only have two and a half hours left. I look through grabbing some of the more restricted scrolls, and some scrolls of spells I had been practicing but didn't quite learn yet. I see a necklace. What did it do again? It takes me a minute, regretably, but I recall it repels enemy spells that have a physical form sort of like a magnet repelling another magnet's pole. It wouldn't gurantee safety, it worked better when somepony was in your face, but its better than nothing. Problem is it kinda glows red. I slip it into one of my sacks I should probably be putting food into, and quickly leave the room for the k- no. I don't have enough time for the kitchens now. They usually get up earlier to prepare food, I doubt our hive will leave empty stomached. I quickly head to the animal rooms. Good thing the others didn't like bunnies, they were too quiet for their tastes. They preferred their food to squeek or struggle more. Herbivores were better at giving off positive emotions which we depended on, but carnivores like snakes or birds would be much more intelligent. It might be a good idea to bring a snake but their low metabolism means they don't give off much to use, and are more commonly used for chewable snacks. Birds are plain too noisy. But birds have closer to an herbivore level of emotion too for some reason making them a favorite, but they often die from panick attacks when frightened too badly, which means we are all out of birds usually. If people want them they have to go hunt for them. I gently but quickly stuff the fattest rabbit I can find into my last sack pocket with some of his dried food. Fellow doesn't have much space to move around but I have bigger concerns. I quickly scry in a water bowl of the rabbits. I only have 45 minutes, its going to take me about 20 minutes if I want to leave unnoticed, 15 if I leave in a normal manner 10 if I run. I need to leave 15 minutes before the rest to not be seen in the sky, actually maybe less as my wings are more suited for long distances. I should be able to leave comfortably. Lets see. I should be able to fly higher than my brethren, which is convenient, and I should hopefully spot ponyville or other indicators. They should be slightly left passed Rambling Rock Ridge accross a river. Should be easy enough. Suddenly I hear some commotions. Apparantly some are getting up early. I should have plenty of time though if I don't get distracted. They won't be able to hear me anyways bu- Flop. Suddenly my sack is lighter, I look back and the stupid rabbit chewed a hole in my pack. I hear a commotion approaching, then I look back to the rabbit suddenly realizing the rabbit could probably be scared and waking the others up. 'SHIT!' I snatch up the rabbit it's leg in my mouth and it makes plenty of emotions and struggles a bit 'BUCK ME!' I softly throw the rabbit in the opposite direction of me, as my fellow brood start awake, and somewhat quietly gallop towards the entrance half invisible. Except my pack is jingling around. 'GET HIM!' They chatter and click. I quickly attempt to levitate the artifact necklace out of my pack to put around my neck, and all my saddle bags spill out their contents on the floor. I start to panic and sweat, my heart pounding in my chest and I grab the necklace in my mouth. At this, every sleeping area I run past wakes up, my emotions seeming similar to a pony in distress. Too afraid to cast anymore spells with this damn necklace on me I take off like a batpony out of Tartarus, even using my wings to make less commotion where possible, I turn away from the inhabited sectors and try to calm down biting on the necklace's chain. 'I swear there was a damn pony in here a second ago!' 'Theres just a rabbit..' 'Dibs!' 'Naw there was definitely something. Look theres even a pack and jewels on the floor.' 'Heh, jewels, what the hay were they gonna do with those?' They approach the saddlebags and notice scrolls sticking out and fallen out. 'Dude somepony was trying to steal our secrets or something!' 'Maybe we can become alphas if we find them! Only alphas get to reproduce with Chrysalis!' 'Dude you don't wanna piss off any alphas overhearing you..' 'Whatever, lets just split up and try and find this pony before the others, we will obviously get one of the best snacks around!' With that they split up galloping or flying rapidly through the tunnels. Finally! I leave the hive and quickly take to the skies hoping nopony is behind me, not even risking looking over my shoulder I quickly throw the necklace over my neck- I need my mouth for panting after all. I take off higher and higher to avoid being detected. But I don't hear anypony behind me. I finally chance a glance behind me. Maybe this necklace disrupts the emotions they can detect as well? My heart rate certainly is taking a while to slow down as I am flying at my best, far higher than a changeling would dare to fly however, but theres less oxygen up here as well. It will probably be a few minutes before I settle down. 'That didn't end up well at all!' I notice that the necklace isn't glowing as much as previously, now that my spells needs refreshing. Maybe thats why it was glowing in the first place, looking so marvelous. I rub my hooves accross its smooth surface briefly during a glide. Oh well. It should just be a couple of hours til I reach ponyville, on an empty stomach however this could be a small problem and I might need to swoop down for lunch at some point, Hm, I don't want to do it in Ever Free thats for sure as I think back to the time I scryed it wondering if it'd be a safe haven near a populated region. I would probably have to stop by the right side of rambling rock ridge. Not sure there'd be much food over there as its plains, but beats the wasteland of the Ridge, and beats the everfree. I might just have to put up with it til Ponyville. I enjoy the air immensely flowing between my underpreened feathers on my underworked wings. No changeling new how to preen and none could teach me. I tried to preen before after attempting to scry Los Pegasus to see how its done and failing, I could only reference how to do it based on birds, and I couldn't see them preening easily as they were easily startled in the wild and easily claimed in the hive. The other annoying thing was the brightness of the outdoors, being indoors the vast majority of my life leaves me narrowing my eyes in response to the outdoor brightness. However the cold breeze did seem to affect me more, perhaps I have a thinner coat than most pegasi. But the sun was quickly warming my black coat up. I was easily not being followed, for this I was glad. I would have easily gotten the worst beating of my life, heh. Getting hungry, I glance down to see where I am exactly. Oh theres Ponyville, I'm flying ahead of schedule. I smile. Fresh air is so pleasant too, I fly lower, looking at the sights more. Wait, I should probably try to not get noticed. I fly higher over clouds. There probably are not much pegasi if any- but that doesn't mean a pony won't see me. I decide on settling just on the outskirts of ponyville, this way I can observe them, and test out if my necklace does in fact interrupt my spells when worn. Either way its going to glow profusely if I cast a spell, I may have to hide it. Relaxing once more I briefly close my eyes and stretch my hooves in all directions- freedom!