//------------------------------// // Does he consider us friends? // Story: A shadow of what I once was. // by FaelaArts //------------------------------// The young foal with a white body and pink mane dashed toward the throne room of the castle, entering the room and breathing in sharpy at the sight before her. Her mother and father were talking to some sort of creature. Hearing her intake, all three turned. Another foal, this one a dark blue stepped around her to peek inside. “Who’s this Mommy?” The foal glanced to her sister, before a wizened chuckle escaped from their mother’s lips. “This is Queen Pupa, she’s a Changeling from a distant land.” The two foals gasped again, taking in the changeling, who chuckled and walked over to them, crouching down and giving them a gentle smile. “Hello,” she spoke, and the two foals screamed and hid behind the door, giggling. Pupa shook her head, smiling, and peeked her head slowly around the door. After a moment, she winked at the older foal. “What are your names, I’m sure they’re lovely.” Pupa watched as the two shared a glance, and then beamed bright smiles. “I’m Suhlestia-Am Ahm Loona!” They spoke at the same time, but Pupa understood them well enough. Standing up, she winked at their mother, who chuckled and made a motion with her hoof. Turning back to the foals, she slowly stepped out the door and closed it behind her. “Well aren’t you big girls, facing down a fearsome ol’ changeling by your lonesome. Do you have a room? I would love to see it.” Pupa smiled as both gripped her in their magic, allowing herself to be pulled toward a room. Opening the door for her, the two showed off their side of the room. They were as different as night and day. “So what’s a changeling do Miss Pupa?” Celestia looked up at the changeling with bright curious eyes. Luna looked away, hiding behind her mane, but equally curious. Pupa sat down on the ground, and looked down at the two. “Well, most changelings collect food for the hive. A few tend to the young, and then there’s me who is in charge of ensuring our food source doesn’t know about us.” Pupa winked, and made a shushing motion with her hoof. The two nodded enthusiastically. “What do you mean hive, like bees?” Luna tilted her head and Pupa laughed, a low chuckle that was soft and yet concise. “No no, little ones. Changelings are sort of like ponies, except we all live together in one big area together, we call this a hive. Changelings only go out for food, and I always know where they are so there’s never any danger.” Pupa looked to the window, watching as the sun rose further into the sky. “How do ya do that,” questioned Celestia, sitting down beside her sister. “Well, all changelings are connected via a telepathy network. I do not know how we developed this ability, but think of it like a busy town center with a lot of voices talking at once.” Pupa winced slightly as she spoke, before returning to her warm smile. “Doesn’t that get confusing?” Luna looked to her sister, remembering how their mother always hated when they talked at the same time. “Sometimes, but you learn to listen for what is directed at you, and what is just background chatter.” Pupa stood up, fluttering her wings as she looked down upon the two. “Wait, where are you going?” Celestia and Luna rose, and she chuckled as she opened the door, bowing as she stepped out. “I have to go sign a treaty with your parents. You see, Changelings are often treated like insects if we’re discovered, and I find it is easier to confront the rulers privately and form a pact of silence, rather than try to keep it hidden entirely. That way, we have help covering up potential mistakes.” Pupa winked, and left the two alone. “Queen Chrysalis, now that you have heard my story, do you still wish to overthrow Equestria?” Celestia stood beside her sister as they stood in the cell, looming over the Queen who was kept separated from her changelings. “A lot of our history has been lost as our hive crumbled beneath those that came before me, and also under my rule. I did not realise the reason ponies were not aware of us is because of a treaty.” Queen Chrysalis breathed out softly, and stood up, meeting Celestia’s gaze. “My hive is broken beyond repair, and I have neither the energy or resources to win. If I want to save my hive from extinction, I must take your offer. Please, reform the treaty and save those that remain from starvation.” Chrysalis bowed her head to them, and they shared a glance, before bowing themselves. “I propose, instead of silence and staying in hiding, we allow you to walk in the light of my sun.” Celestia smiled warmly and looked to her sister. “And sleep soundly under the light of my moon,” Luna replied on cue. Both saw the shock on Chrysalis’s face as she raised her head. “But, Queen Pupa,” she spoke, tilted her head in confusion. Celestia smiled, and motioned to the guards watching from the door. “Ponies are a lot more accepting now compared to a thousand years ago. It is time for Changelings to become Equestrians, and find their place in the light. But, we cannot do it alone.” Celestia looked to her sister, and they both smiled warmly. Holding out a hoof, Celestia turned her attention back to Chrysalis, who breathed out, and chuckled quietly. “You know if my race still maintains a hive-like mind a thousand years from now, future Queens might try to overthrow you.” Chrysalis took the hoof, and smiled mockingly at Celestia, who returned the smile, and leaned in. “And we’ll be here, with open arms, ready to defeat you with the thing you desire the most, that will be given freely.” Celestia shook the hoof, and stepped back, waving a wing to the guard. Levitating the limiter off Chrysalis, Celestia and Luna turned, and headed out the door. Chrysalis considered briefly attacking, and then remembered how nearly all her forces had been wiped out by two ponies, and chuckled once more. “Guards, release the Changelings. It is time for this feud to end, and on a happy note.” Celestia and Luna glanced back to Chrysalis, just outside the door. Chrysalis realised she was smiling as well, and felt a sudden influx of food enter her passively, sighing as she got the first good meal she had had since the wedding. Freely given love was always stronger than stolen, how could she have forgotten that. “Yes, it is time for Changelings to be free.” Chrysalis smiled honestly for the first time since her birth, and followed the two Alicorns up the stairs, knowing that her hive’s future could not look brighter.