//------------------------------// // In the Background. // Story: Unforgotten // by Riddle-Me-Think //------------------------------// I do not own My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Hollow Shades was one of the many towns that dotted a crossed Equestria’s lands. It was nestled comfortably in a forest not to far from the more larger cities, such as Fillidelphaia, Baltamare, and even Manehatten. But unlike most of the towns and cities that were a crossed the kingdom's land, Hollow Shades was a more dimly lit place. Trees all around the town cast an all expansing shadow over the buildings and the ponies who lived and worked in them. Despite the lack of light, the town was filled with ponies working farms of another sort, some requiring little light compared to most. Broccoli, cauliflower, beans, peas and beets were some of the most common sights to be found in the town filled with rickety looking buildings. But another feature in this town was one that not even the residents knew of, and hidden right under their hooves. For under this town of Equestria sat one of the homes to five prominent clans, one that was filled with vines and tall trees that were not made for such limited spaces. Despite the lack of room, they prospered, for they had some of the smartest changing clans tending to them: the Lue Clan. Since the towns creation, the Lue clan had cleverly disguised their hive as the town overhead, hiding in plane sight, even from the other four clans they were part of. It was their safe place away from their original home, the Swarm Capital, and all of their own making. It was also here that many of the Lue clans members roamed the expansive hive, working in research buildings, workshops or entering pubs and restaurants. In purpose, these latter establishments were only places for some minor entertainment for changing to just hang out. Their making was not for the changelings however, but for ponies use when the Lue became more public. Most changelings that knew them, didn't really understand why the Lue clan would willingly want to share their home with ponies. After all, the ponies made an excellent source of food, and even good tools. Some that were no longer part of a clan would even say that ponies made good friends and families, possibly substitutes for a clan when they have none. But what most failed to know, or find out in the case of the five clans, was the clan hive under Hollow Shades was not intended to be a clan hive at first. In the past during it's making, it was a research outpost to study and find more effective ways to infiltrate ponies as a whole. If it was not for some actions taken by early explores part of the Gem clan, who made friends with ponies and got to know them, then the hive would have stayed the way it was intended. Instead, the researchers got curious and tried the old-fashioned course of making friends with ponies. Disguised of course, there was no need to show what they were just yet. This was how the research post become a clan hive in time, as more and more Lue began to join in with the research groups. Some even opened new divisions of research, far away from the prying eyes of the swarm that made up the five clans. In time, the Lue began to see the ponies as more than a mere source of food, but an equal sentient species, like themselves. So it wasn't much of a surprise that ideas and plans to mix the two groups began to crop up in the minds of the brainy researchers, who wanted to see what would happen. So the construction of eating establishments for both normal food and for alcoholic consumption were made. Homes were the next thing on their list if and when the ponies expressed interest in living in the hive. But for one changeling, all of this did not matter. At the moment, all that mattered to him was the bottle of brandy in his hoof and what his next job was going to be. He was an heir, but not one of the main heirs that would lead the Lue clan. While it was true that heirs lead changeling clans and only made a minuscule fraction of the changeling population, it did not mean there were a few floating around. He was one of the few free floating heirs, one who was related to the Lue clan, if not obscurely. Taking a long swig of his drink, the changeling heir, Rancor, wondered where his new employer was. Though he knew many of his kinsmen of the Lue clan, he did not answer to them like most did, preferring to freelance for jobs. He leaned back into his chair some and closed his eyes to just listen to the music being played. Around him other changelings of varying walks of life and ages play gambling games or did a little pool, something ponies picked up from the minotaurs. The smooth jazz music accompanied it all, making a somewhat live but relaxing air to the establishment. He reopened his eyes to the sound of the main door as it was swung open, and a new occupant added to the mix. Turning his eyes to look over to the new arrival, Rancor was taken back by the changeling that made his way over to him. The changeling was an heir like himself, mostly marked by his greater hight, cat-like-eyes and more poised stance. What was out of place was the bits of yellow stripes over his black chitin, an unusual sight for a changeling that was part of the Lue clan or any clan for that matter. “I’ll be.” Intoned the now grinning Rancor, who continued to address the drawing closer heir, “I didn't think I’d see you come ‘round here mate.” Putting down his drink to stretch his hoof out, “How have you been Yellow Jacket?” Openly smiling at his lesser known cousin, the second heir to the Lue clan bumped the other changeling's hoof before him greeting, “Things have been hanging high cuzz, what about you?” Pulling a chair out and taking a seat before the lesser known heir. Barking with laughter, Rancor told, “Rather good I’d say.” Patting the pelt on his back that was held together by leather straps, “Got a contract to go skin a cat, an’ got this pelt off a manticore.” Then used a hoof to lift the strung together bone neckless he had saying, “Also had to deal with a slight nest of vipers a few days after that and got this nice littl’ trinket.” Using a hoof to flag one of the waitresses, Yellow Jacket asked, “So your life as a hunter workin' out for ya, stag?” Turning to the called over waitress to put in a request for a mug of water. He let his eyes linger on her form a bit before turning back to Rancor. Smirking at the stripped heir, Rancor told while leaning back into his seat, “It’s like you say, if you got it, flaunt it.” Bringing his bottle of brandy to his lips and downing more of it, he almost slammed the bottle on the table after he was done. Yellow Jacket only laughed at that, nodding, “True enough stage, true enough.” Leaning himself back until the chair leaned on it’s back legs, and the heir could prop up his rear-hooves on the table. Now more relaxed, the second heir continued, “But there was something I wanted t’ ask ya on my bro’s behalf and all that jazz.” Giving a nod, Rancor simply told, “Shoot.” Bringing the bottle up to his peps again, only to get nothing out of it. He gave the empty battle a sad look and muttered, “Sad day in paradise.” Placing it more gently on the table. Grinning at those muttered words, Yellow Jacket said, “We got a job for ya.” Immediately catching the hunters attention. Spotting the waitress return with his drink, Yellow Jacket just held his hoof out and took it while giving a charming smile and thanks before turning back to Rancor, “My bro got a message from the shadow stage, and he’s askin’ for some assistance.” Taking a sip of his water. Lowing the mug of water, he continued, “He didn't give big details, only that we are to meet up at some abandoned house in a griffin settlement.” Then used his magic to pull up a roll of parchment telling, “He even sent a map for us to go by, since the settlement didn't have a fixed name yet.” Laying out on the table. Leaning over the table to look at the map, Rancor narrowed his eyes telling, “That’s a few days travel. What other information can you give?” Using his eyes to scan the apparent area he was heading. With a shrug, Yellow Jacket told, “Only that he wanted a team of three to come and help any way possible. His situation is on the clock and he’s improvising it as he goes.” Nodding to this, Rancor decided to ask the next obvious question, “So I’m on the team. Who else?” Starting to form a list of things he may need besides his bow and two quivers. Like a more warmer pelt for the colder climate. Gaining a smile, Yellow Jacket told, “You’ll be paired up with a changeling mage named Occult, an’ a ranger you know quite well.” Looking up to the other heir and holding eye contact for a minute, he slowly grimaced, “Please tell me it’s not Fleeting.” To answer his cousins question, Yellow Jacket just gave a beaming smile, making Rancor slam his face into the table. Laughing at his cousin actions, he said, “Oh come on stag, my baby sis ain’t that bad!” Getting an image of a younger Fleeting, or as most knew her, Fleet Foot. Raising his head back up, Rancor almost growled, “She is a pyromaniac menace that likes to carry high explosives around!” Clearly recalling the ‘training seasons’ the little menace asked for at times. Waving a hoof at the hunter, Yellow Jacket calmly told, “She’s gotten better, stag. She’s part of the Wonderbolts and a ranger, she knows how to work in a team an' follow a lead.” Shaking his head, Rancor sighed, “I guess I don't have much choice in the matter.” Running a hoof over his face, “From what I hear, this job’s from the big bug himself, righ'? “And the two Princesses.” The stripped heir added with a smile, and further shocking the hunter, “Apparently, both goddess of sun and moon got the message and had to send it to us. So as you might guess, this could be a big deal.” Nodding to this and knowing what needed to be done, Rancor asked, “Where do I meet up with my team?” Already using his magic to reach for a pouch of bits to pay for his drink, something the pub asked for so they could practice the use of such currency. “You’ll be meetin’ them in a hotel near Nieghagra Falls.” Yellow Jack Pointed out the location on the map he had rolled out, “My bro’s already sent a scout t’ reserve a room for ya. She’ll be disguised as a green earth mare with a flat pink mane and a mark of a ticket. She’ll go by the name of Lucky Ticket.” Placing the counted out bits onto the table, Rancor gave one last understanding nod and headed out the door to gather his gear and head for his new job. Back in the snow covered settlement just on the edge of the Griffin Kingdom, the scouts were once again wondering through the town sized area and getting familiar with it. As of yet, the place had shown good potential for a ideal feeding ground. Though not overly saturated with positive emotions, it also lacked any large amounts of negative emotions. It would do for some gathering teams to get what they could and send home. There was also little evidence of any other changeling clans laying any claim to the settlement as a feeding ground, adding another plus to the area. At the moment, Ventral was leaning on the side of a building, watching as Iota got more experience around the locals by ‘examining’ how they act. And when she meant ‘examine’ she meant getting a bunch of little kids to swamp the maroon mare by playing a game. At first Iota was lost as to what to do, but after some nudging from Vetral, the faux pegasus eventually began to play with the little children around herself. Ventral herself just stayed a distance off, occasionally chatting to a few parents that were watching with keen eyes. I think things are going good, considering how things got started, the older scout smiled to herself as a small snowball fight had broken out, and it looks like Iota’s learning how to blend in too. The griffin-disguised-changeling then began laughing aloud as Iota began to take fire from all sides. The poor mare was trying to take cover behind some trees, but found that her folly as a new player, an adolescent griffin near her age, began dropping snowballs. With a squeak, Iota ran and evaded the cold attacks, wrapping her newly acquired scarf closer to herself. Ventral continued to watch in amusement for a while, enjoying the carefree joy the children generated with the game being played. The feeling was nice to bask in, even if it was tinged with the slightly spicy taste of excitement every now and then. It’s not a bad thing though, I like a dash of spice on my meals, The faux griffin smiled even more as a new wave of emotions was sent her way. Not the best place to collect huge amounts of good emotion, but the settlement still had enough to make an okay feeding ground. Still staying where she was, Ventral watched as a partly snow covered pegasus slowly walk up to her and give a glare. This same glare was lost by the smile on the young scouts face, who stated, “You did that on purpose.” Looking a bit affronted at the pegasus, Ventral said, “Why, what ever makes you say that snow-pony?” Trying her best to hold back her laughter. Shaking off the remaining snow on her coat and wings, Iota raised her voice saying, “You threw a snowball at those little angels, before darting off on me!” “You had fun, didn’t you?” The older scout asked, seemingly checking her talons in an uninterested fashion. “I hate you.” Iota tried to growl, but it came out more as a laugh then anything hostel. Shaking her head, Ventral shoved off the wall she was leaning on and nudged the maroon mare telling, “Come on, let’s get you inside and dried off. I don't want a ponycicle to drag back later.” Turing and taking the lead once more. Rolling her eyes and huffing, Iota did as told and followed the griffin towards the hotel they were using. After five days worth of constant stimulation around herself, Iota was starting to get use to having fur and skin. That didn't mean she couldn't wait to get back home and turn back into her changeling body, which to her, was a lot more comfortable. In the mean time, that fireplace is calling my name. The very thought of the heated area in the main lobby of the Inn they were staying at for the last three days, made Iota smile in slight bliss. These thoughts were interrupted when something small and cold grasped her hind-leg, stopping her from moving. Looking back, Iota turned her gaze down to where a small white griffin with brown specks looked up to her eyes and asked, “Are you going to come back and play tomorrow?” Seemingly giving her puppy-dog eyes. The pegasus stood there a little stunned, unsure how to handle this situation she was suddenly in. She didn't need to do anything though, as chuckles could be heard not too far off as the griffin that had pelted her with snowballs from before smirked, “Come on Jay, let the nice mare go.” “But I want to play with her more!” The smaller griffin protested from his spot, letting go to wave his little arms around. Shaking his head, the elder griffin said, “Come on little brother, I’m sure she’s busy with other things right now.” Scooping up the smaller griffin onto his back in one swipe of his taloned arm. Giving the mare before him a grin, he slightly dipped his head while holding out his opened talon, “Names Hic, or that’s what my friends like to call me.” Giving a lopsided smile on his beak. Turning around and giving the open claw a dubious look, Iota stretched out her hoof a bit shyly saying, “Status Que…and I’m visiting the Griffin Kingdom with a friend of mine.” Casting a glance over her shoulder to see Ventral had stopped and was now watching with interest. Taking to hoof into his talon, Hic shook it telling, “Nice to meet you Status Que.” Letting go of the hoof to point at the smaller griffin on his back with, “And this is my little brother, Jay. I’m sure you already met him while playing.” Turning back to the pegasus, Hic asked, “So, you enjoying your time in what my dad would call ‘the mother land in all her glory’?” Chuckling at the end as he did. Rubbing one of her forelegs with a hoof, Iota simply said, “It’s nice so far, but I don't think I could ever live here.” Shivering a bit as a breeze chilled her slightly wet fur. “It’s too cold for me.” She told the griffin before her. Taking in how her body was shaking a bit, Hic’s eyes widened a bit and apologizing, “Whoa, I'm sorry, your probly freezing after that snowball fight, aren’t you?” And receiving a nod from the pegasus mare. “She was heading back to the Inn with me before that little cutie on your back stopped her.” Ventral’s voice came in as she laid a talon on Iota’s back. Rubbing the maroon fur near the wings carefully to help warm the mare, Ventral gave a confident smiled, “I’m Golden.” Holding a talon out, “Or Turkey when I annoy Pinkie over here.” Gasping the other griffin’s offered claw into his own and giving a firm shake, Hic just gave a pleasant smile, “It’s nice to meet you Golden.” Giving his surroundings a slight look over asking, “So your both staying at one of the Inns here?” Little Jay seemed to perk up at this, and stood on his hind-legs while his talons were placed on his brothers head asking excitedly, “Can we come over?” A big smile on his small beak. Smiling at the cub that was partially perched on his brother head, Ventral reached up with her talon and ruffled the small white griffins head telling, “It’s a Inn, I don't think the owners would mind if you came.” Turning her eyes down to the grey griffin, she asked, “Would the two of you fine boys mind escorting us two lovely ladies back?” Looking thoughtful, Hic guided his eye up to his head asking, “I don't know, what do you think Jay?” With a puffed out chest and knowing nod, Jay said, “Mama always said to be nice to girls.” As if it explained everything. The three older fliers all laughed at the rather cutie actions of the small cub, while Hic told, “Yeah, mom would say something like that, wouldn't she?” Only getting an affirming nod from his younger brother. Letting his laughs turn into small chuckles, Hic said, “Well, it looks like both Jay and me are escorting you both.” Giving a light nudge to the younger scout, Ventral smiled, “Sounds good to me. The Inn should be near the main entrance.” “I know the place your talking about. Right this way ladies.” Hic motioned with his talon, slightly taking the lead as one golden griffin slightly snickered and one maroon pegasus looked at her friend with some curiosity. Seeing the imploring look Iota was giving her, Ventral just mouthed quietly, “I’ll explain later.” All the while having a biggest smirk on her features. Near the west side of the same settlement and quietly exiting the fortified barracks, Cleft gave his surroundings a good once over. Sure of himself that none were following him, the veteran scout made his way over to the alleyways that were cropping up all over the soon-to-be town. The three days of scouting had been informative about the areas defenses and its guards. From what Cleft had gathered, the main form of leadership had yet to make it to the settlement, as the place for their stay was still incomplete. Currently a old weathered general was overseeing most of the work being done until the mayor was sent. He had yet to get any documents for later use, but Cleft had assured himself that getting the information could be done. Then it could be used for when the leadership is switched over, as changelings could be planted in to gather the spare emotions floating about. I’ll need a few more days for that though, the griffin-disguised-changeling thought over his options of acquiring such information. There was a good chance documents for giving control back to the more civilian based government were not around, and this idea would be a waste of time. A small crackling sound made he scout stop and quickly turn and face the source of the noise. Before he could, he spotted something dart into an alley he had past up. Narrowing his eyes, he gave a quick flap of his larger wings and speed to it’s opening. Looking inside and scanning the area, Cleft kept his sense sharp and ready. Muscles in his body coiled and relaxed, stimulating them to be ready at a moments notice. His head then snapped to a couple of trash bins, as something had shifted them. Tensing his talons and readying himself, he approached the bins filled with rubbish and trash, slightly opening his wings for emergency flight. One of the cans in the back shifted a bit more as a black body suddenly jumped out. Deploying his wings open and raising his talons at the ready while he stood on his hind-legs, Cleft felt quite foolish. There before him was a black cat, who's yellow eye looked over him a moment before tilting it’s head with a curious, “Merow?” Blinking and letting out a breath, Cleft settle back down and gave the cat a withering look before shaking his head. Waving a talon with a shooing motion at the feline, it bolted off and went into hiding, scared off by the larger bird. Using the same talon to run over his face, Cleft sighed, “This paranoia of mine’s starting to make me jumpy.” Shaking his head and heading out the alley. Casting his gaze back to where the cat was one last time, Cleft once again shook his head and left. After a few minutes the cat came back out of his hiding place, giving the alley entrance a curious glance. Making a few bounds over to the entrance. Looking around for a bit, the cat then ran for a new place, being the side of a building where it squeezed itself through a tight crack in the wall. Now inside closed walls, it went up in a flash of green fire that soon vanished and left a grizzly old griffin with faded brown fur and faded black feathers. Looking about the slightly ruined room, he shuffled over to a pile of papers and brushed them aside to show two sword seethes. Taking them up and restrapping them to his body, the now old griffin folded his wings back down, concealing the blades from view. With a smirk, the old bird cackled, “So close, yet so far. Those whipper-snappers got nothing on this ol’ gerzzer!” Steadily shuffling to the exit to continue his game of hid-and-seek. Steadily making his way out into the open, the elderly griffin slowly began traversing the road, giving warm grandfatherly nods to those around him. He seemed to wonder about a few minutes before reaching an Inn, where he entered into the more warmer establishment. Heading over to the open lobby were a large fireplace was lit, he gave a deceitfully pleasant smile and once more shuffled over. Stretching his nearly creaking wings open for a moment and then folding them once more, he laid onto the floor before the fire and relaxed. Nearby, a golden colored griffin was also relaxing, nearly napping on some cushions that were left out for guests. Close to the elderly griffin was a duo made of one maroon pegasus and one grey griffin male, both chatting away contently. With them was a smaller white griffin cub, bounced between the two, playfully tugging the mare’s braided blond main or wrestling with the grey griffin. Laying his head onto his talons, the old griffin smiled some and let out a calm breath, watching this all with a far-off gaze, as if thinking of something.