//------------------------------// // in which things start going downhill. // Story: My Life as a Changling // by rainbowPOOTIS //------------------------------// The drone Chrysalis had… ‘assumed direct control’ of, smirked. “What kind of proposition?” “Well, lets just say I could quite easily… silence anyone who got too close to the truth. I know you have plans, after all.” I gave large grin, waiting to see how she would react. “Who doesn’t have plans?” “Please, I know your hive has been running low on love. you're going to need to pull off something big, and that greatly increase the chance of getting discovered. I can solve that, and ‘fix’ those leaks.” There was a brief flash of fear on her face, before she recomposed herself. “So tell me, where were you planning on getting so much love? Canterlot, maybe?” I had her backed into a corner now. “It would be a shame someone found out about such a plan, no?” “And what make you think that my drones can’t do that little job, hm?” “Please, I had your ‘drone’ so scared that she lost control of her bodily functions. and besides, why use magic when you can use toxins?” “You have a point. Why waste precious resources when I can just use yours.” “Now I have no intention of taxing your already limited resources in exchange for my services, what I seek instead, is knowledge.” “What kind of knowledge?” “The kind that the public doesn't know about… Things the Princesses would rather never be known in the first place.” “That can be easily arranged.” The glow from the droes eyes intensified, and I could feel something… Poking, at my mind. So, A Queen can connect to another Queens hivemind? Very well. The moment I allowed the connection to form, I was hit with a surge of information. It appears Chrysalis isn't as incompetent as I though. Just the one spell as advanced payment. “I assume that the rest shall come after I’ve delt with your ‘leaks’?” Still, a spell to bend one's mind to my will… so many applications… “Yes, but hard to use that one. It needs constant focus and repeated casting.” “Have you considered potentially creating a trigger for a command to be activated at a later time without recasting it?” “I have, but I think this is the wrong spell for that.” Guess I’ll have to find a test subject then. “So do tell, who do you need ‘dealt with’?” “Here in this little town, somepony is snooping around. I believe she thinks her partner is just cheating on her, but she’s already come close to finding out. I already have a changeling in place, but why don’t you deal with her.” “Very well. In meantime, I would recommend you leave, as my associates should be returning shortly, and this is something that should be kept under wraps, no?” “Of course, I would hate to have to kill you food source.” We both resumed our disguises, and the glow left the drones eyes, before she nervously made her way out. Now, as much as I wanted to do something flashy, I had an idea of how to use my newly aquired spell, to turn Chrysalis’ so called ‘leak’ to our advantage. Now how would I find this pony? Chrysalis said she thought her partner was cheating on her… I guess the local bar/tavern/pub is always a good place to start. I noticed the sun was going down, which meant it would be the perfect time to go on the prowl. but first… After a carfully apllied flame spell to boil away the urine, a flash of blue fire erupted around me, and when it cleared, gone was Mirage, and in her place was brown stallion, with a black mane, and an anvil cutie mark. After I grabbed a few bits and a saddlebag, I opened the door, and snuck out before closing it behind me, making sure nopony was watching. The city looked quite different in the dying light of the setting sun, and I spent the time thinking. If what I have planned for that little mind control spell works, I’ll need to use it to set up some contingency plans. First and foremost, as much I hate to say it, I need to keep my family safe. I know Trixie can counted on to keep them safe, but one mare wouldn't be enough. As for the wedding, I know Twilight and co, as well as the CMC, and Celestia, knew of my existence, so I would need a way to either keep them ignorant of the entire thing until I stabbed Chrysalis in the back, or let them in on my plan without alerting Chrysalis to it.  It didn’t take me long before I spotted the sign for it. ‘Golden Mugs’? It could be worse. I stopped for a moment, preparing myself. Opening the door, I was greeted to the overpowering smell of alcohol. It was hard to make much out over all the chatter, but a few things did catch my attention. “...told the nutjob ‘so what if I put oatmeal in my salad, I’m not the crazy one.’” “Been hearing rumors that there's some kind of spirit in the Everfree, in the old castle to be precise…” “...Something off about that Mirage character, if she’s that good at illusionary magic, I should have been able to find something on her…” “...It was the weirdest dream ever, my buddys date spontaneously combusted, and turned into some kind of bug-pony hybrid! of course, it was just a dream, and me and him woke up in a back alley, with both a hangover and a concussion.” The first thing I did, was head to the counter, to get a drink. The pony manning it gave me one look, before giving me the greeting he no doubt gave every other pony to set hoof in here. “welcome to the Golden Mug. You her to get buzzed, plastered, floored, or ‘wake up in a back alley with no memory of what happened last night.’?” I chuckled. “More like ‘Who needs a liver anyways?’. Give me the strongest stuff you got.” “Nice knowing you. One mug of Dragonslayer coming right up.” What I got, was mug full of what looked like antifreeze, but practically smelt of fire and brimstone. I was going to regret this tomorrow morning. The stuff lived up to its name, because it burned like fricking thermite! after finishing it off, I set the mug down, and gave the bartender a smug look. Shit burned going down, but I didn't actually feel very inebriated. Whatever caused that smell gave it its taste, but either pony drinks are a lot weaker than what I’m used to, or changelings process alcohol a lot differently than ponies. Getting up, I paid for my drink, then made my way towards the group of laughing stallions, intent on getting some more information. from what I just heard, that stallions acquaintance could be the stallion that my target suspected of cheating on her. I sat myself down at the only empty seat at that table, grinning. “So I overheard you colts talking about your drunken mishaps…” “Yeah, we still don’t have one to top Brick here.” the largest of the group, a yellow earth pony, gave the grey pegasus sitting beside him a pat on the shoulder. “I mean, you don’t even remember drinking, then have a dream that your best buds marefreind was some kind of bug-pony, before waking up with said buddy in a back alley? just one of the many incidents Crash Test has gotten into.” “Three words. Alcohol and fireworks. Ludacris property damage ensured.” The look of surprise on their faces amused me greatly. “Wow… even Crash wouldn't do something that crazy.” this time it was the azure unicorn that spoke up. “I believe you own my 5 bits now, Bulk.” “Celestia dammit. I bring it next time for ya, eh Flash?” the earth pony, that I now knew was Bulk, sighed angrily. “Bulk Order! for the love of Luna! how many times to I have to tell you and Brick Breaker to call me Flash Fire! I get sick of all those ‘you're not Flash Sentry’ remarks!” “Please, can we not be civilized ponies? What I want to know, is why this Crash fella hasn’t joined you three here.” “He was the one that wound up with a concussion. Still in the hospital, they want to make sure there was no brain damage. I swear, Crash Test winds up there at within a week of getting out.” Good, I have a full name, and a location. I’ll be sure to see that fellow tomorrow, find out if hes the pony that my target suspected of cheating… then its just a stones throw away from dealing with her. “Sounds like my old drinking buddy Keith. except the damn featherbrained griffon wound up in prison instead of a hospital the last time. ‘Disturbing the peace’ they said.” The trio broke out into laughter at my comparison. Drunks are so easy to amuse, its almost sad. “How he wound up with his head stuck in tuba, I’ll never know.” All lies, of course, I just have a very creative mind. Very good thing to have when you're a shapeshifter. “Now as much as I would like to get drunk off my flank, I have somewhere else to be, so I guess I’ll be seeing you guys later.” “Dude, we never got your name!” “John Smith. Don’t ask how I got that first name.” I’m so punny. Getting up, I made my way to the door, giving the trio of stallions one last wave before I exited the building. Once I outside, I had some time to think. I had one massive unknown to deal with. I had no clue when the eggs I laid would start to hatch, nor how long it would take the… nymphs, to reach maturity. Plus, I do not want to wind up in the same situation as Chrysalis, with too many mouths to feed. I’m just glad the whole emotion absorbing thing can be done passively, or I would have starved quite a while ago.  Once the trailer was in sight, I released a sigh that I never knew I was holding in, and then made my way to the door. ...Until I was grabbed by an orange aura of magic and was yanked into a side alley, before getting pinned to a wall. Once I had come to a stop, I was able to see that I was apparently being held up by a black unicorn, who had a dagger gripped in his magic. “Duuuuude… what’s with the lightshow?” Yes, I was acting like a stoner just to piss the stallion off. “Of all the ponies I could have grabbed… Buddy, just give me whatever money you have, and this will end peacefully.” Heh. Now comes the fun part. “Son. Y’all about to have a real bad day.” I had to resist the urge to cackle as as I revealed my true form. The stallion rapidly back up, holding the dagger in front of him. “St-stay Back!” “You really think that toothpick is going to scare me off?” I let my wing plates open up, and my tail unfurl. “You chose the wrong changeling to mess with sonny, and now you’re going to pay the price.” The moment my horn lit up, he swung his little dagger at me, only for it to bounce off my chitin, before I wrenched it from his grip with my telekinesis and embedded it in a wall. “Lucky for you, I’m not going to kill you painfully. No, you get to be my test subject.” I watched as his eyes grew wide in absolute fear, before I used the spell I received from Chrysalis. The whole basis of the spell was projecting your will, and a moderate amount of magic, onto the target. I knew it had worked, when the ponies eyes lit up with a pale blue light. Good, it worked. Now, If the information I got was correct, verbal commands make this easier. “Look at me.” He turned to face me, the motions rather twitchy, I suspect that problem will iron itself out over time. I could actually feel the stallions mind struggling under my magics grip, which more than likely ment somepony with enough willpower would be able to fight the effects of this spell. “Now sit down.” I watched as he slowly sat himself down, like a malfunctioning machine. “Answer me truthfully, was this actually a random targeting, or have you been following me?” “I saw you leave the trailer, and knew you must be loaded after those performances, so I waited for you to return.” Good, so I hadn’t been found out. “Now, when I end this spell, you are going to forget this entire altercation happened, leave, and the next time you hear the word ‘donkey’ you will vomit uncontrollably at random times, for the next 72 hours.” I cloaked myself and ended the spell, watching as the glow faded from his eyes, yet they still appeared dull. he rather slowly walked out of the alley, before the color returned to his eyes, and he clutched his head. “What the hay was I just doing?” Note to self, delayed or triggered commands apparently still show signs of manipulation, just not as obvious. Still, that was tiring. After waiting a few minutes to make sure my assailant turned victim had left, I ended the cloaking spell, and with a flash of sapphire flames, resumed my identity of Mirage. Once I had gotten inside the trailer, I let the disguise drop, and flopped to the floor, feeling drained of energy. It felt like a void had formed inside me, and it hurt. I don’t know how long I spent on the floor groaning in pain, but I eventually heard the door being opened, before someone gasped. “...Shinkiro?” Trixie? what… is that sensation… I want more of it… like a warm blanket… “Shinkiro? whats wrong with you?” Want… warmth… My head shot up from between my hooves, and I stared at Trixie hungrily. A faint rumble coming from my throat. “Shinkiro… You're scaring me…” “Hungry.” Give me… the warmth… Trixie slowly backed away, something else tainting that warm feeling coming from her. I wanted the warmth… The moment she looked behind her for an escape route, I lunged, causing her to scream and stumble back. She didn’t get far before I lept and pinned her facedown to the floor. I could taste the feeling now. A pink mist started to rise off Trixies coat and wrapped around my horn as I absorbed it. I picked Trixie up off the floor and held her in tight hug as she tried to get away. I was much bigger than her, so her feeble attempts at escape failed and were only growing weaker as she screamed for me to let her go. The wonderful feeling was starting to spread across my body, and I was starting to feel all warm and fuzzy. Only when the feeling stopped coming from Trixie did I finally let her go. She collapsed on the floor of the trailer, exhausted from me feeding on her. She looked up at from her position on the floor. Her eyes were dull and as soon as she asked “Why” in a dull and empty tone, she passed out. Whatever haze had settled around my mind, slowly lifted as it occurred to me what I had just done. My god… Did… I just drain her dry? Never again… I need to pay attention to how much energy I have left. I just lost control of myself and mercilessly drained my freind of love! …I can’t just leave Trixie laying on the floor. I picked her up in my magic and slung her over my back, before making my way to her room. There was no way I was going to use that mind control spell on her to make her forget that happened… It felt wrong even thinking of doing that to her. She deserves to know. I pushed the door open with my head, and walked in, before setting Trixie down on her bed. “...I’m sorry.” I curled up at the foot of her bed, feeling tears streak down my face. I was losing control of myself... “Wake up.” The voice was Trixies, but it sounded flat and emotionless, like a machine. I really hope this isn’t permanent. “Trixie?” “Why did you attack Trixie? What did you do?” It was relieving that I would be able to explain myself to Trixie without her freaking out about it, so I took a deep breath to calm myself. “I… Think it was a survival instinct. I feed on love, and after a certain altercation in a back alley, I was dangerously low on energy. I think I drained you dry of emotion in an attempt to sate my hunger.” “Are you going to do it again?” “No. I’m going to control myself. That was the first time I lost it, so I’ll be better next time. I promise.” She just sort of stared at me for a few minutes, it was somewhat creepy and I was starting to feel very uncomfortable, until she spoke again. “...Trixie feels empty.” Scratch that, she is creepy. “Lets… get you something to eat.”