Changelings had a somewhat different idea of 'leisure activities' than ponies. For example, when she'd suggested to her marefriend/workerfriend - still working that out in her head - that they go on a camping trip, Chrysalis immediately suggested the middle of the damn Everfree Forest.
In the middle of the forest, night hadn't fallen so much as 'collapsed limply'. They'd set up camp by way of using changeling slime to make makeshift tents, hanging from the trees and weighing down the branches. Around her the woods were eerily filled with the sounds of native life, howling and screeching, but Chrysalis had assured her that none of them would dare come to an area that smelled of changeling.
All the same, she'd kept arguing with Chryssy about it until both she and her lover had relented, and they compromised with Chrysalis bringing a guard with them.
If only she had brought... well, any other guard.
Chrysalis had already retired to the tent while Twilight finished setting up the campfire. The Imperial Guard had already moved to cover the entrance, ever-vigilant. Twilight moved towards him, intent on getting past to be with her beloved. He moved into her path and...
"None shall pass."
She sighed. "Cluster, please, I'm not in the mood." She moved towards him.
"None shall pass."
Twilight backed off with a light growl in her throat, and switched to Hemipid. "Alright, what is your problem?" she asked. "I have done nothing wrong but you insist on obstructing me wherever I want to be with Chrysalis! Why?!"
Cluster's compound eyes narrowed, and he responded in Hemipid as well. "You are an outsider. Outsiders are not to be allowed near the Queen's bedchambers."
"I'm her marefriend, didn't she give me an exception?"
"The Imperial Guard swears to protect the Queen from all threats, even if it is the Queen herself. You have compromised her judgement, pony."
"Is that what you think? That she shouldn't trust me?"
"That is exactly what I think. I was there at the invasion, remember. I hid in the mountains when you did battle with Tirek. You are dangerous, you are not to be trusted."
"I'm pretty sure Chrysalis packs a lot more power than I do, and has more combat experience."
"That does nothing to change the fact that you are a threat," he said calmly. "I would be remiss to allow you near our Queen."
"Wouldn't that make you a threat as well?" she countered. "I know that everyling is as powerful as I was when I was a unicorn, ever since the treatise. You're a threat too, aren't you?"
"I am able to trust my motivations, not yours."
"But then how am I to trust yours?"
"You don't have to, you are not my Queen's guard."
She stamped a hoof impatiently. "Just let me through."
Twilight made forward, but the imposing Imperial Guard leaned towards her. She backed off. "None shall pass."
She growled. "Why don't you trust me? Haven't I proven myself enough? What would I need to do to make you let me through?" Sure, she could teleport past him, but it was the principle of the thing.
He frowned, looked off into the distance briefly, then back to her. "There is no particular reason, but ponies do not change - in mind or body - as well as we do." It was true, changelings were ready to change world views very easily. How else had Chrysalis gone from dreams of conquest to dreams of peace so fast? "It would be folly to assume you so quickly changed to love our Queen."
Her mouth gaped. Was he... was he actually doubting that she loved Chrysalis? "You think I don't - "
He nodded. "And as such, I can not simply allow you to pass." But he couldn't take outright action if she decided to teleport either, being a member of foreign royalty.
Around them, the creatures of the Everfree howled.
Eventually, Twilight got control of her vocal cords again. "You think... how could you even imagine - ! Why don't you? Ponies change, you know that!"
"Not that fast."
"The buck we don't! I'm proof of that!"
"So you say," he countered immediately.
"I can't believe this," she said in Equestrian. "You know what? Fine." She lit up her horn and teleported past Cluster into the tent. Chrysalis was already curled up in her sleeping bag, sound asleep. Twilight saw her barrel, and the band of her shell that wrapped around, rising and falling gently.
The alicorn moved to her and snuggled into the sleeping bag as well. She wrapped her forelegs around Chryssy, relishing in the queen's warmth, and let her rhythmic breathing lull her to sleep.
Alpha, A, the beginning, the start, the prologue…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am Ao the changeling. But Ao wasn’t always me… I was once trapped in the form of Tidal Rider, a blue pegasus stallion with a brown and black mane, i had a cutie mark of a white and blue wave with a wing upon it. I couldn’t return to my true parents. I had suffered a rare changeling psychosis called “Immersion”. I was so caught up in my experience of being a pony that I couldn’t hear the calls of my siblings, my mother, my father…
But she did.
She was the Queen of my kind, and her name was Chrysalis. She came to me, she freed me… Once I overcame my fears I saw my true form: insectoid wings, silver hair, heterochromic eyes: honey-brown and soft-sea green. I felt relieved. The true Tidal Rider was returned to his parents and I returned the love of his parents back to my Queen. A notion of equivalent exchange as we thought of it that time.
But changelings grew tired of this. We didn’t want to give our children away any more, we wanted to live in the light and so in order to fulfill that wish my… no, OUR Queen went to war.
She was willing to do this so that we could live as we deserved. In the end, we failed. Sensing an imminent war, Chrysalis secretly called Twilight Sparkle to her chambers to stop a full-scale war with Equestria. An orb was sent through Twilight’s assistant Spike. Acting like a map with its magic it guided her to our Kingdom’s gates south through the Appaloosan Mountain range and then on through the forest of Leota. From there I escorted her to my Queen.
I loved my Queen, I strove to become one of her top guards just for that reason. She had saved me, I owed her my life, and with that I would repay her. As the time passed I sensed bonding between Twilight and Chrysalis. I was a creature of empathy, I knew. I wanted our Queen to be happy, so I was happy for her.
A few days later, I woke up to see the world had changed for the worse. None remembered Chrysalis!
Absurd! Impossible! Inconceivable!
Why, I would find the one responsible and twist their necks a thousand times over! I tried to remind my fellow warriors of their Queen! We had a new Queen, her name was Foals Errand. As I reminded her of that Queen, warriors from my old Hive-Kingdom came to challenge us. They wished me to forget, it was the wish of the Queen they said! I wouldn’t believe that, and even if that had been true, I was due of an explanation!
Foals Errand agreed to help me… we went to the Equestrian Princesses to look for answers. They directed us towards the legend of the temple of Judgement, they said they would be there to witness the events, but they couldn’t interfere.
The Temple of Judgement, a place where all Queens were judged worthy to lead the changelings by the spirits of three ancient rulers:King Proteus the Overfather, Queen Metis the cunningly wise, and King Nousios the blindingly fair.
We fought to get there. And now… now we have come to get our Queen back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Omega, Ω, the ending, the stop, the conclusion.
“Why are you here Ao?”
I never thought I’d be fighting in the sacred temple of judgement, a holy place I had dreamt of visiting one day. To be here was an honor for me, but that didn’t matter. I couldn’t enjoy the glorious architecture, the marvelous magically suspended libra with its three edges, each standing for the soul, the body, the mind. Nor could I enjoy the grand statues of the ancient changeling rulers.
“Why did you come this far?”
Olive green mane, lavender eyes, and an ornate longsword: besides me was Foals Errand and other warriors I had called forth, friends and more. Behind us were Celestia, Luna, and Cadance with her husband Shining Armor. In front of me, however, was the TRUE Queen. She wore a mage’s battlegarb in teal. She was the Liberator, the Monarch of the Black Sanctuary, the Black Siren.
She was Queen Chrysalis.
I wanted to hear the reason why she had left us! As if she knew what I was thinking she spoke first.
“I wanted to be forgotten, I wanted you to live your lives without worrying about me, yet I should have known better…” she paused, looking down.
“The core of the Primal taint of the changelings resides within me. Until now it manifested itself as us feeding from love. But with my failure in Canterlot, it awakened. If I don’t seal myself it will consume all of the changelings, but even if you defeat me it will infect you like the parasite it is.”
Behind the tough composure, the fierce gaze she was giving me, she was masking something… pain. I could feel the taint of the changelings manifesting in all its evil greatness.
I told her the truth behind my presence here.
“I couldn’t just let you be forgotten. You did so much for us...”
She closed her eyes as she frowned, a shadow “grew” over her face and dark determination overcame her.
“I see… so you came here...” she paused, and I heard hoofsteps behind her.
She walked steadily from behind Chrysalis. I quickly recognized the unicorn dressed in purple battlegear, the stripe on her head, the star-shaped cutie mark on her shoulder.
Twilight Sparkle…
Suddenly, they both emanated a crimson red glow that pulsed around them like a taint. I knew this glow: it was the taint of the changelings in its most primal form. But it wasn’t just coming from them. It was coming from the soldiers behind them that were now stepping from the darkness. The veteran members of Chrysalis’s hive were present there.
“Impossible… you mean to tell me that the primal taint of the changelings has reached even the Element of Magic?” I gritted my teeth in anger.
“Ao… the couple you love so much doesn’t exist anymore. Right now I’m going to use all of our dark love’s might to beat you!” Her gaze was locked upon me.
“Twilight…” whispered Celestia, narrowing her eyes upon the sight of her former student, surrounded by this kind of magic.
“What a black cloud filled with sadness.” Said Luna, astute as ever, observing the heavy tone.
“This is intense, Twilight: I never thought you’d go this far.” Shining Armor was standing on guard next to his speechless wife, but neither he nor the princesses were going to be involved. This was a matter changelings had to resolve and the only thing they could do was push towards the resolution of it.
Chrysalis turned towards the Princesses.
“I thought you knew why I kept myself locked in here. I wanted to keep this undying taint sealed forever! You said you’d be neutral.” there was a hint of anger on her words.
Celestia smiled awkwardly “I’m sorry. You see, in the end I had to give my support to the one who might have a chance of finding a way out of this.” She turned towards Luna, who closed her eyes for a bit and exhaled.
“I do feel sorry for this… but I am not willing to live in this world at the expense of others’ lives. When you took that decision I didn’t know any alternatives, that’s why I proposed to my sister that we remain neutral while we subtly fed the changelings.”
Foals Errand took the word next as she stepped next to me. She had aided me and the changelings, and we had finally arrived.
“Chrysalis… we’re not going to let that taint overcome us, or the world! But in order for us to have a chance we need you back! And if we have to fight about it, then SO BE IT!!!”
As the battle began, it was almost too fast paced for the spectators to follow. Commands were mentally sent from one to the other.
A changeling surrounded in a fire-red aura dashed across the battlefield, knocking everyone out of his path. One of Chrysalis and Twilight’s warriors with a curved blade poised to meet the blazing changeling. Gusts of wind pushed the opposing back. One of Chrysalis’ warriors came from behind me, but fortunately I had enough time to block him as I extended my hoof forming a hexagon barrier spell. I felt a hoof from my back and as I turned to see Foals Errand I was quickly teleported up and behind Chrysalis and Twilight, who covered their warriors with illusions and blasted spells respectively. I grabbed the chance and skydove at them while Foals Errand summoned a series of swords, launching the projectiles against them. Twilight noticed it in time, pushing Chrysalis to the side while shielding herself.
Chrysalis and Twilight jumped back. We didn’t have time to stop their next spell.
“I see… so it’s your friends that grant you power, right? But there are some things friends can’t change. Let’s show them, Twilight!”
All the brightness of the temple vanished for a moment and the crimson red glow in Twilight’s and Chrysalis’s bodies intensified. As quickly as it appeared it was gone, and big chunks of ice appeared around my comrade’s bodies. Foals Errand and I tried to reach them but they were covered so quickly.The ice didn’t break when I struck it, nor could fire melt it.
“That…” I turned to see Twilight, who was speaking
“... is what happens when you challenge our love! As for you Ao...” I gulped.
“IMPRISONMENT!!!” Before I knew what hit me silver ropes constricted my body. Everything went black and I found myself suspended in the void, unable to move. It was strange however… even here I could hear some voices, spirits talking to me. What trickery was this? I focused my thoughts on Foals Errand and, connected through the hive mind, I saw her. Even if I was this far, our bond couldn’t be shattered.
“Is this your intent?” she said as she clashed with Twilight in bladed combat, their gazes locked upon each other. “To prevent all of my options and make me surrender?” She gritted her teeth. “Even so, I’m going to advance!” Her body glowed and everyone retreated as a small wave of energy pushed them back. She took the time to gather energy that manifested as an orange glow around her body. I knew this spell: it was the “Call” and I mentally prepared for combat once again. If this worked…
She whispered internally her: “Thousands of trials besiege you, but your soul rises again and again… my noble champion! Break through your prison and come to me!” I saw it around me as I opened my eyes. The magic of the changelings, those who bonded close could perform the “Call of the Ally” to call upon their friends wherever they were. I felt the light pushing me forward and as my speed grew through the void I saw its’ edge break and I landed next to my Queen. We grabbed the chance of our enemies’ surprise and dashed at them, together.
“Our voices will be heard! Our wishes will be answered!” With joint hooves our flight was faster than ever. We shared magic, we shared strength. Right now our magic, our strikes, they were all made by one person. The veterans that stood before us couldn’t hold us back as our charge broke through.
“Let it be heard, the voice of the people!” Foals enhanced our charge with speeding runes while her conjured blades kept the others at bay. Our attack hit on the combined shield made by Chrysalis and Twilight. Curses! Just a little bit more! A swordfight ensued as the remaining combatants struggled for victory. Chrysalis and Twilight joined their hooves together, magic clashed and surged from them. I jumped in front of my Queen as a beam of dark crimson energy was launched against us. Conjuring five runes in pentagonal formation I cast the Quintet Wall spell. As it impacted it pushed me back, but I held my ground. When we raised our heads to see our opponents, Chrysalis and Twilight were casting that spell again!
“I can’t quench your fighting spirit, Foals Errand. I know that. If that’s the case then you’ll be the one imprisoned this time!” said Chrysalis as Twilight unleashed it. I watched in horror as in the blink of an eye what had hit me hit my Queen. What was there to do? Was there a solution? I closed my eyes…
“This is the end…,” I heard the voice of my Queen. I could guess that they were charging at me. I heard the same voices of the void whispering to me, and then it dawned upon me.
“I got it!” I said as I raised my sword, deflecting Twilight’s spell. But there was still Chrysalis, who was launching a blast. “Shield Wall!” I said slamming my fist to the ground as I knelt, standing against the brick wall that had risen from the stone beneath me.
“WHY!” Chrysalis raged as Twilight tried to hold her back by grabbing her arm. “WHY DO YOU PERSIST?”
“Incredible! He blocked it!” Said Shining Armor from the back, giving an impressed whistle.
“But that’s not all.” said Celestia.
“You noticed, sister?” Luna smiled at Celestia while Shining and Cadence looked at them quizzically.
“He has figured something out.” said Celestia, smiling.
I didn’t waste time responding to Chrysalis. “If the primal taint has awakened within you… then I take it upon myself to bear, it my Queen. I swore that I would give you the chance to be happy as you did!”
“Don’t… don’t sacrifice yourself for us!” pleaded Twilight as she held Chrysalis from attacking. She didn’t want her to snap and do something she would regret.
“Even though you did the same thing for us, you don’t want me to do this?” Twilight was taken aback, maybe a little guilty at the thought that she was claiming the glory of this sacrifice for herself. There was silence.
“I guess… I am the same way. I wouldn’t like to shift the blame, or burden, to anyone.” There was no answer to this. “Chrysalis, Twilight… there’s no need for you to sacrifice yourselves. Let us all bear this burden!”
“What? The core of this taint can only exist in one person!” Chrysalis responded, the attention of which I had. I knew this much at least.
“There’s a way out. When you imprisoned me in the void it became clear to me. The ancient rulers residing here would never allow such a taint to overcome us! As avatars of empathy they were trying to find a way to take in that taint, and neutralize it! If this is the case then with their help we can start undoing this! They were waiting for the love that could change this! And it is here!”
“That’s… impossible.”
“HEY EVERYONE! Who here is prepared to share in their burden?” I shouted, demanding an answer out of those surrounding me. The note of their answer was unanimous, so much that it halted Chrysalis and Twilight’s reactions by sheer surprise. Even the Equestrians joined in the chorus.
“My Queen… I am going to defeat you. And I’m going to prove to you that I’m right!” I clenched my hoof and started gathering my strength. Not physical, nor magical… I gathered the strength to live, to continue, to overcome my burdens. As I focused on avoiding direct confrontation with the rest of the warriors I whispered my wish. “Amidst despair and loss… a new Queen is born!” I focused my heart at this, and as I did an orange glow gathered around me. I raised my hoof, sending it up. A small glint of light at the end was a sign: my wish had been heard, and I smiled as Foals Errand descended, slamming on the ground next to me.
We wasted no time. We thundered forth, but this time it seemed as if the very magic of this place answered our wishes. Our eyes glowed, our hair flowed as magic surged around our auras. A sword of magic answered our call at our joined h. With one simultaneous swing, it reached the pair. There was no stopping this attack, and Chrysalis and Twilight’s attempts to block this proved to be in vain. As the force sent them to the walls I could grasp the awe of the warriors: both friends, who with the magic binding them gone were now free, and enemies.
Chrysalis shifted from her position and her aura swirled wildly in shades of crimson and black. There was something sickening shifting from her chest, like a jetblack rock. I understood, as did everyone, that this was the core she was talking about. She screamed wildly as the pain of it coming out overwhelmed her. As the crown fell from her head and rolled towards my hooves my instincts told me to pick it up. The “Taint Shard”, as I called it in my head, launched itself towards me and my Queen. Grabbing the crown tighter, I prayed.
“Ancestors, aid us!” I pleaded. The crown vibrated and glowed in response. Guided by a will of its own, the crown hovered in front of me. An insectoid figure quickly formed below it, shining with a fierce emerald glow, armed with a greatsword half its height. Three voices echoed from the figure and the statues around me.
“TAINT THAT WOULD CONSUME THE PROTEANS. BY LOVE YOUR HUNGER BE SATED, BY EMPATHY YOUR RAGING INFERNO BE DOUSED!”
The figure charged at the shard, its booming voice echoing in the halls.
“LET FORGIVENESS WASH AWAY THE SINS AND PAIN YOU HAVE CAUSED!” It struck the shard, whos’ will was staggered by the slash. The avatar of the changelings, Proteans as our ancestors called our race, struck again. But this time it took my form. It struck again with a different form, this time Queen Chrysalis was striking. The next was Twilight, the princesses, the hive that was present, all of them delivered a blow that split the shard to even smaller pieces. The pieces then rushed to those present, but the figure didn’t vanish.
The avatar of the Proteans restored all present to their full health and beckoned them forth. Its voice, however, was softer now.
“Listen children. The taint of evil cannot be destroyed completely. But it is now too small to actually force our species into extinction, or otherwise. It is now up to you to eventually see the end of this by accepting this Taint and turning it into something good. With forgiveness, resolve, and empathy all is possible. As you do, the Taint will split and one more step towards defeating it will be taken. When you have spread this message to all of Equestria, the Proteans will no longer need to feed upon love.”
There was a murmur of disbelief around Chrysalis as she spoke. “No longer needing to feed upon love? When will that moment come?”
“In due time. The Proteans are known for their perseverance. The ascension from the Abyss, the Armageddon's Exodus, and now… the Cleansing of the Taint. Sometimes we need to be reminded what we are capable dear Chrysalis. Go in peace, and spread forgiveness and love. Remember to be empathetic.”
With those words the avatar faded.
“The long journey is over…” was all I could think as the hive met their Queen again. As the two smaller ones became one once again.
We were granted the title of “Vanguards”, that equates to heroes for the changelings, leaders that took the initiative in crucial moments. All we wanted was the happiness of the changelings. Finally… we had the chance to make this dream a reality. The journey was going to be long… but we had each other, and so we feared nothing.
Foals Errand yawned and stretched as she uncurled from around the foal who had been having a nightmare. She smiled as the blue pegasi foal opened her eyes with a smile. "Did Princess Luna chase your bad dream away Smokey?"
The filly nodded and licked Erran's nose, which caused the young queen to wiggle said nose while basking in the love she was being fed. With another stretch she was covered in a green fire and took the form of a lemon yellow unicorn which called the filly to giggle and clap her little hooves.
Erran lifted her onto her back "You like it when I do that, don't you?"
"Uhhuh! Magik!" Smokey squealed as she was held in Erran's magic to steady her as she began to walk downstairs, nodding every now and then to a pegasus or unicorn who in reality were changelings like herself; her sweet drones. She suspected that even without the children in her orphanage she'd easily stay fed just from the adorable antics of her drones. That was neither now nor then though. Today was going to a busy day as one of her foals was leaving to go to their new forever family.
After dropping Smokey off in the kitchen with several other children and Cluster, Erran began searching for the little filly. Kimono Chibi was usually in the rec room so she checked there first. Unsurprisingly, there she was, watching those vids from Neighpon. "Kimi? Come on Kimi, your forever Mommies are coming today, remember?"
The little filly didn't answer, but there was no need as Erran could taste the apprehension rolling off of her. She sat next to her after a moment in her normal form wrapping a wing around her tiny body. "What is it Kimi?"
"Wha if dey bwing me bac?" Kimono asked, looking up into Erran's eyes with her own tear filled ones, her ears pinned back against her head.
To see one of her foals so upset made Erran's heart hurt, a feat which she felt would have occurred even if she not been a changeling. "Kimono, your new mommies love you so much already. I know, I can taste it on them. Any time i've seen either of them in town they have asked only about you. Twilight even took me to see your room in their home. I am certain you will like it."
"Why havn dey com see me den?" Kimono asked blinking the tears out of her eyes as she cradled her plushie in her hooves.
Erran sighed. "Silly big pony rules that shouldn't matter. It doesn't matter though Kimi, because they are coming for you today. I promise." Her ear flicked, hearing hoof steps stop in the doorway and a familiar chitter. She grinned "Thank you Musical Boy." She lifted Kimono onto her back "Your mommies are downstairs."
Erran smiled as she helplessly absorbed the massive amounts of love that always came when one of her foals left her. Princess Twilight Sparkle had Kimono in her hooves snuggled to her chest as Queen Chrysalis gave them both soft nuzzles. Erran grinned. Chrysalis had been surrounding herself in cuteness for over a month to avoid cuteness overload when they were allowed to take Kimono home. Erran could see the elder queen was a tiny bit green but it was nowhere close to how bad she had been upon previous visits.
After only a short amount of time, Kimono was buckled into her new stroller and Erran smiled sadly as it was time to say goodbye. "Be a good filly for your mommies Kimi."
Kimono beamed and blew a kiss to Erran as Chrysalis took ahold of her stroller in her magic. Twilight Sparkle bowed once more and then hugged the juvenile changeling queen. "Thank you!" She then hurried after her wife and new daughter.
Erran watched them go with a pleased smile as one of her drones arrived with a note from Ponyville hospital. "What is it Europa?" Erran opened the note and sighed. A newborn changeling foal had been found abandoned. She smiled. "Well, let’s go get them Europa, after all, where would be a better place for an abandoned changeling foal then here?"
"So you're telling me you stole a warehouse's worth of precious metals and other valuable materials, as well as injured ten ponies and almost killed another just to send me a love letter form Chrysalis?!" Twilight asked me.
I nodded slowly.
"Ermmmm, remember me? The one who served you drinks at the pool at the resort during the evil 100th special?"
Twilight looked at me quizzically.
"Swiper!? That's my name. Remember it?"
Just more silence.
"Ungh, okay, maybe it wasn't totally necessary to hurt and steal that much."
Twilight raised her eyebrow at me.
"Okay, maybe barely."
Her eyebrow had risen so far that I had no idea how it was still on her face.
"Okayyyyyyyyyy, maybe it wasn't necessary at all. But can't a changeling have some fun around here?"
Twilight just looked at me like I was a crazy changeling before swiping the love letter from her hoof.
"Hey, my name's Swiper! Only I should do the swiping!" I screeched.
But Twilight was distracted since she was reading the love letter. She soon gave a guttural moan, and then a primitive growl after reading for about a minute..
"I-I need to go to my room," was all she said before waddling awkwardly into the bathroom, still avidly reading the letter and creepily groaning and moaning.
Ponies. I thought as I turned into a skinny filly, sliding my hooves out of the shackles that held me before changing back to my black carapaced self and buzzing out the open window into the clear, blue sky.
Twilight and Chrysalis made their way through the market square by Ponyville Town Hall. A few weeks ago, Princess Twilight Sparkle had approached Foals Errand, a local orphanage runner who was the young queen of a changeling hive that was living in Ponyville. A while back, the Royal Couple of Ponyville had visited Erran’s orphanage to adopt one of her residents; a small Neighsian filly named Kimono Chibi, who was happily riding on Chryssy’s back, gurgling cheerfully as her changeling other bounced and rocked her as she walked through the town square.
After a passing comment from the young changeling monarch, Twilight had grown curious about Erran’s hive, and so requested to meet the changelings she looked after, and find out what they did with themselves, both in the hive and in Ponyville itself. Foals Errand had happily imparted the names, both changeling and pony aliases (if applicable), of her hive members, and where Twilight might find them. One of Erran’s hive members was a young thespian known as Opera Phantom, by unknowing ponies, and Mirror Image by his fellows. Mirror Image was the director of Ponyville’s new theatre, which stood tall and proud a few blocks down from Sugar Cube Corner. The theatre had been built to seat the whole town, with a stage that could accommodate a cast of over two hundred cast members. Mirror’s pride and joy of the establishment was the tricks and effect that could be achieved on the vast stage; as it could be fitted with a rotating floor for chase scenes, a vast underground set storage for scenery that raised and lowered from the floor, and flying wires for non-Pegasus ponies who may be required to fly during a performance.
The citizens of Ponyville had greatly accepted the theatre, and shows were frequently sold out. As the theatre came into view, Twilight started thinking about the types of questions she could ask the changeling; what role would he play in a changeling hierarchy? What made him decide to work as a theatre director? The building was grand, that could not be denied. The pillars that held the high arching doorways were made of marble, and styled like ancient Pegasus temple hallway pillars. There was a large bronze bust of the great poet and playwright; Willow Flankspeare, inset above the doors. Inside the building continued the style and grandeur that would make even a Canterlot Elite pony gawk in awe. The carpets were regal red, and made from the finest Onikuma bear fur. Giant crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling, each one hoof crafted from the Crystal Empire and made out of rare Alexandrite. Even the Box Office was made out of exquisite materials; the surface of the desk was crafted from the tusk of an Orbis Elephantus, or World Elephant, while the wood that lined its walls was carved from the trunk of a Baobab tree from Zebrica.
The two royals gazed in awe and wonderment at the architectural marvels that surrounded them, before the sound of approaching hoofsteps broke them from their stupor.
“Good day, Your Royal Highnesses,” the newcomer greeted, in a rich Canterlotian accent. He bowed deeply as a sign of respect. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” The couple turned to greet the new company; a grey unicorn stallion with a grey mane and tail. On the right side of his face, he wore a white mask that covered half his face. His black cape fell about his sides in fluid motions, and on his flank, he had a picture that looked exactly like the mask he wore on his face.
“Hello there, Opera,” Twilight greeted with a warm smile. “I was wondering if I could talk to you about your involvement in Foals Errand’s hive.” The grey stallion rose to his hooves with a knowing smile. Twilight guessed he must’ve been alerted by Erran that he could expect such a visit ahead of time; changelings were very good at conveying messages in next to no time. Opera closed his eyes and his horn ignited with a bright green glow. Green flames erupted around his hooves and quickly engulfed the unicorn, fading away as suddenly as they had appeared to reveal his true self.
The changeling was almost as tall as Big Macintosh, but wasn’t nearly as muscular. His shoulders were broad, but his form looked slightly softer, less than the body of a fighter, but more like the body of a gentlecolt. The shell upon his back was shiny and reflective, not unlike a mirror, and the shape of the theatre’s ceiling was visible on its reflective, convex, surface. Once the changeling opened his eyes, Twilight and Chrysalis, involuntarily, stepped backwards. His eyes, rather than being a dull blue without detail, like most changelings, were reflective mirrors that bounced back a perfect image of everything they saw, and the two royals found themselves looking at their own reflections whenever they made eye contact with the changeling. Mirror Image only smiled warmly, as is oblivious to the couples’ surrealist gawks.
“Mirror Image, at your service,” the changeling announced grandly, his voice still holding a gentlecoltly tone. Twilight shook the pins and needles that tickled her neck and regained her composure.
“Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mirror Image,” she said with a dip of her head. Mirror smiled once more and ushered his guests to the auditorium, where he had set up a play pen for Kimono while the adults talked.
“So, you have questions,” Mirror stated, knowingly, receiving a simple nod from Twilight. “Well then, whatever you wish to know, I am all too happy to enlighten you, Your Highness. Fire away.”
“OK. So, “Mirror Image”. I’m guessing that name’s not just a formality.” The changeling chuckled heartily.
“Correct, Miss Twilight. My name is more than just a simple identity tag. I was bred to be a spy.” Twilight nodded as she thought of how the name would correlate to the class of “spy” in a changeling hierarchy. “If I may, I would like to give you a demonstration of what it is I would do when out on the field.” Twilight nodded and gestured for the changeling to demonstrate his talent. The changeling spy stood from his seat and closed his eyes, focusing on how he wanted his magic to behave. Slowly, long thin tendrils of silvery magic extended from his horn and weaved their way around him like a cocoon. After a few seconds, the cocoon of silvery aura dissipated with a soft flash. Standing in place of Mirror Image was a purple Alicorn with navy hair and a star for a cutie mark; Twilight Sparkle. Twilight spluttered and fell on her haunches as her doppelgänger smiled knowingly at her.
“You’re… yo-you’re me!” The purple pony princess exclaimed, dumbly. Chrysalis chuckled to herself as she helped her lover to her hooves.
“I cannot tell you what I’m feeling right now,” she said in her bedroom voice. “It isn’t very foal friendly.” The doppelgänger giggled, her voice an exact imitation of the real Twilight’s.
“I replaced many ponies in big fancy dos in Canterlot,” Mirror Twilight boasted. “Photo Finish, Hoity Toity, Upper Crust. I even posed as Fancy Pants from time to time.” Twilight gawked at the confession. “And, not only do I take on the appearance, voice, personality and talent of the pony I imitate,” Mirror Twilight’s face twisted into a knowing smirk that made Twilight’s fur stand up on the back of her neck, “but I also take their memories. And, my, my, Princess. You certainly have had some interesting ventures with your workerfriend.”
Twilight ran from the theatre, her face blushing bright as a beetroot as she fled for the sake of her modesty, Kimono Chibi gurgling gleefully as her pony mummy levitated her at her side as she ran. Chrysalis giggled conspiratorially as she leaned in close to Mirror Twilight.
“So… if you have all of Twilight’s memories… where does she hide her Big Macintosh toy?”
He wandered the chambers of this new hive still learning all of it’s twists and turns. He still couldn’t believe it. By all rights, he, along with his fellow lings should have perished. After her highness failed attempt at a takeover in Canterlot, they were left banished and starving. If it hadn’t been for that purple pony…
Magus shook his head. Twilight Sparkle, that was her name. His race’s savior was none other than Equestria’s newest princess. Such a sweet pony. He could never admit it, but Magus was a bit softer than his fellow ‘lings. Don’t misunderstand, he was as deadly as the next ‘ling, but for him it was so much better to talk his way out of situations rather than fight.
Which is why he had garnered the position he had. As royal envoy, he carried messages from her highness to the rest of her collective. Though he never understood why his job was necessary (after all, the hive mind would allow her to send out orders just as effectively), he was still proud that he was trusted to deliver his messages to their owners. Today’s task, was one he really enjoyed. He was taking this month’s supply requests to her.
Magus buzzed a little as he thought of her lithe form. The way her carapace was just that perfect shade of black. The way her greenish mane was braided and the way her tail matched. Her light blue wings just so colored that they were almost invisible. Grant you, the queen might suppress MOST of a drone’s desire to mate, but it didn’t eliminate it totally. He just hoped one day he’d get the chance to maybe act on it.
Reaching her chambers, he walked up to the twin guards stationed outside the door. Their faces a blank slate and their armor clad in very deadly looking wing blades and other weaponry. Magus swallowed hard as he began to speak, “I have reports from her highness the Queen for General Kerrigan. May I enter?” The guards merely stepped aside and allowed him access to the chambers. Stepping inside, Magus saw her in all her raw beauty. Her muzzle buried in a mountain of paperwork. He could just barely make out her double ringed magenta and maroon irises as she scanned over another report. He stopped in front of her desk and waited for her to notice. Within seconds, she rose her gaze at Magus and bared her fangs.
“To what do I owe the pleasure of her highness favorite errand boy?”
“I have reports for you to oversee General,” he said bowing slightly. Even in anger, she was gorgeous. He’d gladly offer his throat to her if she asked (as well as any other part of his anatomy…), “I can just leave them if you’re busy.”
Glancing at him again, Kerrigan sniffed the air. She could smell his mix of fear and arousal. She had to admit, it was cute that he had a crush on her. Damn shame for him that he was no where near mate potential. Still, pawns like these, whose weakness is bared before you were just too good to pass up. The only reason she was having to deal with the blasted reports in the first place is because of that detestable pony that had ensnared her former queen. After her banishment from the Black Swarm, Kerrigan had been able to slip free of her exile and take refuge with this small hive she’d found just outside Ponyville. It wasn’t nearly as strong as her former home, but Queen Errand showed potential as a ruler. If Kerrigan could only bring out that bloodthirsty side she’d seen in her a little more often, she’d make a fine queen to serve. Of course, if she couldn’t, then she could always take her rightful place on the throne. From there, it would be no problem to eliminate Sparkle. If she could only be rid of her, she could easily help Chrysalis regain her true form and lead the hordes in the domination of the pony lands instead of making peace treaties with them. If this drone before her was trusted enough by her queen to deliver messages, then he already had an in to get closer to that pony. “Actually, maybe you can help me,” she said as she caught his eye. She instantly dropped the cold hearted killer facade and switched to her most demure and alluring act. “You see, ever since our beloved queen has been spending more time out of the hive with that pony, I’ve been having trouble getting accurate security reports. It seems that the Queen’s desire to slip in and out at will is making it difficult to keep reliable security details in place. What I’d like for you to do, is to go to Sparkle. Get to know her a bit. Find out what routes would be best to station patrols on. After all, I’m sure she fears for her highness safety as much as we do.” She batted her lashes as she crossed around her stone desk.
Magus instantly felt the temperature of the room rise by a hundred degrees. This was the most Kerrigan had ever spoken to him. Hell, it was the most she’d ever payed attention to him. And now, she was coming around her desk and coming muzzle to muzzle with him. The sweat beaded from his brow in buckets as Kerrigan closed in. He became intoxicated on her scent as it filled his nostrils. “But, m-my lady, I-I already have an assignment. I can’t just abandoned my duties.”
Kerrigan gently nuzzled into Magus’ ear, “Oh, do this for me, and I’m sure I could find a way to make it worth your trouble.” She gave her best smile to him and watched his resolve instantly melt away. “No ‘ling would need to know. All you’d have to do is speak to Sparkle, do a little scout work, and send the reports back to me. Do that, and I’m sure you’ll be happy with your reward…”
That was all it took, the last of Magus’ resolve melted at as Kerrigan’s tongue slithered into his ear for the briefest of seconds. “As you wish oh beautiful Kerrigan. Only for you. I will get you as much information as I can. I shall return soon!” Quickly, Magus took to his wings and buzzed himself to his quarters. Moments later, he packed a few supplies in a sack and slung it over his head. Leaving a note for his shift relief that he was going to be gone for a few days, Magus shot out of the hive and made the flight to Ponyville.
“Guess it’s time to introduce myself…”
Twilight was quietly reshelving the larger libraries in her new palace, Ponyville had made no move to rebuild the town library nor any move to suggest Twilight step down. So for the time being, Twilight’s new home still served as the town library and Twilight was still the librarian. She had been enjoying the relaxing quiet even though she did wish she could have spent today with Chrysalis however the Hive Queen had matters to deal with today regarding her Hive but had promised she would return in the evening.
There were few patrons in the library today as most had opted to spend the day outside in the warm sun, so it was the sound of hooves clicking against the crystal that alerted Twilight to the presence of a visitor. Walking near her was an Earth Pony mare with a midnight blue coat, a goldenrod mane and tail and a book and quill Cutie Mark. “Oh, hello there, welcome to Ponyville’s library. I’m Twilight Sparkle, is there something I could help you find?”
“Hello Twilight, my name’s Wolfsbane. I’m just browsing, not really sure where to start.” Wolfsbane said.
“Was there any subject in particular that you’re looking for?” Twilight asked.
“History, I’m interested to see what you have in terms of history books.” Wolfsbane answered.
Twilight walked over to one of the shelves, “Well these few shelves here are what there is on history. Most of it is on pony history, we have a few books on non-pony history.”
“Anything on Changelings?” Wolfsbane asked.
Twilight mentally reviewed the titles on the shelf before levitating a thin book over, “A Guide to the Species of Our World, this is all we have unfortunately. It’s also a bit old so it may not be all that accurate.”
Wolfsbane nodded, “Thank you.” Wolfsbane took the book carefully in her mouth and walked off to find a place to read.
Twilight returned to reorganizing the books when she heard a book being slammed down, putting her books down she went to investigate. She found Wolfsbane at a table with the book on the floor.
“Wolfsbane please do not destroy the books in the library, these are meant for everypony to read.”
Wolfsbane looked at Twilight and sighed, “Sorry…. It’s just…. the book’s very inaccurate. It depicts Changelings like they’re some evil, sadistic vampires who leave nothing behind but dead husks.”
Twilight lifted the book off the floor and opened the cover to check the date, “It was published a few decades ago by one Guiding Light. From the description inside the cover, Guiding Light spent a fair amount of time travelling to learn about Changelings and then he wrote this book. It was highly regarded at the time as being an excellent guide to the mysterious Changelings.”
Wolfsbane snorted, “I think I heard of him before, Dim Light they called him. Never knew the title of his book or that I would ever find the damn thing.”
Twilight inspected the book for damage, “Well it looks to be in good condition,” she turned to stare at her visitor, “Despite how much you may dislike it, it is still a book that needs to be well respected. Ponies didn’t really know about Changelings until more recently and so there definitely needs to be a better guide.”
Twilight placed the book on the table, “May I ask why you are researching Changelings? Is it for a paper or some other research, I may be able to find better information from one of the two Hives here in Ponyville.”
Wolfsbane shook her head, “I am sorry about mistreating a book, I usually don’t do things like that but Dim Light’s books are so wrong. I was looking for books on Changelings because I wanted to see what Ponies have written about us.”
Twilight opened her mouth to speak but then paused as she reviewed the last sentence, “Changeling?” Twilight asked.
The blue pony nodded, “I am and I from Foals’ Hive.”
“I guess that explains the curiosity in Changelings and your disgust with his book. Although I don’t think I've seen you around Ponyville before. Did you move here together with Foals’ Hive or were you a Changeling who came to Ponyville later?”
“I moved here with Foals’ Hive, I’ve just haven’t gotten out much.” Wolfsbane said before sighing, “One of my friends finally convinced me to get out and to go meet other Ponies.”
“Oh? I know Ponyville’s been fairly welcoming to Changelings.” Twilight said.
“I know that but…. bad experiences have made me a bit weary.” Wolfsbane said quietly.
“Sorry,” Twilight said hoping to not prod into an uncomfortable topic. “So what have you been doing in Ponyville?”
“I help at the orphanage, I make up stories to read to the children we have there,” answered Wolfsbane.
“Is that your role in the Hive too? You seemed interested in non-pony history, was this because you picked up some history or stories from other species, I remember Chrysalis telling me of the stories and history that Changelings have collected from infiltration a….” Twilight trailed off when she noticed her guests discomfort.
Twilight walked closer to give the Changeling a hug but she could see the disguise drop when Wolfsbane flinched away. The brief flicker of her Changeling form that Twilight could see looked average except for two healed over gashes on the back of her shell. The disguise quickly returned and the blue Earth Pony leaned into the hug.
“I seem to keep making things awkward for you,” Twilight said evasively trying to avoid more uncomfortable topics.
“It’s fine,” Wolfsbane said, “some of my past I’m not too fond of remembering. But in my previous Hive….” Wolfsbane paused to take a deep breath to help steady herself, “I was meant to be an Infiltrator, those who entered societies secretly for information or sometimes elimination of targets and our natural skills reflected that. We had disguise and our natural weapons at our disposal and mine was poison hence my name. However I never really could be one…. I have a defect.... my disguise abilities don’t always work…. especially under emotional stress…. and because of that I was never given more than a few mundane tasks on any assignment if I got any, mostly I was ignored or discarded.... But I did enjoy the rare opportunities I had living among other species and studying the local history and folklore, it became my hobby. In my new Hive, my hobby became my work and I guess I could say that I’m akin to what you Ponies call historians although I have always liked the title of Chronicler or Storyteller better. My role is to help to maintain and preserve the history and folklore of Changelings along with other species.” Wolfsbane smiled, “I used those to help make stories for the children at the orphanage.”
"Any particular story you like?" Twilight asked, "As I said earlier, our collection of non-pony works are a bit sparse."
Wolfsbane nodded, "Many, I could tell you about some if you like. I promise there will be no more thrown books.”
Twilight nodded and led Wolfsbane to a quiet corner of the library.