//------------------------------// // Chapter Two // Story: The Breaking Point // by Windy The Warrior //------------------------------// Cherry Fizz pushed the unconscious creature into the taxi, considering her options. She couldn't bring him to a hospital; they would be either too scared or curious to work properly, assuming that they even knew changeling anatomy. The police might put him under investigation, and he wouldn't get medical attention for hours, maybe days. She didn't hold it against them, but there were a lot of predictable reactions. The cab driver had turned away, giving her enough time to hide the changeling. He finally called back. "Everything fine back there, ma'am?" He glanced back just in time for Cherry to conceal her companion. She nodded briefly and the taxi slid back onto the streets. Alright, then. I guess we're going home, she thought. Well, maybe I can call Lemon Drop. She's had strange cases before. Then she kicked herself for even thinking about dragging her sister into this whole mess. Unable to come up with a solution, the pegasus turned her attention to the changeling. The carapace laid across his withers was much shorter than any she'd seen before, but was thicker and wound farther along his body. It was lighter than the rest of him, a calming silver with cleverly placed folds. His wings were small and ragged, too weak to fly on at the moment. His horn, despite the odd structure, had remained intact, as did his hooves. She knew changelings didn't have manes, but the frills on his back and head sufficed. They were slightly scorched at the edges, and now she recognized the damage from a drastic teleportation. She winced, remembering the time her youngest brother, Caramel Sweet, had tried to jump directly from school to home. That alone was enough to cover him in bruises. This changeling had come much farther, and since there had been no reports, he had jumped all the way from the Badlands. His mouth was hanging open slightly, which Cherry found somewhat endearing. He looked to be about her age, but she couldn't be sure. Suddenly, his eyes flickered open. A look of panic etched itself onto his face, and if not for the closed taxi window between them and the driver he would've been found. Cherry quickly shushed him, maintaining a casual appearance in case anypony was looking at her. Silver Lining surveyed the area for onlookers, only to find that there weren't any. He had been resting his head on a bag of something that resembled leaves, and had been wedged between two soft benches. His rescuer sat a feet or two away, gazing nonchalantly through a window. There were six of them, two on the ends and four on the sides. A pane of glass kept the passengers and a driver apart. The only thing he'd known in the Hive that was remotely similar was the collection trucks that combed the streets before every execution process. He drew in a sharp breath. "Oh Arachne, I'm in a collection..." He muttered, hyperventilating. "This can't happen. This is not happening!" The pink and green female shot him a warning look. She leaned in and whispered, "Calm it. You're gonna get yourself caught! What, you've never seen a car before?" He blinked. So this was normal for ponies. He shook his head, reminding himself how advanced these people were in tech. Of course this was normal... But it was terrifying. Silver diverted his gaze to the female, taking in her features. Her coat was a pretty shade of rose, and a curly mass of forest-colored hair rested on her head. Her sharp blue eyes shone with intelligence. He shivered, hoping she was at least nice. He was already thoroughly petrified by her voice, which was richer and deeper than any female's he had ever heard. He suppressed a gulp as she turned away, hoping she wasn't angry. When he'd first escaped, he had been hoping whoever found him would be a bit more familiar. He reluctantly set his head back down, feeling oddly revitalized. His wounds still stung, but he felt full. He dismissed the thought, drifting back to sleep. Cherry spared a glance for the poor companion. She looked away before the driver noticed, but she was really curious about the changeling. She recognized the feeling, but couldn't name it. Still, she would protect him. He needed help, so he would get it. Then she realized that he'd never once said his name. She chuckled, earning a strange look from the stallion in front. Whatever was happening, she had a long way to go. ♠ Hundreds of miles away, Obsidian finished the executions. She had tried to put the escapees behind her, but even the thrill of death couldn't distract her. It would've been fine if they had been normal, but a Shifter and a Mirror running loose... It practically radiated anarchy. She growled as she galloped down a set of stairs. She had no time to lose for walking. She leaped from the final step, planting her robust hooves firmly on ivory tile. She spared a single moment surveying her bedchamber, just in case anyone was foolish enough to spy. When she was satisfied, she traced a set of icons in the floor, horn lit as she did so. A wave of sparkling energy coursed through her veins, the effect of ancient magic being wielded by an incorrect soldier. She flicked the notion away. If there was anyone worthy of this destructive power, it was she who had slain millions, outsider or no, in her brief two years in office. A white-hot line of raw magic sparked into existence, and Obsidian stood in awe for just a moment, watching the very fabric of space being torn apart by a spell. Her spell! The line split in the center, pulling itself wider until it was a disc shape. The queen turned away for a second, as she had heard about those who were stupid enough to forget about the light. Many of her line had their eyes scorched out just from one look. She shuddered as the disc's center broke, exploding in a luminescence greater than that of the sun. She carefully opened her eyes, wincing at the fading light. Still, she wouldn't go blind now that the initial procedure was complete. There was now a pulsing gateway hanging in the air, a wormhole into an artificial universe. It had been created to watch the world from afar and monitor subjects who were questionable in loyalty. Few in the family had ever used it for its true purpose, though; it was a weapon, stronger than machines and more invincible than magic. And it was ready. She flew inside, landing on the single platform in existence. Her armor rang like wind chimes as they adjusted to gravity and nothingness. The swirling void around her twisted like smoke, wise after dynasties of nothing to do but think. The cold, black abyss welcomed those witless enough to listen. Obsidian shivered, new to this foreboding realm. She willed the platform to drift forward, and it did. She gave it something to track, namely that worker who had, under his knowledge, just lost a tool set. She wasn't going to let him and the rebel get away so easily, especially when they were so close!... The platform paused, announcing their arrival. Another gate, this time a single-sided window, broke the darkness. She frowned at the sight of pony technology, her prey sitting hidden in the back of a car, maybe a taxi. Her education had granted her knowledge of all machines, despite her species being unable to build them effectively. It wouldn't have mattered if this was any other situation, but he was being guarded by a mare with a pink coat and green mane and tail. Obsidian huffed, annoyed that she couldn't just kill him immediately. The rebel would be guarded as well, but this time by those who would delight in their ruler's death. She bit her tongue, considering what she could do. Formal executions were one thing; a mysterious assassination was another that would put her life in jeopardy. She would lose her powers, at the very least. That would be worse than death... She gently glided the platform back. She would just have wait. ♠ Moments later, Cherry and Silver arrived home. The house was modern-built with white geometric walls and huge windows. The furniture was arranged to see outside, but still provide privacy. The taxi driver pulled the car aside and admired the structure. It wasn't cozy, per say, but it was certainly livable. Cherry silently shook the changeling awake, disguising it by picking up her saddlebags in the same motion. He groaned, raising his head slightly. After a moment, he remembered what happened, and reluctantly climbed into a bag, switching his appearance to that of an orange. Cherry picked up the last bag in her mouth, careful not to drop it. She smiled gratefully at Gear Shift, who returned it and drove away. When he was out of sight, the changeling rolled out of the bag and turned back. "Uh, sorry about that. It's just safer that way," he said, catching the mare's glare. Cherry frowned. "You're so heavy! That doesn't make sense!" She nudged the door open, trudging through to the kitchen. "No offense, hon, but ouch!" He looked down at his hooves. "Sorry. I'm still learning. Workers don't really have schools, so most of us can only change for a few seconds, never mind account for weight." Cherry cocked her head. "Really? I thought it was an innate skill or an instinct or something." She thought for a second. "Although I guess I understand. Unicorns can't do magic without being taught, besides those weird newborn powers, and earth ponies have to learn how to manipulate luck. Even I wasn't able to fly as a filly without help. Sorry, uh...? The changeling was confused for a moment, but then caught on. "Oh! I'm Silver Lining. And you are?" Cherry smiled brightly. "Name's Cherry Fizz, entrepreneur and candy expert. Nice to finally meet you."