Shining Armor began to wake, he felt cozy and warm, he also felt something gooey all around him and couldn’t move very well. His eyes shot open and he started thrashing at whatever it was he was in, trying to escape. He finally broke free and started coughing. When he finished Shining looked down to see what he was in. It was a cocoon of some sort, and then caught sight of his body. It was black instead of its usual white. Then looked at his hooves, there were holes in them. Shining began to panic slightly.
“What’s going on? Wait what’s wrong with my voice? This has to be some kind of dream or nightmare or something.”
“Oh this is no dream I assure you.”
Shining looked toward were the voice was coming from and saw Queen Chrysalis approaching him.
“You! What did you do to me? Where are we? How did I get here?” he said in an angry tone.
“Isn’t it obvious I’ve turned you into a changeling. As to where we are let’s just say we’re in a cave somewhere in the Crystal Mountains. And as to how you got here I stole you away in the middle of the night while you were sleeping. It’s been a long time hasn’t it Metamorphosis.”
“Meta what?”
“Metamorphosis, it’s your changeling name. A new body needs a new name and since I created you it’s only fitting that I name you as well.”
“The name is Shining Armor. Now change me BACK!”
“So sorry but there is no way to reverse the transformation. Join me, become my king and together we can take Equestria.”
“Never!”
“Hmm very well then, let’s see how long you can survive. If you need to find me head to the Badlands and I’ll find you because it’s only a matter of time before you come crawling back to me,” she said with a grin.
Chrysalis then flew out the mouth of the cave they were in.
“Comeback here you bitch!” Shining chased after her but he was met with a blizzard upon exiting. Shining wanted to chase her down but lost sight of her in the midst of the snow storm. Still enraged he tried to calm himself and went back inside, then took a closer look at his new insect body. He still had his mane and tail, although now a different color. He noticed his new wings and that he had fangs. Shining also found a bucket of water Chrysalis left behind and saw his reflection, his eyes and horn were now like hers. In addition to his voice sounding different. He smacked the bucket away unable to look at himself any further. He tried to use his magic but quickly found that changeling magic was different from unicorn magic and couldn’t produce the desired results he wanted. Even basic levitation was sloppy. Damn it, what am I going to do? How am I going to explain this to Cadence? How am I going to explain this to anypony? Then he got an idea. Wait a minute if I’m a changeling now then I can change my appearance to look like my old self again. That will give me plenty of time to figure out a way to tell them the truth. “Alright how do I do this?”
Shining concentrated and tried to change his appearance. It took some time but he finally managed to look like his old self again, now all he has to do is figure out a way to maintain his disguise for an extended period of time. Satisfied with the way he looked Shining left the cave, got his bearings and started to make his way back to the Crystal Empire.
The crystal guards were out searching the frozen north looking for Prince Shining Armor. Flash Sentry soared through the air on another day of searching. Sometime later Flash found Shining trekking through the snow and went to land in front of him.
“Sire I finally found you.”
Shining looked up.
“Flash?”
Flash made his way to the ground and landed.
“It’s so good to see you sire, we were beginning to worry and I know Princess Cadence was starting to fear the worst.”
“Wait how long have I been gone?”
“A week.”
“A week!” I was in that cocoon for a week.
“That’s right. Sire where were you? What happened?”
“I’ll explain later, right now I just want to get home.”
“I understand, follow me.”
On their way back to the empire they ran into some guards who were also out looking for Shining. Flash decided to leave Shining in their company while he flew ahead to tell the Princess that Shining was safe. Upon their return to the Crystal Empire Shining saw Flash and Cadence waiting outside the city for him. Shining ran to her and Cadence did the same. When they met they embraced each other in a hug.
“Oh Shining I was so worried about you. Where have you been?”
Shining didn’t necessarily want to lie to her but he didn’t have to tell her the whole truth either.
“I was ponynapped by Queen Chrysalis, but I managed to escape.”
Cadence gasped. “That’s horrible, are you alright?”
“I’m fine Cadence, really.”
“Are you sure? What happened?” she said with worry in her voice.
I’m fine. I would rather not talk about it right now. Let’s just head back to the palace. Flash you and the others go recall the other search parties.”
“Yes sire.”
Shining and Cadence started to make their way back to the palace, but he stopped when he realized they were about to pass through the love barrier protecting the empire.
Oh great how is this going to work. Will it repel me like mine did to the other changelings at the wedding? No chrysalis must have gotten through in order to get to me, but what if my disguise drops when I pass through or-
“Coming Shining?”
“Huh oh right I guess I zoned out for a minute, coming.” Well here goes nothing.
Cadence passed through first with Shining following behind her. When he passed through he was met with the most amazing sensation of his entire life. The raw love energy poring through every fiber of his being. He was on the verge of euphoria when he made it passed it. The feeling lingered for a few seconds but quickly subsided leaving him weak in the knees and collapsed under his own weight, panting. Luckily his disguise held. Cadence rushed to check on him and help him up.
“Shining what’s wrong? Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I guess I’m a little drained from my ordeal, I just need some time to rest is all.”
Luna's moon was high in the sky now. Cadence and Shining were going to bed, Shining was just glad he made it through the day, but a new concern plagued his mind.
What if I can't maintain the disguise while I sleep? I don't want Cadence freaking out because she wakes to fine a changeling in her bed.
Cadence got under the sheets.
“Coming to bed dear?”
“Coming.” Ok I just won’t go to sleep. I’ll wait until she’s asleep, sneak away, lock myself in my office, and make an excuse in the morning. Shining got under the covers as well and Cadence cuddled up close to him. But the warm and fuzzy feeling was gone, and then he realized he couldn’t feel love anymore. He still cared for her but as a changeling he could no longer produce the feelings of love like he used to. That’s probably what stung the most about his current situation, not being able to properly love his wife. Then he felt something and thought he was wrong about not feeling love, but quickly realized what was happening. He was feeding off Cadence’s love for him. No-no-no I have to stop. Shining pulled away from her.
“Something wrong?”
“I’m…just not in the mood I guess.”
Shining got up and started to walk away.
“Where are you going?”
“I still have some work that piled up in my absence, so I’ll work on that for a while. Don’t stay up on my account.”
“Alright.”
Shining left the room, went straight for his office, and locked the door behind him. Finally alone he dropped the disguise and breathed a sigh of relief. His horn was sore and hot to the touch. He took a seat at his desk, opened a blank journal and began to record his thoughts.
Day 1 as a changeling.
It’s my first day as a changeling and it was the worst day of my life. Damn Chrysalis for what she did to me. I don’t know if I will ever fully adjust to this new body of mine or be able to live the life I used to but I have to try. The hardest part will be maintaining my appearance and only feeding on enough love to sustain myself. I don’t know how I am going to break the news to Cadence, Twilight, and the others but that’s a conversation better left for another day. Right now I just have to survive, for these will be the longest days of my life.
Shining closed his journal and locked it in his safe, which only he knew the combination to. He settled down in his chair and finally allowed himself to drift off to sleep.