//------------------------------// // 8: Why not? // Story: Help! I'm not a changeling! // by Ashardu //------------------------------// Help! I'm not a changeling! Chapter 8: "Why not?" Edited by ShadowBeat. Huzzah! The friendship has been doubled! CONTAINS SWEARING. BE WARNED. It's been ten days or so since the magic incident. Everything Ivy and Emerald said came true. I wasn't capable of interacting with any sort of magic from this hive. No matter how small the task was, it just seemed impossible. Weapon exchange? Not a chance. My magic wasn't that advanced just yet. I still needed more training from Emerald. Telecommunication? Scratch the idea. Even if my magic was capable of such feat, I wasn't so fond of it anyways. Passing a pencil? Downright rejected. It is a miracle that I can still exchange love with my classmates and friends. Not that I- Oh right. I forgot to mention it. I learned how to feed on love! They taught me the basics of it, and to be honest, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I still have problems grasping the idea of feeding on something that doesn't even have a physical appearance though. Hey, I know photosynthesis is a thing, so stop giving me that look! It's just... I never thought it would happen to me. Eating away something invisible and impossible to grab with my hooves seems... almost crazy. Just downright crazy. All of my life was always fed on physical and delicious, three dimensional food. Not... abstract energy. How can I feed on love that others give me, despite coming from a hive whose magic is rejected by my body right on the act? Well... let me explain. Apparently, love is a source of energy created at any given moment that can travel through any kind of body, whether it is alive or dead, and work its miracles; it works at its fullest when it is actually alive though. Every being can create love and give it away within range and movement, similar to a mother's protection and love towards her children. It just needs a receiver to feel it without a single bad consequence about it. How about that? However, as obvious as it may seem to them, changeling cannot create such thing so far. Me, on the other hand... COMPLETELY UNAWARE OF THAT. Well, not now anymore. Although I still have something to say about it. Love can be a real pain sometimes. Now, don't get me wrong. Love is delicious; I confirmed it when I first fed on it. I was also shocked on the way I actually fed on it. You see, eating love might sound complicated to many, but it is more like absorbing instead of munching. Have you encountered a reference where someone or something absorbs an energy instead of ripping it with its own teeth or claws? Then use that and shove it up as love eating. Thankfully, since I watched my brother play Skyrim before I arrived to this place, I always pictured something similar about it, like the protagonist does after defeating the big, bad dragon. Just a whoooole lot of absorbing. Except I'm not a dragonborn. Nor my absorbing give me lethal shouts! Or strength... maybe I'm joking about that last part... Okay, so absorbing does give me more energy and strength, just like regular food does. Except I don't choke on the big bundle of food going through my mouth. The flavor isn't that bad either! Sweet candy flavored, if you ask me. Not a huge fan of sweets unlike my brother, but it's still delicious. Might even create an addiction out of it, if we weren't lacking love in the first place. Yup. That's right. I finally learned what the big deal was all about. Chrysalis's hive is starving to death. I should have seen it coming when Emerald told me she was kind of hungry the time I asked if she was feeling alright. After all, stopping in the middle of a spell is not only dangerous, but also more than a red flag saying 'YOU ARE FEELING WEAK. PLEASE EAT SOMETHING YOU OVER-DELUSIONAL CHANGELING MANIAC'. After finding out, I had one of those famous late acknowledged moments during one night. I was just like, "Oh.... and that... that-that-that-that-that-thu..... tha-that's why... Ah... I'm SO slow at getting this stuff." So yeah. That happened. Anyways, with a lot more pieces of the puzzle coming together, I slowly placed the pieces in their respective spots and came to a conclusion; actually, it is something more of a theory. But it goes like this... If Chrysalis doesn't do anything to save her dying hive, not only does she runs the risk of losing the small amount of hope she still has from her starving changelings, but also losing her life the same way a lot of her subjects did, not forgetting to mention the extinction of a whole species. I know leading an entire race is one thing, but saving them from extinction? Now that is a very heavy burden! From what I heard, these ponies have a huge grudge against us because of a certain incident they named "The Canterlot Invasion". If the name suggest anything, it does sound like a plan that failed big time for changeling party. But that title can be shaped any form. After all, winners are the ones who write down history. If so, it may have been a single battle or something even smaller! You know how people can make their triumphs gigantic when it was a completely different story. But... then again, they aren't people... meh, it could meant nothing. If it thinks, it can be done. Anyways, a single battle can't affect the whole race. Because I... Well, there are exceptions such as the... Pearl Harbor, and... the Hiro... shima.... ... I suppose one single fight can do a lot of things... But still, it was just once, right? I mean, said battle can't be unbelievably horrible to affect the changelings. IF it was the case, then maybe things wouldn't be still... alive. Maybe I'm just overthinking things; jumping to conclusions ending in denial. It seems so unreal, but capable to be the truth as well... Unless I truly know what happened, I can't make such baseless theories with what I have right now. It simply doesn't work that way for me. However, one thing's for sure. It was one fight, and none of the changelings I know wants to spill a single word about it for some unknown reason. Especially Ivy. It looked like she lost something really important in that battle, and still has some sort of hatred against it. Her face... that frown... those angered eyes... so subtle, yet it screamed vengeance everywhere you looked. Not being cliché at all, pain was the only answer I could perceive whenever I mentioned something about it whether it was intentionally or otherwise. Due to previous experiences, a broken hand and two black eyes, I decided to stop asking about it. If said event had that much of a huge impact on the hive, it would be for the best to leave the past buried six feet underground, no matter how painful the truth may be. However, I wanted to find out why was the starvation happening and there was any solution to it. If this was a big misunderstanding, then something could be arranged, right? What I am trying to say here is, if these ponies have been and are our main source of food-- as weird as I may still find it-- for a long time, shouldn't solving whatever problem or grudge between the two species save things? The hive to be precise? It may be foolish; childish in some point, but it may be our best shot at this. And if something has taught me about this event, is that Chrysalis is the one behind everything. Therefore, she should be one apologizing whatever happened and- "Not a chance." "Eh? Why not?" I complained, looking at Chrysalis with confusion. I was currently in the throne room as I requested this morning. With doubts lingering in my mind, I decided to take action, hoping to get some answers. Not doing very good so far. "Because I have no good reason to listen to you." she said, while writing down in a paper what it seemed to be a... report? "I have much more important matters in my hooves and I will not be distracted by such foolish and spoiled thoughts such as yours." As much as I despise having others underestimating me by some degree, I knew that doing things the reasonable way was perhaps my only ticket in convincing Chrysalis otherwise. However, things aren't going as planned. What's worse, judging by her tone and message, not only will she ignore me, but she will ignore any kind of idea or request due to me reputation. "B-but hey! Aren't I your honor guest? Surely you must-" "Must I repeat myself?" interrupted Chrysalis, finally looking at me with those serpent eyes, covered in bags of non-sleeping warnings, "It appears that is the case. As noble as your intentions may be, you are blinded to the truth if you believe such simple act will pair things the way they are. " "And what? Leave the hive starving?" I replied with a bit of venom. I immediately realized I screwed things real bad when Chrysalis gave me a death glare afterwards, dropping her quill, paper and everything beside from her throne. My bravery is one thing I'm proud of, but that glare just shattered whatever amount of courage I had at the moment. Feeling like shrinking in the spot, I slowly backed away as she continued to stare at me. My changeling ears were flat touching my head and I could feel my pupils diminishing in size during the fear attack. The last time I remember having fear take control of my body like this was when my mother found out I left high school with some friends during recess. BRRRrrr.... Never again... Her attack ceased eventually, causing to relax and feel back in control of my body. How did a cheesed-legs horse make me feel so small? Oh wait... that went wrong. Let me repeat. How did Queen Chrysalis make me feel even more smaller than before? I have a small bit of respect towards her for royalty and everything. But I believe that her 'royal' blood wasn't the only thing that made her a queen... Chrysalis sighed, snapping me out of any thought I had and make me look at her. Taking in hold sad eyes, Chrysalis looked away with remorse and... pain? "I apologize Maurice. I'm very stressed right now and having another problem isn't helping..." with my mouth dry at the moment, I remembered what royalty usually goes through. With many issues regarding the country and the people in it, not only does your shoulder rely simply on looking good and all that fantasy stuff in fairy tales, but making sure everything goes according to plan for improvement is no easy task. I would have felt pity of her, were it not for the small memory coming into mind regarding the hive itself. This is by far, the only changeling hive in existence or known so far. Chrysalis doesn't have to deal with any pesky noble that believe they are higher in both status and nature. Literally, the whole hive has absolute respect and allegiance towards her. There is no way she can have so much stress under her command. Then again... the hive is running very low on supplies. Placing yourself against the sword and the wall, the major event has to be that feeding. It is logical to feel under a huge amount of stress if your species expects you to do some miracle for them as soon as possible. Otherwise... "I take it that the love's crisis isn't helping either." I responded with a heavy tone, Chrysalis flinching on the spot and closing her eyes with shame. "Trust me, Maurice. It is not that easy." she responded, opening her eyes once again. "It never is..." Recalling the whole week I have been in this place, my thoughts went towards the changeling in it and how familiar it was from home. In its own way. The people moving everywhere to perform a given task, searching for a better solution or just the task of finding one, and the family love between each creature. Except for a few cases, I never thought other creatures acted similar to us humans, but I suppose ignorance is a bliss every now and then. I may not have been born here (for better or for worse), but even I know that this whole place is a family fighting each day just to survive. It makes me want to help them, give them a little boost for small details. Anything to help. But since I'm just a 'guest of honor', my word has benefits as limits. Also, even when she said I was about to help the love crisis for I was an important changeling according to the rumors and news, somewhere in the back of my mind told me that it was more than just that. Things have never been so simple for me or anyone in my family. Maybe I had to create a reputation to gain said feature? If so, I had a lot of ground to cover. In any case, Chrysalis was having none of it and I was powerless to say otherwise. I knew had to convince her, but it seemed that doing so would take a lot more than I thought. I just hope I make it on time. "Chrysalis-" "Please refer to me as Queen Chrysalis." "Right, Queen Chrysalis." I growled, despite that internal monologue I just had, "I know I am causing nothing less but trouble, but I was wondering if I could... help you in this love crisis somehow." Chrysalis's stare increased and her eyes went wide for a moment, "Help us?" "Yes. Help you and your hive if you allow me to." The queen remained silent for a few moments, meaning she was recollecting her thoughts. My request may be all of the sudden, but I'll be honest. I am bored, hungry, and I wish to help out. Simple as that. "I take it you have learned magic by now," "Well, yes. Emerald-" "Do I need to repeat that you must speak of your superiors with their respective titles?" "Grrr..." I growled once again in a whispering tone and held my annoyance back after she said that, "Apologies, Queen. It just slipped. I'm still getting used to this place." "Apology accepted. Proceed." "Anyways, as I was saying... 'Knife' Emerald is still teaching me the ways of magic despite my current disease." I continued, spatting an almost invisible venom at the title Knife, "Even if my true magic has been restricted from the easy path, I still continue to practice both my destruction and illusion magic, as well as the basic spells." "Is that so?" said Chrysalis with a raised eyebrow, "Oh yes, I remember. Energy negligence, was it?" I nodded, earning an interesting look from her. "Such as pity... Here I thought the hive was about to witness a new kind of magic. But I suppose things like this were meant to happen." she said, placing a hoof under her chin. "In any case, it still good that your magic wasn't completely restricted. Otherwise..." "I would have been a complete and vulnerable target..." "Good thing that wasn't the case, right? You should consider yourself lucky~" "Yeah... you are righ- Wait a minute!" I said with a doubt, "I would still have the ability to use magic even if I didn't do that!" "That, is where you are wrong Maurice." earning a really shocked look from me; I was astonished by this. Even magic was going to be taken away from me? "From what I heard, Emerald performed the magic initiation with you, am I correct?" "Umm.... yes, I guess that is how you call it..." "Think about it. We changelings didn't have our own magic millenias ago. We earned it through our ancestors long ago." "Through Silver's linage, Ace's formation and your grandmother's, Aethias, accomplishments if I'm not wrong..." "Bravo!" she said, clapping her hooves together in rhythm, "It appears you are actually paying attention to Emerald's class!" "I'll take that as a compliment..." I thought, resisting my desire to answer back. "But yes, you are correct. Through those and many others, we perfected our magic channeling it through our body to what it is today, just like those pesky ponies do. We always had magic in our bodies, but we could never do any use of it voluntarily. Since we do not possess magic as an inherent ability just like unicorns do so easily, we had to re-open that bond as well; each generation doing better than the previous one." That is when it hit me like a truck, "So... my magic was away from my disposition unless I performed a magic ritual?" "And that is when history repeats itself!" replied Chrysalis in a mocking tone, "Consider yourself lucky. Changeling magic is only used when our instincts were activated in presence of any danger, similar to what happened to you. Just take away the whole disease and it is pretty much the same." "Wow... I... I never thought..." "Shushhh," she said as she teleported next to me, she clinged on my body and whispered in my ear, "It's okay... the big bad disease is gone for now..." "Hey!" I bolted backwards and stepped away from her, "That is not funny! Don't do that!" "Oh, light up. It's not that bad." she said, a smug smile crossing her face, "You could be worse!" "But I'm not faring any better..." I thought, looking away. Chrysalis saw my saddened look and went into thought. What she was thinking, was a complete mystery to me. It took a few more moments before she spoke again. "You said you wanted to help the hive, right?" I ignored any kind of thought and looked straight at her royal face, "There is one way you can help..." "Really?" I said, my face brightening with the sound of those words. "But first, you have to prove yourself." "Of course! What do I have to do?" Chrysalis smiled at my enthusiasm and shook her head. "Take it easy, I'm getting to that," she said. I remained silent and waited for her instructions. "Good? Okay then. Listen closely." She motioned in front of her some kind of magic, focused on the task at hand with her hoof. I was watching closely as she continued her spell. Several magic sparkles were brought to life as a figure began to form, taking a distance from me. I wasn't so sure, but I could my reflection on the figure as it began to create into a more three-dimensional being. Once the spell was completed, I saw a equine being in front of me, facing towards my direction. The figure had no eyes, no hair, no soul. It was a puppet. In its purest form. A spirit. "A puppet?" I said, more of a question than a remark. Chrysalis, returned to her original position and held in her magic the same paper she dropped minutes ago. "That puppet, is in fact a very small portion of my magic." she said, feeling proud of her creation, "That is going to be your test." "That? And what will it do?" "Just watch... Puppet, attack!" As soon as the words left her mouth, the now moving puppet casted a fire spell to me. Between a fraction of a second, I immediately jumped sideways dodging the spell, but scraping a bit of my shoulder. Getting into a battle stance after coming to a halt, I looked at Chrysalis with confusion. "What was that for!? I could have gotten seriously hurt!" I yelled, looking at the puppet slowly turning towards me, keeping the soulless stare as always. "That was a warning. Next time, I won't give a shout to it." "So what, I'm supposed to fight this... thing?" I asked. Chrysalis didn't answer right back, but gave me an amused look, not before wiggling her eyebrows afterwards, "What do you think?" "... I'll take that as a yeaaAAAHHHH! GODDARNIT! MY LEG!" I groaned as the puppet threw an ice spell to me once again. Being unprepared as I was, it was too late before I could do something to avoid it. It hit my leg fair and square causing me to fall to my hooves. Regaining strength in a blink of an eye, I stood back up and ran to the other side of the room, staying as far as possible from the puppet and enduring the pain all the while. "You know, that wouldn't happen if you were paying attention to your opponent." said Chrysalis as she continued to write on her letter. "Oh yeah. Real smooth." I growled at her, focusing a small healing spell at the injure. Once I restored the injury, I focused once more on the queen as my stance got a lot more prepared than last time. I mean it. "This thing can still kill me, you know?" "I am aware of that. But that depends on you." she said as she lowered her paper and looked at me with a serious look. "What will you do when you face an enemy outside the hive? Are you prepared to battle another pony willing to kill you? Are you prepared to kill?" I tried to answer back, but my mouth just opened without words coming out. I knew there are dangers out there willing to finish us without mercy, but I have never faced something like that where it didn't involve math or bills. A physical encounter. A fight to survive. "I... I'm not so sure... I haven't killed... I wouldn't..." "You wouldn't what?" "I..." My mind was scrambled everywhere as my mind was making heads or tails against my morals. Was I capable of killing? Yes. Did I have to forcefully do that? Perhaps. But did I have the guts to kill a sapient creature? Maybe not. But now... in this situation... Would I? ".... No. I would not kill." "Then, at least get prepared to defend yourself." she said, gaining a nod from me. I looked at the puppet once more with a far more clear mission in my mind. "This puppet has been created with the purpose of attacking anything moving besides its creator, me." "Makes sense." I replied, digging my hooves deep into the carpet and preparing for any sudden movement from my opponent. "In that case, I'll tell you my test!" she said as she stood once again and gave me a determined stare, "Fight this puppet and overcome as the champion of the battle! It is a clone of a normal pony with my magic. Defeat it, and you shall receive your reward." I ignited my horn and prepared my magic to full offense mode. Frowning at my rival, I relaxed my mind and tensed my muscles for the fight. "Use everything you have learned so far and defeat your opponent. Don't hold back, for they won't either." "Got it!" I said, tense as possible for any attack. I was expecting Chrysalis to say something else, but instead, I saw her eyes go wide for second not before seeing a small blush form on her cheek. Why she did that, I'm completely unaware of it. But I had to focus on the current battle. A real battle wouldn't wait for me to get ready. I always had to get the upper hand. "V-very well then. I'll be watching the battle from afar. Keep an eye to your opponent all the time and never get distracted." said Chrysalis as her horn flashed green and soon she was gone. "Thanks... I'll keep that in mind." "Don't you dare die, Maurice..." ------------------------------------------->Drive<--------------------------------------------- Training these changeling has always brought a smile to me. Their young energy, the way they always do the best out of them, their ambition; it is all worth to a guy like me. If there was a place where I could say I was and felt like at home, there would be two places. Here and... Well, it is now a long memory. No need to see back at the past. What I know now, is that these changelings are like children to me. Not questioning Queen Chrysalis's authority, of course. If something ever happens to them, I'll make sure they pay back for what they did. "Eura!" I yelled, earning the attention of said changeling, "You are focusing too much on spreading the thunder! Make the hit area smaller and it will strike a vital point with more power!" "Oh... sorry!" replied the changeling as Eura stopped charging his spell instantly as he turned towards me. "Don't be! Just listen to my advice and shoot!" I responded. Eura looked back at the moving target and focused his magic into a small bolt of lightning rather than the wide, inaccurate one from before. Striking a balanced position, he shot the lightning at the target with bullseye's accuracy where the X was pointed at, pushing the doll much further back than anticipated. "Wow..." "Good job! Now keep practicing! That was a lucky shot!" "Will do, Teacher Drive!" he said, as he resumed his schedule training. I observed the same changeling as he continued to strike the same X spot over and over again, hitting each time more powerful than the last. A smile crept to my face as I watched with pride the fruits of my efforts. I had no idea why, but doing the job of teacher, or protection coach as many would call it, really felt right. "Maybe I don't need to retire anytime soon..." "And I'm glad to have you with us, Drive." "Yeah... I'm glad too... WAIT! Chrysalis, is that you?" I looked behind and spotted a green flash appear before me, showing the always beautiful Chrysalis. I saw her and bowed immediately, a smile creeping to me again as she had to time to come to us. "At ease, Drive my friend. I believe I told you that you don't need to bow. At least, not at me anymore." she said, earning a snicker from me. "And I recall telling you that I won't listen to that order~!" "Oh... will you ever change?" "Will you ever stop being beautiful?" Chrysalis laughed at my words as I grinned in satisfaction. It is always a pleasure to bring a smile to Chrysalis. "I guess both questions have been answered already," she said, her smile still shown on her face as she composed herself, "How are my children doing?" "Better than before," I said with a surprised look, "It is almost as if something lifted their spirits in a blink of an eye! Did you have something to do with this Chrysalis?" "Maybe... Or maybe you did?" "Me? HA! Good one! I may have been with you for quite a while now." "10 years or more after you suddenly appeared outside the Badlands, if I recall." she said, while tapping her muzzle in thought. "Right, I already forgot. I may have been with for that time, but you are the reason they keep going. After all," I motioned to myself and presented my defects, "I'm just an old changeling with a move or two," "And said moves got you a scar on the eye!" Chrysalis immediately shut her mouth with her hooves and her ears went backwards, "Sorry, I shouldn't have brought that up." "It's okay... That manticore gave me a reminder to why your children are important no matter what." Chrysalis gave me the most incredulous look she could muster, only to be replaced with a caring expression. "Well, if you think of it like that, then I'm not stopping you." she said. "Haha! Good... good..." I said as my face suddenly turned into a frown, "I know you didn't come here for nothing. Is something on your mind?" Chrysalis's ears perked up and smiled despite having being busted, "I'm insulted! You thought I didn't come here to see my very good friend?" "I know you better than you think," I said with a mocking smug. She didn't seemed fazed by my remark. Chrysalis simply laughed and spoke once again. "Oh, you will never change. Anyways," she composed herself as the queen explained her reason, "I'm know you met a certain guest named Fire." My ears perked up as she mentioned the changeling whose first impression was certainly something, "Oh, you mean the kid? Of course! He is a charmer, that I can tell you. What about him?" "Well, right now, he is trouble." My fears and instincts kicked out of nowhere as I heard the kid was in danger. I stopped whatever activity I was doing and solely focused on Chrysalis. "What is happening to him?" I said, raising my voice a little higher than usual, "Is he okay?" "He is fine for now. I assigned him a task, which consists of defeating my puppet that possess a portion of my magic." she said, holding a serious tone yet it felt with mockery at the same time. "And the catch is?" "He can't win." I gasped internally and my eye-highlight shrunk at the size of a nut, "The puppet is too strong for him and I want to make him see that he still has much to learn. I also called off his private guards and gave them a new mission meanwhile he fought that thing." "Why would you do something like that?" I said as I pulled a leg to my chest and inclined backwards with a little fear taking hold of my heart, "I saw his potential and how he is. I'm sure he will understand with just telling him that he is not strong enough," "Well, I like more the practical way." Chrysalis while popping a paper that I never saw before in her magic grasp, "If he is lucky and talented as you say, he might actually damage my puppet. But that would be it." I kept my opinions to myself and began processing what had to do with me. Placing the clues and pieces in their respectives places, I knew what she trying to attempt with him. Sighing, I embraced her task and showed a small smile, letting her know her attempt and orders were already acknowledged. "And you want me to be there when he can't go any longer, right?" "Clever as usual, Drive." she said, chuckling about the 'test' she prepared for the kid. "Make sure he stays in one piece; I like him in one piece." And with that, Chrysalis disappeared from sight, leaving me with my students and her children outside in the training battleground. The castle was far away, and my magic isn't the big enough to make it so quickly. Running and flight were an option, but I still have problems with right wing, so I might get strained even longer if I attempt on flying that long. So, I had no other choice in the matter. I sighed heavily and ran towards the castle where the kid was being held, fighting against an unbeatable opponent. A changeling with only 10 days of experience against a fully prepared opponent that had the queen's magic. "Seems fair... for someone with an insane mind!" I yelled as I kept sprinting, focusing on taking shortcuts that led me quickly to the castle, "Hang in there kid, I'm on my way." I just hope he can last long enough. ----------------------------------------------->Maurice<--------------------------------------------- 5 minutes... 5 minutes wouldn't be that long to anyone, would it? That time can be acknowledge as very short to many, even nothing! 5 minutes is supposed to be short and quicker than one would think it would be. Then why does it feel like an eternity? "HIJO DE TU PUTA MADRE! ESO ME DOLIO!" ('SON OF A BITCH! THAT HURT!') I was still fighting Chrysalis's puppet, or as I would call it, MALNACIDO HIJUEPUTA. ('DEFECTIVE SONNOABITCH') I have thrown everything at him I have learned so far. Destruction magic which consists of fire, thunder, ice and non elemental attacks. I still illusions spells, but he wasn't relying on his senses, such as the sight or smell. He was an ethereal being that was made of some harden armor that reflected any spell I threw at him. What's worse, if I attempted to fly, despite how little I have trained and that much of a control I have, it would always fly in unpredictable paths and slam me before I had the chance to strike back. Luckily, the only reason I'm still standing against that thing is due to my footwork. Hoofwork as a pun to many. Keeping my hooves on top mach speed, I began learning some of his attack patterns, giving me the edge in the land combat. Using my hooves in a different pattern, I always managed to cause an unpredictable trail where his attacks mostly missed me by a hair or so, allowing me a second or two to analyze my next move in a blink of an eye. While this costed more stamina than flight or magic, it was my most useful technique so far. It's also true; instinct does give me an edge! However, that still held me back. Even if I tried to slam my body to the puppet, he would either cast a shield, teleport away, or worse. Use an attack spell catching me off guard and leave me with plenty of damage to reckon with. No matter what I planned, it would do something to counter it, either making me look like a fool or receive an attack off guard. And to be honest, I HAD ENOUGH OF THIS GUY. "You wanna play? Go ahead! This injuries are nothing in comparison to what I'm going to do to you!" I yelled at the puppet as my anger took control of my verbal actions. Flaring both my wings and horn with anger powering my magic, I charged without a plan towards it. But I did have attack plan. What was it? ATTACK. I summoned an ice spell and shot it to his head with precision. However, it was shrugged as nothing when it created a shield, tossing my ice attack somewhere to the ceiling. Frustrated at this, I launched another ice spell while I launched myself in the air with my wings, hoping to caught it off guard. Just like before, it was bounced off. Landing ahead of him, I looked back at it with venom spitting in every word I yelled at him, "Think you're tough, huh!? You are not toying with me! Have at you!!" Relying on my horn, I launched an explosive spell at the hoof of my opponent, making the place lift a cloud of smoke. Taking advantage of the situation, I jumped into the cloud calculating where it was and launch a satisfying kick to its head. However, it was all futile as I felt something grab my extended leg and throw me around like a rag doll, making me impact with the ground over and over until it had enough and propel me to the wall from behind. Crashing to the wall with great force, I lost my breath in the impact and fall to the floor with the gravity's help. Falling with a echoing thud, my blood was in front of me as I spat it out laying on the floor, still recovering my breath from the hit. My strength was slowly fading and so was my consciousness with each passing second. I never thought a fight would be this hard, much less this painful. I knew I was lacking power and skills when it came to fighting, but... this much? I'm practically a rag doll to this guy! Still recurring to my willpower, I placed a hoof below me facing the floor, and soon the other tagged along. Wobbling like jello on an earthquake, I attempted to get up despite what my body was telling me otherwise. Pain was replaced for all the blood lost in the fight. Every muscle of my body screamed in agony as I still tried to get up, in dismay to my condition. Still, I wasn't going out without a fight and still wanted to land a really painful hit on that thing. "Come on.... Come on.... COME ON COME ON GET UP!" I screamed as my body resisted my orders due to broken bones. That is, if I do have bones. Every fiber of me with complaining as I resisted the idea of giving up in the act. I know for a fact that my brother would have not given up that easily and nor do I! I still want to kick his ass! SO MUCH! "HNGGGGGG! NO!" I yelled as my body fell flat on the floor, unable to keep going. My breath got got undeniably heavy and my mind was spinning like a yoyo. I couldn't stay focused, but my will was the only thing keeping me awake. I was determined to keep fighting until I couldn't give any more, but I was realizing my limit was just at the door. Feeling like crying, I looked up at the puppet and fear took hold of my heart as I watched it getting closer and closer with each second. My body screamed to run, and my mindset was yelling to hide, but my heart... my heart was telling me to fight back. And that is what I'm going to do. Without a doubt, I listened to my heart's desire and mustered enough force to get up, wondering in what moment I got so much strength back. However, I didn't really care at the time. What filled my mind was nothing else but: KICK HIS ASS! And who was I to say otherwise? Walking slowly, each step adding more pain along with strain to my body, restricting it even more, I managed to step closer to the puppet. One step at a time. Step. Step. Step. Step. And another step. With a blank mind at the moment, I solely relied on my instincts to keep going forward. I soon was cursing my luck, for my vision slowly began blackening and giving up on me. Fighting the feeling back, my walking became a lot slower than it was, almost as if I wasn't walking anymore. Numbness took hold of my body afterwards. First the legs, then my body and last, my mind. And in that very moment, everything was black. -------------------------------------->Drive<---------------------------------------- "Darn streets! I swear somepony switched the directions before I could even have an idea of it!" I said to myself as I reached the hallway where the black throne doors were located and sprinted like no tomorrow, "Hang in there, kid! I'm almost there!" As I got closer to the room, I could hear the kid's scream and pain grunts across the hallways, forcing me to run even faster than I thought possible, thinking that he might actually be in deep trouble. Pushing the double door with my magic, I came to a halt as they weren't budging. Pushing even harder, the double doors remained unmoved as always, granting me an anger fueling. "Goddarnit! Muevanse puertas ingratas!" ('Move ungrateful doors!') I shoved them with my magic plenty of times, only to come to the same result. Realizing it was futile, I slammed my old body to the double doors hoping to cause something, but, still nothing. However, I repeated the action over and over until my stamina ran out. Oh, and something cracked along the way. It was probably nothing. Looking at the imposing doors with a frown, I scoffed at them, "Is that how you wanna play? Fine. I'll play the smart game." Focusing my antiquated magic on a single spot, I unleashed a torrent of magic bits on the door and teleported inside the room. Once I managed to enter, I looked around and spotted Fire all the way deep down the room with a figure getting closer to him, menacing with its magic. I lost no time, ran towards the figure and held it in my magic, throwing it to the other side of the room. Making sure that thing was sent far from us, I crept towards Fire to check upon him. What I found, was not good news. Bruises everywhere to see, burnt marks covering his body and his face was in pain, dripping blood from his half open mouth. His horn had a crack or two and his eye was twitching every now and then. His hair, being the mess it already was, aimed every it could from the floor. The shell on his back wasn't doing better. Its brightness was gone, replaced with shallow hits and dirt covering all of it. A scar could be seen across the shell and it somehow resembled the same scar on his chest. The throne room was a mess and Fire was lucky to be still alive. I could not believe what I was seeing. Chrysalis couldn't have done something like this, could she? I mean, she knows how much of a part does the kid plays within the hive! Why would she go far to do this thing? Had I not gotten past the doors, the kid... Fire might have... "Something's not right," I said, trying to comprehend the situation, "and Chrysalis allowed this to happen despite knowing the danger... If this is how she planned on training the kid then... What is she thinking?" My thoughts were interrupted as a beam of magic went across my sight. I looked back and spotted the same thing that attacked the kid. I didn't know what happened. nor I don't think I'll find out even after going through it twice, but in that moment, something within me snapped. Just like the manticore situation all over. I felt a burst magic cover my body and Fire's as well, making me feel much more younger than I have felt in years. My eyes went white and everything slowed down. My only objective was the one thing that attacked us... and I felt no mercy for it. "You are gonna regret ever hurting my son you heartless beast!" I said, involuntarily speaking of Fire as my son. It felt right somehow, but I knew he wasn't my son. I wasn't sure what made me say that, but it is something I'll ignore for now. However... he might take a similar role with me if he keeps that attitude, but.... He disappeared away along with your family those many years ago. Never forget, they are never coming back. Get a hold of yourself, Drive. Somepony is going to pay. Right. Now. "Away with you, fool." I said as I held an orb of magic in my hooves, moved it above my head and threw it to the thing. The puppet casted a shield to block it, but it went right through it. Before it knew what happened, the orb shattered into million pieces, combusting into a magic grenade and destroying the puppet along with Chrysalis's magic fraction. It dissipated into thin air and vanished from sight. I let out a relieved sigh and looked at myself. Floating. Without my wings. "Right.... this never happened." I said as I touched the ground, both my magic and the aura surrounding us disappearing as well. Getting a grip on reality, I looked back at the kid and became relieved to see he was unharmed from all of this. Despite his injuries and internal bleeding, looks like he is going to make it after all. I just need to call Ivy and her medic team to fix this. They will know what to do. "Hang it there Fire... help is on the way." I whispered as I levitated the kid and placed him on my back, making sure he wouldn't fall. Walking out of the room, I witnessed Chrysalis's magic fading away, earning a nod from me, "Good. Stay that way." Opening the doors free of the Queen's magic seal, I stepped outside of throne room and closed them on the way out with my now weakened magic. As I looked back, I began wondering what happened and how did it happen. So here is the story so far: Chrysalis gave Fire a test for some reason and left without a word. The test was impossible to accomplish with both Fire's magic and experience on the line. She knew that thanks to my report from last week, and she still attempted such dangerous task. And now the kid is at the brink of death, clinging to some unknown sheer of willforce. I don't question her orders nor I believe she has gone crazy. But it leaves me thinking what did she plan for him. Was I meant to rescue him? Is the kid supposed to learn something other than his fighting skills? Did Fire had something to do with that same test and did he cause all of this somehow? And what is the queen planning right now? What? Urg, too many questions and few answers. I always leave the thinking to the Silent Sword's guild, for they are wiser than one old changeling. But are they influenced by Chrysalis orders as well? They are their children after all. Are they willing to help me if I requested their aid? Or would they throw me apart? I supposed trying doesn't hurt a bit. "But I'm still worried about the kid.." I mumbled to myself as I looked back at Fire and relaxed when he breathed again. Even if the kid holds a gigantic source of magic, he still has much to master if he plans on taking control of it. If he ever allows his magic to get out of control by some reason... God helps us all. What surprised me the most was that his magic didn't explode this time like last week during the magic ritual. His life was on the line, and yet it never activated. Why? Did he have to do something about it? Is he in control of that said power? Would it be activated again someday? I hope it doesn't. But if it ever happens, I can only pray he is prepared for the consequences. "Guh!" I flinched as my body suddenly felt a joint of pain near my ribs. I embraced the sudden pain and balanced myself in order to keep Fire on top of my shell. Looking down at my body while remaining still, I saw a very small ball form to my right side. Recalling the event from moments ago, I remember something breaking within me during my physical attempt to enter the throne room. I suppose something did break. "More of a reason to reach Ivy faster!" I whispered as I applied a temporary healing spell of the ball and walked faster. Using my magic, I warned Ivy about the whole ordeal and begged her to come as quickly as possible, "Please hurry..." 'The Throne Room', 2 Minutes later "Yoohoo! I'm here!" said Chrysalis as she teleported to the throne room, expecting to see either Drive or Fire, "So how did the test... go..." The queen looked around her surroundings and saw several floor tiles cracked, a group of walls talking about the new fashion of having cracked holes and some of banners either ripped or burned. Scanning her throne, it was obvious that the test didn't go as planned. With her mouth agape, she composed herself almost immediately and said: "This is gonna be a pain to clean..."