//------------------------------// // The Shadow King: Unforgotten, Unforgiven // Story: Imbalanced // by Nameless Narrator //------------------------------// [Blazing's Entry] Has it been a month already? Time sure flies. I've felt uneasy as if somepony has been watching me for past week. Normally I would have just waved that off as being paranoid but my instincts saved me way too many times not to exercise a little caution. Guess what, the pony Chokey invited to the hard training she wanted me to give was Heavy Hoof. I don't know where she got the idea that he would be a good practice partner since his combat skill is sky-high compared to hers but it's still better than me ruining her day on instinct only. BUT she's been getting better. Heavy Hoof doesn't talk to me though. Compared to Chokey's forgiveness in a certain issue concerning my past self his reaction wasn't that pleasant. As much as I'd otherwise regret the loss of such friend I'm glad he doesn't hold it against Chokey and helps her. I had a question for Sharp Biscuit though which was bothering me since our last encounter. Turns out that he can use magic to a certain extent thanks to special horseshoes which are made to imitate the capabilities of a unicorn horn. It reminded me of the crystals from mirror world and when Sharp explained that he had to infuse his blood with Luna's help into them I tried a little experiment with my mechanical arm. After all, the doctor did say they added ground up pieces of my carapace into it. A success if ever I saw one. Granted, not a big one since my levitation is still gone (I wasn't expecting anything else thanks to Void's lecture on the difference between natural abilities and magic) but success nonetheless. I almost forgot, Sharp's got a new hobby now. He decided that since the Nightmares were so good at fighting things he might as well try to teach them tactics and military strategy. I've never seen him as happy as when his four-pony squad wiped the floor with volunteering Royal Guard elite during nighttime training. Of course the only commendation they got was that they were no longer dumber than a pile of bricks. Celestia has taken Guiding Light under her wing and while Twilight was jealous, the letters from the changeling living with her in Ponyville proved that she got over her starting doubts fairly quickly. I'm sort of worried that Twilight might end up remaking one of my changelings into a half-mechanized supersoldier but that might be just parental stress. The feeding thing got sorted out pretty quickly and I suspect Luna putting her hoof down in that concern. It helped that both princesses felt they owed me something. My thanks are mainly aimed at princess Cadence though. Her experiment with the Crystal Heart proved that Nightmares can survive on love and while the prisoners sent to the Canterlot castle to feed them suffered heavy anxiety after waking up I think that some dreams about a cake trying to eat them are the least they could complain about. Speaking of feeding, Chokey had an interesting idea. [End Entry] "You're a changeling, right?" "What gave me away, the bronze chitin armor all over my body, the ever-embarrassing red corset-like belly plate or the sharp fangs?" I say in the most condescending tone I can muster. "Very funny. I was just thinking about why are ya still without a horn." I don't have an answer. It's true that I haven't had anypony to heavily feed from since I forcefully drained the gladiator in Apple family arena so I've sort of completely forgotten about the possibility of ever returning to my former self. "Eerm, I don't want you to get hurt when you bonk me on the head?" "So? I think I've 'fed' ya enough loving to grow few inches, this time on the head." It's been probably way less than she expects but there's something to it. I give it a shot and focus on my forehead. Nothing. "See anything?" "Aside from the constipated look on your face? Nope." Maybe it needs more energy? Nothing. I have an idea. What? Remember your dual-wielding? What about it? It got stronger when you were drugged and Betty also said something about you unconsciously limiting your own abilities out of fear. Fear of what, looking like a normal pony? Heck no, that ship's long gone. Fear of future I guess. Being afraid that no change could bring something good. It is a possibility. I have enough self-reflection to at least admit that. Drugs and alcohol as a solution to all my problems, is that what you're saying? Don't even start again. Just kidding. Somehow I haven't felt the slightest need to drown myself in wine for a long time. Well, there's this batpony who keeps filling your evenings with other activities. I guess I've never been happier. Then why are you mentally sighing? I'm just terrified that I'll somehow lose all that. Everypony is, I guess. That's why they are insecure, jealous and overbearing. Not because they are naturally plotholes. I mean if you start with everypony being basically good then it makes sense for them to act up and take drastic measures when afraid. How did we end up going all philosophical again? Wine and drugs. Those things can make the size of your horseshoes something to ponder over in connection to metaphysical world. Right, healing. "Chokey, got any of your pep pills around?" "Eeeeeerm." "Don't worry, I'm not mad." "Ya sure? Most ponies would be." "Drugs or no horn to lick tonight!" "Damn, you're getting into this." Rolling her eyes, she rummages through her saddlebag lying by the door to her apartment and pulls out a bottle. "Here ya go!" "Okay. If this doesn't work then nothing will," I pull out three white pills and swallow them. Nothing happens for a while. "HowlongamIsupposedtowait? Oh? Isitworkingisitworking?" "Woah, calm down, Blaze." "Myhoovesmakerainbows!" "Focus!" "I'mfocusedI'mlightningsharpreadytotackletheworld!" "Eh, I remember my first time taking too many of these. It should blow over in few minutes." "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! PutonsomeDJ-P0n3album! Iwannatastemusic." She just shrugs and goes to the bedroom where her stash is. "You're twitching like a rabbit overdosed on coffee," says Betty. "Whyareyouspeakingsoslow? ItfeelstooweirdBettyBettyElementyBetty." "When she comes back I'm turning into a stomach pump." "I'mfineI'mcompletelyfine. Ijustneedtofocustosurpriseherandmakeherhappy." "Is it a good idea? What if you turn your forehead into a screwdriver?" "IfIcouldturnintotoolsthatwouldbesocoolgetit?Toolcool." "You know what's the worst thing about all this?" "Watwatwat?" "After three years around Rainbow Dash I can understand you just fine." "Hehehefocusfocusfocus!" *BAMF* "That's new," the Element observes the sea of green flames harmlessly illuminating the living room. "WHYISEVERYTHINGGREEN?!" "What's going on?" asks Chokey, returning empty-hooved. "It'stotallynotwhatitlookslike!" "I hope so cause it looks like you're a pulsating green pony-shaped blob," she says in completely calm voice. Well, as far as I can tell from the bass harmonics of every word trickling slowly into my hyperspeed world. *BAMF!* Another green explosion erupts like a flower and makes shadows dance on the walls. Suddenly everything stops and I fall rigid straight on my face. "Heeheeheetheselooklikesmalltrees," I giggle, looking at the carpet from way too close as the fabric tickles my nose. "Sweet night sky!" says a voice I can't identify right now. It probably is Chokey but it might as well be a group of minotaurs. Something wet begins spreading from my mouth. "Ooooariver! HeyChokeydoyouknowyouhaveajungleinsteadofacarpet? Doyouthinklittleponieslivetherehiddenby-OUCH!" Silence. "IfinkIbitmytongue." Everything goes dark. Waking up in a bed next to softly snoring warm body is the best feeling in the world, especially if the head of said body is buried in your chest and there's a bat wing wrapped around you under the blanket. I slowly get up, careful not to disturb Chokey and find out that objects around me aren't leaving behind multicolored trails when I turn my head too fast. Heading to the bathroom through the dark living room, I trip over something which makes a clanking noise. When I unglue my eyes I see... ...a mechanical construction resembling a griffon arm. Eyes wide, I run to the bathroom, turn the light on and look into the mirror. Above the greyish-blue eyes there is a gnarled changeling horn of the same color as my armor. There is no clicking coming from the white tiles on the floor, there are only hoofsteps. I don't have much time to keep touching my new leg in disbelief though. I sense magic. Makes sense. I feel weak and quick regeneration of this scale should- Not that, real magic. Coming from the bedroom. "I need you here, Blazing!" yells Betty, strain in his voice. I run, turning on the lights in the living room and the bedroom on the way. The Element is trying to change shapes fast enough to stop a flying kitchen knife from getting closer to the bed. I don't hesitate and jump to tackle the invisible attacker. Nopony's there, It's just the weapon. "It's way too fast!" Betty growls but even turning into a set of steel chains isn't helping much. I reach with my hooves for the weapon but it effortlessly avoids my attempt and slices through my armor, leaving green streaks on the carpet. No arm! "It's going after Choking!" I heed Betty's warning and jump on the bed where the knife slices my chest with my armor offering exactly zero protection. No it's not. It's going after you! "Grab some bag!" Nonsense, grab Chokey and run! "Stop playing with the batpony and help me here!" From behind! No, left! Damn, right! I mean- All the information flowing into me is too much to handle but I don't even have the time to wipe the blood suddenly coming from my nose with all the body blocking of Chokey who isn't waking up. "Turn into a steel net and catch it!" I deflect another blow and stain the bed again with more green. Betty turns into a bag of mesh wiring and captures the weapon inside while I jump on it to stop it from moving. It offers no resistance and the bag disappears from under me. I turn my head but fail to get up as my legs can't find the strength after being cut to shreds. The knife hovers for a split second above Chokey's head. It stabs down before Betty can get there and I just drop on the carpet again. "...no..." "nonononono" "...please not this." "She's fine!" says Betty. I ignore the pain of muscles tearing from bones and spreading of cracks throughout my chitin and crawl on the bed just to see the knife stuck in the mattress right next to Chokey's neck. When it sees my gaze on it the knife twitches along with me and then turns into a paper with something written on it. "FoUnD yOu, tRaItOr!"