//------------------------------// // Revelations // Story: A Different Breed of Changeling // by Zoljen //------------------------------// Talon’s recovery had been slow going. He still had trouble breathing but it was getting better. He was able to sit up, which had helped greatly, and allowed him to see what was damaged. He sighed as he glanced over at Ember. She had come and gone over the last few days, working at the clinic more and dealing with foals. Trying to get as much energy as she could for him. She also kept him up to date on Crimson and Rime, telling him that they’d both recover. Crimson is going to need help with flight, as both of his wings were pretty mangled, and Rime’s going to have a limp because of her leg. Talon told her his story, how he arrived and how everything came to pass, and Ember exchanged hers and told him that she found a few others. Or rather, they found her. At this moment, they were waiting for some of the Renegades to show up. And it didn't take long before Luna and Blazetail showed up. Flashwind followed them in as well, as they all looked over the injured changeling. “You wanted to see us, Talon?” Blazetail asked as he and Flashwind trotted up to the bed. “Yes. You’ve probably been on edge about what happened,” he groaned, looking down. “If I was at the base, I could’ve seen what caused the first explosion.” “Just start at the beginning, ok?” Flash Wind sat next to Blazetail. “The patrol that morning. After we managed to dispatch them, something felt off about Crimson. I didn't see what had happened, as I was dealing with a Shadowbolt.” He let out a sigh, wheezing as he did. “Apparently he got replaced, at some point.” “Replaced? But if it was a changeling, you’d know, right?” Talon shook his head. “I feel so… violated…” Talon murmured, looking off to the side. “That orange stallion, some… Rapidfire… He copied what we changelings can do, and possibly made it better too.” He looked up as both Blazetail and Flashwind gasped. “It can't be him!” Flash Wind shouted. Talon shrugged in response and closed his eyes. His horn starting to glow. “Talon! You shouldn’t try to change!” “Only going part way. A changeling never forgets a face,” he explained, as his head and neck engulfed in fire, going from the grey changeling to match the orange pony from that night, with the red mane. He winced as he opened an eye, looking at the pair. Flash Wind wore a face of shock, while Blazetail growled, stamping a hoof down hard on the marble floor. Talon cringed and the visage shattered, leaving him to fall back, panting. “Ugh…” he groaned, as Blazetail stood and started walking out, Flash Wind hot on his hooves as he went. “We will get the rest of the story later,” Luna spoke up, looking to the former Wonderbolts. “Thou should rest for now.” Talon looked towards the door as Blazetail stomped out. “I'm detecting anger… why?” “Rapidfire is the former captain’s child.” Luna looked back at Talon. “This news does not bode well if one of them can infiltrate our ranks.” “He only had one crystal, from what I saw.” He groaned out, relaxing and laying back down. Ember quickly looking him over and scanning him. “You really shouldn't have done that, Talon. Your energy reserves are already low enough. You need to relax and recover, especially if you want to be back up quickly,” Ember barked at him, making him wince. “Yeah yeah.” “Don't you ‘yeah yeah’ me buster! Unless you want to lose your magic completely, or your ability to change. You will rest and relax!” she growled, getting nose to nose with Talon. Luna leaned back, looking between the two. “Miss Haze?” “What?” she growled, turning to Luna. She blinked, then looked down, folding her ears back, calming down quickly. “Er, sorry Princess.” Luna let out a few chuckles, “Tis fine. Thou art worried for him.” Luna floated over a single ticket, making Ember look up at it. “You let the Embassy know of Quicktail’s sudden vacation request?” “They did not deny a royal order.” Luna smirked. “Since thou may be drunk when thou returns.” “And he’ll probably have to carry me in.” She glanced at Talon, who looked confused. “I am getting you energy from the best source. And you’ll get to meet Quicktail in the process.” “You’d best get ready for whatever you're planning.” Talon sighed, “I’ll be here, recovering.” “So, Rapidfire is basically a changeling with his magic?” Descent looked the injured changeling over, who only nodded in response. “With one crystal. I’d be afraid if he had three.” Talon sighed, wheezing again, “And the way he fought. He was skilled in combat, relatively anyway. Rime certainly kept him on edge.” “He was a part of the Lead Squad.” Lightning Dust commented. She, Descent, Starry Skies, Cloak, and Princess Luna were around Talon’s bed. He was laying on his side, still wheezing occasionally as he spoke. “That explains...most of his skill.” He paused a moment to take a deep breath. “Still, him and Sin pretty...much gave us a run for our bits.” Cloak looked away, “I still can't believe you’re a changeling.” Talon glanced at him, “Does it really...bother you?” “No… I figured you’d turn tail and run the moment things got bad. Ordering me to get the others, and staying to help Rime,” Cloak glanced back at him. “If I was a changeling, I’d have ran.” “Yeah well… blame the drakes for my stubbornness.” Talon chuckled, wincing as he did. “You mentioned you found Crimson with us… how?” “Well,” Dust began. “Turns out he came to join the fight, just after you got tossed into a building. He put up a little bit of a fight against Sin, according to him and Rime, but in the end… Yeah.” “How are they... doing?” Talon wheezed out. “Rime’s arm is broken in three places, and will take a long time to heal. Crimson is going to need wing braces if he wants to fly again. Both are suffering from the same problem you are, only not as bad.” Dust explained, looking down. “They will recover, but I think their fighting days are over.” “They have each other… at least.” “We should go, you need rest.” Starry said calmly, turning and starting towards the window. “Descent…” Talon started, making the silent stallion look at him, “I don't care what... you tell the others. If I was a changeling...or not, it doesn't matter anymore.” “It's about time the truth gets out about you?” Descent asked, as Talon nodded. Descent, Starry, and Dust made their way to the balcony, glancing back at the changeling once, before taking off. Cloak had followed, but stopped at the doorway to it. “So,” Cloak started, turning back to the changelings bed and trotting back to him. Talon perked an ear up and rotated it towards him. “You did what most of us lowbies could not.” “Which was…?” Talon asked as he watched Cloak move back into viewing range. “Destroy one of the commanders crystals.” Cloak sat, crossing his arms and looking at the changeling. “Seriously, how did you do it again?” “I stabbed it… with a blade,” Talon sounded confused. “I get that, but you don't seem to be the type to carry a weapon.” “Why carry when… I can make one.” Talon snickered, wincing slightly as he lifted his good hoof up. “I am a changeling after all.” “OOH!” perked up Cloak, giggling like a young colt. “Do a dagger! Do a dagger!” “I would, but at the moment I lack the energy to do it.” “Damn, that sucks,” cursed Cloak. “Well  at least you don’t need to carry around a bunch of equipment everywhere. Hell, what with your abilities, you could be the greatest thief the world has ever known.” “Why would I want to steal?” Talon raised an eyebrow, looking confused. “Never said you would,” quipped Cloak. “Only said you could. Heck, I think I could be a great storyteller someday, but why the hell would I want to do that?” “Yeah, I don't see… you as a storyteller either.” “See?” agreed Cloak. “The day I tell stories is the day I have grandfoals.” “I'm sure you’ll find… somepony who makes your heart flutter.” Talon smirked at him. “Enh, there was… someone,” muttered Cloak, turning red. “It was a bit of a long shot, to be honest. She had her… roots in the family business, and I, well, I was a Shadowbolt.” “Maybe after all this.” He raised a hoof, gesturing wildly with it before letting it fall. “Is over, you should settle down?” “No offense, but there’s no way in Tartarus I’d do that,” chuckled Cloak. “Not while my wings still work and my comrades are out there fighting.” “The same could be... said of me. I won't settle down for a long time, longer than you perhaps.” “Why’s that?” inquired Cloak. “Have a bit of trouble coming out of your shell, pardon the pun?” “Missing twenty years of this world... kind of throws you for a loop,” Talon sighed. “Thanks to Fugly for that. Besides, I don't actively seek... out love anyway. I prefer the admiration of... fans above that.” “So is love a bit too fattening or something?” quipped Cloak. Talon shook his head, “Hard to get love from a species known for being cold blooded, and yet breath fire. So we adapted to something else.” “‘Adapted’?” grimaced Cloak. “Sheesh, you sound like Clover or the Lunatic, talking about their widgets and gizmos. You don’t seem much like a widget to me, so don’t say things like that about yourself.” “I...er… guess you could say we found a better meal in one form, than another?” “That’s better,” grinned Cloak. “After what you’ve done, you deserve as much respect as any pony here, even if you can carry a full armory beneath your skin.” “I can only do that in my natural form. Any other form and it looks weird, also I don't make bows.” Talon smirked, “But I suppose my magic is for that, huh?” “Oh now that’s fricking cool,” laughed Cloak. “Now you go all horn-head on us, too. If you ever need work after this whole mess is over, you can fly with the Shadowbolts any time.” “Actually, the Wonderbolts would be better. From what I heard, they are show ponies and those fans.” He grinned, hugging himself slightly, “A feast.” “Thinking with your stomach, eh?” jibed Cloak good-naturedly. “I can see that. Working for the Shadowbolts, you’d only ever get the admiration of your colleagues.” Talon yawned widely, wincing a little. “I should get rest, and I believe you're due for a patrol?” “Yeah, I better go before my sister tears me a new one,” admitted Cloak. “Catch ya later, comrade.” Talon grinned contentedly, “Later comrade.”