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// ~1~ The Very begining 
// Story: Lyrs Change 
// by Alizilith 
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	Everything was perfect, I had worked so hard to get to this point and I wasn’t going to let anything go wrong, even if it meant hiding my true self. But sometimes what we want isn’t always what we get. I'm.... I am Lyra Heartstrings and... I well, do certain things that other ponies wouldn't agree upon, and most of the time it's unintentional, please, just don’t judge me for the things that I had to do on my journey, I only did what I had to and I will forever bare those sins on my very soul. And so here is my story.

Birth, a wondrous occasion for any pony, a gift of new life and everything that envelopes it, unfortunately for some it is a day to fight for survival. I remember every bit of the experience that I had went through, how I was choking on a fluid that had retained life in me but was now only sufficed in trying to snuff that very life out, I remember how it had felt thick in my lungs and that it burned to breath such a substance in, I needed to be free of this, I need to escape. I pawed at the surface around me, trying to break free from the prison made cocoon frantically. Luckily I had a horn to break the surface of my imprisonment as it stabbed through the amniotic placenta for a chance of freedom. 
A tear ripped through the sack, everything happened so quickly as the fluid began to flow out of the hold it was in, pushing me out as well. I lay on the cold ground, coughing and hacking my lungs away to free up my breathing air way to take in the warm fresh air. This air tasted horrid, one breath and I was writhing in this new existence, my body demanded to go into another coughing spout, but something in me stopped me from following that order as I took another breath, it came easier only as I breathed out I threw up, it came in convulses as this time I began to cry. 
Relief, that was what I felt when I had finished. I finally opened my eyes to look around me, it was hard to see over the mounds of other sacks, most pulsating, others, not even moving at all. I felt a pain in my heart, my ears splaying back I had felt sorry for these none moving cocoons and I didn’t know why, something in me told me that these were mine, that they were my own…. siblings, that word sounded foreign, like it didn’t belong and so I turned away. 
My ear flicked and I flinched, I frantically looked around but I could not decipher what it was for this sudden movement, I swiveled my ears back and forth, trying to catch it once more when finally the sound hits my ears. Eyes widening I listened to the noise, it was a soft hum, it started out slow, just a mere murmur, but as soon as I notice the hum it was as if the noise could sense me as well, the hum grew louder and I stood up tall, as if the hum could see me as I tried to show it that I was here, and the hum took a tone of acceptance. Another thing clicked in my mind as I was ordered to turn around, and so I did. It was then I saw another being. 
It was tall, It was so very tall, It turned its head, scanning the area around us when it saw me, for a moment it looks surprised as it spreads its appendages behind it, I watch it very closely, feeling no fear I was curious of this other being, it took to the air and flew over to me. I wanted to spread my own appendages, to show it that I could do what it had done but I my whole body shook, feeling so weak and unsure as another feeling welled in me, right where my chest was I felt an overt sense of pride as I tried my best to stand as perfectly still, although i failed in the slightest bit. 
“Hatchling 32, Fully hatched and standing” It said in a strong gruff voice.
I tilted my head to the side, the words barely registering in my mind as I was just a ‘hatchling' and only the gentle hum around us was the only thing I could understand. 
“Hatchling 32 is the first to hatch and first to stand," He then smiles down at me "you will be a promised one” 
My ear twitched as I felt the hum become stirred, as if riled by this sudden predicament, it started to get louder when the thing in front of me straightened its own ears, sending his own hum into the mix and silencing the overwhelming sound. With that I was lifted in the air, a strange aura surrounding me as I was taken away from my brothers and sisters, looking back I saw them move even more, some even bursting out of there own prison, only to be put through a whole new other. 

I was hungry, it ate at me more and more as I had yearned for a substance that was so unattainable and yet could be given freely. I did not know this and with that I conjured up something in me, it was my need that had brought this as I tried to put anything out in my horn, as if I knew that by using this small horn that I could obtain whatever it was that I sought. Noticing the green spark the being marveled at the sight of this and it soon laughed. 
“Whoa little Changeling” He states, licking his hoof before snuffing the small spark on my horn “You’ll feed soon enough” 
Changeling, is that what I was, and what he is? Such questions went unanswered as I had no voice to speak out, only some gurgling and a bunch of mumbling, but it was the hum that had soon answered my question, agreeing and even congratulating me on such an endeavor. I was soon wrapped tightly in a somewhat worn blanket as I was taken into a new room. My eyes wandered around the large room, astonished at the sight before me as it was huge and almost welcoming, with pillars that held up the ceiling and some tapestry that hung scattered and disheveled, like it was a castle, only this one was worn, some places crumbling and the constant sound of humming in my ear as more changelings hung from the ceiling, watching me closely. 
My attention was pulled away from the hum when I saw an elegant figure at the head of the room, where she lay was suppose to be a throne or two but were now crumbled rock with fancy comfortable lounging chair that was large enough for her to lay all so comfortably. I remember looking at her for the first time, she had long turquoise blue hair that draped around her face where burning emeralds lay as her eyes, she was far taller than any other changelings but was full of holes just like the rest of the whole hive. 
The changeling who was holding me bowed before her, “Queen Chrysalis, I greet you with the presentation of the first hatchling of batch number 3, first to hatch, and first to rise” 
The ‘Queen’ arched a brow, slowly getting up as she approached us, at the first sign of this the changeling bowed even lower as I rose even higher, as if I were a gift to such a magnificent being. There I met her, face to face as she stared at me with such an intensity, as if calculating something in her mind as she scanned me thoroughly. 
“And the others Vicarious?” Her voice was authoritative and yet it had such a strange sense of warmth 
He remained where he was as his ears flipped back and forth, listening intently to the buzzing around us before he nods.
“Only five, plus the little one here” Was his reply
The Queen hissed at this, a scowl forming on her face "Curses, we will need to change the breeding patterns soon enough, it appears we are losing our numbers for too plenty, be sure to inform the others of this" 
She then turns her attention back to me, our eyes met and I had felt something, It was giddy, and bubbly and I couldn’t help but smile, reaching out towards her, hoping that she would even hold me.
Tossing aside the previous statement she drew closer to me “And what is its status” She moves a strand of hair out of my face that I didn’t even know was there 
“Female and as I was making my way towards here she was able to conjure some magic up” He grins at this, looking at me before looking at his Queen with warm eyes. 
“Hmm” She hummed to herself as she actually wrapped her hooves around me, I laughed at this, happy to be held by her. 
“Leave” Was the only thing she uttered and in no questioning manner the whole room emptied in a flash. 
I gurgled some gibberish nonsense as she tilts her head at me, a strand of her hair fell on to my face and I laughed as it tickled my nose, I grasped at it and saw that I had black little hooves, only what caught my attention was things, or there for lack of appearing on my hooves. As time edged on the holes became more prominent and as they grew, I grew hungrier, at this I whined, the Queen knew of this as she shushed me. Lulling me into a sleep as she began to walk away. 
“You, my Little Changeling, will help guide this hive to a better future” She states and I stared up at her green eyes. “Like the rest of my drove you will work hard and face many hardships but that is the way of the changelings. We must take to survive with our own kin.” Her eyes grew hard as she spoke the next sentence “No matter the cost” 
Her horn glowed a bright green as magic began to weave all around us “As tradition, the first to hatch is able to grow in the strongest of environments, where love shall be plenty, and seeing how you were also first to stand you shall have the best of the best” She explains to me, my ears flicked from side to side, an understanding on my behalf as I began to pick up multiple signatures that left information for me for which I quickly try to comprehend the situation as the hum was fluctuating all around us, as is something big was about to happen, this only confused me. 
“Huh?” I tried to question, tilting my head to the side as she finishes casting her spell. 
In a flash we were in another place, much brighter than the last and the air was easier to breath in, it wasn’t the same comfortable warmth I felt at the hive but it was sustainable none the less. I blinked as I tried to desperately grasp at hum, as it was the only source of information obtainable to me at the moment, Looking up at my Queen I soon came to know her name, Chrysalis, such a beautiful name, not only that but she was our Queen and that she lead our hive to do what ever it took to keep us alive and well. Chrysalis smiles at me before placing me down on the ground where the light wind blew blades of green grass, nearly tickling my hooves. 
“This is very important, a test all changelings must under go through before their initiation to the hive little one” She then looks past me and to the horizon. 
I followed her stare and saw vast lands and what seemed like borders between these lands, a desert like land to the left and to the far east was nothing but wooded area with coats of clouds. But what caught my eye was the middle, there lay a vast land, being mountainous and flat, trees and clouds, a bit of everything consisted in this area, and it was beautiful. 
My legs wobbled as more holes appeared on my legs, shaking I ended up collapsing to the ground. I looked up at the Queen and saw that she was staring back at me with a look of slight interest, as if testing me. With a new spark of determination I lifted one hoof right after the other, I struggled but I tried my hardest to hide it. 
Standing proud I stared back at my Queen “Wha- What, i-is my” I gulped, my ears flicking once more “Test” I finally finished and looking up at her brightly. 
Her horn glowed as she leaned down to me, tapping her horn to my own a warmth began to ebb through the touch, it was a strange sensation as it started from my horn and leaked into my skull, a warmth that made me take a quick breath of cold air to keep me standing. Coursing through my body I felt more awake, more aware of things around me and the holes forming at my hooves stopped, and some of them even healed up. 
I craved more. “Yes my little Changeling” She spoke, standing once more “And you shall receive more once you complete this task” 
I nodded and awaited her instructions. Her horn ignited and I watched closely as she began to change. I was in awe as green flames ignited all around her, barely lapping at her coat as it spread across her form, dancing to life as it left a trail of a different color. Her Black coat being no more as the color of the opposite take its place, her stature being that of a smaller changeling. Her eyes no longer being that of burning emeralds but that of opalescence. Her mane cut shorter and being a shade of pink, she bore a horn on top of her head but her tattered wings were no more but bare back. 
“Now, You” She states holding her head high.
I gulped as I took my place. My hooves dug into the ground, by watching her I tried my best to mimic the process, my ears flipping back and forth, trying to decipher the pattern I must follow in order to prove myself before her. Magic began to course through me and into my horn, I squinted my eyes as I was in deep concentration. Emerald flame began to lick at my hooves, begging to be furthered along the process, only to silence in quick session. 
I frowned at this as I began to panic, closing my eyes I tried to listen to the hum once more, hoping to find the flow of which I should take to complete my task. Gathering up my confidence I tried once more as I summoned up my magic once more, hoping this time I knew just what I was doing, hoping to complete this task so that I could show my Queen I could do this, and that I could make the hive proud. 
I was panting now as I was able to conjure up the same emerald flames that my Queen had shown as the flames made their way over me, my dark coat now burning away and being replaced by that of a light blue coat, my mane grew to life as the magic emitting off of me swerved the air around us, making my hair appear that of clouds flowing off of me. I opened my eyes wide as they were no longer Cyan but that of pink. 
Catching my breath I stood up proudly at the achievement I had completed. “I-Is This good?” I hissed unsure and exhausted from such an endeavor. 
She gives a slight nod “and on your first try as well” 
Once more she puts her horn to my own horn, the magical aura encasing it soon came over my own, almost like a zap I was changed into a whole new pony, a foal at that. A coat of a light tan, my mane zapping to life with a bright red, blinking my eyes were now a bright orange. The feeling of changing  was a mix of pleasantries to a new self awareness, losing feeling in one part of the body in favor of another, the new stature that I had and everything, like a breath of fresh air. I looked at myself in awe when I caught sight of a few more beings around us, I look towards them to see more changelings, some were trying hard to transform themselves as others were curled up on the ground. 
My ears laid back as I felt concern for them, looking at Chrysalis for a moment I walked up to one of the beings, he lay on the ground looking sad. I cocked my head to the side, my ears flipping back and forth before I looked at the fully grown changeling, he was transformed but not into a pony like I was, instead he had a beak and a lions body with large grand wings. Blinking I ignited my horn, curious of this being with its large wings. 
The transformation was easier this time as I grew feathers all over my body and my horn disappearing, no longer baring color but that of a gray and white color with black claws. I looked at myself before looking at the hatchling, he was staring at me and I could taste the envy that he bore. I knelt down to him, nuzzling my nose to his cheek, urging him to stand. Hesitantly he does so and stares at me. 
My ears flicked up and down, and he follows suit. A realization dawned on him as he finally picks up the hives hum, the music that taught us the very beginnings of every changeling. Gulping he digs his hooves into the ground as he tries to change one last time. Horn lit he struggles to pull the transformation. My magic flicked, wanting to help but my own magic storage was a bit short, and besides it was best for him to transform for himself on the first go, if not then he would struggle more later on. 
I smiled when he began to take form, his tail being long and thin, his dark hide being that of a light brown with grey feathers. He heeled up, spreading his wings as he roared up at the sky. I laughed at this as i reared up as well, I wasn’t that well accustomed to wings but I was able to pick up some tips from the rest of the changelings horde. 
"Come" I heard my Queen order, in quick reflex I transformed into the foal that she had transformed me into as I followed her.
Lifting me up in her graces she enlightened her horn, it was interesting to watch her perform this magic as not only did it enveloped her but me as well. In a bright flash we were gone, I could no longer see the other changelings transforming for the first time, the small patch of green grass or the clear sight of all the lands. Instead what I saw was white clean pristine walls, a foul smell around in the air as I was wrapped in a soft blanket that shown with a shade of pink.
Dead silence panned through this place, all but my Queens graceful hooves on the tiled floors, she walked with such confidence and pride that I was overwhelmed, a pony who deserved the respect and admiration of everypony, a pony deserving the name of Queen.
Glancing around a corner she enters a small quiet room, in it held many cribs and some of them had occupants in them, being small and frail, like nothing could come to harm them. Finally she stops at one of them, levitating a small foal from within it and replacing me into it. I looked up to her in a questioning way when she only nods before turning away. I wanted to call out to her, to tell her to stay, of course I couldn't, something in me went against it and to shut down, sleep lulling me with its quietness.
Ears twitching I heard another pony enter the room, keeping my eyes closed I felt myself being lifted ever so gently, as if I were a fragile jewel ready to burst.
"Come now, its time for you to meet your parents" A joyful voice coaxes me from my sleep.
Yawning I snuggled deeper into my blanket that was wrapped around me so tightly it was snug.
"Here she is, a beautiful baby girl" the pony that was holding me sang out as she entered a new room
Being gentle I was passed on to another, at last I was able to open my eyes, peering above me I saw another mare, and soon a colt came into my vision, the two ponies i was to call mother and father, the two ponies that were to be my first meal... 
"Meadow Weaver~" the mother hums "Our little Meadow Weaver" her voice was so soft, so nurturing, so full of love... 
I opened my eyes, and peered at the two ponies who will be looking after me, two ponies for me to feed upon...