Changelings. A name synonymous with fear, thievery, and deceit.They are ruled over by their tyrannical queen Chrysalis, who thirsts for power, wanting nothing more than to drain the world until nothing’s left. If you see one, or suspect somepony you know of having been replaced by a Changeling, please contact the Royal Guard immediately, it may not be too late to save somepony from a fate worse than death.
Solid Light set down the piece of paper he had picked up off the ground while on his morning walk and sighed, getting up from the table and heading towards his cellar. It had been a week since the invasion and, despite the efforts of the Royal guard, not a single Changeling had been arrested. Sure there were plenty of arrests, but all those arrested turned out to be just regular ponies, not the shapeshifting emotevores they were accused of.
Opening the door to his cellar, Light quickly glanced around to make sure that nopony was looking through a window and went down the steps, closing the door behind him.
His cellar was like many others, shelves of food lining the walls with a single light in the center of the ceiling. Walking up to one of the shelves, Light’s form was suddenly consumed by blue flames, revealing a Changeling in his place. Unlike those that attacked Canterlot, however, this one’s eyes had a green tint and its form was bulkier in appearance.
Moving a few jars aside, the Changeling revealed a small hole which it put its front leg into, twisted, then pulled it out, letting the false wall slide open.
The room beyond also had shelves adorning its walls, however, instead of dried flowers, fruits, and canned vegetables, these shelves held jars full of a jell-like substance. If one were to turn off the lights, they would notice that the jars glowed faintly, like almost dead glow-sticks. Directly opposite the door sat a small orb, about the size of a pony’s hoof.
The Changeling walked up to this orb, cast a spell on it, and waited. It didn’t have to wait long, as soon the orb began displaying the image of another Changeling, much like the one in the cellar.
“Slasher, you’re later than usual. I hope nothing happened.” A concerned voice came from the orb.
“No, nothing yet. It’s only a matter of time though. Anything new from the hive?” Slasher responded.
“Nope, the Queens are still arguing over what to do. You would think that with the future of our species at stake they would at least come up with a TEMPORARY plan!”
“Still no progress? At this rate Canterlot would have fallen off the mountain, the sun would have gone out, and Discord would get free before they come to a decision!”
“I know, right?” The Changeling on the other end said, exasperated, “Anyway, Queen Coleoptera has requested that you remain in Canterlot, and let us know of any developments.”
“Orders received. Slasher out.” And with that, the orb went dark.
Sighing, Slasher turned to leave, levitating a jar along with him, and closed the secret wall behind him. Doning his disguise as he ascended the staircase, he reflected on the current situation.
‘The hives are still arguing, most of Canterlot’s Changelings have fled, and I’m still stuck here waiting for something to happen!’ The solder class Changeling thought frustratedly, ‘And it’s only a matter of time before I am caught!’
Entering his kitchen, he set the jar on the counter as he levitated out some slices of bread and stuck them in the toaster.
‘And considering the current view on Changelings is, I’ll probably be executed before they even notice that none of the attacking ‘lings had green eyes like I do!’
The instant the toast popped up, it was caught by Light’s magical field, layered in a bit of the gel, and set onto a plate.
‘Maybe that’ll get the Queens to come to a decision, an innocent Changeling getting caught and executed.’ He thought bitterly as he took a bite out of his sandwich, the taste of mild love calming him down.
‘Well, if I do get captured and executed, I’ll at least go down with dignity. For the Hive, and for us all.’
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Light was eating another gel sandwich, reading in the news about how another pony had been falsely accused bo being a Changeling. The paper was spinning it like Changelings were to blame for the false accusation but Light knew better.
He was about to turn the page to that day’s comics when a knock on his door caused him to set the paper down. Walking to the door, he opened it to find a squad of Royal Guards.
“Hard Light, you are under arrest. I suggest you come quietly.” The lead guard said, advancing slightly, attempting to be intimidating.
“Under what charges?” Light replied, not intimidated in the least.
The lead guard hesitated, obviously not expecting that reaction, or more specifically, the lack of one.
“Multiple third party reports have indicated that you may be a Changeling.” Came his response as he narrowed his eyes.
“You know, I was wondering when my name would get pulled out of a hat. You guys might as well get it over with and arrest all of Canterlot, you’ll end up having to do so anyway at the rate things are going. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get back to the funny pages.” Before closing the door on their face, turned towards the cellar, and started running towards it.
He had barely taken a step before the front door was blasted in, hitting him during its short flight, breaking his disguise in the process.
“SON OF A-”
“Resisting arrest, assaulting a Royal guard, and impersonating a member of society have now been added to your charges Changeling” the lead guard spat upon entering through the now doorless doorway.
Spitting out something that would require knowing Changelish to understand, Slasher turned towards the the guard and noticing that most of the squad looked frightened.
“You want assaulting a Royal guard? Fine. I’ll give you assaulting a Royal guard” Slasher spat out, before giving the guard a dented helmet with his hoof.
Taking advantage of the fact that the guards were offbalance, Slasher quickly bolted for his cellar again, slamming the door behind him before locking it.
Flying down the stairs using his wings, he through the jars out of the way, jammed his hoof into the hole, twisted it harder than he needed to, and threw open the wall.
Already casting the spell on the orb before the door was all the way open, he slammed the wall shut behind him, already hearing the guards breaking down his cellar door.
“Slasher, I wasn’t expecting you to call so soon. Is there a develo-”
“No time!” Slasher cut his superior off in Changelish “The guards are on their way and they know I’m a Changeling! I am unable to continue my previous orders!” The unspoken question of ‘what do I do’ didn’t need to be asked.
The Changeling on the other side seemed shocked for a split second, before turning to their side and calling out something before turning back.
“Keep them out for as long as you can while we determi-” before being cut off as a much larger Changeling stepped in front of the other crystal.
“What’s your status Solder?” The Changeling Queen asked
“My cover has been blown, and the Royal guard is entering my cellar my Queen” he responded as his cellar door was smashed to pieces and rapid hoofsteps could be heard descending the stairs.
The Queen looked thoughtful for a moment before muttering “The mask has been broken, it’s time for the actors to be revealed for who they truly are.”
“You are to surrender yourself to the guard and answer their questions truthfully. Do not reveal the identities of any Changelings in Canterlot or the location of our hive however unless asked directly by one of the Princess. Do you understand your orders Solder?”
“Yes my Queen.”
“Then go, and, good luck Slasher.” She said, her tone turning gentle, and the orb went dark, just as a hoof kicked through the fake wall and hit him in the back of the head, sending him straight into unconsciousness.