//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: When Hope Rises // Story: The Unseen // by Shadow Beast //------------------------------// Starchy awoke from a good night's rest to see Verdugo stretching by her bed. She yawned and put on her helmet before looking over at him. She smiled. “The Queen is going to give us an actual briefing soon,” Verdugo said as she trotted toward him. “There are two loose ends to tie up first but she's found a way to get both in one go.” Starchy stretched and yawned. “What loose ends are those?” “Well, the most important one is that the Queen likes you and doesn't want you to die. So she's decided to assign us yet another new recruit to act as a solid defense.” “The other loose end?” Verdugo chuckled. “Shadow Beast. He showed up at the western checkpoint and has become an annoyance again. So we'll be going over there to--” “We're going to Dead Town?!” Squee screeched, waking up the last two members. He shook his head. “There's no way I'm going back to that place... Not again!” “Toughen up, private!” Verdugo commanded. “If Beast can survive the night there then you can survive less than an hour!” Starchy glanced between them with a crooked head. “Dead Town?” “It was called ‘Ponyville’ before we changelings took over,” Verdugo explained. “But for some reason, the cursed forest quickly encroached upon it and soon we were left with nothing more than a few ramshackle houses and a lot of angry wildlife.” “Some say the forest swallowed up a group of ponies, and that they live in that part of the forest...” Squee added. “Foolishness!” Verdugo declared. “We all know that the forest is simply too hostile for any non-feral being to survive in.” “We're missing the point,” the drowsy Dreary interjected. “There's no way Shadow could possibly survive the western checkpoint... There's too much death on all sides.” “He survived the forest and tamed those mutts,” Brucie noted. “We can't just turn our noses up for this...” “Which is why we're leaving immediately,” Verdugo announced. “But if our job is to kill him, we're wasting our time!” Squee complained. “We're not killing him. We're recruiting him.” Verdugo smiled. “Why?” Dreary asked, looking from Squee to Starchy and finally to Verdugo. “That's a good question. And I'll explain on the way.” The team took to the air straight from their balcony and headed southwest toward Dead Town. Verdugo soared to the front to explain. “The Queen wants us to raise our private to fill the role as the main breeder. Her plan is to create a new generation of soldiers twice as efficient as the current generation.” She smiled. “Of course, we have no shortage of enemies, which is why not only are we protecting him but she's ordered us a goat.” “A goat?” Squee asked. “What did Shadow do to it?” “Shadow is the goat.” Verdugo looked back and saw confused looks. “Haven't any of you heard of fainting goats?” Most of the heads shook. “When a predator goes for the kill, they always take the slowest and weakest, so if our prize specimen fits that description we need something even worse. Fainting goats got their name from falling over and being killed by predators to save the prized ones. So metaphorically, Shadow will be our fainting goat!” “So did Shadow take the form of a goat?” Squee asked. “It's a metaphor, you uncultured wretch!” Verdugo snapped at him. She immediately covered her mouth. Reluctantly, her hooves lowered. “I'm... I'm sorry.” Squee shrugged. “What? It's not like you said sh-” “Should we explain the ordeal?!” Dreary interjected just in time. Verdugo couldn't hide her smirk. “Yeah, sure. The story should take the rest of trip...” She smiled. “Why don't you tell it? I don't want to be running my mouth all day here!” She fell back and pushed Dreary to the front, overruling hesitation. Dreary kept his eyes front and his voice stoic. “It happened a long time ago... Before the formation of the second generation with their in-the-womb ‘training.’ Verdugo and her team, my unnamed self included, were assigned the ultimate suicide mission to prove our worth. The last team that tried it were top-notch and had twice the firepower. And we still never found all of their remains. “So we made our way across the wasteland, to the most foul hive in the world... Sent to end the silent war. Heh, Chrysalis had known that even a murmur of what was inside could destabilize Her entire hive.” “And what was that?” Squee asked. “Let me tell the story, kid. “The changelings in this hive were feral, bloodthirsty, and could take the form of other changelings. We didn't know what to expect; I had already told you how the last raid on this place had gone. “But when we entered the wretched hive, we were greeted by a changeling queen. Not Chrysalis, just a crownless and kingdomless queen trotting in her lonesome in a hole. She said hello. She treated us as prospective followers of her heresy. Verdugo went along with it, listening to her dribble about immortality and some superior moral compass. “Next thing I know, Verdugo kills her with a spear and gallops out with the biggest smile on her face I've ever seen.” Dreary finally looked back to smile at Verdugo. “So we returned and suddenly she's spouting to the Queen about how the wretches weren't completely worthless. She shows Chrysalis a spell that can fill a changeling’s head with the knowledge and instincts to fight on par with the best of the guards. “And that is how the second generation was born!” Starchy only heard the wind now. He realized the voice in his head had been silent all day. He cringed, but his recollection didn't bring it back to life. He put his mind to other things. “So you just killed a friendly changeling?” Starchy asked Verdugo. “What Dreary omitted from the story was the fact that this ‘queen’ admitted to destroying her entire hive in desperation for food!” she revealed. “She was practically begging to die, saying immortality was a curse and that her haunting sins would never let her rest.” She smiled. “I proved her wrong, didn't I?” “Where'd you learn the spell then?” “From talking to her, mostly. I also found a book filled with her heretical spells and with some inspiration I was able to cut out most of the awful side effects and get the instinct spell working flawlessly!” Her smile started to fade. “Though I do wish that we weren't stricken with memory loss and sometimes an evil voice in our heads... Chrysalis insists that both only strengthen the character of our soldiers.” She shrugged. “Who am I to argue?” Starchy exhaled. “I'd hate to hear about the side effects that didn't make it into the final spell...” Verdugo chuckled. “Honestly, I butchered her spell so much that one of the side effects became the main effect, and the main effect was omitted completely!” “Wait, what was that spell supposed to do before?” She shook her head. “It was a putrid attempt at immortality. The spell could take the entire consciousness of a changeling and put it inside another changeling. The footnotes kept emphasizing the dangers of two souls in the same body and how 100% of the time, the spell resulted in the destruction of one or both of these two souls.” She smiled. “Funny thing is that I noticed the 100% to be a rounded probability... There was a scribbled out 99.9% right next to it. I looked through more of the footnotes and found alterations that allowed up to ten souls in one body at the same time, but of course the caveat included crippling either the body or mind of all but one of the souls.” Dreary cleared his throat. “So by changing the strength of the mind going in to just be a fixed set of knowledge, you prevented the whole 100% death side effect?” “Exactly.” Dead Town appeared on the horizon; they would arrive soon. Starchy looked down at the forest and watched the trees fly by. Remember: Always put out your campfires. A single spark could set the world aflame. Starchy looked up to make sure the voice was just in his head. His heart pounded in his chest. “Umm... Verdugo?” he called out. She turned to him with an impatient glare. “Verdugo, is fire safety included in our in-the-womb training?” She couldn't keep looking at him with a straight face. She turned in a futile attempt to hide her laughter. “If you've got an urge to light something on fire, you've certainly not had that training!” He laughed along with the others to hide his worries. He took a deep breath as they landed in Dead Town. The place had become so overgrown that it seemed only a single, towering building was left for the changelings. The team approached it, each member taking a moment to appreciate the height of the tower. Verdugo took the shortest moment, focusing instead on the door. She trotted up and knocked on it. No answer. “Royal executioner!” Verdugo yelled as her hooves pounded on the door again. “Open up if you're in there!” She put her ear to the door. Imagine sitting at home and hearing death beating at your door... Starchy did his best to ignore the voice and focus on a more tangible snout. “I don't think anyone's home...” Brucie said to Verdugo. Her hoof pounded on the door a couple times before scraping down the front. She glared back at him. “Oh, they're in there all right!” She turned back toward the door and took a breath to scream. “I'm giving you one last chance to open this door!” Finally, the hinges creaked and a shaky figure stuck their snout outside to look at them. Verdugo took a step back. “Shadow Beast?! Is that you?” Shadow nodded weakly. “Sorry about the wait... I'm the only one here and, well...” The changeling slowly hobbled out of the tower on three legs. His front left leg was missing and his entire body was covered with cuts and scars from timberwolf claws. Blood dripped onto the ground from his chest. “You're bleeding!” Verdugo noticed. “Can you fly?” The changeling looked back at his wings for a moment. They were still in perfect shape. He shrugged at Verdugo. “I'm not sure how to...” “Even for someone too old to have the training, it should come naturally to you! Come on, we’ll take you back to the castle.” Shadow bit his lip. “We promise we won't hurt you,” Verdugo assured. Shadow shook his head. “It's not that...” “Then what is it?” The wounded changeling looked around before hobbling forward. “It's nothing. Let's just get out of here.” Verdugo’s brow furrowed as she grinned. “Fine. Boys, help him into the air.” Her gaze never turned from Shadow; her eyes never blinked. “I'll catch up.” Starchy and the three others nodded and moved to carefully help Shadow into the air. The changeling’s fear of heights, as well as the several open wounds, kept the changelings from getting a good grip on him. Verdugo watched the struggle for a moment before turning her smile toward the open door to the tower. She trotted up to it and peeked inside. Her smile disappeared as her hoof shut the door. She took a deep breath in vain as anger began to course through her body. Her wings flung her toward the group. She flew past them and stopped, giving them all a gesture to do the same. “Where is everyone else, Shadow?” Verdugo growled. The other changelings turned to the shaky changeling they were holding. “There's no one else inside that tower...” Shadow retched in a pathetic attempt to clear his throat. “I told you I was alone...” “There wasn’t a single bed in that tower.” She shook her head. “There’s no one coming, yet ‘Dead Town’ should still have at least ten residents!” “I never met anyone...” “I can smell your deceptions from here.” She turned to Dreary. “Drop him.” “Wait!” Shadow screamed in panic. “I did meet them! I did!” “So where are they?” The changeling let his acrophobic heart slow its rate. He took a breath. “Look... I don’t know what to tell you... I’m not good with names or faces. I just remember waking up, covered in blood, being carried by another changeling out of the Everfree.” He shook his head. “Whoever brought me out of there talked the others into following her deep into the forest. I don’t think they ever came back out.” Just because you’ve saved someone’s life doesn’t mean you’re a hero. I hate this world. “So they all just abandoned their posts to follow a complete stranger?!” “I’ve told you all I know!” He shook his head in fear. “Please... I don’t know what happened to them!” Verdugo sighed. “Fine.” She smirked. “Let's just get back to the castle.” Shadow sighed in relief. “I think...” He looked down at the blood dripping from his chest to the trees. “I think my accelerated heart rate has caused a more significant amount of blood to be lost...” “Yeah?” Verdugo turned her head to look at him. “Keep talking and you'll really lose some blood.” “Speaking of blood,” Dreary said, letting go of the group and flying up to Verdugo. “Aren't you, Shadow, supposed to be a ‘first generation’ changeling?” He smiled. “One without flight training, memory loss, or blood in your veins?” Let's not forget that voice in your head... “Yeah...” Shadow nodded meekly. “We are a hivemind after all... Wouldn’t be too difficult to start bleeding when everyone else is...” Verdugo sighed. “Let’s just get him to the castle in one piece, alright?” Ignorance? Is she growing thick on us? “Shut up,” Starchy said to the unseen voice. He looked up to see Verdugo and the others staring at him. “You can hear that voice in your head already?” Verdugo asked him. Of course not. You’re an obedient little soldier! As ignorant and stupid as they come! Starchy nodded. “Yeah... It’s been at it for a while now.” “He was talking to himself last night,” Dreary added. “I already told him to just ignore it and keep a good focus.” Verdugo glared at him. “But you didn’t tell me that. I needed to know as soon as the voice appeared!” She turned to Starchy. “We’ll need to talk about this but now isn’t the time. We must reach the castle before nightfall.” You’re not afraid of the things lurking in the dark, are you? Don’t close your eyes. Starchy cringed at the comment. Verdugo flew toward him and put a hoof on his shoulder. “I know a strange voice talking to you from your own mind is unnerving, but you have to stay strong!” Strong? Ask her if that's really what she calls herself. “It won't shut up,” Starchy replied. “It just keeps whispering. Mocking and hating this world.” Oh good, you have been-- “Don't let it change your view of this world,” Verdugo said, interrupting the voice. “Be strong and focus on your end goal. Ignore the voice enough, and it will go away.” That strategy never works on problems. “Just shut up already,” Starchy whispered under his breath. If I told you that in a single sentence I could get your undiv-- “Remember, private,” Verdugo interjected. “It only knows what's in your own head!” “So there’s nothing it can say that I don’t know already?” “Exactly!” Starchy smiled. She’s wrong. Starchy shook his head at the doubt that was scratching at his mind. He shook it off and ignored the voice for the rest of the trip. Shadow’s fear of heights kept the others entertained. Before long, the group made it back to the castle. Two armored guards came out to meet them. “Out of the way!” Verdugo commanded. “We have wounded!” They stood their ground. “Chrysalis has demanded your team’s presence in Her throne room. Immediately.” “Then let’s go,” she said without even looking at Shadow. Squee let go, forcing Brucie and Starchy to drag Shadow along by themselves. They somehow managed to keep the pace with the others. Chrysalis sat upon the throne of Equestria, looking down upon Verdugo and her team. “My goodness,” She laughed. “You even managed to save the goat!” Shadow crooked his head. Verdugo stopped forward. “There's no one left at the western checkpoint now...” The Queen sighed. “We don't have time for this.” Her magic pulled out a strange artifact from her throne. “Anyone know what this is?” “It looks like...” the tired Shadow said. “A crystal?” Chrysalis nodded toward one of Her guards. With a flitter of their wings, they pulled it from Her aura and placed it on the floor before Verdugo. “This is not just any gemstone.” The Queen leaned closer. “This is undeniable proof of the existence of the Crystal Empire!” Verdugo’s eyes widened, but her voice remained calm. “I thought refugees just made that place up.” “Didn’t we all?” The Queen chuckled. “But it seems that our late pony princesses had quite the influence over the Empire.” Verdugo’s hoof caressed the side of the crystal. “Their actions made the Empire disappear overnight, never to be seen or heard from again.” “So it existed.” Verdugo shrugged. “What’s there to be happy about?” “Tell her, Shadow...” The company turned to find the wounded changeling frozen in place, shaking in unease. What a bundle of nerves. Can't even handle the spotlight. Verdugo crooked her head. Chrysalis smiled. Starchy kept looking at him, doing his best to ignore the voice in his head. “Well?!” Chrysalis yelled at the silence. Shadow’s lips quivered, but never opened. His eyes darted from one face to another without turning his head. They fixed themselves back on the Queen before he finally blinked. “You recognized this, didn't you?!” Chrysalis growled. Shadow’s head shook subtly, as though he were trying in vain to shake his head. “Answer me!” She screamed. Shadow’s entire body shook until his eyes rolled back. The shaking stopped. The changeling collapsed to the floor, slipping out of the grips of Brucie and Starchy. Chrysalis nodded to her guards. They picked up the unconscious changeling and left. The Queen chuckled and smiled at Verdugo. “A perfect goat, isn't he?” Verdugo forced a smile to mimic Her, but her tone remained focused. “Are we being briefed on our mission now?” Chrysalis smiled. “Patience.”