2 - I Have This Under Control
She pointed to a tunnel. "Go on now."
I didn't need to be told twice! But I wasn't going to go running off like she... scared me or anything. I turned up my nose and sauntered away from her, trying to ignore her eyes that I could feel staring into my back.
I could see brighter light coming from up ahead and she wasn't in sight anymore, so I hurried towards it, emerging closer to Twilight Sparkle's castle than the town. Was she in on this?! Was everypony in on this?! I stomped a hoof with frustration. A week! I just had to last a week. Where should I go... School didn't expect me to come back, but that didn't stop me from going there anyway, but would they be of any help?
I ran a hoof through my soft mane. Ah, at least my mane was fantastic enough that even being turned into a bug couldn't keep it down. I checked and had my bits still on me. At least the Bug Queen wasn't a thief as well as a foalnapper. I decided a little snack to settle things down was in order and trotted towards Sugarcube Corner.
"Hi there!" Pinkie was manning the counter and smiling at me with that huge 'I am so gosh darn happy with everything!' smile she always had. "What can I get fer ya?" She suddenly looked pensive and tapped her chin. "Shouldn't you be at school?"
I waved a hoof at her dismissively. "No, and that's none of your business. I'll take a cupcake, honey glazed, extra sprinkles. Chop chop." I clopped my hooves to emphasize it, and Pinkie rushed to work. She had a good work ethic at least.
I exchanged a few bits for the treat and wolfed it down a little faster than I planned. It didn't fill me up like it usually did, and it tasted a little stale. What kind of third rate ingredients were they using?! "Pinkie, that cupcake tasted terrible!"
Pinkie looked shocked and dismayed. "Really? What was wrong with it? I'm so sorry! I'll make up another one."
I smiled at her easy surrender. "Thank you. The flour tasted like it was going off, and that threw everything else off."
Pinkie tilted her head one way and the other. "Huh..." She went and fetched a new bag of flour and got to work. "This'll take a while but I'll get you that cupcake, promise!"
That gave me time to wonder, but I was thirsty too. "I'll take a glass of milk while I wait." She slid the glass over quickly and I snatched it up before heading over to a table by the window to look outside and think about things. So long as I looked like my usual self, everypony would treat me like normal. If I got dis... I noticed my right hoof had a great big hole in it and started in surprise, which made more of me start turning bug-like, black shell and all. I dove under the table and concentrated really hard. With a fwoosh of fire, I was back to pretty. Peeking out from under the table, Pinkie was still busy making that cupcake. She hadn't noticed, phew.
Alright, remember to concentrate, got it... How did they keep it up all day long?! I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard somepony sink across from me. It was that crying brat from earlier. "Need something?"
He looked away a moment. "I... I'm sorry... I didn't ask her to do this to you."
He knew? How... Oh. "You're the changeling!" I hissed in a whisper. "Your 'Queen' turned me into a bug!"
He nodded softly. "She did... I didn't mean for this to happen, I promise! I told her how you were being mean and she said she'd take care of it and then this... I just want to go to school, with other foals. I... I'm sorry."
His apologies weren't turning me back to normal. I felt annoyed. If he hadn't gone and blabbed about me, Miss High and Mighty wouldn't have grabbed me. "This is your fault."
"You're slipping." He pointed at where a hole was forming in one of my forelegs that sent me scrambling out of sight to fix myself. "Look, I'm... My name's Blunt Hooves."
I sat back up in my chair, taking a slow breath. "Blunt Hooves? That's a pony name."
He smiled timidly. "I'm a pony."
Yuck. "You are not. You're a bug."
He pointed at me. "So are you. Do you want a new name?"
I cringed at the idea. "No way! I'll go back to being normal. You'll see. So, what, you're even pretending to yourself to be a pony?"
He squirmed in place. "I'm not pretending. I am a pony. I'm learning how to be a good pony, at school." He sniffed softly. "I'm not even a drone... like you."
I flipped my ears back as Pinkie announced. "Ready!" She bounced over and set the cupcake in front of me with a few sparklers stuck in it. She was going all out to make it appealing. She even added a few oat cakes around it. "Here you go! Fresh from the oven." She bounced away, looking so happy with herself.
I picked up the cupcake and chewed it softly. It still had that... off taste.
"You're a changeling, remember?" He looked a little sad. "Regular food's not so filling. You need love."
Love? I was a vampire! A real vampire! "I don't want to drain some pony into a husk. I'd rather eat stale muffins."
He shook his head quickly. "It's hard to explain, but you'll know it when you feel it. When someone loves you, it'll feel like something's already going in your mouth. If you just let it happen, you'll fill up, and they won't be hurt. Just don't slurp it down. The more they love you, the faster it works. Look, I have to go..."
No! He had answers. I needed them. "What did you mean by 'drone'?"
He shook his head again. "No, really. I'll see you tomorrow, at school." He smiled a little. "We'll keep our little secret, alright?" He hopped down and trotted away, bursting into a gallop once he was outside the store.
There was so much to being an icky bug I didn't know. I was pretty sure I saw wings, and a horn? Could I do magic? Could I fly? I chewed listlessly at an oat cake as I thought about it, only to notice I was slipping again. This was getting out of hoof! "All full, thanks!" I dashed out of the bakery and around the corner to retake my disguise. Why did this have to be so hard?!
I spotted one pony I definitely wanted to see. There was daddy! He was talking to some other ponies about something and walking briskly down the road. I bet he was talking about some business deal or something. He was always doing something amazing with money. I quickly scurried to catch up with him.
"Diamond! Aren't you supposed to be at school?" He had a warm smile despite his accusation. He loved me, I could... taste it? Something sweet and thick was tickling at my tongue and ran right down my throat. It was better than a dozen cupcakes, and my hunger was fading away. I gave a little sip and a bit of a sour edge laced it that tasted great. I felt great!
Daddy wobbled a little. "Oh, I've been walking too much today. Diamond, I'm about to head home, why don't you come with me?"
I fell into step with him as he resumed his conversation with the other pony. I didn't care about that other stallion. Did I just hurt daddy? I hoped it wasn't serious. No more sipping, even if it... tasted so good.
The hunger I had felt was gone entirely, replaced with an energetic vitality. I felt like I could take on the world, or at least keep my disguise going without barely thinking about it. Maybe that was why I was having so much trouble? I just needed a snack, a real snack. A... bug snack.
I was happy to be walking alongside with daddy. He really did care for me, and I knew I'd be safe around him, so long as I didn't blow it all and scare him with a bug face. I kept a firm hold on my disguise as we walked and arrived at our house. He easily opened the gate and led us inside. "Diamond, would you fetch us a drink?"
I'd normally bristle at such a domestic task, but I was so happy at the moment, I went off to do that. I filled a pitcher with water and set it on a tray with some cups before I realized the butler should be doing this. Where was he? Too late to ask him to do it... I returned with the tray balanced on my back and let it slide off onto a table beside daddy and his business friend. "Here you are."
"Oh, thank you Diamond. I really needed a drink." He poured himself a cup and swigged it down. "Ah, much better, now, as I was saying, we could double production!" He was in full management mode. He was so impressive when he was in full swing of things and I watched him a moment before trotting off towards my room. I had to figure out how I was going to spend the rest of the week. Could I even sleep without waking up as a bug? Probably not... What should I do?
I dug through my small library, but none of the books even mentioned changelings, let alone had anything useful about them. Ah ha! Princess Twilight Sparkle loved books. She had to have a few about changelings up at her castle, and she didn't mind us foals going up and borrowing one or two, as long as we were careful with them. Even if she was in on this nefarious scheme, she wouldn't mind me knowing what the hay I was, would she? I'd find out.
I trotted out past Daddy and he held up a hoof. "Hold up a moment, Diamond. I just remembered, why aren't you at school?"
Oh, uh, quick excuse. "I was sent home because I already knew today's lesson." I turned towards him. "It was about changelings, and I know more than everypony else in the class." That much was likely to be true. I...ugh... was one...
He smiled proudly. "That's my girl! Keep it up and make your daddy proud." He lifted his glass of water at me and I felt happy. He was always so supportive.
I nodded to him and his friend. "I'll be back in time for dinner!" And off I went, trotting out towards the great crystal spire that was Princess Twilight Sparkle's castle. She had to have some answers. She just had to!
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Gah, Blunt wasn't very clear. I'm not sure if he's a changeling or a pony turned changeling. No, I'm not expecting an answer yet. It's just chapter 2
Let us be herd.
I'm quite enjoying this so far.
My only complaints would be that the pacing is a tad bit too fast in places, and you could probably add a bit more detail to some scenes / descriptions. Other than that I look forward to seeing where this goes.
6544926 Such as?
Ooh, DT Changeling mode. Nice. I'll keep an eye out for new chapters!
6544435 No, I meant telepathic of course. Sorry, my Greek is a little rusty.
I just realized, this is the first story you've published on this site that's written in first person, isn't it? It looks good so far, and I couldn't seem to find any major typos in this chapter.
I know it's traditional in these situations to keep everything a secret until the worst possible moment, but DT really needs to talk to the CMC right away. Out of all the ponies she knows, they would be the most likely to believe her, and the most forgiving. They have more personal experience with changelings than anyone except Twilight Sparkle (If you count the comics, which I know you have before). Add to that they're still getting used to their roles as the official source of guidance to all foals, and they would be certain to go above and beyond to help her out. Besides, their first idea is always terrible, so it's not like you'd be giving up the chance for humorous disaster.
6545243 Do you think she's on the wrong track trying to snag a few tomes on changelings? Not that she's likely to have the patience to get too far into them.
This is definitely going to be interesting.
6545258
Exactly. Twilight will be delighted to help her with her research, but Diamond won't get very far anyway. The CMC are her only hope. They may also be her only dependable source of nutrition, if she does get found out. Maybe her father, probably not her mother. She can at least count on the CMC to not freak out (although she wasn't there when they were taken prisoner by Chrysalis and spent the whole time sassing her). Scoots may claim to have known it all along.
6545340 And yet she cannot do that, for they are in school, during a school day.
6545412 I didn't mean instantly, but recent events should put the option really high on her list.
I wasn't sure what to make of Blunt's statement that "I'm not even a drone...like you."
Are you implying that changelings are born with free wills, but Chrysalis brainwashes some of them manually, like she did with Shining Armor? Kudos if you are; that is a much more interesting and subtle idea than the hive mind nonsense lots of people go for. (Changelings are not a hive mind, and I can prove it!)
This was a damn good read. I got some oddly creepy vibes through it, which is not a bad thing. Chrysalis was very intimidating in subtle way. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and look forward to more!
6545521 Glad to hear it! I'll try to post updates as soon as possible, though I am being yanked away for a week to attend Nightmare Nights.
6545803 If you mean the changeling colt going to school, it's implied that was part of the treaty.
If you mean Chrysalis foalnapping DT and everything that followed, heck no.
6545825 Yeah, the second thing. Wow, Chrysalis has been in Ponyville for only a few hours and already she's broken the law.
6545875 Chrysalis, doing naughty things? Never! You take back your slanderous words this moment. Our fair and lovely Queen would never sully her hooves with outlaw activities.
Why, that's what she has servants for.
This is going a bit fast, but I'm enjoying it so far
I wonder how much spotlight Blunt Hooves is going to have. I mean, there isn't an OC tag.
6546118 It has the changelings tag. Wouldn't that cover him? If not, I really don't know what it's for. We may as well have a 'ponies' tag, or a 'nobles' tag or 'wizards'.
What part is going by fast?
Make more. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeese?
6546409 The words, will last, forever! Or at least until the story is done.
6545463 Please prove it! I want to hear.
You did a new things!
Happiness +10
6546184
I see your point, but Blunt Hooves isn't just a random changeling. He's a character you made that has his own personality and, probably, is going to be important to the story, so he's an OC. Although I can see how the changeling tag could be pretty much useless, all the changeling that are not Chrysalis are actually OCs because the show has never give us an actual changeling characters, besides Chrysalis of course. Anyway, that's just my opinion. I was just wondering if Blunt Hooves if going to have an important role because there isn't an OC tag.
And by the story going fast, It could be just me. I'm used to read long stories with chapters between 5k and 10k words long. I just feel this a bit fast in contrast, not that it is a bad thing
Easy when you have been brainwashed into being nice to changelings.
She can't appreciated a cupcake anymore. Being changeling is suffering.
And she do it.
The drone in her is showing !
6546555 I did several new things. Also see Gilda Throws a Party.
Well David Silver I really hate to say it but, I think you have a run away on your hooves here.
I love it, I would like to send a warning to DT I am betting Twilights castle will have wards to revel changelings if they are in side witch may prove to be interesting.
Harts Fire
6546739 What's the worst that could happen?
6546765 hum I am not sure how well Twi Twi would tack it. but if it happens so be it.
6546708 But did all those things include Diamond Tiara? *eyebrow wiggle* (question is rhetorical, I've already checked the previous stories. xD)
Sorry, you just write a really fun Diamond Tiara and this so far is looking. The whole overcoming stubborn bigotry, and well they did almost kill a princess and conquer all of Equestria, through heavyhoofed and potentially dangerous tactics like turning the pony into a changeling? Interests peaked!
Early morning grogginess and a super chipper squeaky Belle squawking at ya so early in the morning don't make for good times I'd imagine. I liked that scene. Mornings aren't everyone's cup of tea.
Post changeling? Ouch, DT needs to learn to resist the slurping (or in her case, sipping) because whoa boy. Things would get awkward if ponies trotted in to see one or more of the CMC passed out in the floor. Well, or DT passes out from overdosing. I guess there is also Silver. xD
Bah, got distracted. Hoping to see how the whole Twilight thing goes. Still bummed last story remained incomplete, but nice to see more Tiara from you.
6546891 I've noticed a lot of folks see the CMC as a source of love, but do they -love- Diamond Tiara? They only recently slipped from bitter rivalry to friendship, a mighty step, but it's still another step or two to love, is it not?
6546448 Ok. First of all, in both Canterlot Wedding and the two comics with changelings, every time Chrysalis changes her people's behavior, she does it by talking to them ("Go! Feed!" etc.). In the comics she even takes advice from her minions, but I'll allow that the comics are just soft canon.
During the fight in front of the vault containing the elements of harmony, one of the changelings changes into Pinkie in response to her request (and rolls its eyes too). After the mane 6 defeat that group, one of the changelings in the group coming to reinforce them is shown pointing and hissing something to the others. Whenever the changelings were doing something without a plan or direct oversight, they were disorganized and sloppy (for example, the scene outside during the reprise of "This Day"). They still cooperated, but not to the degree a hive mind would have.
However, I think the most compelling evidence is that both Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash tricked the changelings by pretending to be one of them. If the changelings shared a consciousness, they would not need to identify each other by sight, and therefore could not be tricked that way.
The only thing that could be used as evidence for a hive mind is the group of changelings that mocked Twilight in unison. However, considering that they were responding immediately after her initial statement, it is not all that strange for them to say it together.
The changelings clearly have excellent teamwork and obedience, but they each have their own separate mind (simple though it may be).
6546973 I'm a bit slow... Actually that's more of my problem than yours.
6547056
THANK YOU. I've been musing about this all week. they don't act like they have a hivemind. And Chrysalis doesn't ever refer to them as her children, I don't think. ( Side thought, Its possible ponies see 'uniform black' while their vision possesses more cones and so they are very colorful and iridescent to themselves.)
6546981 Not at all. Love and like are completely unrelated. If they didn't love Diamond somewhat, they never would have forgiven her in the first place.
Blunt is a nymph then? At least he is taking pity on DT. He's definitely young...
Chryssy is definitely overstepping her bounds, but that's no surprise. Could chalk it up as a misinterpretation of Ex-change Student
Keep going! ;)
6548210 Love is required for forgiveness? I have feelings for a lot more people than I realized.
Well, so much for that peace treaty, then. Abducting a foal and forcibly changing it into a changeling will probably put a the kibosh on that. Right?
...yeah, right.
...
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.
6548659 There are many kinds of love, and romance is the least of them.
6549168 Diamond just worked through that. Family love. She hopes best friend love qualifies.
6549179 With her family, she better hope so. I doubt her mother is going to be much help.
6549179
Curious to see who if any are in on this, can't wait reading on.
Rather like how DT is starting to see some of the differences between ponies and changelings. Different diet, need to keep a disguise up, and wanting to learn more. Twilight would certainly approve of the last part as she goes to the castle for just that reason! Go DT go, you can do it!