Part Two: Recollection
Chapter II - Keep a Steady Mind
———<Northern Equestrian Plains… 1013 Years Ago>———
“Hold still, Luna. We can’t quite close the cut if you squirm so much.” Celestia wove a needle through her sister's skin, slowly sewing the gash on her withers where a changeling had hooked on with its hoof. Celestia pressed the needle in a little too deep, causing Luna to grunt in pain.
“Our apologies. We’re not quite sure why small pricks in the skin are more difficult to bear than a magical burn, or slash from a blade.” She coughed and wiped some sweat off her forehead with a lavender, ichor-stained hoof.
She watched as a vulture dove down from above and began picking at a corpse. Luna couldn’t tell what kind of corpse it was. It was covered up by the scraps of metal, other corpses, and dried lavender and crimson fluids that covered the field.
It was over. After months of hunting, searching, and loss, they had finally killed Queen Aysune. Luna glanced over at her headless body, sitting not too far from where she sat. No more ponies would lose their equinity because of Aysune. After being turned, a pony was able to be forced by Aysune to do whatever the Queen desired. Which included attacking a loved one, or an important royal figure. Or both. Luna grunted as Celestia pulled the wound closed and tied off the string.
“Alright, Luna, you’re good. Now for our turn. Remember what we taught you.” They spoke in unison. “Steady mind means steady recovery.”
Luna took the medical kit in her magic and hovered a clean needle and string to a wound. “We know, sister, don’t worry. We’ve patched you up before, remember? Back when…” She jerked the needle forwards and it sunk deep into Celestia’s side.
Celestia cried out in surprise and looked back at her sister. “Stars above, Luna, keep a steady mind!” Luna nodded silently, taking a deep breath as she got back to work.
“Apologies. We’re just… how can anything with intelligent thought do the things that Aysune did? Your own student, our… She turned him against us, used him as a pawn. Only let him see the things he had done once he was dying. We aren’t the only ones who were played, either. Countless other ponies have similar stories: looking in the mirror to see a changeling, having to kill their friend or spouse when they were attacked…”
Celestia touched Luna’s side with her wing. “But it’s over now. Aysune is dead, as are her Royals. The ponies are strong; they will recover from this. That starts with us giving them an example. We have been attacked before, we have lost loved ones before, and we shall continue to do so throughout our lives.”
Luna closed a cut and continued to the next. “What is the purpose of it all? What is the point of having a lover, if only to see them wither away?”
“Because unless we let others care for us, we will cease to care for others. Chemical Catalyst was a wonderful pony and he cared for you excellently. You need ponies like that in your life: ones who will support you and your talents.
“Our curse and blessing is our long lives. We may be physically durable, but our minds can still decay and darken like any other pony. We must take extra care to make sure that does not happen.”
Luna sighed and furrowed her brow. “I understand, sister.”
———<Northern Equestrian Plains, Present Day>———
Scout #1555, or Eye Fiver to his friends, was bored. And cold. He had been assigned an extra shift on guard duty, since Double Dozen had gotten a bad infection of chitin-rust and couldn’t make it to her post.
His light blue wings fluttered as a breeze stirred through the air, chilling him further. He considered shifting into a pony, just to reap the benefits of a fur coat, but decided against it. He would rather be cold instead of hungry.
He saw a flash of light to his left and turned his head. One of the other lookouts saw something. He carefully worked out the meaning of the pattern as the pale blue light flashed. “South… friendly… Queen? We weren’t expecting any Queens today, I wonder what’s going on. I hope it’s Queen Amortentia, she is always nice to be around.”
The wind shifted, sending a cold spray from Neighagra Falls into Eye Fiver. He groaned and watched as the scout to his left began blinking another series of lights. “Whitetail? What about…” The signals for Whitetail and alive began flashing over and over. Eye Fiver quickly got the attention of the scout to his right and began relaying the message.
The news spread quickly, until eventually a messenger retreated into the hive in order to tell Queen Nepthysis the good news. After two decades of silence, the Whitetail hive was alive.
———<A Small Distance Away From Neighagra Falls>———
Citlali watched as a series of flashes spread around Neighagra Falls. “Well, Spike, we’ve certainly been spotted. I give them maybe a dozen seconds before they send someone to see us. I hope Queen Rivera is still doing well, it would be nice to see her again.”
“That’s good, I was getting tired of walking. I’m looking forward to meeting another Queen. Another friendly Queen, I mean. Well, actually, I’m exited about all of this! Meeting more changelings, other Royals, seeing how hives function! It might make it easier to imagine how our hive was, back in the day.”
“Yeah. Our hives look immensely different, though. Whereas my hive was underground, lit by enchanted crystals, Rivera’s hive has rivers flowing through it, and plenty of one-way windows that look like stone from the outside, but show beautiful views of the Falls from inside. The Atrium is many stories tall, from below our level, to the top of Neighagra Falls. They run the tourist services on the outside and harvest astonishment that way.”
Spike watched a black and blue changeling took off from the mountain towards them. “Huh. Did we ever have something like that? A service we ran?”
“Well, our harvesters were mostly the artistic type. Authors, actors, artists, and similar. We harvested appreciation on a wider scale than Rivera. She usually kept her harvesters close to home.” The changeling coming towards them landed and stood in place.
Citlali smiled. “Speaking of close to home, I think that’s our welcoming party. Let’s go introduce ourselves, shall we?”
They approached the changeling, who stood at respectful attention. Once they were in speaking distance, he addressed them. “Queen Citlali, welcome back! The Queens have missed you and feared for the worst. My Queen will want to hear your story.”
Citlali nodded with a smile. “It’s a crazy story, I’m exited to tell her. How is she? Queen Rivera, I mean?”
The changeling looked confused for a moment, then sighed. “Oh… oh. Uh, come on, the Queen will want to see you. She can catch you up on what has been happening among the Queens.” They began walking towards the hive.
Citlali frowned, glanced at Spike, then followed. When she noticed the changeling glancing at the figure on Citlali’s back, she chuckled. “Oh, uh. This is one of my soldiers. I assume you heard what happened at Canterlot?”
“Yes, everyone is buzzing about it. Chrysalis has a bounty on her head right now. After what she did to you, she was hated by everyling. Now, because of Canterlot, she can’t return to her hive, and can’t seek refuge in another Queen’s care. Essentially, she’s changeling enemy #1. I assume you were in Canterlot as well?” the guard asked.
“Yes, we both were. Spike is my Royal and Vahan here is actually a sleeper. We both got hit by the initial blast, so I’m going to keep with him while I tend to his injuries. Has your Queen reported any casualties?” Citlali turned an inquisitive eye to the guard.
“Only a few. Most of our harvesters were outside when the bomb went off, though we didn’t have many harvesters in Canterlot anyways. You said Vahan is a soldier and a sleeper, yet… he has a name? Is he a Royal as well?”
“Oh, no. It’s… it’s a long story. I’ll explain it to your Queen once we meet.” The guard nodded and flashed a few lights at the guards above them. Another series of flashes came back, to which the escort nodded.
“The Queen is able to see you. She will open the Falls to let you in.” Citlali nodded and watched, with Spike, in awe as a series of glowing blue lines etched themselves into the stone. It outlined a stone doorway, with writing along the top. With a rumble, the doors slowly slid open.
Spike whistled. “That’s pretty cool. Once we get our hive built back up, we need to get a door like that.” Citlali chuckled and nodded in agreement.
Inside was a long bridge connecting to another door on the other side. There was a large stone cylinder, indicating a massive room, in front of them, with many other bridges above, and below, them indicating many more locations in the hive.
The bridge they were on had a fence on either side, with holes in it to allow visibility. Gutters on either side had white stains in the blue crystal tile, indicating where water once flowed. Changelings, all light blue in color, flew through the air, landing on various bridges, repairing walls, and chatting to each other. Windows allowed light to fill the whole room, as well as charging the tile on the floor that would activate when light was low.
The guard pressed on the doorway, which slid upwards and revealed the Atrium. A series of ringed floors encircled an open space in the middle, allowing the three changelings sight of the flows of water crisscrossing through the air, into a pool below. Fences were only found in some spots, letting changelings walk off into the center whenever they pleased.
Pillars of a pale white stone held up the floors, with patterns of various aquatic animals adorning them. At the top of the room was a massive skylight, letting sunlight flow into the room. More sun tiles were found along the floor and walls. Spike’s jaw dropped, and Citlali smiled, happy to see her friend’s home once again. The guard was content with their reactions and indicated a door on the top floor.
“Up there is the Throne Room. The Queen shall open the doors for you. It’s good to see the Whitetail Hive returned, Queen Citlali.”
Citlali summoned a fire portal underneath her and Spike, placing them outside the Throne Room. The changelings around them gawked, obviously surprised to see lavender changelings. Once they stood outside the Throne Room doors, they slowly began to slide open in a pale blue glow.
Both stepped forwards, excited to meet Queen Rivera. Citlali stopped, however, and held Spike back. It was not Rivera on the throne. This Queen had long, wavy hair, with various stone ornaments hanging from it. Her horn was longer than Citlali's own, and curved like a snake. The two Queens stared at each other with dropped jaws. Spike looked between them questioningly, until the blue Queen began to laugh. At first it was just a chuckle, then it increased in volume until the Queen was roaring with laughter, wiping tears from her eyes.
“Well I’ll be damned! The Whitetail Hive is even hardier than I thought! This is the second time you fellows have come back from the dead, and you look… actually you look like rotten gel. But rotten gel is a whole lot better than dead, I’ll say. Welcome back to the land of the living, Citlali.”
Spike looked at Citlali, who was in shock. “Nepthysis!? Since when have you been Queen?” Her look of shock fell into a frown. “What happened to your mother?”
Nepthysis looked down. “We had a nasty infection of chitin rust a while back. The hive is still trying to finish it off. It took her and corroded her to the point that healing her was starving the hive. She told us to let her pass to the All-Mother, allowing me to take the throne. Who’da guessed the two of us would both become Queens, right?”
Queen Nepthysis stood and approached the lavender changelings. “And who’re you two? A royal and…” She looked at the group as if seeing them for the first time. She took in the extensive injuries on Vahan and Citlali, and cursed under her breath. “You two were in Canterlot, I’m guessing?”
Citlali nodded and cleared her throat. “We were in the same room that the bomb went off in. I used the love in the air to shield Spike and some of my sleepers.”
“Sleep— All-Mother curse you, Citlali, you’re still making sleepers!? Are you kidding me? Your hive nearly died because your grandmother was making sleepers, and you never once considered that the Princesses would want your head because of that?” Nepthysis pressed a hoof to her face and shook her head. “How many others do you have out there?”
Citlali bowed her head. “Ten.”
“And how many changelings do you have in your hive?”
“Thirteen. Not counting myself. Ten sleepers, Spike, and two eggs.”
Nepthysis gasped, then stared at her friend in shock. Then, in one swift movement, she wrapped her neck around Citlali and held the embrace. Citlali felt some charged emotions flow into her, which she used to heal most of her antenna. “All-Mother above, I’m sorry. I— We all thought that you were either dead, or hidden in a new hive. We never considered that you were just scraping by somewhere.” She pushed out of the embrace, wiped her eyes, and looked between Spike, Vahan and Citlali. “Well, what can I do to help you three?”
Citlali smiled. “We need to use the guest’s quarters and some supply of emotion. I’m trying to use as little as possible, so I can hatch my last two eggs and start rebuilding my hive again. I haven’t had much time, since I’ve been disguised as a pony for the last twenty years.”
Nepthysis whistled. “Only one pony? How’d you pull that off?”
Citlali chuckled and shrugged. “Dropped myself and a sleeper off on a doorstep, disguised as siblings. The family took us in and raised us as their own. There’s nothing quite like mother’s love to keep a changeling alive. My other sleepers are all in positions where they get enough emotion as well.”
“Damn. As much as I disapprove of your sleepers, that probably took some serious organization. Not that organization is an issue for you, Miss ‘Number One Assistant.’”
Spike coughed and looked up to Citlali. “You were a number one assistant too!?”
“Ehh… I helped my mother with whatever she needed. Just like you!” Spike smiled and slid a hoof down his fin.
They all jumped when Vahan flinched on Citlali’s back, and fell off with a shout. He opened his lavender eyes, looked at the two Queens, and changeling in front of him, and scrambled to his hooves. Vahan conjured a quick shield in front of him, then began to speak in a shaky voice.
“Where am I? What did you—“ He grunted, then collapsed to the floor as his injures made themselves known again. He looked at his scorched chitin. “What did you do to me!? What is— what is…” He slumped back to the floor in silence.
They stared at him as Citlali cheerily clapped her hooves together. “Well, it’s been fun seeing you again, but I have a brother who is actually my son who most likely now wants to kill me. I’ll need a private room to talk to him, if that’s alright with you.”
Nepthysis patted Citlali’s withers. “Of course. If you need anything, just ask.”
———<Canterlot Castle>———
The Bearers watched in silent pity as yet another changeling, colored crimson this time, was dragged through the halls of Canterlot Castle, kicking and screaming. “I’m not one of hers! I’ve been here for seven years now, I’m in the Royal Guard! Just ask Shining Armor, he knows me! Please, I’m not with Chrysalis!”
The doors to the dungeons shut with a slam, plunging the room into an awful silence. The guards had been bringing discovered changelings in all day for questioning about the attack. The Sisters had eventually shielded the city from any exit, so whatever changelings were in Canterlot were stuck in Canterlot.
Fluttershy was not among the Bearers watching the prisoners come in. After the first couple changelings, she had retired to her dorm room, and had stayed there for the rest of the day. Pinkie Pie had disappeared off to somewhere, which left Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.
“I really wish this wasn’t necessary. I understand the need to know who and who isn’t a pony, but this just isn’t the way. The Princesses should have issued a decree saying that any changeling who steps forward and reveals themselves is pardoned, or something similar in nature,” Rarity said. “Apart from the ones colored teal like Chrysalis’ own, none of them have violently resisted arrest.”
Applejack scratched her chin. “What’dya think the colors mean? The changelings that’ve come in so far have all been different colors.”
“Different Queens, maybe? Twili— The Queen that was replacing Twilight was purple and Chrysalis was green. The little changelings had those colors, too. I hope we find them soon. The real Shining, Spike, and Twilight I mean.” Rainbow poked at the ground, a frown on her face.
Rarity scoffed. “According to Princess Celestia, we have. The lavender Queen, Citlali, said she had always been Twilight, Spike revealed himself as a changeling, and Shining was dropped off at their parents’ house at the same time as Twilight.”
Applejack did a double take at Rarity. “Twilight and Shining Armor are adopted? How come she never said anythin’ about that?”
Rainbow scoffed. “Probably the same way she never mentioned Shining Armor, or her fear of what would happen if she missed a letter, or being a changeling Queen. Twilight doesn’t really mention anything you don’t ask about, AJ.”
The farmhand threw a hoof into the air. “Then how come Shining or Spike never said anythin’? Did they really not trust us enough to tell us somethin’ as big as this?”
At that moment, the doors opened yet again, revealing two guards holding a changeling. This one was lavender, just like Twilight’s hive. The changeling was silent and melancholy, until it glanced at the bearers. It locked eyes with them and opened it’s mouth. “You… you’ve gotta help me, please! I’m with you, I’m one of you! You have to trust me!” The dungeon doors closed.
Rainbow shivered. “That was disturbing. Whaddya think she mean when she said she was with us?”
Rarity stared at the dungeon door. “Nothing good, I’m sure.”
This should read "its hoof". It's is short for it is, so as it stands this sentence currently reads ... a changeling had hooked on with it is hoof...' which just sounds wrong.
Oh Boy, I think I get what that changeling was saying at the end, but I'm not going to spoil it, let everyone else figure it out.
Welp, once the Bearers find out what they really are, they and the princesses are going to be in a weird position, since the bearers never knew they were changelings. This does raise a question, though: Are they adopted, or were they turned from ponies to changelings after obtaining the elements?
Also, if Celestia and Luna really want to know if Citlali is not a threat, just break out the Elements. Since the six of them are the only ones who can use them, if the Elements react positively to them, then the Princesses shouldn't have to worry about Citlali being a threat to Equestria, right?
8227648
I thought that it was already spoiled on the description for the story page(when you click on the title)? second paragraph would be where.
I have feeling the sleeper twilight and her grandma use, they did it to safe that pony life or keep that pony for harm others.
So the sleepers are changelings that don't know and because of it they think they were transformed? [Spoiler/]
8227648
Not exactly hard to figure out dusk. Especially cosidering Twilight out right states it earlier in the chapter.
Sounds like the situation is rapidly spiraling out of control...
8227650
I think the element are more worry about world as a whole not a single country. ie nightmare moon was a treat to the planet as a whole, discord was treat to the planet as a whole. I view the element power effect the world and keep it in balance, they wont go off cause country they in get over thrown by another as long as the harmony and balance of the world stay same.
I do believe that the other bearers will be accused shortly and they will NOT be happy at all
oh i wonder who the lavender changling is vynel octy depy oh please be derpy
Very interesting chapter and I like that you're going more with a the 'show don't tell approacher' to the story instead of heavy exposition. I find it interesting that we get to see so many new hives so early in the story. I wonder what the rest of the royalguard will think then find out that Shining armor was a changeling all along and the few changeling that were in the royal guards too. I hope we will get to see Twilight's parents soon, in the story to clear things out it's interesting to see they where tricked into thinking that they where their foal;or not. I am looking forward to see what you will come up with next.
8227650
A mix of Both, but a ways before they became the bearers.
well geez what a witch hunt
8227780
Here's too hoping that as this is going on, Celestia is slowly beginning to understand; for the very first time, that what she thought was defending her subjects, was in fact mass murder... committed in ignorance, but mass murder nonetheless.
And clearly Luna will not be easily dissuaded from finishing the genocide she, and Celestia, started so long ago.
Too bad for Moondancer.
Gotta feel bad for the innocent changelings. Hummm I bet Thorax is still in Canterlot, probably surrendered right away too, confusing the carp out of the guards since all the other teals fought. I am surprised Moondancer wasn't a sleeper, but when she said "I'm one of you" while looking at the mane 6 indicates she isn't, otherwise she'd have said "I'm really a pony".
Cant wait to see more! Keep it up!
Wait a minute, was that last changeling Moondancer?
8227650
I don't think there actually were any ponies that got turned into changelings. It's implied that they were all "sleepers," or changelings that didn't know that they were changelings to begin with. (Including the ones in the past)
8227650
Either that or Equestria is screwed anyway... though that possibility only works if your knowledge is limited to that of the princesses.
Something I like to say often is "nothing is wholly good or wholly evil". Obvious exceptions would be God and Satan of course, but otherwise everything has either a mix (if they're sapient) or none of either (if they aren't).
This is ESPECIALLY true of species though, and I'd THINK Celestia would KNOW that... if not for my having often overestimated others' intelligence...
Yeah, that might be akward...
8228326
Those figures are classic examples of designated heros and villains. So even they would not be purely good or purely evil in real life, but they are designated in the mythology as such without actually acting in the way they are designated. It's a classic example of human uncreativity when it comes to storytelling.
8228449
Not quite... part of what defines God is that His Being is what DEFINES "good", and as one who unilaterally rejected everything God was, Satan would obviously be the opposite.
8228473 8228449 I'm alright if you keep this as an academic conversation, but the moment this becomes a flame war, I'll delete the comment thread. I'd just rather not have something like that on here.
Not bagging on anybodies religion, I just would like a comments section mostly related to the story.
8228497
No worries, I was finished anyway. If he HAD continued it, it would have made it clear that we simply had different opinions on the subject, and thus any further discussion would be pointless.
8228508 Good to hear. 👍
8228508
Agreed. Our mindset differs, not in any argumentative way that could go somewhere, but the actual premise itself. As you think it's literal, and I mythological. Meaning an argument would go nowhere.
8227495
Sweet. I've also got chapter 3 up just so you know.
8228922 Cool. I'll make the changes after I finish and edit 6.
This is getting more and more interesting! I'm excited for more!
Chapter 5! I'm really glad the revamp happened, this story is doing really well!
I actually heard that it's because blood doesn't come up, meaning that the nerves are more exposed than normal, which makes us feel more pain. I dunno if it's true, but it's what I've heard.
Is this a flashback? Would be a good way to get into Luna's head. Edit: ok I'm a dumb dumb. I did go back and look at the setting details.
Hey that's pretty smart.
5 Bearers of the EoH, Moon Dancer, Vahan... That's 8...
And Twilight's parents? That would make 10. Hmm... Edit: nope, nevermind. Hmm... Trixie and Starlight? Though they wouldn't be here yet, this is still S2... This is so confusing!
That's so adorable.
A damn good chapter. Hoping for number 6 soon.
______________________________________
*sister's
The dreaded comma.
Change the colon to a semicolon
Again, this is called the Whitetail Hive. I'm confused as to which is Citlali's to rule. Hoping for an explanation soon.
It's fine that you're using em dashes here, but you've been using commas to separate your appositive phrases up until now. I'd say stick to one for consistency, especially since em dashes are used mainly for emphasis (to help you remember), which doesn't seem to be useful in this particular sentence.
Add a period.
8229462
Oh, ok. Thanks.
I got the edits for all the chapters done now BTW.
8229456 After I finished this chapter, I did a search for ", and" then removed the incorrect stuff. It really shows in the length of your post!
Thats some cool trivia on the nerve thing. Bearers, MD, and Shining are only seven... :3 See previous comment about hive names. That's a nice way to remember em dashes.
Dude your edits are teaching me stuff about grammar! /)^3^(\
8229470 Ey, thanks! Chap 6 is almost done, then I'll make my edits, and post it. Then I'll get all your edits put in!
Chap 6 is my favorite one I've done so far. Introduces a really enjoyable character to write and a creepy mcspooky character.
Also, hysterical Shining is fun.
8229471
Just so you know, there were a few times that ", and" was correct. Make sure you don't just change all of them.
And yeah, I hope I teach you tons of grammar, it'll make my comments less annoying in the future.
I definitely saw the previous comment about Hive names, that's a smart idea. You're doing well dude, keep it up.
Celestia has some SERIOUS apologizing to do when the mess is cleared up.
What I don't understand is that one last changeling from Twilight. Didn't she say all were sleepers, except Spike? How can this changeling then be aware of itself, or the beares being changelings for that matter?
excited instead of exited. I believe there might be a few other times you switch these 2 words. loving the story so far!
THAT'S a sentence.
THANK YOU. Jesus Christ, why is Rarity of all ponies the voice of reason???
awwwww no flashback chapter episode 1
I really feel bad for the dead Changeling queen, she somehow sounded more like a sainth from Twilight perspective. Well maybe that is overdoing it but I choosed to see her like that.
Well I got at least partly what I want.
However now I would have loved to see a more or less defensless or intstinctive acting Changling mother being watched by the main six.
I really feel bad for the changelings in this story and kind of hope something happens that makes them see their mistakes too and maybe they even get some sort of punishment for that or take it themself.
When has she said that?
Ok, call that's gonna make me emotion all over the floor.
That last one is Fluttershy
And that’s the weirdest sentence I’ve read this year.