The Black Rose Emissary

by Lead Bread

Chapter 2: Jail time

The morning sun rose across the desolate cliff faces of our life devoid badlands. I, however, could not tell since I was cooped up in a windowless room. Just like every room; somehow making a dead area of Equestria feel even more dead since our entire hive is just one big hole filled rock. I could only hope for a change in scenery; whether that involves me leaving the badlands or some miracle bringing the life to the land. Neither of these were likely.

I was already up and getting ready to tackle the day head on by the time a familiar tapping came to the door. I had gotten up early, despite my love of sleep, to make sure everything was prepared for class today. The door creaked open and Butler walked into the room. I had thought he would've been surprised to see me awake at such a time, but he still maintained that modest and formal smile. He of course also had the daily to-do list with him, as per usual.

"Good morning Top Hat. Up rather early, aren't you?" I looked over in his direction as he approached my bed to set down the usual envelope he always had.

"Good morning Butler. I am indeed, just trying to make sure everything is prepared for class today." I replied to him, turning my attention back to the mirror as I adjusted my mane to look as good as it possible can.

"Very good." He said in his usual soothing tone of voice. Setting the envelopes down on the end table next to my bed, he returned his attention back to me. "Did your trip to the library have anything to do with that?"

That question made my skin turn cold. How did he know about that? He should've been with the queen at that time. Freezing in my actions, I peer at him through the mirror, only to see him already looking at me through the mirror with the same unwavering smile. Although with a slight raise of the eyebrow this time. I pause for a moment to think of an answer. Taking a deep breath, I make up some sort of excuse for mu trip to the library. "Well, there was some material I wasn't fully educated on. So, I went to the library to try to find resources on the subject matter to better inform the children." I wasn't wrong. It was to find more on a specific subject. Just in a way that's frowned upon.

He gave a small nod and returned to the door of my room. "I don't recall any of the lesson plans being too overly complex. That's interesting..." He finished in a more dark tone, leaving the room withe light click of the door. I still didn't dare move until I heard the soft echos of hoofsteps come to an end. When they did, I gasped for air as if I had been underwater for a minute.

Looking around my room frantically, as if looking for some sort of answer, my mind was racing at a thousand miles per hour. How did Butler even know about my trip there? How much longer until he tells the queen about this? Coming to the conclusion that I was most likely screwed, there's no way I would be able to out smart the Queen's troops for long. The only problem left unsolved was what shall I do with my remaining time on this planet? I could still pull aside that one filly as I had originally planned; but, I will most likely be imprisoned before I ever have the chance to do anything meaningful with the whole class.

It's settled then: I'll teach the whole class the way I was going to with just the filly. Trying to escape the Queen's hounds was inevitable and Chrysalis doesn't exactly like when her Durse Changelings go against her commands; so my proceeding fate would most likely be imprisonment until public execution.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stepping into the silent atmosphere of the classroom, I said nothing as I approached my desk. All eyes were glued to me and the book bag across my back as I lifted the binder that held the lesson plans in my hoof. Looking out into the crowd of grub for a few moments, I turned to a nearby bin and dropped the binder in. The young changelings all seemed confused, but nonetheless I took my place back by the board.

"Alright class, today we are going to start our session with a fun activity. Open your textbooks to the very first page." The changelings did as told, although some more skeptical than others. Waiting a moment for everyling to be ready and their attention back to me, I continued. "Now then, we're going to play a game. I want you to tear out each and every page in that textbook. Crumple up each page and try to dunk some shots into the trash bin over there," I pointed a hoof to the large waste bin located in the corner of the room.

They all looked around to one another, completely and utterly confused and not sure how to proceed. They most likely thought this was some kind of test; yet one of them slowly tore the first page out, crumpling it into a compact ball. The foal's classmates looked to him as he looked to me with a questioning stare. I smiled and gave a small nod "Go on then, toss it into the trash." encouraging him on with a low and soothing tone of voice; trying to convince them all that I did indeed want them to do this and it wasn't some kind of trick.

A few moments of hesitation later, the foal tossed the paper into the trash. Not even a few seconds later and the rest joined in. What started as sheepish quickly turned into a frenzy of excited fillies and foals ravenously ripping apart their textbooks. Just as I had planned.

"Alright!" Waiting for the children to conclude this "activity", I tethered their attention back to me. They looked upon me, all eager for what to do next. I couldn't help but grin as they all seemed excited to be here rather than bored. "Can any of you tell me WHY I asked you to do this?" They looked around to each other, none seeming to have the answer but all still curious. "Well then, allow me to give you a hint." Levitating two objects for all to see: one was an exact copy of their textbooks, minus the vandalism. The other was a few pages they had torn out and thrown into the trash. Swinging the textbook open to the same page as the torn page: page 12. The start of our class yesterday. "Anything you notice that's askew between these two pages?" The same small filly from yesterday anxiously raised her hoof. "Yes?"

She was clearly nervous to be speaking out in front of the class since being hissed at yesterday by almost everyling in the class prior. I gave he a warm and reassuring smile, which seemed to help. "U-um, one of them isn't scribbled on?"

"Exactly! These are the same books, are they not? Yet one of them hasn't been touched and the other has writing all over it." The rest of the classroom still didn't seem to understand why I was showing them this. I could simply lecture them as to why things are the way they are, but it's more important to let them think for themselves and figure it out. "So, why is this a problem?"

"One shows those nasty ponies while the other shows our mommy!" A colt blurted out from the back of the classroom. He got a few other classmates to make unintelligible noises of agreement.

I raised an eyebrow to this, walking slowly towards his desk while addressing his outburst. "You aren't wrong, but why are the ponies nasty?" Standing near his desk, it looked as if he was about to say something, so I cut him off before he said something else. "What made you think ponies were nasty? Have you yourself ever met one?"

He shut his previously open mouth and looked a bit flustered. "W-well, no. But the Queen and older changelings always told us they were nasty!"

"Now why is that? Did any of them ever give you a reason for that?"

"It's like you said yesterday, they're mean to changelings for NO reason!"

Perfect. I smirked at his answer, getting the answer I was hoping for. It was the answer they all had to questions like these: someone said they're bad because they're bad. "Exactly. They're bad for NO reason, right?" The class yet again looked confused as I stepped back behind my desk. "If we don't have any reason to believe they're bad to us, then how can we know they are. Everyling will always tell you ponies are bad, but why? Why are they bad? I'm sure some of you have asked this before at some point and I'm sure you never got a straight answer." I put a hoof to my chin in mock thought while looking across all of their gazes "So if they didn't have a reason to hate ponies, why must you also hate them?"

I could see the faint flickers of understanding that I had wanted to see. Their kids. Teaching them to think and do differently other than what they're supposed to is risky for sure; but at this point, all I can hope to do before Butler reports me to the guard is leave a seed implanted into their minds. Leave them all with the mindset to question their surroundings and ways of life; to delve deeper until they find the answer and further try to change their surrounding atmospheres. But, alas, the topic of ponies not being bad doesn't seem to work with some of them. I have just the perfect topic.

"Let me ask you this: Why am I up here teaching and living differently than all of you?" Around half of the class said something about Durse Changelings, whilst the others appeared to be lost in an internal mental conflict. "Ok, sure. But what makes me different?" Yet again, half said something involving a mane and tail. "But does that really make me special? I'm the same as all of you in every other accord. Same wings. Same horn. Same eyes. Same body. The only thing that is different is my mane and tail. Is that really a sign of something special? A mane and tail are merely just appearance traits, which means that you're all perfectly capable of doing anything a Durse Changeling can because we are the same as you."

This seemed to convert a few more over to my side. I wasn't expecting this to work perfectly or take effect immediately, just as long as it made them even consider why things the way they are or to do things differently, then things were going as planned.

"Then why should we listen to you if we're just as good as you?!" Another colt stated from within the class.

'Well, has any other Durse Changeling done something like this for any of you?" Gazing across the class, they all shook their heads. "All of the Durse Changelings do as the Queen says to avoid getting in trouble and view the rest of you as tools. I'm merely trying to guide you all in a new direction."

That seemed to ease the colt --and other like minded changelings-- at least somewhat.

I allowed the class to talk among each other for a while to exchange thoughts on the subject. None of them knew this would be happening today, so many were still skeptical about the entire situation. But they had been talking for long enough. Onto helping them discover their passions. "Alright, attention back to me please." The class, of course, went silent in under a second.

"I've tried to show you all to think for yourselves, but even if that didn't persuade you to my side, I have more activities for us to do." Levitating all of the books out from my back, I placed them upon my desk. I glazed over the class with my eyes, briefly getting a rough count of how many I was dealing with. "Group your desks up into 10 groups of 5."

A few moments later, they were all in groups now. Walking by each group, I placed one book down on each group while further informing them of our activity in a formal tone. "You and your group are going to be looking inside the book on your desk for 5 minutes. Each book is different and they range from cooking, to science, to art, to gardening. A little bit of everything you could ever hope to see is right here. Every 5 minutes you will rotate to a different station. By the end of our rotations, I want you all to stand up by your desk original so I know your done."

They seemed very excited about this activity; already opening their books before I had even said to start. Glancing at the clock, I kept mental track of each five minutes while slowly strolling from station to station to make sure they're all on task but also to answer any questions they had. Questions on gardening I couldn't really answer, but questions relating to science or math I probably over answered if the confused look on the children's faces were anything to go by.

"Rotate!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The end of our activity and class period are nearing an end, so all of the grub are standing by their desks. They were eagerly chatting to one another about the things they found interest in. Of course, most of them didn't know almost anything about any of the matters, but that's fine. As long as it just sparked an interest, I was happy. Resuming my position behind my desk. I levitated the books back to me in one big pile.

"So, how was today's lessons?" I instantly got a lot of excited and happy answers that meshed together into happy bug noise garble. "Good! But, these books I showed you will have to go back with me. I'll bring them back tomor-" I cut myself off as my voice wavered. I had forgot that I probably won't even be here tomorrow. I got too caught up in all of the children's joy, which in turn, filled me with joy. Some of them noticed this and began to look concerned.

I gave a small nervous chuckle, turning my attention to the room itself. There were a few small cracks and crevasses the books could be stuffed into. Maybe those could work. "Scratch that, the books will stay here in the classroom." Walking over to some of the sneaky little areas, I wiggled the books into place and proceeded to place our abundant amount of random rubble and rocks in front of them. "In those places, alright?"

The bell thankfully rang so I ushered the students out before they could ask why I was so nervous. All of them left but that filly. She stayed inside the classroom and waited for everyone else to be gone before approaching me by the door. "Mr. Top Hat, why do you look so nervous?"

I'm pretty sure the answer was obvious to both of us and it was just a means of starting the conversation. "It's nothing, just go on home." I said, attempting to put an end to our conversation before I had to tell this innocent filly I was most likely going to die. She didn't buy it. Sighing, I stepped back into the classroom and closed the door behind us. Taking a seat behind my desk, she joined me shortly after.

"I think we both know why..." I glanced to her to see her head lowered somberly before continuing. "What I did today isn't something the Queen is fond of. She will most likely have me imprisoned before sun rise." I finished weakly.

"But why doesn't she want us to be happy?" Her voice was quivery, making it apparent she was on the verge of tears.

"Because she wants power. Queen chrysalis hates the ponies and is willing to enslave all of her children to get the power she seeaks." Hearing a small sniffle coming from her direction, I look just in time to see a tear drip down from he muzzle. I pulled her close to me and let her sob. She had finally met someling who wasn't forcing her into things she wanted no part in. She had finally met someling who had verified any of her questions about the corruption of the hive. And she was about to lose this changeling.

Our silent moment was interrupted when the door to the class swung open. The changeling that entered was the teacher companion of mine. He did not look pleased. Looking at him for a few more moments, I nudged the filly away from me. "You have to go now." I said softly. She gave me one last look before slinking away from me and slowly walking out the door.

The door then slammed shut again once the filly left. "What were you thinking?!" He did not spare a moment to whisper scream at me.

This changeling was named Bow Tie since he wore a tattered bow tie around his neck. He too did not like the way the hive was ran by Chrysalis, but since we are Durce changelings, he thinks we're "living the high life" so there's no point in going against it. I decided to play stupid just to annoy him some more. "What do you mean?" I asked with a knowing smirk on my face.

He did not like that. "You know exactly what I am talking about! Don't you remember anything I told you?!" He was storming towards the desk that I was located at while shouting at me. "Queen Chrysalis will have you killed for doing this! Was it really worth "inspiring" a group of dumb foals?"

"Yes, please tell me more about how wrong my actions are while you hide behind your "birthright to nobility." You don't like Chrysalis either, yet all you do is sit around and complain. I'm actually doing something about it!"

"By committing suicide?! The noises these grubs were making in this room could be heard in several hallways down! They're just a bunch of stupid foals and fillies, they won't be capable of anything in their lifetime. The Black Rose can't even get close to stopping Chrysalis, so you will never be able to by "teaching" the young."

I hopped off from the edge of the desk where I was sitting, walking to meet him halfway. "I thought that you wouldn't fall victim to these lies, but I was wrong. You really do think we're something special? It's fucking genetics, you dense exhibitionist. All you want to do is follow Chrysalis' orders with your horn up your flanks just so you can get -- what should be normal -- privileges everyling else doesn't!"

"What's wrong with that?! We were born to be powerful! All the other changelings are work animals, that's all they'll ever be! That's all YOU should be. If you can't accept the way things are, when they're in YOUR favor, then there's something wrong with you. I'll be sure to tell the guards of this little incident of ours. Maybe even the Queen herself."

We stopped a foot or so away from each other. I stared deep into his eyes with a heated look. It's laughable to think of this idiot as a friend. We had been before. Or, as close to friends as you could get when you can only see each other around once a week and only talk about classwork. It was still something. But, it was obvious now that he was just like everyling else. If the system favored him, why would he bother to change it for the better of the population?

"You're scared." I stated, maintaining my look at him. His face contorted with rage. "You're scared of change and being thrown under the bus. You know this is wrong, but you're too afraid to take action because you fear you'll lose the power you have." I slowly approached closer to him, whispering in a low tone into his ear. "It won't be a surprise when you are the next cold corpse to wind up in a body bag from The Black Rose." He now looked frightened, knowing that The Black Rose target changelings like him. I stepped past him and to the door. "I'll be sure to mention your loyalty to the Queen and how great of a teacher you are in my will."

He remained frozen in place while I stood in the door frame. "Two can play the blame game, Bow Tie." With that, I left the room. I was most likely already dead, but changelings are allowed to ask the reason for their imprisonment and how they got their information. Which allows me to be able to figure out if he told on me or not.

I casually strolled back into my room and closed the door behind me. Now I play the waiting game. It was only a matter of time before guards came to my door, but perhaps there was a way I could convince them this was a lie? No. That wouldn't work. It's like Bow Tie said, too many changelings would have heard the commotion coming from my classroom. Maybe I could flee before they arrive? No. There are guards stationed outside the hive at all times so I would be caught. My best strategy at this point was to try to maybe lower the charges against me so I at least won't be killed. I definitely wouldn't be able to teach anymore; or most likely do anything other than drone work, but I'd still be alive.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

My thoughts were interrupted with three rather brutish knocks on my door. They came earlier than I had hoped.

Approaching the door, I gingerly opened it and presented a friendly smile to the pair of guards outside of my room. "Good evening gentlecolts, how may I be of service?"

"Come with us Top Hat, you're under arrest." They said disturbingly at the same time.

"Oh? And why's that?" Maybe I can play dumb again.

The answer to that hope was a definite no as they shoved me out of the room with magic and began to walk me to the prison cells. Well, plan B. "May I ask why it is that I am under arrest?"

"You were going against Queen Chrysalis' orders by teaching your class forbidden material. You did so by confiscating books from the library to teach with." One of the guards, the male, answered my question for me.

The last bit caught me off guard. Bow Tie didn't know about my trip to the library, so who turned me in? Now I was just confused. Maybe it was one of the guards stationed outside the library? Someling who saw me go into the library? Nothing was making sense at this point in time.

"May I at least know who informed you of this?" The least I could ask for was to know who turned me in so I can haunt them in the after life.

We had reached my cozy little cell and they generously tossed me in. Such swell people. They then proceeded to stand directly in front of the cell. They never even answered my question. Now I'm peeved. But why, of all the inmates, was I being guarded? They act as if I'm some psychotic killer. Maybe it's because I was first up to be executed? I actually accept that at this point. This cell smells of old cheese.

"Ah, I see you have brought the changeling I asked here; and in record time no less." A strangely familiar voice spoke somewhere out of my sight.

"Yes sir, Mr. Butler sir!" They both replied.

Ah, that makes sense. It was Butler who turned me in. Everything makes sense now. He knew about my trip to the library and what I had planned to do with the books I gathered, so of course he was the one to turn me in.

"As a personal thanks, I would like to present both of you with some of our finest wine. Care to have some? I know you shouldn't drink on the job, but Chrysalis won't have to know. It'll be our little secret." Butler had approached the pair of guards, so now I could see what was actually happening. I stood up from my spot on the floor to get a better look. The wine he had on his silver platter was unusually green. Most of our wine was green, kind of like our blood, but this was GREEN green.

The two guards nodded so Butler poured them both a glass. Levitating them both the glasses he just prepared, they drank the wine then gave the glasses back to him. "And how is it? Care for some more?"

The two guards began to look sickly after just a few seconds, passing out on the floor not long after. Was it passing out? They might be dead for all I know. "Perfect..." Butler said as he maintained his branded smile during the whole ordeal. He looked down upon the guards and levitated up the cell keys.

"Sorry about the rough housing the guards gave you." Butler continued as he unlocked the cell door. I was -- yet again -- beyond confused. If he was the one to turn me in, why is he saving me now. I cautiously stepped out of the cell, looking down to the guards and confirming they are not passed out but dead.

A few seconds later, my attention was brought elsewhere as I felt a hoof lay gently on my shoulder. Turning to Butler's hoof on my shoulder, he was much closer to me than he was previously. His eyes met mine and his smile turned more sinister and dark than it had previously; a sinister shimmer in his eyes. He simply said:

"Won't you please follow me?"

Author's Note:

Sorry this is a bit later than I wanted . Life got to be a bit hectic. I'm also just now realizing how much this story is like Dead Poet Society in a way... It won't be that way for too long! Things will pick up soon ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Comments

[Boof Man]

Yae a new chapter