Despite her centuries of life, Chrysalis had never come across a changeling as surprising as Pupa. The youth listened, followed instructions, and was already able to communicate as if she was well past her first molt. When she first interacted with her, back when she was still a larva, she knew the nymph would be gifted; it was the reason she prepared her for queendom after all; but it was still astounding to see just how smart Pupa seemed to be. It was also the reason she was so thrown off when she caught the little nymph relieving herself in such an odd way.
She understood from past experiences that larva and young nymphs had accidents, but the strange pose her daughter had taken to pass water and cause the mess was still baffling. Not only that, but the fact that Pupa was so embarrassed by the faux pas showed the little nymph knew she did something wrong.
“Well then, I guess we better get you cleaned up,” Chrysalis said to the nymph.
Her long horn glowed a soft green and Pupa, along with the clump of moss, lifted up into the air. The moss moved into the center of the puddle to soak up the mess and then Chrysalis used her magic to wring out her daughter’s tail so she wouldn’t drip all over the hive.
“I’m sorry…” Pupa said meekly with her ears folded back against her head.
“Mistakes happen,” the queen responded, her tone even so as not to scold Pupa, but also reflect that she wasn’t pleased by her gaffe. “But I trust you know not to do that again.”
“I won’t,” Pupa said as she was placed back down onto her hooves.
Chrysalis walked over to the cavern entrance and motioned for her child to follow. Once Pupa had caught up to her the two of them went off into the tunnels. Luckily it wasn’t long before she found another changeling, specifically Mosquito.
“Mosquito,” the queen called out to the approaching infiltrator, “is there someplace we can have a bath prepared?”
“Oh yes, your highness, there is a little cavern with a depressed floor,” Mosquito confirmed while she made a gesture to pantomime the shape of a bowl. “We would just need to fill in a few cracks, bring some water in and it should work out just fine.”
“Excellent, make the preparations then,” Chrysalis instructed.
“At once my queen, princess,” Mosquito said with a bow to each of them before swiftly darting off back down the tunnel.
“I should have asked her for directions first…” muttered Chrysalis to herself.
One thing you can’t say about changelings is that they are slow to complete a task. Mosquito had quickly recruited a group of drones and so, slightly less than an hour later, Chrysalis and her daughter stood at the rim of a small pool of water just big enough to hold half a dozen changelings. The infiltrator had even managed to scrounge up a scrub brush.
“Do you wish for me to assist your highness-es or would you prefer privacy?” Mosquito asked.
It had been sometime since Chrysalis allowed herself the luxury of an attendant and maybe it wouldn’t hurt after the extremely vile and despairing day. Not to mention the future stress she'd have to deal with while learning more about the attack on the hive and how she’d punish the parties involved.
“You may, Mosquito,” the changeling queen said before lighting up her horn and sending a beam of magic into the water to warm it.
Once the bath was the proper temperature, Chrysalis waded in. Even at its deepest point and lowered onto her belly, her head and some of her neck easily rose above the water’s surface. Mosquito directed Pupa over to a little shelf that had been constructed for her smaller stature and the nymph tentatively dipped in one of her hooves before she joined her mother for the soak.
Mosquito set right to work, flying above the bath and using a pitcher to scoop up some of the warm water. Chrysalis tilted her head back and the infiltrator gently rinsed her mane before carefully running the brush through it to remove any tangles. Once Mosquito finished with her mane Chrysalis stood up again so the same treatment could be done with her tail.
Chrysalis was a little bemused when she looked over to check on her daughter. Instead of splashing around and playing the nymph sat quietly, staring down at the strands of her tail that floated on the surface of the water. Out of curiosity the changeling queen opened her senses to discern the child’s emotions; unexpectedly she tasted confusion.
“Is something wrong?” she asked Pupa.
The nymph blinked her large eyes a few times, seeming to come out of a deep thought.
“No…” the nymph said unconvincingly as her eyes looked downward again.
“Nothing at all?” Chrysalis prodded. “Something seems to be on your mind.”
“Nothing,” Pupa softly said as both Chrysalis and Mosquito regarded the child quizzically.
The changeling queen glanced at the infiltrator who had paused in her duty. After she properly inferred Chrysalis’s glance, Mosquito returned to her scrubbing, working the brush over the dark carapace of her flank.
“Maybe you have a question about something?” the queen pressed.
“No, I’m still just a little tired,” her daughter deflected.
“Well, if later you want to ask me anything, you’re more than welcome to,” said Chrysalis.
Figuring the child would eventually come around on her own and speak her mind, the matron closed her eyes as the brush worked over her withers; the bristles pleasantly tingling her hide.
Once Mosquito finished with her body, Chrysalis lowered herself back into the comfortable warmth of the water. The diligent infiltrator landed next to the edge of the pool by Pupa and began the same grooming ritual for nymph.
After finishing their bath, Chrysalis lead Pupa back to their temporary chamber. They had barely made it through the entrance before Odonate’s gruff voice called out from behind her.
“My queen,” the guard said as he trotted down the tunnel and stopped a few feet away to bow to each of them. “Princess.”
“Odonate,” said the changeling matron. “Perfect timing, I have orders I wish for you to relay to the others.”
“Yes your highness but first I need to inform you that we’ve spotted troops from Canterlot arriving at the nearby pony settlement,” he said.
“I’m surprised to see Celestia move her fat rump so quickly,” Chryaslis said with a scoff. “Do you know how many?”
“Eight pegasi, seven unicorns, six earth ponies and three thestrals,” the guard listed.
“Thestrals? Interesting,” the queen said.
“What’s a thestral?” Pupa shyly asked.
“A bat-pony hybrid your highness,” Odonate answered promptly.
“Why don’t you show her Odonate,” Chrysalis said.
A ring of green flames swirled around the guard changing his appearance to a stallion with ash grey fur and a dark cobalt mane. He looked similar to a pegasi except for four obvious differences. The fur on his ears fluffed out at the tips, two small fangs protruded from the corners of his mouth, his eyes were silted reminiscent of a changelings, and instead of feathery wings he had a set with leathery membranes that connected together three long jointed digits.
“This is a thestral,” Odonate began to explain. “Unlike a Pegasus or a true bat, they have excellent night vision, almost on par with our own. Their sense of hearing is also highly acute and they can use it to help navigate through pitch black darkness. Night Pony is another name they are often referred to as, due to their preference of being active after the sun goes down.”
“Oh,” Pupa simply said, “thank you.”
Odonate nodded, returned to his normal form and moved his attention back to Chrysalis.
“Thorax and three of his changelings have also been spotted arriving at the princess’s castle in the early hours,” the guard said.
“So twenty-four Canterlot guards,” the queen grumbled, “and four traitor changelings. Is there any chance that the ponies have figured out a way to detect changelings yet?”
“Not to our knowledge,” replied Odonate, “and from Weevil’s debriefing on her time at the school and around the diplomat from Thorax’s hive, I don’t think the traitor changelings can either.”
“Interesting,” Chrysalis said. “I know we were distracted in escaping with Pupa at the time, but do you recall being able to sense any pheromones from the diplomat?”
“Not that I can recall,” answered the guard, “not even when I was holding Pupa who had been in direct contact with her.”
“We’ll have to do a little research to be sure they can’t identify us,” the queen said, “and see if we can find a way to sense them. I’d like Weevil to return to her scouting mission at the school but I don’t want to risk losing anyling.”
“Weevil is young but she’s proven to be competent enough,” said Odonate. “She’s already gone undetected for months. I think she’ll be alright.”
“Very well,” nodded the queen, “have her return to her post and make sure she knows to be extra careful while around the guards or traitors; and have Aphid return to the Everfree forest, I want her to keep an eye on the ruins and the entrances to the hive there. Let’s see if it’s under observation and if its whereabouts are really known to the Equestrians.”
“Yes your highness,” complied Odonate.
“Now then,” Chrysalis began, her tone taking on a slight edge, “Leech needs to be located and I was considering Vespa for the job of hunting him down.”
“I agree,” said the guard. “She’s an accomplished tracker.”
“I would prefer the scum be captured and returned to me alive,” the queen said, “but if he’s held up someplace where we can’t reach him, the knowledge of his refuge will have to suffice for now.”
“With Leech gone a new changeling will be needed to gather love from the other infiltrators we have scattered around,” Odonate reminder her. “Mosquito could fill that role.”
“No, I like having her close to the hive,” Chrysalis said after thinking about it for a moment. “She’s too proficient at gathering resources. How about Scarab or Featherwing?”
“Scarab is the stronger flyer,” Odonate said.
“Very well,” said Chrysalis, “send him out to see Cicada first, she collects the most love out of all the infiltrators and we need the extra strength right now.”
A growl off to the side caused both older changeling’s ears to perk up. Both she and Odonate looked over at her daughter who had been unusually quiet and patient for a nymph. The growl noise repeated, coming from Pupa's stomach.
“Speaking of collecting love,” Chrysalis said with a gentle smile, “why don’t we visit your green pony ‘friend’ and get a little something to eat.”
I wonder when Pupa will mention her memories of a previous life, if ever?
More please
Thank you so much for writing this story. I hope I'll be able to see this story through to a conclusion, or even a sequel ;)
9508784
I'm not sure if she understands that's what it is or if what she's experiencing is that odd, I think she's begun to suspect she's different but doesn't fully understand how yet.
9508801
If nothing else, the gender confusion should be a red flag.
"ring out" should be "wring out".
Also, you suddenly changed tense: from "had been" and "wouldn't hurt" to "she'll be dealing with" and "she'll deal", which should be "she'd have to deal with" and "she'd deal" instead.
Prepare for battle everyling
9508784
S/he already has, technically (mentioned the weird vision during the hatching to Chrysalis). Pupa just doesn't understand that they are memories of a past life, nor does s/he recall them in their entirety. They seem to to be repressed to a large degree, and their biggest influence/effect is his/her instincts on how to be a functional 'adult', learn language, etc.
Nice chapter!
9508803
I feel that the way it's presented is the lack of a gender identity. Until her accident she was running on autopilot (thoughts were male without acknowledging them as male) and right after pronouns changed to female. Til we get back inside her head that is what we have to go on. Whether her introspection is from her gender being wrong or simply wondering why it never occurred to her that she was a her.
hope your hungry pupa because its feeding time.
Thanks for the chapter
I understand the need to take a break every once in a while. Just be sure not to forget about the story while you're gone like some other authors here do!
Wonder if he'll even find her, and if they do wonder if she can manage to convince him as well
Oh yes go ahead, increase the reasons for the Equestrians to hunt you down
I love the little ''Pupa starts to growl at the mention of Cicada'' Illusion you did XD
9508803
...I don't understand the amount of dislikes you got here. It's barely even TECHNICALLY insensitive, yet it got 9 thumbs down in, what, 2 hours?
Suspecting someone botted, really strange...
9509861
Meh, jerks don't change easily.
9509861
No worse than my 7-9 likes in the same time. Insensitive or not I disliked simply because it's a red flag no one would know about. What has see done to make anyone think she has that problem? Stallions probably can't even go to the bathroom that way like a man. Others are more confused than anything.
Hmmm, but if she loses Scarab it will be another blow to their resources. This isn't good...
So reformed changelings are literally so, confirmed. Wonder what they traded pheromone sensitivity for?
Keep going! ;)
Nyuh! Not the break in updates! It's my only weakness!
9512036
I confess I haven't watched all the episodes with "new" changelings, but can they still transform?
If they can't, It is likely that they traded their unique species traits for an easier existence, since they don't need to hunt for food anymore.
9513783
We're 87 percent sure they can still transform. Opening episode of the school had Ocelus hiding in that manner. But they seem to not do it nearly as often.
Question! Is it possible for anyone to help Stardust Balance create a new cover for his story? His stories name is A Journey Beyond Sanity btw
Oh boy, I was waiting for the part when they visit sandbar. I wonder what will happen.
It would seem the gears are turning and its get more darker. I love it
Oof, only sending one Changeling out...and sending that one to Cicada first? That will likely end badly, but I truly hope that noling else in Chrysalis' Hive (aside from Leech if he's a traitor) will perish or turn traitor.
9509520
No Action will decrease the 'wanted' state she is in... She can just move forward despite all problems that might developed to his point...
Confused Pupa is confused.
Nuuu, don't send anyone to Cicada!
9538891
Poisend 2 caretakers, destroyed all Eggs except Pupas, fleeing the hive while foalnapping Pupa. Yeah... Traitor all the way!
10131368
I can't remember because it's been an entire year, but I might not have known if Leech was the traitor at this point. I actually might need to reread the early parts of this story since I hardly remember it. Some advice, don't reply to comments like this that are a year old or more. In fact...why are you replying to me? You've already read through this story last year and replied to people within this chapter before, after my comment. Why didn't you make a reply then?
Chrysalis
10132579
Many reason. Reminding of a great reading experiences. Often i read a story first and comment/ like-dislike comments and... Bored sitting in a subway etc.
Thats why Cicada position abandoning is questionable... If Chrysalis choices to take Cicada cover from her the entire foodsource of the new Queen falls to zero...
Great chapter I wonder when the sequel will continue this brilliant story
Thestral cuddlepile is almost as cute as Cuddlebug piles But Pupa snuggels the best
Chrysalis
Surely Chrysalis will release Sandbar, right?
She is not stupid enough to give the Equestrians more reasons to find her.
"Where's... Ma'd*ck?!"
I wonder what Sandbar will taste like... Seafood?