Chapter 36
Three flat pieces of slate levitated behind Mosquito as the attendant trotted through the entryway and into the chamber. Pupa, who had just awoken a few moments ago but felt content enough to just relax at the moment, curiously peeked her head out from under a large pillow. Just a few steps away, a still sleeping Sandbar laid curled up on another large pillow with a ragged blanket draped over top of him.
“Good morning my queen,” Mosquito greeted an already awake Chrysalis, who has been talking quietly with Odonate about the completion of the hives defenses. “I’ve prepared the special meal you’ve requested.
“Wonderful Mosquito,” her mother said and looked over at the slumbering pony with a wolfish grin. “Pupa, would you mind waking up our guest?”
The nymph nodded with a smile and slipped free from the pillow pile. With catlike movement she prowled over to Sandbar, crouched close to the cavern floor and wiggled her rump in preparation to attack.
“Sandbar!” Pupa shouted while loudly buzzing her wings.
When the colt leapt into the air from shock, the nymph gripped the edge of his blanket with her magic and yanked it away from him. The action caused the pony to barrel roll several times in midair ending with him dazed and confused when he crashed back down onto the pillow.
“Whazat?!” slurred the dizzy colt.
“Time to get up,” the nymph said, pulling on his tail with her teeth.
With a groan, Sandbar staggered to his hooves and stumbled from side to side until his equilibrium settled again.
“Come here colt,” commanded her mother in a tone friendlier to the pony than normal. “Mosquito has brought us something to eat.”
“Oh thank you!” said Sandbar, the mention of food seeming to sober him up quickly. “I’m starving.”
With haste the pony galloped over to the trio of older changelings. Pupa, still gripping his tail in her teeth, used her wings to glide through the air behind him like a kite.
“What are we eating?” the colt asked, appearing more excited than Pupa had ever seen him. “Pancakes, Hayburgers, Carrotdogs?”
Mosquito lowered the three makeshift plates to the cave floor, one in front of Chrysalis, one Pupa and lastly Sandbar. Each platter contained a variety of wiggling grubs, dried grasshoppers, berries and pieces of fruit, all mixed together. The meal seemed so enticing to the nymph that when she looked, smiling, over to Sandbar, his disgusted expression confused her greatly.
“What’s the matter?” she asked the colt.
“Yes, is there something wrong?” her mother also questioned him. “I thought you were starving?”
“It’s just that ponies, uh, don’t really eat bugs,” Sandbar muttered.
“Didn’t you say you wanted to learn about changeling culture?” questioned Chrysalis. “And Mosquito put so much work into this fine meal, you wouldn’t want to disappoint her would you?”
The attendant, who had remained standing just off to the side with Odonate, gave Sandbar a fine toothy grin when he looked over at her.
“Everything is fresh,” Mosquito informed the group, “the grubs aren’t the kind that bite and I made sure nothing was poisonous.”
“There, see?” her mother said, levitating a large tan grasshopper in front of Sandbar’s muzzle. “Give it a try.”
A bead of sweat rolled down the side of the colts head as he stared at the floating insect. Pupa joined her mother and levitated a bright purple berry alongside the grasshopper.
“Say Ahhh,” the nymph instructed, looking hopefully up at Sandbar. “They are good together, one is crunchy and the other is sweet.”
When Sandbar glanced back down at her she could sense a hint of compassion from the pony; and so after taking in a deep breath, the colt opened his mouth to allow both items entry. Then, with more effort than Pupa thought it should take, Sandbar started to chew. Before he could finish and swallow she had already levitated a juicy grub up before his snout.
“Mmmmm, ish good,” he said with his mouth full and a tear in his eye.
Once Sandbar began to eat on his own, without her coaxing, Pupa enthusiastically dug into her own mean, while her smirking mother took her time with hers. A beaming Mosquito clapped her front hooves together and Odonate just let out a single humored snort.
After the wonderful meal, Pupa sat before her mother and listened while Chrysalis instructed her on the different ways she could tweak her levitation magic. Sandbar was absent, having been instructed to go help Mosquito organize the attendant’s storage room.
“Pupa, instead of manipulating the entire item as a whole,” her mother explained as she motioned to a small wooden chest equipped with a padlock, “you’re going to focus on moving only a smaller piece of it. Within that lock are tumblers, which you can think of like crooked little teeth that need to be straightened out. Once they are lined up the lock can be opened.”
Chrysalis’s horn began to glow softly and instead of the entire padlock glowing, a faint green light emitted just from the keyhole. After only a few seconds Pupa heard an almost inaudible click and the shackle popped open.
“Learning this ability is extremely advantageous to our kind,” Chrysalis said before using her hooves to press the shackle back into the lock’s body. “We need to be able to go where we’re not wanted in order to survive and no amount of security should be able to stop us. Now let me see you try.”
With a determined nod, the nymph focused her full attention on the task set before her. First she did what she knew how to do already and lifted the lock in a magical grip. Then she attempted to shrink the magical field around the object by picturing it growing smaller. Suddenly a wave of feedback shot painfully through her horn, reminding her of that feeling you get when you bang your elbow in the wrong place. She cringed away, releasing the padlock from her magic, and looked at her mother for an explanation.
“You have to focus the magic inside the lock,” said Chrysalis. “What you just tried to do was bring your magic from the outside of the object to the inside. If the item had been made of something much weaker, like pottery and not iron, you would have simply crushed it.”
“But why did it hurt?” Pupa asked, rubbing her head just below her horn as the painful tingle faded.
“Simply put, the lock is made of metal and the metal is stronger than your magic,” her mother informed her. “You attempted to do something with your magic that it’s not powerful enough to do and so it turned back on you.”
“Oh,” the nymph whispered and looked back over at the padlock.
“Good, now try again,” Chrysalis instructed.
Once again the nymph regarded her target and, as a way to mark its spatial location in her mind, briefly enveloped the entire lock within a magical aura. Her mane slid over one eye as she slightly tilted her head and probed at the opening of the lock with her magic, trying to feel for the ‘teeth’ within.
“My queen,” Mosquito's voice called out from off to the side and caused the nymph to lose her concentration. “I’m so sorry to interrupt.”
“What is it Mosquito?” her mother asked the attendant who was standing at the cavern entrance with Sandbar at her side.
“The larva are hatching,” said Mosquito.
A jumble of emotion could be felt coming from her mother and Pupa could only watch her parent silently as Chrysalis sorted them out.
“Do you want to see the larva Pupa?” her mother questioned in a subdued tone.
“Would it be okay?” the nymph asked.
“Yes, of course it is,” said Chrysalis. “Go along with Mosquito for now and I’ll be along shortly.”
A large crowd of changelings had already gathered within the nursery by the time Pupa, along with Mosquito and Sandbar, reached the chamber. Most of them stood in pairs, watching different groupings of eggs and waiting, while others interacted with the newly hatched larva.
Thinking back on her own time as a larva, Pupa was a little confused about how different things were now. There was no gathering when she hatched, only Katydid, Lacewing and her mother.
“Mosquito?” the nymph asked, “why are there so many changelings here?”
“They’re here to see their young, your highness,” the attendant explained. “Would you like to see my egg?”
“Sure,” chirped Pupa.
The group weaved their way over to a single periodically twitching light green egg and Mosquito gently rested one of her front hooves against its shell.
“Can I touch it?” the nymph asked as she timidly steeped closer.
“Yes, but please be very careful princess,” the attendant said.
With diligent control, Pupa placed a hoof against the shell and traced it along one of the darker green streaks that ran over its surface. It was surprising to the nymph at how much warmth the egg gave off and she quickly pulled her leg back, afraid of causing any harm, when she felt it move.
“Can I touch it too?” Sandbar asked Mosquito.
Some of the closer changelings in the room looked warily over at the pony among them and Mosquito seemed to really mill over the question in her mind.
“Just for a second,” the attendant eventually said.
Sandbar slowly touched his hoof to the egg, unaware that the majority of the room’s occupants watched him now.
“It’s really warm,” the colt commented as he removed his hoof and sat down on the floor.
The egg began to quiver again as a small crack appeared on its surface that gradually spider-webbed out. Mosquito excitedly buzzed her wings and moved closer to witness a tiny black horn break through the shell. Slime covered and hissing, a small changeling larva emerged.
As Pupa watched she couldn’t help but be reminded of her own hatching, so frightened and confused at the time. The nymph thought it strange now and questioned herself to why she had such a reaction, unlike Mosquito’s larva who just peered around while loudly calling out for food.
‘Maybe I’m just weird,’ she thought, observing as Lacewing brought over a bucket of water so the newborn could be cleaned.
A hissing noise coming from beside her brought the nymph out of her contemplation. Looking down she spied a single changeling larva as it began crawling up her leg and the many other grubs that wormed their way up to her.
“What’s happening?” she whispered, freezing up slightly as another hatchling scaled her leg.
“They’re attracted by your pheromones,” her mother’s voice explained.
Chrysalis, having arrived un-noticed by Pupa, fluidly strolled over and lowered herself to the cavern floor beside the nymph. The majority of the gathering larva now began to congregate over to Chrysalis, while only a few remained with Pupa.
“My what?” the nymph asked, absently mimicking her mother by settling down beside the older changeling.
“Your scent,” Chrysalis elaborated. “It’s pleasant and calming for the larva.”
“My scent?” Pupa said to herself while thinking about how comforting her mother smelled to her.
Lifting one leg up, the nymph attempted to detect her own pheromones and gave her carapace a sniff. Chrysalis chucked softly as just under two dozen recently hatched larva swarmed over her.
“Just another part of being a queen,” her mother said.
Little by little the changeling parents left the nursery, returning to continue their various duties around the hive. Katydid and Lacewing took turns feeding the hissing larva and even made the still present Sandbar an offer to sample it. The colt declined.
After all the larva had been fed, her mother began humming a tune, the same one from the day of her own hatching. Pupa joined along and noted how the familiar melody lulled the larva around her to sleep. Her own eyelids began to grow heavy and it wasn’t long after that the little nymph joined the larva in a nap.
“Do you think you’ll ever settle down and have children of your own one day?” the silhouette sitting next to him asked.
A group of the strange creatures that moved on their hind legs chased after each other in front of him. They laughed, running away from one of their own who was attempting to catch any of them that came close.
“Probably not,” he said to her. “I’m not that good with kids anyway.”
“That’s a lie,” the figure said and nudged him. “My kids love when their older cousin stops by.”
He shrugged and glanced down at his claw-less digits.
“It’s not because of what happened with ----- is it?” she asked softly and it made his skin crawl. “That wasn’t your fault.”
“I know,” he said, giving her a false smile.
A terrible feeling overwhelmed him. Helplessness, ashamed, useless, the feelings burned in his chest. That screeching sound… He never wanted to experience the events from that awful day again…
The nymph gasped awake, covered in a cold sweet. She felt like a pit had formed in her stomach and tears were running down the sides of her face.
“Pupa?” her concerned mother asked, still resting on her belly beside her and covered in larva. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know,” the shaking nymph whispered, pressing herself closer to Chrysalis. “I just feel like something really bad happen and it hurts inside.”
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Man pupa had such a crappy life it followed her into her incarnation
More please
I wonder if Chrysalis efforts to alternate Pupa from ponies will have the opposite effect, letting both her learn more about them and having Sandbar understand how Changelings really are by living with them. He's a courageous Colt, that's for sure.
Ooooh the hype and tension rises. Excited to see these ends coming together
It's funny that I think that Chrysalis plan with Sandbar might backfire and have the colt actually become some kind of ambassador to her hive
Mmmmmmmm bugs
9596085
You know, it’s hard to take anything you say about what makes a good story seriously when you can’t even form a coherent sentence with any semblance of proper grammar. Maybe work on that before trying to claim to be an expert on what is and isn’t a viable writing style?
the babies!!! and such strong memories the good times and bad pupa got but I hope there a benefit to her long term
I bet sandbar having an interesting time I hope other than bugs eating he getting used to the changeling's antics
Sandbar is being as good a sport about this as he can be. I wonder if he'll grow to have an acquired taste? I do think Chrysalis is being a bit of a bitch to Sandbar, but maybe she'll ease up when he proves her wrong?
If nothing else, what Sandbar learns here will be invaluable. Chrysalis despite indications otherwise does have a mothering side. And nothing is scarier than a mother protecting their child.
Hmm.... so a runaway car or something like that? And did it hit him... or did it hit one of his younger cousins? Or did they push their younger cousin out of the way to protect them?
Thank you very much for the update!
Oof. Also, I appreciate another author recognizing that changelings do, in fact, eat physical food and that the food changedlings are shown eating in Season 7 isn't just a changedling thing.
A few grammar errors in this section. I instead of I'm, happen instead of happened, etc. Might wanna proof read.
Hmmm, so he was at least teenage then. Possibly late teen, or older.
Interesting they let Sandbar attend so unrestrained. Wonder what he was doing all the while?
Keep going! ;)
i cannot believe that i just sat down and read this entire story in one sitting. I WANT MORE. please??? Pupa is so adorable!!!
Learning Changeling culture before the betrayal, is a good teaching for Sandbar since Thorax already change all their cultures
I'm on the fence right here, the next things could go very wrong or very well.
I hope for the latter.
I can't wait for the next chapters.
9596807
It could of been a recent development but you do have a solid point.
"slimy and satisfying" as they say, right? :P
But seriously Poor sandbar, having little choice but to eat some bugs when he REALLY doesn't want to...
9598233
Oh, you're absolutely right. I went back to read that section over again, and it turns out that after coming to an agreement with Twilight that she was free to leave (you know, after attacking the school and blaming her for losing her kid), then she kidnapped Sandbar and left. And then refused to let him go even once she was away from the school.
Thanks, I'd apparently forgotten how unlikable this character was and how she desperately needs to suffer some form of consequences.
9598231
These are not the actions of a mentally stable individual. Chrysalis needs help for sure. Probably some form of medication, counseling and therapy, and anything else that could be of help.
9596827
Is is possible for you to PM me that story? I'm always looking for a good changeling story.
9598228
I was merely saying that it was an illusion spell or a lousy costume. Not what you said
Probably not
9598626
The moment when you quote two typos and only correct one... priceless!
9598659
Oh ya, I'm*. I guess my brain fixed it before I realized it.
9598749
Fixed
maybe pupa can suggest cooked insects instead of raw for sandbar later? I bet she would try it out for curiosity sake later on maybe make a special treat for her mother
9596085
You should look into a job at your local theater; your mastery of projection is unparalleled
9596827
Could you tell me of this story you speak of?
I hope the human in Pupa comes out. To have human memories from a past life, providing experience and wisdom. New queen's gonna need it.
9596085
Dude, take your time and make sure you're spelling things right and following basic grammar rules. You look really dumb when you can't spell 'complaint' or use the word 'are'.
9597265
Tell me; does the phrase "history is written by the victors" ring a bell for you? Because while I'll concede that Chryssy comes off as a real bitch in the show, at the same time a ruler has to have SOME kind of appealing quality to stay in power as long as she did
Man, i want more of this story. Im not usually one to actually track a story, waiting for the next chapter, but i have never been so moved by a story that i keep coming back to check for more. I have never done that with a story here, this is amazing. One thing i hope for, is that in the future, pupa will question where her soul came from and eventually find out that she was not originally a changeling. I eagerly await the next chapter. Please do not stop writing. I am literally on the edge of my seat, wanting to know what happens next. I guess this is how comic book nerds feel when they are waiting for the next issue of their favorite comic book series...
Sandbar can learn so mutch about Changeling that ponys and reformed Changeling could learn from it. Very trilling aspects of his adventures in the hive
Pupa can now slowly learn about the Changeling Lifecycle
We can just hope for a relativ save nymph hood
Ouch. Damn you past life, stop being a butt!
9599593
Hi. Dont get a notification when you write the comment replay. Good i checked the comment section. Here are SOME VERY GOOD STORY. couldnt find em all (T-T)/)
1. ( its a long chain of epic storys Changeling focused:
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/82748/princess-celestia-the-changeling-queen
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2. ( Stand alone story )
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/432348/home-is-where-the-hive-is
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3. ( very juicy stuff, skip to the origin story. )
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/188613/embers
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4. ( Changeling culture might seem evil but its simply a predatory culture... But yeah... She is kinda evil... Trying killing Celestia etc but actualy is just a someone to care for her familie and get involved in Alicorn matters) no stand alone story.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/299781/changeling-courtship-rituals
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5. ( PRICELESS humor with very deep roots ) No stand alone.
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/335425/the-wedding-aftermath
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6. ( Awww... So cute... No Ponyfied Changeling still peace
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/344262/the-boopening
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7. ( its good to be evil... Kinda... No fluffy Changelings!
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/181310/my-secret-life-as-an-evil-insect-overlord
---
But i have some good Thorax new Changelings storys to.
sweat
10131401
Thank for the warpgates.
-Celestia changelings is good concept but badly executed. Real celestia and luna left the for thousands years and they can just came back and take the nation back just like that? And she doesn't lay any egg i or try to intrgrate her hive into equestria in that past thousand years of peace? What?
-'courtship ritual' is like lightheart version of 'wind of changes'. Both of them truly need sequals.
-insect overlord is a good fanfic with horrible sequal. That author is weird. His good fanfics usually got indefinite hiatus or left open ended without sequal. And his bad ones have like 2-3 sequels.....
Past memories are a blessing and a curse...
That chapter run from dawww
To changing to dawww
Sandbar witness something no pony did in a loving time. The beginning of the circle of life:
Good to see Sandbar doing so well. He deserves it.
Sandbar simply has no taste.
Twilight really needed a guard quite a lot sooner"
In general as in personal matters.