I- The Changelings?

Chapter 1- Capture

It was a quiet day in Canterlot. Again. As always. I sighed to myself as I walked along the castle perimeter. There had been nothing eventful for quite some time, and I was starting to get restless. My research was the only thing to keep me sane.

Ten years had passed since I fled from home, and brought into Canterlot. Thinking back to the way things were before… it was just too painful. The abuse. The hatred. The pain. I shook myself, annoyed. “Come on, pull yourself together,” I scolded myself, looking around, to make sure nopony noticed me talking to myself. My attention was caught by a shadow darting into the garden area. “Hey!” I called after it, giving chase. “Halt! This is a restricted area!”

I ran into the maze of hedges, glancing around. Whoever it was, they had themselves well-hidden. Drawing one of the two swords that I carried with me, I stepped further into the labyrinth. My horn glowed as it readied the sword. “Come out!” I shouted. “You can’t hide from me forever!”

Still no response. Cursing to myself silently, I pushed further into the mass of plant life. I heard a rustling behind me, and I whipped around. However, I was too slow. I felt a slumber spell strike me, seeing nothing but a flash of green light as I fell to the ground.

***

I still felt groggy when I woke up. “Ugh…” I groaned, my head spinning as I sat up. My vision took a while to focus, but when it did, I took in my surroundings.

I was in a room- bedroom- of sorts. I found myself sitting on a rather comfortable cot, with bookshelves lining the walls. The walls. They were a vivid green, and made up of some sort of gummy substance. I frowned a bit, poking at the wall. It was solid enough that I could not pass through. I tried using magic, but my horn fizzled weakly. I wouldn’t be able to do anything beyond a simple levitation spell. “Great.” I muttered, noting that my armor and weapons were also gone.

“You’re awake.” I jumped, as another pony walked in from an adjoining room. He was a blue Pegasus with a white mane and tail.

“Who are you?” I asked him, frowning slightly.

“The name’s Clear Skies.” He answered. “I know who you are. I read about you in the Canterlot Press. You’re Captain Dust Storm of the Lunar Guard. Or as I like to know you, Captain-Screaming-in-his-Sleep. It must have been some nightmare.”

I didn’t answer, choosing to turn away from him. It was true. I had dreamt about my father. For some reason, the dream wasn’t clear, but I remembered fear as my father walked towards me. I had felt defenseless and weak.

“Hey, didn’t mean to offend.” He walked up to me. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” I slid off the bed onto my hooves. “Where are we?”

“Wish I could tell you.” He answered, looking around. “The décor’s nice, but the walls are a bit… well, green.”

Our conversation was interrupted by one of the walls opening. Two Changelings in some sort of armor stood there, spears held in their magic. They had white carapaces and golden-yellow wings. “Hello, Clear Skies. Dust Storm. Please come with us.” I watched them carefully, but did not sense hostility within them.

“How do you know our names?” I asked in a measured voice, deciding if I should attack and try to take a spear.

“Our Queen is interested in you two. She simply wishes to talk. Please, we mean no harm.” The other one looked over at me, ignoring my question.

“Yeah, right.” Clear narrowed his eyes. “That doesn’t mean much, coming from Changelings.”

“Don’t be racist.” I held out a hoof, stopping him. I turned back to the guards. “I’ll hear what your Queen has to say. Then I’ll decide on my next course of action.”

“We appreciate it.” They turned to leave, looking back at us. “Please, follow us.”

Clear looked over at me uncertainly, and I nodded. He shrugged, falling into place behind me as I followed the guards. The path was winding all over the hive, a rather confusing tangle. Despite my good memory, I found myself unable to remember all the twists and turns. Some time later, we found ourselves in front of a giant set of double doors. The guards opened them inward, bowing as they entered. “We have brought them, my Queen Glimmer.” They said.

I saw a large Changeling, also white with golden wings, sitting on a throne, guards surrounding her. I respectfully bowed, motioning for Clear to do the same. He complied, albeit reluctantly.

“There’s no need to bow to me.” She waved a hoof. “Please, rise.”

I straightened up, looking back at her. “Why have you brought us here? Why do you want to speak to us?” I asked, keeping my guard up.

“Well… to be honest, I need your help.” She said, stepping down from the throne and trotting up to us. “You, Captain Dust Storm. I need your strength. And Clear Skies, you are a caretaker at one of Canterlot’s daycares, are you not?”

“That, I am.” I answered as Clear nodded. “But you haven’t answered my question.”

“Let me explain then.” She sighed. “My hive… is in danger. I believe somepony… wants to attack. I can’t let the little ones, my larvae get hurt. I needed somepony strong enough to defend the hive if this happened. Dust Storm, you’re famed for your battle techniques and skill. Clear Skies, you would be more than fit to help overlook the little ones. I honestly do not have many caretakers here who are as skilled as you are.”

“You know, you could have just asked.” Clear raised an eyebrow.

“Really?” I frowned at him. “A Changeling strolls into Canterlot. Based off of your reaction, I can say that the reception would not be well. Disguising wouldn’t work, we have counter-measures against that since the Chrysalis incident. Only way to get in is stealth.”

“Good point.” He admitted, turning to the Changeling Queen again. “You better not have anything nasty planned. If this is really your problem, then I’ll help.”

“As will I.” I stepped forward. “As a Royal Guard, I can’t simply allow innocent lives to be in danger.”

“Thank you.” She smiled at us both. “I truly appreciate your help.”

“I’ll still have to report this in.” I told her. “I can’t just go missing for a while.”

“I understand.” She nodded, passing me a quill and paper. “I swear to you that I will get this to your Princess Luna.”

I scribbled down a quick report before passing it off to her. Glimmer fired off a shot of magic, making the scroll disappear. “I’d very much like my magic back.” I commented. “The magic restriction fields you have on me aren’t very nice.”

“I’m very sorry.” I felt my magic return as the dampening fields fell away. “I just had to make sure that you wouldn’t attack or anything.” She nodded at some guards. “Take them back to their rooms for now. Give them anything they need.” Glimmer turned back to us. “You two can start tomorrow. Please just take the day to get comfortable.”

We were led off by the same guards from before. “Go on, then.” They motioned us in once we got to our rooms. “Do you need anything?”

“Some tea would be nice.” I answered. “I don’t suppose I can get my weapons back, too?”

“I’ll do my best to retrieve your swords.” The guard nodded. “I’ll also bring some tea.”

“For you?” the other guard asked Clear.

“Nothing, thanks.” He answered. With respective salutes, the guards departed.

Clear turned to me. “What now?” he asked. “Doesn’t this all seem a little fishy to you?”

“Yes, but I can tell. They mean no harm. I sensed no hostility in any of them.” I answered. “I truly believe that she is speaking the truth. I’ve made my decision to help.”

“Well, I have, too.” Clear shrugged. “Let’s just see what comes tomorrow.”

“We’ll decide on a course of action, then.” I agreed. “Come on, do you play Chess? I saw a set in my room.”

“I’d love a game.” Clear smiled as we moved off.

II- The First Day

View Online

Chapter 2- The First Day
“Good morning, young sirs.” A Changeling bowed to us. “The Queen has requested that we treat you formally. Would you like some breakfast?”

“Sure.” I answered. Clear and I had gotten up about an hour ago, and were discussing various events at our job.

“And here, you are, Dust Storm.” He passed my blades off to me. I smiled as I strapped them on, the familiar weight making me feel a bit more comfortable. “Follow me.” He led us down the twisting hallways, eventually stopping at a small dining area. “I’m afraid we don’t have too much to your tastes, but we do have fruits and vegetables.”

“I’ve got a question. Do you changelings only feed of love or…” Clear started.

“Ah, no, we can eat foods like you can, but it tastes bland to us.” He answered. “We very much prefer feeding off love.”

“Contrary to popular belief…” I took a seat. “They don’t actually drain the love that they consume.”

“What, really?” Clear asked in surprise, as the Changeling prepared a fruit salad for us. “So there are a lot of misconceptions about them.”

I nodded as the Changeling set the bowls down. “What’s your name?” I asked him.

“Ah, well, because we’re born in large amounts, our names may be a bit different. My name is C2.” He answered. “Let me know if there’s anything else I can get you two. My Queen wants to see you two in her throne room after you’ve eaten.”

“All right. I actually can’t wait to see the cute little guys I’m going to help caretake.” Clear chuckled.

“And if anything tries to hurt them, they’ll have to get through the other guards and me first.”

***

“So, you understand?” Glimmer smiled at us, as her guards passed off translation crystals to us.

“Yeah, take care of the little guys in the Eastern nursery.” Clear nodded.

“And my task is to patrol the Eastern nursery perimeter, to make sure nothing gets in.” I patted my swords. “We’ll do our best.”
“I ask for nothing more.” She led the way down to the Eastern wing, stopping at a set of green, gel-like doors, opening them with her magic.

“Oh…. Wow….” Clear looked at the over hundred of little changelings, tumbling and playing about. All of them looked the same, like most changelings in the hive, making it impossible to tell any apart. A few older Changelings were roaming around, likely the caretakers.

“Go on, then.” Glimmer nodded as Clear trotted in. I noticed a balcony ring around the Eastern Nursery. The Nursery was like a dome, overhanging an area, branching off from the hive. I knew what to do, carefully stepping past some curious changeling hatchlings staring at the two newcomers, probably never having seen other ponies before.

“Hi!” I looked down as a tiny female voice spoke. One of the little changelings was staring up at me, a pink diaper on her waist and a pacifier hanging on a string from her neck. “Why awe you in disguise?” she asked, young enough to lisp. The translator devices we were given allowed communication via Equestrian and Changeling. Not that I needed it myself, anyway.

“I’m not in disguise.” I smiled at her, in a friendly way. “I’m an actual Unicorn.”

“Oooh, weally?” her eyes flashed with excitement. “Show me magic!”

“Well…” I looked over at Glimmer in the doorway, who nodded.

“Okay then.” I concentrated my magic, teleporting a short distance to the balcony, then back. I winced, my teleportation spells always making me dizzy.

“Yay! Cool!” she clapped her little hooves, making me smile.

“Show-off.” Clear chuckled, walking up behind me. “Hey there, Dust Storm has to go to his patrols, so you want to play with me?”
“Yeah!” she crawled after him happily. I felt an odd, warm feeling inside as I watched Clear and her play.

I smiled again as I walked to the balcony, examining the green bubble barrier over the hive. It seemed fairly strong, but I could understand the need for precautions. Keeping my swords sheathed, I began patrolling the ring.

I had patrolled for an hour before a ball rolled out of one of the open doorways, a hatchling crawling after it. I noticed it was getting rather close to the balcony, so I stopped it with my hoof, despite there being a barrier to protect the young ones from crawling past the railing.

“Here you are, little guy.” I kicked the ball gently back to him with a smile.

He was smaller than the other changeling ‘filly’ I encountered, too young to talk. He babbled a bit, smiling at me as he caught the ball. He rolled it to me again, obviously wanting to play. I hesitated, then shrugged, this time, using my magic to bounce the ball gently to him. He giggled, and we continued to roll the ball back and forth for some time, until an older Changeling walked up. “R1? What are you doing? Don’t bother the guards.” She spoke in a gentle tone as she lifted the little one up in her magic, “Sorry for bothering you.” She said to me, giving me a warm smile.

“It’s no issue, really.” I answered. For some reason, her smile, for a moment, made me feel completely safe. I shook it off, watching her re-enter the nursery before resuming my patrol.

***

It was almost dark when Glimmer checked up on me. “You know, you didn’t have to patrol this long.” She said softly. I felt calmed in her presence, some of my worries being slid away.

“I know.” I answered, looking up at her, blinking a bit at the calming feeling over me. “I’m used to doing long patrols.”

“Alone?” she frowned. “My guards took a break a long time ago. The nursery barriers are sealed again.”

“I’m used to doing things alone, I’m fine.” I assured her. “It’s easier for me that way.” My words gave a painful twinge to my heart, which Glimmer obviously felt. Changelings were highly sensitive to any kind of emotion.

“Come on back in. Supper will be ready soon.” She motioned for me to follow her, the slime barrier opening up for us as we walked through.

“How did Clear do?” I asked, as the slime closed behind us with an odd squelching sound.

“Oh, he was wonderful. I’ve never seen any of my caretakers do so well taking care of the sheer amount of hatchlings.” She smiled. “You did very well, too.”

“Can I ask something?” I looked up at the Changeling Queen. “How do you name your… hatchlings?”

“Oh, that’s simple, darling.” She chuckled. “When they’re still in pods, we move them to a hive grid. Depending on which part of the grid they’re born in, they’ll get a different letter and number. Of course, this does cause quite a lot of same-names, but by then, they’re usually off on their own. Once a Changeling leaves the hive, they often get their own individual name unrelated to the grid.”
“What was your old name, if I can ask?”

“G4.” She answered, as we reached the main dining hall. I could hear the hisses and clicks of Changelings talking. Although my translator was inactive, I could still easily understand them. It was just another language I took during my time in the Royal Guard academy. Glimmer opened up the doors, letting me walk in first. Clear was at a small table, eating a salad and waved me over.

I trotted over to him and took a seat across from him. “How was your day?” I asked, pulling an empty bowl towards myself, using the tongs to get some greens from the main serving bowl.

“Great!” his eyes shone. “They were all so adorable and well-behaved!”

I rolled my eyes at his enthusiasm. “Glad you liked it. My day was fairly uneventful. Not that it’s any different from Canterlot. I kind of like the quiet.”

“I could just feel the love from them.” He sighed happily. “They’re a really happy family, even if they are a huge one.”

I stopped eating, family always being a very sensitive subject for me.

“Uh, did I say something wrong?” he asked, noticing.

“No. Nothing.” I went back to eating, but said nothing more for the remainder of the meal.

When we finished, we bid good night to Glimmer before heading to our rooms, escorted by a few Changeling Guards.

“Good night, sirs.” They said politely, before closing our doors.

Clear and I went back to the chess board to play a few more games before we slept. He kept looking at me before finally asking, “What happened back there?”

I knew he was talking about the dining hall, but I still tried to evade. “What do you mean?” I asked, moving my Bishop to threaten his Knight.

“You know what I mean.” He moved the Knight back and away.

“I just didn’t have much of a family.” I answered, advancing my own Knight.

He was silent for some time, trying to think of a move and what else to say. Clear moved his Rook over to the side. “Look, if you want to talk about it-“

“I don’t.” I answered shortly, moving my Knight once more. “Check.”

He looked down at the board, seeing my Knight threatening both his Queen and King. “Damn.”

Time For a Change

by DuskShadowBrony

I- The Changelings?

II- The First Day