> Exile's Dream > by Gentlehoof > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Darkness > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Darkness Life in the Changeling hive was harsh and cruel, even for a Changeling. Drone G946 hurt all over, baring her fangs she hissed a warning to the snickering and laughing Drones, that were gathered about her. They liked to pick on her and today was no exception. She knew it was hopeless but she tried to run anyways, leaping into the air, she flapped her insect wings as fast as she could, but they were ready and she was struck down. Pain lanced though her shoulder as she struck the ground. "Where you think your going?" The leader of the group said, stepping over her, "we're not done having our fun, you silver eyed freak." And before she could gather herself, they were on her, and G946 huddled into a ball as they kicked and beat her. It wasn't long before they grew bored and moved off, laughing and joking to themselves at their fun activity. G946 gathered herself, and slowly made her way back to her cell. She was scraped and bruised, her shoulder hurt so much she limped, and there was a buzzing in her head from a hard kick that got though. This was not the first time she was attacked in her young life, and it won't be the last. She knew the reason she was picked on, it was because G946 was different then the other drones and being different was enough. They saw her a defective. As she entered her cell she clasped against the wall and huddled into a ball. It was now that she started to cry, quietly to herself. That was one of the differences she had over the other drones, she could feel things they didn't, like sadness. For there was one thing that every Drone knew and that was Drones never cried. There was another thing that was different about her, a normal Changeling could change themselves into any pony they saw, no matter their height or color, they were even able to copy any cutie mark. But no matter how hard she tried, G946 was only able to turn herself into a little earth pony filly. Try as she might, she couldn't even change her color, her coat was always a light grey, her mane was always black with white tips, and her eyes, that was the strangest bit, they were silver even when she was in her Changeling body, and that made her stand out among the Changelings, for what Changeling had silver eyes? She layed there shivering, as the darkness closed in around her, and she despaired, all she felt from the darkness was the cold, cruelty and fear, the three things that best described the Changelings No wonder they had steal love from elsewhere, for there was no love here. She didn't know how long she slept, but she was startled awake when she heard voices outside her cell harshly talking among themselves. "Is this the one?" One voice demanded. "Yes, thats the one." Came a response, "I saw her go in earlier." "Hay! You taking out the trash?" came a third voice. "Can I watch? Hay everyone, they've come to take the freak!" "About time." Another voice said, and others voiced their agreement. G946 had no place to hide, her cell was small and had no corners, huddled up against the wall she watched as two Soldier Drones entered and approached her. "I didn't do anything." G946 whimpered as they grabbed her and started to drag her away, once in the hall, she saw all the cruel smiles of the all her fellow Changeling neighbors, as they watched her be taken away. "Please, don't do this." G946 pleaded, tears falling down her face, she couldn't stop them from falling." I can still be useful, you don't haft to do this!" They sneered at her when they saw the tears, which was not a Changeling thing, "No talking!" And stars exploded behind her eyes as one of them back hoofed her across the muzzle, she tasted blood. She knew where they were taking her, it was a horrible place that she hoped she would never see. A place where Changelings were taken to be executed. When she thought about dying, and she cried all the harder, she didn't want to die, she was too young to die, still just a child. She had cried herself out by the time she was taken into a dank chamber, deep in the hive. Taken to the center she was ruffly dropped to the ground. The sound of hoof steps made her look up, and what she saw made her cringe, The Inquisitor stood over her, and in the crook of his leg, was a great staff, with a glowing green crystal on the top. The Inquisitor was feared by all Changelings, not only was he one of a few stallion changelings, he was also known for taking great joy in using a Changeling destruction spell, that he had learned by Queen Chrysalis herself. A horrible spell that killed Changelings in the most gruesome of ways, when struck by the spell, the Changeling in a matter of minutes would dissolve into a puddle of green goo on the ground. It was said that they would scream for most of the process, that is until there was nothing left to scream with. The Inquisitor glared down at her. "It has come to my attention that you are defective, do you deny this?" G946 started to shiver, "I....I'm not defective." She managed to get out. "I'm normal, there is nothing wrong with me." G946 fought back her tears, there was one thing she needed to do and that was to not cry, if the Inquisitor saw her cry, that would be the end of her. "I will be the one to cast judgment, not you." The Inquisitor struck his staff against the ground with a solid thunk that made her flinch back. "I want to see you to change." In a flash of green magic, G946 cast her shape spell and changed herself into a little light grey filly. "There see, I'm normal." "Perhaps." The Inquisitor regarded her, "Now, change again, something different this time." G946 screwed her eyes shut, and focused really hard, harder then she has ever done, and then cast the change spell. Nothing happened. "No no, wait! I can do this!" G946 tried again. Nothing. Again and again she tried, to no effect. She couldn't stop it, tears started to form in her eyes. She tried one more time, focusing every part of herself into it, nothing else mattered except changing, and she released her spell. Opening her eyes she looked down at herself, and saw that nothing had changed, she was still the light grey little earth pony filly. Looking back up. "Please." she pleaded "I can still be useful, just give me a chance." The Inquisitor looked unfazed. "How can you be useful like this?" He said jabbing his staff at her. "We need drones that can gather love, how can you gather love like this?" This time he jabbed even harder. " Who would love a useless scrap of nothing like this? Pathetic." His bent and crooked horn lit up with magic, but not the normal green color of a changeling but a deep red color, of the Killing spell. He was going to kill her! There was nothing she could do, no place to hide, no place to run too, she didn't even have time to cry out when the spell hit her. Every cell in her body felt like it was exploding and freezing at the same time, she was sure it was only a few moment but it felt like hours. The pain began to fade away, and she could feel herself laying on the cold hard ground. Is this what it felt like to be dead? Strange, she thought it wouldn't hurt so much. Another question came to her, why was she breathing? It dawned on her that she still lived, how? G946 felt something poke her hard, and she couldn't stifle the moan of pain, as it was to her injured shoulder. Opening her eyes, she saw the form of the Inquisitor looming over her with her staff out. "Alive?" The Inquisitor said in a shocked voice, then something caught his eye. He leaned down, and peered closely to her face, he was so close she could feel his rank breath. Then he carefully, reached his hoof forward and brushed it against her cheek. Standing back up he examined what he had on his hoof."A tear?" She realized that she was weeping. "Guards!" He cried out. A set of guards approached and came to attention, "This... thing, has somehow survived," gesturing down at her. "And somehow it has... feelings. I want you two to take it down to the Black Labs, and tell him to take it apart, I want to know how it did it." He started to turn, but the paused. "And one other thing. Tell him that his experiments are getting out of hand, he's been taking too many liberties. He is no longer to be allowed in the hatcheries from now on, without my permission." G946 felt the guards grab her and drag her out, she was too weak to try to resist and everything was spinning around, her head was so dizzy. She had never heard of this Black Lab as he had called it, but she knew she didn't like the sound of it. She tried to not wonder about what new tragedy she was fated to meet. She lost track of how many turns they took, and how many levels they descended. She was good and lost, she stopped paying attention and stared blankly, wallowing in her misery, and she lost track of time. She snapped out of it when she was thrown to the hard ground. She looked up and immediately regretted it. Everywhere she looked there was shelves full of large glass jars, each one containing various parts of ponies, and even changelings, suspended in a fluid. Not far from her was a stain covered table with straps. On a table next to it, many sharp and pointy instruments were laid out, ready for use. The place reeked of chemicals and things she didn't want to even think of. She was going to be sick, she realized that this was going to be her fate, she thought, all her parts removed, and stuffed into jars. To be made into part of this foul collection. She couldn't control her shaking. One of the guards was talking to a particularly gruesome, and twisted Changeling. As the guard spoke to it, she gestured to G946, and that was when the twisted Changeling looked at her. Their eyes met. G946 had thought that after what had happened with the Inquisitor, that nothing could compare to that fear. But what she felt now, was so much beyond it. Before she knew it she was scrambling for the door, she wasn't strong enough to stand, so she found herself frantically dragging herself across the floor, her breath came in ragged gasps, and everything in her screamed for her to escape. That her fate was going to be far worse than she first thought. She didn't make it far when she felt herself hoisted up, she screamed and flailed about. Turning her head, she bit one of the guards, that only got her punched in the gut. Roughly they shoved her into a cage, which was promptly locked. She watched helplessly as they departed though the door, leaving her alone with the twisted Monster. G946 curled into a tight ball, and hid her face. Shivering, she listened to the hoof steps as the Monster approached her cage, coming to a stop, she was able to hear its raspy breath. "My, such a little thing." Its voice made her skin crawl, and her shivering turned into shaking, as the Monster began tapping her cage. "They told me that you have feelings. That you are able to cry, how interesting, all the other drones I have examined have only shone fear and hate, so boring." He stopped tapping and began rubbing his hoof on the bars with a grating sound. "But with you, I will be able to learn so many new things. I wonder what else your able to feel? Perhaps love? Yes, I wonder if your able to love. Interesting, yes very interesting. Lets find out together, we are going to have so much fun tomorrow." He moved away and began to laugh. She lost control, and peed herself. Somehow during the night she had fallen asleep. It was light and fitful, and sometime during the early morning hours, she noticed a strange commotion in the hallway, Changelings were rushing by, and by the sound of it, there was a lot of them. She dared to look up, from where the cage was she was unable to see much though the door, but what she could hear, sounded like a battle. At first it was far away, but after a long while they grew closer, she was able to make out sounds of hooves striking medal and flesh, bright flashes of magic illuminated the doorway followed by great booms that shook the ground, voices were crying out in pain. It went on for while, until they moved off and became more sporadic. Hoof steps approached in the hallway, and two great armored stallions stepped though the door into the lab. One was a white unicorn with a red mane, the other was a Teal colored Pegasus, with a deep green mane. Both had beautiful golden armor on. G946 had heard descriptions that matched what these stallions looked like before, they had to be Princess Celestia's Royal Solar Guard. "By the suns holy light, what horror is this, Fire Step?" The Pegasus asked the unicorn. "Keep your voice down, Soft Breeze. This area hasn't been fully secured yet." Fire Step ordered, as they both examined the room. Fire Step had his ears pinned back, and a look of disgust on his face. "This must be the Black Labs, she was right, he has started his operations again. If there was ever a pit of despair in this world this would be it." Pausing at a table, with various tools of the dismemberment trade strewn across the top, he suddenly whirled about and lashed out with his steel shod hooves, sending the table and its offending implements across the room smashing into the wall. It landed so close to her that G946 cried out. "So much for staying quiet." Soft Breeze said, then his ears perked up "did you hear that?" "I did, it came from over here." Fire Step approached her cage, he lit his horn and peered into its dark interior, his eyes widened when he saw her. "By the light! There is a filly in there." Rearing back he smashed his steel shod hoof onto the lock, smashing it. "Fire Step, is she okay?" The Pegasus asked. Gently Fire Step checked her, G946 flinched at his touch. "Its okay now" the he said in a gentle voice "your safe." Turning to the Pegasus. "Soft Breeze, we need to take her to the Princess, she will want to see her." G946 felt herself lifted up and gently laid on his strong back, why were they helping her? And why were they being so gentle with her? Why would they care about a Changeling? And then what he had said when he had found her hit her, she was still in the form of a filly, they thought she was a pony! The signs of battle were everywhere, fallen Changelings were strewn about on the ground. Great chunks were blasted out of the walls, and floor. Occasionally she would hear shouts, and the clang of steel on steel, the occasional blast of magic from some offshoot corridor, as the Solar Guard would find some holdout Changelings. Fire Step carefully avoided the fights, and in short time they reached the surface. For the first time ever, she saw the sun. It was the most beautiful thing she ever saw, it was so bright, everything around her was bright. And then she saw her. By the description she had heard, it could be none other that Princess Celestia, her beauty was overwhelming. "Princess!" Fire Step called out to her, and she found herself taken right to her. "Princess, we have found a captive, she is injured but alive. And Princess, we found her in the Black Labs." He added the last bit in a lowered voice. The Princess seemed alarmed at his words. "So the Black Labs were here after all. Was He there?" Shaking his head. "No, Your Majesty. The rest of my unit is still searching the deep areas but it appears he may have escaped. The only thing we found down there was her." Fire Step gestured his head to G946. The Princess took notice of G946, "Oh my a filly, very good Fire Step, let me take a look at her." She was shocked to see how caring the Princess eyes were, as she looked her over. A golden glow enveloped the Princesses horn, and G946 felt a worm tingle throughout her body, after a moment it ended. Lowering her head down to her, Celestia smiled. "Hello little one, what's your name?" The Princess asked G946. She didn't know how to answer, she had no name but G946, and if she told Princess Celestia, she would know her to be a changeling. And she couldn't think up a name for herself, her mind was blank. Princess Celestia, the most power being in the land, the bane of Changelings was a mere few inches from her. She started to panic, and her body began to shake. "Oh, you poor dear, your in shock" Then Celestia did something strange, she nuzzled her with her muzzle, and draped her wing over her, G946 felt oddly comforted by it, and she could feel a warmth coming from her. "There, there, little one, your with friends now. We are going to see that nothing bad happens to you, okay?" Her voice was so gentle. G946 nodded her head. "Good, now I want you to do something for me, okay?" G946 nodded again. Celestia's smile warmed, "I would like you to be brave, little one, can you be brave for me?" Sniffling, she nodded, adding a small smile of her own. "Good, can you tell me if your mother or father still in there? Was there anyone else with you?" She gave her head a small shake. "No, I... I was alone. They locked me in a cage, and that mean Changeling said he was going to have fun with me." And thoughts of what she had gone through started to make her tear up again. Celestia nuzzled her again. "There, there, its all over now my brave little one. You have been very helpful but now, will you do something else for me?" Wiping her eyes, she managed to say. "yes." Gesturing with her other wing to Fire Step "This nice gentlecolt is going to see to your safety, I would like you to go with him, and listen to what he tells you to do, okay?" She nodded "Okay." Relief flooded he. She had managed to not be discovered by the Princess. Turning to Fire Step "Its too dangerous for her to remain here, please take her to the chariot, and post a guard, see that no harm comes to her." Fire Step saluted. "Yes, Your Majesty." They were almost to the chariot when a great commotion erupted behind them. A group of Changelings masquerading as Solar Guards attempting to escape were discovered, and a fight broke out. A group of Changelings lead by the Inquisitor broke free and took to the air. As they flew by, blasts of magic from Solar Guard Unicorns, shot down some of the Changelings around him, but the Inquisitor continued on, ignoring the fallen, until a blast of magic stuck him and he crashed to the ground, not far them them. The Inquisitor was only stunned and soon was back on his hooves. Fire Step came to a stop. "Hold on, I'll make sure nothing happens to you." A blue aura lit up his horn. The Inquisitor's hate filled eyes fell on them, and they widened in surprise when he saw her perched on his back. "You!" Fire Step shot a powerful blast of magic at the Inquisitor, who blocked it with a shield spell. A Changeling attacked from the side, and Fire Step was forced to dodge. He quickly dispatched it with another blast of his magic, and turned back to the Inquisitor, who had already used the distraction to make his escape, and was already in flight and some distance into the open sky, with a host of Royal Guards taking off in pursuit. Fire Step brought her the rest of the way to the chariot, and then used his magic to levitate her off his back and onto the chariot's soft cushions. "Stay here, and don't leave the chariot." Fire Step said giving her a warm smile. " Turning he called over a Unicorn "Watch her, keep her safe." He ordered. The young unicorn snapped a salute "Yes sir." Fire Step left to join the battle, and the unicorn Guard took up his post, standing at attention and glaring about, making sure no danger came to his young charge. G946 took this time to wonder what she should do, if she stayed, then Princess Celestia would probably discover who she is and that would be beyond bad for her. And as for returning to the Changelings, unthinkable. Not wanting to risk discovery G946 decided to run. She managed to stand, if a little wobbly. Checking on her protector, she saw that he was looking outward, for approaching danger and not paying much attention to her. G946 quietly slipped out the side of the chariot and vanished into the nearby woods. > Flight > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Flight Her education on the outside world was rather limited, she never made it to the advanced schooling courses that was required in order to become a Changeling Hunter. For several days she wandered aimlessly, she realized that she had no idea where to go. She ate very little, she had tried some berries, but they were too bitter, and made her stomach hurt, so she made do with some sour leaves. Waking up on the third day, she yawned and stretched her hooves out. She was about to crawl out of the bush she was in, when a noise caught her ear. I sounded like hoof steps, a great deal of hoof steps. Carefully she peered out, and saw changelings, marching past. Fear shot though her, and she huddled as far into the bush as she could. No, no, no. She had only just got her freedom, it was too soon to lose it now! Two of them passed close to where she was hiding. She stayed as still as she could, and held her breath. They passed so close she was able to hear them talking. "We have been tramping around these woods for day's, why does the Inquisitor want that silvered eyed whelp anyways? " One of the voices asked. "Don't know. But I heard that it was the other one that really wants her." The other answered back. "The other one? You don't mean, That one, do you?" She could hear the disgust and fear, as she spoke. "That is what the rumor is. Doctor Piece Meal is most eager to get his hooves on her again, he was most disappointed at loosing her." She was unable to make out any more, as their voices faded away. Doctor Piece Meal wanted her? Who was he? Suddenly she thought of that twisted Changeling in the lab, and realized that it was him that they were talking about. Her heart leaped into her throat, and even though he stomach was empty, she dry heaved anyways. It was a long time before she calmed down enough, to crawl out of the bush and flee. There was no way she was going to go back to him. That night she sheltered in a tree hollow. Sleep was slow in coming, thoughts of Doctor Piece Meal searching for her, kept her awake. She knew that at some point she was going to meet ponies, so she decided she would need a name. Besides she didn't want to be known by a number anymore, that was from a old life she wanted desperately to forget. She started to rack her brain trying to think of one. From what she knew of pony names, they were supposed to describe something about them, be it their looks, personality, or even their job. She tried out some names, but none seemed right. Then it came to her, she already had a name, she had it all along. The Changelings called her it all the time. The Silver Eyed Freak. Smiling to herself she played with variations until she found one she liked. "From now on I am Silver Sight." She christened herself out loud. Happy with her choice, she laid her head down to sleep. She was surrounded by darkness, its weight pressing down on her, and in the darkness there was voices calling out to her, taunting her, and promising to hurt her when they found her. They were all around her, and getting closer, she huddled in on herself, terror locking her in place. Then the hoof step started, a steady rhythm. Clump clump, clump clump, clump clump. The closer they came the louder it was. She didn't know how she knew, but she knew it was Doctor Piece Meal coming to take her to his lab and cut her up into peaces. Then she saw them, the eyes glowing in the darkness, staring at her unblinking, she could feel them freezing the marrow in her bones. Clump clump, clump clump, they drew nearer with the steps. She ran, but it was a struggle, the air was like water dragging her steps down. Then a bone chilling scream from some monstrous creature rocked her from behind, she broke though the resistence and she fled. She was no longer in the darkness, she now ran though the woods, a full moon rising in the sky ahead of her, she ran to it, to the safety of its soft light. The thrumming sound of Changeling wings sounded around her in the trees, they were here, so close. Then they were there, reaching for her, grabbing at her. She dodged and ran on, feeling their clawed hooves tearing at her. Breaking free she ran into a clearing when suddenly the ground dropped away and she found herself falling. Below her was darkness, and in that darkness was that horrible crackling laugh, that she knew came from that horrible creature from the lab. She woke up, her heart pounding in her chest, and her coat was plastered with a cold sweat. Her breathing was raged. What was that? She thought to herself, was that what ponies called a dream? How strange, Changelings don't dream, well whatever it was, she knew she didn't like it. Crawling out of the hollow, she stretched the kinks out of her legs. Her hunger was great, but she dare not eat any more of those leaves, as they gave her bad stomach cramps. Finishing her stretches, she breakfasted on some moss she found growing on a nearby log. Finishing her meal she set off to find something to wash it down. Not long after, she found a stream, and sated her thirst. Peering over it, she wondered how she would cross, for she didn't know how to swim. She despaired of what to do, then it hit her, she could change back into a Changeling and just fly across. Quickly she cast the change spell on herself, and once the change was done, she collapsed to the ground in writhing agony, every cell in her body was on fire. She knew she needed to change back, but she didn't know if she could focus enough. Fighting though the fog of pain she managed to recast the change spell and she released her breath in relief as the pain subsided, looking down at herself she saw she was back to being a filly. Catching her breath took some time, but eventually she stood back up. She wondered what had happened. Why changing into her Changeling body would cause her pain. Could it have had something to do with what the Inquisitor had done to her? Well if she couldn't fly across, might as well find another way over. Looking both up and down stream, she wondered which way was best. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Luna was out on her balcony enjoying the cool evening air, she had just raised the moon for the night, and she was still blinking the sleep out of her eyes, when a knock came to Luna's door. Good she thought, my meal is here. "Come in please." Normally a servant would bring her meals up from the kitchen, but this time when the door opened, the Head Chef wheeled a food laden cart in. Luna lifted one of her eyebrows. "Branching out to new jobs are you, Pure Delight? Pure Delight harrumphed "If I did, it wouldn't be this. I would open a restaurant and make millions of bits." Stopping the cart he lifted the food tray and set it down on her little table she kept next to her balcony. He lifted the lid off the trey. Like always, his meal was an art, in smell and taste. "Voilà. A spinach lasagna, with a lettuce and carrot salad, light on the vinaigrette, and for desert." He lifted a lid off another plate still on the cart. "A double chocolate moose cake." Luna couldn't wait to get started, and she eyed the cake most approvingly. "Like always, you always outdo yourself. Give my thanks to the Chef when you see him." She added with a small grin. He gave a stiff short bow. "I will pass it on to him." As she settled down to her meal, Pure Delight cleared his throat. "I actually came up with the hope of having a private word with you." Glancing at him. "Oh? You know your always welcome. Is this about your daughters wedding?" Then she gasp and looked at him. "She's not calling it off is she? I just got her wedding gift." She gestured to a large, and well wrapped gift sitting on the corner table. Pure Delight looked a little embarrassed. "No, its not about the wedding. I just wanted to talk to you about a private concern, and I just wanted to keep it between the two of us." Luna knew this was most unusual. "Yes?" "You see, I've become a little concerned about your sister, Princess Celestia. I have been sending the Princess her meals, but they have been coming back uneaten. It has been several days now." Luna was most concerned at this news. "Sister's not eating?" She immediately left to find her sister. Pure Delight called out. "Princess. Your meal!" But she was already gone. Luna walked up to a set of elaborate jeweled doors, and without knocking, barged in. Celestia was at her desk pouring over notes and reports. Never before had Luna seen Celestia this disordered. Celestia barely glanced up at Luna's entrance. "Sister! What brings you to my chambers at this early." Celestia paused and looked out her window. "Ah, late...or well something, hour?" Luna examined the mess. "It hath come to our attention, that thy royal persons hath refused to except thy meals." Celestia seemed like she didn't hear what she said for a moment, then her head snapped up. "What? What did you just say?" Luna jabbed her hoof at a sitting meal cart. "Food, eat." Celestia saw what she was getting at. "Oh, yes. No need to worry Sister." Luna sighed. "What has you in such a fret, Sister?" Celestia started pacing. "He was there, Luna. Right there, and he slipped though our hooves." Luna stepped in front of Celestia and forced her to stop pacing. "Who was there?" Celestia let out her breath "The Monster in our midst, as it were." Luna was confused. "Sister?" Celestia walked out onto her balcony and sat her haunch down onto the cold stone, and her wings sagged down. "It was years ago, long before your return to me. There was a gifted med student at the Canterlot Medical Collage. He graduated top of his class. I spoke at the graduation ceremony, even handed him his diploma." Luna sat next to her, and wrapped her wing over her. "Did something happen to him?" Celestia shook her head sadly. "Not long after, ponies started to vanish. It was slow at first, then it got to a point where ponies where vanishing once or twice a week. The investigation was going nowhere, but then there came a tip. There was a foul smell coming from a house, and many ponies were complaining. The city Constables exercised a search warrant" Celestia took a calming breath. "What they found in that house was beyond them, nothing before and nothing sense would compare to what they witnessed. I myself viewed the horrors of that house, and to this day I regret ever stepping foot into that house." Luna couldn't believe what she was hearing, what kind of monster was this? Celestia shivered at the intensity of the memory. "The owner of the house was Doctor Piece Meal, who was that same med student from before. The constables searched the house, but could not find him, but what they did find, was one of his survivors. He was in a bad state, Piece Meal had been running some kind of experiment on him, and there was nothing that could be done to save him. Before he succumbed to his injuries, he told us his wife lead him there, telling him that there was a party, once inside his wife changed into a monster and attacked him." Celestia looked back at Luna. "You see that is why no one ever saw him, and how he got away. He was a Changeling all along. He reappeared Fillydelphia, and latter in Manehattan. He escaped every time, then he upped and vanished. I suspected that he went back to the hive, to restart his experiments there. We know that Queen Chrysalis has moved to new lands somewhere to the east, and has taken most of the hive with her, but I knew that Piece Meal would want to stay close, it took years but we finally found that branch hive. I was sure he was there, and ordered an attack. Celestia pinned her ears. "I was right, they found his Black Lab and searched it, but he was long gone. The coward." She snarled the last bit. then her ears relaxed and a look of sadness came across her face. "But what they did find was a survivor. She was such a little thing, and so scared." Luna was shocked. "A filly?" Celestia nodded. "Doctor Piece Meal hadn't started his...work on her yet, so she was unharmed. But I do worry about what she saw while there. Such things are not for fillies to see, let alone any pony else, it has a way of...staying with you." Her eyes stared off, as if seeing the past. A thought came to Luna. "You don't suppose that Doctor Piece Meal didn't disguise himself as the filly in order to sneak out, do you?" She shook her head. "I checked, the moment they brought her to me I cast a Doppel Resonance spell on her, if she was a Changeling, I would have known." "Where's the filly now?" Luna asked. "It was unsafe where we were, so I ordered her taken to my chariot and placed under guard. Somehow she snuck away, I ordered a search, but they have not found her yet." Luna felt for her sister. "Your really worried for the filly, aren't you?" "Yes, of course I am, she's lost out there, alone." Luna had an idea. "Then I will seek out her dreams, I will offer my own comfort, and guard her dreams." Celestia smiled and hugged her sister. "Thank you, that would be most kind." Luna walked over to the food cart and lifted a lid on a plate. "mmm, cake." Celestia snatched up the cake with her magic. "Don't you dare, that's mine." Luna smiled, same old sister. "You want to share?" Celestia broke off a piece and offered it to Luna. "Of course, sister." She smiled and gave Luna a wink. Luna couldn't help but notice that the peace she offered her was smaller. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When morning came Silver Sight set off. Crossing the river the previous day took most of the day, she finally found a clump of large rocks and some logs crammed up against them to walk across like a bridge. Today the land around her opened up, and she saw signs of habitation. A small farm appeared before her, she could see fields of what looked like cabbages. Hunger was driving her to do this, she hadn't eaten in days. Approaching the farmhouse she saw a old earth pony, with a light yellow coat and brown mane, working on some farm tool she didn't recognize. Hearing her approach, he looked up at her. "What the? Where'd you come from?" "Please Sir, may I have something to eat?" "What are you doing out here, little filly? Where are your parents?" He looked around like he expected to see them. "I've been lost, I don't know where they are, please may I have something to eat? I am so hungry." "Oh, yes yes, of course. Come this way." And he ushered her to the house. Opening the door, he let her though first. "Cabbage Patch." He called out as he stepped in behind her. "Look at what came wandering in." "What is it dear?" An elderly earth pony mare stepped out of what looked like a kitchen. "A filly? Oh! Your so filthy, what ever happened to you?" "She says she's lost." "Oh the poor dear, come come, sit down, you look dead on your hooves,.""Whats your name sweetie?" It was time to test out her new name. "Silver Sight mam, my name is Silver Sight." "Silver Sight, oh what a beautiful name, and it goes with your eyes too, my name is Cabbage Patch, and this is my husband Country Livin." I'll fix us something to eat. Country, see that she's washed, will you? She's filthy." Then she vanished back into the kitchen. "Well lets see to your cleaning shall we? Unfortunately we don't have running water, but we do have a tub. Its this way, follow me." He lead her out back where there sat a round wooden tub. Country Livin took the handle of a old water pump and began pumping it, filling the tub. When he was satisfied with the level of water in the tub he stopped. "Okay, all ready. Hop in." He motioned for her to get in. The first thing she noticed when she entered the water was how cold it was. Country Living gave a sheepish grin. "Sorry about that sweetie, no way to heat the water out here. Don't you worry, you kind of get used to it... eventually." He grabbed a washcloth and soap and began washing her. It stung when he washed her numerous cuts, but she bore though it without complaint. After all, what was a few cuts compared to everything else she went though. Finishing with her mane, Country Livin picked up a bucket and dumped it over her. She was doused from head to tail in more freezing water. She stood there soaking wet and shivering when he retrieved a large towel. "Okay, climb on out. Lets get you dry." Happily she climbed out, and he began to rub her down. "Country, are you done washing her yet?" Cabbage called from in the house. "Just finishing up." He called back. "Great, the foods ready, come get if while its still hot!" Silver Sight sat at the table, and Cabbage Patch set a bowl of celery soup and a small loaf of bread before her. She never had celery soup before but she found it smelled great. She was about to dig in, when Cabbage gave a warning "Careful, its still a wee bit hot, don't want to burn your tongue now do we?" Silver Sight looked up at Cabbage and Country, and saw that they had soup too, and they were lightly blowing on it, she did the same. After a time she carefully tried the soup. Changelings were not known for their cooking, when she was in the hive, the only food that was served was a processed moss spiced with a bit of mold. But as she ate the soup, tears came to her eyes, it was delicious . She had never known food could taste this good. "How long were you lost? Do you know where your parents can be found?" Cabbage Patch asked? Between mouthfuls, Silver Sight gave a story she had carefully made up earlier. "I was with my parents, they are traveling merchants, we were traveling though the forest when they stopped for a rest, I wondered off to explore, and I got lost. I tried so hard to find them, but nighttime came, and I got scared and hid." Silver Sight began to cry at this point, to sell her story even better. "Oh, you pour dear." Cabbage Patch hurried forward and hugged Silver Sight. "There, there. It will all be okay, we'll find your parents, don't you worry." Silver Sight calmed herself and resumed eating, and in no time she had finished the soup and bread, Cabbage Patch fetched her seconds, and when she finished that, thirds. Finishing her meal, she was good and full. And growing quite sleepy. Seeing her nodding off at the table, Cabbage Patch stood. "Come child, our son's grown and gone, so we have a spare bed. Lets see you tucked in, before you fall over." This was the first time she was ever in a bed, she had always slept on the ground, with no blanket. But now she found her head laying on a pillow, and a nice worm quilt tucked in around her. For the first time in her life, she was warm and conferrable, and in very quick order she fell asleep. The next morning a large breakfast was ready, when she woke up. Silver Sight was eagerly munching on a stack of pancakes. "Such a healthy appetite. Country Living dear, go fetch the cart, we need to take her to town, her parents must be worried sick, and I'm sure we will find them there" Country Living soon had a old rickety cart cart out and ready to go, soon after Silversight was done with breakfast, and Cabbage Patch had her soon settled in the back with a nice warm quilt wrapped about her to ward off the morning chill. "There we are dear, we'll have you back with your parents in no time." Silversight couldn't help but admire at how nice these old ponies were, giving so much of themselves to one lost little filly. She felt such warmth coming off of them, so much love. Carefully she fed off that love, taking only what was offed to her freely. She did not want to harm them by taking too much. They had a long trip ahead of them, Country Living said that they should arrive in Bridlepass just before sunset. They took a brake for lunch, and ate some zucchini sandwiches that Cabbage Patch provided from a basket she brought. Latter she felt herself nodding off, and curled up in the back and fell asleep. Thankfully her dream was peaceful. Fireflies danced all around her, in the cool night air. They stretched out before her like a trail. With a feeling of wonder she followed the path of glittering lights, soon she found herself at the shore of a clear pool, with the stars reflected in the mirror smooth surface. And there before her, a magnificent silver moon stood low over the horizon. Movement on the far bank caught her attention, looking closely she saw a beautiful dark mare stepping forwards. Silver Sight was not afraid, and a incredible calm settled over her, the mare stepped out onto the water. Tiny ripples radiated out from each step, as she glided across its surface, and there upon her forehead stood a great dark horn. The dark mare stopped and looked up, there above her great storm clouds billowed in the sky, Silver Sight saw that soon it would blot out the night sky. The pool which was calm up to this point was growing choppy, and the dark mare looked troubled, and seemed to be calling something out to her, Silver Sight tried to hear, she stepped into the pool to get closer, The mare screamed something and her great wings opened. Silver Sight woke up, blinking the sleep from her eyes she wondered. The dark mare in her dreams, was that Princess Luna? Shaking her head she climbed back up and sat next to Cabbage Patch. Looking down at her with a smile. "Have a nice nap, dearie?" She was still disturbed by the dream, but she managed to smile back and nodded. Looking around she saw that things had changed, they now traveled along a broad road, and following along the side was a low stone wall, rounding the curve, a small farmhouse came into view. As they passed, she could see two fillies doing something in the front yard. One of the fillies was whirling a rope that was tied to a tree, and the other was jumping inside, both were singing some strange song. Sunshine, rain falls, everything's awake tap your hooves, and dance in place. Mommies, and Daddies rock their foals Nap time, Dreamland, Cinnamon roll. It was then that she missed her jump and the rope collided with her legs, both fillies stopped singing and squealed in laughter. Seeing them pass, the two fillies waved at her. Not knowing what to do, Silver Sight panicked and hid behind Cabbage Patch. Looking down at her. "Don't be shy sweetie, go ahead and wave back." Gingerly she peeked out, and gave a little wave. The fillies fell into a fit of giggles, then went back to the rope, switching places, they started again, their strange song starting back up. Silver sight stared back. "What were they doing?" she asked. Cabbage Patch glanced back. "What? You mean the jumping rope?" Looking back at Silver Sight. "Haven't you ever jumped rope with friends?" Silver Sight could only shake her head. Jumping rope, how strange, she thought to herself. It looked fun. Silver Sight sat quietly for the next mile, until they came to a bridge. "What is this?" Country Livin said. Ahead of them was a small group of four Solar Guards, standing before the bridge. Silver Sight wanted to hide in the back of the wagon, but it was already too late, they had seen her. As they approached one guard came forward and lifted a hoof in a signal to stop. "Names please?" The guard asked as they came to a stop. "Well my name is Country Livin, this is my wife Cabbage Patch. The little filly is Silver Sight. She was lost, so we are taking her to Bridlepass to find her parents. Silver Sight was feeling scared, the guard was looking at her with a strange look on his face. Another guard came forward, this one looked like he was in charge, he spoke quietly with the guard that was questioning them. Finishing, he looked at them and smiled. " I am lieutenant Damper Song. So, this is the filly we were ordered to to keep an eye out for. Thank you for finding her, the Princess has been most worried about her, she will be relieved to hear that she is well." "The Princess was looking for her?" Country Livin sounded surprised by this. "Oh, yes indeed she has. You will be rewarded quite handsomely for kindly efforts, I assure you." Country seemed a little embarrassed by the praise. "Well shucks, no need for a reward, it was our pleasure to help out such a fine little filly." Lieutenant Damper Song gave a little smirk. "Yes well, we'll take custody of Silver Sight, and you can be on your way, I am sure your eager to return back to your home." Country seemed a little taken aback at the abrupt dismissal. "Cabbage, we'll be leaving Silver Sight with these fine Guards. Go ahead and say your farewells." Cabbage Patch lifted her down from the wagon, and gave her a big hug. Again Silver Sight felt a warmth in her. "You stay good now, you hear? No more getting lost, and come by anytime, our home will always welcome you." Country ruffled her forelock. "That's right, stop by anytime." Silver Sight watched as Country and Cabbage, journeyed back the way they came. She wished she could stay with them, now what was she going to do? These guards were going to take her back to the princess, she was sure to want to know why she had run away. She was going to haft to come up with a good story to tell her. Lieutenant Damper Song nudged her, she turned and followed him back to the others that were waiting. "You know your lucky, you know that?" He asked her. Silver Sight wasn't feeling very enthused. "Why is that?" "Because, your going to meet the Princess. But there is somepony else, who is really wanting to see you, you know who that is?" Silver Sight was confused, who would want to see her? "Fire Step?" She said the only name that made sense. Damper Song grinned and shook his head. "Oh no, not him. The one who is most eager for your return is Doctor Piece Meal." Silver Sight stopped dead, her heart suddenly fluttering in her chest. That name! Alarmed she looked around at the guards. All of them were looking at her and all of them were smiling at her, and it wasn't a nice kind of smile. A single thought shouted in her head. Changelings!