Answering the call

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Perspective. It is an almost magical term that can turn villains to heroes, and heroes to villains. At the Canterlot Wedding the "Evil" known as Changelings was repelled and the ponies had the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson - a lesson about how love conquers all.

"Oh yes... love does conquer all. Emotions are magic, emotions... are... power!" thought Chrysalis as she traversed the Everfree forest walking through the trees amidst the silence of the forest. Even here she could see... she could see the power around her, the light streams of emotions flowing in the air, dancing like the forest did in a constant cycle. Nothing could stop her from seeing what was ahead... not the darkness of Luna's Night, nor the blinding light of Celestia's Day that seemed to be fighting for dominance at this hour.

Emotions and the energy connected to them was something the changelings wanted, that much was known to the ponies. Of course that is simply a fragment of what emotions are... The ponies, though possessing great prowess in magic, had only scratched the surface of the knowledge pertaining to emotions that the changelings possessed. With that thought in mind Chrysalis smirked... though the ponies acted like the dominant race of Equestria, she mused silently, they were still amateurs in some sectors. Emotions are magic...

Harvesting emotions is something that can bolster someone's magic immensely... if they know how to use it, of course. Queen Chrysalis was aware... she was aware that victories the changelings achieved were largely due to the en-masse engorgement to the ley-lines created by the flow of emotions. Emotions flowing in the sky like rivers, like wells of magical energy. Those ponies... hippies? Or hipsters? Whatever... they had it right. "Go with the flow" didn't they say? You follow the river... and it leads you to the source, or the pony, or whatever species that would be.

After the failed invasion of Canterlot, Queen Chrysalis had temporarily settled in the Everfree Forest. The Forest bore few surprises she wasn't accustomed to: Hydras, Manticores - even Serpents - Nothing she, or her changelings couldn't handle if they tried. However, things don't always remain stable, and so it was upon this day that she felt it.

It was like a magnet drawing her to the southern part of the forest where the mountains were harboring the lairs of the few dragons that chose to dwell within this forsaken forest. It's intensity was increasing... and soon she feared that the curiosity of other changelings would lead them there. Great sources of magic often mean great sources of emotion... for one cannot exist without the other. She had to investigate... the danger of some-ling encountering such a force could ripple to the rest of her subjects.

No... no matter what she couldn't allow this power to be left unchecked. If it was something she could take care of she would integrate it into her own body, and use it for the good of her people-and the bane of her enemies. If she couldn't, she would conceal it until she could control it, and if she couldn't she would share it with other changelings, and if that didn't work either then... she would destroy it. If the changelings couldn't tame such a source it would be madness for her to leave it just like that for someone else to take it, but first... she had to know what it was. Of course she wasn't alone in this...

Emotions are Magic, and Magic is unique to each species, and each member of each species. Each species finds a different way to use their body to manipulate the arcane energies around them, and each individual has its' own preference. To the Queen's eyes it is like the genetic code of a being... complex and intricate but only if you look close enough. If you see the signs, the trails left behind then you could know the one you are looking for. Much like rangers track their prey within the forest Chrysalis could see the trails of her companions around her.

The aura of one of them was caught momentarily in the corner of her eye. Like a crime-scene inspector Chrysalis had learned to recognize the signs that made each aura different than the rest. She caught the changeling's scent as it's trail entered her nostrils where her brain scrambled the information like a complex electronic machine. From the hormones she knew it was male, a quite passionate one figuring he didn't go to any lengths to hide it. The heat that she felt coming from it showed he was hot blooded, strong... and as flickering shadows gave in she saw the changeling who landed from the trees around in front of her.

His midnight-blue eyes gleamed for a moment in the setting sun as he bowed before his Queen, there it was like always the blaze that she knew that which showed loyalty. Chrysalis stopped as she allowed him a moment to deal with the formalities. The changeling bowed gently closing his eyes for a moment. As he bent his body forward the pitch-black darkness of his short-cut mane barely touched his ears or forehead. His scales a mix of silver and blue seemed to bear the scars of many fights. Some of which the Queen recognized herself...

"At ease Mortain... this is no formal gathering..." Chrysalis said finally motioning him to stand at ease. However the changeling did not budge.

"It's my duty to protect you... you know this..." he responded raising his one hoof towards his heart. "It's the post you appointed me as Captain of the Royal Guard all those years ago. Don't tell me you have forgotten?"

There was however no time to respond another three changelings came from behind with great speed. Chrysalis could discern three kinds of steps, a slight wind coming her way...

The first changeling that came had a curly grey-silver mane weirdly tied behind his neck. A small blackened part at the end of it, together with a slight burning smell revealed that fire had found it's way upon the changeling's mane.

Chrysalis sighed shaking her head a bit as she placed a hoof at her head.

"Nousios... my Lore master... one day you're going to burn the forest with your fires, I am sure." She might have seemed disappointed but inwardly she was smiling. Nousios might have been meddling around, but as the saying went...

"Well... no pain no gain right? I mean can't I have a little fun? There's always something you can do with fire and magic! Not enough time! Countless possibilities, more explosions, more explosions, MORE EXPLOSIONS!!!" His protruding violet eyes scanned his surroundings, scrutinizing the smallest thing for whatever interesting information it might bear. In his round pearl-like eyes Chrysalis saw the happy-go-lucky attitude that her lore master had. What he was looking for right now she didn't know... Only that he was having fun, that much was apparent by his wide smile. She couldn't help but chuckle a bit, the way Nousios liked explosions was at least... entertaining.

Mortain on the other hand face hoofed a bit shaking his head in comical disapproval. He wished that everything took their work a bit more seriously... "This isn't a playground Nousios... be careful." he said, sounding more than a little bit worried.

Chrysalis heard yet another changeling speaking from the triad that was coming towards her and Mortain. "Truth be told though risky, his experiments have never gotten out of hoof."

Standing firmly behind Nousios were two changelings. The one who had spoken was a muscular changeling with scarlet eyes and short spiky hair. He had coal black scales and his size reveals that he is of male identity. What he said was true... though a troublemaker Nousios was a useful one, at least he wouldn't have gained his position if he wasn't effective in it. Everyone that ascended in those positions had to be effective and strong both in mind and soul.

"Thanks Pineapple Face... I knew you'd understand!" said Nousios in response bumping him with his front hoof lightly in an approving manner. The recipient did not give him the same response however, instead he sighed mildly.

"My name is Jonaleth, Commander General of the Changeling military... call me Jon - but please..." he was abruptly interrupted by Chrysalis, who raised a hoof, commanding with a simple gesture that this petty confrontation stop. Jonaleth was insistent on speaking true every time. So much that sometimes he couldn't escape this seriousness of his... However when he assured them that the safety of their camp was not threatened, they all seemed to believe it. Someone who can speak the truth... and convince you about it with the fewest words. She smiled a bit as she spoke.

"Easy now Jon... tell me... how goes the influence of this force over the military?"

"They've had minor headaches at best... not the kind of influence we've been experiencing." The Queen nodded in response and proceeded to take a look at the last changeling

"Alianna, what about you? Has it disrupted any of the processes in the hatcheries?"

The last changeling remained carefully hidden behind the rest. A sleek figure with a mane as golden as the sun carefully waited, not making a sound. As soon as her name was called she looked at the Queen with her head facing slightly downwards and to the left. As soon as the dim light of the setting sun doused her face Chrysalis showed her eyes. Emerald green, like the titular gems they had a different kind of spark... Unlike the others she didn't seem serious, funny, or devoted. Her beige scales seemed dirty... stains from dirt, blood, and something she couldn't discern well. She certainly seemed beautiful, despite it being clear that she wasn't taking much care of herself. She pushed her mane aside letting it flow just a bit in the forest wind and spoke with a soft but clear voice.

"No... But, I am more worried about some other things, so I might have missed this. I can at least say none of the hatchlings experience any abnormalities due to it. Thank the maker..."

She let out a minor sigh of relief as she closed her eyes for a bit. Chrysalis felt that they had wasted enough time on pleasantries and idle chatter, Alianna too seemed to share the thought for action... she as well as Mortain were looking left and right suspiciously, cautiously scanning their surroundings. If that wasn't enough Nousios seemed ready to figuratively explode if he stood one more second at the same point. Patiently awaiting was Jonaleth who didn't seem agitated at all... he was at least doing a good job to stay still, to show no tremble, to keep calm... but he was certainly eager and curious to see the reason behind this beckoning within the Everfree.

"Let's go..." she says simply and motions them to follow as she turns around. As she trots carefully into the forest she notices that the closer she comes to pinpointing the source of this energy, the greater the silence of the forest becomes. Perhaps the beasts of the Everfree shunned this magical power. It wasn't not be rare for them to stay away from arcane sources of energy, but this just showed that whatever was causing this was likely not natural which meant... someone was behind this.

This was no coincidence... someone knew of their presence in this general area... someone wanted them to find this. Was it going to be an ambush? Was it going to be a greeting? Or a gift? Confrontation seemed unavoidable for Chrysalis. For now however she was bound to have a different kind of encounter. The light fall of a leaf was enough for Chrysalis to rattle her instincts... The wind shifts, and from atop the trees comes a panther. Her eyes glow green momentarily enough to dissolve any suspicion that this beast is not a changeling. Within a few moments of smoldering green flames the skin gives away and the form dissolves revealing a thin changeling female by the looks of her smaller body structure. Below her short mane a pair a brown eyes close for a moment as she put her hoof in her chest as part of a salutation and also a chance to grab a breath. On her she bears a small belt with orbs swirling with grey gas and a some small scrolls and knives. Most of them seem to be rather small pointing that they are used for utility rather than combat. She bears only a crown shaped emblem like a necklace amongst them that Chrysalis recognizes. It was the symbol of the official representative of the changeling crown... an ambassador of sorts, though all changelings bore a side in their professions that was likely darker than most would think.

The changeling is the first to grab the chance and speak to the group.

"My Queen, I think i have found the place we are looking for. There appears to be a physically blocked entrance at the side of the mountain. From what i gather there is a cave beneath the entrance that requires some sort of password. As far as i can tell there is no other entrance and fortunately there seems to be none guarding it." Chrysalis comforts her in response by smiling approvingly and nodding.

"At ease Natasha walk with us and we will face any danger together. Show us the path." Respectfully Natasha joins the rest in the formation. Her steps are swift, light and generally silent. The silence of the forest seems to have caught up with everyone's minds... they all seemed to be in constant vigilance. Natasha conjures a small orb of light to clear any darkness looming ahead. Though the wildlife seems silent, one can never be too safe when facing the denizens of the night.

Soon the trees start dispersing giving in to a small clearing near a cliff side. It would all be normal but instead Chrysalis found herself staring at a pitch black rock formation pulsating lightly with runes all over it. Caricatures to some, catalysts of power to others, or simply another language... runes had seen many uses through the eons. It was not unusual for words to be used to seal magic... power was not always drawn from the ley-lines. Sources of magic consisted of many things... magical ore, arcane creatures, or big objects - even planets... If one had the body to withstand the flow of the arcane energies one could attune themselves with the sun even. Few had tried though, and even fewer had lived to tell the tale. In this case the magician likely had conjured up magic that would respond to a specific race... the changelings.

Nousios didn't wait to take orders... a short breath of wind passed through Chrysalis' ear as he dashed towards the wall.

"Runes! piece of cake!" he said as he giggles, the Lore master's quick mind recognizes the language. He turns towards Chrysalis and the rest and notices their eyes focused on him eagerly awaiting his response. "It mentions here that ‘Only the master of change may pass’ Perhaps it means us changelings? Or..." he noticed Chrysalis raising her hoof, her eyes gleamed for a moment with a sudden realization of the hidden meaning behind the words and so he stopped.

"Stop and stand back please Nousios. I think i know what must be done." says Queen Chrysalis as Nousios takes his previous place. When she heard Nousios' explanation it somehow "clicked" her, she knew exactly what had to be done. She walked with confidence in front of the arc and stretched her wings, standing tall in front of the strange arc speaking with her majestic voice echoing in the dark void of the forest. "My name is Chrysalis, and I am Queen of the Changelings, Master Illusionist and Shape shifter! I command you to grant me entrance!"

The rocks sealing the way move aside in triangle shapes and an entrance forms as Chrysalis eyes narrow in suspicion of what was to come "Be ready, for I don't know what we are going to find inside." The group walks inside with Mortain in the front standing tall next to Jonaleth, both vigilant to any potential danger. Following them in the back Nousios' and Alianna's horns glow ready to use their magic while Natasha watches their flank, ready to alert the rest in case of ambush. When all of them get inside, the entrance behind them closes, and in its place now lies a wall fully integrated with the surrounding rock.

Before anyone is willing to react a bright light shines like a sun descending in the middle of the room they just entered. A holy aura surrounds the newcomer that comes out of the light. Its characteristics are all perfect and flawless. Taking a closer look they see a duck egg blue Pegasus mare in an otherworldly glow with bright brown-golden wings like an angel and golden hair. She bears a cutie mark that depicts a silver sword subtly pulsing with magic. Everyone is stunned by the beauty of the angelic Pegasus that appeared before them and until it touched the ground you could almost grasp the feeling of surprise in your hands. The angel looks upon them and approaching the Queen she speaks

"Hello changeling, i greet you. You who are of royal blood... i have been expecting you for quite some time." her voice was calm faintly echoing in the room.

"Expecting me? Who exactly are you?" She narrowed her eyes while inspecting the radiating beauty of the Pegasus that almost blinded her in a sense.

"My name is Losar, i have existed since the beginning of time, since the first prophecy, was made. I am here to guide by whatever method possible." said the Pegasus, ignoring the curious looks of the changelings completely focused on the Queen.

"Guide me? What do you mean? Guide me in what exactly?" The more the Pegasus spoke, the more questions she raised, and although she was curious as to where she came from, Chrysalis somehow knew that she had limited time before the mare would simply leave. This felt like manipulation in a way... but she was curious as surely the rest of the changelings accompanying her were. At least their silence and patience showed as much... perhaps they considered this conversation far too important to interrupt right now. Besides... Chrysalis was looking for the same answers as them... and surely those would come in time.

"I mean that you are just not ready for the possibilities that await you, the paths and different destinies that await your people and you. But i can't do things for you, i can only aid you in understanding your path." Her words ringed like an imminent warning.

"Where are we... it was your magic that called us here wasn't it? What is this place?" Chrysalis decided that she would take advantage of this situation and started asking as many question as she could. She was suspicious of the Pegasus... but she didn't dare ask questions that would offend her... she knew that this Pegasus was surely not a common one, and she was never a fool to mess with an enemy she hardly even knew.

"This? Its a place for testing the soul. Only changelings can see it and it exists only for you.You have been led here, by your subconscious and your will find a path for the changelings in this world, to this place. The first step towards your destiny has been taken:you desire the opportunity to make a great change, and for that the future is open to you. In this place there are 5 rooms each with a different test of your abilities, your mind and fears. I cannot say anything more.. YOU will have to find out for yourself. The first test is already open to you and the rest will also open in time. Until we meet again... hold your head high and know that you are not alone."

As the angelic form disappeared the room was brightened up with a white light sphere created by Nousios. Everyone can see a large round room with 5 different doors and the arch behind them not existing. All 5 rooms are sealed with a magic chrome lock except the one to the northeast. Not knowing what else to do, Chrysalis thinks she has more chances with the test than aimlessly trying to escape.

"Perhaps if we pass the first test we shall find our way home." says Chrysalis after some time of silent thinking

"We are right behind you, my Queen" answers Mortain and the rest nod.

"Onwards, then." she said, and once again they all walk, this time heading towards their first test.

The Test of Retribution

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A strange room appeared in the middle of nowhere and with powerfully magic to test one's soul? And none suspected its existance there? Something didn't seem right for Chrysalis. She didn't like surprises that much was clear as her eyes widened and her eyes were perked on high alert. She had the eery feeling that around every corner there could be someone expecting her, wanting to ambush her and the rest that had followed her.

"How on Equestria has none noticed such a place? You'd think that with such magic radiating from its center that it would attract some attention... Even though none would see it, they would at least be able to sense its magic, such things can't be hidden easily from skilled sorcerers." In response a carefree laugh came from behind her. When she turned around to locate the source of random joy, well at least for her standards, she only saw Nousios laughing while looking up seemingly distracted. She looked at him with eyebrows tilted upwards in curiosity.

"Huh? Sorry if i don't get the joke... " she apologized sarcastically and Nousios continued to laugh as he pointed up with his hoof and said

"Sorry my Queen but i don't think we are on Equestria anymore just look at the sky! Technically since we supposedly entered a cave i should say ceiling but... just look and you'll see!"

It was as he said... looking up they all noticed that the walls surrounding them didn't converge forming the ceiling of the cave as they expected. For the first time since entering they felt silent chilling wind blowing at them they saw a darkness stretching to every corner of the "sky", devoid of stars or other form of light or life for that matter. As they gazed upon the abyssal "sky" they all knew one thing:This wasn't Equestria. But when you gaze into the abyss it gazes back into you. The nothingness of the "sky" promised them happiness of a quick death, its macabre silence offered them sweet oblivion hypnotizing them within its gaze and all but Nousios were affected. His carefree voice snapped them back to reality.

"Oh we are SO lucky to be in one of the planes amongst the Void arent we?" said Nousios giggling happily. Void... only hearing that word seemed to induce different thoughts and feelings to each of them. A frightful gasp was heard as Alianna was the first to react holding her hoof in her mouth often stuttering while speaking.

"But there could be monsters here! Demons, ghosts, and... and... Who knows what we might face!" her reaction was met with a murmuring sigh of disappointment by Mortain.

"Oh grow up already Alianna! We've faced many of their kind before! I don't see how they will be a problem to us now!" In reaction to his stubbornly fearless claim Jonaleth looked at him as his mouth formed a sarcastic grin.

"Oh the irony... If i recall correctly it was YOU who took that silly bet with Safana when you claimed you could survive into a Hydra's lair alive for a week with the Hydra still inside! You shouldn't lie about your fears even if you don't let them affect you, that's not bravery or loyalty... its recklessness." his words echoed through Mortain's mind as Jonaleth scolded him seriously. Safana sighed as she continued the story

"Well i didn't mind giving him that ruby i wagered! Though i wouldn't get noticed right away like you." she said snorting ironically.

"What would be challenging in that?" said Mortain but before anyone had time to continue Queen Chrysalis interrupted them with a small hint of annoyance stopping what she thought a meaningless conversation

"Don't you think its time we stopped fooling around a little and got back to reality? We will respond to the challenge i am sure just... just keep your eyes and ears alert."

She then proceeded to the edges of the room looking for something. Her horn glowed as she passed dripping some green magical essence upon them, combined with a spark the liquid upon the rocks lit with an enchanted green flame that shone clearly the path around them.They crossed the only entrance that wasn't sealed. The rest had ever shifting-chrome walls made out of magic that were hampering their efforts to even approach them. As they walked inside everyone wondered what kind of tests these rooms held. A wave of heat catches them unaware as they see spiraling formations of rocks pulsing with a fire-red glow and three gateways with darkness so thick that no light could breach. While they were inspecting their surroundings the air shifted in the center of the room as shillouette formed out of the very shadows of the room, but before they had time to realize what or how this happened the shillouette became clearer revealing a female changeling standing tall in front of them. She bears the crown of the changelings standing on her curly blue bleached mane draping over her obsidian scales, her cat shaped velvet eyes and her proud stance confirm her royal background. She slowly turns to Queen Chrysalis noticing the similar crown on her and speaks

"I am Amalthea one of the Queens of the changelings." she says as Chrysalis gives her a piercing gaze, she didn't like one bit that she was seeing one of the dead. The auras and emotions of the dead Queen were unreadable, not knowing what her intentions were was at least unsettling for Chrysalis. She needed to be in control, and right now she was out of her element.

Dorothea's quick eye caught wind of her expression and through intuition guessed her thoughts "Oh but you needn't worry about me... i am dead. But you are one of us aren't you? You are a Queen. You feel the power of love that the nations of this planet hold, as i did when i ruled. I was a Queen that strived to conquer a land big enough for the changelings to feed and live. It was easy at first, cities and villages alike fell one by one from within thanks to our best infiltrators. Bringing false sense of security into their minds my changelings started taking them down with silent blows. However the more i conquered the more attention was brought to me, infiltrating the enemy became harder and harder. The resistance might have been frail at first but as the time passed more and more rose up against us united in numbers and resolve, their forces increased in strength and efficiency. Before i was able to finish them off i was defeated in battle... stricken down by their furious judgment. It seems that the only thing you have to be afraid of when ambition takes over is... Retribution."

As soon as Dorothea stopped talking her form dissolved into thin air. From the gateways surrounding them the darkness stirs. Like within a bad dream evil shadows take shape into monsters and Queen Chrysalis grabs the short moment to warn her comrades

"Step away from those gateways! Whatever comes from there cant be friendly..."

Out of the blackness of the gateways emerged the forms of the wood-based canines all of them had heard so much about... the Timber Wolves. There was something peculiar about them though, their eyes were gleaming like blood stained orbs with unnatural fury and an aura of negative emotions like anger, spite, and hate radiated from their bodies.

A fleeting image of black hair dashed in front of Chrysalis as Mortain charged head-on, meanwhile with elegant, silent steps Natasha quickly places herself in the shadows. They each pick a target and with swift blows two of the wolves lay down on the floor their bodies dissolving into black ichor. Flying over her Jonaleth dives from above and stomps down a wolf, but instead of being knocked down the wolf crumbles down to ichor. Chrysalis' and Nousios' horns glowed as both of them launched jets of flames and magic that stormed the battlefield striking down more of their adversaries. While the battle continues Alianna rushes to aid her friends engulfing whatever wounds they have in a green glow as the blood draws itself back to their wounds. Nothing seems to interrupt the flow of the battle, but as more time passed even greater beasts appeared... soon blood-thirsty Minotaurs joined the fray and after them enraged Manticores. But the 6 of them didn't falter and used the wits and skills to overwhelm them.

For a moment the battle settled down and this gave them a moment of rest, but suddenly the ichor from the beasts animates and crawls like snakes to the center of the room. Spiraling into the empty space in the middle it takes shape:with smoking jet black feathers, ashen eyes and spiky claws the presence of a giant dark-purple phoenix manifests among them. The heat of the phoenix's black raging flames scattered the them around and his burning skin prevented them from focusing the beast down. To make things worse magic bounced off his skin. They needed to look for alternatives.

"Its no point trying conventional means! We have to restrict it somehow or we wont make it out alive!" says Alianna as she frantically channeled healing magic in green glowing tendrils trying to keep everyone's wounds in check. Queen Chrysalis eyes widen for a moment as an idea comes in mind

"That's it! Restriction! Nousios do you understand what this means?"

Like a comedic light bulb the same shine that was on her Queen's face lit up his. ""Of course! Unfortunately this spell is far too funny to do all by yourself my Queen. I will have to aid you in casting it."

"Jonaleth, Mortain, Natasha! you heard the plan! now keep that phoenix distracted!" and they nodded as Alianna stands in the back dodging flames and claws trying to keep them alive with her magic. It is a difficult task that is easier said than done but successful regardless. However... they seem to drive the phoenix into a berserking rage and he starts flapping swiftly its wings and claws hitting left and right with reckless blows! With a sharp pain on her back Natasha lies knocked down on the wall with Mortain and Jonaleth too far to help. The phoenix lies over her preparing his fiery breath but suddenly he stops as magical bars appear in cross shapes around him converting into a huge cage-sphere that tightens and forces him helpless upon the ground.

"You.. you did it my Queen! Thank you i thought i was about to be burned alive!" says Natasha as she gasps for breath

"None dies this day my dear and I will not abandon ANY of you." responds Queen Chrysalis gently giving her hoof to Natasha so she can stand up. A towering stream of murky smoke parting from the phoenix shift their attention once more, they notice that the phoenix shirks in size and livens up once again with sunset colored wings. A mourning chirp comes out of his mouth as Alianna softly bows before it gently placing the dying bird in her embrace. A sorrowful silence overwhelms them as they watch tears roll down Alianna's cheek, the bird gives her a last loving look before dispersing its essence flowing to Alianna's body.

"Incredible... the phoenix has willingly given you its essence. You can transform into the greatest symbol of rebirth, you should be honored!" says Nousios as he stood his jaw dropped in reaction to what he had seen.

While they try to settle down and think of the next step the dead Queen Dorothea re-emerges before them. "So... you survived the Retribution. But then again you are lot more capable Queen than i was. Strangest thing though, the more you fight, the more the forces of Retribution hunt you like restless beasts. There is never an end to Retribution... or is there?"

Leaving them with that enigmatic question her form disperses before any other word can be said. But it inst only her form that disappears. The room itself seems to be shifting before their eyes and slowly the streams of lava disappear, the black gateways closing with them. Out of nowhere strange compasses emerge and the ground changes into a map of what seems to be part of Equestria. "Journey" is the word that comes in Chrysalis' mind when she looks at the changed floor. Her eyes gleam at the though of their home and the hidden message behind the change in the room becomes apparent to her.

-"Gather around me my faithful i think i can get us back to our home. Stay close to me i am about to attempt it" and with that 5 hooves touch her back as each of her friends gives her a warm smile. She closes her eyes and concentrates her thoughts back to the their home and althought she doesn't really know what will happen she takes a deep breath trusting in her ability. Silver light spikes cover the 6 of them soon engulfing them in their glow. When they all open their eyes they are back amongst the suprised changelings of the hive and Chrysalis congratulates them giving each a wide smile her heart soaring with pride for her friends as she speaks

"You all performed exquisitely today my faithful but now it is time to rest until tomorrow comes. We have a lot to do" Chrysalis starts walking away looking tired yet her face spoke of her happiness. Just as she walks away Mortain's voice stops her for a moment

"We wont leave you alone no matter how many come after us!"

"We know the truth and that grants us justice!" continues Jonaleth

"We are prepared to even give our lives for you!" followed Natasha

"We wont be stopped by a couple of funny-looking demons!" says Nousios with his eternal smile shining upon him. Lastly Chrysalis hears Alianna's voice clear as the wind bearing a strange strength that she mustered within that moment

"No matter how great the retribution we will not abandon our Queen in fear of the future. We shall fight beside you no matter what forces we might face. Now go my Queen you need rest and time to think, we shall leave you to your thoughts". And as Queen Chrysalis was walking she turns back smilling to all of them within her tears. She always felt connected with the 5 of them but it was in moments like this while looking into their eyes that their bond was more visible than ever. She was proud to have them close and she wanted them to hear it

"I am grateful to have such devoted friends. You are all like family. You truly are the exemplars of our kind. Rest now... rest your mind in my heart..." and she withdrew to her quarters leaving them to return to their duties.

Tomorrow would bring another day... brighter and better. But nothing could go forth if she didn't account for her past actions. She had to explain herself, that she knew all too well and it would happen on her own terms unchained by old rivalries. With those thoughts she went to sleep. The next day... would bring the first great change to her. THAT she promised herself.

All pride lost

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The sun was peeking out sheepishly from the eastern mountains signaling the coming the dawn. The gentle rays of the sun fell upon Chrysalis' face, warming her as she looked towards the glorious sunrise. The darkness of the night slowly faded away, and the light of the day revealed dark circles under her eyes, signs that her sleep has been minimal the last few nights. She was troubled, her mind overflowing with thoughts. Even when she did manage to sleep, she often woke up from nightmares. Nightmares that had been haunting her ever since her failure in Canterlot.

"It’s all my fault..." She thought to herself.

The rise of the sun did nothing to dispel the nightmare’s effects. As the sun rose high in the sky, the light rained back upon her as did her guilt. Her mind wandered, bringing back the memories she wanted so much to forget: The changelings forcefully expelled from Canterlot by the immense power of Shining Armor and Princess Cadance's spell, the futile struggle of her changelings flying in the opposite direction to withstand the force that blew them away. Some of the changelings weren’t so lucky: their hearts gave out, their carapaces crushed. The force of the spell was great, some even launched through walls before exiting the borders of Canterlot. Their bodies fell into the Everfree Forest, the Badlands and beyond, colliding against trees, rocks and water. The ones who survived began to recover, looking around at their comrades, their friends, their family. She heard them all clearly: the cries of despair echoing through the land, farther than the ponies could hear.

She tried to avoid it but everywhere she looked there was the same image of disarray, her eyes could not escape it. Her own cries echoed through the forests, the birds shunning and flying away at the terrifying echo of her voice across the land. After remembering the nightmare, the rest of the memories flowed into her mind. One memory led into the next.

He was... no... she blocked those memories from coming. Her mind cringed as her mind flashed in the pain that the oncoming memory caused when she tried to block it. That pain however was something she could bear for the remembrance of their fall would surely crack her spirit and that was something she didn't have time to face right now...

The wounds on her body and in her mind were fresh, but she had an even larger problem on her hole-filled hooves: their supply of love was nearing zero. She had to find another way to take care of her subjects, to satisfy them. While the vast amounts of stolen love from Shining Armor still lingered, it wouldn’t be enough to take care of her people for long. Another way had to be found. In the end, while desperately searching for a more subtle way of drawing love, the Changelings settled on drawing from other creatures. Chrysalis decided that they would travel from forest to forests during the winter, feeding upon hibernating animals. They had to be careful to leave before each Winter Wrap-Up, dodging the ponies and not killing the hibernating animals lest attention be drawn to them. All of these risks, just because she let her ambitions take over when she felt the vast, undeniable, unchallenged power of love. Once more did fate strike her down…

She remembered how the emergency of their situation ringed on her head like an alarm. The pressure on her mind was so immense.. she had to do something! Being the voice of her people, their guidance, their leader, their candle in the dark... she had to ACT. It was her own shame that was hunting her now, for it was her actions that led them astray. She had disappointed them... She claimed the power of love by force, ignoring what she already knew about the power of true love and it's magic. In one reckless move, she nearly doomed the Changeling race to fade away into oblivion.

Standing on the footsteps of the Everfree forest mountains on the outskirts of their camps, while looking towards the rising sun and contemplating, she heard the familiar calm and hoof steps... She knew them, she recognized them just like a fingerprint, she cared about her changelings afterall enough to pay attention to the details, so she wasn't surprised at all when she was greeted by the figure of a male changeling with a short-cut pitch black mane and scales that had a color mix of silver and blue.

Mortain approached her carefully not to startle her. Seeing as she was barely sleeping since the attack on Canterlot he was worried. It was true the attack had taken its toll upon them but Chrysalis felt like she was bearing this burden alone, and he wanted to show her that wasn’t true.

"Having trouble sleeping my Queen?" he said carefully weighing his words working his way into learning about her thoughts.

"I thought I told you to forget the formalities when we're away from common sight. Either way I am not wearing my crown right now." said Chrysalis slightly annoyed, she hated bearing a tittle that carried no weight: she didn’t have a palace and throne to sit upon but it was after her latest failure and the following nightmares that she didn’t even want to bear that tittle.

As he walked towards her he noticed that she indeed wasn’t wearing her usual crown upon her mane, but he also noticed how evasive her response was. "I know that... yet you haven’t answered my question." he said as he changed his approach insistent on forcing her out her "scales".

"Why are you asking a Question to which you already know the answer to Mortain? Like if it’s the first time I’ve had these nightmares plaguing me." said Chrysalis letting her mane fall in front of her eyes hiding her face, but more importantly hiding her own face from her dear friend. She knew he cared and didn’t want her friend to see her sleepless eyes or the tears that had rolled down her face, however even a deceiver like her couldn’t fool one of the few changelings that knew her for a very long time.

"I know Chrysalis I know... I was there remember? The memories you call nightmares... we experienced them all together. I too was watching the devastation with my own eyes, I understand why you would blame yourself, and I can even understand why you would want to stay away from us a little. What I don’t understand however is why you have to keep beating yourself about it! Why..." He stomped his hoof down with a sense of frustration clearly tired of this situation wanting to snap her out from the grief that he knew she was in.

"He... i fai-" her response was cut short from Mortain who already knew the answer; tired of hearing it once again he stopped her and spoke once again.

"So?! Do you think "He" is going to be happy with you giving up? Try again! Lift yourself up, walk towards the future and seize it! Nothing is given freely, you either take it or you earn it! Why after a whole month can’t you muster the strength like Nousios, Alianna and the rest did and start thinking of the future and forgive yourself! We did what we had to; we shouldn’t feel sorry about it! Each of us has taken the first step... why do you insist on being left behind?"

His words were ringing inside her mind like a loud alarm clock's ticks, she knew what he said was more than right. It was time to move on and she had to do something, yet every time these nightmares returned she felt like falling into a bottomless pit. She swore herself that things would change after hearing Drothea's warnings about the fury of retribution. She steadily stood up and wiped her tears clean.

Mortain watched as his Queen and friend took once again stood up and steeled herself locking a gaze forward in the sky with the determination that promised that there were great things to come, but he also noticed how she looked like searching through it, like if it hid a strange treasure or a message to come. She was clearly expecting something as she scouted the sky, and that piqued his interest so he asked calmly.

"Are you... looking for something?"

"My dreams aren’t the only thing that keeps me awake lately Mortain. Although I do admit my friend that they've been pushing me away from you all, I needed time to think about something else. You haven’t forgotten that our attack upon Canterlot may very well be considered an act of war?" she asked with a serious tone and Mortain lowered his head focused in his thoughts. What she said was true... they didn’t act kindly upon their race, but worse than having an enmity with them was the fact they were not exposed. Now the ponies of Canterlot knew who they are and what they were capable of. Infiltrating them or approaching them even would become harder if not impossible.

"That's a given. I know... we are a known enemy to them now. We always relied on the fact that we were an unknown factor and now that we are out in the light it might be impossible to hide once again. While I am not afraid of fighting them I fear that as Jonaleth would say "We are all but ready to defend our camps from..." Chrysalis interrupted him before he could complete his sentence.

"War might not be necessary..." she interrupted him "There might be another way, one that we never even considered before."

"And that is?" said Mortain tilting his eyebrows up wrinkling his forehead in interest

"Well how about a peace of sorts? They don’t have to like us right now but a truce might give us time and space to be able to figure out our next move. I have to consider this option... i have to be open minded don't i? Even if it doesn't work it will just prove what is already thought by every changeling... That we can't live with other creatures."

In response to her words she heard a grunting of disbelief at the thought that peace could be achieved. “I don’t think their fear would let them think clearly enough. Panicked as they are right now they would only think of killing us outright. It would not surprise me if they thought we were some sort of demon spawn from hell or some kind of corrupted insects. They wouldn't be too far from the truth... but still..."

"Perhaps..." Right at that time she spotted what seemed to be a bright orange dot in the sun slowly approaching their location. "We shall know soon, very soon." Slowly and steadily the form a regal bird came fast approaching from the sky above, it was the size of an eagle with crimson and orange feathers leaving a slight trail of flames behind it. As the phoenix got even closer they both saw that on its back a small cylinder on its back and small crest like a necklace depicting two alicorns flying in what seemed to be a circle with the sun and the moon in the center.

"There is only one phoenix that I know that bears this crest... Philomena." suddenly he understood what this was all about. Why Chrysalis was talking to him about the war, why she asked him if peace was plausible and why she was scouting the sky with such impatience clearly expecting someone... or a message from a certain someone. "Did you send a letter to Princess Celestia? I am... surprised." he said clearly lacking the words to describe the astonishment on his face right now, his eyes shifting from the phoenix that was landing right now and Chrysalis. She approached Philomena chuckling at her friend's expression.

"You should see the look on your face... priceless! But you should be careful, we don’t want you swallowing any flies now do we?" and so it was that Mortain snapped out of his shock while she opened the case upon Philomena's bag revealing a sealed letter but nothing could prepare him for what he saw next. Sliding through the case was a small crown with several sharp-points extending tipped with five small teal orbs that shone for a moment as the sunlight fell upon them, the crown of the changeling Queen floated encompassed within a lively green glow of magic as she placed it upon her head. Upon touching her head it remained there bound once again with magic to its wearer, Chrysalis' face lit up with the smile as she sighed in relief, and then she lifted her eyes towards the sun picturing with her mind within its rays the face of the Princess of the Sun, Celestia. "Thank you... for at least giving me a chance."

Mortain was just standing there like a pillar of salt, lost within his own thoughts, as Chrysalis carefully opened the letter and started reading it in silence. Sending a letter to the Princesses was one thing, which considering the fact that they had all but officially declared war upon Equestria he thought somewhat improbable, but sending such an artifact as the changeling crown to the Princesses? As Chrysalis finishing reading her letter, one thing was for certain in his mind his Queen AND friend... had lost her pride.

Whilst still looking at the letter she turned it the other way and within a flash of green light she summoned a quill with ink and took an extra piece of paper that was in the letter. She started writing her response as she spoke "Gather Nousios, Alianna and the rest... we're going to Canterlot." but no sound was heard in response, turning her head she saw her friend standing still like frozen in place silently thinking distracted by what he had seen staring blankly ahead. She whistled waving her hoof in front of his face "Helloooooo... Equestria to Mortain? Are you in there?" He slowly turned his head towards her in response “Did you hear me? I said gather the other four we're going to Canterlot!”
"Canterlot? Are you sure?" he said with a questioning look, his left eyebrow tilted upwards in disbelief, clearly thinking this was some kind of joke.
"Yes Mortain now get going! We have a lot of work to do!" came the answer from her mouth as she sighed holding her head with her hoof for a moment in a sense of frustration.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Previous Night

It had been over a month since the changelings invaded Canterlot, and although the fear of them ever returning was still lingering in the minds of the inhabitants of Equestria's capital, none really cared enough to think where they went, why they hadn’t come back, they all seeked to forget what happened, to sink into the delusion that this terrifying force that came upon their homes never even came, and the fact that whatever damage done to their homes repaired or the corpses of the changelings mysteriously decaying in extremely fast rates served only to feed their denial. The wise and the old however know better... looking at the blanket of stars that gently covered the night sky, standing on the balcony of the upper towers of her palace is Princess Luna.

For most ponies it would be normal to see the Princess of the Night staying awake so late. But the way she was looking at her stars as she checked each flicker, each glow and shine, as if looking for an answer, was all but normal. It seemed to be a night like every other until a few moments ago... she rose her moon on the sky and decorated the sky with her stars, everything she was born to do; nothing however had prepared her for the letter she had received. She was landing on the balcony of the highest tower ready to enter the palace once again when she noticed with the corner of her eye a rectangular object encompassed with a teal magic glow flying solely by magic upon the sky. On her hooves right now was a piece of paper and an artifact that she hardly expected. The crown of the changelings was something she never anticipated to be holding in her hooves let alone reading what the Queen of the changelings had to say to Equestria's leaders, in any other circumstance she would inform her sister immediately of this yet she felt that this letter reminded her of their mistakes but mostly her own. After all she wasn’t there when the ponies needed her... she had left her subjects at their moment of need and endangered them all, sure she was glad everything worked out in the end but from what she heard of about Celestia's defeat by the magic of the Queen, the way to the Elements of Harmony blocked, Shining Armor's spell fading and the changelings roaming free upon Canterlot. All of that because of her momentary weakness, her body succumbing to sleep from exhaustion after days of vigilance watching over Canterlot. Not even Celestia's words of care when she told her that it would make no difference if both of them had fallen to the Queen's stolen power, or the fact that her Lunar magic would make no big difference in the daylight, she felt that it was her own fault and now with this letter she was confused and worried more than ever.

Apparently however she wasn’t the only one to be worried; her absence from the palace had not gone unnoticed when she didn't return to sleep in her chambers. While Luna was focused deep into her own thoughts she didn’t notice her sister ascending the stairs of the tower, nor did she hear her hoof steps, only when she felt a touch upon her shoulder hearing the voice of her beloved sister at the same time, did she turn to face her sister.

"You've been away raising the moon longer than usual sister, I was beginning to worry." she sat down next to her, the feathers of their wings touching each other. Luna had been looking ahead, and from the furrowing on her forehead it was clear that her sister was deeply concerned about something.

"Luna... is something wrong?" In response to her question no answer was heard, instead Luna raised an object that she was holding beneath her hooves with her magic, she raised the crown of the changelings in front of Celestia's purple eyes but Celestia kept the same calm tone, her eyes didn’t flinch or blink from it. Instead her sister took a closer look to the crown, and as it bore something interesting she looked at every orb, every corner and detail and a wide smile appeared on her face as if her sister showed her a wonderful work of art. "Beautiful isn’t it? It’s not that flashy yet each from whichever angle you look at it you can feel what it is and what is represents."

"THAT’S all?" Luna jerked her head at her sister and stared at her eyes wide-open focused upon her persistent smile, questioning the carefree tone of her voice "I just received the crown of the changelings, an artifact clearly imbued with the magic of entire race and ALL you have to say is that is it 'Beautiful'? What is wrong with you Celestia?" She was clearly frustrated and by the looks of it not ready to stop yet.

"Luna..." said Celestia retaining her composure, but before she was able to talk once again Luna took a large scroll similar to the ones Celestia's favored-Twilight Sparkle used to send from time to time.

"Read... just read it please." said Luna as turned away her face and sighed within resignation at her sister's unreasonable calamity.

Celestia obliged and spread the scroll open with her magic, and as her horn glowed creating a small steady yellow light she started reading.

Dear Princess Celestia and Princess Luna

I will take a guess that when you start reading this letter you will be surprised or curious plenty enough to pay heed to my words. Let me explain what this letter is and what I want to achieve. There is a big journey ahead of me that I must make and I wish to create fail-safes for my changelings and their future, while I may trust my own people at this their support alone is not enough. We can no longer work in the shadows, keeping our race hidden.

First things first however... as I am sure you have already guessed the artifact you are holding on your hands is indeed my crown, the crown of the changelings passed from generation to generation having changed hooves from King to Queen and so-on countless times through the passing of the ages. By sending you this I wish to facilitate our... "Negotiations". It is however more complicated than it looks, this crown is capable my itself of appointing the wearer Leader, King, Queen of the changelings, whatever title it is that you choose to bear. I advise against it however... the crown will try to test you and break you spirit before you are deemed worthy. I wish that you take this as insurance of my honesty in what I say to the rest of this letter.

Before however we come to our "Negotiations", I would like to claim the opportunity and perhaps explain myself, my actions and perhaps seek you acceptance. In that spirit I desire a chance to talk to you and see how we can avoid my mistakes in Canterlot from escalating into war. While we changelings are indeed responsible for the attack upon Canterlot, it was ultimately my decision to do this, and I do not want my people to pay for my mistakes. Our bodies are decaying; fading away from a disease called "Lov-e-lispsis" that through our magic drains away our feelings and this cannot simply be explained by this letter but what is certain is this: if we don’t do something now within a year's time the whole changeling race will be extinct. As I am sure you've seen for yourselves whatever changelings that died from the blast of Princess Cadence and Shining Armor's spell have now probably decayed to nothingness. This is what awaits the changelings, and I refuse to just sit while this happens. I have one last chance with you... a slim one I am sure but I am going to grab it. At least when the time does come and we fade away to oblivion I will have the dignity of saying that at least I tried my best.

You may choose not to trust me or my changelings and use the crown to trace its connection back to us and kill us, you may think this choice brutal and grim but I’d rather prefer dying while fighting, than waiting for my own death... and I'm not just talking about starving. There is another choice however... You may choose not to trust me and simply wear the crown, accept and pass its' tests, and appoint yourselves leaders of my people. My friends, my generals, even me... all of the changelings will bow down to your will and shall follow you wherever you wish. Perhaps you shall find a way to take care of the changelings better than I did. As I am sure you are already aware the third choice is going to be the hardest, or so I believe. You may choose to grant me an audience with you so that I may negotiate a truce, perhaps talk about making amends, and perhaps... our needs upon the emotion of love.

The letter ended signed with Chrysalis' name in cursive. As Celestia finished reading the letter, she turned to her sister her expression and composure unchanged. "What do you think we should do sister?" Luna's breath was cut and her eyes widened from the surprise as her sister finished the letter.

"So? What do you propose we do?" said Celestia looking at her sister focusing her eyes upon her, looking at her frustrated and confused expression, eagerly awaiting her response.

Luna's eyes widened in surprise as she backed down wrinkling her forehead for a moment in her surprise. "Me? You are asking me to decide about this? I failed to protect Canterlot, I’ve been a danger to it another two times threatening the world and the balance and you are asking me to decide about this? How did you forgive me back then... how can you forgive me now sister?" She turned her face away masking her face with her dark blue, starlit mane shunning away from her sister's sight. She had failed to assist Canterlot so far, and she didn’t want to fail them once more.

"Luna, Luna... why are you being so hard on yourself?" with her hoof Celestia turned her face around to meet her own only to see her sister's eyes ready to burst in tears, all of her characteristics seemed dragged down by an invisible force that made her look old. She looked at her with a faint smile of care as she pulled her close with her hoofs within a gentle embrace. "You are not the only one that "failed" that day." she said with a grim tone.

"W-what are you talking about?" she responded stuttering in disbelief.

"I am talking about me Luna... me Twilight and the rest. It’s only a matter of luck that we remained free that day. I should have defeated Chrysalis the moment she revealed herself she overpowered me and threw me in her prison, although I wonder why she didn’t attack earlier." she stopped for a moment memories of her capture in Chrysalis' pod flashing before her the gasping breath of the Queen, her frustration and anger conflicting in her face as she was using the pod's magic to seep her emotions out.

"Now that you mention it her actions were somewhat... clumsy, what do you think happened?" she said tentatively waiting to hear more caught on her words.

"I don’t know Luna!" she reacted suddenly within her own frustration pulling away from her "I am not all knowing and even I do mistakes! I made one already and imprisoned you for an insanely long time when I knew all you wanted was truly considerate heart! I tried relying on my own power to defend those I cared about and it didn’t work, I tried called forth the Elements to help us with the changelings and even that attempt was shut down. In the end only the power of love was able to push them back and we discovered that the exact moment we needed it." Celestia awaited a response from her sister but Luna, being stunned by the realization of the truth her sister's word carried, did not answer. “I am not sure about anything anymore. Will I really be doing the right thing by convicting her and exiling her like I did to you?" Hey eyes closed as she sighed lowering her head down tired from the burdens of responsibility of the thousands of ponies that awaited her fair judgment and actions to save the day.

Luna couldn't resist from embracing her sister within her hooves. If anything she now knew that ruling a kingdom wasn't easy for her sister either. She knew now that someone shared her plight, she knew that she wasn't the only one feeling the hardships, that they shared the burden. Once they parted both smiling at each other Luna felt the strength of their sisterly bond supporting them once more. Strange... she felt it... it was like she could see it now. It was something tangible, sweet, gentle and soft. She couldn't explain it but she felt it was beautiful... like a gentle wind of heart-red color connecting them. In any case it didn't matter much right now... she had to air her thoughts to her sister.

"I can see your point sister. Maybe even Chrysalis is having trouble ruling her own people, and condemning her right now would be a mistake. It wouldn’t harm us listening to her and besides this time we'll know she's coming and we'll prepare for it. I shall write a letter to her." her head changed directions and she rose up firmly heading towards the inside of the castle, she soon returned with quill, ink and paper, only to see Celestia looking at her with open mouth and her eyebrows raised with curiosity on her face, and she stopped. "Don’t expect me to sit idly. We'll see how Chrysalis fares in explaining herself... “She said standing down as she begun to write her response.

"Are you sure about this Luna?" came Celestia's response, her expression of surprise unchanged. Inside her however she was proud. Luna had no idea that with the move she did she set in motion events that would bring forth the unseen sides of the changelings.

"We'll just have to find out don’t we?" a sigh was aired as she continued, the sound of the soft quill gently scratching on the paper as it left down the ink. This would either go perfectly well or perfectly bad, but Luna wanted to make amends for her mistakes, she was determined to look into this matter and see that justice was served. In the rare case that Chrysalis indeed wanted to repent she would make sure that she had an active role in it. She swore herself that moment to live up to her tittle of "Princess".

The Queen's faithfull

View Online

~~~The changeling camp~~~

Mortain had been pondering about the possibility of peace himself for some time. The letter Chrysalis received was not a guarantee that something like this would be possible. "The Princesses might simply be luring us into a trap" said his mind. After all they were invited to their domain, in their seat of power where they would alone to fend for themselves if the ponies decided to attack them. Should that happen he was ready, ready to fight to the death if need be, ready to take them all on, even if it would be impossible to win. After all he was the captain of the royal guard, the bodyguard of the Queen but also her friend. He was appointed to that position by the Queen herself, and that showed great trust from her part, not only for his ability to protect others but for his conviction that he would protect her no matter what. He raised his head and took a deep breath pumping his chest and quickening his hoof steps. He crossed improvised tents from wood, stone, dirt and cloth where the changeling families lived through the forest. "Come what may... i shall not fail" he said, maybe a little louder than he wanted.

"Fail in what?" he heard a voice saying behind him. Immediately he turned around and instinctively went into battle stance. To his surprise, or perhaps that of his sub-conscious no pony guard was there, or something perhaps worse, assaulting him from behind. He was greeted by an olive green mane flowing in the wind, and light brown eyes looking at him. With a slight smile on her face Safana continued.

"So... where are you going in such a hurry? I saw you from afar and could not help but notice how your chest stuck out with pride. Some important mission by the Queen i guess?"

"Y-yea..." he says slowly relaxing and slowing his breath and heartbeat.

"So... are you in a hurry? Can you even tell me about it? Maybe i can help you?" She said trying to offer herself. She knew that if the mission had anything to do with covert-ops she would need him. Sometimes Mortain's pride in his skills was too much to hide, she thought.

"Actually... i was sent to find you... and the rest of the us. We are going... on a trip." he said sighing.

"Something wrong?"

"It's just... our destination... it's Canterlot. I think we are going to try negotiating a truce. If we can that is."

"You do not sound convinced it's even possible i assume?"

"Nothing is certain, these are dark times for all of us. I will not falter however, there is no way i am backing down from ANY challenge." he firmly pressed his hoof on the ground.

"Ease up Mortain... i know you... i know that you would never retreat unless it's necessary. To be fair i am skeptical as well."

"We were always hiding, always far away from any form of foreign society."

"You forget that we are changelings. We have always adapted, we have shared what we had with each other, and that has helped us survive."

"Up until now that is... They will not accept us, and why would they? They will start whinnying about how we destroyed their homes or whatever else. They might start demanding war-compensations and i do not even know what else. They certainly will not give us love to feed on." he responded pushing his hoof against the ground in his frustration.

"Don't be so sure... their mentality about protecting their own might not be so different. I have observed them myself after all. And i would not mind giving up riches, gems, or anything else for that matter. You know the alternative after all..."

"I will never bow to them Safana..."

"I never asked of you to do something like this... what I am trying to say is that if we had to give up material possessions to survive i would gladly do this."

"Perhaps... we just need to see if it is even possible."

"We will. By the way where are you heading to now?"

"To the training camp where Jonaleth is."

"They've finished exercising half an hour ago. He woke them up early this day... clearly the changelings weren't happy about it. Not many complaints but... you know."

"Where is he now?"

"He went to the incubation chambers. He was inspecting the rest of the camp for combat-readiness."

Mortain said nothing more and started trotting towards the northern end of the camp. But he noticed a yank from behind his shoulder.

"What is it?" he looked back at Safana. He expected her to follow him, but clearly there was something he missed.

"Did you forget?" she scolded him.

"What?"

"You sure you want to go with that outfit to meet a representative of another nation?" she pointed at the "whole" of him as she narrowed her eyes.

"Ehmm.... yea..." He shrugged "I guess not...." realizing what had slipped of his mind he blushes a little.

"I am going to get our formal cloaks and get some "supplies" for the journey just to be on the safe side."

"Then i will not keep you busy any longer."

The two went on opposite directions. Once again Mortain walked alone towards the northern part of the camp, nearing the mountains. Passing through improvised tents he saw each changeling family fending for themselves. Some seek to gather their daily food be that meat, vegetables, fruit or otherwise. Some were repairing their homes working in teams with the magic and strength. Others are sharing love energy among them and the more needy changelings, and others were simply talking. Mortain overheard them talking about their parents, their loved ones. He saw tears streaming down their faces as they try to comfort each other. He guessed the subject: hunger. He knows it has claimed a lot in the past years, and the rate was steadily increasing, many of the changelings were orphans from this. Some just could not take it... their primal instincts rose up, as they do to every creature in hunger, and logic was slowly torn from their minds. Inside this... "madness" there was nothing of the former changeling to save, and it was even worse when this occurred near their own people. Because the change was not only mental... Their bodies changed too, they became unstable, much bigger but with extremely thick muscular structure and scales as hard as iron. In this state the remaining lifespan of the changeling was short, and while absorbing "love" kept them alive longer their hunger could never be sated. "Devourers"... that is what they called them, from the way they ate their victims whole absorbing every bit of their essence. He and his friends had been forced to kill many changelings that ended this way, but those close to them sometimes could not. How could one strike one his own race, much more one of his own family? Fortunately the invasion in Canterlot allowed them some moment of rest from the constant fighting each other, but if they wanted to avoid this entirely something HAD to be done.

He soon arrived at the mountains near which they had set camp. There besides the towering sides of the mountain he saw a pile of dirt and rocks, and on the right of it two changeling guards armored top from bottom guarding a cave entrance. They were strictly looking ahead with their spears crossed between them as they saw him coming their way. From the dirt and rocks he understood that the changelings residing inside were still working on the expansion of the cave. The guards recognized him and pulled their spears aside and, as he passed, closed behind him. This cave existed before they came here but its' size was nowhere near what it originally was, not to mention that before they came the path was not lit by lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the cave. As he went farther down the path, he saw numerous changeling guards standing at the sides. There were also changelings digging at the sides, expanding the paths already created by nature. At last he saw the familiar green glow of the changeling pods.

To a common pony these would look like alien abomination, semi-transparent eggs filled with green slime, inside which a creature attached to a tube flowed willing to kill or drain you as soon as it came out. The truth was that in this state the changelings were at their weakest. That is why past the guards and their caretakers, there was usually at least one parent overlooking each egg. Being in the place he was Mortain wasn't surprised that he witnessed the aftermath of the birth of a changeling.

Changelings were gathered around "something" or more specifically "someone" . Among them Mortain noticed Jonaleth and Alianna but he knew not to interfere with their work in such crucial moments could result in someone's death. Jonaleth's horn begun glowing and soon Mortain saw the egg, covered with a magical green glow, it hovered away as the rest of the changelings step away from the exhausted changeling-mare. Standing beside her, the husband of the changeling mare took her hoof and kissed it repeatedly holding her close. But she didn't let herself rest yet, even though she was tired and the sweat on her face was visible.

"It it okay? Is it healthy?" she asked trying to get to her hooves, but Alianna kept her in place by placing her hooves gently on her. She spoke to her calmly and looked her in the eyes. She wanted to show her, that she felt what she felt, and that she wasn't alone.

"You need to rest... you are exhausted. "She" is fine... perfectly normal, and we shall do our best to keep it that way." Alianna knew the justified pain she had experienced, and what she had been through before delivering her child. The baby couldn't transform inside the womb. Attempting to transform to creatures of different size, weight or shape would, in most cases, kill her and the baby. The mother had to spend almost three months deprived of her most powerful weapon and escape tool: her transformations and she had to spend double to triple the time taking shifts with her husband into taking care of it. Because although all eggs would eventually grow a stronger exterior, their starting state was very fragile.

While she was comforting the worried couple Jonaleth looked for a suitable spot to place the egg. He saw the changeling as it floated inside. There was a fleshy core at the bottom of the egg. It was round shaped with a darker core, and the changeling is connected with the umbilical cord to it. Among many of other changeling "eggs" he found a suitable spot and started digging using his strong hooves. Gently and slowly he placed the egg on the ground and pushed the dirt around it so it can stabilize. Some time after it touched the ground the core of the egg came alive and "roots" started growing out of the fleshy bottom into the soil. The "roots" would take water, micro minerals, trace elements and anything else the babies needed to build their scales and help them grow. From time to time the caretakers or the parents would inspect the integrity of the pod, and refresh the "love" energy to make sure the young do not die before birth. No changeling was born with holes, but it became less possible to keep it that way by each passing day.

After that he left the caretakers and the parents to continue their work, while he and Alianna take a step back. Seeing them free at last Mortain approached them, and as he got close he listened to their conversation.

"So everything is alright?"

"Yes, but i doubt we will be ready to move the pods should anything happen. Convincing the parents to take the kids away will be hard."

"None wants to leave their children. They are our future, those we depend on and i am sure that it will be painful, but still the time will come and we must be ready. You do know we will not be staying out here forever right?"

"I know... the hardest thing will be for the orphans, i wish i had the time to take care of them all..." as she said that she noticed Mortain who had just reached them and turned to him followed by Jonaleth. They were pleasantly surprised to see him, but Jonaleth knew that him coming here meant something had happened, so he waited for some news from the Queen. However it was Alianna that spoke first.

"Mortain! What brings you to this place? Oh no... Something happened to the Queen? Is she wounded? I shall go Immediately !". Her face turned pale for a moment and she was ready to dash towards the exit, but Jonaleth placed his hoof in front of her and stopped her. He looked for a moment towards Alianna, as he motioned her to wait for a second.

"He would not be so relaxed if there was something wrong with the Queen... i think Mortain would have told us by now. Right?"

"Don't worry the Queen is fine..." said Mortain faintly smiling. But no matter how much he tried to hide it, it was not enough to do that .

"Something wrong? By your expression i figure that something IS wrong."

"She is not hurt is she? You are sure of that?" asked Alianna once again.

"She is fine... Physically that is." but Jonaleth had noticed something in Mortain's answer.

"So there IS something wrong with her. Alright Mortain... cut to the chase. What brings you here? What is going on?"

He took a deep breath and aired it out within a moment's notice.
"We're going to Canterlot."

There was silence for a moment as the changelings around them shifted their attention towards them. Anger and fear filled their minds. All the attention, the whispers slowly that escalated in volume, the gathered questions... Alianna lowered her head and gulped scared as she was. But she couldn't stop their voices from reaching her ears.

"Is this true?"
"Are we going to surrender to the ponies?"
"Has our Queen betrayed us?"
"When were you going to tell us?"

"Please... this is not the place to fight!" Alianna begged but her low voice could barely be heard inside this fuss.

"You're gonna be the ones accused of betrayal if you do not listen!" yelled Mortain back at them. He gritted his teeth angrily and shuffled his eyebrows. He felt offended at how easily they are discouraged , and how easily they can change their minds. But not all are as loyal as he is, and in the last few weeks calamity among the camps was very unstable.

"ENOUGH!" it was Jonaleth's voice that addressed everyone in a commanding tone. His booming voice made everyone hold their words for a bit. Alianna stood still with eyes wide-open and however much she tried to run she knew that she had to stay. Even Mortain calmed down for a second to listen. Jonaleth shook his head in disappointment as he addressed everyone with his next words.

"Bringing the end of the world, are we? Do you not see what we have done?" he pointed at the pods behind him. Many changelings looked at each other unable to understand what he meant.

"WAKE UP!!! Taste the consequences of the path we followed so far! We are so used to living like isolationists, far away from any kind of society, that we do not know what would happen if we asked help from the ponies. We have been denying every and any help given to us, because we are afraid, or stubbornly proud, or even both! Why... why do you cling on your old habits so much? Why are you afraid to admit that... that we did a mistake. Are you afraid they will think we look hideous or that we are monsters? Or perhaps it is that we think ourselves as monsters?"

Some truths are always painful to hear and the silence that follows his words show that. He needs to be harsh to show them how vulnerable they are right now. But at the same time, it is necessary that they be reminded of their greatest strength. He grabs the chance while everyone is listening.

"We are changelings... "change" is within our name. We should be capable not only of superficial change but of bigger and greater breakthroughs! Change is like a river and we have a choice. We can stand like rocks against it, insisting that the way we are living is the only way to live, ignoring the fact that we know this will lead. Or we could... flow. We could listen to our hearts and see what we truly need in our future. Another war would perhaps result in victory, but even if that happened there would not be enough changelings in the aftermath. We need peace... not for us, but for our children. Our Queen knows this, she cares about us. I am sure she would never surrender so easily."

Jonaleth knew that they were listening, but still none of them dared move. They needed one final push, something to spark anew their faith. He turned to Alianna who has been sitting on the ground during this time listening. He gave her a hoof, and as she stood he turned his head, encouraging her to look to the crowd. Alianna saw their faces dragged down by life's events, and couldn't help but sympathize with them. She grew up together with some of them after all. She didn't want to disappoint them, nor her friends who counted on her strength, or the Queen that saw her talent and put her in this place. She rose slowly, took a deep breath and spoke with a steady and calm voice.

She pointed at the newborn changeling's pod as she tried to appeal on their hearts. "This child has the right to live and grow old, she has the right to be able to bury her parents and not the other way around! Continuing with the same stubbornness will lead us only to destruction and more grief."

Many of the changelings closed their eyes in response and even whispers between them are silenced.

"You say that we are so different from the ponies, yet there is one we both love... "life" . We both want the best for our children. We want our children to grow old, next to their parents. We want them to fall in love. "You" want the changelings live for the moment that we will stop feeding on love like parasites. I want to see those children grow, but if we go to war again we are depriving them choice. We are depriving them the chance to choose their own path, be it peace or war. I will not pretend i know if peace with the ponies are possible or not. But i trust our Queen knows what she is doing when she proposes such a thing."

She walked among them, looking at them as they made way for her. She turned her head left and right observing their reactions and often placed a hoof on those who needed it. She wanted to show them that she felt their pain, that she shared their worries, and that she would stand with them in those moments. Her steps led her in front of the newborn she had just helped deliver into this world. Her eyes shone, and her face beamed up with a smile.

"I have raised many children in my life. I want to be able to raise more, because their smile is my smile. Being a part of their happiness excites me to no end. I am willing to give peace a chance for that. We aren't doing it for the ponies after all, but for our future" . At this point she realized that they have dragged the conversation long enough, and that since they were listening to her they were willing to do something about it.

"Fate favors those who work for it... and we all have work to do. The children... our future needs you."

She did not have to say a word more. After the first changeling decided to get back to its' work the rest followed slowly and steadily. There was a slightly happier "vibe" in the incubation chambers. Even her own friends turned to her with a smile, but even though she felt well about herself, she still wondered the reason they were smiling.

"What?"

"You have a very soothing voice." admitted Jonaleth.

"You can be very convincing when you want to." Mortain added.

"I wish i could say that this would last, but the situation is very unstable here. It all depends if we can do the impossible... and I am just not talking about peace."

"Come on guys. Let's go reach Nousios and get this gathering over with." said Mortain wanting to remind them of their goal.

The three of them promptly proceeded to exit the incubation chambers and head towards forest clearing at the eastern part of the camp where the changelings practiced sorcery.

While survival was the main topic of discussion, it wasn't the only thing that the life of changeling revolved around. Hating inactivity and silence Mortain grabbed this chance to change the topic and ask a question.

"How is the "Strength" division doing Jon? Any potential recruits for the royal guard?"

"If they can get their heads into good use, they might learn what true "strength" is. They have a lot of potential for developing extraordinary genes but they need to take their time to do that. Evolution takes it's own time and cannot be pushed... and we certainly got a lot of "push" and expectations from them considering the situation."

Alianna was concerned too... but for different reasons. "Are they at least getting properly fed? I know that we have some problems in love-supply but is their "normal" food adequate?"

"Thank the maker it is... but they are a little stressed. I hear Nousios is having tons of fun with the "Magic" division. Safana must be doing well too... considering i have not seen any of her squads over time. They must be getting better at their camouflage techniques."

Alianna followed them as they keep talking about it. She knew that all changelings' lives were greatly affected by their unique "evolutions" . Being the caretaker of the newborn she was one of many changelings that were studying their species' genetics. There was one gene in particular that was rather "tricky", and still baffled many of generations who studied it. It was called "The Protean Gene" and it had three possible forms it could take. During a changeling's life it would adapt, change, depending on the situation a changeling was put in. Each position it took on the genetic code allowed the changeling to excel at different sectors: Strength, Dexterity, Magic. Added to that an unique characteristic was given to the changeling by it. Jonaleth's muscular structure was one, the reinforced scales of Mortain were another, her affinity with healing and there were countless others possibilities she couldn't even fathom. They had more in common with the ponies than they thought. They might not have been looking for "Cutie Marks" their whole lives, but they too had a part of their lives when they looked for their own path, their place in society, their special ability.

As the trio walked towards their destination they noticed some of the trees are burned in some spots. Their ears "catch" short swirling and fizzing sounds: a sign of manipulation of magic energy. One sound responded to the other which only meant one thing: there was a fight. But when the trees went out of the way and revealed a clearing they saw that it was just a team of changelings sparring with Nousios. As he was dancing and laughing he dodged shots and slips out of the way each time a spell is about to hit him. As they stood there watching, they hear Nousios singing happily.

"Catch me if you can
This how fast i am
I am dancing all the way
Growing stronger everyday

Working together five of his apprentices surrounded him. They thought they had him, and so they charge their magic. But a quick high jump allowed Nousios to dodge the kinetic blasts just a split second before it hit. And so their "dance" continued.

Get the prize if you can
This is how cool i am
Trying to catch me you say "Damn!"
But don't you worry i won't scram.

As the battle continued another changeling prepares for a close-range hit. Nousios charged with a smile, and with his own horn he pushed away the changeling's horn to the right. As a result the blast was re-directed towards another changeling that fell with its' back on a tree. The force of the crash knocked the apprentice unconscious but luckily no physical harm was done.

Come on try to laugh!
This is practice not a draft
Competition can wait,
This is a party...

The last of the changeling bowed and lowered its' head in surrender. Nousios stopped the singing half-way and smiles as he gave him his hoof to stand up.He did the same to the rest. They weren't hurt but a little bit dizzy. Knowing that everyone was alright he encouraged them to continue practicing.

"Don't forget to smile!" he exclaimed and finished the song.

And remember... smile at fate!

Hoof-claps are heard from the side and so Nousios turned, only to see his friends cheering him on. His smile became even wider as he rushed at Mortain, jumped on his scales and started rubbing his head to the point of overheating it. It was his way of showing his appreciation to him.

"Hey stop it! Ouch! Hey!" says Mortain as he tries to snatch him. Slippery like a tricky rabbit Nousios avoided his grabs as he continued teasing him. Jonaleth and Alianna giggled at the two.

"Say please..."

"QUIT IT!!" Mortain charged at a tree, but before they crash Nousios jumped back in disappointment.

"Oh geez fine!" Fortunately Mortain stopped before it's too late but that doesn't stop his frustration at Nousios. Acting as a voice of reason Jonaleth tried to stop them.

"Hey we are busy! We don't have time for this." he said seriously as Alianna laughed Nousios' enthusiasm.

"I swear to the maker if it wasn't for Jonaleth holding me back I would challenge you right here and now."

"Don't be such a party pooper my friend... it's all to put a smile on your face." he pulled his skin downwards making a ridiculous imitation of what his face looked like. His grimace didn't make Mortain laugh, instead he got even more serious.

"The Queen is waiting for us so let's go before it gets late. We are going to the Princesses! So are you going to get real and come with us or not?"

"Oh hell yea I am coming! Anything to put a smile on a friend's face!" sneaking between Alianna and Jonaleth, he surprised them both with a tight group hug. Trying to breathe Alianna declared resistance futile.

"Trust me you are not going to stop his smile Mortain... so don't try." But Mortain ignored that, clearly having reached the limits of his tolerance.

"I don't get it Nousios... didn't you hear what i said?"

"Yes i did... trust me on that, my ears have not been cut off just yet."

"I don't think you are listening. Because if you did you would at least protest, you would say something! ... You would not just say "Oh ok."". Despite Mortain's frustration Nousios didn't stop smiling. He did however let Jonaleth and Alianna out of his tight hug.

"You expect me to say that it is impossible when I am dedicated into un-doing the impossible? We seriously need to erase that word from our vocabulary. In a world where magic, science, technology exist the state of "im-possibility" of something is very fragile and prone to change. Do you expect me to say that we can't find a common ground? Or perhaps to say "Alas this cannot be done, we are going to die!"" Right then he raises his hoof and placed it in reverse on his forehead dramatically, as he mocked the imaginary situation for a moment. But then he continued in the same tone.

"No... i simply won't remain stagnant and grim. I won't stick to the past and keep the war going because "That's how things are". No matter what i intend to keep smiling, because i am simply not a pessimistic changeling and you know it. It's not that i don't acknowledge the fragile situation i have before me. I simply "choose" to look on the possible good results and encourage that way the possibility of them actualizing in the real world. In other words, if you want good things to happen you need a happy and accepting attitude towards them. If as most changelings say "This is the worst state we can fall into.", then i see something positive in that... If we can "fall" no longer then there is only one way this situation goes... "Up"". He took a deep breath relaxing and smiling back at them as wide as before.

No matter how much Mortain raised his hoof, or his huffs of protest, he couldn't think of something to object with his attitude. The silence was broken by Jonaleth.

"We have something important to do? If you forgot..."

"Yea... let's go..." he turns around "Follow me... i know where the Queen is and don't worry... Safana will meet us there."

After he encouraged his apprentices to continue practicing, and congratulated them for their progress, he joined the other three. So it was that the all now headed towards the outskirts of the camp where the Queen was waiting. The thoughts of the upcoming events occupied their minds as they walked towards their destination. They all cared about their Queen, and were willing to stand by her side in this. Because deep inside their hearts they knew... she would do the same for them.

A Changeling's Soul Reflection

by nioniosbbbb

Answering the call

The Test of Retribution

All pride lost

The Queen's faithfull