Xenophilia: Flesh and Thornsby warpdChaptersThornsFleshEpilogueFoxglovesThornsA set of curious blue eyes watched a display case full of resting caterpillars. A small girl lightly tapped the glass impatiently. “Most of the caterpillars are in pupae stages.” A smile flashed across the child’s face as she cooed at her precious pets. “They are going to be so pretty when they dance for me.” “<--->, are you outside?” She could hear her father from the house. The girl gasped and ran back towards the house. Fog slightly obscured her vision as she jumped between the tree trunks. She had to be careful of the thorns in the thick forest. The girl leapt onto the front porch and dove through the open front door. Her father was tall, lanky, and had an air of scholarliness. He opened his arms and kneeled down to her level. His daughter squealed before she jumped into his chest with a love tackle. The girl enjoyed the embrace, but it felt prickly. She looked up at her father’s face. His eyes were gone. A black abyss of nothing stared back at her. The Queen woke up with a gasp. She felt cold. She always felt cold after those dreams. The Queen crawled out of bed with a depressed groan. “Haven’t had dreams like that in a long time. I think the last one was decades ago.” Heavy clops echoed in the chamber as she approached her full length gem embodied mirror. “Those creatures don’t even exist, why are they even on my mind?” ‘Aw, is the little queen getting all worked up over a scary dream?’ The Queen grabbed her brush and sneered at the mirror. “They are hardly worth any effort to even think about. I find them annoying.” ‘Is that why your eyes sting every time you wake up from one?’ ‘I like the dreams, until the scary parts.’’ “Waste of time.” The Queen brushed her mane carefully as she continued to glare at herself. Her green unforgiving eyes were slightly moist and she hated it. ‘Why do you even bother dolling yourself up? These bugs won’t know the difference.’ ‘Hey, don’t talk bad about our subjects.’ “Enough!” The Queen threw the brush back into its holder and placed her crown on her head. “We have work to do.” We must feed “I know.” The Queen hovered across her room and parted the slime covered door with her magic. She walked out onto a balcony and beheld her kingdom. It was a massive underground fortress, big enough to hold Canterlot in. The mountain that contained the kingdom spiraled high into the sky; it warned travelers of the dangers close by. The Queen couldn’t recall who constructed this ruined kingdom, but such antiquated thoughts were far from her mind. The morning sun pierced through the many cave entrances on the mountain side. Hundreds of thousands of changelings could be seen as they scuttled around with their assigned duties. The Queen’s horn started to glow a bright green. Her mind was one with the Hive and the voices of all her subjects overtook her. As simple minded changelings are, they are loud when a million of them talked at the same time. The Queen could feel a familiar warm buzz when they all recognized her. They all welcomed her to another morning. The Queen chuckled before she jumped off the balcony. “So much to get done.” We must feed *** “I love you, Scarlet.” A pale, drugged yellow pegasus stallion with a wind wisp cutie mark whispered sweet adorations to his beloved. His eyes glowed a sickly green while he nuzzled her. His mind was so lost that he could not see that he was in a prison held together by a green goo and cold stone. The weak sounds of moans from his cell mates could be heard. A cherry red earth mare kissed him softly on his cheek. “You look tired, Butler. Get some rest darling.” Her companion mumbled an agreement before resting his head on the pile of hay under him. Scarlet Cake slinked her way out of the holding cell, her stomach churned. The love was forced and stale, but it was needed. Food was always better from a willing gullible source, but The Queen rarely did any field work. The only exception to that rule was large plans that required her touch. ‘Well that was dull. I think we should’ve removed the mind spell just so we could hear him scream.’ ‘That would be mean.’ “Shut up.” The Queen hissed. “I have enough to make another brood.” ‘Great, moldy jailbait love, just what we needed. This brood is going to be the cream of the crop.’ ‘I want to name the little ones this time.’ The Queen sighed as she trotted down the empty poorly lit corridors descending farther down into the labyrinth depths. She hoped that the field harvesters would come soon so she could create superior changelings. The ones created from the dullard prison ponies really could only do simple manual labor. If she gave anything too complicated they would trip over their own hooves. Celestia “Give it time.” The Queen came upon a heavy stone door that guarded the Swarms’ most precious commodities. Only the Queen was allowed beyond this sacred door, only she could make use of the ingredients found inside. “We’ve almost recovered from the failed Canterlot invasion. I need to formulate another plan soon, maybe a fake diplomacy meeting.” ‘You tried that remember. That was about one thousand seven hundred and seventy one years ago.’ ‘Luna was pretty mad at you that day.’ The ancient door swung opened as The Queen glided past the rows of plants and thorns preserved in time jars. All the ingredients needed to create changelings were here, it looked like a greenhouse frozen in place. Colorful alien flowers plucked from their plants and only found here wrapped themselves around their containers. Enticing shrubs covered in white and pink flowers hung from the ceiling. No matter the season, these poisonous shrubs were always green and full of life. Just like the other plant, though it’s more obvious that it is an evergreen. The shrub plant was covered in needles and bright red berries. The crown ingredient was a shrub with small scarlet flowers and thick thorns. These thorns could easily cut flesh and had to be handled with care. Green changeling flames flickered at the workbench. The Queen casually levitated over a jar of thorns towards herself as she has done countless times before. The Queen had been doing this for so long she one time successfully created a brood while she slept. Her horn glowed as green slim grew in front of her. After she created the incubator, she placed the thorns inside with the crushed flowers and berries. The Queen exhaled tarnished love over her creation. A carapace started to form in the thick ooze. Food The Queen looked up at the ceiling as a familiar buzz crept up in the back of her mind. “I think my harvesters have arrived.” ‘Let’s go get some of that love.’ A ring of green flames sprung to life around The Queen and she started to sink into the floor. A black void overtook her; it was the fastest way to travel through her hive even if it scared her a tiny bit. She would never admit it. Celestia’s sun eventually pierced the darkness as The Queen rose from the earth. A swarm of changelings that numbered in the hundreds buzzed all around her, they greeted her with blank stares. She could taste the warm stolen love that off from them. The harvest this year has been productive. ‘Aw, they look so happy.’ The Queen grinned. “Excellent.” *** ‘We could spark a war between two nations. That would be fun.’ ‘Boredom is not a valid reason to start a war.’ “Everything is peaceful among the dragons?” The Queen asked a young harvester that smelled distinctly of soot and ashes. It nodded and a small buzz ringed in The Queen’s mind. “Not surprising, they all just got home from their migration. Most of them will be sleeping for a couple of decades. As usual, that’s when we can take some valuables from their horde. Dismissed.” Pony ‘Yep, this one definitely smells of ponies. Wonder if anything tasty is happening.’ ‘He seems anxious.’ The changeling landed before its queen before it started to chirp. As it fluttered its wings, the same buzz returned to The Queen’s mind. Happy ponies in their happy towns and their happy pointless lives. The more things change...wait. “Some of the Elements are in a herd.” ‘Oh this is perfect. Can we completely ruin their happiness?’ “Your report of their stallion is strange. Why?” The Queen leaned down to the changelings face. It fidgeted a bit but did not back down. “You don’t recognize it. Transform.” Bright green flames flashed as the changeling changed. The process was a little slower than normal, but whatever it was it was tall. The Queen’s neutral expression vanished as soon as the changeling finished. ‘W-w-what?’ ‘What is the meaning of this?’ ‘Those creatures are merely dreams. How is this possible?’ ‘Il se trouve!’ ‘He’s not lying. Changelings can’t lie to us!’ ‘thEy aCtually Do exisT.’ “A human! A real human!?” The Queen backed off and stumbled over her hooves. Her eyes were wide as her wings twitched uncontrollably. ‘All this time, all those dreams.’ The Queen looked straight into the human’s eyes and hesitantly approached him. Her breathing was heavy as she closed in. “Where did he come from? Do you have anything else on him?” The human stared back at her. His eyes did not move and his expression remained hard with no emotions to be found. “Lero. His name is Lero. Stallion and herd member to Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Lyra Heartstrings.” The Queen bit her lip and started to pace around Lero. This could give her answers. Those dreams have persisted with her all her life. He might be connected to them somehow. A grin grew on her face. “Time for a trip.” *** ‘Ah Ponyville, the sight of our many failures. Isn’t it great?’ Sweet Bread sighed as she glided over the simple town. The golden brown pegasus viewed the humble town and all the little ponies as they moved about. They were not important; it was the human that mattered. For now anyway. ‘Keep to the skies. The pink, loud one won’t be able find us there. She always scares me.’ Out of the corner of her eye, Sweet Bread could have sworn a pink pony zipped down an alley way. ‘For the love of all things, go higher!’ “Hi there!” Sweet Bread screamed as she came muzzle to muzzle to the very pony she wanted to avoid at all cost, Pinkie Pie. “Oops, didn’t mean to scare ya.” Sweet Bread held a hoof as she tried steady herself. This could end poorly. “Hello, you’re riding an interesting...thing.” “Oh this old thing.” Pinkie Pie leaned back and presented her thingamajig with pride. “Just something I threw together one day. It’s not important though, you are a new pony. Rrrriiiighhhttt?” Pinkie Pie looked at Sweet Bread with raised eyebrows and a small grin. “Yes, I’m Sweet Bread.” A batch of confetti flew into her face accompanied by an out of tune horn melody. “Welcome to Ponyville! Have a cupcake.” Sweet found herself an owner of a lemon glazed strawberry cupcake that she viewed with hidden disgust. “What brings you to our small humble totally amazing town?” ‘Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie.’ “I’m just looking around.” Sweet Bread piped up a little louder than she wanted to. Then an idea crossed her mind. ‘Don’t do it.’ ‘That’s a really bad idea.’ ‘She knows. We are not fooling her.’ “I heard about this strange creature called a human and I was a little curious.” Pinkie Pie gasped and grabbed Sweet Bread by her forelegs. “You should totally meet him. Lero is like the bestest human friend a pony could ever have. I try my hardest to get my ears scratched by him at least once a day, which feels really, really good.” Sweet Bread ears perked up and she grinned along with Pinkie Pie. “Really? Can you can introduce him to me?” “Sure, come on.” Pinkie Pie immediately throttled her thingamajig and sent them both into corkscrew nosedive. Sweet Bread was dragged along with gritted teeth the whole way. Somehow, Pinkie Pie safely bypassed all traffic despite her reckless maneuvers, some of which even Rainbow Dash would have scolded her for. Sweet Bread squeaked as Pinkie Pie suddenly stopped and they crashed into each other. Sweet Bread suppressed a growl as she laid muzzle first into the ground. “Are you crazy? Were you trying to put us in a hospital?” Sweet Bread pulled herself out of the ground with a loud pop and tried to glare at Pinkie Pie. Instead, her vision was filled with somepony’s pants who stood on their hind hooves. A small gasp escaped her lips as her gaze carried her up. This guy was not a pony and was really tall. The changeling got the red facial hair and mane correct, though this one was a little scruffier. He smelt nice. “Pinkie, who is this?” A distinctly deep voice sent shivers down Sweet Bread’s spine. Sweet Bread attempted to formulate words, but Pinkie Pie decided that introductions that took more than a second to start were far too long. “Lero, this is Sweet Bread. Sweet Bread this is Tasty Bread, I mean Lero.” “H-hi.”Sweet Bread slowly got her to hooves, her gaze never left Lero. The changeling got his appearance slightly wrong, he was a lot broader. Lero knelt down to her eye level. He had a calm smile that belied his intimidating appearance. Finally, after hazy dreams that confused her for eons, Sweet Bread was finally able to confront the one thing that has haunted her every move. She almost trembled with anticipation, but she managed to suppress her eagerness. He held out his hand to her palm up. “Don’t mind Pinkie, she’s always trying to help others. It is a pleasure to meet you Sweet Bread.” “Sure.” Sweet Bread placed her twitching hoof into his palm. Spark. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Aimee. Everything you are is a lie. A lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Enough Sweet Bread jerked her hoof out of Lero’s hand like it was on fire. All of her extremities tingled uncontrollably as her heart raced like she just got done with a marathon. A sharp headache pulsed in her head which made her wince. Sweet Bread’s wings twitched at full mast with some of the feathers jolted out of place. Lero flinched. “Ouch, did you just come from a lightning storm?” “No, sorry, so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” With ears folded back, Sweet Bread backed away from Lero only to bump into Pinkie Pie. “I should go.” Before either of them could protest, Sweet Bread took off. If they did say anything, she was too far away to hear them now, and her mind was too fuddled to make anything out. She flew up as far as she could; she wasn’t sure how high she went. Clouds and pegasi past her by in a blur as the air started to chill her coat. She started to wobble as exhaustion started to set in. The trip to reach Ponyville was far enough as it was, but now Sweet Bread just felt drained. She threw herself on a cloud. ‘Well, I have nothing.’ ‘Was that normal for humans?’ ‘What was the meaning of that?’ ‘Plus jamais.’ The cloud she had landed on became more comfortable as Sweet Bread sank into darkness. After everything that had happened, she welcomed sleep. *** “Surprise!!!” The lights come to life as a crowd of humans popped out from behind furniture, under tables, and that one funny guy that likes to hide behind the lamp. He’s portly enough that the love seat couldn’t hide him. The room had balloons of all the colors of a rainbow tacked on everywhere. Streamers spiraled down from the ceiling and confetti climbed up from hands that tossed them. ‘My friends. All my friends are here!’ The birthday girl tackled hugged her friend closest to her at that moment and was soon followed by her other friends into a group hug. Just her and her friends, dad will just have to hang out somewhere else. The party became a blur with activates lined up. Board games, dancing, sports, and rode on some of daddy’s horses. All throughout the day, her friends gave her flowers and wished her a happy birthday. “Happy Birthday Aimee!” *** The Queen woke up peacefully. Which was new as all her other dreams left in a crippled state. On top of that, this dream was not as murky and hazy as all of her other dreams. She now knew the name of that little girl, Aimee. This dream also did not end with imagery that frightened her. ‘When was the last time we had a dream so close together?’ ‘This was pleasant.’ “Did Lero, have something to do with this?” The Queen got up and shook the drowsiness off her body. Despite the good night sleep, she still felt trepidation. Something happened yesterday, she wanted closure, but now all she was left with was more questions. The Queen growled as she started to scrap the cloud with her hoof. The cloud turned dark as she pondered her next move. She was not about to leave this alone, not now. Go back “I don’t think so.” The Queen spat. “I refuse to let this one slip by me.” He is nothing Go back “No!” The cloud beneath her sparked with lightning as she stomped her hooves. “You will not tell me what to do. I will not live with this thing gnawing, pestering, and eroding me. I have lived far too long to be denied. This human, whatever he may be, is connected to my dreams. I hate them! They have been nothing but a thorn in my flesh; a worm that has poisoned me. My mind is weak from the torment and my own body has betrayed me. Answers will be my salvation, and he will surrender them.” ‘Maybe we can hurt the Elements while we are at it. Nothing warms the heart like a beautiful misunderstanding followed by a resentful breakup.’ The Queen laughed. “Yes, but of course.” The cloud crackled and glowed as electricity warped around it. The Queen leapt off towards Ponyville ready to do what changelings do best, they stalked their prey. *** Lero was hunted for days; to be a successful changeling this is very necessary. The Queen needed to study her target, not just his habits and patterns, but of those around him as well. What does he like, who does he consider his closest friends, how he acts around his herd mates; all these are important if she wanted to learn to exploit him without trouble. She watched him work, eat, sleep, and make love. Normally this would be a job for one of The Queen’s harvesters. They don’t get bored, while The Queen could. This week was different though. She hunted a human, not a pony. He did not act like a pony and yet he lived among them. Well he tried to anyway; some pony body language was lost on him. He really was not aware how good it felt to ponies that got scratched behind the ears, or if they made a rude gesture. The latter was not all that common, but it was obvious that some ponies did not really care for him. One earth pony mare in particular organized a group to antagonize him. The Queen could smell the fear from her. ‘Ya, that one has xenophobia painted all over her.’ A familiar mindset the ponies have that The Queen has used to justify most of her actions. Not that she really needed to justify herself, but when a self-righteous warrior would bother her a nicely prepared speech of the cruelties of the world was enough to leave them open for a death blow. Idiot heroes. ‘Some of them genuinely felt sorry for us, even if you did lie.’ ‘Speaking of idiot heroes.’ Twilight Sparkle, that accursed mare that led to The Queen’s last failure, lived a happy blissful life with Lero. The Queen watched as Lero and Twilight interacted with one another. She would brush up next to playfully, steal kisses at unexpected moments, and serenade to him when he napped. Twilight actually did this with her other herd mates as well, but she especially enjoyed his reactions. Lero, in turn, would occasionally let her ride him on his back (he found it rather funny), help her with research, and kiss her horn in private. ‘I’m sure many suitors in Canterlot curse Lero’s name for taking her.’ Twilight and Lero sat alone in a secluded spot at the park. It was a little after noon, and they both had a cone of ice cream. Twilight snacked on mint chocolate, while Lero licked a vanilla/chocolate swirl. The sun threatened their dessert so they raced against their treat’s short lifespan. “You got a little bit dribbling down the side.” Twilight couldn’t help but smirk as her long tongue slurped all around her ice cream cone. Lero quickly turned his cone, and quickly lashed out his tongue. “Got it.” Twilight nudged him as he lapped up his ice cream. “I think it got you.” “Huh, where? I don’t see anything.” “It got you right about...” Twilight quickly kissed him on the lips then licked his nose. “...there.” They giggled as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in closer. Twilight sighed as she nuzzled his neck and carefully rested her head on his shoulders. She could hear his calm heartbeat and the love that came with that. He grinned mischievously as he quickly helped himself to a little bit of her ice cream. Twilight quickly yanked it away, but it was too late. “Hmm, you don’t usually go for mint.” Lero laughed as he licked his lips. “Something different for today. Thanks for meeting with me. I know we are both busy with things to do, but this has been nice. If we had more time, maybe we could have had some more fun.” Lero gave her a smile that suggested he knew what she implied. “Well, maybe later tonight,” he started to play with her mane with his free hand. “We could mess around and discuss some of that energy flow math. I know you love that stuff.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Twilight busted out with a giggle-snort. “Be careful what you wish for. I just might bring it home, and then we can use the coefficient of thaumic fluctuation to a—“ “Welp, this about to quickly go into Lero you don’t know jack.” Lero got up as he swallowed the rest of his ice cream cone. He knelt down and pecked Twilight on the lips. “I need to get going. I’ll see you later.” The peck he intended to give her lasted a little longer; Twilight could taste chocolate in his mouth. They lingered for a moment before he broke it off. “Love ya.” “I love you, and you’re about to be late.” “Oh, shoot!” Lero quickly scratched her ears then scrambled off. Twilight sighed happily with her half finished ice cream still in her magic grasp. Her happy smile vanished as soon as Lero left and with a quick flick of green magic threw the ice cream into the trash. *** Aimee held her baggage tightly as the mass of people around her shifted. She bit her lip as she squirmed in her seat. The world passed her by outside the train window. It didn’t matter to her; she could easily remember the green countryside from her previous trips. A hand wrapped around her shoulders and squeezed tightly. “Are you going to be alright?” Her father, Dr. Chevalier, softly smiled that gave a hint of pride. Aimee allowed a forced chuckle to pass her lips. “Just nervous; I mean this is big. I’m going to college. Not any old college, one of the biggest ones in the country. I am definitely going to be a minority. I might be the only girl there.” “That hasn’t bothered you before, and if you have any trouble with boys remember what I taught you.” “I remember a lot from what you taught me, but like you have said, experience is the best teacher.” Aimee slumped down into her seat. Her dad reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small bar of candy. “You were practically my assistant; I had trouble trying to keep you out of my work. You’ll be just fine.” Aimee smiled as she grabbed the candy bar and took a bite. “Minty.” *** Rainbow Dash was a mare that had tendencies that conflicted with her. She loved attention, relished in it. Rainbow Dash lived for the moment, whether it resulted from physical prowess or heroic deeds. However, she was sensitive to slander and would react aggressively when insulted. ‘Doesn’t help that she’s ugly.’ ‘I thought, we thought, that you thought that all ponies were ugly.’ ‘This one is considered over muscled with no bounce in her flank.’ ‘It’s probably why Lero is perfect for her; he’s blind to her physical imperfections.’ ‘If she was born in the Iron Hoof era she would have been considered beautiful.’ ‘Rainbow reminds me of a war lord, like that one mare, Storm Breach.’ ‘Hate her, she killed so many changelings.’ ‘And ponies. She was the first pegasus war lord that used some of the other races in her army. Her tactics using earth ponies were brutal.’ ‘I don’t remember, what happened to her?’ ‘wheN She wAs olD And feeBle, We bRoke hEr necK.’ That perfectly happy couple that loved each other despite what anypony had to say. Rainbow Dash out of all the mares in the herd was more physical with Lero, and not just for the passionate moments. She would always have a wing close enough to touch him, and if they were sitting down close to one another she would hug him close with a wing. Rainbow also nibbled on him occasionally if nopony was around. She loved how he tasted, smelled, and felt against her coat. Lero was not alien to her, regardless of his nature. ‘Then we have him. Lero is certainly interesting.’ ‘She was his first. I wonder what motivated him to be with her.’ ‘Regardless, he is connected to her. I don’t know how but a small piece of him is with her. Like he made a vow with her.’ ‘Can humans do magic? I feel something.’ ‘Not a clue. Equestria's natural magic doesn't mesh with him very well.’ Rainbow Dash hung on a cloud as she watched Lero slug his way home from Sweet Apple Acres. The dirge of weather soaked him to the core. He most likely just got done with a tedious job that required his skills. Rainbow was pretty sure that the apple fritters that he loved so much encouraged him to make the trip. Lero loved them almost as much as Rainbow loved apple cider. Lero was not in any real hurry, it would be pointless. The heavy rainfall was warm and the clouds above him allowed some sunlight to pass through. He stopped for a moment and closed his eyes as the rain washed over him. Rainbow fluttered down behind him and landed carefully. He didn’t make any indications that he heard her as she slinked her way up to him. She stood up on her back hooves and covered his eyes with a wing. “Guess who?” “Hmm, soft feathers so obviously someone with wings, young, and probably just got done working hard. Blue Lightning, is that you?” Lero had a mischievous grin on his face. “Blue Lightning? So you’re the reason my subordinates have been slacking? ” Rainbow Dash proceeded to rub his head vigorously. Lero ducked under her hoof and attempted to escape her grasp. “She still works harder than her boss.” “Hey, when I can do my job faster than you can take off your pants I have all the time I need.” Rainbow hugged tighter as she softly bit his neck. Lero squirmed as he squashed his head down on her. “Giving you plenty of time to play or nap thus proving my first point. Gah, stop that!” Lero stifled a laugh as Rainbow Dash started to dig in. “This is way too much fun.” “This, however, is even better.” Rainbow pulled Lero around and kissed him. Rainbow tittered in the air before she landed on her back hooves and wrapped her forelegs around him. The rain was the only sound heard as they embraced one another. Their wet hair intertwined as his hands went through her mane while her wings wrapped around him and covered his back. Lero broke the kiss. “How’s work?” Rainbow Dash groaned as her wings slightly drooped. “There was a freak cold front that came out of nowhere. We almost had the rain turn into a freezing shower.” Lero slightly cringed at the thought. “That would not be pleasant to run through. Thanks for stopping that.” “No problem, my team is way too awesome to have something like that stop us.” Rainbow Dash laughed as she brushed the tip of her feathers on the back of his neck. “I’m on a quick break right now and I knew exactly where to find you.” “Glad we met up.” Lero wrapped an arm around Rainbow as she hovered next to him. He walked down the muddy path with a warm smile on his face. Rainbow Dash flicked her ears as her human stallion started to hum. She turned her head towards him with a dropped jaw and wide eyes. If he noticed he didn’t show any indication. I'm singing in the rain Just singing in the rain What a glorious feelin' I'm happy again I'm laughing at clouds So dark up above The sun's in my heart And I'm ready for love I don’t remember the rest Something about chasing clouds Still singing in the rain I’m happy again Rainbow Dash hummed along with Lero as he finished his song. “You had something really good going on there, but you dropped the ball.” “Hey now, it’s been years since I heard that song.” Lero gave her a side glance with feigned frustration. “But you know what big guy?” Rainbow flew around in front of him. “It sounded sweet.” She pecked Lero on the lips and smiled. “I have to get going.” “I’ll see you at home.” Lero watched Rainbow fly above the cloud line. He turned down the road and with a spring in his step whistled along home. High above the clouds, Rainbow watched him carefully. “Juste chanter sous la pluie.” *** Aimee threw her container against the wall as she screamed. Pencils and pens scattered everywhere in her dorm room, one pencil hit her light on the ceiling while a pen exploded against the wall. Aimee gave the new ink spot on her wall no attention as she paced the room. The lamp swung erratically as displays full of butterfly exhibits casted long shadows over stacks of papers. The display cases showed the stages of caterpillar to butterfly stages as the insect transformed inside the chrysalis. Several dozen species were used with paper diagrams that pointed out all the differences and nuances between them. One of the projects had fallen over because some of the pens and pencils had flown into it. Aimee hands gripped one another tightly as she looked at the desk where all her work was. Surrounded by stacks of papers was a single report with red ink letters imprinted on the cover. Some of her work was cut to ribbons, evidence that someone rummaged through and cut out sections of important information. She walked over to the paper and stared at the offensive report. See me later Aimee sat down on her chair and buried her face in her hands. She could fill a moat with the candle wax that she has burned from all her long nights, and now she was accused with copying another student’s work. Aimee had to plead desperately in order to not be expelled, but it still cost her grade and the class. Her dad warned her to be careful and she was, but it was clearly not enough. Aimee’s attention was caught by a slow knock at the door. She looked up and saw her dad as he leaned on the door. In an instant she was in his arms, tears flowed down her face. His hand held her close as he began to whisper condolences. *** There was once a master of fighting, this mare was so powerful that it was said that she subdued dragons with a stare, parted unstoppable rivers, and laid waste to kingdoms. The art was named Still Way after her name. A student that truly understood Still Way had complete control of not only themselves, but everything around them. A pony could look at another and see them down to their core. The idiosyncrasies of a pony’s heartbeat, strayed twitches of muscle fibers, and the mana that flowed throughout their form; all of this was revealed to the Still Way masters. ‘Which is probably why this young warrior finds him so interesting. She sees something new in him every day.’ ‘This mare seems familiar, did we seduce her once?’ ‘She was assigned to guard Princess Cadance during her wedding.’ ‘Oh right, we had to neutralize her. Mind controlling Still Way masters is always fun.’ To understand Still Way is to be complete in body, mind and spirit. Which is why it is encouraged to have a love life, if it completed the pony then balance is found. Lyra saw Lero as that someone who brought her balance. She loved to watch him move, how he saw the world, and it was cute when he tried to figure out something new. The Queen could not figure out the circumstances that brought Lyra to Lero, but they were together now. He was a lot like Lyra in a way; Lero, The Queen discovered, is extremely patient and often tried to avoid conflict whenever he could. In the herd dynamics, Lero or Lyra would be the ones that calmed arguments. While both Rainbow and Twilight were very intelligent ponies, they had a tendency to be impulsive and emotionally driven. Both Lyra and Lero served as anchor points and solid foundations. Lero lounged in the open field with his eyes closed. Tall grass swayed around him as a stray leaf landed on his forehead. He brushed it off lazily and continued to daydream. An apple rested in his hand as he slowly carved it with a small knife. Lyra slowly traced her hooves on a nearby rock, she breathed quietly with a steady rhythm. The world was balanced. Pony belly flop on human. Lero gasped at the sudden weight on his trunk, his face jerked up and immediately got a face full of pony tail. Lyra laid on Lero longwise and stared at blue sky like everything was perfectly normal. “Lyra!” Lero spat out ponytail. Lyra rocked her head as she hummed to herself. “Yes, Fingers?” Lero tried to respond but a well placed tail flicked across his nose. Lyra dragged her hoof down Lero’s leg to his exposed feet. “You want me to play with your very sensitive feet, is that what you are asking me?” Lero wiggled an arm loose and grabbed the tortuous tail. Lyra couldn’t see his sly grin. “Why dear madam, are you trying to seduce me?” Lyra flicked her tail out of his grip and spun around to face him muzzle to nose. “Nope, if I was doing that I would be flirting with you.” “Of course.” Lero rolled his eyes. He laid his head back down and stared up into the cloud free sky. “You’re done with your Still Way training?” Lyra seemed to ignore his question as she laid her head down on his chest. He sighed as he started to stroke her mane. Lero took a slice of apple and gave it to her. Lyra licked it slowly before she grabbed it with her mouth. She carefully manipulated the apple slice with her lips then kissed her human stallion. Lero gingerly received the kiss and bite a part of the apple slice from Lyra’s mouth. She giggled as she chewed her half of the fruit. They stayed there in perfect silence as Lyra snuggled under Lero’s chin. “What happens in the end?” Lero raised an eyebrow at the sudden strange question. “The end?” “After life ends what happens?” Lyra asked as she gestured absentmindedly with her left hoof. “Like after we die?” Lyra nodded. “I’m a little curious what my favorite human thinks.” “Well we had a lot of ideas back at home, but no real definite answer.” Lero glanced at her before he continued. “A popular idea is that we all have spirits that go on to a place that knows no suffering or pain. There are different qualifications depending on the religion; usually you have to be good. Those who are evil end up living in eternal torture.” Lyra’s ears folded back and her tail twitched. “Oh, what are the others?” “Well there is this one religion where you try to find inner balance with one’s self like your Still Way, but they are trying to not be a part of the world. Supposedly the world is full of nothing but pain and suffering, so they find peace by removing themselves from it, being enlightened if you will. I’m sure there is a religion that you would have joined. Like I said, humans had a lot of ideas and we would be here all day if I tried to explain them all.” Lyra flashed Lero a bright smile. “That doesn’t sound too bad of an idea.” “Of course you don’t think so; you’re not the one that can’t feel their foot.” Lero poked her muzzle with his pinky. Lyra snorted. “Well I don’t have a foot to begin with...are you calling me fat?” “Oops, gotta go!” Lero quickly rolled her off, Lyra squeaked in shock. He bounced up and tried to make a mad dash for it. He forgot one thing though, his leg was still asleep and he stumbled. He felt his ankle grabbed by a telekinetic force that held him up. His entire world was upside down and all he could see was the mad grin of his herd mate. “Now where are you off to in such a hurry, you almost had an accident.” “Well you know, I have a bad case of foot in mouth disease. Something very unique to humans, I don’t think you would understand. Very serious.” “Sounds fatal.” Lyra kissed him while he dangled from her grasp. “You’ve gotten stronger. Normally you would be straining holding me up this long.” Lero held out his hands as Lyra slowly lowered him to the ground. Lyra hugged him as he got up. “I’m going to stay here for a while. Don’t you have an appointment with Fluttershy?” “Ya, the chicken coop have holes in it, and I think Fluttershy must have been watching some hyperactive fillies.” “I’ll see you later, Fingers.” Lero chuckled as he his hands brushed across her withers. “Love you, Horny.” Lyra did not move from her spot when he left. Her whimsical smile was replaced with a dead expression that betrayed no emotion, her eyes sealed shut. “What happens in the end...” *** Terror. Dread. Helplessness. How else could anyone have felt? A storm of dust, thunder, and lightening loomed on the horizon, and a nightmare of metal and fire rolled across cities. Most could not escape the destruction; the train rails were demolished, planes shot from the sky, and to use a vehicle meant you gambled with your life. Aimee had to take that chance. The invaders approached from the north and death stretched out before them. South is where she could escape and reach her home, where she hoped to meet up with her father. From there they would take a ship to someplace safe, like the Americas. “What are you doing?” Aimee looked up at the desperate faceof her classmates, she couldn’t remember his name at the moment. Probably didn’t matter anyway. “What does it look like? I’m getting out of here.” Aimee grabbed the essentials, canteen full of water, a few extra clothes, a towel... “If you leave the German army might blow you up. They won’t target civilians, but they are hitting refugees.” His British accent started to annoy her as she rifled through her paper work. Timothy, that’s his name. “Might get blown up here as well. If that doesn’t happen there are other possibilities.” Aimee picked a segment of her butterfly display. Her shoulders drooped as she placed the old project back on the desk and grabbed her art book. A loose page fluttered out and drifted lazily across the room before it landed at the young man’s feet. Timothy sighed as he knelt down to get it for her. “Didn’t know you could draw, and it’s not about an insect.” It was a colored picture of a blue roan Andalusian horse with no distinctive markings. On the bottom left was a name: Amie. Aimee snatched from his hands a little harsher than she intended. “It’s my horse back home. Dad has a bunch of animals that we take care of; just another reason why I have to go back.” She grabbed her heavy and very expensive school books and stuffed them into her suitcase. “Hey, if you wait for me I can help.” Timothy took out his keys and dangled them. “I’m not going to risk my chances here either.” “Really, you’re going to help me?” Aimee’s eyes widened as she paused. A thunderous boom faraway is heard, they both cringed and Timothy dropped his keys. “Y-ya, let’s get going.” *** The Queen paced furiously in the safety of the Everfree Forest. The forest did not move, make a sound, or challenge her presence. For what can stand against the Queen except the Sun and the Moon? “The dreams have become clearer and clearer every time we make contact with Lero. Her name, feelings, dreams, and goals...all of it. Why is her life my mind’s entire focus!?” With a sudden pulse of green magic a tree was obliterated with green fire. “What makes this girl so special? I have nothing to do with her!” The Queen stomped towards a clear pool of water and glared at her reflection. ‘Those dreams have started to feel real. That should be impossible.’ ‘Before we met Lero the dreams did not make sense, but now they can be pieced together.’ ‘Maybe they are—‘ “No.” The Queen snarled. ‘—our dreams. Maybe we—‘ “No!” Do not ‘—we are Aimee.’ “No!!! We are The Queen! I am mighty, powerful, and without peer. For all who behold my beauty despair, and we are as terrifying as the coming of night. My wrath has laid waste kingdoms, dragons bow to my whim, and the Sun and the Moon weep like helpless foals. My bite is colder than a windigo, my gaze deadlier than a gorgon, and my magic is darker than death’s cowl. I am not a shivering mortal human girl!” The forest grew dark as The Queen roared. Her eyes sucked in any light that surrounded her. Drops of saliva sizzled when they hit the ground. ‘We have never had a name. We were always The Queen. Always!’ ‘We kIlL, KiLl, kILl! oUr pUrpoSe iS To deVouR.’ ‘We are proud, do not speak blasphemy.’ We have fed go back home ‘He was tasty. I think he was the best meal we’ve ever had. Even stronger than Shining, we can make a fantastic brew of changelings.’ The Queen closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This journey was successful, and if she wanted to she can come back later to do it again. Leave the herd intact. Waste not, want not. ‘Change.’ The Queen perked her ears up. ‘Change into her.’ “Excuse me, what do you think you are doing?” The Queen demanded, her voice harsh. ‘We didn’t come here to eat, we came for answers. Change!’ No ‘Change!!’ NO ‘Change!!!’ “Fine!” The Queen screeched and an explosion of green flames covered her. Her form became lithe and petite. Gone was The Queen and in her place something less, yet more. The Queen panted hard as she stared at the ground. In her vision were two hands, both delicate and white. They felt sensitive, her whole body felt sensitive. The Queen felt naked, weak. She had never felt this venerable, not even as a pony. The Queen trembled as she gathered her strength and her legs pulled her body up. The dreams were frightfully accurate. She took a step, then another, followed closely by the next. The Queen reached the reflective pool of water and peered into it. Brown hair and dark brown eyes greeted her. The eyes were sharp and dominate. Her body felt comfortably familiar. ‘This is wrong.’ “This feels right.” ‘Well, yes, it feels right, but why?’ “I don’t know.” ‘What is your name?’ “We will never demean ourselves by having a name.” The Queen growled. ‘Fine, I am Aimee Chevalier.” The Queen gasped and stumbled backwards. “Y-you just...what’s going on!? Where is everyone else?” “There was never anyone else. Just pieces of us.” Aimee steadied herself before she fell over. “Leave me!” The Queen whipped her arms out. “I will not suffer an interloper; take your dreams and leave.” “And who do you think is the interloper here? I’ve always been here. The others came and left over time.” The Queen grinned wickedly as she pointed her finger at Aimee. “The dark voice. He’s always been there.” Aimee folded her arms and smirked. “Do you hear him now?” The Queen’s eyes searched her reflection. Nothing. “What is wrong here? Why are you doing this!?” “I didn’t do anything.” Aimee countered. “Lero.” The Queen hissed. “He did this.” “And for the better. Have you ever felt more at peace? Just listen.” Aimee covered her mouth with her hand. The Queen stopped and listened. A minute turned into five. Peace. “This is strange, but not wholly unwelcomed. I want to know, why are you in my body?” “I don’t really know.” Aimee shrugged. “Maybe you’re in my body.” “You’re a human, fool. If this was your body how did this happen to you?” The Queen frowned as she cracked her knuckles. “Do you remember your birth?” “That’s a stupid question; do you even remember your own birth? Of course not.” The Queen laughed and shook her head. “Fine then, do you remember where you came from? Why you are the way you are?” Aimee pouted and looked away. The Queen’s fingers grasped each other tightly and looked around the forest. She scrunched her forehead and closed her eyes. “I don’t have an answer, and I’m also not completely sure that you are who you say you are.” “So basically we have more questions than ever. My memories before this are fuzzy, but I think the dreams help.” Aimee sighed as she cracked her neck. “You know what though?” An evil grin grew across the Queen’s face. “We can take Lero in this body. His love was delicious and I have never felt this good, ever. I was able to defeat the Sun with Shining’s love, but this is something special. This is a human’s love; I won’t find anything like it anywhere else.” *** Lero laid belly down on the couch with his book opened. He was alone tonight and with the heavy shower outside he was resigned to take it easy. The soft rain was occasionally interrupted by a flash of lightning followed by the thunder. A sound at the door caught Lero’s attention, hooves scraped across the porch. He closed his book as the door creaked open. A flash of lightning briefly concealed the pony before Lero could make out who it was. Twilight Sparkle stood there, soaked to the core and with heavy breath. “Hi Lero, give me a moment.” Twilight grabbed the towel nearby and started to dry herself off. Lero got up and stretched. “Twilight, I thought you were busy with that project with the princess.” “I was, but I found something interesting, and I’m a little curious.” Twilight placed the towel back on the rack. She turned around as started to saunter over to Lero. “I wanted to try this spell out with the others here, but they are busy tonight, and I really want to try this out.” Lero knelt down and scratched her ears tenderly. Twilight was still a little damp. “What do you plan on doing?” A smile grew on Twilight’s face. “I am going to turn into a human.” “Really?” Lero stopped and raised an eyebrow. “That would be...interesting. Why though?” “Well, we need to have a human female template for a couple of tests.” Lero noticed Twilight swished her tail. “I’m feeling a little experimental. Do you mind if we try this?” Lero chuckled as he took a step back. “Well, this is certainly different. All that work and now you have something to share. Let’s see it.” Twilight smiled as she closed her eyes. Her horn glowed a bright green before green flames erupted around her. In a second her form was covered by a magic flash which forced Lero to shield his eyes. Then he beheld something he never thought he would see again. A young and very naked woman stood before her with a pleased grin. Much to Lero’s surprise the hair and eye color did not match to her normal unicorn colors. “Well?” “U-um, well that is amazing Twilight.” Lero gulped. “You are definitely an attractive human girl.” Twilight grabbed his hand and pulled him up the stairs. “Come on, this will be fun!” FleshIt was a dark and stormy night, which meant a heavy workload for the weather team. The storm had to be the right intensity so a calamity could avoided. Rainbow Dash’s team was not strangers to the tedious job, but they still complained all night. The moment that work was declared finished the majority made themselves scarce. ‘I can’t wait to go home. I can taste that warm meal. Still, I should see if Lyra is back first so the rain won’t bother her. Sometimes being in charge of the weather has really good perks.’ Lyra had left Ponyville early that morning for some kind of guard thing, Rainbow Dash wasn’t sure, but she was suppose to be back rather late. Rainbow Dash banked towards the train station as said train rolled in from Canterlot. She watched for the familiar spark of gold colored magic. For trips like these Lyra usually took her harp instrument thing. ‘She probably would correct me with that silly grin on her face. Oh wait, there she is!” Rainbow Dash swooped above the clouds where Lyra was about to exit and parted the clouds. She watched with barely contained glee as Lyra stepped off the train with her harp case in tow. Lyra tilted her head, and looked around to confirm that there was still rain, just not any on her. A half smile appeared on her face when decided to look up. “Dashie, I am so glad to see you, so happy that I am going to ignore this obvious abuse of your powers and not report it.” Rainbow Dash rolled over and stared at Lyra upside down with a sly grin. “I have no idea what you are talking about. This hole in the clouds was here before you got out of the train. I can fix it for you though.” “Nah, anypony that is upset over a hole in the clouds clearly has too much time on their hooves.” Lyra sighed as her eyes drooped and her tail dragged along the ground. “Too much time on their hooves.” “Come on, I’ll walk you home.” Rainbow Dash pushed a trail of clouds for her herd mate to follow. It was a slow trip home which made Rainbow just a little impatient. Her anxiousness faded when the warm appearance of home came into view. The only light on was the living room. ‘Lero must have got caught up in a book. Usually when it’s his turn to cook the kitchen light would be on.’ When Lyra reached the door, Rainbow landed next to her and shook the water off herself. She looked up to see Lyra with an amused raised eyebrow. “Did you just escort me home just so you have shake water next to me?” Rainbow chuckled as she ruffled her wings. “My bad.” Lyra opened the door with a spark of magic. “Lero, Rainbow and I are home!” “Hey there!” Their stallion called out from the living room. “Shoot, I forgot dinner!” Lyra and Rainbow chuckled as they watched him jump off the couch and stumbled into the kitchen. “It’s fine. I think I want to lie down for a bit.” Lyra said, “My pillow wants to talk to my muzzle.” Rainbow nodded as she grabbed the nearby towel. It smelt like it was used recently. Odd. Did somepony visit? Rainbow mentally shrugged as she threw the towel on the rack. ‘Maybe Twilight forgot something and came back.’ Lero moved around the kitchen at a fever pace, he looked nervous. Rainbow slinked up behind him and waited for the perfect moment to strike. She leaped out and pulled him into a hug from behind and nibbled on his exposed shoulder. “Were you enjoying yourself, big guy?” She was surprised when she felt Lero tense up. His whole body was rigid. “Whoa, calm down. It’s just me.” “Right, sorry about that.” Lero forced a chuckle. He quickly turned around and returned the hug. “You really shouldn’t do that to a guy holding a knife. Somepony could get hurt.” “My bad, did you cut yourself?” Rainbow rubbed her muzzle in his neck. “Naw, love.” Lero broke the hug and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He turned around to continue his task when he stumbled again. Rainbow Dash cried out and moved to catch him. “I got you!” She quickly wrapped her forearms around him and slowed his fall. She felt him breath rapidly as she sighed in relief until something caught her eye on the floor. “What’s that green stuff?” Rainbow felt a chill go through her body. The hair on her back stood up as her wings froze up. Rainbow’s instincts screamed at her and she listened. She bounced away just in time to avoid a quick slice of a large blade. But not fast enough to avoid a small, shallow cut on her shoulder. Rainbow looked up; her eyes wide open, and met the dead glare from her human stallion. His bulky form loomed over her with a meat carver in his jerky hand. The knife was slightly stained with red and green on the blade. Lero had the look of a killer. A stunned Dash shrunk under Lero’s long shadow. Did she do something wrong, why did he react so violently? “What are you doing Lero?” Her answer came in the form of a cold chuckle which spooked Rainbow to her core. Before she could say anything Lero was on her again. He struck with a clumsy but swift vertical strike that forced Rainbow to dodge. She almost tripped over the table chair she knocked over. Dash didn’t notice. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Come on Lero just calm down.” “Oh, sorry. I just realized how much of a joke this all is.” Lero face palmed with his green stained wounded hand, he continued to chuckle. “I’m actually screwing a horse. How wrong is that?” Rainbow’s ears trembled against her skull. She couldn’t believe what she heard. Lero has told her in the past how he felt about his relationship. While it was not entirely normal for a pony to marry outside their species, it was not unheard of. For Lero, a human paired up with a human, anything else was considered perverse. What was the word? Bestiality. He didn’t call their relationship that though, he said it was xenophilia. “What we have is not wrong.” Rainbow strained to say, her heart was heavy and ached. Like a minotaur decided to stomp on it. “How can it be, who told you that!? After everything we’ve been through. After all our doubts and struggles how can you possibly question that?” Lero’s features softened as his grip on the knife loosened. “You really believe that?” Rainbow sniffed as she held back tears. He doubted what they had? She took a slow step toward him; she still had a submissive posture and really, really hoped he calmed down enough. Dash wasn’t sure how long he’s been tormented by these feelings, but he needed a hug now. “Y-yea you big lug. Just put the knife down and we can talk about it.” Lero kicked his heavy foot out and caught Rainbow in her muzzle. She crashed through the table behind her as her vision blacked out. Dash’s senses were dulled and her ears ringed, but her trained mind did not fail her. Rainbow rolled to the side as a rush of air sliced through her mane. She blinked rapidly as her vision returned. The large knife was embedded in the table as Lero struggled to pull it out. ‘This can’t be him, there is no way. Lero just wouldn’t do this. He’s sick. Maybe some kind of magic spell did this?’ Rainbow pulled herself back up. She felt a small trail of liquid go down her lips from her nose. ‘For better or worse and in sickness and in health. I will always be there for you.’ The vow solidified in her mind as she gathered her resolve. Rainbow jumped up behind Lero and wrapped her forearms around his arms. She beat her wings hard and dragged Lero away from the blade. “Calm down, please. This isn’t you. I can get help.” Lero realized he couldn’t get his weapon back so he chucked his body back and slammed Dash into the wall behind them. Rainbow felt the air knocked out of her as her grip loosened. Lero quickly broke free and swung around with a backhand. Rainbow ducked it and tackled him to the ground. She hugged him tightly, she was not about to fight back. She would just hold him close and everything would be fine. Lero rolled over so he could be on top. He pulled one arm free and used his free hand to wrap his fingers around her neck. Then he started to squeeze her throat tightly. Rainbow’s vision blurred as her thoughts became frantic. Then she noticed something wrong. ‘He’s not wearing my feather. He hates me!’ A sneer grew across his face as he doubled down on her. ‘Le..r…o…’ The quiet hum of magic filled the air before Lero was thrown off Rainbow and out the window. A horrible mixture of sorrow and grief plagued Rainbow Dash as she laid there. “W-what was that!? What the buck was that!? I...wa...why...” “Oh this is really bad.” Rainbow heard Lyra’s voice but did not respond. She curled herself up into a tight ball as tears dampened her face. Rainbow started to cough as she tried to hide from the world in her forearms. “Lero just went crazy and he...and he wasn’t wearing my feather. ” She felt the warm body of her herd mate hug her close. “I don’t know what to do.” “Rainbow, you have changeling blood all over your neck.” Rainbow froze, and looked into Lyra’s large eyes. “What, what are you talking about?” Rainbow blinked slowly. ‘Lero did bleed green on the hand he cut himself on. Lero’s blood is red, not green. So that wasn’t him. That wasn’t him! It was a bug the whole time!’ Rainbow’s tremors that racked her body ceased as her mind started to calm down. ‘Changeling...don’t they? Oh no. If that was a changeling, Lero is in trouble. A changeling came into our home as one of us and not only tricked him, but kidnapped him as well.’ Rainbow stood up from her fetal position. She could feel Lyra as she rose up next to her. Dash started to breathe hard as implications dawned on her. ‘A changeling took advantage of him in our home. In our home! He could be calling for help right now!’ Rainbow’s vision tinged red as a fire burned in her gullet. An electric charge coursed through her being as her wings hardened by her side. “Lero’s in danger!” “Don’t panic.” Lyra grabbed Rainbow’s face and sharply pulled it close, their muzzles a hair’s breadth apart. “We can’t afford to do something stupid. I’ll chase down the changeling and you get Twilight and tell her what has happened.” Rainbow felt her heart tighten as she shakily nodded. “Be careful, please.” Lyra quickly flicked the door open with her magic and Rainbow flew out of the house. She swooped above the cloud line and immediately broke the color barrier. The Sonic Rainboom destroyed the weather that she had worked all night on. Rainbow didn’t care; already her mind went through the worse case scenarios. ‘Did they hurt him? Did they kill him!?’ Rainbow Dash let loose a primal scream. Her gut flared with rage that consumed her body and mind. She was ready to rip changelings apart.“Buck this!” Rainbow slammed into the ground in front of the library tree, the earth quaked beneath her and the trees in the area swayed violently. The force blew the door open to reveal a shocked Spike. The welcome mat was now in a small crater. “R-rainbow?” Spiked gulped. A small part of Rainbow told her that she probably scared the poor baby dragon. She’ll have to deal with that later. “Twilight!!!” She bellowed just to make sure Twilight knew that she was there. Not even a moment later, a bright purple flashed announced Twilight’s arrival. Her mane was up in a ponytail and wore oversize orange goggles. To say she looked disheveled would have been an understatement. “What, the hay Rainbo...” Twilight’s eyes grew large. “Rainbow you have blood on you.” Rainbow panted hard as glanced at herself. “Lero has been kidnapped.” A beaker, that Rainbow didn’t notice, Twilight had in her telekinetic grip dropped to the floor and shattered. Twilight gapped before she quickly regained her wits. “By what you have on you, I would say by changelings.” Rainbow heard a growl erupted from Twilight as flames sparked in her eyes. “Spike, code omega.” Spike saluted, he took out parchment and started to scribble furiously. Twilight started to pace. “A changeling means that he must have been stalked for a few weeks. Tell me what happened.” “You should come to the house and see for yourself.” Rainbow flared her wings aggressively. She was eager to get back to Lyra. She hoped, to all things, that she might have found it. “I’ll meet you there; I need to grab a few things.” Twilight vanished in a purple flash. Spike had sent the message and was already started to stuff a bag full of things. “Dash, you’ll get him back right?” Spike asked. Rainbow’s harsh eyes looked at him, but softened as soon as she saw his barely contained tears. “We will. No bug is going to hurt him.” Rainbow took off again; if she had stayed a second longer she would have gotten a letter back from Princess Celestia. She noticed the confused townsfolk outside as Rainbow flew past; when Rainbow reached the house, Twilight just teleported into the living room with random equipment. Rainbow was right by her side and regaled to her what had happened when Lyra and she got home. Twilight nodded and pointed out the door. “See if you can help Lyra. I’m going to try and figure out when Lero was taken.” Before Rainbow could fly out the door, Lyra trotted in with the changeling in tow. It only had one wing now. “No need, I have it right here.” “You!” Rainbow snarled as her rage boiled again. A strong tent of red colored her view as she grabbed the changeling by the neck. “Where is he!? It hissed defiantly and was punched as a result. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” “Rainbow, stop.” Twilight called out. “We can’t force it to say anything like this.” “Twilight, it stole his body. This thing had to have seen him in order for that to happen.” Rainbow glanced at the changeling’s injured hoof to make sure that this was the one she fought. “Drones don’t talk.” Lyra spoke up. “There has never been a successful interrogation done on one, ever.” “So it’s useless to us?” Rainbow started to stalk around the changeling like a predator. She wanted so badly to tear into it, even if it didn’t help. “Not quite.” Twilight took out an odd machine that Rainbow was not sure what it did. It beeped and clicked furiously as a small peg danced on a scale of numbers. “I can find out how many were here. Anti-changeling detectors have come a long way since the Canterlot invasion. The magic signature should still be fresh.” “Those would have been helpful during that invasion.” Lyra placed a hoof on Rainbow to try and calm her. Twilight scanned the area as the device beeped erratically. Twilight followed the marks carefully as it took her upstairs. Rainbow stayed close behind as Twilight clopped into the bedroom. ‘Oh no. Don’t tell me.’ Rainbow heard a surprised squeak from Twilight. “The energy readings are strongest here.” A cold chill went down Rainbow’s spine as her heart skipped a beat. “Did a changeling get him in here?” “Not just any changeling.” Twilight snarled loudly which made Rainbow jump. “That monster has decided to violate the sanctity of my family twice now.” “The Queen.” Lyra softly answered. Rainbow heard fear in her voice. She would have never thought Lyra would have been afraid of anything. “Oh this is bad.” “Fine, we find her and tear into her.” Rainbow Dash stomped her hooves on the floor. That giant bug was about to be a grease stain. That monster took advantage of her human stallion. Just the thought clouded her mind with violent fury. “This is the Queen, Rainbow.” Lyra got in her face, worry was etched on her. “This creature would take you apart and laugh in your face.” Rainbow tore her eyes away and lurched towards the prisoner. “Is this some kind of revenge scheme?” Rainbow asked the changeling. It looked up at her confused before it laughed. “Not even clossse.” Rainbow gritted her teeth as she punched the changeling’s face. The punch was strong enough to knock it out cold. “That was not a normal response.” Twilight tied the changeling up in magical rope. “It laughed at us.” “So this more than a revenge plan.” Lyra looked at the bed. She looked a little greener than normal. “The Queen probably thought he was exotic and took him for herself.” Rainbow’s stomach sank. “No. She wouldn’t.” “No she won’t.” Twilight muttered darkly. “Ladies, our stallion has just been kidnapped. There will be Tartarus to pay.” *** “This day has been perfect.” Aimee sighed deeply as she led her entourage of changelings. There was a skip in her step and her eyes twinkled. She sung a small ditty that made sense to only herself. Lero was restrained in rope and magical grips. He was asleep for most of the trip to the kingdom, but the moment he awoke he struggled nonstop. He couldn’t say anything, but she can taste his confusion and anger. “I can find pleasure in that we probably caused a lot of pain for Sparkle.” The Queen grinned wickedly. “Who cares about that pony, this man made me feel alive.” Aimee drew behind Lero and placed a hand on his shoulder. He visibly flinched. Terror, rich flavor. Always nice to have after love.“Oh, you poor thing. I’m going to remove the gag, don’t bother screaming. We are miles away from help.” Aimee removes the gag. Lero glares at her for a few moments. She savored the taste of how close to the breaking point he was. “You weren’t Twilight earlier were you? Who and what are you?” Lero growled to her. Rage, a strong flavor. If not careful can overpower the other dishes. “Mwah? I am The Queen of the Changelings, and I am Aimee Chevalier. Former human, I think. Probably. You stand before greatness mortal. I have to say you were horrible in bed. You’ve spent too long with ponies.” “Is that so?” Lero glared with an unamused tone. “Why have you kidnapped me?” “Because when I want something I take it!” The Queen snarled. Aimee draped an arm around him and traced his jaw line. “You make me feel complete, even if you are an American.” Disgust crossed over Lero’s face. Sour, not really enjoyable.“You used me. I don’t belong to you; I made a vow to my partners. I will never let you have me.” Aimee’s grin vanished as she leaned in close to his face. The Queen grabbed the hair on the back of his hand and twisted. “Let me make myself clear. You. Don’t. Belong. Here. You will always be different, you will never fit in. I saw the way the ponies looked at you, even the friendly ones. I am not alien to that world.” Lero continued to glare at her. “You think I am not aware of the alienation? Despite all that, they still accepted me. Lyra accepted me, Twilight accepted me, and Rainbow...Rainbow helped me to move on. Do I miss home? Of course I do, but this is my home now.” “You say that, but in her heart she desires a stallion. I can feel it, it is only natural after all.” The Queen let go of his hair and poked his chest. “Has she said on a few occasions how strange you are sometimes?” Lero remained quiet, but stern. Aimee smiled as she pointed at one of the changelings. “Change.” Green magic flames sprouted around the changeling. Its formed changed into that of another human. “See that, I can give you back your home. Any of them can change into any kind of human you want. They will act like them, eat like them, and talk like them.” Aimee waltzed towards the human as it accepted her hand. “This one is named Timothy.” Lero cringed as his face paled. “Why would I even participate in this charade?” “Why?” Aimee cheerful demeanor and was replaced by something cold. “Do you have holes, Lero? I have holes. Holes everywhere. My body and my mind are covered in holes. I feel like thorns wrap themselves around me and just cover me with holes.” She took one of Lero’s restrained hands and forced a finger to poke her forehead. “I have a big festering hole right there, that has eaten away at me all my life. So many things are missing. Was it taken from me, was I born like this, or maybe there was a hole there, but it’s gone now.”Aimee let go of Lero’s hand and started to cradle her head. “The holes were covered up by so many distractions, but all that did was hide the problem.” Aimee looked up at Lero. She did not move. She did not blink. “I don’t like holes. You, Lero, are going to fill those holes in.” “Yes, there is a double meaning to that.” The Queen chuckled as she beckoned him a finger. “Your love makes me feel powerful. It is wasted on ponies.” “I am not giving anything to you.” Lero closed his eyes. His voice was tense, but calm. “You are clearly insane, and you are clearly demented.” He yelped when The Queen drilled a sharp nail into his forehead and broke the skin. “Listen human, nothing in Equestria can tell me no. I told you, when I want something I get it. I will take your mind and turn it into a vegetable if I have to.” “Don’t try to call her bluff. She will do it.” Aimee sighed as she caressed his cheek with one hand. “So many ponies, dragons, griffins, and other creatures have fallen to her will.” Lero returned her gaze and stared intently. Though smaller in stature the gaze reminded The Queen of a dragon’s glare. The taste of power, an apex predator. Intoxicating. “You are asking me to give up to you. Why should I when Rainbow, Twilight, and Lyra will fight with everything they have to get me back?” “And what makes you think that they would do that when they know it is a lost cause?” The Queen grinned, all her teeth were sharp. “Because, I would do the same.” Aimee frowned and spoke in a low voice. “Lero, what year were you born?” He studied her and decided to answer carefully. “It was after the turn of the millennium.” “What happened after the Germans invaded? I don’t quite remember the year, but France was...lost.” Lero blinked vacantly as he tried to process the question. Confusion leaves an odd taste. “They lost the war. The Germans were eventually defeated.” "I see.” Aimee stared at the ground murmuring gibberish before her head shot up and flashed Lero a smile. “I told you that you would be filling in holes.” “Good night, we’ll reach my kingdom tomorrow.” The Queen flicked his forehead. A green spark of magic flickered for a moment. Lero was able to resist for a moment (a moment longer than The Queen expected), but soon his eyes turned green as his eyelids drooped. “Just like all the others.” “It has been a long day.” Aimee carefully laid Lero’s body down on top of a changeling's back. “I want to dream again.” She looked up at another changeling and nodded. It transformed into another human. “Daddy.” Aimee hugged it with complete affection. “Everything will be better soon Dad. Tomorrow is a new day.” Her eyes grew heavy as the stars faded. *** What was once a pristine forest of beauty was now a wasteland. Bombs had wrecked the land. There was still a line of trees that still stood, but the forest was nowhere as thick as it once was. Charred cars that were still on fire could be spotted on the side of the road. Aimee shuddered as they drove past another family. Timothy glanced at her. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. His eyes darted up at the sky every few moments and his movements jerked around sporadically. The trip wore their nerves thin. “Turn down this way.” Aimee pointed towards an old gravel road with a mailbox. “R-right.” Timothy sighed in relief with the cover of trees. “So your home, what’s it like?” Aimee watched the canopy of trees go by as she played with the door lock. “Well it’s been in the family for a while. Our family a long, long time ago took care of horses. Breed, trained, and raised horses for nobility and knights.” “Then you guys had enough and killed your King.” Timothy chuckled darkly as he shook his head. “Ya, there was more to it than that, but that is the gist of it. We still have horses, but it is mostly a recreational habit. Dad’s a researcher.” “Big name researcher on top of that. I saw his name on the board of directors for the school.” Aimee smiled quietly. “It was because of him I got into university.” Some time past before a familiar house rolled into view. It stood two stories tall with the wears and tears of an old weathered home. Weary stones covered in moss lined the walls. Red window panes hanged loosely to allow light inside. Trees obscured most of the house, and vines are wrapped around the awning. Dad’s rose bushes had grown fairly large. It’s good to be home. “How very rustic.” Timothy stopped the car in front of the walkway. Aimee nodded as she opened the car door. She froze when she looked at the walkway. Heavy boot prints were printed everywhere, and the door looked like it was kicked open. Her heart skipped a beat as Aimee’s breath stopped. “Oh no.” Aimee dashed towards the house. She brushed up a little too close to one of the trees and scrapped herself on one of the thorns wrapped around it. She ran into the living room, the place was torn apart. She found papers thrown around, furniture overturned, and windows broken. Valuables and family heirlooms were gone. Aimee ran up to the second floor. There were no signs of Dad. Aimee opened the back door. The barn doors were partially off their hinges and all the animals seemed to have scattered. There is nothing here. They took everything. Aimee didn’t have time to meditate what happened when she heard heavy machinery overhead. ‘Do I hear planes?’ Explosion. Aimee fell over as the house was rocked. She scrambled to her feet and sprinted towards the front door. Her ears ringed as she stumbled over fallen furniture. The smell of melted metal and chemicals permeated the air. Aimee exited the house; the smoke choked her lungs and burned her eyes. She gasped as her hand covered her mouth. The car was gone, as was Timothy. Another explosion. Ears hurt. Aimee picked herself up off the ground. Her arms failed as she fell down again. Bones ached and her muscles screamed out in pain. ‘What? Why am I on the floor? Everything smells like ash.’ Aimee struggled back up only to fall down again. She passed out. Her face is wet. ‘Something is licking me.’ Aimee eye’s cracked open. A tongue invaded her vision and continued its invasive action. ‘Something is sniffing me.’ Aimee strained to turn over. She didn’t have the energy. Something pushed her over. “Amie? When did you come back?” Her horse snorted as she knelt down next to her. Amie’s warm body soothed Aimee’s aches and the soft coat was welcomed over the cold hard ground. Aimee grabbed Amie by her withers and weakly pulled up. As soon as Aimee was draped on her back Amie carefully got up. Aimee got a good look at what was left of her house. Fire licked charred remains of furniture and centuries old trees laid low in the ruins. The chimney shifted slightly before it fell down into the ashes of the old desecrated home. Tears flowed down Aimee’s face. “It’s gone.” She didn’t know how long she stayed there. She just watched the flames burn away whatever existed of her old life. “Let’s go, Amie. I don’t know where, but I just want to go.” Her horse slowly trotted away into the woods. The trees crowded in on them as they went deeper. The canopy slowly darkened the trail. They plodded along with no real destination in mind. “Aimee.” Someone called out to her from beyond her sight in the darkest part of the forest. “Dear child, come this way.” “Who’s there?” Aimee looked around. They were in a clearing with Foxglove everywhere. Amie neighed aggressively. Suddenly her horse took off and almost threw Aimee off. She held tightly to her horse’s mane as the trees flew by; Amie galloped long and hard, enough to make her nose bleed. “Amie, why are you so scared? Stop, you’re going to hurt yourself!” Amie slowed down to a plod. She heaved loudly as her legs trembled weakly. Aimee slid off and grabbed Amie by the muzzle. “Calm down. It’s ok. Shhh.” “Aimee.” Someone called out to her. “Dear child, come this way.” Aimee froze. The voice followed her. She looked around and discovered they were back in the clearing surrounded by Foxglove. They glowed now. “W-who’s there?” Someone with pastel rainbow hair appeared before her. *** A buzz irritated the Queen enough to wake her from her sleep. An alarm jolts her up, Lero had escaped. Her face twisted in rage. “How is this possible!? I had him under mind control.” She picked up one of the unconscious changelings. A green spark woke it. “Explain, how was he able to escape?” The changeling quickly answered with telepathic memories. Lero had broken out of the mind control only five minutes after she had gone to sleep. He slipped out of some of the restrains and broke the rest on a changeling’s head. This one immediately went to capture him, but Lero grabbed it and slammed it into the ground. As its vision fades, it watched Lero escaped through the forest. “No, we can’t let him escape!” Aimee cried out. She looked up at the forest of Leota where he disappeared into. The Queen breathed in deeply before she unleashed a horrifying roar that would have made dragons tremble. The hive heard and it will answer her call. The entire hive. The sky blackened as the swarm approached; the moon and stars disappeared from view like a blanket over the world. “Find the human! Let nothing stand in your way.” “We can follow the trail he left behind.” Aimee told The Queen with desperation. “No need to panic, he has no idea where he is.” The Queen grinned. “The forest is large and can be confusing, but we should not leave anything to chance.” The Queen and Aimee dug their foot into the ground before they sprinted off into the forest. Animals, both mundane and magical, fled before her as she ran through the brush. Her emerald eyes shined brightly, which cut through the darkness. The swarm high above broke into formations and covered the forest. Aimee ran until she came across a rotted sign. “Welcome to Iron Shoe.” She looked at the abandoned ghost town where the human foot prints entered. It was a settlement beyond Equestria’s borders made by ponies that did not wish to live under the crown. Not Celestia’s crown, but an old unicorn kingdom. They had formed an odd government that voted in a council who controlled the village. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with the village structure; they had successfully controlled the dangers of the forest much like how Ponyville did when it was founded. The town became well known for its iron based products. They built things to last, the town itself still stood after all this time. Too bad they made a home next to a changeling hive. “Haven’t been here in a long time.” Aimee contemplated as she pushed the old splintered sign over. She should just send a squad of changelings inside while she searched the forest. “It would take too long to run through this old town. We can cover more ground—“ A bright beam of light erupted from epicenter of the town. It stretched high into the sky for all to see and turned away the darkness. All the magical lamps in every building turned on at the same time. The old village that had slept for eons sparked to life once again. The large mansion that overlooked the town shined brilliantly. Aimee covered her eyes. Something in the town blew up as the all the lights died at once. A billow of smoke rose from the center of town. Aimee rubbed the soreness from her eyes. “I think he turned on the generator and over-clocked it.” “He’s trying to send a signal for help!” The Queen growled then howled into the sky. The changelings began to converge to her. “Form a ring around the town; nothing will get in or out. I want some to help me search.” Aimee walked down Mane Street towards the center of town. Her entourage of changelings that followed her occasionally broke off to search the buildings. The old wood buildings were covered in overgrowth and the paint was worn off, but they still stood strong. Earth ponies made sure what they build lasted a long time. Most of the street lamps that had not fallen over were homes for cobwebs and crows. Aimee reached downtown and stopped. She allowed a smile to grow on her face as she took a deep breath for her royal voice of yore. “Lero, you have no way to escape! Your gamble for help has failed, you foolish American!” “Don’t bother coming out now! I want to hunt you down! When I find you I will break one of your legs! Then I will drag you back to my kingdom where you will stay for the rest of your life!” “I will use you to make a human world! With your love I can create changelings to be just like humans! They will talk and act just like them; go to work, ride on ponies, and make love! It will be a perfect little world!” “I am your future, Lero! Your body, mind, love, and soul belong to me! Don’t you realize it? I was with you the whole time the past few weeks! Any of those times you thought you were with your herd mates was me! I know you!” “We slept together! Can’t just let that go! Sure, you were awkward because of only having pony partners, but I will teach you! We can go on dates, meet each other’s parents, get married, and have little children!” “I will take your love and make a new world!” “We will make love and it will be beautiful!” Such a rich flavor in the air. The Queen grinned as she cracked her knuckles. That was her favorite thing to do now. She was about to have fun. Explosion. Aimee’s vision darted towards the sky. A rainbow colored shockwave broke through the changeling fence. A streak of color bends towards downtown as the air rippled with magic energy. Gold chariots follow far behind the streak with an army of pegasi soldiers. The rainbow streaked impacted the ground before Aimee, which forced her to look away briefly. Rainbow Dash looked up at her and growled. In an instant a purple flash announced the arrival of Twilight next to Rainbow. Her horn did not cease its glow as Twilight summoned more magic. A powerful purple shield erupted from her; it passed through Rainbow with no effect and slammed into The Queen. Her world was turned upside down as the magic barrier dragged her across town. The other changelings that had followed her were also caught by the shield and were squashed against some of the houses. The Queen dug her feet harshly into the ground as she pushed back against the barrier. She raised a fist and punched it as hard as she could. The Queen didn’t destroy the shield, but she was able to phase through it. She was now on the edge of town again with the barrier behind her. Looked like the little pony mage had copied a spell from her brother. The Queen seethed as green sparks of energy tendrils jumped off her. “Kill them. Kill them all!” Transparent dragonfly wings erupted from her back as she charged back in town. Black and green magic melted from her fist as her feet pounded against the earth. She reached downtown in a matter of seconds. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were gone and in their place waited a brigade of soldiers. “Stand your ground mares.” The dark Pegasus field commander calmly glared at the target that rushed at them. Commander Nightshade’s blue bat wings twitched with anticipation as their foe closed in. A silver scabbard hanged on her back and her wings were covered with tainted black blades. Her golden eyes calculated their next move. “Unicorns, suppress her!” There were five groups; in each one five earth ponies with heavy armor took point with spears and gauntlets. They held their ground with earth pony magic. The three pegasi wore light armor equipped with razor wing tips, perfect for flank maneuvers and sharp enough to cut through dragon scales. The two unicorn mages provided support with shield magic and bolts to attack from afar. Multiple bolts fired past The Queen. The energy made the air crackle with heat. Magical discharges missed her by inches as she used her lithe form to dance around them. When she spied the commander The Queen smiled as she grabbed one of the bolts out of the air, twisted it around her body and flung it back towards her target. The bolt zoomed far faster than when it was first fired and Nightshade only had time for her eyes to widen. A green hoof flashed and deflected the shot past the commander. She let a sigh of relief as she looked over to her savior. “Auxiliary Guard Heartstrings, it is good to see you. That would have not ended well for me. Though I must ask, why are you not looking for the target?” The ever still Lyra took the traditional Still Way stance. “I can’t cover nearly as much ground as Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle. Besides, this one is personal. You don’t mind if I join you Commander Nightshade.” Nightshade small smirk only allowed a single fang through her lips. “Would be honored.” “Here she comes.” “This is where we stop her until backup arrives and the target is rescued.” The mares yelled out a war cry and readied their weapons. “We are the combined might of the sun and moon. We are the strongest that our princesses have to offer. This monster s has been blight on our kingdom for eons. Make sure to run her back underground.” The Queen allowed a murderous grin to break across her face before she leapt high into the air. “Ready your shields, don’t give her a chance!” The Queen landed a devastating blow to the point group’s magic shield. It shattered instantly like she popped a bubble. The group scattered as she landed with a heavy thud. Aimee looked up as the point group quickly surrounded her. The five earth ponies all stabbed with their spears in perfect unison. The Queen swiftly sidestepped the barrage of steel and grabbed two spears by the wood handles. The two earth ponies dug into the ground and poured their earth magic into their hooves to hold steady. “Stop her, we are barely hol--!” Aimee lifted the mares off the ground by their spears and swung them around like a top. The other three soldiers were knocked aside by their fellow comrades. Then she slammed her two flails together which produced a sick crunch. “Pierce, Lance! No!” One of the pegasus swooped down low with her wing blades outstretched. The Queen recognized the emotion connected between herd sisters. She quickly ducked under the slash and grabbed the pegasus by her tail. Aimee threw her at the other pegasus that tried to flank her, their blades clashed each other as they crumpled to the ground. “What are you all doing!?” Nightshade bellowed out. “Why can’t you grab her?” The unicorn mares grimaced as their horns burned brightly. “Our telekinesis is not working on her. She’s resisting our spells.” Nightshade quickly glanced over to Lyra. “You are in a herd with a human. Tell me you know of any weakness we can use?” Lyra’s horned glowed as she reached out. “Everypony focus on her knees. Don’t bother with a full body grab.” A magical aura surrounded Aimee’s knees slowing her down to a crawl. The Queen snorted and rolled her eyes. “You should run now.” A ring of green flames blazed around her before she thrust them out. A wall of armageddon bore down on the ponies. “Unicorns’ shield now!” Commander Nightshade jumped next to Lyra as she created a gold shield to cover them. She winced when she heard the brief cries of pain from those too slow to escape. All Lyra and Nightshade could see was green flames of fury. Then, without warning, they dissipated rapidly. “Hello Lyra.”The Queen whispered behind them a killer’s grin split her face. Lyra quickly bounced to the side and dodged a kick. Aimee followed up with a downward elbow strike towards Lyra’s temple. Lyra calmly deflected the blow with a magic block. Nightshade came in from behind with a sliver magic sword in her mouth and attempted to run the monster through. Aimee felt the sun blessed blade and back flipped over her opponent. Aimee threw her weight down on Nightshade and grabbed her head. “I wish to talk to Lyra.” Aimee’s eyes turned solid green. “Do you mind taking care of your subordinates? Good girl.” Commander Nightshade’s eyes became heavy as the familiar green tint poisoned her. Nightshade slowly got up and stalked her way towards some down soldiers. A golden hue of magic wrapped around Nightshade’s leg and tripped her. Nightshade fell muzzle first into the ground. Another magic attack surrounded her head and smashed it into the ground. “Well that wasn’t nice. You knocked her out cold.” Lyra breathed calmly as she took a stance. Her bright golden eyes pierced her opponent. She was balance, all things flow with all things. “You can’t hide the fear from me, Still Way master.” The Queen calmly slinked towards her. “You have every right to be. I completely nullified your training the first time we meet. You want to hear something even better? That was before I took the groom’s love. I was powerful enough to defeat your princess after I took it. Lero’s love made me stronger then when I defeated her. Do you hear me, I am stronger!” Lyra snorted as she carefully kept her distance. “There is a difference this time. You had Prince Armor’s love backing you up the whole time. Tell me, does Lero love you right now?” The Queen hissed as her anger sparked. “Cute little unicorn, let me tell you something. I can taste the varying strengths of love. He does not love you nearly as much as the others.” Lyra glared as the first sign of emotions crossed her face. It lasted only a second as she breathed another calm breath. “I know that. Lero’s love for me is not like that of Rainbow Dash or Twilight. The love he has for me is unique because he loves me for who I am. This is not some competition, but a state of companionship. Besides...” The Queen raised an eyebrow. “...you must have been imitating me poorly.” “Whatever makes you sleep better at night, Horny.” The Queen answered in Lero’s voice. Lyra’s horn barely glowed before a golden gleam tried to wrap itself around The Queen’s throat and ankle. Her foot was pulled out from under her and The Queen was slammed into the ground. A pegasus soldier that had waited for an opportunity dove down for a sagittal slash. Aimee broke free from Lyra’s grip and kicked the pegasus’ throat before the weapon got close. Lyra grabbed the ankle that The Queen used and threw her again. An earth pony soldier was fast enough to buck the monster as she flipped. The Queen flew back from the powerful kick and would have crashed into the ground if she had not decided to use her wings. She glared at the earth pony mare and raised her hand. A telekinetic green hue wrapped around the soldier and lifted her up from the ground. “Stop her, stop her, stop her, stop her!” Her cries for help were cut short when Aimee smashed her into the other soldiers. The Queen’s maniacal joy was cut short when something tugged on the articulation of her wings. Lyra gritted her teeth as she harshly pulled down with her magic on the monster’s appendages. The Queen was cut off guard and teetered in the sky before she landed. The few unicorns that were still up fired magic bolts on her. The Queen growled as green flames sprouted around her. “I don’t think so!” Nightshade slashed down on Aimee and stopped her attack. A fresh head wound forced Nightshade to only use one eye, but it did not hold her back. Silver blade in mouth and on wings the legendary three blade style was put to full use. Sparks flew as the blades crossed paths with each other. “Keep going, I got her!” Lyra yelled out as she grabbed, yanked, and pulled all over the monster. The Queen’s balance and concentration was thrown off. Every step she took almost collapsed, her movements became sluggish, and her throat had a vice wrapped around it. Lyra was really trying to kill her with everything she had. The soldiers closed in. “I guess I should stop playing around.” Aimee grabbed the blade much to Nightshade’s surprise. “This body is still rusty, but it has been interesting. However, I really should go find Lero.” With unreal strength, Aimee shattered the silver magic blade and kicked Nightshade hard. Sickly green slime erupted from the ground; all the ponies around her were immediately entangled. The goo captured all her foes in a matter of seconds. The Queen looked around with a pleased grin, she turned around and found Lyra was only a few centimeters away from her with an outstretched hoof that glowed. “Is that the legendary Necrosis Touch? I’m surprised they still teach that. You really wanted to kill didn’t you; that move would have liquefied all my nerves if you had hit.” The Queen leaned down into Lyra’s uncovered ear. “Does your herd know you can do that?” Something hit her, hard. The Queen’s world spinned uncontrollably as body skipped across the ground. Aimee planted a foot in the road and anchored herself. She plowed about six feet of dirt before she came to a stop. The Queen looked up to see the furious Rainbow Dash. The moment lasted a second as Rainbow Dash uppercutted her into the sky. “You raped him.” Rainbow Dash snarled as she continued to wail on The Queen. “I am going to tear you apart!” She carried the monster high into the sky. “How long were you hunting him? How many times did you steal my body to trick him!? Never. Again. Will. You. Touch. Him!” A cone was building around Rainbow as she flew faster and faster until finally she pushed hard enough to do it. Rainbow Dash tackled The Queen with a full on Sonic Rainboom. “He made a vow, and you took advantage of it!” Rainbow Dash arched down and grabbed Aimee from behind to hold her in place. A stream of rainbow light could be seen from a distance until it crashed into the ground. A prismatic mushroom cloud exploded and covered the area with a thick fog of dust and dirt. Rainbow staggered away from ground zero. Her breath was rapid and shallow after performing the one move she would have never thought to use on anything in her life. Her muscles screamed and her bones ached as she looked back to where she dropped The Queen. She was lying there still as stone. “Six.” “Wha--!!!” Slime covered Rainbow’s legs and grew up to her body. She tried to spread her wings to fly away, but was too slow and exhausted to escape. After she flew full steam to get to this town, find Lero, and blasted away the monster she was just entirely out of energy. Aimee struggled to get up. She coughed profusely as she made her way up to the pony. “I’m impressed, had you done that to me on a normal day I would have been down and out.” “Like I told your herd wretch, I’m on a schedule.” Aimee poked Rainbow in the middle of her head. She made an attempt to bite her. “You will never see him again, and to make sure. I will take your wing.” The Queen’s claws carefully played around Rainbow’s frame. “I’ll just take one.” The green ooze around Rainbow Dash turned an ugly brown. Aimee raised an eyebrow. “Who?” The ooze exploded off Rainbow Dash. The Queen quickly tried to slash down on Rainbow, but she disappeared in a purple flash. Aimee looked up to see Twilight Sparkle with a cold glare. She wore a tiara on her head. Twilight’s mane threw off sparks of flames. ‘A tiara? Wait, Rainbow Dash is wearing a necklace.’ “You got lucky last time.” Twilight snorted. “This time however, your reign of terror ends.” A brilliant white flash appeared before them; Princess Celestia in all her glory stood tall and with her the other Elements of Harmony. The sun started to rise. The Queen had wasted too much time. “All right you big meanie greenie pantie. You hurt our friends, you get the business end of friendship!” Pinkie Pie bounced next to Rainbow Dash. The Queen growled as green flames exploded around her. The ground quaked as fissures appeared in the ground. She will not lose now, not with everything on the line. The Queen pointed a finger at Twilight as hot energy glowed on the tip. She wanted this one gone. Princess Celestia’s eyes glowed white. “I think not.” A gold shield enveloped them all as Aimee fired her beam. The barrier resisted for a few seconds before it cracked under the power. The Elements of Harmony dodged the attack only for it to blow up a village block that stood behind them. A mushroom cloud was born from the explosion as a shock wave shook the earth. Green flames billowed high in the sky as the fire spread across the village. The smoke was thick and the air smelt of magic fallout. Aimee looked around to find her opponents scattered around. The smoke was whisked away as Princess Celestia appeared from the dust with her wings and mane outstretched. The Queen shook with anger when she stared at the alicorn. Something caught Aimee’s eye behind Princess Celestia, on the end of town was Lero. He was about to be picked up by an envoy. Her gut sank as small gasp escaped her lips. “No.” Aimee mumbled. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.” Aimee/The Queen’s body turned black as holes appeared all over her body. Six transparent wings ruptured from her back as long claws became longer. Her long hair turned into green flames with black outlines. Her long sharp teeth grew from her mouth. Her eyes became like pits with no end. Her human body turned into a humanoid monstrosity. “NO!” Aimee/The Queen flew past Princess Celestia with a roar. The air crackled as they buzzed through the air. The town blurred around them as their focus tunneled to one target. A golden aura tried to grab them, but they merely shrugged it off. Aimee/ The Queen grinned when Lero noticed them. His pupils shrunk as his hands darted into his pockets. He took out a knife, not just any knife, but a small paring knife. Lero did not have that before. The Queen/Aimee came upon him with outstretched arms. They planned to pull him in and fly off into the forest. The fire blazed behind their back draft when they stopped in front of Lero. Desperation was all over his face. They couldn’t help but smile. “You are mine.” They enveloped him in an embrace. There is a hole now. A scream. Aimee heard a scream. Lero did not scream, she did not scream. It did not sound like a pony scream. It was a shrill wail from someone in mortal pain. It was... The Queen. That little paring knife was in her chest. That made no sense. How could such a small blunt iron weapon have pierced her? The Queen was powerful, even more so now. She’s been run through with spears before, but this was something else. The Queen’s back arched as she fell to her knees. She felt a fire that burned from her chest. It promised to consume her. Her nerves and muscles lost any semblance of control as her arms suffered spasms. A headache crashed through her head like a hammer. The Queen couldn’t feel her extremities. She was about to fade. Darkness... Aimee could only stare at the sky. All her changelings, the entire hive, looked like a seizure epidemic swept through them. The Queen still screamed. That hurt her ears. Aimee forced her head to look at Lero. “W-what?” Lero looked ill and very scared. He gulped as he stared at her. “Iron is a fae’s weakness.” Aimee furled her brow in confusion. “F-fae?” Lero backed off. He stared at his hands drenched with green. Lero stumbled and fell back. The Queen stopped; she stared at him and stretched out a claw. “L-love m...e...” The Queen is dead, long live The Queen. Aimee sat there alone. She couldn’t hear anything, not the changelings or the Queen. Aimee trembled as she hugged herself. Tears rolled down her face as her clawed hands clasped each other. Something flashed behind her and hummed with power. Aimee looked back and saw the six mares with the Elements of Harmony about to activate. She remembered Discord. Aimee tried to utter a no, but failed. She delved deep in her powers. The rainbow appeared. It was beautiful. Aimee stared in awe as green flames struggled to form around her. She melted into the ground as changelings disintegrated from the holy blast. The rainbow of light closed in on her as darkness embraced her. Darkness. Then candlelight. Aimee emerged in her room. She dropped to the floor. Fatigued burned her body and mind. Pain echoed throughout her body as she crawled to the mirror. Her leg bumped into the knife that had followed her. Aimee looked down with morbid fascination as she picked it up. She glanced at the mirror. “Why?” Aimee dragged the rest of the way to the mirror and pulled herself up. “What happened to me?” She placed the tip of the knife on the mirror and dragged it across the surface. “This isn’t right, when did I become...a monster? T-that’s exactly what I am, a monster. Oh my, all the lives I took. I wasn’t taught to be this way. I’m a caregiver.” Aimee cradled her head as she leaned up against the mirror. She looked back up at the mirror, rage started to build. “Tell me why.” She pointed at the mirror, at that thing that stared back at her. “Tell me why!” The mirror did not answer her back. Aimee screamed as she punched it, a small crack was created. “I wanted to grow up and follow my father’s footsteps. Be recognized for my talents, make him proud. Make up for...mom. Find a husband and have children.” “Why--” She punched the mirror again. Crack. “--Am I—“Another punch. Crack. “—a monster!?” Aimee grabbed the frame and squeezed. The entire mirror cracked. Aimee stared at her shattered image. Her eyes were wide as she stumbled erratically. She collapsed as adrenaline burned out of her system. Aimee’s last vision was that of the knife before sleep finally stole her away. One last dream, one that she had never had before. *** “W-who’s there?” Aimee clung to Amie as she looked around the foxglove garden. She heard soft footsteps wade through the flowers. Aimee looked up and saw a beautiful woman with pastel rainbow hair. Her eyes were black as coal and her skin was as pale as ivory. She wore a see through white gown that sparkled like pure snow. Flowers adorned her hair like a crown and her feet were covered in crystal clear slippers that shined like stars in the night sky. “Hello child, welcome to my garden.” Her voice was like a mother’s lullaby. She didn’t open her mouth when she talked. “What are you?” Aimee strained to speak. “Don’t be rude, child. Honestly, children this age. You may call me Lady.” Lady pulled her long sleeves back to reveal a small table with tea cups on it. The table cloth appeared to be made of spider silk that collected water droplets. Lady beckoned Aimee to come closer as she sat on a red toadstool with white spots, she was almost sure it had eyes that tracked her. Aimee took small steps and inched cautiously towards the other toadstool. “To answer your first question, I am the queen of the fairies.” Aimee watched her hostess; she made no effort to hide her shock. She clasped her hands together tightly. “The queen? Are you Melusine?” Lady laughed, it sounded like church bells that were perfectly tuned. “No child, she was a Queen, but she turned into an ugly creature.” “I see...” Aimee looked over to her horse that was still struggled to stand up. Amie eventually gave up and lied down despite her trepidations. “Child, you haven’t touched your tea yet.” Aimee glanced at her deep orange tea, steam still waft into the air. “I made it with morning dew with a spirit of an orange.” “Forgive me if I’m a little wary. Even if you were human I wouldn’t trust you.” Lady sighed as stirred her tea. “I imagine losing everything to war would make you difficult. Your animal was rather nervous as well. I almost lost you thanks to her.” ‘I don’t really blame her.’ Aimee shuffled as she started to sweat. “Please don’t be upset with her, she gets spooked easily.” “I see.” Lady softly smiled. “How is the world of men? It has been eons since I’ve walked this earth and now you can rain fire from the heavens.” Aimee picked up her warm tea cup and held it close in her hands. “We manage. I don’t know when the last time you came, but we have traveled the whole world now. We had a great war that was supposed to end all wars, but it really didn’t change anything.” Her tea started to smell good now. “Ah yes, the Germanic tribes have always been rather barbaric, but what about the fire from the heavens? I thought magic was lost to humans.” “It is a chemistry thing; mixture of compounds produces an explosive amount of energy.” Aimee answered. “We had magic?” Lady waved her hand dismissively. “It was a long time ago; a fae stole it in a rather brilliant move. Though it did make this world a lot more dangerous for us, and now humans can hurt us with iron.” “That explains a lot.” Aimee drew her tea close to her nose. She couldn’t help but sigh contently. “So why are you here with me?” “To fulfill a business arrangement.” Aimee opened her eyes and tilted her head. She placed the cup back down on the table. Aimee tried to read Lady’s face, but it was like a porcelain doll. Blank and a little creepy. “What business?” “One of your ancestors made a deal to marry into royalty, but in exchanged he said someone in his bloodline would owe us a favor. Quite clever actually, he got what he wanted and didn’t have to suffer any consequences for it. Now I am here to collect.” A chill went down Aimee’s spine. She pushed herself away from the table and tried to sprint away. The toadstool she was on suddenly grew arms and grabbed her. “Let me go!” “Child, child, child I am not going to kill you. I am giving you an opportunity.” Lady appeared in front of Aimee in a blink of an eye. “In fact I am going to give you power.” Lady knelt down and cradled Aimee’s head. “I am going to give a family that will adore you, a kingdom that will serve you, and all you will need is love.” Aimee glared up at her as she struggled. “Why would you? The fairies in the story I read about only serve their own interests.” “I lost my knight. I lost him to an arrogant beast. She and her sister broke the rules and they need to be punished. They didn’t banish him or kill him; no they sealed him with all of his powers and properties and there is no way we can get him back.” Lady hissed as black ashy smoke started to ooz out of her eyes. “Then they unjustly sealed their world with thorns and magic making it almost impossible to travel there. To be denied such a bounty is barbaric, and for once all the other Courts agree. Though they just want my knight’s power.” Aimee thrashed until she was able to get loose. She kicked the toadstool away and jumped away from Lady. Aimee ran over to her horse. “Amie we need to go.” She placed her hand on the horse’s shoulders and it melted into her. Aimee’s eyes widened as she tried to pull away. Lady sat on the horse’s back with an amused look. “Child, where do you think you are going? I told you I came to fulfill a bargain and I always collect.” Lady grabbed Aimee by her chin and forced her to look at her eyes. “This is a special case. For the first time all the Courts will be involved with you. I don’t think you understand how unique this is. You will be the first changeling to be a product of all the Houses. The possibilities of such a union makes me shudder. Oh, the possibilities are endless.” “I don’t want to be used.” Aimee whimpered. “If it makes you feel better you should be able to forget you old life when we are done with you.” Lady glanced over at the toadstool that lost its cap from Aimee’s kick. “Most changelings just lose their minds, but we will shape you and mold you to exactly what we need. You will be an antithesis to those princesses and be a thorn in their side as a reminder of what they did. They will curse you and you will laugh.” Lady kissed Aimee. “Come child do not worry, we will make you a queen. A beautiful queen with a glorious crown and subjects that will adore you. You will rule a powerful kingdom unlike any before.” “All you need.” “Is Love.” Author's Note Thank you everyone who has helped me with this story. It was a lot of people. I had this story idea back when Xenophilia was barely five chapters (or so) old. Thank you Anonauthor for your help and input. Now after months of writing and long breaks of nothing here it is. Special thanks to my sibling. Who read and reread this story despite not liking horror. Such a trooper. Enjoy your honeymoon. EpilogueThe sun climbed over the horizon as it dragged the mountain’s long shadow across the forest bordered around it. Thick vegetation protected the mighty fortress from any massive force that sought to conquer the stronghold. The castle within the mountain was forged long ago by a powerful dragon to protect the greatest horde the world had known. The keep remained vigilant for eons until the dragon passed on. The treasure lost and the mountain fell under a new owner time after time. Whatever possession the mortal had the mountain protected. Whatever mortal possessed the mountain fell to tragedy. No army could approach the fortress, but a dagger in the dark slipped in easily. Luna patiently waited in the cool cover of darkness. She knew her sister forced the Changeling Queen to retreat back her stronghold. Luna couldn’t remember the last time the Queen was vulnerable like this. Such an opportunity was not about to be wasted. “Princess, everything is ready.” A mixture of night and day guards stood ready for her to command. They were the best for espionage and rescue. Luna’s umbrianic spells concealed them well under the cover of shadow. Commander Nightstrike saluted her princess as her golden eyes gleamed. “We have two strike forces prepared. I will be leading one unless you deem otherwise.” ‘Times have truly changed.’ Luna observed the lone stallion that hung back. For Changeling missions it was necessary to have a unicorn that extinguished the magical changeling flames. He fulfilled that role for the second team, Luna did for her team. “Be swift, be silent. Kill carefully.” “Remember, my guards, any prisoners are our first priority. Avoid detection and if you meet the Queen, do not engage her. She will tear you to shreds.” The shadows creeped over Luna as her form disappeared. “Leave her to me.” Luna traveled swiftly, like the quiet, unseen breeze. She held point efficiently as her squad lingered behind her. Shadow within another shadow, Luna zipped up over an entrance and skillfully dispatched the first guard, only to find no guard to be neutralized. There wasn’t a changeling there to greet her. Her practiced moves and centuries of trained warfare immediately jumped to the idea of a possible trap. Luna’s eyes pierced through the veil for the ambush. It never came. ‘What is this?’ Luna motioned for the rest of her team to follow. They descended down into the maw of the mountain tunnel. No host greeted them as the dim morning light failed to reach any farther. ‘Why do I not sense any creeping creature? Did the Queen really summon her entire hive to aid her?’ Weak emerald torches spotted the walls thoughtlessly as a sickly glow at the end of the tunnel grew brighter. The kingdom under the mountain imposed upon the team as they slinked out of the entry way. The tomb of a castle had a green aura about it that produced pale light barely enough to illuminate. ‘No matter who owns it, this place never changes.’ “Princess.” Luna’s eyes widened when one of her guards broke the rule of silence. She darted her angry stare towards the idiot mare. The guard didn’t flinch. “Princess, where are the changelings?” Luna tilted her head, her horn glowed as her vision enhanced. Her telescopic vision inspected everything about the stronghold. She saw rats as they scurried away under the safety of darkness, moths fluttered around old lights, and the second strike squad climbed out of their designated tunnel cave. “Princess, these hives are supposed to be swarming with them, even if she called out for her army.” The earth pony mare gulped as the stillness unnerved her. “Why would the monster call for her entire force for a lone human?” “Tis’ not something we need to worry about. If this city is indeed dead we must beware of the stragglers that didn’t answer her call. They will be more vigilant with their companions' absence.” Luna did not release her shadow spell, she was not about to be careless. They walked in silence as they entered the castle, their clops silenced by the stealth spell. A foul stench became thicker as a green haze fogged the corridors. The smell reminded Luna of dead love and prisoners kept in unholy conditions. Fresh scratches were etched on the walls from changelings that had scampered there earlier that day. This city was filled with life not even an hour ago. Then, painted on the wall, was a fresh, green splatter. Something or somepony had slammed a changeling against the wall. The trail drained down the wall and dribbled across the floor. It appeared that it dragged itself away. On the wall a claw mark trailed alongside the mess. Like something decided to drag its sharp weapons into solid, rock wall as it walked. “Princess, do you see the changeling?” One of the pegasus day guards spoke up in a hushed tone. Luna peered farther down and found the answer in far worse condition. “It is nothing. Keep moving.” What also caught her attention was a set of strange tracks stained in changeling remains. ‘What kind of animal is that, and why would it tear a changeling apart in such a gruesome manner?’ They continued down eerie corridor as did the trail sliced into the wall. Black stains from magic spells plastered randomly in the hallway. “Found a changeling leg...” A unicorn night guard shook her head. “I think we have an opportunist here. We need to find the prisoners before it does.” Before Luna could respond somepony interrupted her. “H-hello? Please help.” Out of the inky blackness a yellow mare earth pony with chrysanthemums for a cutie mark stumbled into Luna’s view. She could see the poor mare’s ribs and her coat was sticky with filth. “Where am I? I can’t see anything. Almond, are you there?” Luna’s quick spell check told her that it was indeed a pony and not a changeling. “My little pony, please remain calm. I will aid you.” “Princess? Princess!” The young mare brightened up as she hugged Luna. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” The princess took the time to return the hug despite how the pony smelled as her guards formed a perimeter around them. “Hush now, can you please tell me where the others are?” The pony shook her head in Luna’s barrel as the tears trickled out. “No, I’m sorry. I woke up in a room not far from here.” “You were brave to come this far. I will teleport you to safety.” Luna dipped her horn down to the mare’s head. “If you find a pony named Almond, tell her you found me.” Luna smiled. “Very well, what is thy name my young pony?” The mare faded away as the teleport worked its magic. “Joy, princess.” Luna’s horn stopped as she stood tall. She nodded to her guards as they pressed on. Room after empty room greeted them with only a stray rodent present. “Princess do you copy?” The shadows called out to Luna. She closed her eyes and took a calm breath. “Go ahead Shade Team.” “We found the nest.” Luna’s eyes shot open as she gasped. “You want to see this.” “You foals get out of there, their guardian will tear you to pieces.” Luna hissed sharply as the astronomical hair on her back bristled. “It was dead when we arrived here.” The shadow spell ended. Luna blinked a few times before she shook her head. “We are regrouping with Shade.” Luna remained calmed, but fact that the nest guardian was dead worried her. Each hive had a special guard for the nest, the deadliest changeling. The Queen always kept a special one with her hive. A beast modeled after a dragon with the same mentality drakes had for their horde, and just as powerful. The dead castle revealed no surprises, though Luna felt that something lurked beyond sight. “Over here.” Luna saw the point team of Shade Team wave them over. “What made you think it was a wise idea to approach a nest?” “When we found the body like this ma’am.” The guard pointed towards the large draconian changeling corpse that was scorched with severe third degree burns. The stallion had flames that needed to be snuffed out. “There are extreme lacerations all over its body and something pierced him all the way through several times.” Luna ignored the burning stench that hung in the air. She looked over to the room that it had failed to protect. “And the nest.” “Burnt to ashes. Nothing survived.” “Princess.” That stallion spoke up as he postponed his work. “The nest was destroyed by changeling flames.” “A changeling did all this?” Luna spoke her thoughts out loud. “I have never known a changeling to go rogue.” “What worries me is that the magic signature is the same as the one on the guardian. Princess, what changeling is powerful enough to kill the strongest nest guardian?” Luna slowly trotted over to the body. “A single changeling is unlikely, but more than one revolting seems even more unlikely.” She closed her eyes as she tested the green magic flames. She instantly recognized the poison. “T-this is the Queen’s!” “The Queen did all this!?” Nightstrike flinched, but quickly recomposed herself. “Princess that makes no sense.” “I am aware, commander, but I recognize her magic.” Luna looked down the desolate dark halls. She searched for any clues for such actions only to find none. “There is nothing left for us here. Find the prisoners, I do not want the Queen to turn her wrath on them.” “I think I hear ponies down these stairs!” A night guard had taken her position by the nearby staircase and after a while heard voices. Luna held out her wings to hold back the guards. They tilted their heads at her a little surprised at her hesitation. “Careful my ponies, I’ll go first.” Luna took a slow step down the stairs as she strained her ears on any sounds of life. Whimpers of her little ponies could be heard. She picked up her pace and towards the bottom she practically leaped down. Luna found ponies in dismal chaos. All the cages left open with hay and filth spread all over the dungeon. Feeble ponies had herded themselves together and most had collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Several mares formed a line of defense for the others behind them even though they were no better off. “Look, it’s Princess Luna!” “No stop, she’s a changeling.” “Peace my little ponies.” Luna spread her wings and allowed her mane to bellow. “I am your princess. We have come to rescue you from this forsaken place.” The rest of the ponies slowly got on their hooves as the one of the mares hesitantly approached Luna. “Is it really you?” Luna nealt down and folded her legs underneath herself. “Do not fear, it is I.” The mare’s frown disappeared as tears formed in her eyes. She wailed as she enveloped Luna in a tight hug. Luna nuzzled her and allowed her subject reprieve. The other ponies followed her example shortly after. “Now, I’m going to teleport all of you to safety. Please stay in a tight group.” Luna nodded to the day guard that was in charge of teleports on the other team. “Please aid me.” The mare stepped forward as her horn glowed. “Of course Princess.” They tilted their heads down far enough to point their horns towards the ground. Runes appeared around the tired herd as a magic ring formed. An earth pony stallion gulped as the magic spell hummed. “This doesn’t look like a teleportation spell I’ve ever seen.” “It’s also a filter spell.” Nightstrike answered. She stood rather close to the group. “Filter for what?” “Well...” The spell flashed as it was completed. The prisoners disappeared in a blink, they left behind the mare that first hugged Luna. Nightstrike slammed into the pony, dragged her across the floor, and then pinned her up against the wall. “For any changelings that might have any funny ideas.” The changeling mare squeaked as she tried her best to ward off the pressure. “Now this is interesting, you are the first living changeling we have meet in this entire hive, and all the places to find you it is cowering in the very lot you kidnapped.” The guards closed in close. A changeling was very hard to subdue thanks to its ability to turn into a multitude of species, they do not surrender. That day, however, was a special day. “Please help me.” The mare wheezed out. “Help you? Help you!?” Nightstrike dug her hind hoof into the changeling’s belly. “We just sent off a little over a dozen abused ponies due to your hoofwork. You have a lot of gall, bug.” Nightstrike felt Luna’s wing brush over her back. She looked up and Luna gave her a stern nod. The changeling felt the pressure released as a larger shadow loomed over her. Luna looked down at the pitiful creature. “Are there more prisoners?” “No, that was all of them. Well except for one that is in a room upstairs, but nothing was going to happen to her.” The changeling knelt down and hugged the ground as much as she could. Her ears were folded against her skull as her hair stood on end. “Please help me.” Luna squinted her eyes as her truth spell detected no lies. “Help you from what exactly?” It was faint for a moment, but laughter was soon heard by all from the darkness. “So that’s where you’ve been hiding.” The mare’s pupils shrank and she started to chirp rapidly. “No, no! My Queen please it’s me! Don’t you recognize me?” Green flames sprouted around the room as the laughter crackled. The changeling looked up to Luna. “Please, help me!” The flames disappeared then reappeared as a ring around the changeling mare. It jumped out and tried to make a run for it. Something caught it by its left hind-leg. “No!” The changeling pawed at the ground as it struggled. Whatever held it started to drag it under into nothing. Luna and her guards backed up as the desperate creature hissed, clicked, and clawed for anything. The green flames started to burn it. The stallion stepped forward and grabbed the changeling's appendage. His horn glowed as he tried to put out the flames. “Don’t worry I got you!” “What are you doing idiot!?” Nightstrike hissed at him. “This is a changeling, it’s not even technically a living creature.” “I don’t care!” The stallion pulled along with the changeling. The fire stung his muzzle. “I can’t stand idly by while somepony needs help.” Suddenly the changeling fell on top of him. The ring of emerald fire disappeared as did whatever tried to pull it in. They toppled over on their sides with burn marks peppered over the changeling’s body. Nightstrike dragged the stallion away from the changeling as fast as she could. They breathed heavily for a few moments before the changeling got back up. “T-thank you.” “Do you even mean that?” One of the guards spoke up. It gave a small smile and slightly tilted her head. “Of course I do.” In a blink of an eye there was a hand around it’s throat. It was gone. “Where did the changeling go!?” The guards jumped into position around their princess. Luna glared at the spot where the changeling vanished. She witnessed an arm rise from the ground and pull the creature down into darkness. It didn’t take more than a second. “I’m going to go find her, I will send you all out of this place.” Nightstrike let go of the stallion and trotted up to Luna. “It that wise, Princess? Shouldn’t we come with you?” Luna allowed a smile to breach her muzzle. “I’ll be fine. This is something I need to do alone. I’m afraid she is beyond you.” ‘Can I do it alone? This thing was the monster under my bed when I was a filly.’ “Even still we are sworn to protect you with what strength we do possess.” Luna observed her soldiers’ strong demeanors. She could not see a hint of hesitation. Luna closed her eyes and smiled. “Thank you all.” Then, with a flick of her horn, they all vanished. “However, I fear my actions may be grave.” The moon princess released her magic aura and allowed all her power to seep out of her. Any semblance of light vanished as Luna’s coat turned black. A figure of the moon shone briefly in her eyes before the eyes glowed pure white. The mane and tail seemed to grow as the stars filled the room. It was like a heavenly body was created in the small space. “I’m coming for you.” She moved like a storm. Lightning bolts occasionally sparked off her as she quickly strode from room to room. Luna’s resolved hardened as she recalled the tragedies that the Queen had wrought since time memorial. Whatever madness struck the monster was not about to stay Luna’s hooves or horn. Then she heard the sound of a deranged giggle. “Saleté.” Crunch. “Dégoûtant.” Crunch, crunch. “Haine. Haine, haine. Je vous détester!” Crunch! Luna looked around as the insane laughter surrounded her. The Queen gibbered on much to Luna’s unease. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna saw a shape limp out of the darkness. ‘There she is.’ The Changeling Queen slogged away from the remains of the changeling that was in the dungeon. Luna did not recognize the form she was in. ‘She looks like Bellerophon Michaelides.” The Queen was sickly pale and covered in green changeling blood. Her mane looked like it was torn haphazardly out of the skull. Wings appeared to be freshly healed as though her previous pair was ripped out not moments ago. She held a dull iron paring knife in her hand that appeared that it was used to perform a task beyond it’s normal capacity. Luna winced as the Queen shrill laughter hit an uncomfortable octave. ‘This is what I didn’t have in mind, but regardless...’ “Face me monster! You have much to answer for.” Luna bellowed as she rose up to her full height. The Queen paused. She tilted her head like she wasn’t sure if heard anything. Luna tensed up as her opponent slowly turned to face her. The paring knife was dropped as the monster’s eyes bored into Luna. Misery painted over the Queen’s face. “Amie.” “Who?” “Amie! Non de non!” She fell to her knees as a shriek of despair parted her lips. “Ils vous avez utilisés pour faire mon corps. Je suis tellement désolé, Amie. Pas assez qu'ils vous tuer, mais ont utilisé les restes pour vous tirer le long comme une marionnette avec des cordes cassées. Pourquoi ne pourrais pas avoir décédé, juste pour emmerder ceux de salaud de fées? Tout ce que j'ai maintenant, c'est des morceaux d'un passé épineuses cassé et la chair névrotique de mon ami mort qui me tient.” Aimee fell over into a fetal position as tears flowed uninterrupted. Luna hesitantly trotted over, she beheld the downfall of one of history’s greatest monsters and had no idea what to do. The insane wretched creature rocked herself as she murmured on. *** “I can’t believe you were able to bring her here.” Celestia told her sister. They were both in a private room with only themselves. “We did agree that the best case scenario was that I captured her.” Luna answered. “After all you told me, I find it hard to believe.” Celestia sat on her haunches and chewed her bottom lip. “This doesn’t make sense. Why would she just fall apart like that? When I last saw her she was at the height of her power, and she terrified me. She even had that body when she attacked. Now we have her in one room over and she’s tearing her wings out of her back.” Luna looked past the magic veil that allowed them to see her, but not the other way around. “Why is she so fixated with that old iron paring knife? She keeps mutilating herself, or trying to anyway.” The watched a few moments before Celestia spoke up. “We’ll treat her.” “I’ll be honest sister I don’t think we can. So many old wounds make it hard for me to sympathize.” Luna admitted with a sad sigh. “It wouldn’t matter anyway. This looks like a case that only Cadance can heal.” Celestia shuttered as she watched Aimee stick the knife through her hand. “I have no idea how long it will take.” Inside a warm white room a pitiful woman picked at the wound on her chest. The one thing that Lero had left her and it did not heal. Aimée looked over her body as she watched the self-inflicted wounds from the same knife heal quickly. “Il n'est pas humain.” “Non, je ne suis pas.” FoxglovesFoxgloves Bright beguiling blooms, My ringing witch bells Slide over your heart, Creep into every vein of your soul. With every echoing beat Faerie folk’s home becomes your cage Of obsidian thorns And verdant blaze. Perfect poison For the Sol and Lune. All you need is love Aimée. Jealous, selfish, greedy; Everything that Love truly is, To poison the heart And twist the soul. By-Istas Author's Note Thank you everyone who helped me work on this. Techogre for the French especially. A whole host of people edited, pre-read, and dissected this work. Thank you all.
ThornsA set of curious blue eyes watched a display case full of resting caterpillars. A small girl lightly tapped the glass impatiently. “Most of the caterpillars are in pupae stages.” A smile flashed across the child’s face as she cooed at her precious pets. “They are going to be so pretty when they dance for me.” “<--->, are you outside?” She could hear her father from the house. The girl gasped and ran back towards the house. Fog slightly obscured her vision as she jumped between the tree trunks. She had to be careful of the thorns in the thick forest. The girl leapt onto the front porch and dove through the open front door. Her father was tall, lanky, and had an air of scholarliness. He opened his arms and kneeled down to her level. His daughter squealed before she jumped into his chest with a love tackle. The girl enjoyed the embrace, but it felt prickly. She looked up at her father’s face. His eyes were gone. A black abyss of nothing stared back at her. The Queen woke up with a gasp. She felt cold. She always felt cold after those dreams. The Queen crawled out of bed with a depressed groan. “Haven’t had dreams like that in a long time. I think the last one was decades ago.” Heavy clops echoed in the chamber as she approached her full length gem embodied mirror. “Those creatures don’t even exist, why are they even on my mind?” ‘Aw, is the little queen getting all worked up over a scary dream?’ The Queen grabbed her brush and sneered at the mirror. “They are hardly worth any effort to even think about. I find them annoying.” ‘Is that why your eyes sting every time you wake up from one?’ ‘I like the dreams, until the scary parts.’’ “Waste of time.” The Queen brushed her mane carefully as she continued to glare at herself. Her green unforgiving eyes were slightly moist and she hated it. ‘Why do you even bother dolling yourself up? These bugs won’t know the difference.’ ‘Hey, don’t talk bad about our subjects.’ “Enough!” The Queen threw the brush back into its holder and placed her crown on her head. “We have work to do.” We must feed “I know.” The Queen hovered across her room and parted the slime covered door with her magic. She walked out onto a balcony and beheld her kingdom. It was a massive underground fortress, big enough to hold Canterlot in. The mountain that contained the kingdom spiraled high into the sky; it warned travelers of the dangers close by. The Queen couldn’t recall who constructed this ruined kingdom, but such antiquated thoughts were far from her mind. The morning sun pierced through the many cave entrances on the mountain side. Hundreds of thousands of changelings could be seen as they scuttled around with their assigned duties. The Queen’s horn started to glow a bright green. Her mind was one with the Hive and the voices of all her subjects overtook her. As simple minded changelings are, they are loud when a million of them talked at the same time. The Queen could feel a familiar warm buzz when they all recognized her. They all welcomed her to another morning. The Queen chuckled before she jumped off the balcony. “So much to get done.” We must feed *** “I love you, Scarlet.” A pale, drugged yellow pegasus stallion with a wind wisp cutie mark whispered sweet adorations to his beloved. His eyes glowed a sickly green while he nuzzled her. His mind was so lost that he could not see that he was in a prison held together by a green goo and cold stone. The weak sounds of moans from his cell mates could be heard. A cherry red earth mare kissed him softly on his cheek. “You look tired, Butler. Get some rest darling.” Her companion mumbled an agreement before resting his head on the pile of hay under him. Scarlet Cake slinked her way out of the holding cell, her stomach churned. The love was forced and stale, but it was needed. Food was always better from a willing gullible source, but The Queen rarely did any field work. The only exception to that rule was large plans that required her touch. ‘Well that was dull. I think we should’ve removed the mind spell just so we could hear him scream.’ ‘That would be mean.’ “Shut up.” The Queen hissed. “I have enough to make another brood.” ‘Great, moldy jailbait love, just what we needed. This brood is going to be the cream of the crop.’ ‘I want to name the little ones this time.’ The Queen sighed as she trotted down the empty poorly lit corridors descending farther down into the labyrinth depths. She hoped that the field harvesters would come soon so she could create superior changelings. The ones created from the dullard prison ponies really could only do simple manual labor. If she gave anything too complicated they would trip over their own hooves. Celestia “Give it time.” The Queen came upon a heavy stone door that guarded the Swarms’ most precious commodities. Only the Queen was allowed beyond this sacred door, only she could make use of the ingredients found inside. “We’ve almost recovered from the failed Canterlot invasion. I need to formulate another plan soon, maybe a fake diplomacy meeting.” ‘You tried that remember. That was about one thousand seven hundred and seventy one years ago.’ ‘Luna was pretty mad at you that day.’ The ancient door swung opened as The Queen glided past the rows of plants and thorns preserved in time jars. All the ingredients needed to create changelings were here, it looked like a greenhouse frozen in place. Colorful alien flowers plucked from their plants and only found here wrapped themselves around their containers. Enticing shrubs covered in white and pink flowers hung from the ceiling. No matter the season, these poisonous shrubs were always green and full of life. Just like the other plant, though it’s more obvious that it is an evergreen. The shrub plant was covered in needles and bright red berries. The crown ingredient was a shrub with small scarlet flowers and thick thorns. These thorns could easily cut flesh and had to be handled with care. Green changeling flames flickered at the workbench. The Queen casually levitated over a jar of thorns towards herself as she has done countless times before. The Queen had been doing this for so long she one time successfully created a brood while she slept. Her horn glowed as green slim grew in front of her. After she created the incubator, she placed the thorns inside with the crushed flowers and berries. The Queen exhaled tarnished love over her creation. A carapace started to form in the thick ooze. Food The Queen looked up at the ceiling as a familiar buzz crept up in the back of her mind. “I think my harvesters have arrived.” ‘Let’s go get some of that love.’ A ring of green flames sprung to life around The Queen and she started to sink into the floor. A black void overtook her; it was the fastest way to travel through her hive even if it scared her a tiny bit. She would never admit it. Celestia’s sun eventually pierced the darkness as The Queen rose from the earth. A swarm of changelings that numbered in the hundreds buzzed all around her, they greeted her with blank stares. She could taste the warm stolen love that off from them. The harvest this year has been productive. ‘Aw, they look so happy.’ The Queen grinned. “Excellent.” *** ‘We could spark a war between two nations. That would be fun.’ ‘Boredom is not a valid reason to start a war.’ “Everything is peaceful among the dragons?” The Queen asked a young harvester that smelled distinctly of soot and ashes. It nodded and a small buzz ringed in The Queen’s mind. “Not surprising, they all just got home from their migration. Most of them will be sleeping for a couple of decades. As usual, that’s when we can take some valuables from their horde. Dismissed.” Pony ‘Yep, this one definitely smells of ponies. Wonder if anything tasty is happening.’ ‘He seems anxious.’ The changeling landed before its queen before it started to chirp. As it fluttered its wings, the same buzz returned to The Queen’s mind. Happy ponies in their happy towns and their happy pointless lives. The more things change...wait. “Some of the Elements are in a herd.” ‘Oh this is perfect. Can we completely ruin their happiness?’ “Your report of their stallion is strange. Why?” The Queen leaned down to the changelings face. It fidgeted a bit but did not back down. “You don’t recognize it. Transform.” Bright green flames flashed as the changeling changed. The process was a little slower than normal, but whatever it was it was tall. The Queen’s neutral expression vanished as soon as the changeling finished. ‘W-w-what?’ ‘What is the meaning of this?’ ‘Those creatures are merely dreams. How is this possible?’ ‘Il se trouve!’ ‘He’s not lying. Changelings can’t lie to us!’ ‘thEy aCtually Do exisT.’ “A human! A real human!?” The Queen backed off and stumbled over her hooves. Her eyes were wide as her wings twitched uncontrollably. ‘All this time, all those dreams.’ The Queen looked straight into the human’s eyes and hesitantly approached him. Her breathing was heavy as she closed in. “Where did he come from? Do you have anything else on him?” The human stared back at her. His eyes did not move and his expression remained hard with no emotions to be found. “Lero. His name is Lero. Stallion and herd member to Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, and Lyra Heartstrings.” The Queen bit her lip and started to pace around Lero. This could give her answers. Those dreams have persisted with her all her life. He might be connected to them somehow. A grin grew on her face. “Time for a trip.” *** ‘Ah Ponyville, the sight of our many failures. Isn’t it great?’ Sweet Bread sighed as she glided over the simple town. The golden brown pegasus viewed the humble town and all the little ponies as they moved about. They were not important; it was the human that mattered. For now anyway. ‘Keep to the skies. The pink, loud one won’t be able find us there. She always scares me.’ Out of the corner of her eye, Sweet Bread could have sworn a pink pony zipped down an alley way. ‘For the love of all things, go higher!’ “Hi there!” Sweet Bread screamed as she came muzzle to muzzle to the very pony she wanted to avoid at all cost, Pinkie Pie. “Oops, didn’t mean to scare ya.” Sweet Bread held a hoof as she tried steady herself. This could end poorly. “Hello, you’re riding an interesting...thing.” “Oh this old thing.” Pinkie Pie leaned back and presented her thingamajig with pride. “Just something I threw together one day. It’s not important though, you are a new pony. Rrrriiiighhhttt?” Pinkie Pie looked at Sweet Bread with raised eyebrows and a small grin. “Yes, I’m Sweet Bread.” A batch of confetti flew into her face accompanied by an out of tune horn melody. “Welcome to Ponyville! Have a cupcake.” Sweet found herself an owner of a lemon glazed strawberry cupcake that she viewed with hidden disgust. “What brings you to our small humble totally amazing town?” ‘Lie, lie, lie, lie, lie, lie.’ “I’m just looking around.” Sweet Bread piped up a little louder than she wanted to. Then an idea crossed her mind. ‘Don’t do it.’ ‘That’s a really bad idea.’ ‘She knows. We are not fooling her.’ “I heard about this strange creature called a human and I was a little curious.” Pinkie Pie gasped and grabbed Sweet Bread by her forelegs. “You should totally meet him. Lero is like the bestest human friend a pony could ever have. I try my hardest to get my ears scratched by him at least once a day, which feels really, really good.” Sweet Bread ears perked up and she grinned along with Pinkie Pie. “Really? Can you can introduce him to me?” “Sure, come on.” Pinkie Pie immediately throttled her thingamajig and sent them both into corkscrew nosedive. Sweet Bread was dragged along with gritted teeth the whole way. Somehow, Pinkie Pie safely bypassed all traffic despite her reckless maneuvers, some of which even Rainbow Dash would have scolded her for. Sweet Bread squeaked as Pinkie Pie suddenly stopped and they crashed into each other. Sweet Bread suppressed a growl as she laid muzzle first into the ground. “Are you crazy? Were you trying to put us in a hospital?” Sweet Bread pulled herself out of the ground with a loud pop and tried to glare at Pinkie Pie. Instead, her vision was filled with somepony’s pants who stood on their hind hooves. A small gasp escaped her lips as her gaze carried her up. This guy was not a pony and was really tall. The changeling got the red facial hair and mane correct, though this one was a little scruffier. He smelt nice. “Pinkie, who is this?” A distinctly deep voice sent shivers down Sweet Bread’s spine. Sweet Bread attempted to formulate words, but Pinkie Pie decided that introductions that took more than a second to start were far too long. “Lero, this is Sweet Bread. Sweet Bread this is Tasty Bread, I mean Lero.” “H-hi.”Sweet Bread slowly got her to hooves, her gaze never left Lero. The changeling got his appearance slightly wrong, he was a lot broader. Lero knelt down to her eye level. He had a calm smile that belied his intimidating appearance. Finally, after hazy dreams that confused her for eons, Sweet Bread was finally able to confront the one thing that has haunted her every move. She almost trembled with anticipation, but she managed to suppress her eagerness. He held out his hand to her palm up. “Don’t mind Pinkie, she’s always trying to help others. It is a pleasure to meet you Sweet Bread.” “Sure.” Sweet Bread placed her twitching hoof into his palm. Spark. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Aimee. Everything you are is a lie. A lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Everything you are is a lie. Enough Sweet Bread jerked her hoof out of Lero’s hand like it was on fire. All of her extremities tingled uncontrollably as her heart raced like she just got done with a marathon. A sharp headache pulsed in her head which made her wince. Sweet Bread’s wings twitched at full mast with some of the feathers jolted out of place. Lero flinched. “Ouch, did you just come from a lightning storm?” “No, sorry, so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” With ears folded back, Sweet Bread backed away from Lero only to bump into Pinkie Pie. “I should go.” Before either of them could protest, Sweet Bread took off. If they did say anything, she was too far away to hear them now, and her mind was too fuddled to make anything out. She flew up as far as she could; she wasn’t sure how high she went. Clouds and pegasi past her by in a blur as the air started to chill her coat. She started to wobble as exhaustion started to set in. The trip to reach Ponyville was far enough as it was, but now Sweet Bread just felt drained. She threw herself on a cloud. ‘Well, I have nothing.’ ‘Was that normal for humans?’ ‘What was the meaning of that?’ ‘Plus jamais.’ The cloud she had landed on became more comfortable as Sweet Bread sank into darkness. After everything that had happened, she welcomed sleep. *** “Surprise!!!” The lights come to life as a crowd of humans popped out from behind furniture, under tables, and that one funny guy that likes to hide behind the lamp. He’s portly enough that the love seat couldn’t hide him. The room had balloons of all the colors of a rainbow tacked on everywhere. Streamers spiraled down from the ceiling and confetti climbed up from hands that tossed them. ‘My friends. All my friends are here!’ The birthday girl tackled hugged her friend closest to her at that moment and was soon followed by her other friends into a group hug. Just her and her friends, dad will just have to hang out somewhere else. The party became a blur with activates lined up. Board games, dancing, sports, and rode on some of daddy’s horses. All throughout the day, her friends gave her flowers and wished her a happy birthday. “Happy Birthday Aimee!” *** The Queen woke up peacefully. Which was new as all her other dreams left in a crippled state. On top of that, this dream was not as murky and hazy as all of her other dreams. She now knew the name of that little girl, Aimee. This dream also did not end with imagery that frightened her. ‘When was the last time we had a dream so close together?’ ‘This was pleasant.’ “Did Lero, have something to do with this?” The Queen got up and shook the drowsiness off her body. Despite the good night sleep, she still felt trepidation. Something happened yesterday, she wanted closure, but now all she was left with was more questions. The Queen growled as she started to scrap the cloud with her hoof. The cloud turned dark as she pondered her next move. She was not about to leave this alone, not now. Go back “I don’t think so.” The Queen spat. “I refuse to let this one slip by me.” He is nothing Go back “No!” The cloud beneath her sparked with lightning as she stomped her hooves. “You will not tell me what to do. I will not live with this thing gnawing, pestering, and eroding me. I have lived far too long to be denied. This human, whatever he may be, is connected to my dreams. I hate them! They have been nothing but a thorn in my flesh; a worm that has poisoned me. My mind is weak from the torment and my own body has betrayed me. Answers will be my salvation, and he will surrender them.” ‘Maybe we can hurt the Elements while we are at it. Nothing warms the heart like a beautiful misunderstanding followed by a resentful breakup.’ The Queen laughed. “Yes, but of course.” The cloud crackled and glowed as electricity warped around it. The Queen leapt off towards Ponyville ready to do what changelings do best, they stalked their prey. *** Lero was hunted for days; to be a successful changeling this is very necessary. The Queen needed to study her target, not just his habits and patterns, but of those around him as well. What does he like, who does he consider his closest friends, how he acts around his herd mates; all these are important if she wanted to learn to exploit him without trouble. She watched him work, eat, sleep, and make love. Normally this would be a job for one of The Queen’s harvesters. They don’t get bored, while The Queen could. This week was different though. She hunted a human, not a pony. He did not act like a pony and yet he lived among them. Well he tried to anyway; some pony body language was lost on him. He really was not aware how good it felt to ponies that got scratched behind the ears, or if they made a rude gesture. The latter was not all that common, but it was obvious that some ponies did not really care for him. One earth pony mare in particular organized a group to antagonize him. The Queen could smell the fear from her. ‘Ya, that one has xenophobia painted all over her.’ A familiar mindset the ponies have that The Queen has used to justify most of her actions. Not that she really needed to justify herself, but when a self-righteous warrior would bother her a nicely prepared speech of the cruelties of the world was enough to leave them open for a death blow. Idiot heroes. ‘Some of them genuinely felt sorry for us, even if you did lie.’ ‘Speaking of idiot heroes.’ Twilight Sparkle, that accursed mare that led to The Queen’s last failure, lived a happy blissful life with Lero. The Queen watched as Lero and Twilight interacted with one another. She would brush up next to playfully, steal kisses at unexpected moments, and serenade to him when he napped. Twilight actually did this with her other herd mates as well, but she especially enjoyed his reactions. Lero, in turn, would occasionally let her ride him on his back (he found it rather funny), help her with research, and kiss her horn in private. ‘I’m sure many suitors in Canterlot curse Lero’s name for taking her.’ Twilight and Lero sat alone in a secluded spot at the park. It was a little after noon, and they both had a cone of ice cream. Twilight snacked on mint chocolate, while Lero licked a vanilla/chocolate swirl. The sun threatened their dessert so they raced against their treat’s short lifespan. “You got a little bit dribbling down the side.” Twilight couldn’t help but smirk as her long tongue slurped all around her ice cream cone. Lero quickly turned his cone, and quickly lashed out his tongue. “Got it.” Twilight nudged him as he lapped up his ice cream. “I think it got you.” “Huh, where? I don’t see anything.” “It got you right about...” Twilight quickly kissed him on the lips then licked his nose. “...there.” They giggled as he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her in closer. Twilight sighed as she nuzzled his neck and carefully rested her head on his shoulders. She could hear his calm heartbeat and the love that came with that. He grinned mischievously as he quickly helped himself to a little bit of her ice cream. Twilight quickly yanked it away, but it was too late. “Hmm, you don’t usually go for mint.” Lero laughed as he licked his lips. “Something different for today. Thanks for meeting with me. I know we are both busy with things to do, but this has been nice. If we had more time, maybe we could have had some more fun.” Lero gave her a smile that suggested he knew what she implied. “Well, maybe later tonight,” he started to play with her mane with his free hand. “We could mess around and discuss some of that energy flow math. I know you love that stuff.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her. Twilight busted out with a giggle-snort. “Be careful what you wish for. I just might bring it home, and then we can use the coefficient of thaumic fluctuation to a—“ “Welp, this about to quickly go into Lero you don’t know jack.” Lero got up as he swallowed the rest of his ice cream cone. He knelt down and pecked Twilight on the lips. “I need to get going. I’ll see you later.” The peck he intended to give her lasted a little longer; Twilight could taste chocolate in his mouth. They lingered for a moment before he broke it off. “Love ya.” “I love you, and you’re about to be late.” “Oh, shoot!” Lero quickly scratched her ears then scrambled off. Twilight sighed happily with her half finished ice cream still in her magic grasp. Her happy smile vanished as soon as Lero left and with a quick flick of green magic threw the ice cream into the trash. *** Aimee held her baggage tightly as the mass of people around her shifted. She bit her lip as she squirmed in her seat. The world passed her by outside the train window. It didn’t matter to her; she could easily remember the green countryside from her previous trips. A hand wrapped around her shoulders and squeezed tightly. “Are you going to be alright?” Her father, Dr. Chevalier, softly smiled that gave a hint of pride. Aimee allowed a forced chuckle to pass her lips. “Just nervous; I mean this is big. I’m going to college. Not any old college, one of the biggest ones in the country. I am definitely going to be a minority. I might be the only girl there.” “That hasn’t bothered you before, and if you have any trouble with boys remember what I taught you.” “I remember a lot from what you taught me, but like you have said, experience is the best teacher.” Aimee slumped down into her seat. Her dad reached inside his pocket and pulled out a small bar of candy. “You were practically my assistant; I had trouble trying to keep you out of my work. You’ll be just fine.” Aimee smiled as she grabbed the candy bar and took a bite. “Minty.” *** Rainbow Dash was a mare that had tendencies that conflicted with her. She loved attention, relished in it. Rainbow Dash lived for the moment, whether it resulted from physical prowess or heroic deeds. However, she was sensitive to slander and would react aggressively when insulted. ‘Doesn’t help that she’s ugly.’ ‘I thought, we thought, that you thought that all ponies were ugly.’ ‘This one is considered over muscled with no bounce in her flank.’ ‘It’s probably why Lero is perfect for her; he’s blind to her physical imperfections.’ ‘If she was born in the Iron Hoof era she would have been considered beautiful.’ ‘Rainbow reminds me of a war lord, like that one mare, Storm Breach.’ ‘Hate her, she killed so many changelings.’ ‘And ponies. She was the first pegasus war lord that used some of the other races in her army. Her tactics using earth ponies were brutal.’ ‘I don’t remember, what happened to her?’ ‘wheN She wAs olD And feeBle, We bRoke hEr necK.’ That perfectly happy couple that loved each other despite what anypony had to say. Rainbow Dash out of all the mares in the herd was more physical with Lero, and not just for the passionate moments. She would always have a wing close enough to touch him, and if they were sitting down close to one another she would hug him close with a wing. Rainbow also nibbled on him occasionally if nopony was around. She loved how he tasted, smelled, and felt against her coat. Lero was not alien to her, regardless of his nature. ‘Then we have him. Lero is certainly interesting.’ ‘She was his first. I wonder what motivated him to be with her.’ ‘Regardless, he is connected to her. I don’t know how but a small piece of him is with her. Like he made a vow with her.’ ‘Can humans do magic? I feel something.’ ‘Not a clue. Equestria's natural magic doesn't mesh with him very well.’ Rainbow Dash hung on a cloud as she watched Lero slug his way home from Sweet Apple Acres. The dirge of weather soaked him to the core. He most likely just got done with a tedious job that required his skills. Rainbow was pretty sure that the apple fritters that he loved so much encouraged him to make the trip. Lero loved them almost as much as Rainbow loved apple cider. Lero was not in any real hurry, it would be pointless. The heavy rainfall was warm and the clouds above him allowed some sunlight to pass through. He stopped for a moment and closed his eyes as the rain washed over him. Rainbow fluttered down behind him and landed carefully. He didn’t make any indications that he heard her as she slinked her way up to him. She stood up on her back hooves and covered his eyes with a wing. “Guess who?” “Hmm, soft feathers so obviously someone with wings, young, and probably just got done working hard. Blue Lightning, is that you?” Lero had a mischievous grin on his face. “Blue Lightning? So you’re the reason my subordinates have been slacking? ” Rainbow Dash proceeded to rub his head vigorously. Lero ducked under her hoof and attempted to escape her grasp. “She still works harder than her boss.” “Hey, when I can do my job faster than you can take off your pants I have all the time I need.” Rainbow hugged tighter as she softly bit his neck. Lero squirmed as he squashed his head down on her. “Giving you plenty of time to play or nap thus proving my first point. Gah, stop that!” Lero stifled a laugh as Rainbow Dash started to dig in. “This is way too much fun.” “This, however, is even better.” Rainbow pulled Lero around and kissed him. Rainbow tittered in the air before she landed on her back hooves and wrapped her forelegs around him. The rain was the only sound heard as they embraced one another. Their wet hair intertwined as his hands went through her mane while her wings wrapped around him and covered his back. Lero broke the kiss. “How’s work?” Rainbow Dash groaned as her wings slightly drooped. “There was a freak cold front that came out of nowhere. We almost had the rain turn into a freezing shower.” Lero slightly cringed at the thought. “That would not be pleasant to run through. Thanks for stopping that.” “No problem, my team is way too awesome to have something like that stop us.” Rainbow Dash laughed as she brushed the tip of her feathers on the back of his neck. “I’m on a quick break right now and I knew exactly where to find you.” “Glad we met up.” Lero wrapped an arm around Rainbow as she hovered next to him. He walked down the muddy path with a warm smile on his face. Rainbow Dash flicked her ears as her human stallion started to hum. She turned her head towards him with a dropped jaw and wide eyes. If he noticed he didn’t show any indication. I'm singing in the rain Just singing in the rain What a glorious feelin' I'm happy again I'm laughing at clouds So dark up above The sun's in my heart And I'm ready for love I don’t remember the rest Something about chasing clouds Still singing in the rain I’m happy again Rainbow Dash hummed along with Lero as he finished his song. “You had something really good going on there, but you dropped the ball.” “Hey now, it’s been years since I heard that song.” Lero gave her a side glance with feigned frustration. “But you know what big guy?” Rainbow flew around in front of him. “It sounded sweet.” She pecked Lero on the lips and smiled. “I have to get going.” “I’ll see you at home.” Lero watched Rainbow fly above the cloud line. He turned down the road and with a spring in his step whistled along home. High above the clouds, Rainbow watched him carefully. “Juste chanter sous la pluie.” *** Aimee threw her container against the wall as she screamed. Pencils and pens scattered everywhere in her dorm room, one pencil hit her light on the ceiling while a pen exploded against the wall. Aimee gave the new ink spot on her wall no attention as she paced the room. The lamp swung erratically as displays full of butterfly exhibits casted long shadows over stacks of papers. The display cases showed the stages of caterpillar to butterfly stages as the insect transformed inside the chrysalis. Several dozen species were used with paper diagrams that pointed out all the differences and nuances between them. One of the projects had fallen over because some of the pens and pencils had flown into it. Aimee hands gripped one another tightly as she looked at the desk where all her work was. Surrounded by stacks of papers was a single report with red ink letters imprinted on the cover. Some of her work was cut to ribbons, evidence that someone rummaged through and cut out sections of important information. She walked over to the paper and stared at the offensive report. See me later Aimee sat down on her chair and buried her face in her hands. She could fill a moat with the candle wax that she has burned from all her long nights, and now she was accused with copying another student’s work. Aimee had to plead desperately in order to not be expelled, but it still cost her grade and the class. Her dad warned her to be careful and she was, but it was clearly not enough. Aimee’s attention was caught by a slow knock at the door. She looked up and saw her dad as he leaned on the door. In an instant she was in his arms, tears flowed down her face. His hand held her close as he began to whisper condolences. *** There was once a master of fighting, this mare was so powerful that it was said that she subdued dragons with a stare, parted unstoppable rivers, and laid waste to kingdoms. The art was named Still Way after her name. A student that truly understood Still Way had complete control of not only themselves, but everything around them. A pony could look at another and see them down to their core. The idiosyncrasies of a pony’s heartbeat, strayed twitches of muscle fibers, and the mana that flowed throughout their form; all of this was revealed to the Still Way masters. ‘Which is probably why this young warrior finds him so interesting. She sees something new in him every day.’ ‘This mare seems familiar, did we seduce her once?’ ‘She was assigned to guard Princess Cadance during her wedding.’ ‘Oh right, we had to neutralize her. Mind controlling Still Way masters is always fun.’ To understand Still Way is to be complete in body, mind and spirit. Which is why it is encouraged to have a love life, if it completed the pony then balance is found. Lyra saw Lero as that someone who brought her balance. She loved to watch him move, how he saw the world, and it was cute when he tried to figure out something new. The Queen could not figure out the circumstances that brought Lyra to Lero, but they were together now. He was a lot like Lyra in a way; Lero, The Queen discovered, is extremely patient and often tried to avoid conflict whenever he could. In the herd dynamics, Lero or Lyra would be the ones that calmed arguments. While both Rainbow and Twilight were very intelligent ponies, they had a tendency to be impulsive and emotionally driven. Both Lyra and Lero served as anchor points and solid foundations. Lero lounged in the open field with his eyes closed. Tall grass swayed around him as a stray leaf landed on his forehead. He brushed it off lazily and continued to daydream. An apple rested in his hand as he slowly carved it with a small knife. Lyra slowly traced her hooves on a nearby rock, she breathed quietly with a steady rhythm. The world was balanced. Pony belly flop on human. Lero gasped at the sudden weight on his trunk, his face jerked up and immediately got a face full of pony tail. Lyra laid on Lero longwise and stared at blue sky like everything was perfectly normal. “Lyra!” Lero spat out ponytail. Lyra rocked her head as she hummed to herself. “Yes, Fingers?” Lero tried to respond but a well placed tail flicked across his nose. Lyra dragged her hoof down Lero’s leg to his exposed feet. “You want me to play with your very sensitive feet, is that what you are asking me?” Lero wiggled an arm loose and grabbed the tortuous tail. Lyra couldn’t see his sly grin. “Why dear madam, are you trying to seduce me?” Lyra flicked her tail out of his grip and spun around to face him muzzle to nose. “Nope, if I was doing that I would be flirting with you.” “Of course.” Lero rolled his eyes. He laid his head back down and stared up into the cloud free sky. “You’re done with your Still Way training?” Lyra seemed to ignore his question as she laid her head down on his chest. He sighed as he started to stroke her mane. Lero took a slice of apple and gave it to her. Lyra licked it slowly before she grabbed it with her mouth. She carefully manipulated the apple slice with her lips then kissed her human stallion. Lero gingerly received the kiss and bite a part of the apple slice from Lyra’s mouth. She giggled as she chewed her half of the fruit. They stayed there in perfect silence as Lyra snuggled under Lero’s chin. “What happens in the end?” Lero raised an eyebrow at the sudden strange question. “The end?” “After life ends what happens?” Lyra asked as she gestured absentmindedly with her left hoof. “Like after we die?” Lyra nodded. “I’m a little curious what my favorite human thinks.” “Well we had a lot of ideas back at home, but no real definite answer.” Lero glanced at her before he continued. “A popular idea is that we all have spirits that go on to a place that knows no suffering or pain. There are different qualifications depending on the religion; usually you have to be good. Those who are evil end up living in eternal torture.” Lyra’s ears folded back and her tail twitched. “Oh, what are the others?” “Well there is this one religion where you try to find inner balance with one’s self like your Still Way, but they are trying to not be a part of the world. Supposedly the world is full of nothing but pain and suffering, so they find peace by removing themselves from it, being enlightened if you will. I’m sure there is a religion that you would have joined. Like I said, humans had a lot of ideas and we would be here all day if I tried to explain them all.” Lyra flashed Lero a bright smile. “That doesn’t sound too bad of an idea.” “Of course you don’t think so; you’re not the one that can’t feel their foot.” Lero poked her muzzle with his pinky. Lyra snorted. “Well I don’t have a foot to begin with...are you calling me fat?” “Oops, gotta go!” Lero quickly rolled her off, Lyra squeaked in shock. He bounced up and tried to make a mad dash for it. He forgot one thing though, his leg was still asleep and he stumbled. He felt his ankle grabbed by a telekinetic force that held him up. His entire world was upside down and all he could see was the mad grin of his herd mate. “Now where are you off to in such a hurry, you almost had an accident.” “Well you know, I have a bad case of foot in mouth disease. Something very unique to humans, I don’t think you would understand. Very serious.” “Sounds fatal.” Lyra kissed him while he dangled from her grasp. “You’ve gotten stronger. Normally you would be straining holding me up this long.” Lero held out his hands as Lyra slowly lowered him to the ground. Lyra hugged him as he got up. “I’m going to stay here for a while. Don’t you have an appointment with Fluttershy?” “Ya, the chicken coop have holes in it, and I think Fluttershy must have been watching some hyperactive fillies.” “I’ll see you later, Fingers.” Lero chuckled as he his hands brushed across her withers. “Love you, Horny.” Lyra did not move from her spot when he left. Her whimsical smile was replaced with a dead expression that betrayed no emotion, her eyes sealed shut. “What happens in the end...” *** Terror. Dread. Helplessness. How else could anyone have felt? A storm of dust, thunder, and lightening loomed on the horizon, and a nightmare of metal and fire rolled across cities. Most could not escape the destruction; the train rails were demolished, planes shot from the sky, and to use a vehicle meant you gambled with your life. Aimee had to take that chance. The invaders approached from the north and death stretched out before them. South is where she could escape and reach her home, where she hoped to meet up with her father. From there they would take a ship to someplace safe, like the Americas. “What are you doing?” Aimee looked up at the desperate faceof her classmates, she couldn’t remember his name at the moment. Probably didn’t matter anyway. “What does it look like? I’m getting out of here.” Aimee grabbed the essentials, canteen full of water, a few extra clothes, a towel... “If you leave the German army might blow you up. They won’t target civilians, but they are hitting refugees.” His British accent started to annoy her as she rifled through her paper work. Timothy, that’s his name. “Might get blown up here as well. If that doesn’t happen there are other possibilities.” Aimee picked a segment of her butterfly display. Her shoulders drooped as she placed the old project back on the desk and grabbed her art book. A loose page fluttered out and drifted lazily across the room before it landed at the young man’s feet. Timothy sighed as he knelt down to get it for her. “Didn’t know you could draw, and it’s not about an insect.” It was a colored picture of a blue roan Andalusian horse with no distinctive markings. On the bottom left was a name: Amie. Aimee snatched from his hands a little harsher than she intended. “It’s my horse back home. Dad has a bunch of animals that we take care of; just another reason why I have to go back.” She grabbed her heavy and very expensive school books and stuffed them into her suitcase. “Hey, if you wait for me I can help.” Timothy took out his keys and dangled them. “I’m not going to risk my chances here either.” “Really, you’re going to help me?” Aimee’s eyes widened as she paused. A thunderous boom faraway is heard, they both cringed and Timothy dropped his keys. “Y-ya, let’s get going.” *** The Queen paced furiously in the safety of the Everfree Forest. The forest did not move, make a sound, or challenge her presence. For what can stand against the Queen except the Sun and the Moon? “The dreams have become clearer and clearer every time we make contact with Lero. Her name, feelings, dreams, and goals...all of it. Why is her life my mind’s entire focus!?” With a sudden pulse of green magic a tree was obliterated with green fire. “What makes this girl so special? I have nothing to do with her!” The Queen stomped towards a clear pool of water and glared at her reflection. ‘Those dreams have started to feel real. That should be impossible.’ ‘Before we met Lero the dreams did not make sense, but now they can be pieced together.’ ‘Maybe they are—‘ “No.” The Queen snarled. ‘—our dreams. Maybe we—‘ “No!” Do not ‘—we are Aimee.’ “No!!! We are The Queen! I am mighty, powerful, and without peer. For all who behold my beauty despair, and we are as terrifying as the coming of night. My wrath has laid waste kingdoms, dragons bow to my whim, and the Sun and the Moon weep like helpless foals. My bite is colder than a windigo, my gaze deadlier than a gorgon, and my magic is darker than death’s cowl. I am not a shivering mortal human girl!” The forest grew dark as The Queen roared. Her eyes sucked in any light that surrounded her. Drops of saliva sizzled when they hit the ground. ‘We have never had a name. We were always The Queen. Always!’ ‘We kIlL, KiLl, kILl! oUr pUrpoSe iS To deVouR.’ ‘We are proud, do not speak blasphemy.’ We have fed go back home ‘He was tasty. I think he was the best meal we’ve ever had. Even stronger than Shining, we can make a fantastic brew of changelings.’ The Queen closed her eyes and took a deep breath. This journey was successful, and if she wanted to she can come back later to do it again. Leave the herd intact. Waste not, want not. ‘Change.’ The Queen perked her ears up. ‘Change into her.’ “Excuse me, what do you think you are doing?” The Queen demanded, her voice harsh. ‘We didn’t come here to eat, we came for answers. Change!’ No ‘Change!!’ NO ‘Change!!!’ “Fine!” The Queen screeched and an explosion of green flames covered her. Her form became lithe and petite. Gone was The Queen and in her place something less, yet more. The Queen panted hard as she stared at the ground. In her vision were two hands, both delicate and white. They felt sensitive, her whole body felt sensitive. The Queen felt naked, weak. She had never felt this venerable, not even as a pony. The Queen trembled as she gathered her strength and her legs pulled her body up. The dreams were frightfully accurate. She took a step, then another, followed closely by the next. The Queen reached the reflective pool of water and peered into it. Brown hair and dark brown eyes greeted her. The eyes were sharp and dominate. Her body felt comfortably familiar. ‘This is wrong.’ “This feels right.” ‘Well, yes, it feels right, but why?’ “I don’t know.” ‘What is your name?’ “We will never demean ourselves by having a name.” The Queen growled. ‘Fine, I am Aimee Chevalier.” The Queen gasped and stumbled backwards. “Y-you just...what’s going on!? Where is everyone else?” “There was never anyone else. Just pieces of us.” Aimee steadied herself before she fell over. “Leave me!” The Queen whipped her arms out. “I will not suffer an interloper; take your dreams and leave.” “And who do you think is the interloper here? I’ve always been here. The others came and left over time.” The Queen grinned wickedly as she pointed her finger at Aimee. “The dark voice. He’s always been there.” Aimee folded her arms and smirked. “Do you hear him now?” The Queen’s eyes searched her reflection. Nothing. “What is wrong here? Why are you doing this!?” “I didn’t do anything.” Aimee countered. “Lero.” The Queen hissed. “He did this.” “And for the better. Have you ever felt more at peace? Just listen.” Aimee covered her mouth with her hand. The Queen stopped and listened. A minute turned into five. Peace. “This is strange, but not wholly unwelcomed. I want to know, why are you in my body?” “I don’t really know.” Aimee shrugged. “Maybe you’re in my body.” “You’re a human, fool. If this was your body how did this happen to you?” The Queen frowned as she cracked her knuckles. “Do you remember your birth?” “That’s a stupid question; do you even remember your own birth? Of course not.” The Queen laughed and shook her head. “Fine then, do you remember where you came from? Why you are the way you are?” Aimee pouted and looked away. The Queen’s fingers grasped each other tightly and looked around the forest. She scrunched her forehead and closed her eyes. “I don’t have an answer, and I’m also not completely sure that you are who you say you are.” “So basically we have more questions than ever. My memories before this are fuzzy, but I think the dreams help.” Aimee sighed as she cracked her neck. “You know what though?” An evil grin grew across the Queen’s face. “We can take Lero in this body. His love was delicious and I have never felt this good, ever. I was able to defeat the Sun with Shining’s love, but this is something special. This is a human’s love; I won’t find anything like it anywhere else.” *** Lero laid belly down on the couch with his book opened. He was alone tonight and with the heavy shower outside he was resigned to take it easy. The soft rain was occasionally interrupted by a flash of lightning followed by the thunder. A sound at the door caught Lero’s attention, hooves scraped across the porch. He closed his book as the door creaked open. A flash of lightning briefly concealed the pony before Lero could make out who it was. Twilight Sparkle stood there, soaked to the core and with heavy breath. “Hi Lero, give me a moment.” Twilight grabbed the towel nearby and started to dry herself off. Lero got up and stretched. “Twilight, I thought you were busy with that project with the princess.” “I was, but I found something interesting, and I’m a little curious.” Twilight placed the towel back on the rack. She turned around as started to saunter over to Lero. “I wanted to try this spell out with the others here, but they are busy tonight, and I really want to try this out.” Lero knelt down and scratched her ears tenderly. Twilight was still a little damp. “What do you plan on doing?” A smile grew on Twilight’s face. “I am going to turn into a human.” “Really?” Lero stopped and raised an eyebrow. “That would be...interesting. Why though?” “Well, we need to have a human female template for a couple of tests.” Lero noticed Twilight swished her tail. “I’m feeling a little experimental. Do you mind if we try this?” Lero chuckled as he took a step back. “Well, this is certainly different. All that work and now you have something to share. Let’s see it.” Twilight smiled as she closed her eyes. Her horn glowed a bright green before green flames erupted around her. In a second her form was covered by a magic flash which forced Lero to shield his eyes. Then he beheld something he never thought he would see again. A young and very naked woman stood before her with a pleased grin. Much to Lero’s surprise the hair and eye color did not match to her normal unicorn colors. “Well?” “U-um, well that is amazing Twilight.” Lero gulped. “You are definitely an attractive human girl.” Twilight grabbed his hand and pulled him up the stairs. “Come on, this will be fun!”
FleshIt was a dark and stormy night, which meant a heavy workload for the weather team. The storm had to be the right intensity so a calamity could avoided. Rainbow Dash’s team was not strangers to the tedious job, but they still complained all night. The moment that work was declared finished the majority made themselves scarce. ‘I can’t wait to go home. I can taste that warm meal. Still, I should see if Lyra is back first so the rain won’t bother her. Sometimes being in charge of the weather has really good perks.’ Lyra had left Ponyville early that morning for some kind of guard thing, Rainbow Dash wasn’t sure, but she was suppose to be back rather late. Rainbow Dash banked towards the train station as said train rolled in from Canterlot. She watched for the familiar spark of gold colored magic. For trips like these Lyra usually took her harp instrument thing. ‘She probably would correct me with that silly grin on her face. Oh wait, there she is!” Rainbow Dash swooped above the clouds where Lyra was about to exit and parted the clouds. She watched with barely contained glee as Lyra stepped off the train with her harp case in tow. Lyra tilted her head, and looked around to confirm that there was still rain, just not any on her. A half smile appeared on her face when decided to look up. “Dashie, I am so glad to see you, so happy that I am going to ignore this obvious abuse of your powers and not report it.” Rainbow Dash rolled over and stared at Lyra upside down with a sly grin. “I have no idea what you are talking about. This hole in the clouds was here before you got out of the train. I can fix it for you though.” “Nah, anypony that is upset over a hole in the clouds clearly has too much time on their hooves.” Lyra sighed as her eyes drooped and her tail dragged along the ground. “Too much time on their hooves.” “Come on, I’ll walk you home.” Rainbow Dash pushed a trail of clouds for her herd mate to follow. It was a slow trip home which made Rainbow just a little impatient. Her anxiousness faded when the warm appearance of home came into view. The only light on was the living room. ‘Lero must have got caught up in a book. Usually when it’s his turn to cook the kitchen light would be on.’ When Lyra reached the door, Rainbow landed next to her and shook the water off herself. She looked up to see Lyra with an amused raised eyebrow. “Did you just escort me home just so you have shake water next to me?” Rainbow chuckled as she ruffled her wings. “My bad.” Lyra opened the door with a spark of magic. “Lero, Rainbow and I are home!” “Hey there!” Their stallion called out from the living room. “Shoot, I forgot dinner!” Lyra and Rainbow chuckled as they watched him jump off the couch and stumbled into the kitchen. “It’s fine. I think I want to lie down for a bit.” Lyra said, “My pillow wants to talk to my muzzle.” Rainbow nodded as she grabbed the nearby towel. It smelt like it was used recently. Odd. Did somepony visit? Rainbow mentally shrugged as she threw the towel on the rack. ‘Maybe Twilight forgot something and came back.’ Lero moved around the kitchen at a fever pace, he looked nervous. Rainbow slinked up behind him and waited for the perfect moment to strike. She leaped out and pulled him into a hug from behind and nibbled on his exposed shoulder. “Were you enjoying yourself, big guy?” She was surprised when she felt Lero tense up. His whole body was rigid. “Whoa, calm down. It’s just me.” “Right, sorry about that.” Lero forced a chuckle. He quickly turned around and returned the hug. “You really shouldn’t do that to a guy holding a knife. Somepony could get hurt.” “My bad, did you cut yourself?” Rainbow rubbed her muzzle in his neck. “Naw, love.” Lero broke the hug and gave her a kiss on the forehead. He turned around to continue his task when he stumbled again. Rainbow Dash cried out and moved to catch him. “I got you!” She quickly wrapped her forearms around him and slowed his fall. She felt him breath rapidly as she sighed in relief until something caught her eye on the floor. “What’s that green stuff?” Rainbow felt a chill go through her body. The hair on her back stood up as her wings froze up. Rainbow’s instincts screamed at her and she listened. She bounced away just in time to avoid a quick slice of a large blade. But not fast enough to avoid a small, shallow cut on her shoulder. Rainbow looked up; her eyes wide open, and met the dead glare from her human stallion. His bulky form loomed over her with a meat carver in his jerky hand. The knife was slightly stained with red and green on the blade. Lero had the look of a killer. A stunned Dash shrunk under Lero’s long shadow. Did she do something wrong, why did he react so violently? “What are you doing Lero?” Her answer came in the form of a cold chuckle which spooked Rainbow to her core. Before she could say anything Lero was on her again. He struck with a clumsy but swift vertical strike that forced Rainbow to dodge. She almost tripped over the table chair she knocked over. Dash didn’t notice. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Come on Lero just calm down.” “Oh, sorry. I just realized how much of a joke this all is.” Lero face palmed with his green stained wounded hand, he continued to chuckle. “I’m actually screwing a horse. How wrong is that?” Rainbow’s ears trembled against her skull. She couldn’t believe what she heard. Lero has told her in the past how he felt about his relationship. While it was not entirely normal for a pony to marry outside their species, it was not unheard of. For Lero, a human paired up with a human, anything else was considered perverse. What was the word? Bestiality. He didn’t call their relationship that though, he said it was xenophilia. “What we have is not wrong.” Rainbow strained to say, her heart was heavy and ached. Like a minotaur decided to stomp on it. “How can it be, who told you that!? After everything we’ve been through. After all our doubts and struggles how can you possibly question that?” Lero’s features softened as his grip on the knife loosened. “You really believe that?” Rainbow sniffed as she held back tears. He doubted what they had? She took a slow step toward him; she still had a submissive posture and really, really hoped he calmed down enough. Dash wasn’t sure how long he’s been tormented by these feelings, but he needed a hug now. “Y-yea you big lug. Just put the knife down and we can talk about it.” Lero kicked his heavy foot out and caught Rainbow in her muzzle. She crashed through the table behind her as her vision blacked out. Dash’s senses were dulled and her ears ringed, but her trained mind did not fail her. Rainbow rolled to the side as a rush of air sliced through her mane. She blinked rapidly as her vision returned. The large knife was embedded in the table as Lero struggled to pull it out. ‘This can’t be him, there is no way. Lero just wouldn’t do this. He’s sick. Maybe some kind of magic spell did this?’ Rainbow pulled herself back up. She felt a small trail of liquid go down her lips from her nose. ‘For better or worse and in sickness and in health. I will always be there for you.’ The vow solidified in her mind as she gathered her resolve. Rainbow jumped up behind Lero and wrapped her forearms around his arms. She beat her wings hard and dragged Lero away from the blade. “Calm down, please. This isn’t you. I can get help.” Lero realized he couldn’t get his weapon back so he chucked his body back and slammed Dash into the wall behind them. Rainbow felt the air knocked out of her as her grip loosened. Lero quickly broke free and swung around with a backhand. Rainbow ducked it and tackled him to the ground. She hugged him tightly, she was not about to fight back. She would just hold him close and everything would be fine. Lero rolled over so he could be on top. He pulled one arm free and used his free hand to wrap his fingers around her neck. Then he started to squeeze her throat tightly. Rainbow’s vision blurred as her thoughts became frantic. Then she noticed something wrong. ‘He’s not wearing my feather. He hates me!’ A sneer grew across his face as he doubled down on her. ‘Le..r…o…’ The quiet hum of magic filled the air before Lero was thrown off Rainbow and out the window. A horrible mixture of sorrow and grief plagued Rainbow Dash as she laid there. “W-what was that!? What the buck was that!? I...wa...why...” “Oh this is really bad.” Rainbow heard Lyra’s voice but did not respond. She curled herself up into a tight ball as tears dampened her face. Rainbow started to cough as she tried to hide from the world in her forearms. “Lero just went crazy and he...and he wasn’t wearing my feather. ” She felt the warm body of her herd mate hug her close. “I don’t know what to do.” “Rainbow, you have changeling blood all over your neck.” Rainbow froze, and looked into Lyra’s large eyes. “What, what are you talking about?” Rainbow blinked slowly. ‘Lero did bleed green on the hand he cut himself on. Lero’s blood is red, not green. So that wasn’t him. That wasn’t him! It was a bug the whole time!’ Rainbow’s tremors that racked her body ceased as her mind started to calm down. ‘Changeling...don’t they? Oh no. If that was a changeling, Lero is in trouble. A changeling came into our home as one of us and not only tricked him, but kidnapped him as well.’ Rainbow stood up from her fetal position. She could feel Lyra as she rose up next to her. Dash started to breathe hard as implications dawned on her. ‘A changeling took advantage of him in our home. In our home! He could be calling for help right now!’ Rainbow’s vision tinged red as a fire burned in her gullet. An electric charge coursed through her being as her wings hardened by her side. “Lero’s in danger!” “Don’t panic.” Lyra grabbed Rainbow’s face and sharply pulled it close, their muzzles a hair’s breadth apart. “We can’t afford to do something stupid. I’ll chase down the changeling and you get Twilight and tell her what has happened.” Rainbow felt her heart tighten as she shakily nodded. “Be careful, please.” Lyra quickly flicked the door open with her magic and Rainbow flew out of the house. She swooped above the cloud line and immediately broke the color barrier. The Sonic Rainboom destroyed the weather that she had worked all night on. Rainbow didn’t care; already her mind went through the worse case scenarios. ‘Did they hurt him? Did they kill him!?’ Rainbow Dash let loose a primal scream. Her gut flared with rage that consumed her body and mind. She was ready to rip changelings apart.“Buck this!” Rainbow slammed into the ground in front of the library tree, the earth quaked beneath her and the trees in the area swayed violently. The force blew the door open to reveal a shocked Spike. The welcome mat was now in a small crater. “R-rainbow?” Spiked gulped. A small part of Rainbow told her that she probably scared the poor baby dragon. She’ll have to deal with that later. “Twilight!!!” She bellowed just to make sure Twilight knew that she was there. Not even a moment later, a bright purple flashed announced Twilight’s arrival. Her mane was up in a ponytail and wore oversize orange goggles. To say she looked disheveled would have been an understatement. “What, the hay Rainbo...” Twilight’s eyes grew large. “Rainbow you have blood on you.” Rainbow panted hard as glanced at herself. “Lero has been kidnapped.” A beaker, that Rainbow didn’t notice, Twilight had in her telekinetic grip dropped to the floor and shattered. Twilight gapped before she quickly regained her wits. “By what you have on you, I would say by changelings.” Rainbow heard a growl erupted from Twilight as flames sparked in her eyes. “Spike, code omega.” Spike saluted, he took out parchment and started to scribble furiously. Twilight started to pace. “A changeling means that he must have been stalked for a few weeks. Tell me what happened.” “You should come to the house and see for yourself.” Rainbow flared her wings aggressively. She was eager to get back to Lyra. She hoped, to all things, that she might have found it. “I’ll meet you there; I need to grab a few things.” Twilight vanished in a purple flash. Spike had sent the message and was already started to stuff a bag full of things. “Dash, you’ll get him back right?” Spike asked. Rainbow’s harsh eyes looked at him, but softened as soon as she saw his barely contained tears. “We will. No bug is going to hurt him.” Rainbow took off again; if she had stayed a second longer she would have gotten a letter back from Princess Celestia. She noticed the confused townsfolk outside as Rainbow flew past; when Rainbow reached the house, Twilight just teleported into the living room with random equipment. Rainbow was right by her side and regaled to her what had happened when Lyra and she got home. Twilight nodded and pointed out the door. “See if you can help Lyra. I’m going to try and figure out when Lero was taken.” Before Rainbow could fly out the door, Lyra trotted in with the changeling in tow. It only had one wing now. “No need, I have it right here.” “You!” Rainbow snarled as her rage boiled again. A strong tent of red colored her view as she grabbed the changeling by the neck. “Where is he!? It hissed defiantly and was punched as a result. “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” “Rainbow, stop.” Twilight called out. “We can’t force it to say anything like this.” “Twilight, it stole his body. This thing had to have seen him in order for that to happen.” Rainbow glanced at the changeling’s injured hoof to make sure that this was the one she fought. “Drones don’t talk.” Lyra spoke up. “There has never been a successful interrogation done on one, ever.” “So it’s useless to us?” Rainbow started to stalk around the changeling like a predator. She wanted so badly to tear into it, even if it didn’t help. “Not quite.” Twilight took out an odd machine that Rainbow was not sure what it did. It beeped and clicked furiously as a small peg danced on a scale of numbers. “I can find out how many were here. Anti-changeling detectors have come a long way since the Canterlot invasion. The magic signature should still be fresh.” “Those would have been helpful during that invasion.” Lyra placed a hoof on Rainbow to try and calm her. Twilight scanned the area as the device beeped erratically. Twilight followed the marks carefully as it took her upstairs. Rainbow stayed close behind as Twilight clopped into the bedroom. ‘Oh no. Don’t tell me.’ Rainbow heard a surprised squeak from Twilight. “The energy readings are strongest here.” A cold chill went down Rainbow’s spine as her heart skipped a beat. “Did a changeling get him in here?” “Not just any changeling.” Twilight snarled loudly which made Rainbow jump. “That monster has decided to violate the sanctity of my family twice now.” “The Queen.” Lyra softly answered. Rainbow heard fear in her voice. She would have never thought Lyra would have been afraid of anything. “Oh this is bad.” “Fine, we find her and tear into her.” Rainbow Dash stomped her hooves on the floor. That giant bug was about to be a grease stain. That monster took advantage of her human stallion. Just the thought clouded her mind with violent fury. “This is the Queen, Rainbow.” Lyra got in her face, worry was etched on her. “This creature would take you apart and laugh in your face.” Rainbow tore her eyes away and lurched towards the prisoner. “Is this some kind of revenge scheme?” Rainbow asked the changeling. It looked up at her confused before it laughed. “Not even clossse.” Rainbow gritted her teeth as she punched the changeling’s face. The punch was strong enough to knock it out cold. “That was not a normal response.” Twilight tied the changeling up in magical rope. “It laughed at us.” “So this more than a revenge plan.” Lyra looked at the bed. She looked a little greener than normal. “The Queen probably thought he was exotic and took him for herself.” Rainbow’s stomach sank. “No. She wouldn’t.” “No she won’t.” Twilight muttered darkly. “Ladies, our stallion has just been kidnapped. There will be Tartarus to pay.” *** “This day has been perfect.” Aimee sighed deeply as she led her entourage of changelings. There was a skip in her step and her eyes twinkled. She sung a small ditty that made sense to only herself. Lero was restrained in rope and magical grips. He was asleep for most of the trip to the kingdom, but the moment he awoke he struggled nonstop. He couldn’t say anything, but she can taste his confusion and anger. “I can find pleasure in that we probably caused a lot of pain for Sparkle.” The Queen grinned wickedly. “Who cares about that pony, this man made me feel alive.” Aimee drew behind Lero and placed a hand on his shoulder. He visibly flinched. Terror, rich flavor. Always nice to have after love.“Oh, you poor thing. I’m going to remove the gag, don’t bother screaming. We are miles away from help.” Aimee removes the gag. Lero glares at her for a few moments. She savored the taste of how close to the breaking point he was. “You weren’t Twilight earlier were you? Who and what are you?” Lero growled to her. Rage, a strong flavor. If not careful can overpower the other dishes. “Mwah? I am The Queen of the Changelings, and I am Aimee Chevalier. Former human, I think. Probably. You stand before greatness mortal. I have to say you were horrible in bed. You’ve spent too long with ponies.” “Is that so?” Lero glared with an unamused tone. “Why have you kidnapped me?” “Because when I want something I take it!” The Queen snarled. Aimee draped an arm around him and traced his jaw line. “You make me feel complete, even if you are an American.” Disgust crossed over Lero’s face. Sour, not really enjoyable.“You used me. I don’t belong to you; I made a vow to my partners. I will never let you have me.” Aimee’s grin vanished as she leaned in close to his face. The Queen grabbed the hair on the back of his hand and twisted. “Let me make myself clear. You. Don’t. Belong. Here. You will always be different, you will never fit in. I saw the way the ponies looked at you, even the friendly ones. I am not alien to that world.” Lero continued to glare at her. “You think I am not aware of the alienation? Despite all that, they still accepted me. Lyra accepted me, Twilight accepted me, and Rainbow...Rainbow helped me to move on. Do I miss home? Of course I do, but this is my home now.” “You say that, but in her heart she desires a stallion. I can feel it, it is only natural after all.” The Queen let go of his hair and poked his chest. “Has she said on a few occasions how strange you are sometimes?” Lero remained quiet, but stern. Aimee smiled as she pointed at one of the changelings. “Change.” Green magic flames sprouted around the changeling. Its formed changed into that of another human. “See that, I can give you back your home. Any of them can change into any kind of human you want. They will act like them, eat like them, and talk like them.” Aimee waltzed towards the human as it accepted her hand. “This one is named Timothy.” Lero cringed as his face paled. “Why would I even participate in this charade?” “Why?” Aimee cheerful demeanor and was replaced by something cold. “Do you have holes, Lero? I have holes. Holes everywhere. My body and my mind are covered in holes. I feel like thorns wrap themselves around me and just cover me with holes.” She took one of Lero’s restrained hands and forced a finger to poke her forehead. “I have a big festering hole right there, that has eaten away at me all my life. So many things are missing. Was it taken from me, was I born like this, or maybe there was a hole there, but it’s gone now.”Aimee let go of Lero’s hand and started to cradle her head. “The holes were covered up by so many distractions, but all that did was hide the problem.” Aimee looked up at Lero. She did not move. She did not blink. “I don’t like holes. You, Lero, are going to fill those holes in.” “Yes, there is a double meaning to that.” The Queen chuckled as she beckoned him a finger. “Your love makes me feel powerful. It is wasted on ponies.” “I am not giving anything to you.” Lero closed his eyes. His voice was tense, but calm. “You are clearly insane, and you are clearly demented.” He yelped when The Queen drilled a sharp nail into his forehead and broke the skin. “Listen human, nothing in Equestria can tell me no. I told you, when I want something I get it. I will take your mind and turn it into a vegetable if I have to.” “Don’t try to call her bluff. She will do it.” Aimee sighed as she caressed his cheek with one hand. “So many ponies, dragons, griffins, and other creatures have fallen to her will.” Lero returned her gaze and stared intently. Though smaller in stature the gaze reminded The Queen of a dragon’s glare. The taste of power, an apex predator. Intoxicating. “You are asking me to give up to you. Why should I when Rainbow, Twilight, and Lyra will fight with everything they have to get me back?” “And what makes you think that they would do that when they know it is a lost cause?” The Queen grinned, all her teeth were sharp. “Because, I would do the same.” Aimee frowned and spoke in a low voice. “Lero, what year were you born?” He studied her and decided to answer carefully. “It was after the turn of the millennium.” “What happened after the Germans invaded? I don’t quite remember the year, but France was...lost.” Lero blinked vacantly as he tried to process the question. Confusion leaves an odd taste. “They lost the war. The Germans were eventually defeated.” "I see.” Aimee stared at the ground murmuring gibberish before her head shot up and flashed Lero a smile. “I told you that you would be filling in holes.” “Good night, we’ll reach my kingdom tomorrow.” The Queen flicked his forehead. A green spark of magic flickered for a moment. Lero was able to resist for a moment (a moment longer than The Queen expected), but soon his eyes turned green as his eyelids drooped. “Just like all the others.” “It has been a long day.” Aimee carefully laid Lero’s body down on top of a changeling's back. “I want to dream again.” She looked up at another changeling and nodded. It transformed into another human. “Daddy.” Aimee hugged it with complete affection. “Everything will be better soon Dad. Tomorrow is a new day.” Her eyes grew heavy as the stars faded. *** What was once a pristine forest of beauty was now a wasteland. Bombs had wrecked the land. There was still a line of trees that still stood, but the forest was nowhere as thick as it once was. Charred cars that were still on fire could be spotted on the side of the road. Aimee shuddered as they drove past another family. Timothy glanced at her. His knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel. His eyes darted up at the sky every few moments and his movements jerked around sporadically. The trip wore their nerves thin. “Turn down this way.” Aimee pointed towards an old gravel road with a mailbox. “R-right.” Timothy sighed in relief with the cover of trees. “So your home, what’s it like?” Aimee watched the canopy of trees go by as she played with the door lock. “Well it’s been in the family for a while. Our family a long, long time ago took care of horses. Breed, trained, and raised horses for nobility and knights.” “Then you guys had enough and killed your King.” Timothy chuckled darkly as he shook his head. “Ya, there was more to it than that, but that is the gist of it. We still have horses, but it is mostly a recreational habit. Dad’s a researcher.” “Big name researcher on top of that. I saw his name on the board of directors for the school.” Aimee smiled quietly. “It was because of him I got into university.” Some time past before a familiar house rolled into view. It stood two stories tall with the wears and tears of an old weathered home. Weary stones covered in moss lined the walls. Red window panes hanged loosely to allow light inside. Trees obscured most of the house, and vines are wrapped around the awning. Dad’s rose bushes had grown fairly large. It’s good to be home. “How very rustic.” Timothy stopped the car in front of the walkway. Aimee nodded as she opened the car door. She froze when she looked at the walkway. Heavy boot prints were printed everywhere, and the door looked like it was kicked open. Her heart skipped a beat as Aimee’s breath stopped. “Oh no.” Aimee dashed towards the house. She brushed up a little too close to one of the trees and scrapped herself on one of the thorns wrapped around it. She ran into the living room, the place was torn apart. She found papers thrown around, furniture overturned, and windows broken. Valuables and family heirlooms were gone. Aimee ran up to the second floor. There were no signs of Dad. Aimee opened the back door. The barn doors were partially off their hinges and all the animals seemed to have scattered. There is nothing here. They took everything. Aimee didn’t have time to meditate what happened when she heard heavy machinery overhead. ‘Do I hear planes?’ Explosion. Aimee fell over as the house was rocked. She scrambled to her feet and sprinted towards the front door. Her ears ringed as she stumbled over fallen furniture. The smell of melted metal and chemicals permeated the air. Aimee exited the house; the smoke choked her lungs and burned her eyes. She gasped as her hand covered her mouth. The car was gone, as was Timothy. Another explosion. Ears hurt. Aimee picked herself up off the ground. Her arms failed as she fell down again. Bones ached and her muscles screamed out in pain. ‘What? Why am I on the floor? Everything smells like ash.’ Aimee struggled back up only to fall down again. She passed out. Her face is wet. ‘Something is licking me.’ Aimee eye’s cracked open. A tongue invaded her vision and continued its invasive action. ‘Something is sniffing me.’ Aimee strained to turn over. She didn’t have the energy. Something pushed her over. “Amie? When did you come back?” Her horse snorted as she knelt down next to her. Amie’s warm body soothed Aimee’s aches and the soft coat was welcomed over the cold hard ground. Aimee grabbed Amie by her withers and weakly pulled up. As soon as Aimee was draped on her back Amie carefully got up. Aimee got a good look at what was left of her house. Fire licked charred remains of furniture and centuries old trees laid low in the ruins. The chimney shifted slightly before it fell down into the ashes of the old desecrated home. Tears flowed down Aimee’s face. “It’s gone.” She didn’t know how long she stayed there. She just watched the flames burn away whatever existed of her old life. “Let’s go, Amie. I don’t know where, but I just want to go.” Her horse slowly trotted away into the woods. The trees crowded in on them as they went deeper. The canopy slowly darkened the trail. They plodded along with no real destination in mind. “Aimee.” Someone called out to her from beyond her sight in the darkest part of the forest. “Dear child, come this way.” “Who’s there?” Aimee looked around. They were in a clearing with Foxglove everywhere. Amie neighed aggressively. Suddenly her horse took off and almost threw Aimee off. She held tightly to her horse’s mane as the trees flew by; Amie galloped long and hard, enough to make her nose bleed. “Amie, why are you so scared? Stop, you’re going to hurt yourself!” Amie slowed down to a plod. She heaved loudly as her legs trembled weakly. Aimee slid off and grabbed Amie by the muzzle. “Calm down. It’s ok. Shhh.” “Aimee.” Someone called out to her. “Dear child, come this way.” Aimee froze. The voice followed her. She looked around and discovered they were back in the clearing surrounded by Foxglove. They glowed now. “W-who’s there?” Someone with pastel rainbow hair appeared before her. *** A buzz irritated the Queen enough to wake her from her sleep. An alarm jolts her up, Lero had escaped. Her face twisted in rage. “How is this possible!? I had him under mind control.” She picked up one of the unconscious changelings. A green spark woke it. “Explain, how was he able to escape?” The changeling quickly answered with telepathic memories. Lero had broken out of the mind control only five minutes after she had gone to sleep. He slipped out of some of the restrains and broke the rest on a changeling’s head. This one immediately went to capture him, but Lero grabbed it and slammed it into the ground. As its vision fades, it watched Lero escaped through the forest. “No, we can’t let him escape!” Aimee cried out. She looked up at the forest of Leota where he disappeared into. The Queen breathed in deeply before she unleashed a horrifying roar that would have made dragons tremble. The hive heard and it will answer her call. The entire hive. The sky blackened as the swarm approached; the moon and stars disappeared from view like a blanket over the world. “Find the human! Let nothing stand in your way.” “We can follow the trail he left behind.” Aimee told The Queen with desperation. “No need to panic, he has no idea where he is.” The Queen grinned. “The forest is large and can be confusing, but we should not leave anything to chance.” The Queen and Aimee dug their foot into the ground before they sprinted off into the forest. Animals, both mundane and magical, fled before her as she ran through the brush. Her emerald eyes shined brightly, which cut through the darkness. The swarm high above broke into formations and covered the forest. Aimee ran until she came across a rotted sign. “Welcome to Iron Shoe.” She looked at the abandoned ghost town where the human foot prints entered. It was a settlement beyond Equestria’s borders made by ponies that did not wish to live under the crown. Not Celestia’s crown, but an old unicorn kingdom. They had formed an odd government that voted in a council who controlled the village. There wasn’t anything particularly wrong with the village structure; they had successfully controlled the dangers of the forest much like how Ponyville did when it was founded. The town became well known for its iron based products. They built things to last, the town itself still stood after all this time. Too bad they made a home next to a changeling hive. “Haven’t been here in a long time.” Aimee contemplated as she pushed the old splintered sign over. She should just send a squad of changelings inside while she searched the forest. “It would take too long to run through this old town. We can cover more ground—“ A bright beam of light erupted from epicenter of the town. It stretched high into the sky for all to see and turned away the darkness. All the magical lamps in every building turned on at the same time. The old village that had slept for eons sparked to life once again. The large mansion that overlooked the town shined brilliantly. Aimee covered her eyes. Something in the town blew up as the all the lights died at once. A billow of smoke rose from the center of town. Aimee rubbed the soreness from her eyes. “I think he turned on the generator and over-clocked it.” “He’s trying to send a signal for help!” The Queen growled then howled into the sky. The changelings began to converge to her. “Form a ring around the town; nothing will get in or out. I want some to help me search.” Aimee walked down Mane Street towards the center of town. Her entourage of changelings that followed her occasionally broke off to search the buildings. The old wood buildings were covered in overgrowth and the paint was worn off, but they still stood strong. Earth ponies made sure what they build lasted a long time. Most of the street lamps that had not fallen over were homes for cobwebs and crows. Aimee reached downtown and stopped. She allowed a smile to grow on her face as she took a deep breath for her royal voice of yore. “Lero, you have no way to escape! Your gamble for help has failed, you foolish American!” “Don’t bother coming out now! I want to hunt you down! When I find you I will break one of your legs! Then I will drag you back to my kingdom where you will stay for the rest of your life!” “I will use you to make a human world! With your love I can create changelings to be just like humans! They will talk and act just like them; go to work, ride on ponies, and make love! It will be a perfect little world!” “I am your future, Lero! Your body, mind, love, and soul belong to me! Don’t you realize it? I was with you the whole time the past few weeks! Any of those times you thought you were with your herd mates was me! I know you!” “We slept together! Can’t just let that go! Sure, you were awkward because of only having pony partners, but I will teach you! We can go on dates, meet each other’s parents, get married, and have little children!” “I will take your love and make a new world!” “We will make love and it will be beautiful!” Such a rich flavor in the air. The Queen grinned as she cracked her knuckles. That was her favorite thing to do now. She was about to have fun. Explosion. Aimee’s vision darted towards the sky. A rainbow colored shockwave broke through the changeling fence. A streak of color bends towards downtown as the air rippled with magic energy. Gold chariots follow far behind the streak with an army of pegasi soldiers. The rainbow streaked impacted the ground before Aimee, which forced her to look away briefly. Rainbow Dash looked up at her and growled. In an instant a purple flash announced the arrival of Twilight next to Rainbow. Her horn did not cease its glow as Twilight summoned more magic. A powerful purple shield erupted from her; it passed through Rainbow with no effect and slammed into The Queen. Her world was turned upside down as the magic barrier dragged her across town. The other changelings that had followed her were also caught by the shield and were squashed against some of the houses. The Queen dug her feet harshly into the ground as she pushed back against the barrier. She raised a fist and punched it as hard as she could. The Queen didn’t destroy the shield, but she was able to phase through it. She was now on the edge of town again with the barrier behind her. Looked like the little pony mage had copied a spell from her brother. The Queen seethed as green sparks of energy tendrils jumped off her. “Kill them. Kill them all!” Transparent dragonfly wings erupted from her back as she charged back in town. Black and green magic melted from her fist as her feet pounded against the earth. She reached downtown in a matter of seconds. Twilight and Rainbow Dash were gone and in their place waited a brigade of soldiers. “Stand your ground mares.” The dark Pegasus field commander calmly glared at the target that rushed at them. Commander Nightshade’s blue bat wings twitched with anticipation as their foe closed in. A silver scabbard hanged on her back and her wings were covered with tainted black blades. Her golden eyes calculated their next move. “Unicorns, suppress her!” There were five groups; in each one five earth ponies with heavy armor took point with spears and gauntlets. They held their ground with earth pony magic. The three pegasi wore light armor equipped with razor wing tips, perfect for flank maneuvers and sharp enough to cut through dragon scales. The two unicorn mages provided support with shield magic and bolts to attack from afar. Multiple bolts fired past The Queen. The energy made the air crackle with heat. Magical discharges missed her by inches as she used her lithe form to dance around them. When she spied the commander The Queen smiled as she grabbed one of the bolts out of the air, twisted it around her body and flung it back towards her target. The bolt zoomed far faster than when it was first fired and Nightshade only had time for her eyes to widen. A green hoof flashed and deflected the shot past the commander. She let a sigh of relief as she looked over to her savior. “Auxiliary Guard Heartstrings, it is good to see you. That would have not ended well for me. Though I must ask, why are you not looking for the target?” The ever still Lyra took the traditional Still Way stance. “I can’t cover nearly as much ground as Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle. Besides, this one is personal. You don’t mind if I join you Commander Nightshade.” Nightshade small smirk only allowed a single fang through her lips. “Would be honored.” “Here she comes.” “This is where we stop her until backup arrives and the target is rescued.” The mares yelled out a war cry and readied their weapons. “We are the combined might of the sun and moon. We are the strongest that our princesses have to offer. This monster s has been blight on our kingdom for eons. Make sure to run her back underground.” The Queen allowed a murderous grin to break across her face before she leapt high into the air. “Ready your shields, don’t give her a chance!” The Queen landed a devastating blow to the point group’s magic shield. It shattered instantly like she popped a bubble. The group scattered as she landed with a heavy thud. Aimee looked up as the point group quickly surrounded her. The five earth ponies all stabbed with their spears in perfect unison. The Queen swiftly sidestepped the barrage of steel and grabbed two spears by the wood handles. The two earth ponies dug into the ground and poured their earth magic into their hooves to hold steady. “Stop her, we are barely hol--!” Aimee lifted the mares off the ground by their spears and swung them around like a top. The other three soldiers were knocked aside by their fellow comrades. Then she slammed her two flails together which produced a sick crunch. “Pierce, Lance! No!” One of the pegasus swooped down low with her wing blades outstretched. The Queen recognized the emotion connected between herd sisters. She quickly ducked under the slash and grabbed the pegasus by her tail. Aimee threw her at the other pegasus that tried to flank her, their blades clashed each other as they crumpled to the ground. “What are you all doing!?” Nightshade bellowed out. “Why can’t you grab her?” The unicorn mares grimaced as their horns burned brightly. “Our telekinesis is not working on her. She’s resisting our spells.” Nightshade quickly glanced over to Lyra. “You are in a herd with a human. Tell me you know of any weakness we can use?” Lyra’s horned glowed as she reached out. “Everypony focus on her knees. Don’t bother with a full body grab.” A magical aura surrounded Aimee’s knees slowing her down to a crawl. The Queen snorted and rolled her eyes. “You should run now.” A ring of green flames blazed around her before she thrust them out. A wall of armageddon bore down on the ponies. “Unicorns’ shield now!” Commander Nightshade jumped next to Lyra as she created a gold shield to cover them. She winced when she heard the brief cries of pain from those too slow to escape. All Lyra and Nightshade could see was green flames of fury. Then, without warning, they dissipated rapidly. “Hello Lyra.”The Queen whispered behind them a killer’s grin split her face. Lyra quickly bounced to the side and dodged a kick. Aimee followed up with a downward elbow strike towards Lyra’s temple. Lyra calmly deflected the blow with a magic block. Nightshade came in from behind with a sliver magic sword in her mouth and attempted to run the monster through. Aimee felt the sun blessed blade and back flipped over her opponent. Aimee threw her weight down on Nightshade and grabbed her head. “I wish to talk to Lyra.” Aimee’s eyes turned solid green. “Do you mind taking care of your subordinates? Good girl.” Commander Nightshade’s eyes became heavy as the familiar green tint poisoned her. Nightshade slowly got up and stalked her way towards some down soldiers. A golden hue of magic wrapped around Nightshade’s leg and tripped her. Nightshade fell muzzle first into the ground. Another magic attack surrounded her head and smashed it into the ground. “Well that wasn’t nice. You knocked her out cold.” Lyra breathed calmly as she took a stance. Her bright golden eyes pierced her opponent. She was balance, all things flow with all things. “You can’t hide the fear from me, Still Way master.” The Queen calmly slinked towards her. “You have every right to be. I completely nullified your training the first time we meet. You want to hear something even better? That was before I took the groom’s love. I was powerful enough to defeat your princess after I took it. Lero’s love made me stronger then when I defeated her. Do you hear me, I am stronger!” Lyra snorted as she carefully kept her distance. “There is a difference this time. You had Prince Armor’s love backing you up the whole time. Tell me, does Lero love you right now?” The Queen hissed as her anger sparked. “Cute little unicorn, let me tell you something. I can taste the varying strengths of love. He does not love you nearly as much as the others.” Lyra glared as the first sign of emotions crossed her face. It lasted only a second as she breathed another calm breath. “I know that. Lero’s love for me is not like that of Rainbow Dash or Twilight. The love he has for me is unique because he loves me for who I am. This is not some competition, but a state of companionship. Besides...” The Queen raised an eyebrow. “...you must have been imitating me poorly.” “Whatever makes you sleep better at night, Horny.” The Queen answered in Lero’s voice. Lyra’s horn barely glowed before a golden gleam tried to wrap itself around The Queen’s throat and ankle. Her foot was pulled out from under her and The Queen was slammed into the ground. A pegasus soldier that had waited for an opportunity dove down for a sagittal slash. Aimee broke free from Lyra’s grip and kicked the pegasus’ throat before the weapon got close. Lyra grabbed the ankle that The Queen used and threw her again. An earth pony soldier was fast enough to buck the monster as she flipped. The Queen flew back from the powerful kick and would have crashed into the ground if she had not decided to use her wings. She glared at the earth pony mare and raised her hand. A telekinetic green hue wrapped around the soldier and lifted her up from the ground. “Stop her, stop her, stop her, stop her!” Her cries for help were cut short when Aimee smashed her into the other soldiers. The Queen’s maniacal joy was cut short when something tugged on the articulation of her wings. Lyra gritted her teeth as she harshly pulled down with her magic on the monster’s appendages. The Queen was cut off guard and teetered in the sky before she landed. The few unicorns that were still up fired magic bolts on her. The Queen growled as green flames sprouted around her. “I don’t think so!” Nightshade slashed down on Aimee and stopped her attack. A fresh head wound forced Nightshade to only use one eye, but it did not hold her back. Silver blade in mouth and on wings the legendary three blade style was put to full use. Sparks flew as the blades crossed paths with each other. “Keep going, I got her!” Lyra yelled out as she grabbed, yanked, and pulled all over the monster. The Queen’s balance and concentration was thrown off. Every step she took almost collapsed, her movements became sluggish, and her throat had a vice wrapped around it. Lyra was really trying to kill her with everything she had. The soldiers closed in. “I guess I should stop playing around.” Aimee grabbed the blade much to Nightshade’s surprise. “This body is still rusty, but it has been interesting. However, I really should go find Lero.” With unreal strength, Aimee shattered the silver magic blade and kicked Nightshade hard. Sickly green slime erupted from the ground; all the ponies around her were immediately entangled. The goo captured all her foes in a matter of seconds. The Queen looked around with a pleased grin, she turned around and found Lyra was only a few centimeters away from her with an outstretched hoof that glowed. “Is that the legendary Necrosis Touch? I’m surprised they still teach that. You really wanted to kill didn’t you; that move would have liquefied all my nerves if you had hit.” The Queen leaned down into Lyra’s uncovered ear. “Does your herd know you can do that?” Something hit her, hard. The Queen’s world spinned uncontrollably as body skipped across the ground. Aimee planted a foot in the road and anchored herself. She plowed about six feet of dirt before she came to a stop. The Queen looked up to see the furious Rainbow Dash. The moment lasted a second as Rainbow Dash uppercutted her into the sky. “You raped him.” Rainbow Dash snarled as she continued to wail on The Queen. “I am going to tear you apart!” She carried the monster high into the sky. “How long were you hunting him? How many times did you steal my body to trick him!? Never. Again. Will. You. Touch. Him!” A cone was building around Rainbow as she flew faster and faster until finally she pushed hard enough to do it. Rainbow Dash tackled The Queen with a full on Sonic Rainboom. “He made a vow, and you took advantage of it!” Rainbow Dash arched down and grabbed Aimee from behind to hold her in place. A stream of rainbow light could be seen from a distance until it crashed into the ground. A prismatic mushroom cloud exploded and covered the area with a thick fog of dust and dirt. Rainbow staggered away from ground zero. Her breath was rapid and shallow after performing the one move she would have never thought to use on anything in her life. Her muscles screamed and her bones ached as she looked back to where she dropped The Queen. She was lying there still as stone. “Six.” “Wha--!!!” Slime covered Rainbow’s legs and grew up to her body. She tried to spread her wings to fly away, but was too slow and exhausted to escape. After she flew full steam to get to this town, find Lero, and blasted away the monster she was just entirely out of energy. Aimee struggled to get up. She coughed profusely as she made her way up to the pony. “I’m impressed, had you done that to me on a normal day I would have been down and out.” “Like I told your herd wretch, I’m on a schedule.” Aimee poked Rainbow in the middle of her head. She made an attempt to bite her. “You will never see him again, and to make sure. I will take your wing.” The Queen’s claws carefully played around Rainbow’s frame. “I’ll just take one.” The green ooze around Rainbow Dash turned an ugly brown. Aimee raised an eyebrow. “Who?” The ooze exploded off Rainbow Dash. The Queen quickly tried to slash down on Rainbow, but she disappeared in a purple flash. Aimee looked up to see Twilight Sparkle with a cold glare. She wore a tiara on her head. Twilight’s mane threw off sparks of flames. ‘A tiara? Wait, Rainbow Dash is wearing a necklace.’ “You got lucky last time.” Twilight snorted. “This time however, your reign of terror ends.” A brilliant white flash appeared before them; Princess Celestia in all her glory stood tall and with her the other Elements of Harmony. The sun started to rise. The Queen had wasted too much time. “All right you big meanie greenie pantie. You hurt our friends, you get the business end of friendship!” Pinkie Pie bounced next to Rainbow Dash. The Queen growled as green flames exploded around her. The ground quaked as fissures appeared in the ground. She will not lose now, not with everything on the line. The Queen pointed a finger at Twilight as hot energy glowed on the tip. She wanted this one gone. Princess Celestia’s eyes glowed white. “I think not.” A gold shield enveloped them all as Aimee fired her beam. The barrier resisted for a few seconds before it cracked under the power. The Elements of Harmony dodged the attack only for it to blow up a village block that stood behind them. A mushroom cloud was born from the explosion as a shock wave shook the earth. Green flames billowed high in the sky as the fire spread across the village. The smoke was thick and the air smelt of magic fallout. Aimee looked around to find her opponents scattered around. The smoke was whisked away as Princess Celestia appeared from the dust with her wings and mane outstretched. The Queen shook with anger when she stared at the alicorn. Something caught Aimee’s eye behind Princess Celestia, on the end of town was Lero. He was about to be picked up by an envoy. Her gut sank as small gasp escaped her lips. “No.” Aimee mumbled. “No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.” Aimee/The Queen’s body turned black as holes appeared all over her body. Six transparent wings ruptured from her back as long claws became longer. Her long hair turned into green flames with black outlines. Her long sharp teeth grew from her mouth. Her eyes became like pits with no end. Her human body turned into a humanoid monstrosity. “NO!” Aimee/The Queen flew past Princess Celestia with a roar. The air crackled as they buzzed through the air. The town blurred around them as their focus tunneled to one target. A golden aura tried to grab them, but they merely shrugged it off. Aimee/ The Queen grinned when Lero noticed them. His pupils shrunk as his hands darted into his pockets. He took out a knife, not just any knife, but a small paring knife. Lero did not have that before. The Queen/Aimee came upon him with outstretched arms. They planned to pull him in and fly off into the forest. The fire blazed behind their back draft when they stopped in front of Lero. Desperation was all over his face. They couldn’t help but smile. “You are mine.” They enveloped him in an embrace. There is a hole now. A scream. Aimee heard a scream. Lero did not scream, she did not scream. It did not sound like a pony scream. It was a shrill wail from someone in mortal pain. It was... The Queen. That little paring knife was in her chest. That made no sense. How could such a small blunt iron weapon have pierced her? The Queen was powerful, even more so now. She’s been run through with spears before, but this was something else. The Queen’s back arched as she fell to her knees. She felt a fire that burned from her chest. It promised to consume her. Her nerves and muscles lost any semblance of control as her arms suffered spasms. A headache crashed through her head like a hammer. The Queen couldn’t feel her extremities. She was about to fade. Darkness... Aimee could only stare at the sky. All her changelings, the entire hive, looked like a seizure epidemic swept through them. The Queen still screamed. That hurt her ears. Aimee forced her head to look at Lero. “W-what?” Lero looked ill and very scared. He gulped as he stared at her. “Iron is a fae’s weakness.” Aimee furled her brow in confusion. “F-fae?” Lero backed off. He stared at his hands drenched with green. Lero stumbled and fell back. The Queen stopped; she stared at him and stretched out a claw. “L-love m...e...” The Queen is dead, long live The Queen. Aimee sat there alone. She couldn’t hear anything, not the changelings or the Queen. Aimee trembled as she hugged herself. Tears rolled down her face as her clawed hands clasped each other. Something flashed behind her and hummed with power. Aimee looked back and saw the six mares with the Elements of Harmony about to activate. She remembered Discord. Aimee tried to utter a no, but failed. She delved deep in her powers. The rainbow appeared. It was beautiful. Aimee stared in awe as green flames struggled to form around her. She melted into the ground as changelings disintegrated from the holy blast. The rainbow of light closed in on her as darkness embraced her. Darkness. Then candlelight. Aimee emerged in her room. She dropped to the floor. Fatigued burned her body and mind. Pain echoed throughout her body as she crawled to the mirror. Her leg bumped into the knife that had followed her. Aimee looked down with morbid fascination as she picked it up. She glanced at the mirror. “Why?” Aimee dragged the rest of the way to the mirror and pulled herself up. “What happened to me?” She placed the tip of the knife on the mirror and dragged it across the surface. “This isn’t right, when did I become...a monster? T-that’s exactly what I am, a monster. Oh my, all the lives I took. I wasn’t taught to be this way. I’m a caregiver.” Aimee cradled her head as she leaned up against the mirror. She looked back up at the mirror, rage started to build. “Tell me why.” She pointed at the mirror, at that thing that stared back at her. “Tell me why!” The mirror did not answer her back. Aimee screamed as she punched it, a small crack was created. “I wanted to grow up and follow my father’s footsteps. Be recognized for my talents, make him proud. Make up for...mom. Find a husband and have children.” “Why--” She punched the mirror again. Crack. “--Am I—“Another punch. Crack. “—a monster!?” Aimee grabbed the frame and squeezed. The entire mirror cracked. Aimee stared at her shattered image. Her eyes were wide as she stumbled erratically. She collapsed as adrenaline burned out of her system. Aimee’s last vision was that of the knife before sleep finally stole her away. One last dream, one that she had never had before. *** “W-who’s there?” Aimee clung to Amie as she looked around the foxglove garden. She heard soft footsteps wade through the flowers. Aimee looked up and saw a beautiful woman with pastel rainbow hair. Her eyes were black as coal and her skin was as pale as ivory. She wore a see through white gown that sparkled like pure snow. Flowers adorned her hair like a crown and her feet were covered in crystal clear slippers that shined like stars in the night sky. “Hello child, welcome to my garden.” Her voice was like a mother’s lullaby. She didn’t open her mouth when she talked. “What are you?” Aimee strained to speak. “Don’t be rude, child. Honestly, children this age. You may call me Lady.” Lady pulled her long sleeves back to reveal a small table with tea cups on it. The table cloth appeared to be made of spider silk that collected water droplets. Lady beckoned Aimee to come closer as she sat on a red toadstool with white spots, she was almost sure it had eyes that tracked her. Aimee took small steps and inched cautiously towards the other toadstool. “To answer your first question, I am the queen of the fairies.” Aimee watched her hostess; she made no effort to hide her shock. She clasped her hands together tightly. “The queen? Are you Melusine?” Lady laughed, it sounded like church bells that were perfectly tuned. “No child, she was a Queen, but she turned into an ugly creature.” “I see...” Aimee looked over to her horse that was still struggled to stand up. Amie eventually gave up and lied down despite her trepidations. “Child, you haven’t touched your tea yet.” Aimee glanced at her deep orange tea, steam still waft into the air. “I made it with morning dew with a spirit of an orange.” “Forgive me if I’m a little wary. Even if you were human I wouldn’t trust you.” Lady sighed as stirred her tea. “I imagine losing everything to war would make you difficult. Your animal was rather nervous as well. I almost lost you thanks to her.” ‘I don’t really blame her.’ Aimee shuffled as she started to sweat. “Please don’t be upset with her, she gets spooked easily.” “I see.” Lady softly smiled. “How is the world of men? It has been eons since I’ve walked this earth and now you can rain fire from the heavens.” Aimee picked up her warm tea cup and held it close in her hands. “We manage. I don’t know when the last time you came, but we have traveled the whole world now. We had a great war that was supposed to end all wars, but it really didn’t change anything.” Her tea started to smell good now. “Ah yes, the Germanic tribes have always been rather barbaric, but what about the fire from the heavens? I thought magic was lost to humans.” “It is a chemistry thing; mixture of compounds produces an explosive amount of energy.” Aimee answered. “We had magic?” Lady waved her hand dismissively. “It was a long time ago; a fae stole it in a rather brilliant move. Though it did make this world a lot more dangerous for us, and now humans can hurt us with iron.” “That explains a lot.” Aimee drew her tea close to her nose. She couldn’t help but sigh contently. “So why are you here with me?” “To fulfill a business arrangement.” Aimee opened her eyes and tilted her head. She placed the cup back down on the table. Aimee tried to read Lady’s face, but it was like a porcelain doll. Blank and a little creepy. “What business?” “One of your ancestors made a deal to marry into royalty, but in exchanged he said someone in his bloodline would owe us a favor. Quite clever actually, he got what he wanted and didn’t have to suffer any consequences for it. Now I am here to collect.” A chill went down Aimee’s spine. She pushed herself away from the table and tried to sprint away. The toadstool she was on suddenly grew arms and grabbed her. “Let me go!” “Child, child, child I am not going to kill you. I am giving you an opportunity.” Lady appeared in front of Aimee in a blink of an eye. “In fact I am going to give you power.” Lady knelt down and cradled Aimee’s head. “I am going to give a family that will adore you, a kingdom that will serve you, and all you will need is love.” Aimee glared up at her as she struggled. “Why would you? The fairies in the story I read about only serve their own interests.” “I lost my knight. I lost him to an arrogant beast. She and her sister broke the rules and they need to be punished. They didn’t banish him or kill him; no they sealed him with all of his powers and properties and there is no way we can get him back.” Lady hissed as black ashy smoke started to ooz out of her eyes. “Then they unjustly sealed their world with thorns and magic making it almost impossible to travel there. To be denied such a bounty is barbaric, and for once all the other Courts agree. Though they just want my knight’s power.” Aimee thrashed until she was able to get loose. She kicked the toadstool away and jumped away from Lady. Aimee ran over to her horse. “Amie we need to go.” She placed her hand on the horse’s shoulders and it melted into her. Aimee’s eyes widened as she tried to pull away. Lady sat on the horse’s back with an amused look. “Child, where do you think you are going? I told you I came to fulfill a bargain and I always collect.” Lady grabbed Aimee by her chin and forced her to look at her eyes. “This is a special case. For the first time all the Courts will be involved with you. I don’t think you understand how unique this is. You will be the first changeling to be a product of all the Houses. The possibilities of such a union makes me shudder. Oh, the possibilities are endless.” “I don’t want to be used.” Aimee whimpered. “If it makes you feel better you should be able to forget you old life when we are done with you.” Lady glanced over at the toadstool that lost its cap from Aimee’s kick. “Most changelings just lose their minds, but we will shape you and mold you to exactly what we need. You will be an antithesis to those princesses and be a thorn in their side as a reminder of what they did. They will curse you and you will laugh.” Lady kissed Aimee. “Come child do not worry, we will make you a queen. A beautiful queen with a glorious crown and subjects that will adore you. You will rule a powerful kingdom unlike any before.” “All you need.” “Is Love.” Author's Note Thank you everyone who has helped me with this story. It was a lot of people. I had this story idea back when Xenophilia was barely five chapters (or so) old. Thank you Anonauthor for your help and input. Now after months of writing and long breaks of nothing here it is. Special thanks to my sibling. Who read and reread this story despite not liking horror. Such a trooper. Enjoy your honeymoon.
EpilogueThe sun climbed over the horizon as it dragged the mountain’s long shadow across the forest bordered around it. Thick vegetation protected the mighty fortress from any massive force that sought to conquer the stronghold. The castle within the mountain was forged long ago by a powerful dragon to protect the greatest horde the world had known. The keep remained vigilant for eons until the dragon passed on. The treasure lost and the mountain fell under a new owner time after time. Whatever possession the mortal had the mountain protected. Whatever mortal possessed the mountain fell to tragedy. No army could approach the fortress, but a dagger in the dark slipped in easily. Luna patiently waited in the cool cover of darkness. She knew her sister forced the Changeling Queen to retreat back her stronghold. Luna couldn’t remember the last time the Queen was vulnerable like this. Such an opportunity was not about to be wasted. “Princess, everything is ready.” A mixture of night and day guards stood ready for her to command. They were the best for espionage and rescue. Luna’s umbrianic spells concealed them well under the cover of shadow. Commander Nightstrike saluted her princess as her golden eyes gleamed. “We have two strike forces prepared. I will be leading one unless you deem otherwise.” ‘Times have truly changed.’ Luna observed the lone stallion that hung back. For Changeling missions it was necessary to have a unicorn that extinguished the magical changeling flames. He fulfilled that role for the second team, Luna did for her team. “Be swift, be silent. Kill carefully.” “Remember, my guards, any prisoners are our first priority. Avoid detection and if you meet the Queen, do not engage her. She will tear you to shreds.” The shadows creeped over Luna as her form disappeared. “Leave her to me.” Luna traveled swiftly, like the quiet, unseen breeze. She held point efficiently as her squad lingered behind her. Shadow within another shadow, Luna zipped up over an entrance and skillfully dispatched the first guard, only to find no guard to be neutralized. There wasn’t a changeling there to greet her. Her practiced moves and centuries of trained warfare immediately jumped to the idea of a possible trap. Luna’s eyes pierced through the veil for the ambush. It never came. ‘What is this?’ Luna motioned for the rest of her team to follow. They descended down into the maw of the mountain tunnel. No host greeted them as the dim morning light failed to reach any farther. ‘Why do I not sense any creeping creature? Did the Queen really summon her entire hive to aid her?’ Weak emerald torches spotted the walls thoughtlessly as a sickly glow at the end of the tunnel grew brighter. The kingdom under the mountain imposed upon the team as they slinked out of the entry way. The tomb of a castle had a green aura about it that produced pale light barely enough to illuminate. ‘No matter who owns it, this place never changes.’ “Princess.” Luna’s eyes widened when one of her guards broke the rule of silence. She darted her angry stare towards the idiot mare. The guard didn’t flinch. “Princess, where are the changelings?” Luna tilted her head, her horn glowed as her vision enhanced. Her telescopic vision inspected everything about the stronghold. She saw rats as they scurried away under the safety of darkness, moths fluttered around old lights, and the second strike squad climbed out of their designated tunnel cave. “Princess, these hives are supposed to be swarming with them, even if she called out for her army.” The earth pony mare gulped as the stillness unnerved her. “Why would the monster call for her entire force for a lone human?” “Tis’ not something we need to worry about. If this city is indeed dead we must beware of the stragglers that didn’t answer her call. They will be more vigilant with their companions' absence.” Luna did not release her shadow spell, she was not about to be careless. They walked in silence as they entered the castle, their clops silenced by the stealth spell. A foul stench became thicker as a green haze fogged the corridors. The smell reminded Luna of dead love and prisoners kept in unholy conditions. Fresh scratches were etched on the walls from changelings that had scampered there earlier that day. This city was filled with life not even an hour ago. Then, painted on the wall, was a fresh, green splatter. Something or somepony had slammed a changeling against the wall. The trail drained down the wall and dribbled across the floor. It appeared that it dragged itself away. On the wall a claw mark trailed alongside the mess. Like something decided to drag its sharp weapons into solid, rock wall as it walked. “Princess, do you see the changeling?” One of the pegasus day guards spoke up in a hushed tone. Luna peered farther down and found the answer in far worse condition. “It is nothing. Keep moving.” What also caught her attention was a set of strange tracks stained in changeling remains. ‘What kind of animal is that, and why would it tear a changeling apart in such a gruesome manner?’ They continued down eerie corridor as did the trail sliced into the wall. Black stains from magic spells plastered randomly in the hallway. “Found a changeling leg...” A unicorn night guard shook her head. “I think we have an opportunist here. We need to find the prisoners before it does.” Before Luna could respond somepony interrupted her. “H-hello? Please help.” Out of the inky blackness a yellow mare earth pony with chrysanthemums for a cutie mark stumbled into Luna’s view. She could see the poor mare’s ribs and her coat was sticky with filth. “Where am I? I can’t see anything. Almond, are you there?” Luna’s quick spell check told her that it was indeed a pony and not a changeling. “My little pony, please remain calm. I will aid you.” “Princess? Princess!” The young mare brightened up as she hugged Luna. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” The princess took the time to return the hug despite how the pony smelled as her guards formed a perimeter around them. “Hush now, can you please tell me where the others are?” The pony shook her head in Luna’s barrel as the tears trickled out. “No, I’m sorry. I woke up in a room not far from here.” “You were brave to come this far. I will teleport you to safety.” Luna dipped her horn down to the mare’s head. “If you find a pony named Almond, tell her you found me.” Luna smiled. “Very well, what is thy name my young pony?” The mare faded away as the teleport worked its magic. “Joy, princess.” Luna’s horn stopped as she stood tall. She nodded to her guards as they pressed on. Room after empty room greeted them with only a stray rodent present. “Princess do you copy?” The shadows called out to Luna. She closed her eyes and took a calm breath. “Go ahead Shade Team.” “We found the nest.” Luna’s eyes shot open as she gasped. “You want to see this.” “You foals get out of there, their guardian will tear you to pieces.” Luna hissed sharply as the astronomical hair on her back bristled. “It was dead when we arrived here.” The shadow spell ended. Luna blinked a few times before she shook her head. “We are regrouping with Shade.” Luna remained calmed, but fact that the nest guardian was dead worried her. Each hive had a special guard for the nest, the deadliest changeling. The Queen always kept a special one with her hive. A beast modeled after a dragon with the same mentality drakes had for their horde, and just as powerful. The dead castle revealed no surprises, though Luna felt that something lurked beyond sight. “Over here.” Luna saw the point team of Shade Team wave them over. “What made you think it was a wise idea to approach a nest?” “When we found the body like this ma’am.” The guard pointed towards the large draconian changeling corpse that was scorched with severe third degree burns. The stallion had flames that needed to be snuffed out. “There are extreme lacerations all over its body and something pierced him all the way through several times.” Luna ignored the burning stench that hung in the air. She looked over to the room that it had failed to protect. “And the nest.” “Burnt to ashes. Nothing survived.” “Princess.” That stallion spoke up as he postponed his work. “The nest was destroyed by changeling flames.” “A changeling did all this?” Luna spoke her thoughts out loud. “I have never known a changeling to go rogue.” “What worries me is that the magic signature is the same as the one on the guardian. Princess, what changeling is powerful enough to kill the strongest nest guardian?” Luna slowly trotted over to the body. “A single changeling is unlikely, but more than one revolting seems even more unlikely.” She closed her eyes as she tested the green magic flames. She instantly recognized the poison. “T-this is the Queen’s!” “The Queen did all this!?” Nightstrike flinched, but quickly recomposed herself. “Princess that makes no sense.” “I am aware, commander, but I recognize her magic.” Luna looked down the desolate dark halls. She searched for any clues for such actions only to find none. “There is nothing left for us here. Find the prisoners, I do not want the Queen to turn her wrath on them.” “I think I hear ponies down these stairs!” A night guard had taken her position by the nearby staircase and after a while heard voices. Luna held out her wings to hold back the guards. They tilted their heads at her a little surprised at her hesitation. “Careful my ponies, I’ll go first.” Luna took a slow step down the stairs as she strained her ears on any sounds of life. Whimpers of her little ponies could be heard. She picked up her pace and towards the bottom she practically leaped down. Luna found ponies in dismal chaos. All the cages left open with hay and filth spread all over the dungeon. Feeble ponies had herded themselves together and most had collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Several mares formed a line of defense for the others behind them even though they were no better off. “Look, it’s Princess Luna!” “No stop, she’s a changeling.” “Peace my little ponies.” Luna spread her wings and allowed her mane to bellow. “I am your princess. We have come to rescue you from this forsaken place.” The rest of the ponies slowly got on their hooves as the one of the mares hesitantly approached Luna. “Is it really you?” Luna nealt down and folded her legs underneath herself. “Do not fear, it is I.” The mare’s frown disappeared as tears formed in her eyes. She wailed as she enveloped Luna in a tight hug. Luna nuzzled her and allowed her subject reprieve. The other ponies followed her example shortly after. “Now, I’m going to teleport all of you to safety. Please stay in a tight group.” Luna nodded to the day guard that was in charge of teleports on the other team. “Please aid me.” The mare stepped forward as her horn glowed. “Of course Princess.” They tilted their heads down far enough to point their horns towards the ground. Runes appeared around the tired herd as a magic ring formed. An earth pony stallion gulped as the magic spell hummed. “This doesn’t look like a teleportation spell I’ve ever seen.” “It’s also a filter spell.” Nightstrike answered. She stood rather close to the group. “Filter for what?” “Well...” The spell flashed as it was completed. The prisoners disappeared in a blink, they left behind the mare that first hugged Luna. Nightstrike slammed into the pony, dragged her across the floor, and then pinned her up against the wall. “For any changelings that might have any funny ideas.” The changeling mare squeaked as she tried her best to ward off the pressure. “Now this is interesting, you are the first living changeling we have meet in this entire hive, and all the places to find you it is cowering in the very lot you kidnapped.” The guards closed in close. A changeling was very hard to subdue thanks to its ability to turn into a multitude of species, they do not surrender. That day, however, was a special day. “Please help me.” The mare wheezed out. “Help you? Help you!?” Nightstrike dug her hind hoof into the changeling’s belly. “We just sent off a little over a dozen abused ponies due to your hoofwork. You have a lot of gall, bug.” Nightstrike felt Luna’s wing brush over her back. She looked up and Luna gave her a stern nod. The changeling felt the pressure released as a larger shadow loomed over her. Luna looked down at the pitiful creature. “Are there more prisoners?” “No, that was all of them. Well except for one that is in a room upstairs, but nothing was going to happen to her.” The changeling knelt down and hugged the ground as much as she could. Her ears were folded against her skull as her hair stood on end. “Please help me.” Luna squinted her eyes as her truth spell detected no lies. “Help you from what exactly?” It was faint for a moment, but laughter was soon heard by all from the darkness. “So that’s where you’ve been hiding.” The mare’s pupils shrank and she started to chirp rapidly. “No, no! My Queen please it’s me! Don’t you recognize me?” Green flames sprouted around the room as the laughter crackled. The changeling looked up to Luna. “Please, help me!” The flames disappeared then reappeared as a ring around the changeling mare. It jumped out and tried to make a run for it. Something caught it by its left hind-leg. “No!” The changeling pawed at the ground as it struggled. Whatever held it started to drag it under into nothing. Luna and her guards backed up as the desperate creature hissed, clicked, and clawed for anything. The green flames started to burn it. The stallion stepped forward and grabbed the changeling's appendage. His horn glowed as he tried to put out the flames. “Don’t worry I got you!” “What are you doing idiot!?” Nightstrike hissed at him. “This is a changeling, it’s not even technically a living creature.” “I don’t care!” The stallion pulled along with the changeling. The fire stung his muzzle. “I can’t stand idly by while somepony needs help.” Suddenly the changeling fell on top of him. The ring of emerald fire disappeared as did whatever tried to pull it in. They toppled over on their sides with burn marks peppered over the changeling’s body. Nightstrike dragged the stallion away from the changeling as fast as she could. They breathed heavily for a few moments before the changeling got back up. “T-thank you.” “Do you even mean that?” One of the guards spoke up. It gave a small smile and slightly tilted her head. “Of course I do.” In a blink of an eye there was a hand around it’s throat. It was gone. “Where did the changeling go!?” The guards jumped into position around their princess. Luna glared at the spot where the changeling vanished. She witnessed an arm rise from the ground and pull the creature down into darkness. It didn’t take more than a second. “I’m going to go find her, I will send you all out of this place.” Nightstrike let go of the stallion and trotted up to Luna. “It that wise, Princess? Shouldn’t we come with you?” Luna allowed a smile to breach her muzzle. “I’ll be fine. This is something I need to do alone. I’m afraid she is beyond you.” ‘Can I do it alone? This thing was the monster under my bed when I was a filly.’ “Even still we are sworn to protect you with what strength we do possess.” Luna observed her soldiers’ strong demeanors. She could not see a hint of hesitation. Luna closed her eyes and smiled. “Thank you all.” Then, with a flick of her horn, they all vanished. “However, I fear my actions may be grave.” The moon princess released her magic aura and allowed all her power to seep out of her. Any semblance of light vanished as Luna’s coat turned black. A figure of the moon shone briefly in her eyes before the eyes glowed pure white. The mane and tail seemed to grow as the stars filled the room. It was like a heavenly body was created in the small space. “I’m coming for you.” She moved like a storm. Lightning bolts occasionally sparked off her as she quickly strode from room to room. Luna’s resolved hardened as she recalled the tragedies that the Queen had wrought since time memorial. Whatever madness struck the monster was not about to stay Luna’s hooves or horn. Then she heard the sound of a deranged giggle. “Saleté.” Crunch. “Dégoûtant.” Crunch, crunch. “Haine. Haine, haine. Je vous détester!” Crunch! Luna looked around as the insane laughter surrounded her. The Queen gibbered on much to Luna’s unease. Out of the corner of her eye, Luna saw a shape limp out of the darkness. ‘There she is.’ The Changeling Queen slogged away from the remains of the changeling that was in the dungeon. Luna did not recognize the form she was in. ‘She looks like Bellerophon Michaelides.” The Queen was sickly pale and covered in green changeling blood. Her mane looked like it was torn haphazardly out of the skull. Wings appeared to be freshly healed as though her previous pair was ripped out not moments ago. She held a dull iron paring knife in her hand that appeared that it was used to perform a task beyond it’s normal capacity. Luna winced as the Queen shrill laughter hit an uncomfortable octave. ‘This is what I didn’t have in mind, but regardless...’ “Face me monster! You have much to answer for.” Luna bellowed as she rose up to her full height. The Queen paused. She tilted her head like she wasn’t sure if heard anything. Luna tensed up as her opponent slowly turned to face her. The paring knife was dropped as the monster’s eyes bored into Luna. Misery painted over the Queen’s face. “Amie.” “Who?” “Amie! Non de non!” She fell to her knees as a shriek of despair parted her lips. “Ils vous avez utilisés pour faire mon corps. Je suis tellement désolé, Amie. Pas assez qu'ils vous tuer, mais ont utilisé les restes pour vous tirer le long comme une marionnette avec des cordes cassées. Pourquoi ne pourrais pas avoir décédé, juste pour emmerder ceux de salaud de fées? Tout ce que j'ai maintenant, c'est des morceaux d'un passé épineuses cassé et la chair névrotique de mon ami mort qui me tient.” Aimee fell over into a fetal position as tears flowed uninterrupted. Luna hesitantly trotted over, she beheld the downfall of one of history’s greatest monsters and had no idea what to do. The insane wretched creature rocked herself as she murmured on. *** “I can’t believe you were able to bring her here.” Celestia told her sister. They were both in a private room with only themselves. “We did agree that the best case scenario was that I captured her.” Luna answered. “After all you told me, I find it hard to believe.” Celestia sat on her haunches and chewed her bottom lip. “This doesn’t make sense. Why would she just fall apart like that? When I last saw her she was at the height of her power, and she terrified me. She even had that body when she attacked. Now we have her in one room over and she’s tearing her wings out of her back.” Luna looked past the magic veil that allowed them to see her, but not the other way around. “Why is she so fixated with that old iron paring knife? She keeps mutilating herself, or trying to anyway.” The watched a few moments before Celestia spoke up. “We’ll treat her.” “I’ll be honest sister I don’t think we can. So many old wounds make it hard for me to sympathize.” Luna admitted with a sad sigh. “It wouldn’t matter anyway. This looks like a case that only Cadance can heal.” Celestia shuttered as she watched Aimee stick the knife through her hand. “I have no idea how long it will take.” Inside a warm white room a pitiful woman picked at the wound on her chest. The one thing that Lero had left her and it did not heal. Aimée looked over her body as she watched the self-inflicted wounds from the same knife heal quickly. “Il n'est pas humain.” “Non, je ne suis pas.”
FoxglovesFoxgloves Bright beguiling blooms, My ringing witch bells Slide over your heart, Creep into every vein of your soul. With every echoing beat Faerie folk’s home becomes your cage Of obsidian thorns And verdant blaze. Perfect poison For the Sol and Lune. All you need is love Aimée. Jealous, selfish, greedy; Everything that Love truly is, To poison the heart And twist the soul. By-Istas Author's Note Thank you everyone who helped me work on this. Techogre for the French especially. A whole host of people edited, pre-read, and dissected this work. Thank you all.
