-Changeling^2

Chapter 1: Desertion

‘Failure. . . again!? Queen, why? You. . . told us you had. . . everything under control. You told. . . us that we would never. . . go hungry again! Why did . . . you lied to us! You. . . betrayed us.’ An injured and bleeding black badgered troglodyte thought as she limped around an unknown forest area. Her thoughts were interrupted by intermittent coughing.

The creature struggling for survival was a pariah known as a changeling. Horrid critters that feed on the love expressed and held by ponies and other creatures across Equestria. Loving families have been robbed not only of their love but their life too. For these reasons the horde of changelings have been roundly loathed and avoided anywhere they tread.

This particular changeling knew what her status was so while she drudged about the forest, predators were the least of her worries. What she did fear was losing consciousness due to bleeding out of her open wounds. No matter how prestigious of a reputation a hunter might have, it doesn't matter if their dead.

Currently leaning against a tree the changeling noted her surroundings. The bark holding her up was covered in very moist moss. Other trees and the ground seemed to mimic the amount of moisture. Despite the fact it was at least mid-afternoon the surrounding area was dark enough only for the most skilled night dwellers to see; the attribute was a result of the trees above covering the forest floor with clumps of leaves that could be mistaken for bushes. There weren't any other inhabitants nearby, most likely as a result of the crash landing a few minutes ago.

A few minutes before that however was the best time of the creatures life. The invasion of Canterlot was going off without a hitch. It was years of preparation, planning and patience that had finally paid off. Canterlot was well known amongst the changelings as the epicenter of love in Equestria, a.k.a one big buffet of love. During the invasion itself, it’s true that the residence were feeling mostly fear from the ferocious force lead by Queen Chrysalis.

However emotions do not disappear because they are not on display or even because they aren’t at the forefront. They’re merely suppressed within the mind. Especially when it came to ponies in such a luxurious position as in Canterlot. They had no worries so the love they possessed is never in jeopardy. So the love that the ponies had was withheld within their minds during the event but it was still there.

It was delicious.

‘Gotta. . . find the others. . . queen. . . where are you?’ The changeling wondered as she moved herself off the tree and pushed forward.

The first resource one her mind was water. Until she could regroup with the rest of her kind she would need to clean her wounds and replenish.

Limping for about an hour the goal of water was further away than ever. This task was made infinitely more difficult than usual given the blurry vision that was now casting its spell over the changeling. Hope was growing more and more distant. The trees leaves and grass started to become one. Darkness began to encompass everything and the call from the sweet good night seemed inevitable.

It was then that a sound was heard. A sound that was like falling water. Water tickling the rocks, like a waterfall! It was close, giving up now was not a choice! Mustering her strength the black being ‘charged’ it’s way towards the bells of gain. Physical obstacles didn't take precedence as she bumped into anything that stopped her from making a beeline to her destination.

A minute after quickly traversing shrubbery, the changeling had finally made it. The waterfall cascaded down from a fifty foot drop. Sunlight freely shone across the area illuminating many different kinds of vegetation of many different colors. The dew on the grass and vegetation brightly reflected by the sun nearly blinding the bleeding girl.

With no time or energy to spare the changeling collapsed trudging over to the separating line between solid ground and liquid salvation. Like a weak dog, the girl lapped up the water. This wasn't good enough. Pushing herself from the ground, she fell into the water head first. Flipping on her back underwater, she was able to hold herself in the light torrent of water by placing her tail against a rock in the shallowness of the riverbed.

Stinging pain ran through her brain and out her wounds. The once clean water was tainted by purplish blood no doubt scaring life a few miles down river. Despite these horrors the changeling bared her fangs at the sky.

‘Oh, my. So very good.’ She never knew.

Elements of the forest were largely unknown because of the bad stories that were connected to it like disappearances, and mythological creatures horrifying even in story. With this being the predominant line of thought the wonders of the area were never discovered by modern society.

Discoveries like water with potent healing abilities.

Five and half hours of restful sleep:

Eyes fluttering open, she saw night prevailing over the environment. Water rinsing a thoroughly clean head gently maintained a state of awareness in the creature. Peace, something unknown by this species, reigned supreme. It allowed a slight tinge of a foreign color to dawn her face, the relaxation creating sensation of absolute perfection.  Attempting to move, but failing to do so, the creature mused to herself.

'Why exactly should I leave from this spot? I feel better than I did with Queen Chrysalis struggling in squander almost every day. I feel good right where I am. Although I can’t live in this forest. If Queen Chrysalis found out that I left she would have my hide. So my other option is to make amends with ponies.Well shit, I’m screwed then. Like they would ever accept someone who literally feeds off of their love. I could probably go on a strict non-love diet, but it tastes so good!’ She feigned a tear drop at the thought of missing out on her favorite meal.

The thoughts continued on for a few minutes until she came to a conclusion. Staying in the forest would run the risk of Queen Chrysalis finding her and ending her because of the changelings treason. The only way to remain safe from her former family would be to seek forgiveness which should lead to protection from the pony community. The former would take a lot of pride swallowing, but it’s better then swallowing the hoof of a mad changeling queen.

Turning on her stomach the former eater of love lifted her face from the water, and thus exposing most of her wet frame to the night air. Turning her attention to a loud noise in the air the changeling noticed several brightly colored explosions in the air. One of the explosions being in the shape of a heart. Luckily for the lone changeling, the light illuminated the sky just enough so she could spy Canterlot from where she was standing.

‘Why not, what’s the worst that can happen?’

Black legs like swiss cheese began to cut through the water and then the flowers on the ground leading to the forest. Running like her life depended on it, the changelings life did depend on it, at least it’s purpose. That purpose being pleasure of actually living with a motive over the pain of squalor and desolation. Fear ingrained into every hatchling creeping it’s way into the runners mind.

As a changeling it was the purpose as a member of the horde to find food for the others. If you were good for the colony then you would be spared for a mistake. If, however, you weren't at the top of the hierarchy a lucky break wasn't going to happen. A mistake ranging from missing the capture of one specimen to feed off of in a group of twelve specimens would normally warrant three weeks in the dungeon. An area below the queens quarters that, depending on where they were residing at the time, was filled with horrors unimaginable to most living beings. Rats the size of ponies with teeth dirtier then sewers, loved to nibble on anything they could especially if that thing was alive. Worms that dug into the skin at a vicious pace so it could lay eggs across the impromptu hosts body.

This being one of the main reasons why changelings have holes seemingly across random parts of their legs. Over many generations they adapted to the insects that could burrow into their skin. If that were to occur they would most likely fall out of the changeling through one of the holes on their legs, given the fact that most of these nasty vermin live under the ground. These vermin were forced into a Changeling though if that specific member committed something like theft or desertion this fate would be forced upon them.

Until the creature completely eaten from the inside out.

‘I can’t go back, not now, not ever!’

Running through the forest briskly low hanging tree branches were ignored or snapped by the charging changeling. It wasn’t long before she came across another sound like that of the waterfall; inevitably the echo would change her life forever. An echo of a blaring train horn.

The changelings curiosity getting the best of her, she changed directions from north to northwest, the direction of the train. The headlights began to be viewable through the brush; eventually she ended up on the outside of the brush, in a small clearing around the train tracks. About two miles down track the trains spotlight was located. It was approaching very quickly, but just slow enough for a plan to be formulated.

‘OK, so what do I do now? Could I jump onto the train? No, way to fast. I have to stop it some. . . Oh, that could work. It’s worth a shot. And hey it’s less painful than what I would suffer at the hands of the queen.’ With that the changeling stepped onto the tracks; eyes focused in front of her looking into the dead center of the spotlight.

“Hm-hmm hm hmm. . . . What’s that? OH CELESTIA!” The train engineer hummed until he noticed a living creature in the middle of the train track not a half a mile away.

In the back carts the occupants were jolted out of their seats by the sudden change of speed. Some of the high class ponies were outraged by the inconvenience, but six ponies and a baby dragon were more curious than anything. After getting silent approval from everyone in the group to proceed the seven individuals made their way to the engineering cart lead by a mare with a purple/light red mane.  As they traveled to the front cart, the group was told on numerous occasion by the other occupants to stay seated and that the situation would resolve itself, but those comments were roundly ignored.

“What happened?” Twilight Sparkle asked as she and her friends reached the conductor, who was plastered against the back wall of the cabin.

He merely held up a shaking hoof at the windshield and the group shifted their eyes in the same direction. What they saw shocked them all.

“A changeling!” They simultaneously shouted. Luckily the other passengers were too far away to hear the outburst lest a riot break out.

Wasting no time the group dashed their way out of a door, that was on the side of the cart, and surrounded the creature.

“What are you doing here?” Twilight Sparkle asked with her horn shining an ominous purple light directly at the changeling's face, Spike on her back acting as a cheerleader for violence.

“I reckon she’s her for round two.” AppleJack drawled as she scratched the surface of the earth with her hoof.

“I’ve been waiting for a reason to get back into kick-butt mode.” Rainbow Dash smirked flying up punching the air.

“You want a taste of my PARTY CANNON!?!” Pinkie Pie yelled pulling a cannon out of nowhere and directing it at the dark figure.

Fluttershy just stayed to the back and Rarity was focused too much on the situation at hand to say anything. What was said after that would be the icing on the cake for the unbelievable day that the group was having.

“I. . . I. . . I've come to surrender.”

This statement was met with a swift hoof to the face and the changelings memories for that day ended.