"Are You Not Afraid Of Me?"

I hit the ground hard as the group of Changelings surrounded me and laugh. Again I got to my hooves and looked around in fear as to which Changeling would charge me again. I heard a Changeling from behind me call out,

“Aw what’s wrong? Is the little Princess gonna cry?” The group laughed and then I noticed they were beginning transform into me. I was the only one in an army of Changelings that looked different; therefore they had the ability to take my appearance, as they could not do with their brothers.

It was like I was starring into tens of life like mirrors that were starring back at me. They all began to make ugly faces and mock me.

“The Princess is useless!”

“She can’t even defend herself how’s she gonna lead us?”

“Long live the Queen!”

Again a roar of laughter was heard through the crowd and it was too much for me. I tried to fly out of the group, however a Changeling met me on my flight up and knocked me back down. When I rolled over I looked up and saw my mother floating there with a look of disapproval. She flew away and I begged with my eyes for her to come back and help me.

In every ten thousand, sometimes twenty thousands hatchlings there is at least one female that is born. This female will one day be the queen of the colony and replace the current one in power. It is her duty to see that the colony survives and thrives under her rule, and I was lucky enough to be that one hatchling that was female.

I entered my mother’s chamber sore from the bruises I was just given. She had her back turned from me looking out the window. This being a time where there was at least some sort of house for the Queen and Princess. I walked up to her, however she still did not turn toward me.

“Do you know what the duty of a queen is Chrysalis?” she asked.

“It’s to protect and provide for her colony.” I responded a little timid.

“Precisely. Now tell me how well do you think a queen would be able to protect her subjects if she was weak?”

“I don’t know what you mean mother-“

“Will a Queen be able to protect her colony if she is weak!” she yelled at me cutting me off. I buckled in fear and responded meekly,

“no.”

“Exactly she will be defeated and put her colony at risk. Now tell me this; are you weak?” I wasn’t sure how to responded,

“I uh- well…” I shuddered out.

“The correct answer is yes! You are a weakling, constantly looking for some creature to baby you and take care of you. It’s disgrace to the colony and you will never be worthy of being Queen.”

“But mother, why do the other Changelings fight me and abuse me so?”

“Because I encourage them! I command them to abuse you so maybe one day you’ll understand to fight back and realize the true power of a Queen. Yet no matter how hard I’ve tried you still crumple and are weak!”

My legs were shaking and my eyes widened. I couldn’t believe what she was telling me, my own mother had no remorse for vocalizing her disappointment with me.

“Mo-mother ple-please,” I said whispered.

“WEAK!” she yelled. I stumbled backward as her voiced echoed down the halls. I fell on to the floor and scrambled to get back on my hooves.

“You are a Changeling, Changelings do not feel emotions! That’s what makes us stronger and fiercer than all other creatures in these lands.”

Tears were going to start flowing soon and I wanted nothing more than to avoid my mother seeing me expressing my sadness. I flew out of the house and kept flying as I could manage until my tears finally brought me to a stop. I landed near a small oasis of water and tears flowed uncontrollably into the large pond. I sobbed harder and harder and there was a pain that was pounding in my chest. I realized that it was my heart.

Every time my heart beat there was a flux of pain that would surge through my body. I wanted it desperately to stop, but my crying only increased the pain. “You are weak,” I heard my mothers words ring through my ears. “You are a Changeling, Changelings do not feel emotions!”

Finally I looked at my reflection in the water, and I stared hard my features. My green mane flowed from my head and down my back like wild fire; there were holes in my hooves and my horn. I extended my wings and saw the little bit of sunlight shine through the dark and through my transparent wings.

I was a Changeling; creatures far and wide feared us because we were a fierce and intelligent parasite. We used what normally would give others strength and turn it to be our strength and their weakness. Because of my appearance, there will not be a living thing that isn’t afraid of me.

The pain in my chest was starting to subside, I felt strong paralyzing force going through my body. I was the Princess of the Changelings and one day it would be my duty to be Queen. Finally the force spread and surged through my entire body solidifying my veins and my tears dried completely. I spread my wings and flew up, going back to my home as fast as I could manage.

I saw the group of Changelings from earlier gathered near my house and I landed next to them. They all turned around and gave me devious smiles, thinking they would get another round of cruelty out of me.

“Well, well if it isn’t the crybaby princess. Decided to come face your abuse head on?”

Anger drowned out his voice, something was building up inside me. My horn glowed green and I fired a blast straight at the Changeling who was speaking. It hit him square in the face and knocked him to the ground. I flew over to him and put my front hooves on his chest. I fired again at him point blank then looked up to see the shocked crowd of his brothers around him.

“Would any Changeling else care to try and get a shot at me?” I yelled out. The group was silent, but I spotted a Changeling trying to make his way out of the group. My horn glowed again and I fired a blast which nailed him in the back and caused him to fall down.

“I am the Princess, and that means one day I shall be the Queen, and as the Queen I have unlimited power. So if any of you would like to test my strength any further please, humor me.”

All eyes rested on me and eventually the group started to disperse into the great wasteland. The Changeling beneath me crawled out from under me and ran as far away as possible. I looked up and saw my mother staring out at me through the window. I was hoping to see some sort of sign of pride or acceptance, however she simply walked away from the window, her expression not changing. It didn’t matter however, even thought I hoped that my actions would make her proud they didn’t.

Yet I didn’t feel disappointed or sad anymore. I didn’t feel much of anything at all.