"Good day, everyone. I'm Mirage. I live here in Ponyville, just a few houses away. My father, Emnas, came here after the Day of Union to join my pony mother, Pampalusia. I'm an interbreed and I like music, running, and drawing."
Awkward looks and withheld curiosity surrounded Mirage. She was used to it, of course. It was what she always met, what she'd come to expect, yet there was something different with these ponies. They looked at her with genuine interest, as if they wanted to know who she was, rather than what. It was questionable, but it allowed her to hope. "Thank you, Mirage, you may return to your seat. Miss Sparkle, would you like to come forward and introduce yourself next?"
"Yes, Miss Cator," said the unicorn her teacher had adressed. As if to follow one surprise with another, Mirage was hard pressed to find fault with that pony. Where there was usually clumsy stumbling she found only graceful stride, where she expected a disconnected collection of parts there was one edgeless body better than any designer could create. Somehow, she had missed her altogether before, now all the more curious to learn about her. "Hello there. My name is Daylight Sparkle, pure pony origin. I live down at the library together with Mother. I like reading and philosophy. That's about it." Without needing to be told, Daylight came back to her desk. As she walked, Mirage's eyes were fixated on her flowing golden mane, her faultless pearl coat. If she didn't know better, she could have sworn to have seen an endless glimmer caught within.
Mirage was intrigued to say the least. At best, another might call her in love, but she wasn't as quick to judge herself. She did have to admit though, perhaps she and that pony could become friends. Unfortunately, class had only just begun. Perhaps she could bridge the time by paying attention, though Mirage was yet again sceptical.
So, this is what happens when my little Mirage goes to school with other ponies? I'll be honest, with you being as quick as you were to pick somepony, I owe someone a few bits.
Mirage knew the voice that had invaded her mind. It was that of Shimmer, her eternal guardian and favourite swarmmate. So you were there the entire time, she whispered back, making sure to let Shimmer feel her displeasure as well as her appreciation. Who else was? Are you disappointed that it happened to be her and not someone else?
Why should I be? From your very being as a Changeling, it is your duty to find the pony who will accept you. Then again, as a pony, you have to do whatever you want. I suppose you'll have to find your own way for others of your kind to follow. She's not a bad pick, either. I knew her mother. Don't worry, by the way, your secret is safe with me for now, though we'll have to work on getting it out, won't we. Shimmer's tone shifted, suddenly becoming much lighter. What a coincidence, there she comes right now. Why don't you talk to her?
Eek, don't let her see me! Into the shadows!
Filly, running won't work. Allow me to guide you.
A foreign yet familiar presence invaded Mirage, reducing her to watch as her body moved on its own. She could have resisted, but she trusted that Shimmer only wanted the best for her. Just as Daylight stepped out of the school, Mirage intercepted her and said, "Hey there, Daylight, correct? You really stood out to me in today's class, I feel like we could have a great friendship. Wanna hang out sometime?"
"Uh, yeah, sure. If you like, you can come by the library even today, so that we can get to know each other. You can't miss it, it's literally a giant tree in the middle of Ponyville." Daylight gave her a genuine smile, turned, and walked away, leaving Mirage more than a bit baffled.
That's not standard procedure. Ponies are odd.
Don't forget that you're a perfect pony, too. As I said, I knew her mother. Speaking of which, your mother will understand if you delay. You can thank me later.
Awesome. Do I look right? How should I dress?
I'd be surprised if you even had any clothes. She'll like you as is, not artificially fancied up. Either way, you might want to get moving so that you're not just standing around in the eyes of those who don't understand our connection. Might I suggest that you do that after turning a hundred degrees to your left, so that you won't miss her?
Mirage set off, following known roads she'd never traveled before. I don't know what I'd do without you or the others. I'm glad you're there.
Following Mirage's knocking, the sound inside welled up. "Here she is already, Mom," she heard a sweet voice within say. Clearly its owner underestimated Mirage's hearing, or perhaps the building wasn't as soundproof as she thought. Considering that the door was already cracked open, that was a boring yet likely possibility.
Should I just enter?
If you're a pony, it's considered polite to wait until you're let in. Not that that should take more than a few moments from now, anyway.
Mere moments after Mirage's attention had dropped off the door, it swung open, revealing her smiling soon-to-be friend. "Hey, so glad you could make it. Come in, make yourself at home." Mirage trotted after her into the tree. Most of the space inside was taken up by one large, circular room, which was itself heavily consumed by bookshelves, more than she'd ever seen before. Everything in the room, especially the books lining the walls, was in neat order, somehow sorted by alphabet, date, and colour all at once. Of course, despite the obvious effort that had gone into it, nothing managed to be as perfect and immaculate as Daylight who was sitting at the round table in the room's center. By some odd coincidence, Mirage seemed to have popped in just before Daylight and somepony else could enjoy the boiling tea ready on the table between them. "You're the first of your kind I've met," said Daylight. "There's so much I'd like to know about you, I don't know where to start."
Are all of them like that?
She's a rather lively spirit, but most of them are. I won't let you be alone in this, as she isn't.
"Really? I thought I'd felt one of my brothers at school, but maybe not. Anyway, it's a first for me, too. This is sort of the first time I've met ponies on even ground. The pleasure is all mine, milady." Without thinking, she reached out and put a mock kiss on one of Daylight's forehooves. Seen up close, they were as flawless as she had expected. Despite already sitting, Mirage whirled around at the sound of scribbling and a repressed giggle from behind; Somehow, she had missed the pony behind her, a light purple unicorn with a faded midnight blue mane and a quill floating over the parchment in front of her. "Speaking of siblings, this is your what?"
"I'm Twilight Sparkle, and this is my home and daughter you're currently charming," responded the purple unicorn before Daylight could. "Don't mind the notes or me altogether. I'm just as curious about you as she and I like to preserve what I hear for later studies."
"As we know you, it certainly does fit you." The voice was Mirage's, the words were not, not entirely.
"Light blue coat, short silver mane, unicorn, blurred figure in mist for a cutie mark," mumbled Twilight Sparkle while writing as though she hadn't heard her. "I merely found it odd that the proud queen of Changelings would walk into Canterlot and ask for a bond between empires just like that," she then said, waving the quill. "Then again, that was before either of you were born and you haven't yet attempted to eat us, so perhaps I am mistaken after all." She set the quill back down balanced on its tip and put on reading glasses. "Either way, you are gold for studying. Proceed."
All of a sudden, Mirage felt less on a visit and more in an interrogation. However, her stomach rose again with one quick look at Daylight's bright expression as she said, "Ooh, so the hive mind thing she told me about is real? Can every Changeling hear what I'm saying? Is the queen controlling you all?"
Adorable, but gullible. Gullible, but adorable. Take your pick.
"It's not like that. It's more of a... connection between me and all my brothers and sisters." Mirage was at a loss for words, which the fervent scratching in the background didn't help. "Figurative brothers and sisters, of course. I'm a part of them as they are a part of me. When I need them, they're there on my shoulder, whispering. It's like when we sleep, we don't dream, we go and help those who still need it. Same with the queen. We have our free will, but she is always there for all of us. And she wants me to tell you that she's pleased we're getting along so well, Twilight Sparkle."
"Can't you stop it?" An ugly smear diluted Daylight's eyes, a trace of empathy. "I'm not sure I'd manage without dreams."
"Oh, I'm happy to be with them, it's only returning a favour." Taking the hint, Mirage took a short sip out of the cup pushed towards her. It was peculiar, but she wasn't sure what she had expected, either. Perhaps it was only standard for ponies who lived in giant library tree houses. "We can even use another's senses or body if trained well, but I don't think I'm old enough to do that yet."
"Maybe you'll never be. You are a pony, after all." Twilight Sparkle looked at them over her glasses like her point had been obvious. Before going back to writing, she threw in, "When does a bug mature, anyway?"
"Usually by the time that we've devoured our hatchmates." The looks Mirage usually met returned. Shock, distanced interest, even a bit of fear. "Seriously though, carnivorous Changelings are as much myth as is hatching from eggs. Perhaps the monster you repulse lies in the differences you paint onto us, so that you do not have to face our similiarities."
"We'll just let that stand." In the meantime that Mirage had been focused on better things, Twilight Sparkle had crept up to the table herself, conjuring a cup out of one of the siderooms. "How about magic? I assume you have your signature spell already?"
She wants to see what spell you can cast best and what is your special talent. For you, that would be Swarm's Veil.
"Uh, I'm really good at stealth and making myself invisible, like this." Mirage concentrated on the same thought that had always allowed her to disappear. Before the next heartbeat, she was hidden below sight. "Great for hiding, I tell you."
"Fascinating," said mother and daughter in unison. "Mine's like this," continued Daylight before collecting her own moon-clear magic around her horn. After a few seconds that made Mirage wonder if anything was going to happen, the energy spread down Daylight's body. Like ice-clear water, it dripped down, collecting on and around Daylight's eyes where it coalesced into a soft blue glow. "There you are," she then said, booping Mirage on the nose.
"I don't think I have to ask what just happened, do I?" asked Mirage, dropping her spell at the same time that the glow left Daylight.
"Somehow, it looks like I have inherited my grandmother's spell." An aged tome floated in from behind them, lifted by a violet glow. As it landed, the correct page was already open, and Daylight began reading. "Ah yes, Light of Day. Under the light of day, lies are unveiled and illusions shattered. User gains temporary access to the plane of truth. In other words, it lets me see through altering spells and invisibility, like yours."
"The swarm recognises your power, though this drone reports it is obviously of ill preparation against our methods, else you would act more repulsed. Perhaps who we choose to be is our true nature?" Realising what had been said through her, Mirage's cheeks flared up bright red, perhaps more than was possible for ponies without magic. "The point is, it seems that whatever of the swarm remains inside of me, it is deep enough that even your awesome magic can't reveal it."
"Yet they say they have minds of their own." Twilight Sparkle busied herself with her notes through the silence she had created. Despite better advice, Mirage could feel dislike for her rising within her.
"We are no more slaves to each other than you are. We have simply transcended what you think to separate each of us. I have to admit though, perhaps there is something to being a pony. At least I don't have to rely on our disguises to hide the form that you so fear. Do I even have the power to change myself that much?" Mirage took a Changeling's original shape, though it was not the homecoming she had expected. Rather, she missed the identity she had had as a pony, saw only dead weight in the leathery wings on her back. She could not bear them for a moment longer. "Is this truly what we are? Do you see anything in us but this horrifying canvas, when in truth we are only ponies facing a cruel twist of fate? Have we not been betrayed by those who would call us faceless infiltrators?" Mirage's doubts came to an end when Daylight jumped up and threw herself around her. "Are all ponies like that?" asked Mirage using the bit of air that she was left under the silken warmth surrounding her.
"She's a lively one, but most of us are." Twilight Sparkle whispered into Daylight's ear some words below comprehension, causing her to drop off of Mirage. Her warmth refused to leave for several seconds afterwards, though.
"It seems that both of us, you and I, have underestimated the other. I will have a lot to learn about myself." The world disappeared for Mirage, lost to shapeful darkness, paling in comparison to the message. Just as quickly as it had vanished however, it returned to her. "I am needed somewhere else. Goodbye then, and thanks for, uh, everything."
"How did- yeah, mental connection stuff." While Twilight Sparkle remained where she was, Daylight accompanied her until they had passed the door. "Come back anytime, see you at school!"
"Yeah, guess I will." Mirage tried not to look back as she walked away; She managed to limit herself to only three times until she was out of sight, between none of which Daylight had moved. At last, she reached the roadbend and no longer had to endure the sweet poison in her thoughts.
Not exactly what I talked about on my first date, but well handled regardless. We must hold together for strength, it was only right of you to ask for help.
What date? This was a first getting to know each other, not that successful at that because of her mother, while I was trying to hide how I already feel about her.
Did I ever tell you that I know her mother, and that she knows me? Then what if I told you that young Daylight gave her the same wild stream of thoughts which you carried away from the school? She's more than curious about you, filly.
So, was there any point to this meeting? Could we not have simply been honest with each other and saved everyone this charade?
It was very entertaining for both of us to enjoy.
At least that is something. Now I have a tagged one, I suppose, as soon as I speak up to her and release what we're both thinking. What next?
Now, you can enjoy the marvels of young love. Between you two, what happens is limited only by you.
I would have expected this to take longer and more. How can I be a pony if their ways are so alien to me?
You are a young pony, most of all. Don't let a conjunction of fate deceive you from what you are. With them as your equals and us at your side, what would still stop you?
Myself, most of all. I'm not sure if this is the right time for everything, and if we aren't giving out the wrong information too soon.
You'll know the right time when it happens. Besides, don't be afraid, your father already knows. We do not cause as much fuss as ponies do, he'll be glad to welcome you back.
Very well. The swarm will continue regardless of obstacles.
Mirage fell into darkness, leaving her self behind. As the void slowed her fall like a bottomless ocean, she turned and gazed up at the violet sun that gave shape to the infinite. It tore at her, stripping her of burdenful thoughts and doubts. By the time she touched down on the pitch black surface, light as a pegasus' feather, she was different only through a hollow idea of self. She was equal, she was perfect. A thousand voices spoke at once, working together to create perfect silence and focus below the starless sky. Soon she would once again join them. She set off in a random direction, searching for the same nothingness as always.
A shadow bled out of the ground in front of her. Aside from the wings that sprung forth from its back, it was indistinguishable from the thousands of others currently hidden from sight. Fortunately, Mirage knew whom to expect, even before it spoke. "I was wondering when you would come. Your father still hasn't managed to teach you a decent sleeping rhythm, has he."
"Why should he," said the unit Mirage believed to be. "The swarm is eternally active. It is then only logical that we all act like it. Where our bodies are unpure, we make up for it in perfect unity."
"A dangerous sentiment, young pony. You must not lose yourself in the great common. Despite everything, we are not a single consciousness but a linked community." Shimmer's image led hers around a turn, onto a bridge across a void glimmering with the swarm's ideas and intentions. "After everything that happened today, I understand you might want to retreat into being one of us. Do not forget that you are much more."
"Less, rather. Ponies will always shun me as they fear us while their blood denies me our true heritage. What is it worth to be a pony in a world so cruel only the unified survive?" Mirage gazed down into the abyss. Perhaps she could see the thought of Daylight being processed, perhaps it was only a figment of what she wanted to see. "Yet that is harder to say than before. There are those who would call us evil, abominations threatening their world." Though she knew the gesture was pointless, she forced Shimmer to catch her eye. "How can I know that we are not?"
"Why do you expect they say that? Is it because we depend on them to give us strength? Because we adapt our forms where they cannot bear our true appearance? Because we spend the time that our physical forms need to rest on becoming one rather than wasting it like they do?" Shimmer took her hoof and brought her to the cliff which had always been the ending point of her solitary consciousness. "They are afraid of us. Do not give them a reason to be; You are the living proof that we are two views of the same matter. A new age has begun, and it is your duty to make it as glorious as we deserve."
"By forfeiting our perfection and giving in to her charm?" Mirage strid along the edge, trying to keep her thoughts pure. "They would concede us no place in their world, is it just to let her dominate mine?"
"You must act as you find right. With no one else on our side, we will be strong together, always." Shimmer pointed downwards into the nothingness. "After you."
Mirage plunged into the darkness. She became nothing. She was everything.
