//-------------------------------------------------------// Races Aren't Easy, Especially if You're Different -by DittoPoni- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Number One: The News //-------------------------------------------------------// Number One: The News Flashback I was sitting on my green bed, reading about the wondrous Daring Do, when my door flew open, two Changeling Warriors stepped in, guarding the queen. I shoved the book under me, hoping they wouldn't notice me breaking the law. "Nopony shall ever read the insulting Equestrian books.  I scowled at them, making sure they knew I wasn't breaking the law. He hissed and the Queen stepped in, kicking the two out of the door. "Stand up child, let me take a look at you." She spoke. "Miss Chrysalis, what has happened?" I replied, stalling. "I am in need for a new Egg Keeper, you have astonishingly  not broken any of my laws." She narrowed her eyes and looked down upon me, my heart racing. I brought my back hooves abnormally far into my chest area, grabbing the book with them. I scooted back towards my head board and shoved it under the Pegasus feathered plush pillow. I stood up and bowed. "I would be honored, Your Majesty." I had not noticed her green aura surrounding her horn. She silently lifted my pillow, my snout touching the ground still, and she levitated the medium book towards her.  She studied it and pelted me with it, knocking me over. "YOU INCOMPETENT CHILD! YOU HAVE DISOBEYED MY LAW AND DISRESPECTED YOUR QUEEN!" She called in her Warriors and took one of their weapons. "DO YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PUNISHMENT FOR LAW BREAKING IS?" She leaned down next to my fallen ear and bloody nose, having it been hit with a book. "Death..." "Wait! My queen! No changeling else has been chosen for Egg-Carrier! None has second me yet! You shall find this one now, so they can rejoice in knowing my death for disrespect.  She shall watch, she shall beat my dead body and break it. After you find her, kill me then." I pleaded, watching her responsive expression. "The child has a point. You, gather all of the female young-lings and bring them to the Arena.   We have a test to take. You, find all of the male ones and put them in an other line." She hit me with her metal clad hoof once more before leading her goons away. I quickly packed all of my belongings in the small leather pair of saddle bags I have and open the window. I look down to the faraway earth and jump, unaware if my wings will work in rain or not. Present Day I scream and breath heavily. My foster mother rushes into my room and shushes me, brushing my mane with her hoof. My shrieks have stopped but my sobs are still going strong. I know she loves me, she wouldn't have picked me from the woods if she didn't. "Shh shh.... Please tell me my dear Ditto, please tell me what bothers you so." She rhymed. It was her thing. I hugged her and stuck my face in her fur, not ever wanting to let go. "S-s-she c-came back... s-she c-c-came b-back. I-I t-thought s-she would go *hic* a-away!!!" I sobbed again, fresh tears  rolling down my face. "Oh dear this is not good, but I knew she would return, I knew she would." Zecora kissed my mane and led me to her potions room. "This is hard for me to do, Ditto it breaks my heart in two. You have to leave my daughter, this wood is not a soft river of water. It wets my cheeks when I think of this,  it always makes me give you one sweet kiss. It may be for the better but it makes of me a fretter." She cries and just as I had dried them, the tears roll once more. "Z-zecora... what do you mean leave? I don't understand! Why do I have to go!? There's no place anybody will  let me be myself! You and I, we were in Canterlot when the attack happened! They destroyed any Loyalty anypony had with them! They're greedy, buggy, filthy blood lustful monsters! You can't make me leave!" I run and hug her again, my tears wetting her greyish coat. "I wish I needn't do this dear, this has been my greatest fear. I cannot explain my decision, but I chose it with great precision. You must go live your life, away from me, I cannot protect you all the time you have to go and be set free. My dearest daughter of mine, you and I, we swing in harmony like two jungle vines. Go pack your things, I'll take you in the morning to Ponyville, where almost everything is quite and still."