Queen of One

Prologue

A lone changeling sat bound to a chair by shackles and chains, the flickering glow of torchlight casting dancing shadows across the stone-walled cell. The changeling sat rigid and determined. It's eyes were turquoise globes, glowing with resolute defiance through the dank darkness.

Outside the cell, on the other side of a set of thick steel bars, stood a tall, graceful white allicorn, her stance radiating strength and power. "What is your name, Changeling?" she spat with disdain.

The changeling said nothing, and maintained the same defiant expression, reveling in the spicy frustration that seeped through the pores of the alicorn.

The alicorn's neutral expression faltered into an irritated scowl momentarily, but she quickly recovered. "What were you trying to accomplish by impersonating one of my subjects?"

Still, the Changeling remained silent, showing no outward signs of submission.

The alicorn stomped her hoof in anger. "Answer me you cursed monster!" she yelled, finally fed up with the changeling's noncompliance.

Much to the alicorn's surprise, the changeling gave a half-hearted chuckle, which soon evolved into full-blown manic cackling. "Is that what your kind truly believe, Princess Celestia?" it finally said, its buzzing voice thick with bitter amusement. "You shun us because we feed off of the love you so abundantly waste. You purposefully deny us our food, portray us as bloodthirsty abominations to your society, and drive our race to the brink of extinction. You force us into a life of trickery and deception simply to scrape by in some sorry excuse for survival. You let our kind whither and die without a second thought while you hoard the very love that would save our species."

The changeling narrowed its eyes at the princess, potent venom lacing its voice. "And you're the ones who call us monsters."

A flash of golden magic lashed out, and the changeling spasmed for a moment, before sitting motionless, the life gone from its eyes.