The Changeling's Way

Chapters

Prologue: Encounters
The Price We Pay
What Lies Beneath
Understand
Those Who Follow
Undertake

Prologue: Encounters

An abrupt alarm of a chirping clock started a mass of a sudden gasp like someone poured ice cold water on you and many unpleasant groans as Tim, now pale with sweat pouring from the face slammed a hand at the chirping clock to shut off the alarm. "I-it was just a dream." He said under his heavy breathing, trying to comfort himself, "Just a dream." With a sigh, a hand glided across his face to part his frizzy, unkempt hair to get rid of the blur and focus on his room.

He looked around to see that his bedroom was the same. Same posters of Solid Snake and some other video game heroes. The walls were the color of green, his favorite color. His room was a mess that morning but he didn't care right now.he had to comprehend what happened last night.Was I sleep walking again? Tim thought stumbling towards the bathroom across from his room.

Looking into the bathroom there was still some mess in the bathroom though he didn't care right now, he needed time to relax and wake up fully. having much on his mind as is, to be able to be free is much of his concern right now. at the turning of the knob in the bathtub, the water was flowing from the showerhead, making it sound like rain was falling from the ceiling. With much as a sigh, he undressed from his sweat dampened red pajama bottoms and silently stepped into the shower.

The water was very soothing to the sore and tense muscles, making it easier to figure out what he needed to do for another miserable day at school. He wasn't a bad kid, he was just the opposite. all of his grades were higher than any other classmates, practically a perfect attendance. Much of the teachers he had liked to have him in their classroom yet he was treated like the rest of the class. Just the thought of them giving him a simple assignment that would be completed in less than a few minutes made him feel superior, whereas the rest of the students had a few days to complete. But what about the nightmares lately? Surely there is an explanation to them. Tim shook his head to get rid of the thought as he turned off the water.

He grabbed his towel and dried himself off still thinking about the events in that dream. Why was I in a castle? Tim thought with much concern and a little bit of terror but shook the thoughts of the dream. He turned to look into the mirror in the medicine cabinet to look at himself and do his normal ritual of complimenting himself. "Your are a excellent person." Tim whispered to him self trying to make hi self smile, "No one will take that from you". He opens the medicine cabinet up to check its contents. There was a vast array of many different razors that were of his fathers. Some of his newest ones were in their fancy cases with some traces of use and looked like some condensation on them then he saw his collection of razors that were given to him by his father that wanted him to start shaving. knowing that he had to have either way because his beard was beginning to show and that it would ruin his image. "well I'm not leaving like this" Tim said felling his chin with his hand. With a swift pick from his collection he reached for his favorite green razor. the razor was a two bladed razor that has been replaced many times before and knew that he might need to move on to another razor. With a smirk he closed the medicine cabinet to see that he wasn't alone.

There was a dark figure just standing there that seemed to be just a neck shorter than him with emerald cat like eyes looking at him with a grin. with a sudden turn to see if this thing was behind him but was in vain. Tim now terrified looked back at the mirror to see his reflection. There still stood the dark figure with its grin gone to be replaced with a frown.

"What are you?" Tim said beginning to regret that question.

"Someone you will meet at another time," The figure whispered in a rasping tone, "I'm here to give a warning to you alone".

"A warning? Can't you tell me the warning in a few minutes when I have something to wear," Tim grunted.

"Now is not the time for such nonsense as to just stand there and listen human!" The figure hissed showing large fangs, startling Tim, "I will only say it once since I'm running out of time"

Without warning the ceiling light began to flicker and grow brighter by each flicker of the light, Tim shut his eyes to block the sudden light to see that the figure became closer to his image on the mirror in a frantic manner.

"Now hear my warning clearly" the figure said with now what looked like a hoof with what looked like holes going through them, the light began to overcome the figure, "Whatever happens to you will be your responsibility"

"Thats it? I have to take responsibility of what happens to me? " Tim asked confusingly. But when the figure opened his mouth to explain more the light became too bright and consumed the figure and with a flash of intense white light the room went dark and then the light was normal again.

After a few seconds of trying to adjust his eyes, he saw that everything looked that way it was. But now the light had a hint of green. Tim sighed as to know that everything has come back to normal. But the figure and the warning seemed to puzzle him. He turned around to see if it was still there, but to no avail as the apparition wasn't there. Strange as to now I'm seeing and hearing things. He thought trying to make due with situation that unfolded before him. He sighed picking up his razor and put it back in the cabinet. That will have to be done on another day.

With a twist of the knob, the bathroom door swung open and creaking softly, Tim came to his room holding his hair to straighten it little. Then he began to hold his head with one hand. "Great now a fucking headache. What else is new?" He grumbled opening the door to his room. Taking his hand off his head, he tugged on one of his dresser drawers and studied the contents inside, then grabbed a black shirt that had markings that were untranslatable and slipped it over his head. Closing the drawer he tugged other open to grab out a pair of his favored grey jeans and slipped them on and grabbing his favorite sneakers that were a special edition that is very rare where he lived. Yawning,Tim grabbed his comb and got out most of the tangles out of his elegant brown hair. With a nod Tim went down the hall towards the kitchen for a quick snag of toast his mother made.

"Morning Tim." His mother said in a happy tone. Tim stopped to stopped to see his mother with a gleeful smile

"Mom?" Tim said looking puzzled as she gave him a look like nothing happened,"You...okay?"

"Of course I'm okay." She handed him his bag, "what makes you think that?"

"Don't you remember Ryan? The deceitful bastard that took what we had left to keep me from going to do something great." Tim spat out his name as it were a bad taste in his mouth, "Not only that, he did not treat you fairly without any shame or guilt."

"Ryan?" looking away as if she didn't even know who he was, "I don't remember him so looks like I got over him."

Tim raised an eyebrow. It just seemed like it didn't fit with what she had went through. She had a rough time with her now ex boyfriend Ryan Smith, a smooth talking snake how Tim described him, stole the money that was supposed to go to Tim's college funds and spent it all on alcohol and drugs and to add insult to injury, he abused Tim's mom, taking her to a serious case of depression. When Tim found out his deeds...lets just say he wasn't coming around to harm her.

He looked at his watch and his eyes widened. "Shit I'm going to be late!" Tim shouted running for the door, "I'll have to see you later Mom".

"Have fun at school Timothy." She said waving at him smiling.

"Don't call me Timothy Mom" Tim remarked annoyed opening the door out to the world full of life and hectic as it will ever be.

As the door shut there was a silence in the house much like after Ryan left. The Smiling mother noticed Tim go out of sight she tore away the smile and took to frowning at her thoughts of what just happened. With a sigh of relief that no one grew suspicious about her except for that boy Tim who made her feel like her cover was about to be blown. the very thought of a human seeing her true form would be a catastrophe for her plan. She began to clean up the mess of food that she now knew of as "Breakfast" taking them to the trash can next to the cooking contraption she found out to be called a "stove". seeing the food she made out of the toaster was now thrown inside gave her much satisfaction. Seeing to the job being done she left the kitchen and headed back down the hallway looking at all the pictures of the past. There was one picture that caught her eye and she stopped. The picture had what looked like Tim when he was just a toddler and had a brown haired man with a wide smile on his face and sitting next to a young blonde haired lady holding him. Looking at the picture for a few minutes made her bring back a smile but quickly shook it off.

"Pitiful creatures they are." she said turning away from he picture, "But that doesn't stop me from what I have planned for the boy". Walking through the hallway she walked towards the door to the room she had slept in a couple of hours ago and stood in front of it. Knowing that no one was in the house other than her, she then did what she has always done to change from form to form. Starting from her feet, green flames began to climb up her legs, burning away the flesh and clothing of her disguise, leaving a charcoal coated hooves covered with holes that went through them. The mere sight of her appearance always made her chuckle, for it was her own form and she was more agile than any that tried to oppose her in the past. The emerald flames replaced the torso with a lengthy charcoal body with an obsidian colored chitin encasing her spinal region, showing battered insect wings that buzzed effortlessly now free from the wingless disguise. The emerald flames rose to incinerate the gentle and much fragile face of the disguise to show the face of her true form. when she opened her eyes knowing the process was done and the disguise gone,gave her the satisfaction she wanted.

Falling back to all fours like she always had in her world, her horn lit up and the door swung open enough for her to walk through lowering her head to keep her horn from hitting the rim of the door. she then stood in the middle of the dark room where she can be without her disguise and not be able to be found out. walking over to the bed, the Queen climbed up onto it to lie down and think.

"I will see to it that he will be one of us soon," The Queen said a loud to herself, "And I will be there to give him instructions of what his duty is as my subject. Right Miss Raymond?" her horn lit up to open up the closet door to see a hand fall limply with blood dried over it and a wide eyed woman lay there staring back without any sort of emotion.

The Price We Pay

Sprinting towards school, Tim knew that he would be late for his first period, which meant that he would get after school detention if he wasn't fast enough. Within moments he was just around the corner when he saw the mass of two story buildings that he knew housed many of the higher classed workers working in the offices just a couple blocks away. with a smirk at how much distance he had before getting to his school, he slowed into a jog and with a few soft pants stopped at the street light to wait for the yard lady to walk out in the middle of the street to give him a hint that he would be safe crossing. with a nod, he took a few steps into the street to hear a voice too familiar.

"Hey Bro wait up!" The voice called out behind him with some hints of panting and stomping of some heavy boots coming to a stop.

"Jack I thought you would be at school minutes before I would get there." Tim said turning to see his friend Jack hunched over trying to catch his breath.

"Well thanks to you calling me last night about your nightmares made me lose some well deserved sleep, I overslept with my clock wailing at me." Jack grunted with his gelled hair slowly falling over his face, "And for the record, I don't see you getting up any sooner than I do"

"Screw you man, at least I have some reason to be late" Tim replied glaring at Jack who is now next to him laughing with a little snort in between.

"Oh is that so?" jack said pulling out his comb adjusting his hair with it, "Which excuse is it this time? Having a moment with you remembering how you beat the ever living crap out of that Ryan dude and you ending up punching a wall?"

"Your a cruel man you know that?" Tim glared at him.

"You know it." Jack smirked, "You know if I was in your situation, I would have done the same thing".

"Yeah, I suppose you would and I can see you do that." Tim replied knowing that was the truth. Jack had that kind of passion to be there for every one. even though he was scrawny and didn't look like he was someone who had an aggression problem, he had the heart to take on anyone who provoke him about something, and when that happens, it is not a pleasant sight to see.

Jack adjusting his blue windbreaker jacket under his satchel, took a step forward, giving Tim the hint that they need to start moving fi they don't want to be as late as they might be. Tim caught on and picked up his pace being slightly ahead of Jack making sure he doesn't lag behind of him. They said nothing for a while because they knew if they did they would only slow themselves down to reply. silence was with them till they crossed an alleyway where they heard someone yelling. They both turned their heads at the shouts they couldn't clearly hear what the voice was saying. then there was a commotion of things crashing to the ground, then there was a shout then there was a silence. this was something they knew way too well to question what it was but still gave them something to talk about.

"Was that a mugging or an assault we just heard?" Tim asked Jack.

"I don't think it was something we should get ourselves into or worry about " Jack assured him, "Someone else will call and complain to the police that there is a disturbance nearby and they will take care of it".

"Maybe your right," Tim said feeling a bit skittish, "But what if they are seriously hurt, we c-"

"Don't worry about it!" Jack grunted, "They will be fine, I can assure you. if we went over there to help them out would surely be held responsible for the damages. you know as well as I do this neighborhood isn't as safe as it used to be, thanks to some of the guys across from us".

Tim looked away, seeing that his question was shot down. Wasn't helping others a good thing to do? Tim shook his head following his slender friend with his satchel swaying back and forth as they sped away from the alley. the silence was enough to give Tim a shiver. He was used to the feeling knowing that there was something going on around their neighborhood that had the police running overtime and on a tight schedule. their walk was not much left to get to their school just some more streets and corners to turn and they would be there with a matter of minutes. Looking like Tim didn't want to talk anymore, Jack reached to open his satchel and grabbed his tablet he brought to school since he got it. plugging in his ear buds into the side of the large device, jack went to his music to choose a song he liked and with a tap of a finger on the delicate screen of the behemoth, he placed it back in his bag and rocked his head lightly walking in silence

Tim began to wonder around in his mind of him trying to come up with a way to get a pardon for being late this time. that and still trying to make an explanation to what went on in his head during those dark and dead silent nights. Some of the reasons seemed to have been floating in his mind just disturbed him.

When they reached the corner to the school parking lot that they always took as a shortcut, Tim and Jack heard the first bell of the day at Bankston High School, home the Basilisks. Tim's first thought was that he made it on time without going to the front office to take a yellow slip to Anatomy and then having to sit there knowing he would be late to hang out with his online friends as they destroyed new players on League of Legends.

Tim looked back ushering jack to hurry up, but to his suprise to see jack standing there looking on to the campus. It looked like he was staring into the void with him giving the blankest expression. "Hey Bro, you there?" Tim waved his hand over trying to catch his attention. What scared tim was when Jack suddenly looked at him and he saw his mouth move. Even though he didnt hear anything but he understood it well. Be wary of the Queen.

Tim felt terror grasp his entire body. He had never heard his friend say or do what he was doing right now. Just seemed way to different. First his mother was acting strange, now his friend making some sort of Dark Souls reference. He took a step back away from Jack, not knowing what to do from jack's eyes glaring right into his very being. Minutes passed of silence between them until a loud bell sound going throughout the campus. Jack broke out of his trance and blinked seeing Tim looking kike he could crap himself at any second.

"Why are you looking at me like that? "Jack broke the silence between them, "You look like you seen a ghost".

Tim was about to say something until another bell echoed just like the first. But it ringing so sudden made their blood run cold, then the announcements came on."ATTENTION TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, WE ARE ON LOCKDOWN! POLICE HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED!"

"Well so much for a break," Jack tightened his satchel, "alright what now man?

"You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Heading to your house to hang out?" Jack suggested shrugging a little.

"You betcha Jack, "Tim smirked, "Shall we take the shortcut back or the long way?"

"Does t matter to me, "Jack turned and gestured to go in front of him to Tim, "Lead the way Captain."

Tim rolled his eyes. Seeing how jack was back to his normal, carefree self made him feel a bit disturbed at the events that just unfolded. It made no sense whatsoever to him. Tim didn't care right now he just wanted to go home and hang out with Jack. Tim gave a nod and they went on their way back to his house.

***

The Queen grew tired of being in that silent bedroom that she now grew accustomed to even though she did take it from another being. That wasn't the first time she took over someone's bedroom and their household altogether. she decided to put her head down out of boredom and look back to her memories. How she was able to sneak in to Canterlot as one of their own Princesses. How she was able to take control of the leader of their guards. How she effortlessly overpowered the very Princess that banished her to that hell of the Badlands. Chuckling at the thoughts of her success, she closed her eyes to get some rest from the events taking her here.

She felt herself go up a flight of cobblestone stairs cut with the most excellent angles and fit perfectly against the others. A fixture of stained glass tinted the walls with multi colored images of the past. curious she glanced over to the stained windows. One had a red maned alicorn looking at two other little alicorns who were playing around her. Another shown a battle against an ivory coated alicorn who was shown defeating the midnight blue alicorn with azure armor on. Another was the same alicorn raising the sun, but the last one was a mess. pieces of stained glass flew over and connected themselves together in a puzzle piece manner shown bits of pieces of a charcoal queen looking over a dozen other ponies bowing to her. she let out a well deserved laugh at her own accomplishment. I did it. I won. The Queen never felt this much joy in her life as a queen. My ancestors would be proud of me. she reached the top of the stairs to enter her new Throne room.

It was a sight only a changeling would take a gander on. All of the banners was of changeling wings coming out of a hollow black husk with a staggering design of a horn on the top. the windows had green tints to them making the scene feel more eerie as it was at her little cave she made for her children many years ago. The only thing not different was the throne. The silver and gold throne stood there in all its glory. She looked at the throne for a few seconds then saw a bright light coming from her left side and looked straight into it. without knowing it she was walking out into this beckoning light. she found herself on a balcony looking out at the kingdom below. ponies of different colors were walking around doing their own business. then she saw her children taking a dirt covered stallion with a fearful expression into a house. she watched this kingdom in awe and pride filling her very being. nothing could take this from her. nothing. But she felt like she was watched, She looked behind her to see her visitor. A bright pink maned changeling not larger than her was standing right before her.

"My Queen," The changeling bowed, "I apologize for barging in, but I have news from the scouts in Griffin Dore".

the Queen looked at the changeling seeing that she looked familiar, maybe a bit too familiar. "Celestia?" The Queen recognizing her tone and composure.

"Yes, that was my name before I became your advisor." Celestia simply replied getting back to her hooves.

"Alright, tell me what is very important to interrupt me at this time." The Queen said anxiously.

"As you have already heard, My sister has taken over the Griffon capital with her squad and is waiting further instructions."

The Queen stood there baffled at this Celestia bowing before her, and Luna taking over the empire that has haunted her children for as long as they discovered them. She had taken over her enemies and has to set the fate of her once godlike rivals.

This is her moment.

She has to give the Order.

"Send her a letter to ma-" A loud bang was heard and she startled and waking up suddenly from the unfamiliar noise. Then she heard something open, then was slammed shut, she heard someone talking but she couldn't quite understand it. here was a silence that made even the fierce Queen of all changelings gave a shiver down her spine.

She got up and off the bed and she felt she needed to investigate what happened outside. her horn lit up and the emerald flames engulfed her and when the fire subsided a few seconds later, her disguise of Tim's mother had been remade. standing on her two feet she stumbled only to catch herself with the bed frame. She gave a sigh of relief when no one heard her little surprised squeak she made. she then heard a rustling sound and a sound of things falling and crashing to the floor. Now she needed to investigate, she had her two legs carry her to the door and stopped. She reached out to twist the knob, but hesitated when she had a grasp of it. Thoughts were running through her mind at the speed of lightning. Did they find out about me? That same thought kept running through her mind. Shaking away her worries and thrust herself out to meet the unknown danger that awaited her.

She stood out in the hallway seeing from a distance what looked of a crime scene. someone was laying down and she could see some blood soaked towels strewn about the main living area. Worry began to come back again. She took no time getting to the injured creature. getting there she saw the bloodied mess of the being. The being was on his back, blood seeping out of a cloth that she recognized as a black top tied around his left shoulder. Rushing to the him, she knelt down grabbing the two ends and tightened the cloth thus making the half awake grunt from the pain intensifying, her mouth was tasting sour from his angst and despair. she wanted to spit out but she had to get him to feel relaxed.

She looked around to see if anyone will notice, she didn't know the reaction of this being lying before her. she had no choice in the matter, she didn't know if with the disguise had the properties of a unicorn. she closed her eyes as emerald flames engulfed her disguise, disintegrating it to regain her former self. she looked back down at the half awake human on the ground who is now looking up at her groggily. She charged her horn and the human closed his eyes and left to a state of unconsciousness. she sat there for a few seconds then she felt something was behind her, she jeered around to see a Frightened Tim, who then dropped the med kit he was looking for. Tim took a step back before he faintly asked " What are you?"

She stood up, almost a head shorter than him without her horn. she stared at him with her soul piercing emerald eyes before responding. "My name is Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings."

Tim's pupils went beady. She stared at Tim tasting his fear soaking every nerve in his body. she sighed, " I'm not going to kill you, though I wish I could do so." She felt the fear slowly dissipating from his body but curiosity was seeping in.

"What did you do to Jack!' Tim shouted shocked by the unconscious Jack beside the Queen. The Queen turned her head to find out that the human she just knocked out was this Jack fellow.

"He is unconscious but he has lost a vast amount of blood so I'm not sure if he will survive without help." The Queen replied calmly taking a few steps towards Tim, "But he is of no use for me".

The Queen stood a few feet away from Tim before breaking the silence. "The reason why I'm here Tim is I am in dire need of help."

"Help? Why did you come for me for help?" Tim looked at The Queen then to jack who coughed up some blood now running down his lips.

"Because you might be the one to help my children."

"You want me to help you?"

"Yes, allow me to explain," The Queen in a passive tone, "You see, my and my subjects have been tormented by our enemies and our land keeps growing smaller and smaller by each of their conquests. We became so desperate that I had to get help from someone from another world. That someone is you Tim. I feel that you are the one who may be our great savior to keep my race alive." That was a poor on my part, The Queen felt herself jamming a hoof to her face mentally,Lets hope he buys what I have told him.

Tim stared at her in thought of his choices. he looked over to jack seeing his own shirt he used now a maroon red. He gave a sigh. "Fine I'll help you and your Shape shifters"

"Changelings." The Queen corrected him.

"Whatever," Tim said rolling his eyes, "On one condition".

"A condition?" The Queen raised an eyebrow, "What is your condition?"

Tim raised his head keeping eye contact with Chrysalis and showed her some of the pride he had left, "Jack will come with us and is given medical attention."

She took a glance at jack lying on the floor pitying his situation. "If that will bring you to your sense of comfort then I will accept your terms."

Tim felt relieved, taking a step towards his wounded fellow, only to have The Queen step in front of him backing him back into the corner. "I have my terms you will have to follow if you want your comrade alive." The Queen said anticipating her prize to submit.

" Ok what is your condition" Tim said trying not to lose his composure again.

"you will see," the Queen stated, " I will also warn you that whatever you had here and anyone you have held dear to your very heart will be lost to you, so there will be no coming back to this world. Now raise your arm towards me and do cooperate, it will hurt less if you follow my instruction."

Tim lifted his left arm to where Chrysalis's instructed, but felt unsure about what the Queen had in mind. but somewhere in the back of his mind felt that this is the right path. she looked at his arm, now almost close to her chin she spoke to him keeping her muzzle at her target. "I might want to warn you as to others that have agreed to this. this process will hit every nerve in your body and will be excruciating." Tim gave her a nod as she made some final adjustments, feeling for the artery she was looking for. finding her target she guided her fangs into the destined area and sank them into Tim's forearm. she heard him grunt and winced as the toxin in her hollow fangs taking effect almost immediately. She retracted her fangs and retreated from Tim to watch him undergo the process. She saw the toxin's green array through Tim's veins. the pain was too great for Tim and fell to the floor writhing gave out a shrewd scream. within a few moments he fell silent but still breathing softly. She knew the first part was complete and quickly saw that the next part was in progress seeing Tim's skin darken.

She looked away from Tim now undergoing the horrid part of the process as she heard bones breaking and reforming. She went over to Jack now wheezing slightly form his anemic state. Charging her horn, she untied the maroon shirt seeing something glistening out of the corner of her eye. She took a closer look to see the thing lodged inside the wound was carefully removed from the wound to be examined. the thing now floating in front of her was what looked like a brass clump covered in blood. Frowning she tossed clump aside to take a closer look at the gaping hole in Jack's shoulder before she let her fangs show again letting them drip with the same toxin.

He said to save him, but he didn't say how. She lowered her fangs over the hole, dripping the toxin right into his system. She then charged her jagged horn, knitting the flesh and tissues back into place, then levitated him towards Tim, still in the second stage. using the energy she had stored from Tim's mother, The Queen charged her horn once more and summoned forth a portal ringed with the same emerald flames used for her disguises. then with what she had left she levitated the bodies into the flames, now setting the carpet around it to catch ablaze. She realized she wouldn't have much time to keep it up any longer, she sent out a message to her children that followed her to this world. Stay and keep me on tabs of the leader of this world. She felt the others accept their duties and became silent once more. With a smirk knowing of her accomplishment, she trotted though the portal whistling a familiar tune.

Author's Note

Finally got this chapter out here sorry for being late and working from a tablet doesnt help either...

What Lies Beneath

Feeling himself drift back to reality, Tim slowly opened his eyes to dim lights. He realized that he was lying in the middle of a hallway of sorts, the floor was tiled with dark looking marble, probably the walls were the same. Grunting, he tried to get to his feet but quickly fell to his knees from the sheer pain encasing his body. Struggling to get back up only resulted in him propping himself to a nearby pillar, the pillar he found to be made of granite, but very sanded making it very fine to the touch. Whatever was happening to him, it wasn't going to stop him. With a huff and great willpower he moved on, fighting the pain with each wobbled step.

Even with great determination it does have its downfalls. Tim stumbled here and there, catching himself on the granite pillars supporting the dimly lit maze. Minutes felt like hours to Tim, feeling something pushing him on, keeping him on track. Even at the intersections that unknown force led him on, straddling into the endless hallways. He stumbled once more, the pain taking ahold with a firm grasp. Wincing and with some grunts Tim leaned on the granite pillar, trying to take in the dry air. Something caught his eye. he didn't know why but he felt like that was what the force was telling him that he was close to where he needed to be. The urge was too great for him, bounding with heavy feet towards the devoted destination.

Within seconds he stood in front of an wooden door, its own presence made Tim feel a slight warmth throughout his body. the urge from the force still lingered and greeted Tim to lead him through that gateway. Tim shifted his feet towards the door as the warmth grew. The warmth swirled around Tim easing the pain away from his tense, aching muscles, rejuvenating him. He reached the door but broke down to his knees panting, his mind slowly drifting back to the abyss of unconsciousness. He was close to his goal, but he wasn't going to lose it. He reached up towards the knob as leverage to prop him back to his feet. reality came back to him and at once, twisted the knob and swung the door inwards.

Tim was more amazed at what he saw more than anything. A vast array of plant life was everywhere. Plants from different countries from his world and some he couldn't recognize. Observing his surroundings his eyes fell to a trail in this garden. he followed the trail to something he hadn't seen in a long while. in front of him was a single rose lying on the ground, seemingly it fell from one of the various bushes that thrived here. he knelt down and picked up the rose, avoiding the thorns around the stem. without realizing it the petals turned black and the thorns fell off one by one. Tim looked down at his feet only to see the plants around him wither and die away. he stepped away from the very spot, only to have the plants regrow and replaced the dead ones, but looked more lively. shrugging he walked past them going back to the trail though this natural maze. wandering through the plants he saw something black off behind some of the flowers. Curious as he was, Tim made his way towards it.

He waded through the dense plant life as they wilted and died around him still holding that black rose. Less than a minute later, he found the thing he saw earlier looked like it was sleeping on a wooden bench, the vines intertwining in between the legs. he stared at the creature, observing it while it slept, it had insect like wings folded back along the onyx colored chitin by the looks of it. The creatures body had a charcoal color coat but looked shiny, more like an exoskeleton. What looked like a curved horn protruded out of its head. The thing stirred making Tim jump a little. It raised its head, he took note that it had a horse like head, and yawned loudly, showing its fangs. it open its eyelids its light blue eyes getting focused on its surroundings, then seeing Tim standing there in the middle of the trail. Tim stared at its light blue eyes covering its eye, its pupils transparent.

The creature finally broke the silence. "Its been awhile since someone came the this garden," it began, its tone was obviously male, "so it must be my lucky day". Tim stayed silent as the thing stretched out its front two limbs that looked like hooves with holes bored through them. Rest assured, Tim could conclude that this creature was horse like, perhaps an equine, as it looked small compared to his size. But he couldn't put his finger on it, but it seemed oddly familiar, like a past memory you couldn't properly remember. before he could think his mouth moved and words came out. "You seem familiar".

"Oh?" it said letting a small smirk show from his charcoal colored muzzle, "Then you should at least know what my kind is called."

"You are a . . . uhh. . ." Tim began, scratching his head trying to remember.

"I am a Changeling," The thing replied impatiently with some annoyance in his voice, "Surely you met one of them if you were able to get here, not wasting my time."

"Ah right, but you look smaller than the one I talked to," Tim explained.

"A bit smaller?" The changeling cocked his head slightly.

"Yeah. It was quite larger and had some sort of crown on its head, it sounded pretty female to me." Tim said remembering bits and pieces, " One question though. Are the females dominant for your species?"

"YOU met the Queen?!" The changeling chirped in shock, "well this is extraordinary, please follow me," The changeling got up from the wooden bench, the changeling standing to the top of his stomach, walked a little way away then turned his head, his pupiless eyes glancing back at Tim. "Ya comin?"

Tim nodded, then walked quickly over to the Changeling, walking out of the maze of plants and flowers, the changeling going through all the plants with ease. Tim had some trouble going through the same path the Changeling was taking, the plants withered and dying around his footsteps as he held that same black rose from earlier. They made it to a door covered in a green moss, making it seemed like it was there for a while. Untouched. Unused. The changeling charged his horn with a light green aura, startling Tim as the door illuminated under the same aura as the knob turned and opened, the door moaning from the pressure. He trotted lightly over to the open door as Tim followed looking into what looked like a hallway with the lights bright enough to see yet not blinding as the marble glistened from the light above. cautiously Tim walked into the hallway, the Changeling closed the door with a loud moan as it clicked back into its frame.

"Hey I didn't get to catch your name," Tim was the first to break the silence between them.

"Me?" The changeling said trying to hold back the surprise from the question, "For now, call me Fae, I was the leader of the fifth scout team".

"Ok, well names Timothy Raymond. just call me Tim".

"Well pleasure to make an acquaintance with you, Tim," Fae replied smiling at him kindly. They started their way through the corridors and vast hallways, keeping to themselves. Tim looked around him, seeing the same pattern of granite pillars. Every other one had a banner he couldn't recognize. Fae turned to his bipedal follower, who was now eyeing one of the banners up close. He cleared his throat catching his attention and ushered him forward.

They turned another corner and spotted a flight of stairs spiraling upward towards the ceiling. Fae started first, taking to the stairs as Tim followed right behind him. "So, why exactly is this an extraordinary event?" Tim asked like a curious child.

"Put it this way," Fae started buzzing his insect wings slightly, "its extremely rare for a queen to do the converting herself, usually its the drones job to grow and multiply."

"Well that might explain it," Tim said hinting at sarcasm as he continued on. Step after step they climbed up the towering staircase, not knowing what lurks above them. Fae carried onwards, almost on instinct as Tim kept up with him with his lanky legs skipping a step or so. After a few minutes of climbing, they find another flight of stairs but with a door at the left of it. The Changeling proceeded up the other staircase as Tim looked at the door. It looked like it was recently put there, maybe as a replacement for the last door. Fae turned to see that his follower had opened the door and walked through. Groaning, he made his way down the stairs and stood in front of the door, charging his horn and opened the door, cantering his way towards Tim as the door shut silently with a soft click.

Tim found himself in a large room with a giant window on his right, the large pair of purple curtains swaying slightly in the windless chamber. He saw what looked like a small stone table with a long glass dome behind those curtains. he parted them away to look at it better. the glass dome glistened under the sun as Tim looked at it, then picked it up gently without him realizing he did so. He set the dome down to take a better look at the table. it had a small hole in the middle of its design probably made to keep something upright. He looked at the rose in hand. Maybe it was made for this to be there. He had to test this theory, he held the blackened rose in his hand reached out to place it into the hole and felt relieved as the rose slid easily into the hole in that table.

Nothing happened...

Tim sighed, knowing he was wrong so he placed the glass dome on the table once more, leaving the black rose there. All of a sudden he heard a loud noise of something opening and something else being moved on the tiles. He looked where the sound came from and saw that there stood, at the other side of the chamber, an emerald door with a gold knob. "Wow," a voice spoke behind him, making him jump out of his shoes, Tim looked to see that it was Fae chuckling at him. Tim scorned him but he ignored him and went to stand close to the door, Tim followed in suit. He now stood before the door, its emerald surface emanating a glow of green amongst the two of them. Tim stepped towards the door, but stopped to look at Fae, who was now trotting towards the door they came through. "Hey," Tim called out making the changeling perk his splayed ears and turn his head, his light blue eyes staring back, "where are you going?"

"This is your stop, not mine," Fae replied back, his words echoing in his ears.

"What do you mean?"

"You got a whole new life ahead of you, I was waiting for someone like you to help me through my own last remaining hours in this place."

Tim brimmed his eyebrow. Fae gave him a friendly smile for the last time. "Have a good life Tim. And best of luck to you. I have afterlife to enjoy." Fae turned back around and trotted away towards the door but didn't stop to open it. Instead as Tim watched him, he phased through the door, never to be seen again. "Have a good one Fae, without you I wouldn't be here."

he turned back to the emerald door, stepped closer to the door. Without skipping a step, he held the golden knob and felt the surge of energy flow through him and made him feel warmer than he was. He twisted the knob, hearing it click as it unlocked from its frame, and opened the door. The light then shone brightly in Tim's eyes that he had to shield his eyes before he was engulfed by it. All he could feel is himself being lifted by the light and the energy began to surge through his body like it would a light bulb. Feeling him self fall away from himself, he closed his eyes and let it consume him.

Tim opened his eyes again, but he was still seeing the light around him, but it seemed to be dimmer than he had seen it. he tried to breathe but couldn't, as if something was in his lungs. He tried to grab for his throat but instead of hands, he saw a faint looking hooves that suddenly made him panic. He franticly tried to look down to see his image, but something below him opened and he fell down to the ground on his side, making a loud thud as he did so. He hacked and coughed trying to clear his lungs from the stuff inside. All that came out was a clear yellow liquid that now puddled around his self.

"Oh! He's awake!" He heard a voice chirp. He could only look up with his eyes to see something standing a ways away. He couldn't really see what it because all he saw was charcoal looking limbs, holes seem to strewn throughout them. he tried to ask something, but the yellow liquid was still in his lungs and vomited out the rest. The thing giggled before approaching Tim, now seeing what it was. A changeling that looked just like Fae look at him its light blue eyes looking back at him.

The changeling stopped right in front of him, "W-where am I?" was all Tim could say before he was then giggled at by the changeling. The Changeling pondered over to Tim's ear and gave him a simple reply. "You are in the conversion chambers. Welcome to the Hive."

Author's Note

Apperently when I first put this up, this chapter didnt add up to the word count to the overall story... Guys I think that I just glitched this site.

Understand

"Alright, nice and easy," the Changeling said as Tim propped himself with said changeling as leverage after many tries ending with him falling to his face and his sides. Luckily to his surprise, his body had hard skin making his faults less painful than it was supposed to. He took a few ginger steps away from the changeling. This is going to be a while to get used to. He took another step and stumbled over a rock protruding slightly from the ground. He tried to keep himself up but tripped over his front legs and face planted. Again. Tim could hear the changeling giggle behind him. "You went farther this time," it said.

"Well that's encouraging," Tim muttered from his slumped position. He managed to shift his weight to one side and plopped to his side, from there he could get a better position. He hoisted him self with his front legs to lift his upper body to be in a sitting position. "Alright, now the back legs." He moved his weight to the front of his fore hooves and placed his back legs awkwardly beneath him. He grinned stupidly at his accomplishment. Tim turned towards the changeling that was helping him and saw that it was talking with what seemed like an exact reflection with itself. It turned its head towards Tim, looking slightly irritated, then nodded at the changeling. it walked away from them and to the opening of the dull chamber, then buzzing its insect like wings and flew out of the opening.

Tim felt himself buzzing his own wings and he seemed to feel lighter than before. Looking down he saw that he was a foot off the ground. "Hey, I'm flying!" He shouted before his whole body tilted forward and he found himself gaining speed. all of a sudden he saw that the ground was coming towards him. "Oh shit!" he found himself meeting the rocky ground with a thud and slid from how fast he was going. He skid to a stop just inches away from the giggling changeling watching him. He cursed under his breath, then quickly tried to stand up, only to find himself falling yet again but his legs were splayed out this time.

"Easy there Hot Shot," the changeling called out letting a grin sit on its muzzle.

"Could you not call me that," Tim stated picking himself off the rocky ground, "and who was that you were talking to?

"Who? Mirror?" the changeling tilted its head slightly to one side, "I asked him to go tell our dearest queen that you've awoken."

"Oh ok, that seems like a reasonable thing to do ," Tim spoke calmly, "wait, why didn't she just check up on me every hour or so?"

"She actually did so for a while, but she had a few things that were imperative to take care of

"Things?" What things?" Tim scrunched his brow in confusion.

"How should I know I'm just a Brood nurse, they don't really explain much to us."

"A what nurse?" Tim looked at the changeling furrowing his brow if he still had them.

"A Brood nurse," the changeling explained without pause, "they are the ones mainly for females who take care of the younglings".

"Taking care of them as in, feeding them?'

"Of course, they usually feed off the milk sacs from our-"

"OKAY, I think I get the picture," Tim's eyes widened while waving his right hoof realizing that he shouldn't have asked. curiosity killed the cat as they all say.

"I'm glad you understand," The changeling said with a gentle smile at him.

"I can see that you are adapting quite well to your body," a feminine voice echoed behind the them. They both craned their necks to see where the voice came from. The changeling knew right away who it was and quickly bowed. Tim couldn't quite remember who that voice was from until a larger changeling stepped into the chamber. He recognized her right away knowing it was none other than Chrysalis herself.

She stood at the opening of the chamber, her emerald rimmed eyes surveyed both Tim and the bowing changeling, her catlike pupils mainly on Tim, then towards her subject. "I see that you already met Silk String," She added. Silk got back up and gave her a friendly smile. She stood there for a few seconds staring at the Queen before she spoke again. "Excellent, you are dismissed Silk."

Silk nodded and left them towards the opening before a voice rang out into the chamber. "Silky!" The voice cracking a little as something small flung itself around Silk's neck.

"Princess! What a surprise," Silk returning the embrace with a hug, "what are you up to?"

"I was wondering where Mommy was so I set out to finder her." she replied letting go of Silk.

"Your mother is in there with someling new," she said motioning with her muzzle inside the chamber, "he seems very friendly so don't be shy this time."

"Okie dokie, bye Silk," The princess said waving her fore hoof at Silk as she walked passed her, "will we play sometime?"

"Yeah I'll look foreword to it," Silk called out before flying off. The princess went inside where Tim was discussing something with her mother, she crept as silently as she could over to the two like a lion stalking a gazelle. when she got into right position, she ran as fast as her little hooves could take her and launched herself at the Queen, her forelegs outstretched.

"Why hello dear," Chrysalis responded smiling at the energetic princess, "have you finished with your studies?"

"Yes mom, all the way up to when Queen Morphisis found the Crystal Heart before King Sombra stole it and was at war for thirty moons."

"Good girl." Chrysalis replied her princess's magenta colored mane. Tim just stood there and stared at both of them with his mouth ajar. "Since she is here," she began letting the princess detach herself from her chest, "This is the princess and my daughter Valiidae." Valiidae greeted Tim with a energetic wave and a friendly grin on her charcoal colored muzzle. Tim returned with a nod and a faint smile. "W-What's you name new guy?" she asked sheepishly but kept that same smile.

"I had a name where I was from but for now call me..." he began muttering to himself trying to set up a decent name for himself. He frowned. Some of the names he thought of seemed very lame to him.

"Shift" the Queen blurted her emerald rimmed eyes lighting up, "From this day forth, you shall be known as Shift."

"It's nice to meetcha Shift," The princess said with a more formal greeting, "hey, aren't you hungry?"

Shift tilted his head to one side. He didn't feel like he was hungry. "I don't think I'm that hungry. But I feel a bit tired though." he said plainly. He knew he was a bit exhausted from just adjusting to the body he was given, yet he didn't notice until now he was mentally tired.

"That is a side affect," The Queen spoke up. She then turned away from the two facing towards the mouth of the chamber, "Come. Let us take you to where we feed." Valiidae did the same and followed her mother to the entrance. Shift figured he had to follow them if it meant to make him feel more comfortable with this situation. He made his way to the two, his legs wobbling once or twice along the way. The two buzzed their wings and lifted them selves from the ground and into the air outside. Shift felt a familiar buzzing from his insectiod wings as he lifted himself into the air on his own will. He let himself lean forward towards where the two were waiting on him. when he caught up with them they set out downwards as Shift struggled to keep up with them and keep himself steady.

They seemed to go down quite a ways down from Shift's perspective but then again, he couldn't really see much in the first place but the two ahead of him. Just to imagine if you would get lost here seemed to drift through his mind every now and again as he tried to squint just to see where the two were at. Much to his surprise however, he managed to catch up to the two just as they let themselves land not far ahead of him. he tried to imitate how they landed so gracefully but failed completely at it. From a simple hover to a stop and land on all fours it was more of a hover to be slow enough to make him slide over next to them. He grumbled something about how he would need to work on that. Valiidae nudged him in his forehoof to grab his attention. She pointed with her hoof in the same direction they were facing. he looked to see what he may have never seen when he was a human as pink light glowed all around the chamber.

This chamber looked very similar to the ones he passed before getting here. but what set it off was the large rough version of a fountain could be spotted right in the middle of it with what seemed to be a pink liquid coming from it. He could see some of the changelings he saw were drinking from it. Some dipped their horns into the glowing pink liquid with their eyes closed as if they were concentrating. He also saw what looked like a young changeling jump into the fountain and began to play in it before two changelings encased it with green aura and levitating it out, the pink liquid dripping off of its body before he saw the larger changelings chuckled at it. "This is the Fountain of Love," Chrysalis broke the silence and his attention to the fountain, "Our food source." Shift looked back to the fountain and to the changelings alongside it. They all seemed to be...happy. "Recently we have been having a shortage some moons ago and is still going through it," She explained before letting her daughter head down to the fountain with her in synch, leaving Shift to clamber to catch up to them.

"Come here Shift," Valiidae beckoning to him to stand next to her. He managed to do an awkward trot to her to then sit next to her. "I'll show you how to feed when you need to," she explained to him before he nodded in return. "you lower your head like so," she then lowered her head to where it was barely touching the liquid love, "then you just drink it," she finished, plunging her snout into the pink liquid before lifting her head out a few moments later. She then bobbed her head to the fountain before he mumbled an "ok". He lowered his head close enough to smell the love. He gently placed his muzzle into the pink water opening his mouth to let the liquid to flood in. He could feel the sweet love go down his throat. After a few gulps he felt his mind cleared up, he could hear the whispers being louder than they used to and out of his peripheral vision, he saw the Queen have a smirk as clear as day.

Shift brought himself to his hooves wiping off the excess love while the queen stood next to him making him look up at her slightly. "Now that you got your fill, I want you to head with Valiidae," the Queen said making her daughter's ears perk up at the mention of her name, "she will take you to where you will most of my subjects take to slumber, whether she likes to or not," she heard a soft groan from her daughter while she got up from her spot. She beckoned to Shift to follow her, he looked back to Chrysalis.

"Well good night I guess," he gave her a wave after she nodded in the same fashion as before as they took off from the opening they went through. "Good night Shift, may your dreams be pleasant," she replied while they went out of sight. She havent seen a changeling be so cooperative after they were awoken. Usually they would be more work than it needs to, even a bit violent. Like the last one was. Afraid and lashed out at her subjects trying to help that poor changeling. Her thoughts were broken when she heard buzzing coming from her side. She turned her head to see one of her scouts come to a stop a few feet away. "My Queen," it did a quick bow, "I have come with some good news."

"What is the news Pincer?" The Queen spoke in her regal voice to her trusted scout.

"Its about the changelings stationed at the new land," Pincer replied to his majesty, "they have discovered what that place has accomplished and much more what they can do."

"All the better to take it," the Changeling Queen said, "keep them there. I want to know more of what the inhabitants on that land possess."

"As you wish," Pincer replied bowed and flew off to another opening. Chrysalis couldn't help but to grin at how her plan will work this time and be sure to have a plan B.

Author's Note

The adventure begins in the next chapter. What lies ahead will be shown later on and how will our Changeling changed human cope with its environments? Stay tuned.

I apologize for this being pushed away for so long I haven't had the time to work on this story.

Those Who Follow

Shift awoke from his slumber, though he didnt sleep well enough to feel rejuvenated to take on the day. Valiidae did lead him to where they sleep, but she didn't say that they were slabs of rock when she talked of how comfortable they were along the way. He begged to differ. He tried to lay down in every position avoiding his wings so he wouldn't damage them and still couldn't seem to get comfy. Eventually he gave up and rested his head on his awkwardly folded legs and closed his eyes.

He got to his hooves but his joints felt stiff, yawning he stretched out his front legs to the back ones, each joint giving satisfying pops. But it didn't feel like it was enough to keep him from falling back to sleep, so he decided maybe he try some exercises to keep him occupied. Shift started with walking around in a circle on his slab, his hooves making soft clops with each step. Then sped up to a trot where he stumbled on his own legs. "Still a bit clumsy with these," shift talked to himself as he slowed down his pace to keep himself from falling off. his wings buzzed for a second and lifted him into the air. He grinned as he he made himself sway left to right while he was hovering. The next step was to land with all hooves. He lowered himself to the ground letting his back legs touch first.

He heard hoof steps coming his and thus broke his thoughts. He looked into the direction they were coming from and saw a small changeling looking at him.

"Morning Princess," Shift greeted the little changeling princess. She was on the ledge of the rock slightly above him doing a quick wave. She got up from the rock and used her own wings to lower herself down to Shift's level. She landed more gracefully than shifts even when he had a good and tedious time worki g on just landing. She took a moment to look around not speaking a word.

"My mother wanted me to keep an eye on you," she spoke softly like she hadn't used her vocal cords in a long time. She did talk to him yesterday. 'Why does she sound so different than that time?'

"Maybe it is because I was talking to you with telepathy and moving my mouth like I'm saying them" a voice in his head rang out that sounded like her. He wanted to panic. Maybe even convince himself he was going mad, but he couldn't. All he could do was looked confused at the princess. "What?" Her voice echoing throughout his mind, "you didn't act this way when I first did this."

"How did... you know what, nevermind" he knew he wasnt going to understand so he might as well just go with it.

She raised and eyebrow, "Anyway, Mother informed me that you will be assigned a cluster today because she feels like you are ready, so she wants you to meet your assigned cluster. You will get to know them, they will get to know you," she explained, her tone still soft, every so often she would turn her head as if she was distracted by something, "When your ready, they wil be waiting at the feeding chamber."

"If you still remember how to get back there," the changeling princess added teasing him innocently.

"That was only one time! And I was paying attention to your ass!" Shift exclaimed vainly that gave Valiidae some muffled giggles. The Changeling princess turned and flew off from his slab. He couldn't help but stifle a cough from the dust, but unfortunately he startled one of his neighbors above him scolding him with chatter and aggressive hum of wings. " Heh... Sorry," he responded with a nervous smile as his neighbor looked away from him grumbling something and fell back asleep. He then crept from his sleeping area, cautious not to wake him again (or her he couldn't really tell) and flew off towards his destination.

Through the vast tunnels were a bit too quiet yet the the only thing heard were the beating of his insect wings. Several minutes in from twists and turns he found himself in a fork that leads off to the left, right and one going down. He hovered there for a few minutes debating which way was the way to that fountain. He didnt want to have the princess walk him through which tunnels lead to where again. With just that thought in his head he flew to the left tunnel not even not even noticing a pale white changeling watching him the entire time.

Shift was confident that the way he chose was the right one, it even had some of the workers in there chatting up a storm before he passed them, then they were dead silent as they watched him fly by giving them a gentle grin and waved his hoof saying hello to them. But he stayed there staring at him ever so silently you could hear a pebble roll around before resting on that spot. Not wanting things to ever get much more creeped out than he already had been, he left swiftly without a word.

After a few minutes he stopped on a ledge as he could hear someone talking what seemed to him like gibberish but he didn't want to stay there long. He needed to get to that chamber as soon as possible. That's how he liked it when he was a human and now as one from the hive he felt this was where he needed to be. This place felt more like home to him, and he was happy to be here. But the others around see him as a complete stranger. That meant that he had to make the best impression to be liked and known. He paused for a second knowing that around the next corner of the tunnels he would be at his destination because he could see a faint pink glow and smelt the sweet nectar of the fountain. He felt that he didn't need it he had enough to last him a few days, but just imagining the sweet nectar running down his throat made his mouth water. Doing so he went to a trot and then to a canter to the entryway.

There was less changelings than there were last night. "Maybe they are nocturnal" shift thought. But a few moments of him scanning around he found the Queen speaking to a group of changelings with one of them wearing an azure shaded helmet and armor in the middle of them. He hesitated for a second before finding his courage to approach them.

So far the queen didn't notice him yet he wanted to know what was going on, so he had to catch her attention. "You wanted to see me Chrysalis?" He spoke up making the group look behind them to stare at him making him a bit sheepish.

"Ah shift, you are right on time, I'm impressed" she replied in much enthusiasm, "we were going over a briefing of the assignment set up for you and your new cluster."

"Really?" He spoke happily. The Queen nodded slightly making him very excited that he can do something. But when the changeling in the azure armor raised his brow, he calmed himself and spoke cooly, "isn't it a bit soon for me to go out i mean i just got settled down yesterday."

"That is true young one," the Queen promptly said," but it is the upmost inportance that all changelings do their part for this hive" . Shift made a quick "OK" nod and placed himself next to the changeling on the right since he was closer to that one. The queen then continued her briefing of the assignment. " as you may already know, " she started to pace back and forth in front of the group, her eyes on Shift for most of the time, "Cluster 56 has found a castle ruins in the middle of the forest of Everfree. And upon further observation, they have found a ravine a few hive lengths away. I'm counting on you 6 to investigate whats inside of there. It may have clues on defeating the Equestrians once and for all." The group did a quick stomp and "yes my queen" was murmured throughout. "And show your newest member what this cluster can do," she added giving Shift a wink before the cluster regrouped at he mouth of the exit. Shift went to join them but Chrysalis called him to stay to talk to him for a few seconds. "I want you to see the world me and my hive live in so i think this an opportunity to take it in. Listen to the one in the armor," she explained as shift craned his neck to see the cluster waiting patiently with the one in the armor shifted in place a little, "he is your captain from this day forth. Listen to him, but remember who you truly follow."

"Alright, thank you my queen," shift bowed his head and made his way to his assigned cluster. When he got there the captain asked if he was finally ready to go, "yeah im ready," he said eager to start. He nodded his head and lead the cluster out to the tunnels.

The Queen let out a deep sigh. She knew that she needed him to get out there and make a life out of this world as her changeling child. But she has to focus on the time to come. To take the world as they have called it very many years ago. The technology, their stupdity that she and her changelings dont exist to them. They will be ever so wrong.

As the queen thought about the new world in glee, she was interrupted by someling landing behind her and hoof steps followed. The queen didn't need to look back to see who it was. "I told you to keep an eye on the new one," she scolded her daughter. She then turned around with her emerald rimmed cat slitted pupils glared at a guilty looking Valiidae looking down at her hooves.

"I-i'm sorry to disappoint you mother," the princess managed to say her ears falling back every second her mother glared ever more at her, "but i have found something you will need to hear. Its important."

"Oh is that so? " the queen looked sternly at her trying to break her if she was lying as she despised it, "tell me what is imperative at this time."

"Mother, the changeling we imprisoned has gone missing within the hive, and maybe i fear that it has escaped to the outside," she flinched when the queen swelled in anger.

"What?!" She yelled her fangs bared as the green toxins dripping down. She had to tell the hive of this. That changeling can change everything she had planned, maybe stop her in her tracks. 'Attention to all my children, the prisoner has escaped! Find that traitor!' She could hear the fear and confusion within the mind. She finally calmed herself to the point of her having a headache.

'By the name of my mother,' she thought to herself , 'My children will not let that creature live.'

. . . . . . . .

Creeping around wasn't a good suit for someling that was different from the rest, with a white carapace and all, and the fact that flying wasn't a second nature to me while waiting for death row to call me up. I know I didn't want to die like this, so when no one, or was it noling was around, as quickly as I could I used my weight to break the green dried up goop off of my hooves. (Heh hooves, I'm not going to get used to that.) Looked around some more before i bolted out into that maze of caverns, making sure that none of those things were to find me.

It didn't take long for me to get around to one of those unused caverns to rest for a second. But wasn't much of a break when one of them flew above me and hovered there looking at one side to the other, like it was confused and the fact that it looked like it was in a hurry made me remember someone I hung out with before this alienation happened. A few seconds roll by and by luck goes the other tunnels and I'm trying to be calm and breathe softly, with my mouth slightly agape. Judging by how that thing left I could say I needed to go. Now before things get out of hand (ain't gonna say hoof this time). I got out of that spot as fast as i could while being as silent as my hooves allowed me out to a smaller sets of jagged tunnels made crudely, maybe made earlier but haven't been given the final touches. Without much care at the moment I stepped out about 3 feet from the exit of the tunnel and I could see the opening that had a very bright night mixing in with a red sun peeking out on the horizon right in front of me. I wanted to run out and start yelling FREEEDOM! But I heard those things talking again and saw shadows around the corner. I ran back into the ragged tunnel and made myself as small as possible on the left wall behind a rock but just enough to see and hear whats goin on.

"Alright rookie i want you to know my rules so listen up," one of them aid with a deep commanding voice, "There will be no wusses in our cluster , there will be no idiots in our cluster, and most of all," the voice paused, i leaned in a little more out of my hiding place and found the voice coming from the changeling in azure armor, " There will be no heroes unless you have a death wish. Is that understood?"

"Loud and clear sir, " i heard another say with a young and cheerful voice. The other ones nodded heads in agreement. Heh, that rookie sounds like one of my good friends. Wait a second, the cheerfulness is only there if.... no, the big one said he died months ago. That cannot be Timothy, it can't be.

"Alright so before we head out I need to talk with the cluster, but i want you rookie to be outside waiting for us to go."

"Uhh roger that," the rookie said as he fluttered his wings, lifting himself out into the air and left to the exit.

"Are you sure this is the right thing to do to him?" The one on the left said with a girly voice but it was hard to see it as i was shrinking when one of the other looked down the tunnel.

"You heard what the Queen said, Mantis," the azure armored creature lurched into her face as she stepped back a few steps, "it is our assignment to get rid of him since he didn't die in the pods as he was supposed to." Mantis looked away as in thought but i think she saw me already, but wasn't going to do anything about it.

"I still don't get it Polyp, Shift looks like a great addition for this hive, this cluster! We could let him live and give him a chance to be honored to be in a cluster like this, not like that other one that nearly killed an entire cluster just with his wits". (Heh, that was actually fun.) Polyp put his hoof up to his chin, the holes on his hooves avoiding the gnarly fangs. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry Mantis, but what the Queen says goes." I could see the disappointment in the one called mantis light blue pupiless eyes as she looked a little down from that azure armored guy.

"My god they are going to kill him," I thought to my self felling that I should, no, need to do something. Just then he rookie poked his head back into the hive. "Hey you guys done yet, i want to see whats out there!" He called out with impatience that I knew Tim had but I'm still not sure if it is THE Tim that I know. The Polyp guy said something towards him in some sort of language of clicks and buzzing of those insect wings. Then all five of those so called clusters walked out to exit the hive. I had to wait a minute before I could leave my hiding spot because they were still chatting about instructions about patience I guess then they left all at once. I knew this is my chance to get to that rookie. So almost instantly I ran out into a cool wasteland keeping my eye on that group and not turning back that hell hole. I need to save him before its too late.

Author's Note

I'm back and ready for business folks! Plot thickens and will our white changeling save Shift from his demise? Find out in the next chapter.

Undertake

Flying through a desert is a tiresome task. But it was worth watching the scenery while the cluster flew past with the sun rising from the horizon, adding a purple tint to the scattered red clouds ahead. Shift knew that the clouds were where they were headed due to the captain telling them. yet at the same time he didn't listen. Polyp may have been the captain, but he didn't have to be so rash about it. After that everything was calm and quiet for most of it. So to keep Shift occupied he watched the desert below him as it changed colors as the sun rose to shine its glory to all on the surface. Whilst the others chatted to themselves telepathically, one attempted to make small talk. "How are you feeling? I mean with this task." Mantis spoke in his mind making Shift snap out of the trance of the warm red dunes of the wasteland.

"Oh, I'm feeling pretty good yet a little nervous about messing up" he spoke in return, letting the words echo through his mind.

"Being nervous is being safe, well apart of it anyway. But it's normal for a nymph like you to be like that doing their first task for our Queen," Mantis gives an assuring smile to Shift.

"If you say so".

"Hey cheer up some! There is a reason to be here and that is your honor to be in this with us, 'For the fate of the Hive!' as my brood mother once said. That always cheered me up."

"you and I have very different ways to cheer up"

"How so?"

"Hush now. We are coming to the entrance to the forest," the captain rang in everyone's thoughts. And just as he said, they were closing in on a line where the sand intertwines with the little bundles of fallen branches twisted together. Shift felt his spine tingle as he tried to peer through the even more twisted trees but couldn't see within fifty yards of darkness beckoning for someone to waltz in. It felt the presence of a nightmare he once had as a kid when they landed in a line so none would get lost within the thickets. When Polyp made the call to move in moved like a flock of birds in the sky. Even with his cluster around him he still felt uneasy about the darkness looming within the unknown of this unkempt forest.

That is.. when some not far away from them rustled violently as though it was getting ready to produce a monster that could savagely rip them apart. Shift tensed and stepped back enough for Pincer to get a better look. Everyone was silent for the moment, holding their breath right as the Captain crept right up to it and shot him self into the bush making the bush it self stop its shivering after a sickening crack rang out of it. No one spoke a word for a moment until Polyp walked around the bush with a rabbit in his teeth lifeless, like it was drained of all it's bodily fluids. but they could see a red line from his neck trickle down the white fur. Polyp then tossed the rabbit Shift's way and it landed right in front of him. "There is a rule in this forest that I didn't learn until my third year alive," Polyp sounded more serious when it was dead silent, "And that is Survival of the Fittest. You mess up, and its game over for you. Hunt or be Hunted. Kill or BE Killed!"

Shift didn't know how to respond. He looked at the rabbit corpse and then at Polyp, stunned at the display and ruthlessness Polyp had performed. he nodded nervously, mainly for the last part Polyp had said. Polyp then wiped his mouth with his hoof and marched onward away from the cluster and they followed in suit. The cluster was even more silent this time that made shift wonder why he was in this cluster in the first. clearly there would have been some other thing he could be doing than be out in the field. maybe it had to do with something to do with this forest. sure it is a place that parents will not bring their children to, but why of all of a sudden he had to be with a cluster going out to investigate something strange. They spent two hours looking for this suspected mark with out finding a single clue.

"What are we looking for anyway?" Shift complained forcing them to stop to catch his breath.

"We are looking for a proper place to bury you," The azure armored captain replied.

"What?"

"You know, you are nothing special to us at all, you think that you came with us just because you were the special one?"

"What do you mean?" Shift asked stepping away alittle from Polyp.

"I mean the fact you were supposed to be dead long ago."

"That doesn't make sense at all! I did absolutely nothing to you Polyp"

"Not yet." Polyp then shot a bolt of green flame at Shift. With as much as he could muster, he missed the bolt by a few inches away from his snout. He then dodged another bolt from Polyp. Shift backed him self away from his cluster, now joining him side by side making a line alongside Polyp. "Is this where it ends today? Me in a thick forest with a group of butchers leading a lamb to the slaughter." Shift spoke out feeling betrayal consumed his being.

"This is where you die Shift," Polyp came closer to him getting him backed up into an old tree with his horn glowing a very dense emerald flame at the tip. when he gave the word to fire, Shift ducked under five bolts at once and high tailed out of there. from as far he could tell, all he could do right now is run. He had to dodge all the emerald flames spewing out to take ahold of him. He snaked through the gnarled branches snagging his wings that felt like the were going to break at any moment while the cluster he had sided with closing in on him. With a shout, the captain shot out a much bigger flame at Shift and this time, hit its mark as he tumbles over a large rock and vanishes from view. They slow to see where he had fallen to see his body falling to a raging river below, sweeping him away to a watery grave.

"The Deed for the Queen has been done," Polyp confirmed with the rest of the cluster, "Now we shall report back to the Hive and revel in our accomplishment today against a dead Changeling". the cluster then turned away from the rock and buzzed their wings and flew off.

Finally being washed up on a sandy shore guided by a log freed from a rock sticking out of the water, Shift lay there fighting to stay conscious. He inches himself from the freezing waters and more on to the warm grains of sand beneath his shattered body and collapsed there. it was then he began to sob to himself. he couldn't do anything to prevent being betrayed so quickly in just a quick notice. Neither could he prevent Jack being shot by....

Jack....

The thought of him made him sob harder. He had left him behind for a new life, but this life is similar maybe even worse. There was nothing he could do to change what has already happened, so he lay his head on the hooves he crawled with to let himself close his eyes and slip away, noticing a white changeling across the now calming river watching him.

Author's Note

I'm now back! And from now on I'll keep up the pace while going to school. I very much apologize for the Hiatus.