Begining To End... And the begin again
The sun beat down like scorching rays of fire. Summer had arrived, and many could say it just made the ponies of Ponyville more eager to stay indoors, with their magic-powered air-conditioners and all.
One being was on his way down the road of Ponyville, coming straight from Manehatten. He had been there for one of the "GaP Trixie and The Scoundrel" showing. Though it caused quite a stir. While many saw it as an act, the pony himself noticed the actual desperation in what The Scoundrel had been doing. Trying to save Trixie.
Well, that aside, everything else had been uneventful. He looked to the sky, with a sigh.
There was no reason to go anywhere, well... Anywhere else. He spent the past week enjoying himself, and such. But he came back to Ponyville again, with Two Days left to live.
Yes, two days. Why?
He was a changeling, that was half-pony. Aside from the occasional comment, he could be accepted in society. But, he had not had a love feed for a week.
He was close to his end...
... And then he passed out, right as he entered the town. The heat finally got 'em.
Twilight was on her way from the Carousel Boutique, trying to use a wing to cover her face from the sun. Today was one of the hottest summer days she knew of, and even with her magic, she couldnt do much except if in her home.
Now, she would have gone right home, if not seeing something on the edge of her vision. What in the worl-- Oh My Celestia, somepony collapsed!
She rushed over to see who it was, and nearly shot a high-charged magic bolt at him, out of fear.
This... Was no pony, it looked like a changeling stuck in Mid-Disguise as a pony!
What a disgrace. Even two years after the Canterlot attack, this changeling had the audacity to look like this. You think they would've learn.
Ready to execute him on the spot, she nearly smacked herself for trying. She couldn't do it, and there was no reason to try and kill it. It looked weakened, she thought to herself.
With a careful magic, she picked up him, and felt something rippling along her magic. She couldn't exactly place it. Desperation? Like he was mentally reaching for help?
She needed to learn more. This changeling certainly wasnt awake, so, she might as well make use of learning what she can.
The stallion changeling awoke slowly, with a groan. He felt cooler... And felt a rush of air, like a conditioner was on.
As soon as his eyes obeyed him, he looked around where he was. In a basement, maybe? Old dusty books lined shelves left untouched for years. Wait, he could read some titles! Why was changeling literature stored here?
He tried to move forward, but grunted, finding himself bounded. Looking to what held him, they were magically created bracers, not allowing movement in more than a few feed from where the chain originated.
Oh, so he was captured. Perfect. No doubt another hybrid hater. Or changeling hater. He's had the strength to deal with most of them, but this close to his Husk-Date, he could not bring his magical strength to par.
He then looked to the staircase at the far side of the room, and saw... Well, an alicorn. She was a beauty, wow. A sheen, well cared for lavender coat, with bright violet eyes. And that mane, which seemed brushed carefully to be able to hang off one shoulder, and a long tail, which looked made to keep onlookers from getting a good look at her flanks.
He watched as she walked straight to him, with a look that was... A very cute attempt at looking threatening.
...Then she started to speak.
"Who do think you are? Some sort of mockery? You're a disgrace, half disguising as a stallion."
What came next, made Twilight... Think.
He looked at her with a pained look, and spoke with a two toned voice.
"You and who else keeps thinking that, eh? All I hear... Is empty insults. I was BORN this way. And im dying. Simple enough." He sighed and let himself lay on the floor, legs against his belly, and head on his forehooves.
"I have no strength. I planned for the next to days to be peaceful. I could enjoy some quiet time in a small town. Why am i to die? No one would love a hybrid. So, if you're going to, kill me. Just make it fast."
Silence.
Two minutes later, more silence.
After five minutes passed, the sound of chains breaking ( metaphorically, as it was magic) could be heard.
And the alicorn with a voice of mixed emotion. Hard to tell what she was thinking at the time.
"N-no, Im not a killer. Im sorry. I thought... You'd be a threat. I've fought Queen Chrysalis and her drones. I was scared that another incident might occur"
She sounded... Well, regretful and remorseful of her actions to him. Which, was a very first.
Slowly he brought himself to a sitting position, looking to her.
Now with a proper look, this was Twilight's first thought.
He... Was... Tall. And big. But it was mostly muscle on his body, and not changeling armor.
What he said next surprised her.
"I can see you're trying to look me over. If you want to study me, i won't object"
It was funny, as he seemed to have found her soft spot. She squeed a bit, with an incredibly cute face.
"You mean it, do you mean it?!"
She was practically ready to burst. The chance at studying a changeling?
"I do mean it, yes. I don't have anything better to do."
Just five minutes later, he found himself standing up, and standing still, not moving an inch. He was poked and prodded by soft lavender hooves on occasion, the young alicorn mumbling things under her breath as she observed and took note on various things about his body.
What he was clueless to, was how close she tried to be.
This changeling pony hybrid was something of... Wonder. He was well behaved, a gentlecolt to her, and obviously was independabt from a Hive-Mind.
As for his body, it was... Strange. His legs weren't as blocky as a normal stallion's, and could be described as a soft mix of a mare's and stallion's legs, built with a changeling exo-skeleton armor around it. The armor was thin, but there. No wonder his body looked gray.
His wings, they were scary, almost. They were jet black, but semi-transparent. Fully capable of flight, if at full strength. Well, maybe. They had the perfect pegasus wing shape, but the changeling in him kept it from being like an alicorn's.
Why was it Twilight started to feel bothered? This wasn't at a what should be happening! She was doing this for science! She wanted to learn about changeling anatomy!
She... She was taking pity on him. Look at him. He may try to be strong but was weak and "scrawny". This wasn't his full form.
Twilight gave a quiet sigh. Who, of all ponies could help him...?
Thats when she heard the cannon firing in the Library's Main Foyer. Of COURSE! The one pony who cant find faults in anypony.
A Bit Faster Than Twilight's Flying
Author's Note
Alt Title: A writer's block is a bitch
A Bit Faster Than Twilight's Flying
A Bit Faster Than Twilight's Flying
Pinkie was casually walking through Ponyville , wearing her umbrella hat, and having a small bounce as she walked. It may be hot outside, but it didn't dampen her mood. She never could really be sad, unless Pinkinema tried to come out again. But, that's very rare to happen.
Pinkie's ears started to twitch though, and not in the other way she had her senses tuned to. This was something she hadn't felt in a LONG time...!
Somepony NEW was in Ponyville!!
She seemed to dash off, to where she lived, at Sugar Cube Corner, to gather what she would need for this new party. Where to host it, though?
Say, why not Twilight's library? That place is rarely used anyways, for much else.
As it was though, it'd take too long to walk to Sugar Cube Corner. With a quick blink, her eyes turned a bright blue, as she stepped forward once, and found herself in her room. Wow, that still works? Note to self: 4th wall breaking is still easy.
Why are you saying this out-loud Pinkie?! We have viewers reading...!
The pink mare shook her head to clear her thoughts, and the went to her "party chest". Out of it, she pulled basic party supplies. Ribbons, streamers, confetti. The bigger things she's already loaded in the cannon, as a precaution. Sadly, she didnt know this new pony's preferences... Or if he was anti-social or not.... Or if he liked parties at all...
Well, she had one way of finding that out. Quickly packing up whatever else she would need, she made for the Library, knowing she could leave her cannon behind, for now.
Upon quietly entering the library, Pinkie found a clutter of books on the nearby table, as she would've expected. Rather than clearing the table and putting the books away, like she normally did, she instead started to inspect the subject of the books.
What in the world, Pinkie thought, is Twilight trying to figure out? Changeling Biology books, sorely lacking details...
And a cross referencing book as well, between the two races? Has Twilight finally gotten crazy?
Pinkie had spent a good minute or two trying to figure out just why Twilight would need these books. Even in Pinkie's logic, it made no sense...
Oh, well, maybe just ask Twili--
No, her basement door is closed. She's doing private study again.
...Well, that means there's no way she could say no! Pinkie smiled and started to hop around the Main Foyer of the library, taking the ribbons and streamers she had, and started to decorate the place. Sure, she could stuff it all in the cannon and fire it off, but, she felt picky today. It had to be done by hoof.
And, taking less than a few minutes, she had the place decorated to her liking. And, with a sudden bright smile, pulled her Party Cannon from out of nowhere, annnddd...
You know... For a guy that had been captured in a heat stroke, and slightly interrogated, and then offered another chance, you'd think he'd be reluctant to socialize.
But, he and Pinkie hit it off almost too easily. First it was greeting, and now, it was full blown conversation.
Pinkie, she was having fun just learning about him.
"So, let me get this right. You're name is Calwin Viziguarde, in relation to being a Changeling Vanguard?"
Calwin, the name of the Changeling Pony hybrid, gave a nod while snacking on a cookie from the treat table Pinkie had... Somehow gotten from a cannon.
"Well, Ex-Vanguard. I haven't seen Chrysalis since the Canterlot attack. And, i want to... Apologize, on her behalf. She went crazed with the need to gain love somehow, for her kind."
Pinkie circled Calwin like a hound a few times, before sitting down infront of him.
"For a Vanguard, you're kinda... Thin. Scrawny. I thought you'd've had more muscle!"
Calwin chuckled a bit, but nodded a response.
"I did, before my body slowly degraded because of my lack of my energy source. I still feed off love, even if I have half a pony's biological system."
Pinkie seemed to make a pouty face at that. Wait, what was she--
"Well, I for one think you deserve love, even if different forms than you're used to! Like the love of Friendship!"
Before Calwin could object, he got tackled and hugged VERY tightly by a certain Pink Pony.
Now, while it was never shone, this Pinkie had a very specific reason why she could do all she could. She had a horn.
This Calwin could feel, as Pinkie had buried her head right into his neck, and was struggling slightly to get up.
It was short. Very short. A stump that could be hidden by her mane, no doubt about it.
But, what Calwin saw, had him... Well, to better explain it, a small heart rose from Pinkie's head. It wasnt pure red, but more of a rainbow-ish coloring. He didn't know what it was, till it touched his own horn, and got absorbed almost on instant.
Calwin. He was stunned, for better wording. He could feel his body trying to assimilate this... New kind of love.
Needless to say, it made him feel better than he had in months
Calwin, however, found his words in one simple question.
"... Why?"
Pinkie looked up from where she was, and smiled.
"Be-CAUSE silly! No pony can be their best without the love friendship brings. And you accepting it means you think I'm a friend!"
"Pinkie, you did that totally out of Context."
Calwin then got a hoof pushed against his chest, with bright blue eyes infront of his face now.
"Im Pinkie Pie. I dont need rules! Plus, you needed it, right?"
"Well, yeah, but--"
"Then no complaining, mister. You should be allowed to have love. Even in Friendship form"
Calwin sighed, and knew he'd get nowhere with this... Strange mare. But, he couldn't argue.
It was night, and all of Ponyville were in their homes, after a large party Pinkie had hosted.
Why is that? Well, after much convincing, Calwin gave into allowing Pinkie to have the welcome party she planned. Almost everypony in town came, which was just a little under One-hundred. This WAS a small town. Twilight described it as "a place where everypony knows everypony".
She wasn't wrong, that much was solid. It seemed to be so.
Now, what happened at the party... Was hard to remember. Very hard...
Calwin suddenly started to become aware of his surroundings, finding himself waking up in the Library... On a bed. His mind was a jumble of mixed up thoughts and memories, that didnt make sense. And what didnt make any sense at all, was why he felt... Twilight sleeping next to him, and Pinkie Pie ontop of him. He could tell both were snoring, and it was dark, as his biological clock told him.
He raised his head and was suddenly hit with a strong headache, and nearly groaned out in pain, if not for his will to not disturb the mares around him. But, with careful hooves, he tried to get Pinkie off of him, to place next to Twilight. He succeeded, and then got out of bed and went right for the balcony.
He gave a long sigh as he got a refreshing breath of fresh air. He went over to sit at the end of the balcony, next to the railing. No lights blocking the sky's stars out here. In fact, if he didn't have any kind of changeling low-light vision, he could still see. As he stood there, he tried to recollect any memories of what happened.
He knew that the party had happened, as the taste of cake was in his mouth. And... A mix of cotton Candy and Vanilla...
He flicked his ears at that. At the taste, he could remember a few key words...
"Lets not speak about this... Even if it helps you...."
Calwin felt as if he should try and dive into anything he could remember. But the sounds of the balcony doors opening caught his attention. Turning his head around, he saw... What seemed to be a very tired Twilight walking towards him.
The lavender mare said nothing, as she went over next to Calwin, and did the same as he was doing. She seemed to be thinking things over as much as him. She, however, did not see Calwin from the balcony door. So when she turned her head to her left, she nearly jumped in surprise
"G-GHYAH! Calwin?! You're awake? But, how come--"
Calwin did not let her finish. Softly pressing a hoof to her lips, he silenced her, as he spoke
"How come I am out here? Im... Trying to remember what happened last night. Its mostly a blur. And I cant even remember what happened BEFORE the party."
Twilight felt her cheeks go red. This was because, for the first time in her life, a stallion as nice as Calwin... Was taking slight dominance of the situation. It felt oddly nice. But, Twilight could suppress those desires that are pretty much locked away in any mare, and then re-collect herself. Enough to push away his hoof slowly, and speak in a voice that... Almost not her's at all.
A smooth undertone, trying to sound older than she was.
"W-Well... The baseline of last night events had almost everything to do with you. First, you beat up a sexual assaulter, who was a colt in a love-fantasy with me. Then you rescued Pinkie from a kitchen fire. And then, we both repaid you... With a lot of nuzzling and kissing. You got drunk off of the amount. I... Sorta got to document your reaction. When a changeling takes it, its normal. When they willingly receive it, especially from two young mares..."
Twilight didn't finish. She didn't know the right words.
Calwin found himself looking over the balcony once again. He couldn't remember anything. But, he knew Twilight wouldn't lie. She seemed to be the type that would be very bad at it. Though, he could be wrong.
He, however, couldn't remember, and he would leave it at that. He looked over to Twilight, who was slightly dozing off again. She only came out here because of him, huh?
He sighed. And then moved over to her, and slowly slipped under her so she could lay on his back. She did not object at all, and soon enough they both were heading back inside.
He then heard Twilight whisper in his ear.
"You also helped us find... A new version of love. Rainbow Colored... Friendship love?"
Calwin chuckled a bit, and nodded
"Pinkie beat you to it."
Twilight just gave a small snort, and seemed to settle down.
Calwin brought her back to the bed, and made sure she got laid down first, before getting in with her. She proceeded to use his side as his pillow, and lay up against his back. Which was just fine with him.
And for Calwin, he fell asleep calmly. Just like that.
Twilight awoke in the dreamscape. A place she's been visited upon numerous occasions.
She expected Luna to come out and greet her as usual, but instead, it was... Calwin?
No wait, she was experiencing a Fantasy-Dream. She was in a position like Luna normally is.
The Calwin in her dream seemed to trot off till he stopped and looked behind him. And suddenly a Pink, Purple, and Green blur shot at Calwin, bowling him over. When things calmed, Pinkie (with WINGS?!), Twilight, and... What.
Twilight saw that she and Pinkie looked to be hybrid-ed by Changeling DNA. The armor around the barrel, the slightly darker hooves... Explains Pinkie's wings.
Twilight had no idea what to think. Then she heard a voice.
"Continue on the path you have set, this is your future. You can change it, but it would need to be soon"
Twilight identified this as Luna's. But, suddenly, Two Voices intruded. One o-so familiar, and one new.
"Do not listen to mother, Twilly. This is a path of Love. You shouldn't have to be told this."
"And that changeling was once one of my finest. He deserves good mares. Unlike... Unlike i was to him."
Twilight's eyes went wide as she looked around. Chrysalis?! She sounded like she was younger and weaker, but with a smoother and motherly voice.
But, Twilight jolted awake, instead of asking questions, like she had a nightmare. Looking around, Calwin was still next to her, Pinkie was lazily laying and snoring across the length of the bed next to Twi.
She scrambled a tiny bit, got up, and rushed downstairs. She had a letter to write.
"Do they suspect anything?"
"No, Lady Luna. Not from what I can tell."
"...Aythir, keep watch on them. And send a letter to Cadence. Tell her, that Me and my sister need to see her prisoner."
"At once, Lady Luna"
The sound of an armored pony was heard barely in the dark of the night. A sigh came from the Lunar Princess.
"Twilight... Why couldn't we have left you out of this...."