The Reluctant Changelingby The Dapper ChangelingChaptersPrologue - Autumn HeartChapter 1 - Into the SwarmChapter 2 - The TourPrologue - Autumn HeartAs the sun began to fall from its highest point in the sky, Autumn Heart came to a sage conclusion: Celestia was a monster from Tartarus in disguise. She’d been staying in Dodge City, a former frontier, much like Appleloosa, that was growing into its own respectable status. Autumn Rush had been in Dodge City for a week, and for seven straight days, it had been bright and sunny. Too bright, too sunny, and too blasted hot. The Earth Pony stopped for a second, wiping the sweat off her brow. Yeah, far too hot. Still, she gave a sigh, a soft smile gracing her lips. The only reason she’d come here, the reason she’d stayed in this town in the middle of nowhere for the week, was her colt friend: Mist Chaser. A bright grey Pegasus with a dirty blonde mane, whose job was to follow rain clouds when the weather team was done, and make sure the moisture stayed where it needed to be. She wouldn't pretend she understood it, being an Earth Pony. However, all she needed to know was that he was a sweet, awkward stallion, who seemed to always make time from his job as a weather pony to see her. Her job took her around Equestria, as a professional runner for the annual ‘Running of the Leaves’, but only around the fall season. Still, somehow, he found a way to travel with her. She had headed out into town for a walk, wanting to keep her body in as much shape as her mind and relationship. The town was Mist Chaser’s home town, where he’d been born and raised. Honestly, she questioned how, in this sun scorched town, her colt friend could have found out his talent involved rain. Even with her mind occupied though, Autumn could hardly keep the spring out of her step. When Mist had offered to bring her to Dodge City while he visited family, she had accepted without a second thought. He’d followed her around so much, and she’d never even heard him talk about his family. And yet, when they’d arrived, Mist had met his family at the train station. Mist introduced her to them, and they regarded her kindly enough, before pulling Mist away to discuss some “private family business.” When Mist came back, he seemed to be very happy, beaming even. And that was the last Autumn had seen of Mist’s family. They were staying by themselves in a small, one bedroom home, tucked away from the rest of the town, to the point Autumn would almost call it hidden. So, with the idea that he wanted to introduce her to his family obviously wrong, Autumn had begun to wonder why Mist had wanted to bring her to Dodge City. Especially since it seemed that he was very nervous on the whole train ride over, and even when there, even when they were laying together in his home, Mist seemed like he was on edge. For the life of her, Autumn couldn't figure it out. Adding to the mystery was the fact that Mist had taken to vanishing during the day, and she had even once woken up to find him missing when Luna’s moon was high above. When she confronted him about this, Mist had only said he was “Making preparations” and that she would “find out soon enough, and he hoped it’d make her the happiest mare in Equestria.” It was after that, Autumn could only think of a single, logical reason for his actions, and when she’d thought of it, she’d let out a happy little squeal that she’d deny making as long as she lived. Mist Chaser was going to propose. It all made so much sense as she turned the events again and again in her mind. He’d wanted to propose in his home town, maybe even planning a sappy speech about how ‘his life began in Dodge City, so their shared life should begin there to.’ He asked his parents for their blessing and help, and he’d been heading out to prepare the wedding ceremony, and in the night… Well, that remained a bit odd, but still. Nothing else made sense. And since that thought a few days ago, she had been nearly skipping when she was away from him, like now. However, a voice pulled her out of her happy revelry. A voice that would change her life forever, in a worse way than she ever dreamed. “Oh, Misty….” The voice was feminine, and spoken with a gasp and a giggle that hinted at naughty thoughts. It teased Autumns ears, making the mare wonder if she’d even heard it, or if it was just a sudden, paranoid thought. However, the next sound burned her even more than the first. “You want me to stop?” It was Mist. There was no doubt in her mind. She’d recognize his voice anywhere. And she recognized how he spoke: That teasing edge, the soft chuckle that rang out, lecherous intentions on his voice. B-But no. Autumn shook her head, refusing to believe it. Mist would never… Peeking her head around the corner, she saw what she was terrified to find. Her Pegasus, walking side by side with another mare, a bright yellow Pegasus, and nibbling on her wings softly as they walked. A few ponies snorted and looked away, mumbling about indecency, others blushed and scampered into buildings they suddenly had a deep interest in. Autumn, however, couldn't stop staring, abject horror playing across her face. “I didn't say that.” The yellow mare cooed, giggling softly again. “C’mon, my place is right here.” She told him, turning and pulling a key from her still folded free wing. She turned to unlock her door, squealing and jumping a bit as Mist nipped again. Giving the cheating stallion a look that seemed to mix annoyance, arousal, and joy, the mare pulled her wing back and bopped him in a teasing manner on the nose. “Wait ‘til we’re inside Mist. You’re incorrigible, I swear.” “Only around you.” He responded smoothly, but pulled back, behaving as he let her unlock the door and lead him inside. As the door closed behind them, Autumn could only stare in horror and heartbreak. She felt as though her dreams of marriage had shattered, leaving sharp shards to carve her heart apart. Tears sprang to her eyes, her hooves shaking, her legs dropped out from under her, bringing her to her knees. She couldn't bring herself to stop the tears, barely able to breath. She found that she gathered a small crowd of ponies, each asking if she was OK, what was wrong. She waved them off, shaking her head, and doing all she could to not begin to break down bawling. Her teeth began to draw blood from her lips as she sniffled. She refused to break down, refused to make any more of a spectacle of herself. Mumbling quick thanks and reassurances to the kind ponies around her, she gritted her teeth, staring at the door her love and happiness had walked through. Just as soon as the tidal wave of sorrow swept her away, it receded, leaving a burning fury. Rage like she had never felt, filling her entire being. She’d cry more later, give into the pain and let it all out, but now, she was going to make herself known, and the earth pony didn't think she could be held accountable for what was about to happen. With a single mighty buck, the door broke off its hinges, sailing a respectable three inches before it hit the ground, clattering into the darkness of the home. The home smelt empty, like there was no one home, and that the owner of the home had merely stepped out. Autumn was vaguely aware that she looked like a burglar, a mad-pony, kicking in the door of some poor pony’s home. She didn't care. She knew that’d be the least of things she’d have to explain to the sheriff when he caught her. The furious, heart-broken mare, made her way from hallway to hallway quickly, when the sound of a shift on a bed alerted her. “Oooh…” The sound was soft, laced with pleasure, and made her blood boil even further. Bucking the door that contained the sound down, she turned, her mind cooking up a number of furious things to say. However, all that fury died on her tongue at what she saw. On the bed before her lay not her now-ex-colt friend and the yellow mare, but instead, a pony shaped monstrosity. The black shelled being was holding itself over the mare, who wore a dazed, open mouthed look of pleasure. Above her, the monster had its mouth open, and a sickly green gaseous cloud was flowing from her mouth to its. While Autumn had never seen one for herself, she knew what was ahead of her. She gave a gasp, her breath caught and held by fear. “Ch-Change…ling...” She breathed, her mind strangled by terror. The creatures name caused its ear to twitch, followed a second later by its head turning to face her, the eyes narrowing in an attempt to intimidate. However, when its eyes met hers, they shot open, wide with shock. The stream of…whatever, was broken, the mare below blinking her eyes, as though trying to wake up from a long sleep, as the Changeling moved its mouth. “A-Autumn?” It knew her name. It knew her name!! The changeling knew her bucking name!!! Taking a step back, even as the Changeling turned to advance on her, she could only respond in one way. “Changeling!!” She shrieked, hoping anypony would hear her, and turning to run. She didn't get a single step, as the Changeling lunged, trying to catch her and pull her back. He missed, however, and caught her in the side, making her lose her balance and trip, her head slamming painfully into the wall, stunning the poor mare. From behind her, she heard another scream, and another call of Changeling, before the Changeling hissed, almost sounding like it spoke. “Buck me…” It hissed, its voice almost sounding panicked. Turning its attention to the yellow mare, her scream cut out suddenly. Autumn tried to pull herself to her hooves, her head still swimming, as she felt the Changeling approach from behind. “I’m so sorry Autumn, please, forgive me…I’ll try to fix this…”It said, its voice sounding oddly like Mist’s for a moment, before she felt a sudden warmth at the back of her head. The magic took effect and her vision swam, darkening before finally going dark. Consciousness came and went for Autumn Heart. And each time her mind rose from the darkness, she was aware of a different sensation. First, she felt like she was being carried, her dangling hoof and the wind hinting she was being flown somewhere. The next time she was aware of her own mind, she felt a cold stone floor, the air warm and dank, moisture heavy in the air. Voices floated, each sounding like they were a million miles away, and like they were being muffled. “…id you bring her here?” A female voice, and even with Autumn’s scattered mind, she could hear the regality behind the voice. It must be one of the princesses. That made some shred of sense to her battered mind. “It’s not her fault, your Highness.” Yeah, it was the princesses, but the voice speaking now eluded her. It sounded so familiar, but so alien. “I made the mistake. I screwed up. She doesn't deserve to die over it though!” Die? Was she dying? She felt like it. Her whole body felt heavy, drained. She couldn't muster the energy to feel happy or sad, or anything. Her mind had to slog through a swamp of fatigue to even remember her own name. “Please, save her…” There was silence for a long few seconds, and idly, Autumn wondered if she had slipped back into unconsciousness. Finally, there was a voice again. “Very well. For you, Mystax.” The voice came. “You've been a loyal servant to the throne, and provided more than your fair share of love. However, understand this. When she wakes, she will be your responsibility. You will be expected to teach her our ways, our laws, and to keep her from rampaging, or giving our location away. If you fail, then banishment shall be the minimum punishment for both of you. Likely, she will be put to death.” The words she heard made her heart jump to life, pounding in her chest, fear racing through her body. What were they talking about? She’d be put to death? But, weren't they saving her? What was going on!? No sooner than she thought this, she felt something being pulled from her. It terrified her, as she felt her breath leaving her, her body feeling even heavier. She felt her mind giving in, her consciousness fading again, as though it was being pulled from her very body. Was this it? Was this how it all ended? She wished she had the energy to cry as she heard her mouth speak. “M-Mist…” She breathed, and then lay still. Just like that, Autumn Heart was dead. Chapter 1 - Into the SwarmSounds came muddied and muted to Autumn Heart. She thought she heard voices, but they all sounded far-away. Kinda like, she idly noted, being underwater, and hearing somepony talk. Despite this, the mare was overjoyed. The last thing she remembered was feeling like she was dying. The sensation of every ounce of care, hope, and energy leaving her body. Maybe she had been in an accident, or gotten sun-stroke or something, and was currently laying in a hospital, hearing the voices of the doctor and nurse. Though, the bed did seem a touch hard for a hospital. Taking a few moments, Autumn decided to take stock of herself. Maybe she could figure out what was wrong. The first thing she noticed was, despite the muffled voices, they seemed really loud. She had good enough hearing, she supposed, but this sounded like they were speaking directly by her ear. Not yelling, but, still louder than she’d expect. Second, her body seemed really light. She was never a heavy mare, but as an Earth Pony, she was used to carrying around a fair bit of weight. But now, she felt… Well, she felt like a Pegasus! Whatever that was about, she hoped it stayed. It’d do wonders for her running. However, this bright, optimistic feeling faded when she opened her eyes, and saw only blackness. Giving a startled shriek, she snapped up, and as her mouth came to a close, she noticed something very wrong. Two of her teeth had elongated. A lot. In fact, one could even say she’d grown fangs! She felt muscles in her back that she’d never felt before twitch, and the sound of fluttering reached her ears, which even now, were beginning to clear. “It seems our newest addition is awake.” The first voice grumbled, his voice low, with a metallic twinge to it. The voice dripped with authority, as though he knew he was in charge, and that anypony in the room would bow to his will just because he commanded it. “Remember what we spoke of M…Mist. I’ll be in the hall.” And with that, there was a swishing noise. Like a tail of a pony who turned quickly, and hoof-steps leading away. The second voice gave a soft sigh, and spoke. This voice sounded very familiar, almost like her own Mist Chaser. “Of course, sir.” Suddenly, there was another noise, one that Autumn couldn't begin to identify, followed by a third voice, one she recognized all too well. It WAS Mist Chaser! “Hey there, sleepy head. You OK?” His voice was soft, concerned. She’d heard his voice like that a few times before, usually when she’d hurt herself, or gotten sick. “I…I thi- ACK!” Autumn stopped talking, giving a shout of surprise and fear when she heard her voice. It sounded very, very wrong. It had a metallic tinge to it, as though she was speaking through a fan. “M-Misty!? W-What’s going on!? Why is my voice like this? What happened? I…I think I remember a Changeling…did you save me?” Mist gave a frighteningly humorless laugh, one that sounded a little sad. “Y-Yeah. I guess you could say that.” He said slowly. “Listen, Autumn? I…need to tell you something.” “Oh Celestia…” Autumn gave a soft moan, almost a whimper. “Don’t tell me, you’re a criminal, and I got to close?” She asked, giving a little hopeful chuckle. Feeling Mist’s forelegs wrap around her, pulling her into a hug. She returned the hug, idly wondering why he didn't stroke her mane like he usually did. After a few seconds of deafening silence, Mist returned the chuckle. “…Kinda.” He said simply, pulling back. “Heart? You’re going to have to listen to me, and trust me, ok? Take some deep breaths.” “M-Mist? You’re scaring me sweetie. Wh-“ “Just trust me.” Was the stallions only response. Autumn complied, closing her blinded eyes and taking several deep breaths, forcing her fears to the back of her mind. Mist Chaser was here. The stallion she loved. He’d never hurt her, right? He’d keep her safe. “…Alright.” She said after a moment. “I’m calm. Now, Mist, please… What’s going on?” She felt a tugging at the back of her head, and after a moment, she felt a pressure ease from her eyes. She had been blindfolded? Why!? Slowly opening her eyes, what she saw nearly pushed her back into a fit of panic. Instead of the clean, sterile walls of a hospital, like she’d been expecting, dirty cave walls, illuminated by flickering torches of bright green flame met her eyes. Mist Chaser stood, just as she’d expected him, with a soft smile on his face, his eyes full of sorrow and worry. Her eyes met his, and her voice came with quite a bit less steady than she intended. “Mist…M-Mist Chaser…” She stopped to swallow her fear, before continuing. “W-Where are we? What’s going on?” Her beloved coltfriend responded with a soft sigh, looking away. He reached a hoof up and laid it on one of her fore-legs comfortingly. Looking down to his hoof, Autumn Heart saw something that chilled her blood, and made her shriek with terror. Her beloved orange-red fur, colored after her name, and the leaves she made her living with, was gone. What instead greeted her when she looked to herself, was a shiny, black leg. The outside made up of a solid, chitinous mass, holes dotting her hoof. What she saw was not the leg of a pony, or even the tell-tale cast of an injury. She saw the hoof of a Changeling. And Autumn Heart did the only thing that she felt she could do. She crawled away from her leg, trying desperately to get away, as though she could crawl away from her own skin. Looking up to Mist Chaser, her eyes widened in terror as she saw a flash of green flame engulf the stallion she had spent the last two years of her life with, leaving a cruel mockery of him. The monster before her had Mist’s same jawline, one that somehow mixed colt-hood charm, and the strength of a stallion. His eyes, though now semi-luminescent, pupil-less masses of blue, held the same worry and fear. Even his posture seemed like her coltfriend. But there was no way. Her back finding the wall with a sudden thunk, the mare put her hooves to her head, only to find a horn growing from the center of her forehead, causing her breath to come even shorter. “N-No! No no no no no no!!” She babbled, fear and shock sending her mind reeling. The thing that looked like Mist Chaser offered his hoof, coming closer. “Autumn…” He started, his voice being one of the two she’d heard earlier. That faulty imitation of Mist’s. Autumn shook her head fiercely once more, cringing away from his touch. “No!! Get away from me!!” She cried. “T-This is a nightmare!! Y-You’re not Mist Chaser!!” “I am…” The THING lied, slowly coming closer. “Autumn, listen, you need to c-“ “SHUT UP!” The panicked mare screamed, her heart pounding even faster as a second Changeling, this one a little taller and a little bulkier than the one that was wearing Mist’s face a few seconds ago, came from an opening on the far wall, a door. The new Changeling was clad in dark blue-purple armor and a matching helmet. And his horn was glowing with sickly green magic. “No!! Stay away!!” She cried, even as she saw the blast of green come forth and smother her vision. Somehow, her body felt heavy, as though she hadn't slept in days. Her eyes came crashing down. Despite all this, the pony-turned-Changeling shook her head once more. “No…P-Princess Luna…Mist…help…” She murmured, before the magically called sleep claimed her. Autumn groaned, shaking the sleep off. She couldn’t tell how long it’d been, which did nothing to slate the panic growing in her chest once more. Now, however, she felt her legs tied, all four of them, pinned to the rock that she’d been sleeping on. Sorrow, fear, and defeat clutching her chest, she began to sob to herself, only to find a solid knot of cloth held the sound in her mouth. The room hadn’t changed, and fake-Mist and the other Changeling stood talking in hushed tones. Even still, she could hear their voices clear as day. Chalk that up to her oddly enhanced hearing. “I told you this was a bad idea Mystax, I don’t know how you convinced the Queen to allow her to wake like this.” The bigger male spoke, a soft snort sounding out to accentuate his displeasure. “Why do you think we leave the husks in the cocoons until they relent?” “I know, sir.” Mystax, evidently the name of the not-Mist Changeling, replied, his voice low, dripping with irritation. “But I couldn’t do that to her, I just couldn’t.” “And why, sergeant is that?” The bigger asked, beginning to walk around the lower ranking Changeling. Mystax was quiet, his eyes unreadable to Autumn. However, his face twitched, every so subtly, just under his right eye. It was a twitch she had seen on Mist often, when he restrained his own anger or annoyance. He then spoke, saying something that was far too low for Autumn, and apparently even the older male. Pushing his face into Mystax’s, the male spoke coolly, knowing he had the upper hoof. “What was that? I’m afraid I didn’t hear you, sergeant.” He spat the rank like it was an insult. “I said, ‘because I love her.’” Mystax repeated through gritted teeth. “Captain.” He added, the delay just long enough to convey his emotion towards this older male. “Pathetic. A Changeling, falling in love with food.” The captain said with a cruel laugh. “I’ll give you one more chance, and then, I’m ordering her execution, and your banishment, understood?” Mystax’s jaw tightened, another sign Autumn recognized from Mist. A sign of growing fury. “Yes. Sir.” Mystax responded, both words punctuated with anger. “Good. Now, I’m going to stand outside, once more. If I hear any shouting, that’s it, and this husk will be put to death.” And with that, the male turned, and headed out of the doorway once more. Letting out a labored sigh, Mystax turned to Autumn, walking ever closer. As he raised a hoof to her face, Autumn felt her breath speeding up, and struggled in vain to get away from the Changeling. “Easy, Heart. I swear I’m not going to hurt you, alright?” She wanted to get away, to flee as far as she could, and yet, she felt…something. It was akin to patience and hope. It felt like she was trying to soothe a scared filly. But, she knew for a fact these weren’t her emotions, as she could also feel gut wrenching terror as well as the creeping sorrow that her life as she knew it was over. Her eyes must have betrayed her confusion, as Mystax chuckled softly. Humorlessly. “It’s me. My emotions. Changelings can feel other’s emotions, ya know.” She noticed his hoof had stuck itself in the air when her fear had flared up, almost as if he was waiting for her. Slowly, her heart rate calmed itself, and she nodded slowly. Mystax continued his path, coming to the knot behind her head that held the gag in place. Gasping in a fresh breath, she took a few deep breaths, both to get the taste of cloth out of her mouth, and to try to calm herself. “Y-You’re Mystax, right?” She asked slowly, still unused to her new voice. When the male nodded, she continued. “Were….Are you…I mean…” She trailed off, trying to think of how to phrase one of the questions that terrified her most. “You…You’re Mist Chaser?” The seconds that ticked by felt like an eternity to the mare turned Changeling before, almost in slow motion, Mystax nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, Autumn, I never meant for this to happen, and I-“ Well, he had Mist’s tendency to talk too much. “Aht!” She said, cutting him off in the same way she did before. “Mystax...I need to you to be truthful to me. What’s going to happen?” She wished her voice could match her words. Fear crept into her tone, making her words quiver. “I can feel that you know.” Mystax answered with a slight smile on his face. “And whatever you want, Autumn.” Autumn gave a dry, angry laugh. “I mean it! You think Her Majesty took you in just to kill you? No!” “No, I think she forced me in to ruin ponies lives. Just like…” She stopped, but her emotions told Mystax everything. She still felt betrayed and crushed at his reveal. Pushing the pain he felt to the side, Mystax shook his head. “No, not at all. You’re not forced to join the military! Just highly recommended.” He said, giving Mist Chaser’s trademark goofy grin in his best attempt to make her feel better. “But really, if you want to go back and turn your back on the Swarm, that’s alright!” The irritated snort from the hallway indicated not everypony (was it everypony? Autumn had no idea. How did Changelings refer to themselves?) thought so. “You can go back to running with the leaves and pretend none of this ever happened!” “I think the ship has sort of sailed on that one.” She responded, a soft smile gracing her face as she motioned to her tied hoof. “Well, we’ll teach you everything first. How to change, feed, use magic, and fly!” Again, his face split into a grin. Slightly unnerving with all the sharp teeth. Autumn idly ran her tongue over her own, finding them to be just as sharp. “Think about it, Autumn, you can fly now! And use magic! You’re like a mini-Alicorn!” The new Changeling couldn’t help but let a small giggle out at the image that presented. Although, she had always envied Mist for being able to fly, and to use magic? She had never dreamed something like that could happen. “So, listen,” He began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Captain Jerk-face out there wants you to scream and panic, to refuse to believe this and run out of the swarm and give him the excuse to kill you, and send me away forever. How about you give me a chance, I show you around, and we get to laugh in his stupid, smug face?“ He paused, before adding. “Metaphorically of course.” Autumn paused, looking at the doorway, where she knew the Captain stood waiting, listening, waiting for an excuse. Looking up at Mystax, she nodded, causing him to grin even wider than before. “Great! But first, we need to get you a new name.” Chapter 2 - The TourArista…The new name felt heavy on her tongue, and on her mind. It felt like a stamp, a guarantee her life would never be the same if she accepted the name as her own. Still, Mystax assured her she couldn’t keep her pony name. He joked it’d be like naming a pony hay-burger, making her shiver slightly at the implication. Still, after standing in the small room with a rather bored looking female changeling for nearly ten minutes, deciding her new name out of names Mystax suggested fairly randomly, she was happy to be moving. But not as happy as her new companion. “Gena, Gena, Gena, Gena!” The female changeling near sang, seemingly overjoyed as she moved alongside her two new friends. Unlike Arista, this mare seemed to love her new name. “Oh man, this is so awesome!” The new changeling said, smiling widely. Gena, even in her new changeling body, had a long mane, though it was filled with holes, that brushed against her chest on either side, swinging to match the excited female’s head. “I still don’t know what you’re so happy about…” Arista murmured glumly as the two turned another corner in the tight hallway, now beginning to head up a flight of stairs. “Don’t you realize we’ll never go back to being the ponies we were?” “I know!” Gena responded, her face splitting in a grin. “I don’t know about you, but I think that’s awesome!” “Why?” Arista couldn’t even begin to comprehend her new companion’s thoughts. To her, she’d miss her life, and it was the thought of going back to her old family and friends that made it all worth bearing. Made it possible to soldier on. “I don’t know about you, but I was an Earth Pony. I couldn’t fly, I couldn’t do magic, I couldn’t do anything! Not to mention, my family wasn’t exactly the closest it could be. Nopony will likely notice me gone. But the changeling that brought me told me that the changelings were, like, super tight-knit.” Gena chirped happily. “Wait, you spoke with the changeling who husked you?” Mystax asked with a blink. He looked shocked. “How?” “Well, truth be told, when I went to see him, I got a little excited and went to his house a little early. I opened the door, hoping to surprise him, and got a huge surprise myself! So, he started getting all aggressive, arching his back up and hissing, like this-“ she paused in her explination to mimic what she had just said, the hiss being little more than the female saying “Hssss”, but it got the point across, before straitening up and continuing. “and I ran up to him and started asking questions. Boy, did he look shocked!” She said with a laugh. “After he stopped being confused, he told me all about the swarm, and how it all worked. I asked if he could make me into a changeling, and, well, here I am!” “But why would you want to throw away what you are? Who you are? I mean, I just don’t understand?” “I didn’t really have anything or anypony there for me, so really, why not?” Gena said with a smile. “Alright girls,” Mystax cut in, coming to the top of the stairwell. “Here we are. Welcome to the Hive.” As he spoke, the three came through another doorway, this one leading to a walkway overlooking the entire spire. Both females took in the sight before them in astounded silence, seeing the central hub of the changeling community. Illuminated by both their eyes natural ability to see in the dark, as well as a few torches scattered sparkly around the circular drop, they saw changelings, much more than either of them had imagined, flying back and forth, coming from holes in the wall, both small and large, flying or crawling along the walls, just going about their lives. Some held young changelings, little more than small black shapes with a horn, big blue eyes darting around curiously, eager to take in this new world they’d arrived in. Two changelings flew side by side, one holding a strange green, nearly liquid orb, both chatting and laughing like any normal pair of friends would. The site was something that Arista could’ve never imagined. Changelings going around, just living in their day to day lives, not planning and plotting the destruction of pony-kind, not scheming how to bring down Celestia, just…living. Arista couldn’t help but just stare, baffled. Mystax noticed the female, and smiled. “That surprised? Yeah, most ponies think that we just exist to harass them, or that everyling is the same, going out to destroy them.” Mystax chuckled. “But then again, nopony seems to know that we actually eat love. “ Arista was quiet, thinking on what he said. Until Gena spoke up. “As cool as this view is, where are we going Myst?” Mystax chuckled once, then nibbled on his lip, a habit that Arista recognized as having to say something he didn’t want to. ”Well, we have a sort of…tradition.” Mystax said slowly, choosing his words carefully, leading the two along. “A tradition that we follow whenever we welcome new changelings to our ranks.” “Mist…” Arista slowly started, her tone warning. Changeling or not, this was still the Mist Chaser she knew for so many years. “What does this tradition entail?” “It…entails being shown around, introduced to how you eat, and…well…Meeting the queen.” “What!?” Arista shouted, her wings flaring in surprise as she nearly reared back. “You mean Queen Chrysalis!?” Gena blinked, looking between the two in surprise. She had only a single word to input regarding this news. “Neat!” “Now, listen, there’s a few rules when meeting Her Majesty. First is general royal stuff, bow when you walk in, and keep your eyes lower than hers. Don’t meet her eyes unless she tells you otherwise. Call her your Majesty, and only respond when spoken to, understand?” Both females nodded, feeling two very different emotions. Arista was scared, feeling fear racing along her back at the thought of meeting the changeling queen face to face, something that terrified her to the very core. She, as many other ponies had, had heard horrible rumors of the mysterious queen. That she was stronger than Celestia, and far crueler than Discord was at his worst. Gena, on the other hoof, was excited. She’d never met royalty, and she was excited to do so, and thought no more of it. The trio stood in front of a great wooden door, carved with beautiful swirling patterns that depicted a perforated heart, though one with strange proportions, much thinner than what Arista was used to seeing. The door opened, splitting the heart in two, and the sight that greeted the trio was that of regality. The Queen sat upon her throne, placed a full ponies body higher than the floor, with a pair of perfectly identical Changelings standing in front of the small stairwells that lead up to the platform that the throne was placed on. Chrysalis sat upon her throne, regarding the three Changelings that stood at her threshold. Mystax whispered to the pair, his voice low, but enough to carry over to the pair of females. “Walk with me. Stay about the same distance, and stop when I do, then bow your head. Let me do the talking.” Moving forward, the females followed his instructions, stopping a few steps short of the guards, and dipping his head, bending his knee in a bow. “My Queen, I bring before you two of our newest members of our swarm. They were both formerly ponies, and have chosen the names Arista and Gena. I have brought them before you to greet you and be welcomed into the Hive.” “This is the one that you brought to me, isn’t it?” The voice of the Queen filled the room, coated in confidence. As though she, and everyone else, knew that she owned the world. That the entire planet would bow to her whims, and beg to kiss her hoof. Idly, Arista noted that the heart shape on the door was those of the holes in the Queen's forelegs. “The one who’s life you ruined, and brought danger to the swarm?” Mystax winced visibly, sending a pang of sympathy through Arista. She had blamed him for ruining her life. But she couldn’t help but sympathize with being scolded by royalty. “Arista… Raise your head. I wish to see you…” Arista raised her head, looking upon the Changeling Queen. Shockingly, the mare’s eyes were soft, kind and gentle. “Y-Yes, you’re Majesty?” She asked slowly. “What life were you taken from?” The Queen spoke slowly, compassion in her words. “Who were you, little ‘ling?” “I was…I was Autumn Heart. I had…a brother, and I ran…I ran for the Running of the Leaves, all over Equestria.” “A lot of ponies knew you?” “N-No, you’re Majesty. At least, not personally. I-I mean, plenty may have recognized my face, but…” She trailed off, pain flaring in her…heart(?) with the knowledge of she no longer looked anything like what she once was. She hung her head, closing her eyes. She needed to let that go. She’d be back soon, right? She heard a soft buzz, followed by a soft thump, shocking her out of her melancholy. Looking up, she gave a soft gasp at the Queen right in front of her. Chrysalis’ face was unreadable, examining the former pony, before she brought a single leg up, and wrapped it softly around Arista’s shoulders, bringing her into a hug. “There now, little ‘ling. I can feel your pain…” She said softly, comfort in her voice. Gena looked up in surprise, her eyes catching Chrysalis. The Queen’s eyes were closed, her head dipping into the hug. “I know, it hurts to leave everything behind. But such is life, my dear. As you yourself know, fall must give way to winter, and winter to spring. Change is the very nature of life.” She said softly, comfortingly. Releasing the mare, she turned, and ascended the stairs. “And, you, Gena… What do you think of this?” “Oh, me? I’m happy to be here! I’ve never really had a family Ma’a- Erm, Majesty! And everything I’ve heard about Changeling’s seems great!” Chrysalis gave a soft smile. “But, um, miss Majesty?” Gena asked slowly, looking up to her. “Um…when do we eat?”
Prologue - Autumn HeartAs the sun began to fall from its highest point in the sky, Autumn Heart came to a sage conclusion: Celestia was a monster from Tartarus in disguise. She’d been staying in Dodge City, a former frontier, much like Appleloosa, that was growing into its own respectable status. Autumn Rush had been in Dodge City for a week, and for seven straight days, it had been bright and sunny. Too bright, too sunny, and too blasted hot. The Earth Pony stopped for a second, wiping the sweat off her brow. Yeah, far too hot. Still, she gave a sigh, a soft smile gracing her lips. The only reason she’d come here, the reason she’d stayed in this town in the middle of nowhere for the week, was her colt friend: Mist Chaser. A bright grey Pegasus with a dirty blonde mane, whose job was to follow rain clouds when the weather team was done, and make sure the moisture stayed where it needed to be. She wouldn't pretend she understood it, being an Earth Pony. However, all she needed to know was that he was a sweet, awkward stallion, who seemed to always make time from his job as a weather pony to see her. Her job took her around Equestria, as a professional runner for the annual ‘Running of the Leaves’, but only around the fall season. Still, somehow, he found a way to travel with her. She had headed out into town for a walk, wanting to keep her body in as much shape as her mind and relationship. The town was Mist Chaser’s home town, where he’d been born and raised. Honestly, she questioned how, in this sun scorched town, her colt friend could have found out his talent involved rain. Even with her mind occupied though, Autumn could hardly keep the spring out of her step. When Mist had offered to bring her to Dodge City while he visited family, she had accepted without a second thought. He’d followed her around so much, and she’d never even heard him talk about his family. And yet, when they’d arrived, Mist had met his family at the train station. Mist introduced her to them, and they regarded her kindly enough, before pulling Mist away to discuss some “private family business.” When Mist came back, he seemed to be very happy, beaming even. And that was the last Autumn had seen of Mist’s family. They were staying by themselves in a small, one bedroom home, tucked away from the rest of the town, to the point Autumn would almost call it hidden. So, with the idea that he wanted to introduce her to his family obviously wrong, Autumn had begun to wonder why Mist had wanted to bring her to Dodge City. Especially since it seemed that he was very nervous on the whole train ride over, and even when there, even when they were laying together in his home, Mist seemed like he was on edge. For the life of her, Autumn couldn't figure it out. Adding to the mystery was the fact that Mist had taken to vanishing during the day, and she had even once woken up to find him missing when Luna’s moon was high above. When she confronted him about this, Mist had only said he was “Making preparations” and that she would “find out soon enough, and he hoped it’d make her the happiest mare in Equestria.” It was after that, Autumn could only think of a single, logical reason for his actions, and when she’d thought of it, she’d let out a happy little squeal that she’d deny making as long as she lived. Mist Chaser was going to propose. It all made so much sense as she turned the events again and again in her mind. He’d wanted to propose in his home town, maybe even planning a sappy speech about how ‘his life began in Dodge City, so their shared life should begin there to.’ He asked his parents for their blessing and help, and he’d been heading out to prepare the wedding ceremony, and in the night… Well, that remained a bit odd, but still. Nothing else made sense. And since that thought a few days ago, she had been nearly skipping when she was away from him, like now. However, a voice pulled her out of her happy revelry. A voice that would change her life forever, in a worse way than she ever dreamed. “Oh, Misty….” The voice was feminine, and spoken with a gasp and a giggle that hinted at naughty thoughts. It teased Autumns ears, making the mare wonder if she’d even heard it, or if it was just a sudden, paranoid thought. However, the next sound burned her even more than the first. “You want me to stop?” It was Mist. There was no doubt in her mind. She’d recognize his voice anywhere. And she recognized how he spoke: That teasing edge, the soft chuckle that rang out, lecherous intentions on his voice. B-But no. Autumn shook her head, refusing to believe it. Mist would never… Peeking her head around the corner, she saw what she was terrified to find. Her Pegasus, walking side by side with another mare, a bright yellow Pegasus, and nibbling on her wings softly as they walked. A few ponies snorted and looked away, mumbling about indecency, others blushed and scampered into buildings they suddenly had a deep interest in. Autumn, however, couldn't stop staring, abject horror playing across her face. “I didn't say that.” The yellow mare cooed, giggling softly again. “C’mon, my place is right here.” She told him, turning and pulling a key from her still folded free wing. She turned to unlock her door, squealing and jumping a bit as Mist nipped again. Giving the cheating stallion a look that seemed to mix annoyance, arousal, and joy, the mare pulled her wing back and bopped him in a teasing manner on the nose. “Wait ‘til we’re inside Mist. You’re incorrigible, I swear.” “Only around you.” He responded smoothly, but pulled back, behaving as he let her unlock the door and lead him inside. As the door closed behind them, Autumn could only stare in horror and heartbreak. She felt as though her dreams of marriage had shattered, leaving sharp shards to carve her heart apart. Tears sprang to her eyes, her hooves shaking, her legs dropped out from under her, bringing her to her knees. She couldn't bring herself to stop the tears, barely able to breath. She found that she gathered a small crowd of ponies, each asking if she was OK, what was wrong. She waved them off, shaking her head, and doing all she could to not begin to break down bawling. Her teeth began to draw blood from her lips as she sniffled. She refused to break down, refused to make any more of a spectacle of herself. Mumbling quick thanks and reassurances to the kind ponies around her, she gritted her teeth, staring at the door her love and happiness had walked through. Just as soon as the tidal wave of sorrow swept her away, it receded, leaving a burning fury. Rage like she had never felt, filling her entire being. She’d cry more later, give into the pain and let it all out, but now, she was going to make herself known, and the earth pony didn't think she could be held accountable for what was about to happen. With a single mighty buck, the door broke off its hinges, sailing a respectable three inches before it hit the ground, clattering into the darkness of the home. The home smelt empty, like there was no one home, and that the owner of the home had merely stepped out. Autumn was vaguely aware that she looked like a burglar, a mad-pony, kicking in the door of some poor pony’s home. She didn't care. She knew that’d be the least of things she’d have to explain to the sheriff when he caught her. The furious, heart-broken mare, made her way from hallway to hallway quickly, when the sound of a shift on a bed alerted her. “Oooh…” The sound was soft, laced with pleasure, and made her blood boil even further. Bucking the door that contained the sound down, she turned, her mind cooking up a number of furious things to say. However, all that fury died on her tongue at what she saw. On the bed before her lay not her now-ex-colt friend and the yellow mare, but instead, a pony shaped monstrosity. The black shelled being was holding itself over the mare, who wore a dazed, open mouthed look of pleasure. Above her, the monster had its mouth open, and a sickly green gaseous cloud was flowing from her mouth to its. While Autumn had never seen one for herself, she knew what was ahead of her. She gave a gasp, her breath caught and held by fear. “Ch-Change…ling...” She breathed, her mind strangled by terror. The creatures name caused its ear to twitch, followed a second later by its head turning to face her, the eyes narrowing in an attempt to intimidate. However, when its eyes met hers, they shot open, wide with shock. The stream of…whatever, was broken, the mare below blinking her eyes, as though trying to wake up from a long sleep, as the Changeling moved its mouth. “A-Autumn?” It knew her name. It knew her name!! The changeling knew her bucking name!!! Taking a step back, even as the Changeling turned to advance on her, she could only respond in one way. “Changeling!!” She shrieked, hoping anypony would hear her, and turning to run. She didn't get a single step, as the Changeling lunged, trying to catch her and pull her back. He missed, however, and caught her in the side, making her lose her balance and trip, her head slamming painfully into the wall, stunning the poor mare. From behind her, she heard another scream, and another call of Changeling, before the Changeling hissed, almost sounding like it spoke. “Buck me…” It hissed, its voice almost sounding panicked. Turning its attention to the yellow mare, her scream cut out suddenly. Autumn tried to pull herself to her hooves, her head still swimming, as she felt the Changeling approach from behind. “I’m so sorry Autumn, please, forgive me…I’ll try to fix this…”It said, its voice sounding oddly like Mist’s for a moment, before she felt a sudden warmth at the back of her head. The magic took effect and her vision swam, darkening before finally going dark. Consciousness came and went for Autumn Heart. And each time her mind rose from the darkness, she was aware of a different sensation. First, she felt like she was being carried, her dangling hoof and the wind hinting she was being flown somewhere. The next time she was aware of her own mind, she felt a cold stone floor, the air warm and dank, moisture heavy in the air. Voices floated, each sounding like they were a million miles away, and like they were being muffled. “…id you bring her here?” A female voice, and even with Autumn’s scattered mind, she could hear the regality behind the voice. It must be one of the princesses. That made some shred of sense to her battered mind. “It’s not her fault, your Highness.” Yeah, it was the princesses, but the voice speaking now eluded her. It sounded so familiar, but so alien. “I made the mistake. I screwed up. She doesn't deserve to die over it though!” Die? Was she dying? She felt like it. Her whole body felt heavy, drained. She couldn't muster the energy to feel happy or sad, or anything. Her mind had to slog through a swamp of fatigue to even remember her own name. “Please, save her…” There was silence for a long few seconds, and idly, Autumn wondered if she had slipped back into unconsciousness. Finally, there was a voice again. “Very well. For you, Mystax.” The voice came. “You've been a loyal servant to the throne, and provided more than your fair share of love. However, understand this. When she wakes, she will be your responsibility. You will be expected to teach her our ways, our laws, and to keep her from rampaging, or giving our location away. If you fail, then banishment shall be the minimum punishment for both of you. Likely, she will be put to death.” The words she heard made her heart jump to life, pounding in her chest, fear racing through her body. What were they talking about? She’d be put to death? But, weren't they saving her? What was going on!? No sooner than she thought this, she felt something being pulled from her. It terrified her, as she felt her breath leaving her, her body feeling even heavier. She felt her mind giving in, her consciousness fading again, as though it was being pulled from her very body. Was this it? Was this how it all ended? She wished she had the energy to cry as she heard her mouth speak. “M-Mist…” She breathed, and then lay still. Just like that, Autumn Heart was dead.
Chapter 1 - Into the SwarmSounds came muddied and muted to Autumn Heart. She thought she heard voices, but they all sounded far-away. Kinda like, she idly noted, being underwater, and hearing somepony talk. Despite this, the mare was overjoyed. The last thing she remembered was feeling like she was dying. The sensation of every ounce of care, hope, and energy leaving her body. Maybe she had been in an accident, or gotten sun-stroke or something, and was currently laying in a hospital, hearing the voices of the doctor and nurse. Though, the bed did seem a touch hard for a hospital. Taking a few moments, Autumn decided to take stock of herself. Maybe she could figure out what was wrong. The first thing she noticed was, despite the muffled voices, they seemed really loud. She had good enough hearing, she supposed, but this sounded like they were speaking directly by her ear. Not yelling, but, still louder than she’d expect. Second, her body seemed really light. She was never a heavy mare, but as an Earth Pony, she was used to carrying around a fair bit of weight. But now, she felt… Well, she felt like a Pegasus! Whatever that was about, she hoped it stayed. It’d do wonders for her running. However, this bright, optimistic feeling faded when she opened her eyes, and saw only blackness. Giving a startled shriek, she snapped up, and as her mouth came to a close, she noticed something very wrong. Two of her teeth had elongated. A lot. In fact, one could even say she’d grown fangs! She felt muscles in her back that she’d never felt before twitch, and the sound of fluttering reached her ears, which even now, were beginning to clear. “It seems our newest addition is awake.” The first voice grumbled, his voice low, with a metallic twinge to it. The voice dripped with authority, as though he knew he was in charge, and that anypony in the room would bow to his will just because he commanded it. “Remember what we spoke of M…Mist. I’ll be in the hall.” And with that, there was a swishing noise. Like a tail of a pony who turned quickly, and hoof-steps leading away. The second voice gave a soft sigh, and spoke. This voice sounded very familiar, almost like her own Mist Chaser. “Of course, sir.” Suddenly, there was another noise, one that Autumn couldn't begin to identify, followed by a third voice, one she recognized all too well. It WAS Mist Chaser! “Hey there, sleepy head. You OK?” His voice was soft, concerned. She’d heard his voice like that a few times before, usually when she’d hurt herself, or gotten sick. “I…I thi- ACK!” Autumn stopped talking, giving a shout of surprise and fear when she heard her voice. It sounded very, very wrong. It had a metallic tinge to it, as though she was speaking through a fan. “M-Misty!? W-What’s going on!? Why is my voice like this? What happened? I…I think I remember a Changeling…did you save me?” Mist gave a frighteningly humorless laugh, one that sounded a little sad. “Y-Yeah. I guess you could say that.” He said slowly. “Listen, Autumn? I…need to tell you something.” “Oh Celestia…” Autumn gave a soft moan, almost a whimper. “Don’t tell me, you’re a criminal, and I got to close?” She asked, giving a little hopeful chuckle. Feeling Mist’s forelegs wrap around her, pulling her into a hug. She returned the hug, idly wondering why he didn't stroke her mane like he usually did. After a few seconds of deafening silence, Mist returned the chuckle. “…Kinda.” He said simply, pulling back. “Heart? You’re going to have to listen to me, and trust me, ok? Take some deep breaths.” “M-Mist? You’re scaring me sweetie. Wh-“ “Just trust me.” Was the stallions only response. Autumn complied, closing her blinded eyes and taking several deep breaths, forcing her fears to the back of her mind. Mist Chaser was here. The stallion she loved. He’d never hurt her, right? He’d keep her safe. “…Alright.” She said after a moment. “I’m calm. Now, Mist, please… What’s going on?” She felt a tugging at the back of her head, and after a moment, she felt a pressure ease from her eyes. She had been blindfolded? Why!? Slowly opening her eyes, what she saw nearly pushed her back into a fit of panic. Instead of the clean, sterile walls of a hospital, like she’d been expecting, dirty cave walls, illuminated by flickering torches of bright green flame met her eyes. Mist Chaser stood, just as she’d expected him, with a soft smile on his face, his eyes full of sorrow and worry. Her eyes met his, and her voice came with quite a bit less steady than she intended. “Mist…M-Mist Chaser…” She stopped to swallow her fear, before continuing. “W-Where are we? What’s going on?” Her beloved coltfriend responded with a soft sigh, looking away. He reached a hoof up and laid it on one of her fore-legs comfortingly. Looking down to his hoof, Autumn Heart saw something that chilled her blood, and made her shriek with terror. Her beloved orange-red fur, colored after her name, and the leaves she made her living with, was gone. What instead greeted her when she looked to herself, was a shiny, black leg. The outside made up of a solid, chitinous mass, holes dotting her hoof. What she saw was not the leg of a pony, or even the tell-tale cast of an injury. She saw the hoof of a Changeling. And Autumn Heart did the only thing that she felt she could do. She crawled away from her leg, trying desperately to get away, as though she could crawl away from her own skin. Looking up to Mist Chaser, her eyes widened in terror as she saw a flash of green flame engulf the stallion she had spent the last two years of her life with, leaving a cruel mockery of him. The monster before her had Mist’s same jawline, one that somehow mixed colt-hood charm, and the strength of a stallion. His eyes, though now semi-luminescent, pupil-less masses of blue, held the same worry and fear. Even his posture seemed like her coltfriend. But there was no way. Her back finding the wall with a sudden thunk, the mare put her hooves to her head, only to find a horn growing from the center of her forehead, causing her breath to come even shorter. “N-No! No no no no no no!!” She babbled, fear and shock sending her mind reeling. The thing that looked like Mist Chaser offered his hoof, coming closer. “Autumn…” He started, his voice being one of the two she’d heard earlier. That faulty imitation of Mist’s. Autumn shook her head fiercely once more, cringing away from his touch. “No!! Get away from me!!” She cried. “T-This is a nightmare!! Y-You’re not Mist Chaser!!” “I am…” The THING lied, slowly coming closer. “Autumn, listen, you need to c-“ “SHUT UP!” The panicked mare screamed, her heart pounding even faster as a second Changeling, this one a little taller and a little bulkier than the one that was wearing Mist’s face a few seconds ago, came from an opening on the far wall, a door. The new Changeling was clad in dark blue-purple armor and a matching helmet. And his horn was glowing with sickly green magic. “No!! Stay away!!” She cried, even as she saw the blast of green come forth and smother her vision. Somehow, her body felt heavy, as though she hadn't slept in days. Her eyes came crashing down. Despite all this, the pony-turned-Changeling shook her head once more. “No…P-Princess Luna…Mist…help…” She murmured, before the magically called sleep claimed her. Autumn groaned, shaking the sleep off. She couldn’t tell how long it’d been, which did nothing to slate the panic growing in her chest once more. Now, however, she felt her legs tied, all four of them, pinned to the rock that she’d been sleeping on. Sorrow, fear, and defeat clutching her chest, she began to sob to herself, only to find a solid knot of cloth held the sound in her mouth. The room hadn’t changed, and fake-Mist and the other Changeling stood talking in hushed tones. Even still, she could hear their voices clear as day. Chalk that up to her oddly enhanced hearing. “I told you this was a bad idea Mystax, I don’t know how you convinced the Queen to allow her to wake like this.” The bigger male spoke, a soft snort sounding out to accentuate his displeasure. “Why do you think we leave the husks in the cocoons until they relent?” “I know, sir.” Mystax, evidently the name of the not-Mist Changeling, replied, his voice low, dripping with irritation. “But I couldn’t do that to her, I just couldn’t.” “And why, sergeant is that?” The bigger asked, beginning to walk around the lower ranking Changeling. Mystax was quiet, his eyes unreadable to Autumn. However, his face twitched, every so subtly, just under his right eye. It was a twitch she had seen on Mist often, when he restrained his own anger or annoyance. He then spoke, saying something that was far too low for Autumn, and apparently even the older male. Pushing his face into Mystax’s, the male spoke coolly, knowing he had the upper hoof. “What was that? I’m afraid I didn’t hear you, sergeant.” He spat the rank like it was an insult. “I said, ‘because I love her.’” Mystax repeated through gritted teeth. “Captain.” He added, the delay just long enough to convey his emotion towards this older male. “Pathetic. A Changeling, falling in love with food.” The captain said with a cruel laugh. “I’ll give you one more chance, and then, I’m ordering her execution, and your banishment, understood?” Mystax’s jaw tightened, another sign Autumn recognized from Mist. A sign of growing fury. “Yes. Sir.” Mystax responded, both words punctuated with anger. “Good. Now, I’m going to stand outside, once more. If I hear any shouting, that’s it, and this husk will be put to death.” And with that, the male turned, and headed out of the doorway once more. Letting out a labored sigh, Mystax turned to Autumn, walking ever closer. As he raised a hoof to her face, Autumn felt her breath speeding up, and struggled in vain to get away from the Changeling. “Easy, Heart. I swear I’m not going to hurt you, alright?” She wanted to get away, to flee as far as she could, and yet, she felt…something. It was akin to patience and hope. It felt like she was trying to soothe a scared filly. But, she knew for a fact these weren’t her emotions, as she could also feel gut wrenching terror as well as the creeping sorrow that her life as she knew it was over. Her eyes must have betrayed her confusion, as Mystax chuckled softly. Humorlessly. “It’s me. My emotions. Changelings can feel other’s emotions, ya know.” She noticed his hoof had stuck itself in the air when her fear had flared up, almost as if he was waiting for her. Slowly, her heart rate calmed itself, and she nodded slowly. Mystax continued his path, coming to the knot behind her head that held the gag in place. Gasping in a fresh breath, she took a few deep breaths, both to get the taste of cloth out of her mouth, and to try to calm herself. “Y-You’re Mystax, right?” She asked slowly, still unused to her new voice. When the male nodded, she continued. “Were….Are you…I mean…” She trailed off, trying to think of how to phrase one of the questions that terrified her most. “You…You’re Mist Chaser?” The seconds that ticked by felt like an eternity to the mare turned Changeling before, almost in slow motion, Mystax nodded. “Yes. I’m sorry, Autumn, I never meant for this to happen, and I-“ Well, he had Mist’s tendency to talk too much. “Aht!” She said, cutting him off in the same way she did before. “Mystax...I need to you to be truthful to me. What’s going to happen?” She wished her voice could match her words. Fear crept into her tone, making her words quiver. “I can feel that you know.” Mystax answered with a slight smile on his face. “And whatever you want, Autumn.” Autumn gave a dry, angry laugh. “I mean it! You think Her Majesty took you in just to kill you? No!” “No, I think she forced me in to ruin ponies lives. Just like…” She stopped, but her emotions told Mystax everything. She still felt betrayed and crushed at his reveal. Pushing the pain he felt to the side, Mystax shook his head. “No, not at all. You’re not forced to join the military! Just highly recommended.” He said, giving Mist Chaser’s trademark goofy grin in his best attempt to make her feel better. “But really, if you want to go back and turn your back on the Swarm, that’s alright!” The irritated snort from the hallway indicated not everypony (was it everypony? Autumn had no idea. How did Changelings refer to themselves?) thought so. “You can go back to running with the leaves and pretend none of this ever happened!” “I think the ship has sort of sailed on that one.” She responded, a soft smile gracing her face as she motioned to her tied hoof. “Well, we’ll teach you everything first. How to change, feed, use magic, and fly!” Again, his face split into a grin. Slightly unnerving with all the sharp teeth. Autumn idly ran her tongue over her own, finding them to be just as sharp. “Think about it, Autumn, you can fly now! And use magic! You’re like a mini-Alicorn!” The new Changeling couldn’t help but let a small giggle out at the image that presented. Although, she had always envied Mist for being able to fly, and to use magic? She had never dreamed something like that could happen. “So, listen,” He began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Captain Jerk-face out there wants you to scream and panic, to refuse to believe this and run out of the swarm and give him the excuse to kill you, and send me away forever. How about you give me a chance, I show you around, and we get to laugh in his stupid, smug face?“ He paused, before adding. “Metaphorically of course.” Autumn paused, looking at the doorway, where she knew the Captain stood waiting, listening, waiting for an excuse. Looking up at Mystax, she nodded, causing him to grin even wider than before. “Great! But first, we need to get you a new name.”
Chapter 2 - The TourArista…The new name felt heavy on her tongue, and on her mind. It felt like a stamp, a guarantee her life would never be the same if she accepted the name as her own. Still, Mystax assured her she couldn’t keep her pony name. He joked it’d be like naming a pony hay-burger, making her shiver slightly at the implication. Still, after standing in the small room with a rather bored looking female changeling for nearly ten minutes, deciding her new name out of names Mystax suggested fairly randomly, she was happy to be moving. But not as happy as her new companion. “Gena, Gena, Gena, Gena!” The female changeling near sang, seemingly overjoyed as she moved alongside her two new friends. Unlike Arista, this mare seemed to love her new name. “Oh man, this is so awesome!” The new changeling said, smiling widely. Gena, even in her new changeling body, had a long mane, though it was filled with holes, that brushed against her chest on either side, swinging to match the excited female’s head. “I still don’t know what you’re so happy about…” Arista murmured glumly as the two turned another corner in the tight hallway, now beginning to head up a flight of stairs. “Don’t you realize we’ll never go back to being the ponies we were?” “I know!” Gena responded, her face splitting in a grin. “I don’t know about you, but I think that’s awesome!” “Why?” Arista couldn’t even begin to comprehend her new companion’s thoughts. To her, she’d miss her life, and it was the thought of going back to her old family and friends that made it all worth bearing. Made it possible to soldier on. “I don’t know about you, but I was an Earth Pony. I couldn’t fly, I couldn’t do magic, I couldn’t do anything! Not to mention, my family wasn’t exactly the closest it could be. Nopony will likely notice me gone. But the changeling that brought me told me that the changelings were, like, super tight-knit.” Gena chirped happily. “Wait, you spoke with the changeling who husked you?” Mystax asked with a blink. He looked shocked. “How?” “Well, truth be told, when I went to see him, I got a little excited and went to his house a little early. I opened the door, hoping to surprise him, and got a huge surprise myself! So, he started getting all aggressive, arching his back up and hissing, like this-“ she paused in her explination to mimic what she had just said, the hiss being little more than the female saying “Hssss”, but it got the point across, before straitening up and continuing. “and I ran up to him and started asking questions. Boy, did he look shocked!” She said with a laugh. “After he stopped being confused, he told me all about the swarm, and how it all worked. I asked if he could make me into a changeling, and, well, here I am!” “But why would you want to throw away what you are? Who you are? I mean, I just don’t understand?” “I didn’t really have anything or anypony there for me, so really, why not?” Gena said with a smile. “Alright girls,” Mystax cut in, coming to the top of the stairwell. “Here we are. Welcome to the Hive.” As he spoke, the three came through another doorway, this one leading to a walkway overlooking the entire spire. Both females took in the sight before them in astounded silence, seeing the central hub of the changeling community. Illuminated by both their eyes natural ability to see in the dark, as well as a few torches scattered sparkly around the circular drop, they saw changelings, much more than either of them had imagined, flying back and forth, coming from holes in the wall, both small and large, flying or crawling along the walls, just going about their lives. Some held young changelings, little more than small black shapes with a horn, big blue eyes darting around curiously, eager to take in this new world they’d arrived in. Two changelings flew side by side, one holding a strange green, nearly liquid orb, both chatting and laughing like any normal pair of friends would. The site was something that Arista could’ve never imagined. Changelings going around, just living in their day to day lives, not planning and plotting the destruction of pony-kind, not scheming how to bring down Celestia, just…living. Arista couldn’t help but just stare, baffled. Mystax noticed the female, and smiled. “That surprised? Yeah, most ponies think that we just exist to harass them, or that everyling is the same, going out to destroy them.” Mystax chuckled. “But then again, nopony seems to know that we actually eat love. “ Arista was quiet, thinking on what he said. Until Gena spoke up. “As cool as this view is, where are we going Myst?” Mystax chuckled once, then nibbled on his lip, a habit that Arista recognized as having to say something he didn’t want to. ”Well, we have a sort of…tradition.” Mystax said slowly, choosing his words carefully, leading the two along. “A tradition that we follow whenever we welcome new changelings to our ranks.” “Mist…” Arista slowly started, her tone warning. Changeling or not, this was still the Mist Chaser she knew for so many years. “What does this tradition entail?” “It…entails being shown around, introduced to how you eat, and…well…Meeting the queen.” “What!?” Arista shouted, her wings flaring in surprise as she nearly reared back. “You mean Queen Chrysalis!?” Gena blinked, looking between the two in surprise. She had only a single word to input regarding this news. “Neat!” “Now, listen, there’s a few rules when meeting Her Majesty. First is general royal stuff, bow when you walk in, and keep your eyes lower than hers. Don’t meet her eyes unless she tells you otherwise. Call her your Majesty, and only respond when spoken to, understand?” Both females nodded, feeling two very different emotions. Arista was scared, feeling fear racing along her back at the thought of meeting the changeling queen face to face, something that terrified her to the very core. She, as many other ponies had, had heard horrible rumors of the mysterious queen. That she was stronger than Celestia, and far crueler than Discord was at his worst. Gena, on the other hoof, was excited. She’d never met royalty, and she was excited to do so, and thought no more of it. The trio stood in front of a great wooden door, carved with beautiful swirling patterns that depicted a perforated heart, though one with strange proportions, much thinner than what Arista was used to seeing. The door opened, splitting the heart in two, and the sight that greeted the trio was that of regality. The Queen sat upon her throne, placed a full ponies body higher than the floor, with a pair of perfectly identical Changelings standing in front of the small stairwells that lead up to the platform that the throne was placed on. Chrysalis sat upon her throne, regarding the three Changelings that stood at her threshold. Mystax whispered to the pair, his voice low, but enough to carry over to the pair of females. “Walk with me. Stay about the same distance, and stop when I do, then bow your head. Let me do the talking.” Moving forward, the females followed his instructions, stopping a few steps short of the guards, and dipping his head, bending his knee in a bow. “My Queen, I bring before you two of our newest members of our swarm. They were both formerly ponies, and have chosen the names Arista and Gena. I have brought them before you to greet you and be welcomed into the Hive.” “This is the one that you brought to me, isn’t it?” The voice of the Queen filled the room, coated in confidence. As though she, and everyone else, knew that she owned the world. That the entire planet would bow to her whims, and beg to kiss her hoof. Idly, Arista noted that the heart shape on the door was those of the holes in the Queen's forelegs. “The one who’s life you ruined, and brought danger to the swarm?” Mystax winced visibly, sending a pang of sympathy through Arista. She had blamed him for ruining her life. But she couldn’t help but sympathize with being scolded by royalty. “Arista… Raise your head. I wish to see you…” Arista raised her head, looking upon the Changeling Queen. Shockingly, the mare’s eyes were soft, kind and gentle. “Y-Yes, you’re Majesty?” She asked slowly. “What life were you taken from?” The Queen spoke slowly, compassion in her words. “Who were you, little ‘ling?” “I was…I was Autumn Heart. I had…a brother, and I ran…I ran for the Running of the Leaves, all over Equestria.” “A lot of ponies knew you?” “N-No, you’re Majesty. At least, not personally. I-I mean, plenty may have recognized my face, but…” She trailed off, pain flaring in her…heart(?) with the knowledge of she no longer looked anything like what she once was. She hung her head, closing her eyes. She needed to let that go. She’d be back soon, right? She heard a soft buzz, followed by a soft thump, shocking her out of her melancholy. Looking up, she gave a soft gasp at the Queen right in front of her. Chrysalis’ face was unreadable, examining the former pony, before she brought a single leg up, and wrapped it softly around Arista’s shoulders, bringing her into a hug. “There now, little ‘ling. I can feel your pain…” She said softly, comfort in her voice. Gena looked up in surprise, her eyes catching Chrysalis. The Queen’s eyes were closed, her head dipping into the hug. “I know, it hurts to leave everything behind. But such is life, my dear. As you yourself know, fall must give way to winter, and winter to spring. Change is the very nature of life.” She said softly, comfortingly. Releasing the mare, she turned, and ascended the stairs. “And, you, Gena… What do you think of this?” “Oh, me? I’m happy to be here! I’ve never really had a family Ma’a- Erm, Majesty! And everything I’ve heard about Changeling’s seems great!” Chrysalis gave a soft smile. “But, um, miss Majesty?” Gena asked slowly, looking up to her. “Um…when do we eat?”
