Chapters How could one explain themselves as being different without coming out as appearing to be unrelatable? Perhaps seen as inferior as well, as I cannot change into exact replicas of ponies. Whatever, it is what it is.
One day when I was a foal in the hive, we were old enough to start being tested for our transformation ability. I didn't really think much of it at the time, I just thought it'd be like a bunch of ponies my age hanging out and displaying our abilities. Just, I didn't expect to be any different. Sure I looked different. But I didn't really notice until that day.
We all gathered in line, a little nervous, a little excited. I was about two fifths down the line. Then our instructor cast a spell on the cave wall, showing us over ponyville, then it zoomed in on a stray pony. She had dandelions smiling on her flank, she was purple and had a pink mane and was smiling going about her day outdoors, she was a filly at the time too, walking in front of her parents happily. Outdoors, I wondered what it was like outside of the hive. It seemed brighter, and had more colors, I sort of liked what I saw.
Soon the instructor asked the first in line to transform into her. I thought, is that possible? After a few attempts the first colt changeling succeeded. More successes followed after several attempts usually. It seemed they all had a knack for it. I wondered if I would too, I never really noticed how different I was. I didn't notice my legs had black hooves, lacked holes, and my horn was much more unicorn like. I especially didn't notice because everyone kept changing into whichever pony they saw in the spell, having a swell time.
Soon the instructor was looking to me expectantly. I saw several ponies in the spell, but decided to aim to transform into one roughly my age. Maybe I should transform into a girl, it being a little taboo almost like saying a bad word and getting away with it made it seem appealing, I did wonder about girls occassionally. I simply remembered back to the filly with the smiling flowers cutie mark. Closing my eyes I focused, my horn glowing green and a small flash of light later, I was me, except I was purple. I liked my partial success, but others found it amusing. The instructor then clarified I should try and change entirely into her.
Then I looked at the others who succeeded wondering what they did. Of course they felt her cheerfulness, each pony was unique with their body language, their feelings that we savored. But, somehow mine lacked feeling, I didn't know how to match my energy to hers. I smiled awkwardly, the instructor was a bit patient tho, others didn't always succeed on their first attempts, though usually it was them failing to show any change, before miraculously changing into an identical version of a pony.
I try again, but I never could match up my energies to hers like the others, and no matter how much the instructor repeated his instruction I failed to grasp it, so I just would imagine changing into her slowly while focusing on my horn, the other's horns seemed to be the source of their transformations after all.
As I closed my eyes to concentrate, my horn glowing again, my mind wandered slightly to the instructor, whom I had been last looking at, and soon looked like a purple foal version of the instructor, this time I had the normal changeling legs and horns which I normally didn't have. The instructor didn't look too amused, in fact started looking at me a little oddly, and whispered something to the other adults. I felt proud for succeeding at my little change however, but soon felt a bit gloomy as everyone else was looking identically to the other fillies in the spell. The instructor tells me to just keep practicing, and proceeds to the next in line.
I stand a little away from the group who had gone before me, to watch the rest of the line give it their attempts. I change back to normal to also compare myself to the others in that manner. My eye's pupils were rounder than theirs I noticed, for the ones who had pupils. Most of them didn't have any. My fangs less pronounced. My wings looked the most different however, and soon I felt ashamed, but figured since we are changelings hopefully they just think Im half transformed or something.
But the more I continued to look the more differences I continued to spot. None of their horns glowed when they would transform. If any of them failed, they failed to make any changes at all. My ears were definitely more pony-like as well I noticed, them soon dropping down. Why did I not notice these differences before, it was probably because I was young, they were mostly minor differences I thought. But no, I obviously looked more like a pony except my colors. I glance over at the caretaker a little nervous. Caretakers were normally in charge of keeping track of the young ones, since we were all offspring of the queen and she would be too busy to deal with us all on her own, but we always sought to gain her approval.
I know, I'll just try to transform into a pony no one saw before. One step at a time, I slowly changed my body to look even more pony-like, and changed my color and finally my mane. I tried to use colors very opposite of what we normally looked so I would stand out extra and hopefully get some approval. My mane was bright red, my coat very light orange, my eyes pink, female again. I'll make the horn longer too I decided.
The instructor did reapproach me, double checking the line's failures. The instructor was quick to make a face of confusion this time.
Frowning and glowing my horn, a flash of light later, and my wings were still there. Utterly dissappointed in me, and a little concerned at noticing the nature of my wings, the instructor said I would blow their cover instantly. 'The whole point of transforming is to disguise yourself, if you can't blend in then what is the point?' Then the other fillies seemed to quickly get the hint that I was well on my way to being a worthless failure, and soon chimed in similar remarks once the instructor left me to the next in line.
Shamefully and silently crying I held my head down not really moving. Soon I was forgotten for the evening.
Back at the hive's dormatories appeared two taller male foal changelings on my way to bed.pony to himself.'
That was fifteen years ago.
For fifteen years I have been ridiculed and had the energy sucked out of me. I swear I am already getting some greys in my mane. It wasn't all loss however. I have learned how to hide and blend in very well. Initially, I was still presented with problems, such as drones smelling me or detecting my emotions. Only the more intelligent ones caught on honestly. Consequently I had learned how to hide my rage and misery. Anger never seemed to help, only make matters worse. Hiding was my best bet, for now.
Yawning I stretched, waking up from my nap in the far corner cocoon of the sleeping quarters. There is a dim green light emanating periodically spread accross the cieling illuminating the place. At least I didn't have any responsibilities lately. Whenever others would get me to do their work I would be too exhausted from some leech to do anything, as a result I have almost no responsibilities and often sleep late. Besides I don't want to draw attention during breakfast, even if its cold.
Getting up and making sure no one is still in the room, I close my eyes and focus. My horn glows, my only real weakness when I need to lay low, and I become nearly invisible. In broad daylight I would be noticed but with the dim lights in the caverns of the hive it really was useful.
Silently I walk through the doorway looking around corners to make sure no one is there for me to bump into or such, and I make my way to the left where meals are served. Well, to say to the left is to over-simplify the place. There were a few main routes underground pocked with holes of various rooms and sleeping quarters. There were several floors of quarters actually, dozens of feet off of the ground. I was a good forty minutes behind the majority, only some of the smaller stragglers left behind, and the rooms full of hatchlings and foal changelings. Each room would be full of changelings born in the same season and year. Each season signified a different lifestyle for food gathering and preparation. Winter we would hibernate tho, so there were none born then. During the spring we could easily go out and gather whatever we liked, as long as we didn't venture too far to cause us getting attention from the ponies. We were omnivores with a large preference for meat. And spring was the easiest to capture animals to suck the happyness out of since they were so young and inexperienced. During the summer the animals started to know better and during the fall they were scarcely found. We could eat vegetables and fruits too, especially me, but generally no leafy greens hay or grass, but we gathered it anyways for the animals we kept. The more dangerous animals that we couldn't keep would require a pack to be hunted, and would be killed for their meat. But how do I explain emotion, tho. Its like water but etheral and magical. Emotions kind of have smells, smells bring back strong memories, but with emotions its actually similar feelings that trigger memories. The young animals were always so juvenile, it made me wonder if that is why most changelings were so.. immature, and prone to follow command.
I finally enter the lunch room, the lights here are a little brighter as this room isn't really made for napping like the sleeping quarters are. Going over to some barrels with somewhat over-ripened fruits and limp vegetables I set up my tray. I held the tray strongly with my mouth while I lazily used my magic to select some edible foods out of the barrels and walked over to the corner table and set my tray down. Still somewhat invisible I could at least, if someone looked in my direction, pretend this was some tray someone was too lay to take care of. But I usually don't get interrupted around breakfast at this time. Everyone else is usually off learning to, or taking care of duties. I look back down at my tray. A few limp carrots, a deformed but healthy looking peach, some wrinkled apples. At least I could eat my fill now that I didn't have much to do, well, unless I get interrupted. I normally over the years didn't get to eat much. I always had an upset stomach from the life getting sucked out of me, and as a result I am shorter, and thinner, than most.
I frown. My mind always wanders back to unpleasantries. But this time I have an opportunity for escape, a reason to hope. Slowly smiling he recalls the recent news. Chrysalis is going to start with her plan to invade Canterlot tomorrow. I will be able to escape, and even take some artifacts with me if I'm lucky. They may be able to get tracked however, but perhaps I could simply pawn them if they aren't worth my trouble. I have learned enough of how the ponies are from others, and recently, myself scrying them. With my spare time I got to read up on the few books we had and talked to some elders. Chrysalis dumped most of the elders out of the hive for disagreeing with her, but the few who were silent or obedient enough stayed here.
I finish up my meal and consider leaving it behind, but instead decided to practice my stealthyness and hide my leftovers in the trash properly. I should double check the storage rooms and perhaps leave a gift to one of the elders. Or better yet, think of how to sabotage everything before I leave tomorrow heh. But no, I wouldn't want that much harm coming to the hive. Then what if our hive actually succeeds in the battle against Canterlot? I mean, this plan was a long time coming but with Luna getting revived in recent years and with the elements of harmony emerging surely she is in over her head. Chrysalis should have listened to her elders.
Hearing a voice and wings down one of the thinner passages I was traveling in, my heart rate suddenly increased. They would bother me if they caught me being half invisible, but I quickly mellowed out in response to distill the emotions I was emitting. They don't normally travel through here at this time, it was actually a good thing I had decided to come down here then. If they were moving artifacts it'd be smart to track them down.
Having double checked the rooms out, I decide its best to go to the elders and practice scrying with their equipment some more while the others eat lunch. I stop by the nearest empty room to make myself look like some average changeling. Still can't change into others for some reason, even after all this time practicing. At least I learned a neat trick or two to compensate. My form was not perfect, looked mostly like some average drone, but the eyes were still different. The holes in my legs seemed a little off somehow, and the horn wasn't as wonky as the others were. And worst of all were the ears. I didn't understand how to get them to work properly every buzz or click from a hive member would sound distant or too high pitched. So I simply had fake antennae and invisible pony-like ears. The wings were perfectly shaped, but a little dark, all he has to do for those is make them semi-transparent enough to look normal. When I decided I looked presentable, and once traffic to the lunch room died down a little, I left the room- a little tired from adjusting my looks.
Heading somewhat quickly in the opposite direction of the lunch hall so no one could recognize me as a stranger drone if they happened upon me, I quickly trot over to the elder's place. Soon I notice the elder talking in a slightly raised tone to somepony. I wonder what is going on, and approach cautiously.
'Chrysalis you will doom us all with your ill forged plan of conquest! We would be fine without taking this much risk!'
'Okay, let's do this.' I take a deep breath, and exhale it slowly. I had slept early in my little cocoon in my corner so it would gurantee I would awaken before its time. I look around carefully. Too bad I couldn't fly like the others, their flight is much stealthier. But I have ideas. As unappealing as they are. I silently use my magic in my cocoon, which blocks out most of the light so I don't wake the rest up. I must be up about 4 hours early. I silently walk out of my cocoon, somewhat invisible, with my usual pegasi wings, but my hooves were fuzzy so as to remain more silent, as silly as it looks.
Last night Chrysalis sought to get a head start, and communicates to us via scrying pools. A scrying pool is easier to use than scrying on a wall, like my first day I transformed. That instance was used on a wall however so more could see it. In scrying pools we could send 3-d blueprints from the water taking shape, we could send 2-d messages and images, and we could send some sound- not too loud though- its just water and doesn't make for a good speaker. Mirrors could also be used but were more difficult to control, and we don't really own much mirrors. Also important to note, only queens can mind control victims, as it is related to her abilities over her changelings as well. The elders however were more resistant over time due to their knowledge in magics.
In addition I had also been preparing for a few weeks avoiding eating meat as everypony who eats meat has more body odor. I found out where some artifacts are hidden, but I obviously would tire carrying anything more than a crown or belt of some sort. I cannot change those object's colors. But, I could also simply avoid leaving with the main force. Our hive is located underground at a cavern in the forest just before hayseed swamps. I suppose it wouldn't take much effort to ditch the rest of the hive, but being so close to the old hive feels inappropriate, if they found out I deserted I could be more easily tracked. Especially in the smaller towns, so I if I could should wish to travel beyond Canterlot. I also didn't feel comfortable going beyond Unicorn Range, as Unicorns were infinitely more likely to detect me than simple ponies. Also if I were closer to Canterlot and my hive succeeds it'd be much easier to remain inconspicuous being closer to Canterlot. But I gave this plenty of thought last night and decided it'd be best to head to Ponyville. Its small enough to escape from, but densely packed enough to get the emotions I need without being as noticed. And judging from its name, there really shouldn't be much Unicorns there. Its also peaceful of a town, which means its probably tighter knit of a community- which might be a problem- but it also means less skilled unicorns should be in the area for the ones that do reside. They don't have an army to maintain or anything. So I had it decided. I would be heading to ponyville.
Heading out over to the supply rooms I get a little antsy, I feel like I should move faster. But no need to work myself up into a sweat, I would be easier to notice. Not like most had that good of a sense of smell or anything. I also will be heading to the animal room to pick up a bunny, they are quiet, compact, didn't eat much, didn't scare that easily. It would be a good choice, not that I need to drain emotions often, its better to be safe than sorry. And they ration the animals too much I didn't get my feed as often as I would like. The bigger males would feed more frequently than the rest, but apparantly Im half pony and at least I don't need to feed as often as they do. Also it'd be bothersome to try and catch something while fleeing my breathren and holding onto goods, this was just convenient.
In the supply room I grab a saddlebag, some smaller gems. Because we didn't really have much uses for gems they were not heavily guarded or anything. I knew from scrying they could be worth something however. Looking back at some of the larger gems I decide perhaps its better to be overprepared than underprepared. Leaving the room with some rope, soap, a canteen, and twice my previous amount of gems, leaving half of the space in my bags remaining. I might have to reconsider how much I carry. Except I am up early, if I need to I can simply drop my saddlebags and retreat, but being up this early I could at least see if its possible, better than leaving empty handed as I cannot impersonate a pony well enough to take over their lives I think frowning.
I head to the artifact room, so far so good. I quickly scry outside with a nearby scrying pool. Oh, I took longer than I thought, I'm going to have to hurry, only have two and a half hours left.
I quickly head to the animal rooms. Good thing the others didn't like bunnies, they were too quiet for their tastes. They preferred their food to squeek or struggle more. Herbivores were better at giving off positive emotions which we depended on, but carnivores like snakes or birds would be much more intelligent. It might be a good idea to bring a snake but their low metabolism means they don't give off much to use, and are more commonly used for chewable snacks. Birds are plain too noisy. But birds have closer to an herbivore level of emotion too for some reason making them a favorite, but they often die from panick attacks when frightened too badly, which means we are all out of birds usually. If people want them they have to go hunt for them.
I gently but quickly stuff the fattest rabbit I can find into my last sack pocket with some of his dried food. Fellow doesn't have much space to move around but I have bigger concerns.
I quickly scry in a water bowl of the rabbits. I only have 45 minutes, its going to take me about 20 minutes if I want to leave unnoticed, 15 if I leave in a normal manner 10 if I run. I need to leave 15 minutes before the rest to not be seen in the sky, actually maybe less as my wings are more suited for long distances. I should be able to leave comfortably. Lets see. I should be able to fly higher than my brethren, which is convenient, and I should hopefully spot ponyville or other indicators. They should be slightly left passed Rambling Rock Ridge accross a river. Should be easy enough.
Suddenly I hear some commotions. Apparantly some are getting up early. I should have plenty of time though if I don't get distracted. They won't be able to hear me anyways bu-
'SHIT!' I snatch up the rabbit it's leg in my mouth and it makes plenty of emotions and struggles a bit 'BUCK ME!' I softly throw the rabbit in the opposite direction of me, as my fellow brood start awake, and somewhat quietly gallop towards the entrance half invisible. Except my pack is jingling around.
'GET HIM!' They chatter and click.
I quickly attempt to levitate the artifact necklace out of my pack to put around my neck, and all my saddle bags spill out their contents on the floor. I start to panic and sweat, my heart pounding in my chest and I grab the necklace in my mouth. At this, every sleeping area I run past wakes up, my emotions seeming similar to a pony in distress. Too afraid to cast anymore spells with this damn necklace on me I take off like a batpony out of Tartarus, even using my wings to make less commotion where possible, I turn away from the inhabited sectors and try to calm down biting on the necklace's chain.
'I swear there was a damn pony in here a second ago!'
Finally! I leave the hive and quickly take to the skies hoping nopony is behind me, not even risking looking over my shoulder I quickly throw the necklace over my neck- I need my mouth for panting after all. I take off higher and higher to avoid being detected. But I don't hear anypony behind me. I finally chance a glance behind me. Maybe this necklace disrupts the emotions they can detect as well?
My heart rate certainly is taking a while to slow down as I am flying at my best, far higher than a changeling would dare to fly however, but theres less oxygen up here as well. It will probably be a few minutes before I settle down.
'That didn't end up well at all!' I notice that the necklace isn't glowing as much as previously, now that my spells needs refreshing. Maybe thats why it was glowing in the first place, looking so marvelous. I rub my hooves accross its smooth surface briefly during a glide. Oh well. It should just be a couple of hours til I reach ponyville, on an empty stomach however this could be a small problem and I might need to swoop down for lunch at some point, Hm, I don't want to do it in Ever Free thats for sure as I think back to the time I scryed it wondering if it'd be a safe haven near a populated region.
I would probably have to stop by the right side of rambling rock ridge. Not sure there'd be much food over there as its plains, but beats the wasteland of the Ridge, and beats the everfree. I might just have to put up with it til Ponyville.
I enjoy the air immensely flowing between my underpreened feathers on my underworked wings. No changeling new how to preen and none could teach me. I tried to preen before after attempting to scry Los Pegasus to see how its done and failing, I could only reference how to do it based on birds, and I couldn't see them preening easily as they were easily startled in the wild and easily claimed in the hive.
The other annoying thing was the brightness of the outdoors, being indoors the vast majority of my life leaves me narrowing my eyes in response to the outdoor brightness. However the cold breeze did seem to affect me more, perhaps I have a thinner coat than most pegasi. But the sun was quickly warming my black coat up. I was easily not being followed, for this I was glad. I would have easily gotten the worst beating of my life, heh.
Getting hungry, I glance down to see where I am exactly. Oh theres Ponyville, I'm flying ahead of schedule. I smile. Fresh air is so pleasant too, I fly lower, looking at the sights more. Wait, I should probably try to not get noticed. I fly higher over clouds. There probably are not much pegasi if any- but that doesn't mean a pony won't see me. I decide on settling just on the outskirts of ponyville, this way I can observe them, and test out if my necklace does in fact interrupt my spells when worn. Either way its going to glow profusely if I cast a spell, I may have to hide it.
Relaxing once more I briefly close my eyes and stretch my hooves in all directions- freedom!