First Impressions are Misleading
Chapter 1 (Warning: no dialogue)
Nopony knew where the pair came from, or how they met, for that matter. The changeling was stumbling forward, clutching a leather bound notebook to his chest, mumbling, while the bat pony, or thestral, flapped silently beside him, ready to catch him if he tripped or fell.
It was storming. Lightning crashed and thunder boomed across the almost black sky. The changeling was delirious, it'd been days since he'd rested, even more since he'd had anything to eat. His hooves shook violently, and his fangs chattered, he blankly stared ahead, not knowing exactly where he was going. His hoof steps started to slow, and then he stopped altogether, falling to his knees. He wanted to sleep, but something kept pulling at him, forcing him to stay awake. The changeling ignored it but then it came back more insistent. The tugging and pulling slowly faded away, leaving the changeling in a dark void. The changeling didn't notice he was moving, his mind was already lost in unconsciousness.
The dark purple mane of the bat pony was matted down onto her head when she burst through the hospital's doors, startling the night staff within. The changeling sprawled on her back groaned softly, and squirmed, trying to find a better position. In the process of doing so, the notebook fell out of his grasp, falling to the tiled floor with a ruffle of pages.
The night staff finally recovered from their shock. They were wary of the changeling, and after they put him on a gurney, the bat pony followed closely behind, not wanting to lose sight of her closest friend. After what seemed like a lifetime, the changeling was in a stable condition, unconscious, but stable. The heart monitor softly beeped, and the changeling snored, even softer still; the rhythmic sounds lulled the exhausted thestral to sleep, her head resting on the sleeping changeling's chest.
Morning can mean very different things to ponies. To some, it's the start of yet another day at work, for others, school. But for a changeling lying in a hospital bed, it meant he survived, and was alive! The changeling smiled, and then noticed a weight on his chest. It was the mare who accompanied him for a good portion of his mission. Her breath blew a few strands of her mane out a little bit, and then pulled it back towards her mouth. The bat pony gave a soft snort, and yawned, her ears splaying back as she did so.
A nurse came in to bring the changeling breakfast, and she told the bat pony that here was a small cafeteria down the hall if she wanted anything to eat. The mare in question declined, wanting to stay with her injured friend.
They sat mostly in silence, wondering what to say to each other, wondering if each other was alright. Out of what seemed like nowhere, the bat pony hugged the changeling tightly, and...cried? The changeling was confused, he felt love coming from her, but the question remained: why was she crying? He lifted a hole covered foreleg and patted her on the back, not really knowing what else to do.
The sun was just rising when the changeling woke up, meaning he'd wasted almost half a day! The changeling removed his hoof from the thestral's back and pushed himself up into a sitting position. He tried to lower himself onto the floor, but was stopped by a hoof pushing down on his chest. The changeling sighed, it wasn't much use arguing, and any more delay would have to be explained. He was at an impasse.
Well, it wouldn't hurt to explain his situation...right? He grabbed the leather-bound notebook on the nightstand next to him, and flipped to the eighth page. On that page was what appeared to be a blank stone wall, at least until a figure moved into sight. She was definitely a changeling, but not one Equestria was familiar with.
It's a little known fact that there are many different hives of changelings, each led by a Queen. As a result, they all differed greatly in aspects concerning technology, magic, and general well being. The changeling 'inside' the notebook was Queen Archae (pronounced 'rk'), her body was covered with short fur, and was a light gray. Her 'mane' was a bright orange, as were her eyes, which had irises, not a common feature in non-royal changelings.
The changeling lying in the hospital bed looked virtually identical to the Queen, except he was a little over half her height tall, his body was stockier, his mane was more of a mohawk-like fin, and his eyes were flecked with a few specks of blue.
He quickly explained his problem, starting from when he departed from his home, to when he met the bat pony, and ending at the hospital.
The changeling left his hive nine days prior to his hospitalization, eager to carry out a mission. He was lucky enough to avoid the major dangers of the forest, but eventually, however, that luck ran out and the changeling was attacked by thieves. They took all of his supplies, and beat him. It seemed to be a miracle that he was alive. The changeling heard a voice shouting in front of him, prompting him to open his eyes. Just a few meters ahead of the changeling was a pony, but not quite. She introduced herself as Aurora Nightshade, and was on her way to Canterlot to find work to support her family. The changeling remained silent, he was much too tired to do anything but listen and sit. Out of the blue, the changeling's savior offered to accompany him for the rest of his journey. He gladly accepted.
As the changeling finished his tale, the Queen asked him why he was hospitalized. His answer surprised her: he didn't take her emotions because she was already suffering from loss; the mare wasn't going to get a job to support her family, she was earning money to pay for their funerals. The Queen shrugged and reminded the changeling of the importance of his mission and left the 'page'.
The changeling shut the notebook and folded his hooves across his chest.
First Impressions are Misleading
Chapter Two: A Small Misunderstanding
Chapter Two: A Small Misunderstanding
The next morning, the changeling woke to a very alarming sight: guards practically filled the entire room! One of them stepped forward: a white unicorn with a blue mane, in alternating stripes of light and dark. The guard in question didn't look very happy with the changeling.
Then, the changeling heard a familiar voice shouting for the guards to move out of the way. After a few minutes of this, she huffed and dissapeared around a corner.
"What changeling would have the nerve to come to Canterlot right now! Albeit an odd looking changeling, but a changeling nonetheless!" He exclaimed.
"Sir, I am in Canterlot to discuss diplomatic negotiations with your two rulers. I have no intention of harming any ponies." The changeling said.
"I am under strict orders to capture any changelings within Canterlot's city limits."
"I understand you are Captain of the Guard, correct? The only ponies who could give you orders would be the two princesses, and I would think they would at least tell you that there was a diplomat coming!" The Captain seemed at a loss for words.
"I'll be back, changeling." He said, going out the door. The small room gradually cleared of guards and the ba pony trotted in a few moments later, looking relieved.
"We can go if you want, the hospital's said you're in a healthier state now." She said, and as if on cue, a nurse poked her heard through the door and repeated the news.
Before she could leave, the changeling called her back and asked for them to tell the Guards that Aurora and him would be at the Royal castle. She nodded and placed a note on the pillow. Odyssey quickly grabbed his notebook and trotted out behind the bat pony, shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight.
"To the castle?" She asked.
"To the castle, Miss Nightshade." Aurora laughed to herself before asking why he was speaking so formally.
"This is a formal situation, is it not? Changelings are already looked upon in a bad light, and being informal will only worsen our image." She shrugged, and continued on.
As they made their way to the castle, it seemed more and more ponies were 'accidentally' shoving the changeling aside, expecting a reaction. But none came, the changeling just picked himself up and kept going without looking back.
The wooden doors of the castle were less than twenty feet away when a voice shouted for him to stop. Odyssey sighed and turned to face whoever called for him; it was the Captain.
"A diplomat's presence has been confirmed by the Princess's, and they said he could be easily recognized. I'm assuming that would mean you?" The Captain said.
Odyssey nodded,"Sir, I would say I would be the most visible in a crowd, would you? Not many ponies have bright orange eyes and a mane to match." The Captain grunted, and the changeling continued.
"I'm also having difficulty believing that your Princesses would withhold the information the the diplomat is a changeling. That seems like it would be a major factor in recognizing the diplomat." The Captain lowered his eyes and said nothing for a few minutes.
"Good day to you, Captain." Odyssey said as he made his way back towards the castle's doors. Just as Aurora and Odyssey were about to open the door themselves, they were wrapped in a yellow telekinetic field and opened, revealing both Princesses.
Immediately, all the ponies in the vicinity bowed, and as for the changeling, he bowed his head as low as he could.
"You may rise." the Princess said. The ponies resumed their normal days. Odyssey and his companion made their way towards the Princesses.
"Ah, just the pony- changeling we were looking for! Please, follow us." Princess Celestia said, and then to Aurora.
"And who is this?"
"Aurora is a friend, and if she hadn't accompanied me, I wouldn't be here right now." Odyssey explained.
"May I ask why?"
"I will explain that story when we are in privacy, if you do not mind, Princesses." The changeling said. They nodded and stepped into the main hall. There were stained glass windows depicting various scenes in history: Discord, Nightmare Moon, King Sombra, the Elements of Harmony.
As the changeling returned his gaze to what was in front of him, he found that all three of the ponies surrounding were looking at him in slight amusement. Odyssey scuffed one of his hooves on the tiled floor.
"Princesses, will anypony else be present for our discussion?" He asked.
"I'm glad you asked, our advisors will be joining us in..." Princess Celestia paused and looked up into the sun,"about five minutes." The three ponies and one changeling exited the large hall and entered a circular room with a table in the center and fifteen-odd chairs around it. Odyssey could only assume this is where they would be talking.
A few minutes later, his suspicions were confirmed as an entourage of buissnes ponies trotted into the room, and immediately took the chairs furthest away from the changeling. Another few minutes and all the seats were filled and the talking began.
Princess Luna cleared her throat and all the small talk stopped.
"My sister and I have called you here to discuss a peaceful relationship with Queen Archae's hive. Her diplomat is seated opposite of me, and I would hope there is no bias on these descions due to the recent events regarding the wedding." They nodded.
"Good, now I'd like to properly introduce Odyssey, our changeling ambassador." There was a smattering of polite clapping, but nothing more. The ponies stared at the changeling expectantly, and he coughed, and opened his notebook to the eighth page.
"As all of you know, I am a diplomat here in Canterlot to discuss trade and whatnot from my hive to Canterlot, and this is Queen Archae." He flipped the notebook around and spun it slowly around the table, and before anypony could pipe up, Odyssey explained that the two changelings were casting a very advanced form of a teleportation spell. Instead of a instantaneous flash, both the ends were held open, allowing communication across long distances.
"Now, to business!"
First Impressions are Misleading
Chapter Three: What is Going On
Part Three
"Princess Celestia, Luna. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." The changeling queen began, and looked around the room,"Some of my requests may be unreasonable, but I would like you to hear Odyssey and I out before you make any decisions." The queen then started to look around the space immediate to her and then asked Odyssey if he had seen a piece of paper with writing on it.
"I've been gone for eleven days now, my Queen." He reminded her. Archae smiled sheepishly,"It appears I've lost my notes...could you spare me a few minutes to find them? Thank you." The Queen the stood up and strode around wherever she was. Odyssey groaned and let his head fall to the table with a 'thud'. A few moments later Odyssey groaned again as a higher pitched voice called his name. The diplomat looked up and sighed; on the other side of the portal were a group of changelings.
"Hi Oddity! How's the trip! Are those the Princesses?" One of the nymphs blurted out. The other twenty or so changelings looked at him in awe, it wasn't often a changeling went out of the hive, much less Canterlot!
Odyssey sighed again,"Hello, I'm fine, and yes, those are the Princesses. And I suppose while I'm at it, I'll introduce you to the advisors." He turned to the ponies in question.
"These are my brothers and sisters, brothers and sisters, these are the Princess's advisors. And I told you not to call me Oddity!" The last part was directed at the nymph, who giggled.
The group of changelings scampered off as the Queen returned with a sheet of paper held in a neon orange telekinetic field. She grinned triumphantly as she neared the open rift, and pulled out a pair of reading glasses from who knows where, and began to read.
"My hive is one of the most mechanically and socially advanced hive out off the Eastern Badlands. We can provide Equestria with tungsten, aluminum, copper, steel, and a few types of gems, along with a few workers, should the need arise." The Queen looked to Odyssey, who picked up where she left off.
"In return, my Queen's hive would like to settle in Equestria as citizens, and keep our hive as a metal mine, for Equestria's benefit. All of this is in hopes that changelings will be viewed in a better light than Chrysalis and her kin." Princess Celestia nodded and asked her advisors if they had any inquiries for the changelings. They did.
"Excuse me for asking, but why do you talk about Chrysalis like she's a terrible po-changeling?"
"She made a rash decision putting her entire hive above the rest of us. It was a risky plan from day one, and Odyssey knows the other queens and I tried to dissuade her from going through with it. She's an embarrassment, and made ponies fear us, even though we shouldn't be. We're just a little different, that's all."
"Why do you want to live in Equestria?"
Odyssey answered,"Because the badlands are no place for my hive to be." Seeing blank looks, he explained further,"The only differences between my siblings and I and any pony is that we look different and have a different diet and a few other minor details. That's because my Queen believes in quality over quantity." As a result of that philosophy, Queen Archae's hive only had a few hundred members as opposed to the thousands and the occasional hive in the tens of thousands.
Before another question could be asked, a white stallion with a gray and blood-red mane burst through the door shouting about Shining Armor and a changeling. He paused at the sight of Odyssey, and glanced out the door, and then back at Odyssey.
"Aren't you the diplomat? I could've sworn the changeling outside looks just like you..." He said.
"Odyssey, are you aware of any other changeling being here? In Canterlot?" Celestia asked, concern etched on her face.
"No, Your Majesty, I'm not aware. But I might be able to see where they're from, which could tell us a lot of things."
"It appears we will have to postpone this meeting until the changeling problem is solved. Until then, enjoy yourselves." Princess Celestia said, and then turned to the white pegasus,"Cerberus make sure Shining doesn't do anything rash. Odyssey and I will follow." With that, Cerberus cantered back down the hallway, with an alicorn and a changeling right behind him. After a minute or so, they slowed to find the captain of the Guard staring down a changeling that looked exactly like Odyssey.
"Captain," the Princess said,"please back away, and let Odyssey talk to the changeling." Shining Armor grumbled and backed away.
Odyssey trotted to the new changeling and walked in a slow circle around him.
"You did a very good job on the disguise, I'll give you that. But what are you doing here?" He said. The other changeling rolled his eyes, and sighed.
"The same as you, to discuss possible buissnes with Equestria, and when I heard you were in canterlot undisguised, I figured I'd shift into you to minimize panic." He paused and then added,"I suppose you want to know who I am and what hive I'm from?" Odyssey nodded, and the changeling disappeared in a flash of flame, and an instant later, became visible as a changeling, as would be expected. The changed-Odyssey was now significantly shorter and less stocky than Odyssey, and had bright green eyes and a mane to match. Almost immediately, the ponies watching let out an 'awww'.
The new changeling was from the proto-Queen Idque's hive (eedikay). Which meant that the changeling in front of Odyssey wasn't as experienced with dealing with ponies, or anything for that matter (the first few generations were like nymphs and with each successive generation, they became more like adults) meaning that he'd probably need to watch her every move.
Great. Just what he needed on top of other diplomatic meetings! Odyssey sighed.
The Princess called,"What do you think of the situation, Odyssey?"
"Uh...this is a nymph, which are comparable to your fillies. The only negative thing she could do is be annoying."
"I see, I'll leave you two to settle in, I'll have a room prepared for you."
"Thank you Princess." Odyssey said, and then after she left, he picked up the nymph and put her on his back, where she settled down in between his wings.
"Why the hell would Idque send a nymph barely old enough to change to Canterlot!" Odyssey asked, talking to himself. Odyssey disliked nymphs, they were like vacuum cleaners; loud, obnoxious, and constantly needed something to eat. In this case, it was love.
"Where are we going?" She asked, peering over the top of Odyssey's head.
"I'm not sure, but I understand there's a park somewhere around here...aha! Right across the street!"
A little more than forty feet away was the nicest park either changeling had ever laid eyes on, most likely because it was the first park they had ever seen. The pair made their way across the street, and started to wander around the vast space. Odyssey yawned, and fell over onto his side.
"Are you ok?" The nymph asked.
Odyssey yawned again,"I'm just tired, it's been quite a day so far." The nymph laid down next to him and watched him with curiosity.
"Why are your eyes like that?" She asked. The older changeling shrugged, to be honest, he always thought it was genetics, and hadn't given it much thought.
"Say, little nymph, what's your name?" Odyssey asked, and to his surprise, she didn't understand what a name was!
"Um...what do other changelings call you?"
"What do other changelings call me? Oh...we don't have many other changelings...it's only me, Meteor and Mommy."
Odyssey scratched his head, this wasn't a hive, it was a family!
"And I thought my hive was small..." He mumbled, and then had an idea,"How would you like to meet my hive?" She looked confused as he pulled out his notebook.
"Hello, Odyssey. How has the meeting gone?" Queen Archae asked.
"The meeting was going good, until we were interrupted by another changeling showing up at the castle gates disguised as me." The Queen cocked her head to the side.
"And who was this new changeling? Do you know where they're from?" Odyssey nodded and showed the nymph to his Queen.
"She's here to discuss trade with Equestria...but I'll tell you what I think later when I'm in private. And her hive only has three members: the nymph, another changeling called Meteor and the proto-Queen."
The Queen held up her hoof to stop Odyssey from talking,"Would her name happen to be Idque?" Odyssey nodded.
"Odyssey, I'll talk to you in a few hours. Goodbye." With that, the connection was severed, leaving the two changelings in silence.
The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves, giving it a slight green tint.
"It's very pretty here." The nymph said, pronouncing the 'r' more like a 'w'. Odyssey nodded, and heard the sound of flapping wings coming towards them. A few seconds later, he could make out a dark gray coat, and bat-like wings.
"Hello, Aurora," Odyssey greeted as she landed,"what're you doing here?" The bat pony was breathing heavily, and trotted over to him.
"We have...a changeling...problem....at the castle. Come on!" She gasped. Odyssey leapt up and started to gallop towards said castle, leaving Aurora to take the nymph. Sure enough, at the castle gates were five more changelings, each with different colored features and different physical attributes. That was the first thing he noticed, the second was the guards surrounding them. Odyssey was confused.
"Can one of you tell me what's going on here?" Odyssey exclaimed. Almost immediately, the square went silent. The gathered ponies whispered and murmured to themselves, and the Royal Guards were looking fit to kill something.
"What is the meaning of this?!" This statement came from a very surprised Celestia, who then stared daggers at Odyssey, who shrugged and trotted towards the five newest changelings. As he did so, he began to feel the negative emotions directed at the newcomers, and shuddered.
'Why wasn't I received like this?' He wondered,'they seemed to like me well enough...'
The first changeling Odyssey reached was swaying slightly where he stood, most likely the result of dehydration and exhaustion.
"Where are you from?" Odyssey asked softly.
"Qu-Queen Gilfur, milord." Replied the red-eyed changeling. Odyssey repeated the process with the other four, and discovered that they were all from the older hives: Zephyr, Gilfur, Nebula, Aliquid, and the lastly, Omnis. Their colors were yellow, red, dark blue (Chrysalis's hive's colors are light blue), dark green and purple. Odyssey swallowed nervously, these five changelings were part of the most powerful hives that make up the hierarchy system. The orange-eyed changeling bowed respectfully to each of the newcomers in turn.
The Princess, who remained quiet throughout the entire ordeal, finally asked what was going on.
"Princess, those five changelings down there are like royalty, treat them like you would treat yourself, unless they specifically say not to." Odyssey whispered into her ear.
"In that case," she said, starting towards the changelings,"I will welcome them to Canterlot myself!" Celestia continued to the guards, who (reluctantly) let her pass.
"Welcome to Canterlot, changelings! You must be tired and hungry after you journey. Come, I will have rooms prepared for you!" Celestia said, with a false excitement that could fool most anypony. The changelings nodded vigorously and gave their thanks to the Princess.
"Odyssey, will you join us? And bring your friend." Requested Celestia as they passed. He nodded, and scanned the crowd for the bat pony and the nymph.
"Looking for somepony?" Odyssey jumped back and turned to face the bat pony, who held the nymph out towards Odyssey.
"Thanks Aurora, and by the way, I'm going to apologize for my behavior in advance. Now I have to go, bye!" Without waiting for a reply, Odyssey shot off towards the Princess and the five changelings following her. When he did catch up, they were already in the dining hall, seated, and being served.