Hello…
I am a changeling…
and today is the day I was born.
One cannot imagine the feeling of being in that state of before life, curled up in ones own embryo I could feel it, the nourishing fluid that gave me life surrounded me my world was dark. I was but an egg in the darkness of my mothers womb, she was connected to me I could feel her voice the voice of a queen surrounding me passing along what one may call natural instincts for my first years of life would be dependant on what information was passed along through the telepathic bond that linked the entire hive, I was apart of it all of it so many voices that it made the darkness feel homely though at this point I did not grasp the meaning of the word. It was that spark of thought though that started the rest of my path, for there was only ever to be one queen in the hive. What happened next I could not describe the rumbling which in my own little word felt like an earthquake, I was being born. And soon my world of darkness turned into a world of bright painful light, if I had a true mouth yet to speak I would have wailed at this interruption of my darkness but that would soon be the least of my sorrows. For that connection that bond to everything around me, it was ripped from me painfully my mother did what any changeling queen did when they bore and heir. They separated them from the mental connection so that the new queen could not even have the smallest chance of having their own mental bond with the hive. That was my first true memory in life, joy at being whole then the pain of being ripped from everything I ever known or felt which in time would remind me what to do should I ever bare an heir of mine own.
But my mind desperately seeking the stability latched onto the only other that would take me, a drone. A lowly drone that simply had been there in the birthing chamber and had delivered me now it was carrying me as fast as it could out from my mother's hive. Instincts kicked in and my little mind reached out, seeking weaker connections claiming them. Soon I had three of them, three drones surrounding me protecting me as they raced through the hive, I could feel the anger of my mother for her signal was still oh so very loud. If they did not make it out of the hive by the time she had recovered then I would be captured taken back and eaten so that I would never grow up into a threat for her or at least that is what I felt. It is truly hard to know anything when you are but minutes old. I could only guess from what ever the short link between me and my mother had given me, it was my first and only gift I would receive from her, even though technically I had stolen it.
Abruptly I felt pain and then soon death as one of my connections was severed from me, my mind wailed in the agony of it only later would I learn to separate my mind from the drones but now? now I was very much apart of them, and one of those drones MY drones was dieing. I would never know truly what happened of course I couldn't see it for myself but once again my world went dark. In the end only two remained and carried my egg out into the light, the dead one had no doubt given its life so that the other two could make their way to the surface and run. I could never know how far and how long they carried me the only things I could comprehend fully was the passage of light and dark over my egg even then I did not know if that signaled time or that one of them was simply looking over my eggshell. Every now and then to be bathed in the sweetest of feelings that filled up the emptiness of being ripped from the hive had created. They were feeding me giving me nourishment so that I could grow up. But still moving, for their gallop rocked my egg slightly back and forth. It was a soothing sensation that went on for who knows how long before suddenly my world was plunged back into the sweet long darkness my egg pulsed with the welcoming feeling of where ever they had taken me, this seemed to be some sort of signal for the drones stopped almost dead in their tracks.
Taking my egg from one of their back to rest it down upon the ground no.. not the ground it was warm and nurturing It felt like the insides of my mother. my little egg pulsed again with the joy of feeling so warm and nestled in this goop the drones had rested me into. And then? they left I could feel their minds slipping out of my weak telepathic reach though I could still feel the bond there it was difficult to deal with their sudden absence. It tore me up and I was stuck not able to do anything for my egg was also my prison as my body was still forming though I was sure I had feet of some kind. I tried to wiggle but all that did was cause my egg to shift to an angle which made it uncomfortable. My mental wail must have reached out longer than I thought as I felt one of the drones return to my sphere of influence and walked over only to gently nudge me back into proper position. It made me feel better though the drone did me further kindness as it released the last fadings of nourishment unto me. It was at this only trickle of feeding my little mind made the connection with the memories of my mother... the drones were out of food that is why they had left me they needed to hunt. Though apparently one was much closer than the other, that is when I heard it the first sound I would ever heard in my life and probably considering what I was born as one day to be one of my favourite sounds....
I heard a pony screaming.
The sound was so sharp and loud I let out a confused mental wail that had the drone clicking softly as it lay next to my egg. This pony was being forcibly drained of its love and probably eaten not too far from where I lay. The sounds were so loud it penetrated my egg. but the clicking of the drone also came through and it was soothing. It distracted me from what was happening undoubtedly on the other side, perhaps this drone thought I had been through enough for now. Now was time to nurture me so I grew into a young queen. Because of this my mentality was about to drift into a low hum... I was cocooning. Preparing to one day emerge from my egg and live but that was a ways away. After all a baby needs a lot to eat so it can grow big and strong. After some practice I finally grasped time, it was the subtle shifts of light over my egg, It was the changing of the drones, they seemed to work in shifts one would stay with me while the other went out to hunt only to come home and feed me also their partner. I learned to just think on how many times they shifted it became my days and nights. The shifts passed quickly to me and soon it become so monotonous I got my first taste of boredom for time was very very slow in perception for a little egg like me. So I rested not knowing how dangerous that was until I could feel the mental bonds slacken. The drones could break free and return to my mothers hive, if left alone I would more than likely die before I hatched. But it was too late and my first sleep came upon me dragging me back into the warm darkness.
The darkness lasted for longer than I could ever know, ever hope to know I had left myself in the care of drones without true and utter control over them. I could be dead right now, but then it would feel different then this wouldn't it? I didn't know but it had felt nothing like the cold dark emptiness I had experienced when one of the drones that had carried me from my mother hive died. So perhaps I was not dead after all, maybe one drone had stayed behind in some sort of display of loyalty or trust. I never knew or couldn't recall from my mother's wisdom if a changeling drone ever showed such things. That is when I felt it, it was a stirring throughout my entire body, something was changing and I knew it. When I woke again things were different I was different, I could feel it I was bigger for one. I was no longer an egg but a little changeling queen wrapped up in the warmth of my cocoon, the way I knew this was because my eyes, they opened. I could see for the first time in my very young life, and I also felt the first taste of true happiness for the first thing I saw when I woke were the two drones that had nursed me when I was a little egg. They had both stayed they hadn't left me alone to die, and it was in that moment the first time these drones reaped the benefit of all their hard work. Because I loved them in that moment, and the telepathic bond grew strong all the love they had fed to me was returned filly their bellies. But they dared not dine lightly after all I was still such a little thing, I was weaker than they were if they fed me fully then I could die. This was a completely risky business, I realized that perhaps this was not the first time my mother had given birth to an heir. I began to wonder how many of my sisters had gone through the cycle how many had died either by her mother's hands or by the hands of their inexperienced drone caretakers.
Then a deep need burst through my mind...
Out.
I wanted out. NOW.
Soon I was kicking and struggling in the cocoon, it was my first real test in the long list of tests I would now have to perform and pass if I wanted any hopes of making it to adulthood let alone starting my own hive. I needed to break out, to be truly born into the world, but I couldn't rely on the drones to help me, they would help other drones out of their cocoon's but not me. I would have to break out on my own to prove I was worthy of their teaching, that I was strong enough to have a chance to grow. So I fought, my perforated hooves pressing and pushing against the membrane of the cocoon, then my head that is when I noticed something else that was different something I foolishly had not noticed until now. My horn, it was pressing against the membrane of the cocoon. I blinked then grinned immediately with an unbridled sense of joy, I had a horn! nearly bouncing in the cocoon. I did the first thing that had come to mind, I thrust my horn into the membrane as hard as I could and it broke beneath the force of my horn. With a violent twist and pull I lacerated the membrane gouging a huge gape within it, in a sudden rush the nourishing gelatin that had surrounded me poured from the cocoon spilling out like a grievous wound.
I was free!
Excitedly I struggled out the mess and took my first breaths of air, real air only to choke upon it and struggle and I coughed up some of the gel from my lungs it burned within me, no longer would I be able to stay suspended like that. Air filled me as I fell slipping down upon the the ground. It was only then that they came to my sides, these drones my siblings by genetics reached down clicking to me softly.
'it is okay little one'
'it is time to rise'
Their thoughts, I could hear them as clear as a bell and I understood. Taking a moment to gain breath as I struggled up to my feet shaking the remains of the liquids off my fledgling carapace. And.... what was this on my head? I blinked as a curtain fell over my face it took me a moment to find the right word... fur? yes head fur but glancing between these drones my siblings neither of them had it. That is of course when I realize just exactly how small I was, for the drones toward over me I was such a little filly a little bit of inner fear hit me for a moment until one of them must have seen the look in my eyes for it leaned down and gently nuzzled its head against mine clicking softly.
'Do not be afraid little sister, you are safe with us'
Only to have the other nod its head in agreement, I could only let out small smile and nuzzle back into the drone. Feeding it more of my love, I knew the dangers of this but they had been my saviors without them I would have surely died one way or another and even without my mental bond to hold them they had stayed. My first impulse I acted upon was to bounce and dance around them happily getting used to my new stronger legs. Giggling and laughing as I went for I was but a filly learning to have fun. What would have been a horrible slow process for ponies I would later find out was rather simple for changelings for it had only taken 4 months for me to cocoon and break free though the only reason I knew that was how long was because the drones told me. Though my mental bond with them would keep me from ever mixing them up I wished to know what to call them, so I opened my mouth to speak to them my first words a squeaky high pitched chittering more like the trill of a bird then the insectoid clicking of my siblings. Both of them were surprised at the sound though the message came across through the bond.
'What do I call you?'
Perhaps it was more what I said then how that ended up stunning them but it mattered little to me at the moment as I looked up at them. They looked at one another nervously before the one who had nuzzled me decided to speak up.
‘Anything you want to little sister’
This drones chittering was soft and gentle it reminding me of the voice of my mother of course that should be granted, drones were her children as much as I was. Though it was the way this drone spoke to me a nurturing tone that I could remember in the clicking of my mothers voice. And it seemed to keep insist on saying little sister even though I should rightfully be it’s queen nothing else. My eyes turned on the other drone it was much more reserved much more in line with what I pictured drones to act like. Then I noticed the oh so subtle differences between them. The silent drone had spines like the other but the fins were longer more protruded, I quizzically stared at them until the drone began to look uncomfortable and its low chitter finally came out.
‘Do I displease you my queen?’
It asked and the voice roused me from my thoughts and questions. Shaking my head quickly as I tried to recover and hold my head up high, I was a queen after all and their queen to be more specific. I was supposed to be regal… what ever that meant, gods all these thoughts in my head not my own hurt my head. It was like having someone whisper the right words over and over in your ears. It hurt but I had to make sure not to forget anything for the more I forgot the more I would have to try to learn on my own. Finding them both staring at me once again I trilled softly to them.
‘No… You do not displease me”
Moving between them as I turned back looking upon the cocoon that had once been my home while I was growing noticing some of the gunk was still clinging to my body. That is when my young ears heard it, the small roar of rushing the sound was completely foreign to me in desperation I searched my collected memories only to draw up a blank. Curiosity drew me from the side of the drones I must know what that sound was it was so close to use that I knew it probably wasn’t dangerous or else the drones would not have let it be so near. Before they could react I was galloping off to the sound following it through the caves until I saw it and the mere aw of it had me skidding to halt ignorant to the sounds of the drones desperately trying to catch up to me. Before me was this giant wall but it was not made of earth or stone no it was made of water, free flowing water the guarded the entrance of my new home. The mist rising up from where the water fell splashing against the rocks and the pool of water at the entrance. The sight floored me for I saw the light dancing upon the water as it flowed down, cautiously I stepped forward feeling the coolness of the water of the pool only to yelp when I was suddenly tugged back harshly by the tail. Turning I glared at the drone that had a nurturing tone as it quickly let go of my tail. It was about to say something before the other one replied.
‘You are not allowed to go outside’
It stated so simply so cold so matter of fact that I was quite stunned before turning my glare on him.
‘Why not?!’
That is when I experienced my first real test of wills, the drone stepped up to me and at once it was like someone was yelling in my mind it hurt so much! but I didnt dare scream and I had to force down the building tears in my eyes. Instinct told me that this drone was testing me, forcing his own mental powers against my own. Apparently queen’s did not have complete control over the drones or at least I didn’t. Something deep inside told me that this was very very bad, I wasn’t fully grown and if I wanted to grow up then I couldn’t didn’t dare show weakness now. It struck hard that even though they had stayed with me it was still very much my mother’s will that had the hold upon them truly. It was only the distance that would stop them from being forced to carry out any of her orders. It hurt so much…
‘ENOUGH!’
The drone was knocked by the nurturing one forcing the mental attacks to come to stop. The drones themselves seeming to have their own little mental war as I was too busy trying to make the pain stop when I heard the deep chitter cold and clear.
‘This is pointless… she’s weak, she won’t survive just like the rest of them. We should return to the colony’
‘You know we can’t! the queen would kill us, our little sister’s pheromones and mental bond will not go unnoticed. And it’s our job to make sure she survives until her test!’
The what could I only guess by now to be the elder of them snorted sharply giving one look back at me as I looked back at it shaking at first before a deep sense came over me to prove this drone wrong. I forced my head up high which seemed to get it’s looks to soften if only minutely before the drone walked back deeper into the cave without a word. Only when he was gone did I gently settle myself on the ground before I could fall over letting out a small sniffle. My mind still hurt so much and I was only barely beginning to understand the gravity of the situation I had been born into. Not to mention the drones words had proven my own thoughts, there had be other young queens and unfortunately they had all failed in one way or another dieing as a result. I didn’t want to die, I had just been hatched!
I let out a small sniffle having forgotten the nurturing drone until it had come up and settled down beside me wordlessly before resting it’s head over my own. With a soft chitter it seemed to try draining all my fear away.
‘Hush… now, you are a queen are you not? do not let that one bother you little sister’
‘Why?’
I asked ever so meekly.
‘Why what?’
‘Why are you doing this? should you not be like him?’
Whatever I had said seemed to amuse the drone for it smiled down at me before moving a lock of mane out of my face.
‘Oh no, I am different but one day perhaps you will understand that for now though you should come back, it is time to rest for you have a big day tomorrow’
Tomorrow? I cocked my head at the changeling only for it to blink then chuckle to itself before chittering once again.
‘Tomorrow is what ponies and changelings call the future that will happen after the moon falls and dawn rises. And tomorrow is when you shall begin your training my precious little thing’
With that the drone nudged me before getting up itself waiting for me to get up as well before it continued to speak.
‘Come now… you must be exhausted’
the two of us walked together as the nurturing changeling chittered a lovely melody, my first memory of music one I was sure I would treasure. We found our way back to what I could only summarize as the main hall of my new home where my opened cocoon lay in a heap. the elder drone was already resting upon one of the large towering stones seemingly paying no mind to our entrance. the nurturing one continued the melody before nudging me down into a little crevice where I would be comfortable and well hidden should anything stumble unto the cave.
‘Sleep my little sister, let your dreams take wing~ one day when you're big and strong. You will be a queen~’
It’s song soothing me as I let out a soft yawn before curling up and closing my eyes settling into sleep. In the back of my mind I thought that I heard the two of them conversing but I soon forgot as my own dreams came to me. And once again I slipped into the darkness thinking that for sure no matter what I would wake to at least one of them being here for me when I awoke, that made the sleep peaceful oh how I wish I had known how few of such peaceful nights I would have. For my life had just begun, the start of something I had no clue on how it would twist and turn.
