A New Start

A greenish light bounced around the cavern, causing the rocks to glow with an almost sickly color.  A unicorn young mare picked herself off the floor.  Looking around she tried to get her bearings, her hooves where shaky as she stood, moving forward only a few steps before teetering in another direction.  Suddenly the silence was broken by a fury of scratching and clattering.  The sound reverberated around the cavern.  The mare's hair stood on end, heart pounding, eye scanning desperately for the source of the noise.  Her breath felt like it was caught in her trough, but a small voice was able to piece the returning silence..

"Who.... who's there?"

The silence had returned, a chill creeping up the mare's spine, until the noises returned, louder and more frantic.  She felt like her heart was going to burst from her chest.  Soon a soft laughter could be heard.  Not a pleasant laugh, no this laugh caused the mare's blood to run cold.  "Enough of this, stop messing with me and show yourself!!!"  Anger at the unknown soon replacing the fear that was gripping at her chest.

Nothing came forward, and the laughter, which had started out as a soft chuckle, was now loud and maniacal.  It seemed to be coming from every direction.  Spinning around, desperately searching for the source, tears of frustration beginning to form in her eyes.  "Enough of this!!! Show yourself or leave me be!"  Out of the corner of her eye a shadow moved.

Spinning to face the unknown pony, she all of a sudden wish she hadn't.  Towering above her stood the Changeling Queen Chrysalis.  Stumbling back the mare tried the run, only to have her mane to be grabbed in green magic.  She kicked out as she was dragged back to the hooves of the Queen.  "How dare you, to insult your Queen in such a way, we can't have that."

The pounding of her heart was ringing in the mare's ears.  "No... no your not my Queen" the unicorn gasped.

The chilling laughter bounced around the cavern, "Oh my little one, no matter what you wish, I will always be your Queen; and there is nothing you can do about it my little changeling."  The Queen laughed, it grew louder, it reverberated around the room, in her head.

NO!!!!!!!

Duchess's eyes popped open, the small alarm clock was buzzing happily.  Gasping for breath, her pulse slowly returning to normal as the nightmare faded.  "Just a dream, it was just a dream."  Sitting up slowly in bed, soft morning light was fighting it's way in the room through the heavy hotel curtains.  Clicking the clock buzzer off she slipping out of bed, with a few soft pops of a joints moving back into place, Duchess made her way to the bathroom.

The light flickered on, a changeling gazed out from the mirror.  Sighing Duchess closed her eyes, gathering her magic around herself.  A flash of green light and the changeling Duchess was replaced with a pale mint green unicorn version.

I wish I didn't have to wear this disguise, but what other chose do I have.  A normal pony would run at the mere sight of me if I didn't; then where would I be, alone and starving, that's where.

Letting out another more frustrated sigh Duchess turned her attention to her horrible bed head.  Picking up a hairbrush in her magic she began the task of working the tangles and knots out of her mane and tail.  Gathering the freshly brushed mane up at the back of her head she then clipped it into place.  With that done, one last look in the mirror and then out the door and to breakfast.

Downstairs with a plate of toast and jam, and a borrowed newspaper, Duchess sat down at a corner table in the lobby.  The early morning quiet was beginning to be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of downtown Canterlot.  Changeling worked best in large cites, easy to take a form and blend into the crowd, but it was only a matter of time before somepony noticed there was two identical ponies running around and it was time to move on.

Recently I have been thinking that I wanted a change of pace, move someplace and live my own life.  That's why I started this little experiment, mashing looks of different ponies into one that was unique, and could be me.  Now I had a look that was my own and a name that I didn't have to steal.  Now there was a chance I could stat my own life, maybe even make some real friends.

Flipping through the paper Duchess stopped at the classifieds.  She needed to find a steady job, the manager of this place wasn't going to let her outstanding bill stand for much longer.  Scanning through over the help wanted section a small add near the bottom caught her eye.

Help Wanted

Full time wait staff/bar-tender needed

Please apply in person

Hmm, the job wasn't far maybe just a short train ride away.  Quickly scanning the rest of the add a small smile began to form on her face.  It was perfect, it even offered room and board.  This could be it!  The beginning of her life as a pony.  Finishing her toast Duchess rushed back to her room and packed her few belongings.  She probably shouldn't waste time or the position could be filled in the time it took her to get there.

Paying the bill for the room nearly cleaned Duchess out of what money she had earned doing odd jobs here and there, but there seemed to be enough left for a train ticket.  A grin couldn't help but find it's way on to her face as she stepped out into the morning sun.