Chapters Dear Diary,
I don't know what the date is, but I do know it is a Tuesday.
I found this book on the floor in one of the barrows today. I don't know if its one of the other changelings, but the pages were blank so I made my chance and decided to take it. I'm writing with a piece of charcoal that I found in my dad's room; I hope he doesn't find out, same goes with my mother. What I'm writing in here is what I'm finding out from all the other changelings. Like old Daz said, there is an entire land where a Changeling could transform into anyone. Being able to get close to them and suck out their emotions without them ever knowing, unless you were an idiot. He is an old coot, but I listened to him more than my mother and father. There were times I would sneak out just to listen to his stories. Like the time how the Changelings had to go into hiding from a disaster years ago, where the still living current Queen tried to take over the Canterlot castle. Or the time where the Queen and Princess Celestia nearly fought to the bitter end for the superiority of both races. Those stories always interested me as if I was hypnotized from the fascinating adventures everyone has in their lifetime. I even asked my dad to see if he had anything interesting he could share with me, but he just ignored me or tried to change the subject quickly. My mother was an acceptation; she would always tell me about the outside world away from the hive. She would bring something different home like fruit called an apple. I didn't know of the various food substances that were out there. Something was off when I took a chomp out of it, the taste was sweet and juicy, but I didn't feel any change in my hunger. I could never feel satisfied like something was missing. I sighed every time I ate one. It's like I was missing that very essence of enjoyment. The history of the hive was lost somehow, it was like they just vanished into thin air, when I went to the library within the hive. The books never showed anything to do with the outside apart from survival tips or the new Daring Do book that somehow gets put on the shelf every month. Everything seems boring in the hive. I have never set foot outside for all the years I've been alive, which is 16 years, according to my mother. My dad, however, says I'm 15 and a half, but I don't know why. My dream is to-!
"Trike, you awake dear?" I heard my mother's sweet melodious voice, making me turn my head towards my rooms entrance in shock. Trying to hide the book within my four hooves.
"I'll be right with you," I shouted back getting their attention.
I'm just a teenager, as everyone puts it, a changeling teenager that only has a path within the hive to serve my Queen. I'm obedient and curious as my mom would say. The day, I think, could go the way I wanted or it could turn into another day burrowing for the entire hive again. My appearance is a little different from any other changeling, well apart from being black in colour. I have a mane that covers my eyes; that goes down my neck like spiked scales. My eyes weren't arctic blue; they were a dull grass green while my iris was clearly visible with a midnight blue color and dark green pupils. My horn was smaller from the others where it would just stick out from my front mane. My tail was the awkward part, it's exactly like my mothers somehow, it was a rather long and bushy that was different than every changeling I have ever known. I'm just a regular young changeling colt that wants to achieve my dream someday.
I walked through the barrows path to our dining area to see my mother by a set of plain wooden table and chairs with a grocery bag placed on top. My mom didn't look like a changeling, well you could say she wasn't but she is now. My mother had a dark orange mane that tilted to one side while the other curved around to the larger side and her tail was the same as mine, but orange. Her eyes were that of a dragon of some sort, a green eye with an emerald green iris and pupil. One day I asked her why was she different than the others, but all she said was "I did it to be with your father." I never understood what she meant by that, but I knew one day I would figure it out.
"I brought your favorite." she said in an excited manner "A nice warm apple pie."
My eyes widened with a smile on my face at the sight of the steamy apple pie that was now sitting on the table. I soon realized in all the times I could think, but I never noticed. Where did she get the apples, pies, cakes and flowers? She had to leave the hive to get them because there wouldn't be anyone here that would even think of going near them.
"So where's dad?" I asked as I sat in the chair watching my mother use a knife with her hoof cutting it.
"Your dad's guarding the Queen today, but I think he's going to need more resolve if he's going to be patrolling the barrows." My mum said with a smile on her face slowly cutting the pie.
I chuckled at my mums humor because I know my dad is like all the other changelings in looks, but with a different personality than most. The day went on; I knew I had to see who needed my help within the hive, we all had a part to play. Even if it was cleaning up the toiletry all the way up to guarding the hive against any intruders. Even so I sighed because I was placed on making more holes within the hive to expand the empire. I didn't care about anything anymore apart from my parents and my dream. I have no friends since I look different, but I never told my parents about that because they would have talks with the other parents into making them friends with me. Break time came round in an instant as I burrowed with the others. The guard was telling us to go and sit down to talk while the other team of changelings took charge of the tunnels. Everyone went off in their groups while I proceeded on my own towards one of the armories right on the outskirts of the hive. No one ever goes there, so it was a perfect place for me to practice my changing ability. Maybe I would change myself into the others so they would see me as any other changeling, but as my appearance, I never could understand why I had a power that was different from them as well. I could change my appearance, yes, but I could only change my appearance into a some weird colored pony appearances. Bare in mind the changing ability works, only if we see them in a photo or person like what we did in the past for a brown pony picture. I had a gift to change my appearance to anything I wanted within reason.
I hid within the armory because it was a place where the blacksmiths put their unwanted helmets, breastplates and weapons. The room was rectangular where the equipment was placed on these mannequins while the armaments are in large wooden crates and containers at the back of the room. For a while, I practiced the shapeshifting into many different ponies for a good time waster. I was so happy at that moment when I could fully change my appearance into the other changelings knowing full well I could fit in as well. Something felt wrong after the change like I felt dizzy and ill while I wanted to throw up. I thought it was my body saying don't over do it. I didn't know what it meant, but I knew I felt happy, and that's all that mattered.
"Do you hear something?" The sound of a guard spooked me, making me change back to my original form.
I covered my mouth with my hoofs as I looked around to find a place to hide only knowing one place and that was behind the crates. I quickly flew over using my wings trying not to make any noise. I was hiding for the moment when I heard hoofsteps walk into the room. I peeked around the crate, only to see they were admiring the armour on one of the mannequins since they were guards I thought that would get their interest. I don't know how long I waited, but eventually they left the room, and I let out a deep sigh of relief. I never knew my heart could beat that quick in my entire life; it was worse when I had to go to that changeling teaching center right in the middle of the hive when I was young. The sight of a thousand changelings frightened me to the point of freezing up. I shook my head, trying to forget that memory. I spread my wings once more only to hear a gentle tap on the wall behind me. I turned round to see a curved wall panel in the color of the dirt barrier. I was curious, so I nudged the board for it only to fall to the floor making a thud sound. A sudden wind hit me with the scent of a something I never knew could be real. My curiosity got the best of me as I didn't hesitate one second to crawl out the hole that the panel revealed. I thought I crawled for an hour, but eventually I made it to the end. The exit was clearly visible by the light it emitted in the enclosed space. My eyes widened as I felt a cold breeze hit me as a poked my head out the hole to see the it was within a mountain above a forest. The view was so majestic with the rising sun on the horizon; I sat on the edge of the hole just admiring the view of something I never saw in my whole life. I could see other wildlife moving through the leaves of the forest and birds flying high in the sky. Again, I never listened to the part of me saying go back to the hive instead I went to investigate the new world open to me other than a room in a mountain.
I landed in the forest, away from the mountain hoping anyone didn't see me. I put my wings away and relaxed at the sight of the orange and red flowers on the carpeted green floor. I've only read them in the books in the library, but to see them in front of me was a change in my view of the place we live in. The trees are so high it covered the sky to a point where small pockets of sunlight could get through. The animals I could see were amazing in colour and shape, I could see squirrels, rabbits, a bear and many more. The strange thing was how they avoided me as I tried to get a good look at them like I was some monster to them. For all I know is that they are the monsters to me, so I am polite to them. No hesitation came over me to venture forwards towards a great unknown. I walked for a rather long time until I hit a long narrow dirt path with a crossroad splitting into three paths. One of the signs said Canterlot, which was the center, the left was a place called Ponyville, and the other was too blurred out to read with scratches and pieces missing from it. I stood there thinking to myself; I was already this far away from the hive, and I was in an entirely new place with new ponies and a new way of life to look forward to. I didn't notice the puddle that was by the sign I took a step back to see the continuous waves going over my reflection. The thought of another pushing me aside would hit me worse than the time I spent in the hive. I looked back up to notice a blurred out Silhouette, by the shape of them they were of pony origin. I quickly looked around me to see all the animals were cowering behind trees and bushes. I thought to myself "are they scared of me?" This thought made me look back at the reflection in the puddle once more with the fright of being shunned by them. It worried me for if they see me will they hate me, avoid me or just banish me from this new place. The look on my face turned to determination as I used my shapeshifting ability to turn myself into a light beige unicorn, my mane changed to a curved combed back and my tail was the same as I couldn't change it somehow so I was stuck with it. My eyes turned from dull green to white while my iris and pupil stayed the same for some reason. I nodded to myself in the reflection stepping through it to make my way to my first stop on my agenda. Because... It was my dream to have an adventure in a different land and find new ponies other than changelings. I don't know where this will lead me, but I can say this:
Adventuring that is my dream and I will see to it finished with all the memory's it will bring because that's the sort of changeling I am.
I walked towards the other pony figure that was coming in the opposite direction. I don't know if it was me being frightened or scared, but my legs felt like jelly as I desperately tried to walk onwards. Both of us could see each other clear as day now. However, I noticed he was staring at me with a smile on his face which made my heart beat faster with sweat going down my face. I felt something inside I never felt before, I was nervous from the thought of somepony catching me. I couldn't shake this feeling. I shook my head to notice the pony wasn't in front of me anymore. I must have passed them as I was deep in thought from worrying too much.
"Hello." A brown earth pony stepped in front of me giving me a shock. "You look lost."
"Err-... Hi" I grumbled to the pony trying to find my words.
I couldn't look him in the eye because of how worried I was, it felt like the first time I was in the middle of the hive trying to show off my skills in the allotted time. I still couldn't find my words as I managed to look him in the eyes again with a little more confidence. He just kept smiling at me. The pony looked back and forth up the dirt path from the awkwardness of silence from the two of us. He soon pointed his hoof towards the direction I was heading.
"That's the way you want to go, and don't worry about everypony looking at you for not having your cutie mark. I hear it's a rather exciting feeling when you suddenly find your destiny, so good luck mate." The pony said before walking down the dirt path away Ponyville. I was confused at the pony's sudden greeting. Back in the hive we never greeted each other like that, most of the time it's a cold stare with a dark sinister sentence to get us back to work. I looked back at the pony who was walking off in the distance. This, cutie mark, is a special mark that you get when you find whatever you are good and talented at. It can even tell you what you are meant to be doing as your life long job, that's what the book in the hive library said anyway.
I looked at the cutie mark on his flank before he went out of view, it looked like a simple hourglass. I never thought a picture of an hourglass could be on somepony's flank, but I never could get that part of the spell right. The one where I can transform into anypony with their cutie mark on their flank. That was the one reason why I couldn't join the guard in the hive. My ears dropped back from the sudden thought in my head. I couldn't let that get me down, I've come to far to just sit back and give up now. This is my time and I will see it through. I sharply turned towards Ponyville, picking up the pace with one thought going through my mind; this is exciting.
A good amount of time went by before I reached the town of Ponyville. I didn't care, though, I only cared about the first moment of seeing another place other than the same boring hive. It was an odd and interesting sight at first when I arrived. There wasn't any tunnels, no cave rooms and there was lights coming from inside the big rooms. My mouth opened a little at the sight of ponies walking around, chatting without any care in the world. I never had this much freedom to do what I wanted in all my life, it was relieving. I didn't hesitate to search around Ponyville, they have a large bakery, selling all kinds of pastry; just like what my mum gets when she comes home with grocery bag, a massive crystal castle that swept me away with its beauty, a town centre where the person in charge are, an extremely large apple farm on the outskirts that I didn't explore fully yet, a place called, Carousel Boutique, which has very Interesting armour on display by the windows and much more that I need to look at. Something felt off as I was wondering around the town, though. I noticed everypony staring at me with confusion on their faces. I thought hard, thinking that it could be because I haven't got a cutie mark visible, I just hope it doesn't give me away or cause me trouble.
I came to a stop from the sound of a growling stomach, it was mine. I broke a sweat knowing full well that we need nourishment to keep our disguises up. Every changeling would soon run out of magic and need to feed on emotions to replenish our magic. I was different, I guess I took it from my mother's side because I can eat other things as well as emotions. That's how I can get my magic back, from eating something like a delicious apple pie or someone's happy emotions. My stomach growled louder than normal, indicating my time was getting near for my transformation back. I started to panic, looking left and right to find any kind of food to ingest. An enticing smell went up my nose, I instantly remembered that smell, it was an apple pie. I knew that I couldn't wait any longer. I ran as fast as my legs could take me to the destination of the smell. I stood at an awe as I saw an entire wooden wagon filled with neatly assorted pies. I broke into a heavier sweat as I saw my legs slowly turn beige to black. If that didn't make matters worse, there was an orange earth pony wearing a cowboy hat and her cutie mark was that of three apples standing by the wagon offering them for some kind of metal. I didn't waste any more time, it was either I get a telling off for stealing a pie or have the whole town will know who I really am. I rushed over towards the wagon getting the pony's attention who smiled towards me. Before she could say a word I was already in mid-air, flipping over the wagon while grabbing a pie from the top shelf. It's been a while when I last done acrobatics because my landing was off and the blood rushed to my head. When I got my footing I bolted on ahead only looking back to see the mare was in a shocked state, standing there with her mouth open. I didn't know where I was heading, but my sense of direction took me to a barn where I stood by an apple tree. I took a deep breath before looking for a place to spend the night with my, I mean, somepony else' apple pie. I quickly thought back to when I visited the farm earlier, there was this rather beat down large square box that looked like a shelter not too far from the farm in the apple forest.
I shook my head in compliance with myself, feeling a little awkward now since I nodded to myself. It was a ten-minute walk to the large box in the trees. On my back I balanced the apple pie perfectly, the heat it generated made me felt right at home for some reason. I walked up the decaying ramp towards the run down room, carefully watching my step In case the ramp collapses in beneath me. I made it to the top, stopping to see the front door was off on one of its hinges and the walls were missing some of its yellow wooden planks. I sighed when I placed the apple pie down on the ramp in front of me, starting to feel a little guilty from stealing the apple pie. I mean, come on, who's going to hold back on someone stealing a pie for Chrysalis sake. "What now, someone stole your apple pie." I imitated loudly, giving myself a little chuckle that brought a smile to my face.
"Hay, what you doing up there!" I heard a girly shout abruptly from behind.
I couldn't believe it when I turned around instantly, the ramp suddenly snapped taking me and the pie with it. I didn't have time to think about anything other than how bucked I was. I closed my eyes as I hit my head on the grassy floor. The feeling of pain shooting through me made my sight became blurred and my hearing impaired. On top of that I couldn't even move a muscle in my body, it was like that time when I was burrowing and for a joke the other changelings strapped a spring to my tail, launching me up into the air smashing my head against the ceiling making me unconscious. That's what I went to right now, an unconscious state of mind, I couldn't feel nor say, but I could hear light voices from my ears, three, in fact, they sounded around my age. It was a new experience for me, becoming unconscious felt odd like my head was dancing with an elephant. I managed to open my eyes only to see an angry unicorn, roughly around my size, up close to my face. The unicorn in my face was a light grey colour in body while her mane and tail was a rather long light purple with light rose pink streaks within. Her eyes are a dull green with while her size was that of mine. I didn't answer her question all I noticed was the sudden change of scenery of what looks like the run down shelter that the ramp broke and took me with it.
"Wait!" I screamed towards the pony, raising my two front hoofs in a waving motion " I'm a good Pony!"
The pony looked up with a confused look on her face like there were others there in the room. I noticed I didn't change back into my original form. That must be the reason why she's looking baffled by my sudden plea of innocents. It didn't take me long to figure out I was still slowly changing back by the look of my hoofs. It's amazing how I can withstand the magic draining part of the change. It's like I have some endurance for it to not change me back.
I saw my chance as she paid little attention to me. It gave me time to look around to see that they brought the pie with them. I took my chance, pushing the grey pony off forcefully, quickly getting back up on my feet.
"Pie!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs towards the pie by the door in front of me. I dived head first, leaping a great distance towards it. I landed, with only the sound of a splat in the room with the sound of my face digging into the now destroyed pie.
"Was he that desperate?" A new female voice was heard from behind. I turned my head chewing on a large piece of the apple pie. Sighing in relief, I knew I was safe for awhile until I needed more nourishment.
I saw two more ponies, around my age, standing either side of the grey pony with smiles on their face. I stopped chewing to get a better look of their faces since this can go either way, I need to know what they look like. Standing on my right next to the middle one stood an orange Pegasus. Her mane and tail are a cerise colour while her style was going over her head with her fringe flicking up at the front. Her eyes were a grayish purple while her size was equal or a little bigger than me, but I can't tell with her neck bending down while her hoof covers her face with a strange gurgling noise emitting from it.
On my left stood a pale, light grayish olive earth pony. Her mane reached down as far as her chest while the top just sat above her forehead. Her mane and tail colour was an amethyst red while her eyes were orange.
"Are ya just going to stare or are you going to answer our question." The olive pony asked trying to hide from giggling.
I swallowed what was left of the pie in my mouth and proceeded to wipe the applesauce off my face. I quickly thought in my head that maybe they don't know who I am like I could change their look on me of I say the wrong words... Or be helpful if I say the right ones.
I took in a deep breath, holding it in for a second before releasing.
"Aren't you the one who stole my sisters pie?" The olive pony interrupted me as I opened my mouth.
"I...err...I mean.." I jumbled up my words upon hearing her words.
Not knowing what to say in this situation, I lowered my head knowing full well this would happen "I am truly sorry. That was my only option I could make for food if there's anything I could do to make it up to you's or your sister please tell me."
I must've said something wrong because they all changed their looks on their faces to that of caring. I was shocked to even see that face. In the hive, you always got punished or picked on if you done something like that but I decided to give it a go in this place because... They're different. I can tell by the looks they gave me and the way they're treating me right now.
"Ey we didn't mean to rude, let's just start over, I'm Applebloom," the olive pony said tilting her face with a gentle smile.
"I'm Sweetie Belle, I hope I didn't scare you when you woke up" the grey unicorn raised a hoof to her chin wondering about if I am okay.
"We should just turn him in"
"Scootaloo!!" Applebloom and Sweetie said in sync.
"Oka~y, geez. Does it even matter, but I'm Scootaloo if your wondering" she crossed her hoofs looking away from me.
I rubbed my left hoof nervously slowly, trying getting used to the three who sudden got off my back. Well apart from one anyway.
"This is probably your square room in the tree right?" I asked, only to get raised eyebrows from all three in return.
"Have you ever seen a treehouse before?" Sweetie belle asked me, flicking a hoof my way.
"A treehouse. And I'm guessing all those other square rooms in town are houses if this is a treehouse?" I asked with an enthusiastic tone.
"Where are ya from?" Apple asked.
I didn't reply to her. I couldn't reply to her for the reason of what would they think of me, would they think of me as an enemy as soon as I reveal myself or would they be afraid of me and run away. I didn't want to find out so I looked away in a gloomy motion, hoping they wouldn't ask.
They looked at each other with the same worried look just a moment ago. They must have been thinking the same thing when Sweetie Belle stepped forward.
"Is there a reason why you can't tell us?" Sweetie Belle asked me with a concerned look towards me. I tried to play along so I closed my eyes slightly hoping it would get the effect I wanted and they would just stop asking questions.
"Wait a minute!" Applebloom gasped in a surprised fashion "you don't have your cutie mark!"
I was shocked as I turned my head towards my flank to notice it was clear of anything. I didn't think about it when I met them. I looked at their cutie marks for I didn't even realize. Sweetie Belle's had a microphone with two notes on top of it indicating an arrow, Scootaloo's is a wheel with a wing clearly blocking half of the wheel, Applebloom's are two standing tailoring cloths with a leaning paintbrush on each of them. I was worried to how this would end up if I didn't say anything, only if I did, though.
"That's odd for a pony your age to not have one." Sweetie Belle said as she walked around me, checking out my posture a little more.
"How old are you exactly?" Scootaloo said to my face in an aggressive tone. I could tell she was weary of me
"I am sixteen years of age," I said with confidence, backing away from Scootaloo to get my personal space back.
"Same age as us, a~nd you don't have your cutie mark, don't know why you're here and you can't tell us where you're from" Sweetie Belle started going through the things we just discussed.
"No matter, just lay low a little. My sister will kill ya if she knew you hiding here" Applebloom said as she walked towards the door. The other two proceeded to follow Bloom through the door.
"If you just stay here for a while, we'll be back to check up on you once we're finished with school in Canterlot" Applebloom happily said with a smile on her face. It brought be assurance that I returned the smile with a nod in compliance.
"I am in your debt for letting me stay here in this...shelter"
Sweetie Belle popped her head in before Applebloom closed the door "looks like you'll be reviving the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Trike"
The door closed behind her giving me time to think what just happened. I just got sanctuary from three ponies, who, I don't have any relation to whatsoever, are going to help me in some way, which, I don't have a clue in what they're helping me with. I have a feeling the next time I see them it's not gonna end well for anypony.
"Didn't they say they had school in Canterlot, that was on the sign post in the forest," I said out loud to myself.
My mind thought of a million things as I stayed in the treehouse. Like what could be these so-called cutie marks mean, and why does everypony have them besides us changelings. There was only one way to find out, and that was going outside to ask around.
I made my way out of the treehouse to see the ramp was fixed with a fresh paint of blood red smeared across it. I never could tell time right, but I knew that they work fast in repairs those three. I shook off that thought by making my way into the town of Ponyville once more. This time, I had a stomach full of pie and was ready to explore more openly. My first trip was towards the library, which I checked the signs and it pointed towards an empty hole in the ground. I looked confused, rubbing my head by the hole thinking what's my next step since the library isn't there anymore. My train of thought was cut short when someone touched my shoulder, getting my attention.i turned around to see a slightly thin purple dragon, a little smaller than me holding a grocery bag.
"Is there a reason why you're standing there?" The purple dragon asked me.
I cleared my throat, hoping I get my words correctly "I was looking for the library, and it turns out it's this great big hole in the ground"
"That's been gone for ages now, but I can show you the alternative library. The names Spike by the way" Spike said as he walked backwards.
"The names..." I thought for a second. would using my real name get anyone off guard "Trike, it's a nice to meet you" ahh buck it, I'll just use it. I've already used it for the three girls earlier on so why not.
I followed Spike towards the castle's front door. I was at an awe to see the castle up close, it was majestic in its beauty I almost forgot my objective. The doors opened revealing the hallway that portrayed pictures of six ponies, including Spike as a younger dragon.
"The library is right down there, you can't miss it" Spike pointed down one of the hallways
"You'll let me walk around unsupervised?" I sudden asked.
Spike opened a random door in the castle hallway before saying "I don't think Twilight would mind you using her library anyway."
I shrugged my shoulders as Spike closed the door behind him. Everypony must be that trustworthy if they let anypony inside their house... Or castle for this matter. Nevertheless, I followed where Spike left off to go. It took a while to get to the library, but I managed to get there. My mouth gaped open as I saw bookcase after bookcase in this one large room. I groaned to myself on the sight of so many books in one room, it wasn't this large in the hive library and it only consisted of basic information. While this consisted of many more things that I have no clue about, but the information I am looking for is about cutie marks. Eventually, I managed to find the book explaining what cutie marks are, and how to make ones' library messy as buck. I found out that cutie marks are a picture of what your talent is and it can also lead to what your destiny is, depending if you take it that way. Like I am a simple changeling who can't get a cutie mark, but nopony knows that yet or they will never know I hope. I knew I got lost in the books because the sun was replaced by the moon in the sky revealing the stars that glistened upon it. I heard voices down the hall from the library. I didn't want to alert anypony so I left in a quiet manner. I reached outside, feeling the sudden breeze that hit me. My spine shivered as it was a clear night sky. I didn't care as I walked the candle light path, enjoying the night view of the town. A lot of things went through my mind, like why were the changelings created, how were they created and why do we have to resort to such primitive method of living. I couldn't remember a time when we had to just sit back and enjoy each other's company. In all my years of being alive, which isn't that long, these few hours have taught me something. Our way is wrong.
I walked down further down the path, only to hear the sound of something large coming my way. It was an instinctive sound that was very odd and peculiar, like old man Daz trying to whistle in an explosive manner. I turned my attention to something called "Ponyville Train Station". A large moving box with wheels following a metal railing soon pulled up to the station. My eyes widen to see this moving object, it was something that us changelings could never accomplish. All we want to do is dig more holes and suck out emotions. Doors opened on the side of the box, I stood still to look back at the sign behind me. It said Train Station, so if I had to guess a name it would be Train. I had a sudden shock as I heard familiar voices to my right where I stood.
"I told you that was the best school day ever!" Scootaloo's voice was heard shouting.
"What? Getting us in detention for blowing up a section of the science room just to prove the point that 'you can do it' isn't very exciting" Sweetie Belle voice was next. The three came into sight dirty to high Chrysalis.
"No, I meant the time when somepony let loose the chimera"
"That was also you!!!" Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both screamed in sync.
I chuckled, getting the trio's attention. They walked right over without a care in the world.
"I guess you didn't stay in that treehouse for long" Applebloom spoke to me with a sense of kindness "I would too if I was stuck inside while we were out all day"
"You don't mind," I stated with a gentle voice.
"I don't see what's wrong in seeing the town" Scootaloo didn't sound aggressive this time, I wasn't sure what changed her attitude but I must be thankful for what, or who, ever did.
"The library anyway," I said in a gentle voice again.
"First our treehouse and now Princess Twilights' castle. You need to find a new hobby with this breaking and entering" Sweetie Belle couldn't help but giggle.
"A dragon named-"
"We know Spike let you in, he sent a letter to Twilight" Scootaloo interrupted me, making the other two slowly turn their heads to her.
"She's going to be there all week long because of you, and your 'I can do it' point" Applebloom sarcastically said, making her blush a little with embarrassment.
"It's getting late so I will head to the treehouse," I said walking backwards away from the station. I noticed the three looked at each other, their faces were that of worry.
"Are you sure you want to sleep in that cold, old treehouse?" Sweetie Belle asked.
I looked away while rubbing my left leg. Because I knew there would be a higher chance of me getting caught than sleeping on my own in a cold damp treehouse.
"I...I-I...don't know" I mumbled with pure intent.
"You can't stay with me. My sister would probably, still be mad at you." Applebloom said with an uncertain voice of tone.
"I don't think my mother would be too happy if I brought home somepony she doesn't know," Scootaloo stated, turning her head towards Sweetie Belle who's face just drops with acceptance.
"I guess it's a sleepover at the Boutique"
I couldn't muster a word out. They were so fixated on what to do with me than I am. I mean, I would be fine sleeping in the treehouse. It doesn't bother me one bit since I live in a whole in the ground, technically. But I just chuckled as they continued to argue non-stop for me. It was a different feeling than my mother and father caring for me, it was like something inside me was trying to get out and thank them. Soon they stopped and I was on my way towards the Boutique with Sweetie Belle. We didn't say a single word to each other on the way there, she kept her head high with a smile on her face. It felt awkward at first, but it felt good after a while for the peace and quiet that was around us was blissful.
"Welcome to the Carousel Boutique, where I and my sister Rarity live and sleep," She said at the front door to the weird armour shop. Sweetie Belle unlocked the door to the unlit Boutique and proceeded inside.
"You will have to sleep in the guest room, next to mine. I just hope Rarity doesn't get a hissy fit that I brought home a colt with me" Sweetie Belle joked, making me laugh under my voice.
"Well, I hope the adventure tag in the story doesn't mean what I think it means" I chuckled lightly.
"Don't break the 4th wall, that's Pinkie's domain" Sweetie Belle grinned as she shook her head.
I just hope this doesn't go wrong in this morning. But I have a feeling that it will like always.
Morning came over in an instant with the rising sun confirming that. I didn't want to wake up. The rays of sunlight shining through the blowing drapes caught my right eye, making me move up my right hoof to block it. Yet I still felt the ray of sunlight on my eye. I growled as I opened my right eye to see my body was back to normal, I could tell by my colour and how there were holes in my hoof confirming I've changed back. I didn't want to waste any more magic until it was necessary for me to do so. I sat up from the place I slept to look at my surroundings a bit more clearly. The guest room had a couple of stuffed teddies with multiple mannequins placed everywhere around the room, in turn creeped me out galore. I noticed it had an on suit across the room where I am sitting. Next was the double sized, purple bed next to me. It felt odd to sleep in that warm cozy bed, in the hive we always had to sleep in our cocoon pods or on the floor. So I did, I slept on the floor which just seemed natural to me. I stood up from my position and made my way towards the bathroom. The room was dark and chilly making feel right at home. Wait, home?! I suddenly thought to myself, I was gone for an entire day without returning back to the hive. Would they be mad at me if I go back now, or would I be banished for disobeying the orders of the hive? I shook my head trying to forget about the thought of being banished. Something tapped my head as I stopped. It was a string which was connected to the ceiling. I tapped my chin with my hoof for a split second before pulling on it. I jumped out of the room as a bright light flickered in the bathroom. It spooked me to high Chrysalis that an independent light source, other from a candle or magic spell could produce. I didn't want to be caught up in wasting my time in a light source that I have no clue about. The bathroom was quite large in size, it was large enough for a really posh looking bath and toilet while the sink was fancy with a weird white bar of unknown origin on the side while a reflection of myself was on the wall. I could see myself within without any distortions whatsoever, like when we look into the water to see our self but without small waves distorting our own image. I looked into the reflection to see my front mane over to one side than my entire face. My eyes brought a cold dark feeling that swelled up inside me, even I didn't want to look at my eyes. My ears dropped back as I looked down to the thought of everypony hating me if they found out. I immediately turned back into the beige unicorn. Nothing changed except my colour and mane, I wondered why I couldn't change my eyes and tail completely, it just felt slightly awkward to me anyway. I raised my hoof towards the reflection to feel a cold sensation as I made contact with it. I wanted everypony to know who and what I am, but I'm still afraid of what might happen if I do so.
My attention soon drifted beneath my hoof at the unknown white bar. My stomach caught my attention as I stared towards the bar, licking my lips with slight hunger. I picked up the white bar with my hoof and slowly brought it to my mouth. I didn't hesitate to take a large chunk out of the white bar. An instant unpleasant taste came to my mouth making me freeze in place.
"Trike, are you up yet?" I heard Sweetie Belle's voice echo across the bathroom walls. The bedroom door opened with the white unicorn looking around the room.
"There you ar-" She stopped her sentence, her sight was on the half eaten white bar in my hoof and my unpleasant face looking towards her displeasingly. She giggled, clearly trying her hardest not to laugh at the sight on me "You know you're not supposed to eat the soap right."
I opened my mouth and slid the disgusting thing they call soap off my tongue into the sink. I placed the soap where it was before I picked it up and innocently grinned towards Sweetie Belle, who just shook her head giggling towards me.
"I've made some breakfast, but if you want to go ahead and eat your delicious soap." Sweetie Belle paused, still trying not to laugh out loud "You can."
"I think I'll pass on this so called soap," I said innocently rubbing the back of my neck. We both went out of the bedroom towards the kitchen just across the room. It was plain and simple enough, a window on the right where the tables and chairs are while the back of the room was filled with cupboards and an oven. The breakfast Sweetie Belle made was already on the table. I couldn't tell what it was, but I guess it's something editable since she dived straight into it. It was a sort of yellow substance on top of bread. I observed Sweetie Belle eat with these two metal objects that were also placed on my side of the table. I picked up the one with four picks and started to dig in. My eyes widen as the substance entered my mouth, it was smooth and silky and yet with a sweet taste. I couldn't help my excitement so I started to shake in place on the chair with my two hoofs up towards my face.
"Is it that good?" Sweetie asked me.
"Its a lot better than that bar of soap," I mumbled with a mouth full of food.
Sweetie Belle raised an eyebrow, pointing the four pick metal object towards me saying "I can go and get if you want?" cheekily
"Buck no," I said chuckling with laughter alongside with Sweetie Belle.
It was different, waking up in the morning to be greeted with such pleasantries. In the hive, we get up to the sound of a large chime that echoes around the hive and into our ears, indicating it was morning. But here... It felt much more peaceful. I wasn't disturbed when I got up, I had time to check myself over and there wasn't any screaming or arguing involved. I couldn't help but stare at Sweetie Belle with a smile as I rested on my front hoofs on the table. I must've stared at Sweetie Belle for some time as she talked about herself and her friends about the times in the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It got me thinking. If us changelings can't obtain cutie marks, would it be a possibility for a halfling to obtain one. I mean, I'm not entirely a full changeling. I knew my mother had to be something else. That's when I thought maybe I could get one of my own, or at least try to some extent. Well I only figured it out yesterday when I was in the library
"Trike?" Sweetie Belle's voice brought me back to reality "So what do you think of the idea?"
I forgot she was talking while on my train of thought "About the idea of yo~u..." I prolonged, only to see her roll her eyes towards me.
"About the idea of finding your cutie mark. We aren't allowed in school today because of Scootaloo's little- 'experiment'." She sarcastically quoted about the orange Pegasus "But I think we could at least have some fun finding your mark. How does that sound?" She said with an enthusiastic tone and a glint in her eyes towards me.
I think they must've been really bored before I got here. Probably, they were running low on ideas to do or since they found out what they're good at they couldn't try anything else. But I knew this was for sure, I made something called friends in this town. Even though I'm lying to them about my identity, I can still call them friends... I think.
Sweetie Belle got up from her seat and went by me out of the kitchen. I followed beside her all the way towards the centre of town. It wasn't all that bad, I got to see the town centre without any interruptions. There weren't any problems this time, I had a full stomach, I had a guide and everypony looked at me with a joyful greeting; probably because of Sweetie Belle. The town hall, as they call it, was a lot more spacious on the inside than I had predicted. It didn't take long to find Applebloom and Scootaloo. They were standing by the stage at the back of the hall. By the looks of it, it had three levels that circled the building. I am amazed at how other ponies can build such marvelous things in odd shapes. I ain't saying I dislike it, but I will say the shape makes me feel... A little off so to speak. Nether than less, I am happy to be with these three. The trio/three make me feel good and wanted more than the hive. They're willing to help me obtain a cutie mark, even though I'm a changeling in disguise and can't obtain one to my knowledge so far.
"How was your stay at the Boutique?" Applebloom asked me.
"Soapy," I replied only to get a confused look back in return.
"He started to eat a bar of soap when I walked in on him." Sweetie Belle said with a crooked smile, trying not to giggle.
"Soap. As in, the clean yourself with soap."
]
"Is there any other kind of soap?" I saw Sweetie and Applebloom have a desperate confiscation on their own. I noticed Scootaloo was playing around with a small pebble on the ground with a bored expression all over her. I only just noticed these three were so different and yet they put up with each other in a happy way. Eventually, I got bored too so I started to walk around the hall for a couple of minutes admiring the view of the building. Soon the girls stopped their conversation and forced me out of the building, so I guess they planned something while I wasn't looking or hearing.
"So where we heading?" I asked the three around me as we moved through Ponyville.
"What we learned is that, apparently, you're good at acrobatics and gaining knowledge correct?" Scootaloo asked as she walked behind me.
"How did you come to that con-"
"I overheard my sister saying you flipped over her wagon while landing perfectly AND grabbing a pie in mid-flight," Applebloom stated, "Also Spike saw you in the Castle's library nearly all afternoon afterwards reading."
I was never that good at acrobatics, I mean yeah, I have basic skills but not too advanced. The hive taught us all the basic moves and skills, but only the chosen ones who go into the Queens guard and army are given more advanced training. With books and reading up on all kinds of knowledge, it was an easy escape route from the day and night cycle of continuously digging. It didn't help I had no friends, but that doesn't matter at this moment in time. So whatever they have planned, I hope its something simple.
We arrived at our destination within a grassy green meadow. I looked around to notice a lot of random structures built around the meadow. I was shocked to see they built the lot on their own in one night. I mean, I didn't know I was worth the trouble to them or they would gain anything if they did help me. But seeing them smile actually put a smile on my face. The sight of the structures sent shivers down my spine because in the hive we always had a safety net margin in place. Here, I see a large tower with large wooden pylons sticking out with rope placed everywhere. I can't get scared, not now. This is an experiment now, to see if I can obtain a cutie mark and maybe to figure out what I'm good at. But as I say, it is only an experiment.
"what? are you scared?" I heard Scootaloo sarcastically giggle behind me.
"Scootaloo!!" the other two said in unison. It was funny to hear them from my end because it's technically my first time enjoying myself with others other than my own kind. In fact, I never did enjoy being with my own kind apart from my parents.
"Me, scared, a little. I mean, it's the first time I'm ever doing something like this for a different purpose than training."
"Training?" The trio said together. I suddenly chuckled as I turned my head towards them dropping a sweat "Don't worry."
The trio must have looked at me weirdly as I made my way towards the first wooden pylon. It could have been my imagination, but I think they felt nervous mixed with a little joy. Letting out even a little of my origin is dangerous. For what I learned within the library is that the changeling's assaulted Canterlot and tried to butcher Ponyville for the failure of the assault on Canterlot. If it's any consultation, even I would be scared about my kind.
"Are you going to attempt it?" Sweetie Belle asked me with puppy eyes. It almost felt like they weren't going to let me go even if I did say no.
"I'll try. Besides, this looks like fun." I said as I leaped on top of the first wooden pylon that was sticking out sideways. I landed on four hoofs on top of the wooden pylon. It happened so suddenly, I lost my footing resulting in my collapse onto the first pylon face first.
"You okay?!" Applebloom shouted towards me with the other two clenching their teeth.
I miraculously kept my body on the pylon, trying to put all my weight around the pylon. It was shocking, I never knew I could lose my skill in this kind of situation. But why did it have to happen at this time of day. Like what happened back the wagon was a spur of the moment of me remembering my skills back when I had them. It sounds stupid, it kinda sounds like I'm saying I saved my skill in my pocket for a rainy day, which is impossible. But the mind can be a very scary thing if you know how to use it.
"I'll be fine. I can fl-" I stopped mid-sentence in realisation about my disguise "Err... fling straight up there."
"Fling straight up there? we just saw you trip over on the first jump if you continue your gonna get yourself killed." Scootaloo sounded worried there for a second. Almost like she actually cared for a brief moment.
I didn't listen anyway. I made the promise a second ago and I will see that promise is done, it's my first promise to anypony ever. I shook off my worry and my mind went blank apart from my vision. It was like lighting, my body moved on its own without my consent. It leaped onto the next pylon with ease. It didn't take long for the trio to scream up to me to get down from it. As I made it halfway up the large spire I could feel a strange chill down my spine with my stomach tightening up. It felt painful as I continued to climb one after another. My body even started to swing round and round on one pylon to get a great leap upwards. It was official in my mind, I couldn't control my body one bit. A minute later I reached the top with little effort. The top was a flat surface the size of a small round table. where I faced I could see the whole forest in all its splendor. I could see the flow of the wind blowing towards the mountain where my real home is... I wonder if my parents are worried, or if anyone in the hive misses me. It's not like they were my friends in the first place, but it would be nice to know they are worried for me.
"Trike!!" Sweetie Belle's voice grabbed my attention from the ground behind me. It sounds like she's happy for me not falling to my death.
I took in a deep breath before I turned round towards the trio on the ground. My smile faded from my face as my eyes averted from them. The sight of Ponyville from my height took my breath away, just like my first time seeing the outside world other than the hive. I saw multiple colorful buildings with small furnished forestry around them that blended in perfectly. I noticed different colored ponies wandering and laughing with their friends, I even noticed small foals frolicking about in a park. The view wasn't better than my first sight on the outside, but I could say it had a different feeling. Happiness, anger, anguish, sadness, and most of all, jealousy. I was jealous of them, they have everything they want. A place to live outside, food, water, living without regret... Friends who care for you, unlike my home back at the hive. I mean, who was the pony to blame every time there was trouble, who was picked on every day I was there... knowing I could never have a good life I want
"Thinking anything good up there!?" Sweetie Belle shouted up towards me, pulling my attention away from the sweet soothing view.
"Just admiring the view..." I turned my attention back towards the town muttering the last words "Hoping it lasts"
"What?" Applebloom shouted up.
I sighed as a big gust of wind blew in my face slowly knocking back towards the edge of the table sized pole. For once I figure I know why we live downhole in a mountain. We're a scary race that feeds off emotion, we crush civilizations to their knees and we nearly all the look the same who can change into anypony. I can see why we are secluded from the world... But I don't want that. I want to-argh. I raised my hoofs to my head from the sudden pain coursing through my veins. What in Tartarus is happening?
"...ed..."
I heard a faint female voice as the pain became more fierce. I held one hoof on my head with one eye open looking around on the empty view to finding where it originated from. As I searched it my eyes became blurred with a shade of green coloring everything I could see. It felt like someone was kicking me repeatedly over and over in the head while setting me alight with fire on my body.
"...feed....now.."
There it is again. Feed? what do you want me to eat? there's no nourishment...a part from. My eyes reverted back to the trio on the ground, this time I could smell something sweet emitting from them. I couldn't make it out clearly, it almost feels like bliss as I can smell them. It subsides the pain and replaces it with pleasure.... I want to try some-no! you can't, their your friends.
"Friends.....you...have...no friends"
"Shut whoever you are!!" I screamed out in agony. It sounded like the voice was coming from inside my head.
"Trike, are you okay?!" Applebloom screamed back up towards me. I looked down to see the three looking shocked to see me in this state. I even shed a tear because it was so intense.
"It can stop at any time you know." The voice sounded clearer now. A little too much clearer if you ask me, but if this pain doesn't stop I might not be able to control myself "all you have to do is feed on them...make them into one of us"
One of us? what does it mean by that? Am I losing my senses or my mind? I can't stop the pain. It was spontaneous, like a lightning bolt hitting the ground. My body had a mind of its own but this time I could feel it. I could feel the hunger, the relief and pleasure as I stared towards them on the ground. The smell captivated me even more as I stared down towards their concerned faces.
"Just let your instincts guide you my subject, let the smell of their emotions engulf you and attack."
I couldn't resist so I leaped from the pylon, licking my lips with a strong urge to feed towards the trio.
"Trike!!!" the three screamed in worry towards me as I fell towards them. But wait, they averted their eyes from me after they said my name. It came in an instant. A rainbow maned, blue pony flew towards me at incredible speed. I noticed they were wearing a blue jumpsuit with a lighting bolt on it. It shook me from my blind instincts and forced me to flinch. They collided into my side as I fell down from the pylon. It was like a boulder hitting me head on into the side. At such speed would've broken my neck but I felt arms wrap around me taking me with surprise. By chance, it feels like an accident and wasn't planned. All I hope is that they didn't figure out who I really am. I tried to look where we were going to land. Except all I could see was the world spinning around and around because of a spiral motion our bodies were in. I did, in fact, hear the three's voices as I continued to fly to where ever we're going to land, as it felt forever for us. I'm starting to feel a little dizzy... And sick from this spinning around. We had to have flown pretty far away, and it looks like she's unconscious from taking a direct hit into my side. It's risky but I'm going to have to balance our weight and come to a stop with my wings before this becomes drastic. I Transformed my middle body to bring out my wings from the transformation. I hated my blackness, my colour just reminded me of being a changeling... well not to mention my ability to transform reminds me. I held the blue pegasus tight as I took the gamble and pushed my weight up with my wings to come to a stop in mid-air. It was lucky, I stopped before I hit a large tree far away from Ponyville. I chuckled as I looked at the pegasus face to noticed she was a mare sleeping soundly in my arms. Wait? The pain... It's gone? Was all I needed a hit to make it subside. I grateful, she basically saved my friends... And me from revealing my secret. I made a safe landing on the grassy green by the tree. I laid the blue mare underneath the tree in the shade. It kinda felt good with the whole imminent danger scenario but what was that pain that came over a second ago.
"Whatever it is, I better figure something out." I held my head and side, feeling a little woozy myself "Or my secret...Might..."
My head became blank and my sight was cut off. I fell to the floor by the feeling of my head hitting a brick. My feeling soon dissipated to the point of me feeling nothing at all with no sight or hearing....Sleep, that all I need right now......Sleep.
Chapter 4: The Awakening Part One
"What do you mean he's gone?!" Chrysalis raised her voice for it to echo off the throne rooms' walls. The throne room was located dead centre of the hive within the mountain. It's a location that protected the Queen of the changeling's while keeping her reach of every changeling within the hive. The throne room consisted of a small, freshly clean wooden door which looked out of place because it's the Queens' throne room and she only deserves the best but she was stuck with. There are large, black banners placed all over the throne room on equal sides. On the banners was a pure black changeling head with magic spewing out of the horn in a circle motion. There was a large throne for the Queen herself to lay on it with extra leg room so she could keep her four legs up and rest comfortably. Standing around the room were changeling after changelings wearing a full armour set that almost made them look like a demon holding giant spears.
"My little Trike's gone off on an adventure. Just like what he always dreamed of doing ever since he was little. You and I both knew it was going to happen someday Chrysalis." Trike's mother said with pride, smile with proudness in her heart for her little changeling colt.
"A changeling is never to leave the Queen and her hive without permission, nor, disobey strict orders from the superior changelings. So care to explain to me why his instincts have not kicked in and returned to the hive by sundown?!" Chrysalis shouted even louder making the room full of changelings cover their ears in pain apart from the Mother, who sighed in response.
"We both know the answer to that question. Now, if you don't mind, I have something better to do." Trike's Mother turned and made her way towards the small exit while, coldly, flicking her tail as she walked past the terrified guards.
"Come back here this once!!" Chrysalis roared towards the black, orange mane, Changeling, only to get ignored. Chrysalis watched Trike's mother leave the throne room, enraging her to snarl at one of her changeling guards. It didn't take long before she unleashed a massive magic blast towards the guard, disintegrating them to nothing but a pile of ash. All the guards in the room cowered to the floor shielding their eyes from the wrath of their Queen. Chrysalis was breathing erratically from her little outburst of rage. For her, it was just another day with "That nuisance.". Everypony in the hive knew that the Queen personally didn't like her for many reasons, but they still don't know why she's there in the first place, or how she survived this long.
"Why do you keep her here, my Queen?" One of the guards bravely stood up above the rest asking the Queen. Chrysalis turned her attention towards the guard in a violent manner with her wrathful gaze making him flinch with one hoof off the ground.
"Do not stick your nose in places it should not, Minion." The Queen replied to the guard with irritation in her voice.
"But?"
"Maybe I did not make myself clear!" Chrysalis growled beneath her crystal white teeth towards the changeling guard.
The guard bailed out of the throne room forthwith. Chrysalis grunted in annoyance as she sat back down resting on the throne. She has her reasons for the cold and fearsome acting. One being, she has to keep up an appearance after they had to go into hiding but, she knew inside, that the time to focus on rebuilding the changeling race was now. Even if problems after problems keep arising one after another. It is chaotic in the hive at this crucial time and she needs to keep track on everypony within the hive. Chrysalis rubbed her forehead with the two front hoofs trying to relieve a headache that swelled inside her. With the time of staying hidden from Equestria and rebuilding almost felt painful and annoying and now she has a young changeling running around outside without a leash while his mother becomes more of a hindrance. The Queen sent regular patrols last night trying to find him but came up empty hoofed. The Queen was still recovering from the injuries sustained from the attack on Canterlot and Ponyville. Building stress will worsen her recovery to full health. The guards standing around the throne room knew something was going to go down in a perverse way; even the Queen knew something bad was going to happen shortly which put more stress on her. But like all drones, they never bothered in asking questions and stayed with the Queen no matter what because their loyalty to her was vast and never dwindled. But, thoughts of their Queen not telling them about it made them question their self's.
I never knew I could feel so relaxed at this moment in time. Was it from the fact I tried to climb a large wooden pole with pylons sticking out of it, or could it be I was just tired of staying up all night trying to make a hammock in the bedroom. Anyway, I could feel the tender grass on all four legs while my head rested on some fluffy pillow. It felt like I was floating on air with a pleasant smell of the fresh outdoors that tickled my nose. What happened anyway? Did I do something wrong as I climbed that large pylon because I could not remember it one bit, well, apart from small details that I can't make sense of? Let's recap shall we. Okay, first Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo and Applebloom agreed to help me with obtaining a cutie mark so they built a jungle gym or obstacle course to test my athletic skills. Once I managed to lose control of my body and reached the top I...I... Was it my imagination or could I remember a faint smell of apple pie my mum always brings home every now and again. All I could say is that it smelt good. Then I think a large object hit me out of nowhere and now, I guess, I'm laying down underneath a tree with my eyes closed. Wait? Object? If I remember correctly, it wasn't an object but somepony, a pegasus to be exact. I started to move my left hoof up and down to feel a somewhat furry object where the fluffy pillow was.
"That's a little too close for comfort don't ya think?" I heard a female's voice that I didn't recognise. It sounded close making me curious who it was. I rubbed my eyes, wiping the sleep away so my eyes could open without any irritations. My eyesight was blurred out but I knew I was in the shade as it was dark around me with sunlight touching the shadow's edge. It didn't take long for me to realise what she meant. My eyes focused to a perfect point of two cerise eyes looking at me. That's when my brain hit me, I remembered a sudden cyan pegasus flew straight into me as I jumped down from the pole. I remember now, I lost senses with my body from a sweet smell that emitted from the trio on the ground. Why did I lose my senses, there must an explanation for this as why I lost them in the first place.
"Can you move away... It's kinda creepy when your just staring into my eyes," she awkwardly squinted her left eye a little towards me making me feel abashed.
"I..Err...Sor-"
"Trike?! Rainbow Dash?!" Applebloom's shocked voice reached our ears making me leap up from the cyan Pegasus in an instant, turning round to see the trio starring at me with odd eyes.
"It's not what you think!" Rainbow tried to smoothly speak only for it to come out wrong "You know I just crashed, right?" She turned her head towards me with confidence. It felt wrong like she was trying to push the blame onto me slightly, so I did what no changeling would do...
"Yeah, you crashed into me when I was falling from jumping and you fell unconscious from impacting into my body." tell the truth.
"Lies!!" Rainbow defended herself by pounding her left hoof on the ground before flying off spontaneously in quick succession. The four of us watched as the rainbow mane Pegasus flew away in a blink of an eye.
"Was it something I said?" I said awkwardly, rubbing my neck as she flew further and further away. It wasn't my fault that she crashed into me... Right?
"Don't blame yourself Trike. She's always been like that." Scootaloo chuckled as she gave me a nudge bringing me out of my daze from the flying Pegasus.
"I've established her names Rainbow but what was that outfit she was wearing?"
"It's a Wonderbolt flight suit! She's the new captain of the elite Squad who only take orders from the Princesses!" Scootaloo's voice was filled with pride bringing me to a slight smile "They fly around doing all sorts of different aerodynamic manoeuvres that are so awesome she even performed a doub-"
"Okay Scoot, calm down." Applebloom giggled towards the overjoyed orange Pegasus, cutting her off so she can catch her breath.
It makes me smile when I see these three having fun, it feels like they have this aura to make anypony happy around them. But, I did notice Sweetie Belle's face look at me with concern... but I sensed something else, was it caution, worry... or fear. I could roughly tell by the look in her eyes and how her body frigid around as she stared at me. She didn't say a word after that moment, for awhile actually, while me, Applebloom and Scootaloo had our own conversation. It felt odd with Sweetie Belle just staring at me without saying any words. Does she know? were the words going through my head. But, if she does know, why isn't she telling her friends. Could she be in constant thought of it like I am or is she thinking of how to get rid of me in secret without the others knowing... No, I'm just over thinking this, she can't know for certain I am a changeling in a unicorn disguise. But, I think its time to be more careful around Sweetie for now on.
"Sweetie Belle?" Applebloom grabbed her attention making her smile once more, but it felt fake to anypony or changeling who could read emotions very easily "You've been quiet for some time, something on your mind?"
"I...err." Sweetie Belle hesitated as she tried to speak "Is your sister calling you Bloom?" Sweetie tried to change the subject and hopefully get her away.
"Really?" Applebloom looked off in the distance towards apple trees that held a scarlet red barn in the centre of them. "If so, I better go and check what she wants. I'll meet you at school tomorrow then." Applebloom said as she galloped off towards the apple trees.
"Oh, horseshoes!" Scootaloo said in shock, grabbing our attention as Applebloom went out of sight "I have the punishment homework I need to complete by tomorrow, I'll catch you guys later!" she finished, running off towards Ponyville before Sweetie or I had time to say anything. I didn't know if it was planned or by chance that we're alone, but, I could clearly tell Sweetie was afraid. I watched Sweetie's expression suddenly change to that of anger towards me. If I had to guess, I've been seen or something else is being planned without me and her knowing,
"What are you?" Sweetie Belle asked me with a deadly serious look. Her stare brought shivers down my spine because it looked like I was caught red-hoofed "If Rainbow was unconscious then how the buck did you land safely with no wings?" a deep sigh left my nostrils in relief. For a second there I thought she saw me transform but I guess I can work with this.
"I managed to land safely by spreading out Rainbows wings so we glided down no problem." A gentle fake smile appeared on my face as I answered the questioning unicorn. She squinted her eyes evaluating my answer to her.
"Listen here Trike. I know you're not bad but I know what I think, and usually, I'm never wrong. You're something else because that doesn't make sense... I'm keeping a close eye on you... Even if Applebloom and Scootaloo don't see it." Sweetie Belle assertively spoke towards my face. She must have felt a little cautious because she kept a close eye on me all the way back towards the Boutique. I don't know if it was supposed to play out like that but, I can say for sure is she never took her eyes off me for one second, Even when I found out, and used this brilliant invention called; the toilet. For some reason she really thinks I'm something else. Even though I am something else with this unicorn disguise, I can't be too careful with my magic... and I have to pay even more attention towards my stomach. Why does my stomach tell me my magic is running low, it doesn't happen with any other changeling but me. The day went by in a flash when we got to the Boutique as I helped Sweetie Belle around the dusty place. I was assigned to clean the top floors while she focused on the ground floor, it felt like she gave all the work as I cleaned a gorgeous room on the top floor with nothing but a sponge and bucket. It was my first time in this duty called, cleaning. this activity was supposed to have a pale of water and a mob but she only had one so I got a sponge and a bucket of bubbly water. When I asked what the bubbles were a smirk appeared on her face chuckling in laughter "Soap.". My face turned blank as I remembered that horrid taste. If things were different I would probably be living in that treehouse for the remainder of my time out here, so I'm kind of grateful they found me. I noticed as I cleaned there were a lot of colourful and interesting attire on mannequins where armour is supposed to be placed. I wonder who made them because they look... what's the word that would describe them... oddly cute maybe. Where I stand I can clearly see a part of a tree log was placed on top of the back with weird shells dangling around the neck area. Who in Equestria would produce such weird creativity?
"Sweetie Belle!?" I heard a different females voice through an open window. I peered my head out to see the top of a fancy, wooden straw hat and purple dress. I raised a brow in curiosity as I saw Spike carrying bags upon bags with one hand into the Boutique, like, who gets that many boxes that usually have nothing in them, it's just silly and stupid. The two were welcomed in by Sweetie belle who opened the door taking in a couple of boxes off Spike. I couldn't help but think, there were a lot of ponies in this small town... but the question that filled my mind, why was a castle that looks like the treehouse here? I immediately heard a large crash downstairs breaking my train of thought away. Spike must have dropped all that weight he was carrying at once. I made my way down the staircase in curiosity to see the back of Spike and the new pony speaking towards Sweetie Belle who had a huge smile on her face. But the smile, it changed to that of disgust as Sweetie's eyes caught a glimpse of me in the background with a couple of rapid blinks in shock.
"Err...hello?" I spoke up pulling their attention away from Sweetie Belle who lowered her head with a deep sigh. I sort of knew she didn't want them to find out about me, making me clean all upstairs was too obvious, but it's too late now.
"Trike?" Spike answered my greeting with a moderate grin "Fancy meeting you here with Sweetie Belle, how was the training session with them? Did it go according to plan?...also you forgot to lock up behind you yesterday." The purple dragon finished looking back towards Sweetie Belle who's eyes were fixated on me in a foul way making me uncomfortable.
"That's no way a lady should look at somepony Sweetie Belle!" The female pony answered Sweetie's foul glare that suddenly changed to a fake innocent smile "I do apologise for Sweetie's rudeness towards you, Trike. She doesn't mean anything by it."
My eyes widened from the lucent white unicorns' glistening smile like it was filling my insides with radiance. The females clear white coat matched her dark purple dress. Her indigo mane gave me goosebumps as I watched it swerve round showing the pony's clear azure coloured eyes. I could tell, from not just her aura but her complexion as well, she was a pure lady. Her mane went to her left side in multiple swirls, but my guess she has it in a different way because the straw hat on her head was blocking all other sights of it.
"What are you staring at dear, am I that ravishing in this dress?" The unicorn flicked her mane out as she posed to the left with a smile while her eye stayed on me.
"Ravishing isn't the word I'd use," I replied with an astonished tone.
"That's my sister you're talking about?!" Sweetie Belle shouted in surprise taking a step forward to the three.
"Rarity's more beautiful than any gem I've ever seen," Spike spoke out his thoughts as he gazed over the unicorn who blushed.
"Oh, Spike. You always know what to say to make me feel great."
"You two get a room already!" Sweetie Belle yelled slamming her two front hoofs on the ground "It's bad enough I see you two kissing nearly every morning. But hearing you talk like that makes me cringe."
I couldn't help but scratch my head over Sweetie's comment "Why would you cringe over something so trivial? It's common that a male and female only come together for mating purposes to produce a foal." The trio looked at me with a confused gaze as if they couldn't process what I just said.
"Where ever did you hear that from Trike?" Rarity asked with a little chuckle of disbelief.
"I...Thought it worked like that everywhere?" I said taking a step backwards towards the staircase nervously.
"Love is a very complex emotion that can not be explained very easily, it's like... Granny's Smith's apple pie."
"Smooth and silky pastry with a sweet filling, how does that relate to Love?" I scratched my head at Rarity's answer only for the three to have concerning expressions for me. I know that was a stupid rejoinder but I was being serious towards them. How can love be that important? Yes, it is our main food source for a changeling. But for us changelings, even we have feelings, anger, sadness, jealousy. So I guess having love in there would count, I mean, I love my parents. Is that what they're talking about, love for their parents type of love? That wouldn't imply anything, in fact, it would counteract the whole purpose of love-
"Are you having a discussion in your mind again?" Sweetie Belle said with a straight face looking at me expressionless like it was normal to her.
"Would it be like loving one's parents?" I asked tapping my chin.
"Sort of." Trike answered looking unsure "Think a deeper feeling as if you want to hold that one special mare in your arms or hoofs forever. It's a sense of spending your entire life with them, having a family of your own. That kind of feeling."
"A feeling of wanting somepony to be with forever feels cheesy," I replied walking through the Boutique towards the door.
"That's love for you. Everypony has their own way of looking at it." Rarity said as she walked towards the stairs with Spike following suit. I said my greetings to a new pony in this town, turns out she owns the Boutique and makes these "Dresses" for ponies who want to look stylish. Well, I said hi and bye to them because I wanted to see what the town has to offer fully. And maybe find some other ponies to greet. I walked out the front door with Sweetie Belle at my side. It made me feel slightly awkward because she was watching my every movement as well as every word I said towards the Ponies around Ponyville. At one point, she even used her magic to pick me and throw me into the fountain located in the centre of town for a laugh. I even greeted the mayor of Ponyville, she was kind and polite enough to show me the blueprints and history of the place. I was astonished how the ponies created these houses and stores. They used construction materials to create these houses while the hive burrow more tunnels into the ground making it larger than before. They also respect the mayor like a leader of an army, they listen, do and follow her with their heads held up high with no fear or aggression. It makes me kind of sad not being able to have the same feeling of respect towards my dreaded superiors.
The hours past Sweetie and me as we went around Ponyville. I ain't going to lie, I did try and attempt to get rid of Sweetie Belle by going down passageways with twists and turns. If you had somepony stalking your every move, you would too, right? At this moment in time, we are outside Sugarcube corner eating this amazing cake called, a triple choco muffin. It was so sweet and smooth with the frosting on it. I can't believe this is how ponies live. This thought of sadness hit me deep inside as I froze from eating the muffin. I must have had the expression on my face because I noticed Sweetie look at me with deep worry. I shook my head with a chuckle before eating the rest of the muffin in one gulp, covering my muzzle in chocolate frosting. The result made Sweetie smile for a brief moment, turning back to that of worry knowing something was worrying me. I keep saying this in my head over and over, I am a changeling, I only have one purpose and it is to serve my Queen. I smiled towards Sweetie who took another bite of her muffin. When she took a bite from her muffin I felt another surge or pulse echo through my body. I remember this feeling, it was like this morning with the wooden pole. This time it wasn't that bad, I didn't feel any loss consciousness, instead it filled me with a warning of danger. We sat outside Sugarcube corner at a time where it wasn't so crowded. I noticed everything that went on around me, including a small alligator licking its eyes and staring towards me. If that didn't make me feel uncomfortable I don't know what will.
I faced back towards Sweetie Belle to see she was happily enjoying her muffin, her smile was contagious making me smile ever so slightly. I couldn't tell if it was something playing up inside me but one thing is for sure, I knew I was having fun here in Ponyville. It started again, whenever I look at Sweetie or anypony else I could feel a strange pulse inside me. This time, it felt controllable like it wasn't going to burst out. The same sweet smell filled the air around me, it could have been from the cakes and what not but it was the same as last time earlier this morning. Of all the places, why did it have to be today problems starting to arise. I turned my head round to notice strange red mist coming from everypony. It was scary at first, a strange red mist coming from every single pony around you was sweet, from the smell I mean.
"Trike, are you okay?" Sweetie asked me as if she was worried. I thought she was weary about me but it seems it goes back to the old ways of trust.
"Yeah..." I said nervously, trying to look around for an excuse "The flowers everywhere are nice."
Sweetie looks at me with a slight shock across her face, probably from thinking I'm not the type to look around at the decor... And she's right but I hope it would sort itself out.
"You haven't met them yet have you?" Sweetie asked me.
"Met who?"
"The three mares that do all the gardening. And there they are right now." Sweetie pointed out towards a cart full of different colour flowers of all shapes and sizes "The one with the green mane is Daisy, the one with the rose coloured mane is Roseluck and the one with a slight golden mane are Lily Valley."
I turned to where she pointed to notice them rearranging flowers in a pretty pattern even they had a strange red aura over them... wait? I squinted my eyes to look towards them a little more closely. Only Roseluck and Daisy had the strange red mist over them. I watched Lily Valley go about her routine of sorting out the flowers. I watched for ten minutes towards her to figure out she just moved the same flowers around in a circle while looking around towards the other two with a smile. But her eyes explained a different story like they were filled with anger and hunger.
I turned towards Sweetie who just finished her muffin with a fake smile "Would you excuse me for just a second."
"Inside to the left is the customer toilets, I think they'll let you use it." On Sweetie's words, I left the table with speed. I got out of Sweetie Belle's sight instantly by going around Sugarcube. Without being spotted, I made my way round to a good distance away from the anypony. My heart raced as this was the first time I'm ever going to spy on somepony. Excitement filled my body making me get goosebumps. I felt like something was off as I saw Lily Valley wave towards her friends, I can confirm she never had a red mist over her. I followed her round the town, diving into barrels and hay carts to cover myself from sight. She came to a stop from a dark alleyway, smirking evilly for a second before walking down the alleyway. I got curious and moved closer to the alleyway, ducking behind a large cardboard box. I peered round the corner to watch the pink coated mare grin villainously towards a metal container filled o the brim of black bags. I watched closely as red mist escaped the bags from the container. She lifted the lid of the container while rummaging through the bags, throwing some out even, until I gasped under my breath from the sight of the same Lily Valley lying under some bags unconscious. The mare quickly looked my way from the sound of my gasp. I ducked down behind the large cardboard box holding my breath. I waited for a second before peering round the corner to see the awake Lily Valley throw the unconscious one on the ground with no remorse. My eyes widened as the pink mare started to change slowly, revealing a black coat from behind. My heart stopped as I watched one of my kind standing on top of a pony, it must have been a soldier or some kind or spy. But the lockdown is still in effect right? Nopony is supposed to be outside unless they're trying to bring me back. No, this is more important. Even if I am a changeling this is not right. I watched as the changeling crept in closer to the mare on the ground licking his lips vigorously, ready to feed. My heart skipped a beat as his horn charged up in a green colour. His blue dead eyes so fixated on its prey I couldn't move nor say anything. This could be a trap or could it be a kidnapping? Should I intervein? should I run, call for help or act like I never saw anything? I might be a changeling but I know this is wrong, this is so wrong... I... I...