It was a rainy autumn afternoon in Misty Springs Valley when Blossomforth opened her door to find a rather tall changeling standing on the porch.
Most ponies would've shook in terror as their survival instincts kicked in and screamed for them to run rungetaway getawayASFASTASYOUCAN. But Blossomforth was made of tougher stuff than that.
She recognized as Queen when she saw one. Furthermore, the changeling had made no move to harm her nor was she in a disguise. Both dead giveaways that she was here for more than love.
The changeling queen bowed as she approached Blossomforth. “Good afternoon Mrs. Blossomforth, may I come in?”
There was no need for senseless banter when conversing with a changeling. Blossomforth knew this cuz her grandpappy once told her these things. Ya got to just let them have what they need so they'll leave. Talkin just riles them up, and frankly ya don't want to see a pissed off changeling. Course, grandpappy had a mouth on him too. It tended to get him into tight spots sometimes.
With a small nod, Blossomforth opened her screen door wider and allowed the changeling queen to enter the household. She leaned over to whisper something to her husband Evergreen, who nodded and left with the two kids into another room; not daring a glance at the visitor as he hushed the children's voices before they could question what was happening.
Blossomforth noted the changeling briefly following their path, but turned her gaze back to Blossomforth as she found a cushion of which to rest on and promptly laid down.
“You're welcome to stay for as long as you need too.” Blossomforth finally spoke up, catching the attention of the Queen as she poured herself a cup of Sweetmint’s tea for her nerves, and trotted over to the cushion facing across from her. “I assume it is something important.” She noted, as she sipped the tea while holding the cup in her white magic. “I don't reckon queens get out much otherwise.”
With that she simply waited, sitting her cup down gently while offering a cup of ice water towards the queen politely. She shook her head in gratitude and carefully sipped from the cup, making sure to not shatter the glass with her fangs.
“No, we do not.” The Queen spoke as she frowned for a moment before returning to her neutral calm expression. “However, I felt the need to discuss this personally rather than send one of my drones to do it.” She noted.
Blossomforth nodded, “You're from the SilverHide hive aren't ya?” She whistled using her lips, “That's quite a ways.” She noted.
The Queen nodded, “Indeed. I am Queen Ebony, granddaughter of the late Queen Obsidian.” She explained as she carefully magicked her bag closer and pulled out something old and musky smelling, but new looking in appearance, from her pack.
“For four generations our hive has guarded our founder’s most prized possession.” She pulled the object closer into Blossomforth's vision, allowing the mare to study it. “A small, magically locked, journal. Preserved with ten different safeguard spells and a unique signature spell designed to only allow those under the family bloodline to open it.” She placed the journal down on the dining platform.
“Before the founder passed, she had given an order that shook the hive and still sends tremors down us to this day.” Her eyes locked onto Blossomforth’s making the mare shiver as well. “Find my daughter if it's the last thing you do. Give her this and she'll know.” The Queen's voiced split into four different echoes as Blossomforth detected an ancient and powerful magic behind those words.
The room seemed to quiet for a bit afterwards, as the magic sent chills down the yellow coated unicorn before the changeling queen Ebony stood back up again. “We knew not what she meant. Only that we were to honor this request until her daughter was found.” She made a face. “We assumed she meant she had lost an heir to the throne, but then the book began to light up and glow a few weeks ago.” She turned her heard briefly to Blossom as she set the cup of ice water down using her magic.
“My party was out on a love run in this very town when the link quivered with ancient magic.” She shuddered, “The book reacted strongly to a presence.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I knew it was the lost daughter.” She explained, “It took three days to find you.” She spoke like the request had been a chore to her personally. Like the mare had come to her home, spit in her supper, and then left without a word.
Blossomforth blinked, “As flattered as I am that you think this musky book seems to like me, I'm not a changeling.” She pointed out as Ebony stared at her like she was an idiot. “I have and always will be a unicorn. I ain't got any channeling blood in me.” She muttered something else, but Ebony paid no mind.
“True, you are not changeling.” She spoke, “Your magic is indeed that of a pony’s, yet the book still reacts.” She pointed to the faint green glow around it. “I have fulfilled my honor bound, so I take my leave.” She got up, pushing the door open and letting in a bit of rain. She only stopped briefly to watch Blossomforth's reaction. “May you enjoy whatever it is our founder has given you.” She then carefully shut the storm door behind her and trotted away, never turning back once.
Shaking away the fear her pony instincts imbued on her, Blossomforth began to even her breathing as she watched her go down the trail for a bit, before snapping her eyes over to the book and then back to the door where Evergreen and the kids were at.
She knocked twice on the door. “She's gone now..” Blossom spoke normally as she heard the it click and push open and two little heads popped out, soon followed by Evergreen as he smiled at his wife.
“What did she want?” He asked worried as he put a hoof on his wife's shoulder, and Blossomforth sighed as she let her shoulders sag. “Just to give me a book that she says was mine.” She pointed to the weird musky journal. “I'm honestly afraid it might have some dark magic attached to it. I don't really want to pick it up.” She noted aloud as she eyed the kids trying to poke at it before she told them to let it be.
Sulking, the kids obeyed as they ran over to the toy bin and began to play cops and robbers, their bad mood already gone like the wind.
“We'll have Firecracker look at it tomorrow.” Evergreen nuzzled his wife reassuring, as she sighed content and watched her two sons play.
“Okay. That sounds like a plan..” She muttered, as she ever so carefully moved the journal to a corner in the room and ignored it in favor or cooking supper for everypony.
Author's Note
Guys, this is a really freaking dark story.
I'm giving you fair warning now that it's not going to get better. Things get worse.
There isn't a happy ending, only entropy and sadness.
Be warned, this is a tale about madness, delusion, horror, and death.
Enjoy 