Tales from Tinies: Pupa's Purpose

by Pixel Berry98

Rating: teen
Tags: Queen Chrysalis, Adventure, Alternate Universe, Human, Main 6, Princess Luna, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Comedy, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Changelings
Length: 42676

From the universe of Tales from Tinies, a tiny baby human named Pupa lives among the Changelings, living under the holed hooves of Queen Chrysilis. And it seems that fate has more plans for the human then the Queen was aiming for.

In a world where ponies are the hunters and humans are the hunted, the homo sapiens of this world were transported from the familiar planet of Earth into a much bigger world where the tallest of humans are mostly an inch or two tall. But with their transportation and size difference, the unknown magic that brought them here also gave them a protective barrier from any physical actions from ponies that might hurt them… even being eaten alive. So with the knowledge of ponies not being guilty of eating a human, the once peaceful world with humans and ponies living in harmony was blown to smithereens as the standards of humans were lowers to be living snacks. Every human who first appears in Equestria, is mostly greeted with the hungry maw of a pony if any kind. But even through this change in Equis, some humans have adjusted to their situation and even have jobs of them satisfying ponies while being eaten alive.

But, this story isn’t about a normal human adjusting to the life of giant magical ponies and becoming prey. This, is about a baby human, no smaller than a grain of rice, and her life of being raised by changelings: bug-like ponies who feed on love. Many might assume that the baby might be an endless source of love to them and to also be treated like food. But the one things the changelings never expect, is how this infant can warm their hearts to the point of acting like protective parents to them. And this, is the story of a baby human, being raised by changelings, and even being protected by the crown of Queen Chrysalis. This, is the story of Princess Pupa.

Note: This is a collaborative fanfic within the world of 'Tales from Tinies' with the creator himself. Hope you like this story as much as we enjoy making it.

Note: Additional Categories and Characters will be added as the story goes.

Published 2016-11-20 22:40:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-12-29 02:12:28 UTC

Chapter 1

Note Entry 1: Today is Pupa’s first day of training. If there's one thing I wish, it's that she grew up faster. Seems that human babies grow much slower than my workers… it was torture to watch over this baby. Trying to feed it love is useless, it doesn't know how. However, during it's time, productivity and happiness are at an all time high; every Changeling wants Pupa to be happy. I practically don't need to say anything anymore, with the exception of the occasional question about humans… something I'm not proud to admit. But, nonetheless, after about five years of waiting and caring for Pupa, she'll be ready to learn the Changeling ways, and perhaps become the next queen. I don't want this to be all for nothing.

Chrysalis stood next to Pupa. The little girl started off as being as small as a grain of rice, but was now roughly the size of a bean. A kidney bean, to be exact. Despite being surrounded by giants for all her life, Pupa stood nervously next to her mother with her teacher, Antenna, a drone.

“Pupa,” Chrysalis spoke “Antenna will be your teacher for the day. Do follow his instructions; if he has a problem with you for today, it's straight to punishment room.” Pupa swallowed nervously

“Y-yes mom.”

“Do not worry, your majesty,” Antenna spoke “I am certain she will excel like my other students… if I had any.”

“Don't think this is just for her,” Chrysalis warned “If I see you trying to hurt her or not doing your job, I will personally serve you to the Timberwolves.” Antenna gulped.

“Y-yes, your majesty.”

“Good.” She scooted Pupa to him. “I will expect her to be in my chambers by the beginning of the night.” She turned and walked away.

“Uh… Mom?” Pupa spoke. Chrysalis groaned as she turned and lowered her head to Pupa.

“What?” Pupa hugged her muzzle.

“I'll make you proud.” Chrysalis rolled her eyes before standing up, making Pupa slide and fall to the floor.

“I hope you do.” Chrysalis flapped her wings and flew off to a different section of the ever expanding hive.

“That's just adorable.” Antenna spoke. “Calling her mom? I thought you'd also call her your majesty.” He walked to a room. Pupa followed.

“You never called her mom?” She asked.

“Once or twice. But, you're gonna have to focus on your training. That's why I made this.” They walked inside the room. In the middle was a miniature obstacle course with a wall, a pile of dirt, several large gaps, and small pony drawings.

“...What's this?”

“A simulation of the life outside of the hive. It's a dangerous world, and you're going to have to be physically and mentally ready for anything. You're not ready, but the basic situation is that you've been caught and have to run away from the mob; go slow and you're caught. Easier said than done.”

“I can see that.”

“But we're gonna have to hone your skills before you even have a crack at this. I think a few exercise routines will help.”

Note Entry 2: Pupa’s going to have to work on her skills. I would cringe if I had to stay that way.

Chrysalis stood with a confused look at a panting Pupa. Pupa was dripping with sweat, making it almost look as if she was swimming.

“She really tried her best.” Antenna spoke for Pupa. “It was pretty painful to look at, but she really did-”

“Don't waste your breath.” Chrysalis spoke, picking Pupa up in her magic. “She's going to have to keep practicing, that's all she needs.”

“Very well… just, don't push her too hard, okay?” Chrysalis gave him her infamous glare.

“I determine how hard she will be pushed.”

Note 3: Maybe I should've listened. Pupa fell right onto my hooves, exhausted written all over her. Every Changeling let out a collected ‘Aww’ for some reason. They won't think she's so adorable once she takes my place. Perhaps tomorrow's training will toughen her up.

Note 4: I was wrong. Seems Pupa is as brittle as her size suggests. Her teacher, Abdomen, was practically shivering out of his shell upon my return. As much as I want to yell at Pupa’s poor performance, it's best if I tend to her wounds without pouring much salt in it.

Chrysalis sat down as Pupa was in a bowl of water. Her body was covered in bruises and scars, and the poor girl sniffed as Chrysalis washed her with a sponge.

“I-I'm sorry, m-mom.” Pupa stuttered. “I-I really tried.”

“I heard.” Chrysalis answered, holding back her disappointment. “That was a terrible performance.”

“I know… mom?”

“What?”

“Why am I different?”

“... I made you that way.”

“... But why?”

“Because I wanted you to be different, that's why.”

“... That doesn't make much sense.”

“Nothing does. If life made sense, then we wouldn't exist.”

“But everyone else is big. Why am I so small?”

“You'll grow, Pupa. Sometimes, the most dangerous things aren't huge like your siblings and I, but the opposite.”

“That… doesn't really answer what I asked.”

“... It's bedtime.” Her horn glowed and she picked Pupa up, covering her with some of the goo.

“But I'm not tired.”

“But you need to heal and get ready for tomorrow. It's also quite fitting for your next lesson.”

Note 5: I have no idea how it happened, nor did Cocoon, her Nurse teacher.

Chrysalis approached to Cocoon.

“So, how did Pupa do today?”

“Uh… she didn't go good… nor bad.” Cocoon spoke, her eyes shifting around.

“Well, where is she?”

“... You see… she's-”

“Mom? Is that you?” The muffled voice of Pupa spoke. Chrysalis looked around.

“Pupa? Where are you? This is no time for games!”

“In here!” Small pounds came… from Cocoon. Cocoon shifted her eyes around and showed a fake smile. “It smells bad in here!”

Note 6: I'm just glad her human side still has that magic protecting her from stomach acids. Took a lot of practice on Cocoon to hack her out, otherwise, we were gonna have to steal tons of prune juice and Fiber. Hoping that will never happen. Pupa won't tell me what happened, unsure herself, but I gave her a fitting punishment, one that's fair.

Pupa massaged Chrysalis’s left back underhoof. The queen herself laid lazily on her bed.

“That's it,” She moaned “Nice and slow.”

“When am I done?” Pupa asked.

“When both hooves feel great.” She then thought of something. ‘Perhaps I should do what Celestia does and have some Tinies massage my Flank… That sounds nice.’

Chapter 2

Note: Pupa’s training has gone slow, but steady. With the exception of myself, any other thing would most likely choke on her if they tried to eat her. I'm trying to hold back my anger at her… specialties, but, I digress, she's going to change as we all will, starting with her sleep.

Chrysalis and Pupa stood next to a cocoon. Pupa now stood about the size of an apple, and certain changes were happening. For starters, her hands and feet have been fully turned to that of a true Changeling-like, with the nails on her fingers and toes being black, sharp and hard like a changeling’s shell, though feet ended with hooves. Popping from her backs, though barely, were small, insect wings that were no bigger than her hands. Along with her, she began to develop a web-like tail that was short, though her hair was slowly transitioning into the same web-like structure.

“... You want me to sleep in that?” Pupa asked.

“It's only fitting that you have your own place to sleep in.” Chrysalis answered, sliding Pupa to it. “And if it gets small, I'll be sure to have the drones make a new one for you.”

“... But why would I want to sleep in that? I'm alright with you.” Chrysalis groaned.

“Look, we may be a hive, but we all need some personal space and little lesson in independency. Besides… we don't want another one of those nights, do we?”

“...Oh.”

Note: It's happened a couple of times. When Pupa was smaller, there were some days where she'd wind up in my gut. As of late, however, Pupa has been under my flanks. While Pupa has gotten out unharmed each time, it's not that great when you're small and stuck in between my two, titanic sized buttcheeks (As she calls my flanks) that each weigh a ton to her. It was a lot more embarrassing when I have my good dreams and enjoy the feeling of her struggles…. And I thought my relationship with my mother was this awkward.

“Right,” Pupa spoke, remembering those days. “So… how do I get in?”

“Like if it was a bed.” Chrysalis spoke. “Now get in; it's been a long day and I need my beauty sleep.” Pupa nodded and entered her Cocoon on all fours. As it's normal for Changelings, it was snug with just enough space for her to move around in when she turns in her sleep. Chrysalis, a bit unceremoniously, picked the Cocoon up and stuck it onto a stalagmite just a few feet from the floor.

“Uh, mom?” Pupa spoke.

“What?” Chrysalis groaned.

“How do I go to the bathroom?”

Note: I seriously need to make more places where Pupa can do her… business in. I keep forgetting that humans need to relieve themselves as ponies… hoping more of our Changeling side affects her in the years to come. Hold out, drones.

“STOP!!! LET ME GO!!!” The voice of someone echoed around the hive, stopping everyone and turning with a hiss. Entering the cave was one of the drones, and in it's mouth, reminiscent to a dog with a bone, was a struggling human. The human was a woman, as figured by the voice, but she wore loose clothing and had a sack on her back. Despite this, she kept struggling, though wasn't aware that more Changelings surrounded the two. Chrysalis landed with Pupa on her mane, holding onto her mother's horn.

“Oh, and what do we have here?” Chrysalis cackled. “A meal for us?”

“Oh no, not again!” The woman continued to struggle. “I'm not gonna be eaten by some bug horses!”

“Not entirely. Pupa?”

“Yes momma?” Pupa still had one hand on a lock of her mane as she looked down at one of her mother’s eyes.

“Give our ‘guest’ to her own ‘room’. And you, do what you need to do.”

“W-what do you mean by-” Before the woman could ask, the drone holding her bit down a bit. “OW!!! Hey! I'm not a chew toy!”

“*Sorry*” The drone apologized in a muffled voice, leaning his head down and dropping her. The woman got up and sprinted of… only to fall asleep after two steps.

“Oh dear,” Chrysalis cooed. “It seems our venom is much more effective on them than we think… Pupa, tell me, is she dead?”

She climbed down from her mother’s head and to the floor as she ran to the unconscious human and placed two fingers on the human’s neck. She was silent and still for awhile, before she looked up at her mom. “She’s okay. I think she’ll live.” She said, getting up as she looked back at the human woman.

“Good. I was worried we may have overdone it. Not for her sake, of course, but for everyone's meal. Bring her in, and don't dilly dally.”

Pupa nodded before she picked up the human with minor struggle she picked her up, bridal style, and started making her way to the room in which their ‘guests’ were resting in their ‘rooms’. Inside were other people like the woman, but also ponies and other creatures that were able to talk like her family. Some other changelings were around, managing the cocoons with others ate the pink aura surrounding their ‘guests’. Pupa set her in a cocoon, but stopped as something fell from her. She picked up what could be described as a small pink box with some strings coming from it, which ended with some large, fluffy clamps. With a touch, it glowed, in which it read ‘Try Everything ~ Shakira’, with some noise coming from the clamps. Looking to see if anyone's watching, she put the clamps on.

Note: I shouldn't have let Pupa take her in. Now, she’s acting like the ponies and their singing. But, at least her voice is changing… that’s the only good thing I have to say about this.

Chrysalis woke up as she heard more of Pupa’s music playing. She got up and was ready to yell at her to shut her music off and go to bed, but saw her back in the shower.

“♫ Am I original? ~Yeah!~ Am I the only one? ~Yeah!~ Am I sexual? ~Yeah!~ Am I everything you need to help rock your body now?♫” Chrysalis was about to speak, but other changelings appeared and sang along.

“♫ Everybody! ~Yeah!~ Rock Yo Body! ~Yeah!~ Everybody! Rock yo body right… Backstreet’s back, alright!♫”

Chrysalis only blinked. She turned around, went into her room, and locked the door.

“YOU’RE TEARING ME APART, PUPA!!!”

Note: Yes, I yelled that… just glad Pupa didn't hear that. But, I am afraid for Pupa; she's smarter than I anticipated, and seems to know how different she is from the rest of the hive.

“Unicorn filly!” Chrysalis demanded. Pupa, in a burst of green fire, turned into what Chrysalis demanded. “Old Earth Pony!” Another burst. “Those Pony-People pegasus stallion!” Another one. “A human politician!” Donald Trump. “Excellent! Your training is near it's end, Pupa. Soon, you'll be on your first mission, even with your… music.” She turned and walked away.

“Mom?” Pupa spoke. Chrysalis groaned.

“What!?”

She went quiet, twiddling her fingers while Chrysalis raised a brow at her shyness, right before she looked up at her. “Why do I look like those creatures we capture? The ones… that are my size.” She asked as she glanced away again.

“... You're not their size, Pupa. You're much taller than them. I wouldn't be surprised if you're halfway near my size when you reach my age.”

“But why am I not as big as all the other changelings? Those creatures are close to my height than the changelings who are my age and tower above me.” She said, sounding sad as her feelings were felt by the tall equine.

“... Ugh… I don't want to say this, but Pupa… the reason you're so different… it's because you're special.”

“Special?” She tilted her head in confusion.

“Special.” She turned and began to walk away. Pupa followed.

“Am I not a changeling?” She asked as she jumped and grabbed onto the end of her tail.

“Easy, Pupa; You're the heir to my kingdom, even if you don't look like a mini-me.”

“But everyone else does but me.” She said. “Why’s that?”

“They don't look like me! They're all bald!” A Changeling approached to them with Chrysalis’s mane style.

“Look at me!” He spoke with a man's voice “I'm looking just like you!” Chrysalis glared at him. “... I'll get the scissors.”

Pupa sighed as she looked away and towards the floor. “Where did I come from?” She simply asked as she glanced up at her.

“You came from an egg, like everyone else. Albeit, a small egg, but an egg, nonetheless.”

“Then where's my shell? Everyone has a changelings egg shell that's where they came from. But when I tried to find mine, it wasn't there.”

“It was accidentally stepped on. I don't know who, but your egg shell was crushed after you were born. And you don't need that anymore; I threw mine away when I was your age.”

She went quiet as she looked away once again. It seemed that the game of 20 questions was over as she didn't bother asking anything else.

But that silence was short lived. “Mom?”

“What!?” Chrysalis snapped “What what what!?!??”

She flinched at the shout, stuff for a moment before she looked away, her pointed ears going down on her head. “…never mind.” She mumbled, Chrysalis feeling the sad emotions around Pupa.

“... What is it? And this better be your last question or something important.”

She went quiet again before she spoke. “Do you love me?” She asked.

Chrysalis paused and blinked. “What did you just say?”

“Uhm…d-do you love me?” She repeated with a slight stutter.

“... I… I do love you… but I need it to survive.”

It seemed that last part didn’t sit well with the small hybrid as she started tearing up. “S-so you only love m-me so that you c-can live?” She asked.

“That's not what I-!” Chrysalis huffed. “Alright, you want to know why we keep our guests in their pods?”

She glanced away, but slowly nodded as she was curious as well. “Does it have to do with that pink stuff floating in some changeling’s mouths?” She asked.

“Yes.” She flicked her tail, launching Pupa onto her back. “As you already know, you're different from us, even your own mother, and if not for me, and your luck, you may have ceased to exist.”

She squeaked in surprise as she landed on her back, it being a no-so-soft landing. “Wait, are you saying you're not my real mom?” She asked with widened eyes.

“I am your real mom! I meant as in the other children, your sisters… none of them made it. But, don't cry for them; if they were alive, you'd have to fight them for control at your age.”

“But I don't want to fight.” She said. “Fighting is wrong, isn't it?”

“And who told you that? Because fighting is our way; a leader must know when it's time to build, when it's time to watch, and when it's time to act. You are going to have to act, not unless you want your subjects to starve to death.”

“But shouldn't you also know when there's a better way without violence? It's not like you beat up all of your subjects to do what they tell you to… right?”

“We've tried that many times, Pupa. Peaceful living is out of the question; we need to keep our guests in their pods alive and well to feed off of their love. The stronger the love, like couples and families, the more we can feed and survive. You, however, are different, and may be the key to our survival.”

“What do you mean by that?” She asked, referring to being their ‘key to their survival’.

“That pink stuff you see our subjects eat? That's love. Our hunger for love is unquenchable, no matter how much we consume. You, on the other hand, don't need love; you eat fruits and vegetables, and you don't seem to starve that much. Of course, you have to do your… business, but other than that, you're in the next step of what we Changelings need to do.”

“It sounds as if I was some item of yours.” She said as she glanced away.

“Oh? What do you mean by that, Pupa?”

“I…I don't know.” She glanced away. “Am I just for some plan to help the hive?”

“No, not entirely. I'm not going to be around forever, Pupa, and our subjects need a leader. If there's one thing we're great at, the thing that gave us our names, is change. I expect you to change some things, but respect your ancestors; I've done, and so did my mother, and her mother before her. But, you need to prove yourself first; Prove you're the leader that everyone can follow. Trust me, when they're lost, panic will ensue, and we can't have panicking subjects, do we?”

“I guess not.” She mumbled as she looked down at her legs. “But do I have to prove I'm a good leader with violence?” She asked.

“That won't be necessary. The other thing you can prove is cunning, as I did.” A light bulb turned on, literally, as a Changeling screwed in a light bulb above her head. “Tell you what, I think you're ready to leave the hive for your first assignment.”

“N-now?” She asked as she showed a look of nervousness.

“Tomorrow. You will be going to the town of Ponyville and bring in as much guests as possible. You will be given a week once you arrive there; you will mingle with them, become their ‘friends’, and invite them to a location where some of our scouts will be in. Just know that inviting five will be minimum required to gain your subjects trust, but I'm sure you will bring more… right?”

She didn't get an answer as Pupa didn't feel as if she could even make one human follow her. “…what if I can't do it?” She mumbled out a question.

“... I dare not to imagine what will happen to a traitor.”

“T-traitor?” She whimpered as she was now scared on what would happen if she failed.

“Do not fail on your subjects, or else.” She turned and walked to their room. “But I have faith that not only will you succeed, but exceed my expectations.” Her horn glowed and she gave Pupa a kiss on her forehead before putting her in her Cocoon. “Now rest, tomorrow's going to be a long day. I hope your training will pay off.” She turned and mumbled to herself “Or else this would be a huge waste of time.”

Even with her mother believing that she will succeed, she still couldn't help but feel scared over failing. She kept on thinking on what would happen if she failed and didn't want to see the disappointed look on her face again. She's seen that too many times when she was younger.

'I'm not a traitor… I won't be.’ She thought to herself as she started to drift off.

Author's Note

This chapter was originally gonna end after the discovery of music for Pupa, but I felt it was too short, so the last part came up and I'm guessing you'll know what's gonna happen next. :trollestia:

Chapter 3

Note: Today is Pupa’s first day out of the hive. After such a long time of preparation, we will see if all of the time pays off and she's the next queen when I'm gone. I pray that she succeeds; Raising the first human-changeling hybrid is almost as bad as Tartarus… and this will be even worst than losing total control those two times. Hopefully, my spies will keep her on track.

Both Pupa and Chrysalis stood outside of the hive with her teachers and some of the other Changelings. Pupa had herself a satchel filled with various fruits and vegetables, and a map to Ponyville. Chrysalis nudged her forward.

“Go and fulfill your destiny.” She spoke. “Find your ‘Home’, learn about their way of life, and lure them to us.”

Pupa couldn't help but feel intimidated by the town that was rather far from their palace. In front of her, were nothing but gray dirt and jagged rocks. But further up ahead, she saw a green dot that she could only guess was the borderline to the changeling castle. She gripped the strap of the satchel as she only looked back up at her mother, a look of fear and nervousness in her eyes, two things that didn't look right on the positive and optimistic hybrid.

The other Changelings were tearing up, obviously, they're going to miss their little princess, with a couple holding signs reading “I <3 Pupa” and “Never Forget”. It was clear that their encouragement was present, but it just made her a lot more nervous. Chrysalis only stared, uncertain if Pupa was going to move or not.

“You know, the longer you stay here, the more your subjects will starve, and I don't want to label you as a traitor… unless, you want that.”

She got more scared at the thought of being called a traitor. “I-I'm not a t-traitor.” Pupa stuttered as she looked up at the queen.

“Then I suggest that you start right now.”

“C-can I at least say something before I go?” She asked, tilting her head a little as she turned to look up at her.

“Make it short.” Chrysalis turned to her.

Using the little non-changeling magic she had, her hands glowed green and she was able to pull Chrysalis' head down with small, but effect tugs. Once Chrysalis’ head was down to her level, she wrapped her arms around her muzzle, her eyes shut as small tears going down her cheeks. “I love you. And I'll miss you…mommy.” She hugged a little tighter.

“... We all will.” She pushed her gently. “But, you won't be alone. Take this.” Her horn glowed and she packed a scarab looking medal. “Use this every night to give me your report. I expect you to talk by tomorrow morning. Now, go.” She nudge her away. “Today is your exception; your mission officially begins tomorrow.”

She nodded, knowing that she couldn't try and waste time with her mother. She wiped the tears from her eyes before she turned back to where she was supposed to go. She let out a shaky exhale, before she literally took her first step out of the castle. She turned back to see the other changelings, having a small wave goodbye before the entrance and exit started closing.

It felt as if time slowed down, as she watched the four most important changelings in her life. Even after they told her they had a rough time with her from the beginning, the love they had for each other only grew. Just the thought of that made her tear up again.

And once the hole closed, she was now officially alone now.

Journal entry 1: It has been at least an hour since I finally reached the edge of the changeling territory, and I already feel more lost and a little scared. The grass here is almost as big as me(it most likely being cause it always grows) and the trees are even bigger up close. So far I have seen some butterflies, birds and a bunny in the distance, but other than that, nothing but plant life.

It felt like forever, but Pupa took a small break, taking a cherry out and had herself a nice snack. Some of the critters there stopped and watched her, but dashed away, most likely too busy for her, or plotting something. She sighed, wanting to go back, but somehow knew that something bad was going to happen if she did. So she began to do something that would mostly make her feel better when her mother was too busy to be there. She began to sing.

I've never dreamt
Of a far-off place
Where a great huge danger
Will be waiting for me
Where the crowds will jeer
When they see my face
And a voice keeps saying
‘This is not where I'm meant to be’.

But I will find my way,
I can go the distance
I'll be Queen someday
If I can be strong
I know every smile
Will be worth my while
I wouldn't go most anywhere
to not feel like I belong…

She sighed again, packing her things and continued to her destination. All that raced in her head was what if she failed.

‘Mom never told me what happened to traitors. Are they banished forever? Executed? Or-?’ She shook her head. “What am I thinking about!? Come on, Pupa! Now’s not the time to panic! The hive is relying on us!”

But I am on my way,
And I can go the distance.
I don't care how far
Somehow I'll be strong
I know every smile,
Will be worth my while
I wouldn't go most anywhere
to know where I belong!

She stepped out of the forest and seeing that she was on a mountain cliff side, and in the distance, when she squinted her eyes, there was a castle on another mountain’s cliff side. Below it all, closer to her, was a fairly large village, but sticking out was a castle made entirely out of Crystals. Her mother and teachers told her that Ponyville wouldn't be noticeable, were it not for the castle. Running through Pupa’s head, she saw her entire kingdom cheering upon her arrival. She took a deep breath and jumped off, her wings flapping rapidly and allowing her to glide to the town’s borders.

I will break the walls!
I can go the distance!
I will face the world,
Fearless, proud and strong.
I will please them all!
I can go the distance!
Till I return to my hero's welcome
Right where I belo---ng!!!

Below, a lavender Alicorn’s ear twitched. She turned to the small, Purple and green baby dragon next to her.

“Spike? Did you hear someone singing?”

“Eh, it's Tuesday, what'd you expect?” He shrugged his shoulders before walking away with dirty dishes to clean.

“Oh… right, Tuesday.” She continued to read, but jumped. “IT'S TUESDAY!?!?!? Spike! Get the nets! We gotta let those thieves know that they can't steal from us!” She got up and ran away, followed by the baby dragon. As soon as they left, Pupa stuck her head out of a bush. Her song came to a crash, literally, as some doves thought she was a Beetle. They weren't entirely wrong, but Pupa made a mental note to avoid birds now.

She shook the small sticks and leaves out of her hair as she started looking around from her hiding spot. The whole world around her looked more colorful and vibrant than inside the changeling palace. She had to rub her eyes at how bright everything was. ‘Okay. I'm finally here. But what should I do now.’ She went back within the bush as she took out a small book from her bag. She opened it to see a small sheet of paper that had her mission written on it. It simply saying to collect five or more tinies.

“Okay. Just need to get five tinies. I can either be bold and just grab five random tinies, or be more strategic and find out the easiest way to get at least five of them.” She told herself as her fingers rubbed the edges of the book.

“Well, the only thing I can do is to be strategic. I don't have the strength or endurance to go fast with all that weight.” She said as she closed the book with one of her thumbs between the sheets. “From what mother told me, she said that a Tiny village is the most obvious place to find some. But only tinies are allowed inside unless a pony was allowed in by a resident of the village.” She hummed as she thought about it. “But there's got to be another place than a simple little village. I can't collect tinies looking like this. If I was a pony, maybe I could carry them on my back. But that would require gaining enough trust for them to even get on willingly.” She then face palmed herself. “Oh, Duh! I can be one of them! Tinies trust other Tinies!... But I gotta be careful around the ponies… maybe I can be the mixed ones as mother told me about?”

“And are you done talking to yourself?” A voice asked.

She jumped at the sudden voice. “Huh!? Who said that!?”

“The rock next to you.” She looked to her left and noticed a rock next to her. In green flames, another Changeling appeared. “And as a tip: Don't sing! There's only oh so much fuzziness we can take… and to not reveal yourself.”

“... Who are you?”

“I'm Eyeballs, one of Chrysalis’s drones and reporters. And you were close to getting yourself captured and ruin our way of life!... Your highness.”

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just--” She shook her head as she looked down shamefully. “Not even five minutes in this town and already I’m messing things up.” Her ears wilted.

“... Eh, relax, it happens to everyone when they get out of the hive. Though singing is something I haven't seen someone do. But, hey, you made it, much earlier than we expected.”

“Wait, you were expecting me? I guess you’re just here to make sure I do the mission successfully.” She spoke, glancing away at the last part.

“That, and I'm sort of your caretaker for this time… when you return ‘home’ of course.” He looked up nervously and turned into a Grey, wonky eyed mare, whistling in conspicuously as a butter yellow pegasus with a long, pink mane and tail approached.

“Um, excuse me, Ms. Muffins, but some of my little friends said they found something here.”

“... Oh? Like what?” Eyeballs spoke in a somewhat confused and dumb voice, standing before sitting on Pupa. While Pupa was under a under another flank, at least it was lighter and, for a lack of better words, soft, unlike her mother's. But, she could tell that it was his way of saying ‘Change or else we're caught!’.

She let out a small, yet muffled, yelp as she was caught by surprise at the sitting. ‘Great! I thought I'd be away from the being sit on ordeal, but I guess not.’ She thought, but a dark lightbulb lit up in her mind and she smirked evilly. In a small ring of fire, she turned into a small object, a sharp nail to be exact. ‘This'll show him not to sit on me!’ She thought as she only waited for his immediate reaction.

“YEOWCH!!!” ‘Muffins’ yelled as she jumped, looking to see the nail that appeared on her rump.

“Oh dear,” Fluttershy spoke. “That's the third nail you sat on this week.” She turned to her birds. “And you shouldn't made me so nervous! I really thought it was a Changeling for a second. Are you going to be alright, Muffins?”

“Yeah… I'll be fine.” Muffins glared at the nail.

“I'll bring you a fresh batch of muffins tomorrow, if that'll help.” She turned and flew away. Eyeballs turned back to his original form, then glared at Pupa’s form.

“Very funny, your highness. You're lucky to be a princess!”

As soon as she took the disguise off, Pupa couldn't help but start to laugh, it not being loud, but enough to show how much she enjoyed his reaction. “Y-you should've seen your face.” She said through her giggling. “And when she said this happened three times, I thought I was gonna lose my focus.” She clutched her side with one arm as she covered her mouth with her other hand.

“Hey! It's not me that did it; it's this ‘Muffins’ pony that did those! Oh, if you were a human, I'd keep you in my gut for a month!”

“Hmm, I wonder how mother might feel when I send a report about that… and about that wonderful first transformation in Ponyville.” She smiled as the positive attitude she was showing was also being felt by Eyeballs. He rolled his eyes.

“At least you changed. You heard what she said: Those birds thought they had seen a Changeling. I.E.: You. You may have to find a disguise quickly.”

The smile on her face disappeared after he said that, she looked away as she went quiet.

“... What? It's a mistake. Every Changeling has done it, and I doubt you knew that even the birds were on the lookout for us.”

“I didn’t even know those birds could tell me apart from some bug they eat...” She mumbled as she stayed looking away.

“Oh… right… uh… I'm sure you'll grow to not be considered a bug. I remember one of us was nothing more but a maggot, and she was taken away by some birds after a dare.”

Her eyes widened at what he said. “And none of you decided to try and save her?” She asked as the sight of that happening in her head was a little dark and upsetting.

“We were little and untrained. Besides, she's fine… albeit, acts like a bird now. A chicken, specifically. There she is!” In the streets was a lone chicken.

“That’s her? What if it’s just a regular chicken you’re pointing at?” She asked, looking at the bird as it just walked around. “Never mind,” She shook her head. “I… do have some of my own personal forms I could be, but I just don’t know which one to use.”

“Well, you should be safe about it and explore this town: get to know it's layout and learn some of it's important residents. Just don't try to bring attention to yourself… or chat with the ‘heroes’.”

“Why not? Isn’t it normal for ponies to want to talk to the heroes?” She asked as she tilted her head. “I mean, me and mother aren’t heroes, but it seems that every changeling that we interact with acts almost like fanmares.”

“Your royalty, and we're not fanmares! And you should already know that this town is on the hunt for us. If they at least, even just a little bit, suspect us as Changelings… be prepared for a fate worse than death.”

“Will it be worse than being labeled a traitor to mother?” She asked, a little curious if it would be worse than whatever she had planned.

“Oh yeah! Even worse than that! But fret not, for you just need to avoid seven mares: Fluttershy, the one I spoke with, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and, the two you NEED to be on the lookout for, Princess Twilight Sparkle, and her student, Starlight Glimmer. Don't go near them, and you should be fine… emphasis on the should, since you still have a week long tomorrow.”

“Wait, there’s a princess here too?” She quickly got up from her sitting position, her tail wagging happily. She never heard of another princess. ‘Maybe she’s the princess of Ponyville. Or ponies entirely!’ She thought. ‘I wonder if she had to do a mission to become queen… maybe she is too young to have her first mission.'

“Not like that, unless you count annoyance as a mission. She's technically a princess, due to Celestia, but that cake gobbler is a queen, whether she wants to admit it or not. Wait, do you even know about the history of our enemies?”

Pupa remained silent, it giving him an answer on its own. He groaned, turning into a yellow stallion with a brown mane and matching tail.

“Alright, I guess today is your history lesson. Change into your human form for now, and we'll be going to your momentary home.”

She couldn’t help but blush when he knew that she knows nothing about pony history. With the glow of her hands and the ring of green fire going around her, she was now a human that was about the same age as her. She had brown hair, brown eyes, and light tan skin. Her clothes was of a white t-shirt that had a dark heart with two holes in it, blue bootleg jeans and black sneakers. “Why do I have to be a human? Can’t I be a pony?” She asked.

“This guy doesn't have a kid. And so I can do this.” He lowered his head and took her in his mouth, again, similar to that woman that gave her the wonderful music box. He was being careful to not crush her in his teeth, but was being quick to get out of the area before anypony would be suspicious on why Caramel was here and not in Appaloosa. Soon, they arrived to what was a totally not-suspicious looking shack, right near the edge of the forest next to the town. He knocked on it. It was answered by a pink mare with a poofy green mane.

“... Uh… I can explain.” Eyeballs dropped Pupa before turning back to normal, pushing the door open and walking in.

“Yeah, yeah, you wanted some bits for those flowers, Web-head.”

Pupa was wiping the saliva off of her face and hair as she lost her focus, changing into her normal hybrid self. “Why did you have to do that?” She asked as she glared up at him. “There were tons of other ways to carry me.”

“Of course there were.” He smirked “But you shouldn’t have turned into a nail.” He nudged her in. The shed was small, as she could tell, but above were some cocoons, each holding the ponies they had disguised themselves as and some others, along with a shelf that had some reading material, and a pantry with snacks in it.

“Oh my stars!” The other changeling gasped. “It’s the princess herself! Oh, I’ve been waiting to see you! I heard how every changeling went crazy after you-” Eyeballs bumped him. “...Oh, right. Well, I’m Web-Head, the nurse, and our guard, Beaky, is… well... “

“The chicken.”

“What?” Pupa was caught off guard at that last part.

“Yeah… she’s a guard, but thinks she’s a chicken.” Web-Head spoke, scratching the back of her head “It’s weird… but she’s good at her job!”

“As if!” Eyeballs retorted “All she does is cluck around and sit on a rock, claiming it’s an egg! At least her partner, Doomy, isn’t as distracted.”

“Who's Doomy?” She asked with a head tilt.

“You’ll know him as that guy.” Eyeballs pointed at a cocoon, which held a huge, muscular stallion with comedically tiny wings. “And, like you, he’s a singer… but not in your way.”

“What do you mean by that?” She asked unsure on what to expect. Loud, but muffled, music was heard below them. Web-Head grabbed onto Eyeballs.

“He’s singing again!!!”

“You think I don’t notice!?” Eyeballs replied, pushing her off. “Yeah, you may want to cover your ears.” He opened a cellar, which was invisible to the naked eye, and loud metal music blasted out, followed by some singing.

Oh Yeah
I'm the man
I'm superbad
Ponies!
You think you
Can get me?
Wait
Maybe they
Don't think
I do
And I think
You're dead!

Man and a half
I'm man and a half
Berserker packin'
Man and a half!

Rip and tear!
Rip and tear!
Rip and tear!
Rip and tear your guts!
Rip and tear! (You have huge guts)
Rip and tear! (You have huge guts)
Rip and tear! (You have huge guts)
Rip and tear your guts!

Swords are for wusses
Swords are for wusses
Swords are for wusses
Handful of vertebrae!
Swords are for wusses
Swords are for wusses
Swords are for wusses
Spinal cord, baby!

Turned my back
That was stupid
You're stupid!

Stupid stupid stupid colt!
You're gonna be stupid and dead!
Dance dance dance dance
Bonedaddy dance!
Dead dead dead dead
Dead dead dead!

Rip and tear!
Rip and tear!
Here it comes! Here comes the night train!
Here it comes! Here comes the night train!
Rip and tear!
Rip and tear!

Pupa was watching as the large equine stomped in, the music playing as he was too into singing that Pupa was close to getting squished. She quickly moved just in time as she hid under one of the nearby coffee table. Eyeballs pulled the cord to a boombox, cutting the rest of the music off. Doomy looked around, then glared at them.

“What was that for!? I was hitting the night train!”

“Yes, and you were going to expose our location, Doomy! And get out of the disguise! You're with us, remember!?”

“Ugh, fine!” He turned to his Changeling self… who was much smaller than his disguised self, about the size of a tween colt. “But just you wait! When we attack again, these puppies are gonna be barking!”

Pupa only watched the small changeling as she honestly thought she was gonna get crushed… again, but by someone else instead. Web-Head took her out and cradled.

“Aww, is the wittle pwincess hurt?” She asked, treating Pupa like she was injured… and five years old.

“No. I'm not. Now put me down.” She said as she wasn't amused in the slightest.

“But you're royalty! And royalty need extra care.”

“What about me!” Doomy yelled.

“You can take care of yourself!”

“Then I order you to put me down and stop treating me like this!” Pupa said, not too happy about this. Web-Head sighed, putting Pupa down.

“And you were adorable as they said.”

“She's not gonna be adorable when she rips our enemies hearts out!” Doomy added.

“Shut up! Both of you!” Eyeballs yelled before turning back to Pupa, holding a thick book in his magic. “Alright, let's get you to speed on your history lesson.”

~One History Lesson later~

“And our queen valiantly made her escape from the evil forces of the traitorous, self appointed King Thorax, and his partner in crime, Starlight Glimmer.” Eyeballs finished, closing the book. “So, any questions?”

“One actually. The way Thorax shared his love and was never hungry again. That actually sounded like a good idea. Why didn't mother at least try that way?” She asked.

“... A little help?” Web-Head entered with a fluffy looking baseball bat. “No! Not the Forget-Me-Stick! Answers!”

“Oh… right.” Web-Head spoke. “Well… I'm-”

“IT'LL MAKE US WEAK!!!” Doomy yelled. “AND WHEN WE'RE WEAK, DRAGONS WILL DEVOUR US TO THE POINT OF EXTINCTION!!! DO YOU WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO US!? DO YOU!?!?!?” Everyone stared, with Pupa noticeably cowering. Doomy cleared his throat. “Sorry… I need a sandwich.” He went up to the shack.

“... Minus Doomy’s… approach,” Web-Head spoke. “Yes, that's it, actually. It's not a matter of choice, but we have to do it for survival.”

“Why? Wouldn't we not be able to fight if we shared love and was never hungry again. And just think of the constant cycle of love, wouldn't that make all of us really powerful. And the changelings feed off of my love and I share it willingly. Isn't that the same as what they're doing?” She asked, not seeing the point on her mother fleeing. Was…was she doubting her mother’s action of that day? Her questioning was interrupted by water being sprayed into her eyes via spray bottle

“Bad! Bad Pupa! Don't question the Queen!”

“That's the quickest way to be labeled as a traitor!” Eyeballs added.

“I'm not a traitor!” She shouted as she didn't like how cold the water was. “I…I was just thinking.” Her angry demeanor eased down to a bit of shame, her shoulder slumping as well. “I'm sorry… maybe mother did that for a good reason.” She mumbled as the thought of her mother being the real villain eased away from her mind.

“Hey, it's okay,” Eyeballs spoke in a supportive tone. “Look, I understand there's still questions rattling around in your noggin, but we have to know that she's always busy and trying to keep us organized. Why, without her, you wouldn't be here. And just be glad Web-Head didn't use… the band of pain.” He shivered.

“Band of pain?” Pupa was confused on that. “What’s that?” Web-Head pulled out a rubber band.

“This.” Eyeballs backed away from Web-Head with a whimper.

“No! Not again!”

Pupa got scared as she slowly backed away from Web-Head as she didn’t know what was coming.

“What? I'm not gonna use it. At least, not to you two. Doomy!”

“Oh no!” Doomy’s voice spoke from above. Web-Head flew up, which was meet by loud crashes, and Doomy screaming in pain after a quick ‘Thwap!’.

Pupa only got more scared of this ‘Band of Pain’, imagining how much worse it would be for her since she was much smaller than a regular changeling. Web-head returned with an annoyed look on her face as she placed the Band of Pain in a box.

“I swear, he goes from a macho Changeling to a filly when he sees and is hit by the Band of Pain.”

Pupa felt a little better that she put the band away, she sat down on the floor before she started rubbing one of her eyes.

“Tired?” Eyeballs asked.

“N-no. My eyes just itches.” She lied, not wanting them to think she could get tired after transforming twice in one day.

“Aw, it's alright to be tired, your highness.” Web-Head added, picking her up in her magic. “Especially after a history lesson with Eyeballs.”

“Hey!” He retorted.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll,” She was cut off by a rather adorable yawn. “I’ll be okay.”

“D’aww! You really do need your beauty sleep.” Web-Head cooed, pulling out an empty cocoon and placing her in it. “There you go. Now, rest. You have a long day tomorrow at the local school.” She gave her a small blanket.

“Stop this. I said… I said I’ll be...” She didn’t finish it as she started to nod off, of course not fully asleep as her head would sometimes lift up, trying to force herself to stay awake. Web-Head smiled gently.

“Just like your mother.” She turned the lights off and walked out with Eyeballs. The darkness and lack of sound got to her and Pupa fell asleep.

~

Pupa honestly didn’t like that she fell asleep before the sun went down, but that all eased away as she was having the funniest and weirdest dream she has ever had… or the only one since the magic of dreaming was soaked and she would mostly have nothing but a black void to look into. In her dream, she was dressed in what was probably a bear costume and was riding the back of a large, super hairy Humanoid, who was flying over the mountains, despite having no wings. But the tune of another one of her songs played.

Down where the sasquatch hide,
In the misty mountainside,
He's got shiny diamonds that he's got to protect,
Look into the sasquatch eye,
Did you know that sass could fly?
Sasquatch is my daddy and he's going to protect, me!
Half man, half machine,
On the cover of a magazine,
Bigfoot is my father and he's got to protect, me!
These lyrics don't make sense,
Think I've found the evidence,
That yeti is my papa and he wants to protect, me!

Just as she had a recorder to play with, everything came crashing as a gigantic Chrysalis came into view and vaporized Bigfoot with some magic. She screamed as she was falling, gravity coming into her dream as her bear costume faded away and she landed on something glass like. When she tried to get out, she couldn’t find an exit. She was trapped in a glass sphere, her mother holding the orb as she showed and evil smile. “Mommy! Let me out! It’s me, Pupa!” She started hitting the glass as Chrysalis didn’t show any sign that she heard her.

“TRAITOR!!!” Chrysalis’s voice boomed, followed by the world going back, followed by the piercing blue eyes of the Changelings, and loud hissing. The ball she was in began to close in, tightening up everything up to the point she was seemingly being crushed and suffocating at the same time.

“ENOUGH!!!” Another voice boomed. The place glowed white, making everything into the field. Pupa’s ball broke and she fell out, coughing for air. Out of the sky came a dark blue mare with wings & a horn, whose mane moved on it's own, despite the lack of wind, and looked like royalty herself. She stood about Pupa’s height, but gave a curious look.

“... Hm, you're nothing I've ever seen before.” She spoke in a motherly tone. “You look human, but also a Changeling.”

Pupa was a little scared of this random mare. Never in her life has she seen a pony with a mane and tail like her’s, so seeing this unknown pony made her unsure on whether she should even trust her. She backed away before she spoke. “Wh-who are you?” Was all she could muster out. “A-and what are y-you doing in my h-head?”

“Relax, I am Princess Luna, and I was here to stop your nightmares. However, seeing you, I have some questions myself, as you do for me and yourself. Do I stand correct?”

“I… I don’t need to answer anything. You’re still a stranger and I’m not supposed to talk to you.” She said, turning away and shutting her eyes, folding her arms as her ears were lowered.

“Hm… let me see some things about you.” Pupa felt Luna, even though she wasn't touching her, if that made sense. She turned to see Luna looking through some files. “Hm… oh? Princess Pupa of the Changelings? Daughter of Chrysalis? On a week long journey to bring in five strangers to prove themselves as a leader. Very interesting.”

“H-hey! Stop doing that!” She said, pushing the alicorn away from the random file drawer as she closed it, wishing it was locked. But when that thought came through, a cartoonishly large lock was on the file drawer as it was also covered in chains, Pupa barely seeing the file drawer within all the chains.

“So, Chrysalis has an heir to her throne? The first Human-changeling hybrid to walk on Equestria. You want to prove to her that you can be a great leader… but I can sense some doubt in you.” Luna summoned some chain bolts and cut the chains off, reopening the file drawer. “Why are you so different? Isn't there a peaceful way to this?... Oh… does she love you? Very interesting.”

“I said stop that!” Pupa shouted as she was now angry that this pony was looking through her personal stuff. “Stop looking through my thoughts! I don’t want to share anything with you, and you’re being a jerk by not leaving me alone!”

“... I'm sorry, but it's my duty to help all of my subjects, even if it means looking through their personal information.” She closed the drawer and it went underground. “I can sense that you just learned about Equestria, and you have your doubts about your mother, am I right?”

Pupa didn’t answer as she turned away from her. “I said I don’t need to share anything from you.” She mumbled. “And I’m not any of your ‘subjects’. I am princess Pupa, the future queen of the changelings. And… and I thought that maybe ponies were more than just food, but I can see that they can’t even accept if someone doesn’t want to share anything with anyone.” She crossed her arms as she only showed a harsh glare to the horned pegasus.

“... You sound just like your mother those many years ago.” She stomped her hoof, making the world spin backwards in a rapid way, until it stopped. Standing in front of a different Luna was a younger, plumper, and adorable looking Chrysalis.

“I said I don’t need to share anything from you.” The younger Chrysalis yelled “And I’m not any of your ‘subjects’. I am princess Chrysalis, the future queen of the changelings. And… and I thought that maybe ponies were more than just food, but I can see that they can’t even accept if someone doesn’t want to share anything with anyone.” Pupa stared, almost taken back by the exact words she and her mother spoke.

“And, I have the answer to one of your questions.” Another stomp, and the place turned into the shed Pupa was sleeping in, and with the three Changelings inside.

“Now, rest, little Chrysalis,” The nurse cooed. “tomorrow's a long day.”

“Uh… W-Web?” The young Chrysalis asked. The nurse smiled.

“Yes, your highness?”

“Can I have Eggy?” The nurse giggled.

“Of course you can.” She levitated a cracked egg to her. Chrysalis took it and snuggled with it. “Aww, I hope your daughter will be just as adorable with her egg as you are.”

“And she said that she threw her egg out when she was your age.” Luna spoke as everything turned back into the field, though now there was a table with some ready tea. “Now, are you willing to listen and ask? I don't have all night.”

“Why do you wanna know anyways? Aren’t you just a figment of my imagination?” She asked.

“No, I am real. I am the princess of the night, and dreams are my domain. I battle against the Nightmares all of my subjects have and give them advice. I am simply showing you the past and the truth to your mother, Queen Chrysalis. It is up to you on how you will react to this and how you will deal with it.”

“...what if I didn’t want to see all that?” She asked as she looked down at the floor. “What if I didn’t want you here in the first place. I mean, nightmares can’t hurt you. Their just bad dreams...”

“Bad dreams usually have a meaning. You're afraid of failing this quest and being labeled as a traitor to your family. But, even then, you're unsure if they are your family, or if they're telling you the truth. You want to question, but fear the consequences that will come with it. Are you understanding me now?”

“... I guess so.” She mumbled as she didn’t bother looking up at her. “But why would I question my mother. She raised me, and just thinking bad of her makes me a traitor… and I don’t want to be.”

“It is good that you love her, but you mustn't be afraid to ask her anything. It's one thing to be labeled as a traitor and another to blindly follow what she says. I was there when Thorax became the King of the Changelings, and despite being a drone, he wasn't afraid to question her.”

“B-but now he’s a traitor to his own k-kind.” She said, a lump in her throat starting to be felt. “Did he even care for his siblings when he left? Did he even wonder how many of his own changeling brothers and sisters might miss him?” She asked.

“He is only a traitor to Chrysalis, and he did care for his siblings. I've heard how he discovered friendship with a certain baby dragon and, after some time, no longer felt hunger anymore. All he wanted was to share love with his own kind, and when he shared it with Chrysalis. Not only did he change and become King, but so did his siblings, and now, subjects.”

She was still looking down at the floor as she didn’t say anything for a moment. “... I don’t believe you.” She mumbled, the lump in her throat gone as she was now glaring at the floor.

“And I'm not forcing you to. But, if I may.” Luna opened the cabinet again. “In two days from now, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her student, Starlight Glimmer, will be visiting Thorax. If you don't believe me, then you won't go with them. But, if you are curious, then join them, preferably in disguise, of course. And, I won't tell anyone about our encounter, not even my sister, Princess Celestia. Will that work?”

“But I don’t have time for that. You already know what I’m here for and I don’t need another trip to some empire just to admit you're right.” She said as she turned away. “And I won’t let a pony like you stop me from making mother proud.” She smiled a little at the thought.

“And I won't stop you. Go and do what you want to do, but all I ask of you is this: Will you stop this cycle? Will you be the one to find a peaceful way for our kingdoms to live in harmony. I will let you think about it when you wake up.”

Pupa’s smile left her lips as she looked up at the black void of a sky. “I… I don’t know.” She mumbled.

“That's all up to you. And I think a week is enough time to visit some family.” Luna opened a tear and began to walk through it.

‘But that’s all I have...’ She thought to herself. The dream began to fade away… and was followed by the clucking of a chicken.

Chapter 4

Pupa woke up to see a chicken sitting on her cocoon, idiotically thinking that it was an egg it laid.

Pupa could only look up at the chicken in confusion than shock. She wanted to say: “Can I help you?”, but could only mouth the words as she couldn't speak through the healing gel inside.

“Get off of her!” Web-Head yelled, picking the disguised Changeling up. “Doomy!!! Your partner’s at it again!”

“She's not my partner! Just an idiot!” Doomy yelled above.

“And I don't see a difference.”

Pupa ignored the two arguing as she opened the cocoon on her own and wiped the slime off of her. ‘Still can’t get used to that...’ She thought to herself. Web-Head quickly dried her off with a rag.

“Oh, today's your first day of this mission and you have to get to school!”

“Huh? School? But didn’t you already do that history lesson around the history of these ponies?” She asked, confused as to why she was made to go to school.

“That was me!” Eyeballs spoke, poking his head out from the top. “And yes, we did, but you have to bring some ‘friends’ over to your ‘house’, remember?”

“Are you saying I have to bring tinies from school? Won’t that be super hard cause of all those fillies and colts?” She asked a different question, not seeing how this will be easier for her.

“Not unless you can also befriend at least another filly or colt as a friend for protection. Or those pony-people that have been appearing recently.”

“Pony people?” She tilted her head at the term. “What are those?”

“They're what you expect them to look like: Pony-Tiny hybrids. They all look different, but share many of the same traits; covered in fur, stand upright with a human chest, and have a pony’s head. They're much taller than Tinies, almost like giants themselves, but are still small to ponies, though they can't be swallowed by them… unless it's a pony-person kid… but I digress.”

“I'm fine with them!” Doomy added.

“No one asked for your two bits!”

“But can’t I just find some tinies walking around and take them?” She asked.

“Of course you can.” Web-Head spoke before Eyeballs cut in.

“If you don't mind having the heroes see you, chase you down, and catch you, to which your mother won't label you as a traitor, but dead!”

“And that's if those people are alone!” Doomy added again. “They're traveling in packs! And they have at least one pony-person with them as protection! They may be small, but they pack quite a punch!”

“Unlike some guards.”

“Oh,why you little-!”

“Not in front of the princess!” Web-Head glared. “Or else it's another meeting with the Band of Pain.”

Pupa’s ears folded down as she didn’t like that she couldn’t try and do her own plan. ‘Even when she’s not here it’s like she’s doing everything for me.’ She thought as she looked down at the floor. “I don’t want to go to school… again.” She mumbled as she glared at the ground. Eyeballs blinked, then made an annoyed look.

“It's not my choice, but if you want to be labeled as a traitor…” He smudged.

“... I’m not a traitor.” She mumbled, her voice being a bit harsher as she hated hearing that now.

“Then you should get going to school, mingle with some of the kids, learn what they're into and use that to your advantage. Hopefully, by the end of the next six days we will have more than enough to support the hive. But you should get into your disguise first.”

“Do I have to be a tiny or a pony you already caught?” She asked as she looked up at him.

“Eh, it's up to you. But, if I'm not mistaken, you made up that tiny up yesterday, right? Can't you do the same with a pony?”

“Ooh! Perhaps you can do a pony-person!” Web-Head added.

“B-but I never even heard of a pony-person until now. How am I supposed to know if I look like one if I’ve never seen one before?” She asked as she wasn’t even sure she could change into something that hasn’t even been here while her mother was still a little hatchling. ‘If they were here for that long, maybe I could with a pony-person that’s been captured.’ She thought.

“I could watch after her after school!” Doomy spoke. “She has no idea what a pony-person looks like, so I can take her to the tiny village!”

“Doomy!” Web-Head yelled. “We know Pony-people are still new, but I'm certain there's a kid in there.”

“He actually has a point.” Eyeballs spoke. “There's no Pony-person kid yet, only babies.”

“...so… we're going to-”

“Yes… Doomy, you're keeping an eye on the princess while she learns more.”

“YES!!!” Doomy cheered.

“But you're taking Pecky!” Web-Head added.

“NO!!!”

Pupa couldn’t help but giggle at Doomy’s response to brining Pecky along. “Does it have to be a specific type of pony I have to be?” She asked.

“I'm thinking maybe an earth pony or a Unicorn.” Web-Head answered. “Are you a good flyer?”

“She's not.” Eyeballs spoke. “Even with the birds thinking she's a beetle, she couldn't fly well. Just glide.”

“I am good at flying.” She said with a small frown. “I just need some time to make my wings grow...” She mumbled as she looked down.

“We all do.” Eyeballs spoke. “Just keep it safe for now.” He turned into a light brown stallion with a darker shade Mane and matching tail, who had an hourglass for a cutie mark. “But, we mustn't take long! Allons-y!!!” He picked Pupa up in his mouth again as he trotted out.

She let out a small squeak as she was picked up by the back of her dress., not liking how a bit of her stomach was showing as her shirt was being lifted. “H-hey! Don’t I need to be a pony first?” She asked as she honestly didn’t like seeing the ground from far away if she wasn’t in control.

“I thought you wanted to bring in Tinies?” He managed to muffle out right before opening the door.

“B-but I’m not even transformed yet!” She said. “P-ponies will know that I’m a changeling.”

“Can't you just transform now?” Doomy asked. “Turn into your human self right now? Or pony self, as you say?”

“I never tried transforming while a pony was holding me.” She said as she was worried on what might happen.

“Changeling.” Web-Head corrected. “And go ahead, I'm not gonna use the bottle of correction on you.” Eyeballs wished he had dropped Pupa.

She merely whimpered a little before she tried to change without being on the floor or being picked up by someone. Small green sparks started showing from her body until the familiar green flame engulfed her and all that was left was a pony that would most definitely stand out in the crowd. She was a gray earth pony, with pink eyes and a mane that had six different colors on them, it being the thing that made her stand out.
Her front part of her mane was as colored: red, blue, yellow. And the back part was colored: purple, orange, green. Her tail was also colored purple, orange, and green. It seemed as if she couldn’t really get it down on some colors that go with others around her mane and tail. She blushed pink as she looked down, a bit embarrassed of showing her disguise while also being held by the back of her neck. However, the added weight made Eyeballs fall over.

“Hm, not bad.” Web-Head spoke “But you're gonna have to make a name for your pony.”

“Just use the first two things you see!” Doomy added. “I did, and everyone calls me Bulk Biceps!”

She was able to move out from under Eyeballs, his fall making him lay atop of her. Her mane and tail got a bit messy, but that seemed to make her look better. She looked up at her mane, then her hooves, and finally her tail. “Uhm…h-how does Color Clash sounds?” She asked, her voice the same as always. To be honest, she wasn't quite being used to being a little bigger than what she was used to.

“... Eh, works enough. Ponies are stupid enough to buy that.”

“Aww, and you look rather adorable for a new pony.” Web-Head added. “Ooh! Perhaps you can get more than just Tinies! I gotta get the cocoons ready!” She buzzed off, followed by Doomy. However, Pecky sat on Pupa’s Mane, still clucking away.

“We really need to get Clucky out of this chicken mind.” Eyeballs groaned.

“How come? It's not like she's doing anything bad while being a chicken.” She said as she shook the Clucky off of her mane and was now sitting on her tail instead. Clucky, however, flapped her wings and sat back on Pupa’s head, still intent on roosting there.

“Yeah, nothing bad, but gets annoying. And I think she's going to stay on your head until you change… probably.”

“Does that mean I can't go with her on my head?” She asked, her ears folding down as she felt she wasn't going to get a single Tiny like this.

“Of course not! Pets aren't allowed.” He took Clucky off, but she flapped her wings and attempted to escape. “You better hurry! School's about to start! Just follow the other fillies and colts.” He walked into the basement, still holding Clucky.

She nodded as she wanted to leave right now, but knew that Doomy and Web-Head was coming back with her saddle bag. “B-but what about my bag?” She asked before he completely left her upstairs.

“I'm certain the teacher will forgive you!” Web-Head spoke.

“And you're still on a mission!” Doomy added. “Blending in is one thing, but missions are another!”

“Clucky on the loose!!!” Eyeballs yelled as Clucky was free and running to Pupa. She thought quickly, stepping out and slamming the door on the chicken’s face.

“Sorry!” She apologized as she felt a little bad for doing that. She couldn't wait any longer as she looked around, seeing nothing but other houses, cobblestone paths, and some ponies walking around. She started getting nervous, never actually encountering any ponies without another changeling with her. Her tail went between her legs as she started taking her first steps in Ponyville all by herself. However, a pink Blur approached to her then stopped, revealing a pink mare with a darker shaded Mane and tail that looked more like cotton candy. It gasped, seemingly floating before tackling Pupa.

“HI!!! I'M PINKIE PIE!!! Who are you, stranger?” she asked in rapid speed. “I've never seen you before! Are you new here? Huh!? Huh!? Huh!? Oh! Who are your parents? Unless, oh no! Are you an orphan? Or are you a bunch of Tinies in disguise?” Before Pupa could react, Pinkie let out a huge tongue that couldn't fit and slobbered all over her. “BLECH!!!! Oh! You're not some Tinies! Have you tried some Tinies? I have some here!” She pulled out a tiny, seemingly out of thin air.

“What the-!?” The tiny spoke “How'd I-” Pinkie shoved the tiny in Pupa’s mouth. The tiny screamed, muffled, and Pupa… he tasted awful.

“He tastes good, right?” Pinkie asked, followed by a squeaking noise as she smiled.

Pupa didn't know what to do in a situation like this. She could say that the human tasted good, but she might have to swallow it, even how disgusting it tasted. She decided that maybe she didn't have to eat it. She opened her maw, the human sliding onto her open hoof. “U-uhm…I-I'm sorry, b-but I need to go to school. I…I'm going to be late.” She said, hoofing over the human back to Pinkie. “I-it was nice to meet you.” She didn't wait for a reply as she started running away, her tail still between her legs as she was rather scared of the pink pony.

“... Huh, that was strange.” Pinkie spoke, lifting the human. “Wouldn't you agree?”

“I hate you so much!” The human yelled, shivering.

“You're right! I gotta find out more about her!” She stuck the human into her Mane, bouncing after Pupa. “Wait! I didn't get your name!”

Pupa only tried to run faster as she didn't know where she was going, but was following the sound of a large bell. ‘That has to be a school bell!’ She thought as she turned to a alley and hopped over some boxes before she went over a fence. Pinkie followed, somehow being sliced into multiple pieces by the fence without dying and back into one piece, and continued her chase.

“Wait! I just want to know your name!”

Pupa’s eyes widened as she saw that happen. ‘This pony is freaky! How did my momma even catch her in the first battle for Equestria.’ She thought as she started running through the market street, it being rather busy. Busy enough that she blended in. Pinkie lost her for a moment, but saw a lock of rainbow-like hair in the distance.

“Stop! In the name of party ponies everywhere!” She put on a jester hat and pulled out her party cannon. With a single blast, all of the ponies in front of Pupa were sent flying (though the pegasi quickly regained control), and a lone stallion yelling ‘My leg!’

Pupa was sent stumbling into another stand as she bumped into it, a pan falling atop of her head as she couldn't see for a moment. Just then, Pinkie pounced… only to stop and float in midair as a cough was heard. They both turned to a magenta mare with with a pink and lighter pink shade mane and tail.

“... Shouldn't you be in class?” The mare asked.

“Hi, Cheerilee!” Pinkie greeted “I was going to ask what her-”

“Pinkie. I appreciate that you want to know everypony, but she needs her education.”

“...but-”

“No buts. Come along, you should be happy that I'm doing my early morning shopping before school starts.”

Pupa shakingly lifted the pan from her eyes, seeing the magenta mare actually saving her life. She was quick to run over to the mare and even hide under her for protection. “P-please keep me s-safe.” She whimpered as her tail was still between her legs.

“Aww, there, there,” Cheerilee cooed, patting her Mane before glaring at Pinkie. “I hope you learned a lesson about this, Pinkie.” She turned and lead Pupa. “Come along, you need to get an education if you want to be successful.” Pinkie watched the two walking away, with her mane deflating. The tiny from earlier came out, taking a deep breath before flopping out.

“FREEDOM!!!” He yelled… right before being snatched away by a pegasus.

She was soon moved from under Cheerilee, but was still beside her to the point where her coat was brushing against her legs. She remained quiet the whole time.

“I'm sorry for Pinkie’s behavior,” Cheerilee apologized. “She's a good pony, just a bit… outgoing.”

“S-she’s scary… she licked me, and force fed me a tiny.” She mumbled as her ears were also down.

“... Like I said, she can be eccentric at times, especially meeting new ponies. And speaking of new, I haven't seen you before; did you and your family move in recently?”

“Uhm… m-my parents wanted me to c-come here… since this place seems friendlier than Manehatten.” She made up a reason as she was mentally proud of herself for thinking of that on the spot.

“Oh yes, we are quite a welcoming town. Of course, there's the occasional monster attack and end of the world scenario that destroys most of our homes, but we're able to work around that, especially now that we're part of Princess Twilight Sparkle’s new kingdom.”

“M-monster attack?” She got scared as she wasn’t even sure she could do this mission with the info of a monster attack in this town.

“Oh, don't worry, it happens so much that eventually, you'll shrug it off and continue with your day. Princess Twilight and her friends handle these situations in about half an hour or so. You wouldn't believe how Cranky and Matilda’s wedding went relatively smooth when a Bug-bear terrorized us!”

“A-are you sure that we’ll be okay?” She asked.

“You'll soon get the hang of it miss… uh…”

“... Color Clash.” She mumbled.

“Color Clash? Why, that's a lovely name! I hope you will love it here in Ponyville and make plenty of friends! We're almost close.” At that moment, Pinkie’s head came out of a bush.

“Thanks!” She said, running away in a pink Blur. Both Pupa and Cheerilee stared.

Pupa and Cheerilee arrived at a red, fairly small building that can host a few ponies inside. Various fillies and colts were playing around the building, all with bright smiles across their faces. Cheerilee pulled a rope, making the bell above the building ring.

“Alright, everypony! Time for class!” The ponies walked in a straight line and walked inside, each taking their seat. Pupa wasn't sure where to sit, but Cheerilee spoke again. “Good morning, everypony! Today, we have a new student joining us! Please, give it up for Miss Color Clash!” The students clapped their hooves. “Color, if you please, would you care to share something interesting about yourself?”

Pupa started getting nervous, seeing that all eyes were on her and she didn’t think it through. “Uhm… uhh...” She was mentally sweating as she was looking everywhere but directly at a filly or colt. “Twenty-four!” She randomly shouted. It was meet by everypony laughing. Cheerilee glared at them, eventually stopping their laughter.

“Alright, perhaps another day, Color Clash.” She spoke. “Why don't you sit behind Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.”

With a red embarrassed blush, she nodded and slowly walked to her newly assigned seat.

“Howdy, name’s Apple Bloom.” The yellow filly with the pink ribbon spoke in a western accent. She pointed to the orange pegasus with the purple mane and tail, then to the marshmallow unicorn with a striped pink and magenta mane and tail. “That's Scootaloo and that's Sweetie Belle. We're the Cutie Mark Crusaders.”

“That was a pretty bad introduction.” Scootaloo commented.

“Scoot!” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

“What? I'm being honest.”

“...N-No it’s okay.” Pupa mumbled as she rested her head on the desk, her hooves close to covering her muzzle.

“Give her a break, girls,” Apple Bloom spoke before turning to her. “Don't worry, ah’m sure everyone's gonna forget about that. Mah sis Claire did, right?” Out of Apple Bloom’s mane was a small girl.

“Sure did, sis!” She spoke before disappearing back into her mane.

“Alright, everypony!” Cheerilee spoke. “Today, we have a special guest for a lesson that's… a bit different. Please, give it up for Starlight Glimmer!” Everypony clapped as a pink unicorn with a purple and blue striped mane entered.

“Good morning, everypony!” Starlight spoke in a welcoming tone.

“Now, what were you here for?”

“Oh, it's just a safety lesson for everypony.” she cleared her throat and wrote what she spoke. “How to identify a Changeling.” Various whispers came from the students.

Pupa gulped as she hope that this wouldn’t expose her. She huddled closer to herself as she tried to make herself look less noticeable.

“Now, there's two type of Changelings.” Starlight spoke, setting up two posters; one a normal Changeling, and the other, for a lack of better words, a colorful Changeling that, Pupa didn't want to admit, looked friendly. “Please, you should know that one of these Changelings are good, while the other one is, and a bit more abbreviated, evil.”

‘Evil… I don’t think any of my siblings look evil. It must be the colorful ones. They look like they have a dark secret.’ She smirked a little at the thought of an evil colorful changeling. ‘They might take a pony by surprise.’ Pupa jinxed herself. Starlight wrote ‘Evil’ over Pupa’s sibling and ‘Good’ over the colorful one.

“It's quite easy to tell the difference, actually,” Starlight spoke. “The hard part is finding out who's who in disguise. The easiest way is that with our Good Changelings, they're fine with dropping their disguise, and will wish to be friends with you, not unlike their evil counterparts.”

‘Dropping our disguise? But momma says that we have to keep them so we won’t surprise them… ’ She thought. ‘Any changeling should know that.’

“Of course, that's the general difference between the two. There's a bit more, but we're focusing more on the evil Changelings and how you can identify them from someone they may have taken the place of.”

‘Well, I didn’t take anypony before I changed. Color Clash is my own pony.’ She thought as she glanced away.

“You know your close friends and family, right?” Murmurs came. “Alright from what we've discovered, these are the common signs in identifying a disguised Changeling: No memory of who you are, aggressive nature, and holding secrets. If they have all of these three, don't panic. Instead, find someone you can trust, like an adult or close friend, and hold the Changeling down. If your friend or family are affected, immediately find your closest guard, or find us. Trust me, I know how to deal with Changelings; I fought their Queen with King Thorax himself.” Various ‘oohs’ came from the students.

Pupa couldn’t help but suck her teeth as her ears folded as she looked away. ‘More like ruined her entire kingdom.’ She thought.

“Yeah, I know, it sounds amazing, and truth is, it was frightening.”

“How frightening was it?” A pink mare wearing a Tiara spoke.

“If my friends and I failed, all of Equestria would be slaves to Chrysalis.”

‘She… she wouldn’t do that. She just wanted to feed her subjects. With negative feelings, no food would be collected. It’s basic.’ Pupa thought as she was now glaring at the unicorn mare.

“That's very interesting, and informative.” Cheerilee spoke. “Does anypony have any questions or comments they'd like to make?”

“I'm all open,” Starlight added. “Who knows, I'll probably ask Thorax himself some of your questions when I meet him tomorrow.”

Pupa wanted to stay quiet, but she just wanted to know this. “I have a question.” She raised her hoof.

“... Oh!? Who are you? I take it that you're new here, if I'm not mistaken.”

“I’m, uh, Color Clash. And what you said about Chrysalis makes no sense. If a changeling’s main goal is to replace ponies and feed on their love, then how is enslaving all of Equestria going to make it better? No positive attitude, no happiness, and no love for those creatures to feed on.” She said. “I think that she might’ve had a plan that might keep the ponies unknown of her plans while still collecting love.” Once she finished, she showed a knowing smirk. But she noticed that all eyes were on her, her ears went down as she huddled close to herself yet again.

“... Um… you don't know much about what the Changelings did, do you?” Some snickers came from the classmates. “Cheerilee?”

“Oh, she's from Manehattan.” Cheerilee spoke

“Oh, right. Can't believe that they cut their education budget in half. Um… is it alright if-”

“By all means! Just after school, okay?”

“Thank you, Ms. Cheerilee. I'm sure Twilight would like to meet with you.” Starlight walked out of the class. The students ‘Oohed’ at Pupa, with a few whispering ‘Twilight time’.

Pupa didn’t know what they were saying or why they were looking at her, but she was more than nervous as it sounded like she was going to have a special meeting with two of the main ponies she wasn’t supposed to come close to. ‘Eyeball isn’t going to like this.’ She thought as she covered her face with her arms and hooves.

“Ya’ll are gonna meet the princess!” Apple Bloom cheared. “Yer gonna love her!”

“She's so smart and nice.” Sweetie Belle added.

“And awesome!” Scootaloo added.

“No. It’s not. My caretaker said that I had to stay quiet and maybe make a friend. Not see the freaking princess of this town.” She said as she looked more scared than happy about this.

“Aw, don't worry, we'll talk to yer caretaker!” Apple Bloom spoke. “Besides, who don't want to meet th’ princess herself?”

“Probably a Changeling.” Scootaloo commented.

“Besides the obvious, Scoots?”

“Tinies?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Nah, she's fine with ‘em, just as long as they don't steal from her. Wait, is today Tuesday?”

“Yep.” The pegasus and unicorn answered.

“Uh oh! Looks like Twi’s hooves are gonna be full today.”

“And belly!” Scootaloo added, licking her lips.

“W-well if she's busy today, maybe I could go meet her at a later date?” She said as she tried to make an excuse to not go there.

“Ooh! She's always open on Wednesdays!” Sweetie Belle spoke.

“But isn't she going to meet Thorax?” Scootaloo asked.

“Yeah, but I don't think she'll have the time.” Apple Bloom added, placing her hoof around Pupa. “But don't you worry, Color! We'll be with you for your first Twilight time!”

“If she's done, of course.” Sweetie Belle added.

“T-Twilight time? H-how long does that last?” She asked, nervous that she might have to hold this form far longer than she could handle.

“It's about an hour long. Nothing too crazy.”

“But it's so nice.” Scootaloo added. “And it's a great place to study!”

“And since Twilight’s smart,” Apple Bloom concluded “Yer bound to learn something if yer in a pickle.”

Pupa didn’t know what to say now. She couldn’t come with an excuse now, and if she said no, she might raise suspicion and soon figure out what’s really going on. She needed a moment to think. “I… I don’t know. I’ve never been with royalty before. You all sound like good friends to her, but how will she feel about a random filly just coming to her castle?” She said, her ears folded down.

“She's not like those fancy ponies from Canterlot. Why, like Celestia and Cadence, anypony’s welcome!”

“I just don’t feel like I should even be near her castle. After that outburst… to her pupil...” She mumbled as she curled closer to herself, it sounding as if none of their words were going to really convince her.

“You're just curious and don't know a lot.” Sweetie Belle said. “Why, we thought it was cool when Chrysalis kidnapped us.”

“Don't remind me of that.” Scootaloo groaned.

“She kidnapped you guys?” She was a little surprised of that. She was never told that her mother took three fillies… but why exactly?

“It's a long story.” Apple Bloom spoke. “Ah’m just glad mah big sis and her friends saved us!”

“Yeah! And Twilight really held her on her own in that fight!” Sweetie Belle added.

“At least you have sisters.” Scootaloo groaned. “Rainbow Dash didn't acknowledge me at all.”

‘Oh mother, not only was I chased down by one of the ponies to avoid, but now I’m in the same building as the siblings of them.’ She thought as she realized that avoiding the main seven ponies was harder than she thought.

~Later~

The school bell rang as class was dismissed. Many of the foals ran back home, but with Pupa, she was under the gaze of the three fillies that may have befriended her already, leading her to the castle.

“Ah never got where you lived, Color.” Apple Bloom spoke as they approached to the large door. “Ah hope we can hang out soon.” Before she could knock, loud bangs came from inside the castle with plenty of screaming.

“... Seems like she's busy.” Sweetie Belle spoke.

“Oh, well that’s too bad. Maybe we can come later.” She said with a smile as she was turning around and just about to start walking back. Scootaloo stopped Pupa, however.

“Come on! We can help out.” She licked her lips. “I've been waiting for a snack.” She opened the door wide. Inside, Princess Twilight was holding multiple people in her magic with Spike holding a box, contained with Tinies.

“I think that's the last of them.” Spike spoke, looking into the box.

“Ah, very good to hear.” Twilight replied, putting the rest into the box. “I'm sure Thorax will be glad to have more people joining his reformation program.”

“Dang it!” Scootaloo shouted. “So close to another snack!” Twilight turned to them.

“Oh? Why, hello there, my little ponies! Sorry for the ruckus, it may be Wednesday, but Tuesday’s problems are still present.”

“No kidding!” Apple Bloom replied.

“Oh, and who's this friend you brought?”

“She's new.” Sweetie answered, gently nudging Pupa closer. “Go on, don't be shy.”

Pupa’s fur nearly puffed out in fright over the close contact, but her head was down and she didn’t say anything. It was rather obvious that she was nervous and uncomfortable. Twilight stared for a moment, then blinked and cleared her throat. Her horn glowed as she brought a tiny to her.

“Hungry?” She offered.

“Oh no! Not again!” The woman in her grasp struggled, practically begging for freedom.

“N-no. I’m fine...” She didn’t look up at the offered tiny as she didn’t want to taste another awful one cause of how scared they are. She remembered that from when she was still in the Changeling palace.

“Oh thank God!”

“I'll have her!” Scootaloo yelled, looking at the woman with an excited hunger.

“Oh hell no!”

“Sorry, but she's for somepony else.” Twilight said, taking the woman back. “I'm sorry, let's start over. I'm Twilight Sparkle; what's yours?”

“...C-Color Clash.” She said shyly.

“Color Clash?... That's an interesting name. I haven't seen you before. New around here? Care to tell me why you're here?”

She didn’t answer, but she did nod at the fact that she was new in town. It was at that moment that Starlight came from upstairs, with some more Tinies in her magic.

“Sorry for being gone so long.” She apologized. “Some of them got into your socks and-” She paused as she saw Pupa. “Well, I'm quite surprised that you came here, Color Clash. Curious about Changelings, are we?”

When she heard Starlight’s voice, that was when she lifted her head up. “N-no… I just s-said your st-statement made no s-sense.” She mumbled as she looked away.

“Doesn't make any sense?” Twilight asked.

“She doesn't know much about Changelings.” Starlight replied. “She came from Manehattan.”

“Oh! Those budget cuts in education… right. Oh, I'm so sorry for what they did to you, Color Crash. Everypony deserves the education they need, and I'm willing to be the teacher for the day.”

~3 Hours later~

“And that's how Thorax and our group saved Equestria.” Starlight concluded the lesson.

“Any questions?” Twilight asked.

“Again, how will enslaving ponykind help Chrysalis in any way? If they are miserable for the rest of their lives, then their will be no love for those creatures to feast on. It’ll only make sense if the changelings replacing the princesses and the element bearers stayed in character and Equestria never knew of this. They would always love the false princesses and heroes and Chrysalis will always be in power no matter what.” She said, it making a lot of sense then what Starlight said in class.

“It was all part of her plan.” Starlight answered. “She had her subjects take the place of everyone else and turn the castles into subhives, and, when it was time, the ‘royals’ would declare that Equestria was now part of the Changeling Kingdom, and all who'd oppose will be labeled as traitors.”

“But that declaration will still make the ponies anything but happy about this. Again, no happiness means no love. Would you be friends with Twilight if you knew she was a changeling? No. And if you did know, you would be scared, wary, and even suspicious of her over what she might do. Nopony would be with this and the changelings would starve themselves to death if they even made any announcements like that.” She replied.

“... Are you a Changeling?” Starlight asked, dropping the ball. “That's almost what a Changeling would say.”

“What? No.” She glared at her. “You’re just saying that cause you can’t agree that it makes no sense.” She said.

“Maybe, but how would you know about this? Twilight wasn't happy at all in her cocoon, and they still feed off of her love. And while yes, I would agree to those other questions, but Thorax proved that with some time and effort, a Changeling can change.”

“I did my own little research once word got out on what happened with Twilight, the princesses and even the other element bearers. I mean, who wouldn’t hear about a changeling, Discord, the princess of friendship’s prodege, and a traveling magician defeating Queen Chrysalis and reforming an entire species of changelings?” She said with a small smile, glad that Eyeball gave her a little history lesson before she was brought to the public… kinda. Twilight tilted her head.

“And how did you found this out when Manehattan’s budget cut included shutting down the public libraries those many years ago?”

“Did you forget that their are also book stores in which we could buy our own books to keep? I was curious and my mother bought be a book around the different species of animals and residents of Equestria.” She said. “But I didn’t know if she bought it in Manehatten or someplace else to deliver it to her.”

“But… there isn't a book around Equestria’s residents. May we see where you live and chat with your mother?”

‘Now you done goofed!’ Pupa thought. She was mentally sweating bullets as she didn’t know what to do now. ‘Perhaps I may find a way to get out of this mess.’ “Wait, wait, wait. I might’ve worded that wrong. I mean to say the type of ponies and even those who don’t relate to ponies. Like diamond dogs, yaks, and even some farm animals as well.” She said. “I’m always bad at wording things.” She blushed pink in embarrassment.

“But your mother claims to know more about Changelings than us?” Starlight asked in a suspicious tone, her horn glowing. “May you lead us to her?”

Her eyes widened at the glowing horn as she started to back up a little. “Wh-what are y-you going to do?” She asked with her ears down and her tail between her legs.

“It's just a memory spell. I'm not sure if you did hear everything your mother said correctly, but-” The door opened and Doomy, or Bulk Biceps to everypony else, entered, much to Pupa’s relief.

“There you are!” He spoke in a tough, but dumb voice. “I've been looking for you all day, squirt!”

“Bulk Biceps?” Twilight asked. “Wait, what!?”

“Color Clash is my sister's daughter. Now get over here! You had me worried!”

“S-sorry...” She mumbled as her tail was lowered and she shamefully went over to where he was.

“Wait a minute!” Starlight yelled. “Her mother claims to know more about Changelings than us! May we see her?”

“Sorry, but she's in Manehatten.” Doomy replied. “And you really told them that? You have got to stay out of your mother's dream journal around exploring, Color Crash. It's no wonder they shut down those libraries. What do you say to these mares?”

“...sorry.” She mumbled as she didn’t look up from her spot. “I… I j-just wanted to sh-show that I c-could be as smart as a u-unicorn…” She started tearing up as her bottom lip quivered a little. “I guess I’m nothing but a muddy earth pony.” She sniffled as she wiped a tear from her eye. Both Twilight and Starlight blinked. Starlight sighed and walked to her

“I'm sorry for making you feel like this, Color Crash. I-I didn't mean to be such a jerk, especially to a filly like you. I hope I can make it up to you, one way or another.”

“N-no… it’s okay.” She mumbled as she only moved closer to Doomy.

“No! It's not okay! Here I was, assuming that you were a Changeling, only to just now realize that you just wanted to prove yourself smart. Oh, I'm the biggest jerk ever!” Twilight placed a hoof on her shoulder.

“It's alright, Starlight. No pony is perfect. Sorry for that, Color Clash. I think we owe you something. Hm… oh! How about a box of Tinies?” She floated a box and opened it, revealing at least 20 people inside.

Pupa only glanced up at Doomy, thinking that maybe this was an easy way to finish her task, her ears slightly perked up.

“Sorry,” Doomy spoke. “but even though we thank you for an apology, Color here is in trouble for not returning home… right?”

“H-hey. It’s not my fault.” She glared at him as she tilted her head over to the three fillies. “And it’s not like I could reject an invite to the princess's castle.”

“You could, actually. Just say ‘I'm sorry, but I'm busy’.”

“... He's not incorrect.” Starlight commented.

“It’s still hard to say no with three fillies guiding you to the castle.” She said as she looked at the three fillies she was talking about.

“Ya’ll could've told us the same thing.” Apple Bloom retorted.

“And you think me being nervous about coming here wasn’t a good enough sign. I even said that my caretaker wouldn’t approve of doing this.” She said as she was glaring at the apple filly.

“And we said we'd do it! We just need to know where you live!”

She didn’t say anything as she only huddled closer to Doomy. “B-but we just met.”

“Yeah, it's normal here, actually.” Sweetie Belle spoke. “We're not huge, so it's normal for everypony to know where they live.”

“I… I don’t know. All the houses look the same.” She admitted as she looked away.

“And she's not gonna be here for long.” Doomy spoke. “I think she's going to gone by tomorrow.”

“Aww…” The CMC groaned.

“And we wanted a new friend.” Sweetie Belle murmured.

“... sorry.” Pupa mumbled as she looked down in shame.

“It's not your fault.” Doomy spoke. “You were just here visiting some family. Come on, you have a long day tomorrow.” He lead the way out.

Pupa didn’t say anything as she started following, but before she left, she glanced back at Starlight, her eyes shining green a moment before she quickly followed the large stallion who was far up ahead, not seeing that happen. Starlight shook her head.

“Hey! Get back here!” She yelled. Unfortunately, Twilight held her tail, stopping her from moving. They turned into a corner, Doomy turning into a buff, bald human.

“Change.” He simply ordered, crossing his arms.

She was quick to change into her human self, she being shorter than the buff human that was Doomy.

“... I'm quite disappointed with you today.”

She didn't say anything as she looked down at the floor. A lump in her throat being felt, not wanting her to speak.

“... Look, I know it's your first day, and we didn't do our homework, actually.”

She still remained silent as she held her hand together, her nails digging into her skin as she was now having a bit of trouble breathing normally. She could feel her eyes begin to water.

“... Hello? Are alright?... Do you need a hug?”

Pupa sniffled as she shook her head, not wanting to look weak in front of him, but she couldn't stop the tears from showing. Doomy gave her a surprisingly warm hug.

“There, there, it's alright. Let it all out.”

She tried to blink the tears away, but that only let them go down her cheeks. “N-no… it's not okay. I…I disobeyed Eyeballs’ w-warning… I c-can't do this. I… I'm nothing but a traitor.” She teared up more as she didn't hug back, but didn't push him away either.

“What!? No! You're not a traitor! We didn't do our homework; Tinies go to their own school while foals go to the main school here! Besides we shouldn't have placed all that pressure on you in not talking to the ‘heroes’ here.”

“B-but I couldn't even m-make an excuse as to why I kn-knew all this. I… I was close to b-blowing my c-cover.” She sniffled. “M-mother would say I'm n-not worth it. A-almost being c-caught by the princess and her pupil.” Doomy could feel his shoulder get wet by the tears she was shedding. “I…I don't want to do this anymore. I just wanna go home…”

“... Oh, I'm sorry, but once you start, you can't go back until it's finished. And you'll soon get the hang of it. For now, Color Clash is gone, and you have six more days… seven, if Chrysalis understands that we, your assistants, messed up.”

This time Pupa was ready to push him away. “Then why didn't you let me accept those tinies!? If I did, I would be home right now. She didn't say how I had to get them, so why couldn't I!?” She was now angry with tears in her eyes, upset that she couldn't just give up already.

“Look, I'd also be fine if you did take them, but it's not the Changeling way. If you had accepted them, it would show that you are weak, and you'd be labeled as a traitor. I don't want that to happen to you. None of us do.”

“But I am weak! Today just proved that I'm not ready for any of this.” She said as her disguise started to waver a bit, her eyes glowing a greenish-blue. “I don't deserve being a princess or even a changeling.” She teared up more as she looked away. “I can't be the future queen of the changeling… I know I'll just screw things up and just lose the whole kingdom to these ponies.” Her disguise faded, thankfully in a place that none of the ponies spotted her. She went down on her knees as she had her eyes shut and her head pointed to the floor. “I'm nothing but a failure…”

Doomy knelt down, seeing that she changed a bit.

“I see potential.” He looked at her, seeing her Changeling wings slowly grow. But that wasn't the only thing growing surprisingly, she was also growing in size, not huge… yet. “I think you just need to relax a bit. Take a breather.”

She didn't say anything, but she did calm her breathing down as she kept her eyes closed and her head pointed at the floor.

“Oh? Lookie here!” He touched her head, feeling a small bump. “Is that I think it is? You're developing your crown!”

She opened her eyes a little as she also brought a hand to her head, feeling the bump as well. “Why am I g-growing a crown?” She asked out loud.

“It's a sign that you're growing. Soon, you'll have a full crown and be our queen. A failure wouldn't be able to grow one.”

She stayed quiet again, looking down as it seemed his words didn't lift her spirits. “Maybe it's there to remind me what I'm never going to be…” She mumbled dryly as she only brought her hand away from it.

“A failure! It's a reminder that you're not going to be a failure. We should make a visit to the Tiny village, to help you get an idea of what to expect. Sound good?”

She didn't answer as she stayed sitting down and not changing back to her human form.

“... Alright, we'll get back to the shed and talk to your mom about this.”

“…okay.” She mumbled. Doomy turned into the brown stallion Eyeballs turned into earlier and held Pupa in his mouth. He quickly trotted back to the shed, the night being their main disguise. As soon as they entered, Doomy set her down. Eyeballs and Web-Head quickly went to her side. Web-Head picked her up.

“How's our little princess doing?” She cooed. “We're sorry about that major mistake.”

“I have failed you, your highness.” Eyeballs spoke with shame in his tone.

She didn't say anything as she wasn't really paying attention to them. She didn't even blush pink or try to get out of Web-Head’s grasp like yesterday.

“Oh! Are we going to talk to the queen?” Web-Head asked.

Again, she didn't say anything as she honestly didn't want to tell her mother how big of a failure she was today.

“... Care to activate it?”

“On it.” Eyeballs replied getting the golden scarab from Pupa’s pack. They each pulled out their own scarab and, connecting in a square, made an image of Chrysalis.

“Aww, it's good to see you again, Pupa.” She spoke with a smile.

Hearing her mother’s voice almost made her lift her head up to look at her… almost.

“Pupa! I don't appreciate that look. What happened?”

Pupa couldn't help but flinch a little at her tone, her pointed heads lowering as the lump in her throats was felt again. “…N-nothing. Mother. I… I just had a bad day.” She mumbled.

“... A bad day? Tell me what happened.”

“We made a mistake!” Doomy spoke. “Please, give her another day!”

“It was my fault!” Eyeballs added. “I should've paid attention!”

“Just look at her!” Web-Head finished, holding Pupa to the image of Chrysalis. The queen blinked, but sighed in annoyance.

“What happened, Pupa?”

Pupa was hesitant at first on telling her mother what happened, but knew she would find out with one of her caretakers. She breathed in and out before she started.

“The day started with a scary pink pony chasing me down. Then I befriended the three fillies that you kidnapped once. And in the school, Starlight Glimmer was explaining about good and bad changelings and I spoke out, resulting in me being invited to the castle. Those three fillies wouldn't let me leave since they kept on going on how nice Twilight is. And, I tried to lie my way into not being suspicious, b-but it got worse… a-and if it wasn't for Doomy… I wouldn't be here anymore.” She started tearing up again as she looked away. “I-I'm sorry mom… I failed today and didn't get a single Tiny.” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow.

“... Is that it?”

Pupa was a little taken back on her reaction. “Wh-what? B-but I almost got caught w-with no chances of getting a tiny. I was talking to the ponies I was supposed to avoid. I wasted a whole day on nothing!” She said, looking at her mother with wide eyes. “I failed on the first day! I can't use one of my disguises anymore.” Chrysalis giggled, followed by a chuckle, and ended with a cackle.

“Those were the exact words I used when I was your age! It's funny to see how history repeats itself, actually. I guess I really did become my mother.”

Pupa’s pointed ears were still down as she felt that she would be more angry then laughing at her. “A-are you saying my failure is a joke?” She asked, looking more hurt now.

“Oh no! Not entirely. It's just the way to see how a queen in training will react. So far, it's been the same, but a true failure would easily tell everyone their hideout while the best, in theory, would get everything done on the first day.”

“…I still feel like one though.” She mumbled as she looked away.

“You'll get better, I already see that you've changed; you're much taller than an average tiny now.”

“B-but won't it be harder to form into a tiny?” She asked, remembering how some changeling says becoming something smaller then your regular size is difficult, especially if you're being smaller.

“If I can turn into a regular mare at will, then so can you with Tinies. Plus, you still have those Pony-people to choose from.”

“But aren't their only baby pony-people?” She asked.

“No, not really. There do exist children, but they're with Princess Luna. From what I can gather, all of them were Tinies on their homeworld who came to ours, much like everyone else, but they were close to death. This is their second chance at living, and I think the children are trying to get a hang of their new lives under their captor’s eyes.”

“Captor?” She tilted her head in confusion.

“Princess Luna’s main hobby is devouring children and keeping them in her stomach, pony-people included. She may say she's keeping them safe, but she tried to make nighttime last forever.”

“Wh-what?” She could only utter. ‘Not only doesn't she respect privacy, but she also tried to take over Equestria in eternal night?’ She thought, thinking that her apology in her dream was just fake. ‘But should I tell mother that I met her in my dreams?’ She asked herself.

“Oh yes. Try to not be out at night time as a tiny or pony-person. She will eat you and keep you hostage. But, my time to chat is up. Tomorrow is a long day for you to step it up.”

“B-but what if I can't get a Tiny tomorrow?” She asked, worried that she didn't have another free pass on that. “I…I still don't know what to do.”

“You have six more days to figure it out. You don't have to get all five immediately, just by the end.”

“…okay. I'll try.” She mumbled as she looked away again.

“Just the minimum, as a reminder.” Chrysalis’s image disappeared, the eyes on the scarab beetles fading as Doomy collected the beetles.

“Well, that just happened.” He shrugged. “C’mon, it's about time we get some sleep.”

Pupa rubbed one of her eyes as all that tearing up made her little tired as well with the changeling magic she had to use all day. Web-Head picked her up and placed her into her cocoon.

“Everything's going to be alright.” She said before closing it.

She yawned before the cocoon closed and she was once again encased in a shell filled with the rather warm slime, the warmth lulling her to sleep as she also couldn’t help but think that Chrysalis was only being nice in front of her subjects… she felt that she might’ve done worse if it was just the two of them.

Pupa found herself in a field, but there was a lake with a simple pier. On that pier was Luna, fishing in the lake, wearing what looks like a fisherman's outfit

“How was your day?” She asked, not looking away from her fishing.

She didn’t answer as she looked down at the grassy field, used to the change in perspective after today. Luna’s line went crazy.

“Oh! I got a big one!” Splashing out of the water and onto the pier, flopping like a fish, was Color Clash. “Ah! Your disguise from today. Color Cart?”

“... Color Clash.” She mumbled, not bothering in looking at the lunar princess

“Oh? And what's this she has?” She pulled out a file from Color Clash’s mane. “... Hm… curiosity? Disappointment?... Shame.”

Pupa went silent again as she curled close to herself. “Why do you go through my thoughts when I said not to? You don’t understand privacy do you?” She glared as her as she wasn’t happy she was doing it again.

“I'm only doing this to help you out and keep the nightmares at bay. If you want me to leave, I shall, but this will be back.” Right above Luna, ripping like fabric, was a demonic looking Chrysalis and other Changelings, all hissing at Pupa.

“I don’t care. By what happened today, I should be given this nightmare. And it’s not like this is going to hurt me...” She mumbled as she turned away from her.

“Physically, you'll be fine. Mentally, however, you will be affected by it greater than you think. I too had that idea before I tried to make night last forever.”

She went quiet for a third time as she didn’t bother replying as it seemed this princess wouldn’t leave her alone.

“Tomorrow, I'm certain that you're going to meet King Thorax, whether you want to or not. Perhaps you can learn a thing or two from him.”

“I am not going to meet that traitor.” She said angrily. “If he is with those who made my mother’s kingdom fall, then I do not want to meet the creature who might do the same when I’m queen.” She stood up as the angry look in her eyes never faded.

“Perhaps he did, but have you ever thought that your mother's kingdom fell is not just Thorax, but herself?”

“Of course not. She’s my mother and I know what she did was right.” She said. “Did you give in when you felt you were alone? No. So if those so called ‘heroes’ won’t give up, then neither can my mother.”

“Actually, I did give in and tried to make night Eternal as Nightmare Moon. And I was there; Starlight offered her friendship, to change and make a new kingdom. However, your mother refused and flew off, swearing vengeance on her.”

“And why should she? She just ruined her entire kingdom and made her own subjects go against her. You don’t know how she felt. You don’t know how long it took for her to even start a new kingdom.” She said as she was getting more angry. “And I hope that whatever my mother has planned will work and she’ll get back at every one of you. Her kingdom was starving, and what did you do? You first blasted her out of Canterlot and then even had the audacity to come to her own hive and make things worse for her. She was only trying to survive, to keep her subjects alive, but none of you ponies cared!”

“We would've helped rebuild her kingdom if she accepted and joined our forces; we would respect her culture and subjects, as we have done with Saddle Arabia, Yakyakenstan, and the Dragonlands. And it took me a long time to rebuild my life, all 1000 years of it. And, if you had paid attention, your mother invaded Canterlot during Shining Armor and Princess Cadence’s wedding, along with kidnapping all of Royalty and the heroes alike. Starlight just wanted to do the right thing.”

“You say that you care, but did you even care if Chrysalis was even okay after what happened in Canterlot? Did you ever thought that she did that cause she had no other choice since none of you would help a pony like her? I know that anypony who saw her would run away or even try and make her go away without asking why she was there in the first place.” She said. “And I know that you wouldn’t cause when Thorax came to the Crystal Empire, none of you guys thought on talking to him. Just imprisoning him just cause he was spotted. If it wasn’t for that purple lizard, he would be dead and nopony would care!” She said. “You only care about yourselves, and the only reason you even try to befriend another creature is if you think that you’ll have no chance of winning in a war! Yaks can trample you, dragons can burn you to a crisp, and I bet you became friends with Saddle Arabian diplomats is cause they probably have goods that you could never get without them.” She stomped her foot, the ground cracking underneath her. “You ponies are no better than those greedy griffins!”

“... Harsh. I'll be seeing you tomorrow night after your meeting with Thorax.” She disappeared as leaves blowing in the wind. The demonic Chrysalis and the Changelings all ran to her and pounced, destroying the dream.

Chapter 5

Pupa woke up to see her cocoon being shaken rapidly, in the teeth of some pink thing, growling like a dog. She was tossed to the side, shaken, but made out that the pink thing was a pony… if it was made from cotton balls.

She was caught completely by surprise by the sudden action and random pony, completely not screaming in fright. She tried her best to get out of the cocoon, being successful and landing on the table her cocoon was set upon

“Dang it! She got out again!” Eyeballs yelled. Doomy groaned as he went to her.

“Come on, you weird hair ball.” But it seemed that no matter how hard he pushed her, the Fluffy pony didn't budge. It just stood there, sticking it's tongue out, almost entranced by the air itself. “Ugh! Get the cocoon!” He stormed off, returning with Eyeballs, both holding a cocoon. Web-Head stood next to Pupa.

“Oh dear, are you alright?” she asked.

“Y-yeah. I’m fine. Just a little surprised.” She mumbled, rubbing her head as she was a little dizzy.

“Forgive us, but this… thing is just random.”

“Is it to any threat to us? Do you think it might reveal our shed and expose us?” She asked, thinking as to how this thing can be random and dangerous.

“... We honestly don't know about her at all. She can't even talk. Ask it a question.”

She looked up at the fluffy pony before she asked a question. “Will you expose us?”

“Ptthtp!” It raspberried.

“I don't even think it can even tell anyone about us. I don't think she's any threat. She can stay, just make sure she doesn't poke her muzzle in things she's not supposed to know.” She decided. The pink pony leaned in and stared at Pupa. It gave her a slobbering lick, ruining her hair.

“... I think we should get to the human village, your highness.” Web-Head suggested.

Pupa blinked after the slobbering lick as her hair stood up on one side. “Alright. B-but let me just get myself ready.” She said.

“Of course.” She turned into an elderly woman, complete with a cane.

Pupa was placed down as she went to her bag and took out a small comb to brush her hair down. It was easy since it was wet, but it smelled now as she took a small flower petal me started rubbing her body with it, making herself smell like the said flower.

Once everything was done, she shifted into a small human girl in a ring of green fire. Soon, with some help from Eyeballs, they made it to the human village. Unlike Ponyville, where everything looked a bit nice and the same, the human village was dirtier and more makeshift, giving each house their own distinct look. Plus, unlike the ponies, everything here was crammed together, making the place feel Claustrophobic.

She couldn't help but feel a little bad at how much worse the tiny town was. ‘Doesn't anyone even care about them?’ She thought as she was only reminded on how the ponies were just selfish.

“Alright, plenty of people here to try to get them to bring back to the hive.” Web-Head spoke. “I think the school is around the corner. And if anyone asks, I'm your grandmother and we just landed here, okay?”

“Uhm…c-can I be a pony-person?” She asked as she wasn't sure she was used to not having any magic in her grasp.

“Of course. As soon as no one is looking. Oh! And here comes one!” The sound of loud footsteps approached to them. Walking, and looking down, was a pony-person. It's sheer size alone towered any person around, and it could destroy any of the homes with relative ease. Strange enough, while it had the head of a pony and the body of a human, save for a tail, it wore clothing, albeit, patched clothing that didn't look good, but it seemed to know better than to walk around naked. This pony-person, as mentioned, strolled along, going from one end of the village to another, looking for someone, or something.

Pupa was quick to try and hide within Web-Eye’s mane as she was quick to turn into a pony-person after she saw the creature. She was a light blue unicorn with a two-toned pink and purple mane and tail. Her eyes were a bright green as her cutie mark was of a music note with a streak of a magical aura beside it. She was wearing a long light pink skirt that even covered her knees. Her chest was covered in what you may call a tapa, which had no straps, but covered the fluff on her chest. She had a gray hair clip on that moved her long hair from her eyes as she looked cute with a side of attractiveness.

“Huh… that's an interesting look.” Web-Head commented. “So what are you gonna do? Use your looks to attract some guys?”

“N-no. I just…I’m j-just curious on how it feels. And I just came up with it.” She said.

“Well, you're a giant to humans, but still small to ponies. What are you going to do?”

“I…I don't know. B-but is it okay if I explore this by myself?” She asked as she crawled down from her back.

“Of course. I'm just here to drop you off.” Web-Head turned and walked away. “Just remember; five is the minimum.”

She nodded as she looked back at the tiny village. She fumbled her hands a little as she wasn't sure where to start. Out of the corner of her eyes, she spotted a group of kids running, seemingly playing a game with each other.

‘Well, kids are the most easiest to take. But what if they have a family already?’ She thought, thinking on how they might feel if there taken from their family. Her train of thought was interrupted as one of the kids bumped into her leg. The kid was a boy wearing glasses. He fell to his back and crawled back a bit, a bit afraid of her.

“Uh… s-sorry miss. I-I don't want any trouble.” The other kids arrived and jumped at her presence. They too didn't know what to say.

“N-no. It's okay.” She shook her head before she offered a hand. “I was in the way. Here, let me help you up.” She gave a warm smile to show that she wasn't upset in any way. The boy hesitantly accepted her hand (Or finger, due to her size) and stood up. He ran to his friends, all looking at her, anticipating her to yell or give chase.

She was a little nervous by the kids starting at her, her ears folding down as she looked away, the smile gone from her lips as her mane hide one of her eyes shyly.

“Um… who are you?” The oldest looking girl asked.

She glanced back at the tinies, not sure if they were talking to her, so she only placed a hand onto her chest. “Me?” She asked. She nodded. “O-oh, uhm… m-my name is Final Note.” She answered as she glanced away again. The kids sounded a bit confused.

“That's a weird name.” Another girl spoke in a squeaky voice.

“It does go with the weird creature I am.” She mumbled as she still felt a little odd. ‘Why did I think this was a good idea.’ She thought. They giggled at her answer, making her feel a bit better.

“Hey, would you like to join us?” One of the boys asked, who wore more sport-like clothes. “School's been canceled and you seem like a good person.”

“R-really?” Her ears perked up. “Are you sure?” She asked.

“Of course!” The last boy spoke, looking a bit more clean than everyone else. “We'll be hiding and you'll be it.”

“What is this game called?” She asked, confused on why they would want to hide from her.

“... Hide and seek.” The first girl answered. “Haven't you played this before?”

She shook her head. “Am I supposed to know?” She asked, her ears going down a little.

“It's easy.” The glasses boy spoke. “We hide and you have to find us after counting to a specific number.”

“And no peeking!” The squeaky girl added.

“Why can't I? If I can't see, then I won't know wher--oooh.” Her eyes widened at the realization. “I guess I just got confused by the name. Where I'm from, we call it ‘Bug Hunt’.” She smiled a little.

“... Where are you from?” The sports boy asked.

“O-oh, just a place surrounded by trees. There were so many bugs to find, that we came up with the game. The ponies hiding are the bugs while the seeker is the bug catcher.” She said.

“That must've been easy for you then.”

“What makes you say that?” She asked. They all pointed at something. Pupa turned to see Apple Bloom with an orange mare wearing a hat and both her yellow mane and tail were in ponytails. It didn't take her long to remember that while Pony-people are much taller than Tinies, ponies still tower over them.

‘Ponies? What does ponies have to do with being good at Bug Hunt?’ She thought as she only looked up at the two ponies. The sound of running caught her attention. Only the glasses kid remained.

“Better start counting! We'll be ready!”

“W-wait, what?” She didn't have enough time before one of the hoofsteps of the Apple siblings made a gust of wind happen and she shielded her eyes. When she could see again, the kid was gone. She sighed as she shook her head. ‘Might as well play along with their game.’ She thought as she covered her eyes and started counting. “1… 2… 3… 4… 5… 6… 7… 8… 9… 10.” She uncovered her eyes. “Alright, where are you guys?” She looked around as she tried to see if she could spot any of them easily. Unfortunately, the crowd below, and the mess made everything harder than expected.

She huffed as she knew she couldn't find them by standing in the same spot. She started walking through the crowed of tinies, trying to see if she could spot something familiar from the kids. Her answer came when she heard some giggling in an alleyway. Though she didn't exactly see, but she swore she saw the silhouette of one of the kids hiding behind a barrel.

Pupa smiled as she slowly crawled over to the barrel. She got close enough until she poked the tinies back. “Found you~” She said with a smile. It was the clean boy. He shrieked and tried to run for it.

“You gotta catch me!” He huffed trying to get past her feet and legs.

“I think you mean you have to try and get away from me.” She smiled as she was easy to pick him up from under his arms.

“Aww~! And I just had my clothes washed.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” She was confused at that last part, putting him down.

“... You're not gonna eat me?”

“Why would I eat you?” She asked with a raised brow. “I mean, unless you want to. I never even ate a tiny before.” She admitted with a small blush. “I really can't see what's so good about eating a living being.”

“Oh, thank goodness! Ponies and Pony-people that play with us usually with someone, or the whole group in their gut. I-I can help you look out for my friends… if you're not hungry.” He smiled nervously.

“Don't worry. I promise I won't eat any of you guys…unless you're somehow into that.” She blushed again after she said that.

“... What does that mean? Oh, never mind. George, the sports fan, told me he was going to the school and hide there. Y-you should go over there and seek him out.”

“Okay. Do you want to come along? I could always use a second pair of eyes.” She asked as she didn't feel that leaving him alone was right.

“You caught, so I might as well help.”

She smiled before she started walking to where she thought the school was. There were some other kids around, all of whom stared at her. Her partner squirmed.

“There he goes! He's going to another neighborhood! You can't get away, George!”

“You snitch, Zach!” He yelled before running away.

Pupa only smirked as she started chasing after him. “You can’t get away! I’mma getcha no matter what.” She said as her smirk turned to one of mischievous. George kept running for his life, losing his breath and slowed down.

“Wait! Don't!” He gasped.

She didn’t hear him as she pounced right at him, tackling him while the who tumbled, Pupa making sure that it was only her hitting the ground as they soon stopped and she was on her back again. “Gotcha.” She smiled.

“Oh great! Zach! You know you're just delaying your time in her gut!”

“Not unless you help us.” Zach replied, climbing and holding onto Pupa’s left ear.

“I knew you'd-! Wait… what?”

“I don’t eat humans, so unless you’re into that, I don’t think they’ll be any humans being eaten today.” She smiled as she picked hip up and placed him on her other shoulder. “Six eyes are better than four or two.”

“Uh… OK… this is expecting. I think Stacy is in the market, we should check there.”

“Sounds good to me.” She smiled as she started making her way to where she could obviously see was the market place. Some of people saw her enter and made space for her. The other Pony-People gave her a curious look, but rolled their eyes, continuing on with their day.

“Who’s this Stacy anyways?” She asked, a little embarrassed that she didn’t get to know their names before the game.

“She's the first girl that talked to you.” George answered. “Her sister is Stephanie, and the glasses guy is Philip.”

“Okay. I gotcha.” She nodded before she went back to searching for this Stacy girl. Her answer came as a box began to move on it's own.

She smiled once again as she put the two humans on her off of her as she started crawling to the moving box. With a shake of her tail, she was quick to go under and use her magic to illuminate the inside. “Boo!” She shouted.

“Ahh!” Stacy screamed, turning and trying to run away.

Pupa only smiled as Stacy was too scared to run out of the box easily. ‘Huh, scared like the little larvae from my hive.’ She smiled as she had to wipe some of the dirt off her fur and clothes.

“She's gonna get away!” George spoke.

“Don’t worry. She’s not going anywhere.” Pupa smiled as she easily grabbed the back of her shirt. “Easy Stacy, no need to scream bloody murder.” Stacy giggled nervously.

“Um… you're not following the ladies first rule when you're hungry, right?”

“What? I’m not hungry. And even if I was, I really wouldn’t be in the mood for humans since I never tried one.” She said as she let her go.

“Oh… a-are you going to taste us?”

“Of course not. Do you think that I’m that much of a jerk to just up and eat you?” She asked as she tilted her head.

“Well, not like a jerk, but… a little bit.”

“Is that all you assume with anything that remotely looks like a pony?” She asked as her ears went down, she being a little hurt that every tiny assumed that.

“Um… k-kinda. But it happens so much, you kinda get used to it.”

“O-oh...” She mumbled as she looked away. But she shook out of her saddened state. “So, what do we do next after I find everyone?” She asked.

“... You win, I guess. But, if you're not hungry… maybe we can find something else to do.”

“Like what? A new game?” She asked.

“I guess. But we have to find my sister and Stephen first… you know who they are, right?”

“Uhm… no?” She answered. “You’re the most recent person I found.”

“Let's just keep an eye out for a boy and a girl together.” Zach suggested.

“Okay then.” She nodded as she lifted the box up so that Stacy could get out and so could she. “I think it’ll be much easier if we split up.” Pupa suggested.

“Hopefully, they didn't see us.” George commented, jumping off and landing on the floor.

“Well if they did, it might be a little more interesting.” She smiled as she looked around to see if she could spot either of the two. However, she noticed that Twilight and Starlight stood at the edges, both lowering some bags and talking to each other while looking through some lists.

Pupa only glanced at the two as she felt that they weren’t on the hunt for her. She didn’t see the bags they placed down, but she saw the last two kids running to them.

She only chuckled as she started heading to where the two were going. They both saw her and sprinted, running to the two ponies. Her eyes widened as she saw where they were heading for and she could only try and run faster so that they wouldn’t be caught by two ponies that will definitely eat them. Sadly, the two climbed into one of the bags, probably thinking they lost Pupa and were in the clear.

‘I gotta get them outta there!’ She thought as she caught up and jumped into the bag, landing in front of the two as her face met the bottom of the bag. They both screamed, quickly climbing up something that looked bumpy, but slightly gave in to their weight, showing that it was soft.

She groaned a little before she slowly sat up and shook her head. She saw that the two were on something soft and bumpy, the bag not letting much light in to see what it was they were on. “Come on you two. You have to get out.” She said as she grabbed the boy first before she lifted him out of the bag. Before she can toss him out, the bag closed, leaving them in darkness, and the place rocked, meaning that they were moving.

She dropped the boy from her grasp as she tried to find a way out of the bag without making the owner of the bag notice them. She tried to feel for a way out, but when it felt as if she was trapped with the two kids, she found a small hole that was big enough for the kids to go through… but unfortunately it was too small for her. “Come on, go through this before the space between us and the floor is too far for you.” She commanded.

“W-What’s going on?” Stephanie asked in fear. “What about you!?!“

“Forget about me. I’ll find another way out, just go before it’s too late.” She said. “And you two snuck into a pony’s bag and need to leave before you’ll be nothing but pony snack for them.” She answered Stephanie’s question.

“W-Well we're not going without you!” Philip responded. “We'll get out with you!”

“I said I’ll find my own way. I don’t know if you two have parents or not, but I know that if you do, they won’t be happy that you snuck into a pony’s bag. And your friends might get worried when they can’t find you.” She said, trying to make the hole bigger so that maybe she can go down with them, but thanks to a really good seamstress, it wouldn’t tear any further. She picked them both up. “Sorry guys.” She stuffed them down the tear and dropped them. She watched as they rolled across the floor and looked up with worried expressions.

Then, one of the things fell onto Pupa, pushing her from the tear. She tried to move the thing off of her, but her hands would only press against it and feel how soft the thing was. ‘Damn it! I can’t get out.’ She thought as she even tried to grab onto the insides of the bag and pull herself out from under it, but even that was impossible.

After trying one last time, she gave up, her ears going down as she knew she was going to be caught. ‘Whoever bag this is might think I tried to take whatever was in here...’ She thought as she could only look up at the darkness. But soon the rocking of the bag and the warmth within it started making her fall asleep, the nightmares from last night not making her sleep very well. However, Luna wasn't there at all, whether it was good or bad was debatable, and it felt short as the rocking continued. The top opened, momentarily blinding her, seeing one of the things being taken out… and followed by loud chewing.

“How many of those have you had?” The voice of Starlight asked.

“*Just one*.” The slurred voice of Twilight replied, barely making out to Pupa’s ears.

‘Dang it. It just had to belong to them...’ She thought as she tried to get out from under whatever she was trapped in once again. ‘Ugh, I could feel my fur get dirty over whatever this is.’ Her stomach growled, making her blush pink. She looked up at what she was trapped under again and saw that it was a muffin. Her mouth watered as her stomach growled once again, but it was shorter as she tried to tear through the paper wrapping under it before she started eating it. ‘It’s still warm.’ She could taste the melted chocolate in the muffin as this tasted much better than the rations that she had to eat at her mother’s castle. Tears of joy fell down her cheeks, and she continued to eat her way into the muffin, pigging out.

After what felt like an eternity of eating that large muffin, she was finally satisfied as she rubbed her stomach and sighed, the warmth close to making her fall asleep then and there… even though her legs were already asleep since the lack of blood flow to them made them feel numb. It was interrupted as the bag she was in fell with a loud flop, opening the top.

“King Thorax.” The two mares spoke together with a respectful tone.

She winced a little at the impact as her back was the one that met the floor as she resisted the urge to groan. She saw the top was opened while eating some of the muffin made it easy for her to finally slip out from under the pastry. But before she got up, she had to think back on what those two mares just said. ‘Hold on… King Thorax?’ She thought as she slowly crawled to the other end to which was the opposite from where she heard their voices from. ‘Curse you Luna, you knew this would happen...’ She grumbled as she tried again in breaking the tear more before she started her rather short climb to the top of the opened bag. It came to a stop as her top half stuck right out and she was face to face with the traitor king himself, Thorax. His head and horn was lime-green, as his eyes were purple, and protruding out of his head were twin orange antlers that looked like pincers. He blinked at her presence.

“... It seems you brought me more than muffins.” He spoke in a deep, but somewhat gentle voice.

Pupa could only stare back with widened eyes, her ears going town to her head as her tail went limp, her hands shaking as it kept a tight grip on the end of the saddle. ‘Is this how I’m gonna die… facing the most famous traitor of the changeling hive?’ She asked herself in her mind as she felt she was going to faint right then and there.

“What the-!?” Twilight yelled in shock, picking Pupa up in her magic. “How'd you get in there?”

“We are so sorry, your majesty!” Starlight apologized. Thorax let out a chuckle.

“Oh, it's alright, I've been meaning to see more Pony-people around here. You must've read my mind.” His antlers glowed blue as he took a napkin out and cleaned Pupa. “And who might you be?”

Pupa could only stay silent as she was too scared to say a single word. Her tail tucked between her legs as she curled close to herself, her shaking in fear being more noticeable as she didn’t have a bag to hide her bottom half. But she had to speak or else they might get suspicious… somehow. “I… I-I’m F-Final N-Note.” She stuttered, her voice also adding to her fear driven state.

“Aww, it's alright, there's no reason to be afraid. You may have heard the stories of Chrysalis and her Changelings, but you're with me, King Thorax, and my kingdom of Changedlings.”

“Ch-Changedlings?” She repeated as she was still a little scared, her tail out from between her legs and now covering her muzzle.

“I know, it's not the best of names, but we still honor our ancestry, even if we had, well… changed.” He looked to the two mares. “I apologize, but it's been awhile since I gave a tour to any other guest. Would you mind waiting in our tea area?”

“Oh, it's no problem, your majesty.” Starlight replied with a bow. “Twilight?”

“From one royalty to another.” Twilight added, giving him a box.

“More Tinies, I presume?” He asked.

“It it Teaching Thursday.”

“And I can't argue with that.” His antlers glowed, taking Pupa and the box from Twilight. One of the other Changedlings approached and took the box without any verbal word spoken. “I think you'll love it here; it's a complete change from Chrysalis’s old Castle, but for the better.”

Pupa decided to remain quiet as to not try and speak out. She didn't want the arm to happen and for her to be revealed. ‘Who knows what he might do if I'm Queen Chrysalis’ daughter. He might try and blackmail her with me being a part of it!’ She thought as the imagery only made her more nervous and scared. However, once he opened the door, and her eyes adjusted to the light, she found that the outside was literally, and physically, full of life. Unlike back home, many plants were growing, some being bushes shaped like the Changedlings, with the sounds of birds chirping, bees buzzing, and water flowing.

“Unlike Chrysalis’s Kingdom, we maintain our outer look as the inside, welcoming anyone, and anything into the safe Haven that is our kingdom.”

She only looked around with widened eyes as she had to look everywhere. But after awhile, she looked down with her ears going the same direction. ‘Why…why does this place look better than my home? Aren't they the enemy?’ She thought. ‘He betrayed his queen, and this is what happens? I…I wonder what would happen if ponies went against the princesses?’ She thought, thinking on the many ways it could look better.

“Of course, most of these plants and designs came straight from Canterlot, a welcoming donation from the princesses themselves. Some new statues will be arriving very soon, but we're not quite sure what they should be. The only thing that anyone agrees on is a statue of me, but I don't know what pose it should be. What do you think it should be? I don't want to look like a tyrant, nor someone too weak.”

She didn't reply as she was too deep in thought. ‘Mom…mother must've had a reason to fled. She…she wouldn't give up all this for no reason.’ She thought as she was going back to doubting her mother again. She held her tail tighter as she didn't know what to think anymore.

“... Hm, maybe another time. You still need to see more of our growing Kingdom.” Thorax carried her around. Some of the other Changedlings flew around, maintaining the more inviting looking castle, but many others maintained the gardens. “Also unlike Chrysalis, we offer more diverse jobs rather than guard, drone, and nurse. Now, they can work in the gardens, maintaining both the look of our garden, and grow food. Some of the other jobs include therapeutic sessions where can talk about our personal problems, building homes that are much more comfortable than the cocoons, and being real teachers and give real education to each other, rather than just being reminded every day that if we thought of something different, we'd be labeled as a traitor to our kind.”

Everything that Thorax said only wanted her to speak out more and more. Every word he said was just insulting her home and what her siblings and cousins worked hard on getting. They didn't need the help of a princess and they are perfectly fine. She loved sleeping in the cocoon and he just insulted her three teachers in what they do best. She felt nothing but anger to this Changedling, wanting to just try and end his life to show that no one disrespects her mother and everything she worked hard to recreate thanks to this tyrant. But…she couldn't say a word. She couldn't yell at him or even try and strangle him, knowing that her mother wouldn't want him dead yet or for her to blow her cover.

She could only look away and down at the floor which was also as colorful as the Changedlings around her.

“Yep! We allow new ideas and changes to our kingdom. Why, just a few weeks ago, we opened our own art studio. Some of our paintings are now hung, and the music we made have brought up many spirits. I'm pretty sure that in a few months, we will be a large kingdom, and we can walk around freely with no need for a disguise. Care to join me for some tea?”

She didn't answer with her words, but more like her stomach growling for the tea, her throat a little dry after eating a good chunk of the muffin in the bag. She blushed pink, but didn't look up at him or say anything. One of the Changedlings approached, already with a tea set ready; a large cup for Thorax, and a smaller one for Pupa. Thorax took the tea.

“Thank you, Good sir. One of the best perks, at least for me, is that everyone is ready to please without any orders given, not like Chrysalis, who yells a lot. Try the tea, we've mixed it up with love.” He sipped his tea as he walked. “Ah… delicious love. Given, not taken.”

She looked down at the cup as she didn't know if this meant she was betraying her mother if she drank this. But…if she didn't, he might ask why, and she doesn't have a good enough lie to fool a traitorous changeling. With a nervous gulp, she brought the cup to her lips and started drinking it. She had her eyes shut as she drank the tea, first to try and end it quickly, but now to consume all the love since it tasted so good. ‘Maybe I could give this love with the others.’ She thought as she looked down at the now empty cup.

Thorax approached to a gazebo, where Twilight and Starlight sat down, looking relaxed. Thorax gently set Pupa down, another chair coming out of the table and ready for her. The next part that made her jump was something she didn't think was possible; there were other Pupas, almost like her, but like the Changedlings, they too were colorful.

“Thank you for tending to our guests.” They simply bowed to him before flying off. “Poor little ones. If none of my subjects had found them, they may have never had the strength to survive.”

‘D-does…does Chrysalis know about this?’ She thought. ‘There…there are more like me. Are…are any of them even related to me? My mom did say that my family did pass and I was the only survivor. But…there are more.’ She thought as her hands were shaking even though they were gripping the cup tightly.

“Is there something wrong? Do you have any questions? Comments? I'm open for constructive criticism.”

‘Yes there is something wrong! Why are there more of me!? And…and why do they look so pleased to do your bidding!?’ Pupa only shook her head as she put the cup down, looking down from the two mare's and the one Changedling.

“... You can speak up.” Twilight spoke. “Thorax is a great listener, unlike Chrysalis.”

“I know,” Starlight added. “Her pride was her ultimate downfall, personally.”

She was gripping her skirt tightly as she had her eyes shut now, but she shook her head. She wanted so badly to speak out, to tell them they were all wrong, and that she cares and listens to her when she needs to. But she just couldn't.

“... I think I need to chat with her.” Thorax spoke.

“Don't worry, we'll be quiet and-”

“Alone.”

“... Sorry?” Twilight asked.

“Just a personal chat with her.”

“...but-”

“We have a new spa ready.”

“... We can work with that.” Starlight spoke, standing up and following another Changedling. Twilight followed, leaving Thorax and Pupa alone. Thorax crossed his forelegs. His expression turned serious.

“Princess Luna told me about your arrival, Princess Pupa.”

Pupa tensed up at the realization that she was caught. She was quickly off her seat and now backed a good distance away, her angry glare at the ground changed to one of fright as she looked up at him with fear. Her tail curled around her for protection as she had yet to drop the disguise.

“Drop the disguise. I'm curious as to what you look like.”

“…I don't take orders from a traitor.” Her look of fear changed to one of anger and a bit of courage.

“Of course you won't, but you have questions that only I can answer. Come, children.” The other Pupa-look-alikes landed on the table. “More specifically, how they can exist.”

“That is useless information that I don't need.” She said as she didn't flinch or back away any further. “And submitting to you is just as worse as when you abandoned your own brothers and sisters.” She added as she was close to revealing her wings and flying off to escape.

“I did not abandon my brothers and sisters. I went to find a better way for all of us to survive.”

“Which resulted in you going against us and choosing those ponies over your own kind!” She said as just the sound of his voice made her angry.

“I did not go against you. I told Chrysalis about my plan that we should attempt to befriend the residents of Equestria. My plan was supposed to be a way for all of us to no longer go hungry, but Chrysalis only saw it as one thing: a challenge to her power.”

“You were plainly telling her to submit to those ponies who blasted her out of Canterlot. To those who never cared for changelings. You know that if it wasn't for that baby dragon, you'd be dead. Not a single pony saw you as good. They hated you and wanted to find a way to get rid of you so you wouldn't take their love.” She said. “Both of us know that.”

“The Canterlot wedding was the first time we showed ourselves.”

“And what? It was obvious that she was trying to find a way to feed her subjects. And even if she tried to show up at that place, nopony would help her cause she looks different. Admit it, they would see nothing but a freak of nature trying to see their princess and probably harm her.”

“I said that was our first time revealing ourselves; we've been an unknown species, always working in the shadows, feeding off of love like parasites. Chrysalis decided that it was time for us to rise, so of course ponies now saw us as evil creatures. But do you know what else looked like evil creatures? Griffins, Minotaurs, even Discord himself, all of whom had a rough history with Equestria, but you know what they did?... They worked with the princesses and are growing. Certain things had to be sacrificed, but others were kept. All of this would've been your mother's, and in retrospect, yours. Starlight offered your mother peace, and your mother's pride stopped what would've been progress.”

“She had a right reason to do so! That dumb unicorn ruined my mother's empire and you think that she'll brush that aside just so she can be another creature under the hoof of those princesses!? I know that the only reason they wanted to befriend those creatures is cause they had no chances of winning them in a war. A griffon is faster and more agile than a pegasus, minotaurs are stronger than earth ponies, and Discord is the God of chaos. Ponies are nothing but selfish and scared. And when there is someone that is weaker than them, they just trample them over like every other tiny that is scared for their lives every time they see anything that resembles a pony!” She said as she stomped her foot. “And if you ponies cared so much, then why haven't you bothered to look for my mother if you care so much about her!?”

“... You're right. They don't. But I do.” He stood up and looked out into the forest. “There are days that I wished for the simple times, back when we were still one hive. Of course we weren't allowed to think for ourselves, but that made everything simple. I just want to meet her once again, and hopefully, let our kingdoms reunite as one.”

“The only time that'll happen is if none of this ever happened.” She huffed as she turned away from the king.

“And I sometimes wished that I hadn't. If Spike hadn't found me, I probably would've starved, be frozen, or caught by the guards. And yes, I agree that they're not the best, heck, Spike persuaded them with a song, but for what they lacked, they more than made it up with friendship.”

She didn't respond as she stayed looking away. Her tail curled around her as she was once again at an impasse. She wanted to proceed in making him know how much he said made him unlike a changeling, to make him not even worthy to be a drone Chrysalis raised and trained. But she felt as if she already had her point across. And yet… she feels as if he doesn't understand the pain she went through.

“But, there seems to be no way I can persuade you. You've become nothing more but a miniature version of your mother; too stubborn to listen to anyone and unwilling to change what needs to be changed. You probably think that I'm just spreading lies to you, in hopes that you betray your mother and join me, but I don't want to do that. All I offer is the truth, one that you can choose to listen or ignore.”

Pupa once again remained quiet and facing away. She didn't want to choose. If she let him talk, he might convince her that her own mother is bad…but if she didn't, she might be as blind as a bat to what he had to say.

She breathed out, hating that she had to do this, before a green ring of fire surrounded her before the disguise was gone. The other Pupa-Lings (something she quickly thought about calling them) gasped at her look. Thorax turned to her.

“... Hm… you're shorter than I expected.”

“Just start talking before I decide this was a stupid idea.” She simply said as she didn't care for his or those Pupa-lings’ reaction to her appearance.

“You won't be.” He took his seat. “But what would you like to talk about? Why some of my children look like you, perhaps?”

“…fine. We can start with that or whatever.” She mumbled as she remained looking away.

“I may not follow all of your mother's actions, but I did one thing to help my kingdom grow. All of these were human babies that my subjects found. Your mother taught us this spell, as it changes anyone into us. Now, it works fast with ponies, but it's slow with Tinies. Have you felt so different from the others in your hive?”

Her ears went down when he asked that. She didn't want to admit that she did feel alone or different, but her head moved to a slow nod, her eyes being closed shut.

“And have you ever noticed that every Changeling went, how shall we say… ‘wuby dubby’ around you when you were younger?”

She couldn’t help but blush at how he describe to how the changelings acted towards her. She didn’t stop her head from nodding again, her ears lowered to the lowest point in which they could go.

“And, let me guess. Chrysalis told you that you were hatched from an egg and your egg was accidentally crushed because it was so small?”

She didn’t nod this time. She didn’t know how he would know this unless he was there. ‘And mother only told me that… it was just the two of us.’ She thought as the only reason is cause he used to work for her mom, probably knowing her more than she does.

“Pupa, if you're willing to listen to me, you're not Chrysalis’s real daughter. In fact, like my other subjects, you were taken in by Chrysalis at a young age after accidentally causing mayhem that made every Changeling go crazy and fight each other for you. And you're on the royal quest to find at least five subjects to take home with you, aren't you? This is probably your second day, isn't it?”

She didn’t answer as she didn’t know what to think anymore. All that he said sounded nearly impossible, but… she always wondered why she wasn’t made fun of over how different she looked. She would guess cause she was a princess, but even when her mother was busy and she was alone, not a single changeling thought that they could show how much they really ‘adore’ their princess. She could feel a lump in her throat as she was now thinking that her mother would just lie to her… right in her face. But… was there anything to even gain from lying? If Chrysalis told the truth, would things be different? Even through her closed eyes, she could feel her eyes began to water. Thorax reached over and grabbed her, giving her a warm hug.

“There, there. It's a whole lot to take in. Trust me, I know after becoming the new King.”

She only stayed still in the warm embrace, not even sure who she could even trust or believe anymore. She felt empty inside… and lost. She just wanted to go back home… but was the castle even her home anymore? Was her name even Pupa? Did she even have memories when she wasn’t in the castle? Did Chrysalis wipe her thoughts about that? Question after question kept on filling her mind as her throat became dry, too dry to even speak. One of the Pupa-lings arrived with ready tea. Thorax gently set her down.

“You have questions for me. I can answer most, but probably not all.”

Pupa finally shook her head, not wanting to hear any more that might make her think even less of her own mother. The shaking of her head made the tears trapped in her eyelids seep through and go down her cheeks.

“... Perhaps another time, then.” The sound of hoofsteps approached. “You might want to change, or fly away.”

She decided to choose the latter as she felt she couldn’t even stay in disguise after everything he said. Her wings unfurled and she was quick to start flying off, going down to the ground around the palace before she flew into the forest, her one destination being the place she thought was once her home.

Chapter 6

Back at the peaceful shed of the secret changeling hideout in Ponyville, Doomy was sleeping, Web-Head was reading a book she ‘borrowed’ from a rather cute stallion she came across, and Eyeballs was busy doing his own work. Everything was peaceful and quiet…

Until Pupa literally slammed the door open. All three jumped.

“WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!!!” Doomy screamed. “THEY FOUND US!!! BATTLE STATIONS!!! RED ALERT!! WE'VE-” Web-Head knocked him out with her book.

“That takes care of that.” She smirked before turning back to Pupa. “Welcome back, your highness. Did you get some Tinies, ponies, or pony-people?”

She didn't answer as she went to her bag and started looking for something. “Where are they?” She spoke in a not-so-friendly tone.

“Where are who?”

“And let's avoid playing the pronoun game.” Eyeballs added.

“The freaking scarabs! Where are they?” She said as she threw her bag beside her and used her wings to fly into Eyeball’s room to see if he had them.

“Whoa! What's going on? Woke up on the wrong side of the cocoon this morning?”

She didn’t answer as she found the scarabs and flew into her own room, slamming the door shut and started preparing the scarabs to call her ‘mother’. ‘She has a lot of explaining to do.’ She thought. Knocking came to her door.

“Pupa? Is there something wrong?” Web-Head asked.

“Yes.” She plainly says. Web-Head opens the door the same time the scarabs activate and it does it little magic show before the green screen formed. Doomy and Eyeballs were right behind Web-Head.

“Ow… what happened?” Doomy asked, rubbing his head.

“You acted like an idiot and she knocked you out.” Eyeballs answered bluntly. The image came, but it was dark, with some green. The darkness was lifted, only to reveal that Chrysalis was sitting on it.

“Ugh! Who placed it on my throne!?” She demanded. “You're an idiot if you did that!” She cleared her throat and turned to Pupa. “I wasn't expecting you this early. So, have you found the minimum?”

“No mother, but I did find something out.” She still had that glare, it being somehow more intense as she was looking at her mother. “Why didn’t you tell me the truth!?” She suddenly asked. Chrysalis looked at her confused.

“What truth?”

“That I’m actually a tiny!” She said, her not-so-happy tone into one of more anger and hurt than anything else.

“... Oh no, you're not a Tiny. Just a different Changeling is all.”

“Just quit it with the lies! I know that you wanted to be just another changeling, but I was too slow.” She said. “I know you used a spell to make this happen.”

“What spell? The only spell I do is make eggs.”

“And turn ponies into changelings.” She said as she stomped her hoof. “How could you lie to me? Right in my face. I never had a egg shell to begin with, and there were no other creatures that died.” She said. “I… I saw that their were others… like me. B-but they were colorful just like those other changelings. They told me that Thorax used that spell on them to keep them alive. Just… why couldn’t you tell me the truth?” Her angry look changed to one of hurt and heartbreak. Chrysalis blinked then hissed loudly.

“YOU WENT TO THAT TRAITOR!?!?!?”

“I had no choice! I was trying to ‘socialize’ with the tinies, but two of them went into Twilight’s bag. I got them out and I couldn’t escape without being caught! I tried to stay hidden, but what they said about you, saying that you were weak and that your pride ruined the hive. He saw my reaction and knew that I wasn’t who I looked like. He… he told me everything.” She looked away as her pointed ears went down.

“THORAX IS THE WEAK ONE!!! ALL THEY SPEW OUT IS LIES!!! YOU ARE CLOSE TO BECOMING A TRAITOR YOURSELF, PUPA!!!”

“And how do I know you’re not lying about that because of your pride mom!?” She shouted back. “When I went there, everything was colorful. There was life every angle I looked. And unlike you, he didn’t have to yell at his subjects to do his bidding!” Her eyes started to glow a neon green. “For all I know, I could’ve been kidnapped by one of your bug-brain of a soldier! So why don’t you tell me the truth instead of filling my mind with lies!”

“TRAITOR!!!”

“YOU’RE THE TRAITOR!” Chrysalis smashed her side, cutting off the message. Eyeballs and Doomy hissed at her, though Web-Head was pained by what was going to happen.

“We're sorry… Pupa.” She whimpered, turning around and covering her ears. Doomy and Eyeballs pounced onto her, hatred burning into their eyes.

Pupa’s ears were still down as she covered her face and fell to her knees. She started to tear up as she began to sob, hating that her mother would lie to her… and that she was called a traitor to her own mother. Then a shot of pain erupted in her body, as the sharp tip of Doomy’s fangs pierced her body, ejecting venom into her, and being tossed to a wall like a doll.

Pupa screamed in pain as her back connected with the wall, bending one of her wings as she fell down and was now limp on the floor. She was still alive, but paralyzed by the venom. She could only feel and look as her shirt was stained in black blood, the blood coming out through her mouth as well. Tears were mixing with the blood as she was now being treated like a traitor by her used-to-be caretakers, more so on the one that tried to lift her spirits yesterday.

She fought through the venom as she slowly lifted her upper half, touching the wound that was his two fangs that went right through her. She could only look up at the three changelings, each giving their own look of anger or disgust. “I…I’m...s...sorry.” She barely spoke before the venom was too much and she finally went unconcious.

“You had the chance.” Eyeballs spoke, picking her body up. He walked outside, in disguise, and put her limp body in a trashcan. “You had the potential to be a great leader.” He closed the lid.

Within the unconscious mind of Pupa, she was dreaming that Chrysalis was walking away from her. Pupa began to tear up again as she ran to her and grabbed her hind leg. “Please mom, I’m sorry. I take it all back!”

Chrysalis looked down at Pupa, her neutral expression changed to one of disgust. “Ugh, get off of me.” She shook her hoof as Pupa came tumbling back. “And don’t call me mom, creature.”

The pain in her chest got worse as she only shed more tears. “No. Momma! Don’t leave me.” She got up and was about to run, but a different holed hoof got in her way. She looked up to see that it was Doomy.

“The queen said that she wanted nothing to do with you freak!” His horn lit up as she was picked up and flung farther away from the two. She fell on her side as she could only watch the two fade into the darkness. She couldn’t hold it in anymore as she started crying out loud, her eyes shut as her tears dripped from the bottom of her chin. She covered her eyes again as the familiar voices of her changeling siblings echo through the black void of her mind.

“Freak!”

“Creature!”

“Outcast!”

“Traitor!”

The last part was just a repeat of her mother’s final words to her. At this point, she felt that she didn’t have any reason to be here anymore. Her only family left her, and she had no one to turn to. No one would help her… cause she was nothing but a freak of nature. She wasn’t human or changeling.

And she fell into a pit of despair and sorrow.

“I'm sorry for what happened, but it's not over.” Luna’s voice spoke, breaking the darkness.

She lifted her head from her hands as she didn’t have any expression on her face. “Yes it is.” She said in a tone that matched her emotionless expression.

“If it were over, then I wouldn't be able to speak to you.”

“That’s only cause you go into my dreams without even caring how I feel when a complete stranger is talking to me.” She replied as she placed her hands down, one of them covering the wounds in her stomach and below her chest.

“It's because there are other ways that can bring peace, for you, us, and your mother.”

“Queen Chrysalis isn’t my mother anymore...” She simply said. “And if the place I was raised in kicked me out and wants nothing to do with me, then how will the others to which I was told to stay away from do. I have no family… no friends… nothing.” She teared up again, but didn’t close her eyes or stop them from following the same path as the tears she shed before.

“Maybe not now, but in the future, you will. And perhaps you should make contact with those you've tried to avoid; they may be more relatable than you think.”

“You think they would trust a freak like me? I highly doubt it.” She said as she looked down at the floor. “And I’m still part ‘bad’ changeling. They must know about them and want nothing to do if I’m half of something evil.”

“Thorax was born as a bad Changeling, but look at how he's changed.”

“I don’t want to be like Thorax. I don’t even know if I can be like him.” She said, rubbing her hands together. “And it’s not like a different baby dragon is going to become my friend.”

“Perhaps you can try it.”

She shook her head. “Even if Queen Chrysalis sees me as a traitor already, I don’t think I would like being a sappy good changeling. I don’t even know if I could change like he did.” She said, thinking about how those changelings transformed into those colorful changedlings.

“Even he didn't know if he would change. But what will you do? You need help with your wounds.”

“... if I still had a cocoon that might’ve healed me.” She mumbled as she only placed her hands on the stained shirt. “It doesn’t matter anyways, I don’t even want to try.”

“You need help. Perhaps Thorax can help?”

“I don’t want help.” She simply said. “Especially from him.”

“You don't want it, but you'll need it. Perhaps the tiny couple that's about to pass can help.”

“Wait, what?” That caught her off guard. Everything vanished as she jumped up, wide awake… only to feel the pain again, followed by an awful smell around her. Everywhere was dark with the light that entered showed that she was on trash.

“They… they threw me in the garbage?” Her ears went down as she was close to crying again. ‘I guess I really didn’t mean much to them...’ She thought as she banged her back against one of the walls of the garbage, it being a bad idea as she shouted in paid. “Son of a--!”

“Is someone inside?” The voice of a woman asked.

“Huh?” ‘Someone heard me?’ She looked up. “Y-yes. Please, can you help me. I… I’m seriously wounded.” She said as she banged the inside of the trashcan again.

“Oh God! Jenny? A little help?”

“I gotcha.” Another woman's voice spoke. Some grunting was heard, followed by the trashcan lid pulled right off, blinding Pupa momentarily.

‘Dang it, I have to change.’ She thought as she tried to use her magic to disguise herself, only to shout again in pain as the magic using actually hurt. ‘Wh-why can’t I change. Does… does the venom numb the magic as well?’ She thought. Peering in was the silhouettes of the two women, one with a ponytail and the other with pigtails. They both gasped at the sight of Pupa.

“What is that!?” The pigtail one pointed at Pupa.

“It looks like a Bug-girl.” The Ponytail one answered with some disgust in her tone.

Pupa was actually hurt by the tone one of the girls sounded, her ears went down as she tried to back up, the movement making the wounds bleed again and she winced. “Agh...” She tried to cover them, but it was hard covering four holes, two in the front and two in the back. The pigtail one slapped her friend.

“Jenny! Don't judge her by her looks!”

“What!?” The other spoke. “You know I hate bugs!”

“But are you going to hate bug-people now? She's hurt!” She turned to Pupa. “Don't worry, we'll get you out! I'm a nurse, so you're in good hands!”

“Th… thank you.” She weakly said before she coughed and covered her mouth, when she moved her hand away, she saw the black blood and was quick to clean it before they saw. Jenny lowered her friend with a rope (which was actually floss), and she approached to Pupa. The first thing Pupa noticed was that the woman looked to be in her early 30’s, but was smaller to her. In her right hand was a medkit, while the left was a pair of gloves and a mask of sort.

“... You're much bigger than I thought.” She commented, putting on the gloves and mask. “Name's Martha. Can I get your name?”

“M-my name is-” She was cut off again by another coughing fit.

“Ok, perhaps later. Alright, I'm gonna need you to follow what I say, okay? Just nod, alright?” Pupa nodded. “Alright, show me what's the problem.”

She didn’t do anything at first, but she slowly gripped onto the bottom of her shirt before she lifted it up, showing the two serious puncture wounds, one of them going through one of her lungs without her knowing, hence, the reason why she was coughing blood. Martha kept her meal inside of her.

“I-it's alright, you're gonna be fine.” She looked through her medkit and pulled some cloth, ointments, and a sewing kit. “Alright… this is going to hurt, but it's gonna be alright. Just don't scream.” She lathered some ointment onto the cloth and, without counting, stuck it into Pupa’s chest. The immediate stinging wanted to make Pupa scream, but she held onto her breath, instead tearing up with some muffled screaming. After what felt like forever, Martha began to stitch, breaking through some of her exoskeleton, followed by some more ointment. The procedure was painful for both parties, but Pupa began to breath much better.

“Thank God for that Zebra!” Martha gasped, wiping some sweat from her forehead. “Are you alright? Feel a bit better?”

Pupa only nodded as she rubbed the patched up wounds a little. Martha slapped her hands.

“Don't touch! Just let it be and you'll be fine, ok?”

Her ears perked up, before they went back down and she nodded.

“Alright, glad to see you understand. It's probably gonna take all day for you to heal, and I doubt you want to be here, do you?”

She only shook her head as she didn’t want to live in a trashcan forever.

“Alright. I think you should live with my wife and I until you're all done. Unless, do you know anyone else?”

She shook her head again. “I… I was kicked out.” She admitted as she looked away.

“Kicked out? For what?”

“Probably for inviting the roaches!” Jenny remarked.

“Jenny!”

Pupa’s ears lowered once again as she looked away. “N-never mind. You can just… leave me here, if you want to.” She couldn’t help but sniffle as she felt she wouldn’t be accepted by anyone.

“What!? No! Please, ignore Jenny, she's been by my side ever since we were in the 3rd grade. She just wants me safe, that's all. You'll should know that yes, she can be a jerk, but she has a soft spot.”

“Really? I thought it was super obvious.” She said sarcastically as she stayed looking away. “If I’m just going to be brought to your home just to make things weird or awkward, then you could just leave me. You’ve done enough already and I don’t want to overstep it.” She said as she looked back at her, only to look away again.

“You're not going to overstep anything… metaphorically speaking.”

Pupa couldn’t help but smile a little at the joke she was giving. “Are you sure? I don’t even think I could fit through the front door.” She blushed pink as it sounded a bit weird to be saying that since she was normally the small one.

“You don't have to get inside, persay. In fact, we don't live near the village, to be honest. Right, Jenny?”

“Don't tell her anything!” Jenny yelled. “Not unless she's a pollinator! Like a butterfly!”

“Oh quit your overreaction!”

“Wait, if you don’t live in the village, then where do you two live?” She asked, one of her pointed ears perked up as she tilted her head in confusion. ‘If they don’t live in a house in the tiny village, then that could only mean...’ She didn’t finish that thought as there was only one answer to the question she just asked.

“We made our own place. Lucky for us, Jenny's a farmer, and we grow our own food. Yeah, it's kinda hard to eat only plants, but those hunters make pretty good bargains.”

“And squirrels!” Jenny added.

“Yes, especially the squirrels.”

“Well, even if you don’t live in the village, I don’t suppose you made a front door big enough for me to go through.” She rubbed the back of her neck as she looked down. Martha smiled sheepishly.

“Sorry, but no, not in our house. However, we have an old doghouse that we use to hold some things that may be worth a trade. There should be some blankets inside that you can use.”

“A…a dog house?” She repeated, not too sure if they were serious. “Why a dog house?” She decided to ask as she felt they might be joking.

“Like we said, it holds the junk that we'll sell later. Plus, you're not the first pony person. The first one was… well-”

“Took a whole month to rebuild that entrance!” Jenny yelled.

“Yeah… that.”

“Are you implying that I'll break the front door?” She glared at her as her cheeks flushed pink as well, thinking of if she did and how embarrassing it might look.

“Uh… no offense. B-but it doesn't mean we're being mean! It's just a precaution, that's all.”

‘Precaution my flank.’ She thought. She sighed, knowing that it was either the dog house or this trashcan. “Fine. I'll live in this dog house place, but don't even think of trying to treat me like a dog. I might be different but I still have feelings.” She crossed her arms as she glanced away.

“I know, you may look different, but you're still a person. I'll just have to tell Jenny to treat you better. Can you walk, though?”

“I think so...” She began to move one of her legs, it feeling a bit stiff, but she was able to move one leg. She did the same with the other and used the inside walls of the trashcan to lift her off her feet. When she thought she was going to fall back down with the garbage bag sinking by her weight, her wings were brought out to keep her balanced, but she didn’t see that one was bent in a weird angle.

“Oh… uh… how much do you weigh?”

“I, uhm… never really looked into that.” She blushed pink. “I was never really heavy in my family.” She glanced away with the blush only spreading on her cheeks.

“Yeah, hold on for a sec.” She scaled the floss rope. “Tie your waist with the rope! We're gonna help pull you up, but you're gonna have to walk up, okay?”

Pupa only nodded as she did as instructed, making sure to double knot it in case the floss wasn’t strong enough for just one. While she was making sure the floss was secured around her waist, she couldn't help but wonder why these two were even helping her. ‘They should’ve been running from the hills once they saw me, yet, they're still here… helping me and even giving me a place to stay...’

“Ready!?”

She was snapped out of her thoughts. “Oh, uh, r-ready.” She gripped onto the floss as she placed one of her hooves on the trash can wall in front of her. Some grunting was heard as Martha and Jenny pulled Pupa up, but she followed, walking up the walls of the trashcan, even if it felt forever. She made it over the edge of the top, seeing the lid had become a slide for her.

She gripped onto the edge of the trashcan as she climbed onto the lid and she slid down before her hooves met the end of the trash can lid. Of course, the sudden stop caused her to fall face first onto the floor. Martha ran and picked her left shoulder up.

“Atta girl! You'll be fine in no time. Jenny?” The other woman groaned, marching to Pupa.

“You and your morals.” She said, throwing some cloth over them before picking up Pupa’s other shoulder. While Pupa didn't know why there's a cloth over them, to anyone else, they'd look like a rock. But she was quick to remember that if a tiny isn’t in the safe haven that was the village, they were a free snack to any pony that found them.

‘Hope we won’t be spotted cause of me...’ She thought as she decided to look around from where she was standing. And even with her being bigger than the two, everything looked different if she was her regular size. Everything was bigger, but some things seemed smaller as well. ‘This is weird...’ She thought.

“Can we get your name now?” Martha asked.

She stayed quiet for a little while longer before she spoke. “...Pupa.” ‘Not like I have any other name to go by...’

“Pupa?” Jenny asked. “Thought it was something else like Buggy… or a regular name like Taylor.”

“It's her name, Jenny.” Martha replied. “A name is just a name, nothing more, nothing less.”

“Tell that to our pony hunters.”

“Pony hunters?” Pupa spoke with a raised brow. ‘Tiny hunters make sense, but what’s a pony hunter?’

“They're ponies and they hunt us for a snack. Where have you been? Living under a rock?”

“N-no. I just thought they would be called tiny hunters instead. To, ya know, hunt tinies?” She shrugged. ‘And you could say that.’ She thought, thinking that she felt like she was living under a rock.

“... Touche`.”

“Where is your farm anyways? If it’s not in the tiny village, that is.” She asked as she was a little curious on where it would be located. “And why don’t you two live in the village? Isn’t it kinda like a safe haven for you tinies?”

“Have you seen how cramped those places are!? Yeah, it may be ‘safe’, but to feel Claustrophobic while having a high chance of being robbed does not work!”

“And we don't want to be too reliant on the ponies for food and supplies.” Martha added. “But I'm pretty glad that the ponies respect private property, unlike some people.”

“But wouldn’t they at least have some extra space to give you? Their houses take more space then that town. And I know you tinies don’t take a lot of space either.” Pupa said, a little upset that they were doing this to them. ‘Ponies are so selfish...’ She thought as she glared down at the floor.

“Well, yes, they gave us plenty of space to grow and expand, but that's more or less our own fault.”

“Damn politicians.” Jenny groaned.

“Yeah. I think it was because of some sort of house marketing, prices… fancy things that people like to ruin instead of being simple.”

“But it shouldn’t be that hard to get the supplies. I bet one of those bits is enough to make a cottage for you.” She said as she looked over at Martha.

“Like I said, some weird political stuff. I pity for them, but it's really hard to build your own home when you can be snatched and swallowed by anypony at anytime.”

“If that’s the case, then how were you able to live out of that village?” She asked, a little curious on if the found someplace in which ponies would never go to.

“That doghouse served as our home, actually. It took a few months, but we made our own home with an operational farm. Isn't that right, Jenny?”

“It smelt like wet dog in there.” Jenny simply answered.

“Better there than in the gut of some pony. And yes, our house does stick out like a sore thumb, but everypony respects our privacy. The ponies aren't as cruel as you'd think.”

“Yet their selfish enough to not give more space for the village.” She grumbled as her ears went down.

“She just said it's our fault!” Jenny growled. “Jeez, you need to listen!”

“Well I’m sorry if I don’t believe is all your fault. You aren’t the one that gave the space or the one that even started all this. Magic was the cause of all of this and I know tinies never had magic before they came here.” She said. “Equestria is a giant place, yet they apparently don’t have enough space for one of the smallest species in this world.”

“... Do you know what Breezies are?” Martha asked.

“What? Of course I do. What do breezies have to do with this?” Pupa asked.

“Think of this; they're about my size, ok? Now, being small is one thing, but they have to collect pollen for their world, for reasons I don't understand, but won't ask. Sounds simple? Well, think of it as this; they're more reliant on ponies than us humans. They require a specific breeze to not be slow, nor too fast, require minimal sounds, can be easily taken off course, and, probably the biggest one, can die! If a pony steps on or eats us, we're gonna be fine. Annoyed, but alright. However, if that happens to a Breezie, it's lights out for them. What I'm saying is this: we may have it rough, but someone, and some creature, will have it worse.”

Pupa only sighed as her ears were still down and she glanced away from the two. ‘But what about those who have life better than you?’ She thought. ‘They might say that some might have it worse then them, but I know that they would be better off without these selfish ponies.’ She decided to stay silent this time around since she felt that if this went on any further, the hive wouldn’t be the only thing that kicked her out.

After some time of walking, they arrived to a barn that was on the edge of the town. The house looked makeshift, but it was much taller, wider, and welcoming, not like the other houses in the village. As she had heard, a doghouse was present, looking a bit old and rundown, but still standing. Jenny took the cloth off.

“Home Sweet home.” Martha sighed in relief.

“You made this?” Pupa asked, her ears perking up in astonishment at how much better the house was compared to the ones at the village she saw.

“Like I said, it took a long time, and it may not be five stars worthy, but it works.”

“But it looks so much better than the village’s houses.” She said as she got closer to the house, seeing that there was nothing wrong with the outside structure.

“Thank you for that.” Jenny spoke, holding a shovel. “That's my handiwork. Now, don't destroy it, or else this shovel isn't just going to be used for digging up roots.”

“Why would I want to destroy the place that I’m going to reside in? That’s kinda like menting your bits just to see how it looks in the end.” Pupa said as she looked at the front door. ‘Even the door looks better!' She thought with widened eyes.

“Need I remind you that you're freaking huge and going to spend the night in the doghouse?”

“Jenny!” Martha snapped. “She's a guest, and we're supposed to be gracious hosts. Please, feel free to explore, and be prepared for supper. You must be hungry.”

“Well, I am a little hungry. But you don’t have to give me anything… maybe you could share some love instead. That might hold me off if you’re low on rations.” She said as her ears went down and she messed with her hands a little.

“... Love? Wait… are you an orphan!?”

Pupa didn’t say anything as she looked down. “Well… I was kicked out of my home… after I figured out the truth they were hiding from me.” She rubbed her hands together as her tail curled around her.

“Oh my God… the orphanage kicked you out!? I… I don't know what to say.”

“I wouldn’t say from an orphanage. But I thought they were my family...” Her ears lowered as she felt a small lump in her throat. She was meet by Martha hugging her leg.

“Oh you poor dear, I'm just… just so… peeved!”

“I-it’s okay. I think it’s better like this anyways.” She said as she lightly patted the tiny’s head. “And I know that soon karma will get them back like they always do.” She said. After she did, a lightbulb lit up in her mind as she had a rather backstabbing idea to get back at them. “All that matters is that I’m finally free from that place.” She smiled.

“Yes, oh, you poor, poor thing.” She gasped. “Um… how would you like to live with Jenny and I for a long time?”

Pupa was caught by surprise as her eyes widened. “Wh-what? I… I don’t know. I-isn’t that too much?” She asked as she wanted to say no, but she was offering and after everything they did for her, she wasn’t sure if she could get used to being cared like this. “I don’t want to take space. A-and your rations might be less because of me.”

“Oh please, we have more than enough food for ourselves, and you'll be a greater asset, make life a bit easier on the farm. And who knows, Jenny may have the soft spot for you as she did with me.”

“I heard that!” Jenny yelled.

“But how will your friends and family even think about this? I know no one would be happy that you took in a creature like me.” Her ears wilted as she glanced away. ‘Are they even going to keep me as a secret in the first place?’ She asked in her mind.

“Truth be told, we have no idea where they are.” Martha answered. “Lord knows that they're alright. And if you're scared, please, hide in the doghouse; you should blend in with the junk… no offense.”

“None taken.” She mumbled. “B-but what if I outgrow the dog house? I wouldn’t have anyplace to live or hide.” She said with a pink blush, not really fond of saying that.

“If that happens… well, you're pretty frightening to strangers, and that's a great thing if you ask me. Unless you somehow shrink, we're fine with having a large gal living with us.”

She only blushed more at her answer as she really have any reason to reject her offer. She sighed before she showed a small smile. “Alright then. I guess I could live with you two.” She glanced away for a brief moment. Martha hugged her again.

“Welcome to the family, our little Pupa.”

“Oh great.” Jenny groaned. “Try not to cry when something bad happens, Jenny.”

Pupa could only blush once again as Martha hugged a little tighter, it not really bothering the changeling hybrid.

“Come along, I'll give you a tour of the farm before I make dinner. Good ol’ Chowder.”

“What’s chowder?” She asked as she never heard of that before.

“It's like soup, but thicker and tastier.”

“What's soup?” She asked a different question. Martha turned to her, then sighed.

“We're gonna have to be your teachers then. Jenny!?”

“I got it!” Jenny yelled, walking around the corner and dragging a carrot that was her twice her size “This is just proof that even in a pony world, the education system is horrible!”

“What's that?” She asked as she picked up the carrot on the other end and picked up Jenny who was still holding it.

“Something you'll understand in the future. And please, I don't need your help.”

“O-oh, sorry...” She let go of the carrot as it fell back down on the floor, bringing Jenny down as well. Jenny dragged the carrot into a cellar, but put on an apron and a wielder mask, and a large saw.

Pupa watched her do this before she remembered what Martha said. “Wait, teachers? Does that mean I have to learn more stuff?” She couldn’t help but groan as she laid down on the floor. “Why can’t I stop learning..?” She mumbled to herself.

“I don't know what you learned,” Martha spoke. “but you're gonna need to learn how to function like a person… albeit, a tall person. I just have one question: how do you learn?”

“By going to school?” She shrugged as it was a bit obvious. “I was first taught by my family, then I spent one day in that pony school.” She rubbed her arm a little.

“... Huh… I guess I'm gonna have to talk to Cheerilee about this.”

“What?” Pupa was confused. “You know Miss Cheerilee?”

“We may avoid being eaten by our larger neighbors, but that doesn't mean we flat out avoid them. We're both friends with some ponies, though I'd say I'm more of the social butterfly than Jenny.”

“I only approve Applejack!” She yelled before getting back to her job

“But…why are you talking about Cheerilee?” She asked as she brought her legs together as she sat down on the floor.

“You said you went to school over there, and I would like to say that you're skipping class, but seeing you like that… well… I'm certain she will understand and not lower your grade.”

“Well, I was only going to be here for a little bit, but I guess something came up.” She said, referring to her being kicked to the curb.

“Wait… you were with a traveling orphanage?”

“Sounds more like kidnappers!” Jenny yelled.

“I was only supposed to be here for a week. But I guess this trip was just meant to be a disaster.” She looked down. “I even accused them of kidnapping me when I was a baby. But they didn't answer and called me a traitor for going against them.” She added.

“Called it!”

“Oh… that must be the most messed up orphanage you had to live in.” Martha spoke “But don't worry, you'll have a new, much better family.”

“Yeah…” She mumbled as she looked away. ‘Why couldn't they have told me the truth?’ She thought as she looked up at the sky.

“Come along, we've got a lot of stuff to cover.”

“But where do we even start?” Pupa asked looking back down at Martha.

“Just your general knowledge, see where you need work on. I'm not sure about history, so we'll leave that out for now.”

“I know a bit of Equestria history.” She said as she glanced away.

“Well, that's better than what we know.” She lead Pupa into the doghouse. Inside was practically junk everywhere: various books, old electronics, various tools, blankets and pillows, and a truck. “I know, it's a mess, but we'll be able to fix it up in a few days or so.”

“Well, I've never seen so many stuff…that I don't know what they are.” She said as she looked around and was quick to pick up one thing, only to put it down and pick up another thing.

“Well, you get yourself associated with these objects. Who knows, we may keep a couple for you. Saves some time and money from getting toys.” Martha walked into the house. “Get the pot ready, Jenny!”

Pupa continued to explore the dog house and just try and figure out what they were and what they were meant to do. She could only imagine how much different they'd be if she weren't so huge… and what the heck a toy was. ‘Heh, imagine tinies hearing me wanting to be smaller.’ She smiled as she was putting her hands (Or, fingers) in a plastic bowl. At least she knows what that's called. She turned to see both Martha and Jenny setting up a large campfire outside of the doghouse, followed by carrying a large cauldron filled with water and diced vegetables in it.

“Hey, do you need any help?” She asked as she crawled out from the dog house.

“Yes, please.”

“No.” Jenny answered bluntly, rubbing two sticks on one of the logs.

“O-oh…okay.” She mumbled as she only sat down and watched since Jenny didn't want help from her. A flame came from the logs.

“Jenny,” Martha spoke in an annoyed tone. “Let her help.”

“Not unless she can make water boil faster.” Jenny replied.

Pupa didn’t say anything as she looked down, her ears going down as she could barely do anything without her magic. Martha sat next to her.

“Well, I guess we can chat more, if you want. Anything you want to talk about? Learn some of the objects, maybe?”

She turned her head to the inside of the dog house, but her eyes averted to the sky. “What’s that?” She looked up at the twinkling lights in the sky.

“Those are stars, Pupa. Balls of gas burning light years away, giving us some light in the dark night. But, that's back home, I'm not too sure how they're like around here.”

“Why are they even up there? Do they have a reason?” She asked as she continued staring at the stars.

“Not sure in Equestria, but back home, they were other suns that hosted other planets. But, we were never able to get out of Earth, all thanks to our lack of technological advancements.”

“Damn politicians.” Jenny growled, pouring in some milk into the cauldron.

“If there isn’t a reason for them, then why are they even there?” She asked as she glared up at the stars. “They’re useless...”

“Not really,” Martha continued. “back then, sailors used the stars as a map to know where they're going, as some seemed connected together, forming basic pictures of different things, all with a story. Plus, it just makes the night a bit more beautiful.”

“Is that more stuff from your tiny world?” She asked. “And beauty is useless since it has no purpose...” She said, looking down at the floor as she was talking more about herself.

“Yes, but I have a feeling that it's relevant here. And what do you mean by that? If you mean looks, I can agree to an extent, but there's other ways for beauty to shine.”

“How can beauty be so important? It doesn’t help you in the long run.” She stayed looking away as she wasn’t used to this much conversion.

“Of course, not outer beauty, but inner beauty, and I don't mean just being healthy.”

“...so what else do you mean by that?” She asked with a raised brow.

“A good soul, Pupa. Knowing what's right and do them, even if it's near impossible to do. Everyone has their screw ups, but we need to learn from them and better ourselves. Trust me, nobody's perfect, and neither am I.”

“I guess that makes sense...” She mumbled. “But what’s...” She stop mid sentence as her ears perked up and she thought she heard something from a distance.

“What's what, Pupa?”

Pupa was still quiet, but once she didn’t hear anything anymore, she snapped out of it. “N-nothing. Never mind. I… just forgot what I was gonna ask.”

“Aw, very well.”

“And it's done!” Jenny announced, getting herself a bowl full of the thick liquid that had a lot of vegetables in it. She took a deep whiff of her creation and let out a deep sigh. “Ahh~... Just like Grandma used to make… before the retirement home kicked her out.” She chuckled, handing it to Martha. Martha held the bowl to Pupa.

“You have to try Jenny's Chowder, Pupa! If it were possible, your tastebuds would sing. Careful though, it's hot.”

Pupa couldn’t help but tense up as the bowl was offered to her. “N-no, it’s okay. Jenny handed it to you, s-so it’s obviously meant for you.” Her ears went down as she could smell the unfamiliar scent of the meal and wasn’t sure if it was safe to eat.

“Pupa, you have to try it. We have all night.”

“Do… do I have to?” Her ears went down more as she glanced away.

“Pupa, do want to go to bed on an empty stomach?”

“...no.” She grumbled.

“Then try it. You don't want Jenny to be angry at you, now do you?” Pupa looked to Jenny, who glared at her.

“I think she was angry with me as soon as I was brought here...” She mumbled as she looked away again. Martha glared at her.

“Eat.” Jenny ordered bluntly, pouring another bowl.

Pupa huffed before she snatched the bowl away. “Fine.” She glared at her before she turned away and merely looked down at the bowl. ‘Looks like a pile of lumpy goo… kinda like the expired slime in the cocoons. Except this isn’t black.’ She thought as she nearly gagged at eating something related to that. ‘Why did I even think that..?’

“Pupa?” Martha spoke, tapping her foot rather impatiently. “Eat.”

“Alright, sheesh.” She wasn’t in much of a good mood anymore as she was now regretting on taking their offer. ‘If this is how they're going to treat me, perhaps I should try and return it.’ She thought. She didn’t waste another second as she didn’t want to see their dumb angry faces anymore, taking the chowder as if she was taking a big sip of water. Almost like a large dosage of a medicine she was being given. She barely had any time to really think about how it tasted before she swallowed it. “There, happy?” She put the bowl down beside her as she was feeling the inside of her mouth with her tongue, trying to find some form of flavor that she missed.

“So how was it?”

“It’s… okay, I guess.” She rubbed her arm as she wasn’t quite sure what to say. ‘I guess I would eat it if there were no other options, but if I had better choices, I’d choose them.’ She thought.

“Okay?” Jenny asked. “Just okay!?”

“You shouldn't have said that.” Martha spoke, taking a step back as Jenny marched to her.

“Alright, Missy!!! You should know that while I may be hard to work with, no one, and I mean, NO ONE INSULTS MY COOKING!!! IT'S MADE WITH LOVE!!!” She brought a bowl to Pupa. “Eat it again. And tell me it's better than ‘Okay’.”

Pupa couldn’t do anything but whimper, now being more than scared of this tiny. Her ears folded down as her body was also low, like a scared dog with even her tail tucked between her legs. When the second bowl was offered, she didn’t complain or even tried to avoid it as she ate it at the same quick pace. This time she did taste the flavor, and she even began to think it was better than okay.

“Go on… chew, and then swallow.”

She did as told as her mouth was once again void of any remaining flavor of the chowder.

“Well… how is it?”

“I-it’s better than okay.” She said in a scared tone as she slowly backed away a little. Jenny raised an eyebrow at her.

“Is that it?”

“I’m s-sorry. I n-never tasted a-anything like this...” She stuttered as she glanced away, her head close to the ground as she was now able to look up at her for once. “S-so I d-don’t even know if I l-like it… b-but I could t-taste the l-love in it.” She added.

“... Alright, I'll take that as a compliment.” She began to drink from her bowl.

Pupa only stayed quiet as she curled close to herself, not liking this one bit. ‘So is this going to be my life now? Being put in a dog house with unknown items, made to eat whatever they cook, and even forced to say nice things about it… while being looked down upon by one of them?’ She felt the familiar feeling of a lump in her throat as she only wished the next day will quickly arrive. Martha gently placed her hand on her arm.

“Hey, it's alright. Would you like me to be with you for tonight?”

Pupa didn’t answer as she even tensed up at Martha’s touch. “I don’t think Jenny will like that.” She mumbled as she looked down at the ground.

“I will deal with her tomorrow. For now I think you need some shut eye.”

“...okay.” She mumbled as she also nodded. Martha lead her into the dog house, placing a bunch of mattresses on the floor, and followed by pulling all the available blankets out.

“I'm going to have to sew these blankets together tomorrow, Pupa. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

“I-it's okay. I have a feeling you'd never expect this to happen.” She couldn't help but smile as she knew that was true. She was then guided by Martha to sit on the stacks of mattresses. “How did you get so much of these anyways?”

“Some people leave their stuff out in the open before finding their way to a village, or, more than likely, get swallowed by somepony. We take this stuff and sell them to other travelers, mostly for food and other supplies.”

“Do you ever try to return the stuff?” She asked, laying down and curling close to herself as she brought some of the quilts over to her.

“... No. I mean, we don't know who left what behind, and we need some sort of payment. Yes, it seems wrong, but you sometimes have to perform the necessary evils to survive. But try not to think about it, most of these people already forgot about this stuff.”

Pupa didn’t ask another question as hearing the ‘necessary evils’ made her think on if her mother lying was necessary. If she told her the truth, would she want to find her real family… does she even have a real family? It was interrupted, however, as Martha kissed her on the forehead.

“Good night, my sweet Pupa.” She walked back into her house, turning off whatever light was on inside. Only the campfire was still present, though Jenny scooped what was left of the Chowder into a small container, probably saving it for later. She left the area, entering her house, leaving only Pupa with the campfire.

Pupa was stunned in shock over the kiss. She didn’t even know what that was, but… she knew that a kiss was a sign of affection. ‘... M-mother never showed me affection… not like that.’ She blushed pink as she placed a hand on the spot the kiss was, feeling the love from it as it only made her blush more, and even smile a little. She closed her eyes, figuring this was going to be a good change of life.

Pupa found herself on a beach, hearing the waves crashing nearby. On her left, Luna sat under an umbrella, wearing sunglasses and reading a book titled ‘Seashells 101’.

Pupa didn't say anything, but looked away as she made her hooves dig deep in the sand she was sitting on.

“So, you didn't need any help?” Luna asked, still reading from her book and not turning to her. “Looks like help found you with an odd couple. Perhaps it'll make a great difference in your life. Or maybe you finally found the family you never thought of. But knowing you, it's something else. Is it?”

“I’m not going to stay there for long. I have no need for them to push me around. I am the former princess of the changelings and will not lower my standards just cause they see me as a traitor. I will get back at them, and I’ll make sure they’ll know it was me.” She smirked as she rubbed her hands together. “They’ll pay for what they did.”

“Are you sure about that? If my Changeling knowledge is correct, thanks to Thorax, but if you're classified as a traitor, then you're no longer entitled to whatever role you came as, including royalty? And they didn't seem to lower their standards to you.”

“You think I don’t know that?” She glared at the princess. “I know that I’m not going to be a queen anymore, but I will still show them that I will not take what they did. I will show them that I’m not some prissy pony or tiny like your subjects. They don’t know that I’m alive, therefore, I can get back at them without them knowing.” She walked over to the ocean with an evil gleam in their eye. “And I have a feeling that only the queen and those three changelings know of my so called ‘traitorous actions’. So this’ll be as easy as taking love from a foal.” She stepped her hoof into the water as it changed from a clear blue to a mixture of blood red and oily black. “And if this is my purpose to rid of those lying creatures, then so be it.”

“... This is not going to end well for you, physically, psychologically, emotionally, and morally.”

“I do not care for my sake. If you came here to try and find a good side to all this, then this is your good side. I’ll expose those changelings, give you the location of her hive, and you can get all the changelings you want. And if they don’t want to redeem themselves, then I guess they better get cozy in the dungeon. And make sure that Queen Chrysais’ is the darkest, dirstiesnt, and coldest cell you got. It’ll match her cold and dead heart.”

Her hand opened up as the goo that was part of the cocoon formed in her hand and changed to a figure of the changeling queen. “And I want to see her face once she realize she made the horrible mistake of lying to her only daughter.” She crushed the figure as her eyes glowed green, not seeing that the bump on her head was growing and forming into a black tiara with a green orb in the center.

“And become the thing you want to destroy in the process?”

“You should know that things should be sacrificed for the greater good of Equestria. Or more like your sister knows that feeling.” She smirked. “And if I cannot be Queen of the Changelings, then neither can she.”

“... I pity you, Pupa. Seems the cycle will only continue.”

“It won’t continue. I’ll stop it once all those changelings are behind bars.” She looked back at her. “And I know that you also want to have a little talk with the queen after she kidnapped you and your sister.”

“Hmm… you must tread carefully, Pupa. If you are to falter, then you will become just like, if not, worse than your mother.”

“Don't worry about me. It's just baby steps.” She smiled. “And as ponies say: like mother, like daughter…to a certain extent.” She said as she saw the area around the two waver. “Seems like our time is up. I know you also want to show her how much of a princess you are to that vile creature.”

“I do, but not out of vengeance. But you need help. A hero.”

“I don't need any hero. I'm not some damsel in distress, I can take care of myself.” She flicked her tail at her as she turned away.

“Not to save you, but to aid you. You will meet him in the tiny village.”

“Him?” She raised a brow. The dream faded… followed by a familiar clucking noise, and a scream.

Chapter 7

Pupa's eyes snapped open as she quickly sat up and looked around. She felt her head, feeling nothing but her hair and the small bump. She sighed before she remembered what she heard and was quick to get up and crawl out from the dog house. On top of Martha and Jenny's house was a chicken. Martha panicked below as Jenny poked the chicken with a stick.

“Get off, you stupid bird!” She growled. “Where's a shotgun when you need it?” The chicken remained unfazed.

When she woke up, her hands were already glowing green, getting ready to launch an attack on whatever made one of them scream. But the glow faded as her eyes widened as she realized who it was. “C-Clucky?” She said their name. The chicken turned to Pupa, gave a few clucks, flapped it's wings, and roosted on Pupa’s head. Of course, Pupa fell from the weight of the chicken disguised Changeling. Martha approached to Pupa, but cautious around the chicken.

“Uh… Pupa?” She asked “Do you know this… chicken?”

She was able to move some of the feathers from her face so she could speak. “Y-yeah. They were… a member of the family.” She said before she was nearly crushed by the chicken. “C-Clucky... please. You’re crushing me!” She tried to move out as she was even trying to grip the ground, the chicken now sitting where her lungs were… and her injury as well. It was unknown if it listened or not, but Clucky jumped onto her flank and rooted there.

Pupa couldn’t help but blush pink at where they moved to, but she was a bit thankful that she wouldn’t suffocate by a chicken. “I guess that’s better...” She mumbled as she was taking some calm breaths. ‘I’ll never understand this changeling.’ She thought. Jenny approached to the disguised Changeling with a stick and poked it.

“Go on! Shoo! Git!” She yelled, still poking at Clucky with said stick. “Come on!... Pupa? Would you like some chicken tonight?”

“Please don’t try and cook them.” Pupa said as she tried to move out from under Clucky. “Like I said, she’s part of the family.” She said. ‘That disowned me and literally stabbed me in the back!’ She thought.

“In case you haven't noticed, that chicken is pinning you down under it's weight, and I doubt you're really fond of it.”

“Jenny,” Martha spoke. “Perhaps the chicken can help. Free eggs.”

“... I almost forgot chickens laid eggs.”

'I highly doubt that a changeling disguised as a chicken can lay eggs. But if they think that, they won’t kill them.’ She thought. ‘And it’s not like Clucky was the one to kick me out… they're still family.’ She thought as she glanced up at the chicken. Just as she thought of that, Clucky laid an egg on her.

“Would you look at that?” Martha spoke with a smile. “A fresh egg!”

‘Wha- but how!?’ She thought as she was able to slip the egg out from between the two and place it in front of her. ‘Does this mean that Clucky thinks I’m some kind of nest!?’

“... I think you should make a nest for it, Pupa.”

“I… I guess I should.” She mumbled as she moved the egg to her side before she tried to get out from under the chicken. The egg rolled and Clucky ran to it, quickly sitting on it. It seemed to glare at Pupa, telling her ‘Fix this or else’.

“Alright, alright. Sheesh.” She rolled her eyes as she knew she had to start it now or never. ‘So… what is a nest made out of? Hay? Twigs? And I think mud?’ She thought as she glanced at the dog house. ‘Will they even have all of that?’

“Just find some sticks, Pupa.” Jenny spoke. “If you excuse me, I'm gonna try to get us breakfast.” However, it seemed that every time Jenny was close, Clucky let out a hiss.

“Guess no eggs are on the menu for breakfast.” She smirked as she got up and started walking to a nearby bush, starting to pull some branches off or picking up some twigs on the floor. Martha approached to her.

“Let me handle that, Pupa.” She said. “I have something else that you can do.”

“Huh? What is it?” She asked, crouching down to get a little closer to her.

“It's simple, really. A Pony-person helped us out some time ago and we want to repay him. We have a basket filled with some fruit and other things he likes in the doghouse. He's a bit scary looking, but he's a sweetheart, like you.”

“I’m scary?” She asked as she tilted his head. “And what does he look like?”

“Like I said last night, it's a compliment, and I can't really say what he looked liked; he was wearing some sort of robe and bat-like wings. But he lives near the local human village, so I think some people should know where he lives, if you ask, of course.”

“Y-you mean I have to go and s-see other tinies?” She asked as she was now a little scared of being seen by anyone else.

“Of course. I'm sure that with some patience, and a little explanation, they'll listen. Or you can quickly make yourself a disguise in the doghouse.”

“Or change altogether!” Jenny added, leaving a trail of feed of seeds for Clucky to follow. The chicken idiotically followed the trail, where Jenny left a pile for said chicken and quickly rolled the egg into the basement.

“I… I guess I could use a disguise.” She looked down at her hands, seeing the tips of her fingers start to glow. Her eyes widened as she couldn’t help but smile. Closing her eyes and making the aura on her fingers spread to her hands, a ring of green fire covered her before she changed into her human form. When she opened her eyes, she saw that she was now shorter than Martha now, the girl standing at 4’8 in human height. “Is this a good disguise?” Martha stared, then shivered.

“Y-you’re a ch-ch-ch-”

“CHANGELING!!!” Jenny screamed. She grabbed Martha and the two ran into the house, locking the doors and barring the windows.

“DON'T HURT US!!! W-We don't want any trouble!”

“Take whatever you want! Just leave my wife and I alone!”

Pupa’s eyes widened at their reactions before she looked down, sniffling as she started to tear up. The tiny disguise flashed away as she was now sitting down, her pointed ears lowered as she felt she was going to be kicked out again. Clucky, however, seemed to know how she was feeling, walked up to her, and nuzzled her.

She was caught by surprise, but showed a small smile as she lightly petted Clucky’s head, showing that she appreciated the loving action.

She then got up from her spot and moved to where the two locked themselves up. She lightly knocked on the door before she spoke. “Well, thank you for everything. For the food and nice bed. But I guess you don't want me around anymore…I understand.” Her ears lowered again. “I…I guess I'll just be on my way. It's not like I would be accepted after being kick out of the hive. No one likes a changeling anyways…” She looked down at the floor before she looked back at the door. “Well…goodbye.” She mumbled before she got up and went back to Clucky. “Guess we better be going.” She lightly petted the feathers on their neck before she started walking away from the tiny home, only having one place she could reside in…which was the trashcan she was found in. She shifted herself into Color Clash as she didn't want to scare anyone else by her own looks. Clucky rooted back into her mane.

“... Were we harsh?” Martha asked.

“This could be another trap.” Jenny replied. “I should've known she was one of them!”

“But… she didn't seem she wanted to hurt us. And she said that she was kicked out.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“You can assume all you want, but she needs help!”

“It's your funeral.”

“It's OUR funeral.” She walked out of the house, but didn't want to alert Pupa.

“Clucky, can you please just ride on my back? I mean, it’s a bigger spot and you could even stand on it.” The hidden Pupa said as she tried to shake the chicken off of her head. Unfortunately for her, Clucky’s response was a quick pecking to her head, followed by rustling it's feathers and resting on her head, still contempt on resting there.

She winced at the pecking before she sighed. “Fine, but can you at least get off if someone comes close?” She asked. It shook it's head, rustling it's own feathers before resting.

Pupa only sighed as she looked down. “Please…all I'm asking is for you to sit in my back instead.” She didn't wait for a response as she looked down. “…fine. It's not like anyone is going to talk to me anyways. They might think I'm crazy…and it's not like anyone would want to be with me when I don't look like this. I'm just a waste of changeling magic.” She teared up a little as she was looking down at the ground, not looking where she was going. Clucky blinked, got up, and walked and sat on her tail area.

Pupa looked back at the chicken before she smiled a little. “Thanks for listening…” She said before she started walking and looking, seeing that the two were already by the town hall. Or more like the fountain nearby. While the ponies were too busy to focus on Pupa, some just assuming that Clucky was her pet, Pupa felt like she was being watched by something. The disguised changeling hybrid looked around as the feeling was making her nervous. Out of the corner of her sight, she could make out what was only a pink Blur before it disappeared behind something.

She got off of the fountain and started walking again as she decided not be left alone for long… especially in an open area like this. But the feeling of being watched followed. She swore that she could see somepony’s silhouette disappear into the shadows before she could get a good glimpse of them.

She started getting more scared as she began to start trotting at a faster pace. “Clucky, I’m going to do something bad, but… if you don’t want to be with me after this, I can understand.” She talked out loud as she was heading to the large crystal castle that was hard not to spot. She tried to brush off the feeling of being watched as she climbed up on the stairs. She was about to knock on the door, but she stopped at the moment.

‘Is… is this even going to be good? I mean, I am a bad changeling. But isn’t this going to be good for Equestria..?’ She thought as she slowly put her hoof down. She stayed standing on the front of the castle doors as she looked down. ‘I could keep them a secret… but they abandoned me. But… they're also family. No. Correction, they were family. They literally stabbed me in the back! It’s only right that I get a little payback.’ She thought as she had a determined look in her eyes, lifting her hoof up once again and knocked twice. The floor below her slid open. She hovered momentarily before falling into the hole. Clucky flapped it's wings, landing on the returned floor panel last, before returning to pecking at the floor for food.

Pupa slid down a slide before landing in a pitch black room with only a few candles lit inside.

Pupa looked around frantically as she thought that she was in trouble. ‘I knew that dumb Thorax would tell them! Or maybe it was Luna after my dream.’ She thought as she huddled close to herself as to not touch anything or set another trap. The lights turned on, momentarily blinding her.

“SURPRISE!!!” A collection of voices yelled in unison. Pupa’s eyes came back as Pinkie stood with some other ponies, most of them foals. Pinkie placed a hat on her head that read ‘Sorry’ from top to bottom.

“Hey! Welcome to your ‘Welcome to the town and I'm sorry for scaring you’ party!”

Pupa was only stunned in shock as she thought something bad was going to happen to her. She shook her frozen state off, while also shaking off the hat by accident. “A… a p-party?” She asked. Pinkie put a replacement on immediately.

“Yeah! I'm Ponyville’s prestigious party pony AND city for the Tinies of Pinksville!” A thin piece of paper came out of her left ear. “Uh oh! Let me quickly take this.” She took the piece of paper and read it to herself quietly followed by poking her own belly. “Alright, I'll lay off the punch and cupcakes.”

“Wh-wha..?” She was confused as to what she was saying as she only got more and more lost in her words. ‘What's a party anyways? Is…is it some sort of pony ritual?’ She thought as she glanced around before looking back at the pink mare. She gasped loudly.

“You've never had a party before!?”

Pupa's eyes widened as she knew she didn't say that out loud. “I…I d-didn't say that.” She stuttered, backing away a bit.

“But you thought about it; everypony knows that using italics means it's a thought, and you haven't had a party! Why, who would do such a thing!?”

She only got more confused and scared by her words as she backed away more. “I…I don't know.” She whimpered as she curled close to herself. She really didn't like this pony and how she could even read her thoughts. ‘M-maybe if I don't think about anything, she can't read my mind.’ She thought, close enough to hide under one of the setup tables.

“Think about what?”

She only got more scared as she read her thoughts again. This time, she didn't say anything or thought of anything. She was only huddled in a nervous ball, her ears flat as her tail curled around her for protection.

“Aww, sorry about that. You should join your friends! They were really sad when you were gone. And where did you go, by the way?”

“I…I d-don't wanna say.” She said in a quiet voice as she only scooted farther back when Pinkie got a little closer to hear her.

“Aww… I gotta read the previous chapters then.”

Pupa went silent again as she looked away. ‘I don't know what she's talking about, but it doesn't matter as long as it's not about me.’ She thought as she decided that maybe was a good time to try and get out of the weird pony’s eyesight.

“This whole fic is around you!”

Pupa's whole body tensed up at what she said as she started to shake in fear again. “Wh-what?” She asked.

“Oops! Forgot some ponies can't handle the truth. Uh… dance time!!!” Cuban music played. Pinkie danced to the song as she disappeared, sliding backwards and up the slide.

‘Thank Faust she's gone. If she stayed any longer, I might've tried to run away again…’ She thought as she was steadying her breathing as heartbeat as to not lose control of her disguise.

“Pinkie’s kinda strange like that.” Apple Bloom commented. “But she's great once you get to know her.”

She was close to falling off her hooves at the sudden voice as even her fur puffed up a little. “Sweet Celestia don't sneak up on me like that!” She glared at the earth filly as she had a hoof to her chest.

“Oh! Sorry’ bout that.”

“It's fine.” She glanced away as she looked down. “Why does that pink one haunt my dreams?” She asked out loud, showing how much she disliked her randomness. ‘That mare's mind is unknown, but I know I won't be the one to figure it out anytime soon. That might be the death of me…’ She thought.

“Oh… she's just different, that's all.”

“You think I didn't know that. How many other ponies could be as crazy as her?” She said sarcastically as she looked away again. “And it's not like I asked for this party thing. I just wanted to see Princess Twilight about something.” She mumbled, her ears folding down.

“Oh, then you can follow us! We're below Twilight’s Castle.”

“I…kinda assumed that since it would be impossible to be under another house entirely. But…maybe that pink weirdo could make that happen.” She said out loud as she slowly got up from the floor. “How to I leave anyways?” Apple Bloom opened a hatch that lead to some stairs going up.

“Like this.” She stepped onto the stairs, where they moved, bringing her up.

Pupa was quick to follow right behind the filly as she wanted to leave this area asap. ‘I mean, who knows what that pink pony has planned for me...’ She shuttered at the thought.

“Parties…” The ghostly whisper of Pinkie spoke, sending chills down Pupa’s spine.

Pupa was quick to even go faster than Apple Bloom and she soon reached the entrance of the castle… from the inside. The alicorn stood near the entrance, holding a tiny in her magic, ready to eat it, but froze, staring at the two fillies… followed by more fillies entering the castle.

“Pinkie Pie?” She simply asked.

“Pinkie Pie.” Apple Bloom answered.

“And you're back, Color Clash. Starlight’s been looking for you.”

“She…she has?” She asked as her ears folded down. “W-was it cause of my momma?” She asked, her tail going between her legs.

“Your momma? I thought you were with Bulk Biceps?”

“I-I mean when y-you and Starlight wanted t-to see her.” She stuttered as she glanced away. But her eyes widened as she remembered something. “O-oh! Uhm, p-princess? C-can you help me?” She asked.

“Of course, but alone, so sorry, but you all have to go home.” The foals groaned in unison, turning and opening the door… only for Clucky to flap inside and rest on Pupa’s head. Twilight stared. “... You have a pet chicken?”

“W-well, I didn’t have them until today. They just kept on going onto my head. I mean, sometimes they go on my back, but I think it likes my mane more. I named it Clucky.” She smiled, the small chicken actually making her look silly and cute at the same time.

“Huh… interesting. Well, that debunked that theory.”

“What theory?” She tilted her head, to which Clucky stayed rooted as if they were glued onto her head.

“That you were a Changeling in disguise. Many animals will run away from a disguised Changeling, but you have a chicken roosting on your head, so that's enough to say that you're fine.”

“...Starlight thought I was a changeling?” Her ears folded down as she acted like she didn’t like being accused of that.

“Yes, and while I didn't want to agree, I was a bit suspicious. And that chicken looks really contempt on settling there; does your family have ancestry that lay in Neighpan?”

“Neighpan?” She raised a brow in confusion as she never heard of that place before.

“Just a different country. Many of the ponies there walk around with birds on their heads, usually believing it's one of their ancestors, giving them guidance to success. Perhaps your Clucky friend is leading you to your destiny?”

“You think so?” Her ears perked up as she was a little curious. Clucky seemingly responded with a quick peck to her left ear, making it move on it's own, but feeling somewhat better.

“Or it's hungry. You should probably take a bath to get rid of the grub your friend is enjoying.”

“O-oh.” She blushed pink as she glanced down. “M-maybe when I go back home.” She said, shaking her head as she remembered what she was here for. “S-so, can I e-explain why I n-need your help?” She asked as she lift a hoof up a little.

“But of course! Please, take a seat.” Pupa noticed that they were in a large, library looking room with a fireplace. Twilight took her seat, putting on a pair of glasses while holding a notebook and quill with her magic. “Now, what type of problems are you experiencing?”

“Well, it's not really about me. But… uncle Bulk has been acting weird. Like, really weird.” She said as her hooves rubbed against each other a little.

“Oh? Like how weird?”

She was quiet for a moment before she spoke. “He…he forgets when he has to pick me up. And he doesn't even care if I stay out for too long.” She glanced away. “And…please don't tell him, but I saw him sneak out sometimes at night. I…I followed him once and I saw him go to this creepy shed where another stallion and even a mare was inside. I…I saw some weird green glow, but I ran off after that.” She looked up at her with tears in her eyes. “Please, can you help uncle Bulk?”

“... Huh… that's…. Something. But I'm certain it's nothing to be afraid of; he's probably playing Ogres and Obulets with some friends. He actually introduced Spike to that game when he first moved in… right before the massage incident.”

“That's what I thought at first. But when I asked him if he was playing that game, he didn't even know what is was. And when I explained it the way he did, he only said that is a waste of important time.” She looked away. “He's like a whole ‘nother pony.” Twilight blinked.

“Huh… if what you say is true, then we need to investigate.” She stood up. “Where do you think he's at?”

“Maybe he’s at that shed.” She stood up as well. “Do you know what’s wrong with him?”

“I'm not the accusing type, but I think he's a Changeling. If he is one, then we may know where Chrysalis is and prepare a sneak attack on her kingdom.”

“A…a changeling?” She stuttered as her ears folded down. “I…I know I said all that stuff about them, but I never knew they would be here in Ponyville.”

“No one knows either. Color Clash, if what you're saying is right, then you may have saved a town. Come on, let's pay them a visit!”

Pupa only nodded before she started following Twilight who was already at the front door of her castle.

~

Twilight and Pupa approached to the shed outside.

“This is the shed, right?” Twilight asked.

Pupa only nodded as her tail and ears were lowered. “D-do you really think Bulk was replaced by a changeling?”

“I don't know. Stand back!” She turned and bucked the door open! Rather than the miniature house Pupa remembered, it was an abandoned garden shed with gardening equipment and cobwebs aplenty. “... Is this a joke?”

Pupa’s eyes widened as she slowly entered it. She looked around as every furniture, every sign of some way the shed had some form of pony life in it was gone. She even entered the room where she was stationed in. It was also covered in wild plant life. She looked under the table, only to see her small bag that was left behind. She slowly pulled it close to her and stuffed it in her mane.

After that, she came back to the living room as her ears went down. “But…but I saw him. And…and those two other ponies. Wh-what about the green glow? What if they can change the way a place looks as well?” Her ears perked up again as she showed a smile, hoping that maybe that was the case.

“Color Clash! This is no time for games! Were you just TRYING to get some attention!? Have some Twilight Time!?” She turned around and trotted away. “Can't believe I had to delay Fluttershy's Tiny-sitting story time.”

Pupa’s eyes widened at the sudden scolding before her ears went down, lowering her head as she sniffled. “... I only wanted for my uncle to be okay.” She mumbled as she began to tear up. “I… I just wanted Bulk to be h-himself again… but I’m just a dumb earth pony. I… I can’t do anything right.” She wiped one of her eyes before she walked out of the shed. “J-just a stupid filly… caring for her family a-after her momma just wanted to send her away.” She didn’t finish as she galloped away, bumping into a stallion before she just made a straight line to the forest, a good distance away.

Not too far from her, under a can, Martha watched.

“Oh Pupa… you really need some TLC.” She began to follow the disguised changeling-human, easily following the trail of chicken feathers left behind by Clucky.

Clucky pecked at Pupa’s head while making louder than average clucking.

Pupa scrunched her muzzle as she tried shaking the chicken off, but she didn’t see where her hoof went, which was right in front of a rock. This of course made her trip and faceplant on the cold, hard, and wet floor. Clucky ran out of the forest in pure fear, leaving her alone.

She sniffled as she slowly sat back up, the fall making a bruise and even a small cut on her cheek. She wiped her eyes again, making her touch the wound, her now noticing it and seeing the small dab of black blood. A can bumped into her.

“Sorry, Pupa.” Martha's voice spoke from the can before it was tossed to the side, revealing the woman. “Not just for that, but how Jenny and I reacted.”

She looked away as she laid down. “It’s fine… I should get used to that anyways… since I'm a bad changeling.” She mumbled as her ears stayed down.

“You're not bad, just misunderstood. I don't care if you're not a human, or a Changeling, you're still a person who needs some TLC.”

“What’s Teelcee?” She asked as she didn’t know what she meant by that, glancing at her before she looked away again. Martha gently placed her hand on her flank.

“Its short for Tender Loving Care. And I'm willing to give that to you, Pupa.”

She stayed quiet for some time, before she spoke. “I don’t need that. And I know you won’t give me that.” She stood up and started walking. “You’re probably doing this cause you don’t want me to send my siblings to eat you or your girlfriend.” She rolled her eyes.

“What!? No! You need help and I'm sure my wife and I can provide it.”

“What help will you even give?” She glared at the tiny. “Will you bring me back home? Will you let my ‘mother’ forgive me for what I’ve done?”

“I… I don't know what your mother did to you, but I can already tell that living with us is going to be a million times better.”

“You really think that living in a small dog house is better than living in the palace I called home? Where everyone cared for me instead of one jerk of a tiny getting pissed off just cause I didn’t like her slop of a meal?” She flicked her tail as she took a few steps away from her. “Only my own kind love me… no one would help a changeling.” She began to tear up. “And if I can’t be half of what I am… then why would I try and become something less?” She sat down as her tail curled around her.

“Well… are you going back to your family?”

“...I want to.” She mumbled. “But I know I can’t. It doesn’t matter anyways.”

“Well, we're open for you. And you don't have to live in the doghouse; we have an extra room that can be used, and seeing you like this… I don't suppose you can turn into a human yourself?”

“You’ve already seen me turn into a human… before you ran away.” She mumbled. “And it’s not like your ‘wife’ is going to let be set foot in your territory...” She laid down and crossed her hooves in front of her, her muzzle hiding behind the appendages.

“Well… it was a huge surprise for us, and Jenny will get to you. Trust me, it's either that, or she's going to be sleeping in the doghouse.”

“I don’t think she’ll mind that.” She mumbled as she looked down. “Listen, you don’t have to do this. I should get used to being rejected anyways. If this is only to keep you two safe, you don’t have to. It’s not like anyone would even want to be around me if I wasn’t in disguise.”

“No! You must join us! If what you say is right, then it is US who need to protect you.”

She didn’t reply as she slowly got up again. She slowly walked out of the forest before sitting back down and watching the ponies walk by. She didn’t want help… but knew she might need it… might. “I don’t need protection.” She simply said. “A used-to-be princess shouldn’t need help.” She added. “And it’s not like hiding me from the outside world will help me in getting back at my mother for what she did.” She glared at the space in front of her. “If she thinks that she could just throw me out like some piece of garbage, then I’ll show her that she made the worst mistake of her life.” She could feel her eyes water, but she continued looking forward. “All I wanted was answers… but all I got was a changeling stabbing me in the back and throwing me in the trashcan I was found in...”

“... And a family.”

“Yeah. A family that locked themselves in their home after they realized what I really was.” She glared down at her. “I don’t want a family that’s scared of who I really am.”

“We were scared, I won't lie, but we can understand with time and effort.”

“The changelings didn’t need time to understand. They just accepted me even though I looked different. But everyone else has to take time.” She said. “The bad changelings loved me. They took care of me and made me who I am… yet they couldn’t even tell me the truth.” Her ears went down. “I know I don’t belong anywhere anymore… and acting as if everything is okay won’t help.”

“That's why we work on our problems. Nothing is going to go our way, but we need to learn from it and better ourselves.”

“Are you try to tell me to just forget about my family that raised me, and to learn from what I did which was just asking for the truth. Should i just not ask about anything? Just go with whatever happens without thinking about it.” She hated the thought that she was doing wrong just by asking for the truth. “...should I just believe every lie and not find out the truth? To just let stuff happen while my caretakers are probably off taking some ponies or tinies while I’m stuck in a dog house being forced to eat whatever your girlfriend makes? You're just telling me to be oblivious to everything around me!” She stomped her hoof.

“Okay, for starters, she's my wife! We were married before the Vanishing happened. And second, no, I'm not saying that at all! What I'm saying is that not everything is going to be easy, but you should strive to be greater than before. And what are you going to do!? Have yourself a pity party instead of actually doing something! Princess Twilight rejected your words, and you run here!? Like that!?”

“Listen, I don’t know if you tinies know this, but it’s called acting. Ponies always have weak hearts for crying fillies and it only makes sense to tear up and run away from a grown pony scolding at you.” After a moment of silence, she sighed. “It would be dumb for a filly to yell at a princess and do something else that no filly would even do in front of royalty. And I was trying to do something right. I… I wanted to expose my ‘caretakers’ after throwing me in the garbage like nothing. But I guess they were only there for me. And since I’m pretty much nothing to the hive now… I bet they just booked it back to the kingdom.” Her ears folded down as she looked down at the floor. “... bet I’m nothing to the changeling that raised me. I… I thought she loved me.” She teared up, blinking the tears from her eyes. “But I guess she lied about that too.”

She slowly got up, taking her disguise off as she was back to being the human hybrid she naturally was. “After all of that in one day… I didn’t even want another family who could kick me out like that. Yet… you and Jamie saw me and helped me. You had no idea what I was until today… and your initial reaction was to lock you two in the house and just wait until I left.” She sniffled as she sat down on the grass once again. “So what is even the point in trying to fit in… when I don’t belong anywhere?” Martha crossed her arms.

“Her name is Jenny. And that was wrong of us, but you should've just told us the truth. We would've been freaked out, but we'd be more than happy to help you get out of that trashcan.”

“I thought it was obvious. With the holed hooves and tail.” She said as she flicked her tail to show the said tail. “Not like any normal pony has this.”

“True, but I thought it was some sort of side effect caused by that plant, the poison joke. Thought you ran through some Poison Joke beforehand; the effects usually happen when the infected person falls asleep.”

“I highly doubt that poison joke could do something like this.” She said as she looked down. “Let alone making me look half changeling.”

“You'd be surprised. When I was affected, my hair moved like snakes. And when Jenny was affected, she had cat-like features, with ears, eyes, a tail, and, worst of all, coughed hairballs everywhere.”

“Makes sense on how stuck up she acts around me...” She mumbled as she crossed her arms. “She’s also a reason why I don’t want to come back. If it was just you… maybe.”

“Well, just like a cat, Jenny doesn't immediately warm up to anyone immediately. You have to work with her, gain her trust, and eventually, she'll be as lovable as a feline. But we should really get out of here; even at the edge of the Everfree Forest, we're in danger.”

Pupa stayed quiet for a moment, but sighed and closed her eyes as she didn’t like this one bit. “Fine. But I want an apology for everything she’s done to me… ever since she saw my face she never liked me.” Her ears went down. And in a ring of green flame, she was once again, Final Note.

“Huh… different pony you saw?”

“Another one I made myself.” She answered.

“... I don't suppose you can carry me back? You know… hungry hungry ponies out there.”

“I don’t think a pony-person can carry a tiny… at least, not in a way that isn’t awkward.” She said.

“I think you holding me like a doll isn't going to be that awkward.”

“It is if you’re going to be my so called ‘parent’.” She said with quotations with her hands.

“Unless you're going to eat me, I think you carrying me isn't going to be the most awkward thing any of us have done.”

“Oh yeah? Name one thing you did do that was awkward?” She asked with a small smirk.

“Being sat on by some stallion and winding up stuck in between his butt cheeks.”

Pupa immediately blushed red as she glanced away. ‘I know that feeling.’ She thought.

“And I doubt you want to sit on me and walk with me. So I suggest that you carry me, or turn into a human so we can hide together.”

She sighed as she closed her eyes, the green ring showing again before she was her tiny self. “There. Happy?” She crossed her arms.

“Without the attitude.”

“No can do missie.” She smirked as she slowly stood up and started walking. “Let’s just get going before I change my mind about everything.”

“Fine, but we have to tell our friend that there was some distractions and you'll give it to him tomorrow.” She placed Pupa under the same can with her. “And like I said, don't be frightened by his appearance.”

She lost her footing when she was pulled into the can, but didn’t fall off her feet. “If your wanting me to go out as myself, you should be telling him that.” She mumbled as she fixed her hair.

“Relax, he's an understanding Pony-Person. A bit arrogant at times, but will listen.”

“Wow, they sound like a fun person.” She said sarcastically.

“Oh hush!” She picked up the can and they made their way to the human village.

~

As soon as they arrived to the village, Martha gave the can to some vendors, making a quick buck with a peanut and some clothes for Pupa. Like before, the place was crowded, with some of the Pony-People around, acting as the law enforcement, even if their weapons were makeshift and looked a bit flimsy. However, looking above them, standing on what was essentially a large bottle, was another Pony-person, but wore a hooded outfit and glowing eerie yellow eyes.

“That's him.” Martha spoke, approaching the building. “Hello!? Edge Lord? It's Martha!”

Pupa decided to stay quiet as she followed Martha right behind her.

“Martha!!!” The figure’s voice boomed as bat-like wings sprang from his back as he pointed to Pupa. “Who is this child!?”

Pupa tensed up, her hair puffing out a little as her grip on Martha’s arm was really tight.

“Oh, this is my daughter… Debbie.” Martha answered. “She's new around here, and I just came to tell you that some complications happened, but you're going to get the goodies we promised tomorrow. Sound good?”

“... Excellent! But where is she?”

“She?” Pupa couldn't help but speak out on who he was talking to.

“Luna told me that I was going to meet someone special. Someone who can locate a certain queen and her kingdom.”

“Damn princess...” Pupa said through gritted teeth, looking away with a glare.

“I heard that!” He picked Pupa up with his left hand. With his free one, he took the hood off, revealing that while he was a pony-person, he had more bat-like features, such as two fangs that pointed out of his upper lip, cat-like irises in his eyes, and his ears, though fluffy, twitched to every sound, showing that he had sensitive hearing. “Alright, where's Chrysalis!? What is she planning with you!? Who have you kidnapped!?”

Pupa only hissed at the pony-person before a green flame went over her and she was much bigger than a normal tiny, even slightly bigger than a pony-person. Her bug-like wings flared out, breaking his grip before she landed right next to Martha, this time, her satchel on her.

“All of that is none of your business.” She said as she got into a fighting stance, not going to give in without a fight.

“Oh great! Sorry, Martha.” He grabbed a stick and whacked Pupa in the head, knocking her unconscious. The small panic quickly died as Edge Lord picked Pupa’s body up. “No need to fear, folks! This monster will be dealt with.” He picked Martha up.

“Hey! What the-!?” She panicked.

“Looks like we're going to have a chat with the Princess. You, me, and ‘Debbie’”. He flared his wings and flew up to the setting sun.

Prologue

Humans didn't know how it happened, but people were teleported from their world to another. This world was home to many different types of Mythological creatures in a matching Fantasy world. While it was one thing to land in a fantasy world, it was another that everything in said fantasy world easily towered even the tallest person. Of course, the cherry on top of this metaphorical, and literal, cupcake, was that people tasted delicious. Strange enough, they were safe in the gut of anything that ate them, but only one these people are our main focus… and she was too young to remember.

As mentioned, people were transported all over the world; it didn't matter what you believed in, where you worked, or even how old you are. That meant that not only were adults of all types were being taken away, but also teenagers, kids, and, perhaps the most disturbing, babies. And one baby was taken away from her family, but taken in by another family. A family that had approximately 34,952 siblings, and still counting. It wasn't just a family, it was a hive… a hive of Changelings.

One Changeling, a drone, found and took the crying baby in, as a means to impress her majesty herself. Queen Chrysalis. Unfortunately, challenge came from a guard, but they were both struck with a disease that no Changeling had been struck with in a millenia: Love. It might sound like good news, but with the help of a nurse, and for a lack of better words, chaos ensued. Every Changeling fought each other for the baby, up until Chrysalis stopped everything, threatening that she would eat the baby if they don't shut up and get back to work. That's when, upon first glance, Chrysalis decided to take in the baby herself, casting a spell that would make it like them, and gave her the name of change, Pupa. This is life of Pupa, the first human-changeling hybrid.

Tales from Tinies: Pupa’s Purpose
By, Pixel Berry and MrAquino

Author's Note

The original prologue is in Tales from Tinies: Cuteness Overload