So many years, have I already mourned over the loss of what I loved and cared for. So many years since I was scared of myself, of what a beast I could become, and yet, there is something that is telling me that I should not give up. That's just dumb, listening to myself was what got me into this mess in the first place.

'What does it matter if I mourn or not? I have been in this hole for longer than I could think, but it has to be long if even dense granite is starting to crumble to sand, dust, and ash.'

"Hmpf."

Auriels ears straightened themselves when she thought that she heard something, which was impossible as everything was dead, but so was the land before she came. Did a new Light come down on this land? If yes, then maybe she could have a second chance! No, this must have been just a mind game of my own mind telling me to do something. Suddenly she felt as if someone applied pressure on her. No, it was real! She had to get up!

Auriel was slowly standing up which not only caused the ground above her to slowly crack and crumble to dust but also made her back sound like someone was rolling a very heavy barrel across a street made out of bubble wrap very fast. All the sand that lied on top of her was gliding off her fur in seconds as she stood at her full height once again.

Auriel looked looking as fast around as her rusted neck let her do, but she saw nothing. Sand, a few dead plants and a few dead animal bones where all that adorned the dead land that went as far as Auriel while the burning sun made sure that nothing would change this palace.

Auriel sat down on her but and said in a sad tone and a sigh."It must have been my mind playing another trick on me. I am still alone in this dead world."

Suddenly a pair of small green eyes looked deep into Auriels eyes and said in a high pitched and cute voice."Hewwo, Mrs. Wolf, what's is your name?"

The weird creature slowly separated itself from Auriel and jumped on the ground in front of the golden Fox. Auriel stared at the Female bug-like Equine for a few moments and saw that it also had a pair of insectoid wings, a small and slightly jacked horn, green hair and tail, a lot of holes in her legs and Auriel could see the creature's ribs. Auriel suddenly began to scream and hugging her."AAAAA-aren't you the cutest little thing I have ever seen!"

Auriel hugged the little creature for several seconds with all her fluffiness with closed eyes as she not only realized how adorable a creature can be but also because she found live, sentient live that she never could create! It was the best day ever for Auriel.

After a few moments, Auriel slowly put the Equine down and was surprised at what she saw. All the holes had been fixed, and she couldn't even see the ribs anymore, Auriel now also saw that it didn't have black fur, but shiny black carapace.

The Bug-like Creature burped loudly and fell on her back while rubbing her stomach. It said with her childish voice."Wow, I have never been so full! Thank you miss... Ehm... Wolfy?"

Auriel chuckled and said with a motherly smile."Auriel. My name is Auriel, little child, and I am not a wolf. I am a Fox, an ancient one and, as far as I know, the only one of my kind. So, now you know what I am, but I still don't know what you are, would you mind telling me little one?"

The Female Equine rolled on her stomach. She said while closing her eyes."I am, and I am a Changeling... Huh? Are you not gonna run away, be scared or shout monster?"

Auriel looked at Chrysalis eyes for a few moments while not understanding why the young one would say something like that. Auriel said."Why would anyone say this to such a cute little child like yourself? Besides, why should I say this? I am a huge scary Fox with many sharp teeth, claws and magic powers with which can do a few tricks, I think I am a bit scarier."

Chrysalis showed Auriel a big smile while exposing her fangs. She said."Yay, I made a friend today! Wait, you can do magic? I never heard of a Fox casting magic, or anything else than a pony or a Changeling using it? Can you show me?!"

Auriel chuckled and said."Sure, young Chrysalis. I shall show you a bit of magic."

Auriel was so happy that she finally had someone to talk with, maybe they are even more of these changelings, she also said something about Ponies, perhaps they are nice too?

Auriel shook her head before lifting her right paw into the air. Suddenly one Auriels eye colors changed, her left one was blue while the other was green, before she tapped on the ground beside her. The sand in a vast radius glowed with a blue and green light. Slowly was the dead mass forming into blue, fresh water while green grass, bushes, flowers, and trees grew around a large oasis.

Chrysalis looked at the sight in awe. She never saw anyone cast so powerful magic to create anything so quickly. Her mother once told her of how there were Changelings who spent their whole life learning about magic and never came anywhere close.

Chrysalis said happily."WOW! You are so cool! Can you teach me a bit of magic too? I can't even lift a pebble and all I get from I teacher is that I will one day do it, but I should first study more of those old dusty books. Hmpf, all they give me is a headache!" Chrysalis ended her sentence with a big pout.

Auriel tried her best to not tackle-hug cute little Crysalis which was very hard considering that she was so small in comparison, she almost fit in her paws! Auriel thought if it was a good idea, but then she looked with those big pleading eyes at her.

Auriel sighed in defeat and said enthusiastically."Fine, but I want you to not share my lessons with anyone without my knowledge, ok?"

Chrysalis fluttered with her wings and flew straight at Auriels face and grabbed it with her hooves somehow while squeaking loudly."Thank-you-thank-you-thank-you-thank-you-thank-you You won't regret it!!!"

Auriel smiled while slowly pushing Crysalis back on the ground with her soft paws and said happily."Ok, how about you first show me what you can already do, ok? You said that you couldn't levitate even a pebble, but since it is the easiest spell because it almost doesn't even land in an elemental category like magic, I want you to show me so I can understand the problem. Ok?"

Crystals nodded happily and looked around for a few moments before smiling and walking up to a tiny pebble. Chrysalis stared at the little stone with determination before sling her eyes and did what looked like she trying to squeeze out her organs while her face was slowly turning green.

Auriel sighed and tapped Chrysalis on the head which broke her concentration, Auriel said with a motherly smile and a sweet tone."Dear Chrysalis, I don't know how you Changelings cast your spells, but I know that magic does not work like that, here, let me help you."

Auriel made a few steps towards Chrysalis and sat down behind her. Auriel then gently put her paws on Crysalis left and right side of her head and did a slow circling motion. Auriel said softly."Close your eyes, forget all that is not your magic or me, listen to my voice."

Chrysalis nodded and closed her eyes before exhaling loudly. She concentrated only on Auriel's voice and her magic where ever that was.

Auriel continued to give instructions."Look deep inside of you, to the deepest part of your very being, search there until you find something soft, warm, fuzzy and almost liquid."

Chrysalis nodded and looked deep inside of herself, but found nothing for several moments until she felt something insider an empty void, something that matched Auriels descriptions. Chrysalis said happily."I-I think I found it! But, what am I going to do now?"

Auriel smiled and said softly."Feel the magic inside of you, grab it and lead it to your magic organ, or wherever your kind casts magic, once you have done it, all future spells will be much easier."

Chrysalis nodded and did as Auriel said which was much harder than it sounded, but she was determined to not give in. She slowly pulled the magic to her horn which took her several attempts as the magic would often slip from her grasp. After the fifth attempt, she managed to do it and could feel a warm aura encasing her horn.

Auriel smiled as she could already see a weak, neon green aura surrounding little Chrysalis small horn. Auriel told the last steps for casting Chrysalis first spell."Picture the pebble in your mind, see it, feel it and think what it should do. Don't command your magic, but don't be too soft either, be determined and let your Will have control over reality."

Chrysalis nodded and concentrated to the best of her abilities while clenching her eyes and teeth and making a low humming noise. Suddenly, Crysalsi eyes were opened by Auriels paws, and her eyes widened even further when she saw that the pebble was floating in the air while being surrounded by a neon green aura.

Auriel looked directly at Chrysalis face and tilted her head to the right while smiling happily. Auriel said."See? It wasn't that hard, was it?" Auriels happiness was slowly falling apart when she saw that tears were building Crysalis eyes. Auriel hugged the little Changeling and said motherly."Please don't cry, little one, you did it, and you should feel proud and not sad."

Crystals wished her face dry with Auriels soft paws and said happily while still having tears running down her face."I am not sad, I am happy! Every other Changeling was able to cast magic years ago, everyone but me, and no one could teach me until you came. Thank you so much!"

Auriel hugged Chrysalis a bit stronger and curled her tail around the two of them. Auriel smiled and waited until Chrysalis calmed down while thinking of just how much better life just gotten.

Auriel asked when the sobbing stopped."Are you feeling better Chrysalis?" Auriel did know next to nothing about the new world and didn't want to make a mistake. Crysalis noded which made Auriel's smile even wider. A small idea formed in the golden Fox's mind as her eyes glowed purple for a few moments and the sweetest apple, from all the tress that just grew, levitated in front of her.

Chrysalis looked at the thing that got levitated in front of her and asked."What is this? It smells nice, but what should I do with it?"

Auriel was surprised to hear this kind of answer, but Auriel knew that she wasn't in the position to say how little wisdom some creatures possessed. She said."This, is an apple, one that can never be so good without my magic, I am sure you like it. Wait, your kind does eat other things than hugs, right?"

Chrysalis began to laugh for several moments when she heard this. Chrysalis said happily."We don't eat hugs, we eat love, sometimes other emotions too but they don't taste very good. We can eat other things, but my mama said that eating regular food is like drinking water for us."

Auriel now heard everything literally. Creatures eating emotions? That was a bizarre thing for a being to be capable of, even if this was a new strange world for her, what comes next, plants eating Changelings? Auriels hook her head and said."You should still try it, I don't have to eat at all, yet, I still like these little treats a lot."

Chrysalis nodded and took a significant bite off the apples, while chewing, her eyes suddenly widened as the flavors exploded in her mouth. Crysalis moaned silently while consuming the apple as if she hasn't anything in a thousand years.

Auriel smiled when she saw little Chrysalis reaction of eating her first apples which woken old memories of when she was just as innocent as her new friend was. Auriels eyes glowed purple for a second again and levitated another apple off the tree and happily ate it.

The two of them enjoyed the fruits so much that they sat down and spent the next few hours just chomping down fruits while Auriel was telling Crysalis a bit about herself which often made Chrysalis mouth stay wide open or caused her to spit out her mouths content surprisingly far away.

Chrysalis said with a shocked expression."You are that old!!!"

Auriel chuckled loudly and said with a smile."Well, I only realized afterward just how much time I spent as a little light which I am still not sure how much exactly, but I know that I am already a Fox for 20.000 years, so I just added a bit here and there. In the end, I just came to the conclusion that I was about 100.000 years old, but I was a long time underground so I could easily be a few millennia older, hah, how time flies by!"

When the golden Fox finished her sentence, she smiled, but this happy moment only lived very short as the very ground started to tremble. Chrysalis, fearful of the situation, hid behind Auriel who glared at a moving hill made of sand, south-west from them.

Chrysalis asked fearfully."W-what is that thing?"

Auriel pupils shrank a little, but this was not because she was scared, but because she was trying to read the unknown enemy's lifeforce, it's power and other relevant information. Auriel said quietly, almost whispering."The closest thing this creature comes after is a Giga Worm, a humongous monster that was a real problem in my days, but this one is small, tiny, maybe even just a baby compared to the beasts that ravaged the great desert. . . I wonder if this old trick still works."

The Sandpile came closer and closer until it just vanished from sight, but Auriel was no fool to believe that this silence would give them any safer. Suddenly a massive round maw, filled with hundreds of rows of sharp teeth jumped out of the sand, towards our two adventurers, to consume them.

Auriel reacted with the speed of lightning as her eyes turned red and a small, yet extremely fast expanding fireball just a few inches above Auriels head. In just a split second, the fireball shot towards the beast entered its mouth and nothing.

Chrysalis, scared for her life, buried her face in Auriels tale to not have to face death with her own eyes. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and a wave of fire erupted from the beast's mouth, catapulting the beast backward.

The Beast landed with a loud thud on the ground, smoke coming out of its mouth and steam out of the rest of its body while burn mark covered most of its body.

Chrysalis, after not feeling death for several seconds, opened one of her eyes, only to see something that made her other eye open as well in shock. A colossal sandworm, kings, and nightmares of the desert, was laying there, taken down with barely any effort. The Changelings look wandered up and saw that Auriel was smiling.

Chrysalis asked shocked."I-Is it dead?" this answer made Auriels smile fall and was replaced with a big frown and possibly a bit of pain.

Auriel said with a neutral expression."I do not kill because of fun, or because I want to eat or any other reason unless there is no other way. The spell I used was called 'Fire Bomb,' and as the name suggests, it's a highly explosive flame eruption that can cause extreme burning if done right. As for the Worm, I recognized it's kind and found out that it was a direct descendant of a Giga Worm. Back then, the land's underground was filled to the brim with lava, so many creatures that lived underground evolved to be able to receive fire immunity. Although this one had a lot of it still in it, it was still shocked to the core to feel the feeling of searing Fire once again like it's ancestors would feel every day. I would guess that it will have recovered from those burns in an hour or two, but we should get away, the Oasis is attracting predators. Since I have no Idea of the land, is there anywhere you want to go?"

Chryalsis mouth stood wide agape when her mind was filled with so much ancient knowledge that she . . . Yawned loudly. When Auriel finished her sentence, Chrysalis looked bit sad and expressed her emotions in an equally sad tone."I want to go home, back to Mommy."

Auriels ears folded to the back of her head. Auriel knew precisely what it was like to search for someone like her, but this was a bit different. Having something taken from you makes you a lot sadder than never having something. Auriel lifted her paw slowly and ruffled Chrysalis's mane a bit before saying with a motherly voice and smile."There is no need to be sad, little Chrysalis. Just tell me where to go, and we will be at your home in no time."

Chrysalis smiled once again and asked with big hope-filled eyes."Really?" Aureil nodded with a hint of determination. Chrysalis said while pointing to the north."I was outside the hive, playing a bit when a strong sandstorm blew me away for a long time. It will take ages to fly back to the hive."

Auriel was not bothered by long distances as she could run around the world in just an hour if not too many mountains were in the way. Auriel said with a slightly cocky smile."Oh, we won't be flying, we will be running very fast."

Before Chrysalis ask how this would be faster than flying, Auriel levitated Chrysalis on her back and created a small golden shield bubble so the small Changeling would not fall off. Auriel head slowly descended while her rear was lifted high in the sky before both of her eyes glowed with a light blue glow before she shot toward the north with such force that half of the oasis was buried in sand and the sound of shattering glass rang through the entire desert.

Chrysalis's eye widened when she saw the shoot past her like a blur and was fascinated just how fast Auriel was running. Auriel knew that the first time of running this fast is breathtaking and decided to make thing even more interesting by jumping up high into the air, almost reaching the clouds, and soaring through the sky.

Chrysalis said in awe."Wow! I have never been so high up in the sky! Wait, I can see the hive from up here!"

Auriel looked forward, and her expectations were not fulfilled in the slightest. She expected some kind of den, cave, nest or anything else, but what was in front of her was a humongous spire that scratched the sky, filled with hundreds of holes in the dead rock.

Auriel asked."Ehm, where is your home, little Chrysalis? I just see a very scary looking mountain."

Chrysalis answered with a bit of giggling."No, dummy, that is my home, and it's not scary when you get to know it better."

'Sigh, why do I get the feeling I will regret this. I already entered many homes of creatures, true, those were not animals, but still, they most likely won't like my presents and based of the looks of changelings, I have no doubt that they have a very similar mind like ants when it comes to intruders.'

Auriel shook her head when she realized the ground was coming closer and braced herself for the impact. Like a meteor, Auriel and Chrysalis crashed into the sand unharmed by anything. The golden Fox dispelled the golden shield bubble and walked towards the hive with Chrysalis on her back. In just a few moments, Auriel reached the outskirt of the hive, but did not expect to be greeted so 'nicely.'

A group of four in black ceratin armored Changelings descended from the sky and landed in front of Auriel, baring their fangs and giving of loud and high pitched hissing sounds.

One of the Guards, clearly a Female stated sternly."Be gone creature! We won't let thy endanger our subject with thy animalistic hunger!"

Auriel raised an eyebrow and said calmly."I have never eaten a single creature in my life, I am a vegetarian, and just so you know, just because I look like a beast does not mean I am one."

The jaws of all Changeling Guards dropped when they heard the creature talk in an elementary, but still polite manner, even stating that it was not going to eat any Changeling.

A male Changeling stepped forwards and asked cautiously."And how do we know that you are not lying? How do we know that once you enter the Hive that you won't attack our mourning Queen?!"

Suddenly a new voice was heard from Auriels back as a familiar young Changeling hoped om Auriel's back and stood between Auriel and the other Changelings."Stop! She is not eating anyone, she is nice."

The third Guard rushed in front of the group and bowed so fast that his head hit the sandy ground with a loud thud. The Changeling, clearly a Female said."Y-you Majesty, you returned! But how we saw you being carried miles away, how have you returned to us? Wait, why do you look so healthy?"

'Majesty? What is that and why are they so scared in front of little Chrysalis? I feel like a little girl did not tell me everything about her.'

Chrysalis explained proudly."This is Auriel, the golden Fox, and she gave me more love than I had in my whole life, taught me how to finally use magic, protected me from a huge Sand Worm and brought me home! So, I don't want you to treat her bad."

The Last Guard walked in front of the group and looked exactly like the other Guards and the Chrysalis, although he was a bit bigger and better armored. What Auriel also just realized was that Chrysalis had eyes like her while the Guards eyes looked like the one a fly has.

The Big Changeling Guard."In the name of Queen Chitin and the safe word of princess Chrysalis, you are hereby allowed to enter the hive, as long as you behave."

'Princess? What is going on here with these weird names?'

Chrysalis tugged on one of Auriels paws and said impatiently."Come One! We don't want to keep mother waiting any longer, do we?!" Auriel could only smile at her childish attitude and decided to follow the Changeling Guards and Chrysalis towards the entrance of the hive.

Auriels ears flicked almost always as the other Changelings were watching her like a predator would look at an obese and weak prey animal, with the difference that they most likely wouldn't eat her directly. Still, now that Auriel knew just how greedy these Changelings seemed for her 'love' or whatever that seemed to be, she would not let her guard down.

'I shouldn't be so paranoid, considering that I really look scary if you consider my big sharp claws, long teeth and the fact that I was easily three to four times bigger than the big Changeling that greeted us, I would be cautious too if that thing would enter my den with my friends in it. Still . . . What did you pull me into Chrysalis?'

The first Changeling spoke in a slightly calming manner, although it disturbed Auriel more than it calmed."You should not be so stressed, it's not only going to make your fur become gray but also makes us taste your anxiety."

Auriel rolled her eyes and snorted silently before muttering."If I can't age by sitting for like one hundred thousand years in a hole then why should worrying about being surrounded by hundreds of Changelings do anything to my health."

Auriel gazed forward and saw the entrance of the Hive which was a massive hole in the wall that was partly covered in weird green goo. Aurirel shook her head and followed the Changelings deeper into the hive- Once the group entered the mysterious castle, Auriel was surprised at what she saw, not because of how overwhelming it was, but because of just how empty the halls were.

The ground, the walls, the ceiling and everything else was just plain dead rock, not even covered by the green goo. Auriel gave out a silent sigh of relief when she realized that the Changelings weren't tricking her into a trap, or at least they did a poor job as there was literally nothing of danger inside the Hive, although she did feel a very damped magic signature deep underground.

While waling deeper into the Hive, Auriel realized that they were going downward which was not very reassuring, but nothing wrong would happen, right? Auriels thoughts were ended by another look of the first Changeling, trying to tell her to not be so indelicate.

During the walk, Auriel saw many more Changelings, some bigger, some smaller, Males, Females, even some children, although, they all had something in common. They all looked like they were on the edge of starving. Auriel, of course, knew nothing of this kinds past, nor anything of the new world to be exact, so she was not sure if she should return to her 'rightful place' as the bringer of life.

After many minutes of walking through the gray and silent, a bit dry and stuffy ventilated, halls, they reached a big double door which was decorated with a lot of green goo in which was something carved that Auriel could not read.

The Big Changeling walked in front of the door and shouted."I, hiver, humbly request to meet Queen Chitin!" Just as the Big Changeling requested, the door magically opened, but Auriel was not impressed by this at all as she could see the writing in the door glow with magic.

'It seems like magic has progressed a bit since I left this world's surface, literally.'

When the door opened widely, the group was greeted with the sight of a very big, but still with Auriel compared, Changeling. The big Changeling sat on what looked like was a very fancy looking chair made out of a black rock, that looked like a bigger version of Chrysalis, but with a weird thingy on her head with three spikes and a few gems on it and her hair color is red, she stood out more than any other Changeling did. The red-haired Changeling that seemed to not even have noticed our present, but the other Changelings have seen us, and some of them went into a defensive stance.

Chrysalis ran towards the extra big Changeling while shouting continuously."Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" The big Changeling looked in front of her and jumped off the stone seat and ran towards Chrysalis as fast as her long and with many holes filled legs let her.

When the two Changelings made contact with the other, they did something similar to hugging, but it was only really their necks which touched the other. The Red Changeling said overwhelmed with happiness."My little cuddle Bug, I missed you so much! I thought you were gone, how did you. . . MONSTER!"

The red Changeling that was apparently known as Chitin charged up her horn as she glared at Auriel who looked at her with a bored expression while the Changelings surrounding her jumped and flew away. Chitin closed her eyes as a blinding beam shot towards Auriel, making her vanish from sight and forcing everyone to look elsewhere.

Chrysalis was the first one to open her eyes again and gasped when a big cloud was she could see with bits and pieces of the broken enchanted and heavily reinforced Gate. Chrysalis eyes watered when she thought her friend was gone.

"There is no need to mourn over me just yet, little Chrysalis, it takes a lot more to get rid of me!"

Suddenly two light blue dots appeared in the smoke as suddenly a strong wind appeared out of nowhere and caused all the dirt and dust to swirl in a circular motion, creating a small whirlwind. The whirling dispelled in an instant, causing all the junk to fall to the ground, forming a dirt 'o' as in the middle stood a familiar an unharmed figure with a small sly smile on her face.

Auriel explained."Your spell was strong and would've even whipped out a huge Cockroach, but it was far too widespread! You hit more of my surroundings than actually me, try to compress your spells more before releasing them, or you might hurt one of your friends."

The jaws of all Changelings hang wide open when they listened to the weird Wolf's words, everyone besides Chrysalis who rushed towards Auriel and hugged her leg. Chrysalis said with a smiled and pleading eyes to her mother."Please don't hurt her, Mother, she helped me back to the hive. Without her, I would be worm food."

'Actually you would've been perfectly fine because the Oasis attracted the worm, but let us not talk about details now.'

Chitin looked at Auriel with sad eyes and said."Did you really protect my daughter?" Auriel nodded. Chitin lowered her head and folded her ears back." I am truly sorry for attacking you, golden Wolf, I thought you were going to take my daughter away again."

Auriel smiled and levitated Chrysalis on her back before teleporting in front of Chitin and, sat down and hugged her with her fluffy paws. Chitin was surprised that the wolf would just forgive her, only seconds after she failed murder attempt.

Auriel broke the hug after a few moments and said."I am not angry about the little beam. Also, I am not a wolf, I am a Fox, although that is not important considering that I am and always was the only of my kind. Oh, and please call me Auriel."

Queen Chitin smiled, but this happy feeling was instantly replaced with shock when Auriel broke the hug, and the Queen saw that she no longer looked like a black Skelepony, but healthy again, maybe a bit thick on the hips, but still in a healthy way. The other Changelings in the room stared at their Queen too with wide open eyes and hanging jaws at the sight of seeing one being entirely feeding their ruler.

Queen Chitin mumbled quietly."But... But... But... But... How did you? How did you do that?" Queen Chitin stared at Auriel who cutely tilted her head to the right and folded her ear to the back of her head while Chrysalis tried to copy what the golden wolf was doing. Chrysalis failed and fell to the ground and gave out an audible cute pout.

Queen Chitin stared at Auriel for a few more seconds while trying to understand how it was possible until she found the only plausible explanation as no creature would be able to store that much love. Chitin then asked Auriel desperately with wide, pleading eyes."Will... Will you stay with us?"

Auriel tiled her head even a bit more until she felt like she could go rotate even further which was a bizarre feeling. Auriel asked curiously."You want me to stay here? My, you are the first one to ask me that. Ok, but only if Chrysalis wants me to stay too."

Chrysalis chirped happily."Of course, you can stay! You are my friend!"

Auriel smiled when she head this, but there was a feeling that nagged in the back of her head, so she asked a question that she had not asked in a very long time."Why exactly do you want me to stay? I am not complaining, but I am not just a cub, I am very magically skilled Fox with a lot of magical knowledge so why take the risk?"

At this point, all Changelings were staring at Auriel as the tension in the throne room spiked to the point it was almost suffocating, not even the Queen was able to break the silence. After several moments of silence, Auriel jested."Well, It's not important anyway, I am sure we can all come along without a problem. So. . . who want to eat something?"

Queen Chitin exhaled loudly when she realized that Auriel was just joking and did not become insulted, not trusting or angry, but was just playing a game, but the Queen knew that the golden Fox did not eat in the same way as the Changelings did. . . 'Wait, what does she eat?'

Queen Chitin asked politely."Auriel, may I ask what exactly you eat?"

Auriel answered slightly confused."Well, I like fruits, vegetables and stuff like that. What did you expect? Meat?" Auriel said the second part of her sentence when Chitin was listening very carefully.

Chitin smiled as she now had no need to fear to have her subjects eaten by their guest. She asked."Auriel, I know this is much to ask, but would you please help me- us to feed this Hive?"

Auriel said with a smile and enthusiastically."Of course, I always help my friends." Happiness filled the room when the Changeling hear that their food shortage could be ended, but the moment was spoiled when Auriel asked."Ehm, how do I do that?"

"I will explain everything on the way" replied Chitin. With that, Chitin leads Auriel through the halls that made her wonder just how the Queen remembered the way.

"So, how am I going to feed them? I am kind of new to this, or just too old."

"Normally, just staying near someone is enough to feed us, but sadly that is no longer an option as the Ponies are scared of us and don't let a single Changeling near any source of Love. No, we are forced to kidnap other creatures, capture them in pods and feed off them. A truly disgusting way of surviving" Replied Chitin with a slight hint of anger

"Pods? Can you show me these weird things later? I want to see what new creatures now exist and why do the Ponies hate you so much? I personally quite enjoy your kinds present. Wait, does feeding Changelings have bad side effects that they fear you?" Asked Auriel curiously

"No, if we feed off one too much, they just fall asleep, but nothing happens to them. No, the Ponies despise what we are, I mean, look at use, Auriel. We look like monsters, nightmares that feed off love, take the form of another and look like insects. I am sorry if I sound so aggressive, but so many of us died already because of these false Stories about us." replied Chitin with words that were filled with anger and sadness.

"Stop thinking about the bad past you lived through and think more about the future. With me, you apparently have more than enough food, and if I say so myself, I am quite a strong magic caster considering I alone formed this world." Replied Auriel proudly before she stunned stopped and held a paw in front of her muzzle when she realized what she just said.

"There was no deception in your words, but. . ." Chitin said, but her thought process was stopped when she was levitated into the air by the golden wolf and walked very fast towards a massive double door and entered it, before letting the Queen to the ground.

The two of them arrive in a large room that kinda looks like an enormous chamber with many chairs and tables. What those two things were, was a riddle for Auriel. Changelings were lining up along a counter with mugs made of the same black stuff the walls are made from which are filled with a pink gel-like liquid, and Auriel noticed the fluid was barely enough for a few sips.

"So, we are here, now it's time to tell your Changelings to gather so they can be feed." Auriel was showing a natural and very nervous smile at Chitin decided that now was not the time to interrogate their guest.

"My children, we have come across a being who has agreed to help feed our Hive. Please form small groups to feed as many as possible but not too many to make our guest uncomfortable," Chitin tells the currently gathered changelings.

Auriel sat down on the ground and smiled as she really likes hugs, although it was a bit weird to 'feed' so many Changelings.

It took a few minutes, and lots of confused and fearful expressions from the changelings, which are mostly directed at Auriel where more are arriving at the line goes out of the room. Chitin nodded and signalized Auriel, an okay, and she began to hug a Changeling out of each group while the rest was feeding off the hug somehow as a few streams of pink light flew to their mouths.

Auriels POV

For many hours I happily feed the Changelings although some were a lot shyer than other while others were scared of me. I understood that many of them were not used to my presence, but still, I had a lot of fun while it lasted. Sadly, after a few hours and about five-hundred feed changelings, I was no longer able to feed them. The ones I couldn't feed were disappointed, but I told them I just need to rest for a bit.

I realized that love was like mana, you could cast it as long as you had it, but once it was empty, you had to wait until I was done with resting. It was exactly like that with the love energy as I could feel it slowly building up again after a few moments no Changeling hugged me.

Chitin is sitting beside me with a thoughtful expression.

"I something on your mind? I know that expression of yours, it's when you are thinking a lot in a short time span, am I wrong?" I ask her

She sighs and looks at the changelings who are talking to each other excitedly. "You're the first being who's shown us kindness, despite our, no, my less than friendly actions when I first saw you," she tells me.

I smile and sit down too."I know exactly how you feel. Back then, I tried my best too to care for my friends. I did some terrifying things to keep them safe, sometimes even things that made me be scared of myself. Mostly it was small decisions like trying to solve problems, but there was one time I lost myself, and I have not forgiven myself since then."

Chitin looked at me with curious and sympathetic eyes."And how did you get over it?"

Auriel shook her head and showed a small and kind smile"I never did, but that does not mean that I have to look always look back. What we did in our past is what makes us, well, us."

She smiles, and after a few minutes, I feel good enough to continue.

After feeding every changeling here, which took a few more hours, Chitin then escorts me to a vast room with a large double bed made out of moss, a smaller bed made out of the same material and what looked like was a thick patch of grass and mos on the ground. I let my eyes wander around the room for a bit more and saw a few weird wooden constructs and. . . I could not believe my eyes.

"My old Mirror! I thought that thing was gone forever!" I replied as I teleported in front of the slightly worn mirror that was still as clean when I made it.

"You made it? We found it a few miles south from the hive in the desert. I always wondered how it was made because it radiated magic." said Chitin as she walked next to me and looked into the mirror.

Suddenly the reflection changed from Chitin and me standing in a room to when I first arrived in the new world. The first few seconds were me running into the mirror, which made Chitin giggle and gating into it. The reflection then showed me when I created the grassland, the mountain that rose when I slept and even glimpses of the desert biome far in the back.

"I can't believe it. I always thought everything was lost." I said while my eyes watered a bit from the good memories, but this happy mood was destroyed when the scenery changed.

The mirror's reflection now showed when the land fell into the hands of chaos. My eyes widened when I saw what would come. I tried to stop it from continuing playing in attempting to use magic and bash against it, but it did nothing. I told Chitin to go and not see this, but she did not answer.

In the end, Chitin saw all, while I could only stare of what a monster I became and a bit off how much power I absorbed from the abomination, would that mean I was now stronger than back then? I must be, DIscord could've just squashed me like a fly if it was not for my land that barely gave him any energy.

"Chitin I-" I tried to say something but was cut off when she put one of her hooves on my shoulder.

"I saw what happened and you acted right. This thing hurt you for no reason, and you only defended yourself, there is no need to feel bad about it." Replied Chitin with a kind smile.

"But, I murdered him when he was laying on the ground, without mercy." I countered with folded ears.

"But if you did not kill him, then he would've returned and fought you again one day. Just think what he would've done if you were the one to ay on the ground, do you think he would've spared you?" Said Chitin. I shook my head, and she added."See? Now stop the bad mood already, it been a long time as far as I know."

"I really don't deserve you and chrysalis," I said with a small and slightly sad smile.

"Neither do we. Oh, before I forget, I got a small present for you," replied Chitin while walking towards a weird wooden construct, pulling out an odd empty piece of wood and taking something out of it.

Chitin came back after a few moments and was holding a weird object in her magic aura. It was an odd black empty thin circle with a small piece of metal attached to it. On the metal plate was the weird thing that Chitin wore on her head with an insect wind on each side of the hat.

"This is a collar, it's normally for animals and pets, but I think we can make an exception. I used to have a pet Timberwolf when I was a filly, but I always treated him like a real friend. With this, you will be officially seen as a part of this hive and part of the royal Changeling family of this hive. Do you accept my gift, Auriel?" explained Chitin happily.

"I-I don't know what to say. I-I never received anything from anyone, but, I am thankful for it, my friend." I said shyly, and a bit nervous as the collar floated towards my neck before being put around my neck. I turned my head towards the mirror and saw that it looked very nice on me and smiled like I never did before, it was like I never felt so happy in my long life. I finally found someone just like me.

"I thank you, Chitin. After so many years, I have finally found someone like me, not as in looking like me, but liking me, and me liking you in the same way. I thank you and Chrysalis who is spying on us so much!" I said happily

"Aww, not fair! I was hiding so well!" Said Chrysalis as she crawled out of her hiding place under the bed before seeing the collar around my neck and hugging my legs.

"It seems like my daughter is happy too about your decision. We can discuss anything else tomorrow, I believe the day was exciting enough," said Chitin.

With that said, I curled herself into a small ball on the moss and grass patch on the ground which was surprisingly comfortable. Chrysalis then flew on top of me and decided to use me as a much better and fluffier bed which I did not mind as she was very light.

In my last few moments, before I fell asleep, I could've sworn I saw Chitin who smiled at the sight of me being a bed while silently squeaking in happiness.

'I guess this is my new life, no, an actual life. I am already starting to like it.'

And with my last thought said in my mind, I fell asleep.

Author's Note

I hope you will like how this story progress. Please like, or dislike, and comment if you are interested in what will happen next.