The Badlands is an empty wasteland filled with nothing but sand. Or at least that's what its surface looks like, changelings are extremely skilled builders. The soil underneath the surface is an extremely fertile ground, using illusions to mask crystals they placed over the surface, the changelings created an underground biome that brims with life.

The crystals on the surface absorbed the sunlight. Then their counterparts would refract the light throughout the tunnels. There are plenty of underground lakes across the Badlands, and they supply the plants, crops, and the underground streams that run across the great city: Hive.

Changelings may be shapeshifters who feed off the emotions of others. But there is much more to them then meets the eye. Most believe that they live in dark tunnels filled with nothing but waste. However, they couldn't be more wrong. Lively forests, plentiful fields, healthy animals, and sights that you would see in your dreams.

Changelings are peaceful creatures. Some believe they were the first creatures to ever exist in the world of Equos. They theorize that changelings evolved into the different species that inhabit this world. Changing, developing different traits, and losing their original forms. They are shapeshifters after all, who is to deny that theory?

The ones that remain in their original shapes are the ones inhabiting the Badlands. They either lived in the small settlements or the Hive. If someone were to describe their way of life, the word they would use would most certainly be repetition. You can spend an entire day following a changeling, and you would know everything there is to know about them.

Smoking pipe, eating delicious food, drinking a good beer, fishing, and enjoying a good talk. That's the routine you can expect from a changeling. Right. If you ever mention that to a changeling, they will laugh at your face and then show their gardens, their flower fields, and their crops with products that can put earth ponies to shame. Make fun of that, and you're in for a fight. Hurt an animal or kill a plant needlessly, that will be the nail on your coffin.

Changelings have an undying love for things that grow. And that has to be their most defining trait. Tending to animals, caring for their sick, and even receiving wounded that appear at their borders. Changelings have to be the species that have the purest love for living things. Their families grow and disperse, that way filling up the entirety of its territory.

New settlements pop up eventually. The Hive expands accordingly. That way, their kind thrives in the territory every other race believes to be dead. As much as their territory changes, one thing always remains the same; there will always be a Hivend in the Nest End.

Nest End is the largest house ever built in the Hive. The best furniture, the largest storage room, the comfiest beds, and, according to some, filled with enough gold to rival some lords from the dragon kingdom. That last part is an absurd rumor.

All his uncle ever got from his adventure was a small chest. One that still smells like a troll. Or so he was told time and time again. Who is he?

His name is Phan, Phan Hivend. If there is someone who loves the Hive, that someone is him. Do not let the books about the outside world deceive you. No other changeling knows the layout of the tunnels like him. Now, if you're wondering about his uncle, his name is Claden.

Claden Hivend. Also known as the lunatic who went off to face a cursed Hydra that had taken over an ancient dragon city. Hired as a burglar by a party of eleven dragons and a hippogriff. The thing was, Claden wasn't a burglar. According to him, the hippogriff, who was a wizard, convinced the entire party about his skills as a burglar. And that was what got him involved in a war with a cursed creature.

That little adventure earned him the alias Peace Breaker. Thus, wrecking the image of the Hivend to a certain extent. Believe it or not, but changelings take pride in their peaceful lifestyle. Things that run out of the ordinary tend to receive the stink eye. But that adventure did make for some decent entertainment in the LINK.

LINK is the name given to the cornerstone for all the knowledge the changelings amassed throughout the years. It is the equivalent to a library, the main difference being that instead of books, it contains memories. Experiences changelings have, and that is worthy of remembering since it added useful information to others, are stored in LINK.

If the LINK is severed, the changeling that has been cut off will lose all knowledge that is not his own. Meaning he would be unable to perform a task he was previously capable of doing. That is the fate of those banished from the Badlands. It is the equivalent to a death sentence.

But enough about that. Such grim tidings do match the comfort of the Hive. However, knowledge about their culture is required so that you can understand where they stand in the world of Equos. They do not seek war. And now, you know that when a changeling calls their home 'a hole on the ground'; that 'hole' means comfort.

"The world is changing. The streams whisper of a vile wind coming from the north. The earth writes of foul souls singing with delight. The stench of sickness contaminates the forests. The knowledge of an ancient evil is all but lost, for none who live now remember it.

It all began with a ring, to be more precise: fourteen rings. Three given to the alicorn Princesses the fairest and wisest of all races in Equos. One given to the Dragon Lord. The great artisan of the land of fire. Two given to Diamond Dogs, warriors of the underground. Four given to the Zebras. Hunters of the pride lands. And thirteen, thirteen rings were given to the race of Griffons. Who above all others, desired power."

"And within those rings, it was stored the power and the will to rule all races. But we were all deceived. The dark Lord Tenebris forged a master ring in secret.

One Ring to Rule Them All."

Those ominous words played like a broken record in his mind. During the last twenty years or so, Phan had been able to silence those memories using his books. However, as soon as that year began, Phan had a harder time keeping those memories at bay. He went time and time again to check if his connection to LINK had been damaged or something of the sort, but the response was always the same.

"Your connection is perfectly healthy."

When he went to check with a doctor to see if he was losing his mind, the same words followed.

"Your mind is perfectly healthy. I would be more concerned with your uncle's head if I were you."

He was Phan Hivend. There was no doubt in his mind about that fact. Or so he thought. The truth is, Phan Hivend had a second set of memories that kept plaguing his everyday life. Memories about a pegasus soldier called Caeru. But that couldn't possibly be right. Phan, like many other changelings, hated to shapeshift. And there is a good reason for that. When shapeshifting, the changeling would be influenced by the species' mindset. And that was dangerous. For example, shapeshifting into a dragon could lead to blind greed.

The main issue with shapeshifting is the risk of identity loss. Spend too much time transformed, and the changeling might forget their species. That thought terrified Phan Hivend. The worst part of it is that, even though he remembers all the training and the guard's story, no other changeling in the hive has seen that memory set. That should not be possible. Its data was valuable. It had several years of training on how to be a proper soldier. That data could help the hive in case of an attack.

What am I thinking?! Who would attack the hive?!

Phan Hivend was the only changeling that had worries about an attack from outside. The only one to consider the possibility of an invasion. His thoughts were personal, so he could keep up a facade easily enough. But he couldn't deny his fear of something slithering into the hive.

He was certain that, someday, somehow, something would make its way to the Hive. And he was certain that on that day, he would have to leave and he would not be able to return.

Why? Why does that-!?

The sound of a cart coming by made Phan open his eyes. That sound could only be from her. No changeling could ever own a cart that noisy. Phan got up on his hooves as fast as he could and then ran towards the nearest road. A cart moving on its own appeared in between the tree trunks. Phan made it to the edge of the road, right by the cart's side.

"You're late!" The changeling scolded as he crossed his arms.

Before him, a figure wearing a pointy gray hat and gray robes kept its head low. It had a lot of fireworks on the back of the cart. By its side, the figure had a wooden staff and a two-handed sword. Phan could see the end of a cyan beak peeking out from underneath the hat. A cyan and white mane fell down the figure's shoulders.

"A great and powerful wizard is never late, Phan Hivend," The figure replied with a stern voice. "Nor are they ahead of time a great and powerful wizard arrives precisely at the time they wish to arrive!" It continued as it lifted her head to look at Phan.

Phan and the figure stared at each other in silence after that. The hippogriff picked up a pipe and then placed it on her mouth. After a few seconds of a stare-off, the hippogriff began to cough as the smoke left her mouth. The silence was broken by their laughter as Phan jumped onto the cart to hug the hippogriff.

She was an old friend after all. Alba the Gray, the same wizard that dragged his uncle to the fight with the hydra. Though her coat and mane were mainly cyan, her title came from the color of her robes. And according to her, Alba's name had come from the color of her mane at birth. 'The purest white ever to be seen', is how she described it.

"It's so good to see you again!" Phan exclaimed as he clung to Alba.

"Likewise, my friend. Likewise," Alba replied making a gesture that led to the carriage moving forward.

As they traveled through the tunnels leading to the Hive, Phan leaned on his friend. Her coat and feathers were softer than any pillow in the entirety of the Hive. So, he made a habit of using her as one whenever she came around, which was a rare occasion in itself. Plus, she didn't seem to mind his habit.

As they entered the Hive, the sound of the flying drones buzzing around muffled the noisy cart's creaking. Every changeling was lending a hand to put up banners, tents, food stalls, and so forth. If Phan didn't know any better, he would say that the entire thing was meant for the queen.

On the largest banner, it could be read 'Happy 108th birthday, Claden Hivend!'

"So, is the great party finally going to happen? How is he handling all of this?" Alba asked as they waved at the workers who replied with big smiles.

"You know Claden. He's got the entire place on fire. Half of the Hive has been invited," Phan replied earning an 'oh, really?' look from the wizard. "And the other half is going to attend anyway. The Queen is going to choose her partner tonight as well. That brought even more guests to the place. He wrapped everyone around his finger. I bet he is up to something."

"Is that so?" Alba replied placing her wing around Phan.

Phan knew exactly what that meant. Whenever Alba tried to make Phan comfortable, she was hiding something. Like when she hid fireworks near his house and then set them all off on his birthday. Phan nearly had a heart attack that day. But he wasn't about to let his giant pillow go.

"Fine. You can keep your secrets," Phan mumbled as he made himself more comfortable. "But I'll have you know that before YOU came along, we, the Hivend, were held in high regard. We had never had any adventures or done anything unexpected."

"If you're referring to the incident with the Hydra, I'll have you know that my involvement was close to none," Alba replied as she pets Phan's head. "I only gave your uncle a little push."

Phan chuckled at the response. "Well, you better tell that to the drones calling you two the 'Peace Breaker Duo'."

"I'll keep that in mind," Alba replied as they approached Nest End.

Phan reluctantly got up from his pillow, who had shown a bit of resistance to him leaving and then jumped off the cart.

"I'll see you at the celebration tonight! It's good to have you back Alba!" Phan said as he waved at the wizard, who replied with a meek wave as she made her hat cover her face.

"I'm glad to be back," Alba whispered as she headed to Claden's home.

Walking downhill, Phan caught sight of an old friend as she tended to the plants. Meri Wisemind, a longtime friend and his uncle's gardener. However, there was something different about her. The last time he met her, she was ok. Now, however, she had a few bandages wrapped around her forearms.

She did get attacked. I thought the LINK berserker cases happened only outside the Hive.

There was something else about Meri. Ever since Phan met her after his uncle took him in, Phan hadn't been able to push away the necessity he felt to be by her side. That made him feel as if there was something wrong. As if he had been deviating from a path set for him long before he had been born. The feeling was unbearable, a painful and horrific sensation that crushed his chest.

That feeling made Phan decide he would not approach Meri in that light. However, there was something that kept getting in the way of his efforts. A single event that happened two years ago. Phan had returned from his job at the Hive's tavern, The Golden Hydra, and he ended up running into Meri on his way back.

Up until that date, Phan was aware that Meri had feelings towards one of his co-workers, Lux. That changeling was pretty much the dream for every female in the Hive. Meri had confessed her feelings towards Lux during one of Phan's shifts. The entire conversation surrounding that topic was a fiasco.

Meri had complained about the tavern's drinks. Something about the drinks dropping its quality. Phan then asked her why she came every Friday to drink if that was the case. That was when things got weird, Meri began to blush. And given the number of drinks she had had up until that point, it wasn't enough for that kind of blush. Coincidentally, Lux had walked up to Phan and then asked for four mugs of beer, Meri was completely frozen in place during the time Lux spent there.

After Lux had left, Phan asked if Meri came there just to see Lux working. Meri had begun to act skittish, and it took a few attempts on Phan's part to make her say something. And by 'something', it was a positive nod from Meri, who refused to look at Phan's eyes. He would be lying to himself if he said the answer didn't sting. But there was something else, something that bothered Phan. Something he couldn't quite explain.

Back to the date that changed everything.

After running into her, Phan walked her to her home. As they walked through the Hive, Phan came to realize a pattern. Whenever they passed by a patch of flowers, Meri would pick one flower from it. By the time they reached her home, Meri had a wonderful bouquet in her hands. And that's when it happened.

Meri turned around with the flowers covering her face. She then offered them to Phan, who took them while tilting his head in confusion. After he had them on his hands, Meri grabbed Phan's hands and then forced him to lower them. Her head hovered over the bouquet as her lips touched Phan's. After that, Meri backed away and whispered something before darting into her home. After that day, she would oscillate between a shy/meek nature and a sarcastic/teasing nature.

Back to the present time, Phan had picked up a daisy before approaching Meri.

"Hey. How is the arm?" Phan asked while keeping the flower behind his back.

Meri jumped a little at his approach. "It would be better if I hadn't been attacked!"

It's the sarcastic Meri. I better be careful.

"Sorry. I thought the LINK berserker case was limited to the nests," Phan replied with an apologetic tone. "I, I think you might. I thought you might like this," Phan said as he offered the daisy.

Meri looked at the flower, then at Phan, and then back at the flower. She then opened her mouth, causing her tongue to roll out. The muscle then wrapped itself around the flower and then she slowly ate it. That was teasing Meri for sure, she could have just taken the flower in her hands and then eaten it like a normal changeling, but no. She had to stick her tongue out before doing so. She had to make it look as weird as possible.

I don't think I'll ever understand what the hay is going on in her head.

"Thank you, for the meal," Meri said with a mischievous tone. "How are the preparations for the party?"

"Everyone seems to be ahead of schedule. Though there are way more changelings than we invited," Hive commented while taking a seat by the garden's edge. "Even some Hiveholes."

"Aren't they the ones cursing your uncle for being alive for so long?" Meri inquired while wiping off the sweat off her mane.

"Those guys. Correct," Phan replied while bobbing his head as if he was listening to a tune. "I heard some rumors about the Queen's mate. It would seem she is already settled on one. Or that's what the drunkards by the Emerald Tree Inn say," Phan continued while watching the water wheel by the river spin.

"Any thoughts on who it might be?" Meri asked in an uninterested tone, whenever the Queen was brought to light Meri would start to act dismissive towards the conversation, as if to end the topic.

"If we are talking about the locals, Lux has to be the most likely candidate," Phan replied as his body began to follow the bobbing of his head. "But to Tartarus with that. Whoever she chooses doesn't affect us in the slightest. All we have to do is keep on keeping on."

"Truer words were never spoken," Meri replied with a more upbeat tone.

(Nest End)

Now, how should I end it? There and back again, a tale of the Changelings. It has a nice ring to it. Changelings don't live forever, maybe, ah, if I go back to Spero, I might find the inspiration for my ending. So, for now, I should-

*Knock, Knock*

Closing the book in a rush, Claden Hivend hopped off his chair with unusual speed, considering his age that is. Using the sneakiness he acquired during his first travel, Claden peeked out the window. He did not want to hear about another Hivehole complaining about the lack of an invitation. There is no annoyance bigger than a family that isn't welcomed in your home. The lack of view from his hiding spot forced Claden to take action.

"GO AWAY! We don't want any more distant relatives or anything of the sort!" Claden screamed while quietly approaching the door.

"What about old friends?" A familiar voice called out from behind the door. Feeling an old warmth form in his chest, Claden rushed to open the door.

"ALBA!" Claden exclaimed while tackling the wizard with a hug. Taking her hat and the staff, Claden walked back into the Nest End. "Come in! Come in! Close the door! There is plenty for us to talk about."

"Indeed we have," He heard her mutter while placing the staff and hat by the coat-hanger. "So, how are your preparations?"

"They are almost done. All that is left to do is seal the letter," Claden replied as his hand did the habit of fiddling on the trinket in his pocket. "Tonight, I pass the Nest End to Phan. And thus, the tradition of having a Hivend at the Nest End continues."

"You know he is planning something, don't you?" Alba asked with a sad tone while taking a seat at the largest chair available. "He likes you a lot."

"As much as he is fond of you," Claden replied with a caring tone as he sat behind the desk facing the wizard. "And about him knowing about us planning something, he isn't a Booglechin, you know that, right?"

"Regardless, don't you think you should invite him? I'm sure he would come with you if you asked," Alba asked while looking away with a slight blush on her cheeks.

Never swayed by anything. A little changeling steals a great and powerful heart. Claden mused as he chuckled at the Hypogriff's response.

"I know he would. However, I can't do that to him," Claden replied while looking at the dead fireplace. "Phan is still in love with the Hive. I can't take this away from him."

"I see, well," Alba replied with a hint of disappointment. "I guess I'll just need to keep an eye on him whenever I can. That little one might get into some trouble one day."

"That he might. But enough about that!" Claden replied getting off his chair before heading to a box he kept on top of the fireplace. "Let's smoke for a bit shall we?"

Sitting on a hill, Phan watched the crowd work on the preparations for the party. There was no such thing as a bad party. Meri sat by his side with a carefree smirk on her face.

"Do you think there is something worth searching for out there?" Meri asked while turning her gaze to the sky.

"Not really. We have all we need here," Phan answered the rehearsed phrase with ease.

"Says the changeling that reads about the outside world," Meri said before showing her tongue like a child. "You know you want to see what is out there."

"Yes, that I know," Phan replied with a sad smile. "But as far as changelings are concerned, the outside world can't do anything to us. Don't seek trouble."

"And trouble won't seek you out," Meri finished with a disinterested tone. "You know that the Hivend bit of you ought to seek trouble one day, right? Just as your uncle did."

"Concerning changelings, we can both agree we are oddities in here," Phan commented after letting out a chuckle.

"That we are," Meri said as the sound of music began to play in the distance. "I guess it's time."

"So it seems. This will be a night to remember," Phan muttered under his breath as he got up on his hooves.

Author's Note

GOOD LORD.

I'm sorry for taking so long to update.