Once they were a young species, finding their place in a world still wild.
Once they hid in the shadows, trying to find a place to call home.
Once they took a gamble of great risk, and found a place to call their own.
Once they lived in harmony, a welcomed symbioses.
Once they were a society, becoming more than they thought possible.
Once they encountered the Nightmare, and fought united to defeat her.
Once they had a home, which was reduced to ashes.
Once they stood as equals, by those who now call them monsters.
Once they called for help, but their cries were left ignored.
Once they begged for help, but those who tried were lost forever.
Once they had all they desired, now left with only memories.
Once they had hope, but now only hunger.
Once they believed in friendship, back when they weren't hated.
Once they lived in peace, but violence is all they hear.

Once they were a proud species, which they long to become once more.

The Murgröna has reawakened by the strength and conviction of Danny. Reaching out for him, an exceedingly rare thing to happen to any creature other than changelinks, Danny found himself in a strange place indeed. The collective memories of all changelinks, past and present. And none other to greet him than the late changelink king, Mantodea himself.

Within this strange realm of knowledge both ancient and new, Danny will learn what it is to be a changelink; what they are, who they are, what they endured, how everything fell apart, and who was ultimately responsible for their downfall. Discovering the truth long lost to the passing of time through the eyes of those who lived it.

These are their memories.

These are their stories.

This is their testimony.

This fic is a side story of Guilt of a Phantom and contains the story left untold after the end of the chapter: A New Lease On Life. This is not a stand alone fic, but was meant to be a single chapter which became so much more; too much to remain as just a chapter.

It is strongly recommended to read Guilt of a Phantom and it's affiliated fics before this, because on its own it will not make much sense without the context provided in the main story.

A word of thanks to Crepusculo for his help with some of the names used later in this story.