“And then the tall one bellowed.” The changeling transformed. “NO MORE TALKING!”
The other changeling standing before the throne said, “We hightailed it out as soon as we saw them heading into that stream. We could already sense that they’d have no more love to take.”
Ocellus looked on, one of hundreds of changelings gathered for this ritual. She could barely see the oblong holes of the hive. The queen’s quarters were consumed with shifting shadows.
The hissing, buzzing creatures were restless. Starving.
“While it is tragic that this village will no longer be a source of feeding for the hive, you two have done well.” The two let out proud snickers as Chrysalis descended. “Your reports have been promising, and you have been there harvesting for quite some time.”
Chrysalis turned to the crowd. “These, my children, are exemplary harvesters. I only hope that you all can live up to such a feat as this. These two have drained an entire village of love, driving them to anger and destruction.” The crowd erupted with greed and lust.
Ocellus looked down at her legs, the ones she shared with her kind. These unfinished, dark legs could steal whatever they wanted. They were capable of lies no creature could replicate. These thoughts collected in her mind like sandbags.
“Come! Let us feast!”
Ocellus blanked as her mind joined the hive.
"Can you believe we did the rainbow laser thing?!"
Silverstream soared up to the top of the hallway, making zapping noises as she proclaimed her excitement. Ocellus, Gallus, and Sandbar laughed joyfully as they continued their trek through the school. Ponies crowded the hallways and chatted loudly, while the conversations bounced off of marble pillars and high crystal ceilings.
Ocellus couldn't be happier. She had helped bring justice to those who threatened Equestria, she grew even closer with all her friends in the process, and now she was back in school spending time with them after things had settled down. "I don't know about you guys, but I could go without some criminals trying to destroy Equestria for a little while."
Gallus nodded. “I’m alright just being at school with you all. This place is kinda nice.” He looked around the halls, reflecting the rainbows of the ponies within. “I’m hoping that the other creatures we came with see it the same way.”
Ocellus thought back to Ommatidia, a younger changeling, wrought with stress about enrolling. “I know Headmare Starlight said we should let them do their own thing, but I can’t help worrying a little. Do you remember how scary our first day was?”
Sandbar put a hoof on Ocellus’ wing and paused. “We found each other, right?” Gallus and Silverstream came to a stop as well, turning to each other. “They’ll find good creatures here, just like we did. And hey, if things get scary, we’re not so helpless anymore.”
Silverstream put her arm around Ocellus as well. “Yeah! Our professors are looking out for us creatures too, so I know they’ll get through school just fine.”
Ocellus returned her friends’ smiles. “Yeah, you guys are right. The new creatures will have an awesome first day, even if they have to miss out on this group of amazing friends.”
A couple bashful chuckles and hugs followed.
“Oh yeah,” Gallus said. “Speaking of, I heard from Fluttershy that a new group of species sent someone to this school.”
Silverstream gasped, drawing concerned looks from some ponies in the hallway. “What?”
Ocellus looked away briefly. “There are a few groups of creatures that ponies have allied with in the past, like the buffalo. I wonder if...”
The group continued their conversation carelessly as they turned and headed out the courtyard doors. Smolder was waiting for them at the fountain, a few books on the ground.
She huffed and said, "I forgot how painful school can be with all the homework and things, how are you all holding up?" Smolder looked around as the group gave some shrugs and exasperated sighs. "Wait," she hesitated, "where's Yona?"
They all looked at Sandbar.
"What?" he asked flatly. The rest of them rolled their eyes. "Last I saw her was the class before this."
At that moment, the thud of large doors opening from the library wing revealed Yona and a peculiar creature that the group hadn't seen before.
"Yona make new friend in class! This River Breeze!" Yona proclaimed.
Ocellus watched as a pony-esque creature with a large, red, branch-like horn and a scaly nose ridge strutted out beside Yona. The blue mane wrapped around its faded orange neck. Ocellus shrank like the prey of a lion as it carefully and slowly stepped towards the group.
"Yes," he rumbled with a deep, smooth voice, "I'm River Breeze. I am a Kirin." He gazed at the others with grey eyes, taking in the details. "We do not interact much with the outside world, but as repayment to the ponies who aided our village, we decided to send myself as a representative of our people to grow diplomatic relations."
"Nice to meet you River!" Silverstream fluttered down and extended her claw. River leaned backwards, a hoof in the air. Ocellus watched as the shape of his torso grew and deflated quickly, and she caught him catch her eyes. Ocellus furrowed her brow, matching his intensity.
But by the time she did, he recovered.
"I apologize." He reached out a hoof and gave Silverstream a shake that sent her airborne for a moment. "I'm still getting used to pony customs."
"Well, if you made friends with Yona, you've made friends with us," Sandbar said.
"Yona mention changeling friend in pink pony class and he gave Yona cooking lesson!"
Ocellus turned back to River. He softly said, "So it's true, changelings are different now."
Withdrawn is how Ocellus described River Breeze. During this entire interaction, apart from that moment of alertness, he was focused on something else, something internal. He kept his distance from the group and kept his sentences to the point.
A smile flashed across River's face for the first time, and Ocellus averted her eyes, showing a slight smile as well.
Ocellus responded to his assessment. "Queen Chrysalis ruled the hive with cruel practices, but now we have been shown love and purpose. Our hive is no longer what it once was." She grimaced slightly at that.
"I hope to make your acquaintance. What is your name?"
"Ocellus. ‘I hope to make your acquaintance’ as well," Ocellus playfully imitated. Her friends chuckled, but River scowled.
"Well, I must be going." He lit his horn a neon red to pick up his saddlebags.
Sandbar strutted forwards. “Hey, she was only kidding around.”
“River, I really only meant to lighten the mood,” Ocellus said quietly. She felt her chest tighten. “I didn’t mean to hurt any feelings.”
Stopping on the bridge, he turned to face down at them. “Joke and laugh all you please, but that is not my preference. Equestria has become so enraptured with empty merriment, such that they lack tact in appropriate moments. You have all shown me that you are the same.”
“Well,” Silverstream asked, “is there any reason to not have some fun?”
River scoffed. “The ponies really have infested others. Classes were enough of a struggle.”
A smug Smolder added, “C’mon dude, I’ve met dragons with more patience for this kind of stuff. That’s a low bar.”
River contorted his face, and there was something in his eyes. Were those flames?
“Yona know what cheer up grumpy friend! Yak Dance!” The ground shook as she crashed into it.
"RAHHH!" An echoed voice tore through the courtyard as River Breeze was engulfed by flames, his coat blackening. The group retreated slightly and stared with mouths agape. "Enough!" For a moment he stayed there. His white eyes and flaming red mane glowered at the group.
Fire surrounded him once more, but by the time he was back in his own coat, he was trotting into the library wing looking dejected.
"Stay here." Ocellus took flight and followed him through the doors.
Ocellus flew amongst the rows of bookshelves and found River Breeze panting. He still had some fiery wisps amongst his mane which he patted down. Ocellus landed, slightly winded, and walked over slowly.
"Not any closer." His eyes widened and quickly checked all around Ocellus.
"It's only me, and I just want to talk," she said.
"Why is that?"
"You were a bit rude to my friends and I out there."
"You speak as if you were not rude to me."
"We didn’t mean to." Ocellus took a small step forward. "Other than some really evil characters, I haven’t met a creature who doesn’t like some lighthearted jokes. It’s one of the best ways to grow a bond."
River Breeze looked more composed now, but still breathing heavily. He sat up and said, "Relationships founded on mockery, of oneself or of others, are not relationships at all."
"You said you want to be friends with me, right?" He gave a short, brooding glance to Ocellus and nodded. "Then you need to at least be able to see things from my perspective. I had no idea that I would hurt your feelings, and I do like the way you talk."
"You really mean that?" he questioned.
“You sound intelligent and proper. While it is fun to joke about it, I think it really speaks to you as a person. You’re focused, confident, and concerned about the world, as a diplomat should be.”
He then relaxed his face. "You, Ocellus, are one I would like to associate with. Your kindness is palpable, and your social competence is admirable. For that, I will humor you and your friends.” Ocellus beamed brightly. “On the stipulation that you do not overwhelm me again.”
“I can assure you of that.” She extended her leg to help River up. “We should get out there and let them know we’re okay, and this way we can start over.”
“Ocellus, perhaps another time.” He waved his hoof. “I am afraid that I will lose my temper once again, and I cannot excuse myself.” Ocellus tilted her head. “The kirin are truth-telling creatures. We must speak our minds, and I wish to maintain good-standing with your friends, but I fear I will not be able to properly.” He put a hoof to his horn. “Oh, what a pity.”
Ocellus gave a bashful smile, feigning confidence. “You can count on me. I’ll make this right.”
Ocellus trotted back to the courtyard doors, but on her way through them, a swarm of green energy encompassed her. She took the form of River Breeze and stood in the doorway.
“Hey, it’s River!” Smolder shouted, and the scattered friends gathered at the doorway.
“My sincerest apologies for my behavior. For certain, another time we will convene, but for now Ocellus is going to show me to my quarters and help me unpack.” Ocellus maintained poise while giving a slight wave. “I shall encounter you all soon.” Without another moment, she closed the door.
Ocellus shifted back and began trotting towards the library, but she stopped when she noticed River proudly trotting out. “That was swell, shapeshifter. I think they were deceived.”
“Although my friends can usually see through my forms, I think I cut it off before they could realize. We’re all in the clear, let’s go back to your quarters and get you unpacked.”
Ocellus started a quick pace down the hallway, pushing herself taller against the carpeted floor. Helping creatures felt so wonderful! Although she was cordial with many students, she saw this as an opportunity to gain a new friend and put her education to the test. Especially proud of her shapeshifting today, she felt that she passed.
River caught up to Ocellus and smiled. Ocellus chuckled and pointed at the approaching doorway. “This is the quarters, which is where the rest of us creatures stay.” Ocellus fluttered ahead and stopped River. “I just want to say that I’m so glad I met you today. Although you may not think general happiness is something good, all of the creatures here want to show you that it can be. I’m hopeful that you’ll see that too.”
“Optimism is not my strong suit, but it suits you well, Ocellus.” River flashed his magic across the doorknobs. “A changeling optimist goes against all my preconceived notions.”
“Ocellus! Hey!”
She peeked around the door to find Ommatidia coming out of a room a couple doors down. “Omma! Hey!” She bent down to give him a quick hug. “How was your day?”
Ocellus chuckled at the shyness on his face. “Honestly? I thought it’d be worse. The classes were fun.”
“Did you make any new friends?”
“Not really,” his fiery orange face masked his blush when he spoke, “but I can see that you’ve been… busy.”
Ocellus snapped her head to face the closed door. “Busy?” She glared, lowering her voice. “Omma, I’ve only just met this guy! And we’re becoming friends.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’m just impressed at how, well, easy it is for you, even as a changeling.”
She sat down and picked his chin up. “It’s far from easy, even for me. Some days, I’m still not comfortable in my own body, being a changeling. But I push beyond that, because other creatures will see me for who I am, not what the hive has done.”
She looked back to River’s room. “This guy stormed off after a conversation went sour. I followed him and made sure to set things straight. I followed my heart, because the heart knows when things are right. As long as you do that, you’ll be feeling confident and showing people who you are. Then, it’s about putting in the effort to help others.”
Ocellus bore through Ommatidia with her eyes. “Can you try doing that for me?”
His smile lit up the room as he bobbed up and down, a flame atop a candle. “Y-yeah, sure.”
“Let me know how it goes tomorrow. I gotta get back to helping River settle in, so go get some studying done or whatnot.”
Omma lept to Ocellus and gave her a warm hug before running off to his room.
Ocellus gave two quick knocks to River’s door. “Do you need help with anything else?” she called out.
River opened the door from across the room, his focus fixed on a nightstand beside the bed.
As he shut the room doors behind Ocellus, his magic didn’t fade. “Tell me. Who were you conversing with? A sibling?”
“Not exactly.” Ocellus went to River’s side, looking out the window. “The way changelings are born—“
“Is that one, too, reformed?”
He encroached upon Ocellus, backing her into the corner of the residence. “Reformed? River, I get that you’re fascinated with changelings, but—”
“Fascinated?” River’s deep cackle rattled Ocellus’ rib cage. “I could not be more disgusted by you monsters.”
A small, sharp pain stung Ocellus’ back leg, but it quickly subsided. Then, she couldn’t feel the floor beneath her. She buckled. The room sprouted black spots at random. Her heart quickened, but she could barely feel the racing of her veins or the pounding of her chest.
She fumbled as she attempted to mouth words. Stumbling to her side, she fell.
River stooped down to her level. “Our village bestowed me with values of truth and trust, that is until I learned deception from your kind. The changelings left my village in flames, and I watched as they dropped their disguises and ran.” His voice turned from brooding to sneering. “I was so surprised at how effortlessly I gained your trust, just like how they gained mine. Don’t think I wasn’t aware of your scheming with that younger changeling just now. Your friends are all changelings too, I’m sure, swooning me into false safety.”
He stood proud above her, like a lion appreciating his work. “Never again.”
Ocellus felt her eyelids giving up.
“The fates are kind to me today. I’ve long dreamt of the day I could witness how well a changeling withstands kirin fire.” She felt sweat building as her forehead grew scorching hot.
Ocellus slightly split her eyelids. She tensed her back muscles.
Big mistake.
The blood in her vessels threatened to burst out of whatever was left of her exoskeleton. The throbbing only intensified the already searing pains on her back. Her muffled screams could barely break through the gag in her mouth. The shocks of pain traveled out to her limbs, making overwhelming stops wherever the burns charred her.
Even when she didn’t move, the stinging pain never subsided, constantly powered by her racing veins. She tried to find some way to focus on meditation, but her focus broke with every heartbeat.
Every heartbeat added to the pain. The pain made her heart pump faster. It wouldn’t stop. Her own body wouldn’t stop destroying her. Only when the tears sizzled on her forelegs did she notice her sobbing.
“I had determined this method would be effective, but these results are astounding.” Ocellus saw River Breeze on a stool by the window. Her vision was still blurry, but those grey eyes demanded attention. “Now for the psychological evaluation.”
He silently trod to her standing, shaking figure. “I just want some information, then I can let you free from those magical restraints.”
The words wiggled their way past the overwhelming sensations which were still racking her body and overtaking her consciousness. She didn’t even have the energy to respond; it was all drained into the burns.
“Will you tell me where the hive is?”
Ocellus could instinctively answer one question that would stop this Tartarus in Equestria. It’s practically common knowledge at this point. If she could get out of here, and back to her friends…
She hesitated.
“I’m going to remove this gag. While it might be hard to muster anything more than a whisper, don’t call for a savior.” Ocellus nodded slightly in response.
As he threw the gag on the ground, Ocellus thought she tasted ashes in her throat. Her instincts forced out coughs, which sent spike after spike of fiery sensations into every piece of her. She was dehydrated beyond puking, instead left to dry-heave and shake with every hoarse cough.
“Why… hurt… me?” Ocellus could barely choke out the words before coughing and crumbling.
“When villages burn, so do their people.” He lifted up his mane, revealing the numerous amoeba-shaped scars on his torso and neck. Just seeing those red spots caused a squirming, singeing feeling throughout her form. “I wished to ensure that at least one changeling befell my own fate. You practically volunteered yourself.”
She couldn’t let him burn the hive. She couldn’t let him invade, pursuing changelings in the same way. She’d rather die, then she wouldn’t have to endure this.
“I see those eyes,” he remarked. “Ahh, a pity. This school is the paragon of scenery.”
No. He would never. Not after burning her like this, not after so much work for just one changeling.
“Or perhaps a friend of yours will be a more willing informant.”
Ocellus tried to change forms. A bear, a tiger, a chimera, anything would do the trick. She felt the magic coursing around her. River simply smirked as he picked up the gag.
Pricks of electric pain began swarming her body. When they lashed out at the burns, her exoskeleton screamed in reply. The replaced gag blocked her own hoarse screams once more. Her mind almost couldn’t register the dozens of zaps and shocks digging into her. She felt so barren, vulnerable, like the innards of her body were slowly charring as well. Her whole body felt violated, turned against itself.
She was waiting for the moment her heart failed.
“I’ll inquire once more. Where is the hive?”
He removed the gag. The shocks no longer emitted from the ring on her horn, but she could only barely speak. “Water…”
He hovered a glass from the nightstand, slowly tipping it. Ocellus was bent on consuming every drop as the water entered her ransacked system. She stomached it without protest.
“Haven’t I changed?” she asked quickly between gulps. Her voice sounded rough yet recognizable. He set the glass down and allowed her shriveled, weak voice to speak. “I denounced Chrysalis’ hive in front of you. I showed you with actions that I am someone capable of good.” She stared back at those unrelenting eyes for a moment. “Your revenge is aimed towards something that no longer exists.”
“You admit the fact of living within that regime. Extermination of any potential that it arises must be ensured.” He chuckled. “You understand that my goal aligns with my values. You understand that I long for justice and worldly improvement. Yet, if you truly agreed with me, then you would have attempted what I am planning.”
“Don’t you see that you’re alone in this? Don’t you see that this will solve nothing?” she begged, even her throat raging at her now. “Justice is not sowed by violence. Those changelings you saw have changed, and violence will not change the past.”
River turned his face to stone. “No amount of conversation will shift my course. I cannot allow the roaches which worsened my life permanently to continue being.”
Ocellus couldn’t bring herself to argue. Her mind numbed over, succumbing to the agony.
He looked over his work. “This test run is over. Reveal the hive location, please.”
The sun was just about to dip below the horizon, gleaming beams of orange light through the panes of the window.
“The first train after sundown,” she muttered. “Then, it’s one morning’s walk south.” She carried her eyes heavily to face his. “Now please let me go.”
“Not so fast.” He rushed on his saddlebags. “I need a head start, of course. Those restraints should hold for another 6 hours or so. At that point I’ll be halfway across Equestria.” He thrust open the window.
“I hope when you find those changelings, you talk with them.”
He peered back at Ocellus from atop the windowsill. “Never. Again.”
A couple thuds slammed hard against the sturdy wooden door. That was the only thing Ocellus could hear through her ringing ears.
This time, she didn’t move a muscle as she awoke. She lay on the floor with outstretched, uncomfortable limbs, but she didn’t dare test anything. If that thudding meant anything, it meant her friends were coming, and that was comfort enough. She could remain until Smolder burned down the door.
Ocellus looked at her forelegs, blackened from charring and covered with large scars. The scars looked like holes. Changeling legs fitting for the hive...
The hive.
Her gut almost made her dry heave instantly, but she held it back. Soon her whole chest felt compressed and crushed by the force of trying to keep herself together. She dared to lift her head and peer out the window, still open from River’s departure. Luna’s moon was high in the sky. Smoke began to plume in clouds out of the room.
Ocellus’ heart began bumping even faster. She couldn’t control it. She clenched her gut hard enough to induce a headache. At the center of her being was her sanity, and she felt it slipping away because of some smoke.
All she wanted was to get out of this hellhole, because it was going to break her. The red-blue flames were all she could see. The gagged screams were all she could hear.
A choked, raspy sob escaped her.
“Ocellus!” Smolder gasped as she clambered through the melting door. “Headmare, it’s n-not good,” she whispered.
Ocellus could hear Starlight Glimmer in the hallway. “Ommatidia, don’t go in!”
Omma fluttered through the small hole, right to Ocellus’ side. “Wh-wh-wha-what happened?”
“Water…” Ocellus croaked out before a coughing fit shook her again. Omma grabbed the glass off the nightstand as Silverstream and Gallus caught sight from the window. Ocellus couldn’t make out their expressions, but she heard a shrill crying from their direction. Ocellus opened her mouth as Omma hurried back.
Ocellus sniffled, trying to clear away the tears. “We have to get word to the hive. River is on his way there now.” She held back a sob. “He wants to burn it all down.”
“He won’t be getting away with this.” Starlight’s voice was muffled by her gritted teeth. She trudged in through the cleared out doorway, Yona and Sandbar in tow. Starlight continued fuming. “I don’t care if I have to travel through time again, this heathen will not run free in any kingdom.”
“There’s a way to tell the hive, but I won’t be able to in this state,” Ocellus whispered. She looked towards the young Omma, lying by her side. “The hivemind.”
Omma tilted his head at first, but then jumped up in remembrance. “Yes, I remember from a long long time ago.” He stood in front of Ocellus and leaned back in an able stance. “What should I say?”
Butting in was Starlight. “Tell them that a pony-like creature with a branch horn and a lion mane is on the way to the hive, and that he is a criminal.”
“Okay, here goes.” Omma closed his eyes. His horn began glowing a slimy green, pulsating in a steady rhythm. His orange eyelids opened slightly, revealing a swirling green where purple used to be. His wings began slightly beating, threatening to lift him up off the ground. He then gasped as his consciousness reentered the room.
“They know,” he panted. “All good.” He took in a deep breath. “Thorax mad. Pharynx too.”
Starlight stepped over and helped him regain composure. “You did wonderfully, Ommatidia.” She took a long look at Ocellus’ wounds. “Every pony, zebra, and alicorn I can think of will be working to help heal you, Ocellus. You can count on that.”
“It’s that bad…” Ocellus stared out beyond every creature in the room. “I couldn’t stop him.”
“This is not your fault, Ocellus,” Starlight stated.
“I talked to him, I showed him kindness, and I helped him. He didn’t care one bit.”
Smolder butted in. “He’s crazy, only an evil creature could do something like this.”
“But he wasn’t evil!” Ocellus barked. “Not before the changelings burned his village down. I showed him that we changed, but all he knew was pain and suffering.” She coughed dryly, wheezing with each breath. “How many lives did the changelings ruin? How many creatures are waiting, scheming for the moment to strike back with their vengeance against the hive?” Ocellus faltered, bobbing her head. “What if next time they don’t fire a warning shot?”
Ocellus felt weightless as Starlight levitated her off the ground. She could hear the barking of directions, but the voices faded and blended together.
As she fell asleep, she stared out the window.
