Dark as Chitin

Chapter Music

It’s happened, it’s finally happened. After a decade of being imprisoned in stone, my plan can finally take action. The changeling egg I planted beneath the Crystal Empire 10 years before I was sealed has finally hatched.

The newly born exhibits a frightening level of intelligence and strength. It’s been less than a week, yet it can already speak, fly, and shapeshift. All this on top of being born with a generous reservoir of magical energy due to the residual love from the Crystal Empire.

It’s funny really, the Princess of Love’s greatest asset is also my own. There couldn’t be a better match.

I hate to admit it, but the innate talent of this changeling surpasses even my own. I’m certain, if it’s this changeling, my freedom will soon be at hoof. They’ve done well to make me proud in such a short amount of time, and that’s not to be taken lightly.

I just need to make sure to maintain its loyalty. I don’t need to repeat history, not after… never mind.

As proud as I am, however, there are a few blaring issues that are... areas of concern. This changeling seems almost too intelligent for a newborn; its conversational prowess, its adaptability, it’s all remarkable. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. And that display of dominance over the timberwolves… he’s a monarch in the making.

Now for the more pressing matter. Normally by utilizing the hive mind, I can access all of a changelings consciousness so long as they are linked to my magic. Yet, for some unknown reason, there are regions of this changeling’s mind blocked off to me. But I can feel something dark, almost malevolent behind those barriers. I have a feeling it has something to do with this human thing the changeling mentioned.

Perhaps as time goes on, the changeling’s mind will reveal more of itself. Until then, there’s not much I can do. The next step is to head into Ponyville. My little prince will need to acquire more knowledge about Equestria: magic, history, artifacts, and of course many more forms.

I’m almost giddy with excitement. I feel like there’s hope in reliving my glory days with my little prince at my side. What if he leaves me? No, I can’t think about that. Speaking of him, I’ve yet to give him a name. Hmm… how about, Chimera?

He’s the ultimate fusion of a changeling’s greatest traits. Chimera, has a nice ring to it, yes?

After he acquires the knowledge he needs, he’ll then have to absorb a great deal of love energy into his vessel and cultivate it. There’s no scarcity of love, that’s for sure, but as his power increases, he’ll make his presence more pronounced. That would be dangerous. Luckily, there are several workarounds to this issue. One solution lies in magical artifacts that conceal one’s presence. The other relies on one’s control over their magic down to the magicule.

I have a feeling Chimera won’t have an issue accomplishing either method. He really can’t afford to get caught. I can’t afford for him to get caught. Not only would I be doomed to an eternity in stone, but I would also lose my only child left. I can’t let that happen. What am I talking about? This isn’t like me at all. Has a decade in stone made me soft? Ironic.

What am I doing worrying about being alone? I’ve always been alone, haven’t I? I need to clear my head, gather my thoughts. This is too much to deal with right now.