Pocket Change

Chapter Music

Change

My brothers and I stood lined up in a row, facing our mother expectantly. She looked down at a clipboard accounting for each of us, "Alpha, Thorax, Pharynx, Kevin, and...Chimera. It appears everyone's here. Alright, boys, you know the drill."

On queue, all of us stood up straighter, hands firmly pressed to our sides.

"Eagle eyes."

Focusing our energy into our eyes, they shifted into those of an eagle. It was a bit of a jarring change, much to our mother's amusement. "Good, bladed hands, augmented muscle, and dragonfly wings."

We sharpened the tips of our fingers into metallic blades, the muscles in our hands strained as they underwent the change. Wings sprouted from our backs, although my clothes were the only ones that suffered from this. I'm still not sure how my brothers can morph freely without their clothes paying the price. Wait...were they naked, are their clothes a part of their bodies? How did I not figure this out until now?

"Next, weave a cat's cradle in between your fingers using changeling silk."

This would go on for some time, but it's necessary to fully be in tune with my body, so I wasn't complaining. Although we lived amongst humans, it was important to know that we are not humans. We're changelings, we're special.

Aria

I flung open the back van doors, climbed inside, and threw myself beside my sisters. I didn't even bother changing clothes, I was in desperate need of sleep. The night had been an emotional rollercoaster. I mean seriously, what was going on? Change got attacked, almost died, turned into a cacoon, and that doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of the bizarre happenings of Canterlot City. The girls that kicked our butts in the battle of the bands can use magic, which I already knew, but it was still frustrating to see.

There are also monsters under the city that look like unholy equivalents to changelings, so that's a thing. Honestly, Petal's talent in drawing was terrifyingly developed. Speaking of Petal, Rarity offered to take care of her. Apparently, she lived at the research facility before the place went to Tartarus. Poor kid. Who would have thought that a sick little girl would be a fan of some obscure girl band, let alone of me?

I didn't like Rarity or her friends for my own reasons, but I knew they weren't bad people, so I didn't mind so much leaving Petal with her. Besides, Petal didn't seem keen on the idea of leaving Change's side, even if he was a caterpillar now... I really shouldn't crack jokes like that. Well, I guess she was torn between going with me or staying with Change, but I doubted I would be able to take care of her. My sisters would probably be full of questions anyway.

It was at that moment that fear took hold of my body, causing me to jolt upright. My sisters... Where were they? I was so tired I hadn't even noticed that they weren't in the van with me. Last I checked, it was 2:00 AM; they were never out this late, even for food. My heart was racing and I could hardly breathe at this point. Oh Faust, was this how they felt when I stayed out late? I had to find them.

Pulling out my phone, I dialed Adagio's number first only for it to go to voicemail. Okay, stay calm. Adagio doesn't always answer anyway. I scrolled down the contacts list, stopping on Sonata's number and taking a deep breath. I pressed the call button, sitting in the back of the van with bated breath. It went to voicemail too. No...no, no, please no. Sonata always answered her phone, even when she was stuffing her face, even when she was in the bathroom. Something's wrong.

My body was yet again overrun with a wave of terror as a thought came to mind. It was something the weasel had said, "Something bad's happening. People are being taken and there are some kind of monsters under the facility."

People are being taken...

I bursted out of the back of the van, desperately surveying the area. I didn't want to acknowledge the possibility that they had been taken, but I needed to be thorough. That's when I saw it. There were a few scratches in the paint on the left side of the vans, green volatile stains on the van, and lining the ground of the back alley. I followed the trail, stopping dead in my tracks when I found a taco keychain lying on the ground.

I picked it up, gripping it tightly, my heart sinking in my chest. It's Sonata's, Adagio got it for her, she wouldn't go anywhere without it. Apprehensively, I continued following the trail, finding that it abruptly stopped at a manhole cover toward the middle of the alleyway. The malignant green liquid laced the cover as if mocking me, beckoning me to follow. They took my sisters. Those freaks took my sisters. What if they get cocooned too, or worse?

Without any hesitation, I stomped on the manhole cover causing it to fly into the air which I promptly kicked into the nearby brick wall. My best bet was that the slime trail continued. Looks like down is the only way.

Underground...

Sonata and Adagio

Adagio kicked and screamed violently, struggling against her restraints, but there was hardly any wiggle room. Just as she and Sonata had returned home, they were suddenly ambushed. Both of them were engulfed in a moist adhesive substance that vaguely resembled the texture of silk. Unfortunately, the girls didn't get any time to see who their captors were, swiftly and abrasively being dragged across the ground as soon as they were ensnared. After a few seconds, Adagio and Sonata felt themselves being lugged over someone's shoulders as they moved swiftly.

Not more crazy fans again, Adagio thought to herself.

It was strange though, Adagio nor Sonata ever once heard their assailants say anything, they were dead quiet the entire time. Well, aside from the pattering of their feet, the sound of rushing water, and panting. Based on the footsteps, Adagio guessed there were at least 8 people. Adagio would have thought that with all the people involved with this, there would at least be some verbal communication.

Whoever kidnapped us, they're good. Wait...then that means we're completely screwed. We've never been kidnapped without our magic before, and Aria's not with us. We can't fight our way out of this. Adagio began panicking, thrashing around more wildly to no avail.

The longer the ride lasted, the colder Adagio and Sonata noticed their surroundings become. It was freezing, which made no sense given that it was nearing summer. And as far as they could tell, they weren't in a vehicle so air conditioning was out of the question.

Just what in the world is going on?

After some time of being carried, the movement suddenly stopped as Adagio and Sonata were thrown on the ground. Luckily, their makeshift bodybags minimized the damage, but it was still rude. Adagio noted to give her kidnappers a piece of her mind once she was free.

As the two girls lay on the grow in anticipation, they felt their restraints being torn away. The moment Adagio felt she had enough leeway, she lunged out of the bag, ready to attack the first person on sight. Only she didn't see a person standing in front of her. Instead, she was met face to face with threatening alien bug creature things, faintly illuminated by a green glow in an otherwise completely dark environment.

Needless to say, Adagio lost the will to fight as she was frozen with fear.

What in Equestria?! Are those changelings? They're so... creepy. Why are they on Earth?, Adagio wondered to herself.

It wasn't long before Sonata emerged from her cocoon, coming face to face with what had kidnapped her. Upon seeing the changeling, Sonata slowly laid back down in her prison pulling the ends back over herself. The changeling made a gesture of annoyance, rolling its eyes before pulling Sonata out of her containment and standing her upright. She stood there straight and rigid, much like a statue

"Good evening girls. I trust you're doing well," the charismatic voice of a woman said from within the darkness in front of them.

Well, we were... until we were kidnapped. Adagio called out into the darkness, "Who's there?"

A malevolent chuckle emanated from the darkness as a large jet-black throne was suddenly illuminated by bright green lights coming from the ground.

"A rather big fan of yours actually," Chrysalis said as she sat atop the throne, one leg laid over the other, her chin rested on a balled-up fist. Adagio and Sonata immediately felt the air change, an imposing aura irradiating from her as if one wrong move would get them devoured.

Despite the terror, Adagio couldn't help but feel that the figure was eerily beautiful. She wore an armor-dress hybrid of varying gradients of green and black, insectoid wings wrapping around her torso. Her ebony skin was perfectly smooth, almost shining. Although Adagio couldn't see her eyes due to the inconspicuous black mask she was wearing, she couldn't shake the feeling of her direct gaze coldly looking over her.

In spite of how nervous she was, Adagio couldn't help but chuckle, "A...fan?"

"Yes, does the Battle of the Bands ring any bells?" Chrysalis said as she waved a hand, the sound of a monitor coming to life behind the sirens.

Both Adagio and Sonata whipped around, their eyes locking on a screen elevated off the ground displaying segments of said event. It seems to be on loop, showcasing the exact moment they and the Rainbooms had used their magic. Adagio felt a tinge of sadness at seeing this, but it was quickly overruled by concern.

"What is this about?" Adagio said, turning back to Chrysalis as she put herself between the creatures and her sister.

Chrysalis rubbed her chin as if thinking about what to say, "Practical effects?" She said, shrugging her shoulders.

She thinks it was... practical effects. No, this is good. She's obviously not that stupid and by no means does she appear to be benevolent. She wants something from us. It's...magic. It's faint, but I can feel it coming from her and these creatures. We could use our knowledge as bargaining chips; at the very least, we could buy time. I think I still have my phone on me, luckily it's on silent. If I could just make one call, then maybe we might stand a chance. These changeling things, whatever they are, look like her pets. If we aren't careful, we'll get ripped apart, Adagio silently plotted.

The sirens felt a bit of tension leave their bodies, one more than the other. "That wasn't effects, that was magic," Sonata innocently stated.

Adagio facepalmed as Chrysalis clasped her hands together in mock joy. "I thought so. Why don't you tell me more about it? Specifically, about those girls, you were competing against. And please, don't worry about the time, I have plenty."

Sonata hummed to herself before shrugging. "I don't see why not, but first... do you have anything to eat? I'm kind of hungry," her stomach rumbling on queue.

Adagio watched as Chrysalis sat on her throne, bewildered, before sighing. "Kevin," she tiredly called out, resting her forehead on a hand, holding out a credit card with the other as one of the creatures scurried over to her, "quickly get us some food, would you? And please, for the love of all that is good, no more pizza."

The creature whimpered and frowned before taking the card in its mouth and running away into the darkness.

Good job, Sonata?

"Could one of you get the lights?" Chrysalis asked of no one in particular.

Why does she need the lights? She's wearing a blindfold. The older siren wondered.

Alas, one of the changelings ran into the darkness, the basement lights coming on shortly after. Sonata and Adagio were taken aback by the sight. The room they were in vaguely resembled a lab, only it had been overrun by some kind of black fungus. Sonata and Adagio were appalled by this, huddling close together to avoid it.

"Oh please, it's not that bad," Chrysalis said as she extended a hand out in front of her, the chitinous fungus clearing a wide space for the girls to stand in.

Chrysalis suddenly began massaging her temporal muscles, groaning as she did so. "It appears I'm a bit more tired than I initially thought. For the time being, wait here until the food arrives, then we'll talk. Don't do anything stupid," she warned as the throne seemed to envelop her, hiding her out of sight.

Running this simulation and interacting in the real world is too mentally tasking. It's one or the other until I get my energy levels back up. I can't take too much love from my patients at a single time, otherwise, I'll run the risk of them losing the ability to produce it entirely. I'll be needing more batteries soon, Chrysalis theorized.

Adagio and Sonata held each other in silence as they stared at the remaining changelings surrounding them. Admittedly, there were only two, and they weren't all that terrifying in the light, well, one of them at least. One of the creatures seemed slightly larger than the rest, a scar running across the right side of its face. It eyed them apathetically, watching their every move, never once blinking. Adagio wasn't even sure if they could blink.

The other sat close by, drooling and panting like a bulldog, a green slime oozing from its muzzle onto the ground as it looked at nothing in particular. Sonata reached out to touch it only to have her hand gently lowered by Adagio.

Change

I wiped the sweat off my brow, sighing in relief. As much as I enjoyed the daily lessons, I was glad they were finally over. Just as I was about to sit down and rest, we all heard a knock at the door.

"Chimera, would you be a dear and get that?"

"Yes mom," I said, walking over to the door and looking out the peephole.

My body seemed charged with newfound energy at the sight of my childhood friends, Trixie and Rarity. I flung the door open, eager to greet them.

"Hey, guys, what's up?"

Trixie crossed her arms, raising a brow. "What's up? Have you forgotten about our plans?"

Plans? What plans? I don't rem...member...

I racked my mind, trying to remember what she was talking about when it suddenly dawned on me.

That's right, we were going to the fair.

"Mom, could I go to the fair with Trixie and Rarity?" I called out into the apartment.

Mother hummed to herself melodically before replying. "I don't see why not. Don't stay out too late, Chimera."

"Thanks, mom, love you," I replied before stepping out of the apartment, locking the door behind myself.

Why did that feel weird? Of course, I love my mom, she birthed and raised me after all, but it felt strange saying it out loud.

Rarity and Trixie eyed me with concern. "Is everything alright, dear?" Rarity consoled.

I snapped out of my trance, smiling back at the two of them. "Yeah, I'm fine, great actually."

"Well then, we should get going. The others are waiting after all. While Trixie does prefer being fashionably late, there's is such a thing as being too late," Trixie declared.

Never change Trix, never...change.