The Scarred King's Return

All that could be heard beyond the dim static in his mind was the faint crack of earth as it fell through the holes in his hive. To the casual observer, it would appear that he was a simple statue due to how little he moved and how much dirt and dust had accumulated over the years. To a more serious observer, the difference between statue and body would still be difficult to see. His mind drifted in a dreamless sleep as time itself passed him by, suddenly a faint tickle was felt in the back of his mind. It was so small that he wasn’t even sure that it had happened. But just as he was about to dash his hopes he felt it again only stronger, much much stronger.

Inside the tunnels, a team of fifteen changelings worked with a steady pace that over the weeks had slowed considerably. One particular changeling, who had a long scratch going down her right side, was tiredly chipping away at a wall when her pick fell through the dirt wall. The wall trembled and cracked as it tried desperately to hold its shape while the scratched changeling stared at the hole in shock. After a few moments, a couple of nearby changelings gathered to help open the wall. Once the hole had grown large enough for a changeling to fit through it all fifteen squeezed their way in with the scratched changeling leading.

As they wandered through a large cavern they could see similarities to their hive although this hive was in far worse shape. The walls didn’t shift, there were no eggs or cacoons, and the hive had shifted to an ugly charcoal color instead of the natural dirt color it is supposed to have. The only sources of light were various green crystals that protruded from every angle. As the changelings looked around, the scratched changeling looked to the northern wall to see a set of steps leading to the throne that was just barely holding its form. On the throne was a grey-colored changeling with a horn that stood nearly nine inches tall and gently curved towards the changeling's flank. This changeling was caked in dust and dirt, yet it still sat with a regal look to it. The scratched changeling walked up the steps leading to the throne each step sending out a sharp CLOP.

The other changelings turned their attention to the scratched changeling and the grey changeling on the throne as news of this discovery quickly spread through the hivemind. The scratched changeling stood in front of the grey changeling with a look of curiosity and wonder on her face. “What happened to you?” She buzzed as she gently put a hoof on the grey changeling’s shoulder and brushed some of the dirt off of it. Just as she was about to remove her hoof the grey changeling shuddered and while the dirt and dust fell off quietly before a new presence entered the hivemind. This presence didn’t say anything but the other changelings could feel the emotions that the presence carried. Finally, the grey changeling opened its bright orange eyes to stare at the scratched changeling for a few moments before its eyes drooped shut once more.