Author's Note

Sorry for the delay my power went out and I wasn't able to charge my phone until today. Anyways like always bash and enjoy.

Progress

The next day me and Pharynx came up with another strategy to try and 'beat' Buffy. So during our next sparring session we immediately went into action as I charged Buffy with Pharnyx circling around him to attack him from the behind as we tried to do a sort of pincer attack but that ultimately failed as Buffy without turning around kicked Pharynx in the stomach sending him on his knees for a second as I tried to punch him in the face as I hoped he was distracted.

Sadly fate was not in my favor at the moment as he effortlessly deflected my punch with his left elbow making me go way off target leaving myself wide open as he hit the back of my head with his other elbow causing me to stumble forward in pain right as he lifted his left hoof backwards up towards my face causing me to grab my nose in pain as he then hit the back of my knee causing my leg to collapse on itself as my body hit the floor back first.

Now you might be wondering why we immediately are sparring again after we just had our asses handed to us. Well,
After we were brought to the recovery chamber, again.

Buffy told us that he was impressed at how well me and Pharnyx were getting along in our sparring sessions so he told us, if we were up to it, that if we managed to beat him when he then he would move on to something a little more calmer and interesting, but it was only if we did right then and there and if not then we would have went back to regular sparring, which explains the situation were in right now.

As I fell on my back I saw Buffy pull up his hoof as he tried to stomp my face in. Thankfully I was able to react quick enough to be able to barely dodge his hoof landing inches away from my face. Swinging my legs around I tried kicking him with my hooves.

He unfortunately blocked my right hoof but I was able to kick him a bit in the face with my right one. As he stumbled back Pharynx, having recovered enough from the kick he received ran up to him as fast as he could, alerting Buffy of his presence again as he turned around just in time for Pharynx to jump up grabbing both of Buffy's arms as he headbutt him as hard as he could sending both of them to the floor.

Disoriented, Pharnyx started swaying a little as he rolled off of Buffy trying to get back on his hooves as fast as possible. We waited for a couple of seconds as nothing happened and were starting to feel like we finally did it until Buffy albeit very slowly got back on his feet wasting no time me and Pharynx rushed in as I punched Buffy in the upwards in the jaw leaving Pharynx to pick him up using his right arm to pick him up between the legs and his left arm to hold him behind the head as he spun around once throwing him to the floor as we both then rushed in once again to strike him down together until Buffy shot his head up and caught both of our fists.

As me and Pharynx's faces paled what happened next shocked both of us as Buffy said "I yield younglings, good work."
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.
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Unsure if what was happening is what was happening i took a chance and asked "Wait, we won?"

Buffy chuckled "Yeah youngling, you did."

As me and Pharynx processed what we heard we were beyond happy, we had finally done something to Buffy and that was no easy feat in my opinion.

"Now, let's go get recovered and then we move on to the next lesson."

Now for this lesson you two are going to learn how to change forms as this can be either a useful tool or a way to defend yourself. Though this time I won't be the one instructing you. No, for this you too are going to be going to be attending the classes that all the other roles in the hive attend for when they need to learn how to fit in the outside communities.

Buffy then clapped his hands loudly. "SO, I will see you two in about a month maybe more." He then put a hand on Pharnyx and I shoulders "I just want to say that I am very proud on how far you two have come ever since you first came here keep this up and i can definitely you two with future's of being Sentinels."

"Thank you sir"
"Thank you sir"

"Now off you go, well move on to something a little more advanced when you master how to do what changeling do best.

Buffy gave us directions as to where the lessons were taking place so we didn't waste time getting lost. When we did get there I noticed that it looked somewhat like a spacious classroom with a wall serving as a sort of whiteboard. Although it seemed like the seats were just spots you picked on the floor. There were also plenty of changelings here as well, around 50 of them to be exact.

As we were deciding where to sit I saw Thorax waving me over as I nudged Pharynx and discreetly signaled over at Thorax as he gave me a nod and went to find somewhere else to sit. I then made my way over to Thorax to sit next to him, "Hey Joseph, I'm glad to see you here."

"Thanks Thorax, how's your studying going?"

Thorax smiled "Its going great, the stuff I've learned so far is so interesting and I haven't even gotten half way did you kn-"

I quickly covered his mouth as I looked to see if anyling was paying attention, thankfully they weren't "Not in public remember?"

Thorax rubbed his head sheepishly "Heh sorry, but really there's alot of interesting stuff we've learned and acquired over the years."

Before I could respond a changeling taller than anyling else in the room cleared his throat quieting the room down.

"I am Tenna, the ling who will be instructing those with a role to fulfill here in the hive. Although to be clear there will no silly antics or foolish magic wasting in these lessons, as such i don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle magic used and exact process that is part of what makes a changeling a changeling."

"However for those, select, few who possess, the predisposition. I can teach you how to bewitch and fool the outside creatures minds and turn yourself into a weapon with only the knowledge of what you know as the limit."

"I can tell you how to be a creature, shape your mind, and even break the boundaries of what can be done when all of you have to do is think of it."

Tenna then gazed over to a pair of excited changelings trying to but failing to quietly discuss what they're gonna try to turn into first. "Then again, maybe some of you have come to these lessons with abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not. Pay. Attention.

Another changeling to the left of them elbowed one of them lightly and gestured towards Tenna. "Piracle and Circus, two of our, new, Surveyors. Tell me what does one thing a changeling needs to start the process to change forms?"

They looked down embarrassed "You don't know?" Well let's try again how, Surveyor Circus, would you know when to change forms in the outside world to protect yourself instead of blending in with other creatures?"

"I, I don't know sir." Circus said looking away embarrassed

Tenna narrowed his eyes as he shifted over to Piracle "And what, Surveyor Piracle, is the limit a changeling is able to shift forms if the form they choose is one that is beyond their standard their body mass and height?"

A changeling next to them raised their hand only to be ignored as Tenna was focused on Piracles answer.

Piracle looked annoyed at being called out" I also don't know, sir."

"Pity. Clearly you both, know, nothing."

Piracle trying to regain some of their bruised pride responded "Well it seems like the ling next to me knows, so how about you ask them instead of me as I clearly don't have your answer's."

The whole room was filled with giggle like chirping "Silence." Tenna and Piracle had a staredown until Tenna started to stride towards where they were seated passing the changeling with their hand still up as he quickly told them"put your hand down silly ling." They put their hand down dissapointed.

As Tenna approached them he stopped right in front of them as he proceeded to squat until he was face to face with them."For your information Surveyors the experience of seeing and remembering said creature is the first step a changeling is required to know in order to begin the process of changing forms."

"You would know when to change forms to protect yourself instead of blend in when you know that other creatures know you aren't apart of their normal environment and to catch them by surprise by acting that you are none the wiser of their discovery, too early and that makes way for stupid mistakes, too late and you'd already be dead or captured by time you do anything."

"As for the limits on forms that are beyond a normal changelings stature and weight is 5 minutes, less if you are constantly switching in and out for reasons that might be explained in the situation you find yourself in." Piracle was glaring at the floor while Circus was just shrinking in on himself.

"WELL? Haven't I given you the answers to the Oh so hard questions I asked?"

Piracle was still glaring at the floor as he gritted his teeth before he responded "Yes. Sir."

Tenna stood up satisfied "Good, now then as I've said before these lessons will give you the knowledge required to fully embrace your changeling nature, as is required in order to fully fulfill your roles for most of you, although for some of you it can be used as a means to fight against the toughest of foes, and for the select few of you it can be used to make others tremble at what your mind can conceive of. Now, let us get on with the lessons."

As the day went on we were taught on what gives the changeling the ability to transform as Tennan
went on to explain it "Now all changelings have something inside them called a Morphos. Now this particular organ is what allows a changeling to morph into a different form whether it be a different race like a minotaur or Griffin or it be something a bit more dangerous like a dragon or hydra."

"But do not forget, even If this is something only changelings can do you still need to practice with the ability and before you try to even think of it I assure It is much more then just 'seeing and memorizing' as that is only just one part of the process."

"First you have to be able to summon the Corsucate that hides your body from the world allowing your form to be switched out for the form that you desire In that very moment, which you can only do If your body has enough excess mass to allow the Corsucate to fully develop the form that you are trying to conceive."

"Then If all the past requirements have been met they have to get used to the form they have conceived of before they are capable of fighting or infiltrating with it. Every single form Is a new experience that must be treated with care, if not the results could be disastrous" For example, If love is used during morphing into a different form If you are not experienced on using love effectively or just don't have enough of it."

"You could be left in a state of nothingness as without the proper amount of control and capacity for love that was attempted to be added on to the transformation could erase you as the Corsucate has already begun switching out your form for the one you were trying to conceive and without a form being available to switch into it will leave you... as nothing."

"The entire room as we digested the meaning of what that statement meant for us. Tenna seemed to be lost in thought before he shook his head."

"Anyways, now you know how serious this process Is and I will have no fooling around in this class this is supposed to be a monumental moment to be able to fully have access to your changeling nature and, besides that will only happen if you try to use love without experience or just don't have enough of it."

"If done regularly it will simply not work or just leave you with an incomplete form of what you were thinking of although I've been told that sometimes they can be quite uncomfortable so don't try to do that without enough mass available to change into said thought."

A changeling raised their hand "Yes?"
"How would we know if we have enough mass to attempt morphing into said form?"

Tenna grabbed his chin as thought for a moment before putting up a paper like material on the wall that showed a diagram showing the anatomy of a Changeling. "Well when our stomachs have enough or is full of mass whether it be from what other creatures call 'food' or stuff like rocks or branches, anything that you can consume without any restrictions it then travels through a tube connected to your stomach that is lined with acids in order to make consuming mass simple."

"A signal then travels from the brain to test if whatever form comes to mind is available at the moment if not, then nothing will happen but if is then the body will use whatever mass is necessary to complete the form that is being thought of. I hope that answered your question."

"Yes, thank you sir."

'Interesting, it seems that alot goes into making a form, although it also seems like all you need is to know what form your trying to morph into looks like and then you can turn into it and if thats the case...'I grinned 'I think I'm gonna enjoy this new ability but I can't get too trigger happy with how Tenna described what happens with love this isn't just pain that I have to deal with, so this time I have to be very careful with what I try.'

"Now if that is all we shall move to a different part of the hive to allow everyling to try and make use of their Morphos's."

As we arrived in a different part of the hive I noticed that this place looked familiar to me and then thats when it hit me 'Oh were back in the arena looking place.'

Tenna then stopped in the middle and faced us "As some of you may recognize we are in the part of the Hive used to test younglings such as yourselves. This is where we will be for the rest of the time as you get used to trying to make use of your Morphos."

"Now like I said you need extra mass in order to try and change forms, so when you next come here their will be stuff for you to consume in order to get enough. Though for today you will simply be trying to change to look like me, since as long as what you are trying to change is what you look like normally takes little to no mass at all, but you won't be able to do it at all if you can't summon the Corsucate in the first place. "Now I want all of you to close your eyes."

I closed my eyes seeing only darkness "Now I want you to use your magic but dont imagine like your trying to rejecting love, instead imagine your trying to spread it everywhere inside of your whole body and then hold it there."

As I followed what he said I started to feel like I was about to leave my body. "Now if done properly you should feel like your o. The edge of losing your body and thats good thats exactly is what you should feel since that's your Morphos and Corsucate getting ready to switch your form for a new one, now I want you to think of what I look like and the rest should take care of itself."

I started to try and imagine what Tenna looked like 'ok I think at least 5'7, kinda wide but not fat, I think his horn was crooked with spirals to a tiny bit to the left and his fangs were on the far side of his face.'

"As I finished my thought I suddenly felt like I was ripped out of my body only to be forcefully returned back too where I was as I took a minute to settle myself as I opened my eyes and immediately I realized that I was as tall as Tenna. I looked around and noticed that there verying types of Tenna that were also catching their bearings.

"Good, it seems you lot are at least capable of being able to change. Although just being able to change doesn't suddenly make you an expert on this, no now you need to be able to perfect this form until I think I'm looking at a living mirror."

"This Is one of the most important parts of morphing into a different form needed to blend in. You need to be able to perfect any form you try to come up with to not alert the outside creatures of an fake, one mistake and that could be enough as to let them know you don't belong with them."

"So you lings are going to keep practicing until you are capable of perfecting this form of me at the snap of your fingers before we move on to the more advanced stuff. So, let's see how fast you can reach your perfect forms."

I sighed 'Something tells me this isn't going to be a quick checkup.'