Through Alien Lives

Chapters

The Tower
Death
The Moon
The Hanged Pony
The Wheel
The Fool: Changeling Info
Discord
The Chariot
The Magician
Temperance

The Tower

The following is a collection of memories in written form made by me, Woog, also known as !vrhssgk! the changeling. Same location names and tactics were altered to maintain Hive Security, so please, do not refer to this account for the purpose of making war upon changeling-kind.

The first moments of wakefulness I experienced without Queen Chrysalis were terrifying beyond any nightmare I could conjure up. Lying on my back in enemy territory, eyes shut, trying not to scream as pain filled every corner of my mind once occupied by the hum of my friends and family. Intellectually, I knew that I only broke a wing, but without an expanded mind to crush the feelings, I flailed on the ground, overwhelmed. Stories of outcast changelings going mad from loneliness swam up to the surface of the ocean of pain, and I shut my eyes tighter still, willing my mind to stop. Other, stranger memories came. A single changeling is as good as dead, a single changeling is useless, a single changeling is stupid, lost, crippled…

I do not know how long I lay there, in my own personal Tartarus. When I came to, my wing had repaired itself, and the ground felt cold against my shell. I was still alone, but I was not crazy, at least. I sniffed at the air. Moss, bark, lichen, the scent of only one pony, a pegasus. I breathed a sigh of relief. If this was a forest or a secluded spot in the Canterlot gardens, I could escape. I risked opening my eyes, and was greeted by a narrow hole in the branches above. The bizarre way the trees seemed to flow together betrayed this place as the Everfree Forest. Nowhere else had so much blessed natural chaos.

This is good, I decided. The Everfree Forest is far too dangerous to search at night, much less for a single changeling. But, being a single changeling was itself dangerous. What if I ran across somepony? What if I couldn’t find my Queen Chrysalis? What if the Hive died?

If the Hive is dead, then you must create another Hive, I told myself, building a wall against the panic. I repeated the mantra before getting up and again as I followed the scent of the lone pegasus. First things first, I would need food and shelter. Ponyville would do for both, and chances are, the pony would lead me there.

The Everfree Forest, I knew, contained everything the ponies could not tame or control. Queen Chrysalis briefly considered building the Hive’s newest home there, before settling on taking over Canterlot. As I trotted along, I realized why. The natural chaos, though far more comforting than the pony-kind’s towns, had a hint of menace to it. Vines curled too tightly around tree trunks, grasses choked flowers, and fallen logs blocked passage. Patches of ground smelled like blood and fear, and when the wind picked up, leaves rustled, whispering of a time when the whole world was a wild place. I walked among trees as tall as any Hive home, and several times, had to hide in the bushes to avoid something that smelled like a cross between bark and wet fur. This was no place for a changeling.

The first glimpse of the moon among the trees made me pause. What would I do when I found the pegasus? I doubted any of my previous disguises in Canterlot would work. Pretending to be a royal guard in the Everfree Forest would raise suspicion. The librarian pony would also cause trouble. Trying to be the rainbow pegasus would risk exposure if it turned out that this pegasus knew her. I decided to improvise. After half-an-hour of trying out different shapes I settled on the image of a brown unicorn pony with blue eyes and a purple crescent cutie-mark. The disguise was nowhere near being as complex and seamless as an existing pony’s form, but I hoped no one would notice as I walked out of the forest.

The moon shone brightly across the soft grass, and in spite of my hatred for Luna, I had to admit, she was an artist. If only she could include some green and light blue in her lighting, she would be as talented as my Queen Chrysalis. The moon itself needed some more craters and a couple elegant spires, to make it look perfect, but then, I suppose a thousand years on its surface was perhaps too little time to complete any major construction. I smiled, letting my eyes see my Queen’s face in the moon. Perhaps, if I could capture the image well enough, I could inspire her, and Queen Chrysalis would reward me. Just then, I walked right into a fence, tripped, and fell on my face.

“Are you alright? I’m sorry! I should have made the chicken coop shine a little in the dark.” Whoever said that sounded familiar. Too familiar.

“I’m alright. And you should.” I used a royal guard’s voice as I quickly rose and jumped over the fence. By the time Fluttershy, one of the wielders of the elements of Harmony flew over to me, I stood on my own four hooves and looked as displeased as possible. What little I knew from my fellow changelings told me she would probably crumble before a stronger personality.“Somepony could have died, you know.”

“I’m sorry, thank you, sorry…eeep” I smiled watching her backpedal away from me. Pleasant as it was to have a small bit of revenge on one of Queen Chrysalis’ worst enemies it would not do for her to be frightened. Terrified, she would be useless.

“Please, don’t be scared.” I suppressed a snort. “I’m just a traveler from Canterlot, passing through. Could you point me to the nearest inn?”

“Um, sure…it’s only a little ways…that way.” She pointed with her hoof.

“Thank you, miss….?”

“…fluttershy…” if she were speaking softly before, this was but a whisper on the wind.

“Fluttershy.” I mentally cursed. Ponies did not have my hearing.

She seemed a bit surprised, and I was glad when she dove back into her dwelling instead of questioning me. I smirked, but left as quickly as possible in the direction she indicated. I could not stay at an inn, of course, because of the ponies’ obsession with gold coins, but I could at least begin my assimilation into pony-kind. A stroll through Ponyville would show me where I can find information about the Hive, allow me to feed on the positive feelings of the place, and hopefully solidify my disguise.

Death

Walking into Ponyville was easy. No guards stopped me, and every pony I met seemed too tired to notice me.

Ponyville’s colors, on the other hoof, hurt my eyes. These ponies were insane if they imagined any creature would ignore so much color and light. Such carelessness reminded me of the underground parts of the Hive’s territory. Only there could a changeling pretend they had no enemies.

The pony residents obeyed a rather strict schedule. Very few stores were open at night, I discovered, and while quite a few homes radiated positive feelings, they were subdued. Walking by, I risked looking into a nearby window. I saw a mated pair snuggled together on a sofa, one sitting rather oddly, as if she were bipedal. I noted her appearance. Perhaps, her form could prove useful later, if I decided their bond was worth exploiting for energy. Strange ponies getting stranger rarely made anyone suspicious, and if I failed, the falling out could be blamed on the pony’s eccentricity.

I took only a bit of their energy, and continued on. A multicolored monstrosity jutted up at a street corner. The building resembled a grub’s drawing of a mineral deposit, too regular to be natural, but far too ugly to be anything built by changeling magic. It was a heap. White, brown, pink, purple, and their various shades made the place look even worse. Why would they build something like this? The place stank of burnt seeds and spoiled nectar, as well as a few other, less identifiable smells. Most surprising of all, a faint aura of happiness surrounded the place, as if the ponies valued this…Sugarcube Corner.

Apart from the nauseating, yet happy place, my eyes and nose were drawn towards an enormous tree-building as I walked through the town.

“I am new in town. What’s that place?” I asked some of the ponies walking by, pointing towards the plant structure. Most made impatient noises and continued on, but one unicorn trudging in the other direction jumped up and rushed over to me.

The unicorn’s blue mane and white fur were practically standing on end. I decided not to copy her, ever. I doubted I could muster so much enthusiasm for anything short of expanding the Hive’s territories.

“That’s the library, and Twilight Sparkle’s home.” The pony eagerly explained. “You must be from really far away if you don’t know! She saved the Princesses, Equestria, and everypony else at least three times!”

“Fascinating. Does she accept guests?” this could be my chance to find out about what happened to the Hive. Twilight did help Cadence defeat Chrysalis in some way, after all.

“Um. I dunno… are you a scholar?” she looked at my cutie mark. “You look like a magician! What’s your name? Did you write any books?”

“I doubt you’d know me. I’m… Woorali Mirrortelling Hooves. And yes, I am a magician looking for a library in town. How did you know?” Pony names were complicated things, but it was on Queen Chrysalis’ approved list of names to use with improvised disguises, and I was reasonably sure no pony had ever heard of curare. Besides, it sounded like my real name, or at least as close as a pony mouth could come to pronouncing it.

“Can I call you Woog for short? I always wanted to meet someone named Woog!” she practically jumped around me as I walked towards the house-tree.

“I suppose.” This nickname would be even easier to remember, even if it sounded like a grub’s demand for attention.

“Twilight Sparkle would love to meet you, I’m sure! She’s got a ton of friends, and, and! Wait! I was going in the opposite direction! Sorry, Woog. Good night! Here’s my card.” Just like that, she was gone, and I had a piece of paper with “Serenity Siren Blue, singer” stamped in large cursive letters. Why a pony would need a card, much less hand them out to total strangers, I had no idea. Was she an outcast, hoping to rejoin with a group of ponies? And what kind of title was singer?

I shook my head, and deposited the card into the bushes next to Twilight’s house. If this was some pony outcast, her instabilities may cause trouble for me if others discover I associate with her. Then, I walked around the tree. Some of the branches looked tough enough to handle my weight. I had a base of operations at last. I looked around, making sure that no ponies were looking my way, and shifted back to my original form, flying up among the protective leaves of the oak. Settling down on a branch, I curled up. It was time to plan my next move.

I had a temporary base of operations, a disguise, and a basic understanding of Ponyville. I was literally on top of Twilight Sparkle, the one who freed Princess Cadence. Tomorrow, I would find a way to approach her, and find out what she knows about the Hive. Perhaps, I could convince her I am interested in a book about the history of the changelings? Then, I would force her to tell me about Queen Chrysalis.

Making sure no windows looked out upon my shelter, I shifted back into Woorali, and gave my disguise a subtle make-over. The hair follicles and skin changed so as to fit with the colors I projected seamlessly, especially around the cutie mark. If every pony I met looked at it to try and determine what Woorali does for a living, I needed it to look more natural. After a few seconds of discomfort, feeling my skin literally shift around my bones, I examined the purple crescent decorating my flank. Not for the first time, I thanked whatever force gave ponies their senses. None of them would notice I copied Fluttershy’s skin and hair follicles to complete my disguise.

As I closed my eyes, I wondered what a pony would do if they were brought to the Hive’s territories, and did not end up as food within moments. Perhaps, they would concentrate as much as me on escape or rebuilding? Or, would their emotions eat them alive, like the pain of my awakening almost did to me? I was lucky, I realized. Even if a pony could survive being without others of their kind, they would be caught within seconds. The two ponies I talked with so far did not stay around long enough to find any holes in my disguise, and Ponyville had neither walls nor guards. They did not even have anti-disguise magic…

The Moon

I dreamt all my limbs were broken. And, worse than that, Celestia herself stood over me, charging her horn.
Waking up, I decided my experiences made me more imaginative when it came to painful, terrifying experiences.

I looked around, checking my branch for any damage my hooves or body would do that a pony could track. It was still dark, but a thin lair of shell dust shone in the morning light. I brushed it off, and climbed off the tree. Once on the ground, I checked over my disguise.

I was Woorali, otherwise known as Woog, a young unicorn pony. I came from Canterlot. This would be easy. My favorite food would be fresh carrots, my favorite activity reading, and my favorite animal would be a praying mantis. I considered coming up with more, but decided against it. I was a visitor to the library, not a permanent guest, after all.

Then, I trotted over to Sugarcube Corner, absorbing some of the energy the place radiated. As I stood there, pretending to be lost, a pony with a sand clock for a cutie mark ran over to me.

“Pretending to be lost? You are not lost, though! Saw you here last night, yes, that’s it! You like this place? Looks odd, I know. Some advice for somepony, or really anything, alien to Ponyville. Do NOT comment on the architecture.” I blinked. Did he just suggest I was anything but a pony? I mentally ran through every aspect of my form. Nothing stood out as a mistake.

“Um…who are you?” I finally said. He could not have detected me so soon. I forced myself to relax, even as I calculated how fast I could jump forward and bite down on his neck. Maybe, I could hide the body up in the oak.

“I’m Eon Smith. Not-related-to-Granny-Smith Smith. Also the Doctor. I pop up sometimes. You see a large black cloud of smoke coming through?” if possible, he spoke faster than before.

“No.” I shook my head. He is mad, and looks at me like he expects something more than just a one-word reply.

“What day is it?”

“Um. I’m not sure.”

“Oh, well. Dates are important, you know. Time moves like this, and the wrong date is actually really quite far away!” He explained, waving his front hooves in front of me before nearly falling on his face.

“Far away? You travel time?” I asked, blinking. The Hive’s archives mentioned changeling scouts encountering a time traveler or two in the past, but each of them had been violent.

“Yes. Celestia gave me permission.”

“Oh. I see…” I tried to imagine what kind of power Princess Celestia must have, if she can order around someone that can re-write history at will, even kill her in her infancy. Then again, the rapidly rising Sun proved her power...

“Yes. It’s very complicated and you can’t even imagine what happened. Trust me, I have no idea either. Still, it’s fun. You should come sometime. Maybe next year?” he grins, and I realize he must be joking. Maybe, this whole exchange was just more pony craziness.

“Next year.” I agreed.

For the first time since coming to Ponyville, I had to come up with an excuse to leave the conversation.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, Eon, but I have an appointment with Twilight Sparkle, and the sun is already coming up. And you mentioned something about a black cloud?” I tried.

“Yes, thanks for the reminder. I should run. Always the running. You sure you don’t want to come with?”

“I’m sure.”

“Woorali, I can get you back here in time for your meeting with Twilight.”

“I think I already said no. Why cannot you leave me alone, and find yourself a silly little filly to go with you?” I hissed at him, rage overtaking my ability to maintain the Canterlot guard voice.

“Okay, okay! No need to get all bitey! See you later!” with that, he was gone, running down the street towards a strange blue structure I was sure stood on the other side of town last night.

I turned around, ignoring a small adventurous voice in my head demanding I go back in time and fix what happened to Queen Chrysalis, even if it meant telling Eon the truth. Then, I realized he knew my name, and sat down, hard. He must know something about my future, something which means that he, an ally, or even a subject of Princess Celestia, can safely ignore. My dream came back, and I shuddered. If I had tear ducts, I would have cried. Instead, I settled for making my face contort into a pony frown.

“A pony looking sad next to Sugarcube Corner in the morning? Sounds like a job for Pinkie Pie!” I turned around, and looked right into the eyes of a very, very pink pony. My enemy from the invasion. The reason I was alone, the reason I would fail!

“I do not require any help from you.” I hissed again in my true voice. What was the point of hiding, now?

“Oh. Okay…” she looked sad for a moment. “Are you sure?”

“Yes! All I want is to go to the library, and find out what happened to the changelings!” I screeched.

“Why didn’t you say so? I’m friends with Twilight! She could tell you all about the changelings, and I’ll go and prepare a welcome party!” the pink pony screamed even louder than me, giving me pause. These ponies are crazy, no doubt about it.

“A welcome party for who?” I asked, dreading the answer.

“For you, silly! You look like you need a REALLY big party to cheer you up!”

“What? Why?” not only has she ignored my obvious changeling voice, she ignored my rage and hopelessness. For a moment, I felt truly silly. Eon may be happy because I removed his need to ask permission from Princess Celestia. For all I knew, the earth pony loved Chrysalis as much as I did. I clutched at that thought, and let it carry me out of the sudden storm of emotion. The Hive made me complete. Without it, I am as crazy as these ponies, I thought.

“You think a lot. That can make you unhappy! Sometimes, you just have to let your brain rest. You don’t wanna go crazy!” Pinkie Pie explained, gently pushing me along toward the house tree.

“Um. Yes. I was acting a little crazy back there. Thank you for your help.” Like expressing my emotions using a disguise and nearly giving myself away to one of the Hive’s greatest enemies, I finished in my mind. Still, I smiled to her.

“You’re welcome.” She smiled back, and I felt happiness. Not just happiness. If Sugarcube Corner radiated positive feelings like a glue vat radiates heat, Pinkie Pie was a fire.

By the time we arrived at the library, I felt overfull, as well as informed. Pinkie Pie told me several jokes which I had to fake laughing at, explained Sugarcube Corner’s purpose in the impossible society the ponies maintained (apparently, it produces food), listened to my disguise’s story about being a scholar interested in changelings, and even tried to sing. I stopped her before she could begin, though.

“I’m a quiet pony, Pinkie. It’d make me happy if you didn’t.” I explained, making sure to use my Canterlot Guard voice. She ignored the change, and somehow this lame appeal to her emotions worked. I checked that she was not feeding off of me, just in case. I never heard of ponies that could, but then, I met a time traveler today, and seen two females cuddling like lovers last night.

“Okie dokie lokie. I love to sing, but we can skip that part if you don’t. Oh, we’re here.” If it were not for my absentmindedness, I would have been annoyed at her stating the obvious. As it was, I felt only thankful.

“We’re here already?”

“Yeah! Time flies when you’re having fun!” she giggled. I felt nauseous. Pinkie’s happiness was addictive, but I was only one changeling!

“Spike, Twilight, I have a new friend who wants to see your library!” She bounced up to the door, paused in midair, and knocked on it with both hooves. I blinked. I swore to myself I would never again be surprised by anything in Ponyville.

“Good morning, Pinkie Pie! Who’s your new friend?” the creature that spoke those words made me break my promise. I stared at the baby dragon, a chirp escaping my lips before I could turn it into something harmless and pony-like.

“This is Woog! He’s a Canterlot scholar who wants to know everything about the changelings who attacked Canterlot!”

“Wow! A Canterlot scholar! Nice to meet you Woog! I’m Twilight Sparkle!” a purple unicorn nearly skewered me with her horn when she materialized with a flash of light. Another flash of light, and a moment of disorientation later I found myself inside the library.

All libraries are the same. The smell of ink and paper, accompanied by a faint scent of magical discharge permeated everything. Hundreds of books lined the shelves. Weeks of pretending to be a librarian paid off, and I could recognize some of the titles from appearance alone. This Twilight loved complex magics, science, and history.

“It’s nice to meet you, Twilight Sparkle. I am working on my own book about the history of changelings. They are fascinating creatures. ” I wondered why they looked at me as if I sprouted another head.

“Changelings have history?” the dragon creature, Spike, spoke first.

“Spike!” Twilight levitated the baby dragon up to her, shutting the door with a burst of magical energy.

“What? Changelings are evil and stupid.” I wondered what the dragon would say if I changed into my normal form right now. Time to score points with the ones I will depend on for information.

“I don’t think they are evil, or stupid, Spike. They care about each other, and they nearly took over Canterlot. I want to learn all about them, to avoid any future conflict.” Sometimes, the truth is better for proving my trustworthiness, I decided.

“That’s very wise, Woog. Spike, be nice. Maybe someday, changelings will learn from us.” She nodded towards me, and lowered Spike to the ground. The dragon crossed his arms, and looked up at me.

“I don’t think so. And what kind of name is Woog, anyway?”

“It stands for Woorali Mirrortelling Hooves! Isn’t that an awesome name?” Pinkie Pie piped up.

“Yes, Woorali Hooves.” I smiled down at the dragon. He learned a lot from ponies, but not enough to ignore his instincts. Suspicion was as natural to dragons as breathing. Perhaps a smile would be enough to reassure him? He glared at me, hissing, but walked up the stairs.

“Twilight, be careful. There’s something wrong with him.” Spike whispered, shutting the door. I was tempted to shout that nothing could be more dangerous than a dragon growing into adulthood in a house filled with paper, but the surprised and hurt look on Twilight’s face made me pause. Best not to hurt their connection, I thought.

“He’s usually so sweet…I don’t know what came over him.” she said, sniffing.

“Don’t worry, Twilight! I’ll make him some baked bads tomorrow! Sometimes, a friend just needs some time alone, you know! When I was…” she looked over to me, I shook my head. She shut her mouth.

Looking over at Twilight, I could not help myself. I giggled. She looked how I felt in this crazy town.

“Did you just get Pinkie to stop singing, Woorali?”

The Hanged Pony

“So, what did you want to know?” Twilight levitated a small scroll and an owl feather pen before her. After a few tense moments, I managed to convince her I was not a madpony hypnotist, and that Pinkie Pie was not in fact a slave to my powers.

“I want to know what you think the changelings wanted when they attacked Canterlot, and I’d like to know where you think Queen Chrysalis resides now. Any of your theories about changelings might also help.” I said.

“Well, first,” she marked her scroll with a series of scribbles “I believe the changelings wanted to control everypony in Equestria. Chrysalis had a lot of mind magic around my brother, Shining Armor, and the changelings captured in Cloudsdale used similar spells. As much as I hate what they did to Shining Armor and Cadance, I think they just don’t know any other way.”

“Do you believe there is another way?” I asked. Twilight proved useful, even if her views were at most half-right. The Hive was running low on love and our territories could not support more population growth. Queen Chrysalis decided to domesticate the ponies, and gain both a stable, renewable food source and territory at the same time.

“You must already know this, but the earliest mention of the changelings appears in The Book of Long Winter. A small number of black-shelled ponies approached the gates of the polar guard post. In exchange for blankets and a few hours inside the building, they helped the royal guards and three magicians working there escape from a dangerous creature. Nopony died, and one royal guard even said that his headaches, caused by an overabundance of magic at the pole, bothered him less around the changelings.” Twilight explained, all the while writing what she said down.

“They’re like leeches!” Pinkie Pie bounced, her hooves squeaking with each landing. I raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. “I visited the hospital, and there were all these leeches there that helped the doctors save lives! I even got to pet one! They don’t taste good, though. I should taste a changeling to see if they taste better!”

“I doubt changelings taste better.” I quickly said. Although, imagining Pinkie Pie trying to lick my Queen Chrysalis was funny.

“Yes…Well, what I’m trying to say is that changelings could be our friends one day. They clearly have something to teach us about mind magic, if they can help a pegasus suffering from Magical Tide Syndrome. Maybe, we will all live to see royalty marry a changeling for who they are, not for who they’re pretending to be.” Twilight nodded, checked off something on her scroll, and continued.

“So, you believe mind magics used by the changelings are a feature of their culture, not something they must do by nature?” this was proving fascinating. I never had the chance to discuss the Hive with any being alien to it. Besides, I reasoned, moving the conversation towards the location of my Queen so quickly would be suspicious.

“Um. Not exactly. I noticed something strange when I fought the changelings in Canterlot. Each one was connected to the others through a spell which looked a lot like Chrysalis’ mind control.”

“Maybe Chrysalis was forcing them to be mean!” Pinkie looked shocked.

“I’m sure that’s not the case. My own studies suggest that changelings have free will.” Food would never understand my kind, I decided. They just accused my beautiful Queen of being a tyrant, when she was chosen from among the females for her beauty, love for the Hive, and ability to handle the Hive’s vast connections. Perhaps she was not the kindest of Queens, but she cared for the Hive’s wellbeing, and would never force any of us to bow to her will!

“Actually, I think Chrysalis helps the changelings use their minds better through an inversion of the mind control spell. So, maybe mind magic IS natural among changelings. The choice not to use mind control on ponies remains, though. They could just ask to live with us and be our friends.” Twilight scribbled something else unto the scroll. I never considered befriending ponies before.

They were afraid of creatures like me, and most of them were far too stupid to understand why the Hive mattered, let alone appreciate our art and music. The only way we could coexist peacefully would be if my Queen Chrysalis forced them to accept our Hive on their territory. History proved this time and time again. Still, it intrigued me that Twilight possessed such detailed knowledge of the one peaceful interaction between changeling-kind and ponies. She also had a unique perspective of mind magic. Magical inversion of mind control spells never even occurred to any changeling of the Hive, let alone as an explanation for the wonders achieved through mind expansion. I will have to test her theories, I decided, if only to prove her wrong.

“Indeed.” I finally said. “Could we perhaps go to my next question?”

“Yes, the whereabouts of Queen Chrysalis and the other changelings. When Shining Armor and Cadance created the new spell, their love threw most of the invasion force west, out of Equestria, and into the ocean. If I had to guess, there’s a lot of wet, unhappy changelings somewhere near the Golden Isle.” Twilight drew what I suspected was a complex diagram of my Hive’s trajectory.

“They shouldn’t have crashed a wedding.” Pinkie Pie said. She sat against a book shelf, reading a book. I never noticed her move away from me. The spine of the book read ‘Cupcakes and the Ponies who Love Them’.

“Right. My brother’s wedding was going to be perfect, if not for the invasion. He had every right to throw them out.” Twilight said. I nodded. Mentally, I congratulated myself. Peace won’t come any time soon. Ponies, like changelings, tend to think of their own.

“A few changelings, were flung north and east. Ten changelings were captured in Cloudsdale, three in Manehattan, and five near Canterlot itself. The royal guards also found a number of shell fragments as far as Everfree Forest and the mountains.” Twilight continued.

“Do you think I could meet any of the captured changelings? And how far away is the Golden Isle?” I hated the thought of my Queen and the Hive trying to survive on a small island.

“I will ask Celestia for permission next time I write her a letter. I’m surprised you didn’t request an audience with her, instead of visiting me.” Twilight Sparkle said.

“I didn’t want to disturb her so soon after the invasion.” The truth, as usual, served very well. “Perhaps you can ask her later.”

“Okay….The Golden Isle is about two hundred miles west, off the shore of Los Pegasus, well away from Equestria. I don’t think anypony will be sailing there soon, but just in case, I told Celestia that the sailorponies should be warned.”

“Wise.” I muttered, imagining my Queen trying to find the mainland. It would take her several weeks at least, and I could not help her. Perhaps, I could go on the road, and rejoin the Hive? Then, I could help!

“Woorali? Are you alright? You froze…” Twilight poked me with a hoof.

“I was just thinking about the changelings.” I forgot, as usual, just how easily an unexpanded mind could be distracted.

“You stood really, really still! You would be great at Statues!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Statues?” I asked, bewildered.

Pinkie Pie looked confused by my question for a moment, then opened up a dark blue book I could have sworn was hidden under an astronomy manual across the room, showing five gray ponies standing around in various poses while another, looking suspiciously like Eon Smith, looked directly at them. The next picture showed the gray ponies moving towards the brown colt when he was turned around.

“It’s a game, silly!” she cheerfully exclaimed. “Ponies have been playing it ever since Handsome Troy invented it back in… a long time ago!”

“How did you do that?” I asked. Not even in my confused state would I have missed a bright pink pony bouncing across the room to fetch a book.

“Do what?” Pinkie looked at Twilight, then back at me.

“It’s Pinkie being Pinkie, Woorali. And, don’t worry. She won’t make you play Statues if you don’t want to. Now, we were talking about the Golden Isle. I just said I think Chrysalis will escape eventually.” Twilight levitated the odd blue book back on a shelf, away from Pinkie Pie.

“You are right. What do you plan to do?” perhaps, if I could not help my queen actively, I could at least warn her.

“If she won’t listen? We have to use the Elements of Harmony.” She then went on to explain the way these weapons functioned. Nothing about them made any sense, but one thing was clear. If I did not take over Ponyville and neutralize these ponies, they would kill my entire Hive. I would have to give up on rejoining my kind, for now.

I excused myself, gathering up the study materials Twilight Sparkle loaned to me, and left to contemplate the best way to make the Hive safe. Sitting at the local park, thinking about the morning’s events, my thoughts increasingly turned to Twilight’s theories about mind magic and Eon Smith.

If I could expand my mind using a spell for controlling the ponies, instead of relying on the Hive, I would be able to do far more to help my queen. And, if it did not work, I could still create loyal zombies to take over Equestria, thus saving the Hive from the Elements of Harmony. What kind of evil creature would call a set of magical weapons that rip apart metal armor and turn creatures to stone “harmonious”, anyway?

As for Eon Smith, after a bit of thought, I dismissed him as irrelevant. The few time travelers my kind encountered, while dangerous, were easy to destroy, and could not change their fate after a fight. Therefore, the earth pony would fall without trouble once I had an army of loyal ponies.

Looking over at three young fillies running around the park screaming something about their cutie marks, an idea for testing Twilight’s theory came to me. I forced my magic up to the surface, careful not to draw attention to my spellwork, and began combining my own sense for the Hive with a simple mind scrambling trick I learned as a grub. Then, I forced the magic to turn, imagining its new shape as a connector between pony and changeling. The magic felt slippery, almost as if the energies within my horn turned to oil, but nevertheless, I aimed at the three ponies, and fired.

((Hi, everypony! Now, I know this chapter’s ending isn’t very nice to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, so I’ll let you in on a little secret. Woog’s spell will only work on one of them! You get to choose which one. Send me a note with the name. The pony with the most votes will be changed, possibly forever, by Woorali’s spell. You'll have 'til the end of next week, 12/09/12, to decide! In the meantime, I'll write a couple other stories to pass the time, and complete some IRL business.))

The Wheel

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS…bzt…Vrs! Klik!” the spell hit the odd, off-white unicorn foal. She absorbed it all! Worse, I could sense the spell altering itself within her.

“Uh, Sweetie Belle? You okay?” the earth pony said. The pegasus also looked alarmed by the change.

“I am optimizing thought streams as part of before-mentioned cutie mark acquisition. Do not mind me, Applebloom, Scootaloo.” Sweetie Belle replied. Instead of expanding my own mind, I managed to expand hers. This would be interesting.

“What?” the two young ones asked in unison.

“Oh. Sorry! What I meant was, I am concentrating on creating a system by which we may locate our talents. In the mean time, I invented a game. We are going to need some string, a ball, three helmets, a stick, and one blackboard…” I listened, trying to keep track. The mind-expansion spell itself would need to be tweaked a little. She was all over the place.

From what I could tell, the spell could only change one pony to assist in mind expansion, and one had to be very careful to keep control of it. From the confused looks on Applebloom’s and Scootaloo’s faces, I judged the mind expansion itself to be far greater than I anticipated. The pony minds must be smaller and more efficient than their brains’ true potential!

“You’re not a dictionary, Sweetie Belle. You’re a calculator!” Applebloom screeched, jumping away from her unicorn friend.

“What? I just pointed out that Rarity’s designs could be improved by twenty percent, like Rainbow Dash says. Back me up, Scootaloo!” Sweetie actually looked hurt, and I decided to terminate the experiment. Conflicts between friends and mind expansion spells could be tracked back to me. Not to mention, she looked a little like a young changeling grub that lost its mineral supplement. I hated that look.

“You just invented a new level of egghead, Sweetie Belle. I didn’t even know you could use math like that. But, yeah, Rainbow Dash did say Rarity should work more on coolness levels…” Sootaloo smiled at her friend. Perhaps, this would turn out alright, even if I did not intervene.

“Well, One-Stone of the diamond dogs predicted that math could be used to invent anything!” the unicorn said, fluffing her mane.

“Wait…you mean the same One-Stone that visited my sister’s farm?” Applebloom put a hoof against Sweetie Belle’s head. “I thought you didn’t pay attention when Granny Smith told us that story!”

“I didn’t. I remember opening a book about him when we tried to be librarians. He was the first Chair of Thauma-Physical Mathematics, ever!” she smiled, and I mentally cursed. Ponies did not have memories like this. Hopefully, her friends would ignore this.

“You’re sayin’ you just remembered a book you opened once?” this Applebloom and her questions!

“Yes! It’s amazing! Wait, girls. I am detecting a slight charge of magic around my horn. Maybe...bzzt.” I turned off the spell as quickly as I could.

Then, I ran. If the foal discovered me, after I experimented on her, the ponies would kill me! After all, they would not trust the word of a changeling that my work would not harm her. Still, as I passed by a gaudily decorated fashion shop, I wondered if my next experiment would be safer. Tomorrow, I would test the spell on the owner of this place. Surely, whoever they were, nopony would notice the difference. They almost never wore clothing, after all…

“Heya, Woog! You left in a hurry! Don’t worry. I don’t care that you like Queen Chryssie! I could tell you didn’t want us to hurt her. Oh, and I wanted to follow you around some more and be your friend and set up a party!” The stream of words from the pink creature made me jump. How did she find me? Perhaps, it would be safer to accept that she is just Pinkie Pie, I realized, as I watched her jumping around me even as I trotted at a brisk pace.

“Yes, well. Changelings are a lot like ponies, and Chrysalis is only trying to help her subjects. I just don’t like hurting anypony.” I said, trying to process the barrage one sentence at a time.

“Or, you could be a changeling!” she giggled.

“Don’t worry, silly. Even if you were a changeling, which you’re not, I’d still throw you a Welcome to Ponyville Woorali Mirrortelling Hooves Party! I couldn’t find out where you stayed, so I decided to just have the party be in the main square! That way, everypony could come!” Pinkie Pie cheered, and performed a loop in midair I thought only a pegasus or a changeling could manage.

“What if I don’t want a party?” I asked, smiling. My disguise stood up against many ponies, so far, but I was not a betting changeling.

“Listen here, mister! I don’t mind keeping quiet because you don’t like singing, but if I don’t party sometime tonight, boom, there’ll be a hundred Pinkie Pies everywhere!” she grabbed my neck and indicated the whole of Ponyville with a sweep of her leg.

“Just imagine! Pinkies, Pinkies everywhere…”

“Yes, that would be…bad.” I agreed, nodding and trying not to imagine that much chaos in one place.

Pinkie Pie smiled, let go, and walked alongside me like nothing happened. Pony culture’s tolerance for strangeness exceeded even Queen Chrysalis’. How could that be possible, I wondered. They live together by choice, they have nothing to hold them together should their neighbors hate them… And yet, this strange pony is one of the Elements of Harmony, and friends with Fluttershy, the one creature I could scare half to death?

“So, where are you going?”

“I don’t know, Pinkie Pie. I like to walk around when I am thinking. What about you? Don’t you work?” I replied, hoping she would leave me alone. In my reduced state, I could not think very efficiently, and I needed to, if I was going to perfect the Hive spell.

“The Cakes let me have the day off. Something about Equestrian labor law.” She pronounced ‘Equestrian labor law’ with the same tone Twilight used when discussing the wedding. So, maybe Pinkie Pie hated Celestia…

“Oh! I guess you wanna be left alone, right? Sorry! I keep forgetting that friendship lesson! Just come over to the square around sundown. We’ll have so much fun!” watching Pinkie Pie run off to do whatever it is Pinkie Pie does with her free time, I wondered how such a creature kept her sanity around ponies. Maybe, that is why I enjoyed her company enough not to break my disguise and tear her to shreds. We were similar.

Looking up at the sky, I considered transforming into a pegasus and stretching my wings for the few hours that it would take Celestia’s ball to travel all the way to the western edge of Equestria. That would be even better than trotting around on the ground for my thinking. Still, as calming and friendly as this place was, I lived in the midst of my Queen Chrysalis’ greatest enemies. They joked about changelings, but underneath it all, I knew them. A fish struggles from a sea serpent’s mouth. A rabbit runs from the paws of the manticore. I could not risk creating another disguise, especially not just so I could be comfortable.

Author's Note

Well, I posted another chapter. A Christmas Present? Or is it that my readers deserve coal for not showering me with love?

What does the future look like for young Woorali? Shall he fall before the might of Pinkie Pie's party, or will Sweetie Belle the Genius teach him a thing or two about messing with young foals' minds? The only thing I can be certain of, is that Woog is about to find purpose and meaning in his life.

The Fool: Changeling Info

Dear Kerta,
How are you? Has there been much progress on your steam cannon? You asked me about my changeling friend, Ssk, and he recommended I send you a report about changelings I wrote for the Council back in 6100. I edited a few parts of course, since I doubt you wanted to hear how large their military is.

Hope your curiosity is satisfied!

Changeling Biology

Origins

The problem in finding the true origin of changelings as a species lies in their incredible potential for mutation. A single rogue spell, a badly phrased incantation, or even a leaking power crystal can force a unique adaptation in their blood. Indeed, the only thing constant about a changeling throughout their life is change.

However, examining their physiology and comparing it to existing life forms suggests that all changelings developed from a creature not unlike the modern parasprite. No one is certain when the parasprites and the changelings diverged, but it is believed that it was a recent development. The earliest evidence of changeling shells dating around the time paleoponies started building the first cities.

Physiology and Medical Information

Contrary to popular belief, changelings possess a skeleton that supports their musculature and shell. It is much weaker than even that of the pegasi, but it exists, and proves the idea that all intelligent life requires a backbone true. Changeling teeth appear to be developed for biting and scraping at rocks, rather than eating meat, and are a part of that skeletal structure, rather than some extension of their shells. Their shells periodically molt, and are considered distinct from their skeletons, even if made of the same material.

Like many lithovorous species, changeling stomachs are many-chambered and magically acidic. Unlike the dragons and diamond dogs, however, changelings do not possess intestines, liver or any means of cleaning their system beyond producing a thick, gelatinous substance from their hoof-holes. Digestion of minerals does not bring any energy to changelings, but is instead only a means of rebuilding their bodies.

It should also be noted that there does not seem to be much difference between changeling blood and the mineral-rich green water their caverns contain. Because of this, a changeling can survive for weeks without any water, and can hold their breath for up to an hour. However, with no blood cells, they depend heavily upon their magic to maintain good health.

Changeling “emotion-eating” is actually a form of thaumavorous behavior. As such, their horns and hearts have specialized cells that absorb a variety of energies given off by magical beings experiencing emotion. Other cells within their bodies then use the absorbed energy to animate and maintain the body.

Changeling reproduction is surprisingly similar to those of other mammal and mammal-like species, with one major difference. Changeling mothers produce eggs that hatch into grubs, which then develop slowly into young, rather than giving birth to foals as ponies do.

Changeling elemental make-up differs depending on litho-diet, and their average temperature can fluctuate depending on thauma-diet and the needs of assuming a particular shape. Starvation can be identified by sluggish movements, decreased intelligence, and aggression, while mineral deficiency’s symptoms include unusual growths on the shell and brittleness. No known viral or bacterial illnesses can infect a changeling, though a changeling can carry them. Magical illness is not common due to high rate of mutation and thauma-diet, but a few cases each year come in with the same symptoms as anypony else.

Psychology

Basics

To put it bluntly, changelings are a swarming species. Every member of the Hive increases his fellows’ individual intelligence, and the Hive’s wellbeing itself depends upon a large population of thinking, feeling changelings, as well as a hub to hold it together. This need for a large community to survive and thrive makes changelings tolerant, if somewhat distant in their interactions with each other.

Mental Landscape and Illness

Unusual personality traits among changelings are neither celebrated nor hated. So long as a changeling works with the Hive and does not threaten the safety of any other changeling, they are seen as sane. Behaviors ponies would interpret as paranoid or obsessive are routinely observed among changelings, and a few changeling even display what to most other species in Equestria would be insanity. The only mental illnesses recognized by the changelings themselves have to deal with one’s inability to link with the Hive and acting against other changelings. The first is treated, while the second tends to earn one expulsion from the Hive.

Changeling minds are capable of expansion. That is, a changeling can use the Hive to become more intelligent. Memory, reflexes, focus, and sometimes creative thinking can thus be augmented. Because of this, changelings do not have an average intelligence quotient. As with dragons, there is no telling if one is an idiot or a genius through standardized testing.

Changeling Interaction

Changeling society revolves around the Hive, but their individual lives revolve around the Queen or King, themselves, and perhaps a small circle of friends. Their devotion to the hub of their Hive rivals even the pony devotion to the Princesses or the dragon’s love for their hoard. To want to harm the Queen or King is unthinkable even to the worst monster among them because of this hardwired care.

When it comes to personal interests, changelings have hobbies and will often set aside the largest portion of their homes to a project. A happy changeling is one that has something to do after they’re done supporting the Hive. Changelings that have similar interests will often form small clubs.

Friendship among changelings is not as celebrated as among ponies, and is in fact closer to the dragon concept of the word. Changelings value each other as members of the Hive, much as dragons see each other as lords of separate domains. Thus, for feelings of friendship to develop, two changelings must first understand where each of them stands. If they see each other as equals, they may become friends. If one is greater than the other in some way, they may become rivals (though, by the standards of changeling society, there is no difference between a rival and a friend—rivals are just friends that push you to succeed). Far more often, two changelings will simply ignore each other after a brief interaction, however, recognizing that they are alien to each other.

Two changeling friends rarely abandon each other. Just as one belongs to the Hive unless one proves dangerous, so do friends often care for each even after a falling out. However, if a changeling does lose a friend, they often mourn the event in the same way they would mourn being removed from the Hive. Indeed, all social units are, within the changeling mind, similar to the Hive. Not being in one is alright. Being in one is good. Being cast out is terrible.

Romance and Reproduction

Changelings are a long-lived species, with a few Queens and Kings surviving well into their eight hundreds. Changelings also rarely reproduce. Biology and society have thus molded the population into something strange by pony standards. Among the changelings, females are outnumbered by males such that a single female often has three males as her neighbors.

To a changeling, romance is entirely separate from reproduction. While they do care for their grubs, few of the changeling species consider them to be products of love. Grubs are the next generation of changelings, separate from their parents, but connected to the Hive. To care for them as extensions of oneself would be foolish, according to changelings.

Love amongst changelings is perhaps the purest, because they do not recognize as many rules as ponies, dragons, or even griffons. To a pony, two females together would be shocking, though perhaps ignorable. Changelings can assume any shape to please their loved one. To a dragon, a high lord and his immediate inferior together would be strange, but acceptable. Changelings do not blink at the hub of their Hive, the royalty among them, being with a common excavation drone. Griffons see a triad as being a possible combination of romantic partners. Changelings have no problem sharing love between entire harems (the closest word ponies would have for such a thing).

Of course, there are some rules. Interspecies romances are frowned upon. Leaving the changeling territories and giving up on the Hive because of a non-changeling is a crime. Inter-Hive relationships, when those happen, are also seen as strange.

Culture

Language

Spoken Changeling is a series of hisses, clicks, grunts, screeches, and melodies. Very similar in structure to paelopony languages or possibly the dragon art of roaring, it is meant to convey basic ideas and help organize the Hive properly. New words are made from combinations of old ones, and the grammar is loose at best.

Written Changeling started as a means of marking tunnels that were too dangerous so changeling society never forgot them. Despite shared intelligence and easy-to-use telepathy, written Changeling gained popularity as part of the arts. Interactions with other species also led to innovation, and modern written Changeling borrowed a few shapes from griffon and pony letters.

Telepathy is perhaps the most important to the changeling language. A changeling that cannot connect to the Hive and communicate mind-to-mind is crippled socially and academically. A few ponies are skilled in the spells necessary, but so far, no means exists to copy the ‘accent’ changelings possess in that versatile medium of communication.

Names

The subject of changeling names is a difficult one due to how the changeling intelligence works. To a changeling, remembering fifty different names within the span of an hour is easy. Changelings pick up languages in weeks, rather than months. Because of this, changelings often have several names that they identify as their own.

The first name any changeling learns is the one they are born into and alter as they age to suit their purposes. Due to the simplicity of Changeling as a language, a few short hisses and clicks, such as Krshkl or Hsh, are enough to identify a changeling from another, thus leading to the pony myth that changelings do not have family names.

As a changeling ages and alters the name they were given, morphing it into an expression of themselves, they may begin to organize lists of concepts and ideas they can use as names for disguises. Changelings tend to prefer older languages for their possible disguise names to avoid problems with naming themselves something silly (Door Opener the changeling had a very short spy career among pony-kind).

Technology and Magic

Changelings are masters at copying other species’ inventions. Despite this advantage, though, changelings are only barely more advanced than dragons, preferring to use magic.

Magicians among changelings are common and operate much the same way as unicorns, weaving spells using their horns. Changelings seem to have trouble experimenting with magic, however, as a lot of their thaumaturgical research is done by examining other species, rather than trying anything for themselves. Still, a few spells are uniquely changeling, in particular the various mind magics dealing with information and control.

The Arts

Changelings value the arts as a hobby and as a means of preserving information even after the original owners of it are dead. Poetry, song, carving, painting, and mosaic are considered Memory Arts, and valued highly. A changeling may well work for the Hive as an artist with such skills.

Second most valuable are the Clothing Arts. Things such as dresses, jewelry, decorations, and mirrors are matters of great importance to changelings. Appearances can be altered, but a good piece of jewelry will survive for a long time. A changeling that has this as a hobby will tend to be popular, and there is a chance that their skill will be recognized as a means of interacting with other species, and thus, something the Hive needs.

Architects and Chefs are valued the least, so much so that some changelings consider such things to be no more artistic than raising a grub or carrying water. Still, buildings that look pleasing to the eye, and mineral supplements that taste better than others are not entirely worthless, and individual changelings trade for them.

The Economy

Changelings care about the Hive. As such, changeling jobs always revolve around creating the best environment possible for the Hive. Every changeling works for at least a few hours of their day in order to form a better connection between the various Hive members, from creating new tunnels and discovering caverns to writing epics and teaching grubs. The social pressure to participate is simply too great, and combined with the fact that a healthy Hive gives one greater intelligence, and a ration of energy required to stay alive, no changeling is without some chore they must perform. Usually, such things are rewarded not based on time spent, but on the result, so relatively few changelings are overworked or underpaid for their services.

The other side of the coin is the world of competitive merchants. Because every changeling has a hobby, very few are without something to trade. Some changelings end up becoming more influential, and gain the ear of the Queen or King, while others lose much due to the whims of their fellows. Still, total failure is extremely rare, and even the poorest changeling owns far more than a homeless diamond dog or a hoard-less dragon. Griffons and ponies are richer on average, but this is mostly because bits are a currency supported by the Princesses (with apologies to the Princesses, I see such practices as unfair).

Changelings have no currency of their own, and their barter system seems primitive when compared even to the diamond dogs’, but when one can potentially remember a deal they made six months ago or calculate as well as any griffon-built machine, there are few swindlers.

When dealing with other species, changelings tend to apply the same standards they do to their own kind. As such, insider trading is not recognized as a crime, and many of the safety practices that griffons and ponies accept as part of a job may be ignored.

Politics

Changelings select their royalty based on their ability to handle the Hive connection, their ability to be noticed, and their ideas for serving the Hive. Voting among changelings is a matter of telepathy, and as such, vote counters are unnecessary. Once the King or Queen is selected, they are considered the closest a single changeling can come to being the Hive itself. Their role as the hub of all changeling intelligence is considered important enough to also give them near-absolute power.

Fortunately for changelings and other species, a Queen or King that makes too many mistakes or harms the Hive itself will lose their title. Unfortunately, even changelings that did not vote for the monarch in question will give them many chances, and the position is for life.

Changeling nobility comes from the merchants, those whose barter produced the most personal wealth. Because the idea of inheritance is alien to changelings, who view anything a dead changeling left as being up for grabs (one of a few times full-scale riots are likely to break out is when a rich changeling dies before they gift their property to another), the nobility changes fairly often by the standards of ponies. Dragons would view such a practice with distaste, however, because so few changeling nobles know how to lead. They are merely the richest, and thus the most likely to catch the Queen or King’s attention.

Death and Spirituality

Death terrifies changelings, as does becoming a non-changeling. Thus, one of the few spiritual beliefs the changelings share with ponies is a concept of the afterlife where their society remains unchanged. Of course, in the changeling version of the afterlife, other species exist as well, and accept their status as food for the changelings.

A dead changeling is often treated no better than trash or a resource. While myths that changelings eat their own dead are greatly exaggerated (changelings are nothing if not pragmatic when it comes to mineral resources), a few use them as decoration or as part of a building. Because changelings also use old molts, it can be difficult to determine whether a painted shell belonged to an honored ancestor or was merely shed last month, so ponies and griffons are warned not to make assumptions.

Unlike ponies, changelings do not view Princesses’ abilities as anything unusual, as some of their oldest remember a time when the Sun and Moon were moved by entirely mortal wills. No changeling has converted to any griffon religion, either. However, the changelings do believe the earth itself, and its various treasures have spirits that must be recognized. Especially beloved is the spirit associated with the green underground rivers.
No changeling has ever named any spirits, or worshipped them directly through sacrifice, but it is common to hear one thanking a certain piece of ground. The Hive is sometimes also seen as a spirit, but then, it is only to state that changelings are superior to other species.

Closing

Whatever I write about them, changelings are more ponies than insects or monsters, and as such, deserve respect. The integration between species progresses slowly, and as a griffon among ponies, I question the wisdom of accepting beings so different from myself. Still, my friends among the changeling-kind are many, and my love for their poetry great enough. If someday I am called on to be an ambassador to their Queen, I will go with no fear.

Sincerely,
Sir Bardrick of the Equestrian Embassy
PS:

Ssk wrote this for you, after hearing how much you enjoyed a painting of the Badlands at night.

I hold in me the silver plains,
The cupful of my loves and pains,
The gift of stars so wild and free,
Where my steps leave no trace,
But memory.

Author's Note

Hey, a bit of information about changelings and a tiny little poem to tide you over while I work on Much Action That Is Bound To Happen Eventually.
Oh, and of course, everypony is welcome to use info contained up there, if you wanna.

Discord

Watching the pink blur moving around the town square, I regretted stopping her from singing. I could feel the earth move beneath my hooves, and small sparks flew off whenever Pinkie made a sharp turn.

“I’M GONNA HAVE A PARTY!” Pinkie stopped in front of me, tied a balloon to my horn, and grinned.

“Or else you’ll be sorry…” I was already sorry for coming early. That this harmless, food-producing creature could look so like a diamond dog about to strike made me sorry I existed, though. Getting her to stop singing may have been the worst thing I have ever done.

“Smile, silly. This is your welcome party, and it’s almost ready to start!” she said, before shooting off to Sugarcube Corner.

If I survive this, I swore again and again, I would never underestimate ponies. Looking around me, I saw Ponyville’s center hung with ribbons and balloons, games at every corner, and tables laden with strange, burnt things the ponies find so delicious. I knew from the many reports changelings gave that nothing ponies prepared for consumption had any value as a mineral supplement, and most pony games were impossible to win with skill. At least Pinkie also provided a few pitchers of water and other liquids, so I could pretend to enjoy her offerings. For some reason, I wanted her to know I appreciated this, even if I hated the very idea of spending time in a crowd of creatures that would kill me on sight if I revealed myself. Perhaps, her similarity to me made me care? Maybe Twilight Sparkle’s naiveté concerning interspecies relations rubbed off on me?

Untying the balloon from my horn and watching it fly upwards, I noticed a rainbow-colored pegasus flying overhead. Seeing her dive down, I tried not to flinch when she stopped her fall less than a wingspan from the ground. I hated her on the day of the invasion, and I hated her still.

“Hello! Welcome to my welcome party!” I tried to smile and look cheerful. Whatever my feelings, I wanted to blend in. According to Pinkie Pie, that meant loving parties.

“Hey, you’re Woog, right? I’m Rainbow Dash! Pinkie’s going all out on this party. What did you do?” she asked.

“Well, I…might have stopped her from singing once or twice.” There is no way I could manage to be civil around this pony, I decided. It would be much better to just give her something to focus on.

“Wow! You know, she’s gonna make you party extra hard, right? And, she’s probably gonna make YOU sing!” Rainbow Dash giggled, slapping me on the shoulder with a wing.

“Me, singing?” The thought never even entered my mind, but letting it show would serve me here.

“Don’t sweat it, Woog. Just sing something you know, or go along with whatever crazy tune she cooks up. Pinkie’s great at improvising. Or, she always comes prepared. I can never tell. Did you know she once caught me, the fastest flyer in…” Letting Rainbow Dash talk served both to keep other ponies interested in meeting me from approaching and saved me the trouble of coming up with conversation topics.

I could concentrate on surviving this insane get-together. Singing anything a pony would be familiar with could give me away. One bad note or wrong sound, and my shell would be emptied. Trying to sing along with Pinkie, as much as I realized I liked her, would be stressful, as well. I could do nothing but translate a changeling tune and alter it to suit the ponies’ expectations of what a scholar from Canterlot would sing. Were I complete, the whole process would take less than five minutes, but I spent almost fifteen thinking of words to rhyme with “green-beyond-green-sea-waves-of-Great-Cavern” that would make sense in ANY pony language. And, it looked like Rainbow Dash was getting tired of discussing the many ways in which she is awesome.

“You know, Woog, I never had anypony…well, except Scootaloo… listen to me like that. You’re cool, even if you are an egghead.” This compliment given, she flew off to help Pinkie with some contraption she brought out of a nearby bush.

Looking around for something else to save me from pony scrutiny until I was ready, I saw the pair from before, the ones I witnessed in the window. I volunteered to help them set up a chocolate fountain. BonBon and Lyra, they were called. The pair had almost as many adventures as the Elements of Harmony, if the clues they dropped were anything to go by. Lyra kept trying to convince me, as the wonderful Canterlot scholar that I am, to recognize the existence of “humans” while BonBon tried to explain that the whole thing is not in any way related to the Mares in Black rumor that went around Canterlot last year.

“Lyra, BonBon, thank you for the wonderful welcome, and for letting me assist…” I said, levitating the fountain high enough for the two ponies to put the table with the tiny motor underneath it.

“But you won’t be researching humans, or helping us fight the Cider-Drinking Dog…” I nodded as Lyra looked downwards, and the sadness spread several feet around her.

“On the other hoof, I will be sure to mention your good fight against Equestria’s enemies to others!” the smiles they gave me then were worth it. Those two had to feel love and joy. Anything else from them would be a crime, even to a being of my nature.

“Woorali! There you are! How can there be a welcome-to-Ponyville-party-of-epic-proportions if you’re not there to greet the guest of honor! She came here herself, after Spike sent her a letter about you! Oh my goodness, oh my goodness! Come on!” Pinkie grabbed me, and suddenly, I felt cold.

“Who?” I hissed, dragged along past an orange pony wearing a hat. Applejack gave me a dirty look, but continued speaking to Twilight Sparkle, who nodded to me, smiling encouragingly.

“She’s nice! Don’t worry!” Twilight giggled.

“We’re gonna sing a song for Princess Celestia herself! Maybe I shouldn’t sing more often! So many great things happened! Like a new friend! And a party! And Celestia! And cupcakes!” before I could protest, she shoved one of the horrible things down my throat, and I found myself standing before a throne in a brilliant azure tent.

“Hello there, Woorali Mirrortelling…Hooves. Spike tells me you’ve been curious about changelings. I’m surprised you traveled all the way to Ponyville just to hear Twilight’s story and learn what she knows.” Celestia smiled down on me. I looked around. She brought no guards. None of the ponies looked armed. She did not know! I swallowed the bitter cupcake, and smiled back.

“Well, your majesty, I wanted to know everything. The changelings pose a threat…” I began.

“And I bet he’s one of them!” the baby dragon jumped from behind the throne, pointing an accusing claw at me.

“Spike, dear! Don’t interrupt the royal audience! Besides, that Woog seems like such a gentlecolt…” Rarity, the fashion pony, said from somewhere behind me. The fuming reptile passed me as he went to join her. I almost forgot she even came. Could she have been avoiding me on purpose, like Fluttershy?

“Hmm. Yes, well, as I was saying. The changelings present a threat, but…” by Sectum, I had the means to see Queen Chrysalis! “I believe I can communicate with their Queen. The key lies in using mind magic to send images and ideas directly. If she sees what we see, and knows how much you care, she might agree to meet you and settle everything peacefully.”

“Then, it’s settled, Mister Hooves. The Elements of Harmony will travel with you to meet Queen Chrysalis. Just in case you can’t talk things out with her.” She winked to Twilight, who I realized stood on my right. That bothered me for some reason, but Pinkie standing on my left felt so soothing…

“Why won’t anypony listen to me! He’s a changeling!” Spike’s voice rang out once more.

“He’s NOT!” Pinkie Pie screamed behind me.

“He loved my cupcake!” she explained.

The pain in my gut doubled, but I kept smiling. This trickery, this masterful move, felt inspired. I would see my Queen. I would rejoin the Hive. And all the while, who would be helping me, if not the ponies responsible for my current state! I tricked Celestia herself! What is a little pain, compared to the value of the defense pony cuisine provided?

“Spike, I like Queen Chrysalis and the changelings. They are, like diamond dogs and minotaurs, our fellow creatures. But, I’m not one of them. I’m not pretending to be somepony.” Applejack sniffed at me as I said that, and for a moment, I wondered just what talents the Element of Honesty could have. But, then she shook her head and smiled at me, nodding.

“That’s right. Spike, just because I like apples, that don’t make me a tree. Now, stop bein’ paranoid. The fella wants to help us. Let ‘im!” she said. Had I truly done something Chrysalis could not?

“I think Woog isn’t a bad pony.” Fluttershy stood up for me. I chirped despite myself. How could Chrysalis possibly fail with these creatures?

“Alright. But, you guys have to write every week. If you don’t, I’ll…I’ll…I’ll do something about it!” with that, Spike left the tent. Princess Celestia watched him go, almost sadly.

“Twilight, please tell Spike how thankful I am that he wrote that letter. If it hadn’t been for him, we wouldn’t have Woorali to help us.” Celestia said, and I felt Twilight’s presence leave.

“Now, you have a party to attend to, and as much as I’d love to stay longer, I must go. Rarity, tell Twilight I’m sorry…”

“Wait! You said Woorali and I would get to sing a song, and you’d listen!” the pink pony jumped up and down.

“Your majesty, please let her sing! I’ll sing anything! JUST PLEASE LET HER SING!” I fell on the floor in what I hoped looked like a pony begging position. Pinkie must sing, or something terrible would happen. It nearly did, when Celestia decided to visit.

“I call this one the Smile! Smile! Smile! Song!”

I fear what happened then will live on in my memory. Changeling opera and military maneuvers could not prepare me for this. It was a party to end the world with.

Author's Note

Oh my goodness, I've neglected everypony. Well, for that, you get a new chapter, and a new idea. You may hear more about the Cider-Drinking Dog as I write stories focused a bit more on why I think you never see humans, that most magical of all creatures, in a world where dragons in tiny little aprons make tiny little cookies for talking ponies. For now, though, I leave you with a thought for the next chapter:
How could a changeling like Woorali possibly fool the mane six and Celestia herself?

The Chariot

“You’re tellin’ me you didn’t bring anythin’ to Ponyville?” Applejack asked me for the third time in the last hour.

“I travel light.” I replied.

“You sure do, Woorali, you sure do. Still, I figured a scholar like you’d have some books or papers or somethin’.”

“These are unnecessary when I can remember all I need to know, and my fellow scholars are willing to provide whatever literature I require.” The more I opened up without revealing myself, the better. And, offering some kind of explanation would stop her incessant prodding.

“Right. Well, let’s head over to Coffee’s.” she shrugged, shifting her saddlebags.

“Why would we need coffee?” I wondered aloud.

“Nah, Coffee Sparkle! He’s got an adventurin’ store. If we’re gonna go on an adventure, we should be prepared! A hundred bits, and we’ll have everythin’ a pony needs to travel halfway ‘cross the world.” She explained, pointing to the edge of town with a hoof.

“I see. It’s interestin’. I mean it’s interesting.” I said, staring at the place. It reminded me a bit of the shacks built around the Badlands by passing griffins.

The store was a single-story building of wood and brick with a large “Adventure Starts Here” sign over the roof, its paint peeling after years of neglect. Its windows looked ready to pop out from the amount of clutter, and the “we’re open” sign hung crooked, a bandolier of bells attached to it.

Trotting up to it, I noted that the door, unlike most pony gateways had a number of locks, and sparkled in the sunlight with some sort of magical shield. This Coffee understood safety.

“Come on. He’s a bit odd, but he’s as smart as my brother, and sells the best knick-knacks in town. Last one there’s gotta carry the saddlebags home!” Applejack exclaimed, rushing down the street.

I blinked, and trotted after her. My chances of catching up to an earth pony on the ground were next to none, so why try?

“Not much for a mornin’ run, are ya Woog?” she smiled, opening the door for me. I did my best not to collapse as I stepped over the threshold, and into the welcoming darkness of the shop.

The sheer variety of objects inside surprised me. Zebrican masks I saw only thanks to the Hive’s memories shared space with herbs and fungi of the lands south even of the Badlands. Books, maps, and scrolls gathered dust next to a suit of armor meant for a diamond dog. More practical objects lined the shelves behind the counter, such as lamps and rope, but what drew my attention sat under a pile of travel cooking pots. Coffee Sparkle had a changeling molt.

“Hey, Applejack! Goin’ on another adventure?” the owner of the store was a gray pegasus wearing an eye patch. The pony carried himself like a soldier, and I suspected he served Celestia for a long time before settling down among the earth ponies. Seeing me, he narrowed his one green eye, and shifted into something resembling the Hive guard’s defense posture.

“Sure am, Coffee. Gonna need some rope, a sturdy lamp, seven bags of dried supplies, no, make that eight…” Applejack did not even notice Coffee’s sudden change.

“Um, hi? I’m with Applejack.” I ventured. A few of my changeling friends back home needed some reassurance that the being before them meant no harm before they could drop their guard.

“Oh, yeah! That there’s Woorali Hooves. He’s a scholar up from Canterlot. He’s comin’ too. Gonna try and convince Queen Chrysalis we ponies ain’t a bunch of snacks for her swarm.” The orange farm pony explained, hoofing a saddlebag filled to the brim with adventuring gear my way.

“Eeeyup. Good luck with that.” He nodded to me.

“Pardon me, but where did you get that thing over there? It looks like it came off of a changeling.” I sniffed at the pile of pots, levitating the molt. It had a painting of a sunset as seen from the mountain entrance into my Hive’s territory. The traditional changeling inscription below declared it the work of Lord Krrikik.

“It did. The pony who sold me that says it’s from their Hive. Some poor souls went there soon as the wedding ended to try and flush out the leaderless bugs. But, all they managed to do was collapse some tunnels and take a coupla things. I’ll give it to you for fifteen bits, if you want it. Haven’t had many buyers for changeling stuff. It’s all so dark.” Coffee said, polishing the shell of the thing with the back of his hoof.

“I see. I didn’t know ponies tried to visit the home of the changelings. Equestrian military?” I stared at the molt. If a military force invaded the Hive territories, we had no means of defending ourselves without the Queen.

“There was talk in Canterlot of sending some flyers down to the Badlands, but Celestia said it’s not worth it after Shining Armor and Princess Cadence bucked Queen Chrysalis across half the continent. My old guard friends told me Prince Blueblood nearly pulled out every hair in his mane when he heard his ‘noble expedition of peace’ would be cancelled on account of no support from anypony.” Coffee Sparkle grinned.

“Huh.” I said. Pony politics never interested me. That they had two rulers alone suggested weakness in government, and this Prince Blueblood further proved it.

Applejack looked over at me, shook her head, but continued to read off whatever list she memorized for going on adventures.

“One set of lighters. Pinkie blew them up the last time we had to travel. Oh! Got any maps of the Southwest?” she nervously hoofed the ground.

“Sure, I got a map or two. Sorry they’re so old. You alright?” Coffee asked as he slid an ancient-looking papyrus to Applejack.

“Ah! Yes! Sure! I’m not hidin’ anythin’!” she exclaimed, stuffing her purchases into another saddlebag and thrusting it into my mouth. I blinked.

“Right. That’ll be a hundred bits. Ah, make that ninety. You girls are my best customers.” the pegasus trotted over to a large gray machine, which he banged with a hoof until it made a ringing noise and revealed a tray.

“Don’t tell me you haven’t seen a cash register before, Woorali.” sighed Applejack as she pushed a pile of bits to Coffee Sparkle and made her way through the clutter of the store towards the door.

“Of course I’ve seen one!” I exclaimed, dropping the saddlebag I held in my teeth.

“Sure you did.” she said, opening the door for me.

The way to Twilight’s library proved less difficult than I thought. Pony saddlebags were smaller and less rough than any container changelings used. Having fur made the ponies more careful. Within less than an hour, I saw the treetop of Twilight’s library.

Applejack’s odd behavior at the store, however, worried me. Had she sensed something about me? The question would have to wait until we were on the road. If the Elements discover who I am, I will simply hide somewhere until they tire of searching, I decided. After all, I am the changeling who fooled Celestia, I reassured myself.

The Magician

It took almost the full day to get ready. The ponies packed everything, from huge amounts of their odd food to clothing. More than ounce, I felt dangerously exposed by their preparedness. Still, the six ponies suspected nothing.

“Woorali, I'm sorry, but do you think the changelings would like a gift? I know you are the expert...” Fluttershy spoke up for the fifth time in as many hours. Of all the ponies, the pegasus cared the most, and in the stupidest ways.

“Yes, they would. Just pack what you think will help with the negotiation!” I said, perhaps a bit too loudly.

“Woorali!” Twilight growled as she levitated a book over my head and into an ever-growing saddlebag with her cutie mark stitched on the flap.

“I'm sorry. But, we should move soon. Every day we waste is a day Chrysalis has to cause trouble.” and another day I am away from my Queen, I added inwardly.

“Darling, stop worrying!” Rarity said as she jumped up and down on a suitcase that looked full to bursting with what looked like bolts of fabric.

“Yeah! She wouldn't dare make any trouble!” Rainbow Dash yelled from outside, where she was busy folding what looked like a large yellow mat. Why she would want a floor covering, I had no idea, and it fast dawned on me that I did not care.

“Adventures got a way of workin' themselves out.” Applejack helpfully added.

By the time they packed everything, I carried a set of saddlebags of my own. Twilight insisted I needed my own library and scholarly supplies.

“Like a Canterlot scholar should!” she said sternly. Insisting a Canterlot scholar could set their own standards brought me nothing but more books, so I kept quiet until we were safely away from the tree library.

“Why must we travel at night?” Rarity asked, looking around the nighttime Ponyville.

“Because changelings like travellin' at night.” Applejack said, before looking at Twilight.

“Yes...we don't want...to be surprised! Yes, if Chrysalis is moving while we rest, and we meet, she might do something nasty before we can convince her we don't mean any harm!” Twilight waved her hoof, smiling at Rarity.

“We will rest when we reach the Mossy Ruins, though.” the purple unicorn nodded to me.

Stopping at the Mossy Ruins was my idea. The collection of rocks disguised a changeling outpost in Equestria, perhaps the only tunnel leading directly to our territories. I hoped to contact the guards at the entrance, and pass on a message about Queen Chrysalis' return and my plan to give the ponies over to her. Maybe, they could help. It took a bit of convincing, since the ponies preferred to travel by train, but in the end, Twilight listened.

With that in mind, I trotted beside Twilight, the road leading all of us away from Ponyville, and toward my victory.

Reaching the Mossy Ruins, we set up camp. Applejack and Rainbow Dash made sure I helped, and even Pinkie Pie encouraged my efforts, as dismal as they were. Pony tents made no sense, and making the fire without using magic (even Twilight insisted I do it without a spell) took almost a full hour. As everypony lay down, I excused myself, and transforming back into my normal shape, scuttled down to the nearest sunken-in stone.

Shifting the block of wood painted to look like rock out of my way, I hissed a greeting into the hole. The hiss returned sounded tired.

“Hello, equal. Are you another refugee?” having a voice in my head, as well as in my ears!

I swiftly sent the images necessary, and though I lacked much, the message went through with ease.

“Good. We were getting worried. Will you be alright alone?” the changeling asking sounded sad.

“I have to.” I hissed in reply. Shifting back into my unicorn shape, I made my way back up to the camp. As I left, I thought I heard a faint hissing.

“Another poor, mad thing.”

“I am NOT mad.” I hissed as I climbed into my tent.

Watching the embers of the fire it took so long to build glowing in the dark, I wondered about the ponies. They were keeping something from me. But, if they knew what I was, I would already be in Celestia's dungeon, or worse. So, it had to be something they kept from my persona, from Woorali the unicorn. Perhaps, Pinkie Pie fancied me? She did seem to prefer following me around...Or, could Spike have convinced them after all? The little lizard was still angry when we left, judging by the upstairs doors being slammed every once in a while.

Something crunched in the darkness. Did the changeling guard leave his post? If he did, my plan could be ruined in seconds!

“I have them in my power. Don't be a fool!” I hissed, anger rising as I slid out of the tent, only to meet face to face with a large canid face.

“Oh. I see.” I said in Equestrian, feeling very foolish. Of course, the Mossy Ruins would have their own timberwolves.

“TIMBERWOLVES!” I screamed, scrambling back into the tent, doing my best to appear large, threatening, and unpalatable. I failed. A crooked, branch-like paw ripped through the tent and pinned me to the ground.

“Chrysalis, I'm sorry.” I hissed, losing my disguise and biting down on the timberwolf's leg with all my strength. I hoped to fool everypony a while longer, to get them all to her, but now, it seemed like I would have to escape and hide from them instead. All because of a stupid wild animal. Which was now making odd barking noises as strong hooves beat its back and head.

“Come on, Woorali! Fight 'im!” Applejack yelled to me. I tried to reply, but having a mouthful of splintering wood made that difficult. I could feel my fangs creak in my head as I tried my best to dislodge them and wiggle out from under the enormous wood dog which shook and howled like a its face was on fire. A quick check confirmed that Twilight cast a spell that burned at the thing's nose.

Ripping my teeth out of the hardened skin of the timberwolf, I watched as the ponies chased it off, feeling sick. There is no chance they did not see me, I thought. Any moment now, and they would come back and capture me. Struggling up to my hooves, levitating the tattered remains of the tent off me, I applied my disguise as best as I could, and was about to run away when I heard a cheerful laugh.

“Yay! You're okay! That was very brave of you, fighting that meany-pants all by yourself! Anypony else woulda run away!” Pinkie Pie smiled at me, her eyes reflecting the glittering ash of the campfire.

“Indeed.” I spoke. “You didn't see anything odd, did you?”

“Darling, I just saw a brave pony defend us from a giant timberwolf. That is pretty odd!” Rarity spoke up. She ran after the wood monster? The thought alone broke me. I smiled, and fell on the ground.

“That was awesome...” coming out of Rainbow Dash's mouth was the last thing I heard before I tuned out the world to contemplate the impossible. They did not notice! How stupid were these ponies? Or, is it they did not care?

Author's Note

For those wondering why I was gone for so long--I am sorry, but ROTLCON won't make itself the best convention ever.

http://rotlcon.com/

The amount of awesomeness I am working on is beyond words, and I hope you can forgive my slowness in creating this latest chapter.

Temperance

Waking up to see six mares staring down at me, the events of last night came crashing into my mind.

“Don't worry, Woog, you're safe! We're your friends!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Twilight told me everything, and we decided it would be best if we told you the truth, darling.” Rarity added, levitating a pillow under my head.

“Sorry, Woorali, but you didn't fool nopony. We know you're a changeling.” Applejack said. I blinked. Just my luck. I shut my eyes, and let my natural colors return.

“Go ahead. I cannot escape. So, just get it over with.” I sat up, eyes still closed. I imagined I could see them glaring down at me.

“Get what over with?” Rainbow Dash finally said after a full minute of me sitting perfectly still.

“Prison, banishment, execution, whatever it is you do to changelings.” I said, sighing. This was so unfair. Celestia knew all along, and this whole trip....what was the whole trip for?

“Why? You're just a pony like us, trying to help your princess...err...queen. That's not bad...right, Twilight?” Fluttershy looked at the purple unicorn.

“Right. Every other changeling tried to do something horrible. You walked into town and introduced yourself. Then, you warned us about the timberwolf instead of running away and letting it eat us.” Twilight explained.

“The Princess was right about you. If anypony can convince Chrysalis to stop scheming against ponies, it's you.” she smiled at me, and I felt nothing but kindness from them all, tinged with pity and relief.

“I am loyal to my Queen.” I said softly.

“Exactly. Look, we aren't angry at you, and we don't want to hurt you. You can tell.” she bowed her head, and I felt, rather than saw, images of my stay in Ponyville.

She was right. The ponies were not the enemy. Even if they had me cornered. Even if I had nothing to fight back with. Even if...I realized I was hyperventilating.

“It's okay, Woog. We will help you find Chrysalis, and you can help every...changeling.” the butter-yellow pegasus smiled as she patted me on the head.

“I do not need your reassurance! I am a changeling! You are food!” I hissed, jumping to my hooves as I scuttled to face each of them.

“Hey, listen, we're trying to help!” Rainbow Dash stepped in front of me, her hoof on my shoulder. I bit down without thinking, before running into the bushes.

Where I was greeted by a now familiar violet aura of Twilight Sparkle's magic. The bubble containing me rose into the air and hovered as the Elements gathered around me.

“Stop it!” Twilight yelled at me, and I stood still in the bubble.

“It's on, bug-boy. I'll kick your flank to Manehattan and back!” Rainbow Dash yelled, shaking her bitten hoof at me.

“Hey, now, he's just scared. Let's take care of that there bite before it gets all infected.” Applejack steered the angry blue pegasus away from my bubble.

I watched as the ponies took care of Rainbow Dash. She looked angry, but as soon as the bandage fit snugly against her hoof, she flew up to me, and looked at me, eyes scanning every part of me. I flinched when she moved as if to kick the bubble.

“Copy me for a second and I won't break your fangs off.” she said simply, grinning.

Without thinking, I shifted into her shape. She smirked before kicking off the magical sphere to do a loop around the ruins. I let the shape drop. I hated having to do all the colors.

“I think she forgives you, Woog!” Pinkie Pie called up to me. I nodded.

“But, I'm not letting you out until you promise not to run away.” Twilight spoke.

“You are our chance to talk some sense into Chrysalis before we have to use the Elements. More than that, you are our chance to make friends with a whole new species!”

“And, if you don't mind me saying, you have good fashion sense if you can turn into a stallion like that.” Rarity spoke up.

“I think you can do lots of good 'round Equestria if you didn't keep tryin' to conquer everythin'.” Applejack tossed an apple up to me, which passed through the bubble without trouble to land next to me.

“What am I supposed to do with this? It is your pony food.” I said, confused.

“It's a wax apple, not food. Won't go bad. Hold unto it and think 'bout things. We'll be right here, but I don't wanna hear a word from you 'til you've learned to stop bein' paranoid.” the earth pony nodded, satisfied, and began to pack up her tent.

Soon, they were on their way, and I floated above them in Twilight's spell, looking at the wax apple. Why would ponies have fake food? Why give it to a prisoner?

After several hours, they stopped walking, and Twilight lowered my bubble prison to the ground.

“Now, I am going to let Fluttershy in, Woorali. If you do anything that hurts her, I WILL hurt you, understand?” she growled at me, and I nodded.

When Fluttershy moved into the bubble, I considered holding her hostage, or maybe just biting her out of spite. The chances any of them stopping me before I could seemed slim. But, as I looked at Pinkie Pie, I realized I could not let her down. Clutching the wax apple in my holed hooves, I moved towards her slightly. She flinched, but stood her ground.

“Um...hello?” she said.

“We already met, but this,” I indicated my body. “is the real me.”

“Fluttershy, will you be alright in there for an hour or so?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, I think so.” the pony nodded, her gaze meeting mine.

“If he tries anything, I'll give him the stare!”

“That sounds ominous.” I said, putting the wax apple between us. Maybe the fruit would protect me from the hypnotist pony. Or, maybe Chrysalis would pop out of nowhere and get rid of the ridiculous, dangerous ponies that foiled my plan within a day of its creation.

“You just sit there and be friendly with Fluttershy, mister. If you behave, we might let you walk with us again soon.” Applejack tipped her hat to me and stood up.

“I hope it's real soon.” Twilight whispered. The spell must be tiring, I decided. So, I could escape yet.

But, looking at the pegasus sitting with me in a giant magical bubble, I thought better. They sent their weakest to me. They wanted me to give ponies a chance. Even their Princess wanted me to be free and alive. I could not just escape now. I had to understand.