Changing For The Better

Changing For The Better: Chapter 1: Birthrights

I opened my eyes to see thick green liquid less than an inch away from them, being held back by a thin crystal covering over my eyes. I dragged myself out of the corrosive liquid, hearing a hissing noise as my spine broke the surface. I crawled out of the acid pool, one of the preservative sleeping puddles that the other six Overlords and myself used. Well, other five Overlords. I thought, remembering my brother Black Moon's death at my own hooves no less than three days ago. It had all happened in an 'Honor Battle' where two high-ranking changelings can fight against each other for dominance. But my brother was persistant. He insisted, and though I had defeated him many times over, he said he would rather die than submit that one last time. I had no choice but to accept, as showing mercy would have been fair hive trial for a revoking of authority. He had died as he lived, sneering ignorance at me.

He had always been mother's favourite.

He wasn't suppoused to die, I had just underestimated my own strength. The pure concentrated love we were fed since birth made our chitin so hard and iridescent that even a shadow dragon would be jealous of our armour. Our magic was reinforced in that manner too, with enough power to rival both Celestia and Luna in each of us. And I'm the strongest of all of the Overlords. I lowered my head, remembering our Mother's rules.

My personal children, our own Overlords, are forbidden to leave the hive unless a threat is known to be in the immediate vicinity of the hive. Their efforts would be wasted otherwise, as they lack the ability to transform. An Overlord's duty is to guard the hive, no exceptions.

My favourite brother Frost Flash, who happened to be an interesting shade of silver, came over and put his armoured hoof on my shoulder. "Remembering Black's death, North? It's alright, it was an accident and you know it." he tried to comfort me. Our deep voices weren't the most hospitable, but it did the trick. "Thanks, Frost. But I was actually thinking about... Well, us in general. I mean, every one of us, we're stronger than Celestia and Luna combined, and we're stuck back here at the hive, 'defending'? I think that our mother is anxious of the knowledge of our existence. Ponies know nothing of Overlords, as none who have came to the hive have, well, survived. One of us can take on two black dragons, and we're needed to keep peace? All five of us? One of us is enough to protect the hive, and we're all needed here. I think mother dosen't want us to do public acts in case of a threat to her power. I know for a fact that Chrysalis is equal in strength, if not weaker, than princess Luna. I think that we should..." I was cut off as a changeling harbinger came running towards us. "Queen Chrysalis demands your audience in the main hive chamber, North Star." she told us before running off down another hive tunnel. I sighed. "Come on, let's just get this over with." I told Frost, and we made our way through the tunnel leading to the main chamber. It was a sight to behold, even though it wasn't as fancy as many changelings said Canterlot castle was. Changelings scurried around our feet, distracting me.

It was strange being a colossus. While most changelings were about four feet tall, most overlords are about ten feet tall... though we were quite light for our size, at little over two hundred pounds. I stretched my extremely long wings, and I realised that I may, in fact, be mistaken as a creature other than a changeling. The common holes that dotted the legs of changelings were covered and forgotten by a thick layer of armour. My wings were Larger, broader, and stronger than any other changeling's. We were still agile, though, being able to avoid smaller things, such as rival changelings from other hives. I was snapped back to reality when I sensed a stronger presence approaching me. Another one of my siblings was approaching me, Night Whisper, who happened to be the only female among the Overlords. She was commonly considered a matriarch by the many changelings she assisted on a day-to-day basis. She was also heir to the throne at Chrysalis' passing.

"North, where are you going this morning? There's a public tussle going on in hive section #26, and it looks like it's going to break out into a riot soon enough. Can you go over there and quiet them down?" She asked, sitting down beside me. She was much thinner and more graceful than all the other changelings, and her peircing green eyes were exactly like our mother's. Many changelings...... Imply..... That we are together. Though it is changeling tradition to marry with siblings within the hive, it just felt.... wrong. Knowing that the ponies of Equestria were strongly against in-family marriages just made it worse. But I'm overthinking things, as usual. Every day after Black's death I find that I'm becoming more and more distracted. And rebellious. I shook my head to shake away these thoughts. "I actually have to go and talk with mother, she had asked for me this morning." I told her. Frost tapped me on the shoulder. "I've got this. See you at breakfast, North. Talk to you later, Night." He assured me, jogging off down a different tunnel. I gave Night a quick pat on the shoulder. "Wish me luck." I whispered to her, heading off down the main tunnel.

I emerged into Chrysalis' chamber to find her sitting in the middle of the room, probably meditating. "Mother?" I asked quietly, unsure whether or not to disturb her. Her eyes shot open, and they focused on me. I lowered myself down to her height and bowed my head. "You wanted to talk to me mother?" I asked her. She sighed. "Yes, my child. Dearest North Star, I know that you have been troubled as of late, with the death of your brother." I winced at how she just shrugged it off as if it was a normal event, but she continued. "I feel as if your skills are... wasted. I would like to send you on a special mission." She told me. I glanced up at her, confused. "A mission? What do you mean, mother?" I asked her. She walked over to me and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "We were defeated in Canterlot a few months ago, as you know, and as my sisters know nothing of your existence, they will be unprepared if an attack were to happen now." She revealed. I glanced up excitedly. "You wish to send me to Canterlot, mother?" I asked her. She slowly nodded. "I fear we have no other choice, lest our hive falls to other changelings with a more bountiful source of love. I need you to take the castle with force." She told me. I bowed, excitement flowing through me at the prospect of adventure. "I will not fail, mother." I told her as I left her chamber to tell the others.