A Changeling's Pastby VinylScratchQ1ChaptersLostFoundProofLost//--------A Changeling's Past--------\ //--------Chapter 1:Lost--------\ I hated her. No matter what she did, she couldn't make up for what she did to me. I am speaking of my mother. She left me here in the Godsforsaken Everfree Forest. I know I am different. I am a changeling. But I was still her daughter, and a foal at that. My mother is not the type of pony that you could see doing something like this to anypony. But then again, who could love a changeling? She brought me out here months back. She said she wanted to show me one of the most amazing things in Equestria. It was a hidden glade far into the Everfree. We left from Canterlot early one morning with me strapped onto her back. I had wings but I was still just a filly, and I didn't know how to fly yet. She flew without stopping, but it still took hours and I slept most of the way. We finally arrived around noon, and once we landed, we had to walk for a ways through an ancient carved rock archway. When we had finally walked for a few minutes the hall began to get darker as we walked further into the rock side. My mother lit her horn and we continued to walk until we came to a sharp right turn and at the end of the hall, light was pouring in. When we finally reached the end of the hall I looked out at what lay before me in shock. What I saw was the most beautiful thing I have ever set eyes upon. There was a giant mountainside with a large waterfall cascading down the side of it creating a small lake right in the middle of a huge field of grass. There were trees with leaves of every color throughout the field, and flowers that smelled just as beautiful as they looked. The air was crisp and warm, the kind of day where you can't help but be outside. The smells of the flowers were drifting along the breeze, and I could smell the water of the lake mingling with it. There were stone steps leading down to the field. I looked to my mother to see her smile at me and start down the steps to the field. I followed her eagerly. We spent most of the day there. We swam in the lake, played in the fields, and walked under the trees admiring their colors. This day was just perfect, I hardly ever spent this much time with mother, since she was usually busy. I guess that's what made it perfect. Even if we had just stayed at home yet still spent the day together it would have still been a perfect day. Most of the day was spent in frolic. We laughed most of the time we played tag or hide and seek in the trees. We were winded after a while and finally settled to walking again. After walking under the trees we stopped to rest underneath one of the biggest trees. My mother lay down and I snuggled up against her and she draped her wing over me, pulling me closer in a warm embrace against her. She hummed a little tune and stroked my mane until I fell asleep. This was definitely the happiest I had ever been. I had a mother who loved me... Or so I thought. When I awoke, I felt cold. I opened my eyes to see it had become dark. I moved to wake my mother, but she was not there. I raised my head to look for her to see she was nowhere in sight. I called for her only to have the silence answer. I shivered as I grew colder and became afraid that my mother and I got separated. I got up and ran through the trees calling for her as tears ran down my face. I looked throughout the whole glade for her. I looked out in the field, near the lake; I even walked throughout the ancient archway trying to find her. I looked for hours, but I never found her. I eventually just stopped and lay down in the hallway and cried for my mother. I cried for what seemed to be forever, tears streaming down my face making my fur stick to my body. I eventually cried myself to sleep, and curled into a ball as the cold air poured over my body through the long hallway. The next day was spent in fear of what would happen should my mother not find me. That was months ago. I eventually stopped looking for her, and over time realized that if she had lost me, she would have found me by now. No, my mother had left me. I cried for her every night. I knew she heard the cries and chose to ignore them. In the end I knew that she ignored them just to hurt me. But what had I done to be left out here? I was only a filly. One day it seemed as though I would no longer be alone. I was walking through the Everfree looking for some flowers to gather for food later. When I was walking I heard a slight buzzing sound and a twig snap. I looked up just in time to see a foal fall from a tree and land in front of me. I let out a yelp and hid behind a tree opposite from where the pony had fallen. When I poked my head out from around the trunk of the tree I saw that the pony had not moved. I walked closer to the pony only to have a gasp escape my mouth. This wasn't a normal pony. This pony looked like me. It had insect like wings and its body was black with legs that had holes in them. I looked closer at the pony lying on the ground only to find that it was not only still alive, but it had opened its bright blue eyes to stare at me. I had asked if it was alright but it just continued to stare at me. I was going to ask it again, but it shuffled its wings slowly and a voice popped into my head. It was saying that it had hurt its hoof when it fell. I wasn't sure how I heard the pony's voice in my head, but it was definitely real as the pony stood to get up and limped slightly when it took a step. "I think you should come with me, I might be able to help with your hoof." The pony simply nodded. We started the walk back to the glade and the pony's limp began to worsen before it collapsed altogether. I knelt down to help the pony back onto its hooves, I had it lean against me as we walked back to the glade. "Thank you, Chrysalis." Found//-------A Changeling's Past-------\ //-------Chapter 2: Found-------\ I froze where I was standing. "How do you know my name?" The pony shuffled its wings. There was that voice again. "I can sense it. Your mind tells me your name, and your past. You are lost?" I lowered my head as I fought back tears. It had been a while since she left me here. But the thought still stung. "Yes, I was left here some time ago, I have been on my own for months." The pony looked at me but said nothing else as we continued on our way to the glade. After about fifteen minutes of walking, we arrived at the archway. It was hard to get a read on the pony's emotions, but when we got to the end of the hall the pony's muzzle had what appeared to be a faint smile. He stumbled a few times on the way down the steps, but he never fell. Stopping under a tree once we reached the end of the steps I motioned for him to lie down. He obliged and leaned against the tree as he sat down. "Wait here, I'm going to see if I can find anything to wrap your leg in." He nodded and I went about my search. I walked through looking for anything that I could use to wrap around his leg. I couldn't seem to find anything at first, then I found a banana tree. Gathering up some of the leaves that looked long enough and strong enough, I headed back to where I left the pony against the tree. Upon arriving I noticed that he had his head resting on the ground with a smile on his face, his chest rising and falling peacefully as he slept. I decided it would be best to not wake him, so I set the leaves down on the grass and moved a small rock on top of them so they wouldn't blow away in the cool breeze. I laid down next him, curled up, and soon drifted off to sleep. When I awoke it was dark, and I felt the cool breeze against my face. Yet, my body felt warm. Looking over I saw that he had pushed up against my back and draped a hoof over my shoulder pulling me into a warm cuddle. I wasn't sure how to react. I wasn't used to contact with anything anymore, yet something in the back of my head was telling me that it was alright. That what he was doing was to protect me, not harm me. I moved further back into his chest as the wind picked up. I was surprised when he let out a relaxed sigh. I could feel his heart beating and his warm breath on my neck. Something about this brought on a feeling of mutualism. There was definitely something in the back of my mind telling me that he would sacrifice himself to keep me safe. I smiled and closed my eyes, falling into the most peaceful sleep I've ever had. The next time I woke up the morning sun was shining through the tree's leaves casting a shadow on the two of us. I had to crane my neck up and to the left to be able to see, however, as I had turned and put my face against his chest as I slept. We were in an embrace with his hooves wrapped around me, as I snuggled further into him for warmth. I didn't mind though, his hug was comforting. Loving almost. I wish I could have stayed there forever in his protecting shield of sorts, so I laid my head back down and moved further into his embrace. This woke him however as I could feel his breathing wasn't as deep, and I could feel his eyes looking at me. I looked up from his chest to find that I was correct. His bright blue eyes were looking right at me. I was afraid he would be unhappy to find the embrace we were in. Yet, much to my surprise he simply smiled and pulled me tighter against him, further into a protective cocoon. He made a slight noise however as his movement pushed one of my hooves against his injured one, and he squirmed slightly. Remembering the leaves I had gathered I, regretfully, got up. "Here, let's see if we can get that patched up." Grabbing the leaves I worked to tie them together making the best wrap I could manage around his leg. Several times he winced, but every time I looked up, his eyes would reassure me that I could continue. Something felt different though. I felt like I had slept for days. I felt strong and powerful. I was not sure what the feeling was, and after pondering it for a few minor seconds, I continued wrapping the leaves around his leg and tying them together. After I finished the wrap he rose and took a few wobbly steps to see how his leg would work in the wrap. He seemed pleased that his leg didn't hurt too much after I had made the wrap. "Thank you, Chrysalis. I don't think I could have fixed my leg up without your help." I smiled at him and he sat back against the tree. I sat down next to him as the cool breeze carried the scent of the trees and the lake through the air. The last two days had been relieving as I was no longer alone out here. I remembered how I met him, how he fell from a tree and landed right in front of me. Why was he in the tree? Well, there was only one way to find out. "What were you doing in the tree?" I played with the grass in front of me, feeling slightly shy at asking the simple question. "I sensed your presence. Something was telling me that you were alone and lost. I had been looking for you a few days. I was asleep in the tree when I could feel that you were close by. I jumped awake and lost my balance and fell." He always spoke with his wings, yet I could only hear him in my thoughts. The only sound was that of his wings ruffling together. A thought occurred to me as I went over what he had told me. "What do you mean you could sense my presence?" "Something in the back of my mind pointed me in your direction, Chrysalis. So I came looking for you. I could feel that you were alone out here and were defenseless." This was all very weird to me. But that feeling he said he got in the back of his head sounded like the one I got when he was wrapped around me when I woke up. Of course I was still too young to know about the hivemind. But that wouldn't be apparent for a few months. Another thought entered my mind as he spoke my name. "I have a question, I just wanted to ask. You do not have to answer if you do not wish to." "Ask anything you like." "Well, I was going to ask what your name is." Author's Note Ideas of what will happen next or something you hope will happen next? Leave your ideas/wishes in the comments below. Tell me what you think of the story, and whether you like the direction this story is going in. Thanks for reading. Proof//-------A Changeling's Past-------\ //-------Chapter 3: Proof------\ I awoke with a start; there was that noise again, I had heard it for the first time a few nights ago and every night since then. It was a small noise, a slight clicking sound. Yet usually whenever I sat up and would try to hear it, the noise would dissipate and all would fall back into silence. The first night I heard it I woke Syfer, but when I asked him if he heard it he shook his head. It confused me to no end, yet tonight when I heard it and raised my head the noise only strengthened. I glanced around waiting for the noise to fade out. It didn't. It only got gradually louder. It has been almost a year since Syfer and I left the glade, and I wasn't sure if it was, in the end, a good idea. The glade was peaceful and devoid of other life aside from birds, and the fish that lived in the lake. However, I had Syfer with me, and he had grown undoubtedly stronger in this last year. He had grown taller than I was, and his legs had grown thicker with muscle. His body was rippled with muscle and most of the fur on his body was replaced with a sleek exoskeleton that ran from just below his neck to his rear hooves. He had also sprouted a strong pair of horns that sharpened into points. Despite his menacing appearance, he was very kind hearted. Syfer still slept curled around me in a protective embrace. He has always been by my side, never leaving. I knew that whatever was making the clicking sound, should it be hostile, he'd be more than a match for them. This sound was definitely continuing for longer than usual and it was starting to become annoying. Syfer was wrapped around me, much like a Manticore does when it is protecting its cubs. Not wanting to leave his protective cuddle I pushed further into his chest, him smiling slightly, nuzzling my face and burying his muzzle into my mane. The noise finally faded. Then I, breathing a sigh of relief, began to drift off to sleep once more. I was just on the edge of falling asleep when the noise picked up again wiping any thought of sleep from my mind. I had to find out what was making that noise. Not wanting to wake Syfer, I carefully slid down from under his fore legs and away from him. It seemed to have worked as he continued to lay there without moving, his chest rising and falling as he slept. I walked in the direction that the noise seemed to be coming from, but was stopped by bushes and vines that were blocking the way. Making my way through the brush that surrounded where we had been camped recently, I looked around while listening for which direction the noise was emanating from. After a few more seconds of searching I came to a boulder. Upon reaching the side of the rock the noise stopped altogether. I stood still trying to listen for the noise when I heard what sounded like two rocks grating together. I turned around to find another large changeling standing over me. Its bright green eyes looking through me. This changeling was nearly as large as Syfer, but it didn't have horns as Syfer did. Drool was pooling from its maw as it opened and closed its mouth as though it was trying to pop its jaw. The changeling tilted its head from side to side as though it were sizing me up... Someone was hungry. The changeling charged and grabbed me up by one of my fore hooves and held me in front of its drooling mouth. I wished I had taken Syfer with me. I tried to reach out to him with my thoughts, knowing it would be in vain. The changeling stretched its mouth open as wide as it would go, its lower jaw making an audible pop as it detached from its upper jaw. It was going to envelop me and swallow me whole. Tears began to form in the corners of my eyes, I was sure this was going to be the end. As the changeling started to lower its mouth there was a piercing roar from my right. I moved my head to see through teary eyes as Syfer charged. The changeling turned its head in time for one of Syfer's hooves to connect with its head. If its jaw wasn't already dislocated, Syfer's kick would have done just that. The changeling dropped me and its jaw flopped around loosely as bright green blood began to pour from its maw. Syfer ran to kick the other changeling again, but it was ready this time. It swiped at Syfer sending him rolling across the grass and hitting a tree. Syfer tried to get up only to have his attempts be met by a quick downward stomp on his back by the other changeling. The changeling continually brought its hoof up, and then down onto Syfer's shoulders and upper back. As the changeling brought its hoof up once more Syfer angled his head and stabbed one of his horns into the changeling's raised leg. The changeling let out a scream, having all its weight put onto its injured leg as Syfer rolled out of its path. This caused the changeling to fall forward and over, green blood began pouring from the wound in its leg. Syfer struggled to his feet as did the other changeling. The changeling slid up the side of the boulder in an attempt to stand. Syfer taking advantage of its position plunged his horns into the changeling's side, causing the changelings green blood to flow down Syfer's face. The changeling slid back down the rock until it was back on the ground. Syfer pulled his horns out of its side eliciting a weak scream from the changeling. The changeling fought its death until Syfer raised his fore hooves and brought them down on its neck. A loud crack filled the air and the changeling lay motionless on the ground. Syfer turned and started towards me, but fell to the ground. His injuries making it too painful to walk. I ran to his side with tears lightly trickling down my face. The thickened shell around his shoulders was cracked slightly. I wiped some of the changeling's blood from his face and he smiled. I smiled weakly back at him and lay down at his side. Syfer put one of his hooves over my shoulder and I wrapped my hooves around him and embraced him until I felt his breathing grow deep and heavy as he fell asleep. Syfer had saved my life. Just as I knew he was capable of doing. Syfer was my protector and would die to keep me safe. The thought of this filled me with joy as I realized just how much I meant to him... and how much he meant to me. I loved Syfer. He came to my aid, our bond was so strong that he knew I was in danger. He would do whatever it would take to protect me. This was one of my first encounters with the hivemind. Although this wasn't the only link between the two of us. What we shared was something no other changeling had ever felt before. Something that was believed to be incapable of changelings. And up until the two of us met, it was. Author's Note I hope you are all pleased with this chapter. Again, Ideas of what you think will happen/wishes for the story please leave them in the comments section below and they just might be sewn into the story. Thanks for reading!
Lost//--------A Changeling's Past--------\ //--------Chapter 1:Lost--------\ I hated her. No matter what she did, she couldn't make up for what she did to me. I am speaking of my mother. She left me here in the Godsforsaken Everfree Forest. I know I am different. I am a changeling. But I was still her daughter, and a foal at that. My mother is not the type of pony that you could see doing something like this to anypony. But then again, who could love a changeling? She brought me out here months back. She said she wanted to show me one of the most amazing things in Equestria. It was a hidden glade far into the Everfree. We left from Canterlot early one morning with me strapped onto her back. I had wings but I was still just a filly, and I didn't know how to fly yet. She flew without stopping, but it still took hours and I slept most of the way. We finally arrived around noon, and once we landed, we had to walk for a ways through an ancient carved rock archway. When we had finally walked for a few minutes the hall began to get darker as we walked further into the rock side. My mother lit her horn and we continued to walk until we came to a sharp right turn and at the end of the hall, light was pouring in. When we finally reached the end of the hall I looked out at what lay before me in shock. What I saw was the most beautiful thing I have ever set eyes upon. There was a giant mountainside with a large waterfall cascading down the side of it creating a small lake right in the middle of a huge field of grass. There were trees with leaves of every color throughout the field, and flowers that smelled just as beautiful as they looked. The air was crisp and warm, the kind of day where you can't help but be outside. The smells of the flowers were drifting along the breeze, and I could smell the water of the lake mingling with it. There were stone steps leading down to the field. I looked to my mother to see her smile at me and start down the steps to the field. I followed her eagerly. We spent most of the day there. We swam in the lake, played in the fields, and walked under the trees admiring their colors. This day was just perfect, I hardly ever spent this much time with mother, since she was usually busy. I guess that's what made it perfect. Even if we had just stayed at home yet still spent the day together it would have still been a perfect day. Most of the day was spent in frolic. We laughed most of the time we played tag or hide and seek in the trees. We were winded after a while and finally settled to walking again. After walking under the trees we stopped to rest underneath one of the biggest trees. My mother lay down and I snuggled up against her and she draped her wing over me, pulling me closer in a warm embrace against her. She hummed a little tune and stroked my mane until I fell asleep. This was definitely the happiest I had ever been. I had a mother who loved me... Or so I thought. When I awoke, I felt cold. I opened my eyes to see it had become dark. I moved to wake my mother, but she was not there. I raised my head to look for her to see she was nowhere in sight. I called for her only to have the silence answer. I shivered as I grew colder and became afraid that my mother and I got separated. I got up and ran through the trees calling for her as tears ran down my face. I looked throughout the whole glade for her. I looked out in the field, near the lake; I even walked throughout the ancient archway trying to find her. I looked for hours, but I never found her. I eventually just stopped and lay down in the hallway and cried for my mother. I cried for what seemed to be forever, tears streaming down my face making my fur stick to my body. I eventually cried myself to sleep, and curled into a ball as the cold air poured over my body through the long hallway. The next day was spent in fear of what would happen should my mother not find me. That was months ago. I eventually stopped looking for her, and over time realized that if she had lost me, she would have found me by now. No, my mother had left me. I cried for her every night. I knew she heard the cries and chose to ignore them. In the end I knew that she ignored them just to hurt me. But what had I done to be left out here? I was only a filly. One day it seemed as though I would no longer be alone. I was walking through the Everfree looking for some flowers to gather for food later. When I was walking I heard a slight buzzing sound and a twig snap. I looked up just in time to see a foal fall from a tree and land in front of me. I let out a yelp and hid behind a tree opposite from where the pony had fallen. When I poked my head out from around the trunk of the tree I saw that the pony had not moved. I walked closer to the pony only to have a gasp escape my mouth. This wasn't a normal pony. This pony looked like me. It had insect like wings and its body was black with legs that had holes in them. I looked closer at the pony lying on the ground only to find that it was not only still alive, but it had opened its bright blue eyes to stare at me. I had asked if it was alright but it just continued to stare at me. I was going to ask it again, but it shuffled its wings slowly and a voice popped into my head. It was saying that it had hurt its hoof when it fell. I wasn't sure how I heard the pony's voice in my head, but it was definitely real as the pony stood to get up and limped slightly when it took a step. "I think you should come with me, I might be able to help with your hoof." The pony simply nodded. We started the walk back to the glade and the pony's limp began to worsen before it collapsed altogether. I knelt down to help the pony back onto its hooves, I had it lean against me as we walked back to the glade. "Thank you, Chrysalis."
Found//-------A Changeling's Past-------\ //-------Chapter 2: Found-------\ I froze where I was standing. "How do you know my name?" The pony shuffled its wings. There was that voice again. "I can sense it. Your mind tells me your name, and your past. You are lost?" I lowered my head as I fought back tears. It had been a while since she left me here. But the thought still stung. "Yes, I was left here some time ago, I have been on my own for months." The pony looked at me but said nothing else as we continued on our way to the glade. After about fifteen minutes of walking, we arrived at the archway. It was hard to get a read on the pony's emotions, but when we got to the end of the hall the pony's muzzle had what appeared to be a faint smile. He stumbled a few times on the way down the steps, but he never fell. Stopping under a tree once we reached the end of the steps I motioned for him to lie down. He obliged and leaned against the tree as he sat down. "Wait here, I'm going to see if I can find anything to wrap your leg in." He nodded and I went about my search. I walked through looking for anything that I could use to wrap around his leg. I couldn't seem to find anything at first, then I found a banana tree. Gathering up some of the leaves that looked long enough and strong enough, I headed back to where I left the pony against the tree. Upon arriving I noticed that he had his head resting on the ground with a smile on his face, his chest rising and falling peacefully as he slept. I decided it would be best to not wake him, so I set the leaves down on the grass and moved a small rock on top of them so they wouldn't blow away in the cool breeze. I laid down next him, curled up, and soon drifted off to sleep. When I awoke it was dark, and I felt the cool breeze against my face. Yet, my body felt warm. Looking over I saw that he had pushed up against my back and draped a hoof over my shoulder pulling me into a warm cuddle. I wasn't sure how to react. I wasn't used to contact with anything anymore, yet something in the back of my head was telling me that it was alright. That what he was doing was to protect me, not harm me. I moved further back into his chest as the wind picked up. I was surprised when he let out a relaxed sigh. I could feel his heart beating and his warm breath on my neck. Something about this brought on a feeling of mutualism. There was definitely something in the back of my mind telling me that he would sacrifice himself to keep me safe. I smiled and closed my eyes, falling into the most peaceful sleep I've ever had. The next time I woke up the morning sun was shining through the tree's leaves casting a shadow on the two of us. I had to crane my neck up and to the left to be able to see, however, as I had turned and put my face against his chest as I slept. We were in an embrace with his hooves wrapped around me, as I snuggled further into him for warmth. I didn't mind though, his hug was comforting. Loving almost. I wish I could have stayed there forever in his protecting shield of sorts, so I laid my head back down and moved further into his embrace. This woke him however as I could feel his breathing wasn't as deep, and I could feel his eyes looking at me. I looked up from his chest to find that I was correct. His bright blue eyes were looking right at me. I was afraid he would be unhappy to find the embrace we were in. Yet, much to my surprise he simply smiled and pulled me tighter against him, further into a protective cocoon. He made a slight noise however as his movement pushed one of my hooves against his injured one, and he squirmed slightly. Remembering the leaves I had gathered I, regretfully, got up. "Here, let's see if we can get that patched up." Grabbing the leaves I worked to tie them together making the best wrap I could manage around his leg. Several times he winced, but every time I looked up, his eyes would reassure me that I could continue. Something felt different though. I felt like I had slept for days. I felt strong and powerful. I was not sure what the feeling was, and after pondering it for a few minor seconds, I continued wrapping the leaves around his leg and tying them together. After I finished the wrap he rose and took a few wobbly steps to see how his leg would work in the wrap. He seemed pleased that his leg didn't hurt too much after I had made the wrap. "Thank you, Chrysalis. I don't think I could have fixed my leg up without your help." I smiled at him and he sat back against the tree. I sat down next to him as the cool breeze carried the scent of the trees and the lake through the air. The last two days had been relieving as I was no longer alone out here. I remembered how I met him, how he fell from a tree and landed right in front of me. Why was he in the tree? Well, there was only one way to find out. "What were you doing in the tree?" I played with the grass in front of me, feeling slightly shy at asking the simple question. "I sensed your presence. Something was telling me that you were alone and lost. I had been looking for you a few days. I was asleep in the tree when I could feel that you were close by. I jumped awake and lost my balance and fell." He always spoke with his wings, yet I could only hear him in my thoughts. The only sound was that of his wings ruffling together. A thought occurred to me as I went over what he had told me. "What do you mean you could sense my presence?" "Something in the back of my mind pointed me in your direction, Chrysalis. So I came looking for you. I could feel that you were alone out here and were defenseless." This was all very weird to me. But that feeling he said he got in the back of his head sounded like the one I got when he was wrapped around me when I woke up. Of course I was still too young to know about the hivemind. But that wouldn't be apparent for a few months. Another thought entered my mind as he spoke my name. "I have a question, I just wanted to ask. You do not have to answer if you do not wish to." "Ask anything you like." "Well, I was going to ask what your name is." Author's Note Ideas of what will happen next or something you hope will happen next? Leave your ideas/wishes in the comments below. Tell me what you think of the story, and whether you like the direction this story is going in. Thanks for reading.
Proof//-------A Changeling's Past-------\ //-------Chapter 3: Proof------\ I awoke with a start; there was that noise again, I had heard it for the first time a few nights ago and every night since then. It was a small noise, a slight clicking sound. Yet usually whenever I sat up and would try to hear it, the noise would dissipate and all would fall back into silence. The first night I heard it I woke Syfer, but when I asked him if he heard it he shook his head. It confused me to no end, yet tonight when I heard it and raised my head the noise only strengthened. I glanced around waiting for the noise to fade out. It didn't. It only got gradually louder. It has been almost a year since Syfer and I left the glade, and I wasn't sure if it was, in the end, a good idea. The glade was peaceful and devoid of other life aside from birds, and the fish that lived in the lake. However, I had Syfer with me, and he had grown undoubtedly stronger in this last year. He had grown taller than I was, and his legs had grown thicker with muscle. His body was rippled with muscle and most of the fur on his body was replaced with a sleek exoskeleton that ran from just below his neck to his rear hooves. He had also sprouted a strong pair of horns that sharpened into points. Despite his menacing appearance, he was very kind hearted. Syfer still slept curled around me in a protective embrace. He has always been by my side, never leaving. I knew that whatever was making the clicking sound, should it be hostile, he'd be more than a match for them. This sound was definitely continuing for longer than usual and it was starting to become annoying. Syfer was wrapped around me, much like a Manticore does when it is protecting its cubs. Not wanting to leave his protective cuddle I pushed further into his chest, him smiling slightly, nuzzling my face and burying his muzzle into my mane. The noise finally faded. Then I, breathing a sigh of relief, began to drift off to sleep once more. I was just on the edge of falling asleep when the noise picked up again wiping any thought of sleep from my mind. I had to find out what was making that noise. Not wanting to wake Syfer, I carefully slid down from under his fore legs and away from him. It seemed to have worked as he continued to lay there without moving, his chest rising and falling as he slept. I walked in the direction that the noise seemed to be coming from, but was stopped by bushes and vines that were blocking the way. Making my way through the brush that surrounded where we had been camped recently, I looked around while listening for which direction the noise was emanating from. After a few more seconds of searching I came to a boulder. Upon reaching the side of the rock the noise stopped altogether. I stood still trying to listen for the noise when I heard what sounded like two rocks grating together. I turned around to find another large changeling standing over me. Its bright green eyes looking through me. This changeling was nearly as large as Syfer, but it didn't have horns as Syfer did. Drool was pooling from its maw as it opened and closed its mouth as though it was trying to pop its jaw. The changeling tilted its head from side to side as though it were sizing me up... Someone was hungry. The changeling charged and grabbed me up by one of my fore hooves and held me in front of its drooling mouth. I wished I had taken Syfer with me. I tried to reach out to him with my thoughts, knowing it would be in vain. The changeling stretched its mouth open as wide as it would go, its lower jaw making an audible pop as it detached from its upper jaw. It was going to envelop me and swallow me whole. Tears began to form in the corners of my eyes, I was sure this was going to be the end. As the changeling started to lower its mouth there was a piercing roar from my right. I moved my head to see through teary eyes as Syfer charged. The changeling turned its head in time for one of Syfer's hooves to connect with its head. If its jaw wasn't already dislocated, Syfer's kick would have done just that. The changeling dropped me and its jaw flopped around loosely as bright green blood began to pour from its maw. Syfer ran to kick the other changeling again, but it was ready this time. It swiped at Syfer sending him rolling across the grass and hitting a tree. Syfer tried to get up only to have his attempts be met by a quick downward stomp on his back by the other changeling. The changeling continually brought its hoof up, and then down onto Syfer's shoulders and upper back. As the changeling brought its hoof up once more Syfer angled his head and stabbed one of his horns into the changeling's raised leg. The changeling let out a scream, having all its weight put onto its injured leg as Syfer rolled out of its path. This caused the changeling to fall forward and over, green blood began pouring from the wound in its leg. Syfer struggled to his feet as did the other changeling. The changeling slid up the side of the boulder in an attempt to stand. Syfer taking advantage of its position plunged his horns into the changeling's side, causing the changelings green blood to flow down Syfer's face. The changeling slid back down the rock until it was back on the ground. Syfer pulled his horns out of its side eliciting a weak scream from the changeling. The changeling fought its death until Syfer raised his fore hooves and brought them down on its neck. A loud crack filled the air and the changeling lay motionless on the ground. Syfer turned and started towards me, but fell to the ground. His injuries making it too painful to walk. I ran to his side with tears lightly trickling down my face. The thickened shell around his shoulders was cracked slightly. I wiped some of the changeling's blood from his face and he smiled. I smiled weakly back at him and lay down at his side. Syfer put one of his hooves over my shoulder and I wrapped my hooves around him and embraced him until I felt his breathing grow deep and heavy as he fell asleep. Syfer had saved my life. Just as I knew he was capable of doing. Syfer was my protector and would die to keep me safe. The thought of this filled me with joy as I realized just how much I meant to him... and how much he meant to me. I loved Syfer. He came to my aid, our bond was so strong that he knew I was in danger. He would do whatever it would take to protect me. This was one of my first encounters with the hivemind. Although this wasn't the only link between the two of us. What we shared was something no other changeling had ever felt before. Something that was believed to be incapable of changelings. And up until the two of us met, it was. Author's Note I hope you are all pleased with this chapter. Again, Ideas of what you think will happen/wishes for the story please leave them in the comments section below and they just might be sewn into the story. Thanks for reading!
