//-------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!