Chapter 1

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The inside of our hive wasn’t really an artistic or striking view. Dirt walls, dirt floor, and pale, glowing mushrooms whose bioluminescence matched the color of my eyes. Of our eyes. Their miniscule light wasn’t truly needed, at any rate, as my species had developed excellent night vision capabilities from hundreds of generations of living underground. I took little notice of the fungi as I navigated the monocolored passages, making my way to the surface.

The irony of our title was not lost on me. “Changelings”. And yet, we were all carbon copies of each other. The only difference between us was the pattern of our fori, the holes in our extremities that made other creatures immediately regard us as oversized bugs. Which we were, in actuality. Giant, sentient insects. Parasites.

One of my many brothers met up with me in the narrow confines, and we trekked to the exit tunnels together, catching up with one another as we went.

“Hey, Peili.” He clacked in our native tongue, using his wings and teeth to click and buzz the words. “Going hunting?”

It took me a fraction of a second longer than it should have to respond to him as I fought down my true intentions, choosing to play along with the idea of a hunt. “Yeah, it’s been almost a full moon cycle since the last time I ate.” My wings and chitin were proof of this, the iridescent sheen they usually held having faded to muted colors in the absence of food. I was also constantly tired throughout my duties, like I had just woken up and was still in a sleepy haze. If I waited any longer than a week or so to feed, I’d probably become a husk. Not that it mattered, if the night went as I planned it.

“Damn, that’s a while. Why haven’t you gone before now?” Kuva asked, concerned for me. He would complicate my plan if I let his emotions grow, and the lies dripped from my fangs with the same ease as breathing to try and shake him off.

“Too many duties to allow it. Mom - sorry, Her Majesty has been working me to the bone. Last time I asked to go a week ago, I almost got thrown out of the hive for not having all of the husks in the tunnels cleared in the hour since she gave me the order.” The cramped space was becoming gradually wider and lighter as we neared the open expanse, and our bodies could walk side by side without being squished together anymore. The upward slope of the floor also became more sparsely dotted with the mushrooms as we climbed.

“Shit, that’s rough.” He swore. Kuva had always had a rather filthy mouth, and it had gotten him a few days in a cocoon on more than one occasion. I never understood the habit, myself. There were other words that expressed the same thing. “Mind if I help you? It’s always more fun to work in pairs.”

Fun was not the word I would have picked for kidnapping and impersonating innocents. At least, not anymore. Maybe my kin still enjoyed the thrill of the hunt, but I found it to be parasitic and disgusting. Especially after the Siege a few months ago. There was one mare who kept showing up in my dreams, her face mixed with defiance and horror as I brought her before my Queen, then left to continue ravaging the city. I could still picture her perfectly, and often took her form at night, just to remind myself of what I had almost let her become.

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather go alone.” His face dropped at my rejection, but he understood. Sometimes, honesty works, too. I thought as we reached the top of the shaft. The full moon shone brightly overhead, at the crest of its journey.

We said our goodbyes as we left in opposite directions, his flight taking him further south, towards the desert, and mine taking a northerly path, towards the more forested areas. The masses of trees, however were not going to be my hunting grounds. In truth, I wasn’t here to feed at all. My heart hammered against my ribs as I contemplated the steps of my plan, making sure they wouldn’t fail, and if they did, that I had an escape route.

My destination lie past the forests, and over the plains following them. The city that I had taken part in trying to destroy was where I flew to, and it was there I hoped my atonement for my crimes lay.

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It was a very long flight from my nest, and by the time I could see the spires of the castle, the dawn’s pale aura had already claimed the east. As I passed over an unlit, semi-rural town, I slowed my flight from exhaustion and morphed into an androgynous, average pegasus with a dark brown coat and mahogany hair. His (...What was the damn thing called... Cutie Mark?) flank was emblazoned with a yellow hourglass. I recalled seeing him in the streets of... Canterlot, I believe was its name. I just wasn’t built for extended flights, and if I pushed it, my wings felt like they might fall off.

I landed just west of the small town, on the edge of a black forest, and prayed my disguise would hold through the day. If it didn’t, I might wake up dead.

I selected a rather tall, blackened tree and curled up underneath it for a rest, letting sleep capture me in just a few minutes.

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That was nice, I thought as I stretched, feeling my joints pop with delicious cracks. I should take naps more often. I turned to the mountain that the city was built into, and caught myself blankly staring for a few moments. Focus. Time to go ahead with the plan. Step one...

Step one, as it turned out, was by far the easiest task I had to complete. With a flash of green fire, my form shifted again, and I looked down at the white fur and golden armor I wore. The Royal Guards weren't so different from us, were they?

I took flight, guessing that I’d reach the city in just an hour or so, if I wasn’t obstructed.

Which, of course, I almost was.

About ten minutes after I left the edge of the forest, two more Pegasi guards joined me in my flight, taking position on either side of me. Our armor was all exactly the same, and assuming that their ranking system was basically like ours, I guessed that none present outranked the others.

“”What are your orders, Sergeant?” The one to my right barked. He hadn’t inclined his head to make any eye contact with me, and I quickly adopted his posture. Maybe this meeting wasn’t a bad thing, as it gave me time to practice the proper decorum I would need.

“Orders are to report to the Princess immediately upon arrival. I contain information for her ears only.” My voice was very deep, an exact match to his, and I tried to mimic the cadence of his words as best I could. Through the corner of my eye I saw him nod once, then become a statue with moving wings. I timed my wingbeats to match his, and the three of us flew in sync to the front gates of the Castle.

We all landed simultaneously, trotting up to the doors of the front hall and not pausing as the doors opened magically. The inside of the palace was vaguely familiar to me, and I knew that the Throne Room was up the stairs and to the right, at the end of the hall. I just had to pray that the Princess was there already.

The two ponies allowed me to pass them, and they flanked me from behind. Dammit, I started to feel tight around my chest as nerves got the better of me. Have to be perfect, now. No hesitation.

I picked up my head and puffed out my chest a bit more, thinking to myself that I was a guard, and that I belonged here. The staircase we quickly ascended, and I took the right turn, seeing that it was a straight shot to the Throne Room from here.

One tiny problem - there were no less than fifty ponies in front of the doors, all talking and clamoring to get inside and see their beloved Princess about something or other. Figuring that my form served as a VIP card, I trotted right past them, eyes locked forward, and approached the Unicorn guard on the left of the massive double doors. “Princess Celestia has requested my presence immediately upon my arrival. I need the Throne Room to be empty of all but her.” I recited from memory, snapping a stiff salute to the guard whose armor was far more intricate than mine.

He gave a grunt and nodded, stepping to the front of the line of waiting ponies and calling for silence. After explaining that the Day Court would have to be put on hold momentarily, and managing to quiet most of the groans and yells of disappointment and outrage, the guards on either side of the door open the portal to the expansive room for me.

As I trotted into the room after flashing one more salute (just in case), my heart roared with fear in my chest. Sitting with her back to the left side wall, on a tall, stone dais, Princess Celestia was listening with rapt attention to one of her subjects. Her eyes flickered to me as I trotted quickly to the foot of the throne, and narrowed slightly in suspicion. Clearly, she was not expecting me. I sank into a deep bow, waiting until the Earth pony on my right had finished speaking about her crops to open my muzzle.

I didn’t have to wait long. The light orange filly with poofy, clementine hair saw me, and hurriedly excused herself from the room, much to Celestia’s dismay. I was unmoving as the mare bowed again, then turned and trotted through the double doors, promising to finish her request after... whatever I was doing.

As I heard the doors close behind me, a bead of sweat rolled down my forehead, but I dared not move to wipe it away. I was amazed that I wasn’t shaking from nervousness, and that feeling of wonder doubled as she spoke to me directly.

“Yes, Sergeant? I trust that everything is well?” Her calm, musical voice flowed over me, and I allowed myself to relax slightly, straightening to look her in the eye.

Ponies have such weird eyes. They contained shades of many different colors, with circles inside circles, surrounded by white. They couldn’t be practical at all. How was one supposed to see at night?

Her magenta orbs also brought memories to the forefront of my mind, and I could picture with ease the last time I saw her eyes. She had been suspended from the ceiling, upside down in one of our cocoons, and she watched in terror as my Queen spoke to the ponies we brought before her. The fluid in the pod had sapped her of strength and magic, and she was, for one of the few times in her long life, completely helpless.

Now, her eyes seemed to pierce mine, and I saw the wisdom and age hidden behind her ageless face.

I took a deep breath, and I forced my eyes to stay on hers as I uttered these next words. “Princess Celestia... I’m so sorry.”

From my head down, green, magically-charged fire descended on my body, revealing the chitin hidden below fur and the creature that had infiltrated her palace yet again. She rose to all four hooves as she recognized me for what I was, and her horn glowed brightly with magic. I half expected her to snap my neck then and there, but as my transformation completed itself, she simply stood on her throne, head lowered and horn charged in case I moved.

I slowly lowered my head, adopting the most submissive stance I could without making any threatening moves, and I closed my eyes in anticipation of death.

A long, long time passed between us, neither moving or speaking. It was only after I felt like I had become a husk that she spoke, her beautiful and melodic tones marred by anger and trepidation.

“Changeling. What is it that you seek? Try to move from that spot,” She added as my hoof picked itself off the ground, “And I will kill you where you stand. Are we clear?”

I nodded slowly, speaking in the Equestrian tongue again, but this time with my own voice. It was fairly high for a male’s voice, compared to the ponies I had interacted with in my life, and there was an underlying, guttural tone to my words as I struggled to speak in this alien language.

“I have come here, alone and of my own free will, to seek atonement for crimes I have committed against you and your land.” When the only move she made was a narrowing of the eyes, I continued, pouring out all of the pent-up stress and regret I had built up over the months. “There was once a time where I enjoyed hunting with my brothers, seeing ponies and griffons and diamond dogs completely unaware of my presence while I fed off them. A few months ago, I was part of the attack that was orchestrated by my Queen, and at first, I was excited to have a chance at leading a coup against the most powerful country in the world.” As I spoke, I kept my head bowed, and I saw the magic gradually fade away from her horn.

“I was one of the fifteen Changelings sent to capture Princess Cadence and lock her below ground. I was in this palace, escorting six mares to my Queen while you were being held hostage. I...” My jaw locked as I thought back to the ruin of the city. “I almost burned the city to the ground. And I almost enjoyed it. Do you know what changed my mind about the whole affair?”

There was no response from her, but I didn’t wait for one. Instead, I shape-shifted once more, taking on the appearance of a mare with a light coat of grayish-brown hue, charcoal-striped hair, and some type of twisting symbol on her flank. When I spoke again, it was with her sophisticated voice. “This pony ran from me as I chased her through the streets. As I picked her up, carrying her off the ground and back towards the palace for one of the cocoons, she didn’t cry, or beg for mercy, or struggle against my grip.

“She turned to me as I carried her, and I couldn’t help but meet her eyes. She simply whispered, ‘You’re a monster.’” Her form slowly retreated into the green fire, leaving me behind again. “I looked around the city, seeing my brothers take pride in what they had done. Families of ponies were separated for no purpose other than to break their spirits easier. Guards were treated like vermin and beaten mercilessly.” I halted, clearing my throat and trying to maintain a composed voice. “I stopped flying, seeing her face filled with nothing but anger, and set her down on the ground. I surprised both of us when I let her gallop away.

“Please, Princess, know that I had a true change of heart at that moment.” Her horn was not charged anymore, but her posture still suggested that she expected me to attack her at any moment. “Know that I regret every second I spent in this city. But also know that I was not given a choice in the matter.” I paused, picking my head up slightly. “I was born into the hive as a soldier. Orders are - were the only thing that mattered to me. They were my purpose for living, and if I defied them, I would have been cast out and killed on sight by almost any living creature.

“I didn’t come here to ask that you forgive me. I... I know that what I did makes me a monster, and I can’t ever forgive myself for what I did.” I swallowed, taking a shaky breath. “I come before you today so that you may decide my punishment. I’m done living with the guilt and shame every day of my life. I don’t want to be a monster anymore.” I bit back a tiny sting in my eyes as I continued. “If you decide to kill me, or torture me, or lock me away, I will not protest. Do what you will. But know that I regret every second of my actions.” I bowed once more, my horn touching the stone as I closed my eyes and waited.

Minutes passed in silence between us. My heart fluttered in its cage as I heard her slowly walk down the steps towards me. She stopped, and I could sense her presence right in front of me. Shallow, fast breaths were all I could manage, and though I came here fully expecting to die, my body still begged me to run from her.

“Rise.” The soft word carried the power of the sun. I straightened from my bow, meeting her strange eyes again. She sat in front of me, seeming to be fairly relaxed, and her aura was infectious. I felt my heart slow down slightly, and I dropped to my haunches slowly, mimicking her. Her purple orbs moved between my teal ones, and after a minute of searching my soul for truth, she smiled.

“What is your name?” She inquired about me. Her smile looked like it belonged there.

“Peili.” I stated. Nothing more.

“Well met, Peili.” She inclined her head towards me, and I copied her without thinking. “Tell me, does your hive know of your decision to leave? I would imagine that you are all but exiled.”

I nodded as I swallowed. “Yes, I would be treated as a traitor and attacked on sight. As for leaving, I told no one.”

“I see,” she nodded slightly. “So you came here with every intent to die.” A nod from me, and she continued. “And you believe your actions so vile, so unforgivable, that you would be willing to give your life in an effort to redeem yourself?” Another slight nod from me, and she smiled more broadly. “You remind me of my sister. That is a good thing.” She added at my look of bewilderment.

She drew in slow, deep breaths, closing her eyes and reclining her head. I assumed she was thinking, though at this point, I was fairly sure it was not of a punishment. After a few moments, she faced me once more. “Tell me, Peili, were I to spare you any form of punishment, where would you go?”

She caught me off guard with her question, and for a moment, I was completely stuck. I hadn’t even spared a second of thought to the fact that the Princess would be this merciful, or what I would do in this scenario. “I...” I closed my mouth, turning to look out the windows lining the wall opposite the door. The city was clearly visible from here, and the buildings and streets looked inviting in the spring sun. “Here, I suppose. Though I know that can’t happen.”

“Why not?” She seemed genuinely confused, and I arched an eyebrow at what was surely a joke made in poor taste.

“Look at me. I would be killed on sight. Even you almost attacked me as soon as I dropped my disguise.”

“Well, in fairness, you did take on the form of one of my guards and appear in front of me without any warning. But, you are correct, I was very close to subduing you without hearing your story first. And for that, Peili, I sincerely apologize.” She dropped her head low, like she believed that she owed me an apology. “But in regards to your desired residence, I fully believe that it is possible, perhaps not here, but in another town.”

My ears spiked and I tilted my head in a silent request for an elaboration. “There is a town not far from here called Ponyville, and my personal protege, Twilight Sparkle, lives there. I am certain that, should I ask, she would welcome you into her home and help you with building a new life.”

I felt my jaw hit the ground at her words, and it took longer than the flight here to process what she was saying. I tried to spurn its advances, but hope managed to wiggle its way into my heart. There was next to no chance of the Princess’ plan working, but still... There was a chance.

“I must warn you, however, that your inference about my subjects’ attitude towards you is sadly true. There are many things that I cannot do even as a sovereign, and changing the public’s opinion on a deeply-rooted belief, such as thinking that you are evil simply because you are a Changeling, is simply not within my powers. You will need to keep your head down, and find a form that you can wear on an everyday basis, whenever interaction with ponies outside of my student is necessary.”

She rose to her hooves, and I automatically did the same. The Princess walked to the windows, and I trailed right behind her, dragging my jaw across the tiles as she continued. “With my student’s help, the citizens of the country will, hopefully, realize your true nature and accept you over time. I will send a letter to the Unicorn, broadly explaining the situation and her new task as soon as you are ready to leave.” The Alicorn looked out at her country as she stood in front of the windows, with me on her right.

There were too many emotions running rampant in my mind to count, but Joy stood apart from the rest. Disbelief was also present. As I felt my monocolored eyes water, and I did the only thing I could think of. I rose to my hind hooves as tears dripped onto the floor, and wrapped my insecticidal hooves around her neck in an embrace. She jumped at the contact, like my body was electrified, but she didn't jerk away. Her hesitance was palpable as she moved her head, slowly bringing it to the side of mine and returning the gesture.

“Thank you...” I sobbed quietly into her mane. Some part of me that was not occupied with crying realized the otherworldly softness of her coat and hair, and it made the task of letting her go that much more difficult.

I dropped back onto the ground, using a forehoof to wipe away the streaks of wetness on my chitinous face. I looked to her, and the alien qualities of her eyes were now slightly tinged with pink. It was a familiar sight, the redness of a pony's eyes, and usually signaled that they had been crying. Tears of happiness, however, were not usually the type of tears adorning ponies faces when I laid hooves on them.

“I’m...” I cleared my throat before continuing, not wanting my voice to crack like it just had. “I’m ready to leave immediately, Princess.”

A thin scroll, a quill and an inkpot appeared out of thin air, wrapped in the golden aura of her magic. “I shall send her a notice at once. Be careful, Peili, and do not hesitate to contact me should you need something.”

I smiled softly, adorning the same guard disguise in a flash of fire and trotting for the door. Steps before I reached it, however, Celestia called out again.

“Peili?” I turned, and she beamed at me, haloed by the sun. “Thank you. For opening my eyes.”

My smile met hers, and I turned again, my steps holding a new vigor and energy as I exited. It was time to make for Ponyville. Time to start a new life.

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Author's Note

In regards to many PM's telling me to write something "Lighthearted" and "Happy", here you go! I have nothing but (well, mostly) good intentions for the story, but tell me what you think so far!