Shadowed Souls

“I’m thinking Zamiel.” I said as the two mares failed to produce any meaningful name whatsoever.

“What kind of name is that?” Chrysalis asked. I smiled with glee and took on a somewhat dexterous posture.

“Zamiel was the name of the Dark hunter in the German Opera Der Freischütz. Like the devil, he made a deal with Kaspar who failed to keep his end of the bargain. As a result he was thrown into a pit to be eaten by wolves, much the same way we were in that cell.” I replied.

“And what about this second name; Alcatraz? What does that word signify?” Luna asked. I turned to her and kept my smile as it was.

“Alcatraz was probably the most historical prison island in human history. Supposedly no prisoners managed to escape, despite the number of attempts. But two may have managed to escape together. Because nobody knew whether they had or not, the record remained perfect and the prisoners were presumed drowned. Do you see the connection?” I asked.

“No, you’re completely mad.” she replied. I thought I detected a hint of sarcasm in the statement, but I wasn’t sure.

“Prisons, my dear Luna. The wolf pit and Alcatraz were both inescapable prisons. My life began anew when I escaped from that damned dungeon and I want to have a name that I can remember it by, so I choose those two words to be my name.” I declared proudly.

“Zamiel Alcatraz? Sounds stupid.” Chrysalis interjected. I turned back around to her.

“Have you heard your name? Other than the lights, you have no connection to crystals whatsoever.” I argued.

“I honestly don’t care anymore.” Luna muttered, walking away to let us argue.

It was an interesting dispute about who’s names were better, but my goal had been accomplished, and I had my name. Chrysalis led me to yet another chamber where what looked like the entire Changeling population stood. I was placed haphazardly in front of them. To the left of me was their queen, to my right, Princess Luna. The Changelings were silent as they gazed upon me. It was as if they could see something I couldn’t; like my appearance was just a hallucination that they could see through.

“The changelings are going to watch as I share with you my ability to control them, by force if need be, and our language. You’ll be able to speak and understand all the speech you undoubtedly thought was gibberish.” she said. She wasn’t wrong about the gibberish. While I didn’t care to learn the language, I figured it would be helpful in the long run. With a deep breath, I nodded, accepting the offer. The possibility of abandoning both parties now I had power entered my mind, but something stopped me. There was something about the way she looked at me; as if when she did, she was filled with pride. She seemed happy, and throughout the week I’d known her, she’d never been happy. It was a comforting look that suited her. I could feel her joy and it grounded me in place. Twelve years of suffering had been overpowered by an alien emotion, and I wanted what she was offering, everything she was offering.

Luna was in stark contrast to Chrysalis. I could feel apprehension radiating off of her like a bad stench and it was off-putting.

Chrysalis’ horn began to radiate a sickly green as did her eyes. The light touched me and I could feel the knowledge she promised enter my mind and fuse itself there like a tattoo to the memory. I gradually began to feel sick and I wondered if my body was rejecting the information until I started understanding certain murmurs within the crowd of Changelings. With a heavy sigh, I closed my eyes and let the nauseating feeling halt at a steady intensity before diminishing entirely. All speech was as plain to me as the English language and I took a moment to just listen. The chittering was very different, but felt the same. It was an odd feeling, the familiarity of something completely new; it was like discovering a new level of something you’d done your entire life.

I revelled in the conversations. Some of them were still slightly uncertain about me, but others had been convinced of my belonging when I’d killed… ‘Brute’. So that was his name? It fit him perfectly.

With that, I spoke up in their language, drawing their attention completely.

“I know some of you if not most are still a little apprehensive about my joining you and your cause. I wish to put that apprehension to rest; as your new king, it is my responsibility to put the good of the Changelings ahead of any personal vendettas. While that will undoubtedly be no problem in the long run, I know you all believe that my revenge will come ahead relating to Celestia.” I heard the chittering agreements to my claims of their worries.

“Once again, relax. Our cause coincides with my desire for revenge. Celestia is a warlord who’s thirst for blood and conquering borders on the sociopathic. It is in the interests of the Changeling race that she be stopped by any means necessary. Your Queen was captured by Celestia and assaulted. Would you let that stand?” I began to play on the collective adoration I knew they felt for their queen. Aside from speech and a second mouth (the latter being negotiable), they weren’t that different to Xenomorphs. As I’d suspected, they began to sway towards my way of thinking. Chrysalis’ assault would not go unpunished in their eyes.

“The one who assaulted her directly is dead, however, the threat of a repeat event is still real so long as Celestia rules over Equestria. Help me to end her reign, and we will place Princess Luna on the throne in her stead. With Celestia gone and Luna ruling, ponies and Changelings may find a way to co-exist happily.” There was a chorus of cheers from the Changelings as their minds were swayed easily. Now the task of bending my revenge around to suit the needs of the ‘people’ was my only remaining obstacle. And I’d require Luna and Chrysalis’ help for this.

I turned to the Changeling and saw her pride swelling. She was obviously excited about the future to come.

“I’ll need your advice on some things. Could you and Luna meet me later tonight?” I asked. I felt her pride turn to curiosity, and I knew what she was going to say.

“Sure, but why not now?” she asked. I smiled at her and changed one of my arms into a bladed claw.

“I’m going out to play with my new toys.” I replied. I turned the claw back into my arm and left the area. I found my vision to be better than before as the darkness of the tunnel entrance vanished under the gaze of my enhanced eyes. I could get used to this.

With the light from the end of the tunnel reaching me, my eyes automatically adjusted so I barely recognised the difference in light. The forest was just as beautiful as before; my perception of colour and distance was enhanced. It was like looking at a video game world where the graphics were better than the real thing, which made the appearance of two gryphons at either side of me all the more startling.

I jumped in surprise and began running straight forward. I heard them follow me. They sounded very hungry; their emotions hinted at it as well. The forest quickly came to an end and gave way to a wasteland that looked like a cross between a swamp and a desert. What stopped me was another group of gryphons surrounding my point of exit. They’d planned this. So gryphons were pack hunters, just like wolves, with certain obvious advantages wolves didn’t have.

The two that pursued me came up behind, effectively boxing me in. Their methods were flawless. There was no speech between them, they all knew what to do and when. They could prove to be useful, or rather, their knowledge could. I looked at my hand again and considered the possibilities.

“I wonder…” I trailed off for a moment before coming to a decision. With a smirk, I recoiled in on myself and changed my internal organs. When that was done, I threw my body out in all directions and the organs went forth in a tentacular explosion. The gryphons were surprised to say the least. Some of them tried to back off out of range, but it was too late. All of them had been entrapped within my tentacles. I stood there, fleshy bits sticking out of my stomach. I grabbed each one and tried to step out of the centre. My imagination gave shape to them as they all joined together in one large ball. The gryphons tried to struggle against the tentacles, but they struggled in vain. I stepped toward the closest one and examined it.

“You look like the ringleader in this little group. I’m guessing you planned this?” I asked. The gryphon screeched at me and snapped at my face, grabbing thin air. I tutted at the hybrid, waving a disapproving finger.

“I’m trying my hardest not to become like a fictional character on a popular video game, but you’re making it very difficult. But perhaps if I… tweaked the consumption process a bit, I’ll be morally saved.” I experimented with the idea and found myself sporting a third eye the size of a basketball across my chest. The eyelid was made from my jacket as the zipper opened in the middle. This was interesting. The iris opened and I watched as the gryphon showed signs of being coaxed toward the pupil. The feathers ruffled and some ended up coming loose, flying into the eye. I chuckled, releasing the tentacles grip on the gryphon. He flailed about before colliding with my body. He tried as hard as he could, but the eye acted like a vacuum, sucking with the force of a cyclone. I wondered if I would get anything from the gryphon after he’d been sucked in.

I winced slightly as the gryphons strength failed him and he gave up. His back snapped and the shock on his face was what got to me. As he disappeared into my eye, his knowledge on planning and strategy added itself to mine, much like the transference of the Changeling language.

I fell to my knees and threw up at the sight of the gryphon’s death. It was then that a coughing fit began to emerge and I was powerless to move as both problems overthrew me. I could feel the tentacles melting away, releasing the potential threats. While most of them flew away, wanting a second chance at life, one remained intent on taking advantage of my weakness. Still coughing, I was prepared to take a beating; but as the gryphon slashed at me, his claw got stuck in my body. The leathery surface snapped at him, clawing its way up his arm. I forced the image of the gryphon’s fright to the back of my mind and focused on engulfing the current predator in my body. It was then that the leather turned into a large fist as it wrapped around him. It clenched with ease and I heard the frightened and quickly halted screech of my enemy as he was crushed within the grasp of my third, giant fist.

“An auto-defence system? No, that’s not it; survival instincts, how interesting.” With my coughing fit gone, I rose back up to my feet and took a deep breath. Upon exhaling, a feather left my mouth. I ignored the remaining gryphons and turned back into the forest.

“It’s time we began training.” I said, stepping into the meeting room. Chrysalis and Luna were both present. They looked at me as I took a seat across from them.

“Training? I’d have thought you would want to charge right in.” said Luna, raising her brow at me.

“The thought did occur to me, but recent events have made me consider preparing further for the attack. Chrysalis has given me control of her changelings, and if I’m going to lead them into battle, I need to make sure they’re ready, which means making sure the death toll for our side is minimised. That being said, I’d like to ask you a favour, Luna.” I said. Luna’s other brow rose at this.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked.

“Do you know the name of the guard who would have been found in my old cell, the living one?” I asked. She nodded.

“Dust Cloud. Yes, what about her?”

“She told me there are those among the guard who believe as we do. I was wondering if you could gather some ponies together to add to our rebellion?” Luna seemed surprised to hear about Dust’s true opinion on the matter of Celestia, but not altogether disturbed by the concept.

“I’ll see what I can do from my end. Is there anywhere you’d like us to meet, or do you want them to meet you here?” she asked.

“What’s the smallest town within Equestria’s domain?” I replied.

“That would be Apple Loosa. It’s the southernmost town from Canterlot and directly south from the Everfree Forest. It borders along the Southern Gryphon territory but isn’t viewed as a threat to their land so they didn’t dispute its proximity.” she began to trail off, but I quickly brought her back to the issue at hand.

“Is it safe?” I asked.

“Yes. I haven’t known a royal guard to ever visit there, let alone Celestia herself. The town is rather closed in, so gossip won’t leave there. That being said, I don’t think a Changeling sighting would go unspoken beyond the town. You’ll have to learn how to change into a pony to avoid any trouble.” she said. I found the idea of being one of them repulsive, however, a very bad idea entered my mind that made up for it.

“Sounds good to me. I could have some fun with that.” I replied. Chrysalis cleared her throat, drawing us to her presence.

“So what do you plan to do with our children? How will you train them?” she asked. Our children? Great, now I was a step-dad; not bad for an escaped convict.

“Leave that to me.” I replied. There was nothing more to be said and I leaned back in my seat, closing my eyes. I wanted to get some proper sleep, and the bed proved uncomfortable for me after so much time sleeping at a right angle. Sitting proved to be more comfortable. Just another mark of my hatred.