Hole Hearted

The gray stallion with the fedora shifted his form in a plume of green fire.

The changeling smiled. “Larvi, it's been many moons since.” said Master Amorpheus.

“Master Amorpheus.” Echo bowed. “I thought you were destroyed.”

“So long as my monarch needs me I am not permitted to die. It was an order she gave.” Master Amorpheus looked fondly into the distance. He returned his attention to Echo. “I see you've seduced a Royal Guard, most impressive. It may yet be the framework for another invasion.” said Amorpheus smiled his fangs shining in the light.

“Our Queen lives?” asked Echo unsteadily.

“Yes, but our army is a shadow of its former glory… We have had to promote workers to soldiers.” said Amorpheus scowling. “However all is well. In soon enough time we’ll have a greater force than when we first invaded. I will tell you our plans later, but our Queen has secured us another source of love.”

The word love stung in Echo's mind. “Master Amorpheus, can we changelings even feel love? Does our Queen?” asked Echo.

Her face was met with a smack of Amorpheus's hooves.

Amorpheus snorted angrily. “Before your birth when our people were banished to the badlands. Our monarch sustained them. The hungry hordes she fed them all, spreading herself thin. She gave love when there was none to give. She hid it well, but I saw her legs quake and shake from exhaustion. She fed them from her life essence when he reserves had run dry. If that is not love, then I do not know what else is! I resolved then to serve her unto death.”

“I am sorry.” said Echo.

“The whimpering of worms! So she does not give you tokens of affection as oft as you like, that is because her love is greater.” said Amorpheus softening his.

“You alone have done so much for me. I will believe in you.” said Echo.

Amorpheus sighed. “Believe in our Queen.”

“Tell me the secret dream of our people again…” Echo pleaded.

“…” Amorpheus looked uncomfortable at the request. “Larvi, it is a tale told to fresh maggots not to fully trained soldiers of her majesty.”

“Please.”

It was the age of magic… Our people were fair of hair and love lit our streets in abundance. Our Queen Chitinia(Ki-tan-nia) was a vision to behold, splendor beyond compare for she bore the Scepter of Light. However the light is not without shadow.

The Unicorn King Amethyst covetous of all things, he sent all many envoys and gifts to our Queen hoping to seduce her. Clever and wise, she was not tricked with trinkets. It was only with the encroach of his armies and threat of war did she acquiesce to be his.

It was not enough that kingdoms were joined. King Amethyst desired even greater power. He in hubris stole the Scepter of Light, wishing to wield it as a weapon. Our Queen did battle against him, but in shattering the scepter darkness consumed all.

In the absence of light creeping shadows took hold, they became the first ones. No longer the fair forms we once were, they drove us underground. Queen Chitinia though did not abandon her children. She led our people to survive and in time thrive.

We inherit the curse. However hope is not lost, for it was foretold with enough magic we might become complete. So we gatherers collect so that one day we may be free. If not for us then those thereafter. So changelings small and tall, listen all, one day we will become whole.

By the end of the story, Echo had curled up alongside him and Master Amorpheus was uncomfortably stroking the ghostly mane on Echo's changeling head.

“I'm sorry Master Amorpheus, I lost sight of our goal.” said Echo.

“Larvi, I must relay orders to our other contacts. The Queen shall be glad to hear of your safety. The guard he's in your power, no?” said Master Amorpheus gently setting Echo back.

“How long did you listen at the restaurant?” asked Echo nervously.

“I noticed your disguise when you were leaving.” said Master Amorpheus.

Echo sighed in relief.

“The way he called after you was all telling. You've got the foal eating from your hooves, haven't you? He has no idea you'll be his doom.” Master  Amorpheus said deviously.

“Yes.” Echo winced.

“Truly a master work. Playing hard to get only makes you more desirable but reel the line in. Get closer to him. A Vice Captain is useful to us.”

Den entered his office in the barracks. A stack of crudely written notes were piled atop his desk. He recognized the misspelling and grammatical errors to be the hoofwork of his lieutenant Blueberry. For the word Griffin she tried many variations “Grifen, Griffin, Griphin” finally scratching all out and drawing a picture of an angry bird. He didn't have time to decrypt her scrawlings. Den pulled out his bed from the wall. He fell asleep wishing Echo was beside him.

The rays of light glared through the barrack windows. He woke up to the glorious morning. That Echo was still on his mind. A haunting and beautiful sight, the night might have been a dream. His messy office came into view.

“Vice Captain!” a voice was followed by a knock on his office door.

Den sprung up from his bed. “What wrong, Blueberry?” he asked his lieutenant.

An azure colored earth pony busted through the door. “You! Lazy bum! Ya've been gone five days!” Blueberry poked him with an accusatory hoof.

Den recoiled. “Hey easy now I had that report due.”

“Well, I talked to Quill she said you were only at the archives for a day. That there still leaves some days.” Blueberry said smartly.

“I have weeks' worth of leave days. I haven't taken a break. My vacation days are probably up to a year now.” said Den.

Blue tried to raise a hoof to object. “Argh! At least, why didn't you go with me to submit the report?!” Blue pouted.

“I wrote it. I still credited you even though you didn't pick up a pen to help.” said Den crossing his hooves.

“Still...” Blue looked at her hooves furtively.

Den smiled at Blue's loss of words. “Let's go we got a batch of new recruits to inspect. I'm sure you'll be wanting to beat them in yourself.”

The courtyard was alive with activity. Guards and trainees had crowded to see the conclusion of sparring match.  A single unicorn was the focus.

“One the newbies challenged the instructor and won!” said an astonished guard.

Den and Blue looked at each quizzically and walked through the crowd.

“What's going on here?!” cried Blue.

It was Echo affixed with a war saddle and a practice lance. She proudly loomed over a beaten orange pegasus.

“Echo?!” said Den flabbergasted.

“Hi, Den!” Echo waved a hoof.

Her familiar tone with the vice captain turned everypony's attention towards Den,

Blueberry's attention especially.

“Come on show me you're as good fighter as I've known a lover!” Echo rearing to go.

Den blushed however it was Blueberry that arose to the contest.

“That newbie needs to be cut down a notch!” Blueberry had already pulled a war saddle from a recruit and lined herself for a charge.”

“Who are you?” said Echo challengingly.

“I' m his lieutenant!” Blueberry lunged.

Echo sidestepped her but was wide eye by her speed. Blue smirked as she whipped her pole around. Echo laughed as she ducked. Echo was able to block Blueberry's second strike with the training pole. Echo got in close and prepared a back kick. Blue jumped back. The two mares stared each other down.

“Where'd ya learn the pole, hussy?! At the club, I'm betting?!” snarled Blueberry.

Echo bit back. “You would know you, you blue tart!”

Blueberry ran ferociously towards Echo. Even with the dulled pole tips she might have skewered her opponent at her insane speed. Echo in a flash of green pulled Blueberry's mane across her eyes.  Echo then with her hooves redirected Blueberry's lance tip into the ground. Blueberry was catapulted helplessly into the air as her harness snapped.

“Ha, you are utterly destroyed! Is there any other willing test their skill against mine!?” Echo boasted.

Blueberry flew and bowled over a squad of recruits. On the ground Blue looked back at Echo with eyes sharpened. The recruits scuttled away from Blue as her rage boiled to steaming.

“Up for a rematch? Huh?” said Echo planting her feet into the ground.

Then Blueberry surprised everyone by bawling. “No fair she cheated!” Blueberry began crying. The show was over and the crowd dispersed in awkward silence.

“Wha??” said Echo completely taken off by her opponent's sudden breakdown.

“I win.” Den bopped Echo softly on her head with a practice lance. “That wasn't nice.”

“Hey, she started it.” said Echo .

The three of them sat together in the mess hall. Introductions had been made albeit grudgingly. They ate from a shared large tray of hay fries.  Blueberry's tears were stifled as she consumed copious amounts of ice cream from a tub.

“Echo, I'm glad you joined the guard but was there way that you could have done so without be so showy?” said Den.

“Nope.” said Echo simply.

“You're still a cheater.” Blue sniffled slightly as she inhaled another glob of chocolate ice cream.

Echo stuck her tongue out like a snake. “I could have done more with my magic than just that.”

“You could have held back, the purposes of those exercises is to train just your lance work.” said Den.

“Is this how you train? No wonder why you were beaten. In combat the only restriction is your imagination. Isn't that why you have begun to integrate the Royal Guard units with all three races? Of course you have race specific units like the pegasus Wonderbolts when shock troops are called for but generally most threats aren't so specific.” said Echo coolly.

“That is a very analytical and detailed summary of modern Equestrian military philosophy.” said Den impressed.

“You're super serious and smart. You're like Den.” said Blue mouth agape. “I'm supposin' that's why he chose you.” said Blue sadly.

“I'm sorry. No hard feelings?” said Echo in a conciliatory tone.

Blue smiled licking the ice cream from her lips. “I have plenty of hard feelings. Did I mention I like mares also?”

Both Echo and Den nearly choked on their hay fries.

“Blue!?” questioned Den.

“That's right, if you don't treat her right, I just a' might take her from under ya wings Mr Pegasus!” smirked Blue.

The ice warmed over, they left Blueberry on good terms. Den and Echo strolled through the barracks.

“Lovely Lieutenant of yours.” said Echo.

“You have to be on all four hooves for that one. She develops a crush on everyone who defeats her.” chuckled Den. “I can't believe you're here with me though.” said Den.

“Of course… Commander.” said Echo wistfully.

“But I want you to quit if I'm your only reason.” said Den.

“What? Didn't you want this?” said Echo stammered.

“Yeah, but this isn't about you or me. Equestria is a beautiful land, we've got our problems but love flows here. I'm willing to defend that. You spoke of missions… that is my mission.” said Den.

“What matters of a nation? Couldn't it just be you and me? All else be damned?” asked Echo.

“… The war is over. Save for the Griffin incursions, there's no real threat. I think you could find a home in Equestria.” said Den.

“Hypothetically if you had to choose…” asked Echo.

Den considered the question for a long moment. “Equestria.” answered Den painfully. “Because, I couldn't have you without it.” said Den.

“…” Echo paused. “I will believe in you Den.” said Echo.

Den gave her a concerned look. “In time I think you'll understand.”

Echo spoke slowly. “There's something I must tell you.”

“Yes?” said Den.

Echo looked into Den's kind eyes then surrendered the thought. “I'm hungry.” said Echo.

“We just ate.” smiled Den.

“My other hunger.” smiled Echo.

Den was panting deeply he flexed his wings and lay exhausted beside Echo. The office bed creaked as he lay down. Echo buzzed happily her insect wings almost chirp.

“Hey you can take any form…” said Den with a mischievous grin.

Echo laughed. “I thought you'd never ask. Tell me do you have a request?”

Den touched his head. “Well… I don't mean to be profane… but maybe on a special occasion…”

“Yes lover?” said Echo rubbing her nose against Den.

“…Luna…” squeaked Den.

“You're positively naughty!” Echo laughed in her usual hallow devilish reverb.

“How does love energy work? I won’t get sick from you taking it? Will I?” asked Den.

Echo sat up and looked over Den. Her ghostly mane dipped down touching his head. She licked her fangs. “You ask me now after the fact you’ve climbed into bed with me?”

Den nodded nervously.

Echo fell back besides Den. “Silly, it’s called making love for a reason. There are other methods such as absorbing it from ambient spaces or directly just drinking you dry to a husk.” Echo giggled.

“I do feel sleepy after we-” Den gave a wry smile.

“Dear, that happens to all males.”  said Echo. “Anyhow, love as energy is quite powerful, one could get high over it.”

“How come your people can’t just form natural relationships or love one another?” asked Den.

Echo turned away from den. “… It is not so simple. Remember your first reaction was to stab me? Concerning loving ourselves... changelings unfortunately can’t seem to generate love… Maybe we can but can’t for some reason feed off it… I don’t know.”

“So what is all this then? I’m just food?” asked Den.

“You get spectacular sex don’t you?” Echo nibbled on Den’s ear.

“I’m serious.” said Den rebuffing her advance.

Echo sighed. “I know the motions well, have rehearsed many times. I’m not sure if I’m acting. I’m scared to say which.”

“Echo, you just joined the guard surrounding yourself with tons of ponies trained to hunt you. You’re even worried enough to be scared about your emotions. I’d say that’s genuine.” smiled Den nuzzling her neck.

Echo could not look him in the eye and simply kissed Den on the forehead.