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Changeling Perspective (In Progress)

By HotdogWater
Created: 2026-04-18 02:12:53
Updated: 2026-05-03 21:00:19
Expiry: Never
changelingmlpequestriapony tf

  1. 1.
    *** Chapter 1: The Queen's Instrument
  2. 2.
     
  3. 3.
    >You stand stock still, at attention, hooves planted firmly on the jet-black floor
  4. 4.
    >Honed to a fine point, your muscles are locked in place; not a twitch or quiver to be seen
  5. 5.
    >You learned long ago that a strong body makes for a strong mind, and you have plenty of strength to spare
  6. 6.
    >Years of practice, decades of planning, and as far as you're concerned, centuries in the waiting, have led to this moment
  7. 7.
    >Your eyes slowly scan the room, already observing escape routes, defensive positions, and objects that could be used as a distraction or improvised weapon
  8. 8.
    >Not that fleeing was on your mind, of course, it was simply something so deeply ingrained in you that it was practically automatic
  9. 9.
    >Ahead of you, an ornate mahogany desk rests in the centre of the room; the wood so dark it almost seems to draw light into it
  10. 10.
    >It's not of this place; no doubt a spoil of war that your Queen won in glorious conquest
  11. 11.
    >You suppress a shiver at the thought of her in battle
  12. 12.
    >She was equal parts glorious and terrifying; the most beautiful being you could imagine
  13. 13.
    >If she asked you to throw yourself from the tallest spire in the hive you would comply without a thought
  14. 14.
    >In fact, you had witnessed her do just that to a cadet that had displeased her
  15. 15.
    >An almost imperceptible smirk passes over your face at the thought
  16. 16.
    >Vrisk... You had known him well, and considered him a firm and dependable comrade
  17. 17.
    >But he had been weak, and soft; unworthy of your Queen's love
  18. 18.
    >She had put an end to him for the good of the hive, and you were made stronger for it
  19. 19.
    >Your ears perk up as a small, repetitive sound interrupts the heavy silence of the chamber
  20. 20.
    >Clip, clop, clip, clop...
  21. 21.
    >It's coming from behind you, through the doorway and down the corridor
  22. 22.
    >Your heart swells
  23. 23.
    >Could it really be Her, in the flesh?
  24. 24.
    >You listen carefully as the sound draws closer, and can't help but feel a measure of disappointment
  25. 25.
    >No, the hooffalls are too heavy, and the gait is off-kilter due to a limp in the right-hind leg...
  26. 26.
    >It's a gait you're all-too-familiar with
  27. 27.
    >Commander Kryssik brushes past you without a word, striding behind the desk and turning to face you
  28. 28.
    >You stare straight ahead as his eyes bore into you with barely-contained hatred
  29. 29.
    >The silence draws out as you fight to contain the smug grin that seems determined to slither onto your face
  30. 30.
    >Kryssik knew as well as you that it was only a matter of time before you killed him and took his place
  31. 31.
    >In the meantime, however, he was your superior and as such you owed him your respect... At least when he was within earshot
  32. 32.
    >Kryssik had always been a rotten bastard, but he had taken special pleasure in tormenting you from the moment you had hatched
  33. 33.
    >Maybe it was jealousy, or maybe he had simply recognised the threat when it had appeared
  34. 34.
    >Either way, until the day came that you felt his lifeblood run from his wretched throat, he seemed determined to make your life a living hell
  35. 35.
    >And unfortunately, protocol demanded that you tolerate it
  36. 36.
    >He clears his throat, finally breaking the silence that permeated the room
  37. 37.
    "Our Queen has a mission for you, whelp, so listen closely."
  38. 38.
    >The urge to smile grows stronger
  39. 39.
    >Oh, how it must sting for him to deliver such news to his least-favourite pupil (and, no doubt, soon-to-be replacement)
  40. 40.
    "You will be infiltrating Ponyville. You are to engage the locals, surveil the town, and provide reconnaissance in preparation for an invasion."
  41. 41.
    >Your head buzzes with excitement
  42. 42.
    >You had heard rumours that the hive was preparing for war; had seen the signs
  43. 43.
    >Your first true infiltration mission, and you were the tip of the spear?
  44. 44.
    >You were well aware that you were destined for greatness, but the reality of it being so near... It was almost dizzying
  45. 45.
    >The commander looks at you disdainfully
  46. 46.
    "I made sure the Queen was aware of your... Inexperience, Nyxis, but she would accept no-one else."
  47. 47.
    >The corner of your mouth quirks ever-so-slightly upward
  48. 48.
    "I have no doubt that our Queen knows what is best, sir."
  49. 49.
    >You drawl
  50. 50.
    >Kryssik's eyes narrow
  51. 51.
    "Of course she does, whelp, but you are impossible to underestimate."
  52. 52.
    >He growls
  53. 53.
    "You have your orders. Your troop sergeant has the mission dossier. You leave tonight. Now get out of my sight."
  54. 54.
    >You nod, salute crisply, turn sharply on your heels and walk briskly out of the room, savouring the fury on his face at your overly-genuine show of 'respect'
  55. 55.
    >As you stalk the empty corridor, making your way towards your barracks, that smile finally finds its way across your face
  56. 56.
    >A plan is beginning to form in your mind, and by the time you arrive at the barracks you're already certain you know what the future holds
  57. 57.
    >In a few weeks, this mission would be over. You will return to the hive triumphant
  58. 58.
    >And then you'll kill Commander Kryssik, take his place, and win your Queen's undying favour
  59. 59.
     
  60. 60.
    ***
  61. 61.
     
  62. 62.
    >Branches crackle as you push through the thick brush, the crisp smell of spring almost overwhelming to your highly-developed sense of smell
  63. 63.
    >Fighting your way through this damnable forest had taken most of the day, but you were pretty confident it would lead you to the outskirts of Ponyville
  64. 64.
    >Obviously you could just fly over this accursed place, but the form you were wearing belonged to a unicorn by the name of Lumen Vale
  65. 65.
    >Unicorns, as it happens, don't have wings, and Protocol Three was clear that under no circumstances were you to break your cover
  66. 66.
    >It had been drilled into you over and over again
  67. 67.
    >It is almost impossible to definitively determine if one is being observed, and as such, one must always assume they are under observation
  68. 68.
    >If your facade never falters, there is little chance of the enemy detecting your true nature
  69. 69.
    >Leave nothing to chance, and victory is sure
  70. 70.
    >Commander Kryssik's words echo in your head, his voice haughty and self-assured
  71. 71.
    >Excited as you are for your first real mission, you can't help but dread the task ahead
  72. 72.
    >Infiltration and subterfuge were second-nature to you, but the cheerful friendliness of these ponies was sure to be grating
  73. 73.
    >A wayward branch slaps you across the face, further dampening your mood
  74. 74.
    >The sooner this was over with, the better
  75. 75.
    >With the completion of this mission, you could focus on what really mattered: killing Kyrissik, and fulfilling your destiny
  76. 76.
    >A soft noise from ahead of you disrupts your train of thought; somewhere between a sigh and a gasp
  77. 77.
    >You halt, your ears snapping forward and straining to make out the sound
  78. 78.
    >But all that greets you is the din of birds chirping and wind through the trees
  79. 79.
    >It's nauseating, frankly
  80. 80.
    >You step forward, careful to avoid the branches that litter your path
  81. 81.
    >Creeping through the undergrowth, you slowly poke your head through a bush and find that the forest opens up into a clearing, the sunlight filtering through the branches to illuminate a pony, presumably one of the locals
  82. 82.
    >It's a small white pegasus with an auburn mane
  83. 83.
    >She's facing away from you, her front half low to the ground and her hindquarters pressed up into the air as she seems focused on something on the ground in front of her; something that you can't quite see
  84. 84.
    >Your eyes dart around the clearing, scanning for some kind of guard or ambush, but the clearing seems clear
  85. 85.
    >You glance back at the pony, greeted only by her rear end as she seems locked-on to whatever it is that's got her attention so raptly
  86. 86.
    >You roll your eyes
  87. 87.
    >The dossier had made it clear that the ponies of Equestria were quite tactically inept, but this was just embarrassing
  88. 88.
    >A lone mare, out in the woods, with no guards, completely unaware of her surroundings
  89. 89.
    >And you hadn't exactly been quiet up until this point... She was lucky you were only here on reconnaissance, or she would already be dead
  90. 90.
    >You step out of the brush, clearing your throat, and stifle your amusement as she leaps several feet into the air with a short, high-pitched scream
  91. 91.
    >She whirls around, her pale wings flared and big blue eyes wide
  92. 92.
    >You try to look as unthreatening as possible, and an apologetic look passes across your face
  93. 93.
    >You even add a little bit of surprise, although frankly you doubt it was necessary
  94. 94.
    >This mare is probably as gullible as she is foolish
  95. 95.
    "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to startle you."
  96. 96.
    >You say, your voice venomously saccharine
  97. 97.
    >She stares at you for a moment, and you can see her emotions pass through her as she experiences them in order
  98. 98.
    >Surprise, fear, then doubt, and then acceptance as her body relaxes slightly
  99. 99.
    >You try to suppress your distaste; it's like these ponies experience things in slow-motion
  100. 100.
    >She takes a deep, shaky breath, and then speaks up
  101. 101.
    "Sorry... Sorry. You spooked me."
  102. 102.
    >She laughs nervously
  103. 103.
    >You rub the back of your head with your hoof apologetically
  104. 104.
    "My mistake."
  105. 105.
    >You perk your ears forward, feigning interest
  106. 106.
    "What was it that had you so preoccupied?"
  107. 107.
    >She glances over toward the forest floor distractedly
  108. 108.
    "Oh, um... Just a flower."
  109. 109.
    >A flower? Really? By the Queen this was going to be exhausting
  110. 110.
    >You cast your eyes down to where she had been looking a moment ago
  111. 111.
    >A small purple flower grows out from a patch of grass, the centre slowly shifting from purple to gold at the stamen
  112. 112.
    >You try to sell your interest in as enthusiastic a manner as you can muster
  113. 113.
    "Right... Well, it IS a very pretty flower."
  114. 114.
    >She shrugs, obviously embarrassed
  115. 115.
    "You don't have to pretend, I know it's not to everypony's taste. I just happen to love flowers."
  116. 116.
    >You try to swallow your disgust
  117. 117.
    "Well, I can't pretend that it's my forte, but I can appreciate a pretty flower as much as the next pony. I'm Lumen Vale, by the way."
  118. 118.
    >You offer her a hoof, which she regards for a moment before hesitantly bumping with her own
  119. 119.
    "I'm Lily... Lily White. It's nice to meet you."
  120. 120.
    >You nod, feigning a smile expertly
  121. 121.
    "Likewise, Lily. Hey, would you mind helping me find my way to Ponyville? I'm a bit turned around, and I would really appreciate it."
  122. 122.
    >She nods sincerely, her bright eyes lingering on you warmly; she doesn't doubt your intentions for a second
  123. 123.
    "Oh, yes, of course! It's right this way."
  124. 124.
    >She turns and starts walking, gesturing for you to follow
  125. 125.
    >You step in, trailing behind her, trying to suppress your smugness
  126. 126.
    >This was going to be a breeze
  127. 127.
    >The two of you walk in silence for a few moments, and you sneak a glance at her while she leads the way
  128. 128.
    >She seems quite at ease in these woods, despite the inherent danger of the wilderness
  129. 129.
    >She must be quite familiar with the area... She might be a good source of information
  130. 130.
    >After a moment you speak up
  131. 131.
    "So, Lily, do you always wander these woods alone?"
  132. 132.
    >She looks back at you, raising an eyebrow
  133. 133.
    >You shrug
  134. 134.
    "Don't you worry about being attacked by a bear, or something?"
  135. 135.
    >She turns away again, but you see the corner of her mouth quirk up slightly
  136. 136.
    "Not really. I feel more at home in these woods than in Ponyville, honestly. Like I said, I like flowers."
  137. 137.
    "Right... And if you get into trouble?"
  138. 138.
    >Lily flares her wings out and waggles them slightly
  139. 139.
    "Take a wild guess what these are for."
  140. 140.
    >She glances back at you again, her eyes glittering mischievously
  141. 141.
    "I'm afraid if a bear shows up you're on your own, Lumen."
  142. 142.
    >You stare at her silently, surprised and somewhat impressed by her callous sense of self-preservation
  143. 143.
    >Obviously that was second-nature to you, but you hadn't expected it from one of these ponies
  144. 144.
    >Suddenly she bursts out laughing
  145. 145.
    "I'm only kidding! You should see your face. There aren't many bears in this part of the forest, and besides, they're actually not bad once you get to know them. There's this one pony that lives on the edge of town who knows them all by name."
  146. 146.
    >You raise an eyebrow; is she serious?
  147. 147.
    >Lily laughs again at your expression
  148. 148.
    "You're not from around here, are you?"
  149. 149.
    >It's your turn to laugh, although it's borne more of nervousness than genuine mirth
  150. 150.
    "Uh... No. I'm new to Ponyville, actually."
  151. 151.
    >She smiles again and turns away
  152. 152.
    "Well, it's not far now."
  153. 153.
    >Sure enough, the two of you round a bend in the path and the forest opens up, revealing a quaint village sprawled out in front of you
  154. 154.
    >Thick, fluffy clouds drift lazily overhead, casting meandering shadows across the village as ponies walk to and fro, laughing and enjoying the sunshine
  155. 155.
    >In the distance, a range of colossal snow-capped mountains towers beyond sight, the peaks obscured by the clouds
  156. 156.
    >Your eyes scan the town, already observing a lack of walls or defensive fortifications
  157. 157.
    >There are also a distressing lack of sightlines between buildings and along roads
  158. 158.
    >In the hive, everything had been perfectly ordered; thoroughfares were lined up perfectly, drill halls, barracks, and infirmaries were placed efficiently and in the most conveniently accessible places, and everything was fortified
  159. 159.
    >Here, it was as though these ponies had just slapped buildings wherever they felt like it; almost none of the roads were straight or lined up, and the buildings often weren't even level with each other
  160. 160.
    >Lily turns to you, after gazing fondly at the village for a moment
  161. 161.
    "Welcome to Ponyville, Lumen."
  162. 162.
    >You nod absently, still somewhat shocked at this disaster of a town
  163. 163.
    >She giggles at your expression, the sound snapping you out of your reverie
  164. 164.
    >You glance over at her, not quite able to recognise the curious look on her face
  165. 165.
    "Well, thank you for showing me the way, Lily. If there's anything I can do to repay you, just let me know."
  166. 166.
    >You lie
  167. 167.
    >She looks away for a moment, her expression faltering, before looking back at you again
  168. 168.
    "You're very welcome, Lumen."
  169. 169.
    >She smiles shyly
  170. 170.
    "Anything to help a friend."
  171. 171.
    >Something shifts when she says that
  172. 172.
    >Your head throbs as those words seem to reverberate in your skull
  173. 173.
    >Suddenly you feel dizzy, like the ground is being pulled out from under your hooves
  174. 174.
    >Anything to help a friend-
  175. 175.
     
  176. 176.
    ***
  177. 177.
     
  178. 178.
    >She smiles at you, and drops some coins into your -HAND- hoof
  179. 179.
    >Her presence is warm and comforting
  180. 180.
    >A smile graces your face, bubbling to the surface without your consent
  181. 181.
    >You open your mouth and say something to her, but it's like you're speaking underwater
  182. 182.
    >You drop the change into a jar on the counter
  183. 183.
    >The coins fall as though they're passing through molasses
  184. 184.
    >She rolls her eyes, and leans over the counter towards you
  185. 185.
    >Her green eyes seem to draw you in, and you lean in to meet her
  186. 186.
    >Your lips touch, and as you pull away she speaks, and this time you understand
  187. 187.
    "Thanks, love."
  188. 188.
    >An unfamiliar warmth blooms in your chest
  189. 189.
    >What?
  190. 190.
    >Your mouth quirks up in a mischievous grin
  191. 191.
    "Anything to help a friend."
  192. 192.
    >She beams at you, but something is wrong
  193. 193.
    >Her expression twists into a mask of concern
  194. 194.
    "Are you okay?"
  195. 195.
    >You blink, confused, and Lily's white-furred face greets you, a little too close to be comfortable
  196. 196.
    "Lumen, hello?"
  197. 197.
    >You shake your head, and stand up, staggering away from her
  198. 198.
    >When did you end up on the ground?
  199. 199.
    "Y-yeah... I'm good."
  200. 200.
    >Lily continues watching you, clearly concerned
  201. 201.
    "You just collapsed, and now you look like you've seen a ghost."
  202. 202.
    >You take a deep breath, composing yourself, and force a smile
  203. 203.
    >It's not as convincing as it should be
  204. 204.
    "I'm fine, seriously. I think I've just been out in the woods too long, and need some water."
  205. 205.
    >The truth was you were pretty shaken; a feeling that was all but foreign to you
  206. 206.
    >Thankfully lying came to you about as easily as breathing
  207. 207.
    >Lily nods slowly
  208. 208.
    "Are you sure you don't want me to walk you into town?"
  209. 209.
    >You resist the urge to roll your eyes
  210. 210.
    "No, really, thank you, but no. I can manage."
  211. 211.
    >She clearly doesn't buy it, but seems to accept your decision
  212. 212.
    "Okay... Well, I'm going to go back and sketch that flower. I'll be in town later if you need anything!"
  213. 213.
    >You nod, turning to walk towards Ponyville
  214. 214.
    "Mhmm. Catch you later, Lily."
  215. 215.
    >You say, with absolutely no intention of following up
  216. 216.
    >You can feel her eyes on you as you walk away
  217. 217.
    >Eyeballing the distance to town, you figure it will only take a few minutes to get there
  218. 218.
    >But as you walk, it's clear you underestimated the size of Ponyville
  219. 219.
    >The walk gives you time to think, and your thoughts inevitably come to dwell on whatever it was that just happened
  220. 220.
    >What was that? You had never experienced anything like that before
  221. 221.
    >Broken, confused images still flitted through your mind, feelings you didn't recognise...
  222. 222.
    >You try to push the thoughts away, more disturbed by the episode than you'd like to admit
  223. 223.
    >But a feeling of deep unease lingers in the back of your mind; this sense of wrongness that you just can't seem to shake
  224. 224.
    >You try to distract yourself by going over the mission parameters again
  225. 225.
    >The first step was to integrate into the town, and blend into the background
  226. 226.
    >Second was to locate knowledgeable ponies who could be used to gather important intel on the settlement and its inhabitants
  227. 227.
    >Lily might be a good source on the local geography outside of town, but otherwise you suspect she has already largely expended her usefulness
  228. 228.
    >Third: identify important pillars of the community and ingratiate yourself with them; ponies who could rally the town and provide the most resistance to the invasion
  229. 229.
    >These ponies would be the first to be replaced in the initial stages, and the rest would follow after
  230. 230.
    >After the first Canterlot invasion had been unsuccessful, your Queen had re-evaluated the Hive's approach to warfare, and you already knew of a number of ponies that would pose the greatest threat to your Queen's plans
  231. 231.
    >The same six ponies responsible for her defeat in Canterlot, naturally
  232. 232.
    >Thankfully, if Lily was any indication, the ponies of Equestria had learned very little from the first battle against your hive and were still gullible and trusting
  233. 233.
    >Your eyes narrow as you look up at Ponyville, now at the threshold of the town
  234. 234.
    >They would soon find out that your Queen had not made the same mistake
  235. 235.
     
  236. 236.
    *** Chapter 2: An Unfamiliar Warmth
  237. 237.
     
  238. 238.
    >Small puffs of dust gently drift out from your hooves as you step into Ponyville, quickly disappearing in the breeze
  239. 239.
    >The ponies around you don't pay you too much mind; aside from the occasional glance in your direction you might as well be invisible
  240. 240.
    >You think you can safely chalk what little attention you do receive up to mild curiosity at the arrival of a stranger
  241. 241.
    >Come to think of it, that might be trouble
  242. 242.
    >In small towns like this it's likely the locals know each other pretty well
  243. 243.
    >You file that information away for later
  244. 244.
    >Glancing around at the buildings as you walk, you build a mental map of the place as you go
  245. 245.
    >Since you're to be earthbound for a while, it's going to be a necessity in order to navigate the place
  246. 246.
    >A small movement above you catches your eye; a flash of white
  247. 247.
    >You glance up but all you see is the occasional cloud drifting by
  248. 248.
    >Suddenly, you hear a squeak as you collide with someone, nearly bowling them over
  249. 249.
    >You stumble but catch yourself, and find yourself face to face with a yellow earth-pony mare
  250. 250.
    >The paper bag she was carrying drops to the ground, scattering the groceries on the street
  251. 251.
    "Hey, careful!"
  252. 252.
    >She says, glaring at you indignantly
  253. 253.
    >You silently curse yourself for getting distracted
  254. 254.
    >Adopting a placating tone, you raise a hoof defensively
  255. 255.
    "I'm so sorry! I really should watch where I'm going."
  256. 256.
    >What you really wanted to say was 'Stay out of my way, or else.' but it'll have to do
  257. 257.
    >Frankly, your troop sergeant would have strangled you for such an embarrassing blunder
  258. 258.
    >She looks at you suspiciously, before starting to pick up her groceries
  259. 259.
    "Here, let me help you with that."
  260. 260.
    >As much as it pains you, you move to help her, picking up the scattered vegetables and dropping them into the bag
  261. 261.
    >Oddly, they seem to consist overwhelmingly of carrots
  262. 262.
    >That unusual feeling returns as you stoop to pick up the fallen groceries; that blooming warmth that seems to radiate out from your chest
  263. 263.
    >You shuffle uncomfortably, making a mental note to speak to a medic as soon as you return to the hive
  264. 264.
    >The mare leans down to pick the paper bag up, but before she can you use your magic to levitate it off the ground
  265. 265.
    "Please, allow me. It's the least I can do. My name is Lumen Vale, by the way."
  266. 266.
    >She considers you for a moment, before nodding
  267. 267.
    "Okay. I'm Golden Harvest."
  268. 268.
    >You smile disarmingly
  269. 269.
    "It's a pleasure to meet you, although I apologise for the circumstances, of course. May I help you carry these?"
  270. 270.
    >Her eyes soften somewhat
  271. 271.
    "Well, I suppose... Thank you, Lumen. I'm just down the street."
  272. 272.
    >She turns to leave, and you take a moment to scan the sky before following after her
  273. 273.
    >Nothing...
  274. 274.
    >You trot a few steps to catch up with her
  275. 275.
    >Golden looks over at you as you step next to her
  276. 276.
    "So, what were you doing staring up at the sky in the middle of the road, anyway?"
  277. 277.
    >You shrug
  278. 278.
    "I mean, can you blame me? It's a beautiful day out."
  279. 279.
    >Protocol Two: Never give out information unless it benefits the mission
  280. 280.
    >Off the top of your head, you can recall no less than three separate beatings you suffered at the hooves of Commander Kryssik for 'surrendering information during a training exercise'
  281. 281.
    >The first time, you had misread the dossier and mixed up what town you were pretending to be from
  282. 282.
    >The second time you had truthfully answered a seemingly innocuous question about where you had eaten breakfast that morning
  283. 283.
    >The third time had been after the exercise, and there had been no explanation
  284. 284.
    >Golden Harvest laughs
  285. 285.
    "I guess that's fair, you're certainly not wrong. It's just a left up here."
  286. 286.
    >The two of you take a left, getting further into Ponyville's 'urban' sprawl
  287. 287.
    "I don't think I've seen you around here before, Lumen. Are you new to Ponyville?"
  288. 288.
    >You nod
  289. 289.
    "Yes, I just arrived today, actually. Still looking for a place to stay. Any recommendations?"
  290. 290.
    >She stops as you near a quaint, thatch-roofed house near the corner of the street, and turns to face you
  291. 291.
    "Of course!"
  292. 292.
    >She chirps
  293. 293.
    "Ponyville doesn't have an inn, but there are plenty of ponies you could stay with."
  294. 294.
    >She thinks for a moment
  295. 295.
    "I think there was this pegasus looking for a roommate on the north side of town, I can't remember her name... Or you could always see if Applejack will take you in. She's got a lot of space down on Sweet Apple Acres, but then again... She'll probably want you to work off your board."
  296. 296.
    >She takes another moment, still looking thoughtful
  297. 297.
    "OR you could try asking Twilight Sparkle! She's super nice, and I don't think there's anyone staying with her at the library right now."
  298. 298.
    >Great
  299. 299.
    >You can stay with one of the mission's two greatest threats, or some unknown quantity
  300. 300.
    >You find yourself missing your assigned barracks bed more than you thought possible
  301. 301.
    >You levitate the paper bag over and drop it at her hooves
  302. 302.
    "Where exactly does this pegasus live?"
  303. 303.
    "I think it was Lilac Way? I'm pretty sure that's it - anyway, it's got a bunch of flowers out front. You can't miss it!"
  304. 304.
    >You nod, already exhausted with this conversation
  305. 305.
    "Thank you, Ms. Harvest."
  306. 306.
    >You turn and walk away before she has the chance to say anything else
  307. 307.
    >You're beginning to get the feeling that you might have underestimated just how grating playing nice with these ponies was going to be
  308. 308.
    >It was simultaneously infuriating and humiliating that these soft, undisciplined whelps had managed to best your hive once already
  309. 309.
    >But your rage is tempered by the knowledge that you would soon be the instrument of their destruction
  310. 310.
    >It doesn't take long to arrive at Lilac Way - and you manage to avoid crashing into anyone on the way there this time
  311. 311.
    >It's a winding cobbled path that curves along the north-east side of town, nearly adjacent to the river
  312. 312.
    >You walk slowly, your hoofsteps accentuated by the cobblestones, politely nodding at the ponies who cross your path
  313. 313.
    >Quietly observing every face you see, you carefully note the details for later
  314. 314.
    >Having a breadth of forms to take could very likely come in handy
  315. 315.
    >Handy...
  316. 316.
    >Wait, what?
  317. 317.
    >That word-
  318. 318.
    >You stagger
  319. 319.
    >Images pour into your mind; shapes you don't recognise, places you can't imagine, creatures you know but have never seen
  320. 320.
    >And just as quick as it started, it's over
  321. 321.
    >You press a hoof to your head, suddenly nauseous
  322. 322.
    >You poor soul... What have they done to you?
  323. 323.
    >Your head throbs
  324. 324.
    >What... What is going on?
  325. 325.
    >Before you have time to sort out your tangled mind, a familiar voice interrupts your thoughts
  326. 326.
    "Lumen, hi! Glad to see you made it into town."
  327. 327.
    >You look up to see Lily White trotting towards you
  328. 328.
    >Shaking your head, you struggle to compose yourself
  329. 329.
    "H-hi, Lily. Fancy meeting you here."
  330. 330.
    >By the Queen, anything but this mare right now
  331. 331.
    >She beams at you, but her smile fades slightly as she notices the expression on your face
  332. 332.
    "Is everything okay?"
  333. 333.
    >Damnit... She shouldn't be able to read you this easily
  334. 334.
    >You summon as much willpower as you can and steel your mind, gathering your scattered thoughts and pushing aside these unfamiliar feelings
  335. 335.
    >The mission is all that matters, and by the Queen, you will not fail
  336. 336.
    >The easy smile that graces your face is a testament to your mental fortitude
  337. 337.
    "Of course, why wouldn't it be?"
  338. 338.
    >She observes you for a moment, and then that annoyingly bright smile reappears
  339. 339.
    "Well, that's good to hear. I was worried about you!"
  340. 340.
    >You nod casually
  341. 341.
    "I appreciate that, but I had some water and I'm back to feeling like a million bits. Anyway, if you don't mind, I'm actually just in the middle of something..."
  342. 342.
    >You slip past her, hoping to find somewhere quiet and lonely to focus your mind
  343. 343.
    >You hear the clatter of her hooves as she brushes up next to you, keeping pace as you walk
  344. 344.
    "Oh, sure. What're you up to? Do you need help finding anything?"
  345. 345.
    >You shake your head, your enthusiasm quite genuine
  346. 346.
    "Oh, no, I've got it quite under control. I'm just going to see a pegasus about finding a place to stay. Well, it was lovely catching up with you!"
  347. 347.
    >Her eyes widen, her excitement palpable
  348. 348.
    "The pegasus looking for a roommate at 17 Lilac Way? You're not gonna believe this, Lumen."
  349. 349.
    >By the Queen, no
  350. 350.
    "You're looking at her!"
  351. 351.
    >You force a smile
  352. 352.
    "Wow, what are the odds?"
  353. 353.
    >You manage, suddenly reconsidering your options
  354. 354.
    >She nods happily
  355. 355.
    "My old roommate moved out a few weeks ago, and it was nice having the place to myself for a bit, but... I dunno, it's too quiet and empty without somepony else there."
  356. 356.
    >She turns to look at you, and you steadfastly avoid eye contact
  357. 357.
    "The place is really nice, I promise. It's just up ahead, here."
  358. 358.
    >You look up and find you're approaching an ornate, old house covered in flowering vines
  359. 359.
    >The house is set back from the road by a considerable margin to allow space for an excessively lush, vibrant garden
  360. 360.
    >You sigh
  361. 361.
    >Lily nods, mistaking the sound for awe
  362. 362.
    "See? Isn't it pretty?"
  363. 363.
    >As much as this pony annoys you, you don't think your other options are acceptable alternatives
  364. 364.
    >On one hoof, staying with Twilight or Applejack could provide you with valuable intel for the operation
  365. 365.
    >But on the other, those two and their four friends were the most likely to find you out
  366. 366.
    >And living alongside them would likely provide them too much insight into your activities
  367. 367.
    >Plus, if Lily was telling the truth, she liked to spend most of her time in the wilderness, away from her home
  368. 368.
    >As much as you hate it, this is clearly the best option for the 'blending in' portion of the operation
  369. 369.
    "Yeah, it sure is."
  370. 370.
    >You say
  371. 371.
    >Lily looks like she might explode with excitement
  372. 372.
    "Come on, let me show you around!"
  373. 373.
    >You spend the next forty-five long, torturous minutes following her around while she yaps about every corner of the house
  374. 374.
    >Apparently there's a long history of roommates that have passed through this house, but lately Lily hasn't been able to find anyone to stay with her
  375. 375.
    >You note several possible escape routes during the orientation but manage to refrain from actually utilizing them
  376. 376.
    >You're both sitting in the living room as the tour wraps up, and Lily gazes at you as bright-eyed as ever
  377. 377.
    "So, what do you think?"
  378. 378.
    >She says, quietly
  379. 379.
    >You appear thoughtful for a moment
  380. 380.
    "Seems like a great fit. How much is the room?"
  381. 381.
    >She cocks her head slightly, confused
  382. 382.
    "As in, how many bits?"
  383. 383.
    >You add, exasperated
  384. 384.
    >The look on her face shifts to one of amusement
  385. 385.
    "Oh, nothing."
  386. 386.
    >...What?
  387. 387.
    >She laughs at your expression
  388. 388.
    "I don't need the money, Lumen. I just like the company. I spend so much time out in the woods, alone, it's just nice to have somepony to come home to, you know?"
  389. 389.
    >Her cheeks colour slightly
  390. 390.
    "J-just anypony, really."
  391. 391.
    >You observe her silently for a moment, unsure of what to say for once
  392. 392.
    >This pony was an odd one, for sure...
  393. 393.
    >You were used to understanding others and their motivations, especially in the hive
  394. 394.
    >Distressingly, Lily's motivations evaded you
  395. 395.
    >And that made her unpredictable
  396. 396.
    >You shuffle uncomfortably, your skin prickling
  397. 397.
    "Oh... Well, um... Thanks."
  398. 398.
    >She smiles shyly, and suddenly you find it hard to meet her eyes
  399. 399.
    >You look away, unsure of why, and then you feel her hoof on your shoulder
  400. 400.
    >Immediately you want to recoil, but you don't pull away
  401. 401.
    "You're welcome, Lumen."
  402. 402.
    >She murmurs, way too close to you now
  403. 403.
    >You can't stop yourself from looking into her eyes
  404. 404.
    >Green eyes
  405. 405.
    >Green? No, they're blue; they've always been blue
  406. 406.
    >A wave of dizziness washes over you, and you stagger slightly
  407. 407.
    >Visions flit through your mind, almost too quick to follow
  408. 408.
    >Faces that you don't recognise, but they're oddly familiar
  409. 409.
    >Your head is pounding; your vision narrowing to a tunnel
  410. 410.
    >You can feel your consciousness falling away
  411. 411.
    >No!
  412. 412.
    >You fight with all your might, trying to stay upright while the whole world slips out from under you
  413. 413.
    >But it's no use
  414. 414.
    >The darkness closes in around you
  415. 415.
     
  416. 416.
    ***
  417. 417.
     
  418. 418.
    >You open your eyes, but the darkness remains
  419. 419.
    >The ground beneath you is cold, and hard
  420. 420.
    >You feel panic begin creeping into your chest, like icy tendrils around your heart
  421. 421.
    >It dissipates as your training takes over, and you wait for your eyes to adjust
  422. 422.
    >The ceiling slowly swims into view
  423. 423.
    >It's... The ceiling of your bunk, in your barracks
  424. 424.
    >A voice from your right jolts you to alertness
  425. 425.
    "Nyxis, come on!"
  426. 426.
    >Your head snaps to the right
  427. 427.
    >In the dim lighting you can barely make out the form of one of your brothers
  428. 428.
    >But you recognise the voice
  429. 429.
    >It had been so long since you had last heard that voice
  430. 430.
    "... Vrisk?"
  431. 431.
    >You ask
  432. 432.
    >You can hear the annoyance in his voice
  433. 433.
    "Who else, idiot? Hurry up, Kryssik is on the war path today."
  434. 434.
    >You roll out of bed, landing gracefully on your hooves, cursing yourself for oversleeping
  435. 435.
    "You should watch out for yourself, Vrisk. If Kryssik catches you warning me you know he'll punish you too."
  436. 436.
    >You growl
  437. 437.
    >You can just see a crescent of white in the darkness
  438. 438.
    "If picking up your slack makes that bastard's day a little worse, it's worth it."
  439. 439.
    >A grin seems determined to make it's way across your face, too, but you resist it
  440. 440.
    "... Thanks. Alright, let's go."
  441. 441.
    >You bolt for the drill hall, beating your wings and taking off along the way
  442. 442.
    >The black, porous stone races past you as you fly nearly blind, Vrisk not far behind you
  443. 443.
    >The darkness in the hive was oppressive, but you knew this place like the back of your hand
  444. 444.
    >You can feel a gentle breeze blowing gently through the holes in the rock
  445. 445.
    >The structure had been carefully engineered to ensure good air circulation, and it happened to make flying easier, too
  446. 446.
    >Ahead, you can see a bright light spilling from the entrance to the drill hall, illuminating the nearby stone
  447. 447.
    >You swoop low, and alight on softly on the stone floor, squinting
  448. 448.
    >You can hear Vrisk land behind you, considerably less softly
  449. 449.
    >A soft dripping sound echoes through the cavernous structure
  450. 450.
    >Drip... Drip... Drip...
  451. 451.
    >What is that?
  452. 452.
    >You shake your head
  453. 453.
    >You don't have time for this right now
  454. 454.
    >Walking through the drill hall entrance, the transition from near total darkness to overwhelming light is nothing short of blinding
  455. 455.
    >You continue walking forward, forcing your eyes wide open in the hopes they'll adjust faster
  456. 456.
    >Vrisk's laboured hooffalls clatter across the stone floor as the drill yard finally starts to become visible to you
  457. 457.
    >Daylight pours in through an opening in the hive ceiling, brightly illuminating the entire courtyard
  458. 458.
    >Your comrades are lined up in parade order, their backs to you, standing in rigid silence
  459. 459.
    >You pick up a trot and take a place at the end of the line, immediately mimicking the position of the cadet to your left
  460. 460.
    >You don't move a muscle as Vrisk lines up next to you, your eyes slowly scanning the courtyard
  461. 461.
    >Kryssik was nowhere in sight... You suppose you must have made it in time
  462. 462.
    >But something was wrong
  463. 463.
    >You look to your left, your fellow cadets standing with the same discipline you had worked so hard to master
  464. 464.
    >But in their eyes... There's nothing
  465. 465.
    >No fierce, competitive spark
  466. 466.
    >Their eyes are blank; completely vacant
  467. 467.
    >Drip... Drip... Drip...
  468. 468.
    >Your heart sinks
  469. 469.
    "They're all dead, you know."
  470. 470.
    >Vrisk's voice rasps from your right
  471. 471.
    >You feel a cold chill spread through your body; a bone-chilling dread that you had never experienced before
  472. 472.
    >Every fibre of your being screams not to look at him
  473. 473.
    "Out of every one of us, Nyxis, you're the only one left."
  474. 474.
    >You turn your head, slowly, fighting the instinct to run, to be anywhere but here
  475. 475.
    >Your own fear sickens you; it is beneath you, and by the Queen it will not master you
  476. 476.
    >Vrisk gazes back at you with the same vacant, dead eyes as your other comrades
  477. 477.
    >Vibrant green blood runs from his eyes and mouth, completely at odds with his black carapace
  478. 478.
    >Drops fall from his face, splattering on the ground at his hooves
  479. 479.
    >Drip... Drip... Drip...
  480. 480.
    >Your lip twitches as you force yourself to face him
  481. 481.
    "If you had been stronger, perhaps you would have lived instead of I, Vrisk."
  482. 482.
    >You snarl
  483. 483.
    >Those dead eyes bore into yours
  484. 484.
    "We all died for you, Nyxis. To make you what you are."
  485. 485.
    >You put a hoof forward, planting you legs on the ground
  486. 486.
    "Shut up. I'd kill you all again in a heartbeat."
  487. 487.
    >Vrisk smiles, his bloodied teeth a grisly sight
  488. 488.
    "I'm sure she's very proud of what you've become."
  489. 489.
    >He spits
  490. 490.
    >You wait for him to act first; to go on the offensive, to do something, anything
  491. 491.
    >But he simply stands there, that ghastly smile mocking you
  492. 492.
    >Drip... Drip... Drip...
  493. 493.
    >You lunge at him, enraged, your teeth closing around his throat, your hooves on his chest
  494. 494.
    >And then you're falling, the light becoming unbearably bright; so bright it hurts
  495. 495.
    >Your head pounds, feeling as though a sliver of ice has been driven through your skull
  496. 496.
    >And then...
  497. 497.
     
  498. 498.
    ***
  499. 499.
     
  500. 500.
    >Your eyes open; a snarl on your face, the taste of blood still in your mouth
  501. 501.
    >And you're confronted with an unfamiliar room
  502. 502.
    >The air is fresh, the empty room a sterile, medical white
  503. 503.
    >A window lies across from you, the stars visible above the distant horizon
  504. 504.
    >Dark already? Damnit, how long have you been out?
  505. 505.
    >You have a splitting headache, and you look around the room, dazed, trying in vain to shake that... Dream, or whatever it was
  506. 506.
    >It couldn't be... Changelings don't dream, ever
  507. 507.
    >You're lying in a medical gurney of some kind, a blanket draped over your body
  508. 508.
    >It all comes rushing back to you
  509. 509.
    >Lily getting too close, and then... This must be the Ponyville hospital
  510. 510.
    >You shake your head, furious at yourself for having fainted because of some... Hallucination
  511. 511.
    >When did this weakness creep into your mind?
  512. 512.
    >Kryssik would be so damn smug to see you right now
  513. 513.
    >No! You harden your resolve, your temper flaring
  514. 514.
    >You are the tip of the spear, and this is the best chance you'll ever have at winning your Queen's favour
  515. 515.
    >Whatever disease this is... It will break upon your iron will like waves on the rocks
  516. 516.
    >Your headache slowly begins to ebb away, but you still feel sick to your stomach
  517. 517.
    >Your thoughts turn to the... Vision you had had, for lack of a better word
  518. 518.
    >It was... Partially a memory, but it wasn't quite right
  519. 519.
    >Vrisk had been killed by the Queen, not you
  520. 520.
    >And your fellow cadets... They couldn't all be dead, right?
  521. 521.
    >Of course, many of them had not survived their training, but four others had graduated alongside you, Vrisk included
  522. 522.
    >The sound of a door opening interrupts your thoughts, and your eyes snap over to see an unfamiliar pony entering the room
  523. 523.
    >She's wearing the garb of a nurse, and she looks pleasantly surprised to see you awake
  524. 524.
    "Oh, hello! You're up, that's good."
  525. 525.
    >She smiles and walks over to your bed
  526. 526.
    "I'm Nurse Redheart. How are you feeling?"
  527. 527.
    >You glance out the window, trying to estimate the time, but without a full view of the night sky it's difficult to tell
  528. 528.
    "Great, actually."
  529. 529.
    >You lie
  530. 530.
    "What time is it, Nurse?"
  531. 531.
    >You have somewhere to be, likely soon
  532. 532.
    >She answers without checking the watch on her leg
  533. 533.
    "About Nine O'clock. You've been unconscious for just over four hours, Mr. Vale. Why, do you have somewhere to be?"
  534. 534.
    >You roll out of the bed, ignoring her look of alarm as you land on the ground and stumble slightly before catching yourself
  535. 535.
    >You swallow your rage at such a simple blunder
  536. 536.
    "I just need to get home, actually. Been a long day, and all. Now, if you don't mind showing me the exit...?"
  537. 537.
    >She raises an eyebrow, unamused
  538. 538.
    "Did you not hear me? You've been unconscious for four hours, and you look like you're about to fall over. You're not going anywhere."
  539. 539.
    >Her eyes are hard, her voice firm, that smile replaced by a hard, thin line
  540. 540.
    >You stare at her for a moment, taken aback by her resistance
  541. 541.
    >You had expected all of these ponies to be pushovers... You make a mental note to keep an eye on this nurse
  542. 542.
    >She was apparently tougher than she looked
  543. 543.
    >You briefly imagine a few places you could stash her body if it came to that
  544. 544.
    >Ultimately, you decide it's too risky
  545. 545.
    >You lean into that exhaustion she seems to see in you, adopting a pathetic expression
  546. 546.
    "Please, is there any way I can be released early? I really don't like hospitals."
  547. 547.
    >She examines your expression for a moment, and then her eyes soften sympathetically
  548. 548.
    "Well... If you have somepony that can come pick you up, I suppose I can sign for an early release."
  549. 549.
    >Great... You sigh, your exhaustion suddenly all too real
  550. 550.
    "Yes, there is somepony..."
  551. 551.
    >It turns out the pony in question is already in the waiting room, fast asleep in one of the chairs
  552. 552.
    >Apparently she had been waiting for you to wake up this whole time
  553. 553.
    >That dedication is... Unexpected, and it makes you uncomfortable
  554. 554.
    >Lily's obvious infatuation with you... With 'Lumen Vale,' presented problems
  555. 555.
    >On one hoof, it would make her quite easy to manipulate
  556. 556.
    >But on the other... It would make her harder to steer clear of, should you need to get away
  557. 557.
    >And you were going to need to get away, tonight, no less
  558. 558.
    >Nurse Redheart gently wakes her up, and seeing how relieved she is to see you makes you feel ill all over again
  559. 559.
    >By the Queen... This damn pony wears her heart on her hoof
  560. 560.
    >You steadfastly avoid looking at her as she signs some paperwork with the nurse, despite her repeated glances toward you
  561. 561.
    >You're out the front doors the moment she gives the clipboard back to the nurse
  562. 562.
    >She trots to catch up with you, of course
  563. 563.
    >You continue walking, tense, waiting for her to speak
  564. 564.
    >But she just walks next to you, in silence
  565. 565.
    >The silence stretches out for the next several minutes as the two of you walk
  566. 566.
    >Eventually she stops
  567. 567.
    "Um... Lumen?"
  568. 568.
    >You reluctantly stop and look back at her
  569. 569.
    >Looking at her now, she's clearly miserable
  570. 570.
    >She speaks up again, although it obviously pains her
  571. 571.
    "My place is this way..."
  572. 572.
    >She gestures to the left
  573. 573.
    >You knew that, of course
  574. 574.
    "I just need to be alone for a bit, Lily."
  575. 575.
    >She looks like she's about to cry
  576. 576.
    "I'm sorry- I- I didn't mean to-"
  577. 577.
    >You cut her off
  578. 578.
    "Let's just... Not talk about this, okay?"
  579. 579.
    >She nods, holding back tears
  580. 580.
    >When she speaks again it's nearly a whisper
  581. 581.
    "... You're still going to come back though, right?"
  582. 582.
    >You sigh, a mixture of feelings running through you
  583. 583.
    >Irritation, exasperation... And something else, something you don't want to think about
  584. 584.
    >You push it away
  585. 585.
    "Yes. I just need some time alone."
  586. 586.
    >She sniffles
  587. 587.
    "You promise?"
  588. 588.
    >You swallow your irritation
  589. 589.
    "... Yeah, I promise. I'll see you back at the- your house."
  590. 590.
    >You turn away before she can say anything else
  591. 591.
    >As you walk away through the dark and empty streets of Ponyville you can feel her eyes on your back
  592. 592.
    >You try to ignore the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of your stomach... But that unease stays with you
  593. 593.
    >You turn your thoughts to the task at hand
  594. 594.
    >Of course, you didn't actually need any time alone... Quite the opposite, actually
  595. 595.
    >You had a meeting to get to, and you were already late
  596. 596.
     
  597. 597.
    ***

Character Development Part 1

by HotdogWater

Character Development Part 2

by HotdogWater

Character Development Part 3

by HotdogWater

Changeling Perspective (In Progress)

by HotdogWater