AiE: Welcome To the Swarm [Part 13]

>You decide that you're exhausted and don't feel like getting the wallet yourself.

>You implant the image of your room and the item into the mind of the Changeling and it runs off.

>It soon returns with the item.

 

“Thank you.”

 

>The changeling puffs its chest out, proud that it pleased its king.

 

“Carry on.”

 

>The bug salutes and moves on.

>You look at your old image in the wallet.

>Okay, now what?

>Still don't know how to change shape.

>God dammit.

>You decide you're thirsty and head off to the watering hole.

>The changelings there give you a wide birth.

>Some act as if you're going to hit them or something.

>Cheeselegs IS a bitch.

>You lean over and get a look at yourself.

>A massive beetle-like horn protrudes from your skull.

>Short, slicked-back hair makes your mane, that ends about half way down your neck.

>It's the same blue as the wings of the other changelings.

>Your eyes are the same color, but have slits in them similar to Chrysalis.

>You use a hoof to pull open your mouth, eying your fangs.

>Nom Nom Nom.

>You turn and view your side and flank.

>You have a solid blue shell on your back and two tattered wings that grow out of your back as well.

>Your tail is short, not even half the length of your female counterpart's.

>Unlike her, the chitin on your belly is a solid black.

>However, you're bigger and more buff than she is.

>No wonder you overtook her so easily.

>You put on what you deem a snobbish face and are somewhat disturbed at how well it fits.

>You finally finish what you came here for, getting a drink, and then leave, the changelings from before all hurrying back to the water's edge.

>You realize you have your wallet in a telepathic grip, and you have for all this time.

 

“So that's easy. Just will it to float.”

 

>You return and hand it off to another Changeling, having the drone take it back to your room.

>You travel the halls and head back to where you found the Spirit Emerald.

>It's almost all mined out by the changelings.

>You notice one struggling with a piece too large to carry.

>You go over and use your telekinesis to take the load off without a second thought.

>The Changeling looks up at you as if you'd yelled at it.

 

“You've done nothing wrong except for maybe biting off more than you can chew. I'll handle this, you should find a piece more your size.”

 

>Content with the answer, the bug perks up again and hurries off.

>You move the hunk of rock to the storage cavern that had been dug out for the stuff, and leave.

>Your mind goes back to the ponies.

>White Horsie seemed genuinely sorry for her actions.

>You'd solved the problem with the eggs.

>Perhaps now it was time to try and smooth things over between the two factions.

>Changelings feed on love.

>Ponies are all about love.

>It could turn into a mutually beneficial relationship.

>Changelings get to feed, Ponies get a helping hoof.

>However, you're aware Chrysalis wouldn't have any of it, and that you were still technically below her in rank, which means anything you command the changelings to do could be overridden by her.

>But you were the physically superior species.

>That is, if you could change back into a human.

>Maybe if you were to explain the benefits to her she'd understand.

>No. You'd have to start this alone.

>You manage to slip away and teleport to Canterlot.

>Bad idea.

>Panic.

>You've got royal guards on your ass right off the bat.

>You release another pulse to energy, knocking them back.

>You go as fast as you can on your four legs to reach the castle.

>You had to do this.

>You had to-

>You trip and knock your dumb ass out.

 

>Wake up.

>In cold, damp cell.

>Well this didn't go as planned.

>Hard floor is hard.

>You get up and go the bars.

 

“Listen, I come in peace! I need to talk to Princess White Horsie and I need to do it before Chrysalis finishes fertilizing the eggs!”

 

>That got their attention.

>You roll your eyes.

 

“It's weird I know. But you HAVE to LISTEN! If she finds out I've done this, she'll have my head! I can command the changelings, but her control is absolute! She has the ability to override my commands! She might think I've been captured or something and come back!”

 

>Now THAT got them scared.

>One gallops off and soon returns with White Horsie.

>”Anonymous. I was told you had come with a message.”

 

“Thank god someone is sensible! Look, I don't have much time before Chrysalis finishes with the eggs, so you need to LISTEN. I... I want to find a way to smooth things over between the Changelings and the Ponies. I know we got off to a bad start, but hear me out!”

 

>You're desperate now.

>You promised to help the Changelings, and you would.

>The ponies weren't bad, but at the same time you didn't know much about them, so for all you know they were a neutral party.

>”I'm listening.”

 

“The changelings are surviving now, and much better off now that I”m there, but they feed on emotion. IN case you weren't aware, we're the only ones out there in the wastes. I was thinking that if the changelings were to help around in your lands, we could feed on emotions here as payment.”

 

>”And chrysalis would be okay with this?”

 

“...No. Not yet. How about we arrange a meeting. You bring one of your subjects, whichever you choose and I shall bring Chrysalis. We will meet at neutral territory and discuss the terms and try and heal old wounds. If we can.”

 

>She's silent for a moment.

>”Very well. Everfree forest is neutral territory; nopony goes there.”

 

“I'll find a way to convince Chrysalis.”

 

>Realizing you could have done this all along, you teleport back...

 

>And reappear right in front of Chrysalis.

>Fuck.

>”Where have you been?” she asks.

>How to answer her? She seems pissed.