iridescentfrontiers | It's not just the push that matters; it's what you push them towards

It's not just the push that matters; it's what you push them towards

Twilight Sparkle

(While she may not be the first outsider turned changeling, Xion still needed that much more support to help her along her time in Equestria. Not only did she have to go through the standard ritual of getting acquainted with an equine body after being humanoid all her life, but she also had to learn about something even Twilight barely had enough information about. Unfortunately, the only one who knew everything about changelings was Chrysalis and she...well, she and Equestria aren't quite on good terms. However, that won't stop Twilight from trying her damnedest to keep the girl moving alongside the other outsiders. She may not know much, but she felt she knew enough to at least get Xion started.)

It's definitely important that you understand the differences between a changeling and a pony, but it's also important that you understand the similarities between them, too. They're capable of magic, just like us unicorns, but they're also capable of flight, like the pegasi. We all both have four legs and four hooves to stand on and we share the same world. To my knowledge, the only differences are the ability to change your form and the different food source, but don't worry; it'll all come natural to you as long as you don't force it.

...But it would definitely help master walking as soon as possible.

Queen Chrysalis

(Of course, things aren't quite as nice with the changeling queen. After all, she did have to pull the new changeling aside and far, far away from Ponyville. Chrysalis couldn't let anyone catch on to her charade...not unless she wanted them to know what she had planned...and she wanted to make sure Xion knew the plan. The rather intimidating looking queen specialized in pouncing on weaknesses and manipulating others and she would make sure the girl wasn't spared from either of them. However, she saw it fit to teach the girl one very important factoid:)

While you may not be one of my original changelings, do keep in mind that you're still my changeling and you will be as such as long as you're here...but you shouldn't view that as such a horrid fate; compared to how those ponies will react to your presence, you should really be expressing gratitude...changelings and ponies are meant to never get along. They will fear you and shun you...but as a changeling, you'll always have a place in my hive.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Needless to say, Xion's never actually been forced to stand on four legs before.

She's also never had wings and a horn, or been a- what was it again, a changeling? That was right. She's completely wobbly, and her wings sometimes twitch nervously without her telling them too. She really, really doesn't think she'll be getting the hang of this horse thing any time soon. Or, you know, being stuck in another world.]

They can change into different things? And what do you mean different food source? [Can't she just eat ice cream?]

Edited (SORRY FOR THE DOUBLE EDIT i hit update reply instead of where i wanted to click) 2013-08-06 06:38 (UTC)

Mhm. It's why they're called changelings. I'm not entirely sure of the process myself, but it definitely involves their magic. Once you learn to channel yours, I'm sure you'll figure it out in no time.

As for food...well, I'm honestly not sure if a changeling's body can even digest typical foods. Instead, they feed off of others' emotions, particularly love. The more positive the emotion, the more sustenance it provides, but this is all from speculation.

(And past experiences with Chrysalis and her madness.)

[Can't digest typical foods.... Does this mean she can't eat ice cream? Well, she'll definitely find out, because she's most certainly not taking Twilight's word for this matter. Besides, she's not even sure!

But that whole feeding off of positive emotions... Sounds kinda dangerous.]

It won't hurt anyone when if I have to do that, will it? Feeding off of emotions, I mean.

Only if you feed off of them in excess. I've seen a changeling's draining render a unicorn almost entirely unable to use his magic, but that was from having bit by bit of his emotions fed off of across the span of several days. IIIII trust you won't go that far overboard.

(She doubts Xion would go that crazy with the feeding, but Twilight needs to be sure.)

Oh! I definitely won't do that! Maybe if I ask lots of people to help... Do you think they would? That way I don't think I'd take too much from any one pony at a time...

I know they would. If anything, ponies are very understanding towards each others' problems...so long as you're honest, I think they'll be happy to have you in town.

In fact, they might think it interesting to live with a changeling!

You think so? I don't want to be a burden to anyone. If you're sure it won't be a problem, I'll try asking ponies if they want to help.

Uhm. How do I feed on emotions anyways? [million dollar question, right here.]

(Ah yes, the grand question to top them all.)

I'm...not entirely sure about that. From what I've seen of it, it involves using your magic to form a one-way connection with another...but I really don't know the specifics. You also have to be in close range to do it.

I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough, but I do have to ask: have you ever used magic before?

Oh yes! I've used magic before quite a few times. For fighting, though. I don't know if that matters.

[Not to mention it'd only ever been elemental magic. Nothing she really considers all that impressive.]

I know a few high level spells, like Curega, if that means anything...

Sounds like a healing spell to me. Still, even if it was just combative or supportive, magic is magic. That means you're familiar with it and don't need to be taught about it.

What you'll need to learn, however, is how to channel your magic through your horn.

(The unicorn taps her own horn.)

I may not be too familiar with a changeling's potency for magic, but I know they at least have some. Try channeling magic to your horn; don't worry about using it yet, just focus on your horn.

That's no problem. I've channeled magic through something else before... Uhm...

[Give her a few seconds though, she has to try and... well, feel it is the best word. Xion make a slight face for a moment, but her horn definitely glows.

And Twilight will be hit by a warm, comforting green light. Curega, and if she has any wounds, or is feeling a little tired, it'll definitely make a big difference.]

Is that good?

(Feeling is the best way to go about it. Twilight can talk and talk and talk, but the best way she'll learn is actually trying it.

Thankfully, it seems as though Xion gets the hang of it very quickly, casting a healing spell right away. It's a soothing spell, one that betters Twilight's already good mood.)

Excellent work, Xion; I knew you could do it!

Now, the next part is a little trickier. It involves the same method of targeting another, but establishing that link I mentioned before. I'll let you use me to practice your first time trying it. Just take your time, stay calm and let it come naturally.

Ah, sure...

[Naturally, huh? Well, she' not about to ask if Twilight is sure, because she wouldn't have offered if she wasn't.

It's a little more complicated than simply finding food an eating it, and she has no idea how to do something like this to begin with anyways, unlike when she cast magic.

Which means it definitely takes longer, but eventually she finds it. Or at least she thinks she does, anyways. It's a good thing instinct is a powerful thing, even in the wrong body. Being a Nobody to begin with, however... When she first feels (and boy, does she feel strongly when it happens) the little... Is it a change of power? Xion doesn't really have any words to describe it, but she knows she likes it, inasmuch as she can like something.

But with Twilights' emotions, she's positive there's definitely some type of tangible feeling, all her own. It makes her dig in a little deeper, absorb a little more. It's definitely good, and makes her feel good on top of it.]

(Admittedly, it does feel a little weird at first, letting herself be drained by a changeling...but it's for someone who needs it, right? Poor girl's stuck feeding like this as long as she's here and that's as much a problem for her as it is other ponies. At the very least, she figured out how to do it quickly, so there's hope in that!

...But after a while, Twilight starts to feel the effects of the feeding. It started off as something unnoticeable, but she felt herself getting exhausted, weakened as Xion continues. She rests a hoof on her forehead in a vain effort to dull the headache.)

O-Okay, Xion...I think you got it figured out now...

[It's- well, needless to say it's pretty euphoric for Xion. Almost so that she doesn't really hear Twilight speak up, forces the unicorn to give her more before she finally comes back to her senses, stopping what she's doing rather quick.

She'd probably feel bad.

If she had the heart for it.]

Ah.. Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Do you want me to cast Curega again?

(At least she stopped it of her own volition. That's a step forward since that means she doesn't have to force Xion to stop. Twilight shakes her head.)

No no, it's fine. I just...I might need to rest my head for a little while, that's all.

I'm glad you figured out how to feed, at least.

Well... as long as I didn't really seriously hurt you... It felt really good though. I can't normally experience emotions because of what I am, but... Well, through you I could.

[She knows that Twilight doesn't know much about Changelings, but it's still more that Xion herself does, even though she happens to be one right now. So anything she can maybe help the pony with might be her only way of helping her for all she's done.]

I see...I don't know think changelings normally feel emotion, but if it's possible through feeding, then maybe there's something more to it than just looking for sustenance.

(She jots a few notes down on the nearest scroll.)

It must be confusing to think about, if you've never felt them before. How come emotions aren't normal for you?

Back home, I'm whats called a "Nobody". We don't have hearts to feel emotions with because they were taken from us by monsters.

That sounds horrible...but how can anyone live without a heart? It's kind of essential for survival.

(Except she's thinking of a literal heart and not the magical metaphorical heart Xion's canon often goes on and on about.)

[Well, it's probably a good thing that Twilight had gotten to her first, because that whole shun thing was sort of... Well, wrong, from what she's experienced so far.

The fear thing? Well, it's easy to fear something while standing up too it, Xion's learned. So maybe there are those who are afraid of what she is here (not that she can really help it). Still, the speel is the exact same thing she's heard before, only with Nobodies switched with Changelings.]

I.. Thanks, I guess. I appreciate it. [Even if, you know, this one probably wasn't as nice as Twilight had been.]

(She's definitely not as nice as Twilight. And it's probably a good thing she doesn't know Twilight got to her first; if she did, she'd be a bit more upset and focused on shattering the image the unicorn painted for Xion.)

You've seen them already, haven't you? The lives those ponies live so happily and without a care in the world...it is exactly that happiness that allows us to infiltrate their lives and take everything we want from them. They're nothing but a food source and the sooner you accept that, the easier it'll be for you to adapt to your new form.

I don't really want to hurt anyone, though.

[Turn them into heartless, maybe, but not hurt them :I. Not that she really understands that that is technically hurting them too.]

I mean, I guess if I need to eat, I need to eat, but I wouldn't want to take anyone's happiness away from them. [Because it's something important, that only those with hearts can feel.]

Oh, you won't be stealing their happiness; even as you feed on them, their emotions will remain intact. It's simply their energy that's channeled through their emotions.

You have nothing to worry about; after all, if you need to eat, you need to eat.

(Except Chrysalis is being a very obvious villain here and it shows.)

[obvious villain might be obvious, but hell, she lives with a bunch of them so NOTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY HERE whoops.]

Well... I guess if I'm not taking their emotions, that'll be okay. But Twilight said that I could just ask ponies if I could feed from them, and they'd probably say yes.

(Poor poor girl.)

And you believed her? Do you really think any of them would allow us to feed off of them while they receive no benefit in return? Of course they won't let you; Twilight lied to you. She's leading you along just to attain her own goals and actively work against my poor, starving changelings...all they want is to eat...

Have you tried asking? I mean... She let me try and feed off of her. I messed up and took too much though. I'm sure if your other changelings asked, more ponies would help.

Though, I don't really know what she'd be able to get out of letting me do that to her.

Of course I haven't asked. I'm queen of the changelings; as they already resent changelings, they absolutely hate me. They'll drive me away if they knew my true identity. Besides, the ponies won't see it so kindly; they know if one asks and they give, more will come asking and they'll have to give more and more to please everyone. The only way to keep that from happening is to deny them the chance to get comfortable at the start.

Twilight knows this. That's why she let you feed off of her: to lure you into a false sense of security so she can watch you be chased out of town. She's a very clever unicorn, you know; if she wanted, she can take that feeding and say you attacked her, turning an act of charity into blackmail. You shouldn't trust her; she'll never see you as anything other than an enemy.

[Quite obviously, most of this stuff rings true the same for what she's been told about Nobodies. Not that Chrysalis knows, but it's enough for her to start doubting what Twilight had said to begin with, her intentions of helping her.

Xion's head lowers a little.]

I guess I couldn't really understand what someone with a heart thinks anyways. [Not that Chrysalis will understand what she means, unless she asks, anyways.]

You've been here longer than me, obviously though. [Not to mention, you know, the same thing she is] I'll have to take your word for it, though.

Still... You don't think there might be even one who'd help?

(She would ask if she was interested, but she's kinda not. ~~She's smart enough to avoid analyzing Kingdom Hearts~~

Chrysalis tilts Xion's head up gently.)

I will. My changelings will. We work together so we can all survive...and that includes you. You help us and we'll help you. Sounds fair, doesn't it?

I don't really have a choice. I guess it's the only thing I can do until I can go back home.

[And she'd prefer not to be terminated before that time came.]

So... Thank you, I think. Just let me know what needs to be done.

For now, you should continue as you have. Observe the ponies...learn their strengths and weaknesses and how to navigate through them. I will provide further instruction as needed.

You won't have to be alone, however; I've since infiltrated Ponyville as a unicorn named Harvester. It is of the utmost priority that you tell no one my identity; if I'm revealed, then I'll no longer be able to feed my subjects...and I simply can't have that.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It's not just the push that matters; it's what you push them towards

>TWILLIGHT

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

>CHRYSALIS

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject