Heartfallen Ch. 1


                                            Ch. 1


                                            >Anon sits quietly on a rock, just inside the mouth of a sizeable cave in the side of a cliff.

                                            >The shade is a blessing on such a warm day, and Anon finds great comfort in resting his weary feet.

                                            >Having traveled far from civilization, he must enjoy whatever small pleasures he can.

                                            >His stomach growls.

                                            >It's been nearly a year since he began his journey, and he ran out of rations long ago.

                                            >Sometimes Anon wonders if he should have stayed in Ponyville.

                                            >The ponies were kind.

                                            >They offered him a place to stay, and a few offered him jobs to help him earn money so he could start saving for his own home.

                                            >But it just didn't feel right.

                                            >They were too nice. Too innocent.

                                            >Anon felt guilty living amongst them.

                                            >Twilight Sparkle, who had tried her best to help him integrate, pleaded with him to stay, spent days attempting to convince him, insisted that he was being foolish.

                                            >But he had to leave.

                                            >He told them he wanted to see the world.

                                            >To explore, and adventure, on his own.

                                            >It was too painful to stay. Reminded every day of the life he left behind to come here.

                                            >He had to leave.

                                            >For his own sake. And theirs.

                                            >Eventually they conceded, but were generous enough to give him, and force him to take, some supplies.


                                            >Anon remembers their somber faces, gentle smiles, tinged with disappointment. Waving as he walked away.

                                            >His stomach growls again, and he is pulled from his thoughts back into the here and now.

                                            A: "Gotta find something to eat."

                                            >Anon stands, and looks back into the cave behind him.

                                            >Should be safe to leave his bag here while he hunts.

                                            >He hides it behind a rock, and takes up his makeshift bow.

                                            >A simple weapon. A bit crudely crafted, perhaps. But it's effective enough.

                                            >That's one thing that's certainly in his favor here.

                                            >Most animals are unafraid of man.

                                            >There are few truly active predators here, at least that he's aware of.

                                            >There are some dangerous monsters out there, to be sure. But nothing prolific enough for the average critter to have evolved a good and proper sense of fear, like the animals back home.

                                            >Anon stalks into the forest, moving slowly and quietly.

                                            >It isn't long before he finds a small river, meandering through the woods.

                                            >He can see how clear and clean the water is from a distance, but he does not approach.

                                            >Instead, he remains in the treeline, hiding as best he can. Sitting still. Waiting.

                                            >Many minutes pass.

                                            >The bubbling of the water and the chirping of the birds is calming.

                                            >Anon rests his head against the tree closest to him.

                                            >It’s been at least an hour. Maybe more.

                                            >He thinks maybe it’s time to move on, but just as he is about to leave, he hears something.

                                            >The rustling of leaves, the snapping of twigs.

                                            >Something is coming.

                                            >It’s moving quickly.

                                            >Sounds like it’s decently sized.

                                            >Anon pulls an arrow from his quiver.

                                            >He knocks the straight and sharpened stick against the bow, and readies himself.

                                            >Then he hears shouting.

                                            >Caught off guard by the sound of voices, he immediately stands.

                                            >At first he can’t make out what they’re saying, but it doesn’t take more than a few seconds before they get close enough that he can hear them clearly.

                                            ?: “THERE IT IS!”

                                            ??: “I SEE IT!”

                                            ???: “GET IT!”

                                            !!!: “EEEEEEEEEEEEAAHHH!”

                                            >Three gruff male voices, and a girlish scream.

                                            >Anon hesitates.

                                            >It’s been a long time since he’s seen anyone other than simple animals.

                                            >’What the hell?’ He thinks to himself.

                                            >Just then a dark shape bursts out from the treeline only a few dozen yards away from him, heading towards the river.

                                            >Following close behind, a trio of gray colored monsters chase the shape.

                                            >Anon can tell by their hunched postures and snaggle-tooth maws what they are. Even from here it’s obvious.

                                            >Diamond Dogs.

                                            >Mean and brutish creatures. Intelligent enough to speak, but rather simpleminded.

                                            >Smart enough to be dangerous, though.

                                            >Anon tries his best to see what the shape is, but he can’t quite make it out from here.

                                            >It sort of looks like a pony, but why would a pony be all the way out here?

                                            >Whatever it is screams, a high pitched squeal of fear, as the three Diamond Dogs catch up to it at the water’s edge.

                                            >They surround it, and anon fill his heart beat faster.

                                            >His adrenaline kicks in, and he acts without even thinking.

                                            >The twang of the bowstring sounds out and an arrow whistles through the air, striking one of the Diamond Dogs square in the neck.

                                            >It squeals in pain, clutches at the wound, and stumbles over.

                                            ??: “What the!?”

                                            >Another arrow flies right past the second Dog’s face, missing by only a few inches, and a third strikes the ground near its feet.

                                            “It lead us into a trap! Run!”

                                            >The two remaining Diamond Dogs almost immediately turn tail and flee into the woods, howling in fear as they run.

                                            >They leave their fallen comrade laying in the dirt, kicking as his life drains away.

                                            >The black shape cowers in a ball, covering its head with its front legs.

                                            >Anon stands there for a moment, unsure of what to do.

                                            >Why’d he do that?

                                            >’Damnit.’ He thinks to himself. ‘This is bad.’

                                            >He walks slowly out from the treeline, bow in hand, arrow knocked.

                                            >As he approaches the shape and the injured Diamond Dog, he calls out,

                                            A: “Hey! Are you alright?”

                                            >The shape continues to shiver.

                                            >The Diamond Dog lies still.

                                            >Now that he’s closer Anon can see that this creature is no pony.

                                            >It’s body is black and there are holes in its chitinous legs.

                                            >A jagged horn juts from its head, and green insect-like wings lay folded against its back.

                                            A: “Shit”.

                                            >Anon curses aloud.

                                            >A changeling.

                                            >’Should I just leave it here?’ He ponders.

                                            >Looking around somewhat nervously, he can see that all has grown quiet again.

                                            >Other than the sounds of the river, all he can hear is the soft sobbing of the changeling.

                                            >’I’m going to regret this.’

                                            A: “Are you okay?”

                                            >Anon moves closer, lowering his bow, and returning his arrow to its quiver.

                                            !!!: “Stay away!”

                                            >The changeling shouts at him. Anon is surprised, but he thinks he recognizes that voice.

                                            >It can’t be, can it?

                                            “It’s alright, I’m not going to hurt you.”

                                            >He tries to sound as calm and reassuring as possible.

                                            !!!: “Y-you’re not?”

                                            A: “No. No, I promise.”

                                            !!!: “Are those *beasts* gone?”

                                            >The changeling remains huddled on the ground, covering her head.

                                            A: “One is dead. The others ran away.”

                                            !!!: “D-dead?”

                                            >She raises her head and looks about.

                                            >Anon’s suspicions are confirmed.

                                            >This isn’t just any changeling. It’s the self proclaimed Queen of the Changelings.

                                            >Chrysalis.

                                            C: “You killed it?”

                                            >She looks up at Anon with a worried expression.

                                            A: “I had to.”

                                            >He says, more to himself than to her.

                                            A: “You saved me.”

                                            >Her voice calms down a bit, and her expression changes. She looks relieved, but confused.

                                            C: “Why did you save me?”

                                            A: “I don’t know. I heard you scream and I had to do something.”

                                            >Anon looks away from Chrysalis, and curses his luck. Chrysalis sees something in his pained expression that calms her nerves, and she stands.

                                            C: “Well… I… Thank you, I suppose.”

                                            >She tilts her head and looks at him quizzically, wondering what sort of creature Anon is.

                                            >She’s never seen a human before.

                                            >And Anon has never actually seen a Changeling before. Not in person.

                                            >Looking her over, her face is very much like a pony’s. Well, not like a real pony’s. It doesn’t resemble any horse or pony from back home at all. But it looks a lot like one of the magical talking ponies that live in this world.

                                            >He’s somewhat surprised by her appearance. Somehow it’s not what he expected her to look like.

                                            >Not that he know exactly what he expected in the first place.

                                            >He notices that he’s been staring at her for too long, and he looks up to the sky.

                                            A: “You’re welcome.”

                                            >Anon is struck with the realization that the direction that Diamond Dogs fled is the same direction as the cave he was resting in earlier.

                                            >His mind races, and he worries that the cave might be an entrance to their abode.

                                            >If it is, his pack might be found, and even if it isn’t, it might be too dangerous to get it back.

                                            >Especially since they’ll probably be on guard, having lost one of their own.

                                            >Without saying another word he turns away from Chrysalis and begins walking towards the cave.

                                            >It might be stupid, but he has to get that pack.

                                            >He needs it.

                                            C: “W-wait! Where are you going?”

                                            >Chrysalis calls out to him.

                                            C: ”You can’t go that way!”

                                            A: “I have to.”

                                            >Anon keeps walking. Chrysalis hesitates for a moment, then chases after him.

                                            C: “What are you doing? Those vicious *dogs* live this way!”

                                            A: “Figures.”

                                            >Anon is not thinking clearly. All he is concerned with is his pack.

                                            >It has the gifts given to him by the kindest individuals he ever met. And it has quite a few things he needs to survive out here.

                                            C: “Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

                                            >Chrysalis’s voice cracks, and she stops.

                                            >Anon stops as well, surprised by the sincerity in her voice.

                                            >He looks back at her, and sees that her eyes are full of confusion and fear.

                                            >The sight disarms him, and clears away some of the mental fog clouding his thoughts.

                                            A: “I have to get my bag. I left it just inside a cave a little up this way.”

                                            C: “A-a bag? Are you stupid!?”

                                            >Chrysalis’s expression turns from confusion and fear to confusion and anger.

                                            A: “I need it. It’s got all my stuff in it.”

                                            C: “But they’ll kill you if they see you! There’s a whole pack of them in those caves!”

                                            A: “I’ll die soon enough anyway without my pack.”

                                            >Anon’s voice and expression are serious, and oddly calm.

                                            >Chrysalis is clearly taken aback by his attitude, and silently stares at him in disbelief.

                                            >After a few moments of awkward silence, Anon turns back and begins walking again.

                                            C: “Please. Just… Wait a second.”

                                            >Chrysalis’s voice is calmer now, but full of worry.

                                            >Anon stops.

                                            C: “I’ve never… Nobody has ever… Who are you?”

                                            A: “I’m uh, my name is Anon.”

                                            C: “*What* are you?”

                                            A: “I’m a human.”

                                            C: “A what?”

                                            >Anon looks at Chrysalis with a solemn expression. What should he say? He needs to hurry and get his bag before those Diamond Dogs find it.

                                            A: “Sorry, I have to go.”

                                            C: “No! Please don’t leave me here!”

                                            >Chrysalis pleads, and moves closer to Anon.

                                            C: “I don’t have any magic left. If one of those *monsters* finds me, I…”

                                            >Tears well up in her eyes.

                                            >Anon never expected to see Chrysalis like this.

                                            >Hell, he never expected to see her at all.

                                            >He sighs.

                                            A: “Come on.”

                                            C: “What?”

                                            A: “Come on. Follow me.”

                                            C: “I’m not going any closer to those things!”

                                            A: “Then stay here.”

                                            >He starts to walk away again.

                                            C: “No! Hold on!”

                                            >He doesn’t stop. He keeps walking without turning back, and Chrysalis hurries to catch up to him.

                                            >She follows close behind as he walks, keeping pace with him as he makes his way deliberately through the forest.

                                            >Her footsteps are almost silent, even this close to him.

                                            >It doesn’t take very long for the pair to reach the cave entrance.

                                            >Anon stops at the edge of the trees, and observes the entrance.

                                            >Chrysalis nudges his arm with her hoof, and whispers,

                                            C: “I don’t think this is one of their caves. I don’t recognize it.”

                                            A: “Good. Still better be careful.”

                                            >He stands, and motions for Chrysalis to stay put.

                                            >She nods, and he slowly creeps up to the cave.

                                            >Silence.

                                            >’Thank god.’ Anon thinks to himself as he finds his pack, exactly where he left it,

                                            >Checking it over, he sees that it is unmolested, and puts it on, then makes his way quietly back to Chrysalis.

                                            A: “Alright, let’s get out of here.”

                                            >She nods in agreement, and they slink back into the woods.


                                            >Roughly an hour later the two have made it a good distance away from the territory of the Diamond Dogs, and crossed the river at a shallow point.

                                            >They walked in silence, cautiously, but with haste.

                                            >Now, believing that they’re far enough away, and having not heard any signs of their enemies giving chase, Anon stops and sits down on the dirt.

                                            A: “Let’s rest here a moment.”

                                            >Chrysalis sighs and lays down where she stands, clearly exhausted.

                                            >Seeing her like that, Anon sympathizes. She must have been through a lot.

                                            >Even if she is a villain, it’s not like she’s done anything bad to him.

                                            >He doesn’t know her at all.

                                            >Her eyes are closed, and if it weren’t for the labored breathing and dishevled mane, she might appear pretty.

                                            >’Wait, what am I thinking?’ Anon kicks himself in his mind. He’s been out here alone for too long.

                                            A: “You okay?”

                                            >He asks.

                                            C: “Yes.”

                                            >Chrysalis opens her eyes, and looks at him with an odd expression that he can’t quite understand. It looks almost sad, but there’s something else there.

                                            >Rather than dwell on it, he rummages through his pack, trying to distract himself.

                                            >Then his stomach growls.

                                            >He’d forgotten that he hadn’t eaten yet today.

                                            A: “Damn.”

                                            >He pulls a small green book from his pack and opens it.

                                            >’Forager’s Guide ; Edible Plants & Fungi’

                                            >This little book has saved him on multiple occasions. It’s one of the most valuable possessions he has.

                                            >By this point he knows quite a few plants he can eat by appearance alone, but he still likes to consult the book to be safe.

                                            >Chrysalis stares at him as he reads.

                                            A: “I’ll be right back.”

                                            >He takes the book with him, but leaves his pack with Chrysalis.

                                            >Maybe he shouldn’t trust this evil changeling he just met, but he really doesn’t expect her to do anything at this point.

                                            >She looks damn near helpless.

                                            >After a few minutes he finds what he’s looking for.

                                            >Wild blueberries.

                                            >’That’s another great thing about this place.’ He thinks. ‘It never takes me long to find some fruit.”

                                            >He takes off his shirt and uses it to carry more than a few handfuls of them.

                                            >On the way back to Chrysalis he notices some chanterelles and oyster mushrooms growing in the underbrush.

                                            >He picks as many as he can carry in his shirt, and walks proudly back to where he left his pack and new companion, popping a few blueberries in his mouth along the way.

                                            >When he gets back, he sees his pack sitting right where he left it.

                                            >But Chrysalis is gone.

                                            >He looks around, worried, but then sighs and relaxes.

                                            >Why does he feel so disappointed? What did he expect?

                                            >’More for me I guess.’ He thinks to himself.

                                            >But as he sits down next to his pack he can’t help but feel incredibly lonely.

                                            C: “Oh, you’re back.”

                                            >Anon looks up with a start.

                                            >Chrysalis stands a few yards away from him, levitating a cloth sack beside her, a bit of green magic shimmering around it.

                                            >One of his sacks, from his bag.

                                            >He’s so surprised to see her that he doesn’t even think about the fact that she must have plundered through his things.

                                            A: “Hey, I found some berries and mushrooms. Should probably cook the shrooms first, though.”

                                            >Without speaking she gently places the sack in front of him, and it opens to reveal a few dozen large, spiky chestnuts.

                                            A: “Oh wow, that’s awesome!”

                                            >Anon excitedly looks into the bag and gently lifts one of the spiky morsels.

                                            A: “I love these things.”

                                            >Pulling a small knife from his pocket he pries it open and discards the spiky husk.

                                            >Chrysalis watches him, silently but intently observing his movements.

                                            A: “Help yourself to some berries.”

                                            C: “I can’t eat them.”

                                            >She speaks flatly, staring at Anon.

                                            A: “Huh?”

                                            C: “I don’t eat that kind of food.”

                                            A: “Oh, uh, let me make a fire real quick and I’ll make you some of these chestnuts.”

                                            C: “I don’t eat those either.”

                                            >Oh. OH.

                                            >Anon had forgotten that she’s a changeling. They don’t eat normal food.

                                            >They feed on love.

                                            >’Crap. What am I gonna do?’ He thinks to himself. ‘Wait, that means she got these just for me?’

                                            >He looks at Chrysalis with a curious look, and sees that she’s staring at him hungrily.

                                            >Her gaze is intense, but she remains standing still.

                                            >She does not blink, and Anon begins to feel slightly uncomfortable.

                                            A: “Are you…”

                                            C: “I never introduced myself.”

                                            >She continues to stare, unwavering. She stands as tall and proud as she is able. Sitting down like this she’s a little taller than Anon while he’s sitting.

                                            >He reflexively, unconsciously, grips his knife.

                                            C: “I am Queen Chrysalis. Rightful ruler of the Changelings.”

                                            >She speaks loudly, with regal authority.

                                            >Then she relaxes, and summarily collapses in front of Anon.

                                            C: “Or at least I was…”

                                            >These whispered words bear a weight Anon can barely comprehend, but her sorrow is palpable.

                                            >He relaxes his grip on his knife.

                                            >She begins to sob.

                                            >Anon, not knowing what to do, merely stares for a moment.

                                            >Then he drops his knife and the sack of chestnuts.

                                            >Seeing a woman cry like this is just about more than he can bear.

                                            >Even a ‘woman’ that’s actually a strange bug-like magic pony creature.

                                            >It’s been so long since he’s talked to anyone.

                                            >And far longer since he’s been in any situation with someone displaying such emotions.

                                            >’Should I?’ He asks himself. ‘No… But she…’

                                            >Anon reaches out his hand, and places it gently on her hoof.

                                            >She looks up, and into his eyes, tears making their way down her face.

                                            A: “I’m sorry.”

                                            >Not knowing what else to say, he lightly squeezes her hoof.

                                            C: “You’re…?”

                                            >She wipes the tears from her eyes with her other hoof.

                                            C: “What are you sorry for? You saved me…”

                                            >Her voice quavers and cracks as she speaks.

                                            C: “I’m a wretched monster and you saved me.”

                                            >Suddenly her voice is tinged with anger, and she gets louder.

                                            C: “Why? Why did you save me? Why!?”

                                            >She’s staring straight into Anon’s eyes. He feels like her gaze is piercing into his soul.

                                            >He can’t think of anything to say.

                                            >But something blurts out anyway.

                                            A: “You have beautiful eyes.”

                                            >Her expression instantly changes. She stares at Anon in shock, mouth hanging slightly open.

                                            >’Fuck, why did I say that?’ Anon curses at himself.

                                            >All is quiet. Anon is keenly aware of the chirping of the birds, and the blowing of the wind.

                                            >Each moment that passes is like a razor blade scraping upon his psyche.

                                            >But he cannot look away from her eyes.

                                            >And she stares back into his.

                                            >Inside his mind sirens blare, screaming at him to run. That he’s in grave danger. That he needs to stop this before it’s too late.

                                            >But it’s already too late.

                                            >She’s moving closer.

                                            >Closer.

                                            >She stops. Inches from his face.

                                            >A wicked smile spreads across her own.

                                            C: “You are a strange creature, human.”

                                            >Her voice is little more than a whisper.

                                            C: “I can feel it. Inside you.”

                                            >Anon’s heart beats faster. His mouth starts to move, but she places a hoof to his lips to stop him.

                                            C: “Love.”

                                            >She breathes out the word with emphasis.

                                            >Anon stands straight up, startled like something bit him.

                                            >His breathing is heavy, and he stares down at Chrysalis, wide-eyed and confused.

                                            >’What have I done?’

                                            >She stares back up at him with eyes full of longing. Hey eyelashes flutter, and she slowly leans over on her side, exposing her stomach.

                                            >She never breaks her stare.

                                            C: “Do you want to love me, Anon?”


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