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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