Hello all, my name is Xul and I have been a fan of the My little pony FIM series since it first began. After seeing the two part wedding episode I got the inspiration to write this multi-part fanfic. This takes place after the said episode of course in a semi-continuation. I hope you all enjoy it and place….be gentle with me. I suck at grammar I know but I will try to get better.

….What?

….Why?

-How?...

Yes, How? That is the word. That is the word that was just right for what was going on, but at this moment it just felt empty, it just wasn't strong enough. It truly didn't really describe the confusion that was now thick in the air. There was various sentences structured around that very word at this time but thee only one that seemed to be used the most as well as accepted was the one that needed to be answered the most.

How could this have happened?

It was the question that that was on everyone's lips and snaked through everyone's thoughts. Everything had gone so perfect. It was truly fool proof. The successfully infiltrated and manage to hide themselves in Equestria without a single pony ever catching on until it was too late. The subterfuge and manipulation of the entre wedding went according to plan….well sure there were a couple of hiccups but they were quickly and efficiently dealt with. Even the ponies' so called "great" princess Celestia fell before the might of their great queen Chrysalis. The entire royal city of Canterlot was under their complete control.

So How…How could they be defeated so completely but a bunch of pathetic love ridden PONIES? No….no this wasn't going to stand. They were Changelings, the masters of espionage and subterfuge. They have never ever been defeated before. All over the world, no matter where they went, it has always been the same, ALWAYS. They infiltrate and then they dominate and then they gurgitate on the delicious delicacy that was called love.

Now it was different, now the entire changeling race were back in a network of caves that made into a temporary home, licking their wounds and with wounded pride they all bickered amongst themselves in attempt to get answers and avoid blame. This was a complete victory and no one wanted to be the victim of the queen's wrath.

"HA HA HA HA…..WHAT A SORRY BUNCH OF LOOSERS YOU ALL TURNED OUT TO BE!"

Even though the caves were filled with Changelings arguing the laughter managed to pierce through the bickering enough for those nearby to turn to see who would dare laugh at them. As a result of the echoes that carried the near shrieking laughter throughout the caves even Changelings from other parts of the network flew over to see what was going on.

The typical changeling looked similar to the ponies of in Equestria at least in outline that they were all black with a dark blue beetle like shell on the back as well rather large fangs. They had insectoid wings that were used for flying and each was equipped with a small horn on their head, which much like the unicorn ponies they would use to work their disguises as well as other magic. Each one had holes in their body primarily in their legs but it did nothing to hinder their mobility of any kind, but the one feature that stands out was their eyes they were large blue orbs with an almost distilled circle of light that made up the iris. Simply put they looked like a combination of pony and insect.

However, the cackling Changeling was slightly different from the majority. It was a young boy who was quite a bit smaller than his peers but his most unique feature was that instead of having blue orbs for eyes like the others he had green ones. At his current age he was the changeling's equivalent of ponies that were still blank slates and have yet to gain their cutie marks or ones who just come into their marks. For the changelings it was the color of their eyes that signified their life cycle. When they are babies their orbs are red when they are merely cubs they are green, it is own when they are full grown adults is when their eyes finally turn blue. The only exception to this was the Queen herself.

"Oh man…." The young changelings began finally calmly down from his private joke. "I can't believe you all got whopped by a bunch of ponies. I mean Canterlot was basically handed to you and you all STILL manage to screw up. I mean if….."

"SILENCE CUB!" One of the adult changelings decided to step up and cut this mere pup off. It was bad enough to come home in such a shameful defeat that came after obtaining victory but they would be damn if they were going to listen to this youth rubbing their noses in it. "You are nothing more than a mere cub and we will not be mocked by the likes of one who haven't even fully mature. You were not even there."

The emerald eyed changeling sat there listening to the ramblings of his so called superior. While he wasn't vocal with laughter as before, the amusement on his face didn't change…in fact if anything the smile was getting bigger. "Oh please. What an excuse to fall back on. You all may not have taken me along because you all thought I was "too young" but look where that got you."

The young Changeling stood up and puffs out his tiny chest clearly showing signs of confidence. "The fact is that if I was there we would still be In control."…Or maybe it was just plain arrogance.

If one would pay attention carefully they could actually hear some of the adult changelings' jaw drop to the ground. That statement was an attack on so many levels. This mere child was proclaiming that he would have made sure their victory would have been assured? They didn't know if this was ego or just plain stupidity but the most disarming part about the whole thing was that this young cub seemed to actually believe his own hype.

"Oh really? And how would a brat like you turn the tide to assured our victory? You are just a kid no bigger than their own pony children."

"HA!" The child scoffed at one of the adults to attempt to bounce back from their humiliation. "I may not be an adult yet but have you forgotten I am the fastest Changeling around? There is no pony on land or in the air that can move at my speed. I would have quickly zoomed and woodshed and stopped the ponies before they did….whatever it is they did."

"Oh yeah? You may be fast but you are still a child and a child STILL has the strength of one."

The smile that the young cub presented grew into a fanged grin with his body language was now showing signs of pride as well as arrogance. "Ha everyone knows that even the lowliest Changeling can easily…EASILY overpower even the toughest Pony!"

With that one statement it seemed that the changelings around were buzzing in agreement perhaps the first time since the came back from their failed invasion. Despite everything it was good to feel a little pride after such a crushing lost and even though most of the adults still didn't like this cub's attitude at least he finally said something they call could agree on. However, the buzzing was short lived at the cub put his hoof out to let them know he still had more to say.

"Look the fact of the matter is that you all still lost and with the rumor saying of the method in which you lost was to a power fueled by love which by the way I find funny because it is the very thing we feed on I can only think that it is either one or two things. One: their love was too powerful for you or Two: They have a secret we don't know about….yet."

"Oh is that so?" One of the adults snaked their way out from the sea of Changeling and darkness and slowly moved their way to the child. This one was a bit different than the others as well for he had a crossed shaped scar just above his nose. The movement in his steps seemed to indicate something that was significant in their society...a challenge. "Well you may have the body of a child but your ego is sure the size of a dragon. Why don't walk the walk….instead of just talking."

The greened eyed boy's smiled turned into a caution frowned. His once great look of pride and arrogance was transformed into one of frustration and annoyance. Someone was actually challenging him on his taunting he didn't really expect but to actually hear the snickering and hissing from the rest of the adults was too much. There was just no way he was going to let that go….with a hiss he opened his mouth to make a retort but was quickly stopped but a chuckle.

"My….My….My, now this is quite interesting."

All throughout the network of caves was the echoing of a universal gasp from the changeling race that was quickly followed by silence. Every inhabitant within the area quickly took to a knee and lowered their heads, even the spiteful youth for even he knew his place. Their great and powerful queen graced them with her presence. Her looks was like a pony with a twisted unicorn horn, a pair of insect like wings that was larger than the typical changeling and stands as tall as Princess Celestia herself. One thing that set her apart from the rest of her people was her eyes. They were most like a pony's except hers were green and snake like.

"Hummm." The queen gave purred in a rather smooth but slightly buzzing voice as her jade orbs surveyed the situation. The truth was that she was listening to this….debate for quite some time and found it rather amusing that one the cubs would actually leave the raising pits to address her adult subject in such a fashion. It was a shame that all good things must come to an end however, things were escalating to the point where she had to step in. "I am curious to know what has caused such a commotion in this section of our homes?"

One of the adult changelings quickly stepped up to answer her grace. "Your highness, this pup dares to mock our defeat at the hands of those soft ponies. He has spat on your great plan and your effects…he"

"THAT IS NO TRUE!" The youth firmly yelled to make sure that the echoes of the cave drowned out the outrageous actuation that his so called *superior* made. "That is a likely story. The queen did all the work and handed you victory. You old timers are the ones who messed it up."

The adult quickly turned too hissed at the child. "What was that you brat?"

The boy ignored the hissing of the adult and quickly stepped forward past him towards the queen. "Great Queen Chrysalis, I maybe just a kid but I still know how to listen. I heard your plan when you were preparing it; from the talk going around it sounds like your part was executed flawlessly and you gain control of Canterlot single handedly. All they needed to do was keep the line and feed, simple right?"

The caves have off the echo of hissing and buzzing, the rest of the changeling populous had just about enough of this kid and was fully prepared to teach him a lesson. The only thing that kept them in place was the gaze of the queen, a gaze that was more terrifying than anything else in the known world.

"All I am saying My Queen is that these over the hill adults made you do all of the work. What you need is a new generation of Changeling fighters who will take the initiative for you. Not hide behind you, making you do all the work while they reap the benefits."

The queen let out an amusing chuckle with the rest of her subjects gave low hisses. She calmly moved around this youngling getting a grasp of what he was all about. To think that one so young would actually come out and speak his mind to those who were supposed to be his superiors. A child who still didn't fully understand what it is to be a Changeling was proclaiming he could do better than his betters.

"Ah the wonders of the young and ambiguous. It is absolutely delicious." The Queen purred as she place her hoof under the child chin and gently raise his head so that their eyes would meet. "So tell me clever child. What would you suggest for us to bounce back from this defeat?"

The child looked at the queen at first in awe. It was just so hard to imagine that his great queen would actually take the time to not only address him personally but she was actually touching him, although he did have a bit of a mental gun because he could just feel all the jealous eyes upon him. "Well my queen, Considering what happened and they are probably more prepared for a frontal assault I think we should go and do what Changelings to best…..infiltrate. What I think what we need to do is pick one of the towns of Equestria for study. These ponies were underestimated and I think we need to find out the true source of their power and find a while to break it once and for all. A single changeling can pose as one of them and gather information to send back to the hive. Then when we are ready to invade again we will be prepared for whatever they those at us."

"Very interesting…..a simple but interesting plan young one." The queen calmly places her hoof back upon the ground and walked a bit. It seemed that she was contemplating the plan. It was a sound one and the truth was that a good percentage of her followers were still weak from being repelled so it was clear that they weren't going anywhere anytime soon. Not to mention, she would like some answers, that power that caused their defeat…that cursed shield that was brought on by those pathetic ponies, Shining Armor and Princess Cadence being fueled by love was ridiculous. There had to be more too it, love was their food and food doesn't bite back. Perhaps this child was on to something. "Since you are so eager to prove yourself, does this mean that you volunteer to execute this plan?"

"You majesty!" The same adult Changeling that was getting into the youngling's face stepped up quickly to intervene before the child could give his answer. "Even if it is a sound plan, you can't entrust it to a youngling. Beyond the ability to shape shift his magic hasn't fully develop."

"Hey!" The young one quickly retorted. "All I need is to change. I may not have much magic but I am the fastest changeling around, which mean I can our fly any dumb pony. Besides, you HAD your change…it's time to let the new generation handle this. My Queen, give me the chance to prove myself. I may not be an adult but I am brave like one. I WON'T let you down."

The boasting changeling stood with pride under the Queen's gaze. He needed to show her that even though he was young he was up to such an important task. He wasn't able to join the invasion of Canterlot because they deemed him too young but like the other younglings he was restless and didn't like to be left behind but unlike the rest of his young brood he was going to finally do something about it. He just needed a chance…just one chance to prove that he can succeed what the rest of them have failed to do. There was nothing he wasn't ready to do for his Queen and he was more than ready to prove it.

With a small chuckle the Queen looked down at her young subject and spoke. "Very well child. You have my approval to carry out this plan."

"Your Highness….." The scared Changeling injected. "Ignoring the fact that he is just a child who hasn't even come into his magic abilities, he doesn't even know any pony disguises."

The queen calmly looked at the X marked Changeling with indifferent eyes. No, that wasn't quite right; there was the slightest hint of impatience within them. "Then provide him with a base to use."

The Changeling hissed under his breath but did what he was told. He wouldn't dare disobey even if it meant saving his own life. He calmly closed his eyes and after a few moments the twisted horn on his head turned green and proceeded to perform its magic as the once scared changeling quickly warped into a pony in order to give the youngling as an example.

"Now do you understand?" The queen began as she walked over towards her transformed minion looking at him but was clearly speaking to the cub. "I am allowing his plan because the clan needs time to recover after that humiliating defeat. Despite our best efforts we lost…..lost so completely…..perhaps it is time for a fresh perspective…to know our enemy."

The queen looked away from the scarred changeling and then proceeded to look at the young male who was studying the pony base form that was presented to him. She watched as the youngling nodded and then proceeded to close his eyes and followed suit in the process of transformation. It took him a bit longer to undergo the process but in the end the young one did transformed. She gave a small purr as she looked at the now transformed "pony" child before her. He was a tall as any of the pony children who were known to have blank slates or ones who just came into their kiddy marks. The "Pony" that was before her was a Pegasus that was the color of dark chrisom with a raven colored mane and tail. His eyes were golden brown, the most interesting feature about his form was the wings, instead of being the color of his body they were the color of his mane: Black. There was no cutie mark on his person but that was to be expected considering the age he was in both in this form and his real form.

"Ah interesting…You can actually past as one of those insufferable ponies."

The chrisom pony puffed out his chest and smiled, proud that he received such praise from the queen. He saw out of the corner of his eye the one adult changeling turn back into his true form and huffed. Feeling a bit deviant, he quickly stuck out his tongue and gave a 'pppphhhfffftttt' when the Queen turned her back towards them for a moment. Of course this causes the scared one to hiss but unable to do anything when their great leader addressed them again.

"Follow me child." Queen Chrysalis spoke with firm calmness as she began to walk through the caves with her "pony" champion following close behind. The changeling brood all parted like the red sea to allow her room to move, all the while hissing at the upstart who not only mocked but gain the Queen's favor on top of everything. Of course that didn't stop the brat to give a big toothy yet cute pony grin at them.

It wasn't before long in which they reached the outside of the caves. The Dark Queen turned to address her young minion one more time. Who in turn stood at attention, very interested to hear what she had to say to him.

"Listen to me and listen to be very carefully. The only reason I am allowing you to do this is because you made such an impression back. It is quite rare for a youngling who wants to rise above his status quickly. That combine with the fact that our focus need time to recover."

"Yes my Queen." The Red "pony" said firmly in complete understanding. It seemed like his risky taunts were actually paying off.

"However…."

The child blinked with a hunt of confusion that was followed but a look of sheer terror. The Queen that was once showering with praise was now bearing down on him like a Lion looking at its prey just before the final kill. The green flames of her magic forming around her as if waiting for the signal to turn this young cub into a crisp.

"Failure will NOT be tolerated. Don't think for one second that just before you are a child that I won't punish you like any other failure under my command, especially after all that boasting you did earlier. Normally I enjoy kicking people when their down but it was also MY DEFEAT AS WELL!"

It was at that moment that it dawn on him. She chose him not just because of all his random boating; this was his trial as well as his punishment. He should have known it was strange for the queen to give one so young a change at such an important assignment even if he did come up with it. This was a Trial/Punishment. She was basically saying: *Do you think you can do better than your QUEEN? Prove It.* He should have known something was wrong when she mentioned that she was listening for some time. He quickly covered down and closed his eyes, the worst was coming and he just knew it.

"Stop sniveling child. If I was going to punish you now I would have done so."

The child raised himself up and took a sigh of relief as the Queen calmed down from her imposing form. But his spine still tingled when she still had those piercing eyes.

"But, make no mistake. There will be punishment if you fail to deliver me results. After our defeat at Canterlot, I have little patience for failure…..do I make myself clear?"

The young boy quickly nodded. He understood loud and clear, he always heard about Queen Chrysalis personal punishments and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of one. Even if he was still a child that wouldn't save him….no one escapes her wrath…no one.

"Good, now before you go….I shall provide you with a messaging tool. With this you will be able to send your reports to be directly. After all being a spy means nothing if you don't have some means to report back. "The queen's twisted horn glowed with that oh so familiar hue of green and with a few moments of concentration a black necklace with an emerald jewel in the middle appeared before them. With telekinesis the necklace was moved and placed around the young boy's neck. "Under no circumstances that you are to remove this. It will allow you to create and send messages to me. I expect at least one progress report every week. Do you understand?"

"Well….I…." The child was still shaken up by the Queen's change of demeanor, but he quickly regains himself when she began to show hints of annoyance over his inability to answer her right away. He quickly lowered his head and bowed firmly…partly because he didn't want to look up at her imposing visage any longer. "Yes My Queen. Your will be done."

"Excellent…" The Queen gave a wicked smile and turned to go back into the caves. "Don't disappoint me."

Once the Queen left his sight, the changeling turned pony plopped to the ground. His legs could no longer handle his weight due to the fear that lingered within. Channelings were not like the ponies, they were supposed to be tough at all times….be the bully or get bullied that was the way of things. But the Queen was another story entirely, it made sense that she would be the most feared but why would she be like that…all he wanted to do was to make her proud and even though he was given the change, she still went about terrifying him. His heart felt a bit heavy over the realization.

"No…no I can't let myself be deterred from my goal." The red pony stood up and looked at the guy firmly. She was just trying to toughen him up. Opening his black wings for the first time he got a feel for them and then took up into the air in search of a pony village he could infiltrate. "Yeah I am going to be in enemy territory and I needed to prepare for the worse. That's it what the Queen was doing. She was preparing me for the task at hand right?"

…right?

Well that is the end of chapter one I hope you all enjoyed it. This chapter was actually going to be longer but I wanted you all to decide how I should continue it and the choice is thus.

Where should this young changeling go to?

Ponyville

Or an original pony town?

Leave your choices in the comments or message me. I am looking forward to the votes.

Once again thank you for reading.

Xul