Author's Notes:

Despite this story having religious elements, I'm not trying to force my beliefs on anyone. I'm not here to make a point about God's existence or some such; I am merely expressing myself in the way I choose to.

-TrinityDragon

“Get away!” a unicorn yelped. She sprinted across barren ground in an attempt to escape from ghost-like creatures. One of these beings, matching her speed, lowered itself to her level and tried to grasp her with its arms. The horned pony moved to the side, barely avoiding the grab. Several more of the wisps neared her from all sides, so the mare desperately searched for an escape. Looking ahead, she noticed a cave but ten yards away. That's my only chance. With one last burst of strength, she dashed towards the cave. The monsters steadily tightened their circle around her; she would not make it. Come on! The ghosts made their move and went to snatch her; however, they grasped air. She had disappeared.

Unbeknownst to the creatures, the unicorn had dropped into a hidden tunnel which she was presently sliding down. Oddly enough, the tunnel was round and smooth as if made to be slippery. In a few moments, she exited the end and crashed in deep blackness. “Blech.” The pony spit out some grains of sand. Well, I was planning to teleport, but I guess that works too. Where am I, anyway?

She lifted herself off the floor, lit her horn, and took a gander. Her stomach churned as the image of the surroundings met her gaze. This is not what I expected. To her front lay metal bars, and to her sides and back flat rock walls.

She turned her gaze up to see the tunnel where she came from. It was at least five yards up, so she couldn't jump to it. I'll try to teleport. Focusing her horn, she disappeared from the floor in a white flash of light before reappearing in the same flash at the lip of the tunnel. Upon contact, her hooves slipped, and she plummeted back down to the bottom. This time, she landed poorly tweaking her front two knees. A loud, yet short groan bolted from her vocal box, and soon after, her whole body slumped onto the ground. What a day. I suppose it'll be okay in the end. I'm alive, though my situation has already hit rock bottom. Her eyes swung around taking in the sights of her new locale. Literally.

She figured she would catch her breath for a brief duration and allow her surroundings to cement into her mind. Thus, the unicorn waited carelessly in the light of her horn.

The pony's body shook lightly. She had been running from those ghosts for at least ten minutes straight, and since Unicorns didn't tend to excel at physical activities, their endurance was usually lacking. Even though she prided herself in being a well-rounded Unicorn, she had to admit that an average Earth Pony would have handled that length of sprint much better. Now that her adrenaline had faded, exhaustion took over. Like her body, her magic began to dissipate given by its squirming about her horn. The repetitive use of spells for avoiding or tricking the creatures had spent her magic.

“Duh!” She then dawned on her own stupidity. She could have teleported outside the jail cell instead of trying to escape through the tunnel. Even if she had reached the top of the tunnel, the creatures were likely still up there. Why she tried to return, she couldn't say, or rather, she could but didn't want to admit to not having thought things through. The magic-wielder prepared a spell to escape the prison. Sadly, the remnants of her power fizzled. Oh. Well, that's unfortunate. A light chuckle rolled off her tongue. I'm stuck here for a little while. I'll just take a little nap.

Without any concern for foreseeable pain, she flopped from her sitting position onto her side. If she had pondered the consequences of that action, she would have avoided smacking herself against a rock floor. Ow. She still didn't care. I'll escape after I get some rest. Things always worked out, she thought, so she didn't concern herself with “what ifs” and dozed off.

Eyes groggily opened. Uh? How long was I asleep? She lifted her head and took at quick look around. A comment concerning the prison would have been made if not for two stallions—one of which was a Unicorn who presently lit up the prison—sitting near her. “Hi,” she said drearily. Weakness still rattled her; a little while would pass before her body would properly function. “Oh, you're Changelings.” Though it was in no way obvious that they were indeed Changelings, she made that assumption without wavering; she had her reasons. Besides that, if they were Changelings and she assumed them to be Ponies, she could put herself in a position where they would feed off her. If that happened, she could lose her ability to escape.

One stallion—an olive Pegasus with dark blonde mane and tail and blue eyes—tilted his head at the statement. “What? You must have hit your head pretty hard when you came down. Are you all right?”

“Even though you are Changelings, ehm... I guess, especially since you are Changelings, I am fine.” She slowly got up from the floor and smiled lightly. “Plus, you've given me a nice face to look at.”

The Pegasus shrugged off the comment. “My name is Balc Rigger. I work construction in Cloudsdale. I mean, I worked until I wound up here.” Balc motioned to the other stallion—a gray Unicorn of teal mane and tail with yellow eyes. “This is Chalk Scratch. He's been here awhile longer than me.”

Chalk bowed politely and spoke, “I hope I am worthy to meet your acquaintance.”

“My name is Phebe Hoshana.” Phebe bobbed her head. “You can give me your real names whenever you feel like it, but I'll just call you by your fake ones.” Figuring they wouldn't admit to being Changelings, she decided to get whatever information she could from them. “So, do you know who has captured us? It sounds like you guys have been here awhile.”

“Well, we don't know,” Balc stated flatly. A small furrow developed under his mouth from a frown. “They come in the darkness, and even when Chalk lights up the area, we can't see them. I think they have spells that block light.”

“Kay.” Miss Hoshana cantered in a carefree manner to the metal bars. “You're probably lying, but I can accept that.” Even though Balc's description almost met that of those ghosts creatures which had nearly captured her, she remained obstinate in her position that they were Changelings. Even so, her expression sat blankly against the black expanse outside the prison. “So? What do they want?”

“I don't know.” The Pegasus glided over to his new prison mate. “I have a question for you.” She tilted her head in his direction. “What is that around your neck?”

“Hm?” The mare looked down at her neck. “Oh that.” She tapped her necklace. A golden band wrapped around her neck, and a charm of a water droplet connected at its front. “It's my Element of Harmony.”

“Wh-what!?” He jolted back sharply, and his friend Mister Scratch gasped and gawked. Balc inquired further, “You have an Element of Harmony?” A distinct level of fear came out of reverberations of his voice.

“You give yourself away too easily.” A bored sigh fell. “Why should I mind? It's not like it changes anything.” A loose chuckle came out of her mouth. “See ya.” She teleported to the opposite side of the bars.

“Hey, w-wait!” Balc placed both of his forehooves onto the bars. “A-are you gonna let us out?”

“Nope.”

“Phebe, please. I want to go home!”

The female Unicorn rolled her eyes while her legs carried her forward, and her horn activated, providing enough light to see where she stepped. Let's see where this takes me. Phebe ventured deeper into the darkness. After losing sight of the prison behind her, she ended up at a branching off of tunnels. She walked down one and examined its walls. Smooth like the tunnel I fell down. As far as she could see, the walls retained that quality. I wonder if these were carved out by the Changelings. The subject of those love-sucking creatures returned to her mind. Actually, they were always on her mind.

“Phebe, run! I'll hold them off.” A middle-aged Unicorn shouted to a much younger Phebe Hoshana. Changelings had attacked, and now Phebe was fleeing for her life.

This was not a strange phenomenon to her, nor her mentor—that Unicorn, Pyre Sandshout. These two and several others lived on the southern rim of Equestria over the Macintosh Hills in a deserted area known as the Badlands. Ten years before the Changelings made their move against Canterlot, they were always haggling the ponies in the Badlands. The approach was usually of infiltration, but today was different. A company of one hundred plus had gathered to battle against the ponies of the Badlands.

The ponies hadn't any method of counteracting such an incredible attack, so, in a matter of moments, everypony except Phebe had been captured including Pyre. To her dismay, she would soon join them, for she couldn't keep distance for long. They were gaining on her. Though the expected result was her capture, the events took a sharp turn.

In hopes of saving his pupil, Pyre cast one final spell—a forbidden one. Living up to his name, the Unicorn summoned a huge firestorm between Phebe and the Changelings chasing her. The swooping tornado of fire swiftly drove towards the greater concentration of Changelings. She knew of the spell. Realistically, it couldn't hurt anypony seriously, but it was useful for its frightening factor.

On the other hoof, the Changelings did not know this, so they tried to make him stop the spell. For they beat on him with beam spells and physical strikes. Sandshout didn't submit, however. He was the toughest Unicorn around—no, the toughest pony. Often times, it was this quality which inspired her to follow in his hoofsteps. Regardless, the spell provided enough time for miss Hoshana to escape.

With adrenaline rushing through her veins, she journeyed far. In fact, she got to Dodge City—the nearest Pony settlement outside the Badlands—in less than a day when most trips took more than one. She explained to the authorities what had happened, and they responded readily. She guided an entourage of guards and soldiers back to her home in the Badlands. When they arrived, they found that all the houses had been destroyed and all the inhabitants had gone missing. Except one.

“Pyre!” Phebe darted up to the beaten up body of her teacher. “H-hey, wake up. Wake up!” Tears welled up. “Please no! Move!” In the hopes that he would stir, she shook his corpse incessantly. “Come on, come on!” Hope waned. Her entire world came crashing down then and there.

Phebe chuckled to herself. “It's been a long time.” After the loss of her home, she attempted to return to her family, but they wouldn't accept her. Why would they?

Before she had begun studying under Pyre, she had abandoned her parents. She had done this during some of the family's most difficult straits; her grandparent had passed away, her dad had lost his crop of grain, one of her siblings had fallen terribly ill, and her mother had lost a child to a miscarriage. At that time, the last thing her family needed was for her to run away, but she did anyway.

Phebe Hoshana used to wonder if she had been given the unlucky card of life, but after the loss of Pyre, she stopped caring. The world hated her. She believed that if she hated back she would destroy herself, so her decision was to stop feeling anything. Many other adversities faced her after Pyre's death, and this mentality proved to be a solution. Though she wasn't particularly happy, she had an objective view of things and had a sense of peace. Years later, that mentality became only further ingrained.

Determining that her reminiscence had wasted too much time, she marched down the tunnel she had stared down earlier. The pathway was long but straight. I wonder how deep these are. Her travels lasted awhile. She did not discover any other passageways and often considered going back to the branch off; however, she decided against that—the other tunnels might have been equally deep.

After an hour passed, Phebe halted. I'm thirsty. She had a special knack for all things water, so finding some would not prove difficult. She placed an ear against one of the walls and then proceeded to tap that location. She grinned. There is a well. Convenient. Her horn released a spurt of magic which made an incision in the wall. With simple levitation, she drew out the source of water from the small hole and poured the liquid into her mouth. A distinct mineral taste lighted upon her tongue. Most ponies would spew the water out immediately, but having been in the Badlands for years, she had grown accustom to the particular flavor.

Once she had taken her fill, she stepped forward. Her hoof splashed in a puddle. Glancing to the wall, she realized the well was leaking out the hole. If left alone, the wate reserviour would entirely dump into the tunnels. She hadn't made this consideration beforehoof. If I must. Her horn lit up supremely bright. In moments, the minerals from the water which had already leaked out were extracted and used to plug the opening. The band-aid solution wouldn't last a few weeks, but she shrugged away any worry.

Hoshana prepared to delve deeper into the caves, but her eye caught the reflection in the puddle. A relieved sigh fell. Now I can see if I got any more scars.

First, she examined her face. Any other mare would shriek if her face resembled Phebe's. As for normal qualities, her coat carried a brisk blue tint, left eye's iris wielded fierce yellow, and her thin, straight, and flowing mane bore silver. Her remaining qualities were frightening. Her right eye was a cloudy gray. At a young age, she had suffered from an intense fever, and during this sickness, her eye went dark. She was completely blind on that side. Besides that, a round, wide scar covered the right side of her face. A “friend” once pranked her with some faulty fireworks. This buddy thought it would be funny if a firecracker blew up in Phebe's face. The prank was a success and left its mark. Lastly, one front tooth was missing. In school, Phebe got into a fight with bulky Earth Pony. The engagement included a swift hoof to her mouth. In this instance, her tooth was knocked out.

Second, she took a look at her side. Due to the limited light, she could only make out her cutie mark—three blue water droplets. Also, though she could not see it, she knew a thin scar lay strewn up her left side and across her back. Awhile back, her father had been moving some of his farming equipment in his barn. Some broken harvesting tools were stacked against one wall. When Phebe went to get him for dinner one evening, he accidentally knocked over one of those tools. A blade gashed her back. Nonetheless, even if there were light to see clearly, this scar was hidden underneath her coat.

Discomfited by the lack of a new scar, Phebe muttered, “That's disappointing.” Unlike most mares, she wore her these blemishes as badges. To her, each additional mark was show of accomplishment.

Regardless, she delved deeper into the tunnels.

Another hour later, Phebe arrived at the end of the passage. She could tell it was a bedroom; a pony-crafted bed lay in one corner. Fluffy sheets straddled the bed; moreover, a pillow rested on one end of the bed. Besides that, there were some stone tables, but nothing else—not even on the table. Don't they need light? She commented about the lack of sources of light. Fortunately her horn granted her sight via its shimmering.

Suddenly an obnoxious buzz reverberated through the cavern. She recognized the sound immediately. Changelings. So I was right. She thought concerning her theory of Balc and Chalk. Yawning, she stepped into the center of the bedroom and flopped her rump upon the floor. I can get this over with then.

Shortly, the queen of the Changelings herself entered followed by an entourage of her people. They seemed to be carrying on a conversation, but they cut off their chat when they noticed Phebe sitting in the middle of the room.

“A pony?!” the queen yelled. “Get her!” Her face was tightened, indicating some sort of anger. Perhaps, Phebe had stumbled upon her room. Either way, some of the Changelings rushed at her, grabbed her, lifted her off the ground, and brought her before the queen. Befuddled over the lack of resistance, the two that held her gave each other a look of confusion.

“I have a message to deliver,” the pony pronounced, “to Chrysalis.” Having been around the Badlands for years, she knew much about the Changelings including their leader's name.

Chrysalis squinted and cocked her head. “What kind of message?” she questioned in her typical smooth tone.

This is what I came here for. In truth, she was given the task of sharing a message against her own desire. She didn't hate the Changelings anymore, but she didn't want to be involved with them either. For this reason, as she parroted her message, the words flowed mockingly off her tongue. “I AM says, 'Turn around!'”

“I am? You are what?” The queen momentarily gave a quizzical look., but soon a carefree smile enveloped the her mouth. “I know. You are foolish. Take her away.”

The minions began to cart her off, but the pony made one last comment. “If you don't, judgment will fall in thirteen days. You will be completely destroyed.” Earlier in her life, Phebe might have sadistically enjoyed telling them that, but again, as of the present, she didn't care. She spoke plainly—that is, without a speck of emotion.

For whatever reason, this caused the guards to cease their movement, and Chrysalis' cocky attitude shriveled up. “What? What did you say?” she asked honestly.

“I AM says, 'Turn around! Or else be destroyed in thirteen days.”

Silence. All in the room affixed their gaze upon this lone pony. Some gawked and others went wide-eyed, but the queen began shaking. It was fear. Looking back, Phebe noticed the leader's shameful disposition. Okay. Something about thirteen days? In fact, the frozen state lasted long enough to make the Unicorn bored out of her mind. She might not feel much, but she was never one to sit still. Ugh... just do something. This is ridiculous.

A voice broke the silence. “Turn around! Turn around!” One Changeling yelled with the full-embodiment of his voice. Several others soon accompanied him in chanting those words.

“Quiet.” The queen lifted her forelegs and wagged them up-and-down lightly. Her minions obeyed. “I need time to think. Put her in the prison.” The second command was also followed.

Soon enough, the free spirit of Phebe Hoshana was locked up into the cell she was in before. This time, a spell was placed that prevented one from teleporting out. At least Balc and Chalk were still there to keep her company, or maybe they were more of a bother than anything else.

“They got you, huh?” The Balc the Pegasus questioned while flying over to Phebe. No answer came. Instead the return prisoner starting scouring every inch of the prison for an escape. “We've looked. There isn't any way out.”

“He tells you the truth,” Chalk Scratch added. When that didn't even halt her searching, Balc Rigger landed beside her and put his hoof on her withers. The mare casually turned around and brought her face close to Balc's face. The gruff construction worker blushed immediately. When Phebe brought herself even closer, the Stallion leaned in slowly and pecked her on the lips. After this brief yet somewhat major event, she stepped passed Balc and gazed at Chalk by the light of his horn.

“So, how is your daughter doing, Chalk?” She inquired suddenly. Her blank expression made it impossible to read into why she had asked at such a random time.

“Hm?” The male unicorn tilted his head. “Using her musical prowess, she has gathered unto herself a great following. Did you recognize my name and surmise the connection?” A curious expression lay upon his face.

“Amateurs,” Phebe scoffed. Rigger turned around, still shocked by the turn of events, while Chalk grew ever curious. “Balc Rigger would have recognized me the moment I fell into this pit, and he would never kiss me. He thought I was a brat.” Her tone began to show some frustration. Then again, that was merely because she was locked up. “Chalk Scratch would also have known about me since I was his daughter's friend. Also, he wouldn't have known about his daughter's popularity since that is a recent development, and he has been missing longer than his daughter has been famous.”

Chalk went from his previous dispositions to that of shock. “Y-you knew both of them?” Chalk said breaking character completely. “Well, that ruins things...”

Despite already giving himself away, Balc tried to cover up. “I-I hit my head on the way down. I don't remember really everything.” Phebe spun about to face him, and immediately his face began to twitch. “I'm serious,” he said nervously.

“You have wings. Why didn't you stop yourself from crashing?”

“I-I... I, uhhh...” A sigh fell. “Fine, you win. Shoe Lace, give up the act.”

Defeated, Chalk replied, “Kay, Dark Shade.” In a flash of green, both Chalk and Balc transformed into their Changeling states. “So... you knew both of these people?” The one who was previously Chalk, Shoe Lace, lowered his head as if in submission.

The older, more mature Changeling who played as Balcs hook his head in distinct distaste. “I don't believe the odds. You couldn't have known them.”

The normally straight-faced Unicorn chuckled and snickered, “I didn't know them. I was bluffing the whole time, and you both fell right for it. As I said, amateurs. Thank you for entertaining me.” Befuddlement overwhelmed Lace as revealed by repeated blinking, but intense frustration struck Shade as revealed by a frown. Meanwhile, she returned to her normal demeanor. “Besides, I don't have any love to give you.” She spoke the truth. Even when she locked lips with Balc, she felt nothing.

Now, while the words rolled off her tongue, a blinding light zipped into the prison and landed beside Phebe. She turned to the light immediately gazing directly at it. For some reason, she could withstand the level of brightness. She didn't understand why since Dark Shade and Shoe Lace both had put their heads to the ground to cover their eyes. As her eyes rested upon the light, she saw some figure in it, but she couldn't put words to describe the being. Nothing in Equestria came close to resembling it.

“Phebe,” a gentle voice rolled carefully into her ears. “You have done as I have said, but why do you despise these people so? They received your message well.”

“What do you mean?” she questioned honestly. A couple weeks ago, she might not have addressed the being so freely. Back then, she encountered this being of light, I AM, for the first time; that was the time he gave her the message for the Changelings. Regardless, in her initial meeting, she had behaved like Shade and Lace. Apparently, something had changed since then that allowed her to gaze into the light. Still, what she did see was unrecognizable.

Instead of answering her question, the light spoke, “You will die protecting these people.” These words were not spoken harshly, but they carried plenty of weight.

Eyes widened. “Wh-what do you mean?”

“Dark Shade and Shoe Lace will aid you, but you will aid one Artemis Reform. Find him.” Having finished speaking, the light vanished.

“Wait-h-huh!?” Panic rushed to her face as she came to realize her left eye went dim; now she was completely blind. “No. No! You jerk! You only told me to give that message. You tricked me!” Rage dashed through her veins instigating her to lose a string of vile curse words. “I hate you. I. hate. YOU!!!” She smashed her hooves into the rock floor. “Come back here. I will not die for them. I will never give my life for them! Do you get that?” The shell she had made fell apart. All her negative emotions concerning the Changelings returned instantaneously, and she could do nothing to hold them back. Tears flushed down her cheeks. Her conscience, which had been long dead, rose from the dead. It screamed at her for trying to reject I AM's commandment. “Shut up! They took them away from me! I tried to find something for myself in this stupid world, and I get nothing from it. Now you want me to help those who took Pyre? What is wrong with you!? GGRRRAHHHH!!!” she screamed with maximum power. With that, she had vented all her frustrations. “Hah.” Some confidence built inside herself. “I got it. I don't have to find him, and, if I do, I'll never help him. You underestimate me. Heheheh.”

The carapaced hoof of a Changeling tapped her on the shoulder, and the voice of Shoe hit her. “Who are you talking to?”

Her blinded eyes rolled. “Hah, I AM, of course.” Her hateful tone persisted. “Eh, why do you care? Blech, why do I care that you know? Buzz off.” Apparently, they didn't hear the voice that she did. Though odd, she didn't concern herself with the matter.

“You mean that light?” The hoofsteps of the Changeling could be heard as he marched to the front of Phebe. A moment after he stopped, he commented, “She's blind, Dark Shade.” Pause. “Uh-uh, Dark Shade, she's blind!” Phebe imagined the young one motioning frantically, but she didn't care.

Ah. I'm regaining control. Good, she thought concerning her returning complacence.

“What do you mean?” Shade inquired somberly.

“She's blind!”

“And?” Silence fell. Soon a gasp echoed through the room. “No way! That loon couldn't have known. I refuse to believe that.”

“But, she said she had a message. Dark, a blind messenger!” Phebe had to admit to herself she was curious. Whatever they were talking about must be related to why the queen reacted in the manner she did.

Shade relented, “Plus, that light couldn't have been coincidence. It has to mean something. Then what are we waiting for? Let's go.” Accompanied by the creeks of a metal door swinging open, the buzzing of Changeling wings sounded. They were gone.

Hoshana lay on the floor. Hoping they had left the door open, she had tried repeatedly to find the exit. Unfortunately, her feet would regularly stumble, her magic was useless without vision, and she was starving and thirsty. She eventually gave up, and so, on the floor, she waited.

An arduous amount of time had passed by since those two left. Her patience wore thin especially since she could not function well. What is taking them so long? She desired to know the details concerning their earlier conversation. Curiosity was not usually in her nature, but considering her situation, she supposed it to be acceptable.

So... Artemis Reform? I will help him? With what? Hah. What a joke. Anger was not acceptable, however. Ugh, no. Shut up. It doesn't matter, does it? Why should I really object to it? That question wrenched her gut. I... do hate it. I can't let that continue, but what do I allow? None of this is the way it should be.

Creeeeeek. Thud, thud.

“Who's there?” No answer. Someone must have entered the prison, but it didn't sound like a Changeling. “Hello?”

Shrriiikkk. That sound was unfamiliar. CRUNCH!

Even blind, Phebe jumped to her feet. “This isn't funny!” Terror was also something she was not accustomed to, but sitting in the darkness in a distant prison with nopony around lent to some fright. Something cold and metallic brushed her side. “Hah, I don't think so.” She spun around shooting a beam from her horn, but in such a quick move, she tumbled onto her side.

Immediately after hitting the floor, two long objects straddled her. These had the same feeling as to what touched her moments ago. “L-let go!” She couldn't escape; they had a tight grip on her. “NO!” As she yelled, a surge of heat sprung from her neck from where her Element hung. Instantly, she was released. Her legs scrambled to get herself up and then back away from whatever wanted her. “Help! There's something in here! Help!”

The rippling sounds of Changeling wings sprung into the air. In only a few moments, the voice of Shoe Lace called out. “Phebe!? What-what? The door it's... it's...”

Dark Shade finished the sentence, “Ripped wide open. We need to get out of here. Shoe Lace, help me with her.” Soon enough, the two of them had her in their grasps and began flying her out of the prison.

A third voice—distinctly deeper yet clearly Changeling—mentioned, “How did they get into the tunnels?” As they moved, this Changeling followed in the rear. “She said thirteen days, right?” There wasn't a verbal response, but the sensible Unicorn figured there was a nod. “We need to tell the queen. When we get Phebe to safety, you must go tell her as quickly as possible. Who knows if more of the Guardians are floating around.”

“Right,” replied Shade.

Hoshana held her mouth shut. I... I could have died. Why didn't I let it happen? A sigh fell from her mouth. Regret built up. I missed my chance to spite I AM. She opened her mouth to speak, but her tongue clamped to the bottom of her mouth. Though failed in her attempt to do thus, she had intended on objecting to their rescue of her. Ugh! Why won't my body do what I want?! At this point, she desired death. This longing was heightened by the worsening of her circumstances. To her shame, she was depending on her enemies for safety. She hoped they couldn't protect her against that “Guardian,” and by what she heard concerning it, she had some hope that she could yet be killed.