>You are Anonymous

>Somehow, someway, you managed to encounter a once in a lifetime portal to Equestria.

>You've been living there as a young, green stallion with a short black mane, short black tail, and deep green eyes.

>Because you were originally human, when the Princesses learned of your existence, they kept you a secret in the Canterlot Castle.

>After a while, they decided that a simple Earth Pony such as yourself was no threat to the race.

>You lived in the Canterlot Castle, with your own room of course, so that the Princesses may call upon you at any time for any means.

>Usually it was to just check up on you, or to ask some questions about the shit hole called Earth.

>You couldn't complain though, it was a big change from living in a dump, working minimum wage.

>You even got to be an understudy of Princess Luna.

>You didn't do much with her like that Twilight Sparkle girl.

>She mostly just taught you the basics of the world, and how things worked.

>Otherwise, you were just reading a bunch or random books in the Canterlot Library, or out wandering Canterlot.

>It was always the same stuff, different day for you.

>But this day was about to change your life in Equestria forever.

>It felt like another, simple day in your Canterlot home.

>You got up, had some breakfast, straightened yourself up a bit, and greeted Luna as she was on her way to her personal quarters.

>You take your daily trip into the Canterlot Library for some more reading.

>Opening the door, you bump into the transportation pony.

>He was carrying out what seemed like hundreds of books again...

>Probably for that Twilight.

>He tips his hat at you.

>"Pardon me, good sir."

>You step aside as he wheels the books out.

>Quietly you look for a book to catch your eye.

>Ships... No. Parasprites? Read it. Changelings...

>Changelings.

>This black and green, leather bound book really stood out.

>>21543943 (You)

>Taking the book off of the shelf, you sit yourself at a table near a window.

>Damn this thing has to have like seventeen layers of dust on it..

>Blowing on the book, the colors really shone.

>There was some sort of lock and key attached to the side of it...

>You really shouldn't read something if it was locked up...

>Your curiosity got the better of you as you unlock the book, open it, and read it.

"Changelings are a rare species that exist in the northern mountains of Equestria... They are black coated, and resemble insect-like unicorns, all led by a Queen."

>They sounded like a colony of bees or something...

>You read through the day about them, their origins, research conducted...

>Before you knew it, lunch time struck you with a violent gurgling from your stomach.

"Damn, didn't realize how long I've been here. Better get some grub."

>Taking the book with you, you slide it into a saddlebag and go to the food court.

>Fancy foods, fruit trays... Banana bag?

>Wasn't that...?

>You hear laughter as you look up from where the bag is.

>You see Celestia around a few other classy ponies.

>She's holding a banana while they laugh.

>Probably telling them the banana cannon joke again.

>You quietly take some fruit and sit under a tree to keep reading.

>You quietly talk to yourself as you read, mouth filled with food.

"The Changeling army was last seen assaulting Canterlot on the day of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and Captain Shining Armor's wedding. They were defeated with powerful love magic and have not been seen since."

>Huh. Apparently friendship is magic. Or at least true love.

>You begin to ponder about the Changelings more as you keep reading.

>Celestia notices you and walks over.

>"Why hello there, Anonymous. I trust you aren't taking those silly books too seriously."

>You pick up the book in an attempt to hide it.

"O-oh! Hello, Princess Celestia. I uh.. No. I was just really interested by this book and..."

>She brings her head down to your level.

>>21544052 (You)

>She looks at you almost quizzically.

>"What is that you're reading, exactly?"

>You look at the book and then back at her.

>Damn, she's like a fucking hawk and a giraffe.

"Well... Do you want the partial truth, or the whole truth?"

>She looks at you solemnly.

>"Better not be one of those... Pornographic things you were talking about."

>You felt your face flush red at the mere mention of it.

"No! No... It's a book about Changelings. It was sort of just sitting there and... I was interested."

>She cranes her head back up.

>"Changelings are a very dangerous species, Anon... I hope you don't intend to do what those scientists did... They never did come back..."

>You looked down at the book.

>Sure enough, there it was on the next page.

>"The five scientists sent on an exploration and research trip to the known Changeling Hive were never heard from again."

>You sigh softly.

"No, I don't think that'd be very smart. But... I guess learning about the different species here is kind of neat."

>She smiles at you warmly before giving you a soft nuzzle.

>"Just don't push yourself too hard with it. There's many species of beings living here in Equestria."

>She goes back to where she was.

>That went pleasantly better than expected.

>You continued to read the documentations in the book about Changelings.

>You stored all of the information, and using a map, you located where the supposed Hive was...

>Though that was recorded years ago... The paths there were probably destroyed by weather and such.

>You continued to rack your head with information regarding them...

>But the more you learned, the more you wanted to know...

>And the only way to know was to find their Hive and observe them.

>You look outside, the moon is already up.

>Luna's moons always did shine so pretty in the night...

>You decided to take the papers and the book to visit Luna.

>Luckily enough, she wasn't busy.

>Just idly sitting on her throne.

>>21544141 (You)

>Once you began to walk up the royal red carpet, Luna looked at you from her hooves.

>She smiled softly as her wings flapped open.

>"Ah! Fair Anonymous. How may we help thou?"

>You sit down on the floor next to her as she wraps a wing around you.

"Well, Princess.. I want your opinion on something."

>She blinks in confusion, but looks at you with genuine interest.

>"Go on."

"Well, you see I've been kind of reading up on this certain species... And well... I was wondering... Would it be right for me to go and learn more about them? In person?"

>Luna tapped her chin with a hoof for a moment, deep in thought.

>"We don't see why not. Being a part of our ever expanding knowledge base is always a welcomed thing, dearest Anonymous."

>You smile softly at her.

"Even if they turn out to be dangerous?"

>"Well, if they can be dangerous... We would proceed with the utmost caution... But if knowledge is what you seek, then we shall support thou."

>She looks down at you with an adamant expression.

>You stand up and gently hug her.

"Thanks, Luna. I should be off to bed now."

>"Sleep well, good Anonymous. May your dreams be ever peaceful."

>You left Luna to her duties as you returned to your quarters for some rest.

>Looks like you'll actually be setting out on a journey tomorrow...

>Bright and early while the Princesses are still busy raising and lowering the sky's light bulbs.

>The next morning you were up very early.

>5 AM, about an hour before the Princesses were to adjust the moon and sun.

>You made your room up, put your knowledge book into your bag along with some food.

>Tossing on a cloak over top of yourself, and goggles on your head, you feel ready to tackle anything.

>You quietly sneak out of your room and out of the castle.

>Thankfully the Princess' chambers pointed to the East, and not the North.

>That made your escape from Canterlot that much easier.

>This wouldn't be a very easy trip... But worth it.

>>21544349 (You)

>You had to follow along some train tracks toward the Frozen North.

>A little ways before that area of the Equestria is about where the Hive SHOULD be.

>Hopefully..

>You had to traverse large fields of grass, the Ghastly Gorge, and a few other buts and pieces of landscaping.

>It took a few days, but eventually you made it to the Frozen North's land borders, quite some miles from the North itself.

"Alright, so from here I need to head West..."

>You look at your map and try to use those fancy geographical skills and mathematics the human world taught you.

>Who would have thought those classes would actually be helpful?

>After double checking your work, you begin to head in the direction of the Hidden Valley.

>It took another half of a day, but eventually you made it far enough to see the Hidden Valley mountain in the distance.

>Looking at the sky, you estimate it is about time for nightfall to strike.

>You take a break and set up camp nearby a forest.

>Easy access to food and water... Just what a pony needs.

>Back in Canterlot, a few days prior...

>Celestia charged out into the royal chambers.

>"Guards! Wake up Luna and search this castle top to bottom, NOW!"

>She was very frantic about the situation.

>Within a few minutes, a sleepy-eyed Luna walked in.

>She yawned cutely.

>"What is it, sister? We were sleeping..."

>"Luna! Anonymous has gone missing! No notes of departure, no previous mention of it... Just gone!"

>Luna yawned again.

>"Oh, that? Mister Anonymous talked with us last night about going on a research ahdvee-eee-eenture."

>She yawned mid-sentence.

>"Wanted to do some personal research regarding some... species."

>Celestia looked more worried.

>"Did he say what species?"

>Luna shook her head.

>"No, just that he wanted to know more... And that they could have been dangerous."

>Dangerous. Research. Celestia put it all together.

>"Dear Luna! He's gone after the CHANGELINGS!"

>Luna's eyes shot open.

>"Surely thou sayeth that in jest, sister!"

>>21544482 (You)

>Luna shook her head a bit.

>"Anonymous surely would never..."

>Celestia shook her head.

>"I saw him reading one of our research books about the Changelings yesterday... Oh of all the foolish things to do..."

>Luna looked down.

>"If he had said that to me... Surely, we wouldn't have given him permission to go but..."

>Celestia looked down.

>"We'll give him some time.. He's a unique pony. ...If he hasn't shown up again, or written in a few weeks, we'll send THEM after him."

>"Surely you don't mean..."

>"Yes, Luna. I do."

>Celestia looked down at Luna sternly.

>Luna nodded before beginning to retreat to her room.

>"Let us hope it does not come down to that, dearest sister."

>You wake up and stretch the next morning.

>After stretching out, you pack up the camp and begin to move again.

>You figure that if you stop for minimal time, you'll be able to reach the mountains by mid-afternoon.

>You weren't wrong.

>Mid-afternoon came, and the dark mountains now loomed over you.

>You didn't know what to expect once you went in...

>But you knew you had to do it.

>Your curiosity would not be satisfied either way.

>Taking a deep breath, you steel your nerves and your trembling legs.

"Now or never."

>You journey into the Hidden Valley.

>Things are still. Creepily still. It felt like no wind ever blew into it.

>You felt alone, yet constantly watched.

>Yet, you pressed forward.

>After a good hour of walking, you stumble across a cavern.

>Poking your head inside, you see nothing but darkness...

>Darkness and...

>Green goop?

>Well, the book DID describe that they laid eggs so...

>Goop was probably to be expected.

>You take another deep breath.

"You can do this, Anon. They're just... Insects. How bad could they be?"

>You take a few steps into the cavern.

>It is eerily silent, save the odd drip from the stalactites.

>You keep yourself quiet as you inch along inside.

>Rather spacious...

>It felt like no one was around.

>And that put you on edge.

>You venture deeper.

>>21544647 (You)

>You kept going for what felt like ages...

>Aside from the goop everywhere, it was almost like it was abandoned.

>Maybe they never returned to their Hive?

>No, that wouldn't be right... They can't just make a new one like Earth insects could.

>Suddenly, you brain screamed STOP.

>Your front right hoof froze in mid-air.

>Your heart slammed in your throat.

>The next few seconds took forever.

>Your legs were shaking, and your body was in some kind of shock.

>The silence was broken by you turning around.

>There, standing in front of you was Chrysalis, the Changeling Queen, and some of her underlings.

>"Why hello there, little pony... Tell me, why have you come so far?"

>Your brain is now in full panic mode as you scramble for a response.

"I uh... I was just curious about your species and I uh.. well.. I was just leaving! So uh, yeah..."

>You gave a nervous chuckle.

>Damn was she intimidating with those glowing eyes.

>"Oh, leaving so soon! But my... You're a tiny one aren't you... I'm afraid you won't be leaving us, pony."

>You swallow nervously.

"Why... Why is that?"

>"Because, you see... You stopped in at feeding time! And I'm sure we're all very... Hungry."

>They back you up into a corner.

"P-Please don't eat me...!"

>This is it, your final moments...

>About to be devoured by over sized pony-insect hybrids.

>"Oh hohoho! Eaten?"

>She chuckles at you.

>"No, my dear little pony, you won't be eaten... I have much more in store for you."

>The scene before you goes dark as the Changelings swarm you.

>You must have passed out from the sheer terror of it all.