It was cold, although slightly less so than before.

That was Daniel Green’s first though when he woke up, his limbs stiff but still seemed to have blood flowing through them. Something was leaning on his right side, but his tired mind didn’t mind that much as it was radiating a decent amount of warmth. The chattering was the next thing he noticed although it took him a second to figure out that there were two voices this time.

Looking around, he saw that the weight against him was Bug-Horse, merrily chattering away to a second one that was sitting down against the opposite wall. Neither noticed him awaken, so he used the opportunity to observe the newcomer.

It pretty much looked the same as the Bug-Horse that he had interacted with, except that it seemed slightly smaller with a slender muzzle. The way it was sitting, with its forelegs in the middle of its outstretched hind legs, prevented him for gaining any physical clues as to its gender. However, its chattering seemed softer in tone, so he thought it was fairly safe to assume that it was a female.

Shifting his gaze to his right, he tried to confirm the theory. Unfortunately, first Bug-Horse was sitting the same way as the other, but again that was probably a good thing. Daniel had to remind himself that these creatures weren’t just simple animals, so making an obvious attempt to confirm gender by ogling genitals probably wasn’t the safest idea. Still, he was confident that the first Bug-Horse was a male due to the comparisons to the other creature, so until he had more proof he was going to have to go off of that.

‘Maybe that’s Bug-Horse’s sheila,’ he wondered. ‘If so, checking its gender could get me into a heap of shit with him.’ He decided that playing nice was the best option, after all the creatures seemed to be comfortable around him and with any luck he could scrounge assistance from them. Shifting in his spot to let the one resting on him know that he was awake, he turned his head to be met with a wide smile.

A happy-sounding burst of chatter from Bug-Horse greeted his ears, the creature making the point of looking towards where it was leaning against him and then tilting his head. Raising an eye at yet more evidence of sapience, Daniel guessed that it was wondering if it was okay to rest against him.

“If you’re asking what I think you’re asking, then I guess the answer is yes?”

Bug-Horse stared blankly at his reply, electing a sigh and the implementation of a risky move. Noticing that its helmet was off, Daniel held up a hand and slowly moved it towards Bug-Horse. Blue eyes followed his hand but nothing was done to halt it. Keeping mindful of the fangs that Bug-Horse sported, Daniel very gently laid his hand down upon Bug-Horse’s head.

Another smile and chattering was the response to the gesture, Bug-Horse taking him by surprise and returning the gesture with a hoof. Daniel couldn’t help but stare at the holes that dotted Bug-Horse’s limb, having no clue as to what could have caused them. The owner of said limb had to strain to reach the top of his head, but when he had the hoof rubbed his head. Bug-Horse laughed, or at least that’s what the rapid and light-toned chattering sounded like, re-facing the other creature and chattering away with obvious excitement.

Not to be outdone, Daniel started to rub Bug-Horse’s head, causing the light-grey tail to swish and the wings to buzz erratically. The creature seemed most pleased with the head-rub, chattering and moving its head around so the hand covered more area. Encouraged by the success of the move, he eyed the two black ears on Bug-Horse’s head.

‘I wonder if these things are like normal horses?’ he wondered, thinking about the next stage. Swiftly, he moved his hand to scratch behind one of Bug-Horse’s ears.

The effect was immediate.

Bug-Horse collapsed, falling forwards and landing with his head on his outstretched forelegs. The other creature, who had been watching the exchange with silent interest, made to bolt from her position with her sharp horn lowering. Unsure of what he had just done wrong, Daniel grabbed the tool set and prepared to fend off any attempts of attack.

“Chzzt!”

Both Daniel and the other creature halted, the collapsed Bug-Horse looking back up and nodding. Confused, as was the other creature if her facial expression was anything to go off, Daniel held up his hand and waggled his fingers. Bug-Horse nodded with another short chatter, so figuring it was what he wanted Daniel once again began to scratch him behind the ears.

It was the right move, Bug-Horse groaning and continuing to buzz his wings. Female Bug-Horse watched for a few moments before speaking, and judging from Bug-Horse’s frown Daniel bet that it wasn’t something nice. A reply was sent out between scratches, Daniel wondering if Bug-Horse was enjoying it a little too much.

The other creature seemed to think something over before approaching closer, looking him right in the eyes before making a point to show her sharp teeth. A short, sharp, and no-nonsense burst of speaking exited her mouth before she removed her helmet and set it on the ground. The creature he decided he was going to dub ‘Sheila’ hesitatingly lowered her head and presented the bald dome to him. Not knowing what else she expected, he placed his other hand on her head and commenced the scratching.

“Oh, oh that is soooo good!”

If Burrow wasn’t so pleased with his own massage, then he would have called Aphid out on her previous comment about ‘sucking up to the creature so he could horde all of its love’. Instead he was intent to watch first her legs quiver, and then her entire front half collapse under the feeling. Mr Growls stopped scratching when her head rested on his thigh, Aphid frowning when the hand was quickly removed.

“What’s wrong, why did he stop?”

“I don’t know,” Burrow answered, glancing up to find Mr Growls looking down at him. He seemed worried about something concerning Aphid, pointing a finger at her. “It’s okay, Mr Growls,” he reassured before slowing his speech. “Aphid friend. Yes. Friend.”

“I don’t think that’s going to wo…” The scratching resumed and Aphid couldn’t finish the sentence. Burrow sighed happily and relaxed, this was the best guard duty ever. Minutes passed without much incident, the Mr Growls-changelings diplomacy going very smoothly.

“Hey, Burrow?” He turned his head, Aphid having worked her front half onto Mr Growl’s leg and was now nuzzling against his stomach. Somehow she was managing to speak throughout the scratching.

“Y-yeah?”

“I take it back,” she muttered while tilting her head so more attention would be paid to the left ear. “This thing is useful after all, keep it.”
Burrow was about to agree with her, but it was then that their perfect guard duty shattered.

“What… What are you two idiots doing with that thing!?”

“Interesting, very interesting indeed. A hairless, bipedal mammal unlike anything I’ve seen. It’s almost like a minotaur, but the differences are just too vast to assume it’s a subspecies.”

Burrow sat in the corner and fidgeted with his forehooves while the four scholars examined Mr Growls. It didn’t sit right with him, watching while Transmutation and his cronies treated his friend like a scientific curiosity. Aphid was likewise muted, the fellow soldier sitting with her forelegs crossed and a glare at having her new massager pulled away. Sergeant Pillar, however, was not about to let them intervene. Having trotted in on them while they had been receiving ear-scratches instead of guarding, Pillar had not responded well.

The attempt to bribe him with an ear-scratch from Mr Growls also did not go over well.

Mr Growls himself had reacted to the arrival of five new changelings with surprise, but had so far remained mostly quiet and civil. Hungry eyes roamed his form and possessions, Burrow glaring at the scientists. Occasionally a scholar would stray too close, Mr Growls expressing his displeasure by pointing at the offending changeling and saying what Burrow hoped was an insult. As such, attempts to actually touch Mr Growls had been warded off, even Sergeant Pillar not game enough to force compliance.

“What is that box it’s holding? Catalyst, attempt to remove it from the creature.”

“Me?” the only female scholar in their group protested. “Why me?”

Transmutation rolled his pupils. “Well, the creature looks dangerous, and naturally as the leader I should avoid all unnecessary danger. Hence, you should be the one who should attempt to extract the item.”

“But it’s already shown a displeasure towards invasion of its-“

“I don’t care, Catalyst, if it doesn’t want us to go near it. Sometimes we scholars must make sacrifices if we wish to push the boundaries of learning! Now go on and take the box!”

The lesser scholar shook on her hooves, before slowly creeping forwards towards Mr Growls. Burrow didn’t envy her, Mr Growls noticing the eyes focusing on the box he clutched in his hands and watching her pointedly. Catalyst continued on, staying away as far as possible before reaching out a hoof to take the box from him.

“Grrghrah!”

“Ah! It’s attacking!” Catalyst cried out, rapidly beating a swift retreat. “It’ll eat us all!” The other scholars joined her, dashing over to hide behind the unimpressed Pillar while Mr Growls smirked.

Burrow had heard and seen enough.

“No he won’t!” He stood up, Pillar not stopping him while he glared at the once-haughty scholars. “Maybe if you actually treated Mr Growls nicely, and not like a stupid animal, then he’d let you look at what he’s got in there!” He huffed, frowning at all of them. “You know, for scholars, you’re all pretty stupid.”

“You can’t speak to your betters like that!” Transmutation protested.

“Mr… Growls?” another scholar named ‘Bunsen’ questioned.

“Grarb-raws!” Mr Growls… growled.

“I know, I’m telling them.” Burrows trotted over towards him. “They’ll soon see.”

Pillar attempted to block his path. “Soldier, that thing is dangerous.”

“Sergeant, you saw me and Aphid before, he’s not dangerous.” To prove his point, Burrow continued on. Pillar didn’t protest any further and let Burrow past, the scholars gasping when he entered Mr Growls’ personal space. Standing right next to his friend, Burrow turned around to face the scholars and soldiers. “Psst, Mr Growls, do the ear thing.” He nudged the biped with his head before waggling his ears, hoping it would get the message across.

It worked, Burrow struggling to remain upright when the scratching continued. He managed, barely, and continued to smile at the assembled group. “See? He’s friendly if you actually attempt to treat him with respect.” He closed his eyes for a second, Mr Growls hitting a sweet spot before pulling the hand away. Glancing at him, Burrows noticed that Mr Growls was pointing at the other changelings and making a swivelling gesture with his other hand.

“They’re some of the other changelings in this cave. Don’t mind them too much, they may be rude,” he made a point to glare at Transmutation, receiving one back. “But they aren’t trying to annoy you. Scholars just… don’t really know anything about how changelings and other creatures like to be treated.” He received more glares, but he knew that the scientists wouldn’t dare try anything with Mr Growls on his side. Seeing a chance to try and repair the bad start they had gotten off to, Burrow gestured to the scholar that had attempted to approach before. “Now, let Catalyst meet you normally.” The last word was directed to the scholar herself, the unlucky creature pushed forwards by Transmutation.

Her eyes were focused on Mr Growls, even as she tried to take a step back into the relative safety of her fellows.

“I… I don’t think that’s a great idea.”

Daniel tried to figure out just what was going on. Ever since the third bug-horse had stormed in and confronted the two that had been sitting with him, the entire situation had just gotten more perplexing. For the past hour, four new bug-horses had attempted to touch him, take things from him, or generally just stood around and pointed at him.

He was cold, hadn’t eaten for a few hours, and the only bug-horses that weren’t utter pricks had been corralled in a corner and watched by the one that had started this mess. One of the new bug-horses had obviously attempted to steal his tools right from his arms. He didn’t particularly value the cheap tools, but he wasn’t about to just let some bludger take them. The bug-horses may have been admittedly cute, but he didn’t trust them with any sort of tools.

One ‘Fuck off’ later and the thief had forgotten the plan, running back to hide with its equally terrified fellows. That was okay with him, if they were frightened of him than that meant he had sway and was pretty safe for the moment. However, he knew that he had to sleep again sometime, and pissing off his hosts probably wasn’t the best idea in the long run.

Thankfully Bug-Horse had apparently shouted some sense into the others and was now, once again, sitting next to him and soliciting a head scratch.

‘I’ve got to figure out a new name for him,’ Daniel mused to himself while complying with the creature’s wishes. ‘And figure out just how much I can exploit this fondness for ear-scratches.’ Trying to think of a new name, he linked Bug-Horse’s fondness for ear-scratches with his old pet dog, Boris. Shrugging mentally to himself, he did the usual thing and took the obvious route. ‘Fuck it, Boris it is.’

Boris, the name sounding much better than ‘Bug-Horse’, chattered to the others while swivelling his head in bliss. Then Boris pulled his head away and looked up at him, chattering as he did so. Trying to get some communication going, Daniel pointed at the new creatures and tried to communicate his displeasure.

“What’s their problem anyway? They’re looking at me like I’m a baby-taking dingo.”

Another burst of chattering, Boris first directing it at him before turning back to the other bug-horses and speaking with them. It was utter gibberish to Daniel, but the bugs had surprisingly expressive faces and it was clear that there were disagreements.

There appeared to be a commotion amongst themselves between before a bug-horse was pushed out to the front, the creature staring at him and shivering. Eyeing it back, he realised that it was the suspected female from before. At first it tried to back up, chattering worriedly.
However, Boris evidently persuaded her to approach again, Daniel immediately tightening his grip on the tool set.

Something poked him in the side, and when he looked down Boris nodded towards the approaching bug-horse and chattered again.

“C-c-c-chzt,” the creature in front began, her head bowed. Boris offered some words of what Daniel assumed was encouragement, prompting her to continue on. A long line of rushed chattering followed, before she raised her head and looked at him. Another prod from Boris and Daniel assumed that they wanted something. Guessing at what it was, he shrugged at the one standing in front of him.

“I… I guess I forgive you?” he tried, evidently the right thing as Boris nodded happily and the bug-horse in front tried to smile. Shaking his head at what he was about to do, he sighed and opened the clasp on the tool set.

Immediately all eyes focused on him, the bug-horses watching his every move with baited breaths. Boris even craned his head over to see, Daniel rummaging around in the plastic chest to find something he could give to them.

“What to give, what to give,” he muttered to himself while making the choice. He didn’t want to give away anything particularly useful… or sharp, so it was a difficult choice. Then, his eyes rested on the voltameter, Daniel doubting that he would have many batteries or electrical devices to test. Picking out the bright-yellow, rubber-clad electrical tester, he held it out to the creature in front of him. “There, go ahead, knock yourself out.”

The recipient looked shocked, but she quickly sat down and reached out her forelegs. Passing the gift over, Daniel placed the device in her hooves and gave her a quick pat on the head for good measure. A rushed thankyou, or at least that’s what he assumed it was, exited her mouth before all of her focus was placed solely on the voltameter. Turning it over, she placed it gently on the rocky floor like it was a treasured artefact. Then she managed to unravel the two testing rods and muttered to herself, Daniel shaking his head at how such a simple device could hold so much wonder.

Then the chaos broke out.

The other bug-horses rushed to gather around the female one, chattering away amongst themselves with all of their fear completely gone. Hoping he hadn’t made a huge mistake, he backed up further against the wall as the feeding-frenzy of sorts intensified. Daniel almost pitied his poor voltameter, testing rods being unplugged and examined while the dial on the front was fiddled with.

‘Just look at them go.’

The bug-horse he had dubbed ‘Sheila’ had gotten up and trotted over to join Boris, the two whispering to each other before sitting down and watching the others fight over the voltameter with the same surprise and amusement that he himself felt.

“Normal for you blokes?”

Evidently words weren’t really needed, Boris looking up at him and shaking his head sadly.

“I guess not,” Daniel agreed, fine to sit back and just watch the spectacle unfold.

“Just look at them go.”

Burrow couldn’t help but agree with Aphid, the scholars going absolutely nuts over the yellow device that Mr Growls had given them. The upside was that it diverted attention from Mr Growls himself, and even though the biped still seemed wary of the scholars, he did seem far more relaxed in general. However, the frown that covered his face alerted Burrow to someone approaching, Sergeant Pillar moving from the side to examine Mr Growls himself.

“So this is the monster you’ve tamed?” Pillar began. Burrow narrowed his eyes, pointing a hoof towards Mr Growls.

“He’s not a monster, see what he’s wearing and the things he has?”

Pillar raised an eye. “Just because it has cloths and things doesn’t mean it’s not a monster. Sure, it can think, but that just makes it more dangerous.” A cold stare was focused upon him. “I’m still disappointed that you actually let it inside, who knows what damage it could have done before we stopped it?”

“Mr Growls wouldn’t attack us,” Burrow defended, Aphid chiming in from her spot.

“He’s right, sir,” she gestured towards the biped. “As much as I hate the name that he’s been given, Mr… Growls does seem to be friendly towards us, Burrow in particular. Also, Burrow is right in saying that he’s not just a mindless beast. So far he’s tried to talk, he’s attempted to communicate with gestures, and sir,” Aphid shivered for a split second. “Those ear scratches are really good.”

Pillar didn’t look convinced, so Burrow thought of two things that could possibly persuade the Sergeant. While he hated what it might mean for his friend, with Pillar on their side it would mean that it would be incredibly difficult for the scholars to exert their will over Mr Growls.

“Sergeant, there’s a few more things.”

“Oh?” Pillar replied. “I must say, you’re trying very hard to keep your pet.”

Ignoring it, Burrow continued. “One, Mr Growls is big, and could be seen as scary. When he first came into the cave, I thought he was going to tear me limb from limb. Keeping him with us will help if we’re attacked by anything, even if he doesn’t actually know how to fight.”

“I couldn’t have guessed, it’s got a pretty big amount of fat on it and hasn’t even got a horn. I doubt it’ll help in combat at all so you better have a good second reason.”

Burrow nodded with a wince. “I do, we can feed off Mr Growls when he sleeps.”

Pillar stared at him, then at Mr Growls, then back. “What do you mean? We can attempt to drain him-“

“No, I mean that he sort of… leaks love when he sleeps.”

Another blank stare. “Burrow, I knew that you like him, but isn’t that a step too fa-“

“What is it with everyone and saying that!?”

The scholars stopped squabbling over the device and stared, Pillar doing the same while Aphid rolled her eyes.

“Come on, Burrow, you have to admit that when you keep on talking about ‘leaking love’, it’s hard not to tease you about it.”

“No Aphid,” he countered. “I just wish that you’d all have some more maturity.”

Unfortunately, Mr Growls must have picked up on the raised voices, and decided that a head rub was need. As such, right after his outburst, Burrows found himself on the receiving end of the soothing contact.

“Thanks,” he muttered, Aphid laughing out loud and only increasing his embarrassment. Even Pillar cracked a smile, but another problem soon raised its head.

“Excuse me,” Catalyst spoke up while shielding the gift with her forelegs. “But did you say that the creature radiates love passively, without a focused target and without an act of deliberate draining?”

“I guess? I noticed it when he went to sleep before, and when I touched him I could feel it sort of… direct itself. It has a little amount of lust in it, and almost completely lacks magical energy.”

“Hmm, lust and lacks magical energy,” Transmutation muttered to himself. “The lack of magical essence could be explained if, Mr Growls I believe you named him, has travelled from an area of the world with little to no magic. The lust, however, is a more difficult matter to figure out.”

All paused to try and puzzle it out, the scholars muttering amongst themselves while Burrow also put some thought into it. It certainly was strange, how could one feel lust and love while asleep?

The quiet and tranquillity was broken by a sharp peal of laughter, Burrows feeling Mr Growl’s jump in his seat when Aphid began to cackle like mad. Everyone watched in complete confusion as the female soldier rolled on the ground, continuing to madly laugh while smacking a hoof down in front of her. The cackling continued, Aphid almost in tears thanks to the humour that she was finding in the situation.

“Soldier,” Pillar managed out through his own befuddlement. “Just what is so funny? This is a serious development!”

Aphid managed to regain some composure, however she continued to lay on her stomach with the occasional giggle. With all eyes on her, she got up to her hooves and trotted over towards Mr Growls, the biped letting her approach. Aphid patted him on the head while still grinning widely. “Oh, this is just a riot! You, Mr Growls, are a magnificent creature. I haven’t had a laugh this good since I can remember!”

“What?” Pillar repeated, Aphid chuckling again before gazing at them all.

“You still don’t get it?” she shook with laughter. “It’s obvious when you think about it. He’s male-“

“We can’t be sure,” Transmutation reminded. “While it possesses features which are a likely indication that it is male, since it’s an unknown species-“

Burrow’s eyes widened in shock and Mr Growls froze when Aphid snaked a forehoof past the chest in Mr Growl’s lap. Reaching down, Aphid seemed to rummage around before removing her hoof, Mr Growls still completely motionless and silent.

“Yeah,” she stated nonchalantly while giving her offending hoof a curious sniff. “He’s a male.”

“I… I…” Transmutation stuttered, Burrow too shocked to even say that much.

‘Did… did Aphid just… molest him!?’ Burrow tried to comfort the still-unresponsive creature, patting his limb hand with a hoof.

“Well, I must admit that your manner of investigating is certainly… direct.” Transmutation coughed into his hoof, his face a shade of embarrassed green. “But that still doesn’t explain-“

“Oh, do I really have to spell it out for you?” Aphid rolled her eyes. “We can feed off him when he sleeps, right? And for some reason it also has a measure of lust in it, right? Well, that’s because what we’re doing is,” she shook her head with another chuckle. “What we’re doing is feeding off his dreams. Dirty ones.”

More silence, before Catalyst finally broke it.

“That… that makes far too much sense.”

Daniel slowly moved a hand down towards his groin, shielding it from any further gropings. It hadn’t been a passing touch, Sheila had been incredibly vigorous with her investigation. Judging from the stunned behaviour of the rest of the group it wasn’t exactly seen as normal behaviour by their species either, although if he went off Shelia’s previous fit of laughter then she wasn’t exactly what he would call normal.
The only other female he knew that laughed like that was a station girl back home, and she had enjoyed telling everyone about her childhood of prepping cattle for slaughter on a daily basis.

Boris was patting his hand in an obvious attempt to calm and comfort, although Daniel soon regained his composure while Shelia and the new bug-horses chattered back and forwards.

‘She was probably just checking to see,’ he reasoned to himself. ‘Hell, I can’t tell what they are straight away, so I guess it’s just as difficult for them.’ He glanced down at his chest when the group went silent again. ’I guess the man-boobs don’t really help.’

Shelia and one of the male newcomers were exchanging words, Boris chiming in with a frown. His words didn’t seem to impress Sheila, the female raising a hoof to her head before shaking it. She chattered again, but whatever she said caused alarm to run through the assembled group. Boris actually started to get up from his seat while chattering loudly, but it was Sheila that had Daniel’s attention.

The female bug-horse had cocked her grey tail to the side, given him a fang-filled grin, and was beginning to trot in front of him, Daniel hurriedly averting his gaze towards the cave ceiling.

‘Nope, nope, he repeated silently while the chattering grew in intensity. ‘This is not happening, she’s not… doing that. Bloody hell, isn’t she Boris’ missus? Why me? I’m too fat to be the target of alien seduction attempts!’

Daniel risked a glance back down.

How could he not? It was an unusual situation and anyone would have done the same thing. At least, that was what he was telling himself, but thankfully when he did look there was nothing to see.

Sheila had stopped in the middle of bending over, Boris up on his hooves and glaring at her angrily. The two exchanged a brief and sharp set of words before the tail was put back into place and Sheila huffed with annoyance. Then, she thankfully sat down and returned the stares she was getting, Boris pointing an accusing hoof at her. Daniel watched them with a racing heart, not liking how everything was getting weirder and weirder.

‘Well,’ he figured to himself. ‘At least I can say for sure that this is certainly the strangest thing that can happen today.’

Burrow continued to glare at Aphid, the others wise enough to stay out of it.

“Aphid, what were you thinking!? Haven’t you… you… traumatised him enough?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Aphid dismissed with a wave of her hoof. “I’m sure he would have hated getting a peek.” She huffed. “Besides, you were the one saying that I can’t just touch him like that to check, so I thought that I’d return the favour. Admit it, changelings aren’t exactly easy to tell apart if you can’t read leg-holes.”

“That may be true,” Burrow frowned. “But there are ways to go about it. What if his race is incredibly modest? He’s wearing a lot of clothes after all. You can’t just wave your… that, in his face so he can tell that you’re female.” He made sure to fix her with a no-nonsense stare. “And you certainly don’t touch him like that.”

“Fine,” she agreed, although with obvious displeasure. “I’ll refrain from attempting to speed this whole mess up.” Burrow didn’t like the smile on that regrew on her face. “After all, I’d hate to get in between you and your crush.”

“Really, Aphid? I can’t make a friend without you constantly trying to belittle it, can I? You said exactly the same thing when me and Morphus were posted on the front entrance.”

“Oh yeah,” Aphid murmured. “He was cute…”

He shook his head and turned back to Mister Growls. “I don’t know why I bother.”

A short growl answered him, Mr Growls fixing Aphid with an unwavering stare. Burrow sighed when she noticed and mischievously grinned, swishing her tail and making Mr Growls look away again.

‘Well, at least she can’t make it any worse,’ he realised, trotting over to Mr Growls before facing the very quiet scholars.

“So, what do we do now? If Mr Growls can feed changelings in his sleep, then surely we can use that.”

“You have a point,” Pillar agreed. “The number one thing we need now is food, and this Mr Growls is a source if Aphid and you are correct. I’d say that we’d be best off moving him into the main cave and rationing what he gives off. Of course,” Pillar stared pointedly at him and Aphid.
“We still need to guard, competently guard, the front entrance. We lucked out this time, if Mr Growls had turned out to be some starving animal then we would have had a fight on out hooves. At this time, we can’t afford to have fights.”

Burrow tapped his forehooves together, knowing that Pillar’s plan was the best for all of them. Still, there was one concern. “Can I still hang out with him sometimes?”

Pillar smiled. “Of course, it’s not like we’re going to cocoon him and just hang him off the roof,” he turned to the scholars. “Right?”

“Of course not!” Transmutation agreed immediately. “We will of course do our duties and attempt to learn more about this ‘Mr Growls’, but as long as he cooperates then I see no reason to treat him like a prisoner.” The scholar smiled shakily at the biped, before looking back to Pillar and lowering his voice. “Besides, he is a rather big fellow and I would prefer to not irritate him.”

“Yeah, like you cared about that before you found out he could feed you,” Burrow muttered, Transmutation directing the smile towards him.

“Of course, Burrow, that means that keeping the changeling soldier who has forged a bond of friendship with him close is ideal. A comfortable food source is a plentiful food source, after all.”

“He’s not just a food source,” Burrow defended forcefully. “Any sign that he’s being harmed from the feeding, and I want it stopped.”

Transmutation stared, before smiling even more forcefully. “Of course, his safety will be our first concern.”

Burrow didn’t believe it one bit, but it was better than nothing. “So, we’re moving him now?”

“I think it would be best.” Pillar trotted around to examine Mr Growls. “He still appears to be cold, so moving him into warmth is a good idea. The only other issue we have is finding him food and collecting more snow for water.” Another glance back towards him. “Since you’re so fond of him, you can be in charge of finding his food.”

‘Great,’ Burrow inwardly sighed. “That’s… fine.”

“We have an agreement then,” Transmutation nodded, before getting up to trot down the cavern. “I’ll warn the others of our guest, the last thing we need is a panic.”

The other scholars fell into line behind him, the yellow device carried along with them. Making sure to keep a close eye on Aphid, Burrow poked Mr Growls and gestured towards the departing scholars. “Come on, we’re going to go somewhere warmer. Now, I know you can’t understand me, but we’re going to be meeting some new changelings. A lot of them. They’ll be just as confused as you so please try and remain nice and calm.” Glancing towards Aphid, Burrow leaned in to whisper in a peach-coloured ear. “Also, I’m sorry for what Aphid did. We soldiers tend to be, well, direct.”

“Nymph,” Aphid insulted, before getting to her own hooves and moving over towards the cave entrance. “Anyway, you better be getting Mr Buffet down to the main cave. I’ll stay on guard.”

“Good soldier,” Burrow didn’t even get a chance to return fire before Pillar complimented Aphid. “Burrow will switch with you at sunset,” Pillar strained his head to look out of the entrance. “If we can even see the sun, that is.”

‘Wonderful.’ Poking Mr Growls again, he made an upwards gesture with his hood and then pointed towards the tunnel. Mr Growls started to get up, looking towards him for guidance. Burrow nodded and took a step back, allowing the biped to stand up fully. The chest of devices was held in one hand and the other was shielding the groin. Burrow cast a final glance towards Aphid before turning to trot down the tunnel. Heavy footsteps and a glance back confirmed that Mr Growls was indeed following. ‘I’m sure everything will be fine.’

“Bugger me…”

He’d understood why they’d gotten him to move, feeling warmer as soon as he had entered the large tunnel. Also Sheila, who he had seriously considered renaming to ‘Hoovsy McGropesy’, was evidently assigned to watch the cave mouth.

And to be honest, the further away the better. Even if she was only curious about his gender, that was still not a path he wanted to go down.

Now, he stood faced with scores of new bug-horses staring straight at him. Boris stood at his side and pointed a hoof around to all of the different groups, chattering away in what was a likely attempt of introduction. Even if he couldn’t understand it, Daniel appreciated the attempt. So far, Boris had proved to be a fairly trustworthy guy… thing.

One of the bug-horses from before in the cave also began to talk to the watching creatures, Daniel guessing that he was some sort of leader. It seemed to have presence with the crowd and was still surrounded by the group from before, the deep voice a likely indicator that it was male. A name was decided, Daniel thinking that ‘Tony’ was an appropriate choice considering the current Australian Prime Minister.

Tony appeared to have the situation under control, a small number of the new creatures waving their forehooves at him.

‘Heh, they’re almost like people.’

Beside him, Boris sighed in relief and patted him on the leg with a smile, evidently everything had gone well. Now that the tension was over, Daniel observed his surrounds with a more focused eye.

Two small fires burned in the centre, the smoke wafting up into cracks in the cave roof. Around them huddled bug-horses, all of them looking almost identical. Some were tending to others, a few forelegs in makeshift splints but the majority seemed to have cracks in the shiny carapaces covering them. Looking down to his left, he noticed that Burrow had just such a crack, although it at least was sealed together.

“What sort of scrap did you get yourselves into?” he asked, more to keep up the friendly vibe than actual understanding. “I know that I’m probably not in Canada now, so… any rival tribes I should know about?” Burrow chattered back with a wide grin, only further ramming home the point that communication was still shaky. “I guess not.” Wondering what they wanted, he tapped his fingers on the tool set nervously. “So, I don’t suppose that you little buggers are keeping me around because of my charming personality?”

Boris tugged on his pants leg and started forwards, Daniel following mainly because he didn’t have a better idea of what to do. They moved further into the cave, bug-horses watching them when they passed. None of these ones were wearing armour or helmets, and considering the injuries and the fact that so far there were only three armoured creatures in their group, whatever had happened had depleted their military hard.

Bug-horses didn’t shift away from him when he passed by, instead they chattered to themselves quietly. A few seemed to direct questions towards him, but Boris answered them all and left them apparently satisfied.

‘Wonder what Tony told them? They certainly don’t seem as frightened as Boris was.’ It was true, while there were many stares they were of curiosity and not fear. Instead of staying with them, Boris led him towards the back wall of the massive cave. It was relatively quiet at the back, close enough to the fires to feel the warmth seep back into his bones but far enough away that the chattering wasn’t overwhelming. After Boris mimed the action, much to Daniel’s amusement, he sat down like the bug-horse had requested. Boris sat with him, chattering away like they were old friends.

Well, at least being in a large cave with a mass of aliens was far better than freezing to death.

“… so these Equestrians have the most magic and love in the known world. Queen Chrysalis thinks that if we take most of the hive and attack-“

“Where is he!? Where is the Chosen One!”

Burrow frowned and interrupted explaining things to Mr Growls, turning around to see what the commotion was.

“Oh, no,” he muttered, wincing when he saw the commotion happening on the far side of the cave. More specifically, at who was causing it. “Not Old Switcher, anyone but him.”

Switcher was the eldest scholar in their group, and possibly the entire hive. A brilliant scientist decades ago, there was one simple reason why he wasn’t the one in charge.

Quite frankly, he had gone incredibly insane.

There was a rumour as to how he had gained his madness. Back when Burrow had still been a nymph, Old Switcher had lead a small team of fellow scholars to investigate some ruins uncovered by a mining team of drones. Only Old Switcher had returned, bleeding and raving about ‘the coming of the end’ and ‘the Messiah’. Queen Chrysalis ordered the entrance to the ruins destroyed and Old Switcher to be placed under medical care. Why she didn’t remove him from his respected position was a mystery, but there were suggestions that they had been ‘close’.
Considering it was Chrysalis, it wasn’t much of a surprise.

Still, Burrow was not pleased that Old Switcher had chosen now to cause a ruckus. Even worse was the way the old scholar’s eyes lit up when Transmutation directed his attention towards Mr Growls.

“The Chosen One!”

Drones and nurses scattered from his path, Switcher making a beeline towards their position with a youthful energy that had long since left him. Mr Growls tensed up again, but Burrow was thankful that Switcher still had the common sense to stop sort of touching Mr Growls when he reached them.

The sudden bowing, however, was an equal shock to the both of them.

“Oh, most glorious day!” Switcher raised his head to positively beam at Mr Growls. “I must apologise for my fellows lack of understanding, oh most wise one! They have no idea of your divinity, of our majestic splendour!”

Burrow’s mouth was wide open, the cave completely silent when Switcher raised himself up and focused.

Then, the old scholar began to sing.

‘Three moons before the solar month’s end, a holy being will soon descend.
Clad in cloth and dusted with snow, with him hope and happiness follow.
A divine rule will then begin anew, and last until the heavens are few.
No changeling will feel hunger, nor have great sorrow.
And in wealth and wonder,
All will hallow.’

Switcher had tears in his eyes, shaking with happiness while he recited the last verse.

‘The strongest reign of changelings begins, and their success and glory will never end.
For with them stands the mighty one, and forever shall his name be spoken.
All hail the Chosen One, most benevolent Benjamin Nokans!’

The silence continued, Switcher having undone himself. Burrow managed to shut his mouth and turned towards Mr Growls, the biped looking back with eyes betraying his complete bafflement. Transmutation and his cronies pushed their way through the gathered crowd, the scholar staring at first his colleague and then Mr Growls.

“Is it true? Are you this ‘Benjamin Nokans’?”

“What?” Burrow finally found his voice. “You’re seriously listening to this crazy talk?”

“Crazy talk?” Switcher chortled. “Ha! An unbeliever I see! Tell me, Soldier, is it not true that he can feed changelings at will?”

To be honest, that one stumped him. “I… uh, well...”

“I can tell from your hesitation that it is indeed true!”

Burrow shook his head, raising a hoof and fixing Switcher with a no-nonsense look. “Look, I’m his friend, and I’d be able to tell if Mr Growls was some kind of god.”

“And I, dear soldier,” Switcher continued ranting. “Am his holy prophet! I, the one who deciphered the ancient tablet of the Anakanukanukanoo tribe, was chosen to serve as his holy translator! It is I who will decipher his holy speech, and deliver his verdict upon all of changeling kind!”

“I don’t think so,” Burrow replied with more force than he intended. “He’s. Not. A. God. He is my friend, I would know.”

“Piffle, you can’t even speak to him,” Switcher gloated, turning around to face the crowd. “Well, since there is doubt in the prophecy, a test is in order to prove the divine!” The crazy changeling refaced Mr Growls, bowing once again. “Oh, mighty Benjamin, if it is indeed you then give the sign most holy!”

Burrow, like the rest of the changelings, focused completely on Mr Growls.

‘It can’t be true,’ he tried to reason. ‘Switcher is just gone in the mind.’

Mr Growls, Burrow refusing to acknowledge the name of ‘Benjamin’, looked to him for guidance. Honestly, Burrow had none to give, so he had to leave it up to Mr Growls to handle. When he didn’t react, Mr Growls looked back and gazed at the fully attentive crowd.

Then, he shrugged.

“There!” Switcher announced with a raised hoof. “The holy sign, Benjamin be praised!”

The cave erupted into excited murmuring, even the other scholars looking towards Mr Growls with newfound curiosity and a little awe. Burrow didn’t know what to do, he seemed to be the only one still sane. Well, he and Pillar, the Sergeant shaking his head with the same disbelief.

Mr Growls was understandably looking for answered, and Burrow felt a small victory when instead of Switcher the next question was directed towards him. Mr Growls had only uttered a few words before Switcher butted in.

“Yes, Lord, tell me so I may fulfil your wishes!”

Mr Growls paused before sighing, looking towards Switcher and moving his hands while he talked.

Burrow closed his eyes and took deep breaths, hoping that Mr Growls wouldn’t take any offense.

“Look, mate, I get that you’re excited but seriously, let me talk to Boris. You’re acting like a fucking pyscho and you’re creeping me the fuck out.” The new bug-horse, dubbed ‘Bugsy’, nodded with intense concentration. “Now, like I was asking Boris before you butted in like a bloody Darwinian, can I please have a drink of water? I don’t care if I have to get my own snow and boil it, I want a single cup of water and that’s it.
So, do we have an understanding?”

Bugsy considered it, nodding with his hoof under his chin. Then, he smiled and bowed again, turning around and chattering towards the crowd.

‘Finally,’ Daniel thought with a smile and crossed arms. ‘Progress.’

Burrow watched, Switcher facing everyone with a satisfied grin.

“My fellows!” the old scholar announced. “Our Messiah has made his first decree!”

The noise in the cave died out, changelings leaning forwards on their spots to hear what he had to say. Burrow winced, somehow knowing that it was about to go badly.

“He has made a request!” Switcher continued with full belief. “One that we must fulfil if we wish to maintain his favour! The Chosen One, Benjamin Nokans, demands… a harem!”

‘A harem?’ Burrow couldn’t believe his ears, tilting his head and looking at the still-confused Mr Growls. ‘That doesn’t sound right at all.’
Regardless of sounding right or wrong, the rest of the group seemed to be seriously considering it.

“I’m just as confused as you are.” He glanced to his right, Pillar trotting up and speaking with a hushed voice. “Your friend doesn’t seem like the harem-demanding type.”

“No,” Burrow agreed while a hand started to pat him on the head. “He certainly does not.”

Author's Notes:

The ride continues, with a 'Chosen One' prophecy and a harem no less (Yes, if it wasn't already obvious this is going to contain a lot of fun at the expense of those HIE stories we all love to hate.)

Poor Burrow is being edged out as the 'go-to' changeling, and unfortunately for Daniel his new 'spokeschangeling' has quite a different idea of how 'changeling-human' relations should be conducted.

Well, it may be getting dicey, but it can't get any worse... right?

Right?

Oh, who am I kidding? We're already in far too deep to stop.

Until next chapter.