13-Meeting a Changeling

Daedalus headed downstairs and exited the building with a wave to Fire. As he had nearly every morning since arriving in Ponyville, he began to head toward the Hammer and Tongs. Not even a fifth of the way there, he remembered that Coal had given him the day off. Daedalus stopped, stumped, and tried to think of what to do. Eventually, he decided to just wander around and hope to find something. He really didn't have any plans for the day.

The viral being walked through the quaint town, waving and nodding at ponies in greeting. Without fail, his greeting was returned. It was simple things like this that made him realize how different ponies are from humans. Whenever he walked down the street in any city before his infection, no one greet another. It wasn't even under the excuse of not knowing each other, they simply ignored all around them.

"Gene!" Daedalus heard his name called from behind him. Immediately, he had a small sense of déjà vu from the day before. He turned and Twilight approaching him from the other end of the street. He started walking to meet her.

"Good morning, Twilight. How are you today?" He asked with a slight smile.

She returned the smile with cheerfully spoken words. "I'm good! You?"

"I'm fine as well. I'm simply wandering around to try to find some way to spend my day. I forgot that Coal gave me today off."

"Would you like to come with me?" Twilight asked.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm just heading over to Rarity's to ask if she'll weave a small bag for me." She told him.

Twilight started walking and after a moment's thought, Daedalus began following. "A bag? What for?"

"I'm experimenting with transdimensional storage spells. I think I've got it down but I need a bag to test it on." The unicorn explained.

My god, its a bag of holding.

"Something like that would have numerous uses, wouldn't it? Well, if it works like I'm thinking."

Twilight glanced at him for a moment, then looked ahead again to make sure she didn't bump into nopony. "How do you think it works?"

"With the spell, it will turn a normal bag and exponentially increase its interior dimensions, allowing it to hold far more than visually expected." Daedalus explained his opinion.

Twilight stopped and stared at him, having to look up just slightly due to his larger frame. "That's..."

"Completely wrong?" He supplied.

"Completely right!" Twilight exclaimed. "You have a strong understanding of the effects of magic, even if you can't grasp the process. How did you know about the transdimensional rift?"

Daedalus laughed and started walking again. "When I was little, me and a group of friends would play a tabletop game. It was called Dungeons and Dragons."

She smiled a little with a light look of recognition. "Are there all kinds of die, character sheets, species, and classes?"

Daedalus' eyes widened slightly. "Yeah... Do you have it here?"

She nodded, then amended her answer. "Well, its similar. Its called Ogres & Oubliettes here and I only know about it because my brother plays."

"Brother?"

"Captain Shining Armor."

Twilight saw Daedalus' eyes light up in recognition. "I met him in Canterlot."

"You did? How has he been?" Twilight asked the hidden virus.

"I'm not sure. I didn't ask. He was training recruits in the camp at the base of Canterlot. He seems to be driven to make his guards the best they can be." Daedalus explained.

She nodded. "That's why he became the Captain. He loves the Guard so much and wants to do everything he can to protect the Princesses."

Up ahead, Daedalus saw a tall building that he recognized as Rarity's. The pair entered the building as the bell above them rang, announcing their presence. Daedalus heard Rarity's voice come from another room. "Welcome to the Carousel Boutique where everything is unique, chic, and ma- Oh, hello darling! What brings you here?"

She had come out of a back room as she was speaking and saw them both standing at the door. Twilight smiled at her friend and stepped forward. "Can you weave a bag for me?"

"A...bag?" Rarity asked hesitantly.

"Yes, just a plain bag. Its for an experiment of mine and it might get destroyed so don't make it fancy. Of course, I intend to pay."

Rarity waved her off when she lifted a small bit pouch into the air. "Nonsense, darling. For something as simple as a small, plain bag, I don't ask for payment. It'll be done in ten minutes."

She levitated a small roll of gray fabric over to her workstation, gripped a pair of scissors in her magic, and got to work forming a small, simple bag. Daedalus, while she was doing so, took the opportunity to look around the shop. He took note of the majority presence of dresses and only a few suits.

"Ms. Belle?" Daedalus called out.

"Ms. Belle? Oh, you mean me! I haven't been called that in such a long time." Rarity said, still focusing on her work.

"Does it bother you?" He asked.

"No, darling. It's refreshing, in fact. Formality is so rare here in Ponyville. Not that it's a bad thing, though. But I digress, you were asking something?"

"I've noticed a rather distinct lack of male formal wear. Is there any particular reason?" The virus asked, mostly just to sate his curiosity.

"I have so few stallion models. Some of my friends, like Twilight there, are willing to model my dresses. There are only one or two stallions in Ponyville willing to model a suit and they aren't always available."

Twilight's eyes lit up as she spoke. "Rarity, Gene can help model your suits!"

Rarity looked over her shoulder for a second. "Darling, that would be nice and all, but let him volunteer, not be voluntold."

She looked back to her work as Twilight blushed in light embarrassment. She looked down and mumbled. "Sorry, Gene."

Daedalus laughed. "Its fine. Ms. Belle, I would like to volunteer to be a male model for your male formal line. I have today off, if you want to start now."

"Of course, darling! Let me finish this for Twilight and we can get starting. Thank you so much!" She sounded out, clearly excited.

Then she fully turned, the completely bag in her telekinetic grip. She stared at him with narrowed eyes. "Are you volunteering because you want to or because Twilight bought it up."

"Because I want to. I have today free and quite honestly don't know what to do with myself. This is a good opportunity to get to know one of Twilight's friends."

Rarity smiled at that. "I suppose so. Twilight, are you going to stay with us or go? It would be a lovely chance to catch up."

Twilight put the gray bag down after Rarity gave it to her. "I'll stay. I haven't had a chance to talk to you in a while. You don't mind, do you, Gene?"

The virus shook his head with a small smile. "Of course I don't."

"Wonderful!" Rarity exclaimed. She looked at Daedalus and examined him before speaking. "Come stand on this podium, darling. I have to take your measurements. Then, I'll start working on some suits. That'll take a few days."

Daedalus nodded and walked forward, coming to stand on the podium she had indicated.

Light shone in from the slanting entrance and tried, but failed, to illuminate the cave. The state of half-light annoyed Daedalus. It was too dark for him to see without any form of night vision. In the same instance, it was too bright for his night vision to kick in.

What little of his surrounding he could see weren't pretty. Dusty, uneven, and cracked stone walls surrounded him and sporadically receded out of sight. The floor, also cracked, uneven, and dirty, making the virus glad that his current form only had two legs. Listening closely, he could hear running water coming from one of the far off tunnels.

He nodded to himself. "This could work quite well."

Using his virus, he sealed off the entrance with a layer of tendrils that soon still and became a flat surface. Using more tendrils, he disguised the cover and completely hid the cave. With the darkness now complete, his night vision activated and he could see the cavern in greater detail.

More than a dozen natural tunnels extended out of the cavern, proving his theory that he discovered a cave system. Rugged stalagmites and stalactites jut from the floor and ceiling posing a risk for mortals and those of the squishy variety.

Daedalus inhaled, taking a long, unneeded breath. Then, he exhaled. A flurry of activity exploded around him as several dozen tendrils extended from his body and set to work. Stone lumps were chipped away and used to fill indentions. Spires of minerals were snapped apart and consumed while the walls were grinded smooth. Viral walls were used to separate the cavern from the rest of the system, door-like constructs being added. When Daedalus was finished, a rectangular, smooth stone room surrounded him.

The tendrils retracted, returning to his body and solidifying into his flesh. This is it. This will be the home of my experimentation and creations.

First things first; to test an experimental idea of mine.

Daedalus walked across the now-smooth floor and stopped at the other end of the room.

Focusing, Daedalus extended several tendrils in front of him and began concentrating. The tendrils formed a shape about a foot and a half wide and six feet tall and solidified into pure mass. Daedalus began the slowly, arduous process of making an empty shell of a body identical to his. Starting at the feet, he began introducing viral strains that were perfect copies of his own.

Slowly, over the course of several hours, he worked his way up. Night had recently begun up above so he felt no rush to work. He felt no need to sleep or to rest. He knew he would be finished before the night's end. Whether it would work or not remained to be seen.

He performed his task slowly, methodically, working his way up inch by inch. The legs were created, then the hip, then the stomach, the chest, arms, neck, and finally, the head. Each were formed from the hardened matter like a block of marble being chiseled. Each piece was made with careful, surgical precious. Daedalus tolerated no errors in his creations, just as a sculptor tolerated no errors in his.

After forming the basics, he went back again and checked his work. He found some errors, little details that wouldn't have been more than an annoyance but his pride wouldn't let it be. He finally added the finishing touches; hair, clothes, and eyes color. Then, he stepped back and retracted his tendrils.

Standing in front of Daedalus, with closed eyes, stood an exact replica of himself. Nothing was different. The clothes, the face, the hair, it was all the same. An identical twin. Ready to test his long-held theory, Daedalus moved away and sat down, crossing his legs in the middle of the floor.

He reached out with his senses, searching the room. It was a skill he wasn't particularly familiar with and it took him nearly fifteen minutes of effort to find the body. When he did, he was annoyed with himself. It was so obvious, like a patch of heat in an otherwise cold room. The virus exuded a sense of motion and activity that little life did.

Having completed step one, Daedalus began the next step. He focused on the body. He thought of movement. He thought of life. He thought of the virus. He thought of change. He opened his eyes. As he expected, a copy of himself was in front of him. Something was different, though.

Whereas it was standing against a wall, it was now in the middle of the room, sitting. Daedalus smiled and stepped forward, excited. He had learned to make more bodies and switch between them! Sure, it was slow, and he didn't know how far he could do it from, but it was progress. If he could do this from a distance, he could put a body in every location he traveled to and just switch between them.

"It could also act as backups." Daedalus mumbled to himself. "If my body gets damaged or destroyed, I could switch to a new one and continue the fight."

Daedalus returned to the wall and switched again, then stood up. He prepared to dissolve and leave, but stopped as an idea struck him. He reached out again and felt the body. He focused on motion, but not of movement or change. He stared at the body, willing his idea to work. After several minutes, he sighed. "Damn."

He dissolved into tendrils and dug up, sealing the hole as he went. Down below, in the cave, unseen and unfelt, the copy's hand twitched sporadically before stilling.

Up above, Daedalus broke through the surface and reformed into Gene Splice. Around him, countless flowers bloomed in the fields outside of Ponyville. Petunias, carnations, roses, daisies, chrysanthemums, and lilies. The moon was directly above him and shone brightly, bringing light to the otherwise dark night. Stars twinkled by the millions, bringing the sky alive with life, just as the air was alive with countless fireflies. The wind rustled the grass and Daedalus inhaled, enjoying the serenity and coolness.

"Are you enjoying my night?" A soft, melodious voice called from behind him. He turned around and saw a glorious sight.

Princess Luna stood behind him, her mane sparkling in the night air. Her coat was so smooth and silky it seemed to shine in the low light. The flowers and tall grass seemed to bend and reach out toward her. She was beautiful. There was nothing else to it.

Daedalus smiled and nodded, bringing his attention back to the myriad of dancing lights. "I am. Very much so. What brought you here, Luna?"

She walked over to him and came to rest beside him. "When I noticed you were not asleep, I became curious as to why you were up at this hour."

"I don't need sleep. It's part of what I am. I plan to use the nights as a way to experiment with my abilities without fear or discovery or suspicion." Daedalus explained, his eyes tracing a nebulous formation in front of him. It wasn't in the sky, no, it was coming from the mare sitting beside him. Her mane had flowed into view and he watched it as it flickered and wavered in the air.

"Daedalus?" Luna called, her voice a little quiet.

"Yeah, Luna?"

"Can you show us what you've done tonight?" She asked, almost hesitatingly. "I understand if it is none of my business, but I just-"

Daedalus cut her off my pressing his hoof against her muzzle, sparking a blush to appear in her fur. "Shush. Don't ever feel worried about asking me a question. I try my absolute hardest not to judge people. Yes, you can see what I did. Can you teleport directly to me?"

The sentient virus removed his hoof and the alicorn mare replied. "Yes, I can. Why?"

Daedalus chuckled lightly. "There is no entrance to where I work. Teleport to me in a minute or so."

Luna opened her mouth to say something, likely to ask why there was no entrance, but she never got a chance. Daedalus dissolved, a flurry of viral tendrils sinking into the ground. He dug down, quickly emerging into the room below where he reformed. He moved to the center of the room and waited.

Moments later, a flash erupted in the dark room and Luna appeared in front of him. She stumbled to the side, not expecting the total darkness, and Daedalus received a flashed sight of something he wasn't intending to see. He looked away for a moment, then became aware of a light slowly brightening the room.

He looked back to see Luna, a small light upon the tip of her horn. She looked at him in curiosity. "Were you able to see in here?"

Daedalus nodded. "Yes. I have total night vision when I want."

Her eyes flashed with something he didn't recognition. Desire, irritation, maybe impression? "Interesting. What have you done here?"

He raised a hoof and pointed behind her and walked to come to her side as she turned around. She gasped as she saw his copy against the wall. "Daedalus?"

She looked down at him and frowned, a troubled expression crossing his face. "Gene, you and Daedalus aren't the same pony?"

He shifted, returning to his base form is a swirl of viral tendrils and the sound of friction. They calmed and soon revealed him. "We are. I made a perfect copy of myself."

She titled her head and one ear flopped down, a perfect, adorable sign of confusion. "Why wouldst thou clone thyself?"

He laughed and booped her nose. She yanked her head back in surprise, a startled expression on her face. "You're speaking Olde Equish again. In any case, I didn't clone myself. That body has no consciousness."

"Then why did you make a copy of yourself?" She asked, confusion plain in her voice.

Daedalus quickly thought of movement, change, and shifting as he reached out with his senses. This time, the process only took a few seconds rather than a few minutes. He opened his eyes and stepped forward, unnoticed by Luna, who was looking at the now inactive body, waiting for an answer.

"This," he started. His voice scared the alicorn and she leaped away, her wings spreading in an instinctual display of fear. "is why. I can switch between the two at will."

"Why would you ever need that talent?" Luna asked, her voice a breathless whisper filled with awe.

He smiled. "What if I'm ever captured and can't escape, somehow? What if I pick a fight I can't win and get destroyed? I won't die. I'm just switch to a new body."

He moved back to the wall and switched again. "It's safety. To ensure I never die. Now come, Luna. Let's return to the field. We have plenty to talk about."

He smiled at her and watched as she returned it with enthusiasm. Her horn flashed and she teleported as he dissolved and returned to the surface.

Daedalus walked down the wooden stairs of the Green Dragon Tavern. No longer did they creak under his weight. He left his excess biomass with his other body under the fields outside Ponyville. No more would he have to worry about accidentally killing somepony through sheer weight alone.

He exited the stairwell into the common room. Wooden tables and chairs were in constant motion as ponies moved around the room, speaking in whispers.

"Did you hear about the Changeling?"

"Twilight caught a Changeling outside of Sugarcube Corner."

"Is Chrysalis coming back?"

"They're trying to take over again."

"I heard that the Changelings are replacing the Elements of Harmony."

Daedalus took note of the information as he walked over to Fire Brand. She was busy serving a couple breakfast, so he took a seat and decided to wait. The virus didn't have to wait long. "Finally eating breakfast here, Gene?"

He smiled and shook his head. "Still not breaking my habit. I just wanted to ask what you know about the supposed Changeling that was caught. Not rumors, but actual facts."

The unicorn smiled at him. "Good to see somepony cares about facts. All I know is that a Twilight discovered a Changeling early this morning. It was disguised as an out-of-town pony and hanging around Sugarcube Corner. It was taken to Town Hall. Princess Celestia will be coming by later to speak with it."

"Thank you. That's all I wanted to know." He said.

She nodded. "Have a good day, Gene. Oh, and don't worry about showing up at Coal's. She left town to visit her family. The Changeling got her shook."

"She came by?" Daedalus asked.

"Yeah. Told me to relay the message for you when she came by early this morning." She said.

"Thanks, then." Daedalus said, standing.

"No problem at all, Gene. Have a good day!"

"You too, Fire." He said, leaving the Tavern. Okay, I'll likely need to speak with Twilight to get access to the Changeling. Let's head to the library.

Daedalus oriented himself and started walking toward the library. As he did, he started planning. First, I'll need to figure out why the Changeling was here. I don't think it would have purposely made itself seem suspicious. Then, I'll work from there. I'll have to alert Celestia of my plans when she comes. Who's their Queen again?

Daedalus dodged around a pulled cart and rounded a corner, the library ahead of him. He delved quickly into the memories he had been given by Disarray. Right, Chrysalis. Invaded Canterlot during a wedding. Likely cause peace difficulties in the form of a Captain and a Princess. Moving on, she supposedly wanted to harvest the love of Equestria. Why?

Delving deeper into the memories, he found the reason. They were starving. Ponies were learning to find them and drove them away. Love intake was the lowest it had ever been before. They were getting enough to sustain the Hive and it was getting worse as the Infiltrators were found and executed.

Daedalus slipped into an analytic, problem-solving mindset as he worked out how to fix the problem and ensure peace between Changelings and ponies.

Solution? Carbon-based plant life designed to take in raw materials and output pure love. Estimated time to create? Two days, maybe three? Previous experimentation with genetically augmented lifeforms reduce creation time. Payment? Undecided. Will decided based upon further information.

Insurance? Kill switch. In the event of betrayal, a gene that can be mentally activated and wipe out the plants, cutting off their food supply. Effectively force them into submission.

Stopping in front of the door to Golden Oaks, he knocked once, mindful of the time, then entered. He walked into the main room and heard hoofsteps as Twilight descended the stairs to his side. He turned to look at her just as she saw him. "Oh! Gene! Here to borrow another book?"

The virus shook his head. "No, Twilight. I want to speak to the Changeling you found."

Her eyes widened as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs. "How did you know about that? And why?"

He smiled slightly. "Everypony at the Tavern was talking about it. As for why, I've met Changelings before. This seems out of place for one. I want to know why it was acting so obviously."

"I don't know, Gene. Changelings are tricky." Twilight said worriedly.

"I'm aware, Twilight. I'll be fine. I just want to speak to it."

She sighed. "Okay, Gene. I'll trust you. I'm sure Mayor Mare will let you speak to it. Do you want to go alone?"

He nodded. "I would much prefer to, yes."

She nodded like she expected that answer. Then again, she probably did. "Thought so. Come on."

Twilight and Daedalus entered the tall Town Hall building and was greeted by the receptionist. "Hello, Twilight. How may I help you?"

Daedalus remained silent and let Twilight answer. "We'd like to speak with Mayor Mare about the Changeling I discovered."

The mare behind the varnished wood desk nodded and gestured toward the stairs. "She's in her office. Go right in."

"Thank you." They said at the same time. The mare replied with a small nod.

The two ponies walked up the stairs. Daedalus was once again grateful for his reduced weight. They walked past several doors, including one that was magically sealed. When Twilight noticed him staring at the shimmering barrier on the door, she spoke. "That's where the Changeling is being held. I put the barrier there to prevent it from escaping."

Daedalus nodded and they continued, walking into the door at the end of the hall. It was clearly an office. A large, oak desk dominated the center of the room. Papers were stacked on it orderly and chairs were in front of it. Several filing cabinets were set against the walls behind the desk. Two large windows let light filter into the room and brighten it.

Mayor Mare sat behind the desk, writing on a paper. She looked up as the door opened and waved for them to sit down. They did and the mayor set her quill down before addressing them. "What can I do for you two?"

Twilight nodded to Daedalus and he spoke. "I would like to speak to the Changeling."

She quirked an eyebrow and asked a question clearly directed to him. "Why in the world would you want to do that?"

"I've met Changelings before. This one seems to be acting out of the usual. Normally, they would never bring suspicion on to themselves by acting unusual. I want to find out why."

The mayor listened closely and asked another question when he finished. "You've dealt with Changelings before?"

He nodded. "I have."

"And you agree to have a magical nullifier spell cast on you to ensure you aren't the Changeling?"

He nodded again. "I do."

She nodded. "Go ahead. Twilight, will you let him in and cast the spell when he comes out?"

"Of course. Come on, Gene. Let's get you in there."

They walked out and just down the hall and stopped in front of the door. Twilight turned to Daedalus and started speaking. "Okay, Gene. When you go in, the door will be sealed behind you. Touch it to let me know you're ready to come out. While you're in there, you'll be completely cut off from me. I can't hear or see what goes on in there. Be careful, okay?"

Daedalus nodded with a confident smirk. "Of course, Twilight."

"I mean it, Gene. Changelings are evil, vicious creatures. It won't hesitate to kill you."

"Twilight. I'll be fine. Let me go in." Daedalus said firmly.

She hesitated, then nodded. Her horn lit up before the shimmering barrier faded away. Daedalus moved forward and entered the room, quickly closing the door behind him. The barrier returned.

Daedalus' eyes instantly adjusted to the room. He glanced around, quickly noticing that it was simply a spare bedroom. A dressed was against the wall, bookshelves across from it. A door led to what was presumably the bathroom. Daedalus turned his attention to the bed and was surprised at what he saw.

It was a Changeling, alright. The recognizable black chitin, porous legs, and membrane wings made it unmistakable. Now, depending on who is asked, Changelings are described differently. Most ponies, for instance, will describe them as vicious killers. Princess Cadence may say they are love-sucking parasites incapable of feeling the emotions they eat. Royal Guards might describe them as cunning and effective ambush troops.

None of them would have recognized the whimpering, crying ball of chitin curled up on the bed. Twilight warned him that this Changeling would try to kill him as soon as he entered. So far, all it did was cry harder at the sight of him.

Daedalus, due to Disarray's memories, knew exactly what a Changeling should look like. This was not it. Where a Changeling's chitin should be shiny and smooth, this one's was dull, cracked, and pitted. The glossy gossamer wings were instead ragged and limp. Its legs were almost more holes than flesh, surprising Daedalus with the fact it could even walk.

Daedalus walked further into the room and took a seat on the edge of the bed. He spoke with a soft, calming voice in an attempt to sooth the terrified Changeling. "Don't worry. I'm not here to hurt you at all."

The Changeling scoffed, although the anger was ruined by the tears, then spoke in a feminine voice, revealing her gender. "You're here to execute me. Like all other Changelings that are found. You ponies are the same."

Daedalus shrugged. "I don't care what you think. Cooperate, and I'll do what I can about getting you released. Fail to do so and I'll let Celestia execute you when she arrives."

Her breath hitched as her barrel jerked and her crying reached a fervor intensity. "W-why?"

"I want to help you, but I can't if you don't let me. Will you answer my questions?" Daedalus asked firmly.

She nodded, a nearly imperceptible movement with her head in her forelegs. "Let's start simple. What's your name?"

"Viridian."

"Where do you come from?"

"Sapphire Hive."

Daedalus hummed thoughtfully to himself, an action that was entirely a ploy. "Where is that?"

She shook her head vigorously and curled tighter. Daedalus sighed. "Very well. Why were you in Ponyville? How long?"

"I was starving. I sensed love. I've been in Ponyville for three days." She answered simply. Daedalus nodded. He had expected that answer.

"It's pretty clear you've been starving for more than three days. Where were you before?" Daedalus asked.

"The Hive."

"Is there not enough food to go around?" He asked, finally getting to the point of the issue.

Her breath hitched again as her tears increased, although no sound was made. "N-no."

"Why?"

"Ponies have gotten better at finding us. We can't gather enough love to feed everyling now. We're slowly dying out." Viridian answered.

"If I told you I had a way to solve your food crisis, would you bring me to the Sapphire Hive?" Daedalus questioned.

The Changeling lifted her head and looked into his eyes as she tasted his emotions. When she felt no deceit, anger, or hatred, she nodded. "If you could do that, you would be a hero to the entire Hive."

Then her head dropped back onto the bed. "But it can't happen. I'm trapped here, doomed to die."

Daedalus smirked slightly. "Princess Celestia knows and trusts me. I'm sure we could arrange something."

Viridian looked at him again, the very beginnings of hope shimmering in her monochromatic eyes. He leaned forward and placed a hoof on hers. "Would you want that, Viridian.

Tears streamed down her face as she nodded. She answered with only one word and a whole lot of meaning. "Please."

Author's Notes:

Beta Read by BurningDusk.