Book 1: Chapter 3
Victim to the Sun
Year 0 Month 0 Day 06
Sonic entered the tunnel wearing a full saddlebag of items as he approached Zeil’s pit and spoke, “Hey brother? I got what you asked for.”
Zeil in his zebra form answered as he stopped meditating, “good… is it dusk yet? I can feel the air getting thinner but I just wanted to be sure.”
Sonic flew down to his disguised brother as he replied, “we got about thirty minutes before dark, so we need to act soon. Here.”
Sonic took off the saddlebag and gave it to Zeil as he continued, “We will need to get the cloaks on the way out, but I’m sure I got everything else.”
Zeil looked through the bag at all the items as he replied, “Thanks Sonic, I’m happy I can still trust you.”
“I wish I could agree!”
Surprised by the unexpected voice, both Zeil and Sonic looked to the top of the pit as a greenish aura surrounded the top rim of the pit as stone bars shot out of the wall and closed the opening trapping both Zeil and Sonic inside. With the unexpected magic closing them in, Sonic and Zeil could only look through the bars above as they saw Princess Mira and a number of changelings looking down at them as her horn stopped glowing, “It is a shame to have to do this, but after our last conversation I could tell that your loyalty was fleeting. I would ask why… but it’s obvious by the change in your wings that whatever curse corrupted Zeil’s heart has slowly made its way onto you as well.”
Sonic looked at his wings to see that she was right, the specked discoloration that was all over Zeil’s remaining wing had completely engulfed his. However it didn’t convince Zeil as he stepped forward and spoke, “The only thing corrupted here is you! You refuse to see that the hive doesn’t have to live i-”
Princess Mira interrupted with an enraged tone, “Silence… I’ve had it with your cursed words. You are not an alpha drone to this swarm, you are nothing but a traitor! I was a fool to think you could ever be anything more.”
Sonic shook his head, “you’re wrong! Zeil isn’t cursed at all, and neither am I! If anything the curse here is ignorance! It hides you from the truth, from what Zeil has been trying to tell us all from the start!”
Princess Mira asked with little concern, “and what truth is that?”
Zeil replied with pride, “That we aren’t the parasites the world sees us as. We can be better, we can have friends outside the swarm, allies in other kingdoms, we can even fall in love if we are willing to give it a chance.”
The changeling in the room looked at each other with unsure expressions as Princess Mira saw this and spoke with an angry tone, “Very convincing statement Sir Zeil… however you will not weave words to sway anymore of my subjects. Enjoy the remainder of your night, upon its end, you both will die.”
With an angry expression, Princess Mira turned away from the changeling’s cell as she looked to another changeling and spoke, “You are my new captain. I want you to command the rest of the swarm to focus on the nursery’s construction. It is nearly finished and I want it perfect when I return with Sir Apex.”
The changeling nodded, “Understood your majesty, and the Prisoners?”
Princess Mira replied, “Leave them… they aren’t going anywhere.”
After the princess left the chamber Zeil sat down to meditate as Sonic started pacing as he tried to find a way out, “Crap… I should have seen this coming from the way she was talking yesterday.”
Zeil looked at his sibling, “Yesterday?”
“Yea… the way she was talking about you basically screamed that she was worried you would form a rebellion against her. I could see it burrowing into her mind like some kind of parasite. And it looks like it’s finally gotten deep enough.”
Zeil asked, “Why do you say that?”
Sonic replied, “Cuz yesterday she got mad about me using the word execute since it seemed vulgar. But now she just said we would die… like it’s not any better.”
Zeil smiled, “well if I had a bit for every hypocritical thing a royal has said to me, I'd be pretty rich.”
Sonic nodded, “Ditto… so… what now?”
Zeil replied, “Patience… we need to give her time.”
Sonic asked, “Time? For what?”
Zeil replied, “For her to get distance from the hive… I have a plan… but if the princess is here, it won’t work.”
Sonic was curious, “How much time are we talking? We have less than nine hours.”
Zeil replied, “not sure… but I'll say… three.”
“Three hours?”
Zeil nodded, “Yep… so sit back, relax, and be patient.”
Knowing it couldn’t be helped, Sonic sat down and started examining the discoloration on his wings closer as Zeil sat and meditated.
About three hours later, Sonic had barely calmed down as he waited for Zeil to act. after a few more minutes of meditating Zeil stood up and got his saddlebag as he mumbled in irritation, “Well, I guess it’s time to get started.”
Sonic looked at Zeil, “Okay… so what’s the plan?”
Zeil didn’t answer, instead he just looked through the saddlebag as he mumbled, “I was hoping I could use this later for food… but looks like now is as good a time as any.”
Sonic looked at Zeil actions as he asked, “What are you going to do?”
Zeil replied as he pulled out a small bowl and started adding ingredients, “I’m gonna get us out.”
Sonic was confused, “What? There isn’t anything in that bag that can get us out of here… is there?”
Zeil replied as he held up a seed, “This is an apple seed right?”
Sonic nodded, “yea, that’s what you asked for, but that wo-”
Without letting him finish, Zeil immediately went back to his work as he laid the seed down and started mixing different ingredients into the bowl. As he mixed Zeil looked over at one of the walls as he pointed at a strange indention in the wall that looked like a yellow line as he spoke, “Hey can you chip a small piece from that line?”
Although he was still confuse, Sonic went to the wall and scraped off a small piece of the yellow stone into his hoof as he replied, “Sure, but what is it?”
Sonic brought it back to Zeil as he replied, “Its sulfur… I need it for this mix.”
Clueless but trusting, Sonic gave the sulfur to Zeil as he dropped it into the mix then added a little water. As he mixed the ingredients. Zeil placed the apple seed against the corner of the pit as Sonic asked, “So… now what?”
Zeil smiled as he readied the mix and replied, “Remember those mysteries I mentioned that Zecora taught me about?”
Sonic nodded, “yea… the super power right?”
Zeil gave a sinister smiled, “Well check out this super power.”
With Sonic watching, Zeil pored the murky mix over the apple seed as he backed away and spoke “You may… want to brace yourself.”
Sonic and Zeil backed up further as Sonic asked, “For what?”
All of a sudden the small seed started glowing slightly as it immediately started growing. Slowly the seed grew roots that dug into the ground, then sprouted a leaf, before turning slowly into a sapling, then into a full grown apple tree. However it didn’t stop there, soon the tree started getting taller, and thicker as more branches sprouted out of it and started digging into the walls of the pit. With their space decreasing, Sonic and Zeil backed up to the wall on the opposite side as Sonic spoke, “What good is this supposed to be?”
Zeil looked to the top of the cell as he replied, “Wait for it…”
As the apple tree grew, it wasn’t long until the top of the tree pressed against the stone bars above as the rapidly growing branches started to crack the bars until the bars broke apart and collapsed into the cell.
As soon as the bars broke, Zeil called out, “NOW!”
Moving quickly, Zeil climbed up the rapidly growing tree as Sonic followed closely as the two escaped from their cell and fled the room as the tree continued growing passed the roof of the chamber. Luckily with most of the changeling working on the hive’s nursery, only a few noticed the escaping changelings as they dove at the two in an attempt to stop them. Seeing the threats, Zeil looked at Sonic and spoke, “we don’t have time to deal with them… we have at least a minute tops. Just push through!”
As the first few changeling approached, Sonic had no problem grabbing the first and slamming him against the ground as Zeil did the same with the one who attacked him. As a second one attacked Zeil changed from his zebra form into a bear as he grabbed the attacker and pinned him against the wall of the hive. However before Zeil could use his form’s sharp claws, Sonic called, “Zeil! No killing! You can leave the hive behind if you want, but I won’t allow you to completely betray us!”
Seeing his brother’s point Zeil nodded as he used his massive bear paws to knock the pined changeling unconscious.
Dropping his attacker, Zeil turned back into a zebra as he and Sonic continued their rush to the supply cavern. However as they stared getting close to the supply cavern the ground beneath them started to crack as Sonic asked, “What’s that?”
Zeil replied, “That’s the reason to move fast!”
As they continued the cracks started to widen as small branches started growing through them as Sonic spoke, “Is that the apple tree?”
Zeil replied as they approached the entrance to the supply cavern, “Yep, and we better hurry if we want to beat it to the surface.”
After entering the cavern Zeil looked to a wall where the cloaks were hanging as he grabbed one, “is this it?”
All of a sudden the wall the cloaks were hanging on started cracking and crumbling as Sonic grabbed another as he replied, “Yea, let’s go!”
Reacting to the chaos that was taking place, Zeil and Sonic wasted no time as they charged passed the collapsing floor and made their way to the surface as they exited the hive mere moments before the branching limbs of the tree started to grow thick leaves and apples that closed off the exit behind them. Seeing the disaster they just avoided, Sonic turned to the closed hive as he asked, “The hive… Can they get out?”
Zeil nodded, “the spell is temporary, I used a more potent mix then needed for our situation, but the whole tree should die within an hour or so.”
Sonic nodded, “Ok, well at least I won’t feel too bad about it then. As long as the princess will be able to return when she gets back. So… what now?”
Zeil put on the cloak as he replied, “Well… you’re welcome to come with me if you want. I can always use the co- hey… this cloaks is a little small.”
Sonic nodded his head as he put his cloak on, “Well yea, they were made for changelings. Your zebra form is a little too big for them.”
Zeil looked at his zebra hoof as he replied, “Oh… that makes sense.”
Zeil then turned into his changeling form as Sonic replied to the earlier invitation, “As for going with you… I guess I can do that. It’s not like the princess will accept me back after that.”
Sonic then gestured to the closed off hive as Zeil replied, “I dono… without anypony to siphon love from out here. I’m sure they would appreciate the apples.”
Sonic smiled at the joke, “So… what now?”
Zeil looked at the night sky as he replied, “Now… we head west. If we travel towards the setting sun we will have a little more daylight than usual. Or in this case, moonlight.”
Sonic gave Zeil a dull look, “Yea… by like three seconds. You realize it takes us over a year to fly to Equestria from here… so how do you intend to trot all the way to Equestria?”
Zeil replied as he started trotting, “Well… like this.”
With little worry, Zeil started trotting on their path while Sonic give his brother a dull look as he replied, “Seriously? You’re going to trot all the way there?”
Zeil nodded, “I didn’t risk life and limb to escape from the hive only to quit at the gate. Besides, you’re coming too, so I can tell you all about Zecora on the way.”
Sonic sighed as he started to follow, “Alright… just don’t get all lovey-dovey with her description. Otherwise I’m probably going to hurt you.”
Zeil smiled as the two trotted along, “Don’t worry I wouldn’t dream of doing that. I wouldn’t want you to fall for her on the way. Oh how would I ever compete with the great Supersonic?”
Hearing his brother’s sarcasm made him smile, “You couldn’t… that’s the point.”
With that, the two started bickering amongst each other as they set out on their journey.
A few hours later as Princess Mira and her squad of changelings were flying back with their recovered survivors, Princess Mira spoke to the large changeling next to her, “It is quite fortunate that we were able to find you. With Sir Zeil’s treachery, I was worried for the swarm. Now with a compliant alpha drone, I feel the future of our hive will be a great one.”
The slightly shorter changeling with a sword blushed as he replied, “Of course it is your majesty. And to hear of that pathetic excuse for a drone casting you aside like that… it sickens me to even consider him as one of us.”
Princess Mira smiled, “Yes I’m sure. By the way… where did you come across that sword? It looks like it once belonged to the Equestrian Royal Guard.”
Apex drew the sword and looked at the blade, “You like it? I found it in the desert. Strange to see this here but who knows, stranger things have been seen in this type of environment.”
Princess Mira smiled, “Yes, I would agr-“
“PRINCESS!!!”
All of a sudden, the princess and her small swarm of changelings paused as a lone changeling approached. Hovering nearby the winded changeling spoke, “Your majesty! The hive is in a state of panic!”
Princess Mira was concerned, “What? What happened?”
He continued, “The hive was attacked!”
Apex was confused, “What? By whom?”
The changeling replied, “That’s the confusing part, it seemed to be hit by… a gigantic tree.”
Princess Mira was now confused, “Explain…”
The changeling explained as best as he could, “Well… I don’t know how… but the tree just sprouted from the ground in the bottom chamber. But in a matter of minutes it grew through the ground and destroyed a large number of chambers. Luckily most of us were in the nursery when it happened so it missed us.”
Princess Mira’s expression became angry, “The bottom chamber… tell me… what has become of Sir Zeil and his brother?...”
The changeling replied, “There were no bodied found… so we assume they escaped. We saw hoof prints in the sand heading west, but we’ve yet to determine whether it’s them or not.”
Princess Mira’s eye twitched with anger as she replied, “It’s them… I know it is. No doubt Sir Zeil was the cause of this destruction as well.”
The changeling replied, “If so… then we assume they took a few of the sun cloaks with them. There are two unaccounted for.
Princess Mira replied with an annoyed tone, “What of the damage to the hive… is it habitable?”
The changeling replied, “It is, there are some tunnels that survived so we still have shelter for sunrise, and it can be repaired, but it will take time.”
Princess Mira’s rage easily showed as she mumbled, “Sir Zeil… he spoke down to me, corrupted my captain, and now laid waste to my hive… He will pay for this with his life.”
Princess Mira looked at Apex, “Sir Apex… I trust you can see to the hive’s safety for the time being.”
Apex bowed as he replied, “With honor your majesty… but what about you?”
Princess Mira used her magic to draw his sword as she took it and replied, “I'll see to the traitors personally. It’s time I end this game now, while I still hold my throne.”
Another changeling objected, “No your majesty, Let us see to them. Those two pony loving wimps will get what’s coming to them.”
Princess Mira shook her head, “No… Dawn is within the hour and I wish to deal with them myself… alone. I will teach them to make a fool of me.”
Apex asked with worry, “But what if you don’t make it back in time?”
Princess Mira replied, “If they truly did steal the sun cloaks, then I intend to reclaim them. Besides, Sir Zeil has always been cleaver enough to seek shelter when needed. So if I find them then they will have a place for me to take refuge until dusk. Till then, you will return to the hive and see to its protection.”
Another changeling started to object but he was stopped when Princess Mira’s anger took control as she pointed the sword at him and yelled, “This is an order from your queen!!! The traitors will die by my hoof and mine alone! Any who object will also be punished!”
Seeing the angry and determined expression on her face caused the changeling to back away as Apex replied, “Yes your majesty… We will seek you out come dusk, on the morrow.”
With that the swarm and Princess Mira broke off as the anger consumed queen flew towards the guessed location of the two traitors.
Not long after, Zeil and Sonic were trotting through the desert with haste as Zeil spoke, “See anything?”
Sonic replied, “One sec, I'll see if I can spot something from the top of that dune.”
In an effort to find shelter Sonic flew to the top of a high nearby dune as he looked down and spoke, “Over there! I see a cave!”
Sonic rushed down to the shelter as Zeil climbed to the top of the Dune to see what Sonic was talking about. By the time the one winged changeling reached the top of the dune, Sonic had already reached the cave and was setting down the saddlebag as Zeil saw the shelter and smiled, “Good… just in time for da-”
Zeil immediately silenced himself as he sensed an impending danger approaching. All of a sudden, Princess Mira dropped down from the sky as she brought down her blade in strait down in an attempt to stab him in his back. Sensing the danger, Zeil quickly dodged the incoming queen as her sword dug deep into the ground missing him slightly. Unfortunately he didn’t expect Princess Mira to be armed as she wasted no extra effort to pull the blade from the ground and swing it towards him as the blade glanced off his left side cutting only deep enough to remove his cloak… and his only wing.
As soon as he noticed the attack, Zeil jumped back to get some distance form his attacker, however it was after his cloak and wing were tossed off his back that he realized his injury as the intense pain of his severed wing surged through his body as he dropped to a knee and grabbed his wound screaming in pain. Annoyed that she had missed anything vital, Princess Mira spoke, “You are most fortunate that I am not as skilled with a sword as you… but make no mistake you will pay for your treason.”
As Zeil griped his wound he tried to speak through his pain, “You’re the one… who betrayed her kind… you and your sister. If you continue like this… both of you will drive us to extinction!”
Princess Mira glared at her ex-subject for a few seconds as she replied, “To think, that one as privileged as you would ever say such words. Who do you think you are?”
“He’s my brother!!!”
Without warning Sonic darted out of the cave with his cloak still on as he flew towards Princess Mira at a hastened pace. As he approached, Princess Mira tried to swing the sword at him but the unharmed changing was too fast as he tackled her at high speed causing her to release the sword as both Sonic and Princess Mira were thrown from the top of the dune and rolled down into the slack between the dunes. With the unsuccessful attack’s momentum tossing the blade, the equestrian sword managed to fly down the dune as it landed within the cave’s entrance.
With Princess Mira and Sonic struggling on the ground, Zeil looked to where the sword landed and was about to make his way towards it, but as he moved towards the weapon, he started to feel a powerful gust of wind approach from the east. Knowing what this was, Zeil looked to the winds origin as he started to see that the twilight of dawn was now turning into dawn itself. In the trough between the sand dunes, Princess Mira and Sonic continued struggling as Princess Mira tossed him away as he hit the side of the opposite dune. As Sonic picked himself up, Princess Mira spoke, “Sonic… How could you! How could you let yourself fall so far?”
Sonic replied, “Falling is letting your brother die when all along he’s right… If we don’t change our ways the world will purge us from it like a pelage.”
Princess Mira sighed with disappointment, “So… you are also beyond saving…. Fine… then I should end you both!”
Before anything else could be done Zeil called out, “SONIC! SUNRISE!!!”
Surprised, Sonic looked to the east only this proved to be a mistake as the sunlight crested the closest dune as the light shined over leaving the beam to hit both his eyes directly causing him scream as the combined heat and light did instantaneous damage as he quickly covered his eyes and fell onto his back. With the cloak now under his body, it proved useless as Sonic laid on his back as the light ran down his body burning him while he covered his severely burned eyes in pain. As Sonic laid in the sun, Princess Mira tried to think quickly as she turned herself into a small dog while using her magic to pick up Zeil’s discarded cloak and wrapping it around herself to protect her from the rapidly approaching sun. As the sun consumed everything near the two, Sonic continued to lay on his back screaming as the sun burned him causing him to go into shock and preventing himself from understanding how to stop the pain or get to safety. With Sonic screaming in pain, Zeil quickly rushed out towards his brother as he ignored both his wound and the sunlight as it fell onto him and started burning his back with the intense fire-like heat.
Quickly thinking, Zeil approached Sonic and used his momentum to grab his brother and roll them both over so that the cloak on Sonic’s back covered them both. As his pain started feeling less intense, Sonic continued covering his eyes as he tried to speak through his shock, “Z-Zeil… br-brother?... I-is that y-you? I… I can’t see… my eyes… I can’t see.”
Zeil tried to be gentle with his severely burned brother as he carefully maneuvered him onto his back while leaving the cloak to cast a shadow onto them, “It’s alright Sonic, I'll be your eyes, just… just hold on.”
After making it so the cloaked covered them both and he could carry his brother, Zeil carried Sonic towards the cave as they passed Princess Mira who was completely wrapped in the other cloak like a cocoon. As soon as they returned to the cave Zeil laid Sonic on the cool ground as Sonic cringed with pain as he uncovered his now blood red eyes and tried to speak, “P-Princess…”
Zeil shook his head, “No… it’s me brother… it’s Zeil.”
Sonic shook his head, “No… Princess… Mira… save her.”
“What?”
Sonic waved his hoof in front of him until he was able to grab Zeil behind his neck as he spoke, “Save the princess… s-save… the swarm.”
Although he had mixed feelings about it, Zeil knew what he was being told to do, so he carefully took Sonic’s cloak off of him and looked into the now sunny morning as he could barely make out the princess’s red hot metallic cloak as it sat over a hundred feet away from the cave’s entrance. Seeing what he had to do, Zeil put the hood of the cloak up as he rushed out into the intense sun as the first step into the intensifying heat almost drained him of all his remaining energy. Trying to move quickly Zeil made his way to Princess Mira’s cloak cocoon as he burned himself trying to pick it up with her inside and turned back to the cave. Feeling that she was being moved Princess Mira spoke in her dog form, “What? What is the meaning of this! Put me down this instant!”
Trying to bear both the heat of the sun, the burns it already gave him, and his missing wing, Zeil panted as he replied, “Shut… up…”
As he trotted back, Zeil passed something that spontaneously ignited in the intense sun. As he got closer to the flame, Zeil could see clearly that what caught fire in the heat, was his last wing. Seeing the burning appendage made him sigh as he mumbled, “Yep… that’s my luck alright.”
As he arrived back at the cave, Zeil wasted no time as he tossed the princess wrapped cloak onto the opposite side of the cave as it fell open causing the dog disguised princess to roll out in a state of confusion. Ignoring the princess, Zeil trotted back to his brother as he approached him and spoke, “Sonic… hang in there, I… I think I have something that can help you.”
Zeil grabbed the saddlebag as Sonic mumbled through his pain, “P-princess… princess…”
Zeil searched through the saddlebag as he replied, “It’s alright brother… she’s fine. I got her out of the sun like you asked…. the hive is safe.”
Sonic smiled, “Safe… th-that’s good to hear… so… h-how’s your wing.”
Zeil realized he had nothing in his bag that could help with first aid as he tried to reply while hiding his worry, “W-what wing?”
Sonic coughed while trying to chuckle as he replied, “D-don’t worry… brother… it’s not like the artist lost his p-paint brush.”
Trying to make a witty comeback but thinking of his brother’s feelings Zeil replied, “Well… maybe I look better without them. What do you think?”
Sonic smiled, “Well, w-when I look at you now… it is an improvement.”
Tears started to roll down both their faces as the two chuckled at the joke before Zeil replied, “Don’t worry Sonic… I'll be your eyes for you.”
Sonic smiled, “S-sounds good… Z-Zeil… you mentioned we would go back to Equestria right… will… will you introduce me to… to… what was her name again?”
Zeil replied while trying to keep it together, “Zecora… her name is Zecora.”
Sonic nodded his head, “That’s it… well?… will you introduce me to her, wh-when we get there?”
Zeil nodded as he replied, “Of course I will… you’re my brother, if there is any changeling I want her to meet, it’s you.”
Sonic smiled, “G-good… that’s good. I can… can tell her all th-the embarrassing st-stories about when we were li-little.”
Zeil wiped away his tears as he tried to reply, “Carful… two can play at that game. I have stories about you too.”
Sonic nodded through his pain as he continued, “I-I’m sure you do.”
Princess Mira turned back into her changeling form as she whispered with concern, “Sonic?”
Slightly hearing her, Sonic mumbled, “Zeil… please… leave if you m-must… but don’t forsake our kind. Sure, we seem to be a lost cause… b-but I’m sure someday… we can change for the better. After all… we’re changelings… it’s kinda what we do…”
Zeil smiled as he replied, “Yea… that’s true.”
Sonic nodded, “Yea… it is… hey… that’s funny… it doesn’t hurt anymore.”
Slowly, Sonic closed his eyes as the horribly burned changeling slowly and peacefully passed away. Seeing this Zeil spoke, “Sonic… Sonic?... Supersonic?”
After seeing no reaction, Zeil wrapped his hooves around his brother as he hugged him and started to cry, “I’m sorry little brother… it… it wasn’t supposed to end like this. You weren’t supposed to get hurt. None of us were. I’m… I’m sorry.”
Zeil held his brother close as he cried for his loss. Seeing this tragic sight, Princess Mira felt pity as she tried to think of something to say. After a few seconds of thinking, Princess Mira spoke, “Sir Zeil… I…”
All of a sudden, something snapped in Zeil as he slowly laid Sonic on the ground and looked over his body. Trying to comfort him, Princess Mira tried to continue, “Words cannot express how deeply so-”
“Shut up…”
Hearing the rage filled voice, Princess Mira silenced herself as Zeil slowly turned his head to look at her out the corner of his eye. But as he did something seemed strange, all of a sudden a dark and terrifying chill ran down her spine as his rage filled gaze seemed to freeze her body in fear. Too terrified to move, Princess Mira said nothing as Zeil turned his head to the cave entrance as he narrowed his eyes on the Equestrian sword that laid with the hilt in the shadow, and the now red hot blade in the sun. Seeing this, Zeil trotted towards the discarded weapon as he reached down and picked up the sward as he looked into the blade that was heated by the sunlight all the while ignoring the heat in the hilt, his burns from the sun, and his missing wing which was now bleeding much less than before.
Princess Mira started stepping back from Zeil as he continued to look into the red hot blade and spoke with a casual tone, “Your majesty… have you ever wondered why I, an alpha drone ever chose to be friends with a simple worker changeling like Supersonic?”
Princess Mira didn’t answer, instead she only watched in worry as Zeil turned to her and started approaching as he continued, “Because I didn’t want to be a drone… so I tried to pass the fame to another who deserved it more.”
As he got closer, Princess Mira backed away as Zeil continued, “I never asked to be treated differently… I never wanted more privilege then the rest of the hive… I never even wanted to be a king… but you and your sister didn’t care, did you? Day by day you pampered us, spoiled us, and treated us better while completely ignoring the rest of the swarm. Ignoring changelings who deserved it more… changelings like my brother.”
As she continued backing up, it wasn’t long before Princess Mira found herself against the back wall of the cave as she spoke, “Wh-what are you going to do?...”
Zeil stopped in front of her as he replied, “I’m going to show you just how determined I am do fulfill his request.”
Filled with rage, Zeil raised the red hot blade up, then quickly turned it around as he pressed it against his bleeding wound where his wing once sat as the searing pain caused him to scream in anger as Princess Mira covered her ears and cringed her eyes in fear. As soon as he was sure the wound was closed, Zeil dropped the blade in pain as the chiming sound of it hitting the ground was barely overshadowed by his deep breathing as he dropped to a knee and tried to endure his pain.
With Zeil momentarily neutralized, Princess Mira quickly rushed passed him and towards the cave’s exit as she stopped just before the sunlight and turned to Zeil in worry, “S-Sir Zeil please, I… I didn’t want this to end as it did… I-I only…”
Zeil continued breathing deeply as he picked himself back onto his hooves, picked up the sword, and looked at her with a look that scared her even more, “I know… you only wanted do what was best for the swarm right?... for your subjects and… your throne.”
With the terrifyingly casual tone, Zeil started trotting towards her as she tried to reason with him, “I… I didn’t want blood to be spilled, I swear I didn’t… I I…”
As Zeil approached, Princess Mira leaned against the closest cave wall as she tried to make the decision of staying there and facing his fury, or running into the sun light to test her luck. As he approached Zeil continued, “What you say doesn’t matter anymore… truth of it is… Sonic is now gone… and… nothing will bring him back.”
Princess Mira Leaned completely against the wall as she spoke with fear, “p-please Sir Zeil… please… mercy…”
In a fit of anger, Zeil reared back his blade and thrusted toward the princess as she closed her eyes in to brace herself for what happens next.
All of a sudden the blade dug into the wall next to her head while parting and singing her pink mane as Zeil sighed “no… I should honor him by… fulfilling his last request.”
With a careless tone, Zeil released the blade as he left it in the wall, turned away from Princess Mira, and spoke, “After you imprisoned us… He wouldn’t let me hurt any changelings while escaping. After you tried to kill us, he wanted to ensure the swarm’s future. After everything you’ve done… he… Captain Supersonic remained loyal to the very end. He’s the reason I saved you from the sun… and if I kill you now… then I’m no better then you.”
Princess Mira stopped leaning against the wall as she replied, “he… he d-”
“Your alive because of him… but if you want to remain that way, I'd suggest you keep quiet till sunset.”
Nervous by his threat, Princess Mira silenced herself as Zeil trotted to Sonic’s body and used both sun cloaks to wrap his body for burial. With the cave as tense as the heat outside, Zeil and Princess Mira kept distance from one another as they both found spots in the cave to lay down and rest.
As the day preceded, both Zeil and Princess Mira found it difficult to fall asleep, however it wasn’t the heat that kept Princess Mira awake, it was fear. She didn’t understand it, every creature in the world gives off an aura that help changelings identify other species, making it easier for them to mimic them and identify their own in disguise. But the aura that Zeil gave off moments ago was neither changeling nor zebra. She didn’t know what she sensed, but whatever it was, it was evil, despite the mercy he showed afterwards. Trying to forget her worries, Princess Mira closed her eyes and continued breathing deeply to tolerate the heat. However as she did, she started to hear movement in the cave as she cringed in worry that the dark creature she sensed was returning to finish its task. However her worries subsided as she heard the sound of a hallow object fall in front of her as she heard Zeil speak with only one word, “Here…”
Confused Princess Mira opened her eyes as she saw a canteen sitting in front of her as Zeil trotted back to where he was before and laid back down. As she sat up Princess Mira felt hesitant as she spoke, “A-are you certai-”
Zeil replied as he looked at her, “If you don’t drink anything then your body will go into shock while you sleep. Then, you will die. At least if your somewhat hydrated you will make it to morning.”
Princess Mira felt like she should decline the offer, but seeing that he was showing some sort of compassion despite the earlier events, she decided to accept his offer as she picked up the canteen and replied, “Thank you… Sir Zeil.”
Zeil replied with a disrespectful tone, “Thank Sonic…”
Feeling too ashamed to reply, Princess Mira took a drink of the water, then closed the canteen as she used her magic to give it back to Zeil on the other side of the cave.
After he retrieved his canteen, there was an awkward moment of silence between the two until Zeil sighed and broke the silence, “you know… he… was the older brother.”
Princess Mira gave Zeil a confused look as he continued, “He hatched almost two hours before I did… but… he still always called me the older brother.” He smiled, “Big Brother Drone… that’s what he would always say… I bet… he called me that knowing that I would always look out for him. Since… I was the drone, I always helped him stand out from the rest of the workers… I recommended him for tasks, and mentioned him when recognition was given… but in the end… he was a worker… and…” he looked at Princess Mira with an accusing stare, “you and your sister constantly reminded him.”
With anger, Zeil looked back at the ground as he sighed, “I wonder… if he were the drone… would he be alive… and I dead?... or… would we both be alive… and I on my way back to Equestria. I guess… we’ll never know.”
With no intention on hearing any sort of reply from Princess Mira, Zeil laid back down and went to sleep as the guilt fill princess laid down and tried to do the same.
Hours later, Princess Mira was woken by noise as she opened her eyes to see that dusk was already upon them as Zeil took out a mixing bowl from his saddlebag and started to dig a hole closer to the entrance of the cave. As she watched him, Princess Mira sat up as Zeil noticed her and spoke while continuing to work, “The sun’s down now… if you want you can leave… I don’t care.”
Princess Mira looked out into the desert then back as she asked, “But… what about you?”
Zeil replied as he continued working, “Don’t worry about me… once I’m done here… I'll be gone and you can forget I was ever here. You can go back to your life and live happily with your subjects and your drone.”
Princess Mira was still concerned as she looked at the shape of the hole he was digging and asked, “Is this… for Sonic?”
Zeil nodded, “I can’t take him with me… but I can’t leave him here either. If anything, I’m going to give him a proper burial, I owe him much more, but this is all I can do.”
As he dig, the walls of the hole started sliding into the grave as Princess Mira used her magic to stop the dirt as she replied, “I shall help… I cannot do much… but I should still honor him however I can.”
Although he didn’t want to ask her for help, he still needed it as Zeil replied with a slightly disrespectful tone, “Do what you want…”
Feeling his pain in his tone, Princess Mira hesitated slightly as she started helping Zeil dig the grave. With both of them working, the grave didn’t take too long to finish as they placed Sonic inside and buried him. As soon as he was completely buried, Zeil patted down the last bit of dirt as Princess Mira used her magic to pull the still stuck sword from the cave wall and stick it into the ground barely and inch above the still loose soil. Seeing the makeshift tombstone Zeil looked upon the grave as he spoke, “Don’t worry Sonic, I'll be sure to tell Zecora all about you. She’ll know you, and how you helped me, I promise.”
Feeling she needed to say a few words too, Princess Mira spoke, “Supersonic of the Black Sand… please know that not only have I misjudged your brother… but I overlook the loyalty and dedication that you’ve demonstrated all these years. For this… with your brother as my witness, I hereby place this burial plot as a landmark for all changelings to admire. You are the true example of what every queen needs more then all else. Loyal and hardworking subjects. I only wish I could have seen it sooner.”
Surprised, but not showing it, Zeil looked at Princess Mira, then back at the grave as he ignored her words and spoke, “Goodbye brother… now… you can watch over me.”
With that, Zeil put on the saddlebag as he turned to leave the cave as he spoke to Princess Mira with a disrespectful tone, “Good by Princess, Have fun with your hive.”
Princess Mira felt his anger was justified as she only nodded her head as Zeil turned and left the cave, however he had only taken a few steps outside the cave before a swarm of changelings flew overhead then landed around him cutting off all means of escape. As they all stood at the ready Apex landing right in front of him as he spoke, “Surrender now traitor you have nowhere to g-”
“SIR APEX!!!”
Nervous Apex looked passed Zeil at the Princess Mira as she commanded with an angry expression, “Clear the way and let him pass!”
Apex tried to respond, “But your majesty! He betrayed the sw-”
She interrupted him as she started trotting towards Zeil, “He did no such thing… in fact he demonstrated his position as an alpha drone by attempting to guide us on a better path for not only our hive, but our species entirely. Now do as I say… and step aside.”
Hearing the angry tone in her voice, Apex stepped out of Zeil’s way as the changelings surrounding them cleared a path as Princess Mira spoke, “Sir Zeil… I sincerely apologies for what’s happened, and I will allow you to leave without objection, but… despite your determination, I would be an inferior ruler, if I did not ask at least one last time… Would you accept to stay here and rule the Black Sand Hive as my king?”
Although he didn’t say anything Zeil still looked at Princess Mira as she explained, “With Apex here, I no longer need you to ensure the hive’s future, however, a good king doesn’t need to be just an alpha drone. He needs to share the wisdom to ensure the future survival of the swarm.I know that if you accept, the future of not just our swarm, but th entire changeling race will be filled with prosperity for our kind, and the rest of the world. So… will you stay here?... with me?”
With that, the entire swarm of changelings started whispering to one another in confusion of the offer. But despite their mixed opinions, Zeil had his mind set as he replied, “I can’t say with all due respect, but I will apologies that I must decline your offer. I told you before, that the reason I’m leaving is because I’m in love with another. So… I have to get back to her, no matter what.”
Disappointed in his answer, Princess Mira sighed as she replied, “I understand… your heart belongs to another, and I can only respect your wishes. So… know that when you leave here, you leave with the support of the Black Sand Hive. I can only wish you luck in your journey… but… please… do not let my actions sway your confidence in our kind. In the end… you are still a changeling, and… I hope you won’t forget where you come from.”
Zeil shook his head as he turned away and replied, “That makes one of us.”
With a cold tone, Zeil turned away and started trotting through the opened path as Apex spoke, “Your majesty? Are you going to let him talk to you like that? We should show him his place while we still ca-”
Princess Mira interrupted, “it’s those actions that started this whole mess in the first place. If I had just listened, then… perhaps we could have spared his brother’s life.”
Apex looked to the cave and saw the grave as he replied, “for a traitor he go-”
“Hold your tongue! You do not have the right to speak of either of them in such a way!”
Worried, Apex silenced himself as Princess Mira looked to Zeil and spoke, “Besides, Something tells me… that this journey, is going to be the least of Sir Zeil’s concerns… I only pray… that I’m wrong.”
Thousands of miles away in Ponyville Twilight sat in her library reading a book, as Spike entered the room, “Hey Twilight, I got a scroll from Shining Armor here.”
Twilight looked up as she replied, “Oh, thank you spike, do you mind reading it for me… I’m a little focused on this page and I don’t want to lose my place.”
Spike gave her a funny look, “So… you want me to read, while you read something else?”
Twilight nodded, “Yep whenever you’re ready.”
Spike shrugged his shoulders as he opened the scroll, “Um… Alright then.” He cleared his throat, “Dear Twilly… I’m afraid I have some bad news regarding your request about that changeling from the Everfree Forest. I sent a squad of ponies to the Land of the Black Sand but they ran into a Princess Mira while they were there. She is the changeling in charge of the hive there and she is holding a lot of hostility towards ponies. The guards did ask if she knew him, but according to her, there isn’t a changeling in her kingdom with the name Zine. So in light of the situation I’m going to call off the se-“
“WHAT?”
All of a sudden, Twilight used her magic to pull the scroll out of Spikes claws as she held it up in front of her and finished, “-call off the search. Princess Mira threatened the guards that she would not allow any more to come searching, and I can’t risk the lives of my guards for a changeling who may or may not be there. So… I’m sorry, but we may have to face facts that he is gone. I hope your friend isn’t too broken up about it, but there isn’t anything I can do. Sincerely, Shining Armor, your BBBFF”
Twilight lowered the scroll as she put her hoof on her head in worry, “oh no… what am I going to tell Zecora?”
Spike replied, “Well… we might have to tell her the truth… by the way… who is Zine again?”
Twilight shook her head as she replied, “he’s a good friend of Zecora’s and… she will be broken up that we couldn’t find him.”
Spike asked, “What are you going to do?”
Twilight sighed in disappointment as she replied, “there is nothing I can do… if the changelings in the land of the Black Sand are hostile, then we can’t risk the kingdoms safety by stating a fight with them. All we can do, is tell her the truth. We couldn’t find Zine.”