"We found your family," Rainbow Dash said, almost immediately wincing. Her eyes traced the walls of the navigation room. "Elma's family." She took a deep breath. "The 'Boreals of the Eastern Heights,' or at least that's what the village elder Boxer refers to them as."
Elma's green eyes lit up. "You've talked with Boxer?"
"Yup. Totally did."
Bellesmith glanced over Rainbow's shoulder. "You know him?"
"Why... of c-course!" Elma nodded vehemently. "Every turtle looks up to him! We all depend on his blessings. I met him several times in my hatchling years..." She winced. "I... I-I mean... I have memories of meeting him." She gulped. "Elma's memories..."
Rainbow Dash and Belle exchanged glances.
"Elma..." Eagle Eye walked past Props and Roarke, smiling gently. "They would very much like to meet you."
"They..." Elma glanced up, shivering slightly. "They would?" Her fanged muzzle hung agape as she glanced incredulously at the group. "But... how? Why?! I'm nothing but an imposter!"
"From the looks of things, what Rainbow and Pilate did in Stratopolis affected the whole world," Roarke suddenly said. Her copper lenses reflected the green illuminescence from Elma's eyes across the room. "Even here in Alafreo, the population has witnessed several of their numbers turn into changelings. You... won't exactly be a surprise."
"What..." Elma curled her forelimbs pensively. "...wh-what have you told them about Chrysalis and the hive?"
"Nothing," Roarke said, shaking her head. "All they know is that it was never your will nor your intent to ever impersonate one of the Boreals."
"Turns out they all collectively figured that something was up," Rainbow Dash said, looking squarely at the changeling. "The real Elma Boreal should have returned over a year ago. Seeing as she's not one to ditch her family—"
"No." Elma shook her head. "She's not."
Rainbow cleared her throat and went on, "They kinda sorta expected to hear the worst."
"You mean..." Elma fidgeted. "That the real Elma is dead?"
"As horrible as it sounds..." Pilate slowly nodded. "It stands to reason."
"But... b-but perhaps she is still alive somewhere!" Elma exclaimed, glancing at everypony. "Princess Celestia said that several of the replaced ponies back home have been found in the abandoned hives! Maybe the same is... t-true for Elma..." Then changeling's gaze fell on Roarke's cold expression.
"You know this landscape far more than anyone," Roarke droned. "What is the likelihood that a hidden hive would have been found in Alafreo in time for its victims to have survived?"
Elma bit her lip. Her gaze tilted down to the floor of the navigation room. "Not very good. Everything is so vast... so remote."
Silence.
"Elma," Belle spoke. "None of us can bring the real Elma back to these Alafreons. But you have in yourself the next best thing to bless them with."
Elma looked up.
Belle smiled. "You have Elma's memories. And they carry with them the love and admiration she has for her family and hatchlings."
"As horrible as things have been, this may be your opportunity to bring the Boreal family closure," Eagle Eye said. "And for you as well."
"Me?" Elma remarked, blinking.
"Do you wish to be Elma all your life?" he asked.
"I... I don't know..." Elma shuddered, then ran a hoof over her forehead. "All I do know is... is..." She hesitated slightly, her green eyes turning moist. "I want to see them." She looked up with an earnest gaze. "I really... truly do..."
Belle and Props looked at Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow flapped her wings and hovered. "Then there's one turtle whom you should see first."
The large doors to the domed structure opened wide. Accompanied by drifting flakes of snow, Elma pensively trotted through the entrance to Boxer's domain. Her eyes darted nervously between several torches.
"Good heavens," she murmured. "It's like I was just here yesterday." She gulped. "And yet... I-I was never here, was I?" A chill ran through her body, and her carapace shook. "I... I-I don't know if I can d-do this."
Eagle Eye stepped up, resting a hoof on the shape-shifter's shoulder. "It's okay. You're not gonna be alone." He smiled. "Alright?"
Elma took a shuddering breath, nodded, and trotted forward. Eagle Eye accompanied her. Not far behind, Bellesmith and Pilate shuffled along.
Rainbow Dash hovered forward. She paused halfway towards the center of the chamber, turning around to glance over her shoulder.
Roarke stood emotionlessly in the wings. She stayed within the penumbra of the torchlight but didn't move any further.
Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. Upon hearing Boxer's voice, she turned and looked towards the massive shape in the center of the dimly-lit room.
"Ahhh... do come here, child," the elder said. He stretched his wrinkly neck out from the inside of his shell. His forelegs gripped the floor as he leaned his weight forward slightly. "Do not be afraid. I only summon those to whom I extend full welcome."
"Oh great and wise elder..." Elma surprised everypony by charging forward and then lying—face down—to the metal floor before the large creature. "I am blessed by your presence."
"Hmmm..." His old lips curved. "Spoken like a true Alafreon." He narrowed his gray eyes. "Keep still, child. This will only take a second."
"What does he mean by that?" Pilate asked.
"Shhhhh..." Belle squeezed the crook of her hoof around the zebra's forelimb. "Not all the blind use O.A.S.I.S., beloved," she whispered in his ear.
Boxer held his head above Elma's skull. His nostrils flared several times. For a few seconds, he lingered, then spoke, "That scent... hmmm... yes. Yes indeed." His leaned his head back. "I know you are desperate to hold back."
"Elder...?" Elma glanced up.
"Relax, child," Boxer said. "Be that which you feel. There is no fear of deceiving me."
Elma's face was locked in a puzzled expression. At last, Eagle Eye leaned in and whispered, "It's okay, Elma."
The changeling gulped. She closed her eyes... then exhaled. Her muscles relaxed, and then a swath of green flame poured over her body. Within seconds, she morphed into a large snapping turtle with a scar across her shell. A few of the reptilian guards along the fringes of the room murmured in surprise.
Boxer, however, merely nodded. "Ahhhh... it masks the scent well. But not well enough." He smiled. "Over the past three decades, I have encountered no less than fifteen Alafreons with that same scent. A very pungent smell, I must say—some acquired halfway through adulthood, which I used to find quite puzzling. It isn't until now that I know the reason behind it."
"F-forgive me, Elder," Elma stammered, once more bowing her scaled head to the floor. "It was never my intent to deceive you—"
"Your breath carries truth," Boxer said. "But it also carries many other things." He took a deep breath. "Strange, sad, painful things." He lifted his massive foot and used the very tip of it to tilt Elma's weak chin so that she faced him. "Whether we are hatched from eggs, foaled from our mothers, or spawned in riverbeds, we all carry a heartbeat that makes us all the same. And your heartbeat is the most passionate and fervent I've encountered in years."
"I... I-I've been told that it's the way of changelings... the way of my kind to feed off of emotions," Elma said. With a nervous breath, she reverted back to her dark naked form. "We are empaths. And yet... we are thieves, Elder Boxer. We are robbers and plunderers of the absolute worst kind."
Rainbow Dash and Eagle Eye exchanged glances upon that.
Boxer didn't waste any time. "Robbers and plunderers, you say?" He leaned his head down towards her yet again. "Tell me, these friends of yours, have you gone out of your way to wrong them?"
Elma blinked. "Uhm... no. No, Elder, I have not."
"And do they hold any malice to you for your supposed misdeeds?"
Elma glanced over her shoulder.
Eagle Eye, Rainbow Dash, Pilate, Bellesmith, and even Roarke stared back. Patiently.
Elma exhaled, and she smiled. "No. No, Elder."
"Even at my age, I suspect I have much to learn of the nature of shapeshifters," Boxer said. "But so long as they have a beating heart, then I extend to them the same grace as I would to any other creature who wanders into Abinadi, seeking fellowship and encouragement. You are welcome here, child, as welcome as the Elma Boreal whom I was pleased to bless right after her hatching."
Elma turned towards him. Her lips quivered.
"Is there something you wish to say, child?"
A spasm ran through Elma's body. She broke down crying. The changeling hid her face in the crooks of her hooves.
Bellesmith bit her lip as she watched. Pilate leaned in and nuzzled her.
Eagle Eye sniffled, then trotted forward to squat down by Elma's side, patting the changeling's shoulder.
Meanwhile, Boxer spoke, "That's it, child. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Whatever you may have been bred for, know this: your emotions are your own. You may speak honestly and earnestly in this town."
"This t-town..." Elma whimpered and raised her chin. She leaned against Eagle Eye for support as she stammered to say: "I w-want this to be my town. With every fiber of my being, I want to believe that I have a home here." She shook her head. "But it's not! They belong to Elma Boreal! They belong to a turtle that I never was! And yet I still have her memories! I still have her love!"
"If you so desire, you can dwell here," Boxer said. "Until the memories of Abinadi become your memories. And as for the love... there are many on board your vessel that would love to share it with you in genuine comraderie."
"I know..." Elma hiccuped and smiled before nuzzling Eagle Eye. "And I-I'm so grateful..."
"And yet..." Boxer spoke. "There are those here who would wish to share your love as well, if even for a day." He cocked his head to the side. "Would you do me a favor, young one?"
Elma sniffled and nodded. "Anything, Elder. Anything..."
"Would you go to them?" he asked. "Would you see the hatchlings of Boreal at least once?" His aged lips curved. "I have full faith in your tranquil future. A lot of turtles here would be in your debt if you gave them the gift of a tranquil past."
Of course she is. So she'll show up at some point unexpectedly and either save the day or screw it up.
But that aside, a really sweet chapter. I Boxer. And Elma too for that matter.
Eep! I finally made the first comment on a chapter!
I love this old wise guy.
Poor Elma, I mean both Elmas.
I don't think either had an easier part.
At least the turtles aren't all kill the changelings or anything so everything should go well.
Emphasis on the should.
Dammit, I'm paranoid now. Either there's something these magnanimous turtles are hiding, or they are just perfect enough to be the ideal victims of whatever next horror is to arrive.
Huh. So the turtles can smell them. Free SPAH detector.
You know, if I had a changeling twin, that would open up so many pranking opportunities...
I want to believe that everything's going fine, but this bit makes me wary:
This kind of action would not be out of character for a large percentage of villains.
I just hope nothing bad happens. The changelings were the only evil beings hiding behind shadows to bring chaos, right?
No more other hidden thingies that will give all of us heartbreaks?
Bleah, anyway. Lovely chapter.
I am excited to see Elma's reunion with her children.
Wasn't it already said earlier that the real Elma died?
4619197
Presumed dead isn't the same thing as dead.
Queensryche - Eyes Of A Stranger
The evacuation and abandonment of the hidden hives is the biggest problem, given thats where they keep the converted in stasis, that needs constant attention.
Deep sleeper break works both ways.
A turtle who can smell out changelings, that would have been useful during this entire last arc........better late than never
Well, time to go meet the Boreals and see whether we continue on with a changeling in the jury or not.
Calling it now--Boxer is evil and is setting up the group for some kind of Terrible Thing.
The next chapter is going to be real sweet to read.
Wow, some people sure seem skeptical of Boxer. I dunno, I think he's on the up and up. I don't think even IC is that mean, to throw TWO would-be peaceful homes into the woodchipper.
Also, poor Elma.
Its almost like seeing Whitemane again.
Boxer is the man. I really like him. Now, since we have 79 chapters left to go, i'm almost certain that this is still all going to go to hell, somehow.
Great.
So far so good. I think that nothing terribly bad will happen in Abinadi, but that's not to say that this reunion will go entirely smoothly. And it's fairly safe to predict that Elma will be staying with the Noble Jury afterwards.
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4619898
Jeez, we are a paranoid and skeptical bunch. (TBF though, basically nothing from mid-Book-1 forwards has had a permanent happy ending.)
4619898
By the Lerris Scale, 7.9 things could go heart-wrenchingly wrong before the end of this book!
EMOTIONS!!!
4620138
Me too, but I wouldn't call what happens in Alafreo a happy ending until we're well and truly past it. Seems like a good way to tempt our lord and master.
4620121 I vote we use Lerris as a unit of measurement.
I predict a disaster equivalent to two point five Lerrises.
4619125
That gesture can be used in two ways: the villainous "oh, you naïve fool" kind, and the almost-fartherly "look into my eyes – it's going to be alright" kind. This is the latter.
We need one more break chapter, something just like this.
Then we go into Hell itself... Val Roa, to face the Changeling menace that plagues it.
Poor turtling... I wanna give Elma hugs and nuzzles.
4619896 And that name gives me hope again. It's about time for a nice, quiet town with a genuinely helpful and benevolent population.
4619293
Nobody's dead until you see the body.
4620305
The Lerris Scale is a measure of disaster per chapter. One Lerris (1Lr) is equal to one life-altering disaster occurring over ten chapters, or .1 disaster/chapter.
Therefore 2.5Lr = .25 dis/chp, or 1 disaster lasting for 4 chapters.
Science!
4621403
We had Archer Point. Although admittedly they sort of got caught up in Lerris, but still.
Until then, they were genuinely cheerful and helpful.
So many feels.
4622096
No, no, you can't have 1Lr. You just have Lr, like you have C for the speed of light. You can approach Lr like you approach C and come infinitely close to it but never actually reach it. The only thing that can possibly go at the speed of light is light, while the only thing that can be as tragic as Lerris is Lerris itself. Lerris ruined Kera until a few chapters ago. It lasted across a book and over, like, 120 chapters.
yea! Lerris 2.0!
4621403 like Lerris? cuz that went soooo well
don't think Boxer is evil, cuz it's been a while since we had a god/goddess figure that didn't want to kill everyone. I think the last one was Whitemane, but im not sure.
My feels. Although I can't help but feel a bit scared that something bad is going to happen.
-Spirit
Someone needed to tell Elma that. It's one of those things that's obvious to everyone - who's not involved.
4623297 I have an extreme need for this town to be good. Not like Lerris. Forgive me, but FUCK LERRIS. More accurately, FUCK SHELL CUBED.
So far, Boxer has my unquestioned respect,,,do NOT fuck this up for me colon
Ahh, it's good to be on a computer reading this stuff. It means I can better quote things. Anyway, I seem to remember how Elma got her scar . . . and that was because Seclorum and the rest of the gang saw through her disguise. They said that Elma had died long ago, so . . . plot hole.
Anyway, it's good that Elma came here. It'll give her some closure, the ability to move past this country and the memories that are involved with it. Now she can make her own memories, make her own name. It's a pretty interesting thing, being a blank slate of sorts. I hope to see some great character development out of her.
They're using armor piercing, sir! The feels bunker can't stand!
For the first time, we are given a full illustration of just how traumatic it is to be a sleeper changeling adjusting to the real world. And man, is it terrible. Almost none of her memories belong to her, she's confused as fuck about everything, and on top it she has to deal with living in the shoes (or whatever turtles use to that effect) of someone who she simply isn't.
God damn.
6441293 The feels is the only thing strong enough to penetrate the Midnight Armory thus far.
All of the Lerris comments
m.quickmeme.com/img/cc/cceaebe67d07d81268ec6c4d4af586dce539332f0ae46809290e6847e367795e.jpg
I swear to God, if this turns out to be Lerris 2.0.......
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I found one of our Divine Lords of competent commentary...
Boxer is good people.
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Well said. That's gotta be rough. It's a great relief that she'll get to repent to herself for the crime of pseudo-imposterint to Elma's younglings, but damn this chapter and the chapters following are going to wreck the feels train