Family of Chaos (13) (Patreon)

Hurricane Force had lived in villages and cities all over Equestria. But in all the years since she'd taken that name and identity for herself, none of them were anything like Hollow Shades.

The bats did not build on the ground—at least not when they could avoid it. Instead, they built narrow and tall, crowding around the largest trees, sheltering under the canopy from what must be the sweltering heat of the sun. Even at early evening, Hurricane still felt some of that heat in the air, and knew it must be much worse when the sun rose.

"Living construction," Twilight said, as they finally reached the top of a long, spiraling ramp. "I live in a tree back home—though it's an oak. Some of these must be thousands of years old."

"Some are," Nightlong agreed. "And thank you. We're quite proud of what we've accomplished here. In the days before Princess Luna returned, when our kind were still hiding in the margins of Equestrian society, Hollow Shades was here. And the centuries before that. Each generation has moved their stone."

"A proud history..." Rarity said, only slightly winded from the climb. "I hope this... impressive settlement... can be traversed by ordinary ponies. Twilight and I lack wings."

"You aren't alone," Nightlong said. "We pride ourselves in treating newcomers better than we were. You'll see bridges there, connecting the trees. There are only a few paths up from the forest floor, so you'll be wise to learn those. But as you'll soon see, every home and building can be reached on your hooves."

Hurricane leaned over the wooden railing. Her wings opened reflexively as she did, ready to catch her if something snapped. At their height, she should have plenty of time.

The city was built primarily of woven wooden platforms, most lacking railings. Glowing lanterns hung from the trees nearby, or else rested on the occasional structural support.

Most of the creatures were bats, with darker fur patterns and membranous wings.

Rarely did she ever see so many of the creatures together in one place. But here, they accounted for nearly two-thirds of the ponies she saw. Earth ponies were most of the remainder, with only a small smattering of unicorns moving furtively through the crowd.

At a glance, she couldn't find a single pegasus pony. I'm already the odd pony out, and they don't even know what I am yet.

"We should probably go to the house first," the mayor said, eyeing Rarity with her several heavy crates. Even a confident unicorn could only hold something like that for so long before she was completely exhausted. "The property should meet the needs you described. Right near the center of the marketplace, with plenty of traffic to either side. Nice broad windows on the first floor, too."

"Sounds... delightful," Rarity said, dragging herself after them more than walking.

They were already attracting attention. Bats in the air and along the walkways stopped to watch them. A little group of foals took one look at Hurricane, then scampered back the way they'd come.

Those ones probably have the right idea. You have no idea what's coming for Hollow Shades.

"That sounds great," Twilight said. "And I can take those for a bit, Rarity. Rest your magic."

They hurried along one bridge to a wide central platform, strung between dozens of the tallest trees. Between them all was a large gathering place, almost as large as the market in downtown Ponyville.

"Why not use clouds?" Hurricane asked, as they walked. "Would be easier to get something bigger. Easier to build new homes, too."

"Stealth, initially," Nightlong explained. "A long time ago, we decided never to use anything that would be visible from above. That's true even in modern times—you can fly right past the city without seeing it. More important, though—" He tapped one hoof against a thick stump. "These trees drink like camels. Bring a cloud down here at night, and it would be a light mist by sunrise."

They passed everything Hurricane expected from a town—street vendors, music, loud conversation in the streets. Only here, the noise got louder as the night got later, instead of the other way around. That might take a little getting used to.

"And here we are." Nightlong stopped in front of a large building, right on the edge of the square. It had huge windows facing that platform, currently empty and filled with dust. The space within was dark, except for a few old pieces of furniture scattered and abandoned. The mayor produced a metal key from behind his ear, offering it to Rarity.

"I believe you'll be the proprietor of this shop, correct? An independent designer, right here in Hollow Shades. There's already some excitement building about what the change will mean. Could have ponies flying in from all over."

"From... where?" Rarity took the keys in her magic, then unlocked the door. "I'm flattered that anypony might make the trip on my behalf. But I wasn't aware there were very many creatures this far south."

The mayor laughed awkwardly. "We do try to keep it that way, don't we? What Canterlot doesn't think about, it can't try to interfere with. The reality is, there are a hundred villages about this size or a little smaller, scattered all over the jungle. Most cluster near enough to the train to reach it in a day of flying or less, for trade and travel. But some are further out. Quite a few are south of us here, and make trips up to trade. You'll know the type when you see them, trust me. Glide down onto the platform exhausted and dripping with sweat."

They stepped inside together, and the mayor gestured around. "Deed to the place is yours, Canterlot took care of the details. Will be good to see some new life moving through the shop again. Residential is above us—top one has its own balcony. Probably the best choice for you, Miss..."

Maybe she should use this chance to trade out one old identity for a new one. That way nopony could make awkward calls back to her home town, and find out about what happened at the factory. They don't know that was my fault.

No—Hollow Shades was her chance at a different kind of fresh start—an end to hiding, to changing her identity every lifetime. If Equestria knew who she really was, all that could end.

This is the last pony name I'll ever need. "Hurricane," she said. "Hurricane Force."

"Right, pleasure." The stallion nudged the front door shut, lowering his voice. "You're the, uh... reason for this whole endeavor, are you not? You came here to shelter with other creatures who know what it's like to be displaced, disowned, and disregarded. Came to the right place."

"I..." She nodded. Maybe her unicorn companions might not think of it quite the same way. But this was her life, and her decision. "Yes. I don't know how long it will take. I don't even know if I'll keep looking like a pony for most of it. Maybe I'll look like something else, or—"

We could. The thoughts came just as the laughter had, from a voice that was at once her and also separate. Her voice, but distinct. Very easily.

It happened so fast, Hurricane barely even had time to think just how very bad an idea it was to change right here, or frighten off the mayor with her magic. It happened anyway, a single bright flash that swallowed her and washed over the dusty room in an instant.

When it settled, Hurricane felt—different. Her wings opened reflexively, spreading around her. But when they did, she couldn't feel her feathers. There weren't any feathers, in fact.

"That's... remarkable!" Nightlong hurried over to her. He touched her wing, her chest, and one ear for some reason. Very odd. "A perfect, instantaneous transformation. I thought only the Night Princess could bestow that blessing. Incredible."

"Quite the display," Twilight said, nudging her shoulder. Her voice turned faintly annoyed. "I had no idea you could use it so willfully."

"Neither did I," she admitted, shuffling away from them both. Hurricane's wings settled closed again, without the usual comfort touch of feathers against her side. I'm a pegasus, not a bat! Change me back!

But if the strange voice was listening, it made no reply. Even the usual laughter remained silent.

"I'll kindly ask you keep that power at a safe distance," Rarity said, taking a deliberate step away from her. "Not that I'm not impressed—by all means, it's incredible. Yet I don't think I could do my work without my magic."

"I won't change anypony else," Hurricane promised. Though she could barely even claim to understand what happened, let alone how she'd done it.

The mayor took another step back. "I suppose I'll leave you to it. The general store is across the way. If you want anything larger or more expensive than they stock, you may need to send a telegram to the delivery office. Cargo trains travel this way every week or so, so I suggest you send it soon." He nodded to them all. "Oh. City hall is that tall tree at the end of the path there. Good evening to you all."

He slipped back out into the street, then vanished into the crowd. Easy to do, considering how many ponies were now lingering there. They were too polite to press right up to the window to stare—but it sure seemed like every bat and other creature in the market swerved well out of their way to pass the big picture windows.

"Perhaps this is our opportunity to... examine the bedrooms!" Twilight said. "I planned to leave some facilities behind to study your chaos magic. But by the time I finished, any residual power on you would dissipate."

"I've some idea of what this place will need," Rarity said, moving towards the door. She drew the dusty curtains closed with a flourish of magic, then tossed one of the extra keys to Hurricane. "I'll return when I'm finished."

She moved to catch it with her wing—but without feathers, her instincts were all wrong. It slid sideways to the ground, leaving her to pick it up with her mouth instead, and tuck it away.

"Sounds good," Twilight said, waving one hoof. "Have fun!"

She waited until the door shut behind her to continue, waving towards a door hanging half-open. "Pitch black in here. Can't see a..." Her horn glowed, and the color returned. But Hurricane had already been able to see.

"I knew I was gonna look different..." Hurricane began, leading the way to the steps. "I didn't think it would happen that fast. One second I'm me, the next..." She held up one wing, touching it up against her nose. The skin was far more sensitive than any feather could be, and sent waves of shivers down her back. "Weird."

Twilight giggled. "From what I saw, kinda looks like you got off easy. Discord's magic didn't care about rules. It makes creatures and shapes that shouldn't even exist." She shuddered, her face turning slightly green at the thought. Hurricane knew what she must mean, of course—she'd seen it for herself in dream now, and memory.

"I wonder if I can reverse it," she muttered, mostly to herself. "It should be the same process, right? One tribe isn't that different from another."

The unicorn shrugged. "If I were you, I wouldn't push to do too much of that magic at once. Maybe tomorrow when I get my equipment set up, we can try again? It isn't like the locals will go harder on you as a bat."

"Guess you're right. I didn't see a single pegasus on our way in. Should be okay to be stuck like this—for a little while."