/bug/ thread
the hive lives on!
post teh bugs, discuss teh bugs, love teh bugs
19 replies and 9 files omitted.
General consensus has been that changelings are a insectoid species of equine, which isn't a bad theory but not one I agree with. Instead, I want to propose that they are instead a fungal form of equine life. Yes, this sounds extremely retarded. No, I cannot be convinced otherwise. Now let's consider why I even thought of this in the first place.
Let us consider the humble changeling, of which the standard variety and the Queen can be seen in [1]. Let's consider what we can observe from their appearance, and general information:
>Dark colors and holes, motiff seems to be decay
>Fibrous protrusions meant to resemble manes and tails
>A hard carapace that is green for Chrysalis and blue for your run of the mill changeling
>Parasitic creatures that need a subject to feed on, consuming love
>Colony based hierarchy, sometimes compared to a hive mind
>Name is drawn from old legends of changeling fairies
>Most people would describe their skin as chitinous
Let's work through these points one by one and consider how well they play into changelings being fungi.
>Dark colors, holes, and general decay motiff
So, dark colors. A majority of mushrooms and other fungal forms (mold and yeast) are not extremely colorful, due to the fact they don't need to be. Unlike plants which are green to photosynthesize and use bright flowers to attract pollinators, or a number of insects that choose bright colors for a variety of reason, fungi tend to be white, brown, or grey. There are exceptions of course, as the general image of a toadstool is red, but on the whole most fungi are not extremely colorful. As for holes, mushrooms have those a plenty. Morels are a great example, and a few others are included in [2] to show the variety that can be seen in holes going through the body of the mushroom.
>fibrous protrusions that resemble manes and tails
For Chrysalis, these actually look like true "hair" but for the standard changeling, it looks more like a fin. If changelings are to be compared to mushrooms and fungi, we have two options for what these protrusions could be, with one applying to only Chrysalis.
For the changeling queen, it is possible that this hair is hyphae. The thready fibers that make up mycelium for a fungus. Pictures of mycelium [3] reveal that it does look somewhat like hair. But as for the fins on the standard changeling, and even for Chrysalis herself, it's possible that these are gills, or lamella, like seen under a mushroom's cap.
>the carapace
This is one feature that, along with the wings, seems to finely suggest that changelings are insectoids. However, earlier I said that most fungi lack color, but not all. The parrot waxcap and pixie's parasol [4] are two mushrooms that are not only quite colorful, but bear a resemblance to the carapace on the back of Chrysalis and the other changelings respectively.
>parasitic creatures
As previously mentioned, mushrooms are great at decay, but what about being a parasite or leach? After all, plenty of insects make great parasites. However, fungi also fill this role with species such as Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, or the zombie-ant fungus. The idea of mind altering, zombie fungal infections is seen in the Last of Us, inspired by actual fungal behavior. Fungi are even such great parasites that there are species that act as parasites to other fungi. There's no question that fungi have great parasitic potential, and explains things such as Chrysalis' mind control.
There also appears to be some evidence of mushrooms consuming radiation, which makes for an interesting connection for feeding off of love in a world where friendship is magic and feeding off of direct energy.
>colony, or hive, behavior
Fun fact: the largest living organism on earth is a fungus. It's a network of fungi stretching 2,384 acres, or about 3.75 square miles. This is due to the fact that it is a large mycelium network of which many mushrooms sprout from. In addition to the mycelium network connecting the mushrooms, there is evidence that mycelium networks can connect plants to allow for "communication" and nutrient transfer. Not quite the perfect hive mind, but a very close concept.
>old legends of changeling fairies
This is a quick point. Changelings are traditionally a type of fairy. Fairies are usually heavily associated with mushrooms, with things such as fairy rings and the previously aforementioned pixie's parasols.
>chitinous
This is something that has become very popular in fanon, with all kinds of references to chitinous changelings. However, this theory can account for this. The main component of fungi actually is chitin, as they use it in the same way plants use cellulose.
Now, for a point I couldn't slide in as nicely but I think deserves consideration.
>Fungal bioluminescence
Many species can produce light, usually being a dim green or blue which fits with the colors of changeling magic, and just kinda feels neat [5].
Now this is the end for the actual changeling content. But for those of you who actually like the walking pride flags, I have theories for that as well. It throws plenty of wrenches in my plans, but I can make it make a smidge of sense if I REALLY stretch.
So let's consider what happens when the changelings went gay:
>They become colorful
>They no longer have to act parasitic
Both of these can be explained using the same concept, image [6] is a sea slug. This slug, called the eastern emerald elysia, is a slug that eats algae, and then cultivates it, allowing the slug to "photosynthesize." This provides the slug energy, and it's fancy coloration as normally the slug brownish without the algae. The changelings are also seen to eat actual food after they become gay. It is possible they become some sort of magic fungi-plant hybrid that is able to "photosynthesize" love rather than have to obtain it in a parasitic manner. In addition, [7] includes some more images to compare the changeling hive and weird goo sacs to fungi, to show it's not exclusively bugs
>>960Pretty compelling pile of evidence
Feel like it has enough to stand on that if it was spread around back at the time of their reveal them being mushroom horses could have become common popular fanon
I do like the idea though, might write a green on it if I have the time
goodnight, new hive
i pray to the stars and moon and to mother that we may return to our home soon enough
>>2072man its fucked i slept like all day kek
>>4491God that first one is so cute.
>>4494God that first one is so hot.
>>4502>that first one is so hot.though i find most japanese poni art to be inherently grotesque Nekubi draws em pretty alright
still kinda grotesque looking though
Hey, ja0822ck's taking commissions, so guess what he's been paid to draw recently? I'm really looking forward to seeing just how crazy he makes it.
>>5225Did Kassaz commission another pregnant Chrysalis?
>>5095kek
youre the dude that made those from templates, right?
>>5767you should post more pics of your girls lel
>>5959the fist time time my mom saw my plushie she told me there is a girl in your bed
>>5225Awesome. I love ja0822ck's art. He's super creative.
>>6280Is picrel how you got a 2nd one?
>>6281i built another one i had enough material left
my mom tolg me there is no room in your bed for a girl
>>6280>>6287Every time I see them they make me smile, I love those sleepy eyes
Thanks fren
<3And there is no need for girl when have TWO (2) BUG MARE
>>6287Gee Anon, how come mom lets you have TWO plushies?
>>6427it's nice i wake up every day between them
>>6478 i live an hour away from them i have my own place and a job
>>6503Sounds like heaven. Your room is very empty because you have everything you need!
>>6503If i said i wasn't green with envy i would be lying lel
>>6978>>6664the hardest thing to do is the eye the rest of the plush is easy to do. I did not knew how to sew before making them. it's not as hard as it seam
nice job sewing them! they look super good
>>7486Is this weird enough for you? It's certainly silly enough for me. I can post the real thing here thanks to the more generous file size limit.
>Be the Mistress of Manipulation
>The Duchess of Deception
>The Mother of Harlots!
>Queen Chrysalis! Ruler of the changeling hive!
>"Alright, Chryssi, I'm headed out. Be good!"
>The order is immediately followed by the shutting of the front door
>The human has finally left to his pathetic job
>Now's your chance to-
>"Mom?"
>Oh, for hive's sake
>"Mom?"
>You raise your head from its immensely comfy spot on the floor and poke it out from beneath the couch to see your drone's blank blue eyes staring back in your general direction
>"Mom?"
"What?" You bark
>"What are we-" She pauses to take in a deep breath, "-gonna do today,-" Another breath, "-Mom?"
>You groan again and restrain the urge to bury your face in your hooves
"Use your spiracles, Drone."
>"Oh yeah!"
>The drone takes a stance, and a faint whistling can be heard, the tell-tale sign of a changeling taking a proper breath
>"Thanks, Mom!"
>You roll your eyes as you drag yourself out from beneath the couch
>Your drone speaks up again as you're stretching your stiff chitin
>"What are we gonna do today, Mo-"
"The same thing we do every day, Drone." You interrupt
"We're going to play the 'don't talk until Anonymous returns home' game."
>"Oh..." The drone slumps dejectedly
>The sight nearly makes you take pause
>She usually loves that game
"Explain your reaction, Drone."
>"Well, it's just..."
"Go on."
>"I thought we'd do something special for Dad today."
"He's not your father. And even if he were, why would we do anything 'special'?"
>The drone's eyes widen in a silent gasp
>"C-cause it's..." She sniffs and casts her gaze to the floor
>"It's Dad's birthday..."
>You give her a disdainful look
>The human's doing, no doubt
>He's been filling your drone's susceptible mind with the most inane "knowledge"
"Changelings don't celebrate days of birth, Drone."
>"But Dad's not a changeling. He's a monkey."
"Human." You correct
>You'd never admit it, but your drone had a point
>And knowing ponies, he'd be getting love and admiration poured onto him all day
>How wasteful
>They should be pouring all that delicious love onto you!
>Maybe...
>You smile to yourself as your superiorly strategic mind swirls up a superb scheme
"At attention, Drone. I've made a royal decision."
>She instantly straightens up, putting on the most serious face she can muster
"We're going to bake a cake."
-=-=-
>You glare menacingly at the tome before you
>Somehow, through all your years as Queen, you've never seen a script like this before
>Perhaps it's in code?
>"Mom, what's an angel?"
>You look at your drone who is buzzing in midair beside you to see the book, her legs dangling freely beneath her
>You'll have to remember to add proper flight technique to her training regimen
"A what? Where did you hear that?"
>"Right there."
>She points at the book lying open on the counter
>"Annngeeel...fooood...cake!"
>She scratches her head
>"Who would eat a cake made out of angel food?"
>You furrow your brow at your subject
"You read human?"
>Your drone nods ecstatically
>"Dad's been teaching me! He says I'm a really good learner."
>Hmph
>At least he's showing her something almost useful
>You slide the book to sit in front of her
"Read out the instructions, Drone." You order as you use your magic to open up various cabinets
>"Okay!"
>She floats a bit closer to the page, focusing intently on it
>"O-one...cuuup...fuh-fluh-floor. One cup floor!"
"Flour."
>This might take longer than you thought
-=-=-
"Next?"
>"Um, now it says to add the rest of the sugar."
>You levitate the bag of sugar and grumble when you feel how light it is
>Hmm...
>Maybe you could substitute it?
>You dig through the pantry but find nothing suitable
>Something sweet, something sweet...
>Aha!
>You levitate the measuring cup in front of your muzzle
>Turning your face downwards, your body starts jerking forwards, the sound of heavy dry heaving escaping the bottom of your throat
>After about five minutes of this, you finally start drooling out a thick purple slime into the cup
>You haven't had to make royal jelly since your last brood
>How long has it been?
>"Uhm, Mom?" Your drone says once you've finished spewing out jelly
>"I-I don't think you should be spitting in Dad's food."
"Nonsense."
>You dump the jelly into the mixing bowl
"He should be honored that I'm willing to spend what little love I have on his silly little birthday."
>Your drone looks at you skeptically
>You glare in return
"Next."
-=-=-
>You shut the oven door and sit back on your haunches with a huff
>Who knew baking would be such toil?
>"Mom?"
"Hm."
>"Why do they call it oven when you of in the cold food of out hot eat the food?"
>...
>Don't hit your drone, don't hit your drone...
>>9604>"Chryssi! Dot! I'm home!">"Dad!" The drone zooms into the human's arms, the two hugging each other tightly on impact>"How're my little lovebugs doing?" Anon beams"I told you not to call us that." You sneer as you enter from the kitchen
>Anon quirks a brow as you levitate the cake into his hands, the drone clambering onto his shoulders to let him hold the dessert>The final product is coated in black frosting with shaky green lettering that's supposed to read "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" in human text>You had to have the drone write it out>"Did you guys, make this for me? That's...wow. Just...thank you.">Anon's usual chipper smile widens even further>You can taste the gratitude pouring off of him>Close, but not quite what you're after>You pretend to examine a hoof nonchalantly"A queen always knows how to treat her subjects. The real question is if subjects know how to treat their queen..."
>You coyly present a cheek to him>Anon rolls his eyes>"I guess it's only fair, my Queen.">Anon leans in and plants a smooch on your cheek>You can't help but let out a nymphish chirping as the love floods your system with it's warm tingling>Anon balances the cake on one arm and uses the other to pull you into an embrace, making your cheeks flush>Human love always seems to make you act like a larva>"Thank you, Chryssi. Really. This means a lot.">You roll your eyes and look away to hide your blushing"You humans are just as bad as ponies with your...your stupid love."
>Anon chuckles and hugs you tighter before giving you another kiss on the cheek>Maybe living here isn't all that bad >>9617Yes, and all I have to offer is this fairly old video
>>9617You kind of can't have a thread like this, without an image like this.
>>9655That literally reminds me of the Alien movie.
REEEEEEEEEEEE.
Let's save some bugs!
Narration limitations:
- Equus races, like changelings, are potential allies, they are not an enemy for X-COM.
`test`
```test```
test
[c]test[/c]
>>9675use ['s
Aye?
I! (like html, a closing
/']'Bee?
B!For the rest, do you see the word 'options' in the upper right? Choose that dialog popup thing, and then in it, choose heading
I meant helpor green Anyone remember this guy from the old /bug/ threads?
https://vocaroo.com/1dMgGapSoVx7 [Embed]