//------------------------------// // Betrayed // Story: Hard To Find The Right Words // by Nameless Narrator //------------------------------// “Ha haa! I touched my muzzle, and it took only a decade or so. Alright, alright, what’s the next step? Nothing, since I won’t move due to the damn collar. What is it made of, heavytanium? The only metal which wouldn’t budge after a comet hit it. The world could end, seas could boil, and sky could rupture and rain fire, and this damn thing would still hold me here.” “Should I ask the idiot to take it off when he arrives to check on me? I mean, he’s apparently a sucker for puppy eyes. Note to self - not actual ones. Hmm… pointless. If he knew I could move then he would probably nail me to something. I should let him nail me, just out of pity… and for decent lunch. Maybe as a snack for the trip to Canterlot.” “Did I just say what I think I did? I’m a warrior, for Queen’s sake, not some common infiltrator who has to crawl through clubs to survive. I get my love from the Queen herself or those who she feeds to me.” “I was all that. Now I’m having a minor celebration because I moved my hoof to my muzzle over the course of a morning. Wait… wait wait wait wait… what is this? Another changeling? Now, even I can sense you, don’t pretend you can’t sense me, whoever you are.” “Hmm, can’t even send a mental order to another ling anymore. But he or she… no, defnitely he should know I tried to make contact. He can’t be far if I can feel his presence.” “I heard you stopping and I sure as Tartarus can feel you watching me. Speak!” “Well, well, well, a warrior chained to a pole like a dog. Did you let the policeponies use you so that they would allow you to go outside?” “Such insolence, infiltrator! Don’t presume I would use the low-grade methods of your kind. Now come here and carry me out of this damn place.” “Ahahahahah, good one.” “That was an order, infiltrator!” “And that was a laugh, warrior. I’d comment on the fall damaging your head, but everyone knows you warriors are only good for one thing - to be released when needed, and then put into dormant state afterwards.” “How dare you?!” “Easily. I am out here, and you are a pile of trash imprisoned on the other side of this fence. Actually, just the fact that you’re behind a picket fence a larva could climb speaks volumes about you.” “THEN HELP ME!” “Whatever for? The few of us who have gathered here are having hard time gaining some influence already. What makes you think you are worth sharing love with? You have nothing to offer us.” “I have love. I took it from the police earthpony!” “Oh, really?” *Crunching of hooves landing on grass.* “Oh my, you weren’t lying. Perhaps there might still be a use for you after all.” “Took you long enough to understand, but I knew even an infiltrator would get it eventually. Now get the damn chain off of me and-” “A warrior insulting my intelligence, oh dear. No, you worthless sack of chitin shards, you still don’t understand. I’m here for the love, not you. But hey, warriors aren’t known for their brains.” “What are you doing? Don’t you dare! Don’t you fucking dare! Don’t you… hnng.” “Mmmmmm, delicious, and so plentiful. The things I could do with this much love.” “...” “Oh, stopped talking already? Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. I’ll leave you with just the tiniest scrap of love so you can feel the agony of starvation before you become a cracked, dry husk.” “...help me...” “The ponies will help you, just not in the way you want. You see, once they get rid of you they will feel safe, giving us real survivors a chance to recover. We are the Hive. You are not anymore, you are just a drain on our resources. We will reunite with our Queen, and rebuild. If your corpse is the price, then you can rot!” “OOF! You didn’t.. have to... kick me.” “True. That was completely voluntary. You warriors act all high and mighty, looking down on the rest of us, but you have no clue who does the real work. I, myself, enjoy some good old poetic justice.” “Hnnngh...” “Aaand the last drop of that sweet love reserve is mine. I haven’t felt this strong in ages. You had all this at your disposal and couldn’t use it. I see, I was wrong to call you a warrior. You’re not even a drone now. At best, you’re useful as a relief toy for your pony owners. Did you hear? OWNERS! You have no control, no choice, nothing. You are a thing. If they choose to use you, you won’t do anything about it. If they kill you, you’ll just lie there like a log. And you know what the best part is, thing?” *Crack!* “Such a soft belly. You ‘high-tier’ females look so great when completely broken.” “Auugh…. owowowowowow...” “Oh, I got distracted - the best part? That you’ll never get better. But look on the bright side.” “...owwwww… aah.. haaah...” “It won’t last long.” “...oww...” “Wait, I’ve got an idea!” *Click click click* “See? You’re free. Now the ponies won’t let you out of your cell again nor listen to anything you might have to say, isn’t that great? An almost successful escape attempt. Let me just drag you over to the fence, hang your foreleg like this and the other one like this. Should I break one hind leg just in case? Yeah.” *Crack!* “...hnng...” “No strength to cry out anymore? Not even a little? I knew you were a shitty warrior the second I saw you. Aaand done. See how nicely you’re hanging from the fence? That’s how they’ll find you.” “...useless...” “Yes, you are. Don’t worry, though. You might die in agony, but the love I took from you might save more of us. See you never.” *Whoosh* *Creak* *Clip clop clip clop clip clop* “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE DOING?!” “...b...a...t...” “Get down! On the ground now! Now I’ve got you! Just lie there and don’t you dare move a muscle while I search you, bug!” “...” “Weird, I thought Puff cleaned all the wounds...” “...” “No matter. On my back you -down aand up- go, and-” *Chomp!* “Wha-?” “...kill me...” *Drawing of steel.* “N-no!” “...kill me...” *Chomp harder.* “NO!” “...kill me...” “Hnng. I… won’t.” “...can’t… control… anymore...” “I got chewed out enough. You will get your due process, changeling. I will restrain you if needed, but that is the extent of what I will do to you. Do you understand? You. Won’t. Challenge. Me. Again! Venom or not.” “...” “You’re going back to the cell.” “...” “And no, I won’t even let the damn door hit you. I will keep you safe all the way around the building. I will get you to the cell in the best shape I can. I will even call for Puff to wash you again, Careful so you don’t slide - steps down.” “...” *Door clicking open.* “And down you go. Shackle one. Shackle two.” “...” “See you in court.” *Door slam!* “...just close my eyes...” “Hello, miss angry.” “...how long? Puff...” “Don’t tell any-pony this. I brought a set of lon-ger chains. I’ll just switch these with mine. Here and here. Now I can carry you off to the bed and wrap you in a blanket like a change-ling bur-ri-to.” “...they’ll see it… idiot...” “Well, I’ll explain it some-how. I’ll come later to wash you up again.” “...end this… please...” “Do you need a hug? Every-pony needs a hug some-times. Here.” “...can’t feel anything over the blanket...” “There. I gotta go now, but I’ll be back to hug and wash you again.” “...bring a… knife...” “No. A spoon is a good idea though. And some soup. Anyway, bye!”