Far past the Crystal Empire, and across the Lunar Sea, a lone spire jutted out of the ravaging waves like a twisted horn. The remnant of a massive supervolcano, the spire was the home of a relatively secret operation. Filthy Rich, being the business pony that he was, saw opportunity in the form of volcanic silica that resided deeper in the formation. Buying the spire for, in Filthy's own opinion, relatively cheap, he hired the services of diamond dogs to help dig the silica out.
That endeavor was short lived. Due to the harsh conditions and isolation, that crew quit after less than a month, and set off the cycle of hiring and firing that seemed to make his gamble not worth the effort. Then, right as Filthy was about to give up, to his absolute joy two pegasi offered to take the job at seventy-five percent wage. The idea of cutting labor costs, and lowering his bottom line, proved too great and hired them on the spot with no questions asked. Clients often asked how Filthy came across the silica, but he kept both the operation, and his most valuable associates, a secret.
He loved the two hard-working ponies, praising them to the point that whenever they asked for extra supplies he gladly provided them, and now the silica trade was making him richer than he had ever dreamed. It was now those two stallions, protected under cloaks that shielded them from the harsh environment, returned to the spire with sacks on their backs.
Sacks that would not quit shuddering.
“Oh, will you knock it off?” The larger stallion scowled, the pair landing at the entrance to the silica mine. “Once we are down deep enough it will be nice and warm, so stay still until we get there or else.”
The beings in the sacks did as told, the stallion smirking to himself as the group descended into the depths of the spire, the temperature in the area slowly heating up from a mix of torches, machinery, and heating runes that had been placed along the length of the mined out tunnel. Roughly fifteen minutes after entering, they reached their destination, and dumped the contents of the sacks onto the polished quartz floor.
“Ow!” Scootaloo said, her and her friends stretching to get all the kinks out of their bodies. “Did you really have to be so rough?”
“Oh please,” The larger stallion said, a deep chuckle escaping his lips. “That was tame compared to what we could have done. Do any of you recognize where you are?”
“I do,” Diamond said, surprising the other fillies. “But only because of the fact I recognize the two of you. You're Coal Hammer and Iron Anvil, the brothers that daddy hired to mine out the spire. I remember you two coming to the house several times for various reasons, and your cutie marks are unmistakable.”
“Correct, but at the same time, not.” Coal Hammer said, smirking as deep green flames erupted around the two adults. Where Coal Hammer once stood, a changeling with thick, dark brown chitin and an onyx-colored head fin and tail was now in his place. Beside him, and standing a few inches shorter, was another drone. The smaller drone had a more reddish-brown color to his chitin, but had several deep cuts at sharp angles that looked like plates connected over his whole body. His fin, tail, and the gaps in the plates were all the same burnt-orange. Allowing a moment for the fillies to take in their actual forms, the taller drone cleared his throat. “My name is Fault Line.”
“Mine is Subduction,” The smaller adult said, giving a slight bow. “We’re clutch brothers.”
“And we're…” The duo said in unison, leaning forward to lock the fillies in obsidian chains, with the Crusaders getting horn and wing binders in addition to the chains as Fault Line spoke. “NOT your fae godlings.”
“Really…” Silver Spoon said, a flat monotone in her voice as she stared at the pair in disbelief. “So, if you're so big and bad for foalnapping fillies, why didn't you just dump us in the heart of the Frozen North or strand us in the Lunar Ocean?”
“That would be going against our Queen's wishes,” Fault Line said, sitting across from the chained fillies. “She specifically ordered us to keep all of you alive, for you're a key part in her grand plan to restore our race to its former glory.”
“I don’t know brother,” Subduction said, monitoring the various stages for the mining equipment as Fault Line had talked to Silver Spoon. “Perhaps the bindings and such are a tad much. They are young, so their magic strength is far less than ours.”
“As long as those bindings are in place, their hive mind is blocked.” Fault Line said, a slight hint of frustration creeping into his tone. “Thus, they can't communicate with their sisters, which will cause utter chaos as they tear Equestria apart looking for them. Considering their importance to Queen Fluttershy's hive, there is no doubt a Collective Council will be summoned.”
“Which would allow Queen Themis to swoop in uninvited, gloat about how the pony way is foolish, and cause the Collective to shatter. Did I get that part right?” Sweetie said, causing the two adult drones to stare at her with their mouths agape. “I'm going to take that as a yes, and why Diamond and Silver are here is because you wanted no witnesses to our foalnapping, and because of Filthy Rich's ties to the anti-changeling movement.”
“Two for two, impressive,” Subduction said, coming out of his stupor. “Nothing gets past you, does it?”
“Not since my conversion,” Sweetie said, allowing a bit of pride to show. “Besides, villains all have the same basic scheme, but it always fails due to some sort of technical difficulty that they failed to take into account during their planning. Our sisters have to deal with it at least once a year, it really gets repetitive to the point you can practically predict it.”
“Also,” Silver said, nodding to her friends. “Good will always triumph over evil.”
“Especially when it is evil changelings.” Diamond said, but instantly regretted it due to the malicious look the older drones were giving her. “What?”
“Chrysalis, as pathetic of a queen as she was, defeated your sisters multiple times.” Fault Line said, moving towards Diamond. The Earth Pony filly did her best to keep space between her and the advancing drone, but that plan was stopped as she was snagged in his magic. “I can feel your fear filly, question is, are you scared of me or the changeling race in general? My brother and I have been scouting the Crusaders since our queen assigned us, so we saw and heard your little outburst on the playground.”
“I am scared of you and your brother, ” Diamond said, squirming in Fault Line's grip. “My outburst on the playground was from what my parents instilled in me, but after spending those few hours with the Crusaders, I see that not all changelings are bad. You two, however, are, and I will be telling daddy your true identities when we are rescued!”
“Oh, you will huh?” Fault Line said, a devious smirk forming as he chuckled. “Well, it is a good thing that I already have thought of a way to keep you from foiling our plan. Tell me, have you heard of an ichor implant?”
A cold shot of fear coursed through the Crusaders, each looking at Fault Line like he had lost his mind. Taboos were something that ever drone knew from their first few classes of hiveschool, but only as a means to detail just what the punishment was for each. Out of all the things that had been outlawed, ichor implantation had one of the most severe consequences. Those who were found guilty were sentenced to have their wings and horn removed, hive mind blocked, and dumped in the middle of the Badlands.
“You can't be serious!” Applebloom said, a look of pure horror showing on her face. “That has been outlawed for centuries, why would you do something that cruel?”
“I agree with her,” Subduction said, suddenly looking nervous. “I mean, the Harmony Hive is our queen's enemy, but do you honestly think committing that is going to solve anything?! In fact, wouldn't that just make the situation worse for our queen?”
“Where is your loyalty brother?” Fault Line said, spinning in place and scowling at Subduction. “She said use any means necessary to keep her plan in place, so if little-miss-blabbermouth is going to rat us out, it will be as the thing her parents despise. Besides, they wouldn't believe a word she says, because she will be one of us.”
Fault Line's horn then pulsed once, and suspended in his grip was a ruby dagger. Ancient runes flowed and connected from tip to hilt, and was coated in several sticky, dark green splotches. Taking the dagger, Fault Line dug it into one of his forelegs, his ichor dripping out the wound from around the dagger.
“Brother…” Subduction said, looking concerned as he placed a hoof on Fault Line's wither. “Please reconsider, as I have stated, they're just fillies.”
“So?” Fault Line said, pulling out the dagger. A quick healing spell followed suit, and his leg was restored to normal. “The Crusader's are part of our enemy's hive, and the two Earth Ponies are their friends. Therefore, they are allies to our enemy, and under the rules of war are our prisoners. Since our queen said to just keep them alive, she never said in what condition.”
“This is madness!” Subduction said, extended a hoof towards his brother. “Come on Fault Line, give me the dagger, there is no need for innocent blood to be spilled on this day. Our queen may be seen as evil, but is there really any cause to show that she is? She adheres to the old rules, and the consequence for the taboo you are about to perform is in there. Do you honestly think she will give you a free pass? Please, just stop.”
“I will not!” Fault Line said, and quicker than anypony could blink he had the ichor-laced dagger embedded in the frog of Diamond Tiara’s left hindhoof. Using his magic, the runes on the dagger flared, causing the wound to glow an unearthly dark purple. “And I will make sure to tell our queen of your traitorous remarks.”
“Like Tartarus you will!” Subduction said, body slamming Fault Line and pinning him to the floor. “It is you who are the traitor, and our queen will agree.”
“>We shall see about that Subduction,<” Fault Line said, switching to the hive mind as he smirked. Focusing on a certain tether within the hive mind, he sent off a pulse that equated to a bow.”>My most glorious queen, I regret to inform you that Subduction has been slightly corrupted by our prisoners. He sided with them over me because I suggested doing an ichor implant on Diamond Tiara. So, as a testament to your glory, I performed the ritual anyway to show you should be in charge; while also showing Subduction where his loyalty should remain.<”
“>Oh is that so?<” Both brothers froze in place as their queen's voice came through their hive mind, her tone full of malice. “>I have been quietly monitoring you two, and it seems to me that Subduction is the reasonable one in this case.<”
“>B-but…<” Fault Line stammered, knowing full and well that this was not going to go well. “>He questioned my judgment, I was only doing what you told me to do!<”
“>First of all, watch your tone,<” Queen Themis chided, her tone clearing showing that she was shaking her head. “>Second, I never, at any point, ordered you to do a conversion. That was a choice that you made on your own accord, with you taking my instructions and warping them to what you deemed fit. Yes, I did tell you to use any means necessary, and that's the only reason I don't outright kill you. I'm sure you're acquainted with the old laws, because I find you guilty.<”
“>Please reconsider my queen, I beg you,<” Fault Line pleaded, yet a growing sense of fear started to gnaw away at his resolve. “>Give me a demotion, make me clean the collection pits, but please don't leave me to die in the Badlands.<”
“>I’m sorry Fault Line, but I am going to do just that.<” Queen Themis said, the rest of the drones in her hive falling silent as she gave her judgment. “>I give you ten minutes to get here, otherwise I will track you down and cull you where you stand. That will give me enough time to fill in Ferra and Terra in on their assignment as your replacement. Do I make myself clear?<”
“>Y-yes my queen…<” Fault Line said, lowering his head as he accepted his fate. “>It was an honor serving you.<”
“>You always were one of my most loyal drones, however, as queen I have to follow the law to the letter. It will slightly pain me to perform the deed, but it must be done.<” With the judgment cast, an uneasy silence reigned across the hive mind, that is until Themis turned her attention to Subduction. “>Now, as for you, Terra and Ferra will be there shortly to assist you in watching over our prisoners, in addition to assist the filly as she transitions. I see no fault from you, so you are spared… for now.<”
“>Thank you, my queen,<” Subduction said, his now being felt over the waves of the hive mind. “>I shall wait for their arrival.<”
“>Good, and make sure that each are properly fed and nourished, the last thing I need to deal with is a dead filly who I need to stay alive.<” Themis said, but as Subduction went to pull himself back to awareness his queen pulled him back. “>One last thing, be careful of your wander mind you little drone, for I can make you severely regret thinking treacherous thoughts.<”
“>Understood my queen,<” Subduction said, bowing once more before returning his attention to his captive audience. Noticing that Fault Line had already left, he undid the chains on each filly, but kept the binders in place on the Crusaders. “Diamond, I am deeply sorry for my brother's actions, however, he is about to meet a fate that he rightly deserves.”
“D-does it really matter now?” Diamond said, trembling in place as she looked at the incision, the outer edges of which already starting to darken in coloration. “My life as I know it is about to come to an end, so is there a point in knowing if he lives or not?”
“Look,” Subduction said, pulling the scared Earth Pony close to him as Ferra and Terra arrived, but he ignored them for the moment. “I know things look bad now, but think of the bright side, there is so much more you would be able to do after the process finishes. You will be able to change into any species, or anypony for that matter, and can resume your everyday life by disguising as your… current self.”
“That's not true,” Diamond whimpered, her whole body starting to shake from her building sobbing. “It will be a lie, deception, a ruse I will have to cope with the rest of my life. I love my things, and my parents, but I'm going to lose it all. My parents want all changelings banished from Equestria, I will just be taken away as well if they win. No home, no family, nothing…”
“In the hive mind there is comfort,” Ferra said, her and her sister stepping forward. “In the hive there is family, you never will be alone. Our queen is like a mother, gently caring for us and doing what she can to keep us alive, but also firm when it comes to tradition and the rules we have to live by.”
“I still will no longer be me…” Diamond said, looking at her stabbed hoof like it was a blight. “I will be nothing more than a shell of chitin, a bug without a purpose or home.”
“Diamond,” Terra’s tone was soft and warm, surprising the Crusaders that a drone from a fearsome rival could sound so much like a mother comforting their foal. “Look at the Crusaders, other than the fact they're drones, are they still the same fillies you always knew?”
“Y-yes,” Diamond managed to squeak out, burying her face in Subduction's chest as another wave of tears threatened to burst free. “But they're used to not having much, I'm not, anything I asked for has always been given to me.”
“If they are still the same, why do you think you'll become a different individual?” Subduction said, wiping away a few tears that had got stuck in the fur on Diamond's cheeks. “Most converts still hold on to their personality.”
“I think the point that is hitting her hardest is the fear of rejection, exile, and being left with nothing.” Silver Spoon said, squeezing her friend as hard as she could in a bear hug. “I've known her my whole life, and we grew up together, and she always has been extremely possessive about the things she owns. Every toy, every dress, everything down to her silver sugar spoon, she holds close to her. Ummm, I think the best analogy for you would be one of your queen's high ranking drones wanting to live a pony life and bask in friendship.”
“Oh…” All three adults said in unison, a sensation like ice water flowing through their ichor. For a few moments, noling said a word, until Ferra cleared her throat to break the silence.
“I can see now why she is acting like she is,” Ferra said, a small stroke of fear pulsing at the thought of what her queen would do to her or her clutchmates if they dared to commit that act. “However, our queen sent me and Terra here to make her transition as easy and comforting as possible.”
“Then can I have a Coltifornian sized bed?” Diamond said, her coat brightening a few hues. “That way my friends and I can have something soft to sleep on.”
“Um...” Each adult cast sidelong glances at each other, but the Crusaders could tell that they were daring each other to see who would be the one to ask Queen Themis. Drawing straws, and a quick loss by Subduction later, he transformed into an older-looking Earth Pony stallion before teleporting away.
“You know, you aren't so bad.” Sweetie said, causing Ferra and Terra to look at each other in confusion. “You have done nothing but help Diamond, and even without your queen's order, something tells me that you would help get anyway.”
“We know what she is going through Sweetie Belle,” Ferra said, getting each filly’s attention and causing Sweetie’s jaw to drop in shock. “We're converts ourselves.”
“In fact,” Terra said, a mirthful smirk forming at the corners of her lips. “Your sister frequents our place of business quite often.”
“No way,” Scootaloo said, recognition coming to her since the places Rarity went regularly was very short, with only one business in Ponyville being on that list. “Spa sisters?”
“You got it kiddo,” Ferra said, speaking in Aloe's voice as she chuckled. “My sister and I are originally from the Northern Territory, in the Highlands between Manehattan and the Frozen North, but when we were fillies there was an usually brutal winter.”
“Mom and dad didn't make it, and neither did our brother.” Terra, using Lotus’ voice, said as saddest overtook her face. “By the time spring rolled around, the two of us were ready to give up hope.”
“However, we got lucky,” Ferra said, working a massage on Diamond in an effort to get the filly to relax. “One of the village elders offered to take us, and the other dozen who survived, back to his homeland. Upon arriving at the destination, he dropped his disguise and Themis gave us a choice, either convert and join or dropped in the middle of Everfree.”
“Each of us agreed,” Terra said, her mood parking back up. “So, we were led to the pod room and were converted together as a group. Even though we weren't hatched, we saw ourselves as a clutch, and were treated as such. She gave us a chance when there was none, and are grateful for giving us a chance to grow up.”
“I don't get it Aloe,” Scootaloo said, Ferra turning in acknowledgment. “If your queen is against the ways of ponies, then how does she allow you two to have friends?”
“You have a lot to learn Scootaloo, and that lesson will come with age.” Ferra said, smiling at the relaxed sighing coming from Diamond as Subduction teleported in with the bed. “There is a difference between friends and acquaintances. The two of us have many acquaintances not only in Ponyville, but all over Equestria and beyond. Yet, at the same time, we don't have anypony to truly call a friend. The other workers in the spa? Those are a few of our clutchmates, and we are able to have a steady enough supply of love from our treatments to get by.”
“Things aren't as easy as they are in your hive girls,” Terra said, levitating the fillies onto the bed. Taking a look at Diamond's stabbed hoof, she could see the beginning stages of the area around the wound becoming chitin, the flesh now slightly harder and a dull grey. “We don't have the friendship source you have, so we have to gather up whatever love scraps we can. We're our queen's two biggest collectors, but due to the current tensions between sides, even our work doesn't gather what it used to, it is tainted with anxiety and fear.”
“S-so what now?” Diamond asked, idly rubbing her throbbing hoof against the fitted sheets. “How long before the changes finish?”
“For now, you need some sleep Diamond,” Subduction said, levitating a thick blanket over the fillies. “We will discuss more when you are rested, for you’ve had a long day. As far as the changes are concerned, your kind of transformation normally averages about a week, but it does vary on a complex magical algorithm that noling really understands. Also, don't worry about falling asleep, we'll help you go into slumber.”
“So,” Silver Spoon said, waiting until she was sure Diamond was asleep before speaking, the adults’ horns still glowing with the targeted sleep spell. “Why can't you accept the ways of friendship? I'm no changeling, but I am curious.”
“Whatever our queen asks, we do,” Terra said, emphasizing her statement with a slight shrug. “She doesn't believe in friendship, and we agree. Friends are nothing more than limiters, because they seem like they will be there for you, only to backstab you when you need them most. With acquaintances, you have the social interaction without the binding of being friends, so it is a win-win.”
“No, it isn't, and in a way you lied to our friend,” Apple Bloom said, a scowl on her face as she glared. “You tried telling Diamond she would remain the same, yet, each of you are former ponies yourselves. You know the value of friendship, you know friendship is something we all cherish. How can you flat out tell Diamond to her face that she will still be her, when you are no longer yourselves?”
In the depths of the hive mind, even Themis had to concede that point. She hated the fact she had to, but she also knew Apple Bloom's question was the truth.
“W-well,” Subduction stammered, trying to avoid eye contact with the angry fillies. “She is just so young, there is no need to freak her out anymore than she already is.”
“Not only that,” Terra said, a downright guilty look in her eyes. “It took us becoming drones to see that friendship doesn't always work.”
“Oh wow, what a copout!” Scootaloo said, her snarkiness in her tone being more suited for Rainbow than herself. “Sweetie, Apple Bloom, and I became drones because we love our sisters, but we still have friends like Silver Spoon. No relationship, including friendship, is perfect, but the benefits of having those bonds with someone far outweigh the negatives. Our entire hive is devoted to friendship, and we have ponies come to our queens wanting to become part of something bigger than themselves.
“It is the nobility of Canterlot, who are so ingrained in fear and tradition, who are causing such a clusterbuck of everything. They try to make us look bad, but with each passing day the number of supporters they have on their side gets fewer and fewer. Yet, we still carry on with our lives. We all share this land, and even the same resources, so why can't we all get along?”
“That is just the way things are Scootaloo,” Ferra said, a small sigh escaping her. “It is ironic, isn't it? A nation that thrives on peace and harmony is about to be ripped apart by chaos and war just like back during the Tribal War. We all have a part to play, but as it stands we are on opposite sides of the battle. There never will be true peace, there will always be conflict. That being said, the safest place for the five of you right now is here, away from the conflict.”
“A conflict that can be avoided if a compromise is made,” Sweetie grumbled, crossing her forehooves. “So, your queen's plan, how long until the gates of Tartarus open up and pure chaos breaks loose?”
“Shouldn't be long,” Subduction said, a neutral expression on his face. “For the seeds of the next phase have been planted.”
In Canterlot, a noble family finds a note, and in anger demands to the Princesses for their bill to be passed.
In the Badlands, there were six queens.
A queen of blue, with anger renewed
A queen of pink, searching for links
A queen of white, being a heartbroken sight
A queen of orange, wanting charge
A queen of lavender, knowing the challenger
And a queen of yellow, keeping her hive mellow
“Girls, listen to me,” Fluttershy said, doing her best to keep her coqueens from doing something they would regret as she held the ransom note in her hooves. “Revenge is not an option here. We must handle this matter in a very delicate matter, because one wrong move and we instantly lose.”
“Come on Flutters,” Rainbow said, her horn slightly glowing. “She took three of our drones, three that are the closest to us, and I say we hit her where it hurts!”
“Ah’ normally don't condone violence, but tis’ personal.” Applejack said, causing Rainbow to give a slight hoof pump. “She has mah sis, and Ah’ want ‘er back, so mah vote is for attack.”
“Same here,” Rarity said, her tone as cuddly as a cornered rattlesnake. “There’s no telling what those brutes are doing to Sweetie Belle, or how terrible the conditions are where she is being held. I shudder at the thought of all those split ends that I'm going to have to undo out her head fin.”
“Well, at least you have your priorities in order…” Twilight said, taking comfort in the brief moment that showed Rarity was still the same alabaster unicorn that she always knew. “Here is what we know, the Crusaders, along with Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara, were foalnapped from their treehouse several hours ago. It was at this point that their hive mind connection became muted, and it still is as we speak. Only clue we have is a few pegasi feathers that were at the scene, but thanks to Rainbow's and the Wonderbolt's help we can rule out just about every citizen of Cloudsdale.”
“Which is why I theorized the pegasi were actually changelings,” Pinkie said, using her magic to flip through papers of a report. “Then, when we got this note, those suspicions were confirmed. By the process of elimination, it is clear that Queen Themis is behind this crime, but due to us having no solid proof there is no way to actually accuse her in front of the Collective.”
“That's the most troubling part,” Fluttershy said, the others now looking at her. “She knows we have the proof that she did it, but she also knows that we can't formally charge her. To make matters worse, minors are involved, including the daughters of two very influential Canterlot nobles. There is no doubt in my mind that Diamond's and Silver's parents are now going to go full force in trying to exile our species, with us on the chopping block.
“Trust me girls, I am angry too, angry enough to go against some of my morals but I can't afford to. To use a hoofball analogy, the ball is in Themis' court, and we have to play defense to try and win the game. I already have a good number of my animal friends patrolling around Themis’ hive, silently doing recon while we plan our next move. That is why, with a heavy heart, I am going to roll Rainbow's diamond dice and risk it all to secure victory.”
“What are you going to do Flutters?” Rainbow asked, an uneasy feeling starting to stir in the back of her mind as she looked at the neutral mask her friend was keeping. “There isn't much we can do, you said that yourself.”
“There is one thing Rainbow,” Fluttershy said, a slight grin tugging at the edge of her lips as her eyes darkened several shades. “I am putting Twilight in temporary charge, and any actions she makes I will fully support. While you girls are busy organizing the collective and filling them in on the full situation…
“I'm going to Canterlot to surrender to the Princesses.”