~Prologue.~
“Once before known time, in the magical land that would become Equestria, three sisters were born under a cursed moon. Cursed to not be of pony origin rather forever dooming them to feed off of the native pony inhabits’ emotions. The sisters became known as the first changelings in pre-Equestrian history. Queen Ayana, Queen Vendalia and Queen Enid, all of different paths and mindsets.
The first sister, Vendalia, wanted to grow her newly formed hive, The Xenica Hive, a hive of green mountain-dwelling changelings with the ability to cocoon any creature.
Her younger sister, Enid, wanted a singular line of descendants in her own hive, The Enigma Hive, changelings of river and forest with the ability to naturally blend in despite their lavender colouration.
Queen Ayana grew her own Hive known as the Libellua Hive, a Hive of red desert-dwelling changelings, with murderous yet peaceful tendencies.
Both Enid and Ayana’s Hives ended up with a fatal ending to their paths. With the birth of Vendalia’s daughter, Narcissa, the betrayal and cold war between the Hives grew.
Years and centuries past, the biological line of changelings continued until it reached Narcissa’s grand-daughter.
One unfortunate yet unhistorical day for pony-kind, a young Queen murdered her mother, gaining the throne and mounting a civil war against the two other Queens, Queen Rhene of the Libellua Hive and Queen Odonata of the Enigma Hive in Winter of 978 C.E (Celestial Era).
Both Hives fell to the wicked hooves of Chrysalis but not before the only remaining descendant of Enid was smuggled away into the night, vanishing completely. Many theorize that she was placed in cryo-sleep or even given to simple pony farmers in the nearby village. Yet no creature knows, perhaps nopony will never know.
The fractured harmony has been maintained in Equestria since. Where the changelings are now is currently unknown.” The celestial mare snapped the book closed, biting her lip as she ruffled her enchanted mane. The pure white mare stared at the worn leather cover for a moment, lost in thought.
“Tia? What troubles thee so?” A voice echoed beside her,, vibrating through the mare’s ears. Celestia turned to see her younger sister standing in the centre in the library, a frown on her muzzle.
“Nothing of too much interest, Luna. Give me just a moment.” She said, flying down from her perch before levitating the novel back onto the shelf with her golden magic. She trotted out of the library with Luna, leaving the story book behind with a worried glance.
04:52 AM, December 24th, 983 C.E (The Celestial Era)
“Run! RUN!” A terrifying figure screeched, bolting as the structure crumbled. “Where’s Queen Odonata?!” The lavender changeling turned to another, wings buzzing at she scrambled to find their Queen.
“Her chambers-” One shouted, pausing mid-sentence to dodge a green blast of magical energy heading in their direction. “Hurry, Alyssum! The Hive is collasp-” The was a loud squelch as the changeling was crushed by rubble, the other just staring in horror as her brother died. Yet there wasn’t much time to mourn for there was a sudden pulse of fear swarming through the hive mind as it threatened to overwhelm the drone.
The drone in question flew through the collapsing tunnels, landing at one point to dodge enemy changelings that swarmed the entire complex. The wooden and resin structure was threatening to completely disintegrate above the drone as she rushed towards the private area in which the Queen was commonly located.
Suddenly, enemies burst out, blocking her path. Two out of the three charged forward, the third charging up some kind of spell. Dodging, she blasted the closest one in the side with magenta magic, the changeling's side smoking from the contact. “That. All. You. Got?” Alyssum puffed out, already exhausted from the run.
The changeling she had hit snarled, baring her teeth. "You bucking Enigma." She stumbled back, crashing into her friends as she wiped green blood from her muzzle. The one at the back had been interrupted, accidentally firing his spell at the ceiling rather than Alyssum.
"'Bucking,' huh?" With that, she twirled around, kicking firmly back with her back hooves. She heard a crack and a yelp, followed by a scream. Alyssum turned around to see a single black hoof clinging onto the edge. Everyling knew that Xenica changelings couldn't climb walls. Only Enigmas had that skill. She glanced over the edge, the spellcaster looking up with pleading eyes. She moved a hoof forward, planning on helping him up. Yet then there was a sudden jolt of fear and panic buzzing through the hivelink.
Alyssum forgot the changeling, darting up the steps. Her wings lay limp beside her chest, tattered from the rubble yet putting her at a great disadvantage. She glanced up at the ceiling, the once beautiful skylight depicting Enid and the great moon that was made of diaphanous changeling resin was smashed through, shards mixing with the wood as the early morning sky peaked through, stars still in the sky. Flower bulbs flickered on and off, lighting the area in a strange red glow. She continued upwards as fast as she could.
Flying up the stairs as speeds that would rival a Griffin's, the changeling skidded to a halt in front of the doorway to see a fearful sight.
The Queen was attempting to hush the changeling nymph in her hooves, her magic straining to hold the rubble that hovered above her, threatening to destroy them both. “QUEEN ODONATA!” Alyssum shouted, running to assist. She added her own magenta aura to the fray, the splintered wood beginning to move away.
“No! Alyssum, leave me. Take her and run.” Odonata thrust the bundle forward, the sleeping nymph curled up tightly. “Please.” The Queen’s eyes were full of tears, the little bundle warm as Alyssum gripped tightly onto it with holed hooves.
“Ah can’t leave you. You’re too important to-” Alyssum began to protest until she glanced into Odonata’s eyes. The old Queen normally had a wealth of knowledge in her eyes yet now all Alyssum could see was the pleading and begging look that the Queen was giving her.
"Just go. Please make sure she's safe. I'll be fine." Alyssum sadly nodded, fleeing from the rubble as she held the nymph in her teeth.
Alyssum began to climb the wall, heading towards the broken skylight. She clung to the wall, climbing up slowly as she cloaked herself in darkness. She glanced back at the chambers before her blood turned to ice, her hooves shaking where she hung.
Alyssum had seen the formidable Queen Chrysalis of The Xenica Hive numerous times throughout her life, yet she hadn’t seen the Queen like this. There was a blast of green magic, the loud sscccrack echoing through the air as a large cloud of dust bellowed below, the structural integrity of the Queen’s chambers collapsing.
She wanted to scream but withdrew herself when she saw the stocky figure of Queen Chrysalis emerging from the plume of wood dust, splattered in green liquids and grinning wickedly with her fanged canines. The Xenica Queen licked her lips, cleaning them of blood before trotting down the stairs, seemingly satisfied with the outcome of her unexpected and brutal raid.
Alyssum clung to the nymph in her hooves, glancing down at the growing pool of green blood below before looking back at the sleeping nymph in her grasp, the child seemingly unaware of the fate of her mother. Alyssum let out a small sob, climbing out of the Hive with a regretful and sad glance.
There was only one Queen after that.