//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Sneaking Into The Hive, Part 1 // Story: A Place in Equestria II: The Revenge of Queen Chrysalis // by GoebelTron //------------------------------// The group continued to sneak past the guards while wearing the invisibility cloak. “So, uh, what kind of plan were you thinking about, either one of you?” Trixie softly asked Twilight and Starlight. “I don’t know! Twilight’s the leader!” Starlight softly replied in a whisper. “Without magic, we have no idea. But nopony else is coming. So it’s just us for now, so somepony better come up with something and think of it fast.” “I think Starlight’s right. We better try something without magic,” Twilight said. “So, what do we do after we get inside without being detected?” Rarity asked. “How about a distraction party?!” Pinkie Pie asked. “SHHHHHH!” the others whispered. “Sorry,” Pinkie Pie whispered. They then continued their journey inside while the guard armored changeling drones were distracted without them noticing. “Okay, we’re clear,” Thorax said, as he lead the group inside through a small hole. They saw a few holes changing positions everywhere and saw a lot of green glowing cocoons. “Ugh, it’s simply ghastly, darling. How do they even keep this place clean?” Rarity said. “It’s kinda how Chrysalis likes it,” Thorax said. “Okay. For once, I am definitely glad you came. I don’t think we’d be able to find our way out without you,” Trixie said. “Ya said it,” Applejack said. “You definitely wouldn’t,” Thorax said, pointing at the hole that they came in from closing. “Seriously?!” Rainbow Dash asked. “Um, where’s the way out?” Fluttershy asked. “It’s a changeling hive. It shifts and changes like we do, and we’re the only ones who can navigate it. I can assure you it’ll definitely give you nightmares,” Thorax said, as he continued to lead the way. “So, are you sure we can some of our magic back when we destroy that so-called throne?” Rainbow Dash asked. “If Thorax is right, then yes. But if not, we’ll have to come up with another way,” Starlight said. “Well, that’s reassuring, darling,” Rarity said. “And how are we supposed to destroy the throne when we find it?” Trixie asked. “I... honestly don’t know,” Twilight said. “Forget I asked then,” Trixie said. “Well, I don’t suppose you brought something we can use like something useful?” Spike asked. “Ooh! Ooh! What about an exploding cake filled with confetti?!” Pinkie Pie screamed. “Not exactly, but I did bring these,” Trixie said, showing them her smoke bombs. “That might work,” Applejack said. “But at least try to keep the smoke out of my eyes. I’ve gotten my mascara taken care of recently,” Rarity said. Trixie nodded. “Okay, now that we’re done gossiping, can we move on please? The sooner we find Thomas and destroy the throne, the sooner we go home,” Twilight said. They all nodded and continued to follow Thorax. “So, are you sure you’ve got this, Starlight?” Twilight asked. “I don’t know. I couldn’t handle giving advice at the Sunset Festival, and I had magic then! And the nine of us are as good as useless! But at least Thorax knows where we’re going,” she said, while they trotted up the stairs. “Um, guys? I think we’re lost,” Thorax said, as they found out they were now in the middle of nowhere. “Oh, great! This is so boring!” Rainbow Dash said. “Oh, I hope my little Thomas is still okay. He could be anywhere,” Fluttershy said. “We’ll keep looking,” Twilight said. “That’s good, because I’d rather not just sit here and wait for the changelings to just come right here and soak up all of our love or whatever gross thing it is they do,” Trixie said. “Thorax! Your wings! Were they like that before we met you?” Starlight asked. “Actually, yeah. They were, but I’ve recently shared some love with animals instead of feeding off their love, and it kinda made me end up like this. And I think I haven’t been hungry since I’ve met all of you,” Thorax said. “But changelings are always hungry. Meaning we can never got enough love. Somehow when you guys accepted my friendship, I might’ve forgotten about the whole feeding thing.” “Well, I think you look smashing with those sparkles on your wings, darling!” Rarity said. “Really? Well, thank you,” Thorax said. “Well, at least it can’t get any worse, right?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Nope! Not even close! Hehehehe!” Pinkie Pie said, until her giggle suddenly echoed. The changelings suddenly heard the echo and started to come out and hiss. “Oops, sorry,” Pinkie Pie said. “It’s alright, darling. But at least you didn’t wake them up, so we should be fine,” Rarity said. They suddenly heard a sound of distant humming with a little buzzing. “Um... W-What’s that?” Trixie asked. “That doesn’t... sound good,” Fluttershy said. “It’s a changeling patrol! Run!” Thorax said, and then they all started running as a swarm of angry changelings chased after them. Meanwhile, Thomas was laying on her throne curled up tightly in a ball, and shaking with sobs that allowed his tears to flow as he cried himself to sleep. He was still weakened by so much pain from Chrysalis absorbing and consuming most of his love, and felt broken and helpless as a dog a she was slowly and shallowly breathing with soft wheezing. His eyes suddenly shot open in fear as he suddenly heard hoofsteps approaching. He slowly turned himself on another side to look up at the evil changeling queen slowly approaching towards him. He then whimpered as he tried to slowly crawl and climb off the throne so he can get away from her and find a way out, but he was still too slow and weak to move, but he barely had enough strength left. She looked down at him with a mischievous smirk, and placed a hoof in front of him, causing him to freeze and slowly look up at her. Chrysalis then shook her head and clicked her tongue, “You silly little boy. Where do you think you’re going?” Chrysalis then lifted her hoof off his foot and stepped forward to stand closer and over him. She then reached her hoof up, and stroked the top of his head roughly as he started to shake and whimper underneath her uncomfortableness. She then grinned more, and then she heard the sound of buzzing, realizing what was going on out there, then smirked mischievously. “Looks like your precious and pitiful mother isn’t here to save you after all,” she said as she then let out a ruthless laugh. Thomas was then shocked about what she said, “No! You’re lying!” “Oh, really? And how is she going to save you when my drones are already in position?” Chrysalis asked, until Thomas looked down in depression and sadness as he continued to let his tears keep flowing. Chrysalis then levitated the poor and defenseless child up in her aura. Thomas then looked into her eerie green eyes with the feeling of both fear and guilt for believing his mother being captured and that nopony would come save him, until he yelped in pain as Chrysalis squeezed him tightly and then he felt himself being draining once more, and then he lost most of his life force after all of that love inside was gone. After Chrysalis put him back down on the throne, she wrapped him in a bunting made of changeling slime and then hung him up in a changeling cocoon. “This ought to keep you out of trouble for now,” Chrysalis said, as she flew away with an evil cackle.