Grief
In a desert, late at night, the cool sands whipped up by a frigid wind, the ever shifting dunes were disturbed. A column of black chitin, worn away by the desert, creating green rashes and scars on the drastically emaciated changelings as they marched. When one fell, succumbing to the hunger and exhaustion, as well as the injuries caused by their defeat and the biting grit of the wastes, no tears were shed. They were just one of the swarm, and with their passing, they were now one with it. An odd changeling, one with wings like a dragonfly, spiked legs, and a bee like abdomen stood next to the queen at the head of the line.
"So. This is it then."
"Seems so. I have failed us. I have failed the swarm."
"I'm going back."
"What?"
"Why did we have to become greedy? Why are we so full of hate? I had someone who loved me for who I was, even after the revelation, and I threw it in his face. I had never eaten so well in all my life, and now we're starved." A hoof smack was audible, even over the howling winds as Matron 47, formerly known as Serenity was stuck by her mother.
"We CANNOT go back. We would be killed on sight. What we have done is unforgivable, and none can love a changeling! We are parasites!"
"You're wrong. He did. Even after we knocked him out, insulted him, kidnapped him, and drained him of everything he held dear, he still loved me and would have accepted us."
"Pfft, then go. Be with your precious Alex. Go back to him and be spurned. Feel the sting of hate as he denies you, then die in agony."
"The swarm is dead mother, you lead them to ruin. We followed you, believed in you, and you brought us to disaster."
"I am the queen. You belong to me, and you follow my command! You cannot take a single step without me allowing it."
"No longer....."
"What was that?"
"You are my queen no longer. If you want to wander around a desert and starve to death, fine, but I'm going and taking everyling who will come with me back to Equestria. We'll start a new swarm, and instead of impersonating ponies, we'll simply be who we are."
"You are a fool to think that they would accept changelings. No matter where we roam, we will always be hated."
"We were fools to follow YOU. The reason we're hated is because hate is all you have let us feel! The telepathic connection you hold with us denies us that sense of belonging to ensure our loyalty to you. I may not be a queen, but as a matron, I can sever the connections of myself and anyling else who wants it."
"Then go Matron 47, you are no longer part of this swarm." Her eyes were stern as she hissed in anger, and over half the voices in her mind suddenly went quiet.
"My NAME is Serenity, and your swarm is dead." The other half remained, and now free from the tyranny of Chrysalis, broke rank and turned back to the land of happiness from where they came.
"Alex..... I'm so sorry..... can you ever forgive me?"
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"Heya Alex! I heard you could use some cheering up, so I made ya a remote control helicopter!" Widget said cheerily as she skipped into the room and passed me a remote control. "I know it's not much, but at least it should help get rid of the boredom while you get all your feelings back, and who knows? Maybe joy will be the first one!"
A very small smile appeared on my face. "Actually, it's gratitude. I'm thankful to have you, and Suds, and Celestia, and all my other friends. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be able to make it through this."
"Aww....." The mechanic pony was about to wrap me in a hug, but remembered to quickly wipe her hooves first before doing it, then left the room as the janitor mopped up behind her.
"Hey Alex, up for some work?"
"Yeah, I could use something to get my mind off things." I said as I grabbed a mop and bucket. "I'll play with my new toy later. For now, let's make this castle shine!"
"Heh, at least ya didn't lose your enthusiasm."