//Begin Personal Log
//
//May 28th, 2559
//
//23:44 Local Time
So... yesterday the rest of the national leaders left, except for the deer. Queen Cervidae has opted to stay an extra day to talk with me about her space program and if we were interested in observing the launch. I was more than happy to accept her offer.
Now, the actual meeting was boring. Though, it was much more calm with the minotaurs and gryphon king unconscious. I can safely say that the dragons think very highly of humanity, especially after we openly thrashed the two idiots in front of everyone. Hell, even the zebras have warmed up to us. All in all, it was a productive meeting.
Now for something new.
Spotlight came to me yesterday with a request: to return to his hive and see what has become of it. I presented the idea to Celestia, who wasn’t all that excited about us delving into a changeling hive. It took some convincing, but she eventually gave us the go-ahead. So tomorrow morning we will be heading into the field to explore Spotlight’s old home.
I even went ahead and set up a computer so Celestia and Cervidae could follow along on my helmet camera, giving them a first person view in the hive.
Also, Andrew received a supply case today from the Grafton. He won’t tell me what was inside, saying it’s a surprise. The only hint he gave me was that it was for Spotlight, and it’s something every ONI agent needs when working in the field. I shudder to imagine what he has done this time.
//End Log
It was early in the morning as the exploration team assembled in the hanger. A total of twenty personnel would take two Pelicans out to the Badlands where the changeling hive stood. The crew would consist of four SPARTANs, ten ODSTs, Spotlight, Daniel, and Doctor Yarow’s team. Everyone was milling about the hanger, packing away survey equipment and checking weapons. No one knew what they would find at the hive. Perhaps it was an abandoned city, perhaps some new residents had moved in, maybe there were unknown survivors. The only answers would have to come from exploring the hive.
As time passed, Daniel began to do a head count. There were supposed to be twenty going on this little trip, but it seemed the resident changeling was nowhere to be seen. Andrew said he needed to borrow Spotlight earlier in the morning, but surely the two had finished whatever it is they needed to do. As if on cue, the door to the hanger slid open to reveal Andrew sporting a massive grin.
“There you are. Where’s Spotlight, we’re gonna be late if we don’t get this shit going soon.” Daniel said with a hint of annoyance.
“Relax Daniel, I promise you this will be worth the wait.” Andrew said as he looked over his shoulder. “Alright, Spotlight. C’mon out!”
All eyes were glued to the door as nearly every jaw hit the deck. In the doorway stood Spotlight, clad in a full set of modified ODST armor. He levitated his helmet next to him in a light green glow as he looked around the room at the series of bewildered expressions.
Daniel was the first to speak.
“Umm... Andrew... what the fuck did you do...?” Daniel stammered.
“Last week I had some measurements taken of Spotlight and a custom set of armor made. Can’t have an ONI operative running around in the field without any protective gear.” Andrew said with a chuckle.
“You do realise the Director is gonna flip his shit when he catches wind of this.” Daniel said with a stern glare.
“No he won’t. He’s known about this for weeks. I cleared this with him when I had the original thought. Since Spotlight is a full member of the UNSC and is considered an ONI agent, he is entitled to the equipment and training available to all ONI agents.” Andrew replied with smug satisfaction.
“So this is the surprise you were hiding?” Daniel chuckled with a raised eyebrow.
“Yup. Surprised?” The crazy engineer said with an enthusiastic nod.
“Hey Spotty, nice gear.” Daniel called out. “Alright everyone, let’s go for a field trip.”
The away team quickly began boarding their aircraft as the sound of engines filled the hanger. Daniel stood on the lowered ramp of his Pelican as it maneuvered out of the hanger and into the open sky. The flight to the Badlands would take them only an hour. During the flight, Spotlight was intently reading a small book, Daniel noticed this and walked over to the changeling.
“Whatcha readin’ there?” Daniel asked inquisitively.
“This? The manual for my armor.” Spotlight replied without looking up from his book.
“So Andrew set you up with an advanced set of combat armor, but didn’t teach you any of the basics?” Daniel dead-panned.
Spotlight shook his head. “Nope. But he did give me the manual.”
Daniel sighed and shook his head. “Fucking figures. Alright, put the book down and let’s go over some basics.”
~~~
Just over an hour later the two Pelicans touched down just outside the changeling hive.
It was a massive circular structure, comprised of many monolithic terraced towers that seemed to branch off from a single spiraling tower in the center. The central spiral tower looked to be easily eight hundred feet tall, with a handful of smaller towers occasionally reaching higher. Daniel stood in awe as he took in every detail of the massive city.
“Spotlight... this is your hive?” The Captain said in dumbstruck awe.
“Yup. I’m surprised it’s still in tact. Figured the gryphons would have razed it.” The changeling said with a sigh.
“James, Philip, Nick, stay here with Yarow and the Pelicans. I’ll radio when it’s clear for you to enter.” Daniel ordered. A series of affirmatives quickly followed. “Everyone else, lets move in.”
The group slowly made their way forward with weapons drawn. They soon found themselves standing in the shadow of the massive hive while looking at the massive archway that made up the entrance. The only thing the ODST could see beyond the entrance was a long dark hallway that seemingly lead nowhere. As the group made their way through the archway and into the massive entry hall, they were met with an unexpected sight.
The entire hive was hollow. The massive spiral tower in the center was really a huge atrium that went all the way up. Rather than the darkness Daniel was expecting, the entire atrium was bathed in a beautiful blue light that shone through massive stained glass windows, each easily eighty feet high and twenty feet wide. The humans found the hive to be indescribable.
“Celestia... are you seeing this?” Daniel said over his radio.
“I am, Captain, and I’m just as stunned as you are.” The Princess replied.
While the view was breathtaking, the smell was unbearable. Daniel quickly found himself pressure sealing his armor and switched over to his own air supply.
“Odin’s beard! The fuck is that smell!?” Corporal Binkley exclaimed.
“That my friend, is the smell of death.” Master Sergeant Anas replied calmly.
“I got bodies over here!” Trent called out.
“Same, lots of ‘em.” Raze echoed.
“Fan out in groups of three. I want this whole place marked. Victor, you bring sensor drones?” Daniel asked over his radio.
“Da, of course Captain.” The russian man replied.
“Go ahead and pop off a few. See if they can get some detailed scans of this place.”
Victor opened a pouch attached to his tight and pulled out four softball sized objects. He pressed a button on each, causing a pair of rotors to extend at the equator. He then threw each on in the air, allowing them to fly up and into the atrium.
“Drones away.” The SPARTAN reported.
“I see that. We’re already getting data.” Daniel said with a sigh. “Keep poking around, report in if you find anything of interest.”
“Captain, there are a few places I would like to check out.” Spotlight interjected as he looked up at Daniel.
“Sure. Lead the way.” Daniel replied as he brought his Battle Rifle against his chest.
The two made their way past numerous dead changelings as they ascended a ramp that spiraled up along the wall. The pair went up five floors before Spotlight moved off down a hallway. Daniel was horrified at the number of dead changelings that littered the floor in this single passageway. He brought up a finger and tapped the side of his helmet, turning on his light.
He instantly regretted the decision as his flashlight illuminated the walls, revealing massive swaths of green blood sprayed everywhere.
“Fucking hell, it looks like someone ran down the hall with a fucking chainsaw...” He muttered to himself as he carefully stepped over bodies.
Eventually Spotlight led Daniel to a single door. A trail of slain changelings still stretched both ways down the hall. The Captain looked to Spotlight just as he kicked down the door he was standing in front of. The changeling silently entered the room, followed closely by a very cautious ODST.
Inside was what could only be described as an apartment. There was a small living space with a kitchenette in the corner. A door to the left led to what Daniel assumed would be the bedroom and bathroom. The most stunning feature, however, was the massive glass window that overlooked the open atrium.
Daniel watched in silence as Spotlight walked around the room. It was odd, nothing seemed disturbed. It was as if the attacking force had rushed in, slaughtered everyone inside, and then left. Take away the bodies and blood, and only a pristine deserted city would remain. Daniel was brought back to reality as Spotlight returned with two books and a stuffed frog in his rucksack.
“Let’s go.” The changeling said, devoid of any emotion.
“What is this place?” Daniel asked while looking around at the room.
“My old home. Now c’mon, there’s one more place I need to go.” The changeling said as he walked out the door. Daniel followed him out, making sure to properly close the door behind him.
They went back down the ramp and into the atrium. Spotlight then proceeded to walk along silvery path toward what looked like a throne. Sure enough, the bodies of what looked like changeling guards littered the area around the dias. Spotlight paused and looked around before trotting around the throne and heading to a large set of double doors. With Daniel’s help, the two large wood doors swung inward, leading to the queen’s chambers.
The sight inside was something out of a horror movie. Dried blood and body parts were scattered everywhere. Furniture was smashed and often used as stakes to pin dead changeling to the walls. In the center was a single body, much larger than the rest. This changeling had an actual mane and stood at a height just under Celestia. Spotlight froze as he saw what was left of his Queen.
The changeling slowly removed his helmet and stared at the body with his ears pinned back. Even though he lacked visible pupils, Daniel could see the despair in his eyes. The Captain sighed as he sat next to Spotlight and put a hand on his shoulder.
“How do you want us to handle the body?” Daniel asked quietly.
Spotlight hesitated before answering. “A funeral pyre would be best.” He replied softly.
“All clear in here. Can I get a stretcher brought to the atrium?” Daniel called out over his radio.
“Right away.” James replied over the radio.
Daniel looked around the room and at the bodies. Most of them had massive lacerations across their necks and backs. Some of the more unfortunate ones had literally been ripped limb from limb and left to bleed to death. He hadn’t seen brutality like this since the Great War.
HIs concentration was broken at the sound of boots entering the room. Daniel turned to see James and Dior carrying a stretcher.
“Take the big one outside. We’re burning the body.” The Captain ordered.
“Yes, sir.” The SPARTAN replied as she and James carried out the slain changeling queen.
Spotlight sighed as he took one final glance around the room. “Would it be possible to destroy this place? I don’t want my home to be defiled by pillagers or animals.” He said calmly.
“I... maybe. Though it would probably take a Fury nuke to even dent this place.” Daniel muttered skeptically.
“Could we do it?” Spotlight asked with interest.
“You... you want to nuke this place?” The Captain asked with shock.
“Only if it would leave this place as a pile of rubble.” Spotlight stated matter of factly.
“I’m not sure Celestia would be happy about us detonating a nuclear weapon in her borders. Right Princess?” Daniel said aloud, knowing the Princess was still watching and listening through his helmet camera.
“Actually, we’re fifteen miles outside of Equestria. The Badlands are not claimed by anyone, hence why the changelings live here.” Spotlight interjected.
“Oh.” Daniel said with surprise. “Then nevermind. Hey Princess, wanna see a nuclear detonation?”
There was some muffled sound over the radio, as if someone were adjusting a microphone.
“Captain, Queen Cervidae here, you have working nuclear weapons?” The deer Queen asked.
“Uh, yeah. Do you?” Daniel replied.
“No. We proved it is physically possible, but we have yet to complete such a device.” The Queen said with disappointment.
"Wanna see one go off?" Daniel asked with a chuckle.
"What are the dangers associated with such a weapon?" Celestia asked with deep concern.
"Well, the weapon we would use has a one to three megaton payload. I would probably go with a two megaton bomb for this hive." Daniel reported as he looked around. "Then you have the radiation, though a Fury nuke produces almost none. Next you have some small sismic activity, nothing too serious. All in all it's safer than you would expect."
"I'm not too sure about this. I've seen the research around nuclear weapons from the deer, and quite frankly it scares me." Celestia replied firmly.
"Then this is a great opportunity. You know the theoretical power, but you haven't seen what one can actually do. I feel it would be a valuable learning experience." Daniel countered.
Celestia sighed over the radio. "Very well. Go ahead."
"Great. Though it will take time to get a bomb out here seeing as we didn't pack any." Daniel chuckled.
"Excellent. Would it be possible to send someone out to observe the detonation?" Cervidae asked.
"Yeah, just tell the crew chief in the hanger that you will be sending an observer with the bomb. I'll call and tell them to expect you." Daniel said happily.
The Captain proceeded to walk with Spotlight out of the Queen’s chambers and back to the atrium. Doctor Yarow’s team was busy taking samples of everything they could get their hands on. From dried blood splatter to the walls themselves, everything was being documented and catalogued.
Spotlight walked beside the stretcher carrying his fallen Queen until it reached the middle of the atrium.
“Right here.” Spotlight said solemnly as he gazed at the slain changeling Queen.
“So you want to burn the body?” Daniel asked.
Spotlight nodded without saying a word.
“Well, if we wait an hour, I can make it so she goes out in a spectacular fireball.” The Captain offered.
“Yeah... let’s do that.” Spotlight sighed as he walked away.
“Alright everyone, listen up! In about an hour a Pelican will arrive with a nuke. We are going to arm said bomb right here in the middle of the hive and detonate it, hopefully reducing this place to a smoking crater.” Captain Ryan announced to the group.
“Why are we nuking this place?” One of the lab techs asked with concern.
“Last wishes of the changeling who lived here. They don’t want their home to be defiled by grave robbers and thieves. Plus it is customary to burn the bodies of the deceased.” Daniel replied.
“So we’re burning bodies with a nuclear bomb?” An ODST asked with a chuckle.
“Bringing down the city and burning the bodies all at the same time. Call it efficiency.” Daniel said with a grin. “So finish up here and pack it in. We’re moving out in half an hour.”
A series of murmurs echoed through the atrium as the group of humans began finishing their exploration.
“Captain. Drones have finished mapping the city.” Raze called out over his radio.
“Great. Pack ‘em up and lets get ready to move out.” Daniel said as he picked up a pair of supply cases.
“Captain Ryan, We’ve got something of interest out here.” Lieutenant Perez said over her radio.
“What is it, Perez?”
“Sir, I’m seeing a large smoke plume about thirty or so miles to the south west.” The ODST reported.
“How long ago did you notice it?” The Captain asked, still carrying supplies out of the atrium.
“About five minutes ago. It sure as hell wasn’t there when we arrived.” Nicole said with a hint of worry.
“Copy that. We’ll check it out after we blow this place,” Daniel replied as he set down the cases in the entry hallway.
~~~
About an hour and a half later, Daniel was carefully setting a small metal device next to the changeling Queen. Spotlight and Trent stood just behind the ODST as he tapped a few buttons on the egg shaped device.
“Alrighty. Bomb’s armed. Time to get the fuck outta town.” Daniel said as he began to jog out of the hive, Trent and Spotlight hot on his heels.
The three broke out into a full run as they passed the entry arch for the last time. They would be the last living things to ever set foot, or hoof, in the hive. Spotlight shot a final glance over his shoulder at his former home before turning his attention back toward the nearby aircraft.
As soon as the trio made it back to the waiting Pelicans, they quickly took off to put some distance between them and the two megaton bomb sitting in the hive’s atrium. It was determined that a buffer zone of six miles would be enough to shield them from the brunt of the explosion and radioactive fallout, while still providing a good place to view the detonation.
The Pelicans gently touched back down in the sun baked soil as the humans once again disembarked. Queen Cervidae had sent Doctor Huemul, a leading nuclear physicist in Ecotonia, to witness the destructive power of the nuclear weapon.
“Okay, everyone who is not in armor will need to remain inside the Pelicans when this thing goes off. The flash alone is enough to cause severe burns and blindness. We will tell you when it is safe to come out. I would recommend strapping in so when the shockwave hits, you aren’t thrown against a bulkhead. Clear?” The Captain quickly said.
“Yes, sir.” Everyone replied.
“Great. Let’s get to positions.” Daniel said enthusiastically. “Princess, you still with us?”
“I am. Are you ready to proceed?” Celestia asked over the radio.
“We are. Is it just you watching, or do you have a crowd?” Daniel inquired with a chuckle.
“I’m here with Luna, Shining, Cadance, and Silverlight,” the Princess replied.
“Well, then get ready for a show.” Daniel said as he stood in full view of the hive. “Take one last good look.”
The ODST pulled out a small cylindrical detonator with a red cover over the trigger. Using his thumb, he flipped the cover off and placed a finger on the trigger.
“All hands! Stand by for nuclear detonation!” He yelled out for all to hear.
Everyone who was not in armor, and even a few with armor, quickly took refuge in the Pelicans, while most just hid behind the aircraft. A few of the more adventurous ones took places next to Daniel.
“Hey Captain.” Ahmad said as he put a hand on the Captain’s shoulder.
“Yeah?” Daniel said as he turned to face Ahmad.
“Knock, knock.” Ahmad said with a grin.
“Who’s there?”
“Allah.”
“Allah who?”
“Allah hu akbar!” Ahmad shouted as he used Danie’s hand to squeeze the trigger.
“Oh you mother fucker...” Daniel deadpanned.
In a split second there was a blinding flash of light as the bomb went off. Almost a full second later a thunderous roar filled the air, followed shortly by a massive shockwave which sent a few people rolling across the desert. As Daniel looked upon the hive he was impressed to see that only the central spire had been blown off. Most of the surrounding walls had survived the blast, a testament to changeling construction. The Captain looked around as SPARTANs and ODSTs were picking themselves up and dusting off.
Ahmad was laughing hysterically as Daniel got up and walked back to the Pelicans. He and Ahmad had been blown back almost a hundred and fifty feet.
“Oh god... oh god it hurts to breath!” Ahmad said, still laughing.
“How long have you been sitting on that joke?” Daniel asked with a glare.
“Longer than you could possibly imagine. Thank you for giving me the perfect opportunity to use it.” The ODST barely managed to say through labored breaths.
Daniel shook his head and brought a hand to his helmet.
“All clear.” He called out over the radio.
A single massive mushroom cloud loomed over what was once a proud changeling hive. Now, only a radioactive shell remained. Doctor Huemul was feverishly taking pictures of the cloud and of the ruins left behind. He had personally worked on the team that proved nuclear weapons were possible, seeing one in action was gratifying and slightly terrifying. Numbers and graphs were easy to look at. Actual destruction was much more difficult.
“And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the conclusion of today’s nuclear detonation. Please watch your step, as the flash may leave temporary blindness and deafness.” Raze commented with a chuckle.
“So now what?” Dior asked as she approached the Captain.
“Well I want to check out that smoke plume to our west.” Daniel said as he pointed to the still rising plume of black smoke.
“Sounds like fun.” The SPARTAN stated.
“Science team! Go on home. We’ll see you guys tonight. Everyone else, mount up. We got one more place to visit.” Daniel announced before boarding the Pelican one more time.
~~~
The flight toward the source of the smoke plume was very short, only about fifteen minutes. To everyone’s surprise, the smoke was actually coming from a smoldering changeling hive.
“Two hives in one place? Hot damn, this must be our lucky day.” Raze shouted with a laugh.
“Hey Spotty, any idea who controlled this hive?” Daniel shouted over the roaring engines.
“Yeah. This one belongs to Queen Chrysalis. Or... did.” Spotlight said as he looked at the burning hive.
“Sir, fire looks like it’s centralised to the north side of the structure. The entrance on the south side seems okay.” Yaraon reported.
“Contacts! Port side! They’re taking off and heading for us!” The Pelican pilot shouted.
Daniel ran to the back of the Pelican and reached into a ceiling compartment. In a single fluid motion, he pulled the rear gatling gun into a firing position and began to spin the barrels. As soon as the first enemy flyer was in range, he opened up a storm of lead.
It took only seconds for the ODST to clear the sky of enemies.
“Gryphons. Keep your eyes wide, we’re not alone here. Pilot, land just outside the entrance and keep the engines going.” Daniel turned around to face everyone in his Pelican. “Alright. If the gryphons are here, then it means there is something they want. If they want something in that hive, then so do we. I want two teams to split up and find whatever it is these bastards are searching for. Find it, kill anyone in your way, and bring it back. Questions?”
No one replied.
“Then let’s go kick ass!” Daniel shouted as he raised his battle rifle above his head. Everyone in the cabin did the same as the two dropships landed.
There was a moderate sized gryphon camp just outside the entrance to the smoking hive. Daniel looked around at the bodies that littered the area, figuring those gryphons were merely sentries.
“Alright lads, if it’s a gryphon, shoot it. Let’s get to work.” Captain Ryan said as the humans and changeling entered the hive.
Much like the previous hive, there were bodies and blood everywhere. Though the blood and bodies here seemed much more fresh, as if they had died only a day or two ago. Daniel noticed this, but continued forward to the atrium.
The grand atrium of this hive was very similar to the first hive, the only difference being the windows were a light green color instead of dark blue. Fires could also be seen burning on the upper levels of the hive, presumably set by the gryphons.
“Captain, Chevron three here, I have eyes on multiple gryphons trying to break into what looks like a throne room.” Victor reported.
“Any idea how many hostiles we have?” The Captain asked as he led his fireteam toward the Russian’s position.
“I count six hostiles. They seem very intent on getting into that room.” The Russian said with anticipation.
“Well if they want it then we can’t let them have it. Stand by.” The ODST ordered as his team moved forward.
Daniel quickly met up with the SPARTAN and his team along the far wall near the throne room doors. Six gryphons stood at the door, trying as hard as they could to open it. Victor shook his head and chuckled.
“Mind if I take them? I feel I could use the exercise.” The Russian said with a menacing grin.
“Sure thing big guy. We’ll shoot any that try to run.” Daniel said with a thumbs up.
The massive SPARTAN nodded and began walking toward the unassuming gryphons.
“You evil son of a bitch. What have you done?” Dior said with a chuckle.
Victor casually walked up behind the gryphons who seemed to focused on their task, that none of them noticed the massive human walk up right behind them. He stood there and watched them struggle with the door for a few moments before announcing his presence with a cough.
The gryphons immediately stopped what they were doing and slowly turned to see the massive man behind them.
“Привет. Hello there, allow me to help you with that.”
Victor quickly reached out and grabbed the closest gryphon by the head before swinging him around and slamming him into another, killing both. The others tried to fly away, but Victor quickly grabbed two by the tails and pulled them back to the ground. He used a massive armored boot to crush one’s skull and smashed the other’s head against the door. The other two gryphons had managed to evade the SPARTAN, only to be cut down by a hail of gunfire from a number of unseen ODSTs.
“Da, that was most enjoyable. I even came up with poem.” The Russian said with glee.
“Oh yeah? Let’s hear it. Daniel said as he walked up to the door with the others.
“Wake up in the morning feeling strong like bear.
Take off my shirt, chest is covered in hair.
Brush teeth with vodka, drink the rest.
This is what makes, mother Russia the best.”
Everyone stared at the SPARTAN in surprise.
“You came up with that during the slaughter?” Kelly asked in bewilderment.
“Da, it felt appropriate.” Victor said as he nodded.
“That’s great. Now time to get the doors open.” Daniel said as he placed a hand on the door handle and began to pull.
Though no matter how hard the Captain pulled, the doors would not budge. After a few seconds of struggling he turned to the others.
“A little help here?” He said, slightly annoyed.
“Uh, Cap...?” Spotlight said.
“What?” Daniel replied quickly.
“Those doors open inward... ya gotta push.” Spotlight said, pointing to the edge of the door frame. Daniel followed his hoof and noticed a lack of external hinges.
“...fuck.” The Captain muttered in defeat. “Victor, mind opening them?”
“Of course, Captain.” The Russian said as he placed a palm against each door. “Ready?”
Everyone nodded as they raised their weapons, ready to attack any hidden enemies. With a mighty shove, the doors swung open and almost ripped themselves from their hinges. To everyone’s surprise, six changelings went sliding across the room, as if they had been trying to hold the doors shut. Even more surprising was that they were alive, and not the only ones inside.
Everyone froze as a small crowd of changelings slowly looked toward the humans. Their helmet lights illuminating looks of absolute fear and despair on each changeling. Most quickly covered their faces, as if they didn’t want to see their death coming.
Daniel stood there speechless as he slowly lowered his rifle. Everyone else did slowly followed his example.
A total of thirty changelings sat huddled together in a mass of bodies against the far wall. Some were struck with fear, while some couldn’t bring themselves to look at what stood in the doorway. There were even what looked like changeling children hidden amongst the adults in the room.
Daniel was the first to slowly step forward and enter the room. This elicited a series of whimpers and muffled cries from the fear stricken changelings. The human slowly brought his hands to the side of his helmet before twisting it slightly and pulling it off his head. Spotlight was the next to follow the Captain into the room; he too removed his helmet.
“Please, we’re not here to hurt anyone. Well, anyone but the gryphons.” Daniel said calmly.
A few changelings seemed to shift from fearful to outright confused.
“My name is Captain Daniel Ryan.” Daniel said as he slowly attached his helmet to his hip.
A single changeling slowly stood and walked forward from the group. It stood just a bit taller than the others, and unlike every other changeling he had met, this one had an actual mane and tail. The changeling stopped in the middle of the room and eyed the human.
“My name is Aria. I guess, Queen Aria now.” The changeling female said with a sigh. “Why are you here? You don’t look like anything I have ever seen before.”
“Uh, we’re not really from around here. We came here when we saw the smoke rising from your hive.” The Captain stated.
The changeling continued to eye him until she noticed Spotlight.
“You.” Aria said as she pointed a holed hoof at Spotlight. “Who’s hive are you from?”
“Queen Metamorphia. At least, until the gryphons killed everyone.” Spotlight replied solemnly.
“Metamorphia is dead?” Aria replied in shock.
Spotlight nodded in response.
“Why are you with these... things, then?” Aria asked while looking at the Captain.
“These humans were kind enough to take me in.” Spotlight said with a smile.
“I see...” Aria said as she looked to the humans behind Daniel.
“If I may, I would recommend we get everyone out of here. The whole place is kinda on fire.” Daniel stated with a hint of worry.
“And where would we go?” Aria asked bluntly.
“I could see if Princess Celestia would be willing to take you in.” Daniel offered.
Aria chuckled. “So you know the Equestrian Princess? No, even though I don’t share my mother’s ideals, her sins have become mine.”
“So... Chrysalis is...?” Spotlight stammered.
Aria nodded. “Yes. My mother died two days ago. A gryphon blade mortally wounded her. We tried to save her... but...” The changeling let out a deep sigh.
“Regardless, we need to get you all out of here. We can figure out where to take you later.” Daniel pleaded.
“How do I know you won’t just kill us later?” Aira asked with a slightly accusing tone.
“Because if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you. I’m not some generic villain who goes on a monologue before killing someone.” Daniel stated with a shrug.
His answer seemed to catch the changeling off guard as her ears pinned back is surprise.
“Very well.” Aria then turned to the remaining changelings. “We’re leaving.”
“Besides, it’s either us or the gryphons.” Daniel said with a grin.
“I suppose my options are very limited then.” Aria said dryly.
“Seems so. Now if you will excuse me, I need to make a call. Commander Dior! Make sure everyone gets out. I don’t want anyone left behind!” Daniel called out.
“Got it. I’ll assemble them near the Pelicans.” The SPARTAN replied.
Daniel nodded as he broke off from the group and slid his helmet back on.
“So Princess, I assume you just saw all that?” Daniel said to his viewers.
“I did... though I’m not sure what to make of it.” Celestia said with unease.
“Any possibility of them getting a place to stay?” The ODST asked hopefully.
“Again, there is a lot to consider here. Even though Chrysalis is... gone, I can’t help but worry about her daughter.” The solar Princess replied.
“I suppose. But are you going to hold her accountable for something her mother did?” Daniel asked with a hint of surprise.
“Her mother tried to take over Canterlot and use my ponies as a free food source. So I am a bit inclined to believe she will follow in her mother’s hoofsteps.” Celestia stated firmly.
“Have you met this changeling before?” Daniel calmly asked.
“...No.” Celestia said after a pause.
“Then how can you be sure she is just like her mother?” Daniel continued to press his point.
“I...” Celestia stammered.
“Princess, do you believe in giving people second chances?” Daniel asked with a chuckle.
“Well... yes.” She eventually replied.
“When Luna returned, you could have easily sent her back to the moon for another millenium, but you didn’t. You gave her a second chance. Right?” Daniel asked with an unseen grin.
“I... I suppose so.” Princess Celestia slowly replied.
“Then consider this the changeling’s second chance.” Daniel said with a smile.
There was a pause on the radio.
“Alright... Bring them to Canterlot. I know of a place where they can stay for now.” Celestia said with a defeated sigh.
“Don’t worry, I’ll help keep an eye on them. Though, I think they’ll just be happy to have somewhere to go.” Daniel said with confidence.
“I suppose so. How long until you arrive?”
“Not sure. I need to figure out how to transport thirty changelings, with only room on board for forty total.” Daniel chuckled nervously.
“Then I will leave that in your very capable hands.” Celestia replied calmly.
“Yeah, I’ll probably have to call for a third Pelican. And Celestia, try not to worry too much. Everything will be fine.” Daniel stated reassuringly.
“I want to believe that, I truly do. I suppose only time will tell.” The Princess said with a deep sigh. Daniel nodded as he left the hive to rejoin the others.
“Once more into the breach.” Daniel said with a shake of his head and a smile.