Verus walked through the hallway following Celestia still carrying Krogg. The group had fallen silent long before they began walking. He looked around and saw the halls adorned with decorations ranging from a humble vase to an all out tapestry depicting war. Verus thought more about that locust he had encountered. Viken was his name if he recalled correctly.
Something about him seemed off. Almost as if there was something dark following him wherever he went. His thoughts then drifted to his rebellion for some reason. A guard…. in the room with Myraah the day he tried killing her by surprise. The one who said he would stop at nothing to kill him. That guard must have been Viken the similarities are too uncanny.
“Well here we are everyone.” said celestia while gesturing to a set of doors. Verus counted seven in total. How convenient Verus thought to himself. “Get plenty of rest. I feel tomorrow shall be a long day” Luna said as they all entered their rooms. Celestia stopped Verus before he entered. “Verus I feel as though I must make sure you agree to the terms I set.” Celestia said to him.
“Yes I understand the agreement and shall abide to the rules.” He said to her without looking back. “I shall stay in here until you summon me.” He said. “Good now rest up.” With that Celestia turned around and walked away. Verus went in and set Krogg on the bed which strangely enough accommodated his size. He heard the sound of guards moving to the front of the door.
Verus sighed and went to the left side of the bed to sleep. He kept his armor on simply because he was used to it. He shut his eyes and focused on nothing but the extremely soft bed he was laying his head on. He felt like sleep had already took him and sent him straight to heaven. Then there was this nagging feeling in his head telling him to open his eyes to which he complied.
When his eyes cracked open he saw a sight which had haunted him since the day it happened. A large cell block which had dozens upon dozens of cells. with dried blood on almost all of the bars. He heard a call from one of his squadmates. Turning around he saw a grenadier searching a body of a dead elite hunter propped up against a wall.
He knew what was going to happen yet he couldn't say anything to get him to run. All Verus said was “Very good the queen will be pleased.” then it happened he heard a screech then immediately after a berserker burst through the wall running over the Grenadier. the roundish object flew away into a nearby cell all the locusts eyes never leaving it.
The berserker smelled and listened for the locust not seven feet from it. Verus motioned for them to stay still. Since he was the closest he slowly stepped towards the cell. as he did the berserker moved around as it started smelling faster. Verus was almost there but suddenly the berserker started smashing the ground in an attempt to get the ones hiding to panic and scatter.
Verus motioned for them to stay still. They listened Verus slowly grabbed the module through the bars. “RUN!” he yelled as he threw it to a hunter who stood furthest away. the berserker looked at him and charged. He jumped away and he heard a crash. once he turned he saw the berserker chasing his squadmates. The berserker wasted almost all of the locust. only two remained as they tried running for the data module that was ripped from the hunters hand.
“Go! Run!” shouted Verus. the locust did not hesitate to listen though they did feel they shall pay the price once returning to the queen. suddenly his vision was filled with the sight of the queens throne room. He looked around and saw the two other locust that survived the mission.
“So. You have failed to gather the data of the new weapons. It pains me to do this to my children but such losses are punishable by death.” Myraah said as the locust nodded in acceptance. “As for you Verus. I shall let you survive for you will still serve some use to me.” she said to him.
“My queen let them survive. It was my fault in the first place to leave the data.” he said to her not wanting them to die. He did not know why. Werent theron not to show this much emotion. what was he?
“Verus I do respect you very much, But even so you must learn to hold your tongue. Do not question my decisions.” she said to him. her voice showed her annoyance with his opinion. “My queen please listen to me.” pleaded Verus. “NO! listen to me Verus I decide what happens if you speak out one more time I shall kill you myself!”she said to him.
“yes my queen.” Verus said through his teeth. Myraah proceeded to kill the locust. Verus left the room filled with rage. He knew that she would pay.
Verus awoke and he automatically noticed his teeth hurt. He must have been grinding them in his sleep. He looked to his left to see Krogg sleeping on his side of the bed. Verus decided to go to the balcony to get some air.
As verus walked out on the balcony he saw it was still dark outside. He couldn't feel a breeze when he walked closer to the rail. When he grabbed hold of it it zapped him. He pulled his hand away and saw a barrier of yellow magic flash before going away. “Looks like Celestia is taking extra measures.” Verus said to himself.
He saw no use to be outside since there was no breeze to enjoy. He went back to the bed so he could try to sleep again. All he could do while he laid though was think about himself. What was he? Was he even a locust?
He kept asking himself these questions until the sun rose up. Bringing the new day along with some headaches. He heard a loud shout come from Krogg as he awoke with a start. “My king!” He shouted as he jumped out of the bed. He looked around trying to figure out where he was. once he turned around he saw the standing form of Verus. He walked towards his king and knelt before him.
“Rise Krogg. Everything is okay.” said Verus as he motioned for his general to rise before him.
“My king where are we? Is that bastard locust dead?” He asked wanting to know.
“No. I regret to inform you that I know not if Viken lives.” He said to Krogg. Krogg assumed that Viken was that locust. “As for our location we are in our room awaiting Celestias guards.” Krogg nodded and took another look around.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw something that made him smile. His eyes fixed on an open crate in the corner of the room. Verus followed his gaze and followed him. They stood side by side with smiles on their faces.
In the crate string at them was Kroggs armor. The general eagerly put on his armor. When he was done a knock was heard at the door followed by a voice. “Get out here the princess wishes to see you in the dining room.” Both locust shared a nod and headed out of the door.when Verus emerged he saw two guards ready to escort them.
One had wings while the other had nothing on its sides or forehead. They had expressionless faces, That is until Krogg emerged. The general emerged with his armor on and his smile returned when he saw the frightened faces of those ponies. Verus smiled as well and looked at the guards. “Lead the way.” He said.
The guards turned around and began walking. The hallways seemed to look identical and Verus was sure they would get lost soon. No one could keep track of these twists and turns. He heard Krogg speak from behind him in their locust language.
“May I say something my king?” asked Krogg in his usual deep voice.
“Yes Krogg speak.” replied Verus.
“I feel as though we haven't been cautious enough. We need to be to survive. We are the only ones we can trust.” He said. Verus was thinking and then he replied.
“I agree Krogg. I understand. We can’t trust them fully unless we can be sure.” Verus finished and he looked forward again. The guards were still walking, But were now confused as to the jiberish they spoke during the walk.
“We have arrived please be respectful. We are watching you.” The guard said trying to be intimidating.
Verus walked in to see Celestia and the six smaller ones he met yesterday. They were eating happily. Celestia saw them and asked them to join. They went to the large and sat down.
“Verus did you sleep well?” She asked him in a calm voice.
“I slept well thank you very much.” Verus replied. Celestia looked at Krogg and froze. Her mind started racing as she thought about his armor. How did he get it. The armor was kept secured in her private study, and he hasn’t left the room all night. Yet here it was before her eyes.
She didn’t show her surprise though. “I see you found your armor. she said.
“Why yes. I am grateful that you gave me the armor. I thought you wouldn’t have given it to me after what happened.” He said. Your darn right I wouldn’t have. Celestia thought to herself before replying.
“You’re very welcome. Now you must be hungry please eat.” She said. Soon after plates of salad and fruit came out. Verus and Krogg both eyed it before trying it. Only Krogg stopped Verus and ate some of his food.
Krogg had a thinking expression on his face then gestured to the food. “It is alright to eat.” Krogg said. Verus looked up at him shook his head and started to eat. Krogg looked to the left of the table to see the ponie staring at him. He growled and the ponies all five ponies turned away….wait five?
Just as he was about to turn his head to the left again he saw a pink face show up out of nowhere. “Hello my name is Pinkie Pie. Wow you’re tall. What is your name? Mine is Pinkie Pie but I already said that huh? You should hold a record for height. I hope we can be friends. I made you, and your king cupcakes.” she finished with a huge smile.
Krogg looked stunned though his armor didn’t show it. He only understood blah blah blah I am annoying listen to my annoying voice blah blah blee blah. He looked down at the pastries below him on the table.
“Pinkie where did you find the time to make these? I know that you should not be allowed into the kitchen of the castle at all.” said Twilight.
“Oh Twilight I never leave ponyville without new pony greeting cupcakes. Or in this case new locust.” She said with a laugh.
“Then how are they warm?” Asked Twilight.
“Oh Twilight there are some things nopony can know.” Pinkie said as she pat Twilights head. Twilight let out a sigh then went on to argue with the pink one. Krogg looked down at Verus who had already finished his food.
Krogg took that as his cue to eat. As he munched away everyone was silent except for the chatter of the ponies in their section of the table. Then suddenly the door burst open and a guard approached the princess.
“Princess there has been an attack on the city by those creatures from last night.” said the guard.
“We have to stop them. Do you know what they are after?” asked Celestia.
“Yes. Queen Chrysalis.”
Underneath east district of Canterlot
“You know your mission. Chrysalis has come here seeking Celestias aid. Do whatever you must. DESTROY everything you must to kill her.” said Viken to a large assortment of boomers, drones, beast riders, and reavers. In unison all said “YES GENERAL!”
A large hole opened up causing the creatures of death come to the surface. The citizens ran for cover as fast as they could. All they could hear were explosions and gunfire as some were gunned down by the locust. There was a series of loud shouts all saying one thing “DIE GROUNDWALKERS!!!”