//------------------------------//
// Cuddlebugs (prologue) 
// Story: Advent of The CuddleBugs 
// by ConnorTempest 
//------------------------------//

	A taunting laughter filled the ears of an injured changeling, it belonged to a Queen Chrysalis.

"Stubborn gnat, you may be a Praetorian, but did you honestly believe you could best a Queen? Stupid...crazy even." Said the Matriarch.

After a few coughs and a bit of spit, the guard responded, "What you're doing is hurting the Hive, before you we were all but a legend...a myth...but you've grown bold and proud....I'd know, I've personally served the Hive since it's inception...watching over all our royalty, you are nothing but a pup to me, one that doesn't learn. You've attacked the Minos, the Golems, the Bloody DRAGONS! Even other Hives! What will make you learn! A better question, I guess, is what next? The equines and their Goddesses!? A number of us disagree with you...all we request is to leave, I did not come here to challenge your position, nor to kill you....I just wish to start anew...with some of my kin."

Chrysalis thought for a moment, til she decided. "Leave now, I have not the time nor patience to deal with you. You and your...sympathizers shall be evicted, what is a few hundred compared to thousands." She said with a sneer, sending out a message to her Hive. Her face softened before she added, "For each Changeling bring three meals with you....take care of them."

The beaten praetorian smiled as he sent out a message to his near five hundred strong kin. "Thank you young Chrysalis, I will...good luck..." He said sadly. Two of his kin came and flew him out.

"What now, Resistance Leader?" The one on his left asked.

"Now, little miss Alter, we will leave...and I know the perfect spot, a little pony settlement near Canterlot, full of happiness and love...and they are used to strange events and things, to boot also the home of the Elements of Harmony, so diplomatic meetings may be an option." He responded. After some thought he added, "And I am no longer the leader of a resistance, call me by my name, Harmonize...and a more pressing matter...we need a new leader."

The Changeling on his right gave a sigh of happiness and asked, "Who better than you? You have been among the living far longer than anything else in the Hive...actually from what I hear you were here before the hive was completed, is that true?"

"It is true that I have been walking this planet far longer than the age of the Hive, though I can't help but feel wrong about taking control...I don't want to be a tyrant...as a famous Golem once said, absolute power corrupts absolutely....it's just....Tune, I don't want to lose myself."

"Don't worry," both Alter and Tune said, "You'll have the entire Hive behind you." 

Harmonize looked on their faces, seeing only honesty and belief. He gave a smile and said, "Fine...but only if the new Hive wants it."

Alter and Tune bumped hooves. Then Alter asked, "So....do you become a Queen then? I mean you're a guy, and queens are female...soooo....?"

Another smile graced itself across the old guards face, "you and your odd questions, first let's get to the new Hive...then we can discuss the details."





As the trio exited the Hive they were welcomed by a crowd of changelings, nearly five hundred strong, all cheering.

Harmonize cleared his throat before addressing the crowd, "*Ahem* Children of the Tenth tribe, I hereby deliver the message from the Queen of the Tenth, WE ARE FREE TO LEAVE! You may all go your own way, however for those who wish, they may come with my comrades and I and create a new hive, as of today we birth the Forty-Second Tribe! Word of Changelings has been spreading, we must distinguish ourselves, those part of the Forty-Second from this day are no longer Changelings...On this day, and this day forth we shall be the Cuddlebugs!....cute, right?"

The crowd buzzed while they looked among themselves before a huge cheer rang out.

Harmonize took this as a sign and shouted, "All Cuddlebugs follow me, to our new home!"

Alter and Tune were soon joined by several others, helping Harmonize as he led the way...by giving directions.