//------------------------------// // Leading the Hive (Years gone by) // Story: Advent of The CuddleBugs // by ConnorTempest //------------------------------// A large Cuddlebug flanked by two smaller ones sat on his bed, face in a bucket. "Sweet Gods and Goddesses, " he said, taking a pause to hurl into said bucket, "Growing pains suck!" The Cuddlebug on his right, Tune, put a hoof on his shoulder. "We're here for ya buddy." Harmonize puked into the bucket again, filling it. Pushing it to the side so it rested near several other buckets he grabbed another one. The Cuddlebug on his left, Alter, shoved a cup filled with some glowing substance into Harmonizes hooves. "Drink up." she instructed. "Sooo....is the puke from the growing or the hangover?" Tune asked. Harmonize opened his mouth to answer, before promptly pushing his muzzle into his bucket and vomiting again. "Probably both. Actually now that I think of it, weren't you more drunk them him?" Alter answered. "Forget that for now, how's the Hive taking it?" asked Harmonize. "I would say 'take a look', but you'd probably puke again; All in all, very well. We have lots of food for now, but I'd recommend preparing some to head out for collection soon. The Hivemind still needs to be established, that'll happen when your fully grown; the Hatchery is almost finished, and we have a new home! Already pre-made, no digging required!" Tune reported. "Ahh, good, that's one burden off my shoulders...now about your secret about hangovers?" "AAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!" Harmonize sprung up in his bed, sweat beading on his carapace. Quickly he lifted the covers and gave a sigh of relief. "Still a male...phew..." he thought aloud. Seeing as he wouldn't be able to sleep easy for a bit he left his bed and walked up to a mirror. How changed he was. Now he was about twice his original height, a bit more than a head taller than Chrysalis, and somewhere along the line he had developed a membrane on his head that resembled dreadlocks, though they had the same color as his carapace and were quite short, he also grew 'sails' on the sides of his head, giving him a slightly draconic look, still keeping his head 'sail'. Instead of a crown, like Chrysalis, he grew a single antenna from behind his horn, the tip of which was shaped like a heart while along the 'stem' were three thin rings that seemingly floated around it, like a planets rings. He channeled some magic into the antenna and it began to give off a soft teal glow. His tail also grew, much to his agitation, now reaching the floor; on the plus side, his wings grew as well. Walking out the door he quickly took note of the day, and a special day it was. The hive was having its first Hatching. Once arriving at the birthing grounds he noticed several small groups already there, no doubt waiting in anticipation. When the moment arrived the entire hive was buzzing about, all of them excited about the sacred event. The event in his previous Hive had, for the most part, gone ignored, but here was his Hive, his family. He personally preformed the ritual in front of his caste. It was a simple looking process, a large amount of love and magic was channeled into eggs, or directly into a pregnant mother, and the rest would commence as....biology and nature intended. The most accurate way to describe it was that the energy 'awakened' them. The first Hatchling was a live birth and was very small, so much so that some thought it wasn't going to survive. With determination in his veins, Harmonize knelt down and channeled more love into the infant. After Harmonize ended his spell the Hatchling glowed for a moment, the Hive waiting with baited breath, till the glow faded and it turned to its side, suckling its hoof. Cheers broke out for the firstborn of the Forty-Second. The Hatchling was soon found to be male and was lovingly named Tiny. The second was from an egg, and the ceremony proceeded without any problems. This one was female and was named Akrid. The third and final was a live birth, a swift and easy one at that. A male, who was named Mantis. It may not have been much, but the three births signaled the true start of their hive, and to them it was a miracle. For the remainder of the day the Hive celebrated. And so sixteen years passed by while the Forty-Second thrived. Love collection was done passively, Cuddlebugs only donning self-made disguises, one of them, a Cuddlebug named Atlas, even learned how to domesticate and harvest love from some of the wild animals. The Hive grew, from births to finding lone Changelings and accepting them into the Forty-Second. It wasn't nearly close to becoming what could be called a 'large' hive, but was likely the most prosperous. They lived in secret, and peace. Then a disaster happened. The day was the Summer Sun Celebration, a holiday of sorts that the ponies had to give thanks to their deity leader, the Sun Goddess. It was also a very good event for harvest, those ponies really do love her a lot. On special events such as this Harmonize let his caste leave the hive for the day to enjoy the festivities and soak up any emotion they could, this one was no different, well actually it was very special, as the Goddess was visiting the village which the hive was near...or more accurately, under. everybuggy was enjoying the day, and a large amount stayed behind to watch the raising that year. So they waited in anticipation along with everypony, some striking up conversation, while others started playing games. Though as the ponies began to gather to watch the raising Harmonize sensed something was off, he noticed that he hadn't seen the deity the entire day, and that worried him, so he sent out a message. There's something not right going on, has anybuggy even caught a glimpse of the Sun Goddess? After a moment of silence he was bombarded by nos and thoughts of confusion. She was meant to be here, right? That's was I was told. She could just be late. Impossible, she always arrives the previous day. What happened to her? Is she alright? Thoughts like these covered the Hivemind till a surge of fear hit them. What's causing this? Whatever it is, it's terrifying Ponyville. Upon feeling the wave a fear Harmonize ran toward the source, while sending out the order to retreat toward the hive. When he entered the town hall he instantly noticed a few things, one was the multiple guards sprawled out on the floor moaning, another was was stampede of ponies running away, and lastly was...an alicorn, who was definitely not the Sun Goddess. "So the time has finally arrived. The others need to know..." he muttered under his breath as he turned around and ran toward his hive. Upon arriving at his hive he checked to make sure that all of his Hive was present, they were. Addressing his Hive using the Hivemind he said, "I bring news, for the Mistress of the Night has returned." Gasps emanated throughout the Hive. "I request a Runner, the other Hives need to know about this, which of you will carry the message? Those who wish to volunteer head to barracks." Finishing his statement he made his way to meet the one who would deliver his message. It took him about twenty minutes or so to make his way to the barracks, and upon entrance he found a lone Cuddlebug. Quickly grabbing a quill and scroll he wrote his letter, rolled it up, and sealed it. Putting a hoof over the Cuddlebugs shoulder he said, "Tailor, Fifty-Sixth daugher of the Forty-Second, this missive is of the utmost importance, and I believe in you. Do you believe in yourself?" "I-I do." "You are to bring this to the leader of the Eighth Tribe and return. We are counting on you." "Y-Yes Father, I will be back soon." "Thank you Child, we await your return with passion and eager hearts." Planting a kiss on Tailors forehead Harmonize gave her the scroll and sent her on her way. The Hive waited for what seemed like hours, waiting for the sun to finally peak out, but alas no such thing happened and so they only prayed. That is until a voice from the Hivemind rang out. Family, it's Akrid, I have news. I got a bit lost during the chaos and accidentally found myself in the Everfree, also Atlas, you need to keep tabs on your pets better, a manticore of all things got loose and had a tussle with some ponies, one of them managed to calm it, but such luck isn't likely if you let it happen a third time...at least it wasn't your ursas. AHEM...back to your news? Yes, that, anyway I got lost and ended up in the Everfree and had to wander around, one of the ponies crashed into me during the panic and I got all dizzy, anyway...now I'm at a castle. And because of my poor luck, it's were the crazy alicorn pony is taking up residence. Any good news? Umm...five ponies from the village, along with one I've never seen before, are fighting with her. Harmonize said a silent prayer for the six. Akrid, get home now, things are begging, things that the ponies couldn't even begin to understand nor fathom; The six will be alright, trust me. Yes Father. After some time a bright flash blanketed the sky and a beam of light peeked it way across the horizon. Harmonize receded back to his quarters, giving a deep sigh as he neared his desk. So it seems the 'famine' for the Tribes will soon be over. And maybe...just maybe....oh, I can only hope. An hour later a pair of Cuddlebugs crashed threw his door, wings tangled together. "So you've both returned I see...how did..." he motioned with his hooves, "This happen?" "Umm...accident?" they both said. "Anyways, how was the delivery?" Harmonize said, while shaking his head slightly. "It went well," Tailor said, "Czar Nexus said for me to tell you, 'The eve begins, the time is key, and so are we--" "Yet don't forget the family..." Harmonize finished, tears forming in his eyes. Tailor and Akrid gave a frown, "What is the matter Father? Why are you sad?" they asked. "Daughters, I am not sad, I am overcome with joy...I have awaited to hear that message for an uncountable amount of years...trust me when I say, good things are to come." He answered, pulling the two mares into a hug.