Hive Mind

by canonkiller

Realization

Ponies are actually quite large.

I know this, because I live with a farm on the property. A pony is normally about fifty-eight inches at the withers - the base of the mane. For the people like me, that's one-hundred and forty-seven centimeters. So, in theory, most ponies can fit through doorways height-wise. Most ponies are round, too, and width is a problem for doors.

But the Queen - and I assume Celestia and Luna as well - is closer to the size of a horse; sixty-five inches, or one-sixty-five centi's.

Add her neck, and bucking horn...

It took a very long time to get her out of my room. A very, very long time. I'll have to fix that door before my mom gets home.

Luckily, the living room has a lot more space.

"How long were you gone? Exactly?"

"Fourteen years. You told me."

"How have you survived this long?"

"What? I ate food, drank water, breathed occasionally..."

"No. Those are all important... but where have you been finding the love you need?"

"Love...?"

"Love." She repeated, eyes narrowing. "The main source of life for a Changeling?"

I blinked, lifting a hoof to my chin. "How are you living, then? Out in the middle of nowhere, I mean."

"I survive on the hive's love for me. My perdiequum squad survives on the same, as they protect me. For my hive, they collect it as they need it. I have no reason to trap them inside a hive, unless there is a contagion. Many have left the hives and never been heard from again. Now, you."

"I don't know. Well, I do, but I don't think I'd work for you. I have a family. A human family."

"How did you find them?"

Every part of me stops. I can't breathe, I can't move, and every thought I had before has stopped.

"Are you alright? You're shaking."

"Fine." I choke out. "I'm fine." I don't like lying much.

She's frowning, I can tell with my eyes closed. "Whatever you say..." Her ears twitch, and she frowns. "I have to go. Those morons have set fire to an outer hive again."

In a flash, she's gone.

I'm a pony... she's evil... I'M A PONY. I snort, shaking my head quickly. I know, I tell myself. I'll let it sink in later... Great. I'm talking to myself. Not only am I a demon-pony, I'm a demon-pony with some level of insanity.

I don't think she'll be back soon, and it's getting dark. I need to think.

Trotting out of the room, I absentmindedly unlock the door with my magic and push it open, letting the wind shut it behind me.

It feels nice. The wind on my fur is relaxing, and not cold. The rising darkness is hiding me from the world.

The world isn't hiding from me, though.

I used to be scared of the dark. More, of the things that could be in it.

But now, in the dusk, I don't have to worry. The darker it gets, the easier it is to see. Lines that flash like silver outline every object. The sky is a black blanket, save for the few early stars. The grass is a rippling lake, a few tress painting dark shadows on the surface.

it's a beauty I have never seen before. And if I slip up in front of Chrysalis, one I'll probably never see again.

On a whim, I change into the form of Luna. A glance up to the sky confirms what I've always assumed - the sky has no darkness for her. Every space has a star. It always has, for her.

I change back.

For the rest of us, we have to make our own stars.

I reopen the door, let the cat out, and close it again.

My fur starts to prickle, and something tells me I should move.

A bit flash lights up the hall where I had been standing. "Sorry about that." Chrysalis groaned, shaking a bit of ash off her wings. "You have no idea how many idiots I have to work with. Where were we?"

Just, you know, making me doubt my whole life up to this point, "Feeding grounds?"

"Ah, of course. And?"

"I've survived on the love of my friends." White lie number two. "I'm sure you'll find victi... hosts here."

Chrysalis's eyes narrowed. "You know, keeping secrets from a Queen has ended many a life."

"Not keeping secrets." I muttered. "Wouldn't dream of it."

She sighed, kneeling down and setting a hoof on my shoulder. "Look, Femal-"

"I have a name."

"-Female 3217." She growled. "I will kill you if you don't explain further."

I shrugged her hoof off, taking a couple of steps back. "No! You are not my Queen! You left me..." A couple of evil thoughts, here and there, "... and you can't kill me because you don't know what to expect here."

"What?! No! I can kill you, and I will! I can find out about this place on my own!"

"You can't! You barely kept up a pony guise for a couple of weeks! This place is mine! All mine."

Chrysalis drew backwards, a mix of shock and pure fury on her face. "A little touchy, aren't we? I'll have you know that the hive-"

"Will do nothing! You send them here, and I swear to Celestia I will kill every single one."

"3217, you better apologize."

I glare at her.

"Fine!" Chrysalis hissed. "Good luck without the hive."

A flash of light, and she's gone. I sit back, shock setting in.

I'm a pony.

Not just any pony, one of the most feared breeds in Equestria.

I've just made enemies with the leader of my species.

She wants Earth.

Slowly, I stand up, walking towards the window. With a little effort, I prop myself up on my back hooves.

"Not today, witch. Not. Today."