"Where is the hive?" continued Rhinestone.
"I...it's about a couple m...miles from here..." stammered the changeling.
"So you're just a scout, eh?" said Rhinestone craftily. "Tell you what... you help me, and I set you free. If you don't.... I fry you where you lay."
To emphasize his point, he blew a small cloud of soot from his nostrils. The changeling flinched at this, and meekly changed the subject.
"Cute pup you got there. Such a sound sleeper." There was a sigh. "My name is Rita. I do not wish to harm thee or your little ones. I only follow what I am told."
"Her name is Rusty." said Rhinestone warily, as he carefully unpinned Rita. "My name is Rhinestone. Don't ever forget it." He looked her over, finally getting a glimpse of his attacker.
She was a dark blue changeling with a light red mane and one red eye, which contracted with her blue eye. She picked up her glasses and put them back on her face with an amused expression.
"Just a few scratches. I'll be fine. Got thick armor. Claws won't hurt much, but we ain't fireproof." She turned her gaze through her square frames at Rhinestone.
"Now.... how can thee be of assistance?"
"you're a scout, right? If that's true, you can help me find a way into this hive so that I can find Crystal...."
"Oh, I got an idea!" chimed rita. "If you're my prisoner, they'll take you to the prisoner area, and that's probally where your Crystal is...." She flattened her ears.
"But I'm afraid that Leader Craig won't be nice to her."
"Who is this Craig?" questioned Rhinestone with a hint of anger.
Rita gave a sigh. "Leader Craig is the hive master. He dishes out orders, and we must follow them. If we do not..." she shuddered. "Bad thing like this happen."
She lifted a wing to show a fresh scar across the underside of the delicate membrane, a cut only claws could make. She cringed as the wound stung from the exposure to fresh air.
"Doesn't sound like a great guy." commented Rhinestone, as he came closer. "But I can help you.... if you trust me."
"I don't see much progress here." commented Crystal dryly.
"I'm sorry... it would be easier if I still had my magic."
They used each other for support. Suddenly, Vlad hid them against a wall.
"What are y--" Vlad hushed her with a hoof as a guard changeling walked by, seemingly not noticing them hiding behind the wall.
"That was a close one." quietly remarked Crystal. "Thanks."
"Tell you what... I have a plan... but it won't work if you don't follow it up to par. Are you ready?"
Crystal nodded.
"We still need to find a way out of here." said Vlad, as he put a hoof to his head. "Before the drug gets any worse affects on us."
Rhinestone carefully put the rope around his neck. "So you're gonna lead me in like you beat the scales off of me? Pretty hard to convince when i'm stronger and bigger than you....Plus, me with no scuffs or hurt anywhere."
Rita thought this over. This was true.... no one would believe her if he wasn't hurt at all.... But what if..... what if she could have him hurt himself with a doppelganger of himself that looked like a changeling?