It was a (and I can't believe I am saying this) normal day at Princess Twilight's castle. The soft breeze could be felt through the open windows of the castle library as a young unicorn stallion sat and read. What he was reading was a book (Duh) about bees and the structures they use to make hives. This young stallion was none other than the famous Apis Fera... You haven't heard of him!! Well let me catch you up to speed.
You see, Apis Fera used to be a human, but was transported to Equestria after an unfortunate death. He was a well-known Entomologist at a university, but that's another story. The ending to this one is that he died, Celestia gave him a pony body of his choice, and he now lives in Ponyville researching bees. Now back to the story, enough with the questions. GOT IT!
As I was saying, Apis Fera was studying one of the species he found in the Everfree forest. He was deep in work as Twilight came into the library looking at him writing down notes. She walked to him and looked over his shoulder at the dead bee next to a picture on the book.
"You need to get out more," she spoke with sincere concern frowning at the bee. "Don't you have better things to do than compare dead things in my library?" She asked with a raised eyebrow
"To be honest, no," he replied back, not even looking at her. "And I am not comparing dead things," he stated.
"Yeah, Ok," she said in disbelief as she resumed looking at the bee, picking it up with her magic. "What is this species?" She asked, hovering it closer to her eyes, looking at the stinger.
"Be careful with that!" He yelled, grabbing it with his magic and hovering it to its original place. "I don't know if that is poisonous or not." He resumed looking back at his notes
"Well, sorry for wanting to learn about what you study." She started giving a pout face but stopped when she saw he wasn't even looking at her
"I still can't believe YOU ponies never even thought about studying the insects around Everfree forest," he stated dryly, looking out the window into the Forest. "I think there is more in that forest than I have explored."
"What could possibly be in that forest that hasn't been explored yet?" She asked, dumbfounded at his persistence concerning more creatures in that forest. "Come on, you explored that forest to every single leaf you need to find-"
"NO!" He interrupted with an idea. "I haven't looked underground yet!" He exclaimed, jumping from the desk he was at. "Also, Twilight, this species of Bee is Apis Mellifera, otherwise known as the common honeybee. I am still amazed at how you never found some of these bees."
"Well, the ponies of Equestria don't like to be stung by anything," Twilight said with a blank expression.
"Whatever." He rolled his eyes looking out the window. "I am going out for a walk. I'll be back around 2:00 PM," he stated to her, heading for the library exit.
"See you later." Twilight waved him goodbye, resuming her gaze on the bee.
So you are probably wondering where did Apis go? He went to the Everfree forest to look for another bee hive in one of the trees. To his luck he found several different hives and was absolutely amazed at the architecture differences. He always pondered why social animals used different architecture instead of all using the same type. This one question stuck with him until he made his way back to the castle.
"I'm back," Apis yelled as he entered the castle
"Welcome back," Twilight said, walking up to him out of the dining hall
"We just had dinner," she explained. "We can talk while you eat," she said gesturing him to follow her.
"Ok," he said, following her to the dining room.
Once they got to the dining room he sat down and waited for Spike to bring him his dinner, which was Honey-Roasted Peanuts (yeah I said it). He started munching on the crunchy beans. "So, I thought about something new I could do to further my research," he said, chewing happily on the savory honey coated beans.
"Yeah, what did you have in mind?" Asked Twilight tilting her head wanting to know what this scientist could possibly do.
He started to explain the hives he found in the forest, and long story short, "I want to find a superb hive."
"Why would you want to do that?" Twilight said, shaking her head with a hoof on her face
"Well, I just want to see the grand architecture nature's finest can offer," he stated. "Plus think of the possibilities of buildings we could make if we could get a sample and synthesize it for massive constructing purposes."
"You do make a fine point there, but what do you need from me?" Twilight's hoof came down and a blank face showing.
"All I need from you is to make a machine to synthesize a sample, if I can get one," he started explaining his plan to Twilight. "Just think about it," he pleaded with the alicorn.
"Fine, but I get to have my name on the book if this works," she stated laying her hoof down.
"Deal. All I want to be known for is getting the sample," he said, finishing his honey-roasted peanuts. "I will start my search tomorrow morning."
Getting out of the chair, he headed for his bed chambers on the third floor of the castle where his collection of bees were. Opening the door he could smell his honey scented candle flickering in the moonlight, walking over to his desk he sat down and levitated a book over to him about beehives
Outside there was rustling in a tree next to Apis' window, as two shadowy figures flew out and look at each other in the eyes and nodded.
"We need to report this to the queen," a scratchy voice came from one of them. "He may be of assistance to help the queen with rebuilding The Hive"
"Agreed," said another voice as the two mysterious creatures flew to the Everfree forest.