//------------------------------// // The Hive Pt.1 // Story: OC, Oh Crap! // by SmokeShadow95 //------------------------------// The journey to the Changeling Hive would be a long trek, through hot deserts and misty swamps. But that wasn't going to stop them. The Princess's of the Day and the Night had given them the mission themselves. And now they were on their way. All of them. At least they were given a cart. The cart was being pulled by none other than Applejack herself, with Pinkie Pie at her side keeping up the same pace. Being the only two Earth ponies they had been elected to provide the power behind the transport, not that either of them minded. Applejack was used to the physically taxing work of bucking apple fields, so pushing a cart really wasn't that hard. And Pinkie was really the only pony in all of Ponyville that could keep pace with her for long stretches, other than Dash maybe. Then again, Dash could never stay at the same speed for more than a minute. Fluttershy and Rarity sat in the front and enjoyed the scenery as it passed by. They both took in the sights as they came. Rarity loved seeing the colors of the flowers as the gentle breeze caressed the petals on its way through. There was all sorts of of colors, from a bright redish violet color to a darker blue that set a sharp contrast to each other. This was all set against a backdrop of the most vibrantly green grass she had ever seen. Fluttershy waved at all the animals they passed on their way. She had encountered many of the species before, but she always enjoyed meeting new individuals. Every now and then a bird would venture close to say hello before flying off again to frolic in the flowers or whatever it was that birds did. Twilight sat in the back of the cart. She had the map. Her job was to interpret the map as best she could and find them the safest, fastest, most logical way there. Judging by the grunts and groans the others could hear it was not going too well. “Really, Twilight, dear? You must calm down before that eye twitching things starts again,” Rarity said over her shoulder. “Calm down?” Twilight repeated, “Calm down?! How am I supposed to do that? This map is so crudely drawn, I could have Spike redo it blindfolded and it will still turn out better than this. Look around you, we are clearly traveling through some pleasant hill country, but the map clearly reads like this exact spot is a desert, and that spot over there is supposed to be a swamp with what I can only assume is mist around it. Whoever this scout is that stumbled upon the Changeling Hive must have the intelligence of a rodent. No offense, Fluttershy.” “That okay, Twilight. Some rodents do have some trouble sometimes,” Fluttershy said, “But they make up for it with an abundance of cuteness.” “I'll just have to take your word on that,” Twilight stated flatly. “I need a break. Let's talk about something else, anything else. Please.” “Very well,” Rarity said. “So, what do you think of the humans? Ben, and Tessla, and Austin?” That got Twilight thinking, even more so than usual. “Well, what do you girls think about them?” Was her only response. Fluttershy was the first to speak. She had a smile on her face and seemed genuinely happy all the time, but now she seemed more conflicted than anything else. It was like she was trying to make a really hard decision and wasn't sure what to say. “I don't know,” She eventually said, “They can be very nice and polite and helpful. Tessla has helped me with some of the animals around the cottage a few times. But they can also be kinda scary.” “Scary?” Twilight repeated, “What makes you say that?” “Well, they are big and strong,” Fluttershy explained, “And Austin can do magic. He beat that duelist pony, and he did it by hurting him. And we all saw what Tessla did back in Canterlot.” “Yes, I suppose I never did think of them that way,” Rarity said, “I can see how they help around town and each of us, but is it really worth it to have that much danger around us all the time? I have Sweetie Belle to look out for.” “What's goin' on over here,” Dash said as she landed in the back of the cart. Twilight was looking down at the wooden planks of the cart, deep in her own thoughts. She didn't even look up when Dash landed not so gently. “Hey Dash,” Twilight said rather seriously, “What do you think of the guys?” “Haven't really spent much time with 'em,” Dash said, “They seem cool enough though. I mean, that Ben guy kinda seems like a stick in the mud, but Austin can do some pretty cool shit. I'm not really sure about the other one. Seemed kinda boring before, but now he might be useful for a good prank or two. Why you wanna know?” “You don't find them . . . scary, do you, Dash?” “Pleaase, I am not afraid of anything,” Dash said, “But that doesn't mean I would go looking to pick a fight with 'em either.” “Oh,” Twilight said, “Okay. Thanks.” Twilight sat against the side of the side of the cart. She was lost deep in her own thoughts to the point that she wasn't responding to anypony else. They all knew she could get like that sometimes and just left her alone. Fluttershy was concerned about her, but there was not much she could do. Dash quickly devoured some snacks while standing there. She grabbed a few more and launched herself into the air once again. She took the half a second she needed to right herself and set herself in the right direction. She loved the feeling of the wind in her mane as she flew up to Applejack and Pinkie Pie. “Hey, brought you those snacks you asked for,” She said as she rained down the grub. Pinkie Pie moved side to side as much as she could to catch each of the snacks in her mouth. It was a game to her. Life itself was a game to her, and she always seemed to be winning. Applejack's hat caught most of hers. She had to take it off to funnel the crumbs into her mouth. “Thank ya kindly, Dash,” Applejack said, “It's mighty hot out here in these parts, and I really needed the boost.” “It's alright,” Dash said, “At least it gets me out of there. Twilight's being weird again.” “Whatca mean by that?” “Well, she asked me what I thought of the guys, and I told her. Then she asked me I found them scary at all,” Dash reported, “And she was all weird about it, like she was distracted or something. I don't know.” “Yeah, that does sound kinda odd,” Applejack said, “I don't reckon I find 'em scary, but they all can do some pretty impressive things. Fighting off timberwolves and the like.” “I just find them all really funny,” Pinkie said with a bounce, “Do you know how many laughs I've had since they arrived? Do ya? 4,328! That's 567 more than my usual laugh counter.” “Riiigghhht,” Dash said, “I just don't know what Twilight's deal is, AJ. She seems different ever since these guys got here.” “Well, she is a princess now, Dash,” Applejack stated, “A lot of ponies look up to her, and she is responsible for every one of them. That's a mighty big burden for anypony to handle.” “Well, she doesn't have to do it alone,” Dash said, “She has us.” === The guys all sat in the cart behind the rest of the girls. It was connected to the one in front like a set of train cars, just on a smaller scale. A little bit of magic infused in there made it where the carts weren't too heavy for the ponies pulling them. Ben sat up in the front, staring off into the distance with his mind a million miles away. He had a ridiculous smile spread across his face, not that anyone would know as to why. Well, Austin and Tessla did, but they weren't saying just yet. They left Ben to his fantasies and sat in the back. Thank Celestia this cart was uncovered, unlike Twilight's. She demanded the covered one for her books and maps. The last thing she wanted was a stray breeze blowing away all her work. “Wonder what they're talking about,” Tessla said, looking past Ben at the ponies ahead of them. He had spent the majority of his time in the cart sleeping. His brush with chaos excited him into staying up all night, and then his game with Blueblood drained him. He had only woken up a short time ago. “You got three guesses,” Austin replied. His time was spent doing one of his favorite pastimes. One that he hadn't really done a lot of since he arrived in Equestria. That was drawing. He had a fair bit of talent, wished he had more, but ultimately was proud of anything he created. He had drawn a few pictures, but nothing that was really noteworthy or important. “Us?” Tessla said, more of guess than an actual answer. “Most likely,” Austin replied, still not looking up from his paper. “The real wonder pertains to what they are saying about us. Is it good, is it bad?” “You really think they're talking bad about us?” “Sure as hell hope not,” Austin said. “But you never kno-” Austin stopped talking without finishing his sentence. He had put down the pencils and looked up at Tessla, who was now looking back at him with some concern on his face. “Austin, what is it?” “Your eye, the chaotic one,” Austin said, “It isn't purple anymore, its green.” “Are you serious?!” “I am as serious as your powers aren't.” “Sonofabitch!” Ben was completely oblivious to the problems of his friends behind him. He was lost in his own mind. He was completely consumed in the world of his own imagination, an endless place of fantasies and wonders all for him. “Ben!” Ben's imaginary world fell apart to reveal reality was once again before his eyes. He sighed and rubbed his eyes a few times. He had to adjust again to being back. He looked around to see that they had arrived at the forward camp. The ponies had all ventured away from the carts, and the guys were busy stretching after spending nearly a full day stuck in a cart. That seemed like a good idea to Ben and he disembarked. “Hey, look who's back with us in reality,” Austin mocked as Ben neared them. “Enjoy your fantasies, Ben?” “You know what, I was enjoying them,” Ben answered sarcastically, “I would love to go back some time. It is a great vacation destination.” “Well, try to stay in this reality for a while. We have work to do.” With that said Austin walked off. He was going to join Twilight in the command tent, but was stopped before he could enter. Tessla and Ben were rounded up and all three of them were lead to a another tent near the outskirts of the camp. Only two other tents were set up nearby. They could see the girls making themselves comfortable from their tent. All of them except for Twilight of course. Meanwhile, Twilight herself was greeted by a surprise upon entering the command tent. It was rather large tent that also doubled as the living quarters for the pony in charge. It was this pony who surprised Twilight so. She had walked in prepared to give an in depth scolding to the pony who devised that map, and then delve into an even more in depth discussion onto the next step. All that went out the window, however, when she saw her brother standing there. “Hey, Twily,” He said with a smile. He waved off another pony who left promptly. “Shining Armor?!” Twilight said, confused, “Nopony told me that you would be here.” “Same here. I just got here a little bit before you arrived. I didn't even know you were coming until a few minutes ago.” “I really need to have a talk with the pony in charge of this camp.” “Yeah, well, you're looking at him,” Shining Armor said, “That's why I was brought in. The previous Captain was captured by the Changelings a week ago, along with four of the guard ponies who were with him.” “He's been gone for a week, and nopony thought to call for help sooner?” “They didn't know where he had been taken, but we do now. Question is: Are you ready?” “Hell yeah! We all are. I brought the girls and the guys with me.” “The guys? You mean the humans?” Shining Armor asked with some concern. “Yeah, why?” Twilight asked, noting the concern on her brother's face. “Is that a problem?” “No, it's just that I wasn't expecting them,” Shining Armor said, “And we don't know how the Changelings will affect them. Bringing them maybe wasn't the best idea.” “With all due respect, Shining,” Twilight said seriously, “That is your opinion. You don't know them like I do. They can really help here.” “Or maybe they could cause even more trouble for us,” Shining defended, “We don't know. We know nothing about them. That is what worries me.” “You know nothing about them, brother,” Twilight annoyingly uttered, “But I know them. I trust them. Maybe someday you will to.” Twilight turned and left the tent. She left her brother with his thoughts, and enough worries to sink a ship. She was angry at him for what he said. How could he not trust them? They have done nothing wrong, nothing to not earn his trust. They help ponies. They save ponies. He should at least trust Ben. He trained him, for Celestia's sake. Twilight stomped on, with her eyes on the ground. She angrily kicked at a pebble and sent it flying off into the distance. She could hear the clicking and clattering of the pebble echoing through the evening air. She gazed over the emptiness before her. It was a serene landscape, full of green grass and rolling hills. Flowers grew in seemingly endless amounts with as many colors dotting their petals. The sun shone down bright on the animals as they scurried about. It was hard for her to believe that somewhere around this beautiful was a hive full of love sucking dark Changelings and their even darker Queen. She put aside her emotion and went off to bed. Tomorrow the real work began.