//------------------------------// // Chapter 5: A Queen's Hive // Story: Chrysalis: Invasion Equestria Girls // by TJHoofer //------------------------------// The Badlands... A dry and barren desert wasteland, stretching as far as the eye can see. A desolate and inhospitable place, filled with dust, sharp mountain spires and jagged rocks. Home of many foul and dark creatures, most never before seen by pony eyes. And the home to one of Equestria's greatest threats; the changelings. 'KEEP OUT!' and 'ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!' signs decorate the borders to the Badlands, but they do very little to deter the most curious ponies from visiting the place. Very few experienced pony adventures dare explore the Badlands. The smart ones keep themselves in close proximity to the border. The most foolhardy ones who bravely venture further into the Badlands never come back. Their fate remains a mystery as nopony dares to send search parties anymore, due to the search parties ending up never coming back themselves. Even before the Canterlot wedding incident, lookout posts had been erected along the border leading into the Badlands by Princess Celestia herself. Ever since its founding, Equestria had knowledge of this land and its dark reputation. To better ensure the safety of her ponies, Celestia had ordered the construction of these towers in order to keep a constant, vigil lookout for any dangerous threats that could enter Equestria. Sadly, many of these threats were rare and over the years the guard duty within the towers had dwindled and security had not been up to code due to extreme boredom. Now however, the pony guard have been tripled and requests for more towers have escalated to better ensure the safety of Equestria and its citizens. Investigation of the towers after the incident were immediately launched and many of them were found to have even been taken over by changelings, explaining how their entrance to Equestria went easily unhindered. With their invasion in shambles, the changelings were quickly driven away from the towers. The guards who were originally stationed there were never found. Magical sensors were deployed and changeling detection spell were issued to better ensure that the wedding incident never repeated itself. Of course, every now and then, changelings would find a way to sneak into Equestria. Whether to harvest love from nearby towns, learn valuable government secrets or foalnap and replace ponies so that they would become an easily required food source for the Hive, while the changeling impersonator would live the lives of their victim without anypony being the wiser. In the bird-less skies above the Badlands, Queen Chrysalis and her drone were finally approaching the Hive after days of travel. The Hive was a massive, hollowed out mountain, carved out in the twisted shape of Chrysalis' own horn. Around the Hive, changeling drones buzzed about their business, tending to repairs and maintenance while keeping constant look-out for enemy intruders. They all buzzed with excitement as they saw their Queen finally return. They made an escort and paved the way for her arrival at the entrance. Two armored changelings outside the Hive entrance bowed as she cantered past them with her drone close behind. She hardly acknowledged their existence, as she had much more on her mind than admiring their petty worship. A portal to another world. A world she knew was perfect. A world destined for all changelings. A world destined for HER. “My Queen!” A changeling drone greeted them as they entered the Royal Chamber. He was the Queen's head of staff. “It fills me with such joy and relief to see you safely returned to us. How was your mission?” “Better than expected, more or less. It's good to be back, my faithful drones.” “You must be famished from your long trip my Queen.” “Indeed. That romantic couple we encountered two towns back didn't fill us properly. Their love was... dry and unsatisfying.” “Well, we have your meal already prepared.” The drone signaled the rest of the staff and within seconds, several changelings came rushing in, pushing a large tray with three green glowing cocoons and placed them before Chrysalis. Each cocoon contained a pony. One held a lost unicorn stallion explorer, the other a tower guard pegasus stallion and the third a pegasus mare who had been abducted from a picnic trip that happened to be too close to the Badland border. Even though their eyes were still open, they glowed green as all three were in a deep hypnotic sleep, dreaming loving dreams and filling their cramp, glowing prisons to the brink. These cocoons were ripe as love practically seethed from them. Chrysalis trotted over, her mouth watering as she snorted in the sweet loving nectar. Her horn then glowed and, one by one, the love began to pour out from all three cocoons, becoming a giant green cloud of translucent vapor. Utterly love starved, Chrysalis opened her mouth wide and hungrily inhaled the vapor. Her eyes glowed blight green as the love traveled down and nestled inside her transparent midsection, giving off a dim green glow from within. It then slowly receded as the love began to flow and spread throughout her body, nourishing her and strengthening her magic. As the last particle of love vapor disappeared down her throat, Chrysalis swallowed and let out a satisfied sigh. “Ah~! That hit the spot...” The bright glow that once emitted from the three cocoons was now gone, but the ponies still inside were no worse for wear. Though drained, they were still alive and healthy and would eventually replenish their cocoons with more fresh love in due time. With dinner out of the way, Chrysalis went straight down to business. “Drones! I have a task for you all!” “Yes my Queen?” said the head drone in charge of staff. “Have the other drones gather as much love needed from the rest of our prisoners.” “Understood my Queen.” “Then take them, along with these three, and drop them off by the nearest tower beyond our border.” “Nearest tower..? My Queen! You- You're releasing our prisoners? Our only source of food?” Chrysalis ignored his words as she cantered out on the balcony, looking out in the direction of Equestria. “My Queen?” “Then I want you to send scouts to retrieve our harvesters, spies and impersonators who are still out there. Have them cease their missions and return home.” “Return home?! But-” “Did I stutter?” Chrysalis glared at her head drone. “No! Of course not my Queen!” the trembling drone bowed. “But why?” “Because I have made a great discovery, my children.” she announced as she walked back in. “I've discovered a whole new world. A world filled with an abundance of love and no magic to stop us.” “That's... That's GREAT my Queen!” said a random staff drone excited, panting hungrily at hearing the news. “Where is this new world?” “All will be revealed in time, my pet.” she cooed while patting him on the head. “Right now, we need to prepare for departure.” She suddenly kicked one of the cocoons, sending it tumbling across the floor. “And we don't need to carry this 'extra luggage'. We'll be traveling light.” “Of course my Queen!” “Now, stop wasting time! Carry out my orders and await my signal! I want my entire swarm present and well fed when I'm ready!” “Yes my Queen!” the drone saluted before he and the rest of the staff gathered up the cocoons and skittered off. “You didn't tell them about the mirror's magic, my Queen?” asked the drone curiously. “It's not important. What matters is that I have my entire swarm present and ready.” She then lit her horn and the drone's eyes grew wide as a hole in the wall with a stairway leading down suddenly appeared. “Now come.” “Where are we going my Queen?” “To see mother.” The drone's eyes widened and he gulped. Somewhere deep beneath the Hive... The drone trembled as he followed close behind Chrysalis through the dark forbidden caverns towards a chamber that was off limits to any drone but the Queen herself and her personal bodyguards. He had heard tales of the chamber's existence many times by his brothers and sisters, told to them by drones before them and drones before them. Never had he dreamed he would live to actually see it... The Ancient Burial Chamber of Queens. Ever since its creation, the Hive has had many Queens. Chrysalis was but the latest from a long line of Queens. Once a Queen had fulfilled her purpose and passed on her power to her chosen heir, she would be placed in the ancient chamber along with her former predecessors, so that her spirit would join the other Queens and forever watch over the Hive. At times a Queen would venture to the chamber in seek of guidance and strenght. For Chrysalis today however, she had something else in mind. After nearly an hour of decent, they finally reached the outer doors of the chamber. As Chrysalis was about to enter, the drone froze and backed away. “My Queen... I shouldn't be here! No mere drone has ever-” Chrysalis shot him a glare. He gulped. “W-W-What I mean is-” Chrysalis rolled her eyes and sighed. “As Queen of Changelings, I give you permission to join me in entering the 'forbidden Ancient Burial Chamber of Queens'... Happy?” The little drone's courage seemed to return as he calmly trotted up by the Queen's side. “Normally I should cite the sacred and ancient rites before entering but...” Chrysalis suddenly blasted the doors open with her magic. “...I have a world to conquer and this will only take a minute.” The drones eyes grew wide with awe as he followed Chrysalis into the chamber. He was the first low-class warrior to ever enter the Ancient Burial Chamber of Queens. He knew he was in the presence of greatness. G'Morra the Defiler, Corrosive the Vile, Arachna the Glutton and many more... Chrysalis passed the many empty shells and husks of previous Queens, her eyes dead set on one great changeling Queen resting on a makeshift throne, covered in cobwebs and dust. Morphelia the Waking Nightmare. “Greetings mother...” She gently and lovingly caressed the lifeless face of the former Queen with her hoof, just before she wrapped her magic around the horn of the empty husk and violently ripped it off with a crunching sound. “...I'll just take that.” “My Queen!!?” the shocked drone yelled. “But that's-” “She would've wanted it this way.” Chrysalis cooed. “She would want what is good of the Hive and her children. And am I not my mother's daughter?” “O-Of course my Queen...” the drone swallowed nervously. “...but she was your mother.” “I know.” Chrysalis smiled as she looked lovingly into her mother's empty eyes. “And her love for me was the reason I drained her of her power and claimed my right to rule the Hive, just as she did with her mother.” She eyed another empty Queen husk beside her mother's, only far older and more frail and decrepit. “Now she will rest easier knowing her horn will serve me a great purpose...” She brought her mother's horn up close and studied it carefully. “No damage. Perfect!” she grinned widely, her fangs practically glistening in the dark. “With this, I shall make my own magic crown. I shall bestow upon it all my changeling magic. And once I set hoof back in that other world and become human again, all I need is to put on my new crown and then...” as she was thinking about it, she began to snicker. She then let out a maniacal laugh that echoed throughout the whole cavern (and possibly the Hive itself). Her drone couldn't help but feel a wee bit uneasy, despite knowing his Queen was in a good mood. Once finished laughing, she turned around and headed back up the caverns. “Come my drone. I have what I came for. Now we get to work...” Two days later... Ever since the Queen returned, every changeling around Equestria had been ordered to pull back from their missions. Once the last drone was accounted for, all were gathered and assembled outside the Hive below the balcony to the Queen's chamber. There they waited until nightfall. After many hours of long and patient waiting, the Queen and her drone companion finally made their presence known. Two guards on the balcony saluted as Chrysalis stepped out to greet the gathered swarm before her. Never before had there been a gathering such as this. Not even since the invasion of Canterlot was addressed. Every drone went silent as they waited curiously for their Queen to reveal the reason for their summon. “MY CHILDREN!” Chrysalis began in a booming voice. “IT WARMS ME TO SEE ALL YOU HERE AND PRESENT TODAY! DAYS AGO, I MADE A GREAT DISCOVERY! A WELL KEPT SECRET! HIDDEN DEEP WITHIN THE CASTLE OF EQUESTRIA'S NEWEST PONY PRINCESS! A PORTAL! A PORTAL TO A NEW WORLD! A WORLD OF WONDER! A WORLD OF LOVE! A WORLD...” she paused. “...WITH NO MAGIC!” That last line made every changeling buzz with excitement. A world with love and no magic to defend it was a dream come true. A cheer immediately followed before Chrysalis waved them to silence. “BUT... TO REACH THIS NEW WORLD... THIS... NEW HAVEN... I NEEDED A KEY! A KEY TO UNLOCK THE DOOR THAT WOULD KEEP US FROM OUR DESTINY! OUR NEW HOME!” Her drone came forth, reached behind him and presented it to Chrysalis. Every changeling waited with anticipation to see this 'key' to their great destiny. “BEHOLD! THE KEY TO OUR TRIUMPH!!” She lit her horn to levitate it and revealed her 'key'. It was a pitch black iron crown with her mother's horn magically crafted on it. “That's our Key of Triumph?” One drone in the audience whispered. “How in the Hive is she going to fit that on her head?” “Won't her horn get in the way?” replied the other. “BUT...” Chrysalis continued. “TO MAKE OUR TRIUMPH A REALITY, I ASK OF YOU, MY CHILDREN, TO CHANNEL YOUR MAGIC INTO THIS CROWN! BESTOW UPON IT YOUR MAGIC! YOUR ESSENCE! YOUR POWER! DO IT, MY CHILDREN! DO IT FOR THE HIVE! FOR OUR DESTINY! DO IT FOR ME!!” Curious looks were shared between the changelings but did as they were ordered. Loyal to their Queen, they focused their magic and channeled it towards the crown as Chrysalis lifted it high above her head and using her own magic to activate it. Even her balcony guards and her loyal drone beside her began to channel their magic. The drones' magic, forming a massive cloud of green energy above then, was then drawn towards the crown and sucked into the horn that decorated it. Chrysalis quickly ceased her magic and beamed with joy as her crown absorbed her minions' magic. “Yes! It's working! More! MORE!” Every changeling used all the energy they had and channeled more into the crown as it greedily continued to suck it all up. Then, something started to happen. Changelings growing tired from the channeling suddenly found themselves unable to stop. Every changeling; worker, soldier, guard and warrior who were emptying everything they had into the crown, were completely unable to stop. That's when it hit them. The crown had taken over their magic and was slowly draining them of everything. Their magic. Their essence. Their power. Their LIVES! Screams and painful cries filled the air. “MY QUEEN!” a drone yelled. “WE HAVE TO STOP!” “THE PAIN!” yelled another. “PLEASE! STOP THE PAIN!!” “NO!” Chrysalis yelled. “MORE! GIVE ME MORE!” “My Queen, please!” the little drone beside her pleaded. “It's draining our magic! You have to stop it! We'll-” “You all swore to give your life to the Hive. To ME! Now fulfill your destiny!” “What are you saying?!! My Queen!” “Silence you fool! Give me MORE! ALL OF IT!!” The weakened drone painfully glanced over the balcony down towards his kin. One by one, drones dropped to the ground in violent pain before finally going still. Even the guards cries on the balcony were silenced. His eyes widened with horror. “My Queen... This is madness!” There was no answer. “My Queen! You need us!” Chrysalis slowly turned towards her drone, giving him a pitiful look. “My dear little drone...” she grinned. “Why would I need a bunch of useless FLIES?” “W-Wha..? M-My Queen! No-!” His plea was silenced as Chrysalis swatted him away, sending him tumbling back. Weakened and in pain, he slowly got back up on his hooves in a desperate attempt to reason with her. “My Queen..?” Chrysalis didn't acknowledge him anymore. Her eyes hard focused on the crown as it neared its completion. It then began to float out of her hooves and Chrysalis watched with awe as it glowed, vibrating wildly while emitted a loud humming sound that drowned out the last dying cries and pleas for help. The drone closed his eyes and whimpered. He could feel it coming. A tear ran down his cheeks as cracks began to appear on his now dry chitin coat. “My Queen... M-... MOTHER!!” There was a loud boom and a great green flash exploded from the balcony, bathing everything and every-ling in its bright glow. Even curious pony guards on watch from a tower near the border seemed to notice a bright green glow in the distance that grew one moment before fading soon after. After several tense seconds, the green light finally faded and dispersed like vapor. All was dark now and eerily quiet as the humming noise had finally ceased. Chrysalis opened her eyes and beheld the still floating, glowing crown before her, seething with raw changeling magic. “It worked...?” She quickly snagged it and studied it carefully. A huge grin spread across her face. “It worked! It actually worked!” Chrysalis let out a cackle that quickly evovled into a loud and delightfully evil laugh. She then looked out from her balcony at her swarm below. All her drones, her faithful and loyal changelings, were all the same; Drained... Empty.... Lifeless... “Thank you all for your sacrifice, my children...” Chrysalis cooed, suppressing her tears of joy as she admired her crown. “You have made your Queen very happy...” Trotting calmly back inside the now empty Hive with her prize, she passed her faithful drone who, like the others, was now nothing more but a hollowed-out empty husk. His face permanently frozen in a state of pain, sadness and horror. “Do not think too harshly of me, my child. I've merely taken back what I generously gave you...” She patted him lightly on the head, and the mere touch from her hoof was enough to make his head fall off and crumble into ash. She felt nothing as she passed him, stepping on his empty carcass as she did while sporting a devilish grin. “...And with it, I shall create a new generation... At MY new Hive... On MY new home.”