//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 Chaos, Loss and Calamity // Story: Fluttershy The Kindest Changeling Queen // by Changeing Winter //------------------------------// It was a golden age for the hive. Queen Fluttershy watched over her changelings dutifully from the hive mind, taking care of all her children from the smallest new-born nymph, to the strongest defenders of the hive. All of the changelings here were her children and as their mother she was happy to guide and protect them. 'Everything is coming along perfectly.' Fluttershy thought. In the last few months her hive had very successfully managed to reap the benefits of a limitless food source. Without any energy limit every changeling had been happy to work twice as hard to accomplish their goals. Goals which had been very successfully planned and carried out by Fluttershy's trusty advisors. Advisor Flora's plan to increase the size of the spawning pools had been very successful, what use to be a small room housing only one tiny spawning pool was now a massive cavern that housed three large, sprawling spawning pools. In the last few month alone the hives population had increased from one-hundred and twenty-six changelings, to three-hundred and forty-two changelings. The increase of new nymphs being born was so great that Flora had started to employ other changelings as caretakers to help raise and take care of the nymphs. Flora had also proposed the construction of a new nursery room, separated from the spawning pool chamber to accommodate the increasing numbers of changeling nymphs, since having the spawning pools and the children sharing the same room simply wasn't giving the young ones enough space anymore. Fluttershy had recently given the project her approval. Advisor Primrose's plan had simply been to expand the hive, digging deeper and further outwards to make space for more living quarters and storage areas. It was a good thing that Primrose's plan was approved, since the increased number of changelings would have been to much for the hive to handle at its old size. Luckily thanks to Primrose's forward thinking and incredibly efficient task management, the hive at it's new size could comfortably support up to five-hundred changelings and they could always expand more later. The increased size of the storage area's had also been a great boon for all changeling who operated outside the hive. Infiltrators brought back building supplies and books they had purchased from pony towns, while soldiers would bring back the spoils of battle, mainly scales, horns and teeth from the various monsters they had felled. These were then sold of to ponies who saw such items as rare and valuable. Advisor Silent Wings plan had been simple yet complicated, he wanted to expand the hive's infiltration network to include Canterlot. Fluttershy in the past had only ever placed infiltrators in Ponyville since it was the closes settlement to the hive and gave her changelings more than enough emotion to survive. Now however the purpose of infiltration was to gather information and maintain her races secrecy, so Fluttershy had let Silent Wing go ahead with his plan... To infiltrate the Canterlot nobility's social circles. This went a lot better than expected. One of the infiltrators, known as Whispering Trail, had mange to use the hives funds to secure a relatively nice looking house in Canterlot. Then he had mange to impress one of the nobles, Sir Fancy Pants, which had ended up being a one way ticket to all manner of important social events and discussions. This rousing success had given Fluttershy the idea to construction a network of tunnels that would connect Whisper's house to the rest of the hive, allowing for quick, hidden, underground movement of supplies and changelings from the central hive all the way to Canterlot. The tunnels were going to be called, 'The Whispering Way'. The only disadvantage of all this was that it fed Silent Wings ego to the point where almost no ling in the hive could stand to listen to him for more than five minutes. Final there was advisor Thunder Hooves plan, to create a full time defensive force for the hive to defend it against physical threats. So far Thunder had only managed to get Twenty-eight changelings to sign up to join his force. This was such a low number due to the fact that most changelings in the hive followed their queen philosophy of violence as a last resort, or to protect your loved ones. Even the ones that had joined the defence force joined so they could become stronger to protect the hive. Still Thunder had worked well with what he had, and between a strict training regiment and battles with monster in frogy bottom bog, the hives defence force had become much stronger. To the point where when a large worm creature had invaded the hive last week, the defence force had manage to repel the attacker all on their own. What Thunder really lacked however and what he constantly complained about was good weaponry and armour. When it came to materials, the hive was limited to crafting with wood, stone and leather, meaning that strong metal armour and weaponry were out of the question. Upon hearing this Thunder immediately proposed the construction of a forge and smithy, plans which Fluttershy had to turn down on the grounds that no ling in the hive understood metallurgy and the fact that large amounts of strong metals were very difficult to get a hold of. So for now Thunder had to make do with wood, stone, leather and magic for the defence force. Even after all that, there was still something else very important that happened over the last couple of months... "Mum, do we have any more books on unicorn thaumaturgy? I need to find book two on complex magic foundation principles." Fluttershy sighed happily as she responded. "Yes we do my child, in fact I believe Silent Wing personally procured that book for you just a few days ago. He should know where it is." "Thanks mum!" Just over a month ago, a normal looking changeling nymph had emerged from the spawning pool, just like all the other changelings. She was named Aurora Spark and raised just like every other changeling. Until one day Aurora mysteriously disappeared from the nursery, a search party was quickly organized to scan every corner of the hive, only for them to find Aurora Spark nestled in one of the storage chambers surrounded by five open books each of which she was scanning through eagerly. It was found that Aurora had a naturally inquisitive attitude, always questioning things and trying to find out how they worked. Books served as a way to quench her thirst for knowledge and most days now she could be found sitting down in some random corner of the hive with a book in hoof, completely absorbed in whatever subject she was reading about. Aurora's passion for reading ended up attracting the attention of Silent Wing, who respected her dedication and actually ended up helping Aurora find many of her beloved books. The two had formed an unlikely friendship that was very strong. Recently however Aurora had begun researching in to unicorn magic, she had then also begun her own experiments to try and figure out what the differences were between changeling and unicorn magic. In truth the hive knew very little about their own magic and how it worked beyond instinctual shape shifting, basic levitation and basic magical solidification. (A spell that allowed magic to be solidified and thrown as a projectile, when used in combat it looked a lot like a unicorns laser spell.) While changeling and unicorn magic may of been similar in appearance, unicorn spells simply did not work for changelings, Aurora wanted to find out why. Fluttershy could easily see Aurora's dedication and passion for the magic she learned about but she could also see the changelings natural talent for what she did. Once Aurora was mature enough, Fluttershy planned to make her a member of the advisor council as the magical research and affairs advisors. So, all in all the last few months had been a golden age of development for the hive and everything was going extraordinarily well. Until today... "My queen!" Silent Wing yelled through the hive mind. "We have multiple incoming reports from our Ponyville infiltrators. They've sited multiple fluffy pink clouds, gallons worth of chocolate rain, a flying blue telephone box and a squad of tutu wearing ballet dancing buffalo! I have no idea whats going on out there my queen but we have to do something. What are your orders your highness?" Fluttershy remained silent for a few seconds, taken aback by such unbelievable statements. Eventually she decided to assume that Silent Wing was not trying to tell some kind of strange joke, so she responded. "Silent Wing, question the infiltrators and attempt to learn more about the situation. I will personally leave the hive to investigate." Fluttershy began walking through the hive until she finally reached the trapdoor that lead up to her little cottage. She shape shifted from her changeling queen form into her Fluttershy disguise and began to carefully fly out of the hive and into her cottage. When Fluttershy entered her house the first thing she did was look out a nearby window, revealing... A sky covered in strange, cotton candy clouds. Those clouds were not the only thing that Fluttershy found unusual. She could feel a powerful magical aura permitting the air, it was wild forceful and untamed, like madden beast stampeding across the land leaving a world of chaos in their wake. Something powerful was at work here and Fluttershy needed to find out what, while keeping her children safe. "Thunder Hooves! An unknown yet powerful magical force has been detected near the hive. Raise the defensive force to active defensive positions and establish quarantine within the hive, nothing gets out and only changelings get in. These orders are effective immediately!" "By your orders my queen." Over the last few weeks Thunder Hooves had begun using special code words to describe situations to the defensive force as well as to issue orders to them, in Thunders own words it made the entire force sound far more professional. While Fluttershy was sure he had thought of a lot of code words there was no way he could have code ready for a situation like thi-. "All troops we have a code Blackened-Blue, effective immediately!" Well apparently he did have a code for this. Fluttershy could hear her children beneath her through the hive mind as they quickly fell in line, she knew they were in good hooves. Now she would have to deal with keeping her children outside the hive safe. "Silent Wing, Issue a new order to all infiltrators. All infiltrators are to return to the hive immediately unless such action would reveal them and break their disguise. If they cannot return immediately they are to wait for the first opportunity that it is safe to do so." "At once my queen" Silent Wing responded quickly. It made Fluttershy happy to hear how fast her children could react to such a possibly dangerous situation. With their hard work and love behind her she was confident that no matter what disaster was going on they would be able to face it together. Fluttershy was queen and mother to her loving children and subjects. In a golden age like this they all felt like they had nothing to fear, as long as their family stayed together they were unstoppable So as Fluttershy stepped out of her cottage, filled determination. She had no idea how fast everything was going to go downhill... A few hours later, in the Canterlot hedge maze. Fluttershy wondered the hedge maze slowly and carefully. All of her senses were on edge as she tried to remain calm in such a terrifying and dangerous situation. She had a right to be so on edge of course. A reality warping demon had twisted the land into his personal playground, he had clearly defied and intimidated princess Celestia herself and stole the only magical artefacts that could defeat possibly him, all without breaking a sweat. Now she was trapped in his twisted labyrinth in a demented game to try and find said magical artefacts, which probably weren't even here meaning she and her friends were lost on a wild goose chase! Fluttershy steadied herself and began to calm down, she knew that if she wanted to get out of here with her sanity intact she would need to remain calm despite Discord's tricks. She knew that this could be much worse. Even though Discord had stolen the elements of harmony Fluttershy could still feel the element of Kindness, she had no idea where it was but she could feel it feeding her and her children with the energy they needed to live. As longs as they had the element of kindness aiding them she felt confidence that her hive would endure. She still needed to get out of the maze though, so with nothing else to follow Fluttershy began tracking a nearby magical energy signature, which turned out to be a group of butterflies. When the butterflies stopped however it became very clear they were Discord in disguises. The horns kind of gave it away, well that and the fact that they talked. Fluttershy quickly became certain that Discord was trying to turn her against the other element bearers. He tried to take advantage of her supposed weaknesses, the holes and strains in the relationship between her and her friends. Against a normal pony it might of worked, they may have felt like Discord's words were revealing to them undeniable truths that went against everything they ever understood and knew. A normal pony, in the confusion would of followed Discord's words and believed them till the point where they were willing to turn on both their friends and their beliefs. Fluttershy however was not a normal pony, she was a changeling queen and proud of it. She easily spotted Discords attempt to deceive her and turn her against her friends. Now that she knew his intent, Fluttershy was able to counter everything he said just by playing ignorant and naïve to his games. The only thing that worried her now was that with each failed attempt to trick her, Discord was only becoming more and more angry. It would only be a matter of time until Discord would her to frustrated and-. "OH FOR GOODNESS SAKE!" Discord dropped his disguise, rage consuming his features as he glared down at Fluttershy. "You've been kind for far too long my dear, its time to be cruel!" Discord gathered large amounts extremely powerful and chaotic magic in his left hand. Before Fluttershy could even think of responding, he blasted his magic through one of his fingers... Directly in to Fluttershy's mind. Pain... Endless pain... Fluttershy could feel her mind being twisted and shaped against her will. Darkness... The world seem to disappear as she was forced into a never ending sea of infinite soul crushing darkness. Endless darkness... Fluttershy was loosing herself, Discord's magic was simply too much for her. "Mum! Are you okay?" Her memories slipped away from her... "What's wrong mum?" her mind began to fractured... "Mum? mum! please tell us you're okay we need you!" She was fading... Falling... Lost in the darkness... Forever... "Hold on mum!" Then, there was light. She could feel them, hundred of hooves grasping her, pulling her towards the light. As her mind continued to real she could hear their voices. "We're with you mum!" "By your side all the way!" "Kick his flank mum!" "We can beat this monster, together!" "THE HIVE IS UNITED, LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!" She could hear their voices, her children's voices. They healed her, empowered her with their love. Now, revitalised and invigorated, Fluttershy escaped from the darkness. Towards the light. Fluttershy could see the world again, she was still trapped inside the hedge maze. She quickly whipped her head around, attempting to find Discord. She found him. After he cast his mind control spell on Fluttershy, Discord was just starting to cast another teleportation spell. Probably because he though his work here was done. Now that Fluttershy had seen what this draconequus could do, she knew that if he won none of her friends or family would be safe. She had to stop him. Right here, right now. Fluttershy began to draw magic from deep within herself. She drew magic from the bond she shared with her family. And unknowingly. She drew magic from the element of kindness itself. Overwhelming power flooded through Fluttershy, in an instant her disguise gave way revealing a changeling queen, who was filled to the brim with magical energy. She launched all of it at Discord. A giant ball of yellow and pink magic charged towards him At the last possible second, Discord finally recognised the sound of magic being fired. He turned around and asked. "What in the world is goin-" "BOOM!" The magic exploded in his face. Dust and rocks were thrown in every direction, even a section of the hedge maze was eviscerated by the resulting fallout. Fluttershy now drained and tired, fell to her knees believing she had succeeded. She was so tired that she almost missed the element of kindness muttering something in the back of her mind. "Amazing... we never thought it could be done..." Whatever the element of kindness said next was drowned out by a thunderous applause from the hive mind. "We did it!" they yelled, merrily and excitedly. It sound like the entire hive was going to burst into celebration. Fluttershy herself was about to address her beloved children, thanking them for helping her so much... "That hurt." A dark voice a rumbled, the speaker concealed by all the dust and dirt. "THAT ACTAULY HURT!" The voice screamed. A violent shockwave exploded outwards, throwing away the dust and revealing... Discord. He seemed mostly unharmed, other than a few scrapes and bruises. But he was infuriated. "HOW DARE YOU TRY AND ATTACK ME, DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM? I AM LORD OF CHAOS, MASTER OF DISHARMONY!" He screeched. "YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A LOWLEY PEGASUS! NOW YOU SHALL FEEL MY WRAT- wait, what even are you?" Fluttershy quickly realised that her powerful magical attack had broken her disguise, leaving her changing queen form right in the open for Discord to see. "Now you ARE a strange one aren't you?" Discord mused to himself. "Your like some kind of giant insect-bug pony but with magic! Huh wished I thought of making something like that sooner." "While you are an interesting creature, I can't have you messing with my plans..." Discord's face contorted into a feral grin as he snapped his fingers, causing him to disappear in a flash of teleportation light. Fluttershy suddenly felt the draconequus behind her leaning on her back, she jumped back and attempted to summon her magic for a second attack. Fatigue caught up with her though, Fluttershy felt her magic splutter uselessly as her front knees buckled from strain. Forcing that much magic through her body had clearly weakened her. Discord cackled at her feeble attempt to stop him, before his voice became unusually dark and cold... "Now, if can't twist your mind like the others. I'll have to replace your mind instead!" Discord teleported again, this time he grabbed Fluttershy before she could react. He summoned his magic once again, forcing all of it into her mind and... "AAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" The entire hive screamed. Every changeling within the hive screamed. Pain, agony, torture... loss. They all screamed. Like someone had stabbed each and everyone of them directly in their hearts. They screamed, until they went silent. Silent from the shock. The entire hive stood still. Until one of the changelings whispered through the hive mind, in a voice that seemed so lost and afraid, like that of a child that had lost its parent. "T-the queen is... M-mum is... "Mother is dead."