Changelings-Strange creatures that feed on emotion...who knew that they lived so close...and were so cute....the more ya know.
Changelings feed on love, emotions...so why take it by force? A certain Changeling thought, so he branched off long ago along with others who agreed with him and formed a new hive....right below Ponyville.
Tags will be updated appropriately... ...Written for the Dawws...I think. Also hugs....HUGS FOR EVERYONE...AND CHEESE....cool, right?
Cover art by Zutcha, Picture sourced....all ya gotta do is click it.
A taunting laughter filled the ears of an injured changeling, it belonged to a Queen Chrysalis.
"Stubborn gnat, you may be a Praetorian, but did you honestly believe you could best a Queen? Stupid...crazy even." Said the Matriarch.
After a few coughs and a bit of spit, the guard responded, "What you're doing is hurting the Hive, before you we were all but a legend...a myth...but you've grown bold and proud....I'd know, I've personally served the Hive since it's inception...watching over all our royalty, you are nothing but a pup to me, one that doesn't learn. You've attacked the Minos, the Golems, the Bloody DRAGONS! Even other Hives! What will make you learn! A better question, I guess, is what next? The equines and their Goddesses!? A number of us disagree with you...all we request is to leave, I did not come here to challenge your position, nor to kill you....I just wish to start anew...with some of my kin."
Chrysalis thought for a moment, til she decided. "Leave now, I have not the time nor patience to deal with you. You and your...sympathizers shall be evicted, what is a few hundred compared to thousands." She said with a sneer, sending out a message to her Hive. Her face softened before she added, "For each Changeling bring three meals with you....take care of them."
The beaten praetorian smiled as he sent out a message to his near five hundred strong kin. "Thank you young Chrysalis, I will...good luck..." He said sadly. Two of his kin came and flew him out.
"What now, Resistance Leader?" The one on his left asked.
"Now, little miss Alter, we will leave...and I know the perfect spot, a little pony settlement near Canterlot, full of happiness and love...and they are used to strange events and things, to boot also the home of the Elements of Harmony, so diplomatic meetings may be an option." He responded. After some thought he added, "And I am no longer the leader of a resistance, call me by my name, Harmonize...and a more pressing matter...we need a new leader."
The Changeling on his right gave a sigh of happiness and asked, "Who better than you? You have been among the living far longer than anything else in the Hive...actually from what I hear you were here before the hive was completed, is that true?"
"It is true that I have been walking this planet far longer than the age of the Hive, though I can't help but feel wrong about taking control...I don't want to be a tyrant...as a famous Golem once said, absolute power corrupts absolutely....it's just....Tune, I don't want to lose myself."
"Don't worry," both Alter and Tune said, "You'll have the entire Hive behind you."
Harmonize looked on their faces, seeing only honesty and belief. He gave a smile and said, "Fine...but only if the new Hive wants it."
Alter and Tune bumped hooves. Then Alter asked, "So....do you become a Queen then? I mean you're a guy, and queens are female...soooo....?"
Another smile graced itself across the old guards face, "you and your odd questions, first let's get to the new Hive...then we can discuss the details."
As the trio exited the Hive they were welcomed by a crowd of changelings, nearly five hundred strong, all cheering.
Harmonize cleared his throat before addressing the crowd, "*Ahem* Children of the Tenth tribe, I hereby deliver the message from the Queen of the Tenth, WE ARE FREE TO LEAVE! You may all go your own way, however for those who wish, they may come with my comrades and I and create a new hive, as of today we birth the Forty-Second Tribe! Word of Changelings has been spreading, we must distinguish ourselves, those part of the Forty-Second from this day are no longer Changelings...On this day, and this day forth we shall be the Cuddlebugs!....cute, right?"
The crowd buzzed while they looked among themselves before a huge cheer rang out.
Harmonize took this as a sign and shouted, "All Cuddlebugs follow me, to our new home!"
Alter and Tune were soon joined by several others, helping Harmonize as he led the way...by giving directions.
Finally, after almost a month the new Hive was founded, with everything it needed, a large water source, beautiful scenery, nice climate, and a food source...and they were happy, though the journey was long, they had not lost one member, Harmonize saw to that.
Now after settling in the Cuddlebugs decided to do the only natural thing...PARTY!
Meanwhile Harmonize was making a plan, writing it out...before Tune came in, shouting, "Come on mate! The time for work is over, now let's get shit-faced!" dragging him away.
12 beers, 8 hard ciders, 15 shots, and a sandwich later...
"We are family~ I got all my sisters with me We are family~ Get up everybody and sing"
The now very drunk Tune was stuck somewhere between the world of the living and the dead, while the somewhat sober (yet somewhat tipsy) Harmonize was pouring his heart out. "Und youuuu guyss thin' aaaaahhhhmmmm ready ta lead tha Hive?! Ish so musssh to take in...I jussss' dunno what ta do!"
More drinks later...
A now completely wasted Harmonize was singing with all his heart, the drunken slur all but gone.
"Yeah, I like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain I'm not much into health food, I am into champagne I've got to meet you by tomorrow noon and cut through all this red tape At a bar called O'Malley's where we'll plan our escape"
Several mares swooned, some even fainted, he knew how to sing alright.
The next morning...
Harmonize woke with a splitting headache, momentarily bumping his head on the bed he was sleeping...under?
"Gods and Goddesses, what happened last night?" he thought aloud to himself. Next to him was a desk with a notepad on it, he must have actually got some work done that night. Then he turned to his door...to find piles of flowers and notes for him. "Dang...must've been wild, wish I had one of those pony devices....a camera I think it was?" he said to no one in particular. His thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock at the door.
"No need to knock, we're all family here!" He called.
The door opened to reveal a white, red-eyed Cuddlebug, a scar going over his right eye.
"Ah, child Transmute, how are you?" Harmonize asked.
"Very well, Uncle, you were NUTS last night!" Transmute chuckled, "I never knew you could sing!"
Oh great bollocks...Harmonize thought before asking, "How badly did I embarrass myself?"
"Embarrass? You did wonderful, some fainted....even some guys....but we all had a great time!" The albino Cuddlebug said with a smile, before adopting a serious expression, "I talked to the Hive last night, it's a unanimous choice, we want you to lead."
"Oi, bit early to be making jokes now." was his only reply.
"First, it's one after noon, and two, this is no joke." Transmute deadpanned.
"Huh...really...." Harmonize said, before his brain caught up with him. "WAIT WHAT?!"
"Think about it, you promised to lead us out of the old hive, so we could live how we wanted to, without the fear of being monsters. You got us out, and we trust you with every heart in our bodies...we need you Uncle."
"...If that's what the hive wishes...when is the ceremony?"
"Today, when you are ready."
"Let's get this done...I wish address the Forty-Second as soon as possible."
"With me..." Transmute said as he left the room, Harmonize following.
The Ceremony was a sacred thing to the Changelings, it meant the creation of new Royalty within the hive. All in all it was a simple thing, the chosen one was submerged in royal jelly while said jelly was supercharged with magic of all kinds
As Harmonize absorbed the jelly and exited the chamber one question was asked and broadcast, "What shall be your title?"
He closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and returning, "Patriarch, as you are all now my children."
A large Cuddlebug flanked by two smaller ones sat on his bed, face in a bucket.
"Sweet Gods and Goddesses, " he said, taking a pause to hurl into said bucket, "Growing pains suck!"
The Cuddlebug on his right, Tune, put a hoof on his shoulder. "We're here for ya buddy."
Harmonize puked into the bucket again, filling it. Pushing it to the side so it rested near several other buckets he grabbed another one.
The Cuddlebug on his left, Alter, shoved a cup filled with some glowing substance into Harmonizes hooves. "Drink up." she instructed.
"Sooo....is the puke from the growing or the hangover?" Tune asked.
Harmonize opened his mouth to answer, before promptly pushing his muzzle into his bucket and vomiting again.
"Probably both. Actually now that I think of it, weren't you more drunk them him?" Alter answered.
"Forget that for now, how's the Hive taking it?" asked Harmonize.
"I would say 'take a look', but you'd probably puke again; All in all, very well. We have lots of food for now, but I'd recommend preparing some to head out for collection soon. The Hivemind still needs to be established, that'll happen when your fully grown; the Hatchery is almost finished, and we have a new home! Already pre-made, no digging required!" Tune reported.
"Ahh, good, that's one burden off my shoulders...now about your secret about hangovers?"
"AAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"
Harmonize sprung up in his bed, sweat beading on his carapace. Quickly he lifted the covers and gave a sigh of relief. "Still a male...phew..." he thought aloud. Seeing as he wouldn't be able to sleep easy for a bit he left his bed and walked up to a mirror. How changed he was. Now he was about twice his original height, a bit more than a head taller than Chrysalis, and somewhere along the line he had developed a membrane on his head that resembled dreadlocks, though they had the same color as his carapace and were quite short, he also grew 'sails' on the sides of his head, giving him a slightly draconic look, still keeping his head 'sail'. Instead of a crown, like Chrysalis, he grew a single antenna from behind his horn, the tip of which was shaped like a heart while along the 'stem' were three thin rings that seemingly floated around it, like a planets rings. He channeled some magic into the antenna and it began to give off a soft teal glow. His tail also grew, much to his agitation, now reaching the floor; on the plus side, his wings grew as well.
Walking out the door he quickly took note of the day, and a special day it was. The hive was having its first Hatching.
Once arriving at the birthing grounds he noticed several small groups already there, no doubt waiting in anticipation.
When the moment arrived the entire hive was buzzing about, all of them excited about the sacred event. The event in his previous Hive had, for the most part, gone ignored, but here was his Hive, his family. He personally preformed the ritual in front of his caste. It was a simple looking process, a large amount of love and magic was channeled into eggs, or directly into a pregnant mother, and the rest would commence as....biology and nature intended. The most accurate way to describe it was that the energy 'awakened' them.
The first Hatchling was a live birth and was very small, so much so that some thought it wasn't going to survive. With determination in his veins, Harmonize knelt down and channeled more love into the infant. After Harmonize ended his spell the Hatchling glowed for a moment, the Hive waiting with baited breath, till the glow faded and it turned to its side, suckling its hoof. Cheers broke out for the firstborn of the Forty-Second. The Hatchling was soon found to be male and was lovingly named Tiny.
The second was from an egg, and the ceremony proceeded without any problems. This one was female and was named Akrid.
The third and final was a live birth, a swift and easy one at that. A male, who was named Mantis.
It may not have been much, but the three births signaled the true start of their hive, and to them it was a miracle. For the remainder of the day the Hive celebrated.
And so sixteen years passed by while the Forty-Second thrived. Love collection was done passively, Cuddlebugs only donning self-made disguises, one of them, a Cuddlebug named Atlas, even learned how to domesticate and harvest love from some of the wild animals. The Hive grew, from births to finding lone Changelings and accepting them into the Forty-Second. It wasn't nearly close to becoming what could be called a 'large' hive, but was likely the most prosperous. They lived in secret, and peace. Then a disaster happened.
The day was the Summer Sun Celebration, a holiday of sorts that the ponies had to give thanks to their deity leader, the Sun Goddess. It was also a very good event for harvest, those ponies really do love her a lot. On special events such as this Harmonize let his caste leave the hive for the day to enjoy the festivities and soak up any emotion they could, this one was no different, well actually it was very special, as the Goddess was visiting the village which the hive was near...or more accurately, under. everybuggy was enjoying the day, and a large amount stayed behind to watch the raising that year. So they waited in anticipation along with everypony, some striking up conversation, while others started playing games.
Though as the ponies began to gather to watch the raising Harmonize sensed something was off, he noticed that he hadn't seen the deity the entire day, and that worried him, so he sent out a message.
There's something not right going on, has anybuggy even caught a glimpse of the Sun Goddess?
After a moment of silence he was bombarded by nos and thoughts of confusion.
She was meant to be here, right?
That's was I was told.
She could just be late.
Impossible, she always arrives the previous day.
What happened to her? Is she alright?
Thoughts like these covered the Hivemind till a surge of fear hit them.
What's causing this?
Whatever it is, it's terrifying Ponyville.
Upon feeling the wave a fear Harmonize ran toward the source, while sending out the order to retreat toward the hive. When he entered the town hall he instantly noticed a few things, one was the multiple guards sprawled out on the floor moaning, another was was stampede of ponies running away, and lastly was...an alicorn, who was definitely not the Sun Goddess.
"So the time has finally arrived. The others need to know..." he muttered under his breath as he turned around and ran toward his hive.
Upon arriving at his hive he checked to make sure that all of his Hive was present, they were. Addressing his Hive using the Hivemind he said, "I bring news, for the Mistress of the Night has returned." Gasps emanated throughout the Hive. "I request a Runner, the other Hives need to know about this, which of you will carry the message? Those who wish to volunteer head to barracks."
Finishing his statement he made his way to meet the one who would deliver his message.
It took him about twenty minutes or so to make his way to the barracks, and upon entrance he found a lone Cuddlebug. Quickly grabbing a quill and scroll he wrote his letter, rolled it up, and sealed it.
Putting a hoof over the Cuddlebugs shoulder he said, "Tailor, Fifty-Sixth daugher of the Forty-Second, this missive is of the utmost importance, and I believe in you. Do you believe in yourself?"
"I-I do."
"You are to bring this to the leader of the Eighth Tribe and return. We are counting on you."
"Y-Yes Father, I will be back soon."
"Thank you Child, we await your return with passion and eager hearts."
Planting a kiss on Tailors forehead Harmonize gave her the scroll and sent her on her way.
The Hive waited for what seemed like hours, waiting for the sun to finally peak out, but alas no such thing happened and so they only prayed. That is until a voice from the Hivemind rang out.
Family, it's Akrid, I have news. I got a bit lost during the chaos and accidentally found myself in the Everfree, also Atlas, you need to keep tabs on your pets better, a manticore of all things got loose and had a tussle with some ponies, one of them managed to calm it, but such luck isn't likely if you let it happen a third time...at least it wasn't your ursas.
AHEM...back to your news?
Yes, that, anyway I got lost and ended up in the Everfree and had to wander around, one of the ponies crashed into me during the panic and I got all dizzy, anyway...now I'm at a castle. And because of my poor luck, it's were the crazy alicorn pony is taking up residence.
Any good news?
Umm...five ponies from the village, along with one I've never seen before, are fighting with her.
Harmonize said a silent prayer for the six.
Akrid, get home now, things are begging, things that the ponies couldn't even begin to understand nor fathom; The six will be alright, trust me.
Yes Father.
After some time a bright flash blanketed the sky and a beam of light peeked it way across the horizon. Harmonize receded back to his quarters, giving a deep sigh as he neared his desk. So it seems the 'famine' for the Tribes will soon be over. And maybe...just maybe....oh, I can only hope.
An hour later a pair of Cuddlebugs crashed threw his door, wings tangled together.
"So you've both returned I see...how did..." he motioned with his hooves, "This happen?"
"Umm...accident?" they both said.
"Anyways, how was the delivery?" Harmonize said, while shaking his head slightly.
"It went well," Tailor said, "Czar Nexus said for me to tell you, 'The eve begins, the time is key, and so are we--"
"Yet don't forget the family..." Harmonize finished, tears forming in his eyes.
Tailor and Akrid gave a frown, "What is the matter Father? Why are you sad?" they asked.
"Daughters, I am not sad, I am overcome with joy...I have awaited to hear that message for an uncountable amount of years...trust me when I say, good things are to come." He answered, pulling the two mares into a hug.
"Everybuggy! May I have your attention!" Harmonize shouted from his balcony. Nearly a thousand sets of eyes turned to face him.
"*Ahem* I know for the past week or so you've all been busy preparing for the other tribes visit, and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart, and at dusk they shall have arrived. Be graceful hosts, they may not have had a lot to eat in recent times. Put some smiles on and enjoy the party! Again I thank you."
It had been several months since Tailor delivered his message, and two weeks ago they a response. The Hives which took the message seriously would be coming to their hive to discuss the on-goings, a rare event not recorded before. Ever since the response the entire Hive was busy preparing their home for their guests.
Walking back into his room Harmonize called out, "Tune! Alter! I'd like to see the two of you!"
After a moment the door burst open, revealing Tune, who was wearing a party hat, and Alter, who was wearing a sailor hat and uniform.
"...I don't want to know....do I?" Harmonize asked tentatively .
"Well that depends, do you like -ow!" Started Tune, who was then cut off by Alter, who was ferociously shaking her head, a blush forming on her face.
"I'm taking that as a no...Anyway! Either of you got the list?"
"I got it." Tune said, lifting his hat up and pulling a large scroll that shouldn't be able to fit inside said hat, out of it.
"Good, let's go over it one more time please." Harmonize instructed, taking a seat on the floor.
"Alright, let see...we have from the far north, The Second Hive, led by Kaiser Vigor; from the Sky-Haven, The Fifth Hive, commanded by Alacrity Khan; From the light, The Eighth Hive(of course), guided by Czar Nexus; From the Badlands,The Tenth Hive, ruled by Queen Chrysalis; From the Eastern Forests, The Sixteenth Hive, run by Overseer Serene; From the south, The Twentieth Hive, governed by Empress Acrimony; From the Hidden West, The Twenty-Fifth Hive, instructed by Lady Acuity; From the Draconian plateaus, The Thirty-First Hive, directed by Caesar Rex; And finally From the corners of the world the Thirty-Seventh Hive, shepherded by Chieftain Strygwyr...or Nomad." The two listed off, "And that's the guest list, the other Hives either died off, or don't care enough. Even so do we even have enough room for them all?"
"Of course, some of the areas we don't even have current use of, so we should be fine."
"Hey Harmonize, where is the meeting going to take place anyway?"
"The Sky Room, why?"
"I'm a bit...scared to tell you the truth, all of them...I hope nobuggy dies." Tune admitted.
"Don't worry, committing violence in the Hive you are invited into is an unspoken, sacred law, break it and you suffer the wrath of all the Hives." Harmonize told him, seemingly calming him down, as well as Alter. "Now, for this meeting you won't be required, go out and enjoy the festivities, I insist." Before either of them could refuse, he pushed them out of his room.
"...No choice? OK...Thanks!" Alter said aloud. Turning to her left she saw that somehow Tune had already gotten several bottles of cider and was drinking one down. Giving a slight sigh she grabbed a bottle from him, and took a swig. Throwing a forehoof over Tune she guided them toward the festival.
As promised, all the Hives had arrived before the night began, Each one bringing several hundred of their Hive. As the final Hive entered and settled Harmonize stood at his balcony and addressed them.
"Hello and welcome! Each Hive leader is to meet at the Sky Room of the Hive, while their caste head toward the festival grounds! Today you are our guest, and as such we will not allow you to go hungry, that is all....actually can somebuggy please shut the hive entrance behind the Second Hive...it's wide open." The entrance to the hive was closed, hiding it from the rest of the world. "Thank you!"
Harmonize saw the large groups of Changelings separate and head in the general direction of the festival grounds, while the Head of each Tribe began their ways toward the Sky Room...helpfully guided by painted arrows. He gave a soft smile as he made his way to the meeting.
The Hive leaders now sat at a large table, waiting for somebuggy to start the meeting. Well, that and some were just admiring the room, specifically the vastness of it, thanks to the exposed top, hidden from the world by foliage...and a large pack of domesticated hydra.
Clearing his throat Harmonize began.
"Now that you all are here, both physically and mentally, we can begin. First I'd like to address the reason behind this get to gather. As you know the Mistress of the Night has finally returned. Along with her six pony artifacts of immense power called the Elements of Harmony. Does anybuggy know what that means?"
A hoof shot up.
"Yes, Kaiser Vigor?"
"Vigor believes that means the ponies have summoned lazers!" Vigor shouted over-excitedly.
"...No...Anybuggy else?"
Another hoof was raised.
"Excellent, Lady Acuity, what say you?"
"By any chance are you referring to the pony conflicts and their 'ultimate' weapon?" Acuity said slowly, thinking over each word.
"Quite; anyway, to get you up to speed; around a thousand years ago the Equines faced some rather...serious foes. The Chaos Serpent, the Griffon Conflicts, The Monger of Shadows-" a few of the leaders gave hateful growls at the name, "-And lastly the fall of the Mistress of the Night into the Bane of Dreams. They had a set of artifacts know to them as 'The Elements of Harmony' which they used to banish and solve such troubles, and now they have returned to them. I sense the beginning of a dark time, of further famine and strife. I also feel that it won't last long and afterword that the famine will end...permanently."
A mix of gasps and mummers rang throughout the room.
"Make of this what you will, I only wish for you to be prepared. Now if you will, I'd like to speak to the Five Ancients alone for awhile." Harmonize said, leaving the table, beckoning to some of the others. Without looking back he opened a door to a pitch black room and entered, taking a seat on the ground.
A series of thuds marked the arrival of four others.
"Vigor wonders what is with the lack of light?" a voice rang out...belonging to Vigor.
"Oh, quit the act Vigor, the time has come." Nexuses voice came in response.
After a cough and clearing Vigor spoke again, his voice now more collected, "Is that so? After so long I was beginning to think it would never come...Alacrity, Acuity, my sisters, can you believe it?"
"We would not be here if we did not." they responded in turn.
Harmonizes voice rang out from the dark, lined with melancholy, "So it really is only just the five of us left, huh? Only a mere five of the original hive?"
"That is correct brother, and I have traveled far, wide, and long." Nexus told him.
Harmonize gave a sigh, "I have bad news, news that I don't want the others to know, you must swear yourselves to secrecy."
"Of course brother, on our blood." they all responded.
"A short while after the Mistress of the Night returned and was cleansed I took a trek into the forest where I stumbled upon a strange object. It looked like a tree but was crystal instead of wood...more importantly I could feed on it. And where is the only place that holds crystals that can absorb and store energy, hmm?" Only silence answered him. "Nobuggy? Really, I'm disappointed that none of you remember the First."
A few soft thuds on the ground signified somebuggy getting up to stand, "You can't possibly think that a tree from the First could have made it's way here! After the Monger was defeated the entire empire vanished, not a trace was left!" Alacrity argued. "We all know that, we all were there! YOU were there! And you knew the Monger better than any of us, he doesn't half-ass any spells."
"Of course, but no magic lasts forever, not curses nor godly incantations. By now it's been nearly a thousand years, without any renewal or refreshing spells. His curse is fading and it's only a matter of time before the First returns entirely."
"Entirely? You make it sound as though part of it is already back." Acuity said.
"I believe part is, the tree is all the proof I need to convince myself."
"Why didn't you contact us when you found the tree? Or is there something more?" Vigor asked.
"Correct, now while the First vanished with the majority of its inhabitants, I'm not sure if they were put into a stasis and survived or not so we may encounter....less than Hatchling-friendly conditions, and remember how badly the Sun Raiser and Night Mistress wanted the city? They nearly killed the Monger." Harmonize confirmed.
"Pfft, nearly...shouldn't have gave him a chance..." grumbled Alacrity.
Harmonize frowned, he remember that she had a....quite intimate relationship with the Monger before the shadows took him.
"Ahem, Harmonize, this is great and all, but what is this supposed to accomplish? You never were one to do anything without reason, not that I can recall."
"Quite, the reason I needed the Kin of the First is due to an old artifact that was gifted to the Equines long ago, the same artifact that was stolen by the Monger...I believe it too shall make a return, and when it does...I want to return home with my family, old and new."
"That's touching and all, but what makes you think that our treasure will be returned? When the Monger curse the city and caused it to vanish he bound himself to it...the coward." Vigor interjected.
"The artifacts of old are all returning, I have a source that says even the Deity's Amulet has been found, and far in Alchemist country the Nature's Armlet, and just recently now the Six Paragons of Parity, who knows what next? It's really anybuggys guess...But you raise a fair point, the Monger did bind himself, and thus we also must prepare for him...I want to ask you two things, One: to connect our minds, separate from our Hiveminds, and Two: should we warn the Equines of his return?" Harmonize asked.
He was responded in the form of the feel of a mental tether, to which he grasped.
"And as for the second?"
"...I believe it would not be wise to spread panic, for all we know something worse could arise before the Monger." Alacrity said.
"You still think the God Eater will escape don't you?" Nexus asked.
"Of course I do, he deserves much more than just imprisonment!" she hissed.
"He has been held there for nearly four generations of gods, I doubt he has the power now to make an escape." Vigor reassured her.
"AHEM, final verdict?" Harmonize asked.
"No, it would spread panic and may be taken as a threat, an act of war." Acuity said.
"That does make quite the point...Everybuggy in favor?" he asked.
A chorus of Ayes filled the dark room.
"Settled, now go have fun, not a single one goes hungry tonight!" Harmonize said, exiting the room.
As the Five re-entered the Sky room they found the remainder of the leaders playing a card game on the table. Chrysalis was standing up with one hoof in the air, cards in hoof, and one on the table.
"Royal Flush!" She shouted.
The rest at the table groaned and began pushing jars toward Chrysalis.
"Attention please?" Harmonize asked.
All eyes slowly shifted to him.
"Meeting adjourned, stay in contact, and have fun! Join your castes and stay the night, bring home as much food as you'd like, within reason of course." he said.
With that the leaders began to leave, Chrysalis staying behind to collect her winnings. Harmonize walked up to her.
"Queen Chrysalis?" he asked.
"Hm, yes?" she responded with a bit of surprise on her face.
"How has the Tenth been fairing?"
"...Well for the most part, I must thank you for a lot of that though." she said, dropping her head slightly.
"I take it the monthly packages are helping?"
Chrysalis merely nodded her head.
"I want to say I'm sorry, " Harmonize started, "But the Tenth was deteriorating, and being old as I am...I knew we couldn't support such a large hive without any outside help...I still love each and every Hive...but I care too much to do nothing."
He didn't get a response.
"Look, have a good night and in the morning I'll send a couple of workers to help you bring back surplus love, now put a damn smile on and enjoy!" Harmonize said, slapping Chrysalis on the back.
A small smile crept onto her face, "Okay, I guess."
"COME ON~ IT'S TIME TO CONGA~" a very drunk Tune yelled out, grabbing random members to join in his dance.
"Hey-What are you-aw, ta hell with it, CONGA~"
Meanwhile a now very large Tiny sat at the sides, Mantis next to him, both of them sipping at their drinks.
"Sooo...." Mantis began, "I'm set to be in Ponyville in just under a week, you?"
"I'm being assigned to the Canterlot gardens, Father is worried about something, I don't know what, but he wants me to keep an eye out for anything...dire." Tiny responded.
"Ah, WHELP!" Mantis said, standing up and draining his drink, "Come on, let's mingle; not often do separate hives get together."
"Just promise me you'll stop me from doing anything stupid, alright?" Tiny said with a smirk.
"I'll do what I can Brother." Mantis replied, taking Tiny by the hoof, dragging him toward the Conga line.
The following day the visiting hives left, all with large supplies of food, all happy...and a slight bit drunk.
CONGA COMMENCES! (Because the previous chapter was long enough, and I promised CoNgA!)
"CON~GA!" Shouted the drunk Tune, wearing a large sombrero with some hatchlings playing in it. He was dancing wildly along with the rest of the Changelings. Somehow or another he managed to swagger his way a vendor stall without collapsing, he took a seat, placing his hat and hatchlings on the ground. Turning he saw a Changeling from another hive, and with his drunken spirit he said, "Hello beautiful~."
The other Changeling looked around for a second before turning toward Tune. "I'm a dude."
Tunes drunk mind responded to this quickly and he turned around and walked away, scooping his hat and the hatchlings up and placing them on his head.
When Tune got of out sight the other Changeling quickly scanned the area before tapping the vendor stall. As she did two other Changelings rose from behind the counter.
"Well that was a bit harsh..." one of them said.
"But very effective." the other one added.
"He won't be thinking of me anytime soon, I can tell you that." the first Changeling chuckled.
Somewhere else in the festival Akrid and Mantis were walking together, having lost Tiny to the Conga line. Eventually they found a game stall, a simple Ring-Toss. Akrid walked up, dragging Mantis behind her, and tapped on the table, gaining the attention of the stall owner.
"Ah! Young Akrid and young Mantis, enjoying the fair?" he asked, handing both of them three rings each.
"Of course! Have you seen any of your old Hive?" Akrid asked, tossing a ring which misses.
"No, they decide not to come it seems." he responded as Akrid tossed another ring, this one tapping the neck of a bottle.
"Pity, Which hive did you hail from anyways, Traveler Surrogate?" Mantis asked as Akrid flung her final ring like a disc, merely skimming over the tops of the bottles. She then slumped on the counter.
"Fifteenth." Surrogate answered while Mantis tossed his first ring, it bounced off a bottle.
"Didn't they abandon their hive, heading south?" Mantis asked, leaning slightly and sticking his hooves out, his tongue barely hanging out.
"Aye, they did, but I got lost and ended up heading elsewhere. Found myself at a farm where I befriended the owners. They fed and housed me, and I helped with chores and scaring any 'Nightmares' away." Surrogate told them. Mantis was tossing the ring up and down in his hoof while listening.
"So what happened to them? Seeing as you're here now." Mantis asked, gripping the ring.
"Oh, they're doing swell, but when I arrived I wanted to form a pact with the family, I grew quite fond of them, and to preform a pact I needed the permission of a hive leader, yours was the first I came upon; as for right now, I'm just here for the festivities." Surrogate explained. Mantis had returned to his slightly bent over position. Closing one eye, he gently tossed the ring and watched as it fell around the neck of a bottle.
"YES!" He yelled, hooves in the air and a smile on his face.
"Congratulations, here's your prize." Surrogate said, handing him a stuffed dragon plushie.
Taking his prize he nudged Akrid, placing it on her head. "Come on cheer up, the day is young!" He said, taking her hoof and dragging her to another of the many stalls, the plushie bouncing softly on her head as she gave a smile.
"TUNE! TUNE! I'm going to gut you when I find you!" Alter yelled, who was wearing a nurse uniform. How did I let him talk me into this? she thought angrily. Turning a corner she ran, or more accurately, crashed into something. Standing up she noticed what she ran into, more rather who she ran into.
"Agh...watch where your running please." the Changeling said, still in a daze. "What's the hurry anyway? The festival is all day lon-Hello~what's this?" He said, finally regaining his sense. He gave a small frown, "Wait, did I just die? Are you some spirit come to whisk me away?"
Alter began to blush furiously, avoiding eye contact with the other Changeling, "Ah-em...No, I'm pretty sure you're still alive. S-Sorry for ramming into you, Anyway gotta go, have to strangle an idiot, bye!" She said, turning to run.
"Hey, why don't you try the Conga line if your looking for a drunk?" he offered.
She stopped and gave him a skeptical look. "Nearly everybuggy in the Conga line is drunk." she deadpanned.
"Better than nothing, right?"
"...I guess..." she said, now running toward the Conga line.
The Changeling turned around and watched her leave.
"Wow...Dat-"
"AAAAAASSSSSSSS!" Screamed a dripping wet Transmute, who was running for his life on his hind legs, forehooves in the air. Trailing behind him was a horde of mares. Turning the corner he saw an alley, and seizing the chance he dove for it. Then a thought from the back of his head managed to poke it's way to the front.
"...They can smell me..." he said aloud in realization and horror.
As if on cue the ground began to rumble as the sound of hooves grew louder. Looking for an exit Transmute spotted none, he was cornered. In desperation he flew up, only for one of his hind legs to be caught and dragged to the ground.
"ATLAS!" The Albino Cuddlebug yelled as he was dragged away by the hoard, "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
In truth it was, Atlas had been carrying some chemical pheromones and crashed into Transmute, covering him in the stuff, and mix that with a bunch of drunk mares...it's not pleasant.
Strolling behind the hoard of mares was Atlas, notebook and quill in hoof. "...chemical pheromone mixture number-87...successful...continuing further observation..." He muttered whistle writing.
Gods must be angry (Hells hath no wrath like a goddess scorned) *Note* Out of Cronology, Will Fix....Think of this as an Omake...I guess...WILL FIX
*BAM* The door was knocked open as a terrified Runner bounded in.
"S-Sir! The Tenth!" She yelled, "The Tenth are, are, are, are, ar-"
"Calm down my child...biscuit?" Harmonize said to the Runner, offering the treat.
She took it and calmed down, finally saying, "The Tenth, they invaded Canterlot!"
"What? Did you just say Canterlot? Equine capital?"
"Y-Yes Father." The Runner said crying. "Those of us in Canterlot are trying to help the ponies, but the Tenth's Hivemind is interfering with ours, they're all alone!"
"Shhhhh..." Harmonize said, grasping her in his forehooves, "There-there young Tailor. They are never alone, they know that, and thank you, it was very brave; I wondered why I couldn't hear the Canterlot children for the last hour...wait," he stopped, turning to the Runner, "You flew here, from Canterlot...in an hour?"
"Y-Yes, I was just so scared that I-"
Harmonize once again embraced Tailor, "That was amazing my child. You deserve rest." he said as he began cradling her, "Sleep now...." and just like that she fell asleep, purring in his hooves.
"Sister Alter, get young Tailor to a bed...she's worked hard and is scared." He said to one of his Praetorians, and she was off with the youngling.
Harmonize turned to his right, "Tune, what do you make of this?"
"Brother...I don't know...I just...How can she be that diluted? or that desperate." His other guard replied. After a moment he asked, "Are you proud of your Children? Of your Hive?"
"Without an order, the Children of the Forty-Second helped the citizens of Canterlot...I couldn't be more proud of them for sticking with their beliefs...that we aren't monsters...just like the Thirteenth and Twenty-Forth Tribe..."
Tune raised an eye, "The Dreamponies and Breezies? Wow...you really do love us."
Harmonize raised a hoof to his chest, pretending to be hurt, "Agh, did you ever doubt that?"
Tune smiled, "Nah."
The Patriarch smiled back, "I just hope those six mares from town are there, if they can bring back Luna and defeat Discord, then I know they can see this one through...though our reputation is going to be severely hurt, I need to address the Hive. Call the Children."
"Sure thing buddy!" Tune said as he jaunted away.
"Children of the Forty-Second, you have been called here to be informed. You may have felt that you lost connection to the group in Canterlot, and there is a reason!" the crowd of over a thousand gasped, "But not for the reason you may think. I have just learned that Queen Chrysalis of the Tenth has invaded the Equine capital...She attacked a Goddess." More gasps, a few *thud*s as some fainted. "Her Hive is much larger than ours, and her Hivemind is interrupting ours, but from what I have been told your brothers and sisters are assisting the ponies, fighting against the Tenth, pray for them." Cheers rung out, a few mummers of 'let's help them' as well. "Be strong for them!"
Meanwhile in Canterlot...
A white Changeling with a scar ushers out ponies to safety, "Go, go, go, I'll give you as much time as I can!" he yelled.
One mare stood behind, a teal unicorn, "Whoever, and whatever you are...thank you." she said.
He smiled, "Aye lass! and for your information, I'm a Cuddlebug, now get going!"
She gave a nod and ran with the others.
Across the street he saw one of his brothers, a large behemoth of a Changeling at least the size of Celestia herself, having plates in place of a simple carapace. The white Changeling ran to him, shouting, "Oi! Tiny! Hey brother I didn't know you were in Canterlot!"
The Behemoth look toward him, his eyes widening as well as a smile appearing, "Brother Transmute! How nice to see you." He suddenly shifts to a serious expression, "We have got to get the ponies out of here"
Transmute looked up to him, "I know, I already got a few groups, but DANG does Chrissy got a big hive!"
On the other side...
A Cuddlebug stood between a large family and a squad of Changelings.
"Stand down, maggot!" one of the Changeling called in a raspy voice.
"Hey, I'm a Cuddlebug, not a maggot!" yelled the lone Cuddlebug. "And even if I wanted to, I can't; you wouldn't understand."
"Pray tell." Another of the Tenth Hive asked.
"If you insist; a Blood pact with this family, I protect it and in return I get fed; more to the point, I will not let you hurt the Family Orange."
"The Queen was right, your Hive has diluted itself. It's sad, really it is." The first Changeling said.
A smirk came across the Cuddlebugs face before he launched several blasts into the air and nearby buildings.
"...What was that supposed to do?" one of the Changelings asked.
An evil smile made its way onto the Cuddlebug as he spoke, he voice now much deeper, "Ahem...Reinforcements have arrived!"
"What?" The leader asked as buildings around them began to shake.
"Skulls on!"
"Huh?" asked the Changeling in the back of the group, "I don't get i-" it started before being silenced by a rocky hand picking it up.
"Shut Down!"
"What the ***** the ponies have *****-ing Golems!" the leader yelled in fear before being promptly slapped by the Cuddlebug.
"Hey, no swearing, there are foals here!" he shouted into the leaders face.
An older stallion from behind the Cuddlebug raised a hoof asking, "Ummm....Grandpa Surrogate, shouldn't we be getting out?"
Surrogate thought for a second before answering, "Yeah, probably," he turned toward the golem, "Charleston, get Crag and help the ponies to safety."
Charleston raised a hand to his head saying, "I shall gather no moss."
Surrogate grabbed the family and began running through the streets of the city, trying to find a safe place for the time being.
In the Canterlot Guards Barracks...
A Cuddlebug clad in the gold Canterlot Royal Guard armor zoomed around the ceiling, instructing the remaining conscious ponies to safety, and if need be, retaliation.
"Commander YellowJacket?" asked one of the guards.
"Aye, what is it?"
"One of the invaders is attempting to enter, it request to be designated as a 'she' and says its name is Akrid."
"Bloody hell....OPEN IT UP!" YellowJacket shouted, slightly annoyed.
As they did a wingless Cuddlebug ran in yelling, "Elder YellowJacket, it's the Tenth!"
YellowJacket lowered his eyes to the ground, "Harmonize is not gonna be happy to hear this." he mumbled. "How many?"
"From the looks of it, the entire Hive, hatchlings included." Akrid responded.
"The entire...by the damned....Chrysalis what are you thinking?" YellowJacket thought out loud. Then something caught his train of thought, "Akrid...you were supposed to be stationed in the castle with another...where is he?"
"He stayed in the castle." She replied sheepishly.
"...WHAT?! DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU JUST LEFT IN THE CASTLE? ALONE?!" The Commander screamed. "I can't believe you left him there alone..." he said with a shake of his head.
"Um...sir? Who? An important Pony?" asked a guard.
"No...she was with...."
In the Castle...
A lone Cuddlebug stayed in hiding in the main overlook, right where Chrysalis was. Where was he...well...he was on the ceiling...how? No one knows, he was just there. His name? 'Psycho' Mantis.
Looking down he saw that Chrysalis had captured not only the Six Elements, but also the Sun goddess. "Echo One to Echo Actual, come in Echo Actual." he whispered to himself.
Suddenly his voice changed, "Echo One this is Echo Actual, how copy?"
His voice changed again, "Echo One, Echo Actual, this is Bravo Company, status report?"
His voiced shifted to it original, "Echo Actual, Bravo Company, copy, Chrysalis is staging a take over; taken out the elements and the Sun Goddess."
He switched again, "What about the Mistress of the Night?"
Again he swapped, "She's over the hill."
"Great, and it's Charlie foxtrot out there."
"What we need to do is free the Elements; sooner we do that the sooner we can say Alpha Mike Foxtrot."
"A-firmative! We're Oscar Mike."
Finally he settled back to his original voice, "Oh wait, I'm already here....Cool...time to free the Elements...wait is she...no, don't tell me...she is....she's....singing."
With a sigh he ran above the Six captives, "Psst! HEY!" he somewhat shout-whispered. To no effect at that. Taking a seat he began thinking...and thinking...and thinking. Suddenly a fire ignited above his head...which promptly caused him to flail around trying to put it out, breaking his cover and somehow making him susceptible to gravity. "GAH! Putitoutputitoutputitoutputitoutputitoutputitoutputitoutputitout!" He screamed while rolling on the ground until the fire was gone. When he looked back up he was greeted by the face of the Queen of the Tenth. So he did what came natural. "Our cover has been compromised! PLAN B!" He shouted, quickly putting a Gas-mask over his face...which he got from...his non-existent pockets. Rearing up on his hind legs, he began to float up, forehooves at his sides. "So you like The Elder Scrolls do you? Still not convinced? Step away from your computer and/or mobile device and/or any other medium of entertainment and I shall vibrate your Device/Medium...WITH MY MIND!" Chrysalis was so preoccupied trying to...stay sane, that she never noticed the Bride and Groom come together and release the spell.
