Enigma
The trees of the forest, they are tall, dark, and magical. The night here brings many eyes, watching your every move. From above and below, these eyes come, inevitable and unavoidable. As they watch me I try to remember why I’m there under all these eyes, but nothing comes to mind. As unnerving as they are, the eyes seem afraid of me. This pre-standing fear is hardly what is at the forefront of my thoughts, however. Why am I here? Where is here? Where can I go? Where should I go?”
With a jump I am pulled from my thoughts by a cry farther in the woods. Without thinking, I bolted in whatever direction I thought was away from the cry. The trees flew past me in a blur of muted color. I dodge branches that seem to jump out to trip up my hooves. I run blindly through the forest, the feeling of dread building ever faster. And now to add to my fear, the cries were getting louder and possibly closer. OH NO! I cried in my mind when suddenly a root caught my hoof and my face quickly became acquainted with the ground.
In that moment before I hit the ground, all became quiet. The cry that had me so frightened was gone. All the eyes seemed to vanish -- but this was short lived, and as my senses returned everything seemed worse. The cry was stronger now and the eyes’ fear of me vanished. As I regained my hoofing I galloped as fast as I could in my undetermined direction. My forehoof was in a slight amount of pain from my not-so-elegant fall but moments ago. I ran and I ran until the cry was finally so loud I could hear nothing else. It was then I dared to look around to see what I was running from. This was a mistake. Suddenly, all went black, and the night became nothingness.
When I awoke from the void of unconsciousness I had fallen into, only one thought came to mind… Get to safety. But when I thought “From what,” there was nothing there, nothing but a huge blank. I had lost my memories!? But that’s something I would have to deal with later, so I decided it was better to leave wherever I was. As I walked through the bleak forest I noted by the dim light trying to push its way through the wall of trees that it must be early morning. It was after a few moments of trotting that I realized I was in a lot of pain, covered in scratches and cuts, my ear had been slightly cut open, and I just felt like Tartarus. Disturbing as this was, I continued my trot; all the creatures that had seemed to be watching me have left. It was then that I saw the light getting brighter as I moved toward an opening in the trees. As I burst through it, the world seemed to change.
As I examined the world around me everything was so bright and peaceful. I trotted down the road, and my mood changed from scared for my life to happy in every sense. Was I safe now? Where am I? Who am I? These questions began popping into my head once more. Unable to come up with any answers I decided to head towards what looked like a town in the distance.
When I approached the quaint-looking village I noticed the simple, rustic look of everything. Now, as I draw closer, the town’s inhabitants come into view. All over were pastel-colored ponies: some with wings, some with horns, and some with neither. Having no memory of where I was or how I had gotten here, I decided to ask somepony where I had wandered. It was around this time that my lack of energy began to show.
As I wandered sleepily around town most of the ponies I passed seemed to avoid me. Odd... is there something weird about me? I had to stop many times; from what I could gather, I had not slept in a few days. Things began to get hazy as my vision blurred. As I tried to figure out where I was going, I bumped into a few passing ponies. Then, suddenly, I passed out face-forward into the ground. My face sure loves the dirt. As I lay there in a hardly-conscious state, many ponies walked around me--not even noticing a passed-out mare lying in the street!
I was finally brought back to the waking world by a lavender hoof poking me repeatedly in the side. My vision finally focused on my assailant. She was a lavender-colored mare with a dark-purple mane and tail, a single strip of pink running through its length. Her lips were moving, but I could hardly hear what she was saying. After a few seconds of trying to regain my hoofing I managed to stand back up, and by this time my hearing had returned. The mare was asking “Are you okay?” over and over again.
“Are you okay, miss!?”
“Um – what – oh sorry umm… I’m ok I think…?”
“You don’t look well. Would you like to come to my home and rest up a bit?” The mare motioned to her home, which turned out to be a tree...?
“A-alright, thank you.” I replied “But...Who are you?” I asked the mare with a confused look upon my face.
“Oh how silly of me, I forgot, my name is Twilight Sparkle.” The mare, who I now know as Twilight, answered with a friendly smile. “And what's your name, miss...?”
“My name is... Well... I don’t have a name… Do I?” I was mentally kicking myself for not remembering anything.
“No name… That’s odd... Well, let’s get you inside; you seem to have had a rough time wherever you were.” And with that, the two of us trotted off towards the tree-home of Twilight Sparkle.
Inside the homely tree were walls of books, books of all kinds. These books would range from adventure novels to philosophy, and some to arcane arts. As I was led in by Twilight Sparkle, we moved over toward her couch, which looked like a bed of clouds to me. Upon our arrival at the unnaturally comfy-looking couch, Twilight motioned for me to sit, so (after ungracefully plopping down) I am finally able to make myself comfortable. Twilight had moved into the kitchen (or what looked like a kitchen). I could hear the rattle of pots and pans as she searched for something.
About ten minutes or so later (I had lost track due to my sleepy state), Twilight returned carrying a notebook and quill. What would those be doing in the kitchen…? I asked myself, but quickly pushed the thought aside. She pulled up a chair and sat down.
“I was wondering if I could ask you some questions. I mean, you don’t need to answer, but I really know so little about you,” the purple librarian asked quite nervously, still holding the quill hopefully.
“Well, you probably know more than me, honestly. Is a questionnaire how you normally begin talking to a mare?” I asked.
She looked at me for a few seconds, apparently mulling the info over. “OH! I’m sorry! I should be asking how you are!” She facehoofed, “Stupid me, I’m so sorry. I’m not always like that, I swear!”
“It’s okay, I guess I don’t mind. I mean, hey, if answering your questions might help me remember more about myself then go right ahead. Actually, knowing my name would be nice.” She looked up at me with a smile “If questions will help you help me figure out who I am I’ll do it.”
“Well, if you’re okay with it?”
I looked around the room before responding, “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Okay, great!” She smiled then looked at her notebook scribbling here and there with her magically suspended quill. “All right. Well, first, are you sure you don’t know your name? Or anything that might hint towards it?”
“No I’m sorry, I really don’t know, next question.”
“Alright...well, where is it that you come from? Actually I guess it would be more prudent to ask, where’s the last place you remember coming from?” Twilight asked.
“Well that I do remember. It was a forest, dark, creepy, and kind of scary. And...I don’t know, it felt like there were creatures watching me, as if they intended to hurt me...” I shuddered a bit as I recalled the event not too long ago.
Twilight seemed to be mulling over the information I had just given her, it didn’t seem to take her long to come to a conclusion about where I was before coming to this village.
“You came from the Everfree Forest!?”
“Oh, so that dreadful place has a name, judging from your reaction I guess I should count myself lucky I am alive - ouch!” I winced as my hoof flared in pain for a second, but that quickly subsided. Twilight however noticed this.
“Oh no, I was so interested in learning about you that I forgot the shape you were in!” She got up and paced a bit, but quickly looked back “I know, I’ll get Fluttershy, she’s good at medicine! Are you okay to wait here for a bit? Spike can keep you company!” At this she looked around the library. “Hey, where is that little dragon?”
“Dragon, what’s that?” I looked around hoping to spot this creature Twilight had apparently lost.
As we scanned the building, the door popped open and a purple and green creature leisurely walked in. It had scales over its entire body, obviously making it some kind of lizard or something. He (at least I think it was a he) had spines on its head and small ones down his back.
As he closed the door he looked at me then at Twilight. “Oh hey there Twi, who’s your friend?”
“Oh, there you are, Spike!” The unicorn returned to her notebook for a second. Without looking up she said, “Spike, this is…well, she doesn’t have a name.” Twilight blushed at her lack of knowledge.
“No name, huh. That’s a bit odd, don’t you think Twi?” The purple lizard inquired
“Well yes it is. I found her passed out in town earlier today.” Twilight said.
He looked at me, all I could do was weakly smile back. “Um… hi,” I finally squeaked out at an almost inaudible volume. This seemed to satisfy the dragon’s worries, next he came over to me and held out a claw. After a moment’s hesitation I grasped it and shook.
“Well good to meet ya, a friend of Twi’s can’t be that bad now can they.”
At this Twilight facehoofed and slowly sat there shaking her head at Spike’s remark. “If you say so… Spike.”
“Now that you’re here Spike, would you mind staying here with our friend while I go get Fluttershy?”
“I guess…why do you need Fluttershy?” The purple dragon had a look of confusion on his face.
“Well our friend here was passed out in town and looks like she’s seen better days.” I grinned sheepishly at the attention. “And since Fluttershy is good with caring for animals I just thought –”
Spike interrupted her “Ok, ok, I get you Twilight, I’ll watch her.”
“Great that’s why you’re my number one assistant!”
“Yeah I know flattery will get you everywhere.” The purple dragon blushed and waved a claw like he had hardly heard the praise.
“Ok I’ll be back soon then!” Twilight told us as she left. “Oh and Spike no ice cream till dinner!” And with that she was gone.
“Ok so, uh, what now?” I asked, genuinely confused with my situation. Spike turned to look at me and simply shrugged his shoulders and headed for the kitchen.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I need some ice cream! Want some?” He poked his head back out looking at me for a response.
“Well, Twilight told you not to have any right? Besides…What’s ice cream…?” The dragon looked at me like the apocalypse had happened then turned and went back to getting the “ice cream,” whatever that is.
He came back with two bowls, gave me one, and began eating one himself. Well must be alright, I thought. Well whatever it was it is delicious! “I’ll just ask Twilight what it was once she gets back.” I giggled slightly at the dragon that had finished his bowl and was already asleep on the floor.
~~in the streets of ponyville~~
I was trotting through the edges of town heading for the cottage home of my friend, Fluttershy. I passed only a few ponies on my way out of town, despite the wonderful day today. The few that I did pass waved in greetings which I returned in kind. But my walk was an otherwise uneventful one; this allowed my thoughts to drift back to the mystery mare I had met.
She seems pleasant enough, I doubt she would or could harm anypony. I then thought back to the next question I was going to ask. But she was an alicorn, aren’t there only two of them in the world? If she is a pure blood alicorn, and not a unicorn using some kind of faux wing spell, then I really don’t know what she could do.
My mind went about thinking up many crazy theories about how an alicorn could come to be without anypony’s knowledge. These theories were ranging from spell related accidents, foreign dignitaries, and even secret love affairs with the princesses. Well…Celestia would never do such a thing, and Luna just got back recently.
My musing was cut short as I knocked on Fluttershy’s door with my face. Thus, once more proving my aptitude for walking all over town without looking where I was going. After regaining my composure I shook my head a few times and knocked with my hoof this time. After a few brief moments the door opened slowly to reveal, through a small crack, the yellow coat and pink mane of Fluttershy.
“Umm….Hello,” she asked with a hardly audible tone.
“Fluttershy, it’s Twilight, can I come in?” I tried to look in the door as I spoke.
The door opened all the way to reveal Fluttershy with numerous small animals behind her looking at me and blushing. “Oh hi Twilight, yes please, come in.” I accepted her invite and slowly made my way to the couch and sat down upon it. “Would you like some tea?” Fluttershy asked in a more normal tone.
“No thanks. I actually had a favor to ask of you.”
“Oh?” Flutteshy looked intrigued. She seemed to wonder what help she could provide me.
“Well I met this mare today in town...” I hesitated a bit; Fluttershy seemed to take this the wrong way.
“Well Rarity would be better for advice on those things Twilight…” I cut her off with a wave of my hoof. She let out a slight “Eep” before letting me continue.
“NO, NO, it’s nothing like that!” My cheeks were as red as Big Mac at that point. “Ahem, no, I found her passed out in the street, and...”
“OH MY, is she ok!? What happened!? Where is she now!?” Her outburst caught me a bit off guard but I can hardly say I was not expecting it. The assault of questions was hard to stop; I actually had to stuff my hoof in her mouth to end the onslaught.
“Fluttershy she’s alright, she’s at the library resting.” I let a few moments pass for my friend to compose herself after that torrent of questions. “But I can tell she has been banged up a bit, but she doesn’t know what happened. So I was wondering if you could come and see if you can help her in any way?” My friend nodded, “Great, shall we go then?”
The dirt road to Ponyville lay out before us, and the sun had already begun setting. The coming twilight stretched across the nearby field, bathing the whole area in a dreary but calm golden light. The two of us trotted back towards town from Fluttershy’s cottage. Even at our brisk pace it would take us a decent amount of time to reach the library. The growing silence between us seemed unnatural even for Fluttershy. By the time we reached the bridge into town I felt like I should break the dreary silence. “Fluttershy…?” A quiet “Eep” was all I got to indicate my friend had heard me. “Fluttershy about my friend… She’s a bit, um, odd.”
“Odd, how so, if you want to tell me that is?” Fluttershy blushed at her own statement and hid her face behind her bright pink mane. I could not help but shake my head at the truly limitless shyness of my friend.
“Fluttershy it’s no problem, I started to tell you didn’t I?” Fluttershy came back out of her mane a bit at this comment, “But as I was saying, this mare I found well she’s uhhh...” I hesitated trying to put my thoughts in order, and to say them in a way Fluttershy won’t get scared over. “Well she’s different, very different. For example she’s got a black coat, and red eyes.” She did not seem overly affected by this, but sometimes you can’t be sure with her.
I decided to not say anything further till we arrived back home. I started to daydream about this whole situation Well that was easier than I thought, I was almost sure I’d need to drag Fluttershy out of her house. I mentally giggled at the thought. I really hope she can help our little mystery mare. I sighed and glanced around, we were already nearly to the library
“Umm Twilight, is there anything else I should know about your friend?” She seemed a bit more confident now that we had been walking for a while. We finally reached the library door, it seemed quiet, and Spike probably ate ice cream and passed out.
“Okay Fluttershy, her mane colors do make her look a bit scary.” At the hint of something scary she tensed up almost immediately, I had to speak with haste to keep her calm. This might be harder than I thought. One mental sigh later, “But she’s a really nice mare!” My words of comfort seemed to only slightly calm her, but it would need to do. “Ok shall we go in now?” She put on a straight face but anypony could see it was forced. And with that we both walked in.
The scene before us was surprisingly normal. The library was clean, books still on the shelves, furniture still in place, and of course a little baby dragon sleeping on the floor with an ice cream tub next to him. But the mystery mare was not in the main room, where did she go!? Spike woke upon hearing us get home. “Oh, hi ya Twi welcome *hic* back.” He clasped a claw over his mouth and looked at the empty container next to him. Wow I did not think a purple dragon could turn that shade of red. “Uh I can explain.”
“Later Spike, where’s our guest!?” At that moment she came in from the kitchen and glanced up at us.
“Hi, welcome… back?” she said, hesitation evident in her voice. She really did have a nice voice; it was smooth almost contradicting her appearance. But her appearance did still have a slightly frightening look that’s for sure. She almost reminded me of Nightmare Moon if it were not for those eyes. This was obviously too much for Fluttershy as she saw her and bolted for the door, which slammed shut covered in my magical, purple aura. Fluttershy promptly hit the door in a similar fashion to when she saw Luna on Nightmare Night. Only this time there was more force as she has seemed to have passed out.
My friend trotted over and looked at her. “Is she ok?” she asked, her eyes showing genuine concern.
“Yes, she overreacts to new ponies sometimes, sorry about that.” I said as I moved Fluttershy to the sofa till she came to.
More than an hour later Fluttershy finally awoke. While we waited Spike had gone to take a nap, and we had just continued to try and figure out some of my friend’s past. We had little success so we were glad that Fluttershy had awoken so we could hopefully heal my friend.
I walked over to the, still slightly disoriented, pegasus. My approach seemed to bring her the rest of the way back to reality. “Are you alright Fluttershy?” She gave a confident nod. “I’m sorry about the door I should have explained her appearance better.” I said a little downcast. She put a
hoof on my shoulder.
“It’s okay Twilight I’m fine and I do tend to overreact.” She said with a true smile on her face.
“Now, ahem, let’s help our friend here.”
“Heh, heh, right.”
We both walked over to the chair my friend was sitting in. “Sorry about all the fuss, we came here to help you and you have just been sitting there possibly in pain…” My little tangent was stopped by Fluttershy tapping me on my shoulder. “Heh, heh, oh right.” I facehoofed and backed off.
Fluttershy turned to our mystery mare, her face still partially hidden by her mane.
“Hello…I’m……Fluttershy…” Her confidence was astonishing compared to her previous state.
Fluttershy asked me if I had a small first aid kit, I nodded and went to get it. When I returned a few moments later things seemed to be going well, much of the tension in the air had dissipated. And the two seemed to be getting along better. I levitated the kit to Fluttershy and went to the other room to get some books that might help.
I came back with a stack of books on first aid. But I guess Fluttershy doesn’t need them because my black coated friend looked more like a zebra with all the bandages wrapped around her. I would definitely need to make this up to Fluttershy, at least for hitting her with the door.
After the little triage session, things in the library had calmed down. We were all sitting down in the main room chatting about random subjects. Well, it was mostly Fluttershy and I chatting, our friend just sat there taking in info from our conversations, only occasionally saying something. But it was getting late and Fluttershy, after giving tips on how to keep bandages clean and why, departed to return to caring for her many animal friends.
Now that it was just us Spike, already being asleep, that little guy really can sleep. I decided it was time for us to get some sleep as well.
“Shall we get to bed? You can stay here till you’re feeling better.” I offer a hoof to help her up.
“Oh thank you, I don’t know what I would of done if you had not helped out.” She followed me upstairs to the guest room.
Once we go there I told her to make herself at home and then retired to my own room. My room is slightly larger than the guest room. It has, sadly, only one bookshelf carved into the wall, and my desk in the far corner. There is also my single bed under the room’s main window through which moonlight flooded into the room. I then headed over to my desk and grabbed a quill and parchment in my magical grip with a quick dab into the nearby ink well I set to work on a letter. As the scratching of the quill began
Dear Princess Celestia.
Today I have met a very odd mare in the streets of Ponyville, the circumstances surrounding her arrival are a mystery to me. However she was injured when I found her. It was nothing major, and with Fluttershys help we got her fixed up. But let’s move on to why I am writing this letter. This mare has no memory of her past, it’s almost as though she has no past at all. She cannot even recall a name. I may just give her a temporary name for now though. But what’s even stranger is she’s an Alicorn! I don’t know how but she is, and her coloration gives her striking resemblance to Nightmare Moon! However her eyes are definitely different. And from what I have learned about her leads me to think that she is peaceful in nature. However she seems to be an enigma, I could really use your advice and I await your quick response. Your faithful student
Twilight Sparkle
Author's Note
Well hello all il start off by saying there will be grammar mistakes in these notes. But with that said took me forever but this story is up :). Special thanks to Michael_Ravencroft my editor. hes helped me with this considerably considering my grammar without his help is laughable at best. i hope you all enjoy this story updates will be random but hopefully now that this is up il work on it more. il love comments and want to know what you all think of the story :D now have a good day all!
Ghosts of the Past
The Queen paced back and forth in her private chambers, the room was exceptionally quiet. Things in the hive had been greatly different since the attack on Canterlot. The stillness in the room unnerved Chrysalis more than anything, normally there would be hundreds if not thousands of changelings buzzing about these halls. But instead of her beloved subjects all she could hear was silence, a dead dreary foreboding silence.
Her hive would never be the same since Canterlot. Now every available drone must gather love, and with the new anti-changeling measures being used in every town, it was even harder than ever. After Shining Armor and Princess Cadance’s spell had shot her from the city, and a most ungrateful landing, she had found that only a third if not less of her Changelings had survived the flight from the city.
For the first time the Queen felt nearly completely alone, even her link to the few remaining drones provided her little comfort. Chrysalis opened the door to her chambers, the ancient hinges creaked, echoing through the void of a hive she now wandered. The hive reflected the decaying state of her race. The walls once polished smooth from the numerous Changelings moving along them, are now full of cracks and fissures. The honeycombs that her drones normally slept in were nearly completely gone, turning to dust without Changelings to maintain them. This scene did not help the queen’s mood; she paced through the halls, mumbling random thoughts to herself.
Upon entering the main chamber Chrysalis came upon a drone wandering, like herself, seemingly without a purpose. When the drone saw her approach it froze up into a salute. The Queen did not want this now, while each drone had their own personality when they were around her it was all work and no play. “Hello...” Chrysalis said to the drone but as normal she got no response. Breathing a heavy sigh she mentally told the drone to relax which it did without hesitation.
“Is... There something you need my queen,” he asked with an obviously male voice. Most drones were male after all, other than the Queen. the chances of a female drone was one in a hundred.
“Oh no nothing in particular, just plotting and scheming.” She looked down on him and smiled. “And what is it you are doing… um...?” She hesitated once she realized she did not know the drones name.
The drone having sensed her hesitation spoke up “Drone 5678 my Queen.”
“You don’t have a name other than Drone 5678?”
“No ma’am.”
“How dull I never noticed that before, well what is it you are doing Drone 5678?”
“My Queen I do not currently have any assignments. Do you have one for me?” He seemed to perk up a bit at the idea of something to do.
Chrysalis thought for a moment I could send him out to get more love, but I already have all the close towns as covered as I am willing to risk. And anything farther would be too much for a lone drone. “I am sorry but no I don’t have any orders for you.” She said with a frown
Drone 5678 became very disappointed at not being able to serve his Queen, his wings drooped and he sat down on his haunches and faced the ground.
“But” the drone looked up at her. “I think it would be a good idea for you to think up a name for yourself.” He looked confused “Try to think up an original Changeling name for yourself try to find a name that describes who you are.”
“How does this help the Hive my Queen?”
“It does not. This is for you.” Well it does help by trying to get some personality down here.
Normally, Changelings that have names are special in some way such as the Queen. Names are normally given by the Queen as gifts, these gifts are treasured by Changelings as the highest of honors. But to be given the choice, no, the ability to choose one’s own name that was unheard of!
“Thh…THANK YOU MY QUEEN!” With that outburst Drone 5678 scampered off deeper into the hive to ponder ideas for a name.
With a small smile on her face the Queen turned and headed back to her chambers.
~~
Chrysalis now lying on her moss bed was deep in thought. I probably just made that little drone the happiest he’s been in ages, but we are still a soon to be dead race. But we were not always like this... We once ruled these lands like Celestia and her ponies do now. We were like them, we did not need to live in a hole and feed off emotion because real food was so scarce. In those days, 10,000 years ago, my changelings were free!
~~
Puna wandered the forest, jumping from patch to patch of sunlight that breached through the trees. Her laughter could be faintly heard. But her small pink form was hard to miss. And with a few glances around she paused and giggled. Then with a flap of her large transparent wings she jumped into a nearby bush leaving behind a sprinkle of dust. There was an audible thud and out from the bush rolled several ponies who stopped in a cluttered heap on the path.
After the small group untangled themselves a yellow filly stood up. “How did you know we were there Puna?” She asked happily while dusting herself off.
The others, a light green colt and red filly, also looked up in interest wanting to know how they were so simply bested in there hiding game.
“Well” Puna said with a bit of smugness in her voice. “I have been playing this game for a long time, I obviously don’t look like my ten thousandth birthday is today do I?” She started to walk back down the path towards a castle, with her friends following. “I mean I have probably picked up a few tricks over the years.”
Giving a light hearted chuckle, the green colt trotted up to her. “And these tricks might be?”
“Trade secret.” Puna replied with a smile
“Aww c’mon,” all of her friends exclaimed at once.
“But here’s a hint, don’t all hide together. Hehe.”
The group rounded a corner in the path to come to a large gate. The gate was made of solid wood, intricately carved with images of animals and ponies living together in harmony. Surrounding the gate was a stone archway easily four ponies tall and made from a polished grey stone. With smooth edges and lines, one could not tell when one stone ended and when the next began. As the group neared the gates opened seemingly of their own accord. As they walk through the gates they were greeted by a slate colored mare who’s translucent wings were larger than most. Her face showed an aura of wisdom.
“Hello little sister, did you have fun,” the mare asked.
Running up for a hug Puna embraced her sister “Of course Solana we always have fun playing hide and seek.” With a tilt of her head she asked “Doesn’t everypony?” with that they both had a good laugh.
~~
“Things will never be like that again, it is almost as if we are cursed to be without happiness ever again.” The Queen frowned at the memories she still had of her sister Solana. The former Queen was much wiser than she, and probably always would be. After all this time even the most happy memories elude her.
Chrysalis curled up on her moss bed and closed her tear stained eyes for another night of restless, dreamless, near pointless sleep. Her light snoring was the only sound echoing through the hive of the Changelings that night. The constant buzzing that normally perforated the area around the hive now disturbingly absent.
~~
Drone 5678 was in a small outcove filled with honeycomb like structures similar to the rest of the hive, only in better condition. His little abode housed himself a few tattered books but little else. The green goo on the walls gave off a faint glow; though not enough to live with by pony standards, but he was not a pony. The Drone was skimming through his old books looking for something to name himself as his Queen had tasked him to. Most names that came to mind seemed too simple or they were taken by some famous pony and he did not want to copy.
Names he thought of included Pickles, Hooter, Woona, and so on. Despite him liking Hooter it failed to describe him, and in addition these books where not helping. Maybe I should have learned to read first. After deciding that he was getting nowhere he got up and headed through the tunnels to the surface. Upon leaving the tunnel entrance he was hit with a wave of heat almost like the air had become like a brick wall, but with a few stumbling steps he had passed through it and was now overlooking the badlands. It was nothing great to look at, just endless miles of cracked dull earth with a hazy fog over it from the heat, the occasional bush or rock broke the unending flatness. But this forbidding place was theirs, this was home no matter how bad things got their Queen always found a way to keep them alive no matter what. So he would find a name that would make his Queen proud!
~~
“THAT UNICORN! It was all her fault that the invasion failed!” Chrysalis paced around her chambers apparently trying to wear out the solid stone floor. “Everything fell apart due to her interfering …”she mumbled incoherently. Chrysalis trotted over to the corner of her darkened room, there sat a slightly cracked full length mirror, probably made for clothing stores and even with her royal stature she could still see all of herself easily. As she gazed into the reflective surface it became hazy and before she knew it Twilight appeared before her. “YOU! WHY ARE YOU HERE! COME TO GLOAT!?”
“Cryssie what do I have to gloat about, the failure was all on you, everything that happened to your race was your fault.”
“NO! I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING I CAN FOR MY SUBJECTS! I have done more then you can ever know….” The Queen slumped down in front of her mirror tears forming in her eyes.
“Oh right I could tell, the way you haphazardly assumed the identity of Cadance, without even taking the time to learn her mannerisms or personality. I mean for the love of Solana, the only reason you were able to fool Shining Armor was because you put him under a spell,” she chuckled mockingly.
“What would you know!? All I have done was for the good of my race, for their safety, for their right to live!” Chrysalis shouted.
“You have never cared about them have you? Ever since the loss of your sister...” With a loud CRACK the queen’s hoof struck the mirror sending spider web like cracks across its polished surface. But when she looked up she no longer saw her perceived enemy but a smaller pink pony with gossamer wings looking back with a sad look on her face. But with a blink of the eyes she was gone.
“Forgive me Puna...I’m sorry...” Chrysalis started hearing knocking sounds at her doors, which echoed loudly in deathly silent chamber. “What is it...!”
Drone 5678 pushed open the ancient doors and peaked his head, weary of the tone in his queen’s voice. “Are you alright my Queen? I heard noises coming from your bed chambers.”
“I’m fine 5678, just...leave me be...”
Reluctantly 5678 withdrew his head and left the forlorn queen as per her request. Chrysalis once again looked into the mirror, staring at her form in its distorted and cracked surface, how it drastically changed to adapt to their living conditions, how their once great race had fallen so low. But it wasn’t her fault - NO! It wasn’t her fault at all, her plan was flawless, it was perfect, there was only one hitch, one that she didn’t see coming! And that hitch was Twilight Sparkle!
“You ruined my plan Twilight Sparkle...left my subjects weak and dying...all because of you...” A sinister smile started to form on her lips, as an idea started to form within her mind. “I’ll make you pay...I’ll drag you here kicking and screaming...and then...” Chrysalis’ smile widened as she thought more and more about her plan, till she burst out in a fit of wicked laughter which echoed through the empty hive.
~~
As 5678 walked away from his queen’s chambers he glanced back towards the door silently praying he could help his queen get through whatever trouble she was in. He was at least halfway down the hallway, going back and forth between his queen’s chambers and the entrance to the hall. 5678 didn’t want to disobey his Queen, but neither did he feel that she was alright like she had told him.
“I should go back - No, you were told not to go back, she gave you an order!” 5678 thought for moment. “But...was it really an order...? She asked me to ‘leave her be,’ she didn’t outright tell me go away...”
5678 looked back at the ancient doors of the queen’s bedchambers, still pondering whether or not it was really a good idea to walk in yet again. Before he knew, 5678 found himself drifting towards that way, with each step he took he drew closer to the bedchambers. Something in his heart was telling him it was the right thing to do, to comfort his queen in these hard times. 5678 was just inches from the doorway, raising a hoof to the door, drawing it back, preparing to knock. But stopped. Though his heart was telling him to see to her, the part of him that was connected to the Hive Mind wouldn’t allow him to, on the chance that he may be disobeying an order.
For the second time, 5678 reluctantly walked away, forcing himself to stare straight ahead. When he got to the entrance of the hall he took one last look behind him.
“I hope you are alright, my Queen...”
Just then the entire hive echoed with a chilling laughter, the majority of which originated from the queen’s bedchambers. 5678 recognized this laughter, how could he forget it, it belonged to his queen.
“Hmm, I hope that was good laugh.”
~~
Drone 5678 was back in the hive’s living chambers, he had put his name search on hold for the moment. He was now caring for what was left of the hive, with all the other drones out gathering what little love they could he was all that was left behind to look after their home, and care for their queen.While he was not experienced like his brothers and sisters he was still very sad to always be left out they say as a drone lives among ponies that is how they grow, but he was never allowed to.
While maintaining the hive and caring for the queen were always important jobs and any drone would be honored to do them, 5678 always felt like he was born to do something more. To do something other drones could not but instead he’s stuck doing the last job the one thats left.
Drone 5678 went to the other faded and crumbling honeycomb structures and found holes in them and patched them with a sticky green substance he can secrete through the holes in his hooves, and who says these holes are not functional. He repeated this simple process of upkeep for nearly six hours a drone or two would drop in on him to deposit what love they had gathered before returning to their mission without so much as a word.
Normally they would transfer the love energy directly to the queen for storage and distribution but seeing as she is not letting anything into her chambers they had to store it another way. This process was similar to fixing the honeycomb the goo secreted by Changelings can store energy, so by infusing it with the love you have gathered you can store it physically. But all the other drones are in such a hurry they just drop it in the halls and wait for me to put it somewhere safe. I wish they would be more careful with our lifeblood here.
He finished picking up the last mounds of solidified love he could find and headed back towards the queens chamber, there was a storeroom in the same hall it was the only thing near her chambers other than the hallway in. this is where he put the gathered love Where best but near the Queen. As he trotted about, with his horn lighting the way, 5678 listened for his queen in hopes that he could tell if she really was alright, but no sound came she was probably asleep now.
After completing his task and storing the love in the storeroom he returned to his own little living area to get some sleep for himself. But no sooner had he drifted off to sleep that he was forced back to the waking world buy a loud shout, but 5678 was still alone in the hive, soon he realized it was the hive mind. His queen must need him! No sooner had he figured this out had the order came
“Drone 5678 report to my chambers immediately!” Though sleepy he obeyed the command.
“Yes, right away my queen!” By the time his reply was sent through the hive mind he was already on his hooves and trotting through the hive all vestiges of sleep forgotten.
~~
A few moments later 5678 was again standing in front of the ancient doors to his Queen's bed chamber. He was nervous to say the least, his Queen had been acting a bit odd since Canterlot, but she seemed back to her normal, confident self if the way she spoke the summon order proved anything. But he had to follow it despite his nerves. So with a bit of effort 5678 used both hooves to push the large double doors open with a loud squeak and there before him stood his Queen her expression a smile of confidence and determination once more.
As 5678 entered his wings buzzed with apprehension. He moved and stood in front of Chrysalis and did a hoof salute and stated, “Reporting my queen your orders?”
“Drone have you still not found a name?”
“No ma’am.”
“I see, well, we shall put that aside for now. For you see I have figured out who is to blame for the failure at Canterlot and how to get revenge on her!” Her smile became slightly more evil at those words. “It was that filthy unicorn Twilight Sparkle!” When she said that name the venom in her voice was enough to kill a snake.
“But my Queen...was it not your overconfidence that led to your sending Twilight to Cadence, and you're underestimating her and the captains love that defeated the invasion?”
Chrysalis stood wide eyed at the little drone only Praetorians, here elite guards and commanders, Why would it or even could question her word, how did a drone a drone that has never left the hive do it? More so how dare he do it!
“WHAT. WAS. THAT. DRONE!?” She put emphasis on each syllable of the word drone as to make her point clear, and the meaning of her statement was not lost on 5678.
He was now shaking in his figurative boots. What did he just say? Did he just question his Queens word? Oh this is bad. “Um …...Ummm..........” if 5678 could shift himself into something smaller he would have, but there was nothing smaller to copy, he was unable to form a cognitive response to give to his Queen. Her intense stare was nearly enough to make him shut down.
Chrysalis however was very intune with the hive mind and she could sense the drones mind racing as he tried to figure out what was going on. She decided to let this go and mentally file this under “just forget it.” She put a hoof on the drone and lightened her stare in hopes to calm him while Chrysalis mentally assured him that nothing bad was going to happen. After a few minutes of this he visibly stopped shaking and turned to look at his Queen. “Never mind that, just know that I have a plan and you are coming with me because I need your help.” After all I need something to drag Twilight Sparkle back here once I’m done with her. ...haha!
“Plan my queen?”
“Yes we are going to Ponyville, and yes you get to finally get to leave the hive.” The drone’s excitement soared, all memories of his past transgression forgotten he hopped a bit as Chrysalis ushered him out of her chambers and off towards the hive entrance. She would get Twilight for what she did... this she swore.
~~
Author's Note
If you have made it this far without leaving then i guess i did alright (well i hope i did). now i have a request of you guys :) i need a better coverart and the only artist i know is full up so anyone willing to draw my OC for the cover thast willing to help will have my eternal gratitude (not like thats worth anything -.-) and also drone 5678 (yea obvious lame #) needs a name id like to let you guys choose it i have ideas but none seem to fit :) can you all do better? :) have a nice night!
