Lost Cloud

Chrysalis surveyed the badlands, as far as she could tell, she was still in Equestria,but to far from any civilization. The arid landscape was riddled with canyons. She might as well go back fruitless to the land of the changelings, and continue hunting, but it was already drained to the point of a desert landscape, just like this one. Some of her subjects had regrouped around her, but quite a few were still missing. She could afford to lose a few pawns, but her numbers were so few that cannibalization would only get her a few days closer to anything living. Any natural food wouldn’t be enough even if there was any the wastes. She tried to move her wings, but the crash had torn them up even more, and Shining Armor’s love wasn’t enough to allow her to regenerate. Her legs were slightly crippled too. Darn that princess. Curse her own stupidity. She should have figured that that upstart Twilight Sparkle would have freed Mi Amore Cadenza. She should have figured Cadenza’s love would have at least equaled Shining Armor’s.

“Spyder, come here.” he stepped forward
“Mylady?”
“I told you, you will only address me as Queen.”
“Yes, Queen Chrysalis.”
“Spyder, are you afraid of what I am about to ask? I will not use a timid subject.”
“Obviously, Queen, so I am not afraid.”
“Good, because the task is fairly simple. You and Larvae will fly as far as you can in search of life and civilization, then report back to me.”
“Of course Queen.”

***

Larvae was not particularly surprised when she heard the news. She and Spyder were the only ones that had landed on their hooves instead of there backs. But really? Spyder was one of Chrysalis’s guards and she was just a drone. As she flew she wished that they would actually find something to eat. The effort from flying was so taxing that she couldn't believe that her wings were resisting air enough to keep her supported. Spyder responded to her thoughts by expressing his own discomfort. the hive-mind was annoying at times, but was incredible in battle. Suddenly, a giant cloud of dust erupted in her eyes. Their thoughts were the same and it wouldn’t need discussing. As they sped after the unidentifiable cloud a sudden snap shook through the hive mind. They have left the boundaries. Larvae could still feel Spyder next to her, but the others were gone. It was an odd feeling, very lonely, but almost peaceful. Apparently every changeling takes it differently because Spyder was going in convulsions next to her. She would have stopped but the cloud was moving so fast she couldn’t risk it. Instead she sent soothing thoughts in his direction.

They were in luck. Whatever was making the cloud was slowing around a water hole. It was a herd of buffalo.