Vengeance at nightfall

(chapter 48) back to the hive

After Metamorph got settled back into their home, Nightshade had begun to make plans to venture out to the hive. And after packing a enough food to eat on the way, and made their way to the train station. The train ride took a while to get close to the forest, and even with their close proximity, it was going to be quite the trek away. So as soon as the train stopped, they made their way way there, hoping to get some answers out of the changeling queen.

When the forest was still far away, Metamorph began to feel unsure about the whole thing. He had already spent a week with his mother, talking and enjoying their time together. He still couldn't imagine his mom doing something so potentially dangerous to his wife, a mare he loved, a mare she approved of. Nightshade had the same conflicting emotion running through her mind; she had trusted the Queen enough not to do this, and yet, it caught her off guard. When they had successfully trudged through the forest, and passed the many curious eyes of the changelings populating it, they got to the hive. It had been the first time Nightshade saw its exterior, and to say it was dazzling was an understatement: the walls were covered in what looked to be stone hexagons, with the occasional toxic green windows scattered all over it. To her understanding, the rest of it was underground and as spacious as a pony sized ant colony. The fact stayed pretty close to the truth, since past the entrance doors, was a gradual descent into the hive, and Nightshade didn't hesitate to stay close to Metamorph as more changelings appeared everywhere. All of them stared at the mound of crystal Nightshade levitated behind them, some actually tried to touch it as they passed by. “are you alright Nightshade?”Metamorph asked, nudging her gently with one of his transparent wings. She nodded, staring at all the changelings that dared to come close. “I just didn't realize there were so many still living here, even with the huge population swell when the ones who wanted to leave did,”She pressed a little closer to his side, and held the crystal mound higher. “most of the changelings you gave the choice were loyal to the Queen completely, so a lot just stayed here,”He explained, leading the way to the throne room, and Nightshade resisted making any more conversation for the rest of the way. When they got there, Chrysalis was already there, sitting on her dark throne and smirking. Smirking until she noticed the crystal mass behind them. “what is that? What have you done?!”She yelled, rising to her hooves and putting the changeling guards around her on edge. Nightshade just brought to crystallized mass in front of her, and set it down close to the Queen's hooves. “this is that horrid breeding changeling you sent to assault me, I did this on the fourth day he was with me, because he kept trying to mount me tirelessly and even attacked me. I knew I couldn't kill him, so I put him in a state of constant sleep instead,”Her horn glowed once again, and the crystals began to open up around the now fully healed 32. Except, when he woke up he let out a battle cry, and ran around quickly before passing out from the sudden rush of nerves and memories firing off in his brain. The Queen looked horrified, and was now shaking with fear and rage, trying to find the words to say in the midst of such anguish. “you destroyed my assassin, you ruined his mind, and I sent him to you as a gift,”Nightshade stepped closer and sighed, folding her ears back. “I never wanted this, I never needed this gift to deal with missing Metamorph. I was happy knowing you two were having fun catching up with each other, but this not only confused me but stressed me out further. I'm married to your son, and I love him too much to cheat on him with a killer breeder changeling.”Chrysalis stared directly at her for a few minutes, before her eyes drifted to her son, and she didn't look away from him as she responded, “every queen has multiple suitors, the suitors are there to entertain and please the queen when she is too focused on her duties to relax. I sent 32 to you because he's a strong militant breeder, with a past so similar to yours that I figured you'd like him. This hurts me as a queen, as a mother, and as a grand mare. I can't stand to look at you anymore, leave my presence at once, and take 32 to the nursery.”All at once, guards began to push Nightshade and Metamorph out of the throne room. And they moved 32’s body, and Nightshade felt sorry as they were pushed out.