I looked out at the vast expanse of dry, cracked earth, the only vegetation dead and wilted. Right now me and the Zerg I had brought with me were standing on the edge of the badlands. Despite my scare when I spotted the guards In the Everfree, luck had seemed to favor us. We had to stay on the move constantly, or else the guard started to gain on us. I was pretty sure we had gained enough ground to lose them back at Appleloosa, but I had no way of knowing for sure.

However I will admit one thing I didn't expect was the city on the border of the badlands. One of my Hoppers had been scouting when some ponies almost saw It. Fortunately It had been able to hide In some bushes before It was spotted. On the bright side I was able to pick up from their conversation that the city was called Oakvale. Looking back from the waste of the badlands to the city, It was clear why It was called that too. In the center of the city was a massive oak tree that was grown using I assume magic. Because the tree was much larger then any tree on earth could ever be naturally. It was as tall as a small skyscraper, and the canopy was so large that It cast a shadow over the entire town. Flowering vines snaked their way along Its roots. The roots seeming to form a "natural" wall around the town.

Honestly It was a pretty big contrast. The lifelessness of the badlands, and just a turn away the overwhelming life of Oakvale.

Without warning, as I took one last look at the... strange city, Abatha spoke up. My queen, I suggest coming back to this location at a later date. This tree could possibly provide a large amount of biomass. Not to mention the possibilities Its essence could add to larger Zerg units.

As she finished I just remained silent. I wasn't sure I could destroy It. After coming from earth, and seeing this. I mean, well back on earth this thing alone could be considered an eighth wonder of the world. It was pretty awe Inspiring.

"We'll talk about It later Abatha. Right now we have to focus on finding the hive, and getting the cocoon somewhere safe." I stated for a couple reasons. One I didn't want to tell Abatha I was against destroying It, and two we really did need to get the cocoon somewhere safe. About a day ago the shell started to harden, now you couldn't even see Inside It.

I gave the command to my Zerg to start moving again. We still had to make our way to the changling hive.

*Celestia First POV*

I sat In the empty throne room. One hand supporting my head, as the other clenched the arm of my throne. I read the report suspended In my magic.

Your majesty, Princess Celestia.

I regret to Inform you that we have lost the creature we believe to be responsible for the kidnapping of the element of kindness. The hounds you provided proved to be a tremendous help.

However even with them I'm afraid we were not able to keep up with the kidnapper, or as I should say kidnappers as It appears. Following them we found more tracks then could be made by one creature. The only way I can think to describe It Is like chasing a stampede. There were dozens of tracks pounded Into the dirt, all undergrowth trampled Into the ground like that of a game trail. It was only through a combination of unfortunate factors we were unable to lose them. Such as the fact that they seemed to be gaining ground, little vegetation as we drew nearer to the badlands meaning less evidence of their passing, and the final nail In the coffin the night before there was a rainstorm.

I personally apologize for our loss of the trail. However If I may note something strange, It was almost as If those we pursued did not sleep? Otherwise I do not know how they could gain so much ground.

With regards from your loyal servant, Sergeant Rapid Stream.

I sighed deeply as I teleported away the piece of parchment. First the whole debacle with the ambassador, and now this? Why can't things just go right for a change.

Before I had a chance to dive deeper Into my thoughts Luna burst through the doors, the relatively large doors slamming Into the walls, the force so strong they bounced off the walls and back to their previous closed state. I'm glad I decided to get those hinges reinforced with Luna back now.

Luna walked up to my throne as I got off It. She had been In a rather foul mood because of the whole business with the "ambassador", ever since opting to wear her armor. Her armor I admit was almost like a piece of art. It was pitch black with silver trim, and filigree adorning It. Forged by some of the best smiths In Equestria. Made from the metal of meteorites.

As I approached Luna I decided to ask. "Let me guess sister Its about the ambassador?" As I asked I walked past her, she quickly joined me by my side. "I know you're upset but It's out of our hands now. There's nothing we can do about It."

Luna took on a look somewhere between confused, and angry at my words. "Nothing we can do! At the very least we could send someone to bring her back."

"She's probably already back behind their borders. Sending someone could possibly be seen as an act of aggression. The Griffin Imperium has already made It clear they do not like us." I looked away from my sister, and frowned it was true that the young warlord Black Talon who had risen to power in the last couple years was very anti-Equestrian. Despite this though we had still accepted their request to house an ambassador. But now it was clear that it was nothing more then a ruse to get a spy into the castle.

"Tia, you know we cannot allow her to leave our borders." She said through gritted teeth, before leaning into to whisper the rest. "She stole from the Vault, you know as much as I do, if she so much as took even a single weapon out of there there will be trouble for us all. Mother help us all if she took designs."

While I believed my sister is not handling this as well as she should, I did agree with her on this. 'The Vault' Thinking about it alone was enough to send a cold shiver down my spine like lightning. It was a relic from a more violent period of Equestria's history. A massive sealed Vault located in the deepest levels of the canterlot dungeons. Under guard 24/7, and only able to be opened by another alicorn. It just raises more questions about how she got in!

"Tia you know just as well as I do that if she took artifact it’s bad enough. But the real trouble is if she took a weapon, or blueprints.” She said close, still holding a serious tone. But it was unnecessary, I knew the dangers just as well as her. It held weapons that made those currently used look like children's toys. There was also the matter that seizing a deadly artifact was in a completely different league from disarming an entire nation.

Walking through two large ornate golden doors. We find ourselves in the dining room. I signal across the room to a maid, barely coming up to my stomach. Taking a seat I look to Luna as she takes the seat across from me. “Now, there’s nothing we can do about it now. So we can sit here and complain, or we can enjoy some tea with a slice cake.”

Letting out a slight humph, Luna admits defeat. “Very well, we will leave this matter be for now.” She says before a mischievous smirk breaks across her face. “Are you sure, about that cake though dear sister, at this rate all those sweets will go to your hips.” I let out an indigent huff as she tilted her head as if to look behind. “On second thought it seems I’m too late.”

I bolted into the air as I felt a burning in my cheeks, as Luna burst out laughing.

*Davara First POV*

Ash, and smoke. That was all that greeted me as I walked through the street surrounded by burned out husk that used to belong to those who lived here. A stray body here or there, covered in armor so I assume they were guards.

Abatha told me earlier that she saw smoke earlier. Since there isn’t much around here to burn, I rushed over figuring it was a camp or something. The reality was much worse.

It was a town a small one, but still large enough to be a town. Nothing was left but the burnt out husk of buildings, and the occasional armored corpse. I didn’t need to investigate who attacked, because next to a couple corpses were those of changelings. If I was still human I might have been a little revolted… Okay maybe not revolted by them! But you could still just from a glance that this wasn’t something that wanted to be your friend.

I few laid face up with split jaws lined with razor sharp teeth. Sharp blue eyes that seemed to lack a soul, there color matching that of their mouths. Thin interlocking plates of chitin running along their bodies. Small cold puddles of almost luminescent green blood forming around them.

Since they’re a hive species I didn’t expect any females. However life seems determined to prove me wrong at every turn it can. Because about the fifth one I came across had short blue hair, along with breast, and a silky black dress with green designs imprinted upon it. I guess she must of been in a high position because unlike the rest she was clothed.

I suddenly recoiled, whipping my head to the side as one of the hoppers I was looking through was smacked hard in the face with something. Hmmmm, that’s interesting? “Abatha gather a few hoppers to go with me, I’m checking that out.” I commanded aloud as I started making my way to the Hopper’s location. It seems to have been knocked unconscious.

I picked my way through the rubble blocking the road, and sure enough near a collapsed burned building was the hoppers unconscious body. If I was still human I might have missed it, but because of my enhanced vision of my Zerg body I could make out small fast moving shapes hidden under the rubble. Consider my curiosity peaked.

I made my way over to the mostly collapsed house, a single fallen beam be the only thing stopping it from finally giving the last few feet. Trying to be as quiet as possible(well as quiet as possible for a giant seven foot tall Zerg).

When I got over to the rubble I could hear a slight shifting coming from under it, along with rapid breathing. Normally I would never had noticed, but my new Zerg senses were a lot better then my old human ones.

Hoping to take whatever was under the rubble by surprise, I ripped the beam holding the rubble up away. As soon as I moved the beam the rubble it was supporting crumbled away to small pieces. Bathing what was underneath in the light of the sun! What was underneath made me visibly flinch, and made my heart feel like it was about to shatter.

It was foals… at least a dozen foals, some with matted fur and covered in filth, their clothes torn to pieces and filthy. I swear I could even see the ribs of a few who definitely looked to be starving.

It took me a few moments to snap back to the situation at hand, because I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. A small cobalt colored colt was standing in front of the rest. He was gripping a broken piece of wood like a bat. Despite the brave face I knew he couldn’t do much, his legs were shaking like they were made of burnt sticks. Which considering our surroundings was a bit fitting.

Though to be fair to him he was doing a lot more then I’d be able to do in this situation. I mean standing up to a 9ft tall Zerg Broodmother took guts. Hell! If I was in his situation I’d probably have shit my pants.

“It’s okay I’m not going to hurt you.” I said slowly walking closer to them, the colt shied back as I reached for the wood. I easily took it from him, being to petrified in fear to do anything. “Don’t worry I know I don’t look it but I’m friendly. Do any of you know what happened here?” I asked hoping they’d be brave enough to talk soon.

Eventually one filly holding a younger filly started talking through broken sobs. “A *Hick* a bunch of changelings came. Ou… our parents told us to hide and went with the guards and… and.. And!” She couldn’t get anymore out she broke down into hysterical sobbing again.

I walked through (and in some cases over) the small crowd over to the filly, and placed a hand on her head. I admit it may not be the smartest decision considering my current form. But dammit! Even now I had a soft spot for kids, and if you think you could handle the sobs of small pony children and not have your heart break into two you're a lier!

Summoning up my most base maternal instincts I spoke in the softest voice this this body would let me muster while petting her head. “Shhhhh. Don’t worry as long as I’m around nothing’s going to hurt you.” Abatha we can’t bring them with us, but we need to do something with them!

I would suggest we simply dispose of them. But I feel you would not agree with that.

Damn right I wouldn’t!

I could feel some slight agitation from her before she responded. The only other course I can think of is to take them to the city of Oakvale. HOWEVER! This would be a risk your discovery my queen.

*Sigh* We’ll take them back. But first since we’ve made it this far at least send out some Hoppers to scout the Badlands. We don’t even know where the Changeling Hive is, and we need to find a place to make our own for the attack. Cause I’m sure as hell not going to let them get away with this!

Obviously they didn’t want to come at first, but eventually they agreed to come. I led them back along with most of my Hoppers and Drones. The ones that couldn’t walk I carried.

I stopped walking with them a little after the city came into view, since in the barren landscape I stood out. But as we were parting ways they surprised me. They actually hugged me. Now saying I was surprised would have been an understatement, but what happened next shocked me more. I felt one of them pull closer and whisper. “Thank you.”

If I still had tear ducts I would have cried. Now I didn’t want to say goodbye to them but I knew I had to. “Be safe, all of you. My Hoppers will see you most of the way. Once you reach the city find a guard and ask them to take you to the orphanage, okay?” Nods all around.

With that I sent them on their way with four of my Hoppers, that would come back about 3/4’s of the way there. I passed the village again, as I was looking through the eyes of the Hoppers I sent out, for possible hive candidates when Abatha informed me. My queen the chrysalis is about to open.

Shit. Well I guess we have to find some real estate quick.

Author's Note

Ha! I got it out before the month was over!.

Now this chapter was originally going to much longer, but I decided I had to split it up because there just wasn't time for it.