I had been running for what felt like hours. These tunnels just went on and on. Some of my mole friends had told me how tunnels ran all below equestria but I had no idea they were THIS big. For some reason I still wasn't tired though, my legs didn’t even hurt after running for long. Suddenly I felt a tingle in the back of my head. “You’ve run far enough. Return to me.” I knew going back wouldn’t end very well, I doubted whatever was speaking was nice. But it was still better than wondering these tunnels for days and it was almost as if something was tugging me back.

I trekked back to where I felt the voice coming from faster then I thought I could almost like something was guiding me. What I returned to was the chamber I originally ran from with the large insect and smaller ones still there. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared, but there wasn’t much I could do either.

The chamber was so quiet and tense if a pin dropped I would have heard it. After watching me for a few moments it moved towards me in a spider-like manner. “Please don’t do that.” I thought. On my little spider friends it was cute, on this thing it was downright terrifying!

To my surprise it actually stopped! Almost as if reading my mind. It continued shortly after though. As it slowly closed in on me I moved further back. But there was nowhere to go as I felt my back brush against a damp cave wall, it felt… weirder than normal, but I didn’t turn around as the big insect was just a few feet from me. I closed my eyes as it was inches from my face.

“I’m glad you’re safe. I was worried there for a moment.”

*Davara First POV*

Fluttershy looked at me slowly as it dawned on her that I was the one speaking. Though her legs were still shaking. “You… you can talk?” She asked me in a scared voice.

“Yes I can talk… well in a manner of speaking.” It was more a broad net of telepathy any in the area could hear. But she probably didn’t care for the details.

The effect of finding out I wasn’t just some mindless monster was apparent on her. The shaking stopped… or at the very least wasn’t as bad. “Where am I, and what are you!” She questioned.

“Please calm down. I know you’re confused and have questions. Don’t worry they’ll be answered.” I said holding my claws up. “First as for why you’re here. My race isn’t from this world. We were brought here by some magical accident, and are the only ones of our kind. What I’ve done I did to help my people survive.”

I feel pity from her. “Wait so you’re the reason I’m here but why!”

“I know you’re a wielder of a powerful artifact. I know this makes you something of a figurehead to Equestria.” I say in an excited voice.

“The elements… but that have to do with this! Your not evil are you!” She says in increasing panic.

“No! But as you’ve seen my species isn’t exactly… friendly looking. I’ve also seen your kind aren’t the most accepting to strange creatures. But if you would vouch for us. Then, just maybe, we would have a chance.” I told her with some sincerity.

“You’re exaggerating. I mean sure some aren’t the most inviting, but ponies are really nice I promise!” She said in an eager voice. She seemed genuine in her belief that others would be so accepting.

“Really now?” I say with sarcastic disbelief. “Ponies have never widely reacted with panic or made things up when encountering something strange. Perhaps judging others without knowing them and jumping to conclusions.”

She looked at the ground with a sheepish chuckle. “Okay maybe we can overreact…” She paused as she finally noticed the changes to her body. I felt panic rising in her, but just as soon the measures I’d put in place during her transformation kicked in. It didn’t stop her panic completely but enough to stop from overwhelming her.

“WHAT… WHAT IS THIS!” She screamed.

“I made some changes that would help you see things from our point of view.” I told her in my most soothing voice.

“It’s, it’s not permanent is it!” She looked up with fright.

“Of course not. I could change you back but it would take a lot of time.” Okay I may have been lying there. But I suppose with enough work it might be possible. Though right now the possibility was all she needed to hear.

The relief was immediate which is exactly what I needed right now. Though I couldn’t spend all my time here, there were scouts out now and I needed to sort through the information.

“Fluttershy. I know things are confusing right now. But there‘s something I need to do right now, so I’m leaving you with Abatha.” Probably not the smartest choice but screw it. “She’ll help you adjust.”

With that I made my way to the entrance of the cave to focus on the scouts. Abatha was blunt, but wouldn’t reveal anything counterproductive. Plus it would give Fluttershy sometime to adjust

I spent some time at the edge of the cave looking through the eyes of various Hoppers out in the badlands. The flora and fauna was actually quite interesting when you could find it. Massive wolves made of stone patrolled rocky outcroppings. Occasionally you’d feel vibrations from something tunneling. Some Hoppers duck and dodged as they ran past tall cliffs where large winged reptiles swooped down to try and pluck them anyway to their nest.

I was pulled to the particular vision of one as the trembling in the earth grew stronger. Suddenly the ground began to fall out from under it into a massive black sinkhole. It became quickly apparent this wasn’t a cave in though as large teeth filled its vision.

A nearby scout skidded across cracked dry earth as a massive worm burst forth from the ground devouring several scouts. Its massive body shot up from the ground slowly like a living pillar of flesh. As it reached its pinnacle it was as if a small skyscraper had sprouted from the ground. As quickly as it emerged though it left, widening the hole as it fell back into it like a whale breaching the ocean surface.

Now, that is something I could make use of especially with my upcoming attack! But I could never kill one, at least not in my current state. I didn’t like my odds of attacking what was basically a meat train… but maybe I didn’t need to kill them.

If I remember correctly worms back on earth felt their way around with vibrations, so some birds made vibrations that tricked them into coming up to the surface. I could of course be completely wrong, but! If I’m not it could be a huge help for attacking that hive. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to at least try to make something that could do it.

“My queen I believe the Infested is in a calm and reasonable state.” Suddenly came through the hivemind.

“Abatha this is actually perfect I have an idea I’d like you to create. While I work on Fluttershy and myself.” My eyes fluttered as I focused on and visualized the mental blueprint I’d made for Abatha.

“A building that creates localized vibration disturbances. The applications are interesting. If I could be allowed to upscale it in the future I could perhaps amplify the effect to create localized tremors and earthquakes.” Well… damn. I’m honestly kinda upset I didn’t think about that. I guess that’s why I have her. But at least now I could leave it in her metaphorical hands.

I made my way to where Fluttershy sat. To my surprise she was stroking a small Hopper, which let out a content purr. ‘They can purr? Wait no I’m getting distracted!’ I cleared my throat to announce my presence. “Oh!” she said looking up embarrassed. “Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.”

“No its fine. I’m glad to see you like them.”

“Are my animal friends here?” She asked softly.

“Yes they are, but I’ve put anything that might change them on hold.” She let out a small breath of relief. Putting them on hold was probably for the best. She probably cared more if they were hurt or changed than about herself. We stood silent for a second not knowing what else to say. “Fluttershy walk with me.” I said breaking the silence.

We left the cave entrance towards a tunnel that led to a chamber which was a dead end. The chamber was illuminated by a soft green glow. The source was a large glowing pool in the center of the room, with the same color as the glow.

“What is this stuff.. Thing.” She asked looking at her reflection in a the pool of murky liquid. She was a little grossed out by the flesh surrounding it.

“We Zerg are our buildings. Don’t worry though the drones don’t feel a thing.” She was still disturbed by it. “This is something that I’ll use to change myself. You can use it too if you want.”

“Wait your going to use this!?” She said in shock looking up from the pool.

“Yes, and I know it’s asking a lot but I’d like you to watch after the hive.”

“What! I can’t do that! I don’t even know how this stuff works.” She stated between panicked breaths. I needed to calm her down before she started hyperventilating.

“Don’t worry. Abatha will watch over most of it. I just want you to make sure they” I pointed to a few Hoppers behind her. “don’t get hurt. Is that okay.”

She looked down at the Hoppers who she seemed to have a soft spot for. “Oh, okay. If you just need me to make sure they’re safe I guess I can do that.”

“Good.” I said entering the pool. “Abatha will help you with anything you need.” I say as I finish lowering myself into the pool rolling onto my back.

Through my ears the last things I hear before I drift off is. “Take care of these critters. Make sure their home is safe. Do a good job, get fixed. Go home. Simple!... I hope.” From Fluttershy, who was about to chew her fingernails before remembering they were now claws.

Author's Note

I finally found the time and inspiration to get that out, yay! Sorry if my grammar took a dive in the last paragraphs or so. I was writing that at like 3 AM.

Join us next December for the next chapter. Hopefully that's a joke.