I Thought You'd Never Ask...by RockstarRaccoonChaptersPrologue - Do You Really Wanna Know?A Friendly Neigh to your NeighborsThe Hive - 1 - Packed up and Good to GoPrologue - Do You Really Wanna Know?Princess Twilight Sparkle, headmare of the School of Friendship, sat hunched over her desk. He hooves massaged her temples as she went over the papers in front of her, her mind battered by the questions which were now obvious. How could she be so stupid? How could she not have realized it? Why did it never occur to her? Five files had been laid out over her desk, each with pictures of a different student... five students, sent by the governments of five nations. Each exceptional in their own way, two by achievement, one by connection, one by seemingly random whim. It seemed so obvious now. A Princess of Equestria had opened a school. She had specifically asked for students from the nearby nations, and of course they had obliged. How could they not? After all, for anyone seeking greater diplomatic favor with Equestria, this was the perfect way to get closer to the Princess of Friendship. “Maybe if I'd thought about it, maybe if I hadn't been so focused on Chancellor Neighsay, maybe if I'd actually done some research on who was being sent and why...” “It’s a reasonable oversight.” Celestia said, sitting calmly on a pillow across from her, “We like to think ourselves perceptive enough to catch these things, but often, the truth is only obvious after the fact.” Twilight looked at the pictures of the grinning yak and a smirking dragon, “Yona and Smolder are probably the least troubling. Rutherford and Ember sent two normal students who they thought would succeed. Granted, Rutherford picked the best student he could find, whereas I'm not even sure if Ember had criteria.” She placed a hoof on a file with a photo of a small blue and red changeling on it, smiling shyly up at her, “Thorax may be inexperienced, but he's smart, and all changelings are trained in the art of subtlety. He cares so much about his people... I should've assumed he'd use this as an opportunity to help them, especially with the current crisis in the hive.” she closed her eyes, “Ocellus is a great student, but by now she has to have realized she’s not just here to study, assuming he didn’t tell her and she’s keeping it a secret.” she looked at Celestia again, “We wouldn’t know: she’s a changeling. We’re lucky she’s so engaged, or else we’d have to worry about her impersonating teachers to get out of classes.” She moved onto one with a giddy Hippogryph, who looked as if she could barely contain her excitement as her claws gripped the stool they’d been taking the photos on, “Queen Novo sent her own niece because apparently she thinks this is a good school to train a diplomat, and I'm not even sure she's mistaken. But Silverstream is barely even fifteen, how could Novo put her in this position?” Finally, she picked up the file with a bored looking gryphon, whose blue feathers were an extremely rare trait, “And Gallus? I'm not even sure what to think!” she dropped the file again for punctuation, “I assumed Gruff was bringing him because he cared, I assumed that bluff about bringing a griffin army was out of concern, but now I'm starting to think this was all a long con: he gets rid of a street urchin for the rest of griffonstone, while simultaneously positioning himself as a political figure for us to go through. He scares two birds with one stone. For all I can tell, he doesn't even care if gallus lives or dies!” She threw her hooves in the air, flailing, “They've turned my school into some sort of international political scheme!” “And all this is a problem?” Celestia finally spoke. “Um... Is it not?” She'd learned from her years as a student not to assume she knew the answer when Celestia asked seemingly obvious questions. “Twilight,” she stated calmly, placing a hoof on the desk, “there are factions beyond the borders of Equestria whose very way of life would mean the wholesale murder and enslavement of our people. The Storm King and Queen Chrysalis were only two such threats, the only difference being they were bold enough to attack. The leaders of the other nations know this, and it’s likely they assumed you did too. After all, you have been trying to strengthen our relations with them.” She glanced down at the desk, “I can't say for certain that Gruff is being entirely honest with us, on the contrary, I agree with your suspicion that he is simply a con artist trying to maneuver his way into power. However, he wouldn’t be the one we were talking to if not for the fact that he is literally the only griffon who we can talk to. Griffonstone is a failed state, and what’s left is rapidly dissolving. We’ve had a refugee crisis with them ever since Guto lost the idol, and it’s only a matter of time before they abandon their crumbling cities and go back to being solitary wandering hunters and mercenaries. When Rainbow and Pinkie Pie intervened, it showed them another option, and there are plenty of griffons who are jumping at the chance to be something again. If this continues, it won’t be long before an alliance is mutually beneficial.” “As for the Hippogriffs, I've known Queen Novo for a very long time. Watching her people fall to the Storm King, losing her own husband in the fray, shook her to her core. She's never had to be a hooves-on ruler, but she knows her people can't defend themselves from every threat. Hippogriff soldiers may be strong, but Mount Eris is only a city state: the size of their army is limited, and I think it’s very obvious at this point that they won’t last much longer without forming ties to peoples they can depend upon for extra forces in an attack. The siege of Mount Aris lasted for days before she and her people were forced to flee, plenty of time for us to have sent reinforcements had we only been aware of them.” “Thorax cares for his own people, and he knows that we trust him. The changelings may be recovering from their revolution right now, but in the past, the Swarm was responsible for the utter destruction of nations many times their size, without the need for any sort of technology or diplomacy. Do you really think the other world leaders believe he is safe to leave in power? Do you know just how many within our own government have proposed my sister and I wipe them out in their moment of weakness? You're right, Thorax knows the game he's playing, and he’s one wrong move away from extinction. He wants to show the world that the changelings are better as an ally now than they were as an enemy, and he wants to use us as the example, because he knows that we know that he would never even consider betraying us.” “Ember has been thrust into the leadership of a people who can no longer continue with their current ways. Any Pony can tell you why dragons are feared, but do you understand the consequences of fear? I can easily recall a time when my own sister was called a hero for every dragon she’d slain. They may be strong, but what little ‘society’ they have would never keep up with technological development. I’ve treated them with mercy so far, but it's only a matter of time before a less peaceful nation recognizes that the various treaties the Dragon Lords have agreed to over the centuries are more for their own protection from the outside world than any sense of shame. The real reason Torch didn't want his daughter to become the dragon lord was because he knew she might spend the last moments of her reign watching her people being slaughtered and subjugated by foreign powers. However, Spike may have saved all of dragon kind when he gave her the scepter, because she’s one of the few dragons who is capable of understanding this: everything she does is out of desperation to save her people, because she knows that if they don't change, they aren't going to survive. Twilight, she isn’t even twenty, and she’s had the survival of her entire species hoisted on her shoulders. I’ve been there, and it’s not a place I would wish on anyone.” “And you think Yakyakistan only sent Yona because she was a good student? Warrior cultures do not develop in a peaceful setting. I shudder to think what enemy is so horrible that such a proud and xenophobic people would suddenly want an alliance, but I have no idea how to ask Rutherford what sort of horror they’re fighting. All I know is that Yona isn’t just here to represent Yaks, she’s here to build goodwill towards them, something she is exceptional at.” “Twilight, the free world as we know it is in peril. There is a crisis coming, and those who see it have been powerless against it. The leaders sent those students because they saw this as the perfect opportunity to build relations without the politics of formal diplomacy. I am sorry that this has fallen on your shoulders in your youth, but there is a war coming, not today, not even next year, but it will come to our doorsteps, and when it does, we will need to stand together.” she stood, giving Twilight a hardened look, “Your little experiment here may be our last chance for securing a future.” Twilight was shivering now. She looked down at her desk, files beginning to blur as her eyes began to water with the weight of understanding, “But... why me?” Celestia stepped around the desk to stand at her side, putting a foreleg around her for comfort as she sat on the carpet. She spoke softly, “Because you're the only one of us who can.” Twilight looked up at her. Celestia stroked her gently, “I've tried to build alliances with them for centuries, and I've never had any luck. They know I scheme, and they think it means I'll trick them. They're coming to you because they think they can trust you.” Pride began to swell within her voice, “After all, who else would be serious enough about friendship to let the Yaks badger them into a party? Who else could a dragon trust to treat them as an equal and not a monster? Who else is willing to give the changelings a chance? Who else would go to nations they know nothing about to save them from conquest by tyrants? Not I. Not them. Of all the triumphs we've had as leaders of our people, this is where we've all failed utterly. The simple act of friendship. This is a task we have been at for centuries, and we have proven ourselves worthless compared to you.” She lowered her head, placing her horn on Twilight's shoulder, “Princess Twilight, you are our greatest hope.” Twilight sat there, staring at Celestia's pure white coat, as she had many times since they'd first met. She'd thought she knew every wave of her coat, every length of every hair, but now, the details that she'd never contemplated had come into clear focus... The age... The loss... The fear. It was as if she was looking at an entirely different Pony, in a world light years from the one she knew. Princess Celestia Sol Invictus, crowned ruler of Equestria for over a millenium, de facto leader of the free world, was but a mere pony before her, trembling in the face of impending defeat. “Celestia...” She finally asked, quietly, “What should I do?” “You tell me.” the mare responded, looking into her eyes with a soft smile, “As I said, you've been succeeding where all of us have failed miserably. What do you think the next course of action should be in order to make friends?” “Well... They each sent me a student... They sent them to me... Like sending them to my house... And I've been trying to show those students how to make friends...” “Okay,” Celestia nodded slowly,”That's one way of looking at it. So, what would you do in response?” “...I need to return the gesture.” Author's Note Here it is, as promised, the sequel to What's Your Problem? As previously stated, this will be a similar story, but in long form, with the Young Six dealing with both their coming-of-age problems and the great expectations placed upon them, over the course of a series of short, mostly standalone arcs dealing with the various nations they come from. Hope you all enjoy! A Friendly Neigh to your NeighborsI Thought You’d Never Ask Two weeks into the semester, the auditorium was alive and echoing with the chatter of students as they poured through the doors and wandered over to their seats. Nopony had much information about the “special announcement” their headmare, Princess Twilight, aside from the fact that the teachers had said it was a last minute addition to the curriculum that hadn’t been on the syllabus at the beginning of the semester. From the side door, the decidedly non-equine section of the student body began to shuffle in, beginning with a cyan changeling and an orange dragon. “So, lemme get this straight,” Smolder furrowed her brow, “They go out and get food, then they bring it back, and other changelings eat it?” “Yeah,” Ocellus nodded, “That’s what gathering is!” “I don't get it. What do they get in return? I mean, they're just feeding the others for nothing!” Ocellus shook her head, “They do it because they’re part of the community, and that’s their role in it. If they couldn't do it, some other changeling would do it for them.” “That doesn't make any sense...” Smolder crossed her arms. As they continued to debate collectivism versus being solitary nomads, a green pony walked in, nodding quietly as a pink Hippogryph flew next to him, talking animatedly. “...but that’s when I realized, the Earth Ponies weren’t farming the potatoes... The potatoes were farming them!” “Uh huh, uh huh... Wait... You got all this from the assigned reading for pony history?” Silverstream bobbed her head excitedly, “Right! The whole point of the potato famine was that the Earth Ponies needed the potatoes! They were a flock lost without their shepherds!!” “Uh... Silver? I’ve worked with potatoes, they’re not intelligent enough to know what’s going on, let alone be referred to as ‘shepherds’.” “Then how do they hold conversations? Because in biology class, the book said that Earth Ponies talk with them!” “That’s... That’s not how that works. That’s not how anything works!” As the Earth Pony struggled to explain how farming worked to the badly misunderstanding Hippogryph, a young yak cow trotted eagerly in, a gryphon with blue feathers (an extremely rare coloration) slinking in behind her with a smirk. “Calm down Yona,” Gallus teased, “The seats aren’t gonna gallop off on us.” Yona held her head high, “Yak show up to gatherings in timely fashion! Yaks always prompt and punctual!” “Uh... I’m pretty sure both those words mean the same thing.” “That only make double clear fact that yaks double good at being on time! Besides, Yona learning bigger words, sound smarter, like Headmare Twilight!” Gallus rolled his eyes, “Yeah, I’m suuure that’s gonna make up for the accent...” Yona grinned and gave a nod, the sarcasm lost on her as they all took their seats, the five exchange students and their friend Sandbar, lined up in a row near the front. Around them, the chatter of the student body turned to murmurs as the Headmare took the stage. Twilight Sparkle brought a hoof to her chest, breathing in resolutely, then let it swing outwards as she exhaled slowly. She looked down at her note cards, silently checking that they were all in the order she remembered Keep a strong face. Smile. Smile. Good. She coached internally, The past few days were a little stressful, but don’t let them know that. These are just field trips, nothing more. She straightened up, clearing her throat and putting on the calm smile, just like her and Celestia had practiced for the past few hours. “Ahem! Hello, and thank you for coming everycreature!” she began, the tension in her spine slowly unwinding as she got it over with, “How are you all doing this morning?” The student body gave a quiet cheer of positive responses. “Booored!” Gallus mock-yelled with a grin, just loud enough for his friends to hear. Smolder chuckled openly, while the others tried to pretend it wasn’t amusing. He’d gotten cheery again since his sudden breakdown a week ago, and his rude antics were once again infrequent enough that they had regained their spontaneity. Twilight smiled, beginning to relax. That’s right. I run a school now. I’m a great headmare. I’ve got this. “In my years as Princess of Friendship, I’ve come to understand that friendship is not confined within the borders of Equestria, nor is it something shared only by ponies. Rather, it is something that any creature anywhere can share, and creatures all over the world do so every day. Unfortunately, being an Equestrian school, we have only managed, thus far, to include notions of friendships between ponies in our curriculum. This has to change!” She slammed her hoof down on the podium, immediately having to stop herself from wincing too obviously. She flipped to the next card, hoping the students hadn’t noticed the wood beginning to splinter after her alicorn hoof had made a sizeable gash in the surface. “Tha-THAT- is why I have contacted the leaders of the six foreign nations which have shown the most interest in being involved in this school, in order to negotiate their cooperation in a series of educational experiences. These countries are the Changeling Hive, Yakyakistan, Mount Aris, The Crystal Empire, The Dragon Lands, and Griffonstone.” “Hey guys,” Silverstream whispered excitedly, “You think she’s talking about us?” “Probably.” Ocellus waved her down with a hoof, “Let’s be quiet and see.” “After some discussion, the other leaders have agreed to allow me to bring large groups of students into their territories for informative and enjoyable first-hoof experiences with their cultures, as envoys of both education and good-will.” she stopped, smirking for a second as she looked around at the confused faces of her audience, some of which were beginning to light up as the meaning of her words clicked to them. Finally, she added, “in laypony terms... We’re going on international field trips.” The entire auditorium erupted in a cheer which dwarfed the previous one, ponies standing up and stomping, high-hoofing, shouting to their friends, and jumping up and down in excitement, a few pegasi even dancing above the heads of everypony else. Yona pumped her hoof, “YES! Yakyakistan field trip will be BEST field trip!” “Oh. My. Gosh!!” Silverstream trilled, now hovering above the group, “Queen Novo’s probably gonna put on a HUGE festival for us you guys!!” she gasped, “And you get to see the STAIRS of Mount Aris!!” Ocellus smiled, staying in her seat, “I’d love to show you all the hive: it’s become such a nice place to live ever since King Thorax came to power!” Smolder was on her feet, waving her arms, “Aw yeah! We get to fly over the Smouldering Mountains, and you’re gonna see the boiling sea, and the cauldron of fire... This is gonna be a blast!” “Yeah,” Gallus grinned as he jumped to his feet, turning to the others, “I can’t wait to see where you all are from!” “Yeah!” Sandbar piped in, caught up in the excitement, “And you'll get to show us around Griffonstone!” He looked away just long enough to miss the griffin’s expression shift. Gallus gritted his teeth, trying not to let the sinking pit of his stomach show too much on his face, “Uh, yeah... That too...” Silverstream held her hands to her face, kicking her hooves giddily in the air, “I'm so excited I think I'm gonna burst!!” Pinkie Pie popped up behind them, as if she’d been there the whole time, “I know right? That's what I said! Twilight was all like, ‘we're gonna take the students on some field trips to other countries’, and I was all like, ‘EEEEEEEEE!!!!’” she just kept squealing in one long falsetto note after that. Silverstream gasped, dropping to stand on her hind-legs, “That's a great way to react to it! EEEEEEEE!!!!” The others shrank back, covering their ears as the two shrieked and danced about on their hind-hooves. Meanwhile, Twilight loudly knocked her hoof against the podium like a gavel, careful not to damage the laquered oak boards any further, “Alright everycreature, settle down! We’ve still got a few things to go through here, and you’ll need to know this if you want to go!” she waited for them to quiet down, but didn’t hide her grin, flipping to the next card. “These field trips will be scheduled intermittently throughout the semester, which means that, hopefully, those of you with tight schedules will be able to attend at least one of them. The first one will be a weekend trip to the Changeling Hive, two and a half weeks from now. The dates and locations rest will be posted on the bulletin boards, within the next few weeks until the details are finalized.” She cleared her throat, taking on an air of seriousness, “Remember that on these trips, we will be entering other countries with which alliances are under active negotiation. All of you will be representing Equestria, and whatever other country you may be from. I expect you all to be on your best behavior, and refrain from causing any international incidents.” She shot a glance at where Rainbow was sitting in the audience, who returned the look as if she didn’t know. “Let me be clear on that.” she continued, “Don’t go anywhere they tell us not to, don’t do anything that might damage a landmark, don’t make negative comments on their culture or traditions, and don’t try and show up their military flight squadrons with your own moves, no matter how ‘totally awesome’ you think it will be.” She shot Rainbow another look. This time, Rainbow had the decency to bite her lip and look away. “One time,” she muttered, “You do an unrequested demonstration in front of the Hippogryph air force one time. ‘Least I didn’t try to steal their stupid magic pearl...” Twilight continued, “Consider yourselves guests in the homes of creatures you want to make friends with, and follow the rules as they show you around, and I’m sure we’ll all be just fine.” She let her smile return, “Teachers will be hoofing out the required paperwork in class over the next few weeks, and they must be filled out in full ahead of time for you to go, so be sure and get them signed and turned in as early as possible. I’m sure these trips will be wonderful experiences, and I hope to see you all there!” She stepped back from the podium, and the student body went back to their excited chatter with much greater vigour than they’d had when they came in the room. Every creature, be they pony, changeling, hippogriff, dragon, yak, or griffon could agree: this was going to be totally awesome! Author's Note Here it is, the beginning of the actual story, and the tone most of it will follow. (Yes, Twilight stressing may be played for laughs) This is looking like it's gonna be some great fun to write. Next chapter should see them on a train to the Changeling Hive! Just a reminder, I have a Patreon now, and the money from that would give me more time to write these stories. Also, I'll be posting my non-pony stuff there, as well as extra material for paid subscribers. Go check it out! The Hive - 1 - Packed up and Good to GoAnd so the days went by, with professors hoofing out the various permission slips, travel forms, and waivers required for students to go on the trip. In response, much of the student body worked to get their schedules in order so they could go. Every day, the teachers stressed the deadline for turning in the forms, and every day the list of registered attendees grew. For the five students sent by the non-pony nations, things were a bit simpler: Twilight had personally acquired permission from their governments for them to attend, and had even arranged to have all their expenses paid. It was almost as if there was some vested interest in having them come along, but whatever it was, it went over their heads. For now, they were just excited for the change of pace. Soon enough, the day drew close, and the night before the trip saw them all packing. “Hey Ocellus,” Sandbar called through the open door of his dorm room, “is it cold there this time of year?” “Yeah, but it's probably not snowing if that's what you're asking. The hive's pretty far south from here...” Ocellus buttoned the saddlebags she was bringing, which were mostly books and gifts: she was just visiting home, after all. She stepped out into the main part of their dorm hall, looking about at her friends as they went about their preparations. Everycreature at the school was planning on wearing their school jackets for the train rides there and back, as Headmare Twilight had recommended, seeing as they were both warm and would make them easy to pick out in a crowd. They’d be less important when they were actually at the hive, seeing as they would make up virtually all of the non-changelings there. Aside from that, she’d suggested they all bring a bag of anything they’d need for self-care over the weekend. Above her, Gallus had draped himself over a rafter, already finished packing. When he’d first come to the school, he’d been a bit obsessive about securing his possessions, but they’d worked on that the previous semester. Now, the only thing the low maintenance griffon really worried about was his toothbrush: after all, Headmare Twilight herself had paid for Minuette to drill and fill his numerous cavities, as well as taught him how to take care of his teeth, and he wasn’t interested in having another toothache. (also, he didn’t want to let her down, but he wouldn’t say that out loud) They could hear chirping noises emanating from Silverstream’s room, where she was giddily flitting about, too excited to figure out what to pack. They’d given up reminding her that it was just a weekend trip to a place where they’d be doing things constantly, and, realistically, she didn’t need to pack anything. Instead they were waiting for her to wear herself down and just pack her makeup and brushes. In her own room, Smolder was casually looking through the small chest of gemstones she kept at the foot of her bed, which was made of a dark grey metal and had spiked rivets. She’d already stuffed her backpack with enough clothing to keep her warm: hats, gloves, scarves, an extra jacket... She’d even considered packing something like a skirt or pants to cover her lower half, but those things never seemed to fit right over her lower belly and tail, and she still wouldn’t be caught dead wearing one of her dresses in public. Now she was just making sure she had snacks. Yona had, at some point, tried to figure out what to bring to show that yaks were best, and had filled several oversized with Yak trinkets saddlebags before Headmare Twilight had reminded her that this was a trip for the changelings to show them things, and it would be rude to interrupt that with her own culture. After some input from Ocellus, she'd managed to narrow it down to a bag of dried roots she'd been saving from her last care package and and a piece of decorative artwork depicting yak warriors which she was willing to part with. (she would've brought her yovidaphone, but Ocellus had pointed out that she was already pushing it, and Headmare Twilight wouldn’t allow her to bring the large instrument on the already crowded train anyway.) Sandbar was just finishing with his own saddlebags at this point, leaving a camera his parents had lent him next to them. He’d mostly packed his hairbrush and other essentials, as well as a few of his own winter accessories. “So Ocellus,” Gallus let his head hang down from his perch, “Got any plans for your trip back home?” Ocellus opened her wings and went into a buzzing hover, “Oh, yes. I’m going to introduce all of you to my family and friends from my old school. Headmare Twilight and Thorax asked me to help with the tour, so I’ll be doing that too.” Sandbar wandered out into the hall with them, “About the tour... I saw the schedule, but it was kinda vague... Is there anything we should know about?” “Well, Thorax has designated the whole weekend as a festival. The first night, we’ll just be having dinner and some mingling while all the students settle in. The first day we’ll be teaching you all about our history and our culture, and at some point we’ll be bringing tour groups through the hive. The second day will be a bit more relaxed, and all the students will be allowed to look around on their own. Pharynx and Tymbal have been putting together their own demonstrations too, but I don’t know much about those. Knowing Pharynx, it’s probably a military demonstration. I don’t know what Tymbal is planning though.” “Right, and we leave on Monday morning.” Sandbar nodded, “But like, is there anything we should probably know about the Hive? Like, anything we need to worry about?” Ocellus shook her head, “Thorax and the Princesses have been trying to improve changeling-pony relations ever since we overthrew Queen Chrysalis. I think we have more to worry about than you do: making a good impression on outsiders is a major priority right now.” “So, lemme get this straight...” Smolder sauntered out of her room, gnawing on a small sapphire, “Even if we’re rude or obnoxious or something, the Changelings won’t do anything about it, because they want us to like them?” Ocellus cringed, “Um... That’s not what I’m saying... but... kinda?” Gallus smirked, “Smolder, you thinking what I’m thinking?” “Maybe,” Smolder said, swallowing as she glanced back at Ocellus, “Is the hive made out of crystal, like this place?” She reached over behind one of the potted plants, prying off a little chip from where she’d been whittling the wall down without the teachers noticing, popping it in her mouth. Ocellus looked on perturbed as the piece of the building crunched between the dragon’s powerful jaws. “Uh... I... I don’t think it’s the kind of crystal you want to eat?” she said weakly. Smolder gave a little cackle, “I’ll be the judge of that...” Sandbar narrowed his eyes, “Smolder, how would you like it if some creature threatened to eat your home?” Smolder raised a brow, “Considering most dragons live in caves filled with gemstone deposits? It’s not like it’s something we don’t already do...” “Smoldeeerr!!” Ocellus whined. “Fine, fine! I’m just pulling your claw!” She rolled her eyes, mumbling, “I’ll just take a little bite...” “WOOHOO!” Silverstream burst out of her room, now actually wearing her jacket and saddlebags, despite the fact that they weren’t leaving until morning, “CHANGELING HOUSE PARTYYY! NO RULES!” They heard the thundering of cloven hooves as their Yak friend bounded out to join them with a lampshade over one horn, “YONA WANT ATTEND CHANGELING HOUSEPARTY! YONA SHOW CHANGELINGS HOW TO SMASH!” In her excitement, she promptly bucked the air behind her, which happened to be the location of another potted plant, which was promptly destroyed. “NO RULES!!” she roared. “YEAH!” Smolder pumped her fist in the air, eyes practically sparkling at the chaos she’d created. Gallus guffawed, Sandbar facehooved, and Ocellus just let out a sad, buzzing whine. It took them a while to calm down, and reassure Ocellus that, no, they weren’t going to destroy the Hive, or even break any rules while they were there. (although, Smolder refused to make promises she couldn’t keep when it came to taking a bite out of the wall) After that, they decided to get to bed: it was late and they’d need to get up at sunrise if they wanted to make the eight-thirty train without rushing through breakfast. They all said their goodnights, and tried to get some sleep, despite the anticipation of the next day trying to wind them back up. Author's Note Here ya go, start of the Hive Arc... This chapter, like every other I will be publishing, was available early in unproofed form for anypony who pledged at least a dollar on Patreon. Patreon subscribers help me focus on this stuff, so consider tossing mena dollar if you like my writing and want to see me do it more.
Prologue - Do You Really Wanna Know?Princess Twilight Sparkle, headmare of the School of Friendship, sat hunched over her desk. He hooves massaged her temples as she went over the papers in front of her, her mind battered by the questions which were now obvious. How could she be so stupid? How could she not have realized it? Why did it never occur to her? Five files had been laid out over her desk, each with pictures of a different student... five students, sent by the governments of five nations. Each exceptional in their own way, two by achievement, one by connection, one by seemingly random whim. It seemed so obvious now. A Princess of Equestria had opened a school. She had specifically asked for students from the nearby nations, and of course they had obliged. How could they not? After all, for anyone seeking greater diplomatic favor with Equestria, this was the perfect way to get closer to the Princess of Friendship. “Maybe if I'd thought about it, maybe if I hadn't been so focused on Chancellor Neighsay, maybe if I'd actually done some research on who was being sent and why...” “It’s a reasonable oversight.” Celestia said, sitting calmly on a pillow across from her, “We like to think ourselves perceptive enough to catch these things, but often, the truth is only obvious after the fact.” Twilight looked at the pictures of the grinning yak and a smirking dragon, “Yona and Smolder are probably the least troubling. Rutherford and Ember sent two normal students who they thought would succeed. Granted, Rutherford picked the best student he could find, whereas I'm not even sure if Ember had criteria.” She placed a hoof on a file with a photo of a small blue and red changeling on it, smiling shyly up at her, “Thorax may be inexperienced, but he's smart, and all changelings are trained in the art of subtlety. He cares so much about his people... I should've assumed he'd use this as an opportunity to help them, especially with the current crisis in the hive.” she closed her eyes, “Ocellus is a great student, but by now she has to have realized she’s not just here to study, assuming he didn’t tell her and she’s keeping it a secret.” she looked at Celestia again, “We wouldn’t know: she’s a changeling. We’re lucky she’s so engaged, or else we’d have to worry about her impersonating teachers to get out of classes.” She moved onto one with a giddy Hippogryph, who looked as if she could barely contain her excitement as her claws gripped the stool they’d been taking the photos on, “Queen Novo sent her own niece because apparently she thinks this is a good school to train a diplomat, and I'm not even sure she's mistaken. But Silverstream is barely even fifteen, how could Novo put her in this position?” Finally, she picked up the file with a bored looking gryphon, whose blue feathers were an extremely rare trait, “And Gallus? I'm not even sure what to think!” she dropped the file again for punctuation, “I assumed Gruff was bringing him because he cared, I assumed that bluff about bringing a griffin army was out of concern, but now I'm starting to think this was all a long con: he gets rid of a street urchin for the rest of griffonstone, while simultaneously positioning himself as a political figure for us to go through. He scares two birds with one stone. For all I can tell, he doesn't even care if gallus lives or dies!” She threw her hooves in the air, flailing, “They've turned my school into some sort of international political scheme!” “And all this is a problem?” Celestia finally spoke. “Um... Is it not?” She'd learned from her years as a student not to assume she knew the answer when Celestia asked seemingly obvious questions. “Twilight,” she stated calmly, placing a hoof on the desk, “there are factions beyond the borders of Equestria whose very way of life would mean the wholesale murder and enslavement of our people. The Storm King and Queen Chrysalis were only two such threats, the only difference being they were bold enough to attack. The leaders of the other nations know this, and it’s likely they assumed you did too. After all, you have been trying to strengthen our relations with them.” She glanced down at the desk, “I can't say for certain that Gruff is being entirely honest with us, on the contrary, I agree with your suspicion that he is simply a con artist trying to maneuver his way into power. However, he wouldn’t be the one we were talking to if not for the fact that he is literally the only griffon who we can talk to. Griffonstone is a failed state, and what’s left is rapidly dissolving. We’ve had a refugee crisis with them ever since Guto lost the idol, and it’s only a matter of time before they abandon their crumbling cities and go back to being solitary wandering hunters and mercenaries. When Rainbow and Pinkie Pie intervened, it showed them another option, and there are plenty of griffons who are jumping at the chance to be something again. If this continues, it won’t be long before an alliance is mutually beneficial.” “As for the Hippogriffs, I've known Queen Novo for a very long time. Watching her people fall to the Storm King, losing her own husband in the fray, shook her to her core. She's never had to be a hooves-on ruler, but she knows her people can't defend themselves from every threat. Hippogriff soldiers may be strong, but Mount Eris is only a city state: the size of their army is limited, and I think it’s very obvious at this point that they won’t last much longer without forming ties to peoples they can depend upon for extra forces in an attack. The siege of Mount Aris lasted for days before she and her people were forced to flee, plenty of time for us to have sent reinforcements had we only been aware of them.” “Thorax cares for his own people, and he knows that we trust him. The changelings may be recovering from their revolution right now, but in the past, the Swarm was responsible for the utter destruction of nations many times their size, without the need for any sort of technology or diplomacy. Do you really think the other world leaders believe he is safe to leave in power? Do you know just how many within our own government have proposed my sister and I wipe them out in their moment of weakness? You're right, Thorax knows the game he's playing, and he’s one wrong move away from extinction. He wants to show the world that the changelings are better as an ally now than they were as an enemy, and he wants to use us as the example, because he knows that we know that he would never even consider betraying us.” “Ember has been thrust into the leadership of a people who can no longer continue with their current ways. Any Pony can tell you why dragons are feared, but do you understand the consequences of fear? I can easily recall a time when my own sister was called a hero for every dragon she’d slain. They may be strong, but what little ‘society’ they have would never keep up with technological development. I’ve treated them with mercy so far, but it's only a matter of time before a less peaceful nation recognizes that the various treaties the Dragon Lords have agreed to over the centuries are more for their own protection from the outside world than any sense of shame. The real reason Torch didn't want his daughter to become the dragon lord was because he knew she might spend the last moments of her reign watching her people being slaughtered and subjugated by foreign powers. However, Spike may have saved all of dragon kind when he gave her the scepter, because she’s one of the few dragons who is capable of understanding this: everything she does is out of desperation to save her people, because she knows that if they don't change, they aren't going to survive. Twilight, she isn’t even twenty, and she’s had the survival of her entire species hoisted on her shoulders. I’ve been there, and it’s not a place I would wish on anyone.” “And you think Yakyakistan only sent Yona because she was a good student? Warrior cultures do not develop in a peaceful setting. I shudder to think what enemy is so horrible that such a proud and xenophobic people would suddenly want an alliance, but I have no idea how to ask Rutherford what sort of horror they’re fighting. All I know is that Yona isn’t just here to represent Yaks, she’s here to build goodwill towards them, something she is exceptional at.” “Twilight, the free world as we know it is in peril. There is a crisis coming, and those who see it have been powerless against it. The leaders sent those students because they saw this as the perfect opportunity to build relations without the politics of formal diplomacy. I am sorry that this has fallen on your shoulders in your youth, but there is a war coming, not today, not even next year, but it will come to our doorsteps, and when it does, we will need to stand together.” she stood, giving Twilight a hardened look, “Your little experiment here may be our last chance for securing a future.” Twilight was shivering now. She looked down at her desk, files beginning to blur as her eyes began to water with the weight of understanding, “But... why me?” Celestia stepped around the desk to stand at her side, putting a foreleg around her for comfort as she sat on the carpet. She spoke softly, “Because you're the only one of us who can.” Twilight looked up at her. Celestia stroked her gently, “I've tried to build alliances with them for centuries, and I've never had any luck. They know I scheme, and they think it means I'll trick them. They're coming to you because they think they can trust you.” Pride began to swell within her voice, “After all, who else would be serious enough about friendship to let the Yaks badger them into a party? Who else could a dragon trust to treat them as an equal and not a monster? Who else is willing to give the changelings a chance? Who else would go to nations they know nothing about to save them from conquest by tyrants? Not I. Not them. Of all the triumphs we've had as leaders of our people, this is where we've all failed utterly. The simple act of friendship. This is a task we have been at for centuries, and we have proven ourselves worthless compared to you.” She lowered her head, placing her horn on Twilight's shoulder, “Princess Twilight, you are our greatest hope.” Twilight sat there, staring at Celestia's pure white coat, as she had many times since they'd first met. She'd thought she knew every wave of her coat, every length of every hair, but now, the details that she'd never contemplated had come into clear focus... The age... The loss... The fear. It was as if she was looking at an entirely different Pony, in a world light years from the one she knew. Princess Celestia Sol Invictus, crowned ruler of Equestria for over a millenium, de facto leader of the free world, was but a mere pony before her, trembling in the face of impending defeat. “Celestia...” She finally asked, quietly, “What should I do?” “You tell me.” the mare responded, looking into her eyes with a soft smile, “As I said, you've been succeeding where all of us have failed miserably. What do you think the next course of action should be in order to make friends?” “Well... They each sent me a student... They sent them to me... Like sending them to my house... And I've been trying to show those students how to make friends...” “Okay,” Celestia nodded slowly,”That's one way of looking at it. So, what would you do in response?” “...I need to return the gesture.” Author's Note Here it is, as promised, the sequel to What's Your Problem? As previously stated, this will be a similar story, but in long form, with the Young Six dealing with both their coming-of-age problems and the great expectations placed upon them, over the course of a series of short, mostly standalone arcs dealing with the various nations they come from. Hope you all enjoy!
A Friendly Neigh to your NeighborsI Thought You’d Never Ask Two weeks into the semester, the auditorium was alive and echoing with the chatter of students as they poured through the doors and wandered over to their seats. Nopony had much information about the “special announcement” their headmare, Princess Twilight, aside from the fact that the teachers had said it was a last minute addition to the curriculum that hadn’t been on the syllabus at the beginning of the semester. From the side door, the decidedly non-equine section of the student body began to shuffle in, beginning with a cyan changeling and an orange dragon. “So, lemme get this straight,” Smolder furrowed her brow, “They go out and get food, then they bring it back, and other changelings eat it?” “Yeah,” Ocellus nodded, “That’s what gathering is!” “I don't get it. What do they get in return? I mean, they're just feeding the others for nothing!” Ocellus shook her head, “They do it because they’re part of the community, and that’s their role in it. If they couldn't do it, some other changeling would do it for them.” “That doesn't make any sense...” Smolder crossed her arms. As they continued to debate collectivism versus being solitary nomads, a green pony walked in, nodding quietly as a pink Hippogryph flew next to him, talking animatedly. “...but that’s when I realized, the Earth Ponies weren’t farming the potatoes... The potatoes were farming them!” “Uh huh, uh huh... Wait... You got all this from the assigned reading for pony history?” Silverstream bobbed her head excitedly, “Right! The whole point of the potato famine was that the Earth Ponies needed the potatoes! They were a flock lost without their shepherds!!” “Uh... Silver? I’ve worked with potatoes, they’re not intelligent enough to know what’s going on, let alone be referred to as ‘shepherds’.” “Then how do they hold conversations? Because in biology class, the book said that Earth Ponies talk with them!” “That’s... That’s not how that works. That’s not how anything works!” As the Earth Pony struggled to explain how farming worked to the badly misunderstanding Hippogryph, a young yak cow trotted eagerly in, a gryphon with blue feathers (an extremely rare coloration) slinking in behind her with a smirk. “Calm down Yona,” Gallus teased, “The seats aren’t gonna gallop off on us.” Yona held her head high, “Yak show up to gatherings in timely fashion! Yaks always prompt and punctual!” “Uh... I’m pretty sure both those words mean the same thing.” “That only make double clear fact that yaks double good at being on time! Besides, Yona learning bigger words, sound smarter, like Headmare Twilight!” Gallus rolled his eyes, “Yeah, I’m suuure that’s gonna make up for the accent...” Yona grinned and gave a nod, the sarcasm lost on her as they all took their seats, the five exchange students and their friend Sandbar, lined up in a row near the front. Around them, the chatter of the student body turned to murmurs as the Headmare took the stage. Twilight Sparkle brought a hoof to her chest, breathing in resolutely, then let it swing outwards as she exhaled slowly. She looked down at her note cards, silently checking that they were all in the order she remembered Keep a strong face. Smile. Smile. Good. She coached internally, The past few days were a little stressful, but don’t let them know that. These are just field trips, nothing more. She straightened up, clearing her throat and putting on the calm smile, just like her and Celestia had practiced for the past few hours. “Ahem! Hello, and thank you for coming everycreature!” she began, the tension in her spine slowly unwinding as she got it over with, “How are you all doing this morning?” The student body gave a quiet cheer of positive responses. “Booored!” Gallus mock-yelled with a grin, just loud enough for his friends to hear. Smolder chuckled openly, while the others tried to pretend it wasn’t amusing. He’d gotten cheery again since his sudden breakdown a week ago, and his rude antics were once again infrequent enough that they had regained their spontaneity. Twilight smiled, beginning to relax. That’s right. I run a school now. I’m a great headmare. I’ve got this. “In my years as Princess of Friendship, I’ve come to understand that friendship is not confined within the borders of Equestria, nor is it something shared only by ponies. Rather, it is something that any creature anywhere can share, and creatures all over the world do so every day. Unfortunately, being an Equestrian school, we have only managed, thus far, to include notions of friendships between ponies in our curriculum. This has to change!” She slammed her hoof down on the podium, immediately having to stop herself from wincing too obviously. She flipped to the next card, hoping the students hadn’t noticed the wood beginning to splinter after her alicorn hoof had made a sizeable gash in the surface. “Tha-THAT- is why I have contacted the leaders of the six foreign nations which have shown the most interest in being involved in this school, in order to negotiate their cooperation in a series of educational experiences. These countries are the Changeling Hive, Yakyakistan, Mount Aris, The Crystal Empire, The Dragon Lands, and Griffonstone.” “Hey guys,” Silverstream whispered excitedly, “You think she’s talking about us?” “Probably.” Ocellus waved her down with a hoof, “Let’s be quiet and see.” “After some discussion, the other leaders have agreed to allow me to bring large groups of students into their territories for informative and enjoyable first-hoof experiences with their cultures, as envoys of both education and good-will.” she stopped, smirking for a second as she looked around at the confused faces of her audience, some of which were beginning to light up as the meaning of her words clicked to them. Finally, she added, “in laypony terms... We’re going on international field trips.” The entire auditorium erupted in a cheer which dwarfed the previous one, ponies standing up and stomping, high-hoofing, shouting to their friends, and jumping up and down in excitement, a few pegasi even dancing above the heads of everypony else. Yona pumped her hoof, “YES! Yakyakistan field trip will be BEST field trip!” “Oh. My. Gosh!!” Silverstream trilled, now hovering above the group, “Queen Novo’s probably gonna put on a HUGE festival for us you guys!!” she gasped, “And you get to see the STAIRS of Mount Aris!!” Ocellus smiled, staying in her seat, “I’d love to show you all the hive: it’s become such a nice place to live ever since King Thorax came to power!” Smolder was on her feet, waving her arms, “Aw yeah! We get to fly over the Smouldering Mountains, and you’re gonna see the boiling sea, and the cauldron of fire... This is gonna be a blast!” “Yeah,” Gallus grinned as he jumped to his feet, turning to the others, “I can’t wait to see where you all are from!” “Yeah!” Sandbar piped in, caught up in the excitement, “And you'll get to show us around Griffonstone!” He looked away just long enough to miss the griffin’s expression shift. Gallus gritted his teeth, trying not to let the sinking pit of his stomach show too much on his face, “Uh, yeah... That too...” Silverstream held her hands to her face, kicking her hooves giddily in the air, “I'm so excited I think I'm gonna burst!!” Pinkie Pie popped up behind them, as if she’d been there the whole time, “I know right? That's what I said! Twilight was all like, ‘we're gonna take the students on some field trips to other countries’, and I was all like, ‘EEEEEEEEE!!!!’” she just kept squealing in one long falsetto note after that. Silverstream gasped, dropping to stand on her hind-legs, “That's a great way to react to it! EEEEEEEE!!!!” The others shrank back, covering their ears as the two shrieked and danced about on their hind-hooves. Meanwhile, Twilight loudly knocked her hoof against the podium like a gavel, careful not to damage the laquered oak boards any further, “Alright everycreature, settle down! We’ve still got a few things to go through here, and you’ll need to know this if you want to go!” she waited for them to quiet down, but didn’t hide her grin, flipping to the next card. “These field trips will be scheduled intermittently throughout the semester, which means that, hopefully, those of you with tight schedules will be able to attend at least one of them. The first one will be a weekend trip to the Changeling Hive, two and a half weeks from now. The dates and locations rest will be posted on the bulletin boards, within the next few weeks until the details are finalized.” She cleared her throat, taking on an air of seriousness, “Remember that on these trips, we will be entering other countries with which alliances are under active negotiation. All of you will be representing Equestria, and whatever other country you may be from. I expect you all to be on your best behavior, and refrain from causing any international incidents.” She shot a glance at where Rainbow was sitting in the audience, who returned the look as if she didn’t know. “Let me be clear on that.” she continued, “Don’t go anywhere they tell us not to, don’t do anything that might damage a landmark, don’t make negative comments on their culture or traditions, and don’t try and show up their military flight squadrons with your own moves, no matter how ‘totally awesome’ you think it will be.” She shot Rainbow another look. This time, Rainbow had the decency to bite her lip and look away. “One time,” she muttered, “You do an unrequested demonstration in front of the Hippogryph air force one time. ‘Least I didn’t try to steal their stupid magic pearl...” Twilight continued, “Consider yourselves guests in the homes of creatures you want to make friends with, and follow the rules as they show you around, and I’m sure we’ll all be just fine.” She let her smile return, “Teachers will be hoofing out the required paperwork in class over the next few weeks, and they must be filled out in full ahead of time for you to go, so be sure and get them signed and turned in as early as possible. I’m sure these trips will be wonderful experiences, and I hope to see you all there!” She stepped back from the podium, and the student body went back to their excited chatter with much greater vigour than they’d had when they came in the room. Every creature, be they pony, changeling, hippogriff, dragon, yak, or griffon could agree: this was going to be totally awesome! Author's Note Here it is, the beginning of the actual story, and the tone most of it will follow. (Yes, Twilight stressing may be played for laughs) This is looking like it's gonna be some great fun to write. Next chapter should see them on a train to the Changeling Hive! Just a reminder, I have a Patreon now, and the money from that would give me more time to write these stories. Also, I'll be posting my non-pony stuff there, as well as extra material for paid subscribers. Go check it out!
The Hive - 1 - Packed up and Good to GoAnd so the days went by, with professors hoofing out the various permission slips, travel forms, and waivers required for students to go on the trip. In response, much of the student body worked to get their schedules in order so they could go. Every day, the teachers stressed the deadline for turning in the forms, and every day the list of registered attendees grew. For the five students sent by the non-pony nations, things were a bit simpler: Twilight had personally acquired permission from their governments for them to attend, and had even arranged to have all their expenses paid. It was almost as if there was some vested interest in having them come along, but whatever it was, it went over their heads. For now, they were just excited for the change of pace. Soon enough, the day drew close, and the night before the trip saw them all packing. “Hey Ocellus,” Sandbar called through the open door of his dorm room, “is it cold there this time of year?” “Yeah, but it's probably not snowing if that's what you're asking. The hive's pretty far south from here...” Ocellus buttoned the saddlebags she was bringing, which were mostly books and gifts: she was just visiting home, after all. She stepped out into the main part of their dorm hall, looking about at her friends as they went about their preparations. Everycreature at the school was planning on wearing their school jackets for the train rides there and back, as Headmare Twilight had recommended, seeing as they were both warm and would make them easy to pick out in a crowd. They’d be less important when they were actually at the hive, seeing as they would make up virtually all of the non-changelings there. Aside from that, she’d suggested they all bring a bag of anything they’d need for self-care over the weekend. Above her, Gallus had draped himself over a rafter, already finished packing. When he’d first come to the school, he’d been a bit obsessive about securing his possessions, but they’d worked on that the previous semester. Now, the only thing the low maintenance griffon really worried about was his toothbrush: after all, Headmare Twilight herself had paid for Minuette to drill and fill his numerous cavities, as well as taught him how to take care of his teeth, and he wasn’t interested in having another toothache. (also, he didn’t want to let her down, but he wouldn’t say that out loud) They could hear chirping noises emanating from Silverstream’s room, where she was giddily flitting about, too excited to figure out what to pack. They’d given up reminding her that it was just a weekend trip to a place where they’d be doing things constantly, and, realistically, she didn’t need to pack anything. Instead they were waiting for her to wear herself down and just pack her makeup and brushes. In her own room, Smolder was casually looking through the small chest of gemstones she kept at the foot of her bed, which was made of a dark grey metal and had spiked rivets. She’d already stuffed her backpack with enough clothing to keep her warm: hats, gloves, scarves, an extra jacket... She’d even considered packing something like a skirt or pants to cover her lower half, but those things never seemed to fit right over her lower belly and tail, and she still wouldn’t be caught dead wearing one of her dresses in public. Now she was just making sure she had snacks. Yona had, at some point, tried to figure out what to bring to show that yaks were best, and had filled several oversized with Yak trinkets saddlebags before Headmare Twilight had reminded her that this was a trip for the changelings to show them things, and it would be rude to interrupt that with her own culture. After some input from Ocellus, she'd managed to narrow it down to a bag of dried roots she'd been saving from her last care package and and a piece of decorative artwork depicting yak warriors which she was willing to part with. (she would've brought her yovidaphone, but Ocellus had pointed out that she was already pushing it, and Headmare Twilight wouldn’t allow her to bring the large instrument on the already crowded train anyway.) Sandbar was just finishing with his own saddlebags at this point, leaving a camera his parents had lent him next to them. He’d mostly packed his hairbrush and other essentials, as well as a few of his own winter accessories. “So Ocellus,” Gallus let his head hang down from his perch, “Got any plans for your trip back home?” Ocellus opened her wings and went into a buzzing hover, “Oh, yes. I’m going to introduce all of you to my family and friends from my old school. Headmare Twilight and Thorax asked me to help with the tour, so I’ll be doing that too.” Sandbar wandered out into the hall with them, “About the tour... I saw the schedule, but it was kinda vague... Is there anything we should know about?” “Well, Thorax has designated the whole weekend as a festival. The first night, we’ll just be having dinner and some mingling while all the students settle in. The first day we’ll be teaching you all about our history and our culture, and at some point we’ll be bringing tour groups through the hive. The second day will be a bit more relaxed, and all the students will be allowed to look around on their own. Pharynx and Tymbal have been putting together their own demonstrations too, but I don’t know much about those. Knowing Pharynx, it’s probably a military demonstration. I don’t know what Tymbal is planning though.” “Right, and we leave on Monday morning.” Sandbar nodded, “But like, is there anything we should probably know about the Hive? Like, anything we need to worry about?” Ocellus shook her head, “Thorax and the Princesses have been trying to improve changeling-pony relations ever since we overthrew Queen Chrysalis. I think we have more to worry about than you do: making a good impression on outsiders is a major priority right now.” “So, lemme get this straight...” Smolder sauntered out of her room, gnawing on a small sapphire, “Even if we’re rude or obnoxious or something, the Changelings won’t do anything about it, because they want us to like them?” Ocellus cringed, “Um... That’s not what I’m saying... but... kinda?” Gallus smirked, “Smolder, you thinking what I’m thinking?” “Maybe,” Smolder said, swallowing as she glanced back at Ocellus, “Is the hive made out of crystal, like this place?” She reached over behind one of the potted plants, prying off a little chip from where she’d been whittling the wall down without the teachers noticing, popping it in her mouth. Ocellus looked on perturbed as the piece of the building crunched between the dragon’s powerful jaws. “Uh... I... I don’t think it’s the kind of crystal you want to eat?” she said weakly. Smolder gave a little cackle, “I’ll be the judge of that...” Sandbar narrowed his eyes, “Smolder, how would you like it if some creature threatened to eat your home?” Smolder raised a brow, “Considering most dragons live in caves filled with gemstone deposits? It’s not like it’s something we don’t already do...” “Smoldeeerr!!” Ocellus whined. “Fine, fine! I’m just pulling your claw!” She rolled her eyes, mumbling, “I’ll just take a little bite...” “WOOHOO!” Silverstream burst out of her room, now actually wearing her jacket and saddlebags, despite the fact that they weren’t leaving until morning, “CHANGELING HOUSE PARTYYY! NO RULES!” They heard the thundering of cloven hooves as their Yak friend bounded out to join them with a lampshade over one horn, “YONA WANT ATTEND CHANGELING HOUSEPARTY! YONA SHOW CHANGELINGS HOW TO SMASH!” In her excitement, she promptly bucked the air behind her, which happened to be the location of another potted plant, which was promptly destroyed. “NO RULES!!” she roared. “YEAH!” Smolder pumped her fist in the air, eyes practically sparkling at the chaos she’d created. Gallus guffawed, Sandbar facehooved, and Ocellus just let out a sad, buzzing whine. It took them a while to calm down, and reassure Ocellus that, no, they weren’t going to destroy the Hive, or even break any rules while they were there. (although, Smolder refused to make promises she couldn’t keep when it came to taking a bite out of the wall) After that, they decided to get to bed: it was late and they’d need to get up at sunrise if they wanted to make the eight-thirty train without rushing through breakfast. They all said their goodnights, and tried to get some sleep, despite the anticipation of the next day trying to wind them back up. Author's Note Here ya go, start of the Hive Arc... This chapter, like every other I will be publishing, was available early in unproofed form for anypony who pledged at least a dollar on Patreon. Patreon subscribers help me focus on this stuff, so consider tossing mena dollar if you like my writing and want to see me do it more.
