Various changelings of both Drone & Soldier casts either sit or stand in the large coliseum, all eyes trained on the empty stadium below, as a massive crystal glowing an ominous pale blue light shines down upon them all. Amongst the crowd of changelings was Chiton, in a special chair that floats above the ground, thanks to a crystal infused with magic to keep it afloat. His legs were bandaged up, and his torso was in a cast, while the love energy he received from Pyre greatly helped with his recover, he still needed proper medical attention. But even treatment wouldn’t stop him from seeing the challenge that Pyre was to face in the Coliseum, after the Queen made the announcement across the Hive Mind.

Horns & trumpets sounded from the stone throne on the far end of the coliseum, where all changelings looked and saw their current Queen walk into view. When the Queen walked onto the flat her throne sat, she lit her horn where a small green ball flies out and into her throat, before she spoke, her voice now mountainous in volume.

“MY LOYAL SUBJECTS, TODAY, A CHALLENGER HAS COME FORTH…AND SEEKS TO ALIGN HIMSELF TO US!” the crowd of changelings cheered as they all looked at their queen, who raised a hand to silence them.

“THE FIRST OF THE TWO CHALLENGES WILL BE A MATCH BETWEEN PYRE, AND COMMANDER HUSK & HIS SQUAD!” the Commander and his squad come flying into the stadium, landing in the middle of the cavernous chamber, the light from the crystal shining down upon them.

Then on the left side of the stadium a side gate opened, where Pyre would enter. But no one saw the human. Commander Husk looked at the gate, trying to see if Pyre was just walking in slowly. The Queen was doing the same, but just before she got annoyed Pyre appeared in the stadium, slowly fading into reality, a few feet from Commander Husk. When Pyre just appeared out of nowhere, the Commander and his squad, along with every other changeling, including the Queen, they all flinched or jumped back. Before the Queen could continue to speak, or have Husk say something, Pyre spoke up.

“By the by Commander, I’ll be using non-lethal ammunition for this fight.” Pyre said as he cocked his guns. “Wouldn’t want to kill those I’m trying to be hired by.” Husk recollected himself before readying his mace.

“If there non-lethal, than this will be an easy fight.” Husk said with confidence. And while the changeling couldn’t see Pyre’s face because of his helmet, Pyre was smirking at the Commander’s words. He then turned to look up at the Queen.

“Your Commander thinks I should live ammunition, rather than my non-lethal ones. What do you say your majesty?” Pyre shouted. “If I use my live rounds, they could die.” The Queen thought about it for a moment, before giving her answer.

“YOU MAY USE YOUR LIVE ROUNDS FOR BOTH CHALLENGES, I WANT TO SEE YOU AT YOUR BEST.” Pyre just shrugs.

“Alright then.” He said before he starts replacing all of his bullets. “Can’t say I didn’t warn ya.” A moment later Pyre was now fully armed, and loaded. And Commander Husk & his squad were ready for a fight.

“COMBATENTS ARE YOU READY?” both sides nodded. “THEN…BEGIN!” the Queen shouted as she swung her right hand down to start the match.

Just as the Queen proclaimed the match to start…a horrid series of repeated hisses and banging sounds filled the stadium. And all but Commander Husk was standing, as the members of his squad all collapsed to floor, green blood gushing or spurting out from various holes in their legs, arms and around non-vital spots of their bodies. Everyone saw their armor and even their carapaces were rattled with holes. Commander Husk just stood there, dumbfounded, just utterly shocked that all Pyre did was aim his metal weapon, and downed his team in less than a minute. Leaving him alone, frozen with his mace just hanging limply in his hand. Even the Queen herself was dumbfounded. Never has she seen anyone take down a small squad of six trained soldiers in one swift motion.

“I did try to warn you.” Pyre said as he trained his weapon at Husk. “If I use live ammo…you will end up dead if I’m not careful.” The human’s voice attained an almost sinister tone, which was only enhanced by his helmet which slightly muffled and deepened his tone of voice.

“Still want to fight?”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” the Queen proclaimed, before looking to the sider. “Take the injured to the infirmary.”

“Yes your majesty!” two guards saluted, before flying into the stadium with some Drones, and carried the fallen changelings off as carefully as they can.

“Commander Husk, you may leave the stadium, and will prepare the stadium for the next match.” The Queen said in a softer tone, to which the Commander did so, after a moment of just standing there like a statue. “Pyre you may rest up until things are set up.”

“Fine by me.” Pyre says as he holsters his weapon onto his back, and walk towards the gate to head to the waiting room.

As he left the stadium, the Queen sat in her throne, and started to think over the terms of her agreement to hire the human. From the report she’s been given, Pyre was able to best & kill a young Ursa Minor with Scorch, and seeing his skill in taking down 6 trained Soldier changelings in merely the blink of an eye. Was certainly nothing she was expecting, this was merely to entertain the idea for the human, but now seeing his skill. Should she really actually accept this human’s offer, he could be invaluable assist to the Hive.

“My Queen, we managed to round up the beast you requested.” A Soldier said as he leaned in close.

“Then ready the stadium.” The Queen said out of reflex, before going back to thinking. ‘I think I should see how this match will go, before I make my final decision. But regardless of the outcome…I can’t let the ponies have him. if they managed to get their hands on him, then any of my future plans could be hindered, if he can effortlessly take down my troops.’

After a few more minutes of waiting, Pyre finally returns to the stadium, but as he reached the half-mark towards the center, his helmet’s visor flashes blue for a split second. That’s when every changeling looked up when they saw a bright blue, magic circle of some kind appeared. Then from the circle, Scorch came falling down like a tumbling rock slide, crashing down a few feet behind Pyre.

“I hope whatever you have is a good match up, otherwise this is going to be way to easy.” Pyre said as Scorch scoops him up, and places Pyre in the cockpit, and closed the hatch. The Queen rose up from the throne and took a few steps forward before speaking.

“OPEN THE GATE!”

The gate on the right side of the stadium then slowly opened, but before it was halfway up, a giant Maulwarf came bursting out of the gate. It was just as big as Scorch, and had rough fur and a few heavily scars, and large claws were so sharp that it looked like it can cut through steel. Scorch then pulled the massive weapon from his back, and loaded a cylinder object into the weapon, and got ready for a fight.

Song: Most Wonderous Battle Music Ever: “God Mode” by Sons of Amon.

The fight was started by the maulwarf, as it dug its claw into the ground, and shoveled a huge piece of earth out of the ground. The maulwarf then chucked the large rock at Scorch, who simply side-stepped and retaliated, by firing a scorching fireball from his weapon. The maulwarf was able to duck out of the way, but it didn’t have time to dodge a second fireball, as it connected to the beast’s right shoulder. The large beast bellowed in pain as it rolled around on the dirt stone floor, trying to put the flames out. But then something smacked the beast in the face. It was some kind of dull green-grey cylinder, which started to release a lime green gas around the beast. Another fireball was shot from the titan’s weapon, but the Queen saw it fly towards the ground. However when the fireball came in contact with the smoke, it erupted into fire, completely engulfing the maulwarf’s leg and lower body!

The beast wailed in pain, and just rushed forward blindly, jaws wide open as it ran towards Scorch. The titan holstered it weapon, and threw a punch so strong it stopped the maulwarf’s charge, dazing it. The titan then started to deliver punch after punch at the beast, while it flailed about getting equal opportunity to deliver strike after strike, it’s long claws striking an invisible shield. Only appearing when it was struck. Scorch then tried to gain some distance from the beast, but the maulwarf just followed in pursuit with claws at the ready. But then Scorch out stretched its left hand, and a shield of fire erupted and buried itself into the maulwarf’s face!

“Come on big guy, you’ve gotta do better than that!” Pyre’s voice echoed from Scorch, before the titan let loose a punch to the beast’s face. Sending it rolling back a few meters.

The maulwarf then started to panic, and was now digging up rocks and dirt, vaults large clumps at Scorch. Who either tanked some hits, or skid around the vaulted lumps of earth. Scorch then dashed to a spot of the stadium, and brought out its weapon and launched another cylinder. But the maulwarf seemed to learn and ran away from it. However it seemed that is what Scorch was waiting for, as it grasped its weapon in its left hand, and slammed its right onto the ground…sending out a trail of fire towards the maulwarf! Once again the beast wailed in pain as its lower half was coated in fire, and this time it’s seemed that its legs were damaged so much, that the maulwarf collapsed to the ground.

“Alright! It’s ready!” Pyre excitably said, gaining every changelings attention, before seeing Scorch quickly holstered its weapon, raise both fist up into the air as they sparked with fire. Then with a mighty cry, Pyre shouts…

“FLAME CORE!!!!!”

Scorch then slammed both flaming fists onto the ground, creating a decent earth shake, as rocks burst from the ground, while a wave of fire races across the stadium! The wave came crashing into the downed maulwarf, coating its entire body in flames as it gave out one last series of painful bellowing, and desperate flailing as it rolled on the still burning path of scorched earth! Soon the maulwarf ceased its flailing about, going limp as the smell of very burnt flesh filled the air, it was so potent that everything changeling had to cover their muzzles. Scorch then stood back up, took a few steps back as the hatch opened, and Pyre stood up and removed his helmet, showing a twinge of sweat on his brow.

“Whoo-wee! No that is what I call, burnt road kill.” The human said jokingly before the titan turned so that Pyre was facing the Queen. “So…do I pass your test, your majesty?” Pyre asked with a smirk. The Queen then slowly rose up from her throne again, stepped forth & looked down at the human.

“You have indeed proven your skill, Pyre. Not only did you render six of my guards useless, freeze one with your display and demonstrated your, flaming brutality…” the Queen gestured to the smoking carcass on the floor.

“I have decided upon the terms of the wager…you shall be welcomed into, the Hive!” the changelings cheered as they all stood, and started to chant Pyre’s & Scorches name. As for the human, he just soaked it all in before bowing.

“Thank you, your majesty. I shall prove my worth whenever you’ve have need of me.” Pyre said as he stood back up, and gave a genuine smile, with a wink. The Queen seemed to find this amusing, and giggled as she smiled as well.

“I most certainly will Pyre. And from this point forward you may address me as, Queen Chrysalis.”

Author's Note

It looks like Pyre now has a base of operations in this weird world he finds himself in, but how long will this relationship with him & the Hive last? we'll just have to wait & see. Oh! and for anyone wondering what my Avatar's & Scorch's loadout is, here is my personal set when i play Titanfall 2.

Primary Weapon: R-201 Carbine. | Secondary Weapon: Mastiff Shotgun.
Side-Arm: Hammond P2016.
Tool: Arc Tool/Frag Grenades/Smoke Grenades.
Abilities: Cloak/Grapple/Phase Shift.

Main Weapon: T-203 Thermite Launcher.
Offensive: Firewall. | Defensive: Thermal Shield.
Utility: Incendiary Trap. | Core Ability: Flame Core.
Load Out: Turbo Engine/Wildfire Launcher/Tempered Plating.
Executions - #1: Beatdown Meltdown. #2: Funeral Pyre.