Author's Note

Well everyone, here it is, the end of Volume 2. i hope you all enjoy this.
now before you start readying this chapter, i would like to say thank you all for the support and enjoyment you have been having in reading this project of mine, it really means a lot to me. so thank you. Now, once I've uploaded this chapter, this fic will go on Haitus so i can work on other projects i already have up, or have been working on in the background. but don't worry, Volume 3 won't be to far behind.

Chapter 30: the Siege of the Changeling Hive! - End of Volume 2

A full day has gone by, and since then the royal sisters pushed up their plan in Zack’s rescue. And when they disclosed the general plan of what they have so far, the captured changelings added to the plan by providing some useful information, which the princesses used to alter their plan in order to ensure that they succeed. On the next day Celestia, Luna, Twilight, her circle of friends along with Spike, and three squadrons of royal guards. As well as Thorax and the two platoons of changelings that were persuaded to aid the ponies, were all standing on the hill at the very edge of the changelings border, staring at the lone dark mountain looming in the bleak landscape.

“Is everypony ready?” Celestia asked all those who were participating in this operation, to which everypony nodded.

“I still can’t believe that the changelings live here…it’s so…baren.” Fluttershy said as she looked at the landscape, seeing the sand, rock, and the dead trees and bushes. “How could you all live in such a horrible place?”

“Our home wasn’t always like this.” The old changeling stallion said as he rubbed a spot on the hill they were all standing on. “One time, during our last queens rule, this place used to be a vibrant green place. It was only when Chrysalis took the throne, and that the land started to be drained of everything when she replaced the old queens throne, with the dark stone variant.”

“So if we get rid of that throne, will things go back to normal?” Applejack asked.

“…who knows.” The old stallion said. “The throne has been installed for so long, I’m unsure if our land is salvageable. But now’s not the time to discuss about the state of our homeland, we need to focus on bringing the queen down.”

“And for rescuing our friend Zack.” Spike added as he looked at the changeling group.

“Yes, and saving your friend.”

“And are you sure that she’s up in Chrysalis’s chamber?” Thorax questioned as he turned to look at his fellow changeling.

“Yes. Ever since your exile, she’s been kept in the queens chamber since, in fact we saw her when she was detailing her plan to us.” the old stallion said as he looked back to the still injured changeling, which still caused the ponies to be hesitant in letting him join todays plan.

“Thorax I still prefer that you remained at the castle, you still need to recover from your injuries.” Celestia says as she kept a close watch on the small male.

“No!” Thorax half-shouted, startling the group as he continues. “I failed to save Zack from her torment, twice…and I promised that I would come back and rescue her! I promised that I get her away from Chrysalis, and return her to where she could be happy and safe. And I refuse to break that promise!”

The group couldn’t really deny the injured changeling his request, the determination in his conviction, they just couldn’t say no to him after her this. Even his fellow changelings were touched by his determination. In fact, they all were very impressed in how Thorax was doing, cause after being exiled he should’ve been incredibly weak. And while he is, the others can tell that Thorax isn’t struggling to remain active, even if he hasn’t consumed any love energy since.

“Very well, but stay close to us, and we will help you fulfill your promise.” Thorax nodded to Celestia’s request.

“Now remember, our plan relies on getting all of you—” the old changeling said as he pointed to the three alicorns. “—up to the throne, once its destroyed you should be able to subdue the queen much easier.”

“And are you sure this plan is going to work?” Pinkie Pie asked as she, and a number of the guards and other members of her friends, were uncertain about the plan as a whole. But the princesses and the changelings seem confident in that this will all work out.

“If we pull this off, then yes.” Luna says as she looks at the far-off hive. “But the real question is how do we even begin this operation. We won’t be able to make it too far with the aerial patrols circling around.”

“The princess is right. So, how are we going to get close to the hive?” Twilight asked as she tried to think of a way to get to the hive, but unable to come up with a solid idea.

“It won’t be easy that’s for sure.” One of the female changelings said. “But, if we pool in our magic, we should be able to create some kind of field that disguises the entire group.”

“But can you all cast such a spell?” Applejack asked. “Not that I’m calling ya’ll incompetent, but that seems like a real challenge to pull off.”

“It is.” The old stallion said. “If we were just getting the three princesses, and you six inside it wouldn’t be a problem. But since we need a big distraction, we have to get the guards inside to help with that.”

“Now then, let’s get this underway.”

The changelings then circled around the group of ponies, with the princesses and council of friendship in the middle. Once they formed the circle, the changeling’s horns started to glow with magic, and several moments later the magic flowing from the changelings horns swelled out and surround the entire group. Till a thin forcefield surrounds them all, which from the inside makes everything look like it has a light green tinge, while on the outside the entire group was perfectly invisible.

Once the field was established the group began to make their way down the hill, and slowly start to make the arduous journey to the hive, and as they did so the ponies were really able to see just how desolate the changeling’s homeland was. Aside from the sand and dust that covered the land, the ponies can see the extremely desolate and cracked landscape, dried and withered trees, bushes, and other remnants of vegetation that just made the ponies sad to see that the changelings had to live in such conditions. The group eventually made it to the Hive, but instead of going through the main entrance, the changelings slowly lead the group to the east side of the hive. Rounding the mountainous structure and the group came upon a small entrance, with only a small hoofull of guards. Underneath the barrier Luna made her way to the forefront of the group, her horn glowing with magic which seeped out of the barrier, flowing over to the four guards, and causing them to almost immediately fall asleep.

As the guards drop to the floor, snoring away, the group made their way through the side entrance, and once inside the ponies were in awe at what they saw. The interior of the hive was like a living organism, as the walls, ceilings, every part of the hive moved and shifted, changing forms as well as changing all of the entryways and exits.

“…okay…I’m just going to say it. But how the actual, buck, do we know which way to go!?” Rainbow said in aggravation as she rubs her hooves through her mane as she watches everything keep changing every few seconds.

“That’s why I said this plan wasn’t going to be easy.” One of the younger male changelings said. “The hive continuously changes its internal structure, just like how we changelings change our forms.”

“It’s complete chaos.”

Thorax commented as the group slip through an opening in the wall, before it closed behind them. The group continued to trot through the hive, eventually finding a nice, secluded spot. At least it looked secluded, so before anything else the group checked to make sure that no other changeling, drone, or guard would come passing by. Once they were sure they area was secure, the changeling dispelled the camouflage barrier.

“Alright, the easy part is over with.” The old changeling male announced as he looked at the group. “Now the real part of the operation begins.”

“Then that means we’re up.” Lieutenant Flare Sky said as she, and the three squadrons of guards, start preparing themselves for the task they signed up for.

“Now remember ponies, your job is to just distract the guards, no attacking the drones!” one of the older females said in a very protective manner. “They are just the citizenry of the hive, so if you get chased into the housing districts, don’t do anything to harm them!”

“Right.” Flare Sky, and her guards, said in unison.

“What about us?” Starlight asked. “I’m still unclear about our role in this?”

“You will be sticking close to the princesses, you five minus you—” the old male said as he gestured to Starlight. “—are the heroines of your land, so you should be the best at protecting the royals.”

“And as for us we’ll be splitting into two different groups, half will disguise as guards to help distract the hive, while the other half will guide the alicorns to the throne room.”

“Where we subdue and capture Chrysalis, once we’ve dealt with the throne.” Twilight says as she looks directly up. “And then once all of that is taken care of, we’ll head for Chrysalis’s private chamber.”

After the ponies readied themselves, the changelings assigned to the guards changed their forms, and silently lead them out of their secluded hiding place. While the decoy team moves out, the ‘throne crasher’ team watches them trot out into the newly widen area of the hive, and not even a moment after the distraction group made to the middle of the hall, a lone changeling guard crashed right into them! causing the alarm to be raised, and causing the operation to actually begin!

~~Elsewhere~~

Chrysalis was held up in her personal chambers, standing at a table with various charts and papers, a quill held in her sickly green magical aura as she once again tries to come up with a new plan. Ever since yesterday she’s tried to come up with new plans, since her supposed infiltration squads failed their missions, however the queen was unable to think of anything worthwhile. But now she was back at it, and so far she’s come up with one or two new plans, and at least one variation of the previous plan that could still be pulled off, if things fell into place. And while the changeling queen was at her desk, coming up with plans to take over Equestria, and have a nearly endless supply of love energy to keep her and the hive thriving and in power, on her bed the sound of light snoring could be heard.

It’s been five days since Zack was moved from the prison, to the queens chambers, and has been impregnated by the queen herself. And already the alicorn is showing some sign of her pregnancy, with her stomach already developing a bulge. Which only gets bigger by the day, and the prospect that Zack would bare Chrysalis’s own heir to her kingdom, actually brings a sense of glee to the queen. But the ambient light snoring sound was disrupted by rampant knockings.

“I thought I instructed to not be—”

“My queen! We-WE HAVE INTRUDERS!”

“WHAT!?!” the queen all but screams as she tears the door to her chambers off its hinges, revealing the panicking guard. “What did you just say?”

“There are royal Equestrian guards in the Hive!” the guard said, remembering how shocking it was to have word that a group of ponies just, suddenly appeared in the hive.

“And your certain their not just changelings in disguise?”

“No my queen. They are genuine ponies!”

“THEN GET BACK DOWN THERE, AND SUBDUE THEM!” the queen shouted with such force that the guard was actually knocked off his hooves. But he quickly got up to his hooves, and flew off.

Dropping the ripped door onto the floor, the queen then made her way out of her chambers, and flew down to see what this intrusion was. Actually the queen was more confused on how intruders managed to get into the hive, but that could wait, what she’s most concern about is dealing with the those who managed to even sneak in. and once she captures them, she’ll enjoy interrogating them, and learn on how they even found the hive. But as Chrysalis makes her way down from her own chambers, something came crashing into her side and knocking her down to a nearby ledge, but as she recovers from whatever just tackled her the queen felt something wrap around her body. And when she looked to see what was wrapped around her, being swarmed by her own changelings! And they were encasing her body in green goo bindings!

“What is the meaning of this!” Chrysalis shouted as she tries to get out of the sticky bindings.

“You won’t be able to escape from those easily!” Looking up to where the unknown voice came from, Chrysalis found the friends of Twilight Sparkle, and some new unicorn that she’s never seen before, with even more changelings standing by their side.

“Release me this instant!” the queen shouted as she tried to use her magic to get the bindings off her, but nothing was happening. Looking up to her forehead, the queen saw that her horn was also covered in the green slime, acting as a nullifier to her own magic. the queen was then levitated up to the group by some of the other traitorous changelings.

“Sorry but we’re not letting you get away once we’re done here Chrysalis.” The unicorn said as the queen was deposited in front of the group.

“You brought these ponies here!? How dare you! YOU—TRAITORS!” the queen asked as she was brought closer to the group…but she got her answer as she saw a familiar changeling standing behind the six mare’s and small dragon. “Thorax. How dare you come back to the hive, after I gave you a merciful fate that normally a traitor like you would never have.”

“I didn’t come back just to scorn you, Chrysalis.” Thorax said as he nearly spat the queen’s name. “I came back to keep my promise, the promise of saving my friend Zack, from you!”

“So you spurn my act of mercy of letting you live, to only come back, and invade the hive all to retrieve a lowly pony you think is your friend? As well as turn the rest of the hive against me?!”

“You brought all of this down on yourself Chrysalis.” One of the changelings said, shocking the queen as she glares up at them. “Ever since you became queen, you have governed us with fear of failure, and the pursue of your own desires that you claim are for the betterment of the hive.”

“HOW DARE YOU!” the queen all but screamed as she struggled in her gooey bindings. “I am the only thing keeping this hive thriving, I am the one that knows what it takes to lead you mulling grubs! And without me, your all nothing! You hear me, NOTHING! I. Am. Your. QUEEN!”

“Not any more you’re not.”

Chrysalis gritted her teeth so hard against each other, that one could swore they could hear them crack and chip against one another. Then, the queen released such a harrowing, and unbearable screeching sound that it forced the group to cover their ears, but even in doing so couldn’t block out the queen’s horrid screams completely. But little did the group know, that the scream wasn’t just one of frustration and anger, it was also a signal to arms for the entire hive. And to come to her rescue. And not even a few seconds had gone by since she screamed, and that the six ponies, Thorax, and the other traitor changelings saw a large swarm of armored changelings come flying towards them!

The group was immediately dog piled, but they didn’t go down without a fight. even without access to their magic, the six ponies were able to fend themselves fairly well, especially Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Starlight as they were capable combatants, heck even Pinkie was doing well. And as they fought the group of ponies were just as proficient as they did during the wedding invasion, heck Fluttershy was even fighting more directly this time, and even managed to buck a changeling guard away. Although her attack sent the changeling crashing through the throne rooms doors. Another surprising sight to behold was the dueling pair of Thorax, with Spike clinging to his back and releases puffs and gouts of fire. Although these two haven’t spent that much time together, the two have connect with each other due to their bond with Zack, and it spurred them both to do their best to save their common friend. While the fighting was going on, a pair of changelings rushed over to Chrysalis, and started to try and remove the copious amount of goo binding the queen up.

During the fighting the changelings that joined the ponies were able to hold their own, and providing as much assistance to the six mare’s as they could, as they were rendered weaken due to the queens throne. But hopefully that will change soon so long as they can keep Chrysalis and the rest of the hive distracted. Eventually the guards were finally able to free their queen, and the moment that she was un-bounded, Chrysalis shot up to her hooves with her horn emitting so much magic, and a look of rage so potent she could set a forest on fire just by looking at it.

“Bring those traitors to me! I will have their heads on platters once I’m through with them!” the guards did as their queen order, albeit a little begrudgingly, but they still tried to subdue the enemy forces.

“Your majesty!” one of the changelings, the same one that Fluttershy bucked through the doors, came bursting out from the doors and flying over the brawling crowd.

“What is it now!”

“The alicorn princesses…they’re in the throne room, and your throne…they’re attempting to destroy it!”

Chrysalis looked semi-confused, but wasted no time and vaulted over the crowd, and flew towards the throne room. where upon entering she saw Celestia, Luna, and Twilight circling her dark stone throne, horns pulsing with large quantities of magic. all of which was being absorbed by the throne. Now normally the queen would be laughing in this endeavor, however, when she saw that her throne was trembling slightly, and was developing small glowing cracks. She was now more worried than anything else now!

“NO!”

~~Before the Operation~~

“Are you sure that will work?” Twilight asked the old changeling male before the group left for the Badlands.

“Yes.” The old male said. “Very few know about this, but while the throne is capable of absorbing non-changeling magic, it does have its limits. As long as it absorbs at a slow and steady pace, nothing will happen, however…” the old changeling then looked at the three princesses.

“If all three of you pour so much magic direct into the throne, at the same time with great intensity, then the throne will be unable to contain it all…and will end up destroying itself.”

“Then our top priority for this whole mission, is to get the princesses to the throne room, and allow them to destroy the throne.” Flare Sky said as she dawns her helmet.

“Indeed. That is why half of us will go with the guard, and create as much commotion as we can.”

“What about the other half?” Starlight asked.

“The other half of us defectors, along with the council of friendship, will be the first and last line of defense to keep others out of the throne room.”

~~Back in the Throne Room~~

The dark stone throne was covered in various glowing cracks as it shakes and trembles, while the three alicorn princesses pour as much of their magic directly into the throne, as their horns burned like large pyres as they generated enormous amounts of magic. and as the princesses continued to try and break the throne from the inside, Chrysalis stood by the throne rooms entrance, eyes widen with horror as she realizes what it is that the ponies, and the traitorous changelings that allied with the ponies were up to. So in a bout of fear, and a cry of panic the queen flew as fast as she could over to the three alicorns in an attempt to stop them. but the princesses gave one final push of magic, pouring to their utmost limits causing the throne to start crumbling away, and glow with prismatic light.

Then, as Chrysalis was a dozen or so feet from the three royals, the throne erupted in a barrage of light and stone fragmentation. Knocking back the queen, and the three alicorns, as well as tearing a large hole into the side of the hive’s structure encapsulating the throne room. the force of the explosion was so vast and powerful, the backlash caused the entire hive to shake and quake, ceasing the fighting outside, causing all of the combating changelings and ponies to be knocked onto their side, and be covered in debris. With the new skylight now created out of the throne rooms wall, the light of the sun shine through the dark clouds, departing them, and showing Twilight, Celestia and Luna slowly recovering from the explosion. All three of them showing signs of heavy exhaustion as they all stand up, or at least attempt to.

“Luna…Celestia…” Twilight said through heavy breathing. “Are you two, alright?”

“I’m…fine Twilight.” Celestia says as she tries to stand, but falls to her stomach. “Sister, what about you?”

“Alive but, thoroughly, exhausted.” Luna pants as she lays on her side. Then from a nearby pile of rubble, the three princesses saw Chrysalis burst from the pile, hissing, and snarling as her eyes scanned the area. Stopping as she takes notice at the state of her throne room.

“…what have you, DONE!” Chrysalis screamed as she looked at the three alicorns, who all forced themselves to get to their hooves. “You’ve destroyed my throne! You will pay for—”

The queen was stopped in mid-sentence as her body was covered in a teal magical aura. Looking around the throne room, the queen searched for the source and found the unknown light purple unicorn’s horn glowing with the same magical aura. The rest of Twilight’s friends slowly recovered from the explosion, soon followed up by the defector changelings, as well as Thorax and Spike. The rest of the changelings that fought the infiltration party soon recovered, but were all to shaken up from what just happen to immediately go straight back into the fight.

“It’s over Chrysalis.” Starlight said as she tried to keep her focus to keep the queen in her magical grasp. “Surrender, and return Zack to us.”

“…” the changeling queen remained silent as her whole body trembled, not because of fear, but because her rage was reaching new heights.

“If you surrender now Chrysalis, you will be treated fairly in a court of law, and your hive will be able to—”

“Never…” Chrysalis cut Celestia off as she narrowed her eyes as she stares off into the distance. “The day that I, Queen Chrysalis, ruler of all the changelings, kneels down and surrenders to lowly ponies…is the day I DIE!”

A blinding flash of vibrant green light exploded from Chrysalis horn. The light was so intense, that every pony, and changeling cried out in pain as their eyes stung, causing them all to cover their eyes. And with her focus broken, Starlight’s magical grasp on the queen faltered and then eventually breaking. Now that she was free, Chrysalis quickly flew towards the new gaping hole in the throne rooms hall, and began flying off into the distance just as the ponies and changelings regained their sight. Once everypony was able to see again, they all looked around for the queen, and when they looked outside they all saw that the queen was a spec in the distant.

“Horse apples! She got away!” Applejack swore as she tossed her hat down onto the ground.

“Don’t worry, now, there isn’t much where she can hide.” Celestia said as she managed to get her strength back. “But we’ll deal with her later, for the time being lets do what we initial came her to do.”

“Hold it!” one of the changeling guards said as he stood before the group, looking a little shaken up. “…W-what’s going to happen to us?” Thorax gave a comforting smile to the guard, as well as the other changelings that also looked worried.

“Don’t worry, the princesses promised to look over the hive, and the changelings in it.”

“But how do we know we can trust them.” another guard asked, looking skeptical.

“I assure you guard; the princesses will be far better rulers than Chrysalis. At least, we won’t have to cower in fear on being brutally punished for failing anything.” One of the defectors said as she rubbed her right foreleg, which has a large scar on it.

The changelings seemed to be having some trouble trusting the others, but they at least seem willing to trust the others. And given that their queen has, essentially abandon them, the changelings didn’t really have much of an options. While the defector changelings tried to reassure their fellow hive members to trust them, and the princesses, as well as leaving to find the distraction party and inform them as what has just transpired, the rescue team made their way up to the queens private chambers. With Twilight carrying her friends in her restored magical aura, while Thorax lead the way. Within a few minutes the group made it to Chrysalis’s private chambers, with the door laying on the floor, and through the opening the group can see Zack, still fast asleep on the bed. rushing inside they all gathered around the bed, and as they did so they saw Zack start to toss and turn a little.

“Zack.” Twilight says as she gently shakes her look-a-like, trying to get her to wake up.

“Zack, it’s Twilight. Wake up. We’ve come to rescue you.” The sleeping alicorn rolled onto her other side, and as she does so, the group watch as the violet mare slowly starts to wake up.

But as the mare lays up and looks at the group, they all felt their hearts ache as they saw the heavy bags under the mare’s eyes, as well as the tear stains coating her fur. But as the ponies and dragon felt their chest tighten at seeing Zack’s disheveled state, Thorax felt completely disheartened and dropped to the floor…as he saw the glowing green hue coating Zack’s eyes. And the moment that the captured alicorn spoke, her words made all of the ponies feel just as disheartened as Thorax, as Zack’s voice was hollow…broken…and unfeeling as she looks at them all.

“How can I please you today…my queen~”