Chapter Seven: Regrets of a Pony

With Abzan now resting in his bunk with Winter standing watch over him, she couldn’t help but wonder how he was going to deal with Rocket with the amount of injuries he sustained the other day. She knew they were running out of time, she could feel it in her antenna’s and with no one to lead them out of this, she had no choice but to recruit others from the other hives to join their cause and help rebel a lot sooner than expected.

“Abzan… I know you said to wait… but I don’t want to see you get hurt anymore. I’m going to show you that I can be as strong as both you and Clover.” She said, staring at the sleeping form of Abzan with determination, knowing that she was going against her comrade’s plan and risking her friendship with him, but she knows that if she does succeed, he’ll forgive her…

Right?

Winter stood over Abzan and leaned down over him, staring at him lovingly. ‘I promise, once this is all over, I’ll tell you… what I’ve been feeling, Abzan.’

She continued to look at him, tempted to plant her lips on his, but the more she looked at him, the more painful and difficult was to go through with it. However, the stallion laying below started to stir, startling her as backed up, but he had only shifted his head over.

“Phew…” She whispered, before the door to their cell opened up and Ignitus stood there with two medical ponies behind him. She couldn’t help but hiss as she took up a defensive stance.

“They are only here to make sure his wounds are taken care of… For the meantime, I suggest you get back to work.” Ignitus said sternly as his horn started to glow, his magic wrapping around what appeared to be the handle of a rapier on his side. “Last thing I want to do today is splatter another changeling’s blood on the floor.”

“You know there's no happy ending for you… You know that right?” Winter said, trying to spite him in some way, but his expression remained the same.

“Leave. Now.”

With a huff, she trotted right past him as he closed the doors behind him to let the nurses check on his vitals and injuries while he waited outside, watching the northern changeling trot away towards the mines.

“Changelings… it’s your fault that I’m here to begin with.” He muttered, pulling out a cigarette from under his coat and lighting it with his horn.

With so many changelings now in the mines, harvesting gems for some reason, it became apparent that the security had grown quite significantly as well. However, as Winter witnessed, this didn’t stop Rocket from subjugating the Jungle Changelings and once again dominating those who had challenged him. There were also the Hughful changelings that had also arrived with the Jungle Changelings, mostly keeping to themselves as they chipped away with their pickaxes in hoof.

“Hey, Clover… Um… I know we haven’t exactly gotten along, but do you think you can help me talk to… those guys over there?” She asked the smaller female changeling kindly, but only received a snarl in response.

“Listen… I get you are close to Abzan, but seriously… get back to your hive. Last thing we want is for Rocket to come over here and beat us to the ground.” Clover responded, as the rest of Chrysalis hive continued to chip away at the gem shards.

“Please, this is for Abzan’s sake.”

“Just fuck off already.” She responded.

“No, this is to help him… help us get out of here, but… I can’t do this without you. I need your help.” She explained, trying her best to keep her voice down, but still on the verge of crying to which Clover couldn’t help but wince at her.

“FUCK… Fine, just what is it that you’re proposing bitch.” She said, throwing her pickaxe down, mumbling to herself as Winter just grinned in victory. “Seriously, you should ask your hive to help you.”

“I’ve already been banished from mine, since I’ve been with Abzan so much and trying to find a way to break out of this hell hole.” Winter explained as Clover rolled her eyes in response.

The two soon made their way over to the other side of the mines and noticed that there were quite a few more Hughful changelings then anticipated, like there were more added today. Their numbers had more than doubled, and lots of them were just as bad as the first batch added, and most of them were already glaring at each other when they had entered, the two colors split down the middle and claiming their own portions of their mine.

“Look Snowy, are you sure you know what you're doing.” Clover asked, snarling at the tanish changelings surrounding the two of them.

“It’s Winter… And yes, they are the only ones that haven’t been put in their place by Rocket.” She whispered.

“Oh look, it’s one of the exposers! And they’ve brought one‘o them snobby snowflakes!” One of the purple eyes changelings hissed, and most of the Hughful changelings turned to meet their gaze.

“We aren’t here to cause trouble…” Winter explained. “My name is Winter, I’m from the North, we want to talk.”

“Well, tell your alpha that if he wants to boss us around, he can come here and we’ll show him what his pack mentality means to us!” A green eyed changeling said, sounding more femanine than the first.

“I’m not a part of the Northern Hive anymore… What we want is to form an alliance with you. You’re Hive and Chrysalis’ hive form a pact and show the others that we can work together.” Winter explained, as Clover’s eyes widened in surprise, but knew if she said something now, they’d put themselves at risk.

The Hughful Hive was silent at first, until a laugh bellowed from the far right. The purple eyed changelings parted as a burned changeling stepped forward, eyes narrow and fangs bared in a toothy, vindictive grin. He was physically the bulkiest of the purple changelings, who weren't very imposing to begin with, but he seemed to be the oldest out of the purple changelings.

“Little ‘ling, you’re very naive if you came to our hive for an alliance. Especially if you think any changeling worth a damn would cozy up to one of Chrysalis’ hive!” He barked.

“And what’s wrong with us!!! You deformed carcass sprite!!!”

“Why do you think we’re in here to begin with!? Your hive attacked Canterlot and exposed us!” The changeling hissed.

“At least our queen was willing to try to harvest love for us… unlike your hiv- Wait I mean HIVES…you mindless cannibals. And let’s not forget your stupid civil war that is still going on to this day!!!” Clover argued, baring her fangs and her wings buzzing rapidly.

“And whose hive is it that became friends with Equestria after your Ruler tried to invade it again. Your hive abandoned your Queen, so how would either of us trust your hive?” A the green eyed changeling’s head stepped forward, still covered in vines and wearing a tired expression. “And we are not cannibals. The Flesheater half of the hive are the true followers of the Hughful Hive, and we partake in eating the meat of fallen enemies to sustain ourselves when no love is available, as opposed to the Decaying, who consider themselves purists. They’re likely starving themselves out here.”

“And we aren’t undead, brat! We cause decay with poison!” The male changeling snapped grumpily, ignoring the green eyed mare.

“I’m not a brat, and I have a name, it’s Clover, a scouting changeling! Who do you think you are?!”

“Tarsus, Venomite first class of the Decaying, servant of Queen Pestilence.”

“Enough! This is getting us nowhere! We just want to get out of here… We want the same thing, right?”

“Escaping with the help of either of you sickens me… I’d rather die in here, than be anywhere near you miss bred cows.” The purple eyed changeling growled, turning away and lurking away.

The Flesheater considered it for but a moment, before shaking her head. “Even if escape were an option, I unfortunately have to agree with my misled cousin, Tarsus. Even before the Invasion of Canterlot, Chrysalis was disliked by many, and her hive has betrayed the others and put them in jeopardy by allying with the ponies. If our fates are to die, then may our Hive Lord’s be proud of our strength.”

When the rest of the Hughful Changeling returned to their work, Winter let out a sigh of defeat before Clover started to pull her back towards their hive.

However, one of the Hughful Changelings, who had a long scar over his eye and torn ear on his left side, the frills on his head were ripped up and had large claw marks on his chest. He looked at the two of them and couldn’t help but shake his head in response, gaining the attention of Tarsus.

“Tarsus, work with them… Will free changelings… Our Queen left us to die.”

“You… forget your place, Malice.”

“No, Tarsus forget we have no place… In old home. Left to die by brothers and sisters, Malice was tortured by ponies for a long time… long time. Changelings must fight ponies, not changelings!” Malice argued, ready to start fighting Tarsus before he was stopped by another changeling, one with green eyes.

The vine coated changeling glared at Malice. “If you so choose, then you may leave the hive. Your treacherous words are not welcomed.”

“Stay out of my affairs, Cetacean!” Tarsus snarled.

The Flesheater rolled her eyes dramatically. “I just didn’t want the Venomites to maul the poor thing. He’s taken after Rocket in his time away from the Hughful’s.” She gestured with her head towards Clover and Winter. “You’ll not change a Decaying or Flesheater’s mind through violence, Malice. Our ideals are very much divergent from yours.”

“GO! Fuck yourself!” Malice said clearly, upsetting the mare as she herself bared her fangs at him. “Malice, fights for changelings… not old hives.”

“Then leave, traitor.” Tarsus snarls, spreading his legs in a hostile stance, while Cetacean retreated.

“Traitor here… is you runt.” Malice hissed, towering over the younger changeling as he bared his fangs at him, before pulling out his pickaxe and getting back to work.

The atmosphere tensed as Tarsus battled with his emotions. He wanted so badly to rip Malice to shreds for the sheer amount of insults, but wasn’t sure he could actually take on the older changeling. He was only in charge because the other Venomites despised Malice for his traitorous thoughts, but the fact that Tarsus hadn’t eaten anything since he had arrived had already weakened him. He ended up deciding against outright physically assaulting him, but decided it was worth it to send a purple wad of spit at Malice’s hooves. For pettiness’ sake.

Malice ignored him and decided to continue his work to help his hive out, even though they believe to be divided, they were more alike than they think. Only one thing coursed through his mind instead of rage towards his hive.

‘Ponies will pay… Malice will kill striped pony… No more pain for changelings. Kill them all.’ He thought to himself as he swung his pickaxe with all his might and broke off a huge chuck of the gem he was working on with two others beside him.

Once the medical staff were done treating the changeling named Abzan, Ignitus began to make his way over towards his office, until he noticed Clipper Shoe with Dr. Weaver and Ltn. Magnet Shot coming down the halls. With a salute he greeted his commanding officer and the head scientist of their facility.

“Ltn. Magnet Shot, Doctor… I was not aware you would be here today.” Ignitus stated, with Clipper scoffing at his superior officer after yesterday’s incident.

“Dr. Weaver says she wants us to start gathering changelings from each Hive for the experimental enhancement testing. She wants us to start converting those mindless beasts into useful infiltrators for other hives and bring them down from within.” Magnet Shot explained, turning towards the good doctor who only smirked at the two stallions. “Which I am against…”

“Sir, with all due respect… I don’t think that would be wise-”

“I’m afraid it’s not up to Magnet here second Ltn. Ignitus… Both me and Dr, Solitude decide what goes on within our facilities. You handsome, need to remember your place.” Weaver explained, gently caressing the red stallion’s cheek as he shuddered in disgust which disappointed the mare. “Besides, from what I’ve read from your files you should be thrilled… After all wasn’t it a changeling that-”

“Be careful with what you say next Zebra… It’s one thing to capture and punish these parasites, but they are still living creatures. They should be judged accordingly by the Crown for their actions against the citizens of Equestria.” Ignitus argued, but none of them reacted to his statement about the Crown and both Clipper Shoe and Weaver decided to trot past him.

“Ignitus… The one who should be careful is you. After all, you wouldn’t want anything to happen to your son now right?” Magnet threatened before trotting past him as Ignitus stood there in disbelief that his superior officer was going along with what the crazy zebra was saying.

“Magnet… You know this is wrong, you even said you’re against it… So why allow this?” Ignitus asked, glaring at his Lieutenant as he stopped in his place before turning his head to face the red unicorn.

“Even if I’m against this… what can we truly do against those who have greater power and authority. However, despite how cruel and violent our actions are… We are doing this for the greater good of Equestria. So pull yourself together soldier, soon you’ll have even more time to spend with your son once everything is put into motion.” Magnet Shot explained before taking his leave once more, leaving the unicorn alone with his thoughts.

‘Faerie… Am I doing the right thing?’

Author's Note

Sorry for the long wait guys, been busy Irl and I just want to thank my friend for helping me write this chapter. It was fun exploring yet another Hive within the prison and there are still other hives that I need show their cultures and how they do things.

I'll try to post another chapter soon, but I'll probably save it after New Years. I hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas and will have a wonderful new year.