Hivemind Control

Twilight wasn't sure what the rules for her were anymore. At lunchtime, as she'd skipped breakfast, she hopped out of bed and began to make her way to the door, only to have her hoof bound to the floor. She couldn't protest or explain her actions, either, as her mouth was still sealed. She tried to mime a spoon rotating in front of her mouth in the hopes that doing so would make clear her intent, but no such luck. Unable to return to the bed, she just stood there. She tried to sit down, but her back hoof was unable to bend, so her rear end had to stay upright. She wasn't about to drop just her shoulders to the floor, so standing it would have to be.

This was worse than any cell in any dungeon she'd ever assigned. With those cells, she could at least move around, and would have been given three meals a day. Here, she'd inadvertently lost her right to speak, to sit, and had been denied breakfast and now lunch. The only sound she'd made since having her mouth covered was her stomach growling, and the changeling hadn't stopped staring at her. He'd said nothing in hours, had not moved from the chair, and had barely blinked.

As afternoon rolled around, another changeling entered the room. "I'm your relief," he said to the one sitting in a chair.

"Good. She's been very ill-behaved today, I warn you."

As the first changeling walked out of the room, the new one grabbed Twilight by the mane and brought her over near the chair. "Sit," he bade, and she complied, only to have her front hooves bound to the floor. He did, however, unbind her jaw so she could speak once more. "Now, tell me what you've done wrong today."

"I asked the other changeling what his name was. When he didn't answer, I guessed."

"Carapace doesn't have a sense of humor," explained the new one. "I'm Mandible, by the by."

"Mandible," smiled Twilight. "I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle. I'd shake your hoof, but..."

"Yes, I'm well aware of who you are, Twilight. Cercus has spoken about you at length."

"Do you know where he went?"

Mandible leaned back. "I'm not supposed to tell you that," he said, then glancing at the door, he waved for her to lean in close. "But it's not like you can do anything about it, anyway, so what's the point in hiding it?" he whispered. "He's in Canterlot, setting up for the next stage of the plan. Once he returns, it's my job to go out and finish what he started."

Twilight took a deep breath. "What is the next stage?"

"Oh, no. I really can't tell you that one. He'd have my hide."

"Okay, okay," grumbled Twilight. "Have you met any of the other princesses?"

"The first time I met Princess Luna, she very nearly killed me," he chuckled. "She crushed my trachea, and my spine was all out of use for weeks. Then Shining Armor pulled a sword on me. We've met."

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Twilight lowered her head. "Do you know if they're doing okay?"

Mandible leaned back and rubbed his chin. "Celestia was just fine yesterday, and Luna didn't seem to have any issues about. Cadance was sleeping when I saw her, so whatever she was feeling at the time, I doubt it was agonizing pain."

"And my brother?"

"Haven't seen him in days. Shall we go look for him?"

Twilight stood up, unable to move to the door with her hooves stuck. With a gentle nod, Mandible removed her hooves from the floor and harnessed her up. The lead was shorter than Cercus usually bothered with anymore, reminiscent of her first day in the hive.

She couldn't believe the joy she was feeling, though. Perhaps being stuck to the floor all day had conditioned her to that state, and even the simplicity of being able to leave the room, to talk, even, was all she needed to flood her brain with happiness. She didn't even mind the short leash, as she was at least going somewhere.

They made their way up to where Chrysalis' room was, and there in the corner sat Shining Armor, awaiting orders. No orders would come, as Chrysalis was not in the room at this moment, but Twilight's heart soared when she saw that he was still sitting upright. She walked over to him, as close as Mandible would allow with the lead. She knew not to overstep, but she just wanted to hug him.

"I miss you, Shiny," she said, sitting down as close as she was allowed to go. "I know I didn't visit as often as you'd have liked. I would have come over more often if I'd had the time. Now we're both here, in one place, and all I want for you is to be back in the Crystal Empire, a day's train ride from Ponyville, where I'd need to take several days off just to come see you.

"I know you were scared. I was scared, too. You put on a brave face and went to take care of my problem, hoping that I would... That I could help you with yours. It's harrowing to know that the last thing you ever said to me was 'Stay safe,' and I was unable. I wish... I just wish everything would go back to the way it was."

Mandible walked up to Twilight and put a hoof on her shoulder. "You know he can't hear you, right?"

Twilight wiped a tear from her eye. "Even so, even if he can't hear it, I needed to say it. Not just for him, but for myself. Even if I can't help him, I want to try."

At the door, a malicious chuckle rang out. Chrysalis had arrived. "My, my. First, Carapace tells me you insulted him, and now I find you snooping about my belongings. Is there no low to which you will not sink, Twilight Sparkle?"

Twilight lowered her head, remembering her last encounter with the queen. "I just wanted to check on him."

Chrysalis moved over and brushed Shining's back with her hoof. "I'm afraid you will find that he will not respond to you. he is now my toy, and exists solely for my pleasure. However, I am not as cruel as you may think." Her horn glowed, and the harness disappeared. The door closed and locked as Chrysalis took a seat in a chair similar to Cercus'. "I can share my toy. Come, let's play with your brother."