MLP x ALIENS: Feuding Hives

It was a beautiful, sunny day in the Everfree forest. Among the thick undergrowth, animals scurried for food, and changelings buzzed about without a care in the world. Four weeks had passed since the incident that left the Changelings without a hive, but it seemed the worst was behind them.

In the short time that they had inhabited the abandoned castle of the Everfree forest, the Changelings had made the place their own. Queen Chrysalis had become much more caring over her underlings, and using the love she had absorbed when she finally gave in and submitted to Princess Celestia, she was able to keep her hive fed and healthy.

There came a knock on the castle door, causing Chrysalis' ears to perk up. All of the changelings in this new hive usually entered from the various holes in the ceiling, so a knock at the door was quite unusual.

A few changeling drones pulled the doors open. In the doorway stood a familiar, yet different face. Queen Chrysalis paused, then chuckled to herself with admiration.

"You must be Twilight Sparkle, yes?"

"That's correct, Queen Chrysalis," Twilight responded with a nod. "I've come to welcome you to Equestria, and to congratulate you on your reform. It's nice to see that you've finally accepted friendship, even if under...Less-than-ideal circumstances."

Twilight gave an embarrassed, awkward smile. Queen Chrysalis chuckled once more.

"It's quite the honor, Twilight. I must admit, it does feel nice to finally meet you without having to hurt you."

Twilight laughed to herself. "You and me both, Chrissy, you and me both. You don't mind if I call you that, do you?"

Queen Chrysalis paused, blushing, and turning away with a pout.

"I'd rather you not," She muttered.

"I understand," Twilight spoke with a giggle. "Anyway, I'll be out in Ponyville if you need me for anything. Just make sure to knock first, okay?"

Queen Chrysalis nodded, as Twilight walked to the door and exited.

Outside, Twilight approached the rest of her friends, smiling.

"Weeeell?" Asked an impatient Rainbow Dash. "How'd it go?

"It went perfectly. Queen Chrysalis really is enjoying herself here. I think that she truly has changed for the better."

"Now that's a relief," Responded Applejack at her side. "Guess I done worked myself up for nothin'."

"Does this mean we get to throw them a party?!" Added an ecstatic Pinkie Pie, bouncing along. "With balloons and cakes and--"

"Yes, Pinkie, I think it does," Twilight began. "But, I think we should hold off on that. They've been through a lot, they need some time to rest."

"Darn straight," Added Applejack. "I could do with a lil' rest myself."

"Oh, a little RNR sounds quite lovely," said Rarity with her head held high. "Perhaps you and I could go to the spa, I heard they have this new treatment that is simply divine!"

"Sounds like a done deal," Replied Applejack.

"Perhaps this time, Rainbow Dash would care to join us," Continued Rarity. "Right, Rainbow Dash?"

The pegasus scoffed at the idea. "Me? The Spa?"

Twilight turned to her friends, idly making conversation. "Why don't all of us go? I'm sure we could use it. I mean, we've all been hard at work, especially Fluttershy. She's been taking care of the animals quite a lot as it gets closer to winter..."

Twilight trailed off, pausing.

"Wait a second...Where did she go?"

The other ponies began to realize that Fluttershy, who had just been walking beside them, had disappeared from view. It didn't take long to find her, sat up against a tree, petting a small, shivering fox. She seemed to be comforting the small animal.

"There, there, little one, it's all over now. You're going to be okay, I promise--"

"Uhhh, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash spoke up behind her. "What are you doing?"

"Oh," The shy mare responded, setting down the animal and watching as it bolted off into the undergrowth. "I found this poor little sleeping under a bush, squirming and squealing...Oh, she was having a terrible nightmare...I was just comforting her and telling her it's going to be okay..."

Twilight smiled at her. "That's very kind of you, Fluttershy, but we're going home now, okay?"

Fluttershy nodded, standing up and following the rest of the group as they walked off into the distance.

In the undergrowth, the small little animal squirmed into a small spot under a tree, its nose twitching as it began to nod off. The sleeping fox was blissfully unaware of its surroundings, only focusing on its sleep as the sun began to climb out of the sky and set below the horizon...

The snoozing animal, claimed by sleep, was also blissfully unaware of the heavy, wet thud of a footstep just outside of its hiding spot as a dark figure walked by, before beginning to clamber up the tree. Clawed, four-fingered hands gripped the bark, tearing at it as the huge beast clambered onto a branch, staring down at the new changeling hive. The alien hissed softly, peeling its lips back to reveal its fanged, silvery teeth. Thick saliva dripping from its hungry maw as it tilted its eyeless head to face the castle ruins, staring with an unearthly patience...