Prologue: The Swarm Needs a Queen
(Note, i am not going to be the only author for this, if you would like in on this project, just let me know via pm and I'll add you to the queue)
Prologue: The Swarm Needs a Queen
By: Steampunkbrony
“Oh where did you run off to now angel...” A yellow pegasus worriedly muttered as she trotted through the Everfree Forest, unaware of her small... following.
The Overlord stopped as the pegasus reached a clearing. Is she the one? It asked, it's psionic question reaching the overmind.
Yes... she is. That world can hide a colony, but my demise is imminent, and the new Queen will be slave to the will of the dark one... alas that means the hidden colony will need a queen, one with a strong will and the want to protect her children. the reply echoed in the ultralisk's brain, the words of its leader laced with sadness. The zerg will be destroyed, I will die, but you, the last colony, will survive the purging and continue the quest given to me by the Xel'naga. The dark one cannot reach you there, and the Protoss do no know of that world. The Terrans are many years from even knowing about that sector of space... They are nearing, my destruction is close... my children, you know what you must do. Please... treat her gently, that small mercy is all I can offer her... I hope for all our sakes this works. Now go, ensure your freedom. I have freed you from the dark one, but you must ensure your freedom.
It will be done, for the good of the swarm... the Overlord responded, relaying commands to the Hydralisks and Mutalisks under it's command.
“A-angel?” Fluttershy called out quietly, she had been having the feeling that she was being watched for a while now.
*snap*
Fluttershy turned to the direction the sound had come from, the distinct sound of dry wood snapping drawing her attention. “A-angel... was that you? P-please... come on now... ”
She froze as she heard the sound of large wings flapping in the distance. Much closer was the sound of something slithering through the underbrush, something large. She gave a soft 'meep' noise as she darted away from the direction of the sound.
Her hooves thundered agains the floor of the forest, the sound of the wings getting louder as an alien screech was heard behind her and to her side. She veered away from the noise, fighting the scream she wanted to give, knowing it would only help whatever was chasing her. She felt the forest floor change right before she tripped over something squishy.
Pulling herself to her hooves she started to run again but then she noticed the forest around her. The ground was covered in some kind of fleshy purple substance. “Wha-what is this?”
A line of small cracks in the ground started to snake closer towards her as she looked around, breathing heavily. Too late she heard the earth moving as a fleshy tendril shot out and jabbed into the base of her neck, the hidden infestor unburrowing as her mind went blank.
Take her to the Hive and begin her metamorphosis, the free swarm needs a queen, and the Overmind has chosen her. The overlord commanded. I only hope she'll forgive us... it thought as the pony was led into a nearby cave
The Queen of Hope
Chapter 1: Metamorphosis
by:Steampunkbrony
and
DiabolicGnome
The Overmind prepared this for her... Is our leader gone? The Hive's conscious asked as the Overlord followed the Infestor through the cave system. Within the room before them was an open chrysalis and numerous worker drones.
I believe so... The Overmind gifted us with intelligence so we could complete his will without his full guidance as the other broods needed... I only hope we do not fail in this. We are few in number and cannot grow until she is finished her metamorphosis. The Overlord replied as the pony was placed in the chrysalis. Withdraw the creep from around the cave and hide the entrance. Send out the scouts to patrol the area, but ensure they stay hidden. We want to remain hidden for as long as possible.
I wonder what she will look like when the metamorphosis is complete, I hope she keeps those wings of hers, they do look rather nice... The Hive thought aloud.
And you say I'm strange... The Overlord said, making a strange huffing sound that could be classified as laughter.
I'm not the one who had a Zergling steal a giant nightcap for... the Hive replied, one of the nearby drones it was using to relay its thoughts giving off an odd chittering noise.
A nearby Hydralisk looked back and forth between the drone and the Overlord, grumbling to itself I hope new leader isn't like them... they insane...
Warmth surrounded Fluttershy as her mind started to reboot itself. The back of her neck was sore but the pain was fading quickly, so she didn't think much of it. Mmm... this feels nice... I think I'll just sleep here... she thought as consciousness once more fled the pegasus, leaving her to pleasant dreams.
Do you think she'll turn out like the queen of blades? The Hive asked as the chrysalis filled with liquid.
The Overmind said the infestation wouldn't alter her mind much. It would only enable her to hear us, and lead us when the time comes. The Overlord said. Why he told me this and not you I am unsure.
Perhaps he felt I have enough on my mind taking care of the brood in his absence and felt you would be a better teacher?
Perhaps... The Overlord replied as the chrysalis finished filling. He could see the pony inside stir for a moment and then relax within the liquid as tendrils snaked up from the bottom of the chrysalis, attaching themselves to various points on the pony's body. You know... I wonder if that hurts...
I don't think it does... The Infestor that had brought the pony in said as it watched. Then again, I'm not the one having tendrils jab into my body...
Well, not much we can do now but wait... hmm... from the sounds of things the Ultralisks are about to have a round of Baneling volleyball.
Ooh, I don't wanna miss that, last time they almost brought the cave down on themselves.
You really don't like them do you?
What? After nearly being trampled by those morons of course I hold a grudge.
I am beginning to see why the Terrans fight amongst themselves so much... free will is a dual edged blade... The Overlord thought aloud as the Infestor skittered off to watch the dangerous round of 'Baneling volleyball'. At least the Zerglings and their evolutions are still obedient, otherwise things would be very interesting. It thought as it floated into a small cave high up the chamber that it had claimed as its own. It sleepily ordered the two Zerglings it kept up there to watch the door, after they had helped it get its nightcap on, of course.
The following was written by Diabolical Gnome
Fluttershy felt the comforting warmth around her, her mind shaking of the dregs of sleep. She began to stretch out her hooves, they are almost fully extended when she felt them bump something. Her eyes opened and her vision was filled with a milky green fluid that stung her eyes slightly. The top of the Chrysalis burst open splattering some of the slime onto the ceiling and the floor.
Fluttershy slowly crawled out of the cocoon before regurgitating some of the fluid she had swallowed “that tasted horrible” she thought to herself. She looked around the dark room for a few seconds trying to let her eyes adjust. Before they had the chance two piercing red eyes appeared in the darkness.
Fluttershy stood still petrified as the Zergling crawled down the wall closing the distance between her and it faster than thought possible. The Zergling began to salivate as it got closer to the pony. The Pegasuses mind was a jumble of fear and dread “Please stop” she whispered in her head.
The Zergling stopped dead in its tracks staring intently at the the pony. Fluttershy's hooves covered her face awaiting the inevitable attack that would never come. After a tense minute of nothing she slowly moved her legs away from her face only to see the Zergling standing perfectly still as if it was made of stone.
“Uhh sit?” the Zergling sat down on its hind legs and tilted its head to the left awaiting its next command. “Lay down?” the Zergling laid down on all fours setting its head on its front paws. “Roll over” once again the Zergling obeyed its command and rolled around on the floor “Aww whos a good boy” Fluttershy cheered as she fluttered over and started to scratch the Zerglings head. “Do you think you can help me get out of here?” The Zergling tilted its head from side to side for a second before taking off down one of the dark tunnels.
After nearly half an hour and many twists and turns later the Zergling and the Timid Pegasus stepped into the warm sunlight of the the Everfree Forest. “Thank you little friend you better get home now before your mommy worries about you” she said as she patted him on the head one more time before taking to the air.
Back inside the hive the Overlord and Infestor re entered the cavern with the chrysalis after watching the Ultralisk bring part of the cave down on themselves. The Overlord was the first to notice the pod was empty “Where is she where is the Zergling we had guarding her” he yelled inside his head as he angrily floated over to the pod.
“Queen wake up go to greet queen the queen play with me then queen ask to go outside so take out side queen say good Zergling” The overlord looked up to see the Zergling standing on the ceiling wagging his tail.
“Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu”
Author's Note
Well that took longer than I had hoped. Pardon any errors in this one, Doom hasn't got back to me with the edited version and I decided to go ahead and post it. Next up on the list is NorthernSpirit if they are still up for it. If you want in on this project just fire me a note, the idea is that each different author writes one chapter.
