Strange Bedfellows

A hiss escapes my lips as the Nurse dabs my wounds, "Stop being such a baby, it's just some disinfectant." she scolds irritably, "Your lucky that's all you need after attacking a god." she adds as she wipes my face with a damp cloth and applies some bandages, "There, all done for now, does the baby want a lollipop?"

"You know... My blood sugar does feel a little low..." I say as I look at her slyly, only to get an amused shake of her head as a response, "But I'll make due." I finish offhandedly as I stand up and walk to the door, "Thanks though, now I have to see your esteemed leader for a nice chat..." The smile drops off of my face as I turn away and walk down the corridor. "Yes... A nice LONG chat."

I arrive to hear the Queen in a heated discussion with voice I couldn't readily identify, I lean against the wall and calmly wait outside of the throne room and play a guessing game as to the identity of newcomer. The game didn't last that long because the only names I knew were either Changling designations, human, or names of creatures that Chrysalis would be trying to kill by now. I lean against the wall right by the door and try to eavesdrop, but they are a little too far away for me to make out most of their conversation.

"... I told you we can't even support..." that was Chrysalis.

"... Just a few... We need the reinforcements!" The unidentified voice pleads.

"I TOLD YOU NO!" Chrysalis' voice thundered through to doors, causing me to jump back in shock.

"YOU MADE A PACT, YOU HAVE TO!" The unidentified voice retorted.

"YOU ARE DISMISSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, GUARDS!"

"You cannot do this, YOU MADE A PACT WITH US!"

"And when I can fulfill my end, I will." A creature that stood about as tall as me walks out of the Throne room with two Changlings walking just behind him, My jaw drops when I notice it was bi-pedal and VERY disgruntled. It's face is canine, maybe a pug or boxer that looked like it got hit by every single car on the ugly train, and it's arms end with two paw like hands, and it's clothes are rather ragged, dirty, and it smells like an old iron smelter.

"Are you their latest pet?" It asks as it stops and inspects me like I was a not-so-choice donkey at a horse auction.

"What?" I droll out stupidly.

"Just as I though, not worth my time." It scoffs with finality as it walks away.

"What the fuck is his problem?" I ask the air.

"He's just angry because we can't help him." The air answers back in a voice that sounds suspiciously like Chrysalis'.

I turn and face the sound, and lo and behold, it WAS Chrysalis. "Why can't you hel- why am I asking THAT, you lied to me, that's why I'M angry!" I say as I throw my arms in the air, "That repressed thing, that was bullshit, you knew what was going to happen and THAT'S why you tried to stop me!"

"No, I didn't lie to you..." She replied with alot less gusto then I expected, "I just had a feeling in my gut that it was a bad idea." She looks off to the side sadly and I can't help but feel a little sorry for her... after all she was the one who lost her mother to a crazed god.

I sigh loudly before saying, "Look, I-I'm sorry about your mother, I'm sorry about this whole thing..." I place my hand on her shoulder and she looks back at me with the same sad, dejected look, "If it will take that look off your face I'll help you, OK?"

"I can't ask you to do that!" she replies as she hops in place and her wings buzz excitedly, "It's too dangerous."

I look over her shoulder, straight at her wings, and thought, "Oh my god, that's so adorable!", then she blushes and looks to the side, then I realized that I hadn't hid that at all... Oops. "None the less!" I carry on with more gusto then is needed, "I have a debt to pay, and I will pay it!" I bring my triumphant fist down from above my head and place it back on her shoulder as I smile at her and say, "I never asked to be here, but I want to help you."

Chrysalis nods nervously as she smiles and says, "I really don't want you to be in any danger..." She looks at my expectantly and I just smile at her like a love struck simpleton, then she adds with a defeated sigh, "But if you insist, then I can't stop you..."

I pat her shoulder happily and ask in a bad Irish accent "What can I do for yah?"

*-*

I sigh angrily as I scrub at the pot of caked on... stuff, "We're low on dishwashers." I say mockingly, "We need you to help keep the food flowing." I sigh again with even more irritation as I scrub even harder, "What did they cook in this thing, CEMENT!?" I toss it into the sink and hang my head. "This isn't what I meant when I said "I'll Help."" The cook behind me giggled.

"Looks like your hav'n all the fun in the world, huh?" he asks in what I could only assume to be a southern drawl, "When your done there, the stores need organizing-" He gives me a look that doesn't have even a trace of mirth, "-REALLY badly..."

I sigh defeatedly, "Fine... but then I'm having a talk with Chrysalis..."

*-*

"A month has passed and I STILL haven't talk to her... And that ugly fuck is still here, what does he do, DANCE?!" I mumble to myself as I order the weapon racks in the storage room. "Spear goes here, Halberd goes here, helmet goes here... HOW DID THIS GET HERE?!" I shout in confusion as I pick up a pacifier and stare in horror at the huge diaper in the corner, and with a mental click I drop the pacifier and hop back... and fight the urge to vomit. "Okay... Time to have a little chat with my host..." I think to myself as I hurry out of that den of debauchery.

I head straight to the janitors closet to find some bleach to scald my hands with and, when I don't find any, I try to not to think about it as I hurry to the Throne room to have a little talk. Long before I actually reach my objective I can hear the occupants... Every night this happens.

"We need your help!" Dog Face shouts at Chrysalis, "You made a pact and that is not something you can just throw away on a whim!"

"I am well aware of that, Raul, but we can't spare the people right now... I really wish we could help, Honestly." And she did honestly feel that way, I could feel her pity and sorrow even through her diminished link.

"These are lies designed to trick us as you suck us dry!" "Raul" shouts

"HOW DARE YOU INSULT US!?" Chrysalis' voice boomed, "WE ARE THE REASON YOU RESISTANCE EXISTS!" I reach the doors and stop just outside of them with my hands hovering over the handles, "If your mentor could see you now, he'd be-"

"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK OF HIM, INSECT, HE WAS ONE HUNDRED TIMES THE LEADER YOU WILL EVER BE!" Raul's voice thunders, I open the doors and watch as Chrysalis stands up and, as her wings buzz adorably once more, she stalked down the stairs infront of her throne.

"I DO NOT TAKE KINDLY TO BEING INSULTED, FOOL!" This isn't going to end well.

Raul takes a single step forward, so his face is inches from her's, "RESPECT THE PACT!" I need to do something

"WHEN I CAN SPARE THE PEOPLE, I WILL!" I clear my throat loudly and Raul turns around violently as Chrysalis' eyes flick up to me and instantly lose all of their fire, "No, you can't!"

"If I go, then you-" I point at Raul, "-Will have a direct line to her-" I point at Chrysalis,"-ear" I say quietly in a matter-of-fact tone, "And I," I think to myself, "Will never have to deal with diapers again..." I repress a shiver as I look at the two expectantly.

They answered at the same time, abet in to different tones, "NO!" his was an indignant shout, and her's, a fearful plea.

"I refuse to be so blatantly insulted!" Raul continued, "What can you do, huh?!" he walks up to me and pokes me in the chest.

"I can kick your ass, fuck face." I state in a calm and relaxed tone as I shift my weight and cross my arms, "Wanna try me?"

Raul was dumbstruck, and when he realized he had been insulted (which took a tad too long), his face contorted in rage, "Why you lit-" He steps forward and then he hovers to the side as he glows a bright green.

"No, I won't allow you to do this!" Chrysalis says as she shouts through the mind, "What are you doing?!"

"Well, it's the best way, so you should." I respond calmly as I retort mentally, "What has to be done."

"I'm not going to allow such a blatant insult!" Raul shouts as he stalks over to us and glares into my face before continuing, "What can a little, weak THING like you do that will help?!"

"Well, for starters I am rather versed in the art of war, what with it being my major and everything, then there's the fact I could kill you right now with a flick of my wrist-" Raul's face hardens immediately "-I said I could, not that I will... Then there's the fact I owe my esteemed host my life several times over." I end as I calmly gesture to Chrysalis.

Raul opens his mouth to protest, only to have Chrysalis cut him off with a wave of her hoof, "If you feel you owe me so much, then you should listen to what I am saying... Which is no."

"I owe you my life and my loyalty... but I'll decide how it's best used, he needs a direct line to your ear, and I need to do something more-" I gesture vaguely, "-Material."

Raul burst, "I WILL NOT HAVE THAT THING BE YOUR ONLY SUPPORT!"

Neither me nor the Queen in front of me even turn our heads at him as we both argue loudly with each other for all the Mind to hear. "I will not have you be put in danger just to placate this fool!" Chrysalis growls.

"I will not have myself IN danger, I'll only be a ambassador for him to get a hold of you through."

"That worked So well last time, don't you think?" She retorts venomously

"And *THAT** would have hurt more if it was less accurate..."* I say in mock injury, then I carry on in a more serious tone of voice, "Look, I don't trust this guy as far as I can throw him, which is about a foot, but you need eyes and ears in his power structure that circumstances don't normally allow, Changlings can only assume equine forms, so this is the best choice of action... besides, I might get a chance to smack him and I couldn't pass that up for all the chocolate in the world."

I could feel Chrysalis' amusement, which is quickly crushed, as her face melts into a granite slab as she pulls her head and, with a disinterested flick of her head, she says, "Raul... It looks like you have a new guest," Raul glares at her and raises a paw with it's funny looking claw pointing at her, but she cuts him off by saying, "Several in fact... You'll get the Changlings, and supplies, you have been hounding me for... But only because He-" She gestures at me coldly, "-convinced me."

Raul's entire demeanor does a one eighty, "Ah, I see that you are quite capable of seeing reason!" he says with a bow, "How soon can I return home and resume fighting out oppressors?"

Chrysalis is silent for a moment as commands and requests were sent through the Mind, then she says, "About a week... maybe less..." Raul dances, DANCES, out of the room as he claps and thanks her profusely.

"You will not be disappointed!" is his last parting statement before he disappears in the hallway and the door shuts behind him.

"Oh, how I loath that pathetic creature." Chrysalis sighs behind me, I turn to face her and notice that her face is buried in her hoof.

"That fuck is nuts." is all I could think to say.

*-*

Six days, close enough to a week not to matter, but even then it seemed like years. I'm absolutely giddy, to go out and see the rest of the world, meet new people, never, EVER, clean that weapons locker again... Life is good. The carts are loaded, the changelings are ready... and Raul is tap dancing, "This is going to be a long trek..." I think to myself, and in technicality it was, over two weeks, probably longer with the carts. I sigh in amused contentment as I lift my clothes onto a cart, "He's not that bad..."

I felt a mental ping, "You ready?" Three Forty Seven asks calmly through the constant buzz.

"Yup!" I say happily as I drop my hand on his shoulder, and earning an irritated look. I look around and notice the throng, "Now, how many are coming with us, I thought we were only taking like twelve?"

"Twelve will be what we reinforce the Diamond Dogs with, but we need-", there was a loud buzzing noise that I thought I would never hear again, "-for the Mind."

I look at him like he just spoke in tongues... which he kind of did, "What the fuck was that?"

"Apparently that word doesn't translate." He says with a chuckle, "They act as... relays for the Mind, it doesn't have an unlimited range, you know."

"I knew that..." I lie through my teeth, "I just didn't understand the word." Three Forty Seven just chuckles again and walks up the the carts as he summons everyone to the carts.

"Everypony here?" I shouts out.

"God, I hate that word." I think quietly to myself.

Three Forty Seven rambles out a list of nam- numb- designations and marks down when there is a response, I on the other hand was looking out at the pissing rain through the cavern mouth, It was dark, dreary, and did I mention the rain?

"That looks like everyone, lets go," My companion says as he taps my shoulder, "I'll need your help to strap in."

"Alright!" I say with enthusiasm as I turn away from the caver- "OH GOD!" I flew back about five feet from the ugly mug that was right in my face seconds prior. "When the FUCK did you get there?" I shout as I bring my arms down and plant my left foot once more in the dirt.

Raul just pulls his head back a little and says, "You've got a strong mouth."

"And you look like you've been beaten with the ugly stick!" Did I mention I don't like him?

"That was hurtful, but I'll forgive you, because I want you to forgive me..."

"Who in the what now?" I am genuinely shocked by this claim, I've met many people like him before and not ONE as apologized to me.

"I was acting like a brash fool before," He looks to the side sadly, "I'm just worried about my people, every day I'm gone is another day they are leader-less."

All I could do is look at him, I feign speechlessness but I'm really putting him under the scope. His body language was saying that he was sorry, his words were saying he was sorry, Hell, his AIR was saying he was sorry. I hold out my hand, "Sure why the fuck not?" He shakes it once, sharply, a good shake

"Good, now lets be off!" He says, then he spins on his paw and marches off happily.

"Fucker is still nuts..." I mumble to myself as I walk over to the lead cart and find my companion already strapped in and ready.

"What took you so long?" Three Forty Seven asks calmly

"I'm not quite sure myself." I answer truthfully as I test the straps on his back.

"Thanks, now I think you should say goodbye." He gestures vaguely in my direction.

"Eh?" I look over my shoulder and find myself face to face with the Queen of the hive. After a moment, with my eyes the size of dinner plates and a pulled back head I utter a single syllable, "Sup?"

She doesn't do much of anything as she says emotionlessly, "I am well, yourself?"

"I'm not too bad..." I trail off uncertainly as I look to the side and rub the back of my head. Silence prevails for a few moments before I look her in the eye and say quietly, "Look, this is something that has to be done."

"I agree with you." She responds equally as... lifelessly, "Otherwise I wouldn't have sent my Changlings with you." I nod as I blush brightly.

"Yeah... I should have thought of that." I berate myself mentally and we just stare at each other for a few more seconds and I think a Changling makes a sawing motion in the air, then I burst out, "I'mgonnamissyou,okay?"

"I'll miss you too" She responded quietly.

"We should get going..." I mumble quietly as I rub my neck nervously.

"Yes, you should... Good bye." I think I catch a hint of a sad smile before she turns around and walks away.

After a silent moment of me watching her walk away, two things happen; First, I notice that the ENTIRE cave was silent, and; Second... "THAT was smooth, Champ," Two Sixty Three says sarcastically as he rests his elbow on my shoulder as he hovers in the air, "Remind me to come to you when I need to learn some moves." and with that he was off.

"Could this day get any worse?" I think to myself as I turn around.

The gods heard me, and they can go fuck themselves, because when I turned around things got ALOT worse.