The Hive by River's Edgeby RiverfireChaptersA Risky Solution The PrincessNaiad and the warriorsFang and MidnightThe SpyNaiad vs VenomA Queen's Royal GuardThe HiveA Changeling's SongThe Hive Code (Epilogue) A Risky Solution A Risky Solution Fang stalked into the hive with his head down. "why did she send me on such a pointless mission" he grumbled. or a better question. Did she really think he could accomplish it? The hive smelled sweet as always and a clear green goo oozed from the walls. He stopped in-front of the queen’s chamber the opening to it was a large hole in the wall she would kill him he thought dimly. Queen Night wasn't known for being forgiving. The changeling glanced in and took a deep breath. His eyes back and wings where a light lavender which was the Queens color. When he walked into the chamber and looked at her he noted that, as always, her eyes in stark contrast to her personality where kind looking. Her mane was lavender and fell just past her shoulders her wings matched it in color as did her tail which was curled around her hooves. She looked at him "Oh Fang! did you get the egg?" Fang took a deep breath stupid dragon egg “No my queen." he replied struggling to keep calm. She stood up "And why not!?" "It was well guarded my queen" "Did you not try to take it?" "I did my queen" "Then why don't you have it" "I....Failed my queen" She glared. Fang looked down at his hooves. "so" she said slowly "I sent you out to get something and you came back without it" Her voice was dangerously quiet "well" she went on "One thing that can be said is that you are very brave, to face me empty hoofed" she looked at him "still the hive is running low on workers these days so it would be unwise to get rid of you....I think you'll do well working in the hatchery until I find something better to do with you" she finished. "Yes my queen" he said quickly and backed out of the room before she decided to get rid of him as well. The hive's low on workers because you destroy anyone who gets on your nerves he thought angrily. Once out of the queen’s chamber Fang started strait for the hatchery. Hopefully if he kept his head down she would forget about him. A female changeling came out of the queens chamber and caught up with him "I'm surprised you’re still alive" she said smiling. Changelings for the most part look the same in the same hive; they differentiate individuals by smell and voice. The female's voice was high pitched and she smelled faintly like flowers. "So am I" Fang replied calmly. "The queen is crazy!" the female continued. She was watching Fang carefully, he didn't say anything just kept walking. "What do you think?" the female pressed. She could have been sent by the queen to spy on Fang but he didn't think the queen actually thought he was a threat to her rule. He was fairly low rank and she had no real reason to suspect him of being anything but loyal. So why not be honest with this female “I...." Fang stopped walking as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him "I think she'll lead the hive to ruin." he stared at the ground "she only cares about herself" it was dangerous to speak against the queen inside the hive....but Fang had to admit it was true, the queen was supposed to safeguard the well being of the hive and there queen wasn't doing that. "I hoped you would say something like that" the female replied delightedly "My name's Hiss"! "I'm Fang" he replied slowly. "Come with me!" Hiss said and ran off, startled Fang followed her. "I'm supposed to go to the hatchery!" Fang called running to catch up with her. "That's where we're going!" Hiss's reply echoed back to him. After they reached the hatchery Hiss lead him down to the end of it and then glanced around. "What are we doing?" Fang asked. "Shhhhhh!" Hiss replied. "No one is watching follow me." She slipped behind a stack of young eggs and he followed. Where did she go? He glanced around Hiss seemed to have vanished "Here!" came her voice surprisingly soft. He glanced where it had come from and stared at a small tunnel he hadn't even noticed. After a moment he slipped down it. The tunnel opened into a surprisingly large chamber with a lone egg-sack holding a lone egg that looked close to hatching. Hiss was standing next to it "come here" she said watching him carefully. she's afraid he thought looking at her. Fang walked over and glanced at the egg. He froze Changeling eggs are kept in sacks with anywhere from 5-10 eggs in each. While the sacks where a clearish green the eggs where clear so the embryos inside could be clearly seen. This egg was large and its size made it clear it was ready to hatch but, the egg was solid black. "Its a queen egg" he hissed shocked. Hiss nodded "She could solve our problems, she could take over the hive but......I can’t protect her on my own" Fang looked at Hiss and she stared at the ground "I-I need help". "If the queen finds out about this you'll be killed!" Fang said shocked "If I help you I’ll be killed to!" Hiss looked at him "If Queen Night continues to rule the whole hive will die. One by one until only the Queen is left" Hiss said "we need a new Queen and I can’t raise one on my own" Fang looked at the egg and then looked at Hiss the Hive can’t go on like this he thought dimly but if I'm caught it'll be my life He looked back at the egg the princess in that egg might well kill him and Hiss herself when she took the throne. If she took the throne. He closed his eyes but the hive can’t go on like this and a changeling's first loyalty is to the Hive and no one else "Alright." Fang said quietly looking at Hiss again "I'll help you" Author's Note Yay the first chapter If you read it and like it please leave a comment. The PrincessFang woke up and glanced around the dark empty chamber that served as the sleeping quarters for the Hatchery workers. With a yawn he stood up, it was his shift, he could tell because it was the third time since he had gone to sleep that other workers had come off their shifts. It had been 6 weeks since Fang had started hatchery duty and now like every other day he stalked quietly out of the chamber and went to watch the eggs. He paced the hatchery staring dully at one egg after the next for about 6 hours. Finally his shift ended and he trotted over to the little hidden tunnel “Hiss” he growled under his breath. The smell of lavender hit him just before a head popped out of tunnel “Thanks your turn” she growled in reply before vanishing into the hive’s hatchery to start her shift. Grumbling Fang slipped into the tunnel and lay down by the queen egg. The goo sack around it was better kept than any other egg in the hatchery Hiss had done an amazing job protecting the little egg. Fang rolled on his back and watched it. The egg inside the green goo was about half as big as Fang himself and he wondered how big queen eggs got. Drone eggs only got to be a forth the size of a full grown Drone and so the queen egg was already twice the size Fang’s and Hiss’s had been when they had hatched. He’d really only closed his eyes for a moment when a cracking sound woke him up. Fang glanced at the egg “Oh no!” he stood up panicked “Its breaking!” then almost as quickly as he had freaked out he calmed down “No its probably just hatching”. “Wait!” he started pacing “I don’t want to be in here when it hatches” Hiss is probably on her shift by now eventually she will relieve me of watching the egg to a bit of free time which I'll probably spend sleeping with the other workers before my shift. But she isn't here now which leaves me to take care of the hatchling on my own. Thought Fang dimly he waited for the princess to come out of the egg. To his surprise the inside of her egg clouded the goo inside the goo sack so he couldn't see her clearly. Normally the young hatchling could be seen inside the good sack where they would be expected for deformities before being freed. He stood up and bit into the good sack with his teeth before tearing it by shaking his head like a dog with a bone. The goo sack ripped open and the princess fell out with the goo. She was only half his size but still for a baby changeling that was big. Her mane was short for a Queen only coming to her shoulders. It was smooth falling without a wave or curl and coming to a stop in a straight line it had a no-nonsense look to it. Her tail was similar it didn't even curl up first just fell directly down and ended without much drama. Her eyes oddly enough instead of being a Queens green where blue though unlike a drone they had pupils in them and the blue was an iris not a solid blue. Her main, tail, wings and back where silver and there was no mistaking them for grey they shimmered in the dull light of the cavern. Her fangs ended a little before her chin and her ears came to a point though one of them had a hole in it. Her horn only had one hole in it but that had to do with age and was the same reason her legs had none. As a changeling grew in age it gained more holes. She stood up on shake legs and Fang backed away from her a bit and eyed the ground at his feet. I moment latter he heard the shuffle of hooves as she tried to walk for the first time and then a solid Thump as she hit the ground. Don’t laugh Don’t Laugh she’ll kill you Don’t laugh. Fang thought to himself while he bit back giggles, he’d never thought Queens stumbled around as much when they had just hatched as Drones did. “My Queen would you like my help” he offered carefully expecting a baby like noise in reply what he got instead was a reminder that she was a Queen by breed even if she was only a princess at the moment “When I need your help I will ask, and I am not your Queen while you wear another’s colors” she replied in a calm but confident voice. Fang kept his eyes on the ground and reminded himself that while she may stumble around like a new born Drone she wasn't dumb like they were Queens where born with all the knowledge of their ancestors. Thump! she’d hit the ground again. This time he did laugh and only managed to stop himself after a moment. He bit his tongue and stared at the ground he could feel her eyes on him “Sorry my Qu-Princess” Fang said carefully. “Why am I still alive Drone?” she said shortly as if he hadn't laughed. Queen Night would have killed him for that mistake. Now at least he knew what to say the question was a tradition and only had I few answers, “The Queen has lost the desire to work for the well being of the hive princess, she works only for herself” Fang risked a glance at her she was trying to stand again. “How many changelings are in on this?” she asked and Fang stumbled for a moment for an answer he had expected to be questioned further about Night. Thump Fang watched the ground and spoke as if she hadn't fallen again “only me and a female named Hiss she’s the one who brought your egg down here princess.” After a moment he heard her stand again, “and where is Hiss now?” She asked her voice perfectly calm. “She should be near the end of her shift in the hatchery princess” Fang looked at her again she was walking out of the goo from the egg sack with her eyes on the ground. Once she had cleared it she looked at him and he looked down immediately. “What’s your name Drone” she asked. Her voice was pleasant to listen to something you could trust he liked it, it was like the river that The Hive bordered calm and soothing except that the princess’s voice also had a hardness behind it. “Fang princess I work in the hatchery just like Hiss though I was a scout before that” he replied fallowing the old saying ‘always tell the Queen more than she asks’. “You where demoted?” she asked walking over to him on shaky hooves. “Yes princess, I failed to accomplish a task given to me” Fang replied quietly. “Which was?” she pressed him for more information. “I was sent to retrieve a dragon’s egg and I came back empty hoofed princess” he eyed his hoofs he had hoped to avoid talking about that he was afraid she would be mad as well. “Alone?” she asked sitting in front of him. “Yes princess” he responded. “Well.” she said “Fang look at me.” he obeyed “Your Queen certainly dose sound crazy” there was a twinkle in her eyes. This was the kind of Queen Fang had dreamed of in the moments he had let himself do such things. The kind of Queen a hapless Drone could talk to without fear of execution for speaking there mind. The kind of Queen that didn't discard her Drones just because she was bored. Fang dare not believe her soft hearted though a Queen, any Queen would kill should they find it necessary and despite all her kindness the princess did have an authority about her. She would be the kind of Queen that was respected as well as feared. For the last hour Fang had talked to her while she paced back and forth to get used to her legs. The princess had even tried to fly once or twice though she hadn't gotten off the ground yet. Fang suddenly caught Hiss’s sent “Princess, Hiss is here” he said just before Hiss stepped into the cavern. For a moment she stood and looked at the two of them Fang was sitting facing the opening to the cavern while the princess had stopped pacing in front of him to look at Hiss. The female Drone recovered quickly though and looked at the ground, “My Queen I’m sorry I should not have just walked in” Hiss was frightened of the princess that much was clear in her voice. The princess just smiled at her “How would you make yourself known without alerting anyone nearby to this cave and my existence in it? No it is for the best that you just walk in leastwise it be the death of all three of us” she walked over to Hiss “look at me Drone” Hiss looked at the princess though she kept her ears flat and her head down “Hiss isn't it?” the princess asked “Don’t worry I will tear your head off at every word I am not my mother and from the sound of it she is crazy anyway.” Hiss smiled a bit, “Yes my-” Fang shook his head at her and mouthed Princess “Yes princess” Hiss corrected herself. “Very good” The princess said with a warm smile and a look at Fang, “Now come and tell me about the layout of the hive” she walked back over to the center of the cave and Hiss followed. Author's Note I wrote this chapter in Microsoft first so I wouldn't have to go through and edit the story five times..... (I did that with the last one if you read it around when i first posted it you might want to re-read it I changed the story a little bit and added more detail) But yay chapter 2 In chapter 3 the princess will get a name. (I showed this to my english teacher and she corrected all my gramer :/ I fixed it so now it should be readable) Naiad and the warriorsFrom the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper “That was not a suggestion Fang” the princess said with a look at the Drone she had to fight to keep her voice calm as anger rose in her chest. The lives of the queens before her, all stored in her memory, told her that showing emotion to a Drone did no good and only served to frighten and confuse them. Because of that she also kept her face blank. “Of course Princess” Fang said eyes on the ground. One of the best things about a Drone, so far as she was concerned, was that they only needed to be corrected once, she didn't think he would call her Queen again until she’d taken the Hive. “I’m perfectly aware it will be difficult but at dawn when the hive is the least busy I wish to go outside” The Princess glanced around her hidden little cavern and bit back a sigh. It was nice and all but she wanted to go outside. “Of course Princess-” Fang replied, but she cut him off before he could protest. “You’re dismissed until then Fang” she said sitting down and looking at him Sounding rather upset Fang backed to the exit with a quiet, “Yes princess” before he left The Princess laid down and thought about things. She really really wanted to go outside and she had made as much clear to Fang. But, was it childish to do something so risky just to satisfy her desire, when it would do no real good? She had to admit that it was, and she wasn’t just risking her own life, if Queen Night caught her Fang and Hiss’s lives would be forfeit as well. So then she wasn’t going outside and she was stuck in this stupid cave. She wanted desperately to go out, but she absolutely refused to do something childish she may be a child in age terms, being only five days old, but she was a Queen by birth. With a sigh she stared miserably at the wall. It was nice being alone, and she didn’t want to overwork Fang or Hiss by having one of them with her all the time on top of their Hive work. When she thought about it for a moment though her chances of successfully taking the Hive this way where slim. Even if she killed Queen Night there would be some Drones who would fight her. Sure most would fall under a new Queen without so much as a word of protest, but those sworn to Queen Night would fight the Princess to the death, and without her own Drones who were completely loyal she wouldn't be able to handle it. Sure she could kill them all herself, there wouldn't be that many, but the other Drones would think “why doesn't she have anyone to handle it for her?” and “ Isn't anyone loyal to her?” If they thought her weak they would kill her, and she couldn’t fend off all of them alone. Just because they wanted a new Queen didn’t mean Fang or Hiss would fight for her, they weren’t raised for it, and they weren’t sworn to her. If the Hive determined the Princess unfit to rule then Fang and Hiss would side with the Hive, even though for raising her to kill the Queen they would die with her. So then that left her one choice, not wanting to wait the princess used her magic (the knowledge of how to do so already in her memory) and changed her shape into that of a Drone, that done she left the cavern. Once outside and in part of the hatchery she looked around. The opening to her cave was behind an egg sack that didn’t look anywhere near hatching. As she came around to the other side of it she examined the hatchery. The walls where covered in the green goo that protected the eggs, and there where puddles of it here and there. For the most part though this part of the hatchery was empty of Drones probably because the eggs where all nowhere near hatching. She wasn’t patent enough for those eggs to work for her plan. Rubbing her hooves together she created some of the building material the hive was made of and formed a bag with it. Once done, she slung the empty egg sack over her back. The easiest part of her task complete the Princess walked through the hatchery. The first time she crossed a Drone her heart nearly stopped. “Halt” Called the Drone and she froze the tone in his voice made it clear he was a guard she cursed her luck. “y-yes s-sir” her stuttering on yes may have been a moment of fright, but on sir it was more a reluctance to say the word to a Drone, still she decided to stick with the timid thing. “What’s your name and rank?” Her barked walking up to her, his face fairly close to hers. I should kill you where you stand She thought furious. What right did a Drone have to demand anything of her? He smelled like spiced honey his voice was sharp, the Princess made a note to remember him. “C-Cleaner Sir” she said it was the only thing she could think that would give her a reason to have an empty egg sack she hoped he didn’t notice it was new made. “M-My name’s umm.. N-Naiad” She said nervously. “Very well carry on” Said the Drone before walking away. Stupid Drone, she would remember him. Princess Naiad fought the urge to stick her tongue out at him. It was an interesting name, she would surely have come up with a better one given more time but, it would do. Finished with the Drone she walked into the more populated part of the hatchery. When asked what she was doing there Naiad answered the same for everyone, She was cleaning, and wasn’t the place a mess. She caught Hiss’s sent at one point but ignored it and set to work. It took a while but she finally found an egg sack ready to hatch she slipped behind it so she wouldn’t be seen. Once safely tucked away she cut a small hole in it near the top, so the goo wouldn’t spill out, and reached in with a hoof. Carefully the Princess removed three eggs from the bundle of the things in the middle and hoped that they wouldn’t be missed. Once she had them she resealed the egg sack and placed her bundle on top of the egg sack on her back. With that she moved on. “Drone what are you doing with those eggs!” Snapped the Queen, startled Naiad realized Night was talking to her. “T-They’re deformed my Q-Queen” Naiad replied. This time she didn’t have to pretend to be afraid she wasn’t ready to challenge Night. “Let me see one!” demanded the Queen. To Naiad’s shock when she turned around to grab one she didn’t have to break the egg to make it look deformed. One of her three eggs contained a Drone that was a dull cooper color instead of black. She grabbed that one and held it out to the Queen who grabbed it with her magic. Deformed hatchlings and eggs were killed because they couldn’t ‘hold there weight’ in the hive. The black coloration of the main part of a changeling’s body was somehow connected to the changeling’s ability to shape shift. To quote some girl, “A changeling by another color is not as sly”. “Very well” the queen said dropping the egg back on Naiad’s back “get rid of them” “Y-Yes my Queen” Naiad said before walking briskly away happy to escape. Once out of sight Naiad found another egg sack ready to hatch, she slipped behind this one and cut it open the same as the last. This time she took four eggs and was careful not to get any deformed ones. Finished with that one, Naiad found one more egg sack without any more problems and selected two eggs. Out of that last one she picked the best two eggs that where in it. With her eggs the Princess returned to her cavern and pulled the eggs and the sack off her back. One by one Naiad put the eggs in a bundle in the center of the sack stopping at the cooper one. The changeling wouldn’t even be able to shape shift. She thought looking into the clear egg at the coopery changeling, but technically he had saved her life. With much self conflict she added the cooper colored Drone to her bundle and sealed the egg sack. Once it was closed she attached it to the farthest wall from the entrance. Feeling silly, only then did she remember to change back into herself and, with a swirl of green fire, did so. Once it was attached she bit into it, making a small opening, and filled it with goo which rolled out of her throat. Afterwards she resealed the sack and looked at it stepping back. “All and all not bad for my first time” Muttered the princess before, tired, laying down for a nap. Both Fang and Hiss looked at her “So you don’t want to go outside now?” Fang said sounding a bit relieved. “No.” Naiad said calmly “There’s no point.” “And those eggs are going to be your Warriors?” Hiss asked confused “Well Yes” Naiad said glancing behind her at the egg sack containing her nine little Drones. “Anything else Princess?” Fang asked all politeness. “Yes” she said with a smile she hoped was confident “My name’s Naiad” “Thank you My Queen” I said quietly “This will do well for the library you’re building” “I should hope so” Queen Naiad replied calmly “You certainly asked a lot of questions” Metallic commented. “I apologies for only being able to answer three of them” Queen Naiad replyed with a smile “My Queen I should apologies, I shouldn't have been so blunt” I replied shocked by her apology “I should not have asked so many questions my Queen” I had asked many questions when My Queen had agreed to sit down with me. She had answered three in one story. ‘When did you get your primary guards?’, ‘When did you first meet the queen before you?’ and ‘How did you get your name?’ I was incredibly grateful for those three questions being answered and I could never ask more of My Queen. Author's Note Yay chapter three early :) Please tell me if there's anything majorly wrong with my grammar or spelling. Fang and MidnightFang glared at the wall. “you shouldn’t do that” Hiss hissed in his ear “your face will stick that way” Fang spun around to face her but kept his voice low “Why does she want to go outside? there’s no point!?” he was frustrated that much was clear “Maybe she’s just feeling cooped up.” Hiss replied calmly “If we get caught-“Fang started still staying quiet. “She’ll be killed to” Hiss interrupted him. “I suppose so, but at least she can defend herself” Fang said sadly. “Well we’ll just have to not get caught.” Hiss said still sounding calm. Fang looked at the ground “okay, we’ll just have to not get caught” Hiss glanced around “Look Fang I’m still working why don’t you go see if you can recruit more help?” And with that she was gone leaving Fang no chance to protest. Fang walked off as well “well” he muttered to himself “if we have more help things will get easier but recruiting more changelings is probably the most dangerous job I could get” As he walked Fang passed the nursery, and as always when he passed it he stopped to listen to the lessons. A young Drone spoke “I don’t understand what’s a Hive war” “Well” the teacher started “there is a Hive war raging right now” and she continued “Every Hive has a queen, but the Queen of the Hives is the Queen of the changelings in general, she rules all the hives, though she doesn’t have much say in how any Hive is run. Untill recently this Queen was Queen Chrysalis and she tried to bring our people to war with equestrian. When she failed though a Hive war started Queen Chrysalis and her Hive have been chased away and the Queens are fighting with each other. The winner of this Hive war will be the new Queen of the Hives” Another young drone spoke “I don’t understand why some changelings cant shape-shift” “Some changelings are born with disabilities” this teacher was male “The inability to shape-shift is one such disability. Usually these changelings are not our solid black color but something else. The difference in color is because they can’t shape-shift but if you want to know why that happens you would have to ask a chemist, it has something to do with the absence of the chemical that allows us to shape-shift. A changeling that cant shape-shift will be anywhere from a dark cooper to a bright gold, some of the darker coopery ones can change their color just not there shape” Fang moved on there was no reason to hang out by the nursery any longer he already knew all this but he had just remembered someone who might be willing to help him and Hiss. After a while the Drone came to the small entrance of the combat den. Stealing his courage he poked his head in. After a moment he slipped the rest of the way in. There didn’t appear to be anyone there. “H-Hello” Fang said a little nervously. “Oh look its Midnight’s little friend” a voice very close to his ear said with a sneer. Fang spun around to face the changeling. “H-Hi Venom is Midnight here?” Fang asked legs braced incase he was attacked. Venom circled him and Fang stayed very still “Demoted to a hatchery worker weren’t you” Venom said his voice fitting his name “Y-Yes I’m ummm…. Here to s-see Midnight, is she here?” Fang said frightened Venom smelled sour but then, Venom always smelled sour. “I’m here Fang” Midnight said walking out of a nearby tunnel that was part of the warriors wing “Hello Venom” her voice sounded like bells and she smelled like a forest. Fang relaxed to see his old friend. Venom grumbled under his breath and left. Fang looked at Midnight “Can we talk?” she cocked her head guessing he wanted to speak privately and beaconed for him to follow her as she left the warriors wing. Together they walked out of the Hive and into the forest. It only took them a few seconds after that to reach the river. The roar of the river would drown out there voices from prying ears. “Is something wrong Fang?” Midnight asked concerned “I’ll always try to help you know but if you drew The Queen’s attention again I can’t protect you from her” It actually took Fang a moment to realize she meant Queen Night. “no it’s not that but I do want your help” Fang said and he glanced out over the River. He wouldn’t bring Hiss’s name into this and even if he was tortured he wouldn’t say where The Princess was so he was the only one at risk at the moment. “You remember the Queen before Queen Night don’t you?” Fang asked Midnight was much much older than him. “Yes,” she said in a nostalgic way “Queen Lilly was an amazing Queen the Hive mourned her death much longer than they will mourn Queen Night’s when she is eventually overthrown.” “You could be terminated for speaking of the Queen’s death” Fang said slowly “She will die eventually, her life is at risk as long as the Hive is displeased” Midnight said. Her voice carried no emotion. “Your displeased under her?” Fang asked. “Are you not!?” Midnight countered. “That’s not what I asked.” Fang said keeping his voice calm. “Yes! I hate the Queen! Are you happy now! If she continues to rule the Hive will die. She is a disgrace to the Queen before her.” Midnight was clearly stressed by the topic so Fang decided to get to the point. “What if you could help raise her replacement?” Fang asked looking at her. “I am not as young as I once was” Midnight said very carefully. She met his gaze and held it. “So is that a yes?” Fang asked struggling now to keep his voice calm “Yes” Midnight said still looking at him “I’ll help” She actually smiled “I’ll gladly help” Both Fang and Hiss looked at her “So you don’t want to go outside now?” Fang said s a quite relieved. “No.” the Princess said calmly “There’s no point.” “And those eggs are going to be your Warriors?” Hiss asked sounding confused. “Well Yes” The Princess said glancing behind her at the egg sack. “Anything else Princess?” Fang asked politely. “Yes” she said with a confident smile “My name’s Naiad” “That’s a nice name Princess” Hiss said smiling back at her. Princess Naiad met Hiss’s eye “Complementing me will not get you anywhere Hiss.” The Princess said with a hint of a warning “Of course Princess” Hiss said apologetically. “Princess?” Fang started timidly. “Yes Fang” Princess Naiad replied. “I found someone else who is willing to help if you’ll have her” he said eyes on the ground at his hooves. Princess Naiad regarded him for a long moment “Very well then Fang bring her in” “Yes Princess” Fang said happily. And he dashed out of the cavern and down the hatchery to where he left Midnight. Author's Note I forgot to mention last time the word naiad is both a baby dragonfly and a spirit that inhabits still waters, springs, and fountains. :D The SpyFang ran down the hall way and around a corner coming to a halt in front of Midnight. "Come on! She said yes!" he said smiling before running back. After a moment of confused hesitation Midnight followed. The Drones however didn't make it all the way back to Princess Naiad's hide out because, to Fangs surprise the Princess was waiting outside of it for them with Hiss at her side. Fang nearly ran right in to her, he slammed his hooves down to stop himself about a foot away and slid to a stop with his face a few inches from hers. “I’m sor-” The startled Drone started to apologies, but Midnight had been running right behind him and now, since she’d had no warning when he had stopped, crashed into Fang. Both of them flew forward slamming into the princess and sending all three of them crashing into the ground. Hiss hissed in surprise which would have been funny if both Midnight and Fang didn’t expect to be killed. Midnight got up first “I’m so sorry my Queen I should have been more careful” She said panicking and crouching low to the ground. Fang feeling a little dizzy climbed of the Princess from where he’d crash landed on top of her. “I’m s-sorry Princess I sh-should have been watching where I was going” He stammered cowering so low to the ground that his stomach brushed the slime there. That part of the Hatchery really needed to be cleaned up. Princess Naiad laid on her back where she had been knocked down for a moment stunned. After a few seconds she got carefully to her hooves. She stood for a while saying nothing while Fang and Midnight both waited for her to kill them. Fang kept his eyes glued to the ground and Midnight next to him was doing the same. He didn’t even have to look at her to tell that he knew Midnight well enough to know that she’d be just as terrified as he was. “Well then” The Princess said, Fang glanced up at her as she shock herself off as if she was trying to get water off herself. “Next time Fang try to keep your eyes in front of you while you’re running” “Yes Princess” Fang said relived. Princess Naiad turned to Midnight “Name and rank.” She said simply. She didn’t look angry at having been crashed into. Midnight stood up “Warrior, My Queen, Second Rank, Home Defense” She stood up strait head up and somehow managed to keep her eyes on the ground in that position “My name’s Midnight, My Queen”. Second Rank Warriors where among the best, Third Rank Warriors where good, Forth Rank warriors where okay, Fifth Rank Warriors where in training, and First Rank Warriors where Sworn to the Queen. Fang cursed silently in his rush he’d forgotten to tell Midnight that The Princess preferred to be called Princess. “I’m not Queen yet” The Princess said calmly. “Of course Princess” Midnight said dipping her head a bit and shooting a look at Fang who smiled shyly at her in return. The Princess’s eyes focused on Midnight “You wish to turn your back on your Queen” It was traditionally the same question as when she had asked Fang why she was still alive and required one of the same traditional answers, oddly though Midnight didn’t answer it as she should have. “I was alive in Queen Lilly’s time, Princess, Queen Night destroyed everything she had worked for and now seeks to destroy the Hive as well, she’s a coward and a fool and I wish only to live to see her destruction” Midnight said with a darkness in her voice that Fang had never expected. The Princess looked taken aback but she recovered quickly. “Very well then” After a moment of awkward silence, in which Midnight’s eyes slowly went from blazing to embarrassed and concerned, The Princess looked up and lifted her nose to the air. “hmmmm…” she said slowly. “Princess is something wrong?” Hiss asked sounding worried. “Yes…” The Princess looked at Midnight “Why don’t you prove yourself to me?” she said with a smile sitting down “You where followed. Bring the Drone here.” As soon as she finished talking something shot away from behind a nearby egg sack. Without a word Midnight gave chase. The Princess turned to Fang “I want a report. Follow them” Fang dipped his head and ran after the two. When Fang had caught up with Midnight she had Venom cornered, with a growl the changeling lunged at her and the two of them rolled on to the ground. Fang crouched against the wall to watch the fight in relative safety. Midnight went down with Venom’s first attack and rolled when she hit the ground so that she wound up on top of him rather that the other way around. Venom, pinned beneath Midnight, twisted trying to get free. In an attempt to make him stop she reached to bit his shoulder but he tried to sink his teeth into her throat at the same time. Midnight quickly abandoned her attack and jumped back Venom spun to his feet and lunged at her again. Midnight jumped out of the way and sank her teeth into his wing. Venom hissed rather than scream, he’d probable been trained to fight quietly, Fang wouldn’t have been surprised if Venom was one of Night’s assassins. Midnight tightened her grip if Venom tried to turn at this point then he ran the risk of tearing his wing completely off. Midnight rolled back onto her back with Venom’s wing still in her mouth and once she was in a better position to land a blow kicked him in the head. He rocked for a moment and then tried to yank away from her, he jerked trying to get free of her and Fang heard a sickening rip as Venom’s wing tore mostly off staying on only enough to let Midnight keep her hold on him. He screamed and Midnight kicked him in the head again cutting him off. Venom hit the ground out cold. Midnight pulled Venom’s unconscious body onto her back and started walking back to the Princess. Fang trotted after her and she stopped walking long enough to glance at him a bit surprised before continuing on her way without a word. When they got back to The Princess Midnight deposited Venom in front of her and took a step back standing at attention. Fang stood a little bit to the right of The Princess and stood at a scouts attention, back strait, neck curved up and then down, head pointed to the ground. Princess Naiad looked at Venom then at Midnight “very well done” Author's Note Sorry for the long wait and the short chapter. I'v been very busy with other things. I want you all to choose venom's fate. Would you rather Naiad.. ...keep him, ...kill him, or ...keep him and kill him later Naiad vs VenomFrom the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper Naiad smiled "Fang report" she said glancing back at the Drone. Of course she knew he used to be a scout he had told her everything that she'd asked. Naiad also knew that he missed being a scout. After Fang finished reporting Naiad blinked she hadn't expected that much detail from him. The Drone truly was wasted on hatchery work. "Okay" The young Princess glanced between them all from Hiss standing mostly calmly near the wall to Venom unconscious in front of her. "Fang you and Hiss have some time off right?" she asked calmly "Yes Princess" he replied "Well then I want you Hiss and Midnight to bring me something to eat I'll take care of our little spy" she said perfectly calmly "Yes Princess" Fang replied with a worried glance at Hiss. All three of them hurried off. Naiad picked up the spy with her magic and carried the drone into her liar with a dark smile. Once she had him inside she set him against the wall and out of the way. Then she laid down in front of him and waited for the sleeping Drone to wake. The Drone woke up with a start and Naiad gave him a less than comforting smile "Good morning my little Drone are you ready for you'r first lesson on obedience" The spy crouched low to the ground and tucked his head under his chest in an attempt to be submissive. Naiad's smile widened and she poked him with a hoof "Name and Rank." she said shortly. "W-Warrior, M-My Queen, Th-Third Rank, Strike team." He stuttered clearly terrified "My n-name is V-Venom M-My Queen" Naiad didn't correct him on the queen thing. "Good little Drone" she said sweetly running a hoof down his face and under his chin. She pulled his head out from underneath him and forced him to look at her. "Why where you spying on us?" she said, Her voice came out in a purr. "I-I k-knew F-Fang and Midnight where up to s-something I-I..." His voice trailed away as Naiad let a rather sinister look cross her eyes. "Naughty little thing" She hissed her face not an inch from his. Venom swallowed hard. Naiad Smiled again "Time to start you'r lesson" She was fairly certain that Night had no knowledge of what Venom knew and so she didn't feel the need to ask him anymore questions besides in a few minutes she would know everything he knew. The Princess's horn glowed a dark green and Venom pushed himself against the ground and whimpered, as much begging as he dared do. With only a moment's hesitation, to make sure she had the spell right, Naiad cast her magic. Venom twitched in pure terror as the silvery Queen cast the spell, pain seared through his head and he was only vaguely aware that he screamed. Naiad smiled grateful she'd put a soundproofing spell over her little cavern a few days ago. She tore further into Venom's mind ripping it slowly apart. Night looked at the Strike Team and demanded to know who's fault the failure was. There team leader said it was Slash as Venom had told it was though the Drone knew it was really his fault. Slash looked shocked. Night killed him Venom pinned Fang to the ground and bared his teeth near the scouts throat "idiot" he hissed Starlight looked at Venom with tears in her eyes "of course she's going to kill me Venom what do you think happens to Drones who fall in love" He stared miserably at his mate's eyes Please Stop. Please Stop. He tried to beg the Queen she wouldn't listed Starlight smiled at him. "Let's sneak out" she said happily "just for the night "Let me go" the little cleaner Drone whimpered Venom tossed him into a wall Please I cant take it, I'll do anything! PLEASE! Naiad found it hard to feel bad for the Drone the further into his mind she went the more he just seemed like a bully. One of her ancestors had been raised by the Queen before her. The Queen had been dieing and so she had saved three Queen eggs and raised them. The other two Queen's had been terrible bullies, though Naiad's ancestor had eventually killed them both and claimed the Hive for herself. Because of her Naiad Knew what it was like to be bullied. Venom jumped over the fallen pony and lunged at the next one Venom pinned the hatchery worker against the wall Venom taunted the Pony in the cocoon ruthlessly Venom watched while Night killed the love of his life PLEASE..Please....please stop, please Venom stretched his wings out and flew for the fist time in the nursery "He'll do well as a warrior" Night said while he stood at attention in a line with his hatch mates. "Venom you fool there's nothing good about tormenting someone who cant fight back" Midnight growled at him Venom glared at the Farm worker. Changelings ate love once a month and the fungi grown on there farms the rest of the time. Please... Venom finished sucking the pony dry of the last of her love for her long dead brother. she collapsed exhausted ...stop.... Venom begged the Queen not to kill Starlight while she made sure that the hive was gathered so she could make an example of her p-please..... Naiad started putting the Drone's torn up mind back together From now until I decide to kill you, and i will, you will do exactly as a say. Am I understood. Y-yes My Queen Naiad finished putting the drone's mind back together with that as it's focused point. Venom whimpered a little bit and made himself as small as possible where he was crouching on the ground. "When do you start work?" Naiad asked calmly, she was still smiling. "D-Dawn My Queen" he said quietly "Then go back to work its almost dawn. Say nothing about this to anyone" she ordered simply "Y-yes My Queen" He said quietly. Then he practically crawled out of the cavern. "And Venom" she said with a smile. He turned around and faced her "Y-Yes My Queen" "Came back tomorrow" She said sweetly "O-Of course My Queen" he replied before slipping out of the cavern. A moment latter Fang, Hiss, and Midnight came in dragging a dark blue colt with a yellow main between them. Naiad smiled "Dinner" it would be the first time she had actually fed. "Thank you again My Queen" I said quietly. It was humbling to remember that My Queen was dangerous as well as kind. "Of course Shadow" she said standing up "If you'd like to know anything else just ask" "My Queen?" I asked cautiously "Yes Shadow" she said with a less than pleasant smile. It reminded me how replaceable I was. "W-what ever happened to Venom" I asked The glare Metallic shot me was answer enough. Author's Note Sorry it's late again :( I'v had a lot of school work. Edited part of it to make it easier to read. A Queen's Royal GuardFang finished his lessons for The Princess's hatchlings. After a few weeks they had started talking. Now it had been a few months and they where almost full size. Fang and Hiss had been teaching them about the Hive, about how to behave, and about the world around them. The Princess watched quietly and sometimes slept. She was now taller than Fang and he had worried that she would not be able to fit through the rather small entrance to her hideout. When he'd brought his concern up to Hiss however she had laughed at him and told him The Princess could just shape-shift into something smaller. While a Drone may not be able to change its size a Queen could change anything about herself. Midnight, and to Fang's surprise, Venom where teaching the changeling hatchlings how to fight. They had all picked it up very easily, the entire thing was interesting to watch because every time the princess moved Venom jumped, clearly terrified. It didn't take much for Fang to admit that seeing his long time tormentor so frightened amused him.The Princess taught them magic and obedience Metallic who was very much aware of his disabilities worked the hardest, he was completely unable to shape shift. Siren was the best at magic by far, and also Metallic's best friend. Haze was the strongest and also the laziest. Bird's Song was the fastest and most easily excited. Poison Wind was almost always airborne and not always because he was flying. Trouble was the most improved and had quickly gone from completely disobedient to obeying orders but remaining strong willed. Chomp was the most skilled fighter and the most eager to rush into a fight. Starlight was like a shadow, always silent, and Venom avoided her. Pipsqueak seemed to always be with Metallic and always follow his lead. After Fang finished teaching the broodlings he returned to work. Hiss was still working, the time a Drone worked constantly changed, and so they never seemed to work the same time one week as the last. ____________________________________________________________ Fang was working, fixing an egg sack, when a messenger Drone came up to him "The Queen would like to see you" she said quietly. Fang's ears went flat against his head. He went, feeling terrified, to see what Queen Night wanted from him. when he got to the chamber he spent a moment cleaning himself before going in. When he went in the lavender Queen stood up and smiled at him, Fang kept himself low to the ground clearly frightened. "My Queen" he said quietly wondering if she'd found out about the princess. "Fang," she said with a cruel smile "Do you remember the incident with the dragon egg. He nodded miserably, Though he was relieved that this wasn't about the princess. "Well" she continued calmly "I'v decided I am going to kill you, you can have the rest of the day to say goodbye to your friends." she walked back to where she had been sitting when he had walked in "Your dismissed" Fang backed out of the room. She had sentenced him to death as if it didn't matter and, honestly the Hive's rules demanded that the life of a Drone did not matter. The only life that mattered was that of the Queen. The Queen's only purpose was to serve the Hive. ___________________________________________________ From the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper The horrified Fang stood in front of Naiad with Hiss on one side of him and Midnight on the other. She regarded him rather sadly as she went over her options. The easiest solution would be to let Fang die, but that wasn't the kind of Queen she wanted to be. They could all run, but she might never make it back to the Hive. She could hide Fang in her little den but Night would no doubt look for him and might find her in the processes. Or she could take the Hive now. Naiad glanced at her Drones they weren't ready to fight for her yet. They where all fighting with Venom and he still pinned them down every few minutes but, she might be able to teach them very quickly, if Midnight would agree to help. "Midnight?" she asked. "Yes princess" she said quietly. "I'm going to ask a favor of you, I can take all the fighting knowledge from your mind and put it in my warriors. However you'll no longer have it. I'm giving you the choice. Will you do it?" "Of course princess" Naiad looked at her for a moment. Midnight had her head down ans her shoulders slumped, She was clearly upset but Naiad wasn't going to ask again and risk her saying no, it was easier to have a Drone agree to help her than to force them. She turned around and barked at her hatchlings "Everyone come over here and get in line" they all scrambled to obey. Once the little Drones where lined up Naiad touched horns with Midnight. The warrior twitched as Midnight cast her magic and pulled all the fighting knowledge out of her, duplicated it and sent it into her warriors. Then she did the same to the clearly terrified Venom. That accomplished Naiad considered what she needed to do next. "Venom go stand against the wall, Everyone else go wait outside." Naiad stood still as she was obeyed. Once everyone was out she lined her warriors up facing Venom who cowered against the wall. "Kill him." her voice lacked any emotion. She had decided a while ago that whichever one killed someone first on her command would be her lead warrior. Now she stood waiting to see which one that was. Author's Note Officially the smallest chapter, sorry. The story went a little faster than I expected, Oh-well I intend to wright another one anyway. The HiveFrom the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper It seemed for a moment that she wouldn't be obeyed. All her little Drones hesitated, however after a moment Metallic lunged. His fangs sank into Venom's throat and the bully Venom met the same fate as the Drone he had once loved, killed by a queens order. Venom hadn't even tried to defend himself. Naiad wasn't really happy with the outcome. Normally Metallic wouldn't even still be alive after all he couldn't shape-shift. However she had to admit that he worked the hardest out of all her Drones and most of them respected him. He'd make a good leader but he would have a long road ahead of him to earn the respect of the hive. "Very well done Metallic" Naiad's voice remained toneless but the young Drone stood a little taller when his Queen praised him. "Now I have another task for you all." The other warriors where either staring shocked at Metallic who still had Venom's throat in his mouth or staring shame faced at their hooves because they hadn't jumped to obey her. Metallic dropped his kill and got back into line with the others. Naiad stood in front of them. "Today I will take the hive, before I challenge Night I want all of you sworn to me." a sworn Drone was the only one that remained loyal to a Queen even after she was killed or chased from the Hive. Naiad looked at Metallic first and he stood tall. Naiad met his gaze and cast the spell. Her voice rang in Metallic's head. Do, you swear to obey and fallow me no matter what happens to the end of time? "I do" Metallic Chirped and flinched as the spell bound him to his word. Naiad moved to Haze and cast the spell again. Do, you swear to obey and fallow me no matter what happens to the end of time? He hesitated only for a moment "I do" Naiad moved down the line until she had bound every one of her warriors to her. Afterwords she looked at them all. "Metallic" The Drone looked at her "You'll be in charge you can pick your own second in command" Metallic dipped his head to her "Thank you my Queen" "We have a long battle ahead of us. Get everyone prepared" "Yes my Queen" Naiad only hoped having both Venom and Midnight's fighting skill would keep her warriors alive in the up coming battle. She called Fang, Hiss and Midnight back in and started thinking up her plan without another word to them. From Naiad's Perspective Naiad looked like Fang in every way. She even sounded and smelled like him. She walked with her head down and her shoulders slumped. Slowly she let the Drone warriors on either side of her lead her into the Queens chamber. Fang, Hiss, and Midnight where at this moment leading her warriors along a side rout to the room. Naiad examined her surroundings. The Queens chamber was tall with a domed ceiling, A large chair sat in the center. Everything was made of a luminescent green wax like material. Attendants rushed from here to there and payed Naiad, masquerading as Fang no mind once so ever. The current Queen, Night sat smugly on the throne. "Welcome Fang" Night said with a smile From Fang's Perspective "We need to get through there" Fang hissed quietly pointing at a hallway guarded by several warrior. "I don't see how we'll get past them" Hiss whispered "We'll have to go around" "We don't have time to go around" Metallic growled "My Queen needs us by her side as soon as she kills Night" "I'll take care of it" Midnight hissed "Stay out of sight" Obediently everyone tucked themselves into a hidden corner, It would have been so much easyer to get where they where going if Metallic could shape-shift, Fang mused over that fact. Midnight walked out with her head high "Name and rank" Midnight said sharply. All four of the other Drones stood abruptly at attention. "Warrior, Third Rank, Home Defense, My name is Moonlight, ma'am" "Warrior, Fourth Rank, Home Defense, I'm Starlight" "Warrior, Fourth Rank, Arial Strike team, I'm Sapphire, Though you already know that" she grumbled the last part "Warrior Third Rank, Infiltration, I'm called Trickster" "A Drone was killed in the hatchery, He's in the back part hidden away, you're all to go deal with the problem" "Yes ma'am" Moonlight said and they all dashed off down the hall. Midnight waited till there hoofsteps faded in the distance before turning around "All clear!" From Naiad's Perspective Naiad glared at the ground while Night continued to tease her. Naiad quickly realized that she had no respect for a Queen Who taunted a Drone before she killed it. The young Queen wasn't strong enough to take on her elder in a fair fight, however, she didn't realy need the fight to be fair. Her entire plane relied on Night doing what Naiad thought she would do however seeing as Naiad had all of Night's memories she had a bit of an unfair advantage in predicting her opponents moves. Night continued to rant and her horn started to glow. "Of course i'm going to kill you myself. Don't worry my little drone I'll make it quick" Good Naiad thought happily Then we'll be done here killing you will be the easy part If Metallic doesn't get here in time I will not be able to keep control of the Hive Night turned to face Naiad and leveled her horn to the young would be Drone's head. "Any last words? No? You sure?" and she fired the spell. Naiad cast the counter spell very quickly and Night's death curse redirected and hit her hard in the chest. Naiad let her disguise fall in the same moment. For a second the two Queens stared at each other, then Night collapsed, Naiad went to make sure she was really dead. For a moment everything was quiet, once Naiad had made reassured herself she turned to face everyone who was watching. Almost immediately two Drones started to growl, they where both warriors warriors sworn to Nights serves and they would die with there master, but it would be inappropriate if Naiad killed them herself, One of them, the larger of the two lunged at her. From Metallic's perspective The young copper Drone ran into the room and lunged at the Drone who dared challenge his Queen. He rammed the warrior hard in the side and knocked him to the ground, Several other warriors whom Metallic assumed had been sworn to Queen Night came into the room from a back entrance, and as well as the other one who was already there, where confronted by his hatch-mates. His Queen had done her part in slaying the last Queen but If Naiad was to take the Hive then all Night's sworn warriors must be slain by her own. That meant that Queen Naiad taking the Hive relied just as much on Metallic killing this Drone now standing in front of him as her killing Night. So then Metallic was ready for a fight. He would prove his worth to his Queen right here. The other changeling lunged and Metallic flipped onto his back and kicked up sending him flying. He caught himself mid air and landed quickly . The two circled each other for a moment then Metallic lunged making it look at first like he was jumping but then skitting on the ground and sliding under his stunned opponent. Metallic flipped over and bit into the changelings belly. Night's warrior took to the air and for a moment Metallic clung to his hold before he let go and let his wings hold him up. The other changeling charged and Metallic who was less than half his size dropped to the ground rather than let himself be hit. He took to the air again immediately though, While his age may put him at a disadvantage in the air He'd rather meet his opponent in air than have the changeling above him. They faced each other again. Night's changeling charged a second time and this time Metallic charged to meet him. At the last moment before impact Metallic flipped upside down, he dropped down then shot upwards and whiled his opponent, who had been expecting to crash into him, tried to right himself in the air, Metallic dived and cast a crash spell, one of the few spells he actually knew.Green fire surrounded him and in a rather short distance he picked up a lot of speed. He hit his target very hard and they both slammed into the ground. Metallic pulled himself upright. He only needed to glance at the warrior to know that he was dead, His spine had probably snapped as soon as he'd been hit. Metallic looked up to see everyone else wrapping up there fights as well Starlight didn't have a scratch on her and it only took him a moment to see why, she kept coming up behind someone already fighting and finishing them off while they were distracted, Pipsqueak seemed to have a broken wing but was otherwise fine, Haze wasn't moving and was probably dead. Metallic didn't see any other serious wounds. Chomp finished off the last of Night's warriors and that was it, they where done. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Metallic wasn't sure who said it first but all the other changelings in the room picked it up very quickly. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Fang, Hiss, and Midnight all smiled and joined the chant. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" The whole room shouted it "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Changelings in the area by the Queens chamber had heard it and picked it up. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Everyone started changing from purple to silver "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" The whole Hive was chanting "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Queen Naiad was Queen. Hiss and Fang had done it. They'd gotten rid of Night. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Author's Note The Changeling Hive mentality that I have created is loosely based of a Bee Hive mentality. A Changeling's SongFang looked down on the little pony town. The town was in changeling territory outside Equestria, Fang's Hive had always made there home in the hive lands. "To bad we have to do this quietly" Midnight sighed "If we weren't we could just walk down there and demand that somepony come with us" Hiss agreed. Fang nodded, feeling the same way the pony's in the Hive lands had become used to not struggling, the problem was that living with the constant threat of the changelings over them they had started to love each other less. that was what had provoked Chrysalis's attack on Canterlot. "Well we aren't that lucky if we just walk down there Night will know something's up" Fang sighed "let's go" With a swirl of green fire Fang took his disguise a young green blue eyed earth pony colt. Hiss and Midnight Joined him as a yellow Pegasus filly and a black Pegasus mare respectively. As the tree changelings walked into town they where met with wary glances. " 'e ponies 're scared of us" Hiss muttered quietly. Midnight nodded in agreement. Every pony was probably nervous because they hadn't seen the trio before "Well" Fang sighed "Time to get started" ---------------------------------------------About 3 hours latter----------------------------------------------- Fang Hiss and Midnight had dragged the pony through the same back exit they had used to sneak out of the Hive. they where now almost to The Princesses Hideout when they passed Venom. He was walking with his head down and his tail practically between his legs. He glanced at them as he passed the swallowed hard and trotted away. "Well that was odd" Midnight commented Hiss stared after him "I wounder what she did to him" "Doesn't matter" Fang mumbled around a mouthful of pony. Hiss and Midnight helped him drag the dark blue pony to there Princess ------------------------------------------1 week 1 day and two hours latter----------------------------------------------- From the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper Naiad looked happily at her eggs. of the nine of them the little cooper one had been first to hatch and now hovered in the goo waiting to be released, It's hatching had triggered the others and now all the little drones where struggling free of there egg shells. Naiad was at the moment alone. Fang, Hiss, Midnight and Venom where all working. she smirked a bit at the thought of Venom but didn't let the exsightment inside of her cloud her thoughts, A Queen who got to happy when a Drone was afraid of her lost her place in the Hive. A Queen's only job was to serve the Hive a Drone's only Job was to serve the Queen. Naiad repeated that to herself to calm the exsightment that rose in her when she thought of Venom, it wasn't a good thing he was so scared of her it was sad. He didn't matter though with what she had planed he wouldn't last long. Two more eggs had broken open and Naiad hummed a little with joy. Soon she would never be alone again. baby changeling drones where stupid but Fang and Hiss would teach them all the pointless facts they needed to know and Midnight and Venom would teach them to fight. Naiad would teach them obedience as well as the ruthlessness her personal warriors needed to have. Three more eggs came oped and Naiad bounced up and down a little, she was glad now no one was here to see her acting like a child, she berated herself and tried to calm down. Another egg hatched and Naiad squealed. She shoved a hoof in her mouth ashamed of her own behavior. Still when the next one broke open she was trilled. she stood for a while staring at the last egg. that one didn't hatch the baby inside of it didn't even twitch. Naiad pocked the egg sack and got no reaction from it. "You'r dead aren't you?" she asked devastated by the loss of even one of her hatchlings. Eventual she gave up on it and ripped the sack open, out spilled the goo and her little broodlings. "Welcome to the world little ones." she said to the little Changeling Drones The little copper one was the first to his feet. He was the Typical baby Drone size and only came to her knee. Naiad herself was still only the size of an adult drone. The little one then bent over and started eating the goo. The Idea that changelings only ate love was a common misconception. Love to a changeling was like water to a pony, they also needed real food. The goo scattered throughout the Hive was one source of that food. The also cultivated a mushroom garden and ate meat. What did you think the fangs where for? More often than not a pony who has been drained dry of love will meet one of two fates, they will either be eaten or they will be enslaved, Naiad's Hive preferred to eat them. Naiad watched the little Drones trying to think of names. The copper one would be Metallic, she decided, it suited him. One of the Drones looked almost full grown already, that one she named Haze because he wobbled around on his hoofs as if he where in a haze. "-and," Naiad said turning to the little drone that hadn't stopped chirping since it hatched "you'll be Siren" It very suddenly went silent and Naiad giggled. One of the Drones ponced on Metallic and bite his ear. Metallic fliped onto his back and bit the drone back rather hard. It quickly descended into a fight and Naiad watched amused "And you'll be called Chomp the Hive will come to fear you're name" A small female snuck up to the fighting males and suddenly rammed into both of them "You'll be known as Starlight, If I'm gonna kill Venom I might as well have something to remember him by. Alright Everyone come here." she snapped the last part sharply. most of the little Drones got the message and gathered, stupid, baby drones may be, but they understood an order from their Queen, though that was probably because the order was partly telepathic. When a Queen gave an order it went into the Drone's mind as well as there ears. They almost all lined up but one continued eating goo. Naiad picked him up and moved him into line with the others "You are to be called Trouble" she said as she dropped him into line. One of the Drone's had tried to fly into the line that, one she named Poison Wind. Currently her little army all had white shells, wings and eyes. Naiad started at one end of the line and touched each Drone's horn to hers in turn. as she did so each of them changed to silver. She couldn't help but note that the color looked splendid on Metallic. As she changed them one of them chirped in the prettiest voice Naiad had ever heard, not that she had heard many voices. This one she named Bird's Song. After she finished Naiad noticed a pathetic Chirping coming from the goo when she looked over she saw another Drone. The last egg had hatched. Trilled Naiad bounded over to him and changed him to silver as well then she picked him up and set him with the others who had broken the line and started fighting. "Stay with you'r siblings Pipsqueak." Naiad Said with a satisfied smile. -----------------------------------------------A few hours latter-------------------------------------------------- Hiss walked into the princess's cavern to check on her and smiled at the sight before her. Naiad lay asleep surrounded by nine little hatchlings who where all asleep as well. If Hiss noticed one of the hatchlings was copper she didn't react. Author's Note I'm Very sorry about how late this chapter is to be honest I had a lot of trouble getting into it enough to wright. Then on top of that finals started. I ended up skipping the hunting seen because i figured if I was board you would be to. Also if you would all put anything I misspelled in the comments I would appreciate it Queen Night (Female) Princess Naiad (Female) Naiad's Hatchlings Coppery one: Metallic (Male) Biggest: Haze (male) Loudest: Siren (female) Fighter: Chomp (Male) Quiet: Starlight (female) Disobedient: Trouble (Male) Flyer: Poison Wind (Female) Sing song voice: Bird's Song (Female) Runt: Pipsqueak (Male) Drones loyal to Naiad Fang (Male) Hiss (Female) Midnight (Female) Venom (Male) Dead: Queen Lilly (female) Starlight (female) The Hive Code (Epilogue) The Hive Code (Epilogue) The Hive Code The Drone Code A Drone trying to understand how a Queen thinks is the same as a mouse trying to understand a cat. The Drone is not as advanced as a Queen and is not meant to make decisions. We are not meant to understand we are meant to obey. -A Drone serves and obeys their Queen with out question -A Drone never thinks highly of them self -A Drone dose not hold himself on the same level as the Queen -Every Drone is equal -Should the Queen fail in her duty it is the Drones job to raise a replacement -A Drones life is meaningless the Hives survival is all that matters. The Queens Code As a Queen the responsibility for the survival of the Hive falls to me. Individuals don't matter, the Hive matters, as long as the Hive survives and I don't lead it to ruin I am doing my job. A Queen trying to understand a Drone is like a bird trying to understand a bee. We don't live to understand we live to protect. -The Hive comes first -Greed and power are misleading -A Queen serves the Hive -The Queen is responsible for the survival of the Hive As long as the Hive exists we will work; every day is to prepare for the next a Hive exists for its existence Author's Note I do intend to make a sequel.
A Risky Solution A Risky Solution Fang stalked into the hive with his head down. "why did she send me on such a pointless mission" he grumbled. or a better question. Did she really think he could accomplish it? The hive smelled sweet as always and a clear green goo oozed from the walls. He stopped in-front of the queen’s chamber the opening to it was a large hole in the wall she would kill him he thought dimly. Queen Night wasn't known for being forgiving. The changeling glanced in and took a deep breath. His eyes back and wings where a light lavender which was the Queens color. When he walked into the chamber and looked at her he noted that, as always, her eyes in stark contrast to her personality where kind looking. Her mane was lavender and fell just past her shoulders her wings matched it in color as did her tail which was curled around her hooves. She looked at him "Oh Fang! did you get the egg?" Fang took a deep breath stupid dragon egg “No my queen." he replied struggling to keep calm. She stood up "And why not!?" "It was well guarded my queen" "Did you not try to take it?" "I did my queen" "Then why don't you have it" "I....Failed my queen" She glared. Fang looked down at his hooves. "so" she said slowly "I sent you out to get something and you came back without it" Her voice was dangerously quiet "well" she went on "One thing that can be said is that you are very brave, to face me empty hoofed" she looked at him "still the hive is running low on workers these days so it would be unwise to get rid of you....I think you'll do well working in the hatchery until I find something better to do with you" she finished. "Yes my queen" he said quickly and backed out of the room before she decided to get rid of him as well. The hive's low on workers because you destroy anyone who gets on your nerves he thought angrily. Once out of the queen’s chamber Fang started strait for the hatchery. Hopefully if he kept his head down she would forget about him. A female changeling came out of the queens chamber and caught up with him "I'm surprised you’re still alive" she said smiling. Changelings for the most part look the same in the same hive; they differentiate individuals by smell and voice. The female's voice was high pitched and she smelled faintly like flowers. "So am I" Fang replied calmly. "The queen is crazy!" the female continued. She was watching Fang carefully, he didn't say anything just kept walking. "What do you think?" the female pressed. She could have been sent by the queen to spy on Fang but he didn't think the queen actually thought he was a threat to her rule. He was fairly low rank and she had no real reason to suspect him of being anything but loyal. So why not be honest with this female “I...." Fang stopped walking as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him "I think she'll lead the hive to ruin." he stared at the ground "she only cares about herself" it was dangerous to speak against the queen inside the hive....but Fang had to admit it was true, the queen was supposed to safeguard the well being of the hive and there queen wasn't doing that. "I hoped you would say something like that" the female replied delightedly "My name's Hiss"! "I'm Fang" he replied slowly. "Come with me!" Hiss said and ran off, startled Fang followed her. "I'm supposed to go to the hatchery!" Fang called running to catch up with her. "That's where we're going!" Hiss's reply echoed back to him. After they reached the hatchery Hiss lead him down to the end of it and then glanced around. "What are we doing?" Fang asked. "Shhhhhh!" Hiss replied. "No one is watching follow me." She slipped behind a stack of young eggs and he followed. Where did she go? He glanced around Hiss seemed to have vanished "Here!" came her voice surprisingly soft. He glanced where it had come from and stared at a small tunnel he hadn't even noticed. After a moment he slipped down it. The tunnel opened into a surprisingly large chamber with a lone egg-sack holding a lone egg that looked close to hatching. Hiss was standing next to it "come here" she said watching him carefully. she's afraid he thought looking at her. Fang walked over and glanced at the egg. He froze Changeling eggs are kept in sacks with anywhere from 5-10 eggs in each. While the sacks where a clearish green the eggs where clear so the embryos inside could be clearly seen. This egg was large and its size made it clear it was ready to hatch but, the egg was solid black. "Its a queen egg" he hissed shocked. Hiss nodded "She could solve our problems, she could take over the hive but......I can’t protect her on my own" Fang looked at Hiss and she stared at the ground "I-I need help". "If the queen finds out about this you'll be killed!" Fang said shocked "If I help you I’ll be killed to!" Hiss looked at him "If Queen Night continues to rule the whole hive will die. One by one until only the Queen is left" Hiss said "we need a new Queen and I can’t raise one on my own" Fang looked at the egg and then looked at Hiss the Hive can’t go on like this he thought dimly but if I'm caught it'll be my life He looked back at the egg the princess in that egg might well kill him and Hiss herself when she took the throne. If she took the throne. He closed his eyes but the hive can’t go on like this and a changeling's first loyalty is to the Hive and no one else "Alright." Fang said quietly looking at Hiss again "I'll help you" Author's Note Yay the first chapter If you read it and like it please leave a comment.
The PrincessFang woke up and glanced around the dark empty chamber that served as the sleeping quarters for the Hatchery workers. With a yawn he stood up, it was his shift, he could tell because it was the third time since he had gone to sleep that other workers had come off their shifts. It had been 6 weeks since Fang had started hatchery duty and now like every other day he stalked quietly out of the chamber and went to watch the eggs. He paced the hatchery staring dully at one egg after the next for about 6 hours. Finally his shift ended and he trotted over to the little hidden tunnel “Hiss” he growled under his breath. The smell of lavender hit him just before a head popped out of tunnel “Thanks your turn” she growled in reply before vanishing into the hive’s hatchery to start her shift. Grumbling Fang slipped into the tunnel and lay down by the queen egg. The goo sack around it was better kept than any other egg in the hatchery Hiss had done an amazing job protecting the little egg. Fang rolled on his back and watched it. The egg inside the green goo was about half as big as Fang himself and he wondered how big queen eggs got. Drone eggs only got to be a forth the size of a full grown Drone and so the queen egg was already twice the size Fang’s and Hiss’s had been when they had hatched. He’d really only closed his eyes for a moment when a cracking sound woke him up. Fang glanced at the egg “Oh no!” he stood up panicked “Its breaking!” then almost as quickly as he had freaked out he calmed down “No its probably just hatching”. “Wait!” he started pacing “I don’t want to be in here when it hatches” Hiss is probably on her shift by now eventually she will relieve me of watching the egg to a bit of free time which I'll probably spend sleeping with the other workers before my shift. But she isn't here now which leaves me to take care of the hatchling on my own. Thought Fang dimly he waited for the princess to come out of the egg. To his surprise the inside of her egg clouded the goo inside the goo sack so he couldn't see her clearly. Normally the young hatchling could be seen inside the good sack where they would be expected for deformities before being freed. He stood up and bit into the good sack with his teeth before tearing it by shaking his head like a dog with a bone. The goo sack ripped open and the princess fell out with the goo. She was only half his size but still for a baby changeling that was big. Her mane was short for a Queen only coming to her shoulders. It was smooth falling without a wave or curl and coming to a stop in a straight line it had a no-nonsense look to it. Her tail was similar it didn't even curl up first just fell directly down and ended without much drama. Her eyes oddly enough instead of being a Queens green where blue though unlike a drone they had pupils in them and the blue was an iris not a solid blue. Her main, tail, wings and back where silver and there was no mistaking them for grey they shimmered in the dull light of the cavern. Her fangs ended a little before her chin and her ears came to a point though one of them had a hole in it. Her horn only had one hole in it but that had to do with age and was the same reason her legs had none. As a changeling grew in age it gained more holes. She stood up on shake legs and Fang backed away from her a bit and eyed the ground at his feet. I moment latter he heard the shuffle of hooves as she tried to walk for the first time and then a solid Thump as she hit the ground. Don’t laugh Don’t Laugh she’ll kill you Don’t laugh. Fang thought to himself while he bit back giggles, he’d never thought Queens stumbled around as much when they had just hatched as Drones did. “My Queen would you like my help” he offered carefully expecting a baby like noise in reply what he got instead was a reminder that she was a Queen by breed even if she was only a princess at the moment “When I need your help I will ask, and I am not your Queen while you wear another’s colors” she replied in a calm but confident voice. Fang kept his eyes on the ground and reminded himself that while she may stumble around like a new born Drone she wasn't dumb like they were Queens where born with all the knowledge of their ancestors. Thump! she’d hit the ground again. This time he did laugh and only managed to stop himself after a moment. He bit his tongue and stared at the ground he could feel her eyes on him “Sorry my Qu-Princess” Fang said carefully. “Why am I still alive Drone?” she said shortly as if he hadn't laughed. Queen Night would have killed him for that mistake. Now at least he knew what to say the question was a tradition and only had I few answers, “The Queen has lost the desire to work for the well being of the hive princess, she works only for herself” Fang risked a glance at her she was trying to stand again. “How many changelings are in on this?” she asked and Fang stumbled for a moment for an answer he had expected to be questioned further about Night. Thump Fang watched the ground and spoke as if she hadn't fallen again “only me and a female named Hiss she’s the one who brought your egg down here princess.” After a moment he heard her stand again, “and where is Hiss now?” She asked her voice perfectly calm. “She should be near the end of her shift in the hatchery princess” Fang looked at her again she was walking out of the goo from the egg sack with her eyes on the ground. Once she had cleared it she looked at him and he looked down immediately. “What’s your name Drone” she asked. Her voice was pleasant to listen to something you could trust he liked it, it was like the river that The Hive bordered calm and soothing except that the princess’s voice also had a hardness behind it. “Fang princess I work in the hatchery just like Hiss though I was a scout before that” he replied fallowing the old saying ‘always tell the Queen more than she asks’. “You where demoted?” she asked walking over to him on shaky hooves. “Yes princess, I failed to accomplish a task given to me” Fang replied quietly. “Which was?” she pressed him for more information. “I was sent to retrieve a dragon’s egg and I came back empty hoofed princess” he eyed his hoofs he had hoped to avoid talking about that he was afraid she would be mad as well. “Alone?” she asked sitting in front of him. “Yes princess” he responded. “Well.” she said “Fang look at me.” he obeyed “Your Queen certainly dose sound crazy” there was a twinkle in her eyes. This was the kind of Queen Fang had dreamed of in the moments he had let himself do such things. The kind of Queen a hapless Drone could talk to without fear of execution for speaking there mind. The kind of Queen that didn't discard her Drones just because she was bored. Fang dare not believe her soft hearted though a Queen, any Queen would kill should they find it necessary and despite all her kindness the princess did have an authority about her. She would be the kind of Queen that was respected as well as feared. For the last hour Fang had talked to her while she paced back and forth to get used to her legs. The princess had even tried to fly once or twice though she hadn't gotten off the ground yet. Fang suddenly caught Hiss’s sent “Princess, Hiss is here” he said just before Hiss stepped into the cavern. For a moment she stood and looked at the two of them Fang was sitting facing the opening to the cavern while the princess had stopped pacing in front of him to look at Hiss. The female Drone recovered quickly though and looked at the ground, “My Queen I’m sorry I should not have just walked in” Hiss was frightened of the princess that much was clear in her voice. The princess just smiled at her “How would you make yourself known without alerting anyone nearby to this cave and my existence in it? No it is for the best that you just walk in leastwise it be the death of all three of us” she walked over to Hiss “look at me Drone” Hiss looked at the princess though she kept her ears flat and her head down “Hiss isn't it?” the princess asked “Don’t worry I will tear your head off at every word I am not my mother and from the sound of it she is crazy anyway.” Hiss smiled a bit, “Yes my-” Fang shook his head at her and mouthed Princess “Yes princess” Hiss corrected herself. “Very good” The princess said with a warm smile and a look at Fang, “Now come and tell me about the layout of the hive” she walked back over to the center of the cave and Hiss followed. Author's Note I wrote this chapter in Microsoft first so I wouldn't have to go through and edit the story five times..... (I did that with the last one if you read it around when i first posted it you might want to re-read it I changed the story a little bit and added more detail) But yay chapter 2 In chapter 3 the princess will get a name. (I showed this to my english teacher and she corrected all my gramer :/ I fixed it so now it should be readable)
Naiad and the warriorsFrom the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper “That was not a suggestion Fang” the princess said with a look at the Drone she had to fight to keep her voice calm as anger rose in her chest. The lives of the queens before her, all stored in her memory, told her that showing emotion to a Drone did no good and only served to frighten and confuse them. Because of that she also kept her face blank. “Of course Princess” Fang said eyes on the ground. One of the best things about a Drone, so far as she was concerned, was that they only needed to be corrected once, she didn't think he would call her Queen again until she’d taken the Hive. “I’m perfectly aware it will be difficult but at dawn when the hive is the least busy I wish to go outside” The Princess glanced around her hidden little cavern and bit back a sigh. It was nice and all but she wanted to go outside. “Of course Princess-” Fang replied, but she cut him off before he could protest. “You’re dismissed until then Fang” she said sitting down and looking at him Sounding rather upset Fang backed to the exit with a quiet, “Yes princess” before he left The Princess laid down and thought about things. She really really wanted to go outside and she had made as much clear to Fang. But, was it childish to do something so risky just to satisfy her desire, when it would do no real good? She had to admit that it was, and she wasn’t just risking her own life, if Queen Night caught her Fang and Hiss’s lives would be forfeit as well. So then she wasn’t going outside and she was stuck in this stupid cave. She wanted desperately to go out, but she absolutely refused to do something childish she may be a child in age terms, being only five days old, but she was a Queen by birth. With a sigh she stared miserably at the wall. It was nice being alone, and she didn’t want to overwork Fang or Hiss by having one of them with her all the time on top of their Hive work. When she thought about it for a moment though her chances of successfully taking the Hive this way where slim. Even if she killed Queen Night there would be some Drones who would fight her. Sure most would fall under a new Queen without so much as a word of protest, but those sworn to Queen Night would fight the Princess to the death, and without her own Drones who were completely loyal she wouldn't be able to handle it. Sure she could kill them all herself, there wouldn't be that many, but the other Drones would think “why doesn't she have anyone to handle it for her?” and “ Isn't anyone loyal to her?” If they thought her weak they would kill her, and she couldn’t fend off all of them alone. Just because they wanted a new Queen didn’t mean Fang or Hiss would fight for her, they weren’t raised for it, and they weren’t sworn to her. If the Hive determined the Princess unfit to rule then Fang and Hiss would side with the Hive, even though for raising her to kill the Queen they would die with her. So then that left her one choice, not wanting to wait the princess used her magic (the knowledge of how to do so already in her memory) and changed her shape into that of a Drone, that done she left the cavern. Once outside and in part of the hatchery she looked around. The opening to her cave was behind an egg sack that didn’t look anywhere near hatching. As she came around to the other side of it she examined the hatchery. The walls where covered in the green goo that protected the eggs, and there where puddles of it here and there. For the most part though this part of the hatchery was empty of Drones probably because the eggs where all nowhere near hatching. She wasn’t patent enough for those eggs to work for her plan. Rubbing her hooves together she created some of the building material the hive was made of and formed a bag with it. Once done, she slung the empty egg sack over her back. The easiest part of her task complete the Princess walked through the hatchery. The first time she crossed a Drone her heart nearly stopped. “Halt” Called the Drone and she froze the tone in his voice made it clear he was a guard she cursed her luck. “y-yes s-sir” her stuttering on yes may have been a moment of fright, but on sir it was more a reluctance to say the word to a Drone, still she decided to stick with the timid thing. “What’s your name and rank?” Her barked walking up to her, his face fairly close to hers. I should kill you where you stand She thought furious. What right did a Drone have to demand anything of her? He smelled like spiced honey his voice was sharp, the Princess made a note to remember him. “C-Cleaner Sir” she said it was the only thing she could think that would give her a reason to have an empty egg sack she hoped he didn’t notice it was new made. “M-My name’s umm.. N-Naiad” She said nervously. “Very well carry on” Said the Drone before walking away. Stupid Drone, she would remember him. Princess Naiad fought the urge to stick her tongue out at him. It was an interesting name, she would surely have come up with a better one given more time but, it would do. Finished with the Drone she walked into the more populated part of the hatchery. When asked what she was doing there Naiad answered the same for everyone, She was cleaning, and wasn’t the place a mess. She caught Hiss’s sent at one point but ignored it and set to work. It took a while but she finally found an egg sack ready to hatch she slipped behind it so she wouldn’t be seen. Once safely tucked away she cut a small hole in it near the top, so the goo wouldn’t spill out, and reached in with a hoof. Carefully the Princess removed three eggs from the bundle of the things in the middle and hoped that they wouldn’t be missed. Once she had them she resealed the egg sack and placed her bundle on top of the egg sack on her back. With that she moved on. “Drone what are you doing with those eggs!” Snapped the Queen, startled Naiad realized Night was talking to her. “T-They’re deformed my Q-Queen” Naiad replied. This time she didn’t have to pretend to be afraid she wasn’t ready to challenge Night. “Let me see one!” demanded the Queen. To Naiad’s shock when she turned around to grab one she didn’t have to break the egg to make it look deformed. One of her three eggs contained a Drone that was a dull cooper color instead of black. She grabbed that one and held it out to the Queen who grabbed it with her magic. Deformed hatchlings and eggs were killed because they couldn’t ‘hold there weight’ in the hive. The black coloration of the main part of a changeling’s body was somehow connected to the changeling’s ability to shape shift. To quote some girl, “A changeling by another color is not as sly”. “Very well” the queen said dropping the egg back on Naiad’s back “get rid of them” “Y-Yes my Queen” Naiad said before walking briskly away happy to escape. Once out of sight Naiad found another egg sack ready to hatch, she slipped behind this one and cut it open the same as the last. This time she took four eggs and was careful not to get any deformed ones. Finished with that one, Naiad found one more egg sack without any more problems and selected two eggs. Out of that last one she picked the best two eggs that where in it. With her eggs the Princess returned to her cavern and pulled the eggs and the sack off her back. One by one Naiad put the eggs in a bundle in the center of the sack stopping at the cooper one. The changeling wouldn’t even be able to shape shift. She thought looking into the clear egg at the coopery changeling, but technically he had saved her life. With much self conflict she added the cooper colored Drone to her bundle and sealed the egg sack. Once it was closed she attached it to the farthest wall from the entrance. Feeling silly, only then did she remember to change back into herself and, with a swirl of green fire, did so. Once it was attached she bit into it, making a small opening, and filled it with goo which rolled out of her throat. Afterwards she resealed the sack and looked at it stepping back. “All and all not bad for my first time” Muttered the princess before, tired, laying down for a nap. Both Fang and Hiss looked at her “So you don’t want to go outside now?” Fang said sounding a bit relieved. “No.” Naiad said calmly “There’s no point.” “And those eggs are going to be your Warriors?” Hiss asked confused “Well Yes” Naiad said glancing behind her at the egg sack containing her nine little Drones. “Anything else Princess?” Fang asked all politeness. “Yes” she said with a smile she hoped was confident “My name’s Naiad” “Thank you My Queen” I said quietly “This will do well for the library you’re building” “I should hope so” Queen Naiad replied calmly “You certainly asked a lot of questions” Metallic commented. “I apologies for only being able to answer three of them” Queen Naiad replyed with a smile “My Queen I should apologies, I shouldn't have been so blunt” I replied shocked by her apology “I should not have asked so many questions my Queen” I had asked many questions when My Queen had agreed to sit down with me. She had answered three in one story. ‘When did you get your primary guards?’, ‘When did you first meet the queen before you?’ and ‘How did you get your name?’ I was incredibly grateful for those three questions being answered and I could never ask more of My Queen. Author's Note Yay chapter three early :) Please tell me if there's anything majorly wrong with my grammar or spelling.
Fang and MidnightFang glared at the wall. “you shouldn’t do that” Hiss hissed in his ear “your face will stick that way” Fang spun around to face her but kept his voice low “Why does she want to go outside? there’s no point!?” he was frustrated that much was clear “Maybe she’s just feeling cooped up.” Hiss replied calmly “If we get caught-“Fang started still staying quiet. “She’ll be killed to” Hiss interrupted him. “I suppose so, but at least she can defend herself” Fang said sadly. “Well we’ll just have to not get caught.” Hiss said still sounding calm. Fang looked at the ground “okay, we’ll just have to not get caught” Hiss glanced around “Look Fang I’m still working why don’t you go see if you can recruit more help?” And with that she was gone leaving Fang no chance to protest. Fang walked off as well “well” he muttered to himself “if we have more help things will get easier but recruiting more changelings is probably the most dangerous job I could get” As he walked Fang passed the nursery, and as always when he passed it he stopped to listen to the lessons. A young Drone spoke “I don’t understand what’s a Hive war” “Well” the teacher started “there is a Hive war raging right now” and she continued “Every Hive has a queen, but the Queen of the Hives is the Queen of the changelings in general, she rules all the hives, though she doesn’t have much say in how any Hive is run. Untill recently this Queen was Queen Chrysalis and she tried to bring our people to war with equestrian. When she failed though a Hive war started Queen Chrysalis and her Hive have been chased away and the Queens are fighting with each other. The winner of this Hive war will be the new Queen of the Hives” Another young drone spoke “I don’t understand why some changelings cant shape-shift” “Some changelings are born with disabilities” this teacher was male “The inability to shape-shift is one such disability. Usually these changelings are not our solid black color but something else. The difference in color is because they can’t shape-shift but if you want to know why that happens you would have to ask a chemist, it has something to do with the absence of the chemical that allows us to shape-shift. A changeling that cant shape-shift will be anywhere from a dark cooper to a bright gold, some of the darker coopery ones can change their color just not there shape” Fang moved on there was no reason to hang out by the nursery any longer he already knew all this but he had just remembered someone who might be willing to help him and Hiss. After a while the Drone came to the small entrance of the combat den. Stealing his courage he poked his head in. After a moment he slipped the rest of the way in. There didn’t appear to be anyone there. “H-Hello” Fang said a little nervously. “Oh look its Midnight’s little friend” a voice very close to his ear said with a sneer. Fang spun around to face the changeling. “H-Hi Venom is Midnight here?” Fang asked legs braced incase he was attacked. Venom circled him and Fang stayed very still “Demoted to a hatchery worker weren’t you” Venom said his voice fitting his name “Y-Yes I’m ummm…. Here to s-see Midnight, is she here?” Fang said frightened Venom smelled sour but then, Venom always smelled sour. “I’m here Fang” Midnight said walking out of a nearby tunnel that was part of the warriors wing “Hello Venom” her voice sounded like bells and she smelled like a forest. Fang relaxed to see his old friend. Venom grumbled under his breath and left. Fang looked at Midnight “Can we talk?” she cocked her head guessing he wanted to speak privately and beaconed for him to follow her as she left the warriors wing. Together they walked out of the Hive and into the forest. It only took them a few seconds after that to reach the river. The roar of the river would drown out there voices from prying ears. “Is something wrong Fang?” Midnight asked concerned “I’ll always try to help you know but if you drew The Queen’s attention again I can’t protect you from her” It actually took Fang a moment to realize she meant Queen Night. “no it’s not that but I do want your help” Fang said and he glanced out over the River. He wouldn’t bring Hiss’s name into this and even if he was tortured he wouldn’t say where The Princess was so he was the only one at risk at the moment. “You remember the Queen before Queen Night don’t you?” Fang asked Midnight was much much older than him. “Yes,” she said in a nostalgic way “Queen Lilly was an amazing Queen the Hive mourned her death much longer than they will mourn Queen Night’s when she is eventually overthrown.” “You could be terminated for speaking of the Queen’s death” Fang said slowly “She will die eventually, her life is at risk as long as the Hive is displeased” Midnight said. Her voice carried no emotion. “Your displeased under her?” Fang asked. “Are you not!?” Midnight countered. “That’s not what I asked.” Fang said keeping his voice calm. “Yes! I hate the Queen! Are you happy now! If she continues to rule the Hive will die. She is a disgrace to the Queen before her.” Midnight was clearly stressed by the topic so Fang decided to get to the point. “What if you could help raise her replacement?” Fang asked looking at her. “I am not as young as I once was” Midnight said very carefully. She met his gaze and held it. “So is that a yes?” Fang asked struggling now to keep his voice calm “Yes” Midnight said still looking at him “I’ll help” She actually smiled “I’ll gladly help” Both Fang and Hiss looked at her “So you don’t want to go outside now?” Fang said s a quite relieved. “No.” the Princess said calmly “There’s no point.” “And those eggs are going to be your Warriors?” Hiss asked sounding confused. “Well Yes” The Princess said glancing behind her at the egg sack. “Anything else Princess?” Fang asked politely. “Yes” she said with a confident smile “My name’s Naiad” “That’s a nice name Princess” Hiss said smiling back at her. Princess Naiad met Hiss’s eye “Complementing me will not get you anywhere Hiss.” The Princess said with a hint of a warning “Of course Princess” Hiss said apologetically. “Princess?” Fang started timidly. “Yes Fang” Princess Naiad replied. “I found someone else who is willing to help if you’ll have her” he said eyes on the ground at his hooves. Princess Naiad regarded him for a long moment “Very well then Fang bring her in” “Yes Princess” Fang said happily. And he dashed out of the cavern and down the hatchery to where he left Midnight. Author's Note I forgot to mention last time the word naiad is both a baby dragonfly and a spirit that inhabits still waters, springs, and fountains. :D
The SpyFang ran down the hall way and around a corner coming to a halt in front of Midnight. "Come on! She said yes!" he said smiling before running back. After a moment of confused hesitation Midnight followed. The Drones however didn't make it all the way back to Princess Naiad's hide out because, to Fangs surprise the Princess was waiting outside of it for them with Hiss at her side. Fang nearly ran right in to her, he slammed his hooves down to stop himself about a foot away and slid to a stop with his face a few inches from hers. “I’m sor-” The startled Drone started to apologies, but Midnight had been running right behind him and now, since she’d had no warning when he had stopped, crashed into Fang. Both of them flew forward slamming into the princess and sending all three of them crashing into the ground. Hiss hissed in surprise which would have been funny if both Midnight and Fang didn’t expect to be killed. Midnight got up first “I’m so sorry my Queen I should have been more careful” She said panicking and crouching low to the ground. Fang feeling a little dizzy climbed of the Princess from where he’d crash landed on top of her. “I’m s-sorry Princess I sh-should have been watching where I was going” He stammered cowering so low to the ground that his stomach brushed the slime there. That part of the Hatchery really needed to be cleaned up. Princess Naiad laid on her back where she had been knocked down for a moment stunned. After a few seconds she got carefully to her hooves. She stood for a while saying nothing while Fang and Midnight both waited for her to kill them. Fang kept his eyes glued to the ground and Midnight next to him was doing the same. He didn’t even have to look at her to tell that he knew Midnight well enough to know that she’d be just as terrified as he was. “Well then” The Princess said, Fang glanced up at her as she shock herself off as if she was trying to get water off herself. “Next time Fang try to keep your eyes in front of you while you’re running” “Yes Princess” Fang said relived. Princess Naiad turned to Midnight “Name and rank.” She said simply. She didn’t look angry at having been crashed into. Midnight stood up “Warrior, My Queen, Second Rank, Home Defense” She stood up strait head up and somehow managed to keep her eyes on the ground in that position “My name’s Midnight, My Queen”. Second Rank Warriors where among the best, Third Rank Warriors where good, Forth Rank warriors where okay, Fifth Rank Warriors where in training, and First Rank Warriors where Sworn to the Queen. Fang cursed silently in his rush he’d forgotten to tell Midnight that The Princess preferred to be called Princess. “I’m not Queen yet” The Princess said calmly. “Of course Princess” Midnight said dipping her head a bit and shooting a look at Fang who smiled shyly at her in return. The Princess’s eyes focused on Midnight “You wish to turn your back on your Queen” It was traditionally the same question as when she had asked Fang why she was still alive and required one of the same traditional answers, oddly though Midnight didn’t answer it as she should have. “I was alive in Queen Lilly’s time, Princess, Queen Night destroyed everything she had worked for and now seeks to destroy the Hive as well, she’s a coward and a fool and I wish only to live to see her destruction” Midnight said with a darkness in her voice that Fang had never expected. The Princess looked taken aback but she recovered quickly. “Very well then” After a moment of awkward silence, in which Midnight’s eyes slowly went from blazing to embarrassed and concerned, The Princess looked up and lifted her nose to the air. “hmmmm…” she said slowly. “Princess is something wrong?” Hiss asked sounding worried. “Yes…” The Princess looked at Midnight “Why don’t you prove yourself to me?” she said with a smile sitting down “You where followed. Bring the Drone here.” As soon as she finished talking something shot away from behind a nearby egg sack. Without a word Midnight gave chase. The Princess turned to Fang “I want a report. Follow them” Fang dipped his head and ran after the two. When Fang had caught up with Midnight she had Venom cornered, with a growl the changeling lunged at her and the two of them rolled on to the ground. Fang crouched against the wall to watch the fight in relative safety. Midnight went down with Venom’s first attack and rolled when she hit the ground so that she wound up on top of him rather that the other way around. Venom, pinned beneath Midnight, twisted trying to get free. In an attempt to make him stop she reached to bit his shoulder but he tried to sink his teeth into her throat at the same time. Midnight quickly abandoned her attack and jumped back Venom spun to his feet and lunged at her again. Midnight jumped out of the way and sank her teeth into his wing. Venom hissed rather than scream, he’d probable been trained to fight quietly, Fang wouldn’t have been surprised if Venom was one of Night’s assassins. Midnight tightened her grip if Venom tried to turn at this point then he ran the risk of tearing his wing completely off. Midnight rolled back onto her back with Venom’s wing still in her mouth and once she was in a better position to land a blow kicked him in the head. He rocked for a moment and then tried to yank away from her, he jerked trying to get free of her and Fang heard a sickening rip as Venom’s wing tore mostly off staying on only enough to let Midnight keep her hold on him. He screamed and Midnight kicked him in the head again cutting him off. Venom hit the ground out cold. Midnight pulled Venom’s unconscious body onto her back and started walking back to the Princess. Fang trotted after her and she stopped walking long enough to glance at him a bit surprised before continuing on her way without a word. When they got back to The Princess Midnight deposited Venom in front of her and took a step back standing at attention. Fang stood a little bit to the right of The Princess and stood at a scouts attention, back strait, neck curved up and then down, head pointed to the ground. Princess Naiad looked at Venom then at Midnight “very well done” Author's Note Sorry for the long wait and the short chapter. I'v been very busy with other things. I want you all to choose venom's fate. Would you rather Naiad.. ...keep him, ...kill him, or ...keep him and kill him later
Naiad vs VenomFrom the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper Naiad smiled "Fang report" she said glancing back at the Drone. Of course she knew he used to be a scout he had told her everything that she'd asked. Naiad also knew that he missed being a scout. After Fang finished reporting Naiad blinked she hadn't expected that much detail from him. The Drone truly was wasted on hatchery work. "Okay" The young Princess glanced between them all from Hiss standing mostly calmly near the wall to Venom unconscious in front of her. "Fang you and Hiss have some time off right?" she asked calmly "Yes Princess" he replied "Well then I want you Hiss and Midnight to bring me something to eat I'll take care of our little spy" she said perfectly calmly "Yes Princess" Fang replied with a worried glance at Hiss. All three of them hurried off. Naiad picked up the spy with her magic and carried the drone into her liar with a dark smile. Once she had him inside she set him against the wall and out of the way. Then she laid down in front of him and waited for the sleeping Drone to wake. The Drone woke up with a start and Naiad gave him a less than comforting smile "Good morning my little Drone are you ready for you'r first lesson on obedience" The spy crouched low to the ground and tucked his head under his chest in an attempt to be submissive. Naiad's smile widened and she poked him with a hoof "Name and Rank." she said shortly. "W-Warrior, M-My Queen, Th-Third Rank, Strike team." He stuttered clearly terrified "My n-name is V-Venom M-My Queen" Naiad didn't correct him on the queen thing. "Good little Drone" she said sweetly running a hoof down his face and under his chin. She pulled his head out from underneath him and forced him to look at her. "Why where you spying on us?" she said, Her voice came out in a purr. "I-I k-knew F-Fang and Midnight where up to s-something I-I..." His voice trailed away as Naiad let a rather sinister look cross her eyes. "Naughty little thing" She hissed her face not an inch from his. Venom swallowed hard. Naiad Smiled again "Time to start you'r lesson" She was fairly certain that Night had no knowledge of what Venom knew and so she didn't feel the need to ask him anymore questions besides in a few minutes she would know everything he knew. The Princess's horn glowed a dark green and Venom pushed himself against the ground and whimpered, as much begging as he dared do. With only a moment's hesitation, to make sure she had the spell right, Naiad cast her magic. Venom twitched in pure terror as the silvery Queen cast the spell, pain seared through his head and he was only vaguely aware that he screamed. Naiad smiled grateful she'd put a soundproofing spell over her little cavern a few days ago. She tore further into Venom's mind ripping it slowly apart. Night looked at the Strike Team and demanded to know who's fault the failure was. There team leader said it was Slash as Venom had told it was though the Drone knew it was really his fault. Slash looked shocked. Night killed him Venom pinned Fang to the ground and bared his teeth near the scouts throat "idiot" he hissed Starlight looked at Venom with tears in her eyes "of course she's going to kill me Venom what do you think happens to Drones who fall in love" He stared miserably at his mate's eyes Please Stop. Please Stop. He tried to beg the Queen she wouldn't listed Starlight smiled at him. "Let's sneak out" she said happily "just for the night "Let me go" the little cleaner Drone whimpered Venom tossed him into a wall Please I cant take it, I'll do anything! PLEASE! Naiad found it hard to feel bad for the Drone the further into his mind she went the more he just seemed like a bully. One of her ancestors had been raised by the Queen before her. The Queen had been dieing and so she had saved three Queen eggs and raised them. The other two Queen's had been terrible bullies, though Naiad's ancestor had eventually killed them both and claimed the Hive for herself. Because of her Naiad Knew what it was like to be bullied. Venom jumped over the fallen pony and lunged at the next one Venom pinned the hatchery worker against the wall Venom taunted the Pony in the cocoon ruthlessly Venom watched while Night killed the love of his life PLEASE..Please....please stop, please Venom stretched his wings out and flew for the fist time in the nursery "He'll do well as a warrior" Night said while he stood at attention in a line with his hatch mates. "Venom you fool there's nothing good about tormenting someone who cant fight back" Midnight growled at him Venom glared at the Farm worker. Changelings ate love once a month and the fungi grown on there farms the rest of the time. Please... Venom finished sucking the pony dry of the last of her love for her long dead brother. she collapsed exhausted ...stop.... Venom begged the Queen not to kill Starlight while she made sure that the hive was gathered so she could make an example of her p-please..... Naiad started putting the Drone's torn up mind back together From now until I decide to kill you, and i will, you will do exactly as a say. Am I understood. Y-yes My Queen Naiad finished putting the drone's mind back together with that as it's focused point. Venom whimpered a little bit and made himself as small as possible where he was crouching on the ground. "When do you start work?" Naiad asked calmly, she was still smiling. "D-Dawn My Queen" he said quietly "Then go back to work its almost dawn. Say nothing about this to anyone" she ordered simply "Y-yes My Queen" He said quietly. Then he practically crawled out of the cavern. "And Venom" she said with a smile. He turned around and faced her "Y-Yes My Queen" "Came back tomorrow" She said sweetly "O-Of course My Queen" he replied before slipping out of the cavern. A moment latter Fang, Hiss, and Midnight came in dragging a dark blue colt with a yellow main between them. Naiad smiled "Dinner" it would be the first time she had actually fed. "Thank you again My Queen" I said quietly. It was humbling to remember that My Queen was dangerous as well as kind. "Of course Shadow" she said standing up "If you'd like to know anything else just ask" "My Queen?" I asked cautiously "Yes Shadow" she said with a less than pleasant smile. It reminded me how replaceable I was. "W-what ever happened to Venom" I asked The glare Metallic shot me was answer enough. Author's Note Sorry it's late again :( I'v had a lot of school work. Edited part of it to make it easier to read.
A Queen's Royal GuardFang finished his lessons for The Princess's hatchlings. After a few weeks they had started talking. Now it had been a few months and they where almost full size. Fang and Hiss had been teaching them about the Hive, about how to behave, and about the world around them. The Princess watched quietly and sometimes slept. She was now taller than Fang and he had worried that she would not be able to fit through the rather small entrance to her hideout. When he'd brought his concern up to Hiss however she had laughed at him and told him The Princess could just shape-shift into something smaller. While a Drone may not be able to change its size a Queen could change anything about herself. Midnight, and to Fang's surprise, Venom where teaching the changeling hatchlings how to fight. They had all picked it up very easily, the entire thing was interesting to watch because every time the princess moved Venom jumped, clearly terrified. It didn't take much for Fang to admit that seeing his long time tormentor so frightened amused him.The Princess taught them magic and obedience Metallic who was very much aware of his disabilities worked the hardest, he was completely unable to shape shift. Siren was the best at magic by far, and also Metallic's best friend. Haze was the strongest and also the laziest. Bird's Song was the fastest and most easily excited. Poison Wind was almost always airborne and not always because he was flying. Trouble was the most improved and had quickly gone from completely disobedient to obeying orders but remaining strong willed. Chomp was the most skilled fighter and the most eager to rush into a fight. Starlight was like a shadow, always silent, and Venom avoided her. Pipsqueak seemed to always be with Metallic and always follow his lead. After Fang finished teaching the broodlings he returned to work. Hiss was still working, the time a Drone worked constantly changed, and so they never seemed to work the same time one week as the last. ____________________________________________________________ Fang was working, fixing an egg sack, when a messenger Drone came up to him "The Queen would like to see you" she said quietly. Fang's ears went flat against his head. He went, feeling terrified, to see what Queen Night wanted from him. when he got to the chamber he spent a moment cleaning himself before going in. When he went in the lavender Queen stood up and smiled at him, Fang kept himself low to the ground clearly frightened. "My Queen" he said quietly wondering if she'd found out about the princess. "Fang," she said with a cruel smile "Do you remember the incident with the dragon egg. He nodded miserably, Though he was relieved that this wasn't about the princess. "Well" she continued calmly "I'v decided I am going to kill you, you can have the rest of the day to say goodbye to your friends." she walked back to where she had been sitting when he had walked in "Your dismissed" Fang backed out of the room. She had sentenced him to death as if it didn't matter and, honestly the Hive's rules demanded that the life of a Drone did not matter. The only life that mattered was that of the Queen. The Queen's only purpose was to serve the Hive. ___________________________________________________ From the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper The horrified Fang stood in front of Naiad with Hiss on one side of him and Midnight on the other. She regarded him rather sadly as she went over her options. The easiest solution would be to let Fang die, but that wasn't the kind of Queen she wanted to be. They could all run, but she might never make it back to the Hive. She could hide Fang in her little den but Night would no doubt look for him and might find her in the processes. Or she could take the Hive now. Naiad glanced at her Drones they weren't ready to fight for her yet. They where all fighting with Venom and he still pinned them down every few minutes but, she might be able to teach them very quickly, if Midnight would agree to help. "Midnight?" she asked. "Yes princess" she said quietly. "I'm going to ask a favor of you, I can take all the fighting knowledge from your mind and put it in my warriors. However you'll no longer have it. I'm giving you the choice. Will you do it?" "Of course princess" Naiad looked at her for a moment. Midnight had her head down ans her shoulders slumped, She was clearly upset but Naiad wasn't going to ask again and risk her saying no, it was easier to have a Drone agree to help her than to force them. She turned around and barked at her hatchlings "Everyone come over here and get in line" they all scrambled to obey. Once the little Drones where lined up Naiad touched horns with Midnight. The warrior twitched as Midnight cast her magic and pulled all the fighting knowledge out of her, duplicated it and sent it into her warriors. Then she did the same to the clearly terrified Venom. That accomplished Naiad considered what she needed to do next. "Venom go stand against the wall, Everyone else go wait outside." Naiad stood still as she was obeyed. Once everyone was out she lined her warriors up facing Venom who cowered against the wall. "Kill him." her voice lacked any emotion. She had decided a while ago that whichever one killed someone first on her command would be her lead warrior. Now she stood waiting to see which one that was. Author's Note Officially the smallest chapter, sorry. The story went a little faster than I expected, Oh-well I intend to wright another one anyway.
The HiveFrom the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper It seemed for a moment that she wouldn't be obeyed. All her little Drones hesitated, however after a moment Metallic lunged. His fangs sank into Venom's throat and the bully Venom met the same fate as the Drone he had once loved, killed by a queens order. Venom hadn't even tried to defend himself. Naiad wasn't really happy with the outcome. Normally Metallic wouldn't even still be alive after all he couldn't shape-shift. However she had to admit that he worked the hardest out of all her Drones and most of them respected him. He'd make a good leader but he would have a long road ahead of him to earn the respect of the hive. "Very well done Metallic" Naiad's voice remained toneless but the young Drone stood a little taller when his Queen praised him. "Now I have another task for you all." The other warriors where either staring shocked at Metallic who still had Venom's throat in his mouth or staring shame faced at their hooves because they hadn't jumped to obey her. Metallic dropped his kill and got back into line with the others. Naiad stood in front of them. "Today I will take the hive, before I challenge Night I want all of you sworn to me." a sworn Drone was the only one that remained loyal to a Queen even after she was killed or chased from the Hive. Naiad looked at Metallic first and he stood tall. Naiad met his gaze and cast the spell. Her voice rang in Metallic's head. Do, you swear to obey and fallow me no matter what happens to the end of time? "I do" Metallic Chirped and flinched as the spell bound him to his word. Naiad moved to Haze and cast the spell again. Do, you swear to obey and fallow me no matter what happens to the end of time? He hesitated only for a moment "I do" Naiad moved down the line until she had bound every one of her warriors to her. Afterwords she looked at them all. "Metallic" The Drone looked at her "You'll be in charge you can pick your own second in command" Metallic dipped his head to her "Thank you my Queen" "We have a long battle ahead of us. Get everyone prepared" "Yes my Queen" Naiad only hoped having both Venom and Midnight's fighting skill would keep her warriors alive in the up coming battle. She called Fang, Hiss and Midnight back in and started thinking up her plan without another word to them. From Naiad's Perspective Naiad looked like Fang in every way. She even sounded and smelled like him. She walked with her head down and her shoulders slumped. Slowly she let the Drone warriors on either side of her lead her into the Queens chamber. Fang, Hiss, and Midnight where at this moment leading her warriors along a side rout to the room. Naiad examined her surroundings. The Queens chamber was tall with a domed ceiling, A large chair sat in the center. Everything was made of a luminescent green wax like material. Attendants rushed from here to there and payed Naiad, masquerading as Fang no mind once so ever. The current Queen, Night sat smugly on the throne. "Welcome Fang" Night said with a smile From Fang's Perspective "We need to get through there" Fang hissed quietly pointing at a hallway guarded by several warrior. "I don't see how we'll get past them" Hiss whispered "We'll have to go around" "We don't have time to go around" Metallic growled "My Queen needs us by her side as soon as she kills Night" "I'll take care of it" Midnight hissed "Stay out of sight" Obediently everyone tucked themselves into a hidden corner, It would have been so much easyer to get where they where going if Metallic could shape-shift, Fang mused over that fact. Midnight walked out with her head high "Name and rank" Midnight said sharply. All four of the other Drones stood abruptly at attention. "Warrior, Third Rank, Home Defense, My name is Moonlight, ma'am" "Warrior, Fourth Rank, Home Defense, I'm Starlight" "Warrior, Fourth Rank, Arial Strike team, I'm Sapphire, Though you already know that" she grumbled the last part "Warrior Third Rank, Infiltration, I'm called Trickster" "A Drone was killed in the hatchery, He's in the back part hidden away, you're all to go deal with the problem" "Yes ma'am" Moonlight said and they all dashed off down the hall. Midnight waited till there hoofsteps faded in the distance before turning around "All clear!" From Naiad's Perspective Naiad glared at the ground while Night continued to tease her. Naiad quickly realized that she had no respect for a Queen Who taunted a Drone before she killed it. The young Queen wasn't strong enough to take on her elder in a fair fight, however, she didn't realy need the fight to be fair. Her entire plane relied on Night doing what Naiad thought she would do however seeing as Naiad had all of Night's memories she had a bit of an unfair advantage in predicting her opponents moves. Night continued to rant and her horn started to glow. "Of course i'm going to kill you myself. Don't worry my little drone I'll make it quick" Good Naiad thought happily Then we'll be done here killing you will be the easy part If Metallic doesn't get here in time I will not be able to keep control of the Hive Night turned to face Naiad and leveled her horn to the young would be Drone's head. "Any last words? No? You sure?" and she fired the spell. Naiad cast the counter spell very quickly and Night's death curse redirected and hit her hard in the chest. Naiad let her disguise fall in the same moment. For a second the two Queens stared at each other, then Night collapsed, Naiad went to make sure she was really dead. For a moment everything was quiet, once Naiad had made reassured herself she turned to face everyone who was watching. Almost immediately two Drones started to growl, they where both warriors warriors sworn to Nights serves and they would die with there master, but it would be inappropriate if Naiad killed them herself, One of them, the larger of the two lunged at her. From Metallic's perspective The young copper Drone ran into the room and lunged at the Drone who dared challenge his Queen. He rammed the warrior hard in the side and knocked him to the ground, Several other warriors whom Metallic assumed had been sworn to Queen Night came into the room from a back entrance, and as well as the other one who was already there, where confronted by his hatch-mates. His Queen had done her part in slaying the last Queen but If Naiad was to take the Hive then all Night's sworn warriors must be slain by her own. That meant that Queen Naiad taking the Hive relied just as much on Metallic killing this Drone now standing in front of him as her killing Night. So then Metallic was ready for a fight. He would prove his worth to his Queen right here. The other changeling lunged and Metallic flipped onto his back and kicked up sending him flying. He caught himself mid air and landed quickly . The two circled each other for a moment then Metallic lunged making it look at first like he was jumping but then skitting on the ground and sliding under his stunned opponent. Metallic flipped over and bit into the changelings belly. Night's warrior took to the air and for a moment Metallic clung to his hold before he let go and let his wings hold him up. The other changeling charged and Metallic who was less than half his size dropped to the ground rather than let himself be hit. He took to the air again immediately though, While his age may put him at a disadvantage in the air He'd rather meet his opponent in air than have the changeling above him. They faced each other again. Night's changeling charged a second time and this time Metallic charged to meet him. At the last moment before impact Metallic flipped upside down, he dropped down then shot upwards and whiled his opponent, who had been expecting to crash into him, tried to right himself in the air, Metallic dived and cast a crash spell, one of the few spells he actually knew.Green fire surrounded him and in a rather short distance he picked up a lot of speed. He hit his target very hard and they both slammed into the ground. Metallic pulled himself upright. He only needed to glance at the warrior to know that he was dead, His spine had probably snapped as soon as he'd been hit. Metallic looked up to see everyone else wrapping up there fights as well Starlight didn't have a scratch on her and it only took him a moment to see why, she kept coming up behind someone already fighting and finishing them off while they were distracted, Pipsqueak seemed to have a broken wing but was otherwise fine, Haze wasn't moving and was probably dead. Metallic didn't see any other serious wounds. Chomp finished off the last of Night's warriors and that was it, they where done. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Metallic wasn't sure who said it first but all the other changelings in the room picked it up very quickly. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Fang, Hiss, and Midnight all smiled and joined the chant. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" The whole room shouted it "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Changelings in the area by the Queens chamber had heard it and picked it up. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Everyone started changing from purple to silver "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" The whole Hive was chanting "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Queen Naiad was Queen. Hiss and Fang had done it. They'd gotten rid of Night. "The Queen is dead, long live the Queen!" Author's Note The Changeling Hive mentality that I have created is loosely based of a Bee Hive mentality.
A Changeling's SongFang looked down on the little pony town. The town was in changeling territory outside Equestria, Fang's Hive had always made there home in the hive lands. "To bad we have to do this quietly" Midnight sighed "If we weren't we could just walk down there and demand that somepony come with us" Hiss agreed. Fang nodded, feeling the same way the pony's in the Hive lands had become used to not struggling, the problem was that living with the constant threat of the changelings over them they had started to love each other less. that was what had provoked Chrysalis's attack on Canterlot. "Well we aren't that lucky if we just walk down there Night will know something's up" Fang sighed "let's go" With a swirl of green fire Fang took his disguise a young green blue eyed earth pony colt. Hiss and Midnight Joined him as a yellow Pegasus filly and a black Pegasus mare respectively. As the tree changelings walked into town they where met with wary glances. " 'e ponies 're scared of us" Hiss muttered quietly. Midnight nodded in agreement. Every pony was probably nervous because they hadn't seen the trio before "Well" Fang sighed "Time to get started" ---------------------------------------------About 3 hours latter----------------------------------------------- Fang Hiss and Midnight had dragged the pony through the same back exit they had used to sneak out of the Hive. they where now almost to The Princesses Hideout when they passed Venom. He was walking with his head down and his tail practically between his legs. He glanced at them as he passed the swallowed hard and trotted away. "Well that was odd" Midnight commented Hiss stared after him "I wounder what she did to him" "Doesn't matter" Fang mumbled around a mouthful of pony. Hiss and Midnight helped him drag the dark blue pony to there Princess ------------------------------------------1 week 1 day and two hours latter----------------------------------------------- From the perspective of the Princess (or as much from her perspective as a little Drone like me can get in third person) --Sighed Shadow the Book Keeper Naiad looked happily at her eggs. of the nine of them the little cooper one had been first to hatch and now hovered in the goo waiting to be released, It's hatching had triggered the others and now all the little drones where struggling free of there egg shells. Naiad was at the moment alone. Fang, Hiss, Midnight and Venom where all working. she smirked a bit at the thought of Venom but didn't let the exsightment inside of her cloud her thoughts, A Queen who got to happy when a Drone was afraid of her lost her place in the Hive. A Queen's only job was to serve the Hive a Drone's only Job was to serve the Queen. Naiad repeated that to herself to calm the exsightment that rose in her when she thought of Venom, it wasn't a good thing he was so scared of her it was sad. He didn't matter though with what she had planed he wouldn't last long. Two more eggs had broken open and Naiad hummed a little with joy. Soon she would never be alone again. baby changeling drones where stupid but Fang and Hiss would teach them all the pointless facts they needed to know and Midnight and Venom would teach them to fight. Naiad would teach them obedience as well as the ruthlessness her personal warriors needed to have. Three more eggs came oped and Naiad bounced up and down a little, she was glad now no one was here to see her acting like a child, she berated herself and tried to calm down. Another egg hatched and Naiad squealed. She shoved a hoof in her mouth ashamed of her own behavior. Still when the next one broke open she was trilled. she stood for a while staring at the last egg. that one didn't hatch the baby inside of it didn't even twitch. Naiad pocked the egg sack and got no reaction from it. "You'r dead aren't you?" she asked devastated by the loss of even one of her hatchlings. Eventual she gave up on it and ripped the sack open, out spilled the goo and her little broodlings. "Welcome to the world little ones." she said to the little Changeling Drones The little copper one was the first to his feet. He was the Typical baby Drone size and only came to her knee. Naiad herself was still only the size of an adult drone. The little one then bent over and started eating the goo. The Idea that changelings only ate love was a common misconception. Love to a changeling was like water to a pony, they also needed real food. The goo scattered throughout the Hive was one source of that food. The also cultivated a mushroom garden and ate meat. What did you think the fangs where for? More often than not a pony who has been drained dry of love will meet one of two fates, they will either be eaten or they will be enslaved, Naiad's Hive preferred to eat them. Naiad watched the little Drones trying to think of names. The copper one would be Metallic, she decided, it suited him. One of the Drones looked almost full grown already, that one she named Haze because he wobbled around on his hoofs as if he where in a haze. "-and," Naiad said turning to the little drone that hadn't stopped chirping since it hatched "you'll be Siren" It very suddenly went silent and Naiad giggled. One of the Drones ponced on Metallic and bite his ear. Metallic fliped onto his back and bit the drone back rather hard. It quickly descended into a fight and Naiad watched amused "And you'll be called Chomp the Hive will come to fear you're name" A small female snuck up to the fighting males and suddenly rammed into both of them "You'll be known as Starlight, If I'm gonna kill Venom I might as well have something to remember him by. Alright Everyone come here." she snapped the last part sharply. most of the little Drones got the message and gathered, stupid, baby drones may be, but they understood an order from their Queen, though that was probably because the order was partly telepathic. When a Queen gave an order it went into the Drone's mind as well as there ears. They almost all lined up but one continued eating goo. Naiad picked him up and moved him into line with the others "You are to be called Trouble" she said as she dropped him into line. One of the Drone's had tried to fly into the line that, one she named Poison Wind. Currently her little army all had white shells, wings and eyes. Naiad started at one end of the line and touched each Drone's horn to hers in turn. as she did so each of them changed to silver. She couldn't help but note that the color looked splendid on Metallic. As she changed them one of them chirped in the prettiest voice Naiad had ever heard, not that she had heard many voices. This one she named Bird's Song. After she finished Naiad noticed a pathetic Chirping coming from the goo when she looked over she saw another Drone. The last egg had hatched. Trilled Naiad bounded over to him and changed him to silver as well then she picked him up and set him with the others who had broken the line and started fighting. "Stay with you'r siblings Pipsqueak." Naiad Said with a satisfied smile. -----------------------------------------------A few hours latter-------------------------------------------------- Hiss walked into the princess's cavern to check on her and smiled at the sight before her. Naiad lay asleep surrounded by nine little hatchlings who where all asleep as well. If Hiss noticed one of the hatchlings was copper she didn't react. Author's Note I'm Very sorry about how late this chapter is to be honest I had a lot of trouble getting into it enough to wright. Then on top of that finals started. I ended up skipping the hunting seen because i figured if I was board you would be to. Also if you would all put anything I misspelled in the comments I would appreciate it Queen Night (Female) Princess Naiad (Female) Naiad's Hatchlings Coppery one: Metallic (Male) Biggest: Haze (male) Loudest: Siren (female) Fighter: Chomp (Male) Quiet: Starlight (female) Disobedient: Trouble (Male) Flyer: Poison Wind (Female) Sing song voice: Bird's Song (Female) Runt: Pipsqueak (Male) Drones loyal to Naiad Fang (Male) Hiss (Female) Midnight (Female) Venom (Male) Dead: Queen Lilly (female) Starlight (female)
The Hive Code (Epilogue) The Hive Code (Epilogue) The Hive Code The Drone Code A Drone trying to understand how a Queen thinks is the same as a mouse trying to understand a cat. The Drone is not as advanced as a Queen and is not meant to make decisions. We are not meant to understand we are meant to obey. -A Drone serves and obeys their Queen with out question -A Drone never thinks highly of them self -A Drone dose not hold himself on the same level as the Queen -Every Drone is equal -Should the Queen fail in her duty it is the Drones job to raise a replacement -A Drones life is meaningless the Hives survival is all that matters. The Queens Code As a Queen the responsibility for the survival of the Hive falls to me. Individuals don't matter, the Hive matters, as long as the Hive survives and I don't lead it to ruin I am doing my job. A Queen trying to understand a Drone is like a bird trying to understand a bee. We don't live to understand we live to protect. -The Hive comes first -Greed and power are misleading -A Queen serves the Hive -The Queen is responsible for the survival of the Hive As long as the Hive exists we will work; every day is to prepare for the next a Hive exists for its existence Author's Note I do intend to make a sequel.
