Fang 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