The Hive (Changeling quest - par only)

[Red Charge]

The Manehattan mansion belonging to Proffessor Rainlock has rarely seen as much attention as it has since the Diamond Dog invasion of Equestria; much more so since the infestation of Changelings within the city itself started. Fortunately, anti changeling measures have been taken to ensure that no more changelings entered, but it was yet unknown how many, or who the changelings within the city already were. One thing was made sure, none of them had taken the place of the Rainlock Security Forces. Constant communication, strict personnel management and the mansion's anti-changeling shield made sure of that. The civilian population has naturally been put under curfew, much to the dismay of the city's ponies, but at least they were safe and so long as the Rainlock Security Forces were around, they had nothing to fear from an invasion.

Even so the town was abuzz with the recent explosion in the southern woods, which were considered a part of the city itself, although a rather unsavory part, as they were mostly unattended by police and military and served as a popular criminal hotspot. Since the explosion however, Rainlock forces have not only driven out the criminals from the woods, but have been having immense success with organized crime within the city itself.

At the moment, Lady Rainlock herself was in the front courtyard of the mansion, the one leading into the massive enchanted grounds. She was going over the details of an operation she was hoping would halt the changelings in their tracks, an operation never before conceived – an attack against the Changeling Hive itself; the purpose - capturing or slaying the Changeling queen, Chrysalis. At any other time, it would have been a task for several teams of trained, well equipped commandos, but the recent lash of the Necropolis against the Changelings, orchestrated by the Field Marshal Starling has severely crippled the changeling defenses. Indeed the undead had wiped out a large number of changelings and did great damage to the hive itself. If that alone was not enough, the Changelings' Diamond Dog allies, in fear of being attacked by the Necropolis themselves, have stayed away from the Hive. Though still receiving reports from them, Warlord Sharp's forces have made sure to have as little connection with their less fortunate allies as possible leaving them exposed to attack.

"In such a situation, I expect we could easily infiltrate and capture or assassinate Queen Chrysalis." Lady Rainlock concluded their debriefing, "Don't take unnecessary risks, keep your heads together and whatever you do, don't get separated." At that she looked over each of the participants in her chosen strike team, Field Marshal Starling himself, Gilda the griffon whose services she had already employed and one of her own corporals, Draft Design. She called each to her one by one, starting with Gilda.

"I find myself in need of your services again," she said, smirking slightly at the griffon, "I'm sure your griffon eyes, that one in particular," She said, motioning towards her now vibrant neon-fuchsia eye – absorbed by the magic of the Eye of Cassius, "Would be invaluable in this mission. You did a good job before, I'm confident you'll do a great job now as well. If you do, I'll tell you what was in that room you opened back in my father's house in Canterlot." She winked at the griffon, sending her off to call in Draft design.

"Corporal Draft," She said warmly, "your commander hated losing two good ponies from his squad, but even so he decided to put you on a fast course to promotion. Especially after that incident with the Equiterian Tesserarius Golem. You've done well and it's exactly why I trust you to see this mission through. Though Gilda is not exactly Rainlock, she's done good work for us, treat her as such and respect Starling's authority, I expect only the best representation of a Rainlock soldier from you, understood?"

After that she called in Starling himself, who walked up to her with a short bow of respect. "Field Marshal, I know you are used to working alone, but in my family we put the lives of our comrades before the mission. As far as I'm concerned I'm entrusting you with two of my family members and I want them back safe and sound. Are we clear on that?"

"Yes ma'am." Starling said, giving her a sincere salute with his hoof. As he did, Rainlock could see a flash of a symbol emblazoned into his piston hoof, "Huh," She let out, "I see…" Then she looked up at the pony again, "Keep them safe, I'm counting on you." She said finally, sending them off towards Everfree and returning to her other businesses.

[Gilda]

Gilda was giddy, stoked, and ready for this. She could hardly contain her excitement – of course none of the other members of the party knew how positively ecstatic she was to lay the beat-down on some lame Changelings. She courted passing thoughts on all the ways to pummel them to a fine, chitin dust. She counted all the ways she could rip thorax from wing, leg from socket. Not that she actually held any real resentment towards the bugs, it’s just that she had this burning itch to do something productive and the event in the woods outside Manehatten had only caused to salivate her desire for action and adventure. There was one thing that was bugging her though, non-Changeling related, and that was how Rainlock knew about her time in Canterlot and that old mansion. She would bet her bits it was that stallion, Starling, who flapped his gums. You’d think after all they did together, there would be a little bit of discretion. Whatever, she decided, didn’t upset her any. If anything, it was a bit of a jab into the mare’s side. She left that mansion a mess.

---

The Everfree was nothing, a few spooky trees, some lame monsters and a couple of Parasprite she could crush in her talon. If the Changeling hive was hidden away in here, then they were complete dweebs of the worst kind. As good as squished under her backpaws – she even wondered what they may taste like. Bet they were gross, though she’d find out soon enough when she had to get her beak into one. These lines of thought; however, caught her by surprise, why was she so blood thirsty all of the sudden? Was it the eye? Was it boredom? She had been drifting for so long without nothing more than the occasional cidery brawl and back alley tussle.

Whatever it was, least she wouldn’t find herself without something nice to watch. The stallion from Canterlot was here too, so she would have the pleasure of seeing Starling in action, that was pretty cool. See if all the stories were true. She jabbed her elbow into Starling, ”Hey, Tin-pony, how’s it hanging? Didn’t realize you were on Rainlock’s ticket.” She teased. ”So were you the lame one who went and blabbed to that rich mare about that little thing in Canterlot? Not like I care, just curious. And who’s the stiff upper-lip with us? A competitor for tin-pony of the year?” She said, her voice hushed, but audible. She glanced over to the new pony – bit uptight and totally Rainlock. She dreaded every word he could possibly say, she’d bet her knew eye that he was a complete stuff dweeb without an ounce of give to his silly name. Draft Design, what was he, some sort of combat architect. Probably likes math too, what a loser.

”So when we get there, how we doing this?” She inquired, ”Probably gonna need some sort of secret word or phrase in case we get separated, these Changeling’s are crafty, right? Going to try to get close to us when they can? Probably should have something other than our looks to tell us from them, right?”

[Draft Design]

Draft Design couldn't have been more honored that Gale Rainlock herself had chosen him to participate in such a special operation. Her commendation of his work and the fact that she was putting her trust in him already was enough to make him feel proud, but now he was determined to show he could go even further. This was certainly his chance. The pegasus didn't quite think he and Gilda would become quick friends, but he recognized her contributions and the value Rainlock put in her. If the lady wanted the best representation of a Rainlock soldier, that's what Gilda and Starling would get.

---

So far on their trek through the Everfree, Gilda was certainly the most talkative. Draft took the chance once she had stopped to finally speak up. "The competitor for 'tin-pony' has a name, Miss Whitefeather," he spoke, glancing over at the griffon. "And when you're dealing with changelings, the name of your allies is the last thing you want to forget."

"Draft Design," he stated, looking forwards again. "A pass-phrase system's a good start. We need something to decipher who is and isn't a changeling, something the bugs won't know or figure out." Draft looked back at the two other members of the party, pausing for a few seconds before continuing. "My bigger concern is getting separated. If they swarm us with twenty Starlings, it won't be easy keeping track of the real one."

[Red Charge]

The group was trudging through the thicket of Everfree Forest, lead by Starling, who knew the forest better than any, having resided in it for over a year. He lead them through the harshest, thickest part of the forest and it was obvious now why so few have ever seen the Changeling hive. They didn't know why, but they seemed to not run into any monsters while they were walking through this dangerous part of the wood, though they did notice a pathway leading into a heavily cobwebbed area.

"Don't worry, what made those is long dead." Starling assured them, "A shame, it could have been very helpful. I think your boss might want some of those cobwebs however." Starling said, "Very strong but very light. We can take a moment if you'd like."

Starling shrugged, "Rainlock asked the Princess and I was allocated." the armored pony replied, "As for that Canterlot thing, if she made the whole place undiscoverable and unreturnable, it's likely to assume she had a lot of sensory magic in it, if her current mansion is any indication."

At the talk of a pass phrase the Field Marshal said, "Well, if they have emmisaries it could be a problem. They can mimic what we do and say as we do and say it, so if we get separated in a swarm and get left with too many of us, it could pose a problem. Just keep your wits about you and if there is a problem, we'll use 'boy is it stuffy in here' as the question and 'yeah but you can't beat the decoration' as the answer."

At that Starling turned to Gilda again, "So, the Eye of Cassius huh?"

[Gilda]

”Draft Dodger, got it.” Gilda’s tone suggested a playful tease but her reluctance to acknowledge the new pony properly stemmed more for from a lack of respect than anything. She knew Starling, she knew herself, this new grass-eater may as well be a new-born foal. He’ll have to earn his cool-points in her eyes. ”And so what if there’s twenty Starlings? We kill them all till only one remains and we’ll assume that’s the real Starling. Frankly, if it’s not the real Starling, after all that I’d say they deserve the title.” She jabbed her elbow into Starling’s metal side once more.

Gilda beak went slack as Starling explained how Rainlock knew about the tryst in Canterlot, ”That pervy pony! Well hope she liked what she saw – never penned her for a voyeur.” She was a bit flabbergasted, now wondering if that rich mare had the whole Coyote thing planned from the start. So it seemed, every time her name was mentioned, some strange and quite frankly unsettling revelation was revealed about her. Least she paid well. ”Yeah, sounds as good as any – little long, but whatever.” She said in regards to the pass phrase.

The trek through the Everfree, being as uneventful as it was, grew increasingly unsettling – the old spider webs adding to the eerie pervasiveness of the entire place. Why wasn’t there any creatures here, not even a shrew or bird. Her thoughts trailed off as they walked, filled with questioning uncertainty. She didn’t like it this quiet, it felt frighteningly wrong. She snapped out of her secluded thoughts when Starling inquired about the new eye. She ran her talon over it, little self-conscious of its unique coloration. ”Uh yeah. Longish story – not really sure what it does either. Though it gives me a lame headache if I try focusing on something too long. Just glad not to be a Cyclops – ever tried landing without depth perception? A real pain, bet Drafty knows what I mean, right Drafty?”

[Draft Design]

Draft let out a half-hearted sigh at the name Gilda had called him. He knew better then to let it get to him, especially when the two were going into such a critical mission. The griffon might have had attitude, but Rainlock had trust in her abillities. That had to be enough for him.

"A moment would be good, thanks," Draft said, responding to Starling. The pegasus made his way closer to some of the cobwebs, pulling out some tools in order to take samples. There was no telling what Rainlock might be able to make from the material, and no point in dismissing the opportunity. "We're glad to have you with us, Starling," Draft spoke, collecting some of the sticky material in a container. "You know these woods a lot better than we do."

The Rainlock guard let the other two continue talking while he finished collecting the sample. "I don't have much experience trying to land with one eye closed I'm afraid," Draft said, turning back to the others. "I suppose you'd have to take it slow, try not crashing. We're ready to continue," the corporal finished, nodding towards Starling.

[Red Charge]

"Well make sure you don't blow it up or something" Starling said casually, then turning his attention to the path again. They were still in the darkest, possibly ugliest part of Everfree. At this point they could only barely see each other anymore, but Starling lead ahead without so much as stopping to get his bearings.

He finally did stop, but it was obvious they were close to their goal. "Alright, we're about to get to the hive territory, if anyone has anything to say they should speak now." The stallion demanded ominously. "Changelings are not nice when outside the hive, but when protecting it they're very fierce. If you want to talk something out, now's the time, there will not be another chance."

[Gilda]

Gilda was ready, she was born ready. Her talons itched to reach under Changeling chitin and rip their flesh from their – whatever they considered bones. She honestly had no idea about their antimony except for a few pictures and the fleeting glances at the bugs getting their wings ripped off in Manehatten. She figured them like any other insect- thing, simple, efficient, deadly, but with a weakness between their armored plates – much like the two tin-ponies on her team. Get your talons between the breaks and go to town. Easy as pie. Her talons were sharpened, her eyes keen (say for the occasional ache from the new one), and she was the fastest thing this side of Cloudsdale – buck Rainbow Dash, she’d rip the hive apart, alone or with two ponies, didn’t matter. Heck, the fact she didn’t even have armor or fancy weapons didn’t detour her – just meant more of a challenge.

She checked her talons and ran one of them along her recently filed beak. She was ready. ”Good to go, chief. Feel that today is a good day to build up my trophy collection.” She stated, cracking her talons. ”Are Changeling horns worth anything? Bet they’d make a killer necklace.”

[Draft Design]

The deeper they trekked into Everfree, the darker and darker it got. So dark was it that Draft found himself switching on the his night vision. Gilda had her griffon eyesight, and Starling knew these woods like the back of his hoof. Draft wasn't going to be the only one bumping into objects.

Starling brought them to a stop, telling them to get out anything else they had to say before they moved on. They clearly wouldn't have time once they were inside the hive, dealing with the changelings. Draft looked over at Gilda, wondering whether to say anything. He didn't want to go into the hive without both of them on the same terms. The middle of the mission was not the place for an impertinent attitude to become an issue.

But Draft also doubted Gilda would take him seriously anyway. If anything, speaking up might encourage her. "Just stay focused on the objective," the pegasus spoke, deciding to ignore his concerns over Gilda's behavior. "We're here to kill or capture the queen, not rack up a body count. Don't do anything stupid, and don't take unnecessary risks."

[Red Charge]

Starling however didn't proceed immediately after, instead he stayed where he was, in eerie silence as the two waited.

"Any of you ever heard of The Baroness?" He asked, "Not sure how well known this story is today, it makes the legend of the Headless Horse look like a foal's story." He continued, still standing in the near pitch black darkness, back still turned away to the two.

"The Baroness was a Griffon noble, one obsessed with the possibility of immortality and the dark arts... She spent her nearly endless fortune looking for a way to live forever, sending her lackeys to the very edges of the earth to find answers for her. One day, she did secure an answer, but unfortunately for her, she needed to be capable of using magic in order to make it work. It wouldn't just work if someone else did it for her." There was rustling somewhere nearby, but Starling paid it no attention, the already creepy ambiance of the deep woods began to shift into something more macabre as Starling continued his tale.

"Then she sent out her every lackey to find out how a griffon could obtain magic powers. Of those that set out, many failed. She made an example of them to motivate the others further. Alchemists and sorcerers and even zebra shamans were brought in from all over the world with concoctions and spells, powerful artifacts were created and delivered to her and the most magical of beasts were hunted for their most potent organs, but nothing helped. It was almost as though a griffon simply could not obtain the ability to cast spells. So all of the artifacts, all of the spell scrolls, the potions, the organs were locked up in a mighty tower, waiting for an adventurer to come looking for them, but only the Baroness herself had a key." Again, Starling took a long pause, the rustling sound was getting closer and closer to them, more rustling was heard in the distance.

"The Baroness executed many of her loyal followers, lining the walls of her hall with their remains, until her last messenger returned. The messenger, terrified of her wrath told her that the only way for a griffon to gain magic and in so doing eternal youth, was to bathe in the blood of unicorn virgins, be completely submerged in it." The armored stallion's tone began to drop at this point, "So the Baroness sent more and more of her servants out to abduct virgin unicorn fillies so she could bathe in their blood. Her obsession at this point turned her hall into a macabre chamber of griffon and pony remains, with a massive basin of collected blood in the middle. Finally, she had enough blood to perform the ritual the messenger described." Starling stopped again, taking an even longer pause as more rustling moved around them, but not through the thicket towards them.

[Gilda]

Gilda rolled her heterochromatic eyes as Draft Design spoke, she couldn’t believe he’s really that lame. She snorted a mocking snore back at him, ”Really, you’re going to be like that, Drafty? Sure your parents didn’t actual name you Buzz Kill, ‘cause you’re murdering it for me.” This trip was going to be long with the ‘stick-in-the-bum’ Pegasus. Fine, she decided, should he wish to be lame go right ahead, but the minute the heat picks up, it was kill-counter time for Gilda.

When Starling spoke of the Baroness, Gilda’s cackles began to raise. She turned her attention to Starling, listening intently, hanging on every word. The nearby rustling caught her attention, her eyes snapping to the source. She watched for a moment, distracted between Starling’s story and seeing if her new eye could help shed any light on what was lurking nearby. Then, it hit her, this was just like back in Canterlot – he must be messing with them. Virgin unicorn blood, griffon and pony ritualistic slaughter. Nice one Starling, scaring Buzz Kill like that – story was just believable enough that she bet the lame pony would buy it. I mean why not? Why would Starling make something up like that, or even bring it up out in the middle of the Everfree forest if it weren’t ‘true’. Gilda contained a devious little smirk as she slinked back, just out of Draft Design’s line of sight. Minute whatever it was that was rustling back there emerged or Starling to do whatever little trick he had planned, she’d give the Pegasus a fright. She could play a good Baroness.

[Draft Design]

Draft ignored Gilda's comment, not wanting to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Regardless of what he did, he was going to have to deal with the griffon's reckless behavior. He could only hope it wouldn't become an issue.

Draft remained still as Starling began to tell the tale of the Baroness. The story itself was somewhat interesting, but why was the field marshall telling them this? Did it have some sort of purpose? Something moving through the thicket around them caught Draft's attention for a few moments, but the brush was too thick for him to make out what it was.

Draft turned back to Starling, doing his best to both pay attention to what he was saying as well as keep track of the movement around them. As the story continued, Draft began to draw conclusions as to its relevance. "And?" Draft asked after Starling had paused. "What happened next?" The Rainlock guard was almost certain the tale had something to do with Chrysalis, and the changelings. Why else would Starling be telling it?

[Red Charge]

"Whether or not the ritual worked, no one knew." Starling finally continued, "As soon as the Baroness submerged herself fully in the blood, the few left under her service lunged at her and drowned her in it, holding her down long after she stopped resisting and fleeing to the four corners of the earth afterwards. Each of these four servants were said to have their whole line cursed, every offspring of theirs was born blood red from the neck down and it is said that they were all were drawn to her tower, where they live to this day, guarding their mistress' treasure while she still lives in her hall in the Rocy Mountains. legend has it that to this day she abducts young children, pony or otherwise to feast from..."

At that Starling stopped his story and the rustling all around them ceased completely, only giving way to the eerie silence of the forest. Upon finishing his story Starling stood very, very still and did not talk. It was unnerving that throughout the entire story, Starling had not moved at all, it seemed beyond a pony's capability to be as still as a statue as Starling was, but nevertheless he continued to stand in silence.

[Gilda]

Smooth as silk, Gilda. Draft Design took the bait and kept his attention focused on Starling – poor naive fool. This was going to be good; eyeing Draft like a piece of freshly cut meat, waited for the dead silence to overcome them. Till the moment the stillness was at its peak, where the air itself seemed to conspire against them in silent whispers. She failed to notice the statue-like stillness of Starling, focus entirely on the curious Draft Design. Now the moment was ripe for the picking, a worthy prank. Without a sound, Gilda slipped into the air above Draft with subtle, shallow flutters of her wings, not wanting to disturb this perfect moment.

Gilda reached out with a talon to the back of Draft Design’s helmet and slowly raked the tip of her claws across its polished metal surface, ”ViRgIn bLoOd~ Bogabogaboga!”She rattled in her throat as she grabbed Draft’s helmet and gave it a quick shake, then darted into the air over him. She slowly floated down in front of Draft Design, smugly crossing her arms with a satisfied smirk on her beak. She chuckled all the while. ”Hah, totally got you! Bet you need to change your armor after that.” She teased while fluttering in the air, her back foolishly turned to Starling. ”Nice one, Starling. Really got him going… Starling?” Her head slowly turned till her eye could catch a glimpse of the other pony. It had only occurred to her now that he had been unusually quiet since his story had concluded.

[Draft Design]

Draft listened intently to the rest of Starling's story, surprised by the turn it took. Now it sounded like the Baroness didn't have anything to do with Chrysalis or the changelings. But why had Starling told them then?

The pegasus carefully examined the field marshall, growing wary of his stillness and silence. "...Starling?" the corporal spoke, trying to prod a response out of the other pony. Something scratching the back of his helmet iimmediately caught Draft's attention. As soon as it had shook his helmet, the pegasus instinctively spun around, aiming to spin kick his assaulter.

However, his hoof hit nothing. Draft was left staring at the empty space behind him in confusion until Gilda had mockingly revealed herself. That bird! "Whitefeather!" the corporal cursed, keeping his volume low. "I don't know what compelled you to do that, but I'd like to remind you that we are entering the territory of creatures that can take any form, including yours. Consider this a warning, because if something like this happens again, I'll know it's a changeling and won't hesitate to shoot. Got it?"