>"Guard Anonymous, the Queen has requested your presence in her quarters. I would recommend you go immediately".
>Looking up from your work you eye the changeling, his waist high head barely reaching over your work table.
>Heaving a sigh you quickly slide the bolt back into the rifle, using its' sling to wrap it around your body.
"Alright then, let's go".
>With a nod as a response, the nameless drone motions you to follow him.
>Strolling through the maze of tunnels and rooms, you make your way to the area you know as the Queen's personal wing.
>She has been nice enough, for someone that at one time kidnapped you while you were sleeping at camp.
>Not like you had much places to be, being exiled from Equestria and all.
>Apparently they're only nice to those that have something they want, or is a fellow pony.
>But if you're a weird 6 foot tall alien with a weapon they've never seen before? Nah, they just exile you into the Badlands.
>According to Queen Chrysalis you were lucky to come out alive. The Princesses seemingly like to off ones that pose a threat to being more powerful than they are.
>You have no idea why you could pose a threat though, you can't even do magic, not to mention the other beasts that roam these lands would rip you limb from limb.
>You're just a guy that was out hunting when you found some weird light bounding around a pond.
>Walking right up to it wasn't the best thing to do, and now you find yourself in a world of magic, mythical beasts, and talking technicolor ponies.
>You found a town of them, tried to let them know you weren't hostile.
>They calmed down but sent word to their ruler of your appearance.
>Naturally they wanted to see you, so you took their train to the capital, Canterlot you believe it was called.
>Went through the typical royal greetings and introductions, everything was going swimmingly until they asked about your rifle.
>The blue Princess...Luna? Thought it was just a fancy spear, seeing the bayonet on the end of it.
>You goofed though when you told them what it really does, telling them that it shoots a piece of metal that will pierce through almost anything.
>Then they asked you to demonstrate, which, not wanting to upset royalty, you obliged.
>Following them out into the garden they had set up a chestpiece of the royal guard armor, which according to them, boasted an impenetrable steel.
>You take the Mosin of off safety, and put it to your shoulder.
>Taking careful aim you squeeze off a round, the rifle sounding off its signature report, much to the freight of all of the ponies around you.
>Sure enough, the bullet strikes true, punching nearly a fist sized hole into the armor. To top it off the round went all the way through, putting another hole into the back. Before striking the stone pillar behind it, and of course it left a nice sized hole in that too.
>Luna was intrigued, and seemed very curious about the rifle, asking about the technology needed for something like that.
>The white one however, was far from happy.
>She seemed furious.
>The next thing you knew you woke up in some forest on the edge of a huge desert. You did see a very tall spire out in the distance, which you had assumed belonged to some civilization.
>Oh how right you were.
>They had taken you when you were asleep at camp. You woke to the noise of their chittering outside of your makeshift tent, before you could grab your rifle they had already used some sort of magic on you to knock you out.
>It's always damn magic with this world.
>Your second awakening was inside of a very dark and damp cell, a chain fastened around your wrists and laying on a somewhat comfortable bed.
>Didn't take away from your fright as you suddenly came back back to the fact that you were kidnapped.
>That was until the Queen came through the door, told you all about who the changelings were, how they were cast out just as you were. That if you weren't hostile and could pull your weight you can stay.
>Also she said something about how your good emotions are feeding her and her hive fairly well by itself.
>So you agreed.
>That was about 5 months ago, now you helped make scavenge and supply runs between this and the next hive deeper into the Badlands.
>Turns out there is a lot of very, very nasty creatures around here. Nothing your rifle couldn't take care of though.
>Still have to ask that crazy scientist changeling about that weird magical ammo thing he said he could make, you're down to only 3 clips not counting the 5 rounds loaded in the rifle.
>"Ahem".
>Bringing you out of your reverie is the same changeling, still staring at you with those large blue eyes.
>"The Queen will open the door when she is ready to have you. Please wait here".
"Yeah sure".
>You lean against the wall, the stone's coldness piercing the clothes on your back.
>Heaving another heavy sigh you absent-mindedly look around the lobby of the Queen's wing.
>For what you all are living in it's a slight step up from what you get and what the regular drones have in their homes, long comfortable looking couch, plenty of bookshelves filled with texts that you can't read, and a chandelier made out of some unknown metal. All you know is that the tips aren't candles but little balls of light that emit a soft green glow, not so intense it's hard on the eyes but enough for you to know the color.
>After a good 10 minutes or so of waiting and rambling thoughts, the iron door on the other side of the room opens, and there stands the Queen.
>Much taller than her subjects, she comes up to your face in height, sporting a large jagged horn and wings much larger than the others.
>The other differences are her deep, alluring green eyes that you find yourself getting lost in all of the time, and her small crown on the top of her head. Though you're not sure if it's part of her anatomy or not.
>"You always seem to be amazed at my beauty Anonymous, it tastes too good to let you stop".
>Snapping out of it once again you stand at attention and bow.
"My Queen, you called me here"?
>A slight pout forms on her face, "And just like that it's gone, such a shame".
>You try to hide your embarrassment from her but she always senses it, "And now he's getting all hot under the collar, such an odd creature you are. All this time you've been here I still can't get you all figured out".
>"Well, that is a matter for later, now I have an assignment for you that is outside your usual tasks. One that is urgent and needs to be undertaken immediately".
>You focus on what she's saying.
"What do you need Quee-"
>"I keep telling you to just call me Chrysalis you know".
"What do you need Chrysalis"?
>A satisfactory 'hmph' noise is her response, "I need you to find my scouting team from the Rock's Edge area, we made a map for you that marks their last camp location, I would be able to tell you exactly where they are but...I can't seem to sense them, they're outside of my range...".
>Her mood plummets as she finishes the sentence, her eyes looking to the floor, even her crown seems to be leaning forward.
>It tugs at your heart, a queen with such love for her subjects is a sight to behold, so much different than the empires and kingdoms that you knew on Earth.
"Alright, I'll go out to look for them. I just need the day to gather supplies and prepare for the walk".
>The Queen looks you straight in the eyes, her deep green irises shining in the dim light, her pupils piercing your very being.
>"Thank you Anonymous, I know that I never tell you this and most likely my subjects don't either but, we're happy we found you".
>You smile at her, you can't help it, she's too good of a person not to smile at.
"I am too, even if you had abducted me and chained me up for a week".
>Her ears flatten as she gives you a deadpan stare, "Your odd humorous sarcasm ruined the atmosphere, I'll get one of my finest scouts to assist you on the journey".
>You bow to her again.
"Thank you Chrysalis".
>She nods to you, "You may leave".
>As you turn around to leave she speaks up again, "Oh and Anonymous, there is a rumor going through the hives that in Rock's Edge there is some rouge changeling queen with a small hive, we can't sense her but scouts report that there are other changelings there that don't respond to our signals. I would watch yourself, and...if you find our scouts, please bring my children home".
"Of course Chrysalis".
>You open the lobby door and exit into the hallway, it's cold, damp air invading your nostrils once again.
>You make your way back to the main hall of the hive, twisting through tunnels and rooms that at one time had been completely unknown to you.
>You haven't seen half the hive but you know where all the essentials are and where your room is, so you're okay with that.
>Finally, you reach the door to the crazy scientist changeling you've taken to calling Einstein. As the changelings save the Queen have no names.
>Nudging open the door you immediately hold your nose from the assault of some unknown odor, all you know is that it stinks like hell.
>It's burnt something, that's all you can get out of it.
>"Now, where did I put that metal case thing. The alien will be mad at me if I lose it, it seemed important to him".
>Looking around the mess of beakers and lab equipment you can't find the crazy bug, but you decide to let him know you're here anyway.
"You lost my casing"?
>A loud Eep and a banging noise rings through the room, as the changeling crawls out from under a table in the corner of the laboratory, muttering curses and nursing his horn.
>"Ah, the alien! So good to see you! Come, I have finally made some magical shells that your weird stick thing can shoot! I modelled them after the metal casing you gave me, so they should fit like a fresh cocoon"!
"A fresh cocoon? That's...a weird simile".
>He gives you a stern look as he fetches a small box, "You've never known comfort if you haven't had a freshly made cocoon! It is such a blissful thing, almost makes you forget you're in a cave in the middle of a lifeless desert".
>He sets a small white box on the middle table.
"Don't you guys sleep in a bed"?
>"Well...yes but when it gets time for us to moult we wrap ourselves in a cocoon and enter a very short hibernation, usually lasting anywhere from 3 days to a week! One of the cook changelings even had stayed for 2 weeks straight. We had to dig her out in fear of her dying, it's not healthy to be in that long".
>He opens the small white box, inside there seem to be about fifteen rounds of ammunition, but these look vastly different.
>For one the casings are black, with a seemingly plastic bullet tip that is a light blue, in the same shape as any of your 7.62x54R rounds.
"Are you sure this works"?
>"Nope! But that's the fun part".
>He magics some circle in front of you, a light green color.
>"This will catch whatever goes through it, just make that thing shoot and we'll see if it works or not".
>You seem to be sighing a lot today.
>You bring your rifle around and open the bolt, letting the round fall onto the table.
>Taking one of the magic rounds you push it into the magazine, and close the bolt, chambering the round.
>Well it chambers, that's a positive thing right there.
>Bring the rifle up to your shoulder you take aim at the small green circle.
>"Fire, when, ready".
>You're not very comfortable with this, but he's your only chance to be able to keep using this gun. And not just keep it as a fancy spear.
>Against all your inner screaming you squeeze the trigger, and two things happen.
>A very odd metal ringing noise erupts from the rifle, like you had just hit some thin steel with a heavy hammer.
>The other a bright green beam lets loose from the barrel, striking the circle and like Einstein said, stopped.
>"Aha! Success! Wonderful! I didn't think that would work"!
>You open the bolt and sure enough the shell ejects, falling onto the table.
"Wow, how did you do that"?
>A look of joy and surprise cross the changeling's features, "Oh that? I had simply stuffed a very volatile bit of magical energy into the case, and when the back of these are pierced, it sets itself off! Letting the energy zoom out of the front of your stick thing! Isn't it exciting"?!
>You pick up the shell and examine it, looks to be small hole where the primer usually is. A small hole has been punched into it.
>"So, you like? It was so much fun building something like that, I've never even thought of the idea of something like that existing"!
"Yeah, this thing is cool, I just have one little bit of uneasiness about this".
>Einstein raises and eyebrow, "And what would that be"?
>You show him the back of the shell.
"If this gets hit and it's not in my gun it'll go off, how easy is this to pierce"?
>The crazy bug puts a hoof to his chin, "Hmmmmm, I don't know. One way to find out though".
>A green aura surrounds another round, as he lifts it to point it at the the circle.
>Grabbing a small metal tool he slams it into the primer, and again, and again.
>He sets it down, "Nope! Doesn't seem to want to, that stick thing can hit it harder than I can though".
>You feel a bit better knowing that they wont go off any easier than your regular bullets, that's a huge plus.
"Alright, I love these Einstein, thank you. How easy are they to make"?
>"Well, the case is made of regular steel, the tip thing is actually pieces of moulted chitin from our elite heavy troops, and the magic is...well from me".
>"So as long as you can bring me steel or any other similar metal I can keep making these, it only takes me about an hour to make one if I have all the materials".
>You nod and put the rest of the rounds in your chest pouch.
"Well Einstein, if I find anything interesting out near Rock's Edge I'll bring to you for thanks alright? I know you love odd things".
>The science bug jumps in joy, "Oh that would be delightful yes! I've been wanting a Manticore carcass so if you find one I would love to have it".
>You try to cover the chuckle escaping your mouth.
"I'll try but, I don't think there's any Manticores in the desert".
>A little sigh comes from the small guy, "And fate has never ceased to restrict me and my work, oh well".
"Alright, well I have to go grab the rest of my supplies, so I'll see you when I get back okay? Thanks for this Einstein, I really needed these".
>He waves to you as you leave, "Anytime alien"!
>Closing the door to Einstein's lab a small explosion rings out through the room, quickly opening the door and looking in you're assaulted by that same pungent odor.
"You alright"?
>You must sound weird holding your nose and speaking to him.
>"Oh I'm fine, trying to find a docile point for these two magic elements. As you can see, it isn't going well".
"Well, good luck with that".
>A hoof twirl is all you get as you exit the lab again, and back into that familiar cold air.
"Crazy ass bug haha".
>Next up is the kitchens.
>Turns out love and various emotion aren't the only thing changelings eat.
>They also eat regular foods like potatoes and other meats.
>They take such good care of their cattle and animals it's a sight to behold.
>Whirling through more tunnels and passageways you bump into a large changeling, nearly knocking you back on your ass.
"Woah, sorry about that. Didn't see you".
>The changelings turns around, it being identical to it's other brothers and sisters, but it comes up to your mid torso. And he looks to be a lot thicker and more naturally armored.
>He also doesn't have wings.
>"Are you Anonymous? I'm Ram Charger. I'm your scout and guide for this mission".
>That voice can crack the heavens it's so damn deep.
"Oh alright hey there, I thought changelings didn't have names"?
>He raises an eyebrow, "Who told you that"?
>Who did tell you that?
>Thinking about it, no one really told you that changelings have no names.
>Well sonnuvabitch.
"No one actually, I had assumed that no one had names I guess".
>A 'hmph' noise comes from the large scout as he nods his head slowly, "Well, we do. I have no idea why none has told you their name, seems odd".
>Now you wonder why they never told you their names.
>"If it makes you any more comfortable, we would've killed you long before now if you weren't welcome".
>Welp, alright then.
"Yeah that uhhh, sure does cement things doesn't it"?
>Ram Charger eyes you with curiosity, "Did I make you uncomfortable? I will keep note to tone down my explanations of things then".
"No that's not it Ram just, had a bad thought".
>Ram nods, "Well, that aside. I have taken the liberty of collecting the food supplies for our mission, I have also gathered supplies to make camp. The journey to the Rock's Edge camp shouldn't be more than two days to make, you do know what the entirety of our mission is yes"?
"Yeah, find the scout team that disappeared around there right"?
>Ram Charger nods, "Correct, we should leave at the earliest time we can. However, you have the command for this mission so we leave at your time".
>You have command? You didn't know that.
"I didn't know I had command for this shindig".
>"That you do, I usually command the scout regiment but the Queen has specifically told me that you are in charge".
>You had gotten ranked over a commander? You mean you know she flirts with you and you're close to cracking but...
>To put you in charge of a portion of her troops? That's trust, not idle courtship.
"Huh, well...We leave when we get to the main entrance then, you had already done what I was in the middle of doing".
>"Good, we shall waste no time then".
>He turns around and magics a large pack onto his back.
>Fastening it down and making sure it's secure, he sets off towards the main entrance.
>That pack looks heavy...
"Hey uh, Ram. You want me to carry some of that? Looks heavy on you".
>Ram shakes his head as the two of you walk through the dark, twisting path that leads to the main entrance.
>"That is unnecessary Anonymous, I am in perfect fit to carry the pack. If you are still concerned then on the second day of the journey you can carry the camp supplies".
>Well don't you feel just useful now.
>After a good 5 minutes of slightly awkward small talk the two of you arrive at the main door that leads out into the desert, its gigantic metal doors sealed shut against the elements of the outside.
>Chrysalis and two other changelings guards are standing at the door, waiting for you and Ram.
>The two of you approach her and bow, as you come out of your bow Ram breaks into a salute, "Commencing Operation Search and Rescue, at your command your Highness".
>You follow suit and give her a salute, which she breaks out into a chuckle, "Oh you're too precious Anonymous, I'll see the both of you in 5 days yes? hopefully with our scouts".
>Chrysalis locks eyes with you, her mesmerizing eyes sending you into a trance.
>Stepping forward she give you a peck on the cheeks, taking advantage of your distraction, "Do bring them home yes"?
>Collecting yourself you scratch the back of your head, trying to keep your hands busy.
"Y-Yes, Chrysalis, o-of course".
>Out of the corner of your eyes you see Ram Charger's own go wide.
>Chrysalis turns to go back into the main hallway, "See you soon".
>As she leaves you shake yourself back to reality, wondering how in the hell she does that.
"Well Ram, you ready to go".
>"What? Oh, yeah sure".
>Signaling the door guard, the metal door starts to slowly open up.
>Waves of dust fly into the room, prompting you to put your goggles on and wrap your bandana around your lower face.
>Ram Charger does nothing, simply staring into the small sandstorm forming at the mouth of the cave.
>Piercing light comes through afterwards, filling the room with a unnaturally bright yellow light.
>You bring your hand to your eyes as the two of your set off into the desert.