>You're naked, and you're in Chrysalis' personal hot spring.
>You initially were worried that something bad was going to happen, like a repeat of Canterlot.
>But no, she simply let you take a bath in her hot spring. Which is at least a thousand times better than any other bath you've had here.
>Not saying the others were bad but...
>This is fucking awesome.
>Sliding a bit further into the water you stop the water as it gets a bit over your lips.
>Letting out a slow but strong exhale from your nose causes the water to cone and start splashing upwards, tickling your nostrils with little droplets.
>This is extremely relaxing.
>How long have you been here?
>You have no idea.
>Soaking in the relaxation and comfort, you don't notice the door creak open slowly.
>The soft sound of hooves on stone sound off in the otherwise silent room, you ease your eyes open to see who it is.
>Chrysalis is at the edge of the hot spring, giving you that same look.
>Piercing, yet with something else you still quite put your finger on.
>It's something like an interest, a physical interest maybe?
>Ram Charger just might be right about this.
>You try to keep yourself calm as Chrysalis slides into the water, the surface not even yielding a ripple.
>"I figured a nice, respectable stallion such as yourself would hate to be alone in here. So I thought I'd give you some company".
>She slides noiselessly over towards you, stopping a good foot from your body.
>"You know Anonymous, keeping your feelings all bottled up isn't healthy. Take it from the queen of emotions, although I am enjoying the thoughts quite a bit".
>Your face reddens as you try to avoid her gaze, the effort is in vain as she slinks to your front, facing you.
>"Despite that, if I recall correctly you had said there wasn't any other sapient being on your planet. Which means..."
>She gets closer to your face, you can almost feel her breath, "You're a...ahhh what was the word. Xenophile"?
>"N-No. It isn't that, I'm not attracted to any others in this world. I'm not a Xenophile".
>She tilts her head, "So it's just me? Hm, I'm flattered, flattered that of all the beautiful things in this world you choose to have these thoughts and...desires towards me. Though I'm not saying that there is much things more beautiful than I am".
>You're taken aback.
>Just how much does she know?
"How did you-".
>"Emotions reveal many things Anonymous, I know things about ponies and other races of beings that would destroy lives, tear apart families, send entire empires into disarray. I know things about you that you yourself might not know".
>"For example, I've known from the moment you were in my presence that you've wanted to do things with me that would make any regular mare blush".
>If your face got any hotter the water would boil.
"I-I don't know what you're-".
>"Oh please Anonymous, it's only natural to lust after things of beauty and magnificence, besides".
>Her eyes are boring into yours, their immense ability to keep you entranced is the only thing keeping you from looking away.
>"I sort of-have an interest in you also, I will be honest with you and say that it's not a love interest but because your love is very, very delightful and would help our hive out a great deal".
>She put her snout to your ear, her cold but soothing breath caressing your ear as she whispers, "But it's still a win-win scenario isn't it"?
>Despite the heat of the hot spring you shiver, chills rolling up your spine.
"I-I uhhhh, I'm not sure what you're trying to say Chrysalis".
>A soft, high pitched chuckle comes from her as she wipes some hair of her face.
>"Well maybe this will reiterate what I was proposing".
>A hoof slides over your left shoulder as she presses her lips to yours.
>Taken by surprise you open your mouth just enough to pose a weakness.
>She takes this as an invitation, sliding her long and slender tongue into your mouth. Licking your teeth and vibrating her tongue with subtlety, before breaking the kiss.
>"Oh, this is going to be such a joyous time for the two of us".
>While you lay there still in shock, she exits the spring just as quietly as she entered it.
>"Oh and Anonymous, your quarters will be moved to my personal wing, such as a Royal Knight's quarters should be. Your ceremony will begin tomorrow at dawn, so rest up".
>Her sultry voice echoes around the otherwise silent room as she exits, shutting the heavy wooden door behind her with a loud thud.
>You still stare straight forward, your mind lost in a state of severe disarray.
>What just happened?
>Your face is on fire right now.
>Never expected this to go down that's for sure.
>Getting up you dry off and get dressed, picking your rifle up from the wall you sling it over your shoulder and exit the Queen's wing. Making a beeline for your room you hurry past without saying anything to anyone, lest they figure out what went on.
>If they're anything like their queen they already know the shit flying through your head.
>Damn you and your base desires.
>Sure enough, some of the hive's residents are giving you odd looks as you pass.
>You hurry even faster to your room/workshop, making sure to shut the door quickly.
>Standing against the door, you let out a long, drawn out sigh.
>Need to get to sleep and clear your head.
>Placing the rifle against your bedpost and getting undressed you notice a note laying on your desk, walking over and picking it up it reads.
"Knight Anonymous, in celebration of your induction into the Queen's personal guard. Your residence will be moved to the Queen's wing, in light of this you will have full access to the hives' facilities, including the massage parlor and the Royal Library".
>You continue reading the letter.
"Also, as per tradition, royal armor has been fashioned for your use in ceremony and battle. Due to you having no natural armor and your stature being vastly different from Changeling kind we could not use our traditional armor and had to custom forge these pieces to better suit your body, we hope it is to your tastes".
>Well that was quick.
>Wait, armor?
>You look around the room, its' modest contents yielding no traces of any armor. Only your desk, wardrobe, and queen sized bed are in here, bar the more smaller clutter and knick knacks you've come across in the desert and other hives.
>Reading over the letter again doesn't tell you where the armor is, but you can guess it's in the wardrobe.
>Walking to the large metal wardrobe and opening the doors reveal a dark grey chitinous plate suit, similar to chainmail but there seems to be little metal in this armor.
>Picking it up and holding it out you get a closer look at it.
>It's light, only weighing about as much as a good winter coat back home. It feels like a hard plastic but you know it's most likely the same stuff the tips of your black bullets are made out of, moulted chitin.
>Taking your clothes off, leaving your underwear and jeans on you slip the suit over you head. Putting it on like you would a T-shirt.
>It fits really slim, like some hipster's turtle neck. But it's very comfortable, you have free range of motion with your arms and such.
>Slipping the greaves on over your pants yields a tight fit but it's doable. The plate and metal braces working very well to allow you free range of leg movements, almost like your just wearing extra thick pants.
>The chitin plate boots fit perfect too, a little complicated to buckle down but a great change to your worn out hiking boots.
>Looking yourself over in the mirror reveals a very different looking you, instead of the run-of-the-mill looking human with some ragged clothes there stands a man in a uniform.
>You like this, you're truly starting to feel like a part of this hive, instead of just a long term guest.
>You notice the small insignia on the neckpiece and on your right shoulder, it's a green and black coat of arms.
>A dark green shield, sporting a black border with an image of Chrysalis' head on it. Under it reads, "For Queen and Swarm".
>You look into the wardrobe again, looking for anything else.
>A sword is hanging in the corner of the wardrobe, its' black chitin scabbard glistening in the dim light.
>You pick it up and pull the sword from its' sheath, the sound of scraping metal the only thing in the room.
>It's a beautiful sword, about the length of your arm. Its' steel blade shining brightly despite the low light level, the hilt is a dark wood entwined with grey steel bands which fit comfortably in your hand.
>The pommel has one single emerald in it, the exact color of Chrysalis' eyes.
>Looking over the blade in the light you read, "Knight Anonymous" near the handguard.
>You're truly flattered she would do all of this for you. Then again with what she was doing in the hot spring...
>Shaking your head loose of thoughts you put the sword back in its' sheath and place it carefully on the table.
>Getting undressed for the second time you climb into bed and quickly fall asleep.
 
>A hard knocking tears you awake, as the door opens slowly and the same nameless Changeling enters, "My Lord, your ceremony starts in one hour. Please come to the main dining hall at that time, the Queen will be waiting for you".
"Alright thank you, what is your name"?
>He seems a bit taken aback, "M-My name? It's Scratch my Lord".
>He bows before exiting the room, never turning his back on you.
>Scratch huh? Odd name.
>After the door shuts you get out of bed and open the wardrobe.
>Getting everything on the thought just hits you in your drowsy mindset.
>Lord?
>He must be being extra nice for the ceremony, that's all.
>You check yourself in the mirror, staring back at your reflection you can barely recognize the man looking back at you.
>Well you say a man but by all accounts you can still be called a child, you're only 22 after all.
>Your face had gotten more shapely and defined, instead of the slight round boyish look you had before.
>Your eyes had also gotten to be a hazel color instead of the darker brown they used to be.
>Your brown hair is getting longer, you can see your bangs when you look up.
>Making sure everything is together you grab the sword and fasten its' scabbard to your left side, out of the way of your rifle while it's on your back.
>You slip the leather gloves you found on, their hard chitin sitting over the top of your hand and knuckles. Kind of like the high quality mechanics gloves you had back home.
>Making sure everything was in its' proper place you exited your room, walking towards the dining hall.
>The heavy thud of your boots on the stone is something to get used to, the noise is bouncing off all the walls.
>Walking past some changelings they turn and bow as you pass them, some even greet you as Lord.
>Lost in your own confusion you accidentally bump into Ram.
"Oh hey Ram, sorry about that I was distracted".
>He bows his head towards you, "Pay it no mind my Lord".
>What? Him too?
"What is this whole 'Lord' thing? I'm a Royal Knight now aren't I? I think 'Lord' is a bit of an overstatement".
>He cocks his head, confusion painted on his features.
>"Lord Anonymous, there isn't such a thing as a Royal Knight. That insignia you wear is a unique coat of arms only worn by the king, the Queen has chosen you to rule along side her in our hive".
>What.
>You stare at him in disbelief, you can't move from the shock.
"You wanna...say that again...".
>"You are our king, my Lord".
>Your entire brain is burning itself out trying to get this all straight.
>You, essentially an alien from another planet, had just been given sovereignty over a kingdom after you only being here for half a year?
>This doesn't make any sense.
>"With all due respect my lord I would make haste to the dining hall, your ceremony starts in about 20 minutes".
>Snapping out of it you thank him and hurry off.
>You never signed up to be a king, hell you never signed up for any of this.
>Damn her and her alluring gaze, she can get whatever she wants.
>No wonder you can't say no, look at you. You're mind is so jumbled and erratic from thoughts about things you'd rather not think about to wondering why you're doing all this.
>Why king?
>Why you?
>She said something about your love being strong, and that she can use it for the hive.
>She's using your attraction to her.
>You can't even explain that either, you're human you mate with humans. Not a pony/insect hybrid, or anything else in this world for that matter.
>So why her?
>She's blatantly using you, she said it herself in the hot spring.
>Yet you're not upset, you're not miserable about it.
>You're happy.
>Confused, but happy.
>But why?
>You almost run into the dining hall's doors from being spaced out for so long.
>Grasping the handle you slowly ease the door open, peering into the organized chaos that is the dining hall.
>The din of the dining hall is enough to distract you from your thoughts.
>Until the door slams harder than usual.
>Instant silence as every changeling in the room looks towards you, their bright blue eyes boring into your being.
>The lack of silence is deafening you, you raise your hand in a small and insecure wave.
>All at once, every single changeling in the room rises to their hooves. They all face you and bow in sync.
>"I see they've already taken I liking to you Anonymous, or rather....'King' Anonymous".
>Chrysalis rises from her seat at the head of table, she silently walks towards you. Her deep emerald eyes casting their typical spells.
>"I was going to have a large ceremony with you giving a speech and all that good stuff. But I think I just want to put this crown on you, you'll look so adorable in it. It'll match the armor after all".
>A chitin crown is raised to your head, it's seven jagged spires resembling Chrysalis' horn, with a single emerald inlaid into the front.
>Chrysalis catches you in a deep and passionate kiss before breaking, her smile even wider than before.
>"Ahhh, just how I wanted it to look on you. My jeweller will be happy when I tell him the results".
>What followed was a massive feast and a lot of drink, Chrysalis had deemed that no changeling should work today in honor of your coronation. That in itself had caused a massive roar of cheering amongst the crowd.
>The entire time you had struggled to keep a happy facade as you mull over why this is happening.
>Why? You were just a tool to her, you're existence was thanks to a simple exchange. You helped her, she didn't kill you.
>In the hot spring she had said that she's using your attraction to her as a power source of sorts, that she's making you king in exchange for it.
>What have you gotten yourself into Anonymous...
>"I would think the king would be a bit more upbeat, I can taste your frenzied thoughts like a bad cup of coffee".
>You snap out of your haze of thought and look the Queen in the eye, the little light that is present reflecting off of them.
"Sorry, I just got lost in thought".
>She raises an eyebrow as she takes another sip of wine, "A king already in this deep in thought? I applaud your enthusiasm but for now it's a celebration, you are this hive's first king after all".
>You get yourself together, shaking the previous thoughts from your head.
"Really? I would think you with all of your wisdom and allure would have gotten married by now".
>Her chuckle slowly makes itself apparent as she finishes her wine, "You flatter like a true stallion, but I am still very young compared to me equals in other hives. We are the youngest hive in the territory, however we are the most technologically advanced".
>She puts her wineglass down as she takes a small bite from a cake that was brought to her, "So you are now the king of an up-and-coming hive with a very young and beautiful Queen at your side. To wage battle on the rouge changelings and any enemy of our territory, sounds fun doesn't it"?
>You take a sip of your own wine, savouring it's sweet raspberry-like flavor before putting the glass down.
"Sounds great, even if I'll be behind the front lines from now on".
>"What? Oh you didn't know I should have figured that...".
>It's your turn to raise an eyebrow at her.
"What"?
>"The king of every hive is usually on the front line, it signifies a confidence in victory while maintaining troop morale. The idea behind it is if the king is fighting by your side, you yourself would fight harder, better, faster, and stronger".
>You nod as you sip more of your wine, looking out to the changelings cheering and drinking up the day.
"So, I'm a soldier now? Instead of a caravan guard"?
>The Queen tilts her head to the side, in a mock thinking pose, "Essentially yes, except you'll have command of the troops on the field while I command the ones at the hive".
>She touches your shoulder with a hoof,"Though I'll let you...ease into that, like some other things that also comes with being the king".
>She chuckles to herself as a changeling approaches, bows, and speaks, "Your Majesties, the Royal Wing has been remodeled as you requested. If you please, you may go and see if it's to your liking".
>"I will, thank you young one".
>The changeling bows and returns to the table to join in the festivities, as Chrysalis looks to you, "Do you want to see your new home? I guarantee you will -love- it".
>With a nod you two get up, while she announces that the two of you are retiring to your bed chambers.
>Exiting the din of the dining hall, the silence overtakes your hearing. The ringing of silence echoes in your own ears, with only the slight drips of water as accompaniment.
>"You know, I thought that I would end up ruling this hive alone".
>You say nothing as the two of you continue down the hallway, wondering if this just an elaborate dream. Something seems off about this whole situation, and you can't place your finger on it.
>"Although, I would never have imagined it would be with you, of all beings. Though the passion you emanate is of the best quality I have had in a long, long time".
"Is that all this is? I get a position that looks more like I just sit around and give you emotions"?
>Why are you so annoyed now? You were fine before...
>"Well...yes".
>Her voice sounds sharper than usual.
>"I understand your feeling of being used, but that is why I had made you king, instead of just throwing you into the dungeon and using you as cattle. I feel that you are a great asset to our hive, and in order to show my full gratitude I had put you into a position equal to mine".
"Ah".
>"Plus, I can feel and see how you think about me Anonymous. I wanted to...let you have your cake and eat it too, so to speak".
>You struggle to keep your collar cold, approaching the door to the royal wing Chrysalis stops you.
>"I'll go and see if there's any...last touches I can do before you see. Wait out here".
>She gives you a peck on the lips before shutting the door, leaving you alone in the hallway.
>Maybe this won't be so bad after all...
>The clopping sound of hooves gets your attention as a lone changeling approaches you, "Your Majesty"?
"Yes"?
>Before you could react a green beam charges up and hits you square in the face, causing you to fall to the floor.
>Before had lost consciousness all you heard was the door being blown off its hinges and a very, very angry Queen...