"Cider, cider, cider, cider, cider, cider, cider..." the crowd chanted. Lyra and Bon Bon chanted and bounced along with the rest of the crowd. They were eagerly awaiting said drink that the Flimflam brothers had promised. Every year without fail, the Apple family ran dry before most of the town could get a mug. What aggravated the disguised changeling even more is that apple cider DID taste good to changelings, and yet she could never even get a decent amount.

Bon Bon was in the middle of the musical number when a wave of hive memories struck. The smell and taste of meat, it was intoxicating. Bon Bon drooled at the thought of something to eat that wasn't the flavorless pony food or disgusting mushrooms in the hive.

Even if the cider didn't turn out as well as she hopped, Bon Bon at least had something else to look forward too.

Bon Bon was walking home after the cider disaster. Her mug had BRANCHES in it! At least she got some of the Apple Family's cider afterwards, so it was not a total waste.

"So, about the human..." Lyra inquired.

"Not now, Lyra. I've already told you everything I know," Bon Bon groaned. She raised her mug of cider to her lips for the last wonderful sip.

Of course, the hive queen just HAD to choose that moment to broadcast her new orders to the hive mind.

<<Meat is food. Cocooned ponies who die are to be served in the mess hall with the mushrooms. Pony meat served in the hive is food. This information is never to be shared with any non-changeling.>>

Bon Bon did a spit take, losing the last mouthful of her wonderful cider. “Buck,” she cussed under her breath.

"Bonnie?" Lyra asked, confused by her marefriend's action. "What's wrong? Is it... her?"

Bon Bon nodded. "Lyra, trust me when I say this is bad. I can't tell you why, but I can warn you. The hive just became significantly more dangerous for ponies. If you ever see another changeling, run far away. If you get captured, there's almost no chance you will make it out alive. They're going to cause tons of trouble, now."

Lyra gulped at her marefriend's morbid words. "Are you okay, Bonnie?"

"No, I don't think I am. I'm never going to look at a pony the same way again. Don't worry... I'll be fine... eventually. Come on, let's go home," Bon Bon said.

As they walked silently together, Bon Bon's stomach growled.

Author's Notes:

Soooo... here's something for you while I get over my writer's block for the main story line.

*Ding* Have a very mini chapter!

(Edited 12/21/2013)