Iron Hoof knew that it hadn’t been a good idea to build a house near the Badlands, but the material was just easier to get here. That was a decision not just he, or his family, but his whole village would regret. One year ago, they had begun their journey to settle a new village with Princess Celestia’s and Princess Luna’s personal blessing. With a great party, the caravan had left Fillydelphia and eagerly marched on without thinking about the possible dangers for a second. What should a pony look out for these days anyway? They were living in peace. The war with the griffons was millennia ago, and most of the dangerous creatures were living in the Everfree Forest near a small town named Ponyville that was not far away from Canterlot. Who would have expected the danger to be here?

One month ago, they all had reasons to celebrate. The announcement of the marriage of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and the Captain of the Royal Guard, the brother of the Element of Magic, was a big thing everywhere. None of the villagers were able to attend the festival, but that didn’t keep them from holding their own banquet in honour of the couple. It had been the first real festival the village had celebrated; they just hadn’t found the right time for that before. The winter didn’t have to be wrapped up out here since there were no such things as seasons here in the desert. Even the spring festival, which the earth ponies liked to hold, didn’t exist out here since there were no seeds to sow.

But that was not what they were here for; that would be the iron. It was a rare good in Equestria and brought lucrative business with it, so many travelling salesponies would come out here to buy it. They would bring food and bits with them to trade for the valuable commodity.

The ponies who were not working in a mine themselves were providing pubs and taverns for the workers and merchants. With the few alternatives, that was also a good business out here.

They had a monopole, and life was good for them. The village flourished so well that they had even ordered the laying of a railway line to ease the transport. But that wasn’t meant to be.

His house, built out of simple wood that they had brought with them, was burning down, just like the rest of the village. Flames, green flames were to be seen everywhere, and a constant buzzing sounded through the air. Nopony would have ever imagined that Fillyburg, named after the hometown of the settlers, would end this way. Screams of ponies sounded through the chill night, followed by malicious laughter.

“It is not Canterlot, but for today it shall be enough. Eat, my changelings! Feed on them!” a rasp, female voice sounded through the air and ordered the black creatures. One of the things had rooted Iron Hoof with a green substance to the ground, and he had to watch his wife and daughter, not older than half a year, be dragged away by of these creatures.

“Stop! What are you doing with them!? Let me out of here! Give me back my family!” he shouted, but none of the creatures seemed to bother with his words. Rather, they seemed to give them pleasure.

Iron Heart was strong, not just because he was an earth pony, but also because he worked in his mine every day. If he could get his hooves on one of those things, he would crush them like the insects they were, but they had surprised him in his sleep and tied him up.

The large changeling that floated over the village came down to him and eyed him for a while. Her breath had the disgusting smell of death, and he wanted to vomit by just looking at her. Long, bilious green hair, an exoskeleton covering her back, incredibly long fangs, and holes in her legs - it was a horrific sight that was topped off with cold, green eyes. Her horn glowed for moment before she spat on the ground in front of him.

“This one is not worthy, but the other two are.” She pointed at his wife and daughter. “They will replace our losses in Canterlot very well. Put them into a cocoon!” she shouted to her two servants, who replied with a loud hissing and moved his family out of his sight. Iron tried to free himself with all his power, leaned into every direction, but the goo held him in place. “I see that someone is not being agreeable.” The queen giggled. “But you are lucky; I am giving you a chance. Defeat me, and you and your family are free to go.” Hope had appeared at the end of a long, dark tunnel, even if it was slim. He could save his family; he just would have to squash this large fly that dared to stand in his way.

With a flash of light, she removed the goo that tied him up and immediately he charged at her but immediately fell harshly on the ground. Her horn glowed again, and magic pushed him down in the dry sand of the desert. “What is wrong, little pony? Feeling powerless?” She laughed again in her raspy voice.

“Just wait… until I…” He flew through the air and crashed against a burning pillar that once belonged to his house. The pillar collapsed and buried him underneath.

“I do not know why Celestia is not here to protect you, but I will find out. This is only the first step to my revenge!” she hissed and slowly went towards him, her horn still glowing. He felt something being siphoned from his body, how the small light at the end of the tunnel slowly began to faint. “Time for a small snack, and what can I say, I like the taste of desperation.” Her horn glowed even stronger, and all his senses began to fail. He felt nothing. No wind, no pain, no emotion, no love, and certainly no hope. Her horn went out, and she rammed her fangs into his neck.

Author's Notes:

If we were in my other story, My Little Pony - Journey, this would be an intermission.
Also, for reason of real life this story will only update every two weeks for a while.

Thanks to Gron for translating this chapter.
Special thanks to JBL for proofreading and editing.

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