Like projectiles, the attackers came closer, and Thiemo barely made it in time to throw Aura out of the way before rolling to the side. The foal rolled, still unconscious, over the stone floor and finally stopped near the wall. Thiemo, on the other hand, was now more in the middle of the room and thus probably even easier to spot.

Small rocks flew over him as the strange creatures clashed on the ground. On the inside, he hoped that it hurt and that they were killed by the kamikaze, but he knew better. No being would dare use such a move without being sure that it could survive. The three attackers stepped out of the raised dust. They had a body which was similar to a pony, covered either in short black and shining fur or a leathery skin - he couldn’t really see. On their backs, where the wings connected to the body, was something which resembled a natural shell. It was something that only appeared on insects, and he hated insects.

It had started with the annoying mosquitoes which Noah just had to take two in his damned Ark, and it didn’t stop at spiders. Back in his flat, they would not have survived for longer than ten seconds after their spotting. Wasps were his sworn enemies, and it seemed to be mutual. But these insects in front of him were significantly bigger than wasps, had sharp teeth instead of a stinger, and dozens of holes in their legs.

Thiemo had read a lot about countless creatures during his time at university, but he couldn’t assign any of the descriptions or illustrations to the attackers. They hissed and spat at him as they readied for the jump. He was forced to roll to the side again as the hooves narrowly passed in front of him. Now he could see that they had small horns on their heads like unicorns, but they were curved and twisted as though they had been broken several times without straightening it to heal correctly.

Quickly, he took his chance and got the three off their feet with a gust. They collided harshly with the rock face, leaving behind green liquid where they had struck the unforgiving surface. Before he could even begin to consider what to do next, Thiemo was suddenly lifted and hurled violently through the room himself. More of the insects landed behind him unnoticed. One grabbed him by the neck and launched him in the air. Shoulders first, he landed ungracefully to the ground and bounced on the rough floor. With the shock of the attack and the surging pain that flowed through his battered form, he unwittingly released his staff.

Just before he could try to grab for it again, more insect-ponies arrived and sunk their fangs into him before he could react. The agony spiked, and he had to bite back a pained gasp as he tried to free himself. With his left hand, he swung at the creature that had pinned down his right arm but only managed to hurt himself more in the process. Another hurried in and sunk its fang into his left arm and extended itself. He was now completely rendered immobile. His three relatively good limbs were now firmly held by the creatures so that he couldn’t move any without them drilling their sharp deeper into his flesh. On the other hand, he was happy they disregarded his wounded leg. Even if he would end up as food, he would not have to suffer unnecessarily because an overgrown cockroach had pulled it.

“What are you doing?! Don’t you know who you have here?” The fight was over, so now he switched to trying to persuade them to release him although he doubted that he was understood. To his surprise, their bite loosened a bit, and he immediately used the moment. With a swift and very painful movement of his free leg, he moved his staff back into his reach and wrenched his right arm free. Skin, cloth, and specks of blood were left behind, but he ignored it as his hand made contact with the well-known metal, and he quickly lashed out at the insect on his other leg with it. Said bug recoiled from the blow, and Thiemo repeated the move on the opponent to his left, but it still managed to tighten its bite before its head also made contact with his staff. “Anyone else?” he yelled and swirled the staff around while he confronted the others.

Ahead of him were still twelve more of the insect beings staring at him, their facets formed to slits. On one of their backs was Aura, deeply delved into the realm of dreams. They had his daughter, and as they gathered around her, one of them committed to biting into her flesh. “Stop!” he screamed and dropped the staff. “Don't harm her.” The attackers seemed content with his response. Faster than he could see, one of the just beaten drones dragged the staff away from him. The others slowly approached him and bit again, this time more painful due to his exposed wounds. They wanted to capture them, so not everything was lost. However, as long as Aura wasn’t in her right mind, and with his lame leg, they had no chance against the horde of enemies, although they seemed not that strong individually.

With a dull sound and some raised sand, a larger version of the insects landed right in front of him. It looked just like the others, just more muscular and wore a helmet of seemingly the same material as their shells. With the assumption that this was some kind of leader, he tested his luck once again. “What is the sense of this? Why did you lure us into this trap?” The commander didn’t respond, only eyed him sharply. With a jerk of his head, he gave a silent order, and Thiemo got his backpack ripped off. Together with the staff, it was now lying at the commander’s feet.

However, he didn’t bother with the backpack; instead, he had a closer look at the staff. With one of his cheesy hooves, he rolled it over the ground left to right until he finally kicked it into a corner. “Long time since a human last found his way into our land. The queen will be most satisfied.” The voice of the leader was rough and sounded hoarse as if he had a frog made of glass shards in his throat. At least he knew that he would end as meal for a queen of pony-insects. Far better than a car crash, but sadly, that was not how he had hoped it would end.

He wanted to either die of old age next to a twenty year old, smoking hot, naked blonde in bed, or at least in a way that it was cool but not painful. At best, with a guitar in the one hand and a sword the other. Being eaten by some gigantic bug in a dark hole under the desert was far down on his list concerning coolness of death. Then there was also the filly he had to protect. However, right now he could only wait and see what would happen next.

They began dragging him down the tunnel, through the entrance he had waited in front of. The first seconds had him in darkness, but then the horns started to glow in a toxic green whose light was then reflected by the shining wall. “Do you know Xenos?” he asked the insect on his left arm but only got a mean look as response. “I’ll take that as a yes.” The creature punched him.

“Stay silent, or I will silence you,” the leader warned without turning around. Annoying them could end either well or bad. Good if they were so annoyed that they wouldn’t search him more carefully, and worse if they did so for exactly that reason.

However, since he was already imprisoned, things couldn’t get much worse. “Well, since you are already so good at covering my body with saliva, back there between my cheeks is a spot which needs special caretaking.” He could only giggle at their first wondering then horrified faces. The innuendo didn’t pass over their heads, and one of the creatures even let go of his thigh and bit his shin instead. “Harder, that turns me on.” The three seemed even more disgusted but didn’t let go.

The whole group made a sudden stop, and the commander, visibly pissed that his prey wouldn’t shut up, stepped up right in front of him. “If you don’t shut your mouth immediately, I’ll make sure you never open it again." His hoof was dangerously close to his jaw, and there were only a few guesses as to what he meant. Seemingly happy that only silence followed, they continued their walk. After some time, he noticed that the surface of the rocks had changed. It was longer shiny, but covered by a black material that looked somewhat… organic.

The hooves also didn’t knock on the ground anymore, making a sound as if they were going through mud. With his butt, he touched the surface, and contrary to his assumption that his trousers would get wet by sticky slime, it was dry. But one thing was for sure - they had now reached the lair of the insects. Again he heard the humming of many wings, way louder than when the twenty or so had attacked. Of these, there were only about fifteen left, and he realized that the three he had knocked against the walls were missing. They had just left them behind. Meanwhile, Aura was still on the back of one of the insects, still not awake. That was probably due to that strange spell on her.

Deeper and deeper they delved into the lair before they got to some kind of turnoff. The way before them split into more than five different paths, and the insect that carried Aura and a couple others separated from the group and disappeared down one of the paths. “Where are you taking her?” Thiemo tried to free himself and go after her, but the hostage-takers only bit harder, forcing him to remain still.

Not one of them cared to respond as they carried him down another way. He tried his best to keep the layout in mind, but they reached more branch-offs, and without leaving behind marks, he had no chance. His nightmares were now centred on being trapped in a labyrinth without a map. Never had he thought that this would ever happen. That said, he never thought that he would also be swarmed by black pony-insects. He hoped with everything he had that Aura wouldn’t be harmed and was only in another cell.

Finally, they reached a large door which was also of organic origin. It consisted of several leaves which were twisted into each other to block the way. However, as they approached, the leaves cleared and revealed the view of a gigantic hall. Hundreds of the insects flew around, carrying something in their grotesque snouts or their backs. Others had armor like the leader of their little group, and some seemed small, like larvae or foals, depending on how this species called its offspring. They dragged him into and down some stairs which led to the centre of the oval-shaped room. Under the roof were big green crystals which reflected a light similar to the horns of the insects. However, these were lapsed as they entered the room.

Fortunately for him, the strange material on the ground was soft, otherwise the journey down the long stairs would have been way more painful. Down in the middle of the room, Thiemo saw the shape of a gigantic insect. It was on all fours and bigger than he on his two legs. There was a long and very warped horn on its head. On its back, the same wings as the others were present, just at an appropriate size. The biggest difference was the mane and the tail this one had. Long, matted, green hair hung down its neck and to the shoulders, leaving the question of gender clear. This was obviously the aforementioned queen. The crown in her mane left no room for doubt as she turned around to Thiemo and his guards. Her eyes were also different as he now realized. They were green and resembled a cat’s.

The insects released him, and he fell on the muddy black surface which seemed to cover everything here. “My queen, we bring you a prisoner.” The leader stepped aside so that Thiemo was only separated by a few steps from the queen.

Both looked at each other for a few seconds. A long tongue went over her lips and her pointy teeth. “Your queen is content with such a rare catch.” Her voice was similar to the soldier, just audibly more feminine and somehow gave impression of her status.

“Not that I am not feeling honoured, which I’m not, but I’d like to be somewhere else right now,” Thiemo remarked, and all the creatures in the room fell into silence. Nothing hummed anymore; none of the creatures even seemed to breathe. The queen lifted her hoof, and as if the ground would fortify itself, she slammed it on the ground.

“Silence, you maggot!” She yelled so loudly that surely everyone had heard her even on the other side of the lair. Thiemo's ears rang although he covered them with his hands. “Don’t you know who you are up against?”

He tried to sound as normal as possible although he felt overwhelming panic. The organic material everywhere seemed to be controlled by her will, and her horn didn’t seem dull either. “Well, as your hideousness may have realized, I’m not really from the region.” Silence again. “No, I have no clue. Should I?” The queen seemed in highly offended; her subjects outraged. Never before had he pissed off so many creatures at once. If this wasn't such a dangerous situation, he would have given himself a congratulatory pat on the back.

The horn of the queen glowed in the familiar green, and the same color enclosed him. In the next moment, he felt incredible pain, something that he had been introduced to too often recently, as an invisible force tried to squeeze his body into a ball. “I am Queen Chrysalis, ruler of the changelings and scourge of the Leylands.” Her voice echoed through the room as she triumphantly posed with a hoof on her chest.

As she ended her sentence, the pain faded, allowing him to suck in a few ragged breaths. “Shouldn’t I have heard of you then? I have been in these lands for quite a while a—” She didn’t hesitate to inflict the same spell upon him again, and he felt the overwhelming pressure trying to cave in his chest. If he had been able to open his mouth, only some painful cries would have gotten out.

“I have conquered Canterlot and defeated the Goddess of the Sun. My kind is older than time itself, and you dare insult me, human?” It was probably not so good an idea to piss them off, but he still considered himself too proud to kiss ass.

Furthermore, he wasn’t good at it since his mouth often worked to betray his mind. “And yet we sit in a cave in this no man's land.” The agitated twitching of one of her eyelids told him that he hit a nerve and braced for another round of pain, but it failed to appear.

He slowly looked up cautiously at her. The other insects also seemed to expect the same reaction as he did. “We are about to leave this place anyway. Nothing holds us any longer in this lair.” That explained all the packed changelings, which seemed like a rather strange name for a species. They were setting out.

Aside from the sort of unlucky position of the lair, nothing seemed wrong with it. At least not for Thiemo's limited knowledge of homes of insects. Said knowledge he only had because, as a kid, he found it funny to destroy the housing of the ants in their garden. Magnifier, hose, and shovel were his instruments of torture. Maybe these insects could get to know them as well. If they left him alone with his talismans in a cell, he would make sure of it if only because of Aura. “Why the road trip? Is the exterminator coming?”

She was more than obviously unnerved by him, but for some unexplainable reason, he was still alive and not in her stomach… yet. Or in a cell. “No sane being would stay near Equestria. Not after the wave of chaotic magic which was set off a month ago.” Her snout was nearly in his face. ”I am only bringing my kin to safety before it is too late."

It was more than clear. Queen Chrysalis was afraid. It was written in her face, at least there where he could read. The anatomy of the creatures of this world was still partially a mystery to him. A combination of pony and insect features did not make it easier either. “Actually, we were on our way there. So how about you let us go and we never see each other again?” She seemed to seriously consider it.

She looked across the room and then back to him. “I have no practical use of you, human. At this point, I have tried several times to consume your love, but nothing happens although I can feel it. Your love for your friend Deerling and the foal named Aura.” She knew much, and he was stunned. Was that part of her spell she had just used on him? “I also know that zebras showed you the way of the shaman and that you have dozens of talismans under your coat.” Instantly, the armoured changeling ripped said coat off.

“My apologies, my queen.” Thiemo wanted to grab the coat and beat the changeling while doing so, but he knew that he was in no position to do that and settled for grumbling curses under his breath. Together with the coat, the changeling walked up the stairs they had come down. Now his ace was taken too.

“However,” she continued, “you know the position of our lair. Even if we don’t come back in the next thousand years, it’s still a secret base.” Again she slid her tongue over her lips. “Also, it has long been since a human last got lost to us. And no one could resist my charm.” Thiemo asked himself what she could mean, as her charm was more like a screeching chainsaw.

“First of all, it was your people who hypno-spelled my daughter,” He knew that that was no word, but still, “to lure us here, and now you don’t have any use for us?” She started circling Thiemo, and the changelings made way for her.

“Humans have gone rare in these days.” Her tongue circled around her lips again in what apparently was supposed to be a sensual fashion. “And they have some characteristics which can benefit my race to offset the fact that we can’t feed off of them.” So she meant literally eating love. He was frightened just by the thought how she could drill her fangs into his throat. On the other hand, it was better than a sparkling vampire. “You should know I have a special ability from that which gives us our name.” Her whole body burst into green flames. Instinctually, he covered himself with his hands. Heat and searing burning failed to appear though, and he looked up in astonishment as Deerling had now taken her place. “We can change into any being that inhabits this world," the deer said with the same rough voice as the queen. “This helps us to feed and to naturally increase our population.” His brain was on its way to overheating. A species which fed off love had to create more?

How could they achieve that? Just change into an already loved person and take their place. Evolution wouldn’t be what it was if they couldn’t make an advantage out of that and kill two birds with one stone. The genes of this race had to be very adjustable, and even if it weren’t, they all had magic.

He gulped. “Do you mean to say you’re compatible with every race?”

The smile on her face grew wider. “We are a smart cookie, aren’t we?” Slowly, she continued her round. “Although sex may be only a side product, the means to an end, it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it.” He prayed to God, even as a self-confessed atheist, that it wouldn’t end with what she was suggesting. “Stallions, though, barely hold out for three minutes, which is rather unamusing for us mares.” She focused him again. “Humans instead have proven to me that they last much longer. It makes it so much more fun if both parties profit, don’t you think?” Again she covered herself in flames and took her old form.

Thiemo's mind was empty. He forced himself to not imagine what this thing was asking him to. “And what if I refuse?” She seemed a little surprised since she usually was probably not used to resistance. On the other hand, he was surprised too. Clichés really were an annoying thing.

“Well, as you won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, you’ll have all the time of the world to think about my offer.” She nodded to the changelings on the stairs and again he was escorted. “In a cell.” Of course not in a comfortable suite with a big ass bed and swimming pool. Not that he had his hopes high. Again they bit his limbs and dragged him up the stairs.

Chrysalis turned around, and with a swift move, she waved her tail aside with what seemed to be a wince. He had seen dozens of naked ponies and other creatures for that matter. Clothes were not standard after all, which is why he also was untouched by it. However, it was new for a creature of this world to offer herself to him. For most, he was the monster.

They went back through the door of leaves and down another corridor. Just as the humming disappeared in the distant, he fell down. “No one talks like that with our queen,” spoke one of the insects, and hard hooves made contact with his ribs, then met his face, and finally got to know his wounded leg. Up until then, he tried to not make it a pleasure for them and clenched his teeth, but as they hurt his leg, he couldn’t hold it in any more. After some minutes and dozens of new bruises, they started to drag him down the path again. Their teeth were hardly distinguishable from the other injuries which were calling for his attention with fresh, pulsing pain.

The tunnels passed by as a single colour before they arrived at multiple strange doors, only that these were smaller. As they reached the last, the door opened, and he was thrown roughly inside. The laugh of the changelings was still audible as the door closed, and he slumped down, exhausted and beaten, on his back. “Great, the day can only get better.” He raised his right arm, and with the other hand, he slid over the bruises and bite wounds.

“Who dares to enter the cell of the Great and Powerful Trixie?” He twitched. Anything but this. He knew the voice, the name, and the annoying, bull-headed, and self-loving mare to which it belonged.

Thiemo sighed and facepalmed as the arm was already up.

“Me and my darn big mouth.”

Author's Notes:

That it for act 2. Rather short, but so we can concentrate us on the first story arc of this "little" FanFic. You know, like the thing the cover is showing. I hope I get a cover for every arc, but thats up to the artist who's drawing these for me. A German military brony, going by the name Tango Sierra. For now I have one for the first two arcs.

Then thanks again to faktopus, who does a really great job every time.
A second time edited by JBL. Thanks buddy!

The song at the end was original Micheal Jacksons Beat It, but since we have by now this great cover, I changed it.

If you like the story think about adding it to your favorites. Also don't forget to rate and comment.
Till next time!