387 is standing in front of what the staff member leading him and the group of drones through the cruise ship corridors pointed out as the royal suite for Queen Chrysalis.
"Your Majesty, we're here," he broadcasts. A moment later, Chrysalis opens the door and looks down in disdain at the assembled group.
"Huh, everyone is accounted for," she raises an eyebrow, "I was kind of expecting at least one of you to get lost."
"I accidentally found the sliding room!" reports 99111, "And a pony threw a chewy bubble brick at me." it shrinks as 387 shoots it a glare, "I apologized and gave it back even before you dragged me out. And I only took one bite..."
"Mare showers?" she asks 387 flatly.
"Yes," the warrior nods.
"Did you find the servant quarters?"
"Already marked on the map."
"Good job. Now, you and 93 will take the hoofmaiden cabin next to mine. The drones can divide the two servants' quarters downstairs any way they want. Let's have them show some problem solving capabilities, how about that?"
"They could still use a basic objective, Your Majesty."
Chrysalis looks over the drones again before sniffing the air and saying.
"Get cleaned up. We can't have you representing the changeling hive filthy like this."
Green flames envelop the drones in an instant, and the grime of travelling turns into fine black ash blending with the color of their carapace but still caked on it.
"All done," 10013 salutes, a small pile of dust dropping on the floor.
Chrysalis narrows her eyes.
"Hence what I was saying about the clear objective," 387 sighs, "I'll take care of this."
"Fine, I'm going to have a proper bath. Don't bother me," she returns into her suite.
387 points towards the next door.
"Inside. Now!"
The cabin is fully furnished with a table bolted to the floor in the center under the porthole, two wardrobes, two beds on the opposite sides of the room, and a big chest next to each one. A door leading into the side room is closed, and from behind it they can hear running water and sense the presence of 93's hive link.
As the drones trot inside, 387 stops them just by the door and points at the black smears on the carpet around them.
"That's what the Queen meant," he says, "Now, I don't know why she wanted you here-"
"She said she wanted us to see how ponies are, don't you rememb-" 36658 shuts up when faced with 387's intense stare.
"That was a lie," he whispers, "And I intend to figure out the truth."
"Then what are we supposed to be doing?" asks 10013, "It's not sleepy time, or worky time, or even breaky time."
"Undefined time is confusing time..." mumbles 99380.
387 rubs his temples.
"Look, you're on a big break so think of this as one very long break time until someone wants something from you."
"Breaky time-" 36658 corrects the warrior.
10013 slams its hoof into 36658's mouth the instant 387's eyes start to bulge.
"Gotcha!" 20100 nods before tilting its head, "Wait, does that mean we can't sleep until we get back home? That's what sleepy time's for."
387's temple rubbing is suddenly failing to at least slow down the encroaching migraine.
YOU ARE READING
They're... ON HOLIDAY?
Fanfiction[SEQUEL TO: They're EVERYWHERE!] Several years after the changeling invasion of Canterlot, queen Chrysalis gets an invitation to attend a cruise followed by a stay in a luxury holiday resort on an island belonging to the Griffon Empire. Supposedly...
