“Are you sure I can be here?” Twilight asked. “I know how important this place is to Changelings and I know we’re at peace but still…. it feels like I’m intruding somewhere I shouldn’t be.”
Chrysalis walking beside her nodded, “You are not an intruder here. I know that this is somewhere that no outsider has ever ventured before but as my wife-to-be and along with my position among the Collective, I say you that you can be here.”
Twilight glanced around looking at many structures of the large Hive. This Hive unlike most others was inhabited by Changelings from many Hives rather than just one. Everywhere she looked she could see the different distinct marking on the Changeling shells marking them from their Hive. The buildings here were a mess of newer, larger buildings and caverns to the older, more humble ones. The archways lining the main road of the Hive was decorated in pictograms of the history of Changelings from the first Royal, Queen Amarantha, to the recent past. A few drones and workers could be seen working on carving in some of the more recent events.
“Still I’m uneasy being here. I know there are still some Changelings especially some among the Collective who don’t like me being around. They don’t me, they don’t like me being with you, and they definitely don't like me being here in a Hive most Changelings consider sacred.” Twilight said.
“Relax Twilight. There are at least two things which prevent Changelings from even attempting anything. The first is that you are a ruler of a foreign nation, an attack on you could be seen as an act of war and war is not something most Changelings want. I know what you’re about to ask, my failed invasion could have been seen as an act of war but Celestia pardoned me understanding that it was in desperation after our main food sources were running low. The settlements were my Hive works were facing difficult times with low resources making our own resources low. As well among the Collective, I have strength and allies that makes it difficult to remove me from my position. That leads to me to the second reason, I am respected and feared and only a foolish Changeling would attempt to cross me.”
“I guess,” Twilight said hesitantly. “It’s just surreal, I feel uneasy being here and yet this is somewhere that I have thought about trying to visit. I wanted to visit here after reading about the Wonders of Our World but also after I started studying Changelings. I wanted to see the Hive that Changelings call the Beginning.”
Chrysalis looked away from Twilight to see that they were nearing their destination, “I can assure you that you are safe here. There has not been a true Royal uniting all the Hives for many generations but I am close to that position, more than any others in the Collective. This is why they answer to me and why I lead the Collective and under my protection you are safe. But rather than continuing this talk about whether you can be here or not, we’re here,” Chrysalis said while pointing a hoof slightly upwards towards the towering stone before them.
Twilight looked to where Chrysalis was pointing and noted it was not a stone wall like she first thought but a large statue that had been built in front and downhill from the large palace perched on the hilltop. The statue was well crafted with minute and careful details that seemed to make the statue look alive. The statue depicted a regal looking Changeling who wore no adornments except for an intricately woven crown signifying her position. The statue stood on a pedestal and written on the front of the pedestal was a name and list of achievements and accomplishments.
“Is this the statue?” Twilight asked.
Chrysalis nodded, “This is the statue. The statue of our first Queen and from her all Changelings were born. She is our creator and the All Mother of the Changeling Collective, Queen Amarantha.”
Twilight carefully examined the statue but she was having some difficulty in withholding her excitement, the Statue of Queen Amarantha was considered one of the Wonders but it was also the one that no one besides Changelings had seen before. Everything she knew about the Statue came from writers who heard rumours and tales from wandering Changelings about the magnificent Statue. Standing so close to it Twilight noted that the written descriptions paled to properly define the sheer size or presence of the Statue, how well it was carved with its fine lines or the extra details from that came from the paints and gems highlighting and accenting the Statue.
“This is amazing; I never thought I would ever have the chance to see this.” Twilight commented as she slowly circled the Statue.
“Chrysalis chuckled, “I’m glad you’re impressed. It is quite awe inspiring to see especially the very first time. It’s almost like a beacon, a guidepost back to here, back to the Beginning. Knowing you, I’m sure you want to study it right?”
Twilight gave an excited nod, “Will I have a chance to do that?”
Chrysalis waved a hoof to the palace sitting behind the statue, “There’s a few books in the library here that talks about the All Mother and some about her Statue. As well I thought you might like to see the Council Chambers where the Collective meet, the Throne of the Changelings is also there even though none have sat upon it for many generations.”
“I liked that. Although I am still curious as to why there hasn’t been a unified leader for the Changelings in so long,” Twilight said.
“That’s a long story, one that has unfortunately grown longer with every generation. It’s now a long epic of power, blood, greed, betrayal, lust, and love and it’s become very cliché,” Chrysalis said, “While some of those things happened, not everything did but I’ll tell you about the actual story on the way to the library.”
Author's Notes
There are a total of Ten World Wonders (based off of the actual World Wonders) and the Statue of Amarantha is the only one hidden away so that only Changelings have seen it.