//------------------------------// // A Friendly Encounter // Story: The Fractured Unity // by Time Reaper //------------------------------// Twilight was running rampant into her library, knowing full well that Diamantis was living in there temporarily while an actual house was being thought out for her to live in, to ask her of what she saw in the newspaper. She had to know if whether or not that was real or not, if it were though, then it meant that Equestria may be infiltrated by changelings more than she ever thought was possible. She opened the door with a rush, three newspapers on her saddlebag, and looked at the little changeling queen who was reading a bunch of letters, as Spike was moving her stuff to the guest room, and quickly asked her: "Diamantis, I need an explanation to this." She then slammed few copies of The Bipolar Hedgehog, The Royalist and Los Pegasus Times in front of a confused Queen Diamantis who was wondering what did she want to know. "Well, this are news papers. What about them?" "I was looking at one of them when, suddenly, it changed its appearance and became something different. Does changelings have something to do with this?" Diamantis made a big 'OH' with her mouth as she gave them a better look before answering as a matter of fact. "Well, kind off." "Kind off? What do you mean by that, has changelings infiltrated in Equestria's journalism?" Diamantis looked at Twilight with wonder before adamantly negating that statement. "What? No! We haven't done anything to ponies and their so called 'journalism'." Twilight was now feeling that she was being lied, so she became more demanding on her tone. "Well then, please explain why the journalist on the press conference were acting so weird and some of this newspapers can shape shift." Twilight was feeling that she had her, she was feeling right of finally being able to report to Celestia something important, heck, it could even explain how Chrysalis was able to infiltrate so easy into the wedding. The changelings were infiltrating into equestrian society and they were starting by controlling the news but then Diamantis started to answer and made Twilight wonder again her presumptions of all this. "Easy, that's because those were changeling journalist who wanted to know why a changeling queen was revealing us. That is prime material for them and" -, she then gave a glance at The Royalist front page which was talking about the places where Princess Celestia was probably hoarding a secret stash of over a ton of chocolate while also covering the latest gossip regarding Blueblood's life style, - "from what I can see, they are pulverizing Queen Valeris for what she did." Twilight gave the magazine a second glance before Spike stated the obvious. "But, how can you tell when that newspaper is just talking about ponies in Canterlot?" "That's because changelings learned, a long time ago, to create a magical ink that can be used to print two stories at the same time. One story is what we, changelings, see, the real news or information we care about; while the other story is what we want the non-changelings to see: gossip, jokes, rumors, farm techniques, etc. That is how we've managed to spread ourselves among you without endangering our society, we created most of this news sites and use a pony image to feed you with stuff you like, while our species reads the real news of what happen among us and your kingdom." As Diamantis responded, a chill passed through Twilight's body, wondering how much of the information she was fed belonged to actual ponies, and wasn't what a species, she wasn't aware of even existing not too long ago, wanted her to know. She needed to know. "Wait" -. She said as her mind tried to make sense of that information, while Spike's mind was already suffering from an overload from that. - "Are you saying that there isn't a single news dairy that belongs to a pony? Is all controlled by changelings?" "Of course not!" - Diamantis scoffed. - "There are dairies, like Los Pegasus Time, that are controlled by ponies but we do have our own news sites, at least one per hive." "One per hive? Why?" "Well, unlike Equestria, where journalist have some sense of freedom, changeling journalist can only say what the queen allows them to say and, to make it fair, the laws made it mandatory for every single hive to have, at least, one news diary; so every single changeling can know what happens from the perspective of each hive. In fact, I need one newspaper if I want my hive to be approved, which is why I'm searching for a name to it." As Diamantis went back to read her mail, Twilight started to process again the information given to her. Equestria allowed journalist to have a certain degree of freedom, enough to ensure that Celestia wouldn't be seen as somepony who controlled information. That included to have researched the owners of the news centers. How many changelings took advantage of this to infiltrate among us? And there is when Twilight's head was hit by the strongest and scariest realization so far: The changelings infiltrated because of Equestria's attempt to give freedom to its citizens and, to chase down the changelings, all of those freedoms that Celestia worked so hard to ensure would have to be destroyed. That made Twilight wonder if Celestia, Luna, Cadence or even her were willing to do something like that. So, to avoid thinking about it, she did what she did best, gather more information. "Diamantis." "Yeah?" - She said as she was still reading her mail, not paying too much attention to Twilight. "How many hives are there in Equestria?" "Approximately... 39 but two are in limbo so we don't know if their news are still around and there are rumors of more hives to be recognized this year when the next Great Council of the Queens begin." Twilight took the information in, the hive she was working with was now one of those hives that would be recognized very soon. "And how can you read what those news say and how did I manage to see for a brief moment what they say?" Diamantis turned to give Twilight a better look as she simply answered. "The eyes. You need the eyes of a changeling or know the right spell to look at the real news. Since you are transforming into one of us, your eyes are changing so you can now see the world the way we see it, but the transformation is slow, so you can't keep that vision for too long." Diamantis then picked the Bipolar Hedgehog and used a spell on it, changing it so both Twilight and Spike could see it's true form. When the spell was done, instead of the parody news known as "The Bipolar Hedgehog", they were now seeing a news dairy called "The National" which, at first glance, had all the hallmarks what made actual journalism. It had a serious glance, it had well made headlines, images (that Twilight was wondering where they got them from) to show the events and, from the looks of it, a well written story as she decided to read the story in the front page, a story that, interestingly, was being read by Queen Varelis in Canterlot in this very moment. Changeling Queens are Trying to Change the Relationship Between The Changeling Hives and The Kingdom of Equestria Yesterday was a very important day for changeling society as two changeling queens, one alleged to be Queen Valeris and an unknown queen, which is suspicious of being the one guilty of foalnapping the Elements of Harmony as well as 24 other citizens from Ponyville, were seen having a press conference with the equestrian monarch known as Princess Celestia. The conference was mostly revolving around a deal done between these two queens with the equestrian monarch, to open up the relationship between the equestrians and the newborn hive from the new changeling queen. While there are no clear indications of who these two changeling queens are, it is implied that one of them is Queen Valeris considering, that, one of the changeling journalist asked her for a hint of her identity (which would've broken the changeling laws regarding keeping the secrets of our species) and the only thing he repeated over and over was 'queen Valeris', which made many of the journalist get scared and run from the site, forcing Princess Celestia to end the press conference. No confirmation has been made about what the deal was or what events surrounds it, but it has been promised that more details will be given once the other queens are notified of this deal, as well as the Collective's Palace reach a resolution about this event. While the events are unfolding, we are waiting for the words of other hives but experts are already giving their opinions. This could mean a change in changeling society as we know it Pistilum, president of Data Gatherers, said that "even before this age of peace, no changeling queen has ever wanted to get close or to open up relationships with Equestria, especially after Chrysalis's attempt to invade it." He also affirmed that, if this isn't treated with the respect it deserves, "it could mean a return to the age of war we finally abandoned almost 10 years ago." Antennae, Political analyst and member leader of the security firm, Lovely Haven, has assured us that "the possibilities of this encounter having good results is completely proportional of what queen started ir as well as how much support it would get from the other queens." He remained confident that, should it have the support from Queen Valeris, other queens could easily support this, since Valeris still has a strong leadership among the high chamber but "it doesn't change that some queens, who are very well known for trying to obstruct anything related to Valeris or Equestria, may try to make sure this deal to fail." The retired General Mendax, acting as Speaker of Queen Montis from the minor hive Libria, has stated that "as a mean to reduce the possibility of a war between Equestria and the Changeling Hives, Libria sees this move as a positive but, if this is a result of an attempt for personal gain at the cost of the other hives suffering, or a complete destruction of the laws the Changeling Hives were built upon, then this will be rejected with our upmost contempt and, as such, we are ready to battle for the stability and peace we've built in all this years." General Mendax also opened the possibility of rogue changelings trying to boycott this event, mainly the CAHL, who are known for attacking minor hives or disrupting the life style of both changelings and equestrians in their attempts of destroying the current system, at which he said, "no matter what kind of deal this is, we'll never accept the interference of rogue changelings or terrorist organizations from trying to destroy what we've built for almost 10 years of peace." Potential war Others also suggested that Valeris's moves may cause a war between changelings in an attempt to gain support from Equestria. Expert Lawyer Faux declared that "Valeris did a bad move by speaking to Celestia. She have potentially broken the law and, if so, she could become a criminal that must be put to trial while other queens, more qualified to rule, end this parliamentary period." He also went on how "the other hives may see this as an opportunity to separate their hives, as a mean of protest, against a queen trying to gain some love from Equestria." Economist Shtim has also added that "while the markets won't have a substantial change for now, the Equestrians will lose faith on their respective markets, weakening the bit and making it much easier for groups, like the HRF, to stifle a war between hives who may try to eat each other up." As she read the news, Queen Valeris was wondering if she would ever be respected by the journalist as she read one of the few that weren't so critical of her and focused more on the deal itself while most of the other journalist were practically accusing her of treason, like The Informer and The Changeling, all the while she had to ignore the surprised eyes of the ponies who were looking at a very fine blue mare reading with a serious look The Bipolar Hedgehog in a table close to a small food stop. The price of reading changeling news in public. As she was reading the rest of The National, disguised as The Bipolar Hedgehog, a white mare got close to her and started to give her an eye view. "It's quite interesting what you can read on the news, right?" Valeris gave a glance at the white mare and noticed her confident smile and friendly look as well as her well polished horn, at which she decided to dismiss as nicely as she could. "Indeed, that is why reading this kind of news can be good for oneself. Laughs are the best medicine for the soul." Valeris decided to wait for the white mare to give her a common answer the canterlot ponies but that didn't come. She said something else. "Yes, granted, I am not so sure of what is so humorous of reading how you are being called a traitor but, what do I know? I still need to get used to this new world you created in my absence... Valeris..." Queen Valeris widened her eyes and gave a closer look at the white mare with cream coat as her smile looked more smug and her eyes briefly were covered in violet flames, revealing a pair of violet cat-like eyes that were looking at her in a way that simply spelled ambition before turning back into the normal pinkish eyes that were more fitting of a pony. She knew that look. "What can I say?" - Responded Valeris. - "Seeing a whole species hating the queen that leads them could be considered some sort of joke for some but I feel sorry to say that the name 'Valeris' isn't familiar to me, for my name is Lightning Cleverness but I will let pass your mistake, for not many know that, but my apologies as well for I haven't asked your name either. Now, I feel the name 'Anidis' may not sound familiar to you either, so I'll ask, how should I address you?" The white mare softened her smile as she seated in front of Valeris and continued to talk with upmost confidence in her voice while using a tone that gave a sense of trust toward her. "You are right, 'Anidis' isn't exactly a name from which I can relate to but you can call me Pure Pearl, nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you Pure Pearl and now, if I may, what brought you to this part of Canterlot? I never thought to find a pony of your caliber on a city like this." The white mare kept her confidence as she kept addressing Valeris. "Well, I always wanted to visit Canterlot, you know? I used to visit this place on a monthly basis with my mother, may she rest in peace, and I always enjoyed seeing other ponies passing by, always in a state of limbo between enjoying themselves and rejecting anything that weren't like them. Quite different of the ponies from other cities where they tend to be more welcoming of strangers." "Oh, really? So you came here to remember your fillyhood? Nothing wrong with that I suppose but it doesn't change that it cannot be the only reason, am I correct? After all, I've heard that security has increased on Equestria and even the trains tend to be harder to get by, considering how everypony is screened now to ensure that no stranger is using their transportation system." The white mare grinned her smile a little bit before answering as she ordered a little salad with a small cup of green tea. "You are right on one regard, the increase in security in Equestria made it a bit harder for me to travel, which is why I didn't use the train to come here. You should use the panoramic route some times, the view of Equestria is wonderful to say the least, it also helps a lot to avoid screening from any type of guard that most ponies tend to suffer from." Valeris raised her eyebrows at this, considering the distance between Diamantis's former hive and Canterlot, this travel must have taken quite a while to make. But that wasn't the only thing Valeris wanted to know of her old friend. "Well" -, Valeris continued, - "that explains quite a bit but, I would still like to know about you. Why would you take the trouble of making such a long trip to Canterlot? I mean, it would be silly if it were for just nostalgia, wouldn't it?" The white mare gave Valeris a smile that showed pride as she responded. "You got me there Lightning Cleverness, for I also came to see my new territory." Valeris gave her a concerned view. "New territory? You bought a piece of land here in Canterlot?" "Not exactly. While there is a little house I have bought here so, both, me and some acquaintances of mine can live in Canterlot and see what the elite does, we're also certain that our most recent adventure can assure us some substantial gain in the long run." "Substantial gain? You are speaking as if you could control Canterlot." "And who says I can't?" Valeris eyes widened as she heard those words with the same confidence Anidis had, days before the battle between her and The Great Coalition. "That's a wild claim" -. Valeris continued with as much calm as she could muster. - "Could you please explain me how you plan to take over Canterlot? As far I'm aware, that would imply in fighting both Princess Celestia and Princess Luna and I'm sure that wouldn't be an easy battle." "Well, defeating Celestia wasn't that hard for Chrysalis and, I assure you that, Chrysalis wasn't that big of a deal. Those two princesses won't be that hard, after all, they haven't seen something like me. Wouldn't you agree?" Valeris had flashbacks of how Anidis killed with her blades Queen Castis, Princess Manticoris and almost kill her heir as well, as how she almost took one of her legs, and wondered if the equestrians had a chance in the first place, but there was something else in the plan that wasn't fitting. "Well, I cannot assure you that you would win" -. Responded Valeris. - "But that also doesn't solve the other issue that you haven't answered me yet. You would need another alicorn to replace the princesses and, so far, you haven't told me how you plan to fix that." Anidis simply moved her hooves in a negative way as she responded nonchalantly. "Spoilers. All I'll say for the time being is that I came well prepared for everything, as you may have already noticed." "That is a big talk considering that you've been talking about force, and never of following the legal road to achieve something, after all, an old friend of mine taught me that only brutes use force to bend others to their rule." Anidis's smile vanished as Valeris said this words, as her eyes were filled with a small hint of pain at the memories that surfaced with those words, before her smug smile returned and she continued on her speech. "Perhaps, in a world where the State of Rule is respected and diplomacy is the way of solving problems, I would believe it. But your friend was quite ignorant of how little diplomacy means; when you don't have the strength to show that words are the first mean you prefer to use, rather than a way to run away from trouble. If you don't believe me, please tell me, where did words took your little friend back then?" Valeris held her emotions as they tried to surface, empowered for the memories given to her for that fateful day she failed to stop the other queens from invading Anidis's hive. She did her best to hold those emotions down as she kept her calm facade and continued her response with an even tone. "Perhaps, back then, your words would hold true. But things have changed Pure Pearl, might no longer makes right and words are the main way to fix the problems between other nobles." Anidis's face held itself as if it was trying to stop something from showing, rage perhaps? And she kept talking but this time with a little air of toxicity on her tone as well as the usual smugness she always had. "Really? The please tell me, where was the diplomacy when nobles had to cannibalize each other in the search for peace?" "..." "Where is the diplomacy when there are still criminals rejecting a system that supposedly was designed to bring peace?" "..." "Where is the diplomacy when a noble prefer to use war against her own friend, instead of trying to help her to become part of the system she designed?" Valeris remained in silence as she took Anidis's anger into her heart and did her best to stop it from taking her over. She understood it but she responded with the hard truth as she kept her calm demeanor. "The diplomacy was, when those nobles were given the choice between peace and war. Diplomacy was, when they were given multiple chances to stop their violence, but preferred to attack innocents that had nothing to do with the system they so much declare to fight; and diplomacy was gone in the moment you decided to transform your return into a petty vengeance, that almost take my heir away from me." Anidis remained silent as she look at her friend up and down and giving a big look at the leg where her blade stabbed Valeris and caused her permanent damage. As the two disguised changeling queens looked one another, none of them wanting to give up their ground as the two forces measured each other up to see how resolved they were on their positions. It was then that Anidis decided to speak up first. "While I disagree on calling my return petty, you are right on how I almost take an innocent away for it and for that, I apologize as well as for the wound in your leg." Valeris raised her eyebrows at that, knowing Anidis for not being the one apologizing first, but she knew what she had to do. "And I apologize for not trying to reason with you first, even if taking away a noble's property would have normally meant the end for any other noble." "Well, you should remember that I'm not a normal noble" -. Anidis said as she brought back her smug grin. - "You should remember, for all the times I defeated you at strategy games, back when we were young and visited each other out." Valeris smiled at the memories of how the two of them would play war games in an attempt to see who was the superior princess, as they created imagery of them conquering the other hives and becoming the sole rulers of the whole species. More than once she dreamed of having her friend side by side with her to fight back during the Unification War, and more than once she wondered how it would have been had she been with her. "But I have to say" -. Anidis continued. - "After seeing your exploits, you did a very good job in the wars that came after I had to run away. Not a single defeat on any battle lead by you and you even managed to do it with the help of other queens, you have to tell me how you convinced Logos, Panacitum and Minerum of joining your side by the way. Those tree never got involved in any war. Even I thought of it impossible to do." Valeris felt glad at hearing someone celebrating her, after who knows how long of only getting attacked by the media, and the fact that it came from a friend that she never managed to defeat, it felt like a divine gift. "And I will add" -. Anidis kept on talking. - "The fact that you managed to create such a system to work, I never thought so many queens would accept it, especially the lower queens. Again, you did quite well, it's almost the same as I would've done." And Valeris no longer felt good, knowing exactly what else Anidis would have done. "It was one of the things the queens had to agree to in order for the system to be accepted" -. Valeris quickly responded. - "No queen could be above the others, we all would have equal power even if being the Ladies of both the High and Lower chambers have a symbolic sign of leadership." Anidis just kept her grin as she heard Valeris and her tone of voice were drowning in pride as she responded. "I know, that is why I think you really needed me there. No queen would've been able to stop us from achieving it had it been the two of us leading the Unification War." And Valeris, not for the first time and not for the last time, felt conflicted under the knowledge that her older self would have accepted that offer, as well as she wondered if she could even give it a thought, and, finally, fulfill those dreams she had when she was a nymph, but she then remembered how that mentality almost took away one of the few changelings she cared about the most, as well as she remembered how siding with her would mean to break her vows. So she decided to go back to the ground and respond. "I am aware of it" -. Valeris said while keeping her calm tone of voice, and trying to remember to keep the language in a sense that ponies listening couldn't realize what they were. - "And there is nothing I would've liked more than fighting side by side with you but that's in the past, we are in the present and, right now, you committed multiple misbehavior acts that are yet to settled before even thinking of letting you join the club." Unsurprisingly to Valeris, Anidis kept her smile as she followed her along the game of pretending. "Understandable, of course, perhaps we could negotiate about it? Your club did ask for me to let them check if I had no skeletons in the closet, perhaps we could forget about it?" "Absolutely not" -. Valeris responded while slightly rising her tone of voice, erasing Anidis's smile for a brief moment. - "You have nothing worth negotiating and even if our protegé's mother was alright, it still doesn't erase your others misconducts, from which you still have to respond." Anidis looked back at her friend as the two queens once again measured each other up, before Anidis decided to continue the conversation as if they were making simple talks, signed with her smug smile returning to her features. "In that case, all I have to do is getting something worth negotiating for, don't worry, it won't be small fry" -. She then looked back at her clock before continuing the talks. - "Sadly, I have to end our discussions, for I have other things to do here on this wonderful city but, before I go, is there anything you would like to know? After all, who knows when we might see each other again." Valeris gave it a thought and remembered something crucial that she always wanted to know since the very first day she realized that her friend was alive and well, even if her return meant the murder of Queen Zirconis. "Actually, I do" -. Valeris said with the most sincerity her voice could muster. - "It's been 30 years since the last time I saw you alive. Even though your body or your sister's was never found when your mother's hive was invaded, I always thought you were gone or hiding somewhere, but I never found you as much as I tried to search for you. So I would like to know, where were you hiding this whole time?" Anidis gave a thought for a brief while before responding as her smile gave a slightly mischievous tone that made Valeris slightly nervous. "I will answer if you respond me this other question" -. She commented. - "Please tell me, where are you holding your mother?" In the moment she heard that, Valeris felt a mixture of shock and fear that she hadn't felt in decades. Nobody knew what she did to her mother, except from the usual she let filter away to the press, but she never revealed if she was either alive or dead. As Valeris looked back at Anidis's eyes, she no longer looked at a changeling queen that just entered in a moment of luck to get back to power, she was now looking at a queen that premeditated her strike with cold calculation as she made a single question to the violet-eyed queen. "How long have you been spying on us?" "Long enough. But don't worry, I'll answer you the day you decide to provide me that information. Meanwhile, I'll give you a tip for the next time you decide to fight me: don't have so many experts with you, for it's better to have a bad general than two good generals. Now, see you soon, next time we meet, it'll probably be on the club, with me on the top." Valeris gave her friend a long serious stare as she took on her challenge. "I won't make it easy to you." Anidis simply smiled with joy at her words. "And I don't expect you to." She then put her hoof at one of the of the news on The Informer as she said her good byes to her friend. "Meanwhile, I recommend you to look back at the other hives, for I think they need your help against the current threat. Goodbye, my friend." Valeris gave her a hard glare as she also said her goodbyes. "Goodbye my friend, I hope we can meet up again under better circumstances." And, as Anidis's figure of a white unicorn mare started to fade among the crowd, Valeris decided to look back at the news and see what was Anidis meaning by that, which only brought her fury as she read with contempt at what she saw. A news that sent a chill to both Twilight and Spike as they read it. Changeling hive attacked last night Hive Aquaria, a minor hive under the protection of Queen Amaryllis and her hive, Piroxia, was attacked last night as a series of violent strikes took the guards by surprise and let the intruders entering into the hive and bombed the love reserves, trade goods as well as stole a big amounts of public funds from the hive as well as leaving a total amount of 30 casualties, all lethal, by the end of the attack. While there are no indications of who was behind the sinister move, many are suspecting that the CAHL is behind it, but more investigation is required for this. Hive Aquaria is one of the few changeling hives located near the sea, which makes it a prime target due to it being an economic backbone for Hive Piroxia as well as a source of goods for both Equestria and the changeling hives, only surpassed by Hive Hidroxia and Hive Riveria. In the meantime, Queen Liquis has assured that a story will be made up to assure the Equestrians won't suspect a thing for the slow in sales this week. Twilight saw at Diamantis as she read this, remembering how she said yesterday to the other ponies about the existence of rogue changelings and she was now afraid for her life as well as the well being of the ponies in Ponyville. Surprisingly though, Diamantis remained calm as she heard the news from Twilight and kept on reading her mail, action which made Twilight feel indignation at her. "How can you remain calm as a hive was attacked? Aren't you worried that this could be us?" Diamantis remained calm as she started to put all of her mail, already read, into a series of piles to have them better categorized and answered Twilight. "I would if we were on the same position as them." Twilight got quizzed by this as she tried to understand her new boss. "Same position as them? What do you mean?" Diamantis stopped at what she was doing just to look directly at Twilight as she kept her calm demeanor. "Hive Aquaria, even though is a minor hive, it's a backbone for the hives as well as Equestria's economy. It has huge strategic positions as well as important connections, which makes it a target for many other changelings, in fact, any hive that entered into battle with Hive Piroxia always aimed first at Hive Aquaria since it's the main source of resources to all the hives under the protection of Queen Amaryllis. There is also the fact that, being coastal hive, it's pretty much an easy target that rogue changelings tend to aim at. We, instead have none of that. We're too small to have any strategic importance, we don't have any type of economic strength to become a profitable target, and we are too close to Canterlot to even consider to make an attack and, not only that but, we're also under the protection of Queen Fortis and Queen Varelis as well as Princess Celestia. Trying to attack us would be foolish for there would be no gain from it." Twilight gave it a thought and, though she saw the logic in that, it was still troubling to say the least. "But" -. Twilight continued. - "Aren't you worried for what happened to a fellow queen?" "Of course I am, but I cannot do anything useful to help her if I don't have the hive running on the first place." She then went back to her letters and finished organizing them, at which Twilight finally let her curiosity took her over and ask about it. "What are those letters, by the way?" Diamantis simply smiled as she answered. "This, my dear Twilight, is the mail from our subjects regarding what ideas and jobs they could offer so the hive could help them out" -. She then moved her hoof at the three piles she made from them. - "This pile is for the offers worth thinking about, this other pile is for the ideas that aren't feasible as of now but are worth thinking over once we start growing and this other pile are for ideas just not worth thinking about." Twilight then took the first letter on the pile of ideas worth thinking and got surprised at who wrote it. "Applejack!? She decided to give in!?" Diamantis just kept her smile. "Yes and her idea isn't bad, if my hive manages to aid Sweet Apple Acres, then it could become a powerhouse among the equestrian farming industries and we wouldn't have economic problems, but I would have to talk first with the owners of the company before deciding if it should be done." Twilight then returned the letter to the pile as she wondered what other ponies wrote Diamantis for ideas she could fund, and wondered if she should have put her own ideas into the mix but, as she wondered, the library's door opened with Rainbow Dash entering with a small letter. "Hi egghead, is Diamantis in here? I found a letter addressed at her on your mail." "Rainbow" -. Said a frowning Twilight. - "Why did you revised my mail? Don't you know the problems that could entail?" Rainbow simply tried to brush it off with a slight remark while keeping a soft tone. "Hey, I wanted to help you out, can't I be an awesome friend and help you get the mail for once?" In that moment Spike noticed something on one of Rainbow's wing and pointed it out. "Rainbow, what are you holding on your wings?" Rainbow blushed as she tried to fake her shame and moved her wings to hide whatever she had with her. "Nothing, I don't know what are you talking about, I was just- Hey!" Diamantis used her magic to take both her letter as well as what Rainbow was hiding, revealing it to be another letter addressed at her, making the young queen to smile with a slight smug. "I see, so you too wanted to give your own ideas?" Rainbow was turning red as her mouth failed to explain and her brain failed to work around an excuse for the letter. "Don't worry, my Rainbow" -, continued Diamantis as she looked at Rainbow as if she were a filly discovered from doing something she wanted to keep in secret, - "I don't mind you writing to me, now, let's see." After a brief reading, with Rainbow starting to feel anxious as she waited for the queen's approval or rejection of her letter, Diamantis simply looked at her subject with a soft demeanor. "Your idea isn't bad, in fact, is one of the reasons I saw you as a good Defense Administrator" -. Rainbow started to smile as she heard those words. - "But, sadly, as nice as a small group of flyers capable of competing with the Wonderbolts sound, I cannot accept it." Rainbow's smile was then dashed as she tried to understand why the idea was rejected. "You see" -. Explained Diamantis. - "For your idea to work we would require advance training on the drones and we don't have neither the drones to compete against the Wonderbols neither the means to make it give us money back. I need ideas that will give us the money to pay back the debt as well as to help us out but I will keep it for later, does that sound good for you?" Rainbow then looked dejected at the ground as she simply accepted, leading Diamantis to look at her second letter, which she noticed having a royal seal. As she opened it, and read its content, her face started to illuminate with glee as she started to fly in the air as if she was given a big prize. "Yes! I was waiting for this since quite a while!" Twilight and Rainbow looked at each other with curiosity, wondering what was in that letter, at which Diamantis simply read with her voice. "Queen Diamantis, you are hereby invited to Queen Fortis's coronation, this letter works as your invitation, so careful with losing it, and it can be used to travel to Hive Castleen, where you will be received with the upmost respect you deserve and you will be given a chance to talk with Queen Fortis herself. Signed: Queen Fortis. P.S.: You can bring over whoever you feel deserves to go along with you." Twilight and Rainbow quickly understood what it meant for them to read the letter as Spike asked away. "So, does that mean that you'll be going to that hive? What for? I thought that Fortis was already a queen, why a coronation now?" Diamantis, in her joy, answered as if she got the best thing in her life. "The coronation is to make it official. Since both her mother and sister died, that made her the De-Facto queen of Hive Castleen. This coronation makes her the queen A Priori, and the invitation is my chance to formerly recognize her as queen as well as to prove my loyalty to her, as a minor queen, under her protection and you" -, she aimed at Twilight and Rainbow, - "as well as your friends are coming with me." "What!?"