“ I gotta say, My Queen. Your mentor really knows how to pick a secret hideout.” Was 215’s remark as she slashed the thick undergrowth on their path.
It took them two full days to straighten things with the Sun Princess. It took a lot of explaining from both parties and a whole lot more time in relaying the Hive’s plans. Luckily, Celestia was a patient pony. Maybe it had to do with her being practically immortal, the hive wasn’t sure.
The Sun Princess had suggested that before they begin with trying to integrate into Pony society, they had to settle in first and make their hive thrive. She recommended the EverFree forest, since it was the perfect environment for survival based creatures like the changelings, and it was a place where no pony in their right mind would just accidentally wander through.
She also let the Moon Princess in on the plans, who was more than happy to lend a few Bat Pony guards to escort the Hive until they could stand on their own four hooves.
It took another two days to arrive stealthily at the vast, uncharted forest, but they weren’t really in any hurry courtesy of Twilight’s love producing nymphs. The Bat Ponies also knew enough of the flora to just simply pluck a fruit to snack on, so hunger was far from a problem. If anything, it was a casual move from the Crystal Caves to the EverFree forest.
But they were starting to slowly get tired of seeing plants everywhere they looked, and the place Celestia had picked for their new hive was still a couple hours away.
“ She should know, given her experience.” Twilight replied, following the Soldier closely behind with two tired nymphs on her back. The poor younglings were the ones who were really struck by boredom, but they knew enough to just sleep so they could still produce love for the moving Hive. The rest of Twilight’s brood were scattered on various changelings’ backs, giving the chosen lings a bit of happiness to know their Queen trusted them with her first clutch.
“ I hope it’s as perfect as she promised.” 18 said, also slashing foliage and low-hanging branches out of the way.
324 grunted as he stood beside Twilight, acting as her guard without her asking. At this point the infiltrator knew his Queen loved it better when they treat her as a friend, and friends take action without permission, right?
“ It better. Two days of travel is not to be taken lightly, even with 7 love sources.”
“ We had to go slow, 324, or else we’ll risk getting spotted. We have my brother hot on our tails, after all.” Twilight said with a slight frown. She still couldn’t believe her brother hated changelings THAT much. She guessed he must’ve been severely traumatized, but someone with that condition shouldn’t have been able to just visit her because the mere sight of a changeling would knock him out.
“ Speaking of brother, I can’t wait to see his face when he realizes he’s been wrong the entire time.” 18 chuckled.
“ And he almost killed his own sister and her kids.” 215 added.
“ It’s enough for me to not hold a grudge against him, at least. Watching his world burn would be enough revenge.” Twilight laughed.
Small talk saved them from complete boredom though, and it also helped the other changelings get to know their Queen more. Twilight would switch places every now and then in the travel formation, sometimes on the front, the tail, the sides, and the middle. She would talk and ask the changelings things, who would reply happily after the initial shock, and then rinse and repeat.
Given how long the journey was, at that point the changelings could get over their surprise in a second rather than a full minute. And also call her Twilight instead of My Queen half of the time. Twilight wanted all the time, but hey, it was a good start.
-------
The sun was beginning to touch the horizon when they finally arrived at their destination.
The changelings and the thestrals could hardly stop themselves from rushing in the vine-covered cave. 215 and 18 refrained from cutting the undergrowth and small plants that were littering the area to maintain it’s untouched look, so they resorted to flying inside, with Twilight leading.
Lighting her horn, filling the Cave Hallway with the soft lavender light, she marveled at the natural rock formations. The Cave was deep, which was helpful, since it meant even if someone strayed inside they wouldn’t immediately see the hive on the far back.
Continuing their slow flight deeper into the cave, Twilight started to notice something strange.
She could see bits of healthy, thriving plants on the cave floor, despite it being solid stone. Further ahead she could see bits of the fading rays of the sun, but sunlight nonetheless. These two factors kept growing in numbers the further they flew, until they were almost blinded at the sudden amount of light.
“ Dear God…” 18 mumbled.
They slowly opened their eyes, and they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.
An entire underground paradise, with an enormous sparkling lake fed by seven waterfalls, with a small forest surrounding it. The slopes of the cave containing this impossible location were also littered with smaller caves, perfect for a growing hive. And finally, above it all, was a hole showcasing the beautiful sunset, indicating this was a hollowed volcano.
“ I remember this! This was where Star Swirl the Bearded trained the two Princesses! That’s why Celly recommended this place.” Axiom, the Bat Pony general and old friend of Twilight, said with a chuckle.
It broke Twilight out of the trance and caused her to stare at the old Thestral with a baffled look on her face. “ How did you know that?!” Was what she managed. The Batpony just patted her shoulder. “ The Thestrals have been around longer than ponies, little Star. We know things.” He slapped her back playfully. “ Now go on! You have a hive to grow. Make us proud.” He shoved the shocked Queen to her changelings, who had already been in a frenzy to both settle in and explore the new Hive.
--------
“ Infiltrator 900, how are things in Canterlot?”
“ The guards are in Patrol, the city’s security has been doubled, but otherwise calm enough, Your Grace.”
“ Patrol? Doubled security?”
“ The Captain has instated these operations for the sole purpose of catching changelings, specifically the one who replaced his sister.”
“ I never ordered such a suicide mission! With her paralysed, she is out of the game!”
“ Permission to speak, Your Grace?”
“ Permission Granted.”
“ Mayhaps the other hives did this, Mayhaps out of curiosity?”
“... More like trying to take Equestria while we recovered! Trying to get ahead while we take the brunt of the impact!”
“ I doubt they would dare defy the largest hive in the colony.”
“ They wouldn’t. But now they would, since we are under that wretched alicorn’s watch!”
“ What do you suggest we do?”
“ I can’t let them take my glory! We are weakened, but not for long. Double all hunting parties!”
“ But all infiltrators and even farmers are already out on the field.”
“ Then order every able-bodied changeling to hunt!
“ But that’s just it! Only the infiltrators and the farmers had gathered enough love during the invasion to stay on the field. The rest are too weak and hungry to go out, so they either are maintaining the hive or just standing around.”
“ The Underlings! They do not require much love!”
“ Didn’t you know, Your Grace? They cut themselves from the hivemind.”
“ WHAT?! ALL OF THEM!?”
“ Along with Infiltrator 324 and Soldier 215.”
“ ARGH! Whatever! We don’t need them anyway. In fact it is a good thing they cut themselves off. Less mouths to feed.”
“ What to do now, Your Grace?”
“ Capture as many ponies as you all on the field can and bring them all to the hive. Half of them we drain, half of them…. “
“ …. In all due respect, Your Grace, isn’t that forbidden?”
“ Pish Posh, desperate times call for desperate measures. Now Go! I expect you all back tomorrow, so we may begin immediately.”
“ Of course, My Queen.”
--------
“ We already set up the Nursery, The Gel growing chamber, The Barracks, The Storage, and the Guest Chamber, where all the Thestrals are staying.” 18 reported.
“ Me and Soldiers 56, 40, 32, 12, 17, 34 and 50 are on Patrol duty, My Queen.” 215 added.
“ And me and a couple more Infiltrators, namely 88, 57, 65, 30, and 10 are going out tonight to get more supplies through the bits the Sun Princess gave us.” 324 finished.
Twilight looked at the three changelings in front of her, wide-eyed at their reports. For a moment they feared they went too far, doing all those things without the Queen’s permission. But that was easily put out when Twilight tackled them all in a hug.
“ Thank you guys… I couldn’t have gone this far without you.” She said gratefully before releasing them from her deathgrip. The hug had filled the three with her familial love, and they all felt full and happy.
“ You could have, but it would probably take longer.” 215 jested, causing the four lings to laugh.
“ Maybe, but I’m happy I have friends like you.” Twilight said with a smile. They returned it as they accepted more of Twilight’s love. She was really a refreshing pony to be around, given how long they’ve been with someone like Chrysalis.
“ But how about you guys? Have you found somewhere in the hive to call home?” The Queen asked.
324 grinned. “ Yep! I picked a cave near the Nursery, because someone ought to watch those nymphs of yours, especially after their ‘mission’.”
“ I picked one near a waterfall, since I’m going to be needing water for spells and potions. I’d probably have the Alchemists as neighbors.” 18 said.
“ I picked one near the Main Entrance, as well as all the Soldierlings.” 215 smirked.
“ Then I’m glad. The rest of the hive too, right? Picked their own cave?” Twilight clarified. They nodded. The lavender Queen sighed in relief. “ Good.” She looked outside her cave. It was dark obviously, since it was around 8:00 pm, but the changelings had added Love Crystals on various hubs around the hive to both light it up and distribute trace amounts of love. These kinds of Crystals were also abundant, the farmers and builders were FAST workers, in the Nursery and the Storage.
“ Now how about you guys catch some sleep? It had been a long day of non-stop walking, and I’d be spared from a heart attack to know none of my friends fainted on their missions.”
Genuine care replaced familial love for a split second.
215, 18, and 324 nodded and bowed. “ Sure Twi/ Yes, My Queen/ Good night, Twilight.” They said in unison before leaving. 324 lagged behind though, looking at Twilight with pride in his eyes.
“ You did great for a pony Queen, you know.” He winked before flying off.
Twilight giggled as she watched his fading form, before staring at the Lake reflecting the bright moon in the sky.
< Thank you, everyling.>
It was promptly followed by shock and a few stuttering ‘your welcome’s and ‘my pleasure’s, causing more giggles to erupt from the Queen’s mouth as she retreated in her cave, eager to finally have a good night’s.
---------------
12:00 pm…
“ Are you ready?” Espada asked his siblings.
He was carefully looking outside from the Nursery, surveying the area and staying hidden from the patrolling Soldiers. He heard a moan from behind him, causing his head to swivel to the owner’s direction. He let out a groan when he saw who it was. “ What is it this time, Bandaid?”
Bandaid grimaced, but kept his frown. “ I understand the first mission was to reach someone who is friendly, but this?! To sneak off to somewhere completely filled with hostile ponies?!”
Star rolled her eyes as she strapped a saddlebag on. “ They aren’t completely hostile, Bandaid. And that somewhere is where Mom’s friends are.”
“ Who don’t know that Mom’s not actually replaced!” Bandaid snapped back.
“ Big bro, if you’re going to be like this EVERY mission we have, we’re making sure to bring you along tied up.” Gaia remarked as she gave out the saddlebags her siblings were going to be bringing.
“ What do you mean EVERY mission? We are not going to have any more missions!” The Medic portrayed his stress by pulling at his hair. When he heard his siblings’ giggles though he glared at the nearest one, who happened to be Mariposa. “ We’re lucky Mom was too preoccupied to scold us on that first escapade!”
“ No scoldings mean we did a pretty fine job.” Kalasag pointed out.
Mariposa put a hoof on Bandaid’s scrunched up nose. “ And we learned a lot from that single mission alone. We’re bound to be better this time.”
“ Don’t get too cocky, dear sister.” Star warned with a smile.
“ Are you guys serious?!” Bandaid tried desperately. He was rewarded with a smack on the withers, courtesy of Gaia. She relished his yelp of pain before stuffing a saddlebag on his face.
“ Yes we’re serious. But if you’re going to keep complaining we’re leaving you behind.”
Bandaid took the saddlebag before noticing all his siblings were already sneaking out of the nursery one-by-one. He had a very disgruntled look on his face.
“ You’re leaving m-me behind?! I-I c-could tell o-on you, you know!” He stuttered helplessly.
Espada smirked. “ We know you won’t. You love us.” The Soldier then made sure Star made it out undetected before positioning his body to do the same.
“ Are Mom’s books really THAT important?!” Bandaid tried for the last time, but he already knew the answer. If you’re a Sparkle, then you have the answer hard-drived into your soul.
Espada gave him a triumphant look, “ Yep.” before sliding down the slope, disappearing from Bandaid’s sight. The poor medic sighed as he quickly followed, already dreading the journey.
----------
“ Oh hello Bandaid. Nice of you to join us.” Star giggled with her siblings when Bandaid landed on the spot they all slid down from the slope below the Nursery Cave. The Medic had a frown on his face. “ You know full well you all tricked me into this.” He held the angry expression for a few more seconds before sighing in resignation. “ But I suppose every team HAS to have a Healer- HEY!” He didn’t even get to finish his sentence before his siblings tackled him with a group hug.
They wasted half a minute on that action, giggling and nuzzling the already stressed Medic before he finally pushed them off.
“ Get off me!” He shoved the last giggling nymph away as he fixed his hair. “ I don’t want to die of asphyxia so early in the mission.”
Espada chuckled. “ Good. Because with that out of the way, time to sneak out of the hive and out the EverFree forest.” The Soldier then started to make his way through the Lake Forest, the other nymphs following his lead. The boy had already looked for a quick route out the Nursery to the Main Entrance when the other lings had been busy looking for caves, and was glad when he put it to good use.
-----------------
They spent a good chunk of the night just crawling as close to the ground as they possibly could, trying to both hurry and hide from any passing Soldierlings. They started to tire, but when they finally arrived at the Main Entrance, the sight of Soldier 215 talking with the two Soldiers who were assigned at the gateway woke them up pretty quick.
“ Okay… What’s your plan for getting past Soldier 215?” Bandaid asked Espada.
The Soldier gulped, then put on a determined face. “ Same plan, ceiling is our way out of here. I’m going first, then you guys. We’ll take this slow.”
“ Slower than a while ago?” Gaia quipped.
“ Maybe not as slow, but you get what I mean. See ya on the other side!” Espada immediately flew as quick as he can to a bush near the Main Entrance, barely staying still on time for 215 to pass right by. The younger soldier exhaled, before scaling the tree that was right beside the bush and then connecting with the slope. He made sure to be as discreet as possible as his eye was trained on the guard right beneath him, especially as he finally stopped scaling the side of the gateway and dashed to the ceiling.
Trying to not set stalactites crashing down the unsuspecting guard’s head and alerting the one right across him was hard, but the soldier somehow managed it. Once he was sure he was out of changeling earshot, which took a long time to get out of, he sprinted until he was all the way to the vine cover. There he dropped down, flying to stop such a loud landing, and waited with baited breath for his siblings.
-----------------
“ I swear I almost died right there and then when Soldier 215 came back with gel for Soldiers 8 and 9.” Mariposa muttered as she dropped down the ceiling with the rest of her siblings.
It was probably already about 12:45 pm when they fully got past the guards, and it wasn’t helping that they needed to get back to the Hive, deposit the books secretly in the still constructing Archives, sneak back into the Nursery and pretend nothing ever happened before 2:00 am, where Infiltrator 324 was scheduled to return from his team’s shopping spree and check on them.
“ But you’re an infiltrator, Mariposa.” Star pointed out.
The budding infiltrator rolled her eyes. “ Being an infiltrator doesn’t make one immune to nerves.”
“ Enough of this! Let’s just get going already! Time’s a wasting!” Kalasag scolded as he gestured for them to get past the vine cover. The snake-like plant parts were thick and heavy though, something they didn’t think ahead of since when the hive first arrived no one touched the vines for it was levitated by magic. Luckily Star and Mariposa had enough magical energy to lift a few just a bit, enough for all of them to crawl under and into the Everfree.
But even that was straining enough, since they didn’t train with their Mother yet on proper magic energy conservation.
“ Are you two alright?” Bandaid said worriedly as he watched his two sisters grit their teeth as they themselves pass under the cover. It was when they finally let go of the heavy thing that relief flooded their faces.
“ Y-Yeah. Just didn’t think it would be THAT h-heavy.” Star said for the two, since being a Mage made it a tad less painful.
“ Well as the team Healer I advise you don’t use magic for the remainder of the mission unless necessary. We didn’t need it after all in the last escapade. Now hurry along.” Bandaid went and allowed Mariposa lean on him as they traveled through the Everfree, while also feeding Star with sibling love to keep her magic levels from dropping into a critical rate.
Espada spared a look at the three and despite the situation, felt a smile on his face. He was glad Bandaid finally fully joined the team, and can expect less resistance on whatever the next mission will be. He looked at Kalasag and tilted his head to the lagging trio.
“ Carry Mariposa so we can be a bit faster. Mom’s memories tell of weird wooden creatures that are on the prowl on this hour.”
Kalasag nodded and obliged, running back and carrying the Infiltrator on his back and came to return to the main group’s position with Star and Bandaid. Espada then flew up and through the thick Canopy to see the direction of their destination, and found it to be only a few minute’s walk. But they needed something faster, since they couldn’t waste time here in the Everfree. He then grinned as he got an idea and hurried back down.
“ It’s quite a walk from here. We need to shift into something fast but not noticeable.” He accompanied his grin with waggling eyebrows. “ Could everyling be a deer, and well, be a deer?”
Gaia smacked him upside the head, earning a pained chuckle from the Soldier. “ That was terrible.” She said, before promptly erupting into purple flames, leaving a young doe in her place.
The others followed, even Mariposa, and soon their little spot had three young bucks and three young does.
Espada then nodded his horned head to the general direction of Ponyville, before leaping into action and leading their little herd to their destination.
----------
Purple fires erupted suddenly in the edge of the Everfree forest, soon disappearing as quickly as they appeared leaving 6 nymphs hiding in the bushes, surveying the town with awe.
It was a quaint little place, not too grand, not too plain either. It proved the statement ‘Simplicity is Beauty’.
“ I could see why Mom felt so at home here. It’s far from Canterlot’s stiffness.” Gaia commented.
“ Well we better get moving. There’s only one building here that’s a living tree, and it’s right in there.” Mariposa, a bit fine after that rest on Bandaid’s shoulder and then Kalasag’s back, pointed. Everyone looked at where she directed, and there it was. A tree with windows and even a balcony.
Golden Oaks Library.
“ Shift to pony selves and just try to keep a low profile. Let’s move.” Espada’s order was promptly followed and soon their little group was quietly running across town, using every shadow as a cover.
Kalasag and Mariposa even used their magic to turn off/on street lamps as they went. It only required a spark of magic, both to Mariposa and Bandaid’s relief.
In no time they were in front of the building, still hidden from view, and Star was about to pick the lock when Kalasag’s hoof stopped her horn. She blinked and was about to question, as well as the rest of their little group, when they went quiet at Kalasag’s ‘hunter’ face.
Mouth a snarl, scrunched up nose, all indicators of a hunter smelling prey.
“ Someone’s inside….” He sniffed a bit harder. His eyes widened a bit. “ Scratch that, more than one someone!” He whisper-screamed at Espada, who immediately went to action. The Soldier gestured for the group to stay in the shadows as he shifted into a black owl, flying into the nearest window to see exactly who Kalasag smelled.
His already wide owl eyes widened as he recognized the ponies inside.
He flew back to his siblings, who were hidden under the balcony of a nearby house. He turned back to his pony form and gave a panicked whisper; “ It’s Mom’s friends!”
Everyone’s eyes widened at that.
“ What are they doing there?!” Star asked.
" I don't know!" Said the panicking Soldier.
Bandaid looked at his siblings and knew by the look of their faces he should do something soon before something goes wrong.
" Look," He touched the Soldier's shoulder. ", Maybe they're there for something like checking for clues that might point to where Mom is. Remember, Twilight Sparkle is still missing. We could just continue the mission with more stealth than usual or back out." He said.
Espada breathed out, after having heard the obvious conclusion, and blushed a bit out of embarrassment for panicking. He was supposed to be a Soldier too, adding insult to injury.
" You're... You're probably right, Bandaid. Sorry." He cleared his throat in an attempt to clear his blush.
Gaia giggled. " You know it's fine to panic, right?"
" And as Sparkles, we are more than allowed to panic almost if not all the time, dear brother." Mariposa grinned.
" Plus, I hear panicking clears the head." Bandaid squeezed Espada's shoulder.
" What's the plan, Captain?"
-------
Spike allowed steam to escape his nostrils as he sat glumly on Twilight's bedroom window.
He felt empty without his friend and sister, and the remaining guilt that was brought about due to the Wedding Invasion, the very event that caused Twilight's kidnapping in the first place, was not helping him feel better.
He had failed her as her most faithful assistant, and now he had failed her as a brother and friend.
He wished he followed her advice on strengthening his sense of smell that one day, about a year ago. If he had then he could have sniffed her scent and found her already, no matter how far away.
But alas, he had a, now obviously not important, date with a certain unicorn.
Pfft, who was he kidding. Calling it 'date' was being generous. It was more like him drooling as he followed the alabaster mare as she shopped around Canterlot.
Looking back on it, he was a fool to not see his lust and her obvious lack of reciprocating his feelings.
To think he gave up on being taught an important dragon trait over a mare he would never win over.
Spike smirked to himself. After realizing that painfully blatant fact he snapped out of it and finally left Rarity alone.
Then a frown found it's way into his face.
But it was sad that it took for Twilight to disappear before it opened his eyes.
" Spike? Are you alright?"
The Dragon's ears twitched at the soft voice as he turned around to meet turquoise eyes.
" Fluttershy? Uh," Spike jumped down the window. " Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff..." He sighed.
Fluttershy trotted over and draped a wing on the sad dragon hatchling.
" Thinking about Twilight again?"
Spike froze, then completely melted against the warm feathers of the shy pegasus.
He exhaled steam again.
" Yeah. I mean, it's been almost a week since we found out a changeling replaced her, and who knows how long that thing switched places with her!" He dragged a claw across his face to convey his frustration.
But Fluttershy was quiet, when she usually would say something uplifting. The dragon looked up to see hesitating eyes.
" You still think that Twilight wasn't actually replaced, are you?"
Fluttershy blushed in embarrassment, but nodded.
" I still think that Twilight feeding was mere instinct. All creatures have at least a set of instructions in their DNA that teaches them how to survive. And seeing how Twilight got a species change, the instincts would have all the more reason to activate to make sure she survives."
Spike sighed again.
" I want to believe you, that Twi is safe out there, but at the same time I don't. What if you ARE right, that Twi wasn't actually replaced, but that would mean Shining Armor just almost KILLED his own sister believing she was something else. And that would mean if a Twilight would come knocking on the door and we capture it then torture it for information-"
" Torture!?!" Fluttershy gasped.
Spike was too depressed to make the Shy pegasus not panic that he just explained, " It's Shining interrogating a changeling. What do you think?" before continuing, " and then after we find out it WAS Twilight. It would take more than another round of apologies to fix that, assuming the betrayal wasn't too severe to cause her to just shut us out."
Fluttershy gasped again.
" I never thought of it that way...."
The tables turned as Spike was now the one comforting the pegasus, his claw stroking her back.
" It's alright. But ignoring the aftermaths, I'd much rather have Twilight safe out there rather than being brainwashed or something in a Cave or hive." He gave the pegasus a comforting smile.
Then his ears perked up at the distant sound of pots clanking and plates breaking in the library kitchen.
" Oh my." Muttered Fluttershy.
" Oh my indeed. Let's go before thet destroy the Library. Can't have Twilight return to a messy house." Spike chuckled as he led the mare through the door and down the stairs.
They didn't notice 6 pairs of eyes trained on them from the ceiling.
-------
Sneaking in the building via balcony as House geckos was easy.
Listening to their Uncle talk about how he missed his 'kidnapped' Sister was NOT.
They had already gathered all the books that their Mom had kept in her bedroom, and were pretty much done with what they came for and could've already been somewhere in the Everfree heading home if they hadn't heard that conversation.
Bandaid looked at his siblings, having a sinking feeling on what they were having an internal debate on what to do, their looks confirming his suspicions.
He sighed rather heavily, causing startled looks to be drawn to him.
" I suppose you'd want to tell Uncle Spike?"
Everyone's eyes widened, not at the question but at the fact that it was BANDAID of all lings to address that.
" Mom would've done it... He's her real brother in my opinion..." Mariposa whispered, choosing not to snark at Bandaid for suggesting a risky move.
Kalasag snorted. " Not like Uncle Armor."
" So.... New mission within a mission then?" Star said hopefully.
Espada straightened his posture and nodded respectfully at Bandaid.
" Operation REUNITE is a go."
" Buck being scolded, amirite?" Gaia giggled as she and her siblings shifted once more into geckos and crawling to the lower library.
Now they just need to separate their Uncle from the 5.
But the possibility to also telling their practically-Aunts was there.
REUNITE is truly a fitting mission name.