The Canterlot Press: Equestria's Number One News Source
This morning at the monthly royal speech, Princess Celestia announced the formation of the "Bureau of Harmony". A new research and defense organization headed by the newly crowned Princess of Frienship, Twilight Sparkle. Based out of Princess Twilight's own castle in Ponyville, the Bureau is intended to focus on researching new or unexplained occurrences and providing an appropriate response based on their findings.
"While our main goal is to study such things," Princess Twilight stated in a brief question and answer session, "we will never forget our duty to protect Equestria and our people."
Princess Twilight went on to point out the possible technological and magical advancements that could be made from their research and discoveries. She also confirmed that her fellow Elements would indeed be involved as well.
"My friends have their own lives and responsibilities," the Princess elaborated. "But they will always be more than happy to aid us whenever needed."
Some in attendance expressed concern at the new organization's intentions. Others questioned the need for it at all considering the Princesses and the Elements having resolved all other extraordinary threats fine up until now. Princess Celestia, however, put down all complaints.
"Reacting to a threat and having a base of preparation for one are two very different things," the Sun Princess explained. "Imagine if we had been studying something like the changelings months before they invaded our beloved capital. So much of the violence may have been avoided. Perhaps the invasion itself could have been prevented."
Princess Celestia continued her impassioned speech, ending by reiterating the Bureau's overall goal to better protect and improve the lives of all Equestria's citizens. She also announced that the organization's first major goal would, in fact, be to improve pony/changeling relations.
The Princesses made a strong case for the founding of the Bureau of Harmony. Only time will tell if it will bear fruit, but this reporter is definitely hopeful for the future.
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If Twilight had to say when the idea for the Bureau of Harmony first started to take shape, she'd put it to right after Tirek's first attack. Twilight's method of dealing with upsetting or dangerous occurrences was to try and understand them. Discord, Chrysalis, the Tree of Harmony, Tirek; after each upheaval she would dig up every bit of information she could find and study it thoroughly.
But after Tirek, it wasn't enough. A running theme she found in her studies was that, for entities that were already known of, the actual information on them was maddeningly slim. Where were the diagrams? Where were the tests and experiments? How could people know of these things and not study them to the extreme? It annoyed her. If there had been more research, couldn't she have been better prepared? Couldn't she have reacted more effectively if she had a working knowledge of Tirek's abilities and limitations?
The answer was, of course, 'yes'. If there was one thing Twilight hated, it was being confronted by something that she was entirely ignorant of. And when it came to monumental threats to Equestria, that seemed to be what always happened.
With a fiery determination and the attitude of 'if you want it done right, do it yourself', Twilight spent the next two months laying out her ideas to address this problem. Writing, rewriting, studying, and writing a third time, she set the building blocks for her ultimate solution.
And yet, when she presented her proposal to Celestia, the Princess immediately mentioned something that Twilight hadn't even thought of, but knew that she should have. As Celestia always did. It was equal parts reassuring and annoying.
"An inspired and well thought out idea, Twilight," the Princess had smiled. "We should get everyone together and work it out."
In retrospect, of course she should have consulted the others. Celestia, Luna, Cadence, her friends... even Discord. They could all have provided excellent perspectives and additions. Still, better late than never. Celestia suggested holding the meeting in Twilight's castle as most of those attending were already in Ponyville. And sure enough, many points that Twilight hadn't considered were brought up and discussed.
It took three meetings to finally polish Twilight's concept into a working blueprint for her organization. Speaking of which, the last order of business was to actually name it. Twilight had already come up with a fine name, but the others insisted that 'The Bureau for the Reasearch, Preservation, and Defense of Extraordinary Phenomena and Entities' was too much of a mouthful. So she begrudgingly agreed to renaming it. Though she found the other suggestions to be completely inappropriate if not insultingly vague.
Rainbow Dash kept suggesting names she thought sounded cool. Rarity wouldn't stop trying to stick Twilight's name into it somewhere. Applejack and Fluttershy had no opinions. Pinkie suggested the 'Bureau of Understanding Tricky Things', but that was a ridiculous suggestion that Princess Celestia definitely did not giggle at, no matter how much Rainbow Dash insisted she did. Celestia was the one who finally suggested 'The Bureau of Harmony'. It was a bit generic, but Twilight agreed that it was acceptable. Pinkie kept using her name idea for the next two weeks, but either tired of the joke or simply forgot about it after awhile. Either way, the opening of the Bureau went about as smoothly as Twilight could have hoped for.
Building the facilities and recruiting members was set up before the public announcement and kicked into high gear immediately afterwards. The entire facility consisted of six main areas. Twilight's castle served as the main hub; a smaller lobby area had been added to the front that led into the castle proper. It's main area set up to be used for large scale meetings and public announcements. The different branches were built up around the castle. The Research and Development wing was by far the largest addition. Stocked full of the most cutting edge magical and technological equipment that bits could buy. The Strategic Defense and Response wing was next, it's observation and communication abilities second to none. Step into that wing and you had the whole of Equestria at your fingertips.
The Controlled Containment wing was to safety hold dangerous artifacts or entities. With everything from force-fields, magical nullifiers, dimensional shifters, to good old fashioned locks and bars. Twilight was confident that the Bureau could indefinitely contain any threat short of Discord himself. (And she was pretty sure they could hold him too, if they could get him in there and still while she interlocked and overlapped the necessary systems.) The Housing wing was just that. Living quarters where the Bureau's members could rest and relax. Last was the underground wing. Basically a streamlined amalgamation of the other wings which could be sealed off from the rest of the facility. It was a fallback shelter in case the Bureau was ever in direct danger. (The memory of the smoldering remains of the old library drove Twilight to make the bunker as secure and impenetrable as possible.)
It took some doing, but it all came together quite well. Twilight couldn't help the excitement that coursed through her during the construction.
Yet while she was confident that she could mold the architecture to her liking, she wasn't as sure about the staff. It was a tall order asking people to relocate to Ponyville on a nigh-permanent basis. And even though she was sure to make it clear that personal research could be continued at the facilities, she suspected that many of the scientific minds she sought to hire would be loath to dedicate about half their time to things besides their own pursuits. It turned out that she worried for nothing, though. Celestia's speech must have whipped up more fervor than she thought. Not only did she get everyone she thought she could get, they also got just about everyone she wanted to get and quite a few of the one's she was sure she'd never get.
The week that the full staff started settling in, Twilight barely ever left the Research wing. She was so wrapped up in it all, that ten days in she found herself literally kidnapped by Pinkie. Stuffed in a burlap sack, no less, and forced into a day long "relaxation celebration", as Pinkie called it. All her friends spending the day making sure she did no work at all. After which she was all but strapped into her bed and ordered to get a good night's sleep.
"Your brain is going to overheat, Twilight. And the FCC will never let me stuff enough asbestos in your ears to keep it from burning up!"
"I get it, Pinkie. I'll take it slower. Also... there are so many things wrong with that last sentence."
Things proceeded at a more reasonable pace after that. Roles were assigned, schedules worked out, and equipment fine-tuned. Soon the Bureau was ready to start on it's first major assignment. To improve the relationship between the pony and changeling nations, as Celestia had announced. This was set up as a two pronged operation. The first being to set up talks and in depth visits with Thorax and his hive. The overall goal being to further understand changeling biology and magic, leading to mutually beneficial trade of goods and knowledge. The second prong was more complicated since it involved Queen Chrysalis.
After losing control of the hive and the failure of her clones, Chrysalis had fled Equestria. Twilight discovered later that she had gone to the Barrens beyond the Everfree and found a small group of changelings still loyal to the old ways. By the time Twilight had discovered their location, Chrysalis had assumed leadership and managed to stabilize the small, floundering swarm. The Princess of Friendship had immediately set up surveillance on the hive, expecting Chrysalis to start hatching some scheme with the aid of her new followers. This time Twilight would be ready. She wouldn't be taken by surprise again. She would strike at Chrysalis as soon as the changeling Queen made her move.
But that move never came. Chrysalis continued working on improving her swarm's stability; reinforcing the hive's defenses, streamlining love collection and feeding, even compensating for their low reproduction rate by putting more resources into keeping the older drones healthy. In fact, her behavior only seemed to suggest that she had no plans for conquest and/or revenge at all. Twilight was still skeptical though and maintained her magical surveillance. However, now that she had the Bureau, she could finally act as well. The first step was to talk with Thorax. While Chrysalis seemed content to keep to herself, Twilight had no delusions about how she would react to any pony approaching her. No, if contact was to be made, it would have to be between changelings.
Thorax was understandably nervous, but shared Twilight's curiosity about the Queen's apparent self-imposed exile. So while the Bureau and his hive began working together, he began dispatching envoys to the Barrens hive. They approached under a white flag, leaving only a request for a meeting before departing again. Chrysalis didn't respond immediately. It wasn't until the fourth envoy that they received a reply. A meeting was agreed upon to take place on the border of the Everfree, limited to the two leaders and a pair of guards each. Twilight wasn't paranoid enough to try and spy on the group. But she did give Thorax and his two companions rune inscribed charms that could be used to teleport them away in case of a betrayal.
But again she was surprised when the meeting went quite smoothly. Chrysalis was none too polite, of course, but there was no assassination attempt, no ambush sprung, not even any real threats made. Chrysalis actually acknowledged Thorax's rule over the main hive and expressed her desire to simply rule her own hive in peace.
"She did make one request," Thorax said after relating their conversation to Twilight. The Princess raised an eyebrow.
"She wants another meeting," Thorax continued. "And she wants you there."
"She wants to see me?" Twilight asked, rather shocked. Thorax nodded.
"Her exact words were, 'I know you're friendly with Twilight Sparkle. I'd like to talk to both of you. Same place, three days from now'."
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It was a gamble, but one Twilight couldn't help but take. So three days later she stood with Thorax and watched as Chrysalis approached.
"Sparkle," Chrysalis greeted through clenched teeth. Obviously the Queen's desire for solitude didn't improve her opinion of the alicorn princess at all.
"Chrysalis," Twilight responded. "You wanted to see me?"
"I assume King Thorax has already informed you of our meeting, but I'll repeat myself for clarity."
"I... don't actually call myself 'King'," Thorax clarified a bit meekly. Chrysalis looked like she was about to spit back a reply, but stopped herself.
"That is between you and your hive," she said with forced calmness. "But as I was saying," she turned back to Twilight, "I have no designs on conquest or revenge. My swarm are still loyal to the old ways and I wish only to ensure their survival. I will take no hostile action against Equestria or any of it's citizens."
Twilight was silent for a bit, looking the changeling ruler over.
"While I'm glad to hear that," she finally answered, "I'm sure you can understand my skepticism. You've tried to conquer Equestria and attacked me and my friends on several occasions."
"And where did that get me?" Chrysalis shot back, her voice raising in frustration. "When I invaded Canterlot I was the ruler of the largest changeling hive in existence. After that failed, I lost many followers. When I kidnapped your group, I ended up losing my entire hive. When my clones failed, I was forced to flee to this barren wasteland!"
Chrysalis gestured to the rocky, cracked earth behind her before visibly deflating.
"I took my best shot, Sparkle, and I failed. I persisted and failed again. Every failure took more from me and I've lost enough. I.... I'm tired. Old and tired."
The terrible and merciless Queen Chrysalis sat down on a nearby boulder as if the weight of the world had been dropped on her shoulders. Twilight recognized that look. It was the same one Granny Smith had whenever her reminiscences turned melancholy. It was the same look the Elders of the buffaloes had when they spoke of the old wars between the tribes and the Equestrian settlers. It was the same look Celestia and Luna had whenever they were talking of days past and friends gone. And against all her own better judgement, Twilight found herself pitying Chrysalis.
"I'm done, Sparkle," the Queen finished. "You win. I just want to be left alone now."
Again Twilight studied the changeling before her. She looked so resigned, so... broken. Twilight didn't regret any of her actions. It had all been in self defense, after all. And Chrysalis could be lying.... but she didn't think so.
"Okay."
It was all Twilight said. It was all she could say. Chrysalis sighed, nodding as she rose to leave.
"Wait."
Thorax spoke up, halting the Queen's departure. Her expression hardened and she stood to her full height. As though she were anticipating an attack either verbal or physical from her rival ruler.
"Yes?"
Thorax stepped forward. He picked his words carefully and spoke slow and steady. Wanting to convey his honesty and sincerity as clearly as possible.
"You know that our hive is allied to the Equestrians. And I know that you have no desire to be in a similar alliance."
Chrysalis didn't answer, but cocked her head a bit, signaling him to continue.
"But perhaps we could arrange an alliance between changelings."
The changeling Queen shook her head and started to reply, but Thorax raised his hands in a plea for her patience.
"Please, hear me out. I have no desire to try and convert your hive to our ways. We are all changelings and I only wish for their continued survival, the same as you. Contact between our hives would be under your control and at your discretion. Any alliance between us would be completely separate from my hive's arrangements with the Equestrians."
Thorax leaned forward, looking Chrysalis in the eyes.
"You need resources for your hive's survival. Let me be one of those resources."
Chrysalis was silent as she stared back at Thorax. Twilight could practically see the gears turning in her head. The Queen's first instinct was to refuse. Accepting aid from the usurper of her throne? Preposterous.
He had a point though. The hive was stable, but it was still walking along the slippery slope of disaster. An alliance with Thorax's hive wouldn't only provide sorely needed resources. It could also guarantee one more shield against retaliation from the ponies. And she could count on Thorax to keep his word, being the hopeless, pathetic do-gooder that he was.
"I set the terms?"
"Within reason, of course," Thorax nodded.
"And they stay out of it?" She pointed at Twilight.
"Our dealings will be completely confidential," he answered.
Chrysalis took a last moment to look him up and down before finally extending her arm.
"Then I agree."
Thorax smiled, stepping forward to accept the offered hand. The two changeling rulers grasped each other's forearm, sealing the agreement.
"I will send a messenger to start negotiations soon," Chrysalis said, stepping back. Her wings snapped out, signaling the end of the meeting.
"Queen Chrysalis," Thorax nodded as a farewell, his pleased smile still in place.
"King Thorax," Chrysalis replied in what could almost be imagined as a playfully mocking tone. And then she was gone, the buzz of her wings fading away as she disappeared over the horizon.
Twilight smiled as she put a hand on Thorax's shoulder.
"I'm impressed, Thorax. I doubt that could have gone any better."
"I'm amazed she actually agreed," he replied, still looking off toward were Chrysalis had flown.
"She knew that the benefits outweighed her own feelings," Twilight said. "I guess she has changed a bit."
Thorax finally looked back toward Twilight, his expression suddenly nervous.
"Princess, I.... promised I wouldn't tell you about the arrangements of our alliance. I can't.... go back on that."
Twilight had a moment's shock before smiling and wrapping Thorax in a sudden hug.
"And I'd never ask you to," she reassured him. "Your alliance to Equestria doesn't give us any authority over you or your hive. We're friends. And I trust you to handle Chrysalis on your own. Just let us know if you need any help."
Thorax sighed in relief, returning Twilight's hug before stepping back.
"Thank you, Twilight. I think this is the beginning of something really important for all changelings."
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As it turned out, he couldn't have been more right. An alliance was made between the two hives. Thorax provided resources and acted as a go between with the ponies and other species. Chrysalis promised her hive's aid in event of any threat to her new allies. The Barrens hive prided itself on it's fierce and capable warriors.
The relationship between the two hives deepened as time went by, the two rulers actually going from reluctant allies to close friends. They eventually stopped using messengers and met face to face. Their talks of trade and diplomacy would often turn into simple conversations. The role of a leader is often a lonely one. Being able to confide in someone who understood their position was an immense relief to both Thorax and Chrysalis.
Twilight was true to her word and left Chrysalis to her changeling friend. Time passed and the Bureau pursued other matters. Fifteen years went by and she knew the alliance was going strong. But she was still shocked when Thorax came to her with a new development.
"Did I hear that right?" Twilight asked, dumbfounded.
Thorax nodded, looking quite shaken himself.
"Chrysalis wants to unite the hives."
"And she brought it up," Twilight stated for clarification.
"Yeah. I mean, I've thought about it, but couldn't bring myself to mention it," he said. "I was afraid she'd view it as me trying to take her swarm."
"But you're allied with Equestria." Twilight was sure Chrysalis' dislike of other species would've kept her in isolation.
"She's fine with it," Thorax shrugged. "Don't get me wrong, she still doesn't like you. But she trusts that you won't interfere with the hive and that's enough for her."
"What about her followers," Twilight continued. "Will they be going through the change your swarm did?"
"We'd leave that up to them," he replied. "Each changeling would decide for themselves and all would be treated equally."
Twilight considered this, leaning forward in her chair.
"You seem in favor of it," she observed. "And I appreciate you letting me know about it. But how would leadership work?"
"That's the thing," Thorax said, finally getting to the source of his nervousness. "She wants a bonding. Basically a marriage. We'd rule together."
Twilight could hardly believe it.
"She wants to marry you?"
"Our kind's version of marriage, yeah."
"She's quite a bit older than you, isn't she?"
"Technically, yes," Thorax replied. "But royals don't really age like regular changelings. As long as our hive is healthy, so are we."
"But you're still not sure?"
Thorax fidgeted.
"I... admit that I've come to respect her over the years," he said. "Now that her thirst for conquest has been turned toward helping her people, she's become a fiercely protective Queen. She's given me advice on being a monarch that has helped immensely. I wouldn't be averse to a bonding, it's just.... "
Thorax seemed at a loss for words, but Twilight noticed he kept glancing at her as though waiting for something. And suddenly she had an idea of what his problem was.
"Thorax," she said gently, but firmly. "I... we are your friends. You've proven your loyalty and trustworthiness time and time again. We would never abandon you so easily."
Thorax didn't reply, but the loosening of his shoulders told Twilight that she'd guessed correctly.
"Look at me, Thorax," she said, taking his hands in hers. "Don't think about us. Don't think about Equestria. Do you want to do this?"
Thorax stared back at her for awhile. Finally he squared his shoulders and gripped Twilight's hands.
"I do."
"Then you have our support," Twilight smiled.
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The 'wedding' of Thorax and Chrysalis was mainly an internal affair. Only for the newly united hive with the exception of Twilight, Spike, Starlight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. And while the attitude of Chrysalis and her changelings was decidedly frosty towards the ponies, it was nowhere near hostile. In fact, after the bonding ceremony, Twilight was shocked when Chrysalis actually approached her.
"Good day , Princess," the Queen greeted respectfully, if a bit tersely.
"Queen Chrysalis," Twilight managed to reply before lapsing into a 10 second fit of speechlessness. At least Chrysalis looked equally uncomfortable.
"You're.... speaking to me?" Twilight finally managed to stammer.
"My... our hive is allied with you," Chrysalis said, awkwardly. "I will have to get... acclimated to interacting with you on occasion. I figured now was as good a time as any."
"Oh, well, thank you," Twilight replied, managing to get her poise back. "It was a fascinating ceremony and I'm overjoyed for both you and Thorax."
Chrysalis gave a short, humorless laugh.
"My King is a soft, tenderhearted romantic," she said harshly. However, as her gaze drifted to Thorax, her expression and tone softened. "But he is a good King. I find myself wanting.... wishing I were more...."
Her words faltered and she seemed to suddenly remember who she was speaking to.
"Nothing," Chrysalis muttered, looking back toward Twilight. "Nice to see you, Princess. Enjoy the rest of the day."
And with that, she was off. Twilight was again left speechless. But as she recovered, she couldn't help the grin that came to her face.
"Never thought I'd see the day we'd be sharing a room with Chrysalis," Applejack said as she came up beside Twilight. "You think this thing has a chance of working."
She gestured toward where Thorax and Chrysalis stood next to each other.
"You know, I wasn't sure myself," Twilight answered, still grinning. "But now, I actually think it might."
And amazingly enough, it did. Thorax's Queen was never exactly friends with Twilight, but over time the two developed a mutual respect for each other. And while Chrysalis was always ready to accuse her 'husband' of being too soft, her devotion to him only deepened as they worked to rule their people.
The relations between changelings and ponies became closer than ever. The sight of the two species in each other's territory becoming a common sight. It was one of the first longterm goals that the Bureau was able to mark off as a success and Twilight knew it wouldn't be the last.
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Excerpt from Bureau of Harmony file #52: Changlelings
Changeling Bonding Ritual
The bonding ritual used by the changelings is broadly similar to Equestrian marriage ceremonies. The implications and consequences, however, can be far greater. While changeling drones do form relationships with each other, bonding is reserved for royalty. Between royals it is intended to ease acceptance of the new monarch and any followers they bring with them. Between a royal and a drone it allows the drone to metamorphose into a royal form.
While such pairings seem to have been extremely rare, they were not unheard of. Solid evidence of specific examples is impossible at present. Written history for changelings is nearly nonexistent. So almost all historical information is anecdotal.
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