The train ride passed without incident, after a few hours the group arrived back in Canterlot and headed straight to the royal palace. Upon arriving at the gate they were quickly ushered to a courtyard to await an audience with Princess Celestia. A few minutes passed and Twilight was allowed inside, the others waited outside the door so that the audience would be private.
“Come to me.” Olive Branch heard his queen’s voice like a whisper in his head, excusing himself from the group he allowed the whispers to lead him down a hallway to a cathedral which if memory served was the same one which Queen Chrysalis had been defeated in the invasion.
Opening the large door Olive Branch saw his queen waiting for him, with a bow he addressed her, “You wished to speak with me, my queen?” The queen motioned for him to rise and take a seat.
“Indeed, I too am curious of what transpired in the Crystal Empire. It seems the ponies believe you to be a hero, delivering the Crystal Heart in time to save the empire.” After giving Olive Branch a piercing glare Chrysalis continued, “Yes, I can see it in you, you have touched the Crystal Heart. But that leads to a question, why did you not see fit to take its power for yourself?”
“I’m sorry, my queen, I…”
“Do not apologize! I merely asked why you did it, I was not scolding you.” Chrysalis snapped at him.
“But I thought you would have wanted me to bring the Heart back to the swarm, so that we could have its power.” Olive Branch said confused.
“If I wanted more power there are amulets, orbs, and artifacts aplenty which grant such “power” but I’ve come to realize that this is not what I nor my subjects need.” Chrysalis explained.
“I don’t understand, shouldn’t we want the power to take what we need rather than ask for it?” Olive Branch argued.
“In the short term we would indeed have what we want but after a time we would find ourselves inevitably at war once again. Had you taken the Heart for your own you would have ensured not only the elimination Princess Cadance but also the element bearers as well. Equestria’s defenses would be crippled as Celestia would need to shift her full focus to battling Sombra, leaving the remainder of Equestria ripe for the harvesting. But such a harvest would not last forever, in time the ponies would retaliate, causing a multitude of problems for us.”
“We would still have the power to dominate them though… wouldn’t that be enough to wipe out any hope for their resistance?”
“It would be that way for a while, yes, but as I said there are many artifacts of power in this world and they would undoubtedly find one and use it against us.”
“And in response the swarm would gather its own artifacts of power. The battles would escalate, with both sides wielding greater and greater power.” Olive Branch said, realization dawning on him.
“In the end both sides, and possibly the entirety of Equestria would be devastated.” The queen looked at him expectantly, “Now do you realize why the swarm does not need such power?”
“Yes, my queen.” Olive Branch said meekly, ashamed for not realizing this on his own.
“Do not look sad, for you have accomplished a great feat this day.”
“What do you mean, my queen?” Olive Branch asked looking up at his queen.
“On this day you have not only secured peace for our nations but also given the ponies a hero, one that a few months ago would have been unheard of. Furthermore, you have altered how ponies see our kind, proven us in their eyes if you will. Thanks to you we have peace and the opportunity for prosperity, and that is a greater power than any artifact could have granted.” Chrysalis looked down at the former librarian with pride, “Thus for your service and acts of heroism, I name you my ambassador and grant you all the privileges that entails.”
“Thank you, my queen, but what will I need to do?”
“It is to my knowledge that you currently reside in Ponyville, learning about pony culture and their politics and the like. You will continue doing so; if at some point a crisis arises, which I have no doubt one will, you are to resolve it to the best of your ability. Additionally, I would like a report on any major events that happen and what you have learned from them.”
“It will be done, my queen.” Olive Branch said with another bow. They continued talking for a time before Olive Branch was dismissed.
“Go now you don’t wish to miss your train, my loyal subject.” Chrysalis said, as Olive Branch exited the room she let out a sigh, “I see now why Celestia is so lax on titles, it is a bit grating to hear them every other sentence.”
Olive Branch headed back into the courtyard to see that Twilight had emerged from her meeting with Princess Celestia. Based on the fact that she didn’t look miserable Olive Branch assumed she had passed her test. He considered heading over to congratulate her but was dissuaded when they broke into song. “Eh… maybe I’ll just meet them back at the train.” He decided before slipping away in the opposite direction.