Sweetie Belle’s vision flickered back into uncertain life as she realized that she was being supported on a bed of magic, held in place by the doctor. Helping Hoof panted slightly as he gently set her on the floor, sweat beading his brow as he took her unaccustomed weight. Sweetie Belle caught herself gently, steadying her hooves as she felt his magic flicker and die.
“Apologies, Miss Belle. Perhaps I could have been more tactful.” Helping Hoof said, his voice weary. “And my magic is more suited to delicate works than suspending pony-sized objects. Are you alright?”
Sweetie Belle nodded weakly. “I think so. It was just a shock, is all.”
The doctor’s horn lit up as he focused on her, and Sweetie Belle felt the familiar, almost-static feeling of a spell washing over her body. She waited patiently while the doctor finished his examination, considering the implications of what she had just learned. A foal. In time, she would be the mother of a little filly or colt, apparently Night Light’s child. And she knew it was his, there had not been another in…years, really. She hadn’t been with another stallion since she had first moved to Canterlot, and even those didn’t last long. And there was really nothing that could be done at this point. If Celestia won, there would not be a place for her, especially now that the Elements had been Broken, and their Bearers turned to Twilight’s side. A thrill of fear ran through her. This wasn’t in the plan, she wasn’t prepared for this. What was she going to do?
Helping Hoof looked at her, finished with his spell. “You appear to be perfectly alright, except for some very quickly done repair work on the hoof I set not an hour ago. I’ll not ask why you rebroke it, but please refrain from doing so in the future. And of course, I repaired it correctly. Keep off it for the next few hours and you’ll be alright.”
Sweetie Belle was silent. Honestly, out of all the things she could have anticipated hearing from this medic, this was the least expected. She was honestly lost, without purpose. Helping Hoof saw the look in her eyes and shifted uncomfortably. He cleared his throat and attempted to remain professional.
“Would you like me to help you consider a few options?”
Sweetie Belle nodded.
“This is obviously a delicate time in the history of this rebellion. As I’m sure you know, the next few days will prove pivotal in our history, and in fact the history of Equestria. There are three potential options available to you. The first is staying here, at the Regia. You would be well kept for and cared for, in a more relaxed environment. Your chances of miscarriage are extremely low, however, so I can also recommend that you continue with your duties as normal, from a purely medical standpoint. The third would require special dispensation from one of my superiors, but I think it could also prove beneficial to you and the foal you carry.”
“And that would be?”
“Well, it would involve a spell we use on many of our agents who need to be placed into deep cover. Essentially, we could rewrite who you were for a temporary period, until such time as hostilities were concluded. You would have no memory of who you were excepting the ones we gave you. Combined with a sufficiently powerful illusion, we could hide you away in a city like Los Pegasus, or possibly Ponyville to the north. If we were victorious, an agent could be dispatched to relive you of the spell. If we were…not…then it would expire on its own, about a month from now. You would be deeply enough embedded into your new role, however, that nopony would suspect you of being Ever Free, even after you were reestablished.”
Sweetie Belle thought over that. Just leave? Take what was left to her and go? It seemed so simple, and yet it seemed wrong. She was owed compensation for her work. She could tell her sister that she was leaving, obtain permission from Twilight, and be gone by this time tomorrow. It sounded so easy. But at the same time, it seemed wrong. How could she abandon those around her? Now, when they needed her most, she was thinking of leaving them, hiding like a coward.
But she wasn’t just thinking for herself anymore. She was carrying around a child, though she had difficulty thinking of it in that way. Wouldn’t it be the responsible thing to remove herself from the conflict now? If she died, so too did the child.
But at the same time, she had a duty to her friends and family. And if she was not there to help them, and Celestia won, then she would have to raise a child in a world that she now realized would be nothing more than clockwork. She would raise a child who would never think for itself, never be allowed to try new things, to speak its mind, to even have a mind at all. There were so many things to consider, and not enough time to consider them in.
She looked at Helping Hoof. “I’d like to think my options over. If I do manage to come back, I’ll do it with the Lady Sparkle’s permission. Would that be enough to send me undercover?”
Helping Hoof nodded. “It’s a simple enough potion. I’ve made it a dozen times this month alone. And keep in mind that there is no right or wrong answer.” His horn flashed, and the door behind Sweetie Belle swung open. “I’ll be here, Miss Belle. Whenever you wish, we can begin.”
Sweetie Belle thanked him, taking her leave and joining Scootaloo in the hall. The russet Pegasus looked at her strangely as they began to walk towards the room where Rarity and the other Elements were waiting. “What was that all about?”
Sweetie Belle sighed. “You know how Night Light and I spent that night together in Canterlot?”
Scootaloo nodded, before her eyes widened. “Did he give you something?”
Sweetie Belle flushed, shaking her head wildly. “Scoots, I’m pregnant.”
“What?”
“I’m pregnant. The foal is due in six months because of that stupid spell Celestia cast. I have a few options open. I could stay here, go with you, or take a third option.”
“Which would be?”
Sweetie Belle looked at her childhood friend before continuing. “I would be allowed to take a potion which would wipe my memory, write in a new personality, and then I would be sent away from the action for my own safety.”
Scootaloo’s voice was guarded. “And which option were you thinking of taking?”
“I’m not staying here any longer than I have to, that’s for sure. I was trying to make up my mind about whether or not I should go with you. I’m at a low risk for miscarriage, but I know that if I go, so does the foal.”
Scootaloo’s wings rose a little bit, indicating that she was upset. “Dammit, Sweetie Belle…out of all the times to have a foal, you chose now?”
Sweetie Belle gave a half-hearted chuckle. “I know, right? As if things weren’t bad enough.” Her voice became quizzical. “What do you think I should do?”
The Pegasus was silent for a minute, mulling over the information. “I’d love to have you with me, but I can’t see this ending well. I’d ask your sister.”
“What did you want to ask Rarity?” a voice from behind them asked.
Both of the fighters spun around, reaching for weapons that weren’t there, before they relaxed. Pinkie Pie, exhibiting her classic ability to pop up where least expected and most needed, was bouncing slightly behind them. Her eyes widened, and she slowed down as she realized that she had startled the duo. “Sorry. I forgot ponies around here are a bit more twitchy than normal.”
“What are you doing here?” Scootaloo asked, eyeing the Earth pony suspiciously.
“I was on my way to go see Allspice and Rosemary downstairs. They have a room down there, and I needed some sleep. Most of us have rooms downstairs, actually. But it sounded like you were talking about some pretty bad news, so I wanted to see if I could help!” Pinkie Pie replied. “It’s bad enough that we’re going to be doing a lot of fighting in the next few days, so I wanted to help cheer you two up. For old times’ sake.”
Sweetie Belle, against her better judgment, found herself trusting the Earth pony. “Pinkie, I could use a bit of advice.”
Pinkie Pie nodded, sitting down and paying close attention as Sweetie Belle explained everything, from her rescue from the cell in Trottingham to Night Light and her beginning a friendly rivalry to their growing close as a team, and from their into the one-night stand they had had in Canterlot. And his death, and the last piece of their relationship, the foal she was now carrying. Pinkie Pie wore the same expression of warm sympathy, nodding and listening alertly the entire time.
When Sweetie finished, Pinkie Pie hopped forward, bringing her into a gentle hug. She smelled like sugar cookies, Sweetie Belle dimly noticed. Breaking the embrace, Pinkie Pie smiled wanly. “Sounds like a pretty serious decision. What do you think you should do?”
Sweetie Belle sighed. “That’s just it. I don’t know. I can’t make decisions for just me anymore, you know? I have to think bigger than that.” A thought occurred to her. “You have some experience in this, right? You chased down Twilight carrying Rosemary.”
Pinkie Pie nodded. “And I almost lost her as a result. But I was pretty far along then. Sweetie Belle, I can’t tell you what to do here. All I can say is that you need to listen to what your heart is telling you to do. It may sound confusing at first, but I can tell you that I made my choices listening to my heart. Once you manage to cut through all the opinions, I think you’ll find that you already know the right thing to do.”
She got to her hooves once more. “I know that your friend is supposed to go through a ceremony soon, one that will change her. My Pinkie Sense is telling me that you should be there for her. Maybe it will help you. I’ll find your sister as I go downstairs and let her know about your situation for you. But I really think you should be there during the ceremony.”
Sweetie Belle looked to Scootaloo, and then back to Pinkie. She couldn’t quite put a hoof on it, but she felt that the Wielder of Laughter might be right somehow. “Thank you, Pinkie. I think I’ll do that.”
Pinkie Pie gave her another hug and a smile. “If you need anything, just remember that your Aunt Pinkie Pie is there for you. And whatever you choose, I think you’ll be fine.” Without another word, the Earth pony turned and trotted down the stairs, fading into the darkness. Soon there was no trace of her at all.
Sweetie Belle turned to Scootaloo. “Where is the Hive located?”
Scootaloo grinned. “I’d forgotten you were never down there. You’re going to love this, trust me.”
When the Regia was first occupied, there had been a real problem with damp. This came from the massive cavern deep underneath the castle, through which a river ran dark and cold. Though the cavern was pretty, there was never any real use for it, as the wet and cold made staying there for more than a few days unpleasant at best and unhealthy at worst. That was, until the Changelings had been contacted and agreed to take up residence in the castle.
The Queen had settled by the river, and begun constructing her Hive. It was a bold new step, consolidating many smaller hives into one large one, but her hard work and diligence had paid off. The passage down into the domain of the Changelings was now comfortably warm, the ichor insulating the stone and absorbing the water that used to drip from the ceilings and walls. As Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo descended deeper, they encountered what appeared to be organic doors, portals that expanded to let them through and contracted behind them, several feet thick.
The way ahead was lit by bioluminescent lights, glowing in pale white and yellow and green, flickering like the soothing light of fireflies. Sweetie Belle could smell the telltale signs of Changelings, dry musty air and warm flesh, and as they rounded the last corner, what she saw took her breath away.
The center of the cavern was dominated by a large pillar, stretching from the bottom of the cavern to the top, hundreds of feet high. It was intersected by a hundred walkways, entering the pillar at seemingly random intervals and gently glowing, throwing patches of light and shadow around the cavern. The walls themselves were lined with holes and walkways broad enough for two or three ponies to walk along side by side, and strange protrusions that gently pulsed with life. Those were eggs, Sweetie Belle realized. As she watched, a graceful shape dropped from one of the walkways, spreading its wings and soaring to one of the cocoons, splitting it open gently.
As she watched, awestruck, a wet shape fell out of the cocoon, coughing feebly. It was about half the size of a fully grown Changeling, and its carapace was a shiny blue as opposed to the black Sweetie Belle knew so well. The one who had freed it cradled the newborn, supporting its head as it cleared the last of the nutrient fluid from its lungs. As she watched, a small wisp of green smoke fell from the mouth of the nurse, before being inhaled by the newborn. Sweetie Belle realized with a jolt that she had just watched the transfer of love from one Changeling to another. It unfurled its wings, fluttering them once, twice, before laying them along its back and shaking itself hardily.
“Amazing, right?” Scootaloo asked. “They let anypony who wants to come down here visit.”
“Is it wise to leave the eggs out like that?” Sweetie Belle asked. “What if somepony was here to hurt them?”
Scootaloo laughed. “If they wanted to try, they wouldn’t be able to get past the second door. They’d be trapped until the Changelings arrived to apprehend them. This whole place is alive, in a way. If knows everything going on inside of it. Speaking of which,” she added, indicating the air in front of them, “It looks like we’re expected.”
She was right. A small group of Changelings was flying towards them. As they landed, one of them took the form of a brown Earth pony, a form that Sweetie Belle recognized as the default for Changelings in a hurry. “Welcome, honored visitors! The Queen Elect is being prepared in her chamber, and will shortly be escorted to the arena. A place has been prepared for you, if you wish to view her Ascendancy.”
Sweetie Belle silently assented, feeling two sets of strong hooves lift her into the air. As she watched, Scootaloo took to the air behind her, wings spread wide as she soared along with the Changelings towards one of the more interesting sights Sweetie Belle had seen today, which was saying something.
The Changeling Arena was made all of black ichor, specially hardened to support its own weight and able to seat some twenty thousand of its number. And it was nearly full, as well. Those who could not find seating hung from nearby outcroppings of rock and stalactites on the ceiling of the cavern. Still others had perched on nearby walls. But none of them, Sweetie Belle realized, were flying, save for the ones bearing her and Scootaloo to their seats.
Sweetie Belle was laid to rest in the very front row, able to see everything from her vantage point. Her seat was unusual, constantly conforming to the contours of her body in order to make her comfortable, an experience she found disconcerting. Scootaloo landed next to her, peering out over the crowd.
“Oh, good. We aren’t the only ones here.” she said, indicating a block of seating across the arena in which several ponies, Gryphons, and Minotaurs sat. “That would have been awkward.”
Sweetie Belle took in the massive space in which she found herself. Changelings filled the stands as far as she could see, all in their natural forms. None of them moved much, none of them fluttered their wings, and each one was completely silent. Sweetie Belle faced the floor, watching for what was supposed to happen next.
She didn’t have to wait long. With a roar of green fire, Chrysalis appeared on the arena floor, her wings outstretched and her mane well-groomed. Her coat fairly shone with polish, and she held herself as a regal Queen should, with her shoulders back and her head high. Her eyes swept the stands, and Sweetie Belle made contact with her teacher for the briefest of moments, just enough to catch a glimmer of acknowledgement, before her majestic gaze continued on. When she spoke, her voice was proud, yes, but not arrogant.
“My loyal subjects, I thank you all for the dedication you have given me over the years. We have been through times of feast and times of famine together, and you have given all to me. Would that I could thank you all for your service, but I cannot. You have sacrificed homes, families, even hatchlings and brood mates, all for the greater good of your people. And now, on the eve of war, it is my turn to give you all that I can. Here, on the cusp of a new and historic age for our proud race, I, Queen Chrysalis of the Hive, do pass on my mantle.”
A door opened itself in the wall of the arena, and Sweetie Belle felt her heart leap into her throat. Glimmer, recognizable even as a Changeling, proceeded to the middle of the floor, facing Chrysalis. Chrysalis continued to speak. “This, my successor, is the most worthy I have found. I can think of none better than she to wear my mantle, and to lead our people into a still more glorious dawn. Words do us no good, my fellow Changelings. I bid you farewell, and good hunting. I will be in our Hive’s memory, watching with pride as you forge a new life for yourselves. Thank you all.”
Her words finished echoing throughout the arena, until they had died out, leaving complete silence. But even this did not last for long. Glimmer’s wings spread, and she began to vibrate them, filling the space with a melodic buzzing, almost like a violin, one that somehow seemed to describe her perfectly. And then, another set joined in, lower than her own but no less powerful. It sounded of cellos. And then a third, and a fourth, and then ten more, and them in droves, the arena filled with buzzing, a beautiful maddening buzz that was both hopeful and melancholy, filled with love and grief. And that was not all. Green light began to spill from the wings of the Changelings, first in motes, then in streams, until finally the arena was full of blinding emerald light. Love poured from the wings of the Changelings, pooling at the foot of their Queen.
Chrysalis stood stock still, and Sweetie Belle smelled the acrid tang of pheromones being released from her body, compelling Glimmer to take one step forward, then another, as the buzzing grew louder and the light grew brighter, until all that was visible was sharp black on brilliant green. Sweetie Belle watched through eyes that were wet with tears, not from the blinding light, but from the beauty of what she was experiencing, as Glimmer’s head lowered, and with a small, neat thrust, she buried it in the breast of her ruler.
The buzzing reached a crescendo as Glimmer’s form shattered, becoming as smoke before recompiling herself, Chrysalis’s form diminishing as Glimmer’s grew. At last, with one last rush of sound and light, Chrysalis vanished completely, as did the noise and green magic. All was dark, all was silent. And then, a new sound filled the arena, a single low buzzing that grew in pitch before bursting into glorious song, and green light burst from the new Queen, flying forth into her subjects, who rocked back in their seats as if struck all at once.
So did Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings pass from the world, returning to her subjects all the love they had given her. And in her place stood the Changeling Queen that Sweetie Belle had once known as Glimmer. Tall, more graceful than Chrysalis had been, with a mane of well-kept blue hair and a set of transparent green wings, she straightened up and addressed her subjects for the first time. “The Queen is passed. Long live Queen Chrysalis, tenth Queen of the Hive. So too has the Queen been born. Hail Feldspar, Eleventh Queen of the Changelings.”
A roar arose from the stands, as Changelings filled the air with the drumming of hooves and the beating of wings. Sweetie Belle knew then exactly what she was supposed to do. It resonated in her as clearly as the wings of the Changelings surrounding her. She turned to Scootaloo.
“The Changelings are fighting for the survival of their race, but what we don’t realize is that we are too. We won’t be ponies anymore if Celestia wins. We’ll be automatons.”
Scootaloo nodded. “Does this mean…”
Sweetie Belle looked out over the arena, as the new Queen prostrated herself before her subjects. “We don’t have the luxury of not fighting. I’ll come with you to Trottingham, Scootaloo.” Queen Feldspar rose, and her attendants flocked to her as she nodded to her two allies in the stands, acknowledging them before being led away. “I’ll fight, and not just for myself. I’ll fight for my child, and their children, and theirs. Celestia has a lot to answer for. I’m not running. I’m fighting.”