//------------------------------//
// A Canonically-Ambiguous Christmas Spectacular! 
// Story: Five Score: A New Hive 
// by bossfight1 
//------------------------------//

December 25th, 2020
Royal Hive, St. Louis, MO

Digit sank her fangs into her prize and tore it open, exposing its innards. Tearing a bigger hole she beheld the bounty within.

"A PS4!!" She shrieked joyfully, ripping the rest of the paper and holding the box close. With a burst of flame she turned into a young boy in his footsies. "OH MY GOOOOOOD!!"

Liz and I, sitting on the couch, winced from her (almost literally) earsplitting scream.. "YES, DIGIT, IT IS," I called over her joyful cries.

Digit immediately resumed her normal form, flew up and hugged us tight. "THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU..."

Liz looked at me from behind Digit's head and smiled. I grinned back and put a foreleg around Digit. "No problem, baby. Go take it for a spin, huh?"

In the blink of an eye—literally—Digit and her console were gone, running into the living room, where the sounds of cardboard and plastic being torn asunder could be heard.

"Couldn't we have just given her your old one?" Liz whispered out the corner of her mouth. "I mean, it's not like you have time to play it anymore..."

"Didn't want it to feel like a hand-me-down," I said. "Plus, you know, Christmas and all..." I turned to Shift and Echo, who were sitting patiently across from us in front of the tree. They were each cradling their gifts, ready to tear them open at a moment's notice, like a dog with a treat balanced on its nose. Shift's was just a crate, somewhat larger than him, with just a bow taped to the corner, while Echo's was a 2'x2'x1' rectangular package.

I gave a single nod. The sound of Echo carefully opening her present was quickly drowned out by strained wood as Shift wrapped his magic around the edge of the crate's front face and pulled with all his might. Finally, with a loud SNAP, the front fell down. Inside was a ponyquin, one of few that had survived Discord's 25 year reign, in the Carousel Boutique. Rarity was kind enough to loan it to me for the holiday. It was draped in green-black armor that covered the legs and body, separating at key points to allow full mobility. The helmet was designed to look like a changeling head, but was actually built from the finest dragon scales available.

Shift stared at the armor, his mouth quivering. "I-I..."

I got up from the couch and stood at his side. "This armor, for centuries before Discord's uprising, was worn by the greatest generals of our people. The cuirass and legplates are built from the chitin of those who fell in battle... Those who consented, of course; that way, even if the battle was not won that day, they could contribute to our future." I turned to Shift, whose slack jaw was slowly reaching the floor. "And today, my dear Shift, you shall be granted this honor."

Shift immediately turned to me and stood at attention. He looked professional, but the look in his eyes told me he was still in shock. "My queen--Mother, I... I'm not..."

"Hush, Shift." I cradled his head in a hoof for a moment before rising to my full height. "Shift. I, Chrysalis, Queen of the Changelings, hereby appoint you as General of the Swarm. You will lead all of our military efforts, to defend and oppose those who would wish us, the ponies or the humans, harm. Do you accept this charge?"

Shift's eyes flashed, and he straightened up, all doubt gone. "I do, my Queen."

Nodding, I lifted the armor, piece by piece, in my magic from the ponyquin and over Shift. Shift didn't so much as blink as each piece locked firmly around his body. Finally, I placed the helmet reverently on his head. "I know you will not fail me, General Shift."

Shift nodded once, pride gleaming in his eye.

I dropped the seriousness. "I expect pics of this on Facebook within the hour." Shift frowned for a moment before giving a single laugh and marching off, getting a feel for his new garb.

I turned to Echo, who had been watching silently. "Will we really have any more adversity ahead of us, mother?" She asked. "I mean, with Discord gone..."

"Peace is good and all, Echo," I said, laying beside her. "But it only takes one person to spoil it for everyone else." I glanced at her gift. "So?"

Echo looked down. "...Oh!" She'd been so focused on Shift's gift that she'd completely forgotten about hers. It was a very large tome, with a purple cover and gold plates lining the spine. The front had the image of a wizard hat emblazoned upon it, surrounded by sparks of magic. "This is..."

"One of the first tomes of Starswirl the Bearded," I said. "Needed to call in a couple favors with Twilight to get this, but... I think it's worth it."

Echo gently opened the book to the first page. "...Mother, this is... These are Starswirl's notes! Blueprints to some of his first spells!"

I put a foreleg around her. "Yep."

Echo looked up at me. "Mother, there are spells in here I can't even imagine!!"

"Well, look 'em up!" I said, encouragingly. "Echo, you're a Royal. The first one I've laid in a long time. That means you're first in line to replace me someday. It'll help to have these spells under your belt when you take command."

"But it could..." Echo began.

"You have years," I interrupted. "Trust me, Echo; these spells could be what you need to keep our people safe. Maybe not today, or tomorrow... But someday." I kissed her on the head. "You're ready. I know you are."

Echo looked up at me, tears filling her emerald eyes. She wrapped her forelegs around my neck and hugged me. "I love you, mother..."

I hugged her back. "I love you, too. Try not to blow yourself up, changeling blood stains."

Echo nodded, lifted the book delicately in her magic and trotted out of the chamber, up the stairs and to her room. I turned to Liz, who had been silent the whole time, looking at her hands. "Something wrong?" I asked.

Liz looked up. "Oh, no, it's nothing. It just seemed like a changeling-thing, thought I'd keep out of it..."

I sat beside her and pulled her close. "Come on, now..."

She sighed. "Do I really have a place here? I mean, I know I said I'd stay with you, it's just... Where do I fit in with all this, other than being your... Oh, what's that word, someone dating royalty—consort! Yeah... Where do I fit in? I mean, here you are, appointing Generals, preparing your successor..."

I pulled her face towards mine and kissed her. It still felt weird, kissing her with an equine mouth, but I didn't care. Our lips parted. "Your place is with me. Being with me doesn't mean you're obligated to do anything here."

"So you're saying I'm useless..." Liz said, raising an eyebrow.

"Okay, that came out wrong," I said, biting my lip. "...Okay, you know what? You're the royal chef," I said in a very 'royal' tone. "Your duty is to keep Her Majesty well nourished."

Liz laughed and shoved my shoulder. "Veeeery funny."

"The Queen is accosted by the Royal Chef!" I yelled in mock outrage. "This is treason of the highest order! Your judgment shall be swift and merciless!!" My horn lit up.

Liz, in mock-fright, cowered. "Eek! Forgive me, your highness!"

"You are beyond redemption!" I said, levitating an object out from behind the couch and holding it between us. "Your sentence shall be the gravest I can give, in my authority as Queen! Your sentence is..."

Liz opened her eyes and looked at the object. Her smile vanished, and her eyes widened. "Wait..."

I got off the couch, turned into Chris and grasped the small, red box in my hands. I opened it.

"...a lifetime with me," I said softly. "...If you'll have me."