"C'mon c'mon c'mon!" A hyperactive pink changeling queen squealed as she bounced ahead of the Cakes and Maud. "You've got to see this!"
"Alright, dearie." Mrs. Cake said good-naturedly with a gentle smile. "We're right behind you." After lunch, they'd left the twins with a changeling caretaker and followed Pinkie Pie at her insistence.
"My goodness, I don't believe I've ever seen Pinkie Pie so energetic." Mr. Cake said with a smile before turning to Maud Pie. "What about you?"
Maud blinked at Mr. Cake in response. "I have." She said in her usual monotone then turned her gaze back to Pinkie Pie, who was still hopping about excitedly. And just like that, the conversation Carrot Cake had tried to spark died before it could live and the three fell into silence as Pinkie Pie led them towards the kitchen. Neither Cake notice the look in Maud's eyes as she focused in on her sister.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
Once they reached the kitchen, Pinkie Pie threw open the door with a flourish and twirled on her hindlegs for a moment while waving her forelegs in the air.
"TA-DA!!" She declared as she purioetted to the center of the room before dropping back to all fours with a grin. "What do ya think?!"
The Cakes and Pie paused to take in the kitchen before replying. The kitchen was filled with various cakes and pastries, but only a hooful were finished. Most were incomplete. Some just a few steps from completion. Others were less so and a few were no more than batter in a bowl. By and large, it wasn't an unusual sight for the Cakes who lived in a bakery. What was new were the various colored orbs all over the room. Most were in a pile in the corner of the room while others sat in stands on tables and counters with their tops cut off, exposing the honey like substance within. However, while it looked like honey and even seemed to have the same properties of honey, the Cakes were very certain that they had never seen honey in these colors or with little crystals.
Cup Cake trotted up to the nearest orb, a bright blue one, and looked into it. The 'honey' inside was slightly darker with bright green crystals floating in it. "Pinkie Pie? What exactly is this?" She asked.
"Oh that? That's called changeling honey. It's how changelings eat love!" Pinkie Pie explained as she began stirring a bowl of batter.
"So this is love?" Carrot Cake asked curiously.
"Oh, no no no, blue isn't love. Actually none of these are love."
"Why not?" Cup Cake asked.
"Changelings can absorb and process any kind of positive emotions." Pinkie began. "But the really really really important emotion is love. And unfortunately we don't have a lot of it at the moment, even accounting for the orbs our collectors are sending in. So, I'm only using the other emotions for my recipe tests. Blue is happiness. And bright yellow is joy!"
"Interesting." Maud said. A second glance around the kitchen revealed a detail she hadn't noticed earlier. All of the pastries had some of the odd colored honey incorporated into them in some way. "Why are you using them for your cooking?" She asked.
"Oh well, I've been experimenting in making treats with changeling honey since its a lot like bee honey." Pinkie Pie said as she grabbed up a spoon and began stirring. "And since I'm only experimenting, I'm not using love. Just the other emotions. But when we get enough love, I will use that too."
Cup Cake nodded in understanding. Then she picked up on one of the things that she'd said. "Wait, you said changeling honey is like bee honey."
"Yes indeedily!" Pinkie said brightly. "Changelings process it just like bees process honey and Twilight even ran a few tests to confirm it. Changeling honey is almost exactly like bee honey!"
"Almost exactly?" Mrs. Cake asked.
"Well, it is made of emotions instead of flower nectar." Pinkie explained with a shrug.
"Oh yes, that's right." Cup Cake said then turned her gaze to a bright yellow orb. "So, if it's like honey so much, does that mean it's safe for ponies to eat?"
"Um...sorta. I think?" All three ponies cocked their heads at Pinkie Pie's answer.
"Uh...what do you mean by that Pinkie?" Carrot Cake asked.
"In theory, ponies and other creatures besides changelings should be able to, but it hasn't really been tested until recently, and even then it was just princess Luna who's given it a try but she's an alicorn. We have no idea if it'll be okay for a regular pony yet."
"I'd like to volunteer." Maud raised her hoof as she spoke. Two ponies and one changeling queen shot her questioning looks. "To try the honey." She elaborated.
Pinkie Pie smiled. "Okay! Just make sure you only take a little bit, alright?"
Maud gave her a small nod then dipped her hoof into the bright yellow orb and came out with a glob of the honey. For a moment she studied the glob of honey on her hoof before sticking it in her mouth. Her body became rigid and her eyes widened as she stared forward for a minute. Then she relaxed back to her usual expression and smacked her lips.
"Hmm. It tastes like joy." She said in her usual tone.
Cup Cake and Carrot Cake shared a looked then tentatively dipped their own hooves in the same substance. They paused a moment before putting the globs in their mouths. In an instant the word faded away as the Cakes were filled with the warmth and energy of a summer day. And with it came the brief urge to run and play like they were kids again. Maud was right. It did taste like joy. And it came so suddenly and so intensely that they stood stock still. Then it passed, but traces of the feeling remained like a taste on the edge of your tongue. As the world fell back into view, the Cakes suddenly found themselves being pulled into a group hug with Pinkie Pie and Maud.
"This is great!!" She exclaimed. "Now that you've tried it, that means it's safe for ponies to eat! Now who wants to get baking?"
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Elsewhere in the castle, a grey earthpony maid was pushing a cart full of cleaning supplies and some sheets in the Eastern Wing. The wing that was now occupied by a changeling hive and the Terror of Canterlot Castle. It'd become something of a rumor at the castle that there was something else in the castle. Nopony had really seen it, but it was definitely there somewhere. Though so far, Feather Dust hadn't seen anything. As though the universe had heard her sentiments, the second her back was turned, one of the sheets began to move of its own accord.
When she returned to her cart, all color drained from her face at the sight of one of her sheets flying in front of her. The sheet flew up and around the hallway, thoroughly freaking Feather out and the spooky indiscernible whispering in her ears wasn't helping her nerves. Then the sheet made a beeline for her and the whispering picked up. Then the sheet dropped onto her face and at the same time she finally heard a single word in her ear.
"Boo."
That was the final straw. Feather Dust let out a scream and ran as fast as she could away from the 'ghost'. She didn't see the changeling or the laughing changeling queen fade into sight. For a time, the changeling watched as his Queen dropped to the floor in a fit of giggles.
"My Queen, are you certain that wasn't pushing it a little too far?" He finally asked uncertainly.
Rainbow Dash gasped for breath between chuckles before answering. "Of course I am." She said with a cocky grin. "Rule number one about pranks, you never pull them on somepony unless you're certain they can take it. And I'm certain that pony could take that prank. She's going to have the shakes for a bit, but soon enough she'll be laughing too. Trust me on this Aarne." As she spoke, she'd flown up to the drone and slung a leg around his neck.
"Very well you're highness." Aarne said with a nod. "But how can you be so certain she'll be okay?"
Rainbow Dash pulled her leg off him and gave him a conspiratorial wink. "That my friend is a trade secret." She said with a lopsided grin.
"Very well my Queen." Aarne said. "If you'll excuse me Your Highness, my duties as caretaker require attention."
"Sure! I just needed you for that demo." Rainbow Dash said with a wave. "Go on back to your duties and tell the nypmhs I said hi."
"You are too kind Your Highness." Aarne said with a bow before flying off. Rainbow Dash took a deep breath then turned around to face where the hall turned.
"Alright squirt, you get all that?" She asked the bend. In response, an orange pegasus filly moved around the corner and looked up at her with admiration in her eyes.
"You bet I did!" Scootaloo said with a smile. "I got every single word and action."
Rainbow Dash nodded in approval. "Good job squirt." She said. "Now you may need some extra preparation before you can pull off that prank, but always remember to be careful who you target and how far you go. It's not fun if you make somepony cry."
"Yes ma'am!" Scoots said with a salute and a serious experience that actually looked adorable.
"Oh and one more thing." Rainbow Dash added. "Don't call me ma'am. I'm not that old. Call me Rainbow Dash or just plain Rainbow or Dash."
Scootaloo's eyes sparkled even more. "Yes m- I mean Dash!" She said enthusiastically. Rainbow landed with a smile and ruffled the filly's mane. But before either of them could say anything, they interrupted by Sky Ribbon calling out to her daughter in greeting.
"Rainbow Dash! There you are!" She said as she approached. "I will say this, it seems as though your speed hasn't changed since you became a changeling. Your father and I have been trying to find you for awhile."
"Heh, sorry mom, dad." Rainbow apologized to her parents as they came up to the Queen and filly. "I was teaching the squirt here some pranking techniques. So what did you want?"
"Well, your mother and I were wondering if you could show us around this hive of yours." Prism Bolt explained. "We realize you don't have an actual hive yet, but while we're here, we'd like to see the swarm."
"Hmm, I don't see why not." Rainbow said before turning to Scootaloo. "Whatcha think Scoots? You want a grand tour of the 'hive'?"
Scootaloo's eyes brightened. "Heck yeah!" She exclaimed. "I'd love to see the changelings!"
"Well alrighty then." Rainbow Dash said with a cocky grin. "Let's go meet some changelings!"
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"Okay then, now as you already know we're pretty much hiveless until we can find somewhere to settle, so there's not much to see." Rainbow started as she led her parents and Scootaloo on a grand tour of the hive, or rather the swarm. "And since we're hiveless, a few groups of changelings are also jobless. Like those guys over there."
She pointed to a small group of changelings that were chatting as they were grooming black dog like creatures.
"Those changelings over there are some of our hive builders." Rainbow explained. "Their job was to maintain the hive tunnels and make new rooms and tunnels if needed. For obvious reasons, they are unable to do their job."
"What are those creatures they are grooming?" Prism Bolt asked as he studied the odd creature.
"Those are what the lings call, 'hellir valdr'." Rainbow Dash answered. "Translated into Equestrian, it means cave wolf, which is pretty accurate since they're basically like changeling dogs. Anyways, they're subterranean in nature too and those powerful claws aren't just for show. Those bad boys can cut through dirt and stone like it's nothing. So the hive builders train them to help dig tunnels."
"Fascinating." Sky Ribbon said. "I assume that their dog-like nature means that they're trained for a variety of tasks as well."
"You got it." Rainbow congratulated. "Yeah, we do train them for a variety of tasks like guarding, search and rescue, hunting, etcetera etcetera. You get the idea. And they also make good companions. Plus the best part is that since they can also access the Hivelink, we can send them commands even from a distance."
"Hivelink?" Sky Ribbon asked.
"Oh yeah. Forgot I hadn't explained that. You see, changelings have this sort of psychic link that they share with each other. And each hive has their own psychic network of sorts. All supported by the Queen or in our case...Queens." Sky Ribbon stared at Dash at the hesitation, but didn't say anything. "Anyways, the link is pretty much a big part of a changeling hive and it can often be very traumatic for a ling to be separated from the link."
"Huh, seems like a disadvantage." Prism Bolt observed. "After all, all an enemy would need to do to incapacitate you is sever this connection."
Rainbow Dash smirked. "I can assure you that it's harder than it sounds. The link is tougher than you think. We've actually run tests, and we've discovered that nothing short of a Queen willingly severing the connection will affect the link. Now, let's move on."
As they'd been walking and talking, Sky Ribbon had spotted a changeling who was different from his brothers. He was a head taller than the other changelings and his chitin and even his wings were completely black, unlike the others who had a dark blue plate on their back and teal wings. But his second eyelid remained the same color of the other changeling eyelids. Sky Ribbon watched the changeling walk towards them, give her daughter a small bow before passing them.
"What kind of changeling is that?" Sky Ribbon asked as she watched the retreating form of the changeling. "He's different from the others."
"Yeah, I know." Rainbow said. "And he's not the only one. I've spotted a few others like him around the swarm. I haven't really asked why though since I've sorta been busy. Our education has been on the go and we still haven't learned everything there is to know about changelings yet. Anyways, I'll learn about those guys later when we get to it. Now for the rest of your tour..."
✴✴✴✴✴✴
"...And finally we have the...caretakers room." Rainbow said as she gestured in one of the larger rooms. "It's basically the room that the caretakers commandeered for the nymphs."
Sure enough the room was mostly filled with small changelings running around and playing with each other and the various toys they had. With them were older changelings that the ponies knew it was safe to say were the caretakers. Some were playing with filly sized nymphs while a few stood at the edge of the room and near the door to keep watch. And sitting on chairs and beds around the room were caretakers tending to foal sized nymphs.
"So as you can see, the caretakers tend to the nymphs." Rainbow Dash explained. "Usually keeping them in a room a lot of the time so they don't get underhoof. That doesn't mean they're never allowed out of the room. Actually the only place they're not allowed to leave until they're older is the hive."
"Why not?" Scootaloo asked.
"Well, the original location of the hive was the Badlands, a place that's not know for its 'hospitality'. To say the least." Rainbow explained. Scootaloo waited for her to explain, but she didn't. Instead, she continued speaking. "Anyways, that's the end of our tour. Sorry that there isn't much to see, but I hope you enjoyed it."
When she finished speaking, Prism Bolt decided to backtrack a bit so he could speak with the Guard, in particular the Queens' Guard. Scootaloo decided to get to know the nymphs, so she joined in. Sky Ribbon however stayed where she was right next to her daughter, who had remained standing at the doorway of the room staring in. After a moment, Sky Ribbon reached up to lay her hoof on Dash's back.
"Dashie, are you alright?" She asked. The changeling Queen started out of her thoughts and looked at her mom with a smile that was too big to be real.
"Sure I am." She said. "Why wouldn't I be?" Sky Ribbon frowned.
"Rainbow Dash, sit." She said in a firm motherly tone that brooked no argument. Needless to say, Rainbow Dash obeyed. Now that she was sitting, she was a little more than eye level with her mother. Sky Ribbon then gently grabbed her daughter's chin and stared into her eyes.
"You're a bad liar." Sky finally said and Rainbow Dash tried to bow her head but her mother's hoof stopped her. Sky Ribbon continued in a more gentle tone. "Now Dashie, what's wrong?"
Rainbow hesitated a moment before speaking. "It's just...so confusing." She said hesitantly. "At this point, I don't know how to feel. At first I was confused and angry because this means I can't follow my dream of being a Wonderbolt! But they all depend on us so, I can't just turn my back on them. But mostly, I'm afraid. When I start laying eggs, and having nymphs, that feels like that's it. It just feels so final, and I'm afraid that I'll lose who I am because of this bug queen thing."
Sky Ribbon sat down and stretched a wing as far as she could across Rainbow's back. "I don't think that's how it works." She said softly. "When I became your mother, there were things that I had to give up, but I gained so much more than I lost."
"Like what?" Rainbow asked.
Sky Ribbon smiled gently and began to stroke her mane. "Well for one thing, I got a wonderful, gorgeous daughter whom I couldn't be prouder of and who has filled my life with love and joy like nothing I've ever had before."
Rainbow Dash smiled and pulled her mom close as her eyes began to water. Sky Ribbon hugged her and continued to speak. "And you know I didn't give up who I was when you came along. Remember I still wasn't afraid to give you and your father a stern talking to when you needed it. Being a mother is a tough responsibility, but it doesn't mean you have to give up who you are. And when you start having nymphs of your own, I have no doubt that they'll become the joy of your life and will make you proud."
Rainbow Dash broke down and started crying into her mom's shoulder. Sky Ribbon just sat there and rubbed her daughter's back, being careful of her wings. After a time, Dash's tears ran dry and she pulled herself off her mother. Her eyes were still a little damp, but she was now wearing a genuine smile.
"Thanks mom." She said with a sniff. "I guess *sniff* I just needed to hear that. Thanks."
Sky Ribbon patted Rainbow Dash on the shoulder. "Anything for my little filly."
"Mooom!" Rainbow whined with a smile as she shrugged off the hoof. "I'm not a filly anymore!"
Sky Ribbon giggled and pulled the Queen to her. "You'll always be my filly." Rainbow Dash just resigned herself to the hug with a smile. After a few minutes, Rainbow Dash broke the silence.
"Hey mom?"
"Yes Dashie."
"Could you not tell anyone about the whole crying thing? I may be a bug queen, but I still have an image to maintain."
Sky Ribbon laughed. "Sure honey. I won't tell." She promised. She didn't tell her little filly that they had a small audience. Fortunately the changelings were respectful enough that they wouldn't do anything with it.
✴✴✴✴✴✴
"Aaaand there!" Pinkie Pie said as she put the finishing touch on a triple layer, three tiered, red velvet and cream cake. All made with the addition of bright blue changeling honey. With the final detail in place, Pinkie, Maud and the Cakes stepped back to look at their creation.
"It looks good." Maud said.
"It looks wonderful!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. The Cakes were still trying to figure out how these two complete opposites could be sisters.
"Well, I'd say we did a pretty good job." Cup Cake said. At that moment, a drone entered and gestured for the Cakes. The couple trotted up to the drone who whispered something to them then departed. The Cakes turned and walked up to the Pie sisters with apologetic looks.
"Sorry Pinkie, but we've got to run." Mr. Cake started.
"You see, according that drone, the twins are hungry and so since they're our foals and the drones have no idea how to give them milk, we've got to go take care of this." Mrs. Cake continued.
"It's alright." Maud said.
"Yeah! Don't worry about us! We'll be just fine!" Pinkie agreed. "You go and take care of the twins."
"Thank you Pinkie." Cup Cake said then she turned and trotted out of the kitchen with her husband. The second those doors closed, Pinkie let out a gasp.
"Maud, I just had a funny idea!" She said. Maud slightly cocked her eyebrow and Pinkie explained. "What if while the Cakes were gone, we made a pie! You know, because the Cakes were here for the cake and now the Pies make a pie! He he! You get it?"
Pinkie didn't wait for an answer however as she instantly began busying herself with making the pie dough. Maud watched her for a time then trotted up to her and placed a hoof on her sister's shoulder.
"Pinkie Pie." She said to get her sister's attention. Pinkie whirled around with her best smile, though it wasn't genuine.
"Yes Maud?" She answered.
"You're too perky." Maud said bluntly and evenly. Pinkie stared at her sister for a beat then her smile melted and she partially deflated.
"Oh. So you noticed." It wasn't so much a question as it was a statement of fact. Maud nodded.
"I always notice." Maud said with her usual expression. With a sound like a popped balloon, Pinkie Pie deflated entirely. Her colors were now dim and her hair had straightened and partially hid her face.
"I forgot that you...always notice when I'm upset or...sad and I'm hiding it." She said in a glum tone that was the complete opposite of her usual cheerful tone. "Silly Pinkie."
Maud didn't say anything. Instead she sat down next to her sister. "You know you can talk to me." Maud said. "I always listen."
Pinkamina was silent for a few moments then there was a sniff followed by a whimper. Then Pinkamina threw her forelegs around Maud and began to sob.
"Oh Maud! I'm s-so sca-a-a-ared!!" She whimpered into her sister's coat. "I mean *sniff* before all this I was just a baker at Sugarcube Corner! All I really had to worry about back then was making pastries and putting on parties for the ponies of Ponyville. Sometimes I'd help save Equestria or foalsit the twins but the whole saving Equestria is something I do with my friends and I just barely manage to take care of the twins! But now I'm a queen ruling over an entire hive! Plus I'm going to be having my own kids which means the hive is going to grow! And I just know I'm going to mess up!!!"
At the end, Pinkamina began to sob harder and Maud began to gently stroke her sister's mane and noted that it was softer and smoother than before. Like silk. After letting the Queen sob her piece for a few minutes, Maud decided she should say something.
"Pinkamina Diane Pie." She said firmly. Since her sister had decided to shorten her name to Pinkie Pie, it was a rare occurrence for any of her family members to use her full name. Whenever they did, it was usually in situations similar to this when they needed her to give them her full attention. So naturally, Pinkamina stopped sobbing and looked up at Maud.
"Aren't you forgetting something Pinkie?" Maud asked.
*sniff* "Forgetting something?" Pinkamina sniffed. Maud nodded.
"Aren't your friends also Queens of the same hive?" Pinkamina nodded. "And are your friends just as good as you've told me they are in your letters?" Another nod. "Then everything will be fine." Maud said plainly. "Because your friends will be there to support you and you can help support them when they need it. Just like when you're all saving Equestria."
Pinkamina blinked as what Maud had said sank in. "Y-you're right." She began quietly, but as she spoke her voice gradually gathered strength. "My friends are there for me. And I can be there for them too! And together, we can do this!" Pinkie's colors brightened and her hair poofed back into its usual style.
Maud watched her sister happily jumping around the kitchen in joy and she smiled. Then she cleared her throat. "Pinkie, didn't you have a pie you wanted to bake?"
Pinkie Pie paused and shot Maud a genuine grin. "Of course! How could I forget!" She then lept at Maud and threw her arms around her. "Thanks Maud! You're the best!"
Maud returned the hug. "So are you." She said with a smile of her own.