21 - Arrival
Three days later
It had been three days since Princess Twilight Sparkle made a visit to her adoptive parents, Night Light and Twilight Velvet. With that visit all of Twilight’s remaining fears and doubts about returning to Equestria were swept cleanly away.
All except for one thing.
Twilight had yet to encounter Shining Armor for any significant amount of time; she would occasionally spot him performing his duty as captain of the Solar Guard, but that was it. However on this occasion she would have little time to dwell on her and her brother's damaged relationship, for Canterlot was abuzz with both anticipation, and some lingering fears, as dignitaries from the Badlands hive were finally due to arrive.
Equestria’s media had gone haywire after Celestia’s initial announcement on Twilight’s return. Headlines surrounding the event dominated above all else, even a celebrity breakup was pushed aside in favor of this bombshell. Headlines included:
‘TWILIGHT SPARKLE: CHANGELING PRINCESS’
‘INVADER OR NEGOTIATOR: THE PRINCESS TWILIGHT DEBATE’
‘CHANGELING DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS: YEA OR NAY?’
Of course there were also the fear mongers, mainly from the daily Canterlot newspaper ‘CNN’, Canterlot News Network.
‘END IS NIGH, CHANGELINGS INFILTRATE AND MANIPULATE ROYALTY’
Twilight herself had barely left the castle since arriving, barring the one visit to her parents’ house and a trip to Donut Joe’s a day later, who was all too happy to host Twilight and her… interesting entourage.
Twilight now stood in front of the main gates of Canterlot castle, with Princess Celestia standing just to the left of her. To Twilight’s right, her five guards stood lined up in a uniform formation, which was mirrored by Celestia’s five Solar Guards on her left hoof side. The road leading from the castle was lined with barriers and guard’s keeping at bay the mass of intrigued onlookers and nosy media journalists all wanting that career defining interview.
Just across from them a carriage was just pulling up, said carriage being surrounded by an escort of guards. Out of the carriage into the gleaming sunlight of the beautiful Canterlot morning stepped three rather standard looking changelings, but according to Chrysalis they were the three most accomplished diplomats within the hive, having spent a great amount of time at other hives negotiating all sorts of deals when the queen herself was otherwise engaged.
As the three approached, their escort kept a respectful distance, and the three changelings did an excellent job of blocking out the sudden hammering of questions from the reporters and the flashing of cameras. They could honestly say in all their years working as ambassadors to other hives they had never arrived to such a wide amount of interest and fanfare. Ponies were indeed curious creatures.
As the three approached Celestia and Twilight were ready to greet them, Twilight doing her best not to look overly nervous, and Celestia with her usual motherly and welcoming smile perfected by over a thousand years of ruling Equestria.
“Princess Celestia.” The lead changeling bowed. “An honour to make your acquaintance,” he spoke with practiced professionalism.
“The honour is mine, may this be the beginning of a long lasting peace between our two peoples.”
“As is also our wish Princess Celestia.” The diplomat turned to his princess next, bowing again. “Your highness, permission to begin diplomatic negotiations with the nation of Equestria, at your leisure.”
Twilight was surprised at the question, but she quickly recovered and cleared her throat. “Of course. You may begin.”
"All that fanfare just makes me glad I’m not in attendance,” Chrysalis remarked.
“Speaking of, why aren’t you here? Shouldn’t the Queen be here for this, not just the Princess?”
“Having saved Equestria twice already ponies are more likely to trust you, myself on the other hoof…”
“Yeah, I hear you. I promise I won’t let you down!”
“I know you won’t. You will do just fine, my daughter.”
Focusing back on the here and now Twilight saw the diplomat and Celestia finish up a few more words to each other, before the latter motioned the others to follow her into the looming castle itself.
“How are you doing, Twilight?” Celestia asked as they walked through the castle’s gates, their respective guards and the newly arrived diplomats following closely behind the two royals.
“Huh? Oh! Uh, good. If you would have asked me a week and a half ago, and said this is what I would be doing, I would have thought you were crazier than Pinkie Pie.”
“Life does throw us strange hurdles,” Celestia remarked almost sadly.
Twilight looked up at her mentor, concern coloring her words. “Are… you okay Princess?”
Celestia smiled at Twilight. “I’m fine, my student. I'm just… reminiscing.”
The massive front doors of the castle closed behind them with a loud thump. Many of the guards moved on to their normal posts, only leaving the location's usual detail and the royals personal guards remaining. Raven had shown up to show the recently arrived changelings to their rooms and show them the areas of the castle they were authorized to wander.
“So… what now? Are we still on for tonight?” Twilight asked Celestia.
She nodded. “Of course.”
“OK then, until then I’ve been wanting to-” Twilight started to walk away, but was quickly stopped.
“Twilight,” Celestia spoke up again. “The meeting isn’t until this afternoon, and I believe you have someplace to be right now, correct?”
Twilight took on a look of confusion. “What… are you talking about?”
“I believe you made a promise to Rainbow Dash, something about flying lessons if I recall,” Celestia pointed out, a smirk making its way across her muzzle.
“Oh my gosh! I completely forgot! Oh she’s going to be mad, sorry Princess I’ve got to run!” Twilight said as she dashed off down a hallway away from a highly amused Celestia.
“She’s in the gardens Twilight, in the other direction,” she called after her protégé.
Twilight locked all four legs and started sliding across the marble, until she opened her wings like an air-brake. “Oh… right,” she said sheepishly, turning around and bolting in the opposite direction as her guards tried to keep up.
Before the end of the negotiations Carduus was definitely going to have a conniption.
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza strolled through the halls of Canterlot Castle towards the guard barracks, where she knew her fiancé would be. The wedding, they had decided, would now take place after the diplomatic meetings were over.
Suffice to say Chrysalis was not invited.
Sure enough, she soon reached the barracks and she quickly found Shining in his own office. He was reviewing a bunch of reports from his underlings, as well as some request or another from his Lunar counterpart Vladimir as well as a complaint from a castle staff member about a ‘loudmouth EUP sergeant’ Cadance could only imagine was Longshot.
What she didn’t expect however was to arrive to find Captain Carduus already there, and beginning some sort of dialogue with the solar Captain, Cadance stood by the door to listen in.
“-besides, shouldn’t you be protecting my sister?” Shining glared.
“My squad can handle that, besides she’s why I’m here.”
“Really?” Shining Armor deadpanned.
“Really,” Carduus replied. “You know how terrified she was of rejection.”
Shining sighed. “I can hazard a guess.”
“Can you now?”
“Look, Carduus was it? I know I messed up, and I don’t need you telling me that. Besides, my family is my business,” Shining said, trying to close the conversation.
“And the emotional well-being of my friend is mine,” Carduus growled.
With Shining’s attention recaptured, Carduus continued. “Do you know what I said to her about her fears? I said, ‘I know the importance of family first hoof, and I think this shouldn’t change a damn thing between you and your pony family’, and I meant it. It shouldn’t change a damn thing, she’s still your, what did Twilight say you call her? SBFF?
“LSBFF,” Shining corrected. “Little sister best friend forever.”
After a few moments of contemplation Shining said next. “Tell me Carduus, how do I dig my way out of this one? After what I said…”
“Just talk to her, is it really that difficult?”
“Do you have a little sister?”
“No, but I have a wife. Like any couple we’ve fought, said things we came to regret. But we talked, and sorted things out, it’s not really that different.”
Shining sighed. “Cadance made the same suggestion.”
“That’s because it’s a good one,” Cadance finally made her presence known. “You should listen to us Shiny, just talk to her. It’s not too late.”
Shining stared down at his desk a few moments, before gaining a look of steely determination. “I’ll do it.”
Both Cadance and Carduus breathed a sigh of relief, it was time to put this drama to rest.
“I’m stuck today with my duties, and she with hers if I recall,” Shining continued. “But I can pull a few strings with Princess Celestia and get leave for tomorrow; I’ll catch her after the day's meeting.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Cadance agreed.
“Now if we’re done here, I best return to my squad,” Carduus said as he turned to leave.
“Hold on Carduus,” Shining called. “Me, Vlad and Longshot are getting drinks later, care to join us?”
Carduus smiled. “It’d be my pleasure.”
And they all lived happily ever after!
*Listens in on ear piece*
What? We're not done yet? Ok sure, but with things looking up as they are what could possibly go wrong? 
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Nice job!
what could possible go wrong?
ohi i dont know... EVERYTHING
... they are SO doomed!
Get rekt on.
What could go wrong I will tell you.
Discord could go mad
Pinkie Pie
Dyanian Warships
Assassins
pesky reporters
more Warships
Tirek could come early
So could Starlight Glimer
Time
Dyanian Battlefront Squad
AND MORE. . .
Shining to Caduus:
cdn.meme.am/instances/55271992.jpg
DON'T SAY THAT PHRASE ... please.
Every time, someone says it: disaster happens. 
So many things can go wrong ... I can name a few. 
- Twilight's reputation
- Reporters
- Crudelis
- Extreme Awkwardness
"What could possibly go wrong?"
That is a question that should never be voiced, let alone thought, because it tempts someone, something, or the universe in general to answer it.
6912240 It's true to the point where you know the author's planning something when he makes someone speak those words out loud.
It's just how it is.
Of course, in a sudden twist, we COULD have nothing happening at all, but I think it'd a bit too smooth and perfect for this to happen.
....to be honest for me the visit wasn´t finished yet.
aaawwwww I thought she kind of promised that to her mother, but I don´t really remember that.
That was nice, not sure why I think I didn´t liked him so much before, but at the moment I really like Twilights Guard Captain.
was he her personal Guard now, or did Chrysalis just ordered him to go with her?
I swear, if that sob second in comand dose ANYTHING my alchamy skill and archery skill are going to be put to use.
6912259 While that may be true how many stories have you read when someone says what could possibly go wrong and then nothing goes wrong?
Now it would be a nice and surprising twist if nothing really did go wrong but have you forgotten about the fake Broad Sword and the rival hive?
--------------
Anyways I liked this chapter and it seems like stuff is about to go down.
6912304 I was thinking exactly about that. Fake Broad Sword is up to something, and uncomfortably close to Twilight's general vicinity. And, one of two things: the hive he's from is Crudelis's hive, or, worse, it's another hive entirely, and Crudelis might make her own move in time. I doubt she'd let an opportunity slip.
Yeah, what could possibly go wrong?
You so can't hear the sarcasm in my voice.
Nice chapter. I wonder how much luck Rainbow will have with the flying lessons. I hope it is a lot. Maybe Twilight will enjoy flying as much and as fast as Rainbow Dash.
Though that is just something I would enjoy to happen, it doesn't mean that it will. Looking forward to the next chapter.
"Canterlot newspaper ‘Fox news’"
This should have said "Canterlot newspaper ‘MS Neigh BC’"
Honestly, you didn't even try to make it sound Equestrian. For shame.
I get the feeling dash is going to have a lot of trouble teaching twi to fly
Seeing that she has bug wings and cannot move as fast as her.also I can't wait for the reporters to try and 'expose' twi as an evil changeling... What? I can see that happening
And the Universe rubs its hands together in anticipation
Nitpicks:
brother's
favour of this
YEA OR NAY
Not "Fox News"? (caps)
Either
“Princess Celestia.” The lead changeling bowed, “An honour
or
“Princess Celestia,” the lead changeling bowed, “an honour
although honestly I'd prefer "It/it is an honour" in either case given the formality of the situation.
"All (only one quotation mark)
Either
you okay, Princess
or
you OK, Princess
When "princess" is being used as a title it should be capitalized, but not when it is used as a description.
Princess Celestia
the princess
Addressing her as "Princess" can be considered the short version of "Princess Celestia".
sorry Princess
protégé
I see no reason for this apostrophe either
known,
That was fun, may I have another? Looking forward to more.
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
First of all, the punctuation after "tomorrow" should be a semicolon (;), not a comma (,). Secondly, *day's.
Really?
Yeah it's a cliche. But I'll bite.
cdn.meme.am/instances2/500x/4189524.jpg
6912382 How about Canterlot News Network, or CNN for short?
THOSE BASTARDS STILL EXIST???!!!!!
hey HEY MURPHY SOMBODYS ASKING FOR AN ASS KICKING !
I believe I saw that line in a list entitled 'Famous Last Words'...
I really like your story, but seriously? You couldn't be more imaginative than just slapping FOX in there? And fear mongering? CNN did a better job with that than FOX has.
6912272 Carduus and his squad are Twilight's personal guards.
6912694 thanks, I forgot that.
The snide remark about Fox News really breaks immersion in this chapter, if you must make a commentary of that nature, at least attempt to disguise it a bit. "Hen-house News" Would be a more subtle reference that thematically would still fit the story.
great story but the way next chapter please.
6912597
"How about Canterlot News Network, or CNN for short?"
Heh. Yeah that works also.
'Ok sure, but with things looking up as they are what could possibly go wrong?' Don't say that...XD
6912854 I had no choice, some guy called Murphy made me!
*One year later*
Clearly everything is going to be just fine and dandy.
I dunno... probably something to do with the anti-changeling kkk that was starting up several chapters back.
This:
img15.deviantart.net/9c18/i/2014/196/b/f/the_times__they_are_a_changeling__by_pony_berserker-d7megom.png
Or worse, this:
comicbookresources.com/imgsrv/preview/0/0/1/MLP-Micro-Luna-pr-5-46a6a.jpg
6912135
Blueblood getting elected to a higher seat of power and building a wall between the changelings and Equestria.
no, No, NO! you did not just say that
6913568 And that that could happen or a Man-O-War
What could passably go wrong?
vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/meme/images/8/81/Genius-meme.png/revision/latest?cb=20140626182735
Well...
Shit.
You know, why haven't Crueldis's changelings been found already, what, did someone forget to cast the changeling detection spell after the invasion?
Nice work.
6915747 It was Fox News, but several people thought it took them out of the story so I changed it
Let's see...Discord, Tirek, Trixie, Sunset, Do I need to continue?
6913101 Oh yeaaaaah, I wonder what happened to those guys?
*screams of agony could be heard from basement*
... *shrugs* Maybe they went on a vacation or something!
6916098 Yes
I get so emotional over stories anime and games idk if I could stand the thought and likelyhood that hells gonna break loose due to faux sword
This is possibly one of the best Changeling stories I've read in a long time.
It has the perfect mount of family centered drama with the difficulty of family being related to the enemy. I use enemy because it best explains it. Keep up the good work!
Also nice job with the CNN change.
6917517
Ok, let's see...Flim Flam brothers, the sierens, Nightmare Moon, Cerberus, Sombra, Starlight Glimmer, Nightmare Rarity, Timberwolves, dragons, my ocs, the Diamond Dogs, Flutterbat, Windigos, Angel bunny, the bugbear, rouge changelings, and more, possibly unknown villains, not to mention the entire Everfree forest