From the Ashes

by Dark0592

Chapter 16!

“My Queen?” Twilight heard, both with her ears and hive mind. She knew the voice and that who it belonged to had tentatively come to her in her chamber.

“I’m glad you’re finally feeling comfortable enough in the hive to be a little casual.” Twilight said with a soft smirk and a chuckle as she turned to face the Cerulean Royal. Crystarium was staring at the ground, hands folded in front of her.

“I... “ The Royal started but grumbled as she couldn’t find the words she wanted to say. Twilight remained silent. She abstained from digging in Crystarium’s thoughts to figure out what she wanted directly.

“I can’t find the words to what I wants to convey… It’s… frustrating.” The Royal finally growled.

“Then don’t use words.” Twilight simply said. Crystarium seemed confused for a second, but almost immediately smiled. She doesn’t know how it’s possible but she still sometimes forgets that the hive mind is a thing. Even if she’s finally gotten over how alien it is. She gathered up the thoughts and the feelings that brought her here to speak with Twilight and did her best to convey it all over the hive mind.

Twilight couldn’t help but smile.

“You really did need this fresh start, didn’t you... “ The Queen said softly, not even really asking Crystarium. There were profound feelings of relief and apology and gratefulness. Feelings of being content, happy. Thoughts that she was actually glad to have the burden of a Queen lifted, the feeling of being love stuffed for the first time in her memory. It was almost humbling.

“It will take a long time to redeem yourself, Crystarium, but this is a very good start. I still can’t bring myself to love you like one of my children, even though for all intents and purposes you are one, this is showing me that one day I will be able to. I’m proud of you.” Twilight said. Crystarium took a moment to let that sink in but wound up beaming.

“I’ll do my best not to betray that pride ever again…” The Cerulean Royal said softly. Twilight nodded.

“I’ll hold you to that.” Twilight started, almost playfully. Her expression shifted to a more serious one after that. “Things may change greatly around here soon. You know what I’m planning on asking of the Princesses. If that happens then you'll be one of the things keeping this hive together. You’ve betrayed me once, please don’t disappoint me again…” She continued evenly. Though the last part was a little misleading. It sounded almost like a threat or like a scolding mother, but really Twilight didn’t want Crystarium to disappoint her. It was a genuine plea.

Crystarium flinched. She could feel the emotion behind the plea, she could feel the exact intent behind it. She was still getting used to it all.

“I know what you’re planning, yes, and I want to go with you…” The Cerulean Royal said finally. Twilight blinked. She was genuinely shocked by that.

“You want to come with me… you do know where I’m going right?” Twilight couldn’t help but ask. Crystarium nodded slowly.

“You’re going to get yourself banished into the Primordial Abyss for up to a year in order to find the first Changeling and hopefully learn more about the curse. I want to be there. Not just for me, but…” Crystarium starts. She paused, again not able to find the words. She took a deep breath, Twilight again refrained from digging in her Royals’ head for what she wanted to say.

“You… gave me this second chance. I’m… enjoying this new life. No burden, no ambition expected of me… I’m just one of your drones, part of the flow. Part of the hive.” She pauses again, cracking a smile. “I always liked you as an individual, but I always felt that I was obligated to do what I did… That due to my position as the most powerful queen, I had to make sure it stayed that way… You destroyed that image, and my position, and I am grateful for it now. Because now I think I want to be your friend, but I know that won’t happen until I’ve redeemed myself. This seems like the most logical way to do it, do what you can’t allow your brood to do. Be your companion, your guard in the Abyss. Risk it all just to make sure you’re safe and all that.” The Royal continued. Twilight gave her an incredulous chuckle.

“Well when you put it that way it makes sense… I’ll consider it. You are correct, there is still bitterness tainting my perspective of you. I haven’t been able to snuff it out yet. If this is truly what you want then I will entertain the idea.” The Queen replied. Crystarium seemed satisfied by that and turned to leave.

“But on that topic, I’m not the only one you need to redeem yourself for.” Twilight said simply. It was an even tone, Crystarium knew exactly what she meant.

“THe safety of their daughter should at least begin that process, don’t you think?” Crystarium said with the ghost of smirk before exiting in full. Twilight couldn’t help but smile, she was a little impressed the Royal had thought that far ahead. Dawn had already forgiven Crystarium, as the end effect meant she could be closer than she ever hoped to be with her daughter. Her family and even her job still welcomed her back in Canterlot. This would cement that forgiveness.

It was Celestia they were worried about. The Princess may be able to politically and publicly approve of Crystarium once more, but on a personal level the Princess was a hard nut to crack. She STILL secretly hated Discord, even though the god of chaos had turned to using his chaos for the enjoyment of others rather than himself. And no matter how hard she tried, Twilight knew that she couldn’t completely understand just how happy Dawn is with her new life.

The Queen sighed as she returned to immersing herself in the hive mind, watching over her friends that were traveling to hte Hive right now. She was already preparing herself mentally for Dash’s tirade about not letting them visit and figuring out the best way to word her request from Celestia and Luna.

It was going to be a long day.

Author's Note:

A pretty short one but hopefully that'll change soon. Hope you enjoy.

Comments

[Atuhor Name]

ok I hate to say this but I'd like a lot less telling and a lot more showing here. Particularly around chapter 16?, because Dawn Sparkle and Crystarium are at least semi important characters and I'd just like to see at least a glimpse of what they're doing rather than just being told it in a monologue.
Especially Twilight's decision that they're discussing in Chapter 16! as best I can tell we only found out what she was going to do when Crystarium told us directly so I think it lacked the impact it would have had if we were seeing Twilight run out of options and have to make the decision herself.
I don't want to sound like I'm asking for an in depth 3 chapter research period, or a mini arc with Dawn Sparkle here, I just feel like I'm missing some small important moments like when Twilight and Dawn reunite after chapter 13 or Twilight making important story decisions, because to me(and I may have missed something I dunno) finding out about these things has lacked weight for me.

I do want to say however that the interaction between Twilight and Crystarium was good in chapter 16! and I liked reading that.

[Dark0592]

8087770 I wanted to get more of that stuff in, but unfortunately all of my ideas are for later in the story and I don't want this to die and go on a 4 year hiatus again so I summarized it. I was thinking of revisiting the summarized moments when I get hit with inspiration but that's not a given.
And the decision you're talking about isn't technically made yet. Twilight discussed it with Celestia before and Crystarium knows what she's going to ask of Celestia and that's why she had that conversation. More on that specific topic will be coming.
I'm not really trying ot make excuses, just explaining why it was done this way. I'm not happy with it either but if this story is getting finished I needed to compromise a bit, but now it's getting far closer to where my inspiration is currently so hopefully this is the last time it needs to happen. I appreciate your opinion and critique though, been a long time since I got anything besides grammar and spelling mistakes.

[pahnazd]

Welp, the Primordial Abyss it is then. Logically it makes sense, since you did mention it before, and it seemed like Chekhov's gun.
That won't be pretty - after all, having to travel to a place that was created solely for the purpose of putting the most dangerous things in there... welp, Twi certainly has her work cut out for her. At least she won't be alone, assuming she won't turn down the offer of companionship.

And yep, Dash will certainly give Twilight an earful for the absence. That'll be fun.

[Razzy]

Good to see that Crystarium is actually happier now, not having to be responsible fit anything must be a great relief.

[NicLove]

Before I read this, what is the Dark tag for ?
and how bad does it get ?

[Dark0592]

8104938 Same as the first one, except there's a spot of minor gore.

[Kamen rider yokai]

whoo finally caught up on both stories. on a whole really good lore build on changeling culture and this universe in general. characters are completely in line for the most part and now im wondering if thorax exists in this hive for this universe. in fact im tempted to write my own story based on this universe detailing how the canon counterparts would react to meeting these versions of themselves. that or see what happens if a human from our world ends up here and how the residents would react to a non magic human. so all in all i enjoyed this so far and cant wait to see how this goes in the future.

[Dark0592]

8141789 Do what you will, but credit where credit is due of course I stopped watching the show after the changeling invasion, honestly, so Thorax doesn't exist in this particular universe. I hope I can start pulling updates out more but work is destroying my drive to do anything for now.

[hive vs machine]

hello dark0592 how are you? I like this story. But I noticed something. In the previous book. You mention that your hive is basically naked. but the nobles and the citizens of equestrian do not Show interest Or apprehension of seeing a person almost naked.
is equestrian Open-minded or closed when talking about nudism. Like our world
8143163

[Dark0592]

8264502
Changelings are covered in carapace, though as Chrysalis' hive stopped starving in the prequel they started gaining proper skin and such, so the aesthetic plating happened. It was, for all intents and purposes, their 'clothes'. As far as the whole equestrian opinion on nudism, it's probably a little more lax than places like america and more like the netherlands or something along those lines. People don't exactly walk around naked but it's not a social stigma or anything.
Also, generally speaking, integrated changelings usually wear actual clothes, if not full on disguises.

[hive vs machine]

8264693 okthanks for answering

[Merlin Prime]

Will there be any more additions to this engrossing story??
I REALLY hope so, keep the great work coming!!

[Dark0592]

8301136
Once I get settled into the new job and get my schedule figured out I want to start back up

[Dragon of Shadows]

NEED MOAR!!!!!!!!!!