Changling Queen Twilight Sparkle was just hanging at her hive in Everfree when she gets a surprise visitor. Herself
Changeling Queen Twilight Sparkle was resting after the trying and costly adventure to Rookhaven when a magical event causes the last thing she ever expected. And alicorn Twilight Sparkle.
Twilight was in the old Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters in the Everfree Forest. Her children has been steadily claiming the land as part of Phoenix' Roost, her hive. It was hard to believe it's been four years since the attack that made her become a Changeling, filled with wonder, terror, and sadness. Despite that all she had a future to drive for. While the threat of being declared a rogue by the other hives has ended with her trip to Rookhaven, a trip that cost her 200 children including one of her first clutch, she couldn't help the tear that came from her eye. But here she was, safe thanks to their sacrifice. Her Hive was recovering and growing and her sister, Rainbow Dash, was already planning the first Hive in the Chaos Lands when they would finally choose their first Royal Daughters, but right now she was in the old throne room, observing both her children and the Thestrals that decided to stay with the Hive to restore the room. She had decided to make the old castle a combination tourist destination and library. Even Luna was coming in a few days to check out the work on the castle. For the time being she didn't have to worry about the plans of the other Queens (especially Chrysalis's little group), or the nobles of Equestria and their eternal game of politics, or even Rainbow Dash driving the Hive crazy with her aerial stunts. No, she could just sit here and watch the restoration and the activity in the Link in peace.
In hindsight, though, Twilight probably should have known better.
It started simply enough, a light breeze blowing through the room, but it soon escalated to a gale. Twilight looked up and saw that the windows were still closed. The ceiling couldn't be the culprit, as it was the first thing they repaired in the old castle and the wind was too strong to come from somewhere else. Then a white orb appeared and lightning bolts shot our from it.
“Everypony back!” Twilight ordered to those in the room. They were quick to reply and many just fled the room while others backed away. While this happened, Twilight was attempting to scan the sphere with her magic to determine what it was and if it was a threat to her subjects.
<Twi, me, Aegis and some guards are on the way. Don't do anything stupid.> Said Rainbow Dash over the Link. Twilight sent an acknowledgment back over the Link and continued to observe and scan the orb. It shot out more lighting and Twilight brought up a shield as she ordered everypony else out of the room. The orb itself got bigger and bigger as the room was evacuated. With a surge of bright white light, so bright Twilight had to shield her eyes, a surge of magic washed across the room. Oddly, the magic felt somehow familiar to Twilight, though she couldn't say why. With the same suddenness of its appearance the orb was gone, but it left behind something. Twilight gawked in surprise and amazement that she dropped her shield without thinking at the sight before her. She heard the sounds of hooves coming closer.
“Alright Twi we're here and----wha?” Rainbow was left speechless, but who could blame her? She saw the same thing Twilight did and couldn't believe it. There, unconscious on the floor, was a Twilight looking like the pony she was, but with wings and a crown.
Spike! SPIKE!........You're not Spike. (Uneditted)
It's been a while since Rainbow has seen Twilight this bad. The last real time it was this bad was the 'Want it Need it' episode when she went postal over a possible late report on friendship. Rainbow was doing her best to shield the Link from Twilight's postal mode as she watched her sister pace back and forth with her mane going everywhere. In ANY other situation Rainbow would have found this a bit funny. After the initial shock of seeing another Twilight, one that seemed to be an alicorn, they had the alicorn sent to the medics and they did tests. A BUNCH of tests, tests that made Rainbow glad she didn't have lunch. And all of that testing came down to these facts. One, the alicorn was perfectly healthy but exhausted in magic. Two, that beyond any shadow of a doubt that a doubt that genetically the alicorn was Twilight Sparkle.
While Twilight was muttering and pacing Rainbow heard her name called over the Link.
<Rainbow Dash, why did I start to feel Twilight panic before I felt a shield go up?>
<Well because we had a weird magical mishap and we have an alicorn Twilight.> There was a minute of absolute silence over the Link.
<WHAT!? MY daughter is now an alicorn?>
That got even Twilight out of her panic.
<No she is still a changling queen Caddy but we also have an alicorn Twilight. Our doctors confirm that.> Another very long pause over the link. Then Rainbow thought she felt a facehoof over the Link.
<It's karma, it has got to be karma.> Cadista muttered over the Link. < All that me and Yumia wanted was to better our race and while we have finally achieved the means to do so the world sees fit to throw curveballs at it.> Caddy sighed over the link and Rainbow stopped shielding Twilight since she had seemed to calm down a bit. <How are you doing daughter?> Cadista asked Twilight.
<Confused, a bit freaked out but getting better. Doing the breathing exercise Cadance taught me.>
<Alright, what has been done about this other Twilight?>
<Since she's still sleeping she has been put in a room in the old Phoenix. No windows for her to see out of but has everything she needs. When she wakes up I'll resume my old pony form and see if I can't get some answers out of her. Twi pay attention over the Link because I'm sure she'll say things over my head if she's an egghead like you.> Rainbow reported.
<Okay we have a plan, but make sure this Twilight doesn't see us in Changeling form till we know more.> Queen Twilight said.
<Okay, you girls take care of this situation. Me I'm going to find the biggest table with stuff on it and flip it.> Cadista cut her connection while the Changling sister looked at each other
* * * * * *
Twilight was sore and tired. With a groan she yelled out.
“Spike, SPIKE!” She yelled out and groaned when she heard no response. She finally opened her eyes and the quickly went wide. This wasn't her room in the castle or the hospital in Ponyville. Where was she? She tried getting up but she was so weak she couldn't move far. She looked around again. The room was made of iron she guessed and completely enclosed, so she had no clue where she was. “Hello? Is any pony there?” There was a noise and the wheel in the middle of the door across from her and opened and a blue figure poked their head out.
“Hey Twi, the docs felt you could use a familiar face.” Twilight sighed in relief at the sight of one of her closest friends. The Pegasus came in with a tray of food. “They also said you would likely be hungry from the magic exhaustion.” A growling came from Twilight's stomach, Twilight gave a small chuckle.
“Looks like they were right, but where are we Rainbow? This certainly is not my castle or Ponyville General.” She took an apple and bit into it. The juicy and sweet taste screamed Sweet Apple Acres so she was at a place that got them.
“You're in a secure facility in Equestria for your safety. So Twi what's the last thing you remember before waking up here?” Twilight ate some more before answering.
“Well I was in my castle working on a new spell. After my trip through the mirror to help out Sunset Shimmer against the Sirens I thought to test the limits of teleportation. If it worked right I would have ended up in the Crystal Empire. Clearly something went wrong.” Twilight frowned trying to figure out what went wrong, then another bodily function called to her attention. “Um Rainbow, bathroom?” Rainbow pointed behind her and she raced as fast as she could and shut the door before taking care of business.
When she emerged and tried to stifle a yawn. Rainbow smirked at her.
“Come on Twi, lay down and get some rest.” She was about to argue but another yawn came through.
“Ugh, fine.” She laid back down on the bed and felt Rainbow put a blanket over her. “Thanks Rainbow.”
“Hey, I never leave my friends hanging. You just rest for now, you're safe here and if you need anything the intercom is by the door.” Rainbow pointed to said door and Twilight nodded. Twilight closed her eyes and quickly felt asleep.
* * * * * *
Rainbow shut the door behind her and reverted back to her Queen form. It had been odd being a pegasus again. Even odder that she should feel odd about that, guess it should how much her life has changed the past year or so. Going from a Lieutenant in the Wonderbolts to being Co-ruler of the Phoenix Roost with her now sister Twilight.
<So what do you think sis?> Rainbow asked over the link.
<We she does sound like me and I would try a spell like that. But I have no idea who this Sunset Shimmer is or these Sirens. I'll asked Princes Celesita about that. I'll try to do some research on why coiuld happen with such a spell.>
<Okay, I'll take care of the other egghead.> Rainbow switched to the general channel of the Link. <Now here thus, any lings on shift to take care of Alicorn Twilight make sure you disguise yourself as a pony. We don't know how this Twilight will react to your natural form.> With the word spread Rainbow went to take care of her duties.
* * * * * *
It has been some time, maybe a couple of days Twilight couldn't figure it out without a window or clock. Rainbow stopped by often keeping Twilight company. It was nice to see a familiar face among the ponies that tended for her but something was off about Rainbow. She wasn't sure what but something was off. She was also tired of this room, she needed to stretch her wings and couldn't do it in her room. Also the book that Rainbow brought in were one of a kind from the old Royal Sisters Castle that should be in her castle. Questions were being raised and she needed answers. She reached the door and tried to open it but it was locked. Well thankfully she has seen the other side of the door and quickly teleported to the other side. The hallway was metal with a metal grate floor. Picking a direct she walked the hallways.
For minutes she walked till she got to a window and looked in shock. The view she saw was the old Royal Sisters Castle but it looked like it was being repaired. She also was the forest around it cleared with several houses and shops built on the site. She saw several lavender, cyan, and gray figures everywhere but couldn't make out details. She moved on with more questions being raised. She continued walking, going up stairs she saw a few more openings and saw what had to be an airshipyard but it had vessels that put anything she saw in the past to shame. She heard vices ahead and saw an opening in the wall five feet ahead. She was about to peek around when she heard from being her.
“You shouldn't be here.” Twilight looked behind her and saw a pair of ponies. They both have the same lavender cost she did and even the same colored manes, an almost black blue with a purple and orange stripes going through them. But what really got her attention was the fangs on there muzzles, the glowing blue eyes, and the holes in there hooves. Changelings! They were changelings, albeit not like the ones at her brother's wedding but still changelings. Twilight did what any self respecting pony would do.
She scrambled back and screamed.
“What the hay is going on!?” A voice asked, a familiar voice. Twilight looked through the open to she a changeling as tall as the Queen from the wedding, but this was different and more disturbing. While it had the holes, slitted eyes, fangs, and those weird crowns on her head. The wings were a like an insects but clearly changes were made, what for she had no clue. No what disturbed her was the other features. Like the two changelings in front of her this queen had fur instead of chitin, but it was cyan blue. Her mane and tail were a rainbow of colors in a familiar pattern. The slitted eyes were a magenta and with a coup de grace on her flank. On the cyan blue flank was a cloud with a spectrum lighting bolt coming from below.
If Twilight didn't know any better she swear she was in a nightmare created by Nightmare Moon herself. Here in front of her was what she guessed a Changeling Queen with Rainbow Dash's features. Was the Rainbow that visited her this queen the entire time? She did what any rational pony would do, RUN. Or in this case a quick teleport to the old castle. She ended up in the private area of the library section. Taking a quick glance around and seeing no pony she cautiously got out and as stealthily as possible. She had to get to Ponyville to warn them and get a letter to the Princesses.
She manage to make it out of the old castle and had just crossed the bridge. She looked behind her to see if she was being followed. She did see more activity but nothing heading towards her. She was turning her head back when she ran into something. They both fell to the ground but Twilight recovered quickly and took a defensive stance till she saw who it was she ran into.
“Applejack!” Twilight ran up to the earth pony and pinned her while she did a magical scan. “Good you're still you.”
“Twi!?” Twilight backed off as Applejack got back up and adjusted her hat.
“Sorry about running into you Applejack but we have no time to lose. Changelings are in the Everfree Forest and the Princesses need to know.”
“Twi, are you okay? I mean changelings in der forest, oh course they are. They're you kids and the Princesses put you there.” Twilight couldn't think. She just couldn't think.
'KIDS! Those changelings are my KIDS!?' Applejack looked over her and whistled.
“Ah do wonder why you are looking like that though Twi. Sure it's a good look on yall. Like you were before the attack though you didn't have wings then.”
“This...this is just crazy. I feel like Discord is trying to pull a fast one on me. The last I checked there was no Changeling hive in the Everfree Forest, I didn't have kids much less Changeling kids, and “ Twilight looked to the skyline. “...And my castle is missing.” Twilight slumped to a sitting position looking at the ground. She stayed like that for a minute till she felt a hoof on her shoulder. Looking up she saw Applejack with the same look she had the night they opposed Nightmare Moon.
“Sugarcube, I don't rightly know what's going on, but no matter what yall know I'm always there for ya.” That got a smile from Twilight and she offered her thanks as they both heard a buzzing sound and a pair of the lavender changelings appeared.
“Thank the First Mother that you are alright Princess, Mom and Auntie are worried. Please Princess Twilight, we mean you no harm. Our queens are willing to answer any question they can. Please return to the hive.” Twilight looked over at Applejack. The earth pony gave her a reassuring grin and put a hoof on her shoulder.
“Ya'll be just fine. I'll be with ya the entire way.” Applejack then looked to the Changeling on the left. “Ya send a message that the farm lesson is canceled for today, a friend needs me.” The Changeling nodded. “Come on Sugarcube.”
* * * * * *
Twilight was nervous and pacing despite Rainbow Dash's attempts to placate her sister. Her kids have told her that the other Twilight was heading back with Applejack in tow. She didn't know how to handle this. The last time she ever met another her was when the future version came back to stop her from worrying about the future. This was something else. She was meeting a Twilight that not only still a pure pony but an alicorn at that.
“Sis, for the last time chill out. It will be cool okay.” Twilight decided to do the breathing exercise Cadance taught her. She breathed in, held for a second, and breathed out. She did it a couple more times before she felt okay. Through the Link her children were watching the other Twilight, many full of curiosity. She couldn't blame them, they were seeing a glimpse of what she was like before her rebirth. She even smiled a bit when she saw the other Twilight do the breathing exercise on the other side of the door.
'Well here we go.' Twilight thought to herself as the door opened and Applejack and the other Twilight came through. Applejack's eyes got wide when she saw Queen Twilight.
“What in tarnation is going on here? Two Twilights?” Queen Twilight stepped up to her other self and took a good look. Other Twilight looked a little taller then she was when Queen Twilight was still a unicorn. She also wore a four pointed crown with purple jewels at the tips.
“So this is what I would have looked like if things were different. Interesting.” Queen Twilight looked over to Applejack. “Yes Applejack, currently there is two of me though clearly she is not from my past.” Queen Twilight noticed her other self looking over her and noticed the cutie mark.
“That's different.' Princess Twilight stated.
“That's a side effect of when I was reborn. Now are you willing to here what I think happened?”
“In a minute. Why is Rainbow Dash's, assuming that you are Rainbow Dash, cutie mark unchanged?”
“Because I'm awesome.” Rainbow Dash replied causing both Twilights to groan at the same time. Which they both noticed and chuckled.
“Alright everypony here's what I think happened.” Queen Twilight began. “Let me ask you Twilight, after the wedding of our brother and Cadance did Celestia hold a meeting to discuss the situation with the Changelings?” She got a nod in reply. “Was the meeting interrupted by an Ambassador from another kingdom?” That got a shake of no. “Then there's the key difference between us, my was interrupted by an Ambassador who turned out to be a Changeling from another hive. Her hive was cordial with Equestria and harbored no hostile action. After months of talks I was sent to observe their hive. While in route the convoy I was with was attack by yet another hive with the goal to kill me. They......they almost succeeded. The only way to save me was to go through what the Changelings call Rebirth. You see the result before you.”
“Yeah that never happened with me. Things were pretty normal for the kingdom and Ponyville after the Crystal Empire returned. There was Discord's reform then the whole incident with Starswirl's book that led to these.” Princess Twilight flapped her wings to point them out. “And I became the fourth Princess of Equestria.”
“That sounds a lot like what Celestia had planned for me before my attack.”
“So was Rainbow with you when you were attack?”
“No I wasn't but sorely wish I was.” Rainbow replied.
“You would have not have made a difference Rainbow Dash. You would have likely died with all of Cadista's drones and four of my guards. I almost lost you when you were turning into a Changeling!” Princess Twilight waved her hooves to break up the fight before it could get farther.
“Okay then how did Rainbow become a Changeling?”
“To save us all from a five hour lecture on it I'll put it in a nutshell” Rainbow began and ignoring the glare Twilight was sending her way.
<I'm gonna get you for that Rainbow Dash.> Queen Twilight sent over the Link.
<Promises, promises sis.> Rainbow retorted. “My girl Aegis, Twi's daughter of her first clutch and head of her guard bought me a circlet when they came to Canterlot. The seller claimed it boosted the speed of pegasi but in truth it started turning me into a changeling. Twi manage to stop it but not before a was partly a changeling. Twi had just barely start when we learn of a potential foalnapping of her. We spring it to set our own trap up and this group of ponies who were really against Changelings thought they had made a device to revert Twilight back to a unicorn and decided to test it on me. It did the opposite and with me snacking on royal jelly I was changeling into a Royal Changeling like Twi but no memory issues and we have since rule this Hive together. Were now sisters.”
“So you never got to be a Wonderbolt.”
“Actually I did, all the way up to Lieutenant and could have been second under Spitfire.” A frown formed on Rainbow's face. “But the nobles didn't like the fact I still considered Twi a friend so I was stonewalled from going farther despite Spitfire wanting me there. Then after this any chance of returning was gone. But hay, I now co-rule a hive with a former best friend and now sister. And the kids I have got I think this is better. I have to deal with those jerks less.”
“I can understand that. I'm glad my castle is in Ponyville though I rather have Golden Oaks still.”
“Why don't you?” Queen Twilight asked.
“Because it was destroyed by Tirek when I fought him a couple month's ago.”
“Wow, after the attempted assassination against me when I visited Canterlot not long after my Rebirth Celestia stepped up security. Guards in Fillydelphia caught him and he was sent back to Tartartus before he could do much.”
“We weren't as lucky. I had to hold the magic of all four alicorns. I can safely say that four alicorns are a match for the magic of all of Equestria and Discord's magic. But we got the Elements of Harmony back in a way. Did you have to give up the Elements?” This time Queen Twilight nodded. “Well we had a box appear when we did that. We found the keys, my coming from Discord himself of all ponies. We unlocked the box and WE became the Elements and after Tirek was taken care of the box shot into the edge of Ponyville and grew into a Crystal Tree Castle. It has been peaceful, so peaceful that I had time to create a more stable portal between my Equestria and a human world that Sunset Shimmer has been staying in.”
“Wait you actually visited that world?”
“Had to at first. Not long after my coronation We had a conference in the Crystal Empire. Sunset stole my Elemental Crown and jump through the mirror. I had to follow through and met the human counterparts of the girls and got my crown back. I left Sunset there to learn about friendship from them. She's doing well and I get letters from her in a book she and Celestia used to keep in touch.”
“Ours is currently being taught by Luna herself and they seem to work well together.”
“So what do we do now?” Princess Twilight asked.
“Well, we figure out what went wrong with your spell and get you home. Till then you are our guest here at Phoenix Roost. I'll let the Princesses know about you and we'll see from there. But until then no one outside the Hive is to know about you for the time being.”
“Okay.” Princess Twilight said dejectedly. Queen Twilight smiled and put a hoof on her counterpart.
“Don't worry, it won't be in the same room as last time. In fact we have gotten some of the rooms in the Royal Sister's castle done. You can live there during your stay if you want.”
“That does sound nice.”
“Then it's settled.” Over the Link Twilight summoned Aegis and soon she heard the buzz of wings.
“Yes mother?” She said as she bowed a bit.
“Aegis you are to give a tour of the Hive to Princess Twilight Sparkle and assign guards to her chosen room. Now both me and Rainbow have duties to perform so I will see you later Princess Twilight. Oh and don't be scare of my kids. They will be curious about you. You are a glimpse of what could have been.” Queen Twilight left her other self in the hooves of her daughter.
* * * * * *
Twilight watched her Changeling self leave with that Rainbow Dash with her.
“So where do we start your highness?” Twilight looked over to the Changeling next to her. Aegis did look a lot like her with the colors but the fangs, the holes, the wings, the slightly glowing blue eyes, and final the orange stripe that replaced Twilight's purple stripe showed the differences.
“First off, no titles. I hate them. Call me Sparkle if we are to make it clear which of me we are talking to.”
“Sounds fair to me.” Aegis looked over to Applejack. “You joining us Applejack?”
“Nah, with farming lesson canceled for today I'll head over to the farm and help out there. You both take it easy ya here.” With that Applejack headed for the road now in the forest leading to Ponyville.
“Well, I'll show you the highlights of Hive Phoenix Roost.” Aegis stated and with a nod Twilight followed the Changeling that was in a way her daughter.
Twilight watched her Changeling self leave with that Rainbow Dash with her.
“So where do we start your highness?” Twilight looked over to the Changeling next to her. Aegis did look a lot like her with the colors but the fangs, the holes, the wings, the slightly glowing blue eyes, and final the orange stripe that replaced Twilight's purple stripe showed the differences.
“First off, no titles. I hate them. Call me Sparkle if we are to make it clear which of me we are talking to.”
“Sounds fair to me.” Aegis looked over to Applejack. “You joining us Applejack?”
“Nah, with farming lesson canceled for today I'll head over to the farm and help out there. You both take it easy ya here.” With that Applejack headed for the road now in the forest leading to Ponyville.
“Well, I'll show you the highlights of Hive Phoenix Roost.” Aegis stated and with a nod Twilight followed the Changeling that was in a way her daughter.
Aegis escorted Princess Twilight to where she wanted to start the tour. She also eyed the alicorn with curiously. This is what her mother could have been if she hadn't been attacked all those years ago. She was slightly bigger than the average pony but by not much but certainly bigger then her mom was in pony form. What really freaked her out was this Twilight's mane, tail, and cutie mark. Although mom changed her mane change and tail colors a tad years ago they were originally like Aegis's. A dark blue with a pink and orange stripes going through them. On the Princess is was pink and purple and then there was the cutie mark. The recognizable six pointed lavender star with five smaller versions around was always on her mom's flank. A visual symbol of her role as a bridge between Equestria and the Hives allied with Stripped Gear. But where she expected orange she saw white here. This was the first time it really hit her on what her mom went through. Her mom was born and raised as a pony, become the personal student of one of the most powerful beings that has existed, defeat the likes or Nightmare Moon, Discord, and a Changeling invasion. Even helped saved a kingdom from a tyrant. All of it lost by a foolish attack by Queen Silandrus. Silandrus has been responsible for keeping changeling existence a secret for a long time. Sticky Spit Chrysalis blew that out of the water. Why did that old Queen think that killing mom would keep our race safe? If she had succeeded and mom died Celestia would have brought the entire wrath of Equestria against the hives and they would have been wiped out. But mom survived but only by becoming a Changeling. One day a pony, the next a Changeling. That's got to mess with a pony's mind. Mom has said that the amnesia that is a common side effect of the rebirth helped in that since she had to rebuild herself. Aunty Rainbow didn't have that and though the fact she was partially converted before that it was still a bit difficult for her to adjust to being a Royal Changeling. If mom's didn't have that rebuild phase it could have been bad. Her aunts had shared stories of her times with mom before the attack and the want it-need it spell comes to mind.
“Um....Aegis wasn't it?” Princess Twilight interrupted her thoughts and she looked over to the alicorn. The eyes, she was so use to the lavender colored eyes with slits but these were standard ponies eyes with that color.
“Yes it was your highness.” She saw The princess roll her eyes exactly like her mother.
“Please don't use that title, just call me Twilight.” Twilight then bugged eyed (A misnamed reaction if there ever was one) then facehoofed. “Great even that's complicated because there's another me.”
“Twilight works, or maybe Sparkle when your together with others. We just call her mom outside of formal stuff.” Twilight looked at her curiously.
“Is that how you think of each other, as mother and daughter?”
“Pretty much except for those that went ma;e then it's mother and son. But she loves us and we love her and our aunts. Rainbow Dash was our aunt even before she became a Changeling and mom, she always tries to find time to me Mother instead of Queen. Do you have kids where you're from?”
“No I don't I haven't found that special somepony yet.” Aegis noticed a smirk appear on Twilight's face. “But there's this one pegasus that has caught my eye.”
“Really? His name?”
“Flash Sentry. Irony is that a truly met his counterpart first in the human world Sunset Shimmer had been in.”
“Wow, certainly makes mom's meeting Ratchet look normal.”
“Who's he?”
“One of Granny Cady's drones. He help mom adjust to being a changeling and they fell in love.”
“Well back to my original question. This place makes me feel like I'm on a naval ship.”
“You're close. Phoenix's Roost stared out ans Ashes of the Phoenix. It was an airship originally intended as an evacuation ship should Stripped Gear fall. She could use it to setup shop elsewhere. She gave it to mom and it was refitted as a colony ship and was our hive till we were allowed to settle in Everfree.”
“Why Everfree?” Aegis snorted.
“It's the only place the Equestrian Nobles would allow us to settle. You figure after everything mom has done for them before her change and what she suffered afterward they could giver her decent land. But no like they did with Aunty Rainbow they stonewalled like crazy. So we ended up with Everfree, but Everfree is tame compared to the Jungles Granny Cady calls home and with the Thestrals and Tea'la here we are quickly making the forest a safer place.” They got a balcony and with a hoof Aegis pointed to the various spots in the view.
“To the left we have the main barracks area with the galleys next to them. On the right we have the blacksmith and workshops. We just started construction of a factory to mass produce fire arms for all branches of the Equestrian Alliance.” Aegis then pointed to the third biggest structure in the hive after the former airship and the Royal Sisters Castle. “And this will be our greatest contribution to the Alliance. Phoenix's Roost has been charged with providing the air navy for Equestria. Our airships out preform anything anyother nation can produce minus Stripped Gear. In a few months the first of them will be launched and Equestria will be more secure.”
“Why are you expecting war?” Twilight asked.
“Yes.” Aegis replied. “Chrysaslis, the Queen that attack Canterlot has allies and will likely make a move at some point. I've been trying to get a better grasp on things but I'm more like Aunty Rainbow then mom.”
<That's my niece!> she heard her aunt over the Link and swore she felt an eye roll from her mother.
“The basic is this, while there is some variation the Hives are divided into three main groups. Chrysalis's group which believes we are predators and should rule openly. Then theirs the coexist group which is Cadista, and Phoenix's Roost. We believe in open coexistence with ponies. Thanks to Granny Caddy's vision all changelings of this hive can produce love. So we have no need to harvest the way others do and at least partially undo the curse put upon by a misguided god. We are for the moment the smallest of the groups but we can grow easier then the other two groups. Heck our long term plans are to plant hives in the Chaos Lands where we are pretty free to expand. The last group is the shadow group, or maybe status qup would fit more. They just want to continue on has the hives have been for centuries though I believe some are trying to create drones like us for their love needs. Some of these are loosly allies to Chrysalis and at least one is favorable to us since that Queen has been long time friends with Granny Caddy. Mom's actions I believed opened the door to all of this but that door needed to be opened. And would have likely opened eventually. I heard that Granny Caddy and long wanted to convert a pony for her dream but never found a suitable pony. Mother was last on the list because of her connections to Celestia but when granny had to use the Rebirth on her she decided to try and Mom's met and I bet surpassed Caddy's dream.” Aegis saw Twilight look sad by what she has learned.
“Why do I get blessed while your Twilight has to deal with all of this? My Equestria is at peace with no looming threats. The last big one was Tirek. Besides from the occasional disaster or Cutie mark Crusade I only have to worry about what royal duties I have and my magic studies. At least your Twilight has you, our friends, and family. Please tell me her family supports her?” Aegis nervously scratches her neck, a trait she got from her aunt.
“Well most of her family does but...”
“But?” Aegis sighed and let it out.
“But her mom didn't take it well. She was glad that mom was alive but from the start she wanted mom to be a unicorn again. Mom continued to refuse it. She liked being a Changeling and was proud to be a bridge between Changelings and Ponies. Mom jumped through every hoop to heal the rift between them but Velvet wanted only one thing. Mom as a unicorn again. It went so far to foalnap mom and aunty Rainbow and raise an army. I'm not sure if your laws are like here but no pony raises an army without the Princesses' approval. To do so is high treason. When it was over Aunty was unknowingly starting to become a Changeling and Velvet was deemed insane and sent to an Asylum rather then be executed or petrified like most of the other high ranks of that group.” Aegis looked over to see Twilight sad. They needed a change in topic. She looked up thinking and saw the perfect thing. She smiled and spoke. “Excellent timing. Princess Luna has arrived.” She saw Twilight look up and smile at the chariot approaching.
“I would like to see if your Luna is different then mine.” Glad for something to distract from the sad news Aegis led the alicorn to the old castle.
* * * * * *
Q Twilight smiled as she saw her old friend's chariot land in the clearing before the main doors. The lunar princess stepped off her chariot and looked at Q Twilight with a warm smile and sparkle eyes. Q Twilight was glad her relationship with Luna remained as strong as ever despite her change.
“Twilight Sparkle!” Though it would be nice if she just use her first name. “Good to see you again.”
“Likewise Luna, how was Canterlot?” Luna gave her a dark look.
“It finally happened Twilight Sparkle. I have become so angry at a noble that I have literally tossed a noble out of the castle.” Luna's look turned a little gleeful. “It was a wondrous site.” Luna glanced over and saw Q Twilight's shocked look. “Oh don't worry Twilight Sparkle. The foal lived, but learn a valuable lesson. When I say no I MEAN it. So Tia thought that I should take some time away and I was due to visit your hive, so here I am.”
“Well let me show you what we have done with your old castle.” Q Twilight led Luna inside and watch Luna take in the restoration of her old home.
“Your hive has done well Twilight Sparkle. This place is finally looking like it's old self. Especially those tapestries.”
“Rarity takes the credit for those. I swear she almost had an orgasm when she got her hooves on them. That was quite a scrumptious meal. And with the added numbers of the thestrals and the Tea'la we need the room and restoring the castle is easier then clearing more forest at this time.” Q Twilight sensed her daughter Aegis approaching and what that likely mean. Her smiled turned mischievous. “I also have another surprise for you.” Out of the hallway next to the restored twin thrones appear Aegis with P Twilight next to her. Luna had they 'huh?' look on her face as P Twilight waved at her.
“”Well this is quite a prank Twilight Sparkle. Is that Rainbow Dash having fun?”
“Nope, that isn't Dash, go ahead and use the changeling reveal spell.” Luna did and P Twilight was unchanged and Luna looked back at Q Twilight with the question clear on her face so Q Twilgith explained why there was an alicorn version of her old self.
* * * * * *
When Q Twilight was done Luna just sighed at first with a cant of her head. She then shook her head and commented.
“Life is rarely dull with you my friend. I think I know what entertained Tia the last few years of my banishment.” Both Twilight's pouted causing Aegis and Luna to laugh. Putting a hoof on P Twilight's shoulder. “Come Princess Twilight Sparkle, tell us of your world.” Aegis and Q Twilight looked at each other before following.
They spend the next few hours walking among the hallways as P Twilight told them of her home with Luna commenting here and there P Twilight was shocked to learn that Nightmare moon wasn't the twisted form of Luna but a fragment of another goddess. One that was now truly merged with her. And Discord, she admits it makes Discord logical into why he is chaotic.
Q Twilight eventually left them to spend time with Ratchet. But the two princesses watched the stars and talked late into the night. P Twilight went to bed that night in the guest room she was given with a smile. As much as things were different in this world many still were the same.
Early the next day Twilight was gathering the books she researched back in her Equestria. Hopefully she could figure out what went wrong with the spell. Her Equestria needed her and this one seemed fine with it's version of her. She brought the books to her room in the partially restored castle. She dropped the books down and with a scroll ready to go she opened the first book and started reading for clues.
* * * * * *
Hours and one meal later she needed a break. She had written multiple notes and thought she made good headway but even she the study princess needs a breather. She stretched out and looked out the window in front of her desk. She was several trees before seeing the roofs of Ponyville. She loved the town and was thankful that Celestia sent her there four years ago. One sight did get her attention though. In the middle of all those roofs she saw the top of a tree. A tree with a window and a balcony. A smile came to her lips, Golden Oaks Library. That little town library which she had many fond memories of. It be nice to see it again. And maybe see her friends, or at least this Equestria's version of them. 'Yeah I think I will do that.' Opening the door of her room she noticed a lavender changeling nearby.
“Excuse me.” She asked and the changeling stop and went over to her.
“Yes Princess?” he asked.
“Please don't call me princess, just call me Twilight. I want to meet the girls at Golden Oaks.” The changeling blink a couple of times before his eyes changed, looking like a purple version of Nightmare Moon's.
“An interesting idea. I would love to see them react to you but I don't want too many ponies knowing about you.” He replied in HER voice. The changeling looked at her expectantly while she was in shock a bit.
“Um, why did your voice changed?” She asked it.
“Huh? Oh that. As queen I can take over control of a drones body without having to waste time getting to you in person they will act as a vessel.” Twilight eyed her other self critically.
“Is he okay?”
“He's quite fine. He asked me for help and this was the best solution. When we are done we will go on about his job no worse for where.” the changeling's features went cold. “I would NEVER harm my children. Unlike most of the hives my children are very important to me.” Princess Twilight raised her hooves in surrender.
“Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you.” The drone puppet sighed.
“Sorry Twilight, most queens have their drones be nothing more then an instrument of their will. No will of their own.”
“Forgiven, I was afraid of how much your change has change you from me. My history with Changelings doesn't go beyond the wedding. In a way they are my children as well. Weird to think of having adult kids but it is what it is.” Deciding it was time to get back to the subject that started this conversation Princess Twilight changed the topic. “So anyway I could wear a cloak till we get to Golden Oaks. I would love to be in that building one more time.” Thought Princess Twilight tried to hide it the puppet saw the pain on her others eyes.
“That can work. I'll have by kids inform our friends to meet in the library.”
“I will teleport since I want to beat Pinkie there, if possible.” The puppet nodded.
“Well Rainbow already knows and is all for it and will meet us there after she gets a drone to finish Luna's inspection of our airships.”
“She can come to! I would never reject her coming.”
“She was offered but refused. Said this should be a private thing with the element bearers and did thank us for the offer.”
“She is always welcomed as far as I'm concerned.”
A few minutes later another drone gave Twilight a black cloak and she put it on with the hood and asked the drone.
“Is any of me visible?”
“Just the tips of your muzzle and horn. Beside the hooves, you're good.”
After giving her thanks she focused so her cloak will go with her when she teleports and imagined the front of the library. With a pop she found herself at the library with both the real Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle already there. The other Twilight knocked on the door.
“Coming!” a familiar voice said and the door opened to reveal Spike. His eyes lit up seeing the other Twilight. “TWILIGHT!” He went over and hugged the Changeling/Pony Queen.
“Nice to see you to Spike, may we come in?”
“Of course, hey Dash, nice to see you.” he pause when he looked at the cloaked Twilight. “Who is this?”
“She's a new friend Spike and wants to meet the other girls, they should be arriving soon.” He nodded and allowed them in.
“I'll go make snacks.” He said and disappeared into the kitchen. Twilight meanwhile looked around the library taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the tree. She MISSED this place so much. So many memories here. Unknown to her both Changelings felt her emotions and were unsure how to comment on it.
<Wow did her emotion spike.> Rainbow commented over the link.
<Well we both treasure this place. This was our home. I may not live here anymore but I can visit anytime I want. Her, she lived in it longer but remember she lost it when Tirek was loose in her world. Remember how you felt when you woke up as a Queen? That you could never be a Wonderbolt again.> Rainbow gave a mental nod. <Well she is feeling the same. She is doing something she never can do in her world outside of dreams and memories.>
<Okay I can get that Twi. I wonder what she still has that you don't anymore?>
<Well Ageis said she still has Velvet.>
<Ouch. But hay at least you know that a version of her is still in a Twilight's life.> Before that conversation could go further the door opened to reveal Rarity.
“Hello darlings! You have impeccable timing Twilight. I was going to take off soon for Manehatten to sell my latest line. Your kids did a marvelous job making that mobile boutique for me.”
“That's good to here Rarity, Gadget Whiz is happy to work and travel with you.”
“She is a gem. Now what is this all about?”
“Won't say till the others get here.” Next was Pinkie shaking like crazy all the way in.
“Having a doozy Pinkie?” Queen Twilight asked with a knowing smile.
“Y-y-y-y-e-e-e-p-p-p-p! B-e-e-n h-a-v-i-n-g o-n-e a-l-l d-a-y!” Next in was Fluttershy giving a quiet hello and finally Applejack came in. Spike came in with treats and put them on the main table.
“Okay Twilight, not that I mind the get together. Why are we all here?” Rarity asked. Princess Twilight thought it was time for the big reveal.
“I asked for you.” everypony looked her way as she walked over.
“And who are you if I might ask?” Rarity said. Twilight answered by pulling the hood back and smiled at them. The all but Applejack, Queen Twilight, and Rainbow Dash gasp in surprise.
“Is is this some kind of prank Rainbow Dash?” Rarity said with a hint of anger.
“No it isn't.” Princess Twilight responded. She took the cloak off fully reveal her full nature. This cause more gasps of course.
“Y-you're an alicorn!” Rarity said shocked. “Explain please!?” Twilight nodded and explain the events that led her to this point.
The girls listen with complete attention and when done Pinkie was the first to respond. “You know that this means?” She asked with a gleeful smile. “It means I need to throw 'We have a Twilight Alicorn Party' for her!” Before the pink party pony could zip away to get party supplies Princess Twilight used her magic to pin Pinkie down.
“Pinkie as much as I would appreciate that I rather only a few know about me. I don't want to damage anything your Twilight has done between ponies and her changelings.” Pinkie's sad look nearly killed her. “How about this Pinkie. You can throw me a party in the castle at some point.” Pinkie lit up again and as Twilight released her.
“Really!?” Pinkie asked bugged eyed.
“Yes whatever you want to do you can do as long as it's within the castle and hive.” The next thing Twilight knew she was being squeezed by Pinkie before she left go and she saw a semi serious look on Pinkie's face.
“Pinkamena Diane Pie, solemnly swear..” Pinkie goes through the motions of her Pinkie Promise as she says this to Twilight. “..that you will have the best private party that I can do.” With that she disappear, literally disappeared. There was a pause among the girls before they shook their heads and began talking among themselves. Twilight herself HAD to check out her old bedroom. It was a little different then she last saw her version. This one had a lot more comics in the private area but it still had that little basket and her old made made perfectly fine like it was waiting for her. She couldn't help but put a hoof on it.
“Twilight, you okay?” Twilight smiled as she turned to look at Spike. She saw the baby dragon she loved as a little brother looking concern at her.
“Just taking in the room Spike. In my Equestria this place doesn't exist anymore. Tirek destroyed it. So I'm taking the time I have here to touch it again. I never imagine being able to ever again.”
“You know how I feel then.” That confused Twilight.
“Huh?”
“I...I nearly lost you. One moment you are saying goodbye and that you will write to me from the Stripped Gear Hive and to take care of the library. The next thing I know you were attacked and NEARLY DIED! When I do see you again you're a changeling. I got even more worried when Princess Celestia said you wouldn't remember me but thankfully you took care of that. But I thought I would never see you look like this again unless in disguise.” Twilight took Spike and gave him a hug.
“Spike, I'm sorry you had to suffer that. I can only imagine what both she and you have gone through. I'll have a talk with my other self. I have no don't she still loves you but consider everything she has to deal with now I can see her forgetting a bit. I would love to have my number one assistant help me figure out the spell but the library needs you.”
“But what if you worked here?” Spike asked while interrupting Twilight. She gave a sad smile.
“I would love to do that, but there's too much of a chance of somepony seeing me. I don't want too many ponies seeing me. But I promise to visit okay?” Spike gave a small sad nod. 'Now come on, let's rejoin our friends.” With that they leave the room though Twilight takes one last look at the room she once had.
Coming down the stairs Twilight heard Applejack ask.
“You okay sugarcube?”
“Yeah, just taking the opportunity to check out my old bedroom.” Twilight then looked at her other self. “You and I need to talk later.”
“Okay.” Queen Twilight responded.
“Well that's good to here. I was afraid you were having another freak out again like when I found you in the Everfree Forest.” Rarity had a shocked look looked at Applejack.
“Wait, you knew about her before today? Why didn't you tell us?” She asked accusingly.
“Well Twilight, well our Twilight asked me to keep it a secret till she said otherwise.”
“Well, if Twilight wanted her a secret then I can respect that. Not agree mind you but respect that.”
“Sorry Rarity, but the whole situation was pretty chaotic and her freak out didn't help so I tried to keep a lid on things till it was handled. She beat me to it when she wanted to meet you.” Queen Twilight commented.
“Apology accepted darling, just don't keep us out of the loop next time.”
“Unless it's a royal thing I can agree to that.”
With that the meeting continued even with Pinkie returning with party supplies and it turned into a full out party between them all. And Princess Twilight almost felt like she was home.
It was with great curiosity that Celestia entered Phoenix's Roost. She marveled at what Twilight's and Rainbow's children have done with the forest and her old castle. The Everfree was safer for her ponies from around the castle to Ponyville. A pair of thestrals flew by the nearby window and that brought a smile to her face. Before her change Rainbow always called Twilight's desire to have her hive be Equestrian as Heart's Warming Take 2. That title ended up being prophetic. Between the changeling hybrids of Twilight and Rainbow, the thestral refugee's from the Moonlight Empire and the trees found by Twilight's hive, and then the unique Tea'la tribe we literally did have a second Heart's Warming. As much as it hurt Twilight for that Celestia was still proud of her former student. She brought great knowledge and a past that even she didn't know about. However she was here today because Luna told she should come and one of Twilight's children has directed her to a room in her old castle. It once served as a room for VIPs so she wondered what is was being used for now and why she was being directed to it. As she closed in she heard mumbling and the sound of a chalkboard being used. She saw the door of the room she was directed to open so she peaked in to see what had Luna wearing that mischievous she used to have when they were younger.
What she saw had shocked her to her core. There glancing between a book and a formula written on the chalkboard was Twilight Sparkle. Not Twilight Sparkle the changeling queen that Celestia has seen the passed few years or Twilight Sparkle the unicorn that Celestia had known for years, whose final images will haunt Celestia for as long as she lives. Instead the Twilight Sparkle in front of her had wings, alicorn wings. And a tiara on her head. Not the design she had to reformed the Element of Magic tiara she had planned but something completely new. She couldn't be silent any longer.
“T-twilight?” The mare stop with her ears scanning before she looked behind her. Eyes Celestia hasn't seen in years look at her and brighten before a smile followed.
“Princess Celestia!” The smaller alicorn rushed to Celestia and gave her a hug. The two just spent a minute hugging like that before Celestia just had to say something.
“But how, unless this is some prank Rainbow decided to pull?” Twilight gave her a sad smile.
“It's not that kind of prank, and I'd blame Luna first. I'm from another Equestria. One where Cadista didn't contact us or maybe even existed so your dream for me became reality. Luna can fill you on the details.” Celestia just shook her head.
“Oh yes, my sister will since she was the one that hinted I should visit. Now what are you working on Princess Twilight?” Twilight rolled her eyes and the title which got Celestia smiling. Twilight walked over to the board and books.
“Trying to reconstruct my spell and later it to try to get back home. I have duties there after all. Princess of Friendship and your Twilight seems to have things handled here.”
“That she does, she hasn't quite fulfilled what I planned for her but in many ways she has succeeded on things beyond my wildest dreams. I'm proud of her, just as I'm sure your Celestia is. Now would you like some assistance with this spell?”
“I would like that.” Celestia moved beside the smaller alicorn and done something she rather missed. Hours of studying magic with her.
* * * * * *
Days later Twilight was in an empty room in the Phoenix Castle. With her was the other Twilight and her friends including Princess Luna. Princess Celestia wanted to be there but duties prevented her. Today was a big day. Today she hopefully returns home so they were all saying goodbye. When the group hug ended Rarity interrupted them all.
“Darling the girls and I though you should take these with you.” Her magic brought out saddle bags with Twilight's cutie mark. It was placed in front of Princess Twilight and she lifted the lid and found several pictures of her memories of good times including a couple taken during her stay here. “The other bag has the Gala gown I made for our Twilight.” Princess Twilight looked over to the other bag and held a dress she hasn't seen in a year. With tear filled eyes she looked to her other self.
“Why?”
“Call it a trade off. You lost Golden Oaks and everything in it. The pictures are all copies of the ones in the Library and the Gala dress, well I can't use it anymore and I'm sure your Rarity can modify it to fit your alicorn self.”
“Thank you, thank you all.” She rubbed her eyes. “Well let's get this show on the road.” Everypony else backed away as Twilight put the saddlebag on,closed her eyes and focused. While her eyes were closed she didn't see what happened to her. Her horn was surrounded her horn before flaring with magic and a white light covered the horn. Her mane and tail started flowing in a breeze her magic was creating. Energy bolts crossed around her then her eyes opened but had the solid white glow like when she used the Elements of Harmony. A white sphere forms but not around Twilight but above and a hoof or two in front of her. It grew large. Large enough to easily hold the Elements Bearers including the other Twilight and Rainbow Dash. Twilight knew something was going wrong but she couldn't stop the spell no matter how hard she tried. The sphere emitted a bright flash and Twilight heard a pair of thumps. Twilight was exhausted and was trying hard to stay awake. It was working and as she collapsed she saw a white furred mass in front of her in a familiar shape.
'Princess Celestia?' Twilight manage to think before darkness consumed her.
Luna found herself in another room. It was an observation room connected to an operating room, though said operating room was, thankfully, not being used for it's intended purpose. She looked down at the action going down below. A door opened behind her and she glanced over.
“How are they, Rainbow Dash?”
“Well, sis is looking over her counterpart. She says it's magical exhaustion. She is staying with her till she wakes. The rest of the gang have been given quarters since they don't want to leave till everything is figured out.”
“That does sound like them. So, what have your and Twilight's brood figured out about our guests?”
“Well, one of them seems to be a Standard Royal Changeling, but her chitin is white, like, Celestia white. Odd, but not totally out of the norm. What's got them confused is the other one. We check thoroughly. She's a changeling too. Typical fangs and the fur cover chitin. But....yeah. She looks exactly like your sister. She even has the cutie mark on the chitin and we ran several spells to counter changeling magic and she doesn't change. The closest thing we have ever seen to this is Granny Caddy's harvesters who have been on the job so long that their true form has taken their guises features. Other then that....we've got nothing.” Luna looked back down to the changeling baring her sister's features.
“I guess we must wait until they awaken so that they might give us answers.”
* * * * * *
Crystalia woke from her slumber first, dazed and somewhat confused. She looked around to try and get her bearings, and quickly realized she wasn't where she was a few moments ago.
But how? The last thing she remembered before waking up here, in what she assumed was the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, was that she was in Canterlot talking to her sister with....
She turned her head at near breakneck speed, but found her sudden panic was ill founded, as her daughter, Crystal Shimmer, was sound asleep on a bed close to her.
Gently, Crystalia slid out of her bed, making sure her hooves met the floor with as little noise as possible, and quietly cantered over to her sleeping daughter whilst stretching her now sore wings, a few feathers falling to the ground. She lifted a foreleg, and nudged Crystal square in the back.
"Mmmm....five more minutes," Crystal mumbled, tossing a pillow over her head.
"Not five more minutes," Crystalia whispered as loudly as she dared, "Right now." Crystal, even in her groggy state, knew that tone, for it was the tone both she and her sister had when either of them was worried. As such, Crystal quickly slid out of bed and fixed her wings to her sides. Unlike her mother, she was still a full changeling of Diamond Shimmer Hive, so still had her elegant membranic wings, though she always was in awe of her mother's feathery down.
"How in Tia's name did we get here," Crystal asked aloud, realizing where they were.
"I don't know," Crystalia said, "But Twi might. Ponyville isn't to far from here, if I do recall correctly." At that moment, someone resembling Twilight Sparkle walked in.
"Twilight," Crystalia asks, perplexed, "What are you doing here? I mean, you're just the Ali-" Upon beginning to utter that word, Crystalia realized something was wrong. The Twilight she knew was an Alicorn Princess already. Whomever this was, it wasn't Twilight. On top of that, it more resembled a Changeling, not unlike herself, but it was still greatly different.
Without hesitation, Crystalia's horn took on a golden glow, while her daughter's took on an light blue one, the same color as her wings and hair. Both of them were aimed precisely at the 'Twi-ling'.
"Who are you, Changeling," Crystalia asked calmly, despite her currently hostile appearance. The Changeling, whether out of fear or some other feeling, took a step back.
In response to this, Crystalia dissipated her spell, and had Crystal do the same. "Let's try this again, shall we? Would you care to take me to your Qu-", Crystalia faltered, noticing the size of the changeling. “You are the Queen, aren't you?” The changeling nodded and put a hoof on her chest.
“I'm Twilight Sparkle, Co-Queen of the Phoenix's Roost Hive.”
“That's impossible. We talked with an ALICORN Twilight Sparkle just yesterday we she came by for Princess training.” Crystalia stated. This 'Twilight' sighed.
“It is possible, actually. You both are in another Equestria. You were brought here by accident during an attempt to send somepony else home. The others will want to meet you. Please, we mean you no harm.”
Crystalia looked to her daughter. <What do you think, Crystal?>
<We need information before we can do anything. She looks enough like the Twilight we both know, and I don't sense deception from her. If she is correct and we are in another Equestria, then we need allies.>
“Very well, Twilight Sparkle. We will follow you, but be warned. Any tricks and you will feel the full wrath of the sun.” The Changeling gulped and nodded before opening a door. Crystalia didn't like doing that, especially to Twilight, but she was alone with her daughter, and so will use all her powers to defend her only child. Crystalia followed the Royal Changeling until she lead them to a large room with dual thrones at one end, which Crystalia recognized as the Throne Room. One thing both she and her daughter noted was the fact that every changeling they ran across either had Twilight's or Rainbow Dash's color scheme, as well as fur like her own, but it didn't seem to cover chitin like hers did. 'What kind of Changelings were these?'
She saw the Changeling Queen take the purple throne while the other was occupied by another Royal Changeling, one that had the appearance of Rainbow Dash, even having the cutie mark. She also noticed several ponies that she knew around them. The purple changeling broke the silence.
“As I said earlier I am Queen Twilight Sparkle.” She gestured with her hoof to the left of her. “This is my sister and co ruler, Rainbow Dash, and with us are my good friends Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Princess Luna. May we have your names?”
With nothing to lose from it, Crystalia answered.
“I am Crystalia, Co-Regent of the Sun and Queen of Diamond Shimmer Hive, and this is my daughter Crystal Shimmer, Princess of Diamond Shimmer Hive, and ruler of it in my absence.”
“How can you be Co-Regent of the Sun," Luna blurted, "While I can take care of it in an emergency like my sister did for me during my absence, she is the only one with a true bond to the sun.”
“Well, your question answers one thing for me. I assume absence means your banishment on the moon?” Luna nodded. “Well in my history Celestia did succeed in locking you away, but Nightmare Moon managed to kill her.” Jaws dropped in shock and before the obvious questions arose, Crystalia lifted a hoof for silence and continued. “The battle with Nightmare Moon was long, and Celestia was mortally wounded many times before she used the Elements of Harmony to banish you before she succumbed to her own wounds. As she lay dying in this very room, she asked me to take her place. Equestria had already lost one princess, and so could not lose yet another. Me and Celestia have had a long relationship and were good friends, even then, so I accepted, leaving Crystal Shimmer to care for Diamond Shimmer Hive in my absence. After she died, I hid her body and assumed her form. The ponies of Equestria loved their Princess, so I got much of that love, seemingly being her. My own magical ability was by itself great enough to raise and lower the sun, as my ability is at least on par with Tia's, so I stored all the love I received to enact a plan of great importance. Being long friends with Celestia I knew how she thought and acted, which was helped by the fact I was already much like her, so it was easy to play her while my two long term plans were in the works.”
“So this is why you look like Celestia?” the Queen posing as Rainbow Dash asked.
“Actually, no. I have looked this way for a very long time, but that is something I can exaggerate upon later. Now, my first plan was to free Luna from her corrupt alter ego, and I assume you're all familiar with that one.” Nods went around. “Mine was a bit different, but we'll touch on that later. Anyway, while I managed to even trick Luna, my guise was disrupted by the wall of love emitter during Cadence and Shining Armor's botched wedding. Cadence and Twilight confronted me about this a few days later after Shining and Cadence were properly wed and, not having the heart to lie to my own student and niece, I confessed as to who I was, but not yet as to why I was where I was because, one would expect, they demanded to know where Celestia was, and I showed them. They were in as much shock as you were to discover she was dead. Now however, we get to my second plan. As I have stated, I stored all the love I received to enact a very important plan. That important plan was to resurrect Celestia so I used the gathered love to enhance my magical capabilities, but even that was not enough. I had to dip deep into my reserves of both love and magic, just to bring her back.”
“Why would you do such a dangerous thing?” Queen 'Twilight' asked.
“Because she was like a sister to me, and I've know her since she was a little filly, and myself a fledgling Queen. She didn't care if I was a changeling, or that many saw my kind as monsters. She saw me for who I really was, a kind and loving being who was unlike what the books she'd read said about my kind. The best way I could repay her was to bring her back, even if I had to forfeit my own life for her, which I nearly did.” Crystalia felt a hoof over her shoulder, and then felt her daughter lean next to her. She nuzzled Shimmer in appreciation and continued. “It worked. Celestia was among the living again, but she would not sit idly by while I died, and so did all that was within her power to do so that I wouldn't die. As a result of all of this, I was formally made a Princess of Equestria. Now then, it's time for you to explain things to me.”
Queen 'Twilight' decided to be the one to explain things. She told the story of Princess Twilight and her teleportation experiment that went wrong, that her and her daughter being brought here was yet another accident, one that occurred when that Twilight tried to return home. During all of this Cyrstalia watched Queen 'Twilight' carefully. After the wedding fiasco, she tried to pay more attention on the behavior of ponies to not let the Chrysalis/Cadance thing go unnoticed, although in hindsight, it kinda was incredibly obvious. The Changeling Queen in front of her had all the tell-tale signs of being Twilight. While possible to mimic these, she was doing it without conscious thought, and that requires a huge effort to pull off. Plus the fact she was in a natural form means there was no need for it if she was faking. This was Twilight Sparkle, one whose path had lead her differently than the mare she knew. She wanted to explore that. When Twilight finally finished she asked.
“How is Princess Twilight?”
“Still out like a light, recovering from magical exhaustion. It will likely be days before she's back to normal," Queen Twilight explained, "Until then, your are welcome as guest of our hive, and quarters will be assigned to you.”
“Thank you Queen Twilight Sparkle," Crystalia said with a nod, "We will take up that offer gladly. While I wait for your counterpart to recover, I'm curious to see what else is different in this world.”
“I'll have one of my drones take care of that for you, as well as any other needs you might have.”
"Thank you for your generosity and hospitality,” Crystalia said with a curt bow, her daughter following suit.
“It's the least we could do, since you were brought here against your will.”
“Plus I get to throw a 'Welcome to our Equestria' party!” Pinkie squealed causing Crystalia to smirk. No matter world, Pinkie Pie will still be Pinkie Pie.
Yet, there was something nagging at the back of Crystalia's mind. Other than her daughter, the Hive Mind had been abnormally quiet. Of course, she could block out her drones at will, giving her some privacy, but the Hive Mind was open right now, and yet, there was nothing but silence, save for the occassional thought from her daughter.
"Twi, may I call you that," Crystalia asked, to which Twilight nodded, "There is something that both bothers and troubles me deeply."
"Please," Twilight said, "Speak your mind, Crystalia."
"Since our arrival here, I have opened my Hive Mind," Crystalia said, "But, as of yet, the only voice I've heard is that of my daughter, so I must ask, do you know of any Changeling Hives north of the Crystal Empire, specifically northeast of it?"
Twilight shook her head. "I'm afraid not, Crystalia. I don't know about Changelings where you come from, but here, Changelings and the cold don't get along too well."
Although Twilight didn't notice it, Crystal did notice as her mother's white face paled with a combination of sorrow, sadness, regret, and dread.
Twilight waited patiently in one of the castle's old reading rooms. It was one of the very few parts of the castle her changelings had not yet got around to renovating yet. Crystalia said she'd meet her here.
After a few minutes, Crystalia entered the room, and took a place on one of the old cushions, which she slowly ran a hoof over.
"Queen Crystalia," Twilight said hesitantly.
Crystalia looked at Twilight. "Celestia and I used to have so much fun here when we were little. I'd put on a guise that made me look like her, and we'd walk about the castle. Luna or her mom were usually our intended targets, as her father wasn't there too often. The look on their faces when Celestia disappeared down one corridor and I, looking liker Celestia, appeared behind them seconds later....it was priceless."
Twilight smiled at Crystalia's recollection. To her, at least, it appeared to be that she and Celestia were very close, at least in Crystalia's reality.
Crystalia's smile slowly faded. "That was many thousands of years ago, when her and I were little. It seems bittersweet now, doesn't it? The Celestia of this reality probably never had as much fun as we did."
Twilight sighed, but nodded. "I can see that. Princess Luna is the one more open to Changelings here. Celestia....I don't think she's ever liked Changelings too much, me and RD being the exceptions."
Crystalia nodded in turn. "Still....it's nice to know, then, that my being there made all the difference. Tell me again, Twilight, how did you become a Changeling?"
"A delegation, including myself, was sent to meet Cadista," Twilight explained, "We were ambushed, and I was both mortally wounded and poisoned. With no other choice but death, I was allowed to become a royal changeling, with Celestia's blessing. I forgot almost everything, but it all came back soon afterwards."
"That's good to know," Crystalia said with a smile, "I don't know what I'd do if I-"
"Hmm," Twilight wondered, her curiosity now piqued, "You don't know what?"
Crystalia sighed. "I don't know what I'd do if I'd lost you. In my reality, you are MY student. As I've told you, Celestia died because of her battle with Nightmare Moon in my reality. I promised her I'd take care of Equestria until I found a way to bring her back, and I did both take care of Equestria, and bring her back. You would still be my student when Tia was resurrected, but you'd also take lessons from her as well."
Twilight nodded. "Still, that's not why you look so much like her, is it?"
Crystalia nodded. "It's not. Even before I met her, I looked like her. Magenta eyes like a pony's, white chitin, no carapace, and a pink mane and tail. I did have a striking resemblance to her even when she was a filly, and I a Fledgling Queen. It may be by design I got this cutie mark, this fur, and this mane. It may be the fact that she had to teleport me home the first time we met. It might even be because I was around her so much."
"But not because of her love," asked Twilight.
"That is also likely, but not for the reason you think," Crystalia said, "My kind, or at least changelings from my Hive, have evolved beyond the need for love to survive."
"Wait," Twilight said, holding up a hoof, "You DON'T need love?"
"No, Diamond Shimmer Changelings do not," Crystalia said with an affirmative nod, "Due to the location of the hive, we adapted, but this was long before my time. Since that time, love has served to us what adrenaline has served to ponies; a massive burst of energy. Mind, love energy won't kill you."
Twilight only nodded I response. "Cadista has been trying for years to create a Changeling that can generate it's own love, and I was the result. You seem to have already outdone her."
"It would appear that way," Crystalia said with a smile. "Speaking of, do you think it'd be possible for me to meet this Queen Cadista? From what I've heard from your drones, she's not long of this world."
Twilight nodded. "They're right, sadly. I don't know if she'll see you, but I think I'll ask anyway."
"Thank you," Crystalia said with a nod, "Is there anything else you'd like to know?"
"You're hive," Twilight said, "Tell me about it."
Crystalia's entire disposition brightened at Twilight's suggestion. "I would most certainly love to! The Twilight from my reality really enjoyed her visit. Where to begin....ah yes. Diamond Shimmer Hive is located to the northeast of The Crystal Empire, in a place nestled in the mountains called Crystal Valley, which is divided into three parts: The Eastern Highlands, the Central Forests, and the Western Lowlands. Diamond Shimmer Hive is located in the Western Lowlands, which are the most fertile lands, and have a climate similar to Equestria."
"Interesting," Twilight said, "And the Hive proper?"
"That would be divided into two major parts," Crystalia explained, "The Citadel, and the Diamond City."
Twilight decided this wasn't the time for questions yet, and let Crystalia continue, for she seemed to be enjoying herself greatly.
"The Citadel is located at the center of Diamond Shimmer Hive, and is a tall marble spire stretching into the heavens above," explained Crystalia, "It is surrounded by the Royal Gardens, and those are surrounded by a wall, making the Citadel into a fortress. It is within the Citadel that the Hive's love is stored. Before you say anything, just because we don't need love to live, doesn't mean we don't store it."
"Understandable," Twilight said, "It must have helped in building such an impressive structure."
"Even more when the city around it was built first," Crystalia stated, causing Twilight's eyes to widen, "The Diamond City surrounds the Citadel, and is also surrounded by another wall, just as tall and fortified as the Citadel wall. The single gate through this wall lines up with the gate into the Citadel. Similar to the Citadel, the Diamond City's layout is completely symmetrical, save for that which lies below ground. The road leading to the Citadel is the exception, as it is lined with two sparkling rivers that flow from the Citadel to the Lowlands across the valley, and are fed by springs located deep beneath the earth. Overall, the entire city is and engineering marvel, especially coming from a Changeling, and was the brainchild of Queen Majestic, first Queen of Diamond Shimmer Hive."
"That it is," Crystalia said, a gleam in her eye, "I've been told that even the splendour and grandeur of the great city of Canterlot pales in comparison to Diamond Shimmer Hive."
"Really," Twilight said, "Who told you that? Celestia?"
Crystalia only looked at Twilight, a smile crossing her lips. "You did, Twilight. Indeed, Celestia did say that when she was young and I snuck her into the Hive, but you, Twilight, or at least the you from my reality, were the first pony to say so after my coronation."
Twilight was completely at a loss for words. She, or at least another her, had seen Crystalia's Hive, and thought is better than even Canterlot. She assumed Crystalia to be lying, but could sense nothing but sincerity from the Queen.
"You don't have to say anything, Twilight," Crystalia said, her smile beginning to fade, "You're not her, so your thoughts and opinions are your own. Besides, in time, I have the strangest feeling that you will see what my Changelings created."
"How can you be so certain," inquired Twilight.
Crystalia chuckled as she stood up and cantered over to a wall, hitting a brick. To Twilight's surprise, the brick opened a secret door, one that lead to a room filled with sweets from long ago, when the castle was still inhabited. Crystalia gingerly picked up a piece of candy with her magic, a caramel chew, and promptly threw it into her mouth. "Call it a Queen's intuition."
Twilight groaned as she slowly woke up. She felt like a train hit her she was so drained magically.
“Easy Twilight, you haven't fully recovered from the spell.” A voice said that sounded like Princess Celestia. She rubbed her eyes with her hooves and asked.
“How long was I out?”
“It's been about three days. You did bring over a couple of beings from another dimension, after all. Quite the feat, if I do say so myself.” That got Twilight to wake up and of course panic. She put her fore hooves on Celestia's chest and looked up at her face with worry.
“I did!? Oh no no no. Are they okay?” Celestia chuckled a bit.
“Oh, me and my daughter are fine, Twilight. In fact, I'm pretty sure she's checking out this hive of your counterpart's right now. I wanted to check on you, so here I am.” It was then Twilight noticed the fangs in Celestia's mouth, those short, regal fangs. She scooted back a bit and nervously asked.
“You're a changeling?” The Celestia nodded.
“Yes I am, but I'm not your enemy, and I am not Celestia, though I wore her mask for over thousand years.”
“Wore her mask?” Twilight asked puzzled.
“It'd probably be better if I started from the beginning.” Crystalia told this Twilight of her world. It was interrupted when one of Queen Twilight's kids came in with food.
“How did they know I was awake?” Twilight asked as she took a daisy sandwich.
“I told my daughter, and she informed her guide. This hive mind took care of the rest.”
* * * * *
Crystalia finished her story as Twilight finished her meal. Twilight was depressed. She had taken Crystalia and her daughter from their home. She felt a wing tip under her chin. It lifted her head up so she was looking at a familiar yet unfamiliar face. A face then had nothing but kindness on it.
“Don't beat yourself up over this Twilight. It was an accident. Nothing more, nothing less. I'm using this opportunity to see what could have been if things were different. You were just trying to get home and I certainly don't blame you for that. I tried to resurrect a sister after she was dead for a thousand years.” She paused for a bit. “I succeeded. The Twilight I know has never let me down on the important things and neither will you.” Twilight relaxed as the words hit her.
'Crystalia is right. I am Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship, Embodiment of Magic. I WILL solve this.'
“Now, get your rest Twilight. You will need it, and soon. You and I have much to do later.” Twilight yawned and, despite the food, she did still feel exhausted.
“That (yawn) sounds like a good idea.” She laid back down and was out like a light.
"Sleep well, Twilight," Crystalia said.
* * * * *
Crystal Shimmer walked along the shipyard constructing this hives biggest contribution to this world's Equestria, airships. Crystal was rather impressed by what these changelings had accomplished in the Everfree with so few resources. Back in Diamond Shimmer, there were mountains and an over-abundance of mineral ores and other valuable resources. Fertile soil, fresh water, everything needed for easy living. the fact Phoenix's Roost was in so remote a location, and one with far less resources than Diamond Shimmer, made Crystal wonder how they kept it all going.
<Crystal, please tell the locals that Twilight is up and will need food.>
<Of course mother.> She looked down to the lavender drone next to her. “My mother says that Princess Twilight is awake.” The drone called Metric nodded.
“Done. Mom and aunty are glad to here that.” Crystal titled her head and looked curiously at the drone.
“You consider your queens as aunt and mother?”
“Yes. Mom gave birth to all of us with lavender fur, while the cyans are from aunty Rainbow.” Crystal looked around her and seeing the sheer number of drones around and considering that the hive was only a few years old with this many was staggering. “Why are you surprised. All hives are like that. Hey, before they got consorts, mom and aunty self fertilize. It's how we are designed. A queen in proto form lays four eggs a day till she has a couple hundred drones to get a hive started.”
“We are much different. I am mother's only daughter but all of us share a similar source. We have families and honestly aren't too different from ponies. Our hive started with eight thousand, or at least, I THINK it was eight thousand. It might have been more....”
“EIGHT THOUSAND!” Metric said with astonishment. “We are at about four thousand between mom and aunty. Granny Caddy's hive has been a steady four thousand but that's increased since we started sending them love crystals. The average hive has about ten thousand.” Metric looked at her with curious eyes. “How big is your hive now?”
“Oh, it's still my mom's hive, but last I checked, we had about fifty thousand.” She saw Metric's jaw drop and even the drones in view jerk suddenly.
'Did I just break them?'
“You-you could easily rival Queen Silandrus' hive! Maybe even take her out on your own.” That name sounded familiar to Crystal. From one of the old history books she'd read when she was little.
“Who is this Silandrus?”
“She's the oldest of the queens and has the hive to prove it. As Prime Matriarch she sets when a summit happens and the rules in the summit. She's respected, though we recently found out she was the one who ordered the attack on mom.” Metric frowned before she turned it into a smirk. “In truth she is responsible for all of this. Phoenix's Roost would not exist without her attack. I wouldn't exist without her.” Crystal felt the fear in her guide. Crystal started to understand why.
“So that's why all of your are so interested in Princess Twilight. She's a glimpse of what your mother would be like if that event hadn't happened, if Cadista hadn't come forward, which lead to the attempt on Twilight's life.” Metric nodded.
“The link between us and granny's hive gives us a lot of information on it. Three scenarios come into play. If Silandrus hadn't attacked at best there would be a peace treaty and likely trade agreement between Equestria and Stripped Gear. Me and my siblings wouldn't exist. IF Silandrus had succeeded in killing mom then I believe all the hives would be gone or just about my now. Silandrus underestimated how important mom is to Princess Celestia. The last is what happened. I'm happy to be alive, but I can see what mom's and aunty's life could have been like. Mom could have been an alicorn and, according to Princess Twilight, been the Princess of Friendship. Aunty was in the Wonderbolts and without the politics with mom she would have easily been second in command, and likely have become the next captain when the current one retires. Not to mention the relationship between mom and her pony mom.” That got Crystal's attention. She had met Twilight Velvet on one occasion, and thought of her as being proud of Twilight, no matter what happened. Heck, she'd been on the verge of tears when she'd found out Twilight had become an alicorn.
“What happened?"Metric sighed and answered the question.
“She never took mom's change well. While she was grateful for Granny Cady saving her and all, she was dead set on making mom a unicorn again, even though mom didn't want to. She eventually committed treason to try to force mom back into a unicorn.” Crystal felt the sadness from the drone and put her forehoof around her.
“A changeling's life is rarely easy. The first Queen of Diamond Shimmer only ruled it for one hundred years, but she was there for the thousand years prior it took to build the place. We've had a couple of major fights as well. Fate or chance has given you life. It's yours to do with what you please. Do your mom and aunt love you?” Metric nodded. “Then that's all the matters. Sure things could be different. I believe in their minds you and your siblings are worth it.” She felt her guide get better. “Now then, let's continue this tour, shall we?” Again the drone nodded and they continued on as Crystal thought on her own words.
'A simple choice caused so many changes between our world and this one. What choices alter mom's hive in this world?'
Crystalia was in the library. It figured that this was restored, likely the first thing to have been, knowing Twilight. She opened a world atlas and began her search. She was scanning the map when she heard a voice ask.
“Queen Crystalia, what are you doing?” She looked behind her to see the drone called Aegis standing not too far away.
“Aegis, please, just Crystalia is fine, or Princess, as that's the title I've held for so long. What I'm doing is looking for where my hive should be in this world.” Crystalia surveyed the map before her seeing if there was any geographical differences between the worlds, however, she wasn't seeing any. “There,” She pointed with a hoof. “My hive should be there.” She saw Aegis get closer and look over the map and shuddered.
“Why are you so interested in this? You're going to be going home in a few days, max. A few hours at least.”
“Because it can help your hive. From what I've learned, your faction of changelings only has three hives right now, and two of them aren't very big. Even if my hive fell in this world we have fail-safes and contingencies in case of it, and if those are in place I could add a fourth hive to your number, one that is like yours in developing technology. If you are so worried about war, the more allies, the better, yes?” Aegis rolled her eyes and she felt the annoyance coming from the drone.
'It's really odd that she is of Twilight's blood and not Rainbows.' She mentally commented as the drone approached the map.
“Okay, where would your hive be?”
“There,” She pointed to a part of the Frozen North not too far from the Crystal Empire. “The Diamond Shimmer Hive would have been there.”
“By the First Mother why place your hive all the way out there!?” The drone hunched and said weakly. “It's so cold up north.” Crystalia put a hoof to her chin as she looked up in thought.
"I.... I'm not entirely sure," Crystalia said, "It's one of the mysteries I've wondered about. It's no secret that Queen Majestic, my grandmother, was a brilliant Changeling, so I suppose there is a good reason for it. If it were me, I'd have done it for the remoteness and location. A temperate valley, completely encircled by impassable mountains with only a large cavern as a means of entering by ground, and flying in a great difficulty due to the strong winds in the mountains. This means that Crystal Valley itself is strategically superior as a small force could successfully hold the cavern and not have to worry about being flanked. What's more, the Hive itself was built on the far side of the valley, on it's highest region, providing even greater tactical advantage due to holding the high ground. That's what I think, anyway."
“Okay so the valley itself seems good, but it's so cold up there.” Crystalia shrugged and replied.
“I guess it wasn't a big enough deal, and we adapted ourselves to it in time. The valley itself is temperate, having a climate much like Equestria's own. Hay, even if my transformation nullified the adaption to the cold tundra surrounding the valley, being a Regent of the Sun has perks.” Crystalia grinned at Aegis with a mischievous grin.
“It's creepy how much like Celestia you act.”
“Well.... when you spent your childhood with her, then have to pose as her for a thousand years.... things tend to stick. Like, for instance, an incredible affection for confection, the chief being cake.” Aegis raised an eyebrow.
“You mean that the cake fetish is genetic?” The Drone asked. To which Crystalia chuckled.
“Not really. I mean, I'm not a blood relative, after all. Tia introduced me to cake when we were little. The cake was good, and I've enjoyed many since. But it wasn't until I started playing Tia that I really got into them. Her Cake Fetish was already well-known back then, so I had to eat more, otherwise ponies would be suspicious. After a time I came to really enjoy my cake, ESPECIALLY Chocolate Cake. Even after Celestia's return I haven't stopped, though I have toned it down a great deal.” Crystalia got the dreamy smile on her face. “I still remember a week ago. The guards were having a party in the castle and me and Tia sneakily took a couple pieces of cake and darted away. The lieutenant in charge of Luna's guards spotted us and yelled. 'Have some dignity! You're rulers of a nation!' Oh that was an enjoyable event.” Aegis laughed at the story.
“Oh, I've got to remember that the next time I'm in Canterlot.” Then Aegis turned serious, but before Crystalia could ask what was wrong Aegis spoke again. “Mom called. The Other Twilight is ready to send you home.”
“Very well.” Crystalia said as she nodded and got up. She took the map in her magic and brought it to Aegis. “Please make use of this. You need all the help you can get.” Aegis took it in her magic.
“I may not like the cold but both momma and aunty Dash taught me to never refuse help.”
“Wise words, I'm proud of them.” With that, Crystalia and Aegis set off to the old throne room. * * * * *
Twilight checked her notes one last time, with her Changeling Counterpart looking over her shoulder when Crystalia arrived with Aegis, and Luna with Crystal Shimmer. Rainbow came in from another area.
“So the eggheads finally fixed this spell?” Rainbow asked, causing the Twilights to roll their eyes, almost in perfect sync, much to Crystalia's amusement.
“Yes Rainbow.” It was then that Twilight noticed the slight echo and looked to her changeling self who was in turn looking down at her. The both stared at each other before bursting into laughter. “Okay I added a viewing spell to the it so we can, hopefully, see the world on the other side, and hope it's Crystalia's.” She looked at the Celestia styled changeling and asked. “Are you ready?” Crystalia simply nodded. “Okay here we go.” She closed her eyes and focused her magic on the spells, carefully aligning everything. She needed to get this right, or who knows who else would be dragged here. She felt the magic condense and a burst of wind hit her. She opened her eyes to see a portal opened and viewing another world. A glance showed it was the wrong world. The view they had was like they were hanging on a ceiling. They saw a changeling leave a room with such a sad look on her face. Then they saw The Changeling Queen that attacked Canterlot, Chrysalis, from what her new friends told her the queen's name was, show up and say.
“Amaryllis?” The first changeling looked over and responded.
“Hello....mother.”
'That changeling said that in my voice.' She quickly used her magic to move to another universe. In this one she saw an exact copy of herself in a restored Royal Sisters Castle with a unknown dark furred alicorn with no cutie mark, a Celestia without her regalia, a Rainbow Dash, and …..a human Sunset Shimmer? Twilight looked over to Crystalia and asked an unsaid question. She just shook her head and Twilight briefly heard from the other side of the portal a 'what the hey?' Before she moved to another. The next one had a Twilight with a purple torc with a much older Spike and Rainbow Dash with that Twilight and Rainbow fighting over coffee. Another shake and they moved on. The next had what looked like a gathering of all of Equestria's government ponies and nobles, and it sounded like Celestia was declaring war on griffons. She also noticed a UNICORN Cadance and an unfamilliar Pegasus with Nightmare Guards standing next to them. Another shake and they move on. They saw many universes which some had Twilight as Luna or Celestia's or even Nightmare Moon's daughter. It was seriously disturbing seeing Nightmare Moon hold an unconscious Twilight like a foal, especially with a look of such joy on Nightmare Moon's face. They also saw an Alicorn Sunset Shimmer teaching a filly Twilight, a Twilight messing with a strange device that made portals with blue and orange bolts, even a Twilight with and filly Nightmare Moon was seen. Finally Crystalia had her stop at a universe. Twilight saw a Nightmare Moon-esque alicorn, though one she knew she hadn't seen before, talking with Celestia and Luna by a chariot bay.
“That is Princess Starlight Waltz. She rules a kingdom near the Crystal Empire, the Starlight Empire. She's a very old friend of my family. In fact, she was present for the funeral of Queen Majestic. That makes here the oldest pony I know. Her Empire has always been a peaceful one, though should conflict arise, I'd hate to be against Starlight.” Twilight heard a chuckle from Crystal Shimmer.
“You sure this is the right one?” She asked Crystalia.
“Yes. We planned on leaving for Diamond Shimmer in a few days. It would be the first time I set hoof there since I had to assumed Tia's role. Princess Starlight was in town for some trade talks and I agreed to give her a lift home.” It looked like Crystalia was about to move when they saw another Crystalia and Crystal Shimmer appear. They walked up to the previous group and began chatting.
“What the hay!” It was Rainbow this time.
“Quiet Rainbow! You might give us away.” She hissed at the Changeling Queen.
“Too late.” Crystal Shimmer said, and they all looked to see the other group looking at them. Crystalia took over and stepped up to the portal, the other Crystalia doing the same. She asked her other several questions to which the other answered. After a bit Crystalia saw Twilight was looking, and feeling, really tired. The portal has been open for awhile and switching worlds was not easy.
“Crystalia, if you are going to go, go now. I can't hold this open for much longer.” She heard Crystalia sigh and looked down.
“Close it.” The response was soft. She looked at Crystalia questioningly. “I said close it!” Crystalia repeated with authority. Twilight did and the portal closed with a sympathetic look in the other Crystalia's face, as well as Starlight, who had come up to the portal during the conversation to join and weigh-in. Everypony paused for a few minutes while she regained her breath.
“Mother.... why?” Crystal Shimmer asked in a small voice. Crystalia looked at her.
“You heard the questions.... and answers. They weren't dimensional counterparts like these Twilights. They WERE us. Either we or them are duplicates, so it didn't matter which of us stayed, and I WILL NOT put that pressure on this Twilight. Our.... our home is in good hooves.” Crystal responded by fleeing the room with her mother close behind calling out for her. Exhausted, Twilight ended up leaning against her counterpart, and felt a hoof around her.
“Come on, let's get you to bed.” It's strange how comforting hearing her voice out of another, especially with the changeling flange in it. She didn't think long on it when darkness claimed her. * * * * *
Crystalia kept up with her daughter, but only just. 'Really need to cut back on the cakes now that I don't have to pose as Tia.' She thought as she got into Crystal's room and sealed it so they could have privacy.
“How could you mother! You just threw away our chance to return home! Why!? WHY!? Why did you do that!?”
“They already had us there, Crystal. Can you imagine a world dealing with two of you and two of me? Hey, they're still adjusting to the sun having two regents now.” She paused before continuing. “I know you are not happy about this, but neither am I. I wish things were different, too, but this is the way it is. This isn't the first time I lost something precious to me. Though I managed to regain what I lost, I doubt it would be the same here. What gives me the greatest comfort is that I have you, Crystal. No matter what the future brings, I know it can be okay as long as I have you, my child.” Silence filled the room as she awaited her daughter's response. Crystal then turned around and hugged her mother and cried, Crystalia wrapping her forehooves around her daughter, whispering reassuring words.
"It's alright, Crystal. It's fine. We're okay. We're going to be okay." After what felt like eons but was probably a couple of hours Crystal finally spoke.
“I love you mom, and I'm sorry. I got so ...”
“Ssshhhhh, it's okay. You have every right to be mad. You just had your world ripped from you, but so did I, but we'll be okay.”
“What do we do now?”
“Well, Queen Twilight is keeping us as guests so we have a place to stay. Perhaps we can figure out why our hive isn't active here?” They both looked at each other before they felt a sudden shift in the emotions around them. “What in Equestria?” She said aloud, opening the door as a cyan drone ran past. “What's going on! What us the meaning of this fear and panic?”
“Your highness, we just heard over the Link. Stripped Gear is under attack!”
Twilight moaned as she woke. She was still a bit tired but that will soon pass. After a stretch she headed for the dining room. She looked around and the changelings were very busy. She wondered why. She got to the dining room and a cyan changeling approached to take her order. “Lots of scrambled eggs and hay bacon please.” The changeling nodded and walked away. Minutes later she came back with the meal and Twilight dug in. “So what's with all the commotion?” Twilight asked.
“Our ally hive Stripped Gear is under attack. We are mobilizing to assist in its defense.”
“When are we leaving?” She asked and began eating the meal faster.
“The Deception is deploying. Wait you said we?”
“Yes I did, I want to help.”
“But this isn't your fight. You be focused on going home.”
“You have housed me these past few days and done your best to help me. I plan to repay that. I am the Princess of Friendship and besides.” A smirk appeared on her face. “They won't be expecting an ALICORN Twilight Sparkle.” The changeling gave her a familiar Rainbow Dash smirk.
“Then eat up. You will need your strength for the combat ahead.” Twilight nodded and returned to her meal. She was eating fast not wanting to hold up the ships. As soon as she finished her meal and asked where the ships were.
************
Minutes later Twilight was in awe of the Deception. She was dagger shaped and covered in cannons on the dorsal and ventral sides with smaller cannons on the sides. She was far different then any airship she had ever seen. Reminded her of the naval ships used in the human world decades ago from a history book Sunset have her.
“Awe inspiring isn't it.” Twilight heard Rainbow's voice. She looked over and saw a cyan drone with slitted eyes.
“Rainbow?” the drone nodded.
“A perk of being a queen, we can use our kids as a host. Don't worry, she is fine. They actually like it.”
“Interesting,I’m going to want to study that later. This is unlike any airship I have seen before.”
“Yeah it’s Cady’s work. Used to be her flagship before she gave it to me. We plan on making copies.”
“Well shall we go in or are you trying to stop me?”
“You and my sister still share one trait. You are both stubborn at times so follow me but let me make this clear. Me and did are in command, got it?” Twilight gave a salute.
“Yes ma'am.” Rainbow laughed as she lead Twilight inside. Twilight was shown to her quarters. They were simple but that was okay. Lack of port holes was annoying but this was a warship. She ate and slept till the neared Stripped Gear. She was in a war room looking over a map. Both Queen Twilight and Rainbow were there. As well as Crystalia, the three were looking at the map which a drone used her magic to project all allied forces and what they knew of the enemies. It wasn't good. Cadista's hive was surrounded with thousands of drones attacking. But many were failing to the canons of the hive but gains were being made. A small airship identified as a gunship fell from the sky and several canons were clearly wrecked.
“So, what's the plan?” Twilight asked severing to her counterpart since this was Sparkle's home not hers. It was Rainbow who answered.
“First we need to breech their lines and open an avenue of escape if needed.” Using a stick she tapped the map where huge drones were firing magic at the hive. “These artillery lings are our biggest threat.”
“Leave that to me.” Crystalia stated. “Your Celestia is allowing me to use the power of the sun for this since she can't come in pony.”
“Nnnniiiccee.” Rainbow commented. Twilight looked over the map and saw a large gathering of drones.
“I can hit them.” Twilight stated. Rainbow looked at her.
“Your sure? Twi, you were much of a fighter in the past.”
“My Luna insisted I get some training in combat.”
“That does sound like my sister.” Crystalia commented with a slight smirk.
“Okay but stay near Deception.” Rainbow ordered.
“Got it.” Twilight said with a nod.
“Alright, let’s save Cady's hive!” Rainbow cheered, followed by all the drones.
************
Twilight stood on the surface of Deception wearing ear muffs to protect her ears and allowed her to hear radio chatter. A pair of drones stood behind her with guns ready. She remembered seeing similar designs in the books Sunset got her. The technology of this Equestria was above her own. Well technically Phoenix's Roost was a separate government but no doubt trade was happening.
Deception opened up her guns and even with the ear muffs the guns were louder than anything she heard before. These were not party canons. She followed the rounds as they hit enemy positions. Dust clouds appeared in the jungle and the night was brightened when a large pillar of fire came down and a fire started in that section. That has to be Crystalia. To think Celestia has the same kind of power. Twilight started charging her horn. In minutes it was ready and aimed at the largest gathering of drones and fired. A massive beam flew from the horn and the ship shifted a bit from it. The beam hit its target the thousands of drones were simply no more. Panting Twilight glanced at her guards. The had impressed looks. She then saw a group of drones heading their way and fired blasts at the ship. She raised a partial shield and block the bolts. Smaller guns on the ship moved and fired on the drones and they exploded in gore. Twilight felt a little sick at the sight. She saw more flame attacks burning much of the forest and the drones within. Then Twilight saw a swarm of drones heading for the ship. The main and secondary guns shifted to fire on the swarm. Again Twilight raised a shield and blocked the attacks. Opening it when a gun was ready to fire. She kept this up for minutes but was taking a toll. She was sweating and cracks appearing.
( Twilight! Fallback to the inside of the ship!) Rainbow ordered and Twilight slowly backed to the hatch. After it was shut she dropped the shield and panted. She heard the guns roar more and she made her way to the bridge. There a drone projected the forces for Twilight as Rainbow and Sparkle had their eyes closed and seemingly in a trance. Twilight looked over the map. The Deception was surrounded by drones but the ship was firing everything to it rained drones. But they kept coming and the guns couldn't get them all. A massive golden beam went passed the ship taking down that sides enemies. But more drones attacked Crystalia, forcing her into a defensive and Deceptions relief became short lived.
Just as things were looking bleak red blasts hit the drones attacking Deception and from the right side of the ship. Then that side was swarmed by more drones that attacked the force outside.
“That's Kreesus' hive!” The drone projecting the images. Twilight watched as the attack has put the invaders forces in disarray. That allowed the Deception and Crystalia to take the offensive again. Twilight teleported out of the bridge and back outside. Judging by the map there were more enemy forces gathering to the southwest. She charged her horn for a few minutes and unleashed a beam and the sight and a mushroom cloud was now there. Drained Twilight retreated back inside the ship. Once back on the bridge she noticed an oddity on the map. The enemy forces were now fighting each other. Taking advantage of this Deception and her allies pressed their counter attack. With such pressure the enemy couldn't stand and fled the area. I’m ten minutes the fighting had stopped and the clean up began.
*********
Twilight was in Stripped Gear. It was a wondrous place, even with the damage it received. It reminded her a bit of the human world. But soon she was lead to a massive room in the center of the hive. With her was Sparkle, Dash, Crystalia, a red drone, and an orange queen. Clearly this was Queen Cadista, Sparkle's changeling mother. She approached Twilight. “Well, never thought I see Twilight like this. Thank you for coming to my hive's aid. You had no interest in it.”
“I was helping a friend.” Twilight smiled at her and Cadista smiled back.
“I liked to thank all those you came to my hive's aid. Especially you Kreesus. If all the hive’s against me I feared about you and your hive.” The drone with the queen eyes showing it was acting as Kreesus puppet replied.
“Nearly joined them Cadista. I, I worry about the future of my hive. You have found a way to be rid of our greatest weakness. The swarm will change and is my hive to be left to the dust? I tried getting my own love producing daughter. But I have failed. They all stopped producing love within a year. Despite being from the consorts of your daughters Cadista. Silandrus promised me the information on it and I was so tempted to take the offer but if she knew she would have her own by now. They wanted to capture you for that information. Please tell me I have not made a mistake in taking out Silandrus. That my hive has a future.”
“Kreesus, I would have given that information freely. But you always refused to assist in its research. For a price I would still give you the information.”
“But what could be worth such an advantage?”
“Your continued friendship, help in rebuilding my defenses will do.” The drone was shocked.
“Really?”
“Yes, this was done for the good of the swarm. Despite our races name we changelings are quite stagnate. Twilight taught me that well.” Cadista teleported a book to the drone. “Here are my notes on love producing and I bet my daughter’s will be willing to help as well.” Said daughters nodded. Twilight then observed Assists and her fellow changelings work on rebuilding Stripped Gear.
