> A new guiding Star
>  by Amethyst Sparkle
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Invasion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight Sparkle tore through the halls of the Canterlot Castle, with a battered Cadence in tow. They had wasted enough time dealing with those brainwashed bridesmaids, teleporting across Canterlot, and finally climbing up stairs to the highest balcony where the wedding took hold. Seriously what is up with important events being reached only by stairs? Twilight wanted to just teleport right away, if not for Cadence warning her to save her magical energies. She just hoped they’d be there in time. At least until before the ‘I do’s’. That is the most binding part of the wedding, and if they can’t interrupt before that then it was all over. Twilight could hear Cadence panting and sobbing behind her, and it was taking all her will-power not to stop and comfort the distressed bride. The poor mare was supposed to be the star of this day, not some love-sucking impostor. Twilight readied her voice when she finally turned around a hallway and found the doors to the wedding chamber. She risked a glance at Cadence. The pink alicorn locked eyes with her, and nodded. Tear marks stained her fur, but other than her injuries she still looked quite beautiful. The young unicorn nodded back, before firing up her horn in a harsh magenta light. The doors in front of her were suddenly encased with a bright lavender aura, and opened by themselves in a loud manner.

“STOOOOOOPPPP!!!”

Twilight gave herself a smug smile as she basked in everypony’s attention. The majority of the gazes were confused, but a few certain ones were angry glares. She ignored those and stared at her mentor. She couldn’t help but feel a spike of anger from the previous ordeal at the rehearsal, but she steeled herself. Personal problems later, save Equestria first. Again.
The ‘Cadence’ at the altar rolled her eyes. She stomped her hoof as she stared at the interrupting unicorn. “ Why does she have to be so possessive of her brother?!” She complained.
Princess Celestia was taken aback at that remark, so the impostor quickly changed methods. She lifted a hoof and brought to her eyes as she cried crocodile tears.
“ Why does she have to ruin my special day?” She sniffled. Twilight smirked as she sensed a familiar presence behind her.

“ Because, it’s not your special day, it’s mine!”

Everyone gasped as they once again turned their attention to the entrance. A battered Cadence strolled forward with confidence, and frowned at the Cadence at the altar. Twilight turned her ears to where her friends are, somehow hearing their confused comments made her smile be even more smug. She caught Rainbow Dash’s eyes and delivered an obvious message. “ I told you so.” Was all Twilight’s eyes said. A stomp of a gold-clad hoof brought her attention back to the altar. ‘Cadence’ looked downright pissed. “ What?! How did you escape my bridesmaids?!”
Twilight and Cadence shared a knowing look. “ We managed to lure them away with a withered flower bouquet.” The scholar said, accidentally rhyming. ‘Cadence’ smirked. “ Clever. But you’re still too late.” Was her snide remark. Twilight’s ears picked up a familiar snort of confusion, and turned her attention to Applejack. “ Ah don’t understand. How can ‘ere be two of ‘em?”
The real Cadence trotted closer to the altar, glaring at her counterpart. “ She’s a changeling! She takes the form of somepony you love and gains power from feeding off your love for them!”
Twilight heard a frustrated growl from the impostor. She looked just in time to see her eyes glow green, and flames of such color erupted around her, engulfing her body, dress and all.
She also glanced around to see the most horrified faces she ever saw since Nightmare Moon. The unicorn gritted her teeth as she watched the impostor change appearance. She should be ready. She knew a villain when she saw one. As quickly as the flames appeared, they vanished without a trace, leaving a creature far from who it impersonated. A mare as tall as Celestia, black armor-like chitin instead of soft fur, a poison blue/green mane with holes as well as her gossamer wings and limbs. A dark green back-plate protecting her backside, and a strange membrane around her abdomen. Her draconic eyes stared at her counterpart with the intent to kill, but they changed when they landed on Twilight. A soft but cruel smile formed on her fanged muzzle as she inspected the unicorn’s very being. She gazed back at the princess of love.

“ Right you are, princess. And as queen of the changelings, it is up to me to find food for my subjects. Equestria has more love than any place I have ever encountered. My fellow changelings will be able to devour so much of it, that we will gain more power than we have ever dreamed of!”

Cadence didn’t flinch. “ They will never get the chance! Shining Armor’s protection spell will them from ever even reaching us!” The Queen giggled at the statement, confusing the pink alicorn.
“ Oh I doubt that.” Her horn emitted a ghostly glow, and she turned her attention to the groom, who somehow remained in place, blankly staring at nothing. “ Isn’t that right, dear?” She asked the groom. Shining Armor’s eyes shrunk to pinpricks as he nodded slowly, accompanied by a low hum as he agreed. Cadence widened her eyes, before beginning to charge at the Queen.
The changeling blocked her path and smiled. “ Ah Ah Ah!~ Don’t wanna go back to the cave now, do you?” She threatened as her horn glowed once again. Cadence bit her lip and backed away.
Satisfied, the Queen shut off her magic and flew to Shining Armor’s side as she spoke. “ Ever since I took your place, I’ve been feeding off Shining Armor’s love for you. Every moment he grows weaker, and so does his spell. Even now my minions are chipping away at it.” She looked up with a knowing grin. Then she laughed, sending shivers down everypony’s spine as she held Shining Armor’s chin. “ He may not be be my husband, but he is under my total control now!” Cadence gasped, Twilight doing the same as she went closer her former foal-sitter.
The Queen smiled as she harshly let go of the stallion’s face. “ And I’m sorry to say, unable to perform his duties as captain of the royal guard!” The pink alicorn made a terrified expression.
“ Not my Shining Armor!” She protested.
“ Soon, my changeling army will break through. First, we take Canterlot, and then, all of Equestria!” The Queen declared in confidence.

“No.” A firm voice said behind the Queen. The changeling frowned as she looked behind her, and saw a very angry princess of the sun. “ You won’t.” Celestia finished. The changeling merely huffed, Celestia taking her silence as a sign to continue. “ You may have made it impossible for Shining Armor to perform his spell, but now that you so foolishly revealed your true self,”
The white alicorn suddenly charged, meeting the Queen at the altar, locking horns. “ I will protect my subjects, from YOU!” At the last word, Celestia launched herself in the air and lit her horn, preparing a powerful spell. She shot a beam of pure light at her target, who retaliated with a beam of her own. The two beams of white and green magic fought for dominance, the Queen gritting her teeth from the strain. Princess Celestia merely hovered in her position in the air, confident that the power of the sun would vanquish this monster.

The Queen’s hooves began digging in the floor, for the force of Celestia’s power was too much for her to keep out for too long. She was not giving up though, never since she got this far off without a hitch! The Queen felt a spark inside her, that familiar feeling whenever she fed off from that stallion. She smiled as she reached in and used Shining Armor’s love to strengthen her power.
The effect was immediate, for her beam of green magic finally pushed the white beam closer to it’s caster. Princess Celestia widened her eyes at the sudden magical strength, and before she knew it, her own spell was pushed back, exploding in her face and blinding everyone with a bright light. The princess of the sun fell hard against the chamber floor, horn burnt and magic drained.

Twilight gasped and widened her eyes in terror. “ PRINCESS CELESTIA!” She screamed, all hard feelings for her mentor gone to the wind for a bit. Her friends followed her, rushing to their princess’s side and gazing at her downfall with fear. The Queen meanwhile was reeling from her victory. It didn’t take her long to recover with a snide grin. “ Shining Armor’s love for you was more powerful than I thought! Feeding from it has made me stronger than Celestia!” She gloated at Cadence.

Twilight kept her gaze at her mentor though, mind blown and thoughts jumbled. The almighty Princess Celestia, the one who ruled Equestria for many years, the one who imprisoned Nightmare Moon, was defeated by a simple spell cast by a overfed changeling Queen? The unicorn’s ears pricked at the sound of the changeling’s laughter. Something about it was… challenging her. Like it was a sign that says she could either just stay here and cry over spilled milk or do something her mentor would be proud of later on. She of course chose the latter. In a blind rage, Twilight flared her horn and violently turned her head to the Queen’s direction, shooting a beam of arcane magic. It hit her on the side of her body facing Twilight, and she screamed as the pain registered in her brain and flinging her to the distant wall. Everypony gasped at the sudden show of strength from the normally bookish unicorn. Now she was starting to radiate the aura of an entirely different persona. Twilight stood up and silently walked to the queen, who was digging herself out of the rubble. She quickly arose from the dust, and when she locked eyes with the unicorn, she laughed. “ Finally! A real challenger! Do you think you can give me a real fight, little unicorn?”

All she got was a glare and a harsh glow of a charging horn.

The Queen lit her own horn as she fired before Twilight could notice. It woke up something in Twilight that sharpened her senses, causing her to immediately drop to the floor with all her weight.
The beam hit the carpet, burning the fabric as it went up in smoke. The Queen wasted no time in firing another spell, but this time, the instincts that had awoken inside the lavender unicorn was ready. She dodged the spell, which was aiming at her chest by jumping upwards and letting the spell pass through as she flipped in mid-air, before landing as it hit another part of the floor. Twilight lit her horn and shot a beam of her own, hitting the rubble underneath the Queen’s hooves, sending her crashing to the floor. She quickly recovered as she dodged beam of lavender magic, rolling to the side before flaring up her wings to fly away.

By now the magical battle had sent the wedding guests into a panic. They ran as fast as they could out of the chamber, stampeding anyone slow enough to escape. Cadence had to tear herself away from Twilight’s fight and immediately ran to Shining Armor’s side, hugging the stoic stallion before inspecting his eyes. Twilight’s friends however, were busy keeping Celestia safe. Rainbow took her time in watching the egghead battle like a warrior. “ Are we sure that’s our Twilight? Fighting?” She asked sarcastically. Applejack smacked her shoulder. “ Of course it’s Twi! What ya think, cuz she’s a bookworm she doesn’t know how ta fight?” The prismatic pegasus smiled sheepishly. “ Uh, yeah?”

They watched as the Queen charged at the unicorn with her horn, encased in some sort of green shield. Twilight had such a shield on her own horn, and they met in the middle, locking both horns. They didn’t hold their position like Celestia did with the Queen a while ago though. As soon as their horns met, they separated them again and soon, it was obvious they were doing some kind of sword-fight, only using their horns. The Queen would thrust, while Twilight would either block or put up a shield. Somehow their use of magic became seldom as they seemed to resort to their horn-fencing only.

The Queen smiled as they did another horn-lock. “ I must say,” She mumbled as they clashed horns again. “ Your fighting skill is surprising. My scouts told me you were a bookish unicorn. Hard to believe now when you see that unicorn horn-fencing.” Twilight ducked as the Queen slashed sideways. Even with the Queen having the longer and sharper horn, Twilight seemed to know how to maneuver her own non-sharp and short horn to block and fence with her’s. The unicorn gritted her teeth as she made another thrust, which was of course blocked by the experienced changeling. Honestly, Twilight was surprised she even knew what the move was called. It was as if something had awoken deep inside her being, teaching her how to survive the situation. She was still reeling from the shock, but even as much as she hated to admit she loved the thrill that the fight was giving her. “ I hate to break it to you, but I didn’t even know I could horn-fence.” She replied as she blocked a strike from the changeling. The Queen had a genuine look of surprise on her face. But it wasn’t enough to throw her off-guard long enough. She retaliated Twilight’s slash in time before answering. “ Seriously? You have to be kidding. The way you fight make it seem-” She dodged a thrust. “-like you’ve been doing it all your life.” She finished. Twilight growled as the Queen once again slashed under her hooves, which she thankfully jumped to avoid. “ I honestly have no idea-WHOA!-that I can do this sort of thing. Also with being able to,-” She jumped sideways at another downward slash. “, talk while fighting.” The Queen smiled. It was strangely a real smile. A smile of joy. “ All myself invading Canterlot aside, you are a better fighter than Celestia, little Twilight. What do you say, fight to the finish, fight to protect our beliefs?” Twilight thrust again, but of course the changeling dodged once more. The unicorn felt herself smile too though despite the circumstances. “ I agree. There’s no way in Tartarus I’m losing to an enemy of my homeland.” The Queen nodded, smiling as well. “ So am I.” They horn-locked again, but with renewed vigor.
Each one holding to the fact that they are representing their own side. It was quite a motivator, knowing all rests atop your shoulders.

While the two fully made the chamber a battlefield, Cadence was having a different problem. Shining Armor was still stoic as ever, though his straight posture was slowly turning into a pained slouch. The bride-to-be panicked a bit when she saw the lavender shield outside flicker one-to-many times. “ Shining Armor, stay strong! Listen to my voice!” She begged. Her stallion didn’t even blink. The only reaction he ever gave was gritting his teeth whenever the shield flickered. 

Princess Celestia was slowly regaining her consciousness. Pinkie pie noticed and grinned. “ SHE’S AWAKE!” She whisper-screamed. But knowing Pinkie, whisper-screamed means just screamed.
The Queen heard it and began to turn her attention to the knocked out princess, when Twilight widened her eyes and charged at the Queen. The changeling noticed it though and blocked her approach. “ I’m your enemy! I’M YOUR ENEMY!” Twilight yelled, trying to keep the Queen’s attention to herself and herself alone. The Queen knew what she was up to, but honestly Twilight was a better enemy than that sun lameness. She grinned as she slashed once again at the dodging unicorn.

Being safe from the Queen’s attention for a while, Princess Celestia groaned. The mane 5 immediately went to attention as they helped their ruler up. “ Princess Celestia, are you alright?!” Rarity asked. The sun princess got to her hooves and wearily opened her wings. “ W-What happened?” She blinked and suddenly went rigid. “ The changeling queen! Where is-”

She turned her head to the noise she’s been hearing since she woke up, and froze in both shock and amazement.

Twilight and the Queen where flinging spells around, but whenever they got close they would engage in a horn-fencing match. That wasn’t the most surprising thing however. It was how Twilight looked like. While she was just unicorn awhile ago, now she was wreathed in light lavender smoke, and some of the smoke strangely looked like-

“ Are those wings?” Fluttershy asked. She was right. The smoke had formed wings on Twilight’s back, which would flutter whenever she backed away or jumped back. The two engaged fighters didn’t seem to notice though, they were too ‘In the Zone’ to care. But every flutter of the feathery wings, they were becoming more and more solid. The same was true for her horn. It was slightly sharper and longer, wrapped in the same smoke. Princess Celestia had never seen anything like it. The way Twilight fought was also familiar. It was the same way she fought back in the day.
“ How did Twilight get wings?” Rainbow added.

“ Later about the wings, look at Shining Armor!” Pinkie pie yelled. They followed her pointed hoof. At the Altar, the white unicorn was at his knees. He was convulsing in the strain of keeping his shield up, and if the Queen was telling the truth, then he was also dealing with the impact whenever a changeling crashed on the shield outside. Cadence never felt so helpless. She couldn’t do anything. Shining Armor didn’t listen. As finally the inevitable came, the last of the Captain’s strength faded away, and the ground shook as his shield outside broke like a thousand windows.

It was noticeable enough to stop Twilight and the Queen’s fight, the smoke around the unicorn suddenly gone to the wind. The changeling queen smiled. “ Ah, Canterlot will soon be mine!” She yelled triumphantly. Twilight widened her eyes as she looked at the windows. Changelings shot themselves to the ground, surrounded in a green fireball to protect themselves from the impact, causing general panic to the masses. Royal guards are scattered everywhere, without a Captain to lead them, they were just well-trained ponies with no order whatsoever. 

“ It’s starting!” Twilight yelled. The queen snickered. “ An now it ends for you.”

“No!” 

They met again with their horns, Twilight angrier than a while ago. Her horn was sparking, but the Queen ignored it completely. Instead, she focused on her unicorn enemy. Smoke had started to form around Twilight again, thankfully in time when she backed away and needed to block a slash.

Princess Celestia was also busy with a fight of her own. After the changelings had gotten inside the borders of Canterlot, the bulk of the swarm had infiltrated the wedding chamber, and it was up to her and her student’s friends to keep them from helping their Queen battle Twilight. Her horn was still a little numb, but she was finally able to use her earth pony magic for some well-deserved hoof-to-hoof fight. After that incident with replacing her niece, it felt good to feel chitin crack under her gold-clod hooves. Rainbow Dash was having the same amount of fun as the princess. She was smiling madly as she dove in and out the swarm, taking out about 10 changelings each dive. Applejack was another story. Changelings even daring to come near her were immediately bucked away with a single kick. Rarity and Pinkie pie surprisingly held their ground, the party pony shooting party projectiles at every moving object with her trusty party cannon. The fashionista was resorting to physical violence, her magic limited to just basic levitation, and a healthy amount of the insects were taken care of. The fight was going well, but they can’t keep going forever. No matter how many they take down, twice as many comes to replace them.

During another one of their horn-locks, Twilight managed a risky glance at her friends. They were swarmed, to say the least. She growled as she pushed with all her might, throwing the queen off-balance. Twilight used that chance to fire a huge magic bolt at the swarm nearest to her friends. It worked, since half of the assaulting changelings immediately disappeared in a brilliant white flash. Her friends immediately attacked the remaining changelings, and Twilight gave herself a small smile of accomplishment. A smile that turned into a pained grunt as the queen tackled her hard on the side. 

Time seemed to slow down as Twilight felt sharp fangs sink into her neck. She let out a blood-curdling scream.

The battle paused for a moment in time for everyone to see Twilight buckle to the floor as the Queen smiled. “ TWILIGHT!!!!!” Princess Celestia yelled. The unicorn in question stayed a few moments on the floor, the changeling standing triumphantly above her, but then surprised everyone when she flared up her horn and tackled the changeling queen. The Queen managed to block her strike in time with her own horn.
“ I’m FIIIINNNNEE!” Twilight shouted as she pushed the Queen once again.

Cadence could see she was not fine. As the others resumed their battle, she saw Twilight flinch whenever she needed to move her neck, which was the whole time. A strained gasp however, brought her attention to the stallion beside her. Shining Armor’s eyes were brilliant blue once again, and his orbs were flitting about, confused about being in the center of a battle. Though when his eyes rested on his sister, everything suddenly clicked into place. “ Twilight!” He moaned. Cadence placed a wing around her groom, the stallion immediately leaning against the princess.
“ It’s okay Shiny, Twilight will be fine. She will need our help though.” She whispered in his ear. Shining Armor blinked. He put on a determined frown and shakily got up. He locked eyes with Cadence, and the two moved closer by the pull of their hearts. Their horns met, and they closed their eyes. A spark of love was all the pair needed.

Everyone looked in awe as a lavender glow caught their eye. The Queen was the most disturbed being to gaze upon the new development. The two magical users at the altar were hovering in mid-air, in the embrace of a warm magical glow. The changelings knew, one little trigger, and it was all over.

And indeed a trigger set off the trap.

The royal couple suddenly opened their glowing white eyes, and a magical shock-wave came to be. Within seconds, Canterlot was cleansed. Every single changeling was caught unaware from the magical barrier that pushed them out as it encased the capital city. The Queen managed to fight it for a few seconds, which she used for delivering a confusing message.

Confusing for she declared a threat with the same insanely soft, cruel smile.

“ We will meet again, under more pleasant circumstances.” With that she was blasted out the window, and to the wastes of the Badlands. Twilight had little time to even register that as a sharp pain erupted from her neck. It went intense for a few seconds, but when the love spell receded, so did the pain. She cupped her hoof over the bite and immediately recoiled at the sting. Little did she know the bite glowed lavender for a while before dimly glowing green. As the other fighters regained their bearings, Twilight looked around for something to cover her wound. She found a stray blue scarf that instantly flew around her neck at the spark of her magic. It covered the wound pretty nicely, but just enough to stop the oozing green goo. She wiped the substance off her hoof and went to the others. 

“ Is everypony alright?” She asked. She received a couple nods, washing away her worry. But it was quickly replaced by hurt feelings. The event at the rehearsal had scarred the unicorn for life, raising trust issues and wary senses. Her face did no effort in hiding her emotions. Princess Celestia inwardly flinched at the scornful face, but braved the risk of what she was about to do.
“ Are you alright Twilight?” She inquired. The unicorn looked frazzled, considering she had a horn-fencing magic duel with a changeling queen, and her horn was noticeably smoking. Shimmery smoke formed folded wings, but they were fading fast. The sun princess was about to point it out when she noticed the blue scarf around her student’s neck. “ What’s under the scarf, Twilight?”
She asked. The question took everypony’s attention, as it was strange to suddenly wear clothing after a sweaty battle. Twilight didn’t flinch. “ The Queen hit me with a freezing spell. I just felt chilly and grabbed the first thing I could see. Nothing to worry about.” She lied smoothly. She didn’t tell them about the bite, for fear they might do something they’ll regret. Besides, she still needed to study the wound herself. Princess Celestia looked skeptical, but ignored it for now. “ Good. I thought you were hurt, because you were in a fierce fight with the Queen.”
Twilight tilted her head. “ I honestly don’t know why I even knew how to fight in close quarters.” The sun princess smiled. “ I never knew you were the warrior princess type, my student.”
The unicorn, despite herself, blushed. “ I-I…” The alicorn chuckled. “ I’m teasing Twilight. Now what about we make sure the rest of Canterlot is safe before we… move to pressing matters.”
> It starts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Itchy. The wound was absolutely itchy. It was also glowing under the scarf. It was wet too with all the goo. And Twilight had to act as if it didn’t exist. It was torture. She couldn’t even scratch it. And also at the same time she had to work with her friends and family with tension as thick as a Manticore’s hide. They hardly talked to each other, but when they do it was about instructions and orders and nothing else. 

Princess Celestia had to make a speech to calm the nobility just enough to proceed to the real wedding of Cadence and Shining Armor. Positively changeling free they said. Really comforting to know that they’ll believe your warning after the threat. Real comforting. Right now Twilight was doing her best not to moan in relief as she subtly scratched her wound. And attending her brother’s real wedding from the back of the chamber. Apparently Rainbow Dash was a better best mare than her. Sure it could be because she was still hurt, or the fact that she wouldn’t want to be her brother’s best mare now, or she had hid when he was looking for her, but still. No one knew she was actually part of the crowd. It gave her privacy from any eye-contact, but not from her mentor’s.
Princess Celestia would occasionally lock eyes with her student, glances ranging from surprise to sorrowful. It didn’t really matter. Twilight was fine with that. It was better this was anyway.

The wedding was but a blur, the only thing standing out in Twilight’s memory was the best mare’s Sonic Rainboom. After that a party, of course. And of course nopony paid attention to the only pony to even know about the invasion other than the captured bride. It wasn’t like Twilight was expecting a reward of some sort, but she was at least expecting an apology or something. So there she was, standing in a dark corner of the party grounds, music barely reaching her ears. The unicorn was absently scratching her wound through her scarf, which seemed to get worse by the second. The green glow was also starting to show through the dark fabric, so she might have to explain that if the need be. As her thoughts wandered through random things to keep herself from being bored to Tartarus, her eyesight suddenly blurred. It wasn’t like the normal blurring though. Her sight seemed to zoom, backing away then zooming again. Also, her dark corner wasn’t dark anymore. She could see straight and clearly, even see how many trees were there in the dark mountains around them. Night vision. How the hay did she get night vision? It’s this wound. Yeah, no doubt about it. The weak music was no longer weak, the tune loud and proud. The chirps of the crickets were as loud as if they were inside her ears and using the biggest speakers Pinkie pie could cough up on max volume. It was as if her senses suddenly went as high as they could possibly get, making her aware of everything. She was even able to hear Fluttershy’s whispers to the animals across the yard without straining. She blinked. The noise was about to drive her crazy when a proverbial light-bulb appeared above her head.

She inhaled.

The unicorn dug inside herself, trying to imagine that she could tone down her senses according to her needs. It worked a bit, her eyesight slightly turning to normal, as well as her hearing. But the headache stubbornly stuck. It made her want to retch. She lost concentration and her senses went sky-high. She could see every colored fur on Rarity’s cutie mark, the mare inside the castle kitchen. She could hear a familiar old guard snore underneath the castle dungeons. She could smell her the Friendship Express’s metal from the rain that had soaked it from a trip. It was overwhelming to say the least. Her wound grew brighter, and it was oozing more goo than a simple bite could have. She stood shakily, at the same time scratching her scarf wildly. Turns out it wasn’t the best combination. She fell to the ground muzzle first.

Princess Celestia had been using the party as a cover while she was trying to find her student. She had noticed her in the crowd at the wedding, but that’s that. She lost her after the Sonic Rainboom. So here she was, finding the lavender mage in a crowd of snobby nobles. 

She was easy to find.

Twilight was stumbling around, one hoof scratching madly at a green glow on her blue scarf, the three other limbs flailing in a poor attempt to walk. Everyone backed away, with either disgust, confusion, or the case of Noble feelings. Princess Celestia however went straight to her student, her friends following suit from the corner of her eye. 
“ Twilight? Are you alright?” She asked. The unicorn cringed as another hoof flew to her right ear. “ OW! PRINCESS NOT SO LOUD!” She screamed. The sun monarch raised an eyebrow.
“ I’m not loud…” She said confusedly. Twilight gritted her teeth. “ AUGH THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD!!!” By now everyone had their attention to the mad unicorn. Twilight’s friends and family were gathered around her, and watched with mixed emotions as she curled into a ball, a hoof scratching the glow under her scarf. Princess Celestia frowned at the other nobles.
“ Leave us.” With that everypony scrambled away, the entire yard only containing Twilight’s accomplices. 

Shining Armor glanced worriedly at his sister. Ignoring the past for a while, he turned his attention to Celestia. “ Princess, what’s wrong with Twilight?” The white alicorn frowned thoughtfully. 
She watched her student, and more specifically the hoof scratching at a specific spot. She nodded at Cadence, who was looking at the same thing. In a spark of sky-blue magic, Twilight’s scarf flew to the air, exposing an glowing green, oozing bite mark.

They all gasped and backed away.

“ What is that!?” Rarity screamed. Twilight however cringed at her voice, her ears upping the volume. She curled into a tighter ball of lavender fur, hoping the pain would soon reside. But it was not her fate that night. Adding to her strain, there was a strong hungry feeling inside her, and the stomach pains it was giving out was like eating fire. She glanced at her mentor, and they locked eyes. Princess Celestia saw Twilight’s eyes turn into a dragon’s, still amethyst, and saw a familiar message sent by the orbs. It was a look of resignation. Twilight was giving her the fate of her life. The princess gave her a curt nod, and Twilight gave a pained smile before her eyes rolled to the back of her head.

------

Three days after the invasion…

In the changeling’s hive, things were not pretty. Even with them starving and losing at conquering a nation, it shouldn’t have been like this. They’ve had their suspicions, but now that they were deemed right they weren’t sure what to do about it. 

Their Queen was crazy.

That was all they could say without violating a law. But if they could, they’d say she was abusive, power-hungry, selfish, stupid and the worst bitch in the world. Too bad they couldn’t. Right before the invasion, years before that actually, their Queen was known to be an evil one. So were the previous queens of their hive. They somehow got it into their heads that the hive was theirs, just a country’s worth of minions needing of their intelligence. It was true that some of the drones were specifically bred to be dumb brutes, but that doesn’t mean she could generalize that fact with the entire hive. They have researchers, scientists, alchemists, soldiers, captains, farmers, and many more intelligent drones. But the Queens were all the same. They see something they like, they throw the entire hive to get it. They want a job done, they order the hive to do it. They want a country invaded, they throw the drones at it. In fact they didn’t even care if they die. They have a mindset that they could just lay more eggs to have another batch of drones to kill.

They hate their queens.

Even the dumb drones, Underlings they called them, knew enough that their Queen was dumber than them. They were bred not to think, so they rely on their emotional radars and own feelings to do the right things that needed thinking. Even they knew the Queens were powerful beings with overinflated egos. Right now the latest queen was the worst in centuries. This Queen was more of a crazy tyrant than a cruel queen, but really, what’s the difference? They’re both evil, they’re both crazy. They hated her, even if she was the one that gave life to them, but if she isn’t valuing their lives then why value hers? The changelings didn’t really want to invade the pony capital, but as they said and knew, their queen was delusional. She was cruel enough to dangle the promises of more love to feed on in front of their heads to keep them going, but what was really cruel was sending the entire hive against a city where the population’s bulk where magic users. Also, sending them to the previously said city where the rulers of the entire country are. And not caring if the nymphs die. Not caring if her children die. ‘Oh, I can always lay more eggs’ was her reason when a daring praetorian questioned her methods. Said praetorian was now a prisoner in a cocoon in the hive dungeons for attacking the queen out of the behavior known as ‘pissed off’. They knew it was her nature, but the final straw was how she treated them after their invasion failed.

She blamed them.

That certainly is the most painful blow the oldest changeling has ever remembered to be hit. Blaming the subjects who followed her orders without question when said orders fail? Talk about a back-stab. It was partly their fault however. For hoping she was better than the past queens. They believed that she would succeed because she had a proper plan. They should have known the one thing that will never change in changeling Queens would bring her downfall: overconfidence. Oh, and the previously mentioned overinflated ego. Now they had to suffer hunger, injury, and the wrathful snaps of a pissed off Queen.

Great. Expect more to be added on the list known as ‘The Hive’s current causes of suffering.’
That should hopefully guide the next queen. But if the next queen is this queen’s daughter then their efforts are for naught. She’d just be an upgraded clone of this queen. 

At the moment however, the cooks and the foragers were scrambling around, trying to cope with the Queen’s ‘requests’, if you can call them that. More like demands. She was ordering for all the love left in the reservoirs to be immediately brought to her in a silver platter. Which was a stupid move. If she did that, then the eggs in the nursery would shrivel to nothingness. Another loss for their hive if it happens. And it looks like it would.

“ Where is the love!?” The queen yelled. Everyling near her flinched. No matter how stupid she is, she was still their queen. A feeble farmer drone sheepishly went up to her, cringing when her draconic eyes landed on him. “ Well?!” The drone gulped. “ Uh… there’s barely enough love in there… we need those for… for…” He couldn’t finish his sentence. His queen was glaring at him, not liking where his statement was going. He backed away. “ I’ll tell t-the cooks t-to get on with it. O-on a fire-ruby found by the miners of course. Y-Your favorite…” The queen smiled. 
“ What a good little minion. Now go on, your queen awaits your return.” The poor farmer ran as if his tail was on fire. He turned to a hallway and was gone. The Queen was about to go to her quarters, since she did her demanding at the main chamber, when she heard a hoof stomp loudly at the ground behind her. Cocking an eyebrow, she glanced behind her.

A changeling in blue armor was shooting her daggers by the intensity of his stare.

“ I can’t take this anymore. You are a BITCH!”

Everyone gasped. They were shocked, but they were secretly thankful someling else exploded for them. They’ve been wanting that statement to leave their mouths for years, but the initial fear was getting in the way. They expected a miner or a changeling breed based on strength to step up, but they never anticipated a praetorian to snap. They were known to be loyal to the queen, after all. The Queen merely glare at him. “ What did you say…?” The changeling snarled as he took a closer step forward. “ I can’t take your demands anymore. I may not be the one you ordered to do it, but I can feel their reluctance in the hive-mind. You should too!” The Queen chuckled at the ‘funny’ statement. “ Are they important enough to deserve my attention?”
The changeling widened his eyes in shock. He can’t believe his queen, his mother, was this dense and uncaring. “ Of course they are! We are! WERE YOUR CHILDREN FOR FAUST’S SAKE!”
The queen smiled, frustrating the praetorian further. “ I do not know what you mean. In my eyes, you are a rebellious, pathetic drone that needs to be in the dungeon.”
“ I can’t even reply to that stupid sentence. All I want to remind your stupid mind is that love you’re ‘requesting’ is needed for the eggs to hatch! They’ll DIE if you consume that love!”
The changeling queen smirked. “ Then let them die. I’d rather lose a few than have more mouths to feed.” She twirled and slapped the praetorian’s face with her tail as she calmly walked down the hall. She called a few more loyal guards to capture the rebellious changeling, who screamed in anger and tried to attack. The called guards arrived in time to restrain him however.
“ We thank you for sounding our frustrations, but please, go to the dungeons with us. We don’t want another innocent to die unjustly.” The lead guard whispered in his ear. The praetorian frowned. The lead guard sighed. “ Just follow us Infiltrator 324. Just. Follow.” 324 finally relented. He spat on the cavernous floor as he followed the guardlings to the dungeons. It was a long trip, but when they arrived they just put 324 in the nearest cell. The rebel changeling gave the lead guard a poker face. “ Really Soldier 215? No horn blocker? No salve-cuff?” Soldier 215 sighed heavily.
“ I can’t do that, even if I wanted to. You’re an infiltrator, meaning your shape-shifting magic is more natural to you, enough to just turn into a bird and escape both the horn-block and the salve. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll just escape, so is security really worth the trouble?” 
324 smiled, despite the previous ordeal. “ Thank you, 215.” The lead guard rolled her eyes. “ Sure, big bro. Sure.” She nodded to her team as they went back to their positions, finally leaving 324 alone to his thoughts. Sure, he’ll escape. But now he needed to collect himself. 324 inhaled, and closed his eyes as he exhaled.

He immersed himself in the hive mind.

It was a wonderful experience. To hear a thousand voices, all singing a beautiful song. Or at least their dreams and hopes were nice to hear. Right now the hive-mind was singing something you’d  be able to dig up in a funeral. He ignored it and just enjoyed the feeling of so many other presences in the hive-mind. It was like the entire hive was right beside him, and it was a nice reminder that he wasn’t alone. They were all in this together. His face contorted into a smile as he felt his clutch-mates, a few drones, including 215. She was the last to hatch, so she was considered the little sister by his other older clutch-mates. Even when she was the leader of the changeling guard. They loved it when she pouts whenever they teased her. He chuckled under his breath.
He continued swimming around deeper in the hive-mind, aimlessly of course. He just wanted to make sure everyone was still ‘heard’. It would be tragic if someling became ’mute’ at this time.
They already had enough losses to cope with.

< hello? Somepony help me! I can’t handle the hunger and nightmares anymore!>

He froze. What’s this? A new voice? Who’s is it? There was no chance this was a nymph. They only learn about the hive-mind at the age 7, and right now their nymphs are all well above that.
It wasn’t just a drone’s voice either. This one easily caught his attention, which only a queen could do, but this one, albeit faint, was not a queen’s. He went closer, being both drawn and curious about it. He found it wasn’t entirely a changeling’s voice too.

< Hey! I f-feel you’re there! Who are you? Princess Luna is that you?!>

Now why in the world would she, it was a female’s voice, call an Equestrian Alicorn? And the voice was familiar too. He was sure he heard it somewhere. He went closer to the voice, and found himself sucked in a dreamscape. A rather empty, lonely, and black dreamscape. Wait, no. Not a dream. A coma, perhaps? 324 strolled around, trying to find the owner of this mindscape.
He found her easily enough, but he wasn’t prepared for the reveal. A lavender unicorn, with a navy blue mane and pink and purple streaks going through it.

Twilight Sparkle.

Why was she in the hive-mind!? How was he in her mindscape!? He froze in place as Twilight’s amethyst eyes landed on him. She blinked. “ It’s you. You’re the other presence I sensed?”
324 tilted his head. She didn’t blast him? Twilight trotted nearer to him, and he involuntarily backed away. She sensed his uneasiness and confusion, so she heaved a big sigh. 
“ Are you okay?” The changeling asked before he can stop himself. Twilight’s ears flattened against her skull in frustration. “ No. I’ve been trapped in a coma for three days. Princess Luna visits, but it’s getting really lonely and irritating to not be able to move. I can’t even change this landscape.” 324 wasn’t sure what to make of that. A question popped out in his head.
“ Why aren’t you angry at me? I’m a changeling.” Twilight surprised him with a smirk. “ I don’t generalize changelings just because their queen did something bad to me. I’m not like those xenophobic nobles.” 324 sighed in relief. He also considered the same thing about ponies. He offered a hoof. “ Me too. Hi, I’m infiltrator 324. Nice to meet you.” Twilight grinned.
“ Hello as well. I’m Twilight Sparkle. Nice meeting you too, 324.” She took his hoof and shook it two times before letting go. Twilight immediately asked a question. “ So 324, mind telling me why and how you’re here?” The changeling buzzed his wings in thought. “ I was meaning to ask you the same thing. I’m actually in prison right now.” Twilight frowned. “ I’m in a hospital bed right now, being wept over by my blockhead of a brother. But if you don’t mind, why are you in prison?”

“ Well, our Queen made a stupid request and I questioned her methods. Got thrown to jail for ‘disrespect’.”

“ Stupid request?”

“ She wanted to consume the last of the love we have in our reservoirs, which was imperative to her unhatched eggs. But she didn’t care. Right now the eggs are probably dead and our bitch of a queen is love-fed.”

“S-sorry. I d-didn’t know you needed the love-”

“ It’s okay. We didn’t approach properly either. Anyway, you said blockhead of a brother?”

“ Shining Armor. You guys are not the only ones with hard feelings about him.”

“ May I inquire why?”

“ Well, remember I was the one who saw through your queen’s act? Well, I warned them about it. They didn’t believe me, thinking I was jealous because my brother was getting married and I wasn’t.”

“Ouch.”

“Yeah, and that’s not all. Not only did they reject me without a second chance, my brother also told me to forget about being his best mare and attending the wedding. My own mentor and friends also told me I have a ‘lot to think about’. Then I suddenly find out I was right and had to play hero once again. As you know, when Princess Celestia was defeated I took on your Queen one-on-one, sort of won, then they don’t even apologize afterwards and just went on the real wedding preparations. And I helped, again! Shining Armor didn’t even say sorry and even replaced me with one of my best friends. After the wedding they forgot all about me, and they partied the night away. They didn’t even say a word about the invasion or how we would all be mindless slaves if I didn’t rescue the real Cadence.”

324 huffed. “ And Shining Armor, the one our Queen fed on, didn’t even say or did an apology? And you say us changelings are heartless.” Twilight rolled her eyes. “ I didn’t say that, but yeah. Blockheads.” The two stared into space as they thought more about their problems. 324 realized something that seemed important. He stomped his hoof to get the unicorn’s wandering attention.
“ How come we’re so comfortable around each other?” He asked warily. Twilight nodded. She was thinking about the same thing as well. “ Yeah, like we’re long lost friends or-”
“-family.” 324 finished. It was kinda weird and suspicious. I mean, two enemies speaking like friends on a blue day? 324 wasn’t sure what to think, but hay, he wasn’t complaining. He shook his head. “ Either way, I’m glad we had this talk Twilight. Nice meeting non-judgemental pony. I’ll come back, since I will be also researching about how we came to meet. Can you keep a secret?”

“ Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

A faint yell of ‘forever!’ reached both their ears. 324 shrugged it off as a hallucination. “ Okay, then I’ll secret this too. See you again Twilight.” The changeling turned to leave, but not before Twilight hugged him. It was quick, but full of friendly love that suddenly made him full. “ Bye, my friend. Your company was greatly appreciated.” She smiled. 324 returned the gesture. “ See you later Twilight.” The unicorn nodded him goodbye, and he exited the mindscape. He gasped involuntarily as he was back in the hive-mind again, Twilight’s voice still but a faint whisper. He opened his eyes and squinted from the light. Did that conversation really happened? 

It did.

He can still hear Twilight’s voice at the very back of his head. Twilight. Official or not, she was his first pony friend. And he did promise her a visit. 324 stood up in his cell, and smiled. Finally a reason to leave this hell hole.


------

Canterlot Medical Wing…

Shining Armor paced in front of Twilight’s room. It wasn’t visitation hour yet, but he wanted to be the first to get in. He had been feeling miserable ever since after the Invasion. He had planned to apologize right after the heat of the situations, but what did he do? He replaced his sister with one of her friends as best mare, he partied the night away without a thought about her, and now he only remembered her after she passed out in the middle of their party. Passed out by an infected changeling wound they said. They didn’t know how to fix her they said. It was a lost cause they said.

She wouldn’t survive, they said.

Shining Armor wouldn’t give a flying feather about what they said. He stopped pacing and peeked in her room window. His heart clenched. Twilight looked terrible. Her fur had been replaced by black, armor like chitin with a purple tint. Her mane stayed the same, her cutie mark still emblazoned on her flanks. Holes riddled her limbs, lavender gossamer wings on her back. Her horn crooked, fangs under her lips. A purple back-plate protected her withers. A light lavender membrane encasing her abdomen. She was a changeling. She turned into one right after she passed out. She was bitten by the Queen when they fought. And she fought her because of him.

Shining Armor felt like a blockhead.

Why did this had to happen to his sister, his saviour, his friend?! She warned them, they didn’t listen, the threat happened, she fought the Queen to give them time, he forgot about her, she passed out, turned into a changeling, and became bed-ridden. And he didn’t even apologize. He deserved to be in Tartarus for all the hurt he gave his little sister. He should have listened. But he trusted a mare that he had only met for a few years than a sister he had been with his whole life. Life is strange. And cruel. Definitely cruel.

“ Excuse me are you Shining Armor?”

Shining turned his head to the voice behind him. A light black teenage unicorn stallion with a green flame cutie mark was trotting towards him. His mane was spiky green, and his eyes were brilliant emerald. “ Yes, I am. Who are you?” The Captain asked. The stallion smiled. “ I’m a friend of Twilight Sparkle. Name’s Spark Light. I heard she was hurt, so I came as fast as I can.” The smile turned into a frown as he realized Shining Armor was outside the room. “ Not visitation hour yet huh?” The white unicorn nodded grimly. Spark Light glanced at the window and gave a startled yelp. Shining Armor raised an eyebrow. As he watched, Spark Light gazed at his sister with calculating eyes. He seemed to know what was going on. “ So… You’re Twily’s friend?” Shining asked Spark. The younger unicorn nodded absently. “ Met her some time ago… it was quite the meeting.” Shining frowned at that. “ I never heard of Twilight having a stallion friend.”
Spark Light snickered. But he never took his eyes off Twilight. “ Yeah, probably afraid you guys might interpret our meetings as a date.” He jested. Shining Armor smirked. “ As long as it isn’t, then I’m fine to know another stallion is out there to protect my little sister.” Spark Light met him with his emerald eyes. “ Course I’ll protect Twily over here. She also happened to be my first friend.”

Dong dong dong dong, ding ding ding ding
 
Spark Light smiled. “ Visitation hour’s up. Would you mind if I go first? I really just passed by for a quick hello.” Shining Armor nodded. “ Sure, go ahead.” Shining Armor lit his horn and opened the door for the young unicorn to trot through. He closed the door behind Spark, and watched things unfold through the window.

324 let out a sigh of relief. Years of infiltration missions certainly paid off. He actually managed to fool Twilight’s brother. That was easy. But back to the subject at hoof. He glanced at his target.
So that’s why Twilight was able to speak in the hive-mind. She turned into a changeling. 324 inwardly growled. His Queen was now and most certainly one hundred percent stupid. They knew biting to infect was taboo since their kind emerged. In fact that’s why they only bite to paralyse! How did the bite get infused with enough love to be completed anyway? He was sure the bite was intended to paralyse, but here they are. A new drone in their ranks. He looked again at the new changeling, with her signature blue mane and-

Wait. Mane?

He widened his eyes. He looked Twilight through again. Mane, taller stature, a small crown-like membrane right behind the crooked horn. A Queen. No… too young… perhaps a princess? 324 didn’t care. All sorts of possibilities began popping up in his head. They had a new queen, a better queen, all ready to overthrow the current queen. There was no doubt Twilight would be better than his Queen. She was born an Equestrian, and despite what their queen thinks, ponies are more understanding and caring enough to deal with changelings. Twilight herself said that she wasn’t xenophobic. She was Princess Celestia’s student, Element of Harmony, saviour of Equestria. She had more than enough evidence to prove herself worthy to speak if the need be. He can show her the ways of the hive, hope that she wouldn’t be like the former queens, and finally have a happy, safe home for the future generations to live in. He wondered if Twilight’s eggs would be different. Her nymphs would take on her characteristics, that will sure to make them a whole new batch of lings. He smiled. That was it. Twilight was the future of his hive. And he’s gonna make sure nothing will harm his new queen.

324 raised a hoof and held one of Twilight’s and squeezed it. “ Don’t worry Twilight. I’ll help you cope with this new change. You’re my first pony friend, and I’m your first changeling one, so I’m gonna guide you with my best. Just hang in there.” 324 whispered in her ear. He smiled when he saw Twilight’s muzzle contort into a small grin. He glanced at her horn. He nodded to himself.
“ You fed me my first freely given friendly love, and I’m going to return the favor.” 324 mustered half of Twilight’s love in his system, and gently pushed it out of his horn. It came out as a soft emerald glow, and Twilight’s horn lit up lavender as she absorbed her first love feeding. The glows eventually faded, and a comfortable smile was on Twilight’s face. 324 reciprocated the gesture and whispered. “ See you in the hive mind, my Queen.”

------

Spark Light left in a hurry, true to his word. But he left quickly enough before Shining Armor could question him about that horn glowing episode. He already did have suspicions about the young unicorn, and it only grew after he watched him hold his sister’s hoof and whispering in her ear. Twilight seemed to be listening in a way as well, since her horn reacted with his and she smiled in her sleep. But now that the stallion was gone, Shining Armor ignored him for a second as he went inside his sister’s room. His heart did a circus act when the instant he came in, Twilight’s smile instantly turned into an emotionless mouth. “ I… Good morning Twilight… It’s me, Shiny.” He stuttered. He sat beside her bed and held her hoof in his. 

“ Look, little sis, I-I’m sorry…I…”

He gritted his teeth in frustration. Why does apologizing takes too long and is harder to do than 700 push-ups?! He smacked his head on the mattress, despite the impact Twilight didn’t react.
“ I’m sorry I was acting so stupid!” He cried under the sheets. He lifted his head, tears threatening to appear. “ I should have listened, I s-should have at least interrogated that ‘Cadence!’. Then none of this could have happened! You being a changeling could never have happened!!!” Tears were falling from his eyes, rolling across his fur. His dull blue eyes screamed regret.
“ I… I’m sorry.” He whispered.

He did not know how long he stared at her face, nor cared.

Even when the door opened and and a blue alicorn strolled inside. “ Shining Armor.” Princess Luna said. The stallion merely huffed in acknowledgement. “ Princess Luna. What brings you here?”
The blue alicorn strolled and sat on the other side of the bed. She gave a sad smile. “ I believe I have news for you. I have been visiting Twilight’s mind for a while, she said she’s doing fine.”
Shining Armor’s ears perked up at that. “ Really? Did she know she’s… a changeling?” Luna nodded. “ She has no problem being a changeling. She said she’s not like um… certain xenophobic ponies she could name. A simple species change won’t change her personality.” The Captain sighed. He furrowed his brow. “ Did she mention anything-”

“ She steered away from family talk the best she could. She only allows me to speak for her because I wasn’t there at the… rehearsal.”

“ Oh.” Shining Armor sunk. He figured as much. He glanced at Twilight once again. “ When will she wake up?” At that, Luna seemed to shrink. “ I’m not certain. She could be in a coma for months if we can’t help it.” Shining Armor growled. He stomped his hind leg hard on the tiles. “ Well we can’t just stand here! We have to find something to help Twily! A counter-spell! A stronger spell!”
Luna shared Shining Armor’s feelings, since Twilight was her first friend since Nightmare Moon, but she reigned her emotions in. They’d be useless to Twilight if they were emotionally wrecked.
“ Becalm thyself, Shining Armor. We will find a way to help Twilight Sparkle.” She looked at the slumbering changeling.

“ If there is a way to find.”
--------

215 was doing her normal patrolling session. The hive was still as miserable as ever, starving and suffering from an overly demanding Queen. She could still hear the latest request in the hive-mind, and it was the most lewd and disturbing of all time.

< I demand that 5 of the most buff of all the remaining drones from the conquered hive go to my chambers at once and prepare for a night of a lifetime! > Was she said. 

At least she had the decency not to be blunt, for the nymph’s sake. 215 sighed. The hive was in the worst shape she’s seen it in all her life as a Soldier drone. Sure they had a few rough times but this was the harshest one. 215 glanced around. Why was she patrolling anyway? Their hive would be left alone by the other hives, because they were sure already under Celestia’s proverbial magnifying glass. They revealed themselves to the world, and now they were going to pay for it. Either by actual fault or by default. Ugh, she really needed someling to talk to.
215 briefly scanned the hive-mind to see if any of her clutch-mates were near. The only ling close enough her post was 324. Oddly still in his prison. That was enough motivation for one changeling to check out. Knowing 324, he should have already broke out. She lit her horn and spared what little of her magic she had left and teleported to 324’s cell.

She blinked.

The infiltrator had been waiting for her. He smirked. “ Hello 215.” The mare in question gawked at his expressions. He was chipper, to say the least. Like he had an exciting announcement.
---------

Twilight groaned. Thanks to 324, she knew what had happened the past days. No wonder her body, despite being a changeling now, felt stiff. With or without chitin. She tried to open her eyes, but blinding light caused her to close them shut. Why must hospital lights be that intense? It may serve as a wake-up call but seriously, it just adds with the headache. She instead sat up, her smooth armor like exoskeleton cracking from the long desired movement. She gave a moan, loving the feel of actually moving again. Raising a hoof to block the light, Twilight finally opened her eyes. She blinked.

Nopony was there.

Nopony. 

But there was a familiar looking, really annoyingly smug changeling. Twilight yawned and squinted, mind half asleep. “ 3…2…4?” She slurred, throat too dry for her comfort. 324’s horn lit up. His backplate opened, much to Twilight’s interest, and a bottle with green pink glowing liquid sloshing around inside it floated in his magic. His backplate closed, and the bottle went to Twilight’s mouth. Before she could even register any of the recent movements, as soon as a drop of the liquid touched her tongue, her mind jolted awake, as if she’d been injected with adrenaline.
324 smiled softly at Twilight’s reaction, letting her drink the bottle dry before putting it away. Twilight shivered and shook her head vigorously. Her eyes finally focused and her mind finally ran it’s normal hundred miles a millisecond. “ Woah… What in Celestia’s name was that?” She asked. 324 sat down, looking all smug again. “ Liquid love. Harvested myself.” Twilight’s eyes widened.
“ But, aren’t you in need of that love more than me?” The lavender queen said, worried. 324 chuckled. Worried for her subjects. That was the first of the many characteristics that the infiltrator was sure his siblings will like. Given 215’s reaction, he was sure as the sun rising from the east. “ Yes, but you’re a changeling queen. Queen first, subjects later.” Twilight frowned at the word subjects, but didn’t say anything. “ Okay… I’ll let this one slide. Why are you here? Not that I mind.” She added quickly. 324 stood up and bowed, making Twilight tilt her head in confusion.
“ I felt you stir in the hive mind, and your presence was getting stronger. I came here as fast as I could so I could teach you how to disconnect from it.” Twilight frowned. “ Disconnect?”
324 nodded. “ We cannot allow Chrysalis to know there is a potential enemy queen before you are ready. I could do the disconnecting for you, but it is better I teach.”
The former unicorn bit her lip. She looked at 324 in the eyes, and to the closed windows. They were safe for now it seemed. She met his eyes again. “ I have a ton of questions, but I believe you enough to know this is important.” 324 sensed there was more coming and kept quiet. Twilight sighed heavily. “ I’m still reeling from the info overload, so teaching is not an option. You have my permission to do the disconnecting thing for me.” 324 blinked. Equestrians were this trusting? “ Are you sure?” Twilight gave a small smile. “ Hey, I turned into a changeling. If a changeling friend wants to help, then I should trust them, for they know better.” 324 mulled the logic over, then grinned. He was already liking this queen. He came up to her beside the bed and locked horns with her. “ Then get ready.” He lit his horn and concentrated.

After a few seconds Twilight flinched like a crab bit her muzzle. 324 pulled away to give her space. Twilight, to her credit just gave a shuddering inhale. “ W-Why do I feel so… alone?”
324 grinned sheepishly. “ Yeah, the hive mind is not just for communication. It’s like a reminder you have friends. You can feel they’re there, even when you are so far apart. A queen is like the central hub, everypony is connected to her. That’s why I had to disconnect you, so she doesn’t know. But you have something that makes you different Twilight.”
Twilight stopped shivering and raised an eyebrow. “ What?” 324 smiled widely. “ You’re a queen too! If you want, somepony could connect their minds to you, and you can start your own hive mind from there!” That kicked Twilight’s inner scholar. She glanced at 324. “ Can you teach me?” 324 nodded vigorously. “ It’s fairly easy. You focus on that person and try to reach his mind. Once you hear his voice, he’s part of your hive mind.” 324 watched as the former unicorn sat up the bed. Twilight straightened herself, then to 324’s surprise, locked eyes with him. There was a faint voice in the back of his mind, and he could feel his grip on Chrysalis slip. He willingly submitted, and suddenly found Twilight’s voice stronger, and his mind felt more… organized. 
< Your hive mind feels… right.> He said.
Twilight jumped a bit in her bed, then chuckled, embarrassed. She grinned brightly. “ So that’s how it works.” 324 tilted his head. “ Why me?” He asked. Twilight was about to answer, when she decided to try this new ability of hers. 
< You’re my first friend 324. First changeling one. From what you said I was surprised you actually answered my call.>
324 laughed. 
< Oh, I hate my queen. Now that I’m part of yours, you’re officially my new one.>
Twilight blinked. She hugged herself. “ Wow. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this…” 324 frowned. “ What?” Twilight gulped. She played with her hooves nervously.
< I knew when I turned into a changeling that I was going to have some new responsibilities. I don’t mind being queen, but it’s all so… sudden. Suddenly having subjects depending on you. Hang on your every word and the like. It’s terrifying and exciting at the same time.>
324 hesitated, but chose to put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder anyway. It seemed to work. 
< Yeah, I felt the same thing when I became infiltrator. But remember Twilight, that me, my clutch-mates, and all those lings who hate Chrysalis will join you someday and we won’t be just expecting you to know everything at once. We’ll help you get through this of course. Just do your part. And we’ll do ours.>
324 knew he said the right things when Twilight smiled and glanced at him. “ Are you sure you’re a changeling?” She jested. 324 smiled as well. “ Hey, changelings change. It’s what we do best.”
> New Hive
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight and 324 had spent the entire night discussing changeling related facts. When the hospital started to open though, 324 had to go back to the hive and with Twilight’s consent to try and, his words were ‘save his siblings from their bitch of a mother’, so Twilight can start her hive mind and start helping the poor lings. She planned on telling her friends and family later on about it, but not today. She still had to adjust in her new responsibilities herself before the others after all. So now, she waited for the visiting hour, and from what 324 had reported to her, Shining Armor the blockhead of the century.

Sure enough, at the first chime of the clock, a white unicorn opened the door and went inside. Well, tried to get inside. He had frozen up, after seeing Twilight sitting up and awake in the bed she had been sleeping for days in. “ T-Twily?” He stuttered. Twilight crossed her holey forelegs and frowned. “ Shining Armor.” She said in an uneasy monotone. The new queen found herself crushed despite her chitin in the Captain’s embrace. “ I knew you’ll wake up! They were wrong! WRONG!” He sobbed. Twilight rolled her eyes and pushed her brother away, confusing the unicorn.
“ Of course I’ll wake up. You thought turning into a changeling will kill me? Talk about family support.” She asked with a smirk. Shining Armor was slack-jawed. Then his sorrow made way for protective anger.
“ Well, I’m not the one who didn’t trust her family and friends enough to tell them about a changeling queen’s bite!” Twilight widened her eyes, then she snarled, showing her new fangs.
“ You’re one to talk about trust! Who was it who didn’t believe me at the rehearsal huh? A sister he’s had for life he easily pushes away for a mare he’s known for only a couple of Celestia damned years!”
“ You were making no sense at that time! No evidence even!”
“ Yeah because I was panicking to death for your life! And even without the evidence you should have at least checked that Cadence!”
“ I was under a changeling spell!”
“ It was basic mind control Shining! I can do that in my sleep! I know how it works! You aren’t completely taken over! She just controls you subconsciously, giving you thoughts and making you think they’re your own! Foal’s play! You didn’t believe me and didn’t check that Cadence in your own bucking free will!”
“ So now you’re siding changelings huh?!”
“ Where did that come from?!”
“ I don’t know! Twilight won’t act like this! She’d sympathize with me, even beg to turn her back to normal! The past moments you never even complained about your new body! I bet the changelings mind controlled you too!”
“ You’re being ridiculous Shining! I’m not complaining because I’m the type of pony who takes challenges and turns then into advantages! I’m not like somepony I know so very well who avoids problems and solving them in just one Celestia damned way!”
“ So you like being a changeling? Who’s mind controlled now huh?”
“ Where on Equestria are you getting these thoughts!?”
“ Twily hates changelings! She would be discussing cure with me right now!”
“ What is it with you and changelings?! Did the other nations ever generalize all of Equestria as evil for one pony caused theft? NO!”
“ They are mindless insects! They suck love and replace your loved ones!”
“ That’s how they live! I don’t judge ponies just because they’re different!”
“ I’m not having this conversation with a monster like you!”

Silence reigned supreme. Twilight sat in her bed, shocked at what just came flying out of Shining Armor’s mouth. The poor stallion immediately gasped and stabbed a hoof in his mouth, but all for naught. Tears welled in Twilight’s eyes, some cascading down her cheek. Her fangs even retracted as she gave a sharp inhale. She slowly sank in the sheets and looked away from Shining Armor.
He gritted his teeth. “ Twily I’m-”

“ Get out.”

He gulped. He felt so stupid. He hadn’t realized he’d been thinking about Chrysalis as he argued with Twilight that it made him think she was Chrysalis. Fatal, blockhead of a mistake. He tried to touch her with a hoof, but he couldn’t even move. He dejectedly sighed, and without a word walked out of the room.

-------

“ Ah don’t know how ta say this, but yer stupid.” The bluntness of Applejack’s honest words hurt Shining Armor’s already deep scar. He had the decency to look sheepish. Rainbow Dash, who was hovering beside the farmpony, nodded. “ Yeah, I mean, getting angry at Twi because she’s a ling and thinking she’s that Queen bug is uncool.” A pink mare, who had been bouncing when told that Twilight had awoken, now glared at the Captain in a really creepy way. “ You hurt her feelings!” She pointedly accused. The fashionista behind her flicked her mane. “ A lady doesn’t judge others, darling. But I think I can make an exception. What you did was wrong. Twilight just recently woke up from turning into a changeling and all you did was fight with her the first few minutes? Very opposite from what a big brother would do.” Rarity said with a disapproving huff.

Everypony looked at Fluttershy.

She was silently glaring at the stallion as well, her gaze almost like when she used the Stare. “ Come on girls, I think we wasted enough time talking to Captain Shining Armor. Our Twilight needs us, not him.” Came her soft voice. Shining Armor grimaced as they nodded at each other, before passing by him like he was never there. He sighed heavily. Twilight’s friends acting hostile against him was just another confirmation that he messed up big-time.

--------

215 flitted around the hive, hope coursing through her veins from what 324 had said to her. The idea of a new, caring, loving queen was absurd at first. But when 324 explained, and how she found out he wasn’t in their hive mind anymore, she was energized, to say the least. The reason why 324 told her was because she knew a lot of changelings that hated Chrysalis’ guts, and because he trusted her. Now she had a new, much more lovable job: giving the Underlings hope. The plan was simple. Rally the lower lings first, then move to the higher ranks.

She went to the most lowest of lowest levels in their hive.

It was depressing. 

No sunlight can get in, no torchlight either. They all had to thrive in absolute darkness, relying in the hive-mind, their night-vision, and body-radar to move around. 215 sighed. She wondered what the new queen will do if she sees this. A drone can dream. She went to the center of the rather large chamber, then cleared her throat. “ Drones, to me!” Hundreds of scuttling sounds echoed through the dark cavern and to her sharp ears. Glowing blue eyes met her own, and 215 slightly felt self-conscious as hate for anyling close to the queen’s rank filled her mind. The underlings were sensing her position in the hive, and they didn’t like it one bit.

“ Hey, calm down. I actually have good news. Surprisingly.” Her own still shocked and unbelieving voice at the news she was about to give intrigued the underlings, calming them down enough for 215 to continue speaking in peace.

“ Good news?” A drone- 18, asked with suspicion laced in his voice.

215 looked at 18, since he was the one to speak meaning he had the most intelligence in the underling group, and gave a slight smile. “ You hate the Queen, right?” She asked. The underlings recoiled, looking around in a panic, expecting a mad queen or the Guard drones rushing in and start tearing them apart for “treason”. 18 looked at her, eyes wide in both surprise and fear, ears held back. “ Queen doesn’t like that. We might die.” 

215 flinched at that harsh reality. It was true however. The Queen did off some drones who dared talk balk or even just ask a sensible question at the wrong time.

“ Well, there’s a new queen, princess actually but nevertheless a queen to be, around that isn’t like her Highness Queen Chrysalis.” She said in the quietest voice she could muster that only 18 should be able to hear it. But despite that, all underlings were suddenly a barrage of conflicting emotions. Surprise, Shock, Disbelief, Curiosity, Anger, Happiness. Poor 18, being the representative of the entire group, had all that conveyed on his face 215 was sure it hurt at least a bit to have a smile and a frown at the same time.

“ New Queen? But princess mean the about to be New Queen is old Queen’s nymph. That makes no difference.” 18 protested. He was right. It was common knowledge that as the Queen’s lineage continued it was just an upgraded version of the very first Queen they had albeit in a different name. Though there were a few good lings to rule, it never lasted. 324 strongly said though that this newest Queen would fight that undesired tradition.

“ Yes that’s true but this new Queen is of pony origin.” 215 amended. Immediately another set of conflicting emotions ran through 18’s face given to him by the underling group.

“ But infect bite is bad!” 18 tried again. He really wanted to believe that what this Guardling said was true, but he didn’t want to get his hopes up only for it to be crushed. This sentiment was shared by the entire Underling community.

215 sighed. “ I know. But this is the Queen we’re talking about. They made the rules, they can break ‘em.” The Guardling fell silent as the underlings thought over it, still not fully on board. She needed proof to back her claim, and thankfully a proof she has.

“ Look, I have proof.” She stated, straightening up causing all eyes to stare back at her expectantly. This ‘proof’ she spoke of will affect their next decision, after all. 18 watched, never blinking.

“ The changeling to find this new Queen was infiltrator 324. Sense him, I order.” The words ‘I order’ made all underlings comply, since they were bred to, and looked at each other in confusion as they came up empty handed. All memory of this infiltrator was completely gone from the hive mind. 18 gulped as he started to sweat, spirits threatening to rise but fear of being tricked weighing it down. “ He not here.” Was what he could manage.

215 smiled brightly. “ That’s because he transferred to her hive mind.” Then she quickly added “ And don’t bother saying he might be dead. We all know a dead ling would still have all memory of it in the hive mind, only it’s voice muted.” when she saw 18’s ears perk up from an idea. She looked at all underlings. “Face it, there’s a new Queen in town.”

All was silent as they contemplated the new situation. They believed it now, with all the proof the guard put down in front of them. Their only problem is they didn’t know what action to take next. 215 looked at 18 expectantly. The head Underling put on a nervous face.

“ Why you tell us? This new queen might be same from old queen. Maybe nicer, we don’t know, but still will use hive to get what she want.” He said slowly.

That was true too. Even the nice lings that once ruled over the hive couldn’t help but order it around as well like a mindless slave. No proof this new queen would be different. It was here that 215 hesitated. Normally she would say just go with it, but this new Queen was special. She would either bring the hive back to it’s feet, or dig it’s grave further down.

She looked at 18. “ I don’t know too, 18. Maybe she will be nicer but still use the hive, or maybe she wont and be the Queen we all deserve. Maybe she’ll be worse, or maybe she won’t even become Queen or lay her first eggs. It’s really all up to you on what you decide to do.” Seeing the surprised and confused face of being given a choice by a highranker, only fueling 215’s hatred for her mother, she smiled. 

“ Why don’t you go find out yourselves?”
> New Queen
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ever since Twilight awoke, 324 had stayed by her side one way or another. Either disguised, or out looking for love and connected through the hive-mind. Which on a side-note was still the best thing that happened to the Infiltrator. 

Twilight’s hivemind was vastly different from his mother’s. It was organized, all memories arranged in shelves that was accessible to him. Like a public library, for a better analogy. Twilight’s song was very soft and comforting, magical and motherly, despite her young age. Perhaps it was because of her care for the dragon Spike, as he had learned from the hive-mind of course, or maybe it was the nature of the Element of Magic to nurture any and all magic users, he didn’t know, but was thankful for. It gave him a certain drive that he had never known before, making him want to do his best despite her never ordering it.

Free-will.

Desire to be the best for his new Queen.

He couldn’t wait to see what the changelings of his hive will think of this, but he was sure they’ll all love it. 

Back to the original topic, 324 was always at his Queen’s side, feeding themselves love when needed and slowly teaching her the ways of the hive. She learned fast in just the few weeks since they met, and to his delight, already starting to make changes to some ridiculous rules that the previous Queens instated. Her face was quite expressive, he’d have to fix that but will enjoy this for the meantime, showing disgust or utter confusion as he listed the laws that sounded like they came from a nymph.

“ Noling is allowed to ever step outside the hive without permission…”

“ I can understand it’s for safety but sometimes the best can come from the curious ones… as long as they don’t hurt themselves. Freedom is one thing but endangerment is another.”

“ All consorts are to stay only in the Queen’s bedchambers…”

“ That is absurd. And ew…. don’t they need to take a bath? Or anything else other than… you know? (blush and shudders)”

“ Any bad remark or insult will be punished by death...”

“ Is Chrysalis that self-conscious? Did she even know what Freedom of Speech meant?”

“ No kazoos allowed in the hive…”

“ I’m not even gonna question that.”

This is what they continued on for all the time they’ve spent together. 324 filling Twilight with everything he knew. The only thing that kept baffling him was that Twilight would ask his opinion on something, and after he gave that ( after the initial shock of course ) she would actually follow it! He was just a normal Infiltrator, and a Queen was taking his advice. While that might be just some old hive mindset, he was grateful nonetheless. He said this once before, and he was going to say it again: He liked this Queen. 

--------

“ Hey 3- er, Spark, how much love would an entire changeling hive need to survive?” Twilight asked after an hour of reading through 324’s memories in the hivemind when he was out. Now, with him as Spark Light, she wanted to hear it from him and not from his memories. That critical of an information could fluctuate easily, and with how the hive looked like in his most recent thoughts, she knew it would take a lot.

She just needed to know exactly how much.

324 looked startled at the question. “ With all due respect M- Twilight, you don’t have a hive yet. You should worry about this later and focus on recovering.” Twilight stood up straight in her bed and looked at him in the eyes. Her new draconic eyes that only added ferocity to the already nerve-wracking stare, mind you.

“ I’d rather be ready than panicking when we do cross that bridge, Spark. Plus,” She gave him a sly grin. “ Based on all your teachings and my new instincts, I’ve already stored love enough for about 30 or so changelings.” 324 went silent. He looked at her, surprised. Twilight relished watching his face contort as he tried to convey something. His mouth moved, but no sound came out. His eyes were flickering from changeling to pony due to utter shock. Finally, after a minute, he said, “ Keep doing that, My Queen, or your subjects would either have themselves on high alert around the clock for your surprises or not trust you at all.”

Twilight giggled, the melodic sound rushing into the infiltrator’s heightened sense of hearing.

324 smiled with her as he recovered from the admittedly pleasant surprise. “ But seriously? Where’d you get all the love from? You never leave this room.” Twilight winked at him playfully. “ I never leave, but ponies come in here you know. Old friends, new friends, all overflowing with love for me. Since I’m just laying here doing nothing, I figured there’d be other more important uses for the excess love, so I stored it instead of using it.”

So that’s why she hasn’t been laying yet, and why she’s still not in full health….
 
324 frowned, thinking about this more. “Okay… I’m happy that you thought of your subjects’ wellbeing and future, but how about healing yourself quicker? Then you’ll be out of that bed and be able to do more progress!” Twilight put her hoof on his, smiling still. “ Being fully healed doesn’t mean I get out just like that, Spark. You know the Princesses would trap me here until they turned me back to normal, and Shining Armor would most definitely be more of a pain in the flank than he already is.”

Right. The Equestrian rulers would trap his Queen here for cure and further study… They’d use her as a test subject of sorts to figure more about changelings. That would be disastrous! The ponies still think of them as enemies, and if they knew how changelings work it’d be harder for the other hives and themselves to find food.

Twilight blinked as 324’s eyes widened in alarm. He subconsciously squeezed her hoof. “ And they’d also use you as a test subject! They’d know more about changelings!” The Queen tilted her head. “ But isn’t that a good thing? They won’t be afraid of something they know so much about, right?” 

“ That’s just it! It’d be harder for the other hives that had nothing to do with Chrysalis to hunt for food with ponies aware of what we can do. We’ll go extinct in no time…” 324 ended with a somber tone. That opened Twilight’s eyes at the possible ramifications that came with ponies knowing more than they should. 

They were still considered enemies, the wedding incident was still fresh in memory even after a month. And with Twilight still a fresh Queen with only one drone, not enough to proove that some hives are different from Chrysalis’, it would be the end of the changelings.

She can’t let that happen. She won’t let that happen.

Twilight looked at 324, who immediately met her eyes after he sensed it. “ We have to do something. We can’t let your- our, kind die out with ponies thinking of us as enemies. We can’t let Chrysalis’s reputation dictate ours.” 324 sat up slowly. “ What do you have in mind, My Queen?” Twilight smiled determinedly.

“ Before, I thought that my being a Queen would be just that; being a Queen. Rescue the mistreated changelings from Chrysalis’s hive, help them start a new life under my guidance.” She started. 324 felt his heart leap. She said guidance, not rule.

“ But now I realized that maybe my being a Queen was destiny. Maybe my future hive will be the one to bring changelings and ponies together again… And I have a feeling I’m right.”

Twilight looked at the listening infiltrator. “ What do you say, 324? Am I right?” She smirked. Infiltrator 324 was at a loss for words. He never thought that Twilight being a Queen could have a deeper purpose other than giving the hive a much better leader and future. But now, with what Twilight had said, he realized she was right.

On the practical side, a pony-changeling Alliance could bring benefit to both sides. Changelings could walk the streets in broad daylight and feed on freely given emotions, and Ponies would learn better ways of communication, building, and military training. A lot of good could come if that were to happen.

And maybe more, but none of that would happen if they didn’t start now.

Infiltrator 324 grinned and took hold of Twilight’s hoof like they were hoof-wrestling. “ A Queen is always right, especially if it’s you, My Queen.”

Twilight shared his enthusiasm. “ Then we better get started.”

---------

Shining Armor frowned as he watched Spark Light trot out of Twilight’s room with a smile too wide for his liking. The stallion had been visiting his sister since that first day, and would only leave if somepony else wanted to share Twilight’s company. Otherwise he’d be there until visitation hours were over.

If that wasn’t a red flag, then he didn’t know what is.

He looked at his sister through the window. He inwardly shivered as everyday her changeling state seemed to get more permanent. And worst of all she didn’t complain even once. She wasn’t disgusted, wasn’t baffled, didn’t have a care in the world! Every time he would attempt to visit her too, she’d hiss and show her fangs. Same goes for their parents. For Princess Luna she’d be herself, albeit avoiding family-talk. For her friends she’d be slightly wary. For Cadence she would act as if everything was normal, like she wasn’t a changeling. For Princess Celestia, it would be like talking to a business associate, and he could tell it broke their ruler’s heart.

Shining then noticed something very weird. He had been looking at his sister for a few seconds ad only noticed it now; her eyes were open, but she was staring into space. As he watched her face contorted through a couple of emotions; seriousness, mischief, worry. It was like she was talking wit somebody, only nobody was there and her mouth was shut.

His ears pricked when he heard a snort somewhere in the hall. It was Spark Light, walking casually, and despite his back facing the Captain, his body language screamed he was chipper and smug.

He can’t help but feel there’s a deeper meaning here.

He looked back at Twilight, who had a surprised look on her face. Then, still staring into space, rolled her eyes, and her hoof raised high enough from the bed to roll a full circle on her wrist.
The hoof gesture of ‘ Go ahead ‘. But why would she do that? Why is she like that?

“ Captain.”

He jumped a feet high into the air at the voice. He then swirled around, horn lighting, but stopping short when it was none other than Princess Celestia. The alicorn had an amused smile on her face. “ Spying on your sister again?” The Captain looked back at the hallway, frowning when Spark Light was nowhere to be seen, then to Twilight who was looking back at him with a neutral face, then finally back to the Princess. He chuckled nervously. “ I can’t help but be protective, your Highness.”

The alicorn of the sun nodded in understanding. “ I know, because I too am doing the same, albeit in my own way. The doctors are doing the best they can to figure out Twilight’s predicament. I know they’ll be close to the cure soon.”

“ That’s good to hear, Princess, but a month has gone by. I can’t help but think that whatever spell that’s causing this is taking hold in the more….permanent sense.” He cringed at the thought. Princess Celestia frowned at that. “ Why would you think that?” Shining Armor sighed. “ It’s just that, every time I look at her, her changeling state seems more prominent. Her shell is becoming much more deeper in color, that crown thing on her head is much more prominent, her wings are even dried enough to send a few gusts of wind to your face! I feel that whatever this is, is probably almost done, and that’s what I fear.”

“ You fear that whatever this is could not be reversed if we don’t do something sooner?”

“ Yes! I… I don’t want Twily having to deal with such a curse.” Shining confirmed. Princess Celestia went silent, before humming in thought. “ Why don’t we ask how Twilight is feeling, hmm Shining Armor? Maybe it would ease your mind, remind you it is still very much your sister in changeling skin.” The princess gestured for the shocked stallion to follow her, before opening the door.

---------

Twilight, having heard the entire conversation thanks to her new changeling ears, could barely keep her anger in check. As soon as the Princess came through the door, she sat up, gaining their stares. 

“ Hello Princess Celestia, Captain Shining Armor.” She said coldly.

“ Twily…” Shining tried, already feeling the guilt come back after Twilight said his entire name. She never said that unless she was serious. He looked at the expression on her face. It was wary, hurt, angry, and downright chilling. The way her mouth twitched as if she wanted to bare her fangs. The way her horn sparked in agitation. She looked very, very, changeling like.

It wasn’t helping matters.

“ Twilight….” Princess Celestia started. “… we came here for a visit.” Twilight then looked at the both of them, before settling down to Shining Armor with much more ferocity. A few adjustments to her stare and it would be the perfect predator’s gaze.

“ I heard you.” Was all she said.

And yet those three words terrified the Captain. She had heard his reason on saying what he had said in blind anger. She had heard his mistrust. And he broke her heart once again. Princess Celestia meanwhile was trying and failing to keep her emotions in check. Her motherly love for her student was to much to bear, demanding that she throw formality out of the window and take the changeling in her arms, ask forgiveness and cry the guilt away.

Twilight saw right past through the stoic mask and sensed all the love from Celestia. Her body immediately absorbed all of it, but it was apparently too much that it caused something to happen. She blinked, her stomach suddenly feeling weird. It was a really foreign feeling, but she kept to what was happening in front of her. She could ask 324 anytime, after all.

“ Are you sure you’re not just checking up on me to make sure I’m not planning to overthrow the Princess, Captain? Because the way you sounded it’s like you think I’m a monster.”

“ NO! TWILY NO! I WOULD NEVER THINK THAT!” Shining defended. He gained courage to to take a few more steps towards Twilight, only stopping when her wings flared open in defense.
“ I’m worried for you! Who wouldn’t be? Your loved one turned into one of those heartless monsters!” He tried a smile. Twilight replied with a scowl. “ That’s not what I heard. What I heard was a stallion who couldn’t look beyond physical appearance. I’m still Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic.”

“ Of course, Twilight. You are right.” Celestia said, trying to prevent the sensed fight.

“ Then why are you so on edge? If you believed that you’d never be worried of when a cure will come! You’d still love me as WHO I am, not WHAT I am!” The Queen retaliated, looking at the stallion with the anger of a betrayed pony. 

“ I DO love you, Twilight!” Shining declared, stomping his hoof.

Even if Twilight wasn’t a changeling, who can sense his love was for her but not the her right now, she would still see through the facade. His eyes were into space but directed at her. His body language leaned away from her. His tail swishing nervously. “No, you don’t.” She snarled. Shining was taken aback. “ YES I-” But his attempt to reinforce his claim was stopped by a wing.

Sensing another increase in motherly love, which made her stomach feel even weirder, Twilight looked at Celestia. A tear had left a stain unnoticed.

“ Twilight, I came here with Shining Armor to apologize for the past events, which we should have done earlier. I… I didn’t trust your claim about the Queen. But pointing out that you didn’t have enough evidence to justify my mistake is unacceptable. I should have at least thought that why would my student, who has saved our country and world so many times, and who I have known and practically raised claim that? You never lied to me, and even if you do I always find out, or you make it painfully obvious so it could not be interpreted as a lie and rather a way of saying ‘ I know what I’m doing, I’ll explain later ‘.” She paused for a small laugh. “ It was my fault that the Queen even managed to stay undetected for that long. I should have noticed the changes in my niece’s behaviour, and the invasion wouldn’t have happened.” She took a deep breath, and Twilight was practically drowning in motherly love, her own emotions, and the weird sensations of her abdomen.

“ I am sorry, my dear student.”

Everything went quiet as the alicorn awaited the Queen’s decree. It felt like eternity, waiting for someone’s forgiveness. But again, even without being a changeling and sensing all that genuine love, Twilight could never stay mad at the only other mother figure in her life.

“ I’m sorry too, princess.”

The Lavender Queen flew out of her covers and tackled the alicorn with a hug, ignoring the feeling in her midsection, and lost herself in Celestia’s stream of love. The alicorn meanwhile hugged back, letting a few tears escape as she sobbed quietly at the joy of being forgiven.

Meanwhile Shining Armor, immediately forgotten, felt his heart ripped to pieces. How come his sister, his own flesh and blood, forgave somepony else first before him, her own brother. I mean, he hadn’t apologized yet, but still. Family before others, wasn’t that the rule?

As he watched, he noticed Twilight’s horn was slightly glowing lavender. It was very subtle, practically invisible if he hadn’t been staring at it, but it was there.

Was she… was she feeding?

He froze. Twilight, even if turned into a changeling, wouldn’t know how to feed. They knew practically nothing about changelings, for Celestia’s sake! It could be an instinct, something she couldn’t control, but he had seen the changelings feed before. If they wanted to, their horns would always glow. Her horn was glowing. Twilight wouldn’t know. There were no books about it. They had been feeding her pony food. She didn’t feed on anyone before until Celestia. His Twily wouldn’t know. She wouldn’t know.

She wouldn’t know.

“ PRINCESS! GET OFF HER YOU MONSTER!” Shining Armor lit up his horn, making it crackle with magical energy. Startled by the loud shout, the two separated, and Twilight sent a baffled look at her brother. The Captain mistook it as fear. 

“ YEAH! YOU THINK YOU’RE SO SMART? WHERE’S TWILIGHT?!” 

The confused unicorn frowned and looked at her mentor, who was equally flabbergasted. “ What on Equus are you talking about, Shiny?!” Twilight asked, temporarily forgetting their feud.

“ DON’T PLAY DUMB WITH ME! YOU’RE FEEDING OFF OF THE PRINCESS!”

“ What!?” Both the Queen and Princess said at the same time. They looked at each other, Twilight frowning deeply and Celestia a bit wary after the statement. They looked back at the fuming stallion, gazes asking for an explanation, only Twilight’s was irritating Shining more.

“ TWILIGHT WOULDN’T KNOW HOW TO FEED, NO ONE TAUGHT HER OR KNEW HOW. NOW, MONSTER, WHERE IS MY SISTER!?”

By this point Twilight knew she should run, because there was no talking a fuming Shining Armor down. How he knew she was feeding, she didn’t know. Shining now thought a changeling replaced her, probably fueled by his paranoia. She would have to come back later and privately explain to her Mentor the truth. She never told anyone else about 324 for fear of reactions like this, and she was coping with the changes herself too. And plus the ponies she would normally tell first were being prideful and hadn’t made peace with her yet. Who knows what they would have thought if she revealed all that the infiltrator had said. They’d probably think she was brainwashed, or quarantine her or chain her up.

Looking at her mentor with the expression ‘ I’ll come back ‘, she prepared a teleporting spell.

Or at least tried to, since the weird feeling in her abdomen suddenly skyrocketed. She gave a pained shout, alarming Celestia and confusing Shining Armor, before crumpling to the ground in a heap. She felt weird all over, and her stomach felt like it was going to explode. As she became numb to her surroundings, she began to think what could have caused this. She listed her symptoms. Maybe it was a changeling sickness.

Abdominal pain. Possibly Contractions by how weird it felt.

A heavy feeling deep in her stomach, like something was inside.

Her-

Dear God, her eyes widened. 

She was about to lay eggs.

She didn’t have time to properly freak out or find a safe place to do it or slap 324 for not telling her too. It was happening too fast, and it was happening in front of two ponies on the very last of her list to show. What would Shining think about this? He would probably think of something outlandish, disgusting, and something that’ll blame the changelings. Celestia might have a few questions and tease her when it was over but that was more desirable than the ramifications of Shining’s reaction.

“ What is happening?!” Celestia asked nobody, visibly torn at helping and staying away. She had a feeling at what it was, but if she was right then she had to stay away. 

Shining Armor meanwhile was having none of this, after recovering from the randomness, and angrily growled. “ THAT WONT WORK ON ME, MONSTER!” He charged his horn and prepared for a blast.

Time slowed down as a lot of things happened at once.

The room wall suddenly exploded in a green light as a familiar stallion grabbed Twilight and teleported away with a pained grunt. Celestia conjuring a shield spell just as Shining Armor released his blast. The spell ricocheting off the more powerful shield and hitting the machine monitoring Twilight. The machine exploded, sending Shining Armor against the opposite wall.

Silence reigned as dust settled.

------------------

Somewhere down the Crystal Caves, a flash of light pierced the darkness. Spark Light immediately dropped his transformation as he turned to his laying Queen. He had arrived right on time, thank God. He knew he was right to be in a hurry when he sensed the first egg form. Shining Armor, whatever had gotten to him was about to hurt not only his sister and her future children, but his Queen and now new nymphs.

She was still struggling, this was her first laying after all, so he gently moved her into a space in the Crystals where she could have some privacy.

Twilight looked at him with tired eyes, but mischief was clear behind the tears of pain. “ Expect a slap.” Was all she said with a grin as she tuned him out. He chuckled before walking far enough to not be considered rude but close enough to be able to protect her. Not only was she a friend, or his Queen. She was about to be a mother of a hive. Their future.

“ I already expected a thorough beating, Twily.”

--------------

After what seemed like an eternity, Twilight was finally done. She was in pain and very wet and sticky, but a smile was on her face as she looked at the fruit of her labor; 6 beautiful, healthy purple eggs. They glowed a soft pink, and Twilight sensed immense love wafting out of them.

That must be where that gathered love went.
 
She slowly stood up and got a closer look at her brood. Her eyes widened. Their shells weren’t smooth, there was something carved on them. A sword with a six-pointed star on the hilt. The staff and the snake with a six-pointed star on the top. The two theater masks with the star peeking from behind them. Two six-pointed stars with one bigger and one smaller. A plant growing on the star. And finally a shield with two swords crossed on it’s surface behind a star.

“ Beautiful, aren’t they?” 

Twilight, a bit startled, looked behind her to see the owner of the voice. 324 had his blue eyes trained on her eggs, but his expression was that of awe.

“ 324….” 

The infiltrator obeyed the unspoken command and went closer, eyes widening as well as he saw the carvings. 324 looked at Twilight with surprise. “ Are they cutiemarks?” He asked. Twilight looked back at the brood for a final check before nodding, albeit a bit unsure. “ I-I think so… I’m still reeling from this new development, 324, but yes, I think they’re cutiemarks… Do your hive’s eggs have those?” She glanced at the still awestruck infiltrator. He shook his head.

“ No. We all have smooth, glossy shells. Not like this.”

Then he noticed the eggs were glowing. He gave a startled chuckle. “ And certainly not already infused with love.” Twilight’s ears perked up at that. “ What do you mean?” The infiltrator started to lift a hoof to touch the nearest egg, before asking for permission with his eyes. Twilight nodded, so he touched the one with the staff and snake before he continued.

“ Normal changeling eggs are laid without that pinkish glow. But we already know you’re an exception, seeing as your eggs already have cutiemarks and you being of pony origin. To hatch them, we’d have to infuse them with gathered love. Remember what I said before we met?” He inquired.

“ …You were talking about how the eggs in the hive are probably dead when Chrysalis ordered the love they required to be served for her.”

“ Exactly. If they aren’t infused with love the minute they were laid, they had 30 minutes before they shrivel up. But,” He quickly added after seeing Twilight’s face contort to worry, “ Yours are already infused with love, my Queen. And given how fast they formed-”

CRACK
 
“... They’re probably ready to hatch with how much love you gathered.” He finished as both their heads turned to the sound. The egg he was touching had a crack on it’s surface, shooting fear into the infiltrator before calming down after seeing more cracks form. Twilight gave a yelp of surprise as the other eggs followed their example. She looked at the infiltrator.

“ Ready to hatch?”

He gulped. “ Hatching, I’m afraid.”

They fell silent as the first egg toppled over, chipping a piece from it’s shell. They could see a bit of purple hair - surprising 324 again - and two draconic purple eyes peeking from the egg. The eyes were trained onto the Queen, and the being inside gave a chirp. It wrestled it’s way to the world for a few more seconds before finally breaking out of the shell. 

The changeling nymph was beyond anything they’ve expected. It was about the size of a one month foal, same color scheme as Twilight. It didn’t have any wings or a horn, but it had the same colored hair as Twilight, albeit a male version of hers. Intelligence shone through his eyes, as he looked up at his mother. Infiltrator 324 noticed the carving on his shell was proudly shown on both his flanks.

“ He’s a medic!” He whispered as he realized what the symbol had stood for.

Twilight widened her eyes at that as she also surveyed the others, who had hatched completely right after this one. Carrying the symbol for theater was a female version of the first nymph, except she had a curved horn. The one with the shield was a male with a horn as well. The one with the sword was also a male but he had purple, feathered pegasi wings. The one with two stars had a horn but was a female. And finally the one with the plant was like the first nymph, but was a female.

“ It’s like they’re the changeling version of the three pony tribes… and you’re the alicorn version!” 324 concluded with a wide smile.

Twilight nodded, he seemed to be right, and looked at all the nymphs- her, nymphs, and felt a smile grow on her face. 324 felt love waft out of the Queen, and he chuckled. He had never been near any Queen on their first clutch, but rumors had said it fills them with pride and motherly affection. Looking at the smiling new Queen, he guessed those were true.

“ What are you going to name them? Because I’m sure as the sun rising in the east that you aren’t going to use numbers.” He asked as Twilight sat on her belly and allowed the nymphs to hug and crawl all over her. She laughed, and her smile turned to a grin at his question. She looked at her nymphs one by one and named them as she did.

“ Bandaid, Mariposa, Kalasag, Espada, Star, and Gaia.” 

324 copied her grin, as he knew what some of the names meant and it fit perfectly to each nymph. “ You have a Medic, Infiltrator, Praetor, Soldier, Mage and Farmer on your first clutch. Congratulations, my Queen.”
> Hiding
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Celestia sighed as she looked out her balcony. Having just lowered the sun to give way to Luna’s moon and the previous ordeal of the day, she was exhausted. 

The Captain had claimed, after he recovered, that the changeling that she had apologized to was an impostor. He claimed the ling had been feeding from her since they entered the room, and the his sister couldn’t have known how to because no one taught her. While she had enough personal proof that the changeling he had just almost murdered was in fact still Twilight, she couldn’t risk it with the state the Captain was. Ordering a search party, upping the security, and interrogating anyone he believed to be connected to the incident, to find a sister that had never been lost.

She could tell from the way the changeling hugged her. She could tell by the way she cried. She could tell by her mannerisms, she could tell by her eyes. 

It was Twilight the entire time, she knew her almost-daughter that well. It was a skill she had forgotten to use during that fateful wedding rehearsal, but she intended never to let that happen again. But even if she was right, she knew she was, she still couldn’t do anything to help her faithful student. That stallion that teleported her away, which she was sure now to was a non-hostile changeling who was probably the one to teach the former unicorn, had taken her student somewhere she couldn’t trace. Changeling magic turned out to be unstable and untraceable. 

It didn’t help that Twilight, on further inspection, almost was killed by her brother on the brink of laying.

Yes, she absolutely had to tease her student later about it, but priorities have to be tended to first. Priorities being, if she really was on the brink of laying, why that moment and how? And why didn’t she say anything?

--------

18 trotted nervously in the streets of Canterlot, along with 50 or so of the Underlings disguised and far away from each other. It took them this long to escape the hive for they had to one by one secretly disconnect from the Hivemind and along with that escape the underground hive. They had also used that escaping time to further ponder on whether or not they would like to join the new Queen’s hive.

Thankfully, Soldier 215 had joined them in disconnecting and right now beside him, probably trying to track Infiltrator 324. All the infiltrator had said on their last talk, which was weeks ago according to the Solider, was if she or any changeling wish to check out the new Queen and decide for themselves, they were to track his scent, which he left all around Canterlot leading to where he was.

He had also said that the new Queen was close to laying, and that opened the Underling’s eyes a bit more. 

You see, a new Queen’s first clutch usually dictates what kind of ruler they would be. An example of this was, 18 was told by the older lings, Chrysalis’s first clutch predicting she was to be power hungry and cruel by the way they would attack each other and fight for who was to be fed first. This was of course, true, so 18 was sure he’d be able to really, surely decide for his group on whether to join or just be lone lings once they saw this new Queen’s first clutch.

But they had to hurry though, as it was already close to midnight, and the amount of them still walking through the streets would be suspicious and could guarantee an interrogation by those Royal Guard ponies.

215 sensed his worry. “ Don’t be too anxious, 18. We’re close. 324’s scent is getting stronger.”

18 looked around and realized he had been spaced out and now only noticed they were near a park of some sort, with a large lake with a waterfall at the very end. He could also sense his group mates nearby, meaning all of them were scattered around the park.

But even that would pique a few questions.

215 suddenly spiked in the surprise department, prompting 18 to look at the Soldier. “ They’re in the Crystal Caves, I just know it, since that Waterfall has a cave behind it.” She pointed at the thundering body of water. 

“ Caves where old Queen trapped Love princess?” He asked, already making his way to the falls via his disguised wings. He heard 215’s own wings open as she followed the Underling leader.
“ Yep! That’s the one.” They arrived at the falls quicker thanks to their wings, and 18 could really see how this was the most perfect place to hide in Canterlot.

The water that was thundering down from over a hundred meters above was thick and cold, and the cave entrance, after charging in with a weak but enough protection spell, was also high above ground to avoid detection from curious ponies. 

They had already dropped their transformations to create their little shields, that shattered instantly because the falls were just THAT strong, so they used that to their advantage and lit their horns in a faint green glow.

Immediately the crystal walls, ceiling, and floor reflected that light and made it brighter than it should, probably already alerting the residents of the cave of their presence. 18 heard a couple more shatters from behind him and could sense his group mates were slowly filing in. He could only hope they checked the area before diving in the waterfall.

“ How we find 324 here? It big place.” 18 asked the still sniffing Soldier. 215 grinned at the younger ling. “ No need for that, dear 18, since I’m sure our collective smell has already probably reached 324’s nose.” 18 blinked. He hadn’t thought of that. “ So we wait?” He asked again. The soldier nodded and sat down, watching the entrance as the last of the Underlings came flying in. “ I suggest we rest. It was a long journey from the Hive to here, after all. “ This was backed by some Underlings falling to their stomachs and immediately started snoring.

18 couldn’t help but giggle. “ You right, 215.”

“ How about you, 18? Aren’t you tired?” The soldier inquired. 18 shrugged. “ I tired, but I need to see New Queen’s clutch, so I know what to do next.” The Soldier nodded approvingly, looking at his logic. “ Ah, yeah, come to think of it it was weeks ago that 324 guessed this new Queen was about to lay. I guess I’ll look at the clutch too, see if she’s different from Chrysalis.”

“ What you do if she not same?” 

215 took a while to answer. “ I don’t know? I guess I’ll stick around and try to get a better read if her clutch says good things about her. This is a new Queen after all. But I’m sure that her being NOT Chrysalis’s kid is enough to know she has a high chance of being good.” 18 chuckled at that. “ That I agree with.”

Their talk was suddenly cut short, as well as the other Underlings’ nap, when a shrill chirp pierced through the air. All eyes turned to meet purple draconic ones, and that wasn’t the only thing that froze the group.

This nymph was definitely the new Queen’s, with the presence of it’s mane alone. It’s chitin revolved around the color scheme of purple and blue( stomach membrane and back plate ). It had no holes whatsoever, and it had, Dear God, is that a cutiemark?!

A sword with a familiar star on the hilt.

The nymphs pegasi wings fluttered as it went closer to the still frozen group. They closely watched as it’s eyes scanned everyling with the intelligence of a grown pony, before cringing.
18 wondered why it did, until he noticed that it’s eyes were locked onto one of the seriously injured lings that they had.

It had left his mind that a few of his comrades were actually injured during their little escapade because of the nervousness. They had planned, he remembered, to cure them later when they had decided on what to do.

The injured Underling tilted it’s head as the nymph immediately rushed to her side. The young bugger then started to inspect the changeling a little closer, eyeing every wound and fractured chitin. This already was far from Chrysalis’s first clutch, intriguing the watching lings more as they payed attention on what the nymph would do next.

It surprised them all when the nymph spat on it’s hooves, the saliva glowing purple, before rubbing it on the injuries.

He was treating the injured changeling.

“ I guess that means she’s good?” 215 said stupidly, the strangeness of the situation still freezing parts of her brain. She was sure she expected deep inside that the nymph would attack, or at least, just stare without a care, but this? Caring for a complete stranger ling? This never crossed her thoughts.

18 meanwhile was now convinced that this Queen was going to be different. The nymph, on closer inspection probably a few hours old, treating his group mate with love-infused saliva was more than enough to solidify that thought. After all, a nymph always reflects the traits of his Queen.

The nymph, after treating the once seriously injured changeling, then flew back to study his work, smiling, then nuzzling the drone. The drone gave a purr of satisfaction, as apparently the nymph sent some love her way. The nymph backed away once more before seemingly staring into space.

Moments later a familiar infiltrator rushed in from where the nymph emerged, with a worried look on his face. Following him were a bunch of other nymphs, and soon the new Queen herself.

“ 215! You made it! And- the Underlings?” 324 noticed. The other five nymphs were already following the first one’s example, going to every injured ling they could find and treating them accordingly. They were, surprisingly again, joined by their Queen, who 215 now realized to be none other than Twilight Sparkle.

18 noticed this too. He glared at 324. “ You should have said New Queen was Sun Princess’s student. Then we would know she was sure to be good Queen!” The infiltrator shrunk at the Underling leader’s scolding. He chuckled nervously. “ S-Surprise? I thought it would be better to let you judge her for yourselves, not her name and reputation.”

215 rolled her eyes as a smile settled on her muzzle. “ Yes, I guess that’s true. But as 18 said, it would have been easier to decide if we knew it was her. The way she fought against Chrysalis that day was enough to make her worthy for a soldier like me.”

“ And enough for Underlings to respect when she fight hard to protect family and friends.” 18 added.

324’s eyes widened with hope. “ So you’ll join us!?”

215 looked at the Queen, who was panicking trying to cure the injured lings with her first clutch, and laughed. 18 smiled. “ We could use a caring Queen for once.” 

324 looked at 215, who nodded with a grin. “ This is going to be fun.”
------


It was now sunrise, and to Canterlot it was another peaceful, changeling-free day. 

But not for Princess Celestia and Twilight Sparkle’s friends and family.

“ Shining Armor, calm down-” The Princess tried, but was interrupted by the Captain’s growl. “ I will NOT calm down until my little sister is found, and cured of that wretched curse!” He stomped his hoof, which was back by Rainbow Dash’s cheer. 

“ Yeah! Twilight is probably being brainwashed right now, being Chrysalis’s slave or something worse. We have to rescue her!” The pegasus declared. 

“ We don’t have enough of dem evidence Dash, that that ling Shining Armor almost whooped was an impostor.” Applejack said.

“ That thing feeding on the Princess is not enough for you?! Twily wouldn’t have known how to since no one taught her!” Shining Armor defended.

“ W-We don’t know for sure if T-Twilight didn’t just learn on her own….” Fluttershy said softly. “… all animals and even ponies have instincts that teach them h-how to survive.”

“ Fluttershy has a point, Captain. Twilight could just be following her instincts to feed.” Rarity added.

“ But we don’t know that! It was only a few weeks after the spell took effect! A spell like that would take longer to fully take hold, and that’s where I’m sure as buck that instincts will come in!” Shining Armor protested, his mane getting more and more frazzled.

“ Who’s ta say the spell didn’t already take hold? As ya said, we don’t know much about ‘em lings and their weird spells.” Applejack pointed out.

A fearful look flashed across Shining Armor’s face at that sentence.

“ For all we know you could have just almost murdered your own sister.” Rarity finished for the farmer.

Now THAT snapped Shining more than he already was.

“ HEY! I WOULD KNOW IF THAT THING WAS MY SISTER!” The Captain hissed. Everypony fell into silence at the unicorn’s outburst. He snarled. “ And I swear on my life that thing was NOT Twilight.”

Seeing as everybody was now quiet and thinking their own thoughts about the situation, he continued.

“ Now with that clear,” He shot a pointed look at Applejack, “ I will now discuss my plan on how to save my sister.” He cleared his throat.

“ As we all know, the location of that Queen’s hive is still unknown. So just going there is out of the question. What I did instead was to double the patrols around Canterlot AND Ponyville. If that thing still had some plans, I bet it’s going to go to you girls next. So if you get visited by ‘Twilight’, yell for the guards and make sure it doesn’t escape. Once we capture it, we force it to tell us the location of it’s hive. THEN we rescue my sister.” He finished.

Princess Celestia just sighed in her head. There was no talking with the Captain if he’s in this state.

I hope you at least try to reach out to me, my faithful student.
 

------

The adult changelings were busy discussing about what the new Queen and her Infiltrator had planned for their future. After making sure all Underlings and 215 were cured of any injuries and were full of love, Twilight and 324 introduced themselves and told the new arrivals about their story the past few weeks since the day they met. And After that, Twilight connected all the new arrivals to her hive mind, and they spent a good half-hour trying to cope with the new, admittedly preferable hive mind. Her connection to the Underlings affected them immediately, much to all parties’ surprise. Her intelligence and knowledge were drilled, for lack of a better term, into their brains, giving them what Chrysalis thought they didn’t need.

Her knowledge didn’t JUST make them normal, intelligent drones too.

The Underlings turned out to be just any type of drone with their intelligence taken away. This was backed by some turning into Infiltrators, Mages, Farmers, Medics, Praetors, Soldiers, etc, right after the Hivemind transfer.

This also just strengthened their belief in Twilight being a MUCH better Queen than Chrysalis.

As the adults talked about the future of Twilight’s hive and all that’s related to it, the day old nymphs were starting to get bored. They were growing up pretty quickly, since being half-pony allowed them to produce love that can be fed on by another changeling. So with them loving and caring for their siblings, their growth rate went twice as fast as a normal nymph’s would.

With just a day, they already reached the point where they were equal to a 5 year-old foal.

And that also meant they gripped the meaning of boredom way too well.

“When are they going to be finished?!” Kalasag moaned as he leaned on Mariposa. They were in a separate cave-system, for the reason that they should just rest and be ready. But that was Infiltrator 324’s words. Their Mom said they could play or read a book in the Hivemind Archives. That they did, but nymphs are nymphs and they needed something else to do. ASAP.

Bandaid looked at his younger-than-him-for-a-minute siblings and chuckled. “ I’m bored too, Kalasag. But we just have to deal with it.”

“ But didn’t we deal with it long enough?” Star said from beside a sleeping Gaia. 

“ Star’s right, Bandaid.” Was Espada’s voice from his perch on the ceiling.

“ But what are we going to do though?” The eldest tried. He could sense oncoming mischief from his siblings, and he was sure either their Mom will ground them forever or die of a heart attack. 

Kalasag perked at that question. “ I heard Mom earlier said that before they could do anything to start a hive, they needed to talk with Princess Celestia.”

Mariposa blinked. “ That’s Mom’s mentor right? I read about her in the archives.”

The Praetor nodded. “ Yep! How about we go up there and tell her about us for Mom?”

“ ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Bandaid shouted, startling everyone and awakening Gaia. The Farmer looked at the Medic in confusion. “ What’s absolutely not?”She asked. Bandaid inhaled. “ Kalasag here suggested that we go to Canterlot Castle and talk to Mom’s mentor for her.” Gaia smirked. “ What’s wrong about that?” 

Everyone giggled at Bandaid’s flabbergasted face. “ What’s wrong wi- WHAT’S WRONG WITH THAT?! EVERYTHING! WHAT IF MOM CATCHES US? WHAT IF WE GET CAUGHT BY SOMEPONY ELSE?!”

Espada dropped down the ceiling. “ We’re changelings, Bandaid. We won’t get caught.”

“ So you’re just depending on that fact? That we can shape-shift?” The Medic glared, trying to reduce the Soldier’s confidence. It didn’t work. Espada just grinned. “ Yup! Plus it’ll be a good team practice for us, infiltrating the Castle. We could work on our skills!”

“ I can’t help but agree on that, Bandaid. Sorry.” Mariposa giggled.

“ Think! If we succeed, Mom will be proud of us!” Star added.

“ Yeah, after she scolds us!” Bandaid retaliated.

“ Keyword’s AFTER, Bandaid.” Gaia pointed out.

Bandaid looked at his five siblings, all looking at him for the final decision. He was in fact, the oldest after all. He knew he should say no, that was the right thing to do, for both his Mom’s peace of mind and his sibling’s safety. But the desire to make his Mom proud tempted him. There were a lot of good things stacked for them if they did this, including team building and skill practice. Even if they fail, all they’d get is a thorough scolding and possibly grounding that’ll last for a day after some persuasion.

He sighed deeply. His siblings grinned.

“ Fine. Let’s do this for Mom.”

“ FOR MOM!” They cheered before dashing out of their cave system, led by Espada, to the direction of the waterfall entrance.

-------

“ Whoa, Canterlot’s so cool!” Gaia whispered as they peeked out of their hiding spot above the waterfall, looking over the park and the city. She heard a warning hiss behind her.

“ Shh! Somepony might hear you!” Bandaid hissed. Gaia looked at all her siblings and herself. They were disguised to look like if they were born a pony of course, since original disguises were much better then copied ones.

She was an earth pony filly with light purple fur, Bandaid was an earth pony colt with white fur, Espada was a pegasus colt with silver fur, Kalasag was a unicorn colt with gray fur, Mariposa was a unicorn filly with pink fur, and Star was a unicorn filly with blue fur. All of their manes and tails were the same coloration as their Mom, but different preferred styles. All their eyes were the same purple pair as well.

They looked like normal siblings.

“ So what if somepony hears Gaia? We’re disguised, Bandaid. And no one would suspect foals to be changelings. From Infiltrator 324’s memory no nymph joined the invasion army and no changeling used a foal’s disguise. So chill out, big bro.” Kalasag grinned. They nodded at that. The Medic still was not placated. Star sighed. “ Look, big bro, if you’re that worried, how about you shift into a bird and fly over us so you can keep an eye on us, eh?” She suggested.

Bandaid frowned. “ Why don’t we all just turn into birds and fly into the Castle?”

“ I’m pretty sure the Guards are suspicious of birds too, Bandaid. We’ll just have to get there on hoof and sneak inside as rats or a cockroach.” Espada reminded.

Bandaid sighed and nodded. “ FINE. But if we get in trouble it’s NOT my fault. I warned you!” 

In a flash of purple flames, a white/brown owl stood where Bandaid once was. Gaia whistled. “ Now off you go, mister killjoy!” She promptly pushed the owl off the ledge. Bandaid squawked in surprise before righting himself in the air. He was glad he read his Mom’s memory of studying how her pet owl flew before doing this stunt. If it were any other bird he wouldn’t know how to fly at all. He looked back to the direction of his siblings, and panicked.

They weren’t there!

He frantically looked around, since he couldn’t use the hivemind or it would alert their Mom. Then he spotted them, they were already on the main street. How did they get there so fast?! Did he take that long to right himself in the air?! With an angry hoot, he followed them.
----------

The 5 siblings giggled as they heard Bandaid’s angry hooting. They had immediately scaled down the waterfall as soon as Gaia pushed him off the cliff, and his face, though an owl’s, was priceless. They couldn’t hear his thoughts as they restrained in using the hivemind to avoid detection, but they laughed still at the thought of what he would say.

“ Isn’t this exciting? Our first mission together!” Mariposa exclaimed as they strode out of the park.

They made their way through the main street, heading straight for the Canterlot Castle. They of course feasted their eyes on the new sights, sounds and smells, earning a frown on Bandaid’s beak. The owl had been flying from one building to another, staying out of sight as much as he could. He only stiffened when he saw the expressions of his siblings. He gave a warning hoot.

“ Yeah, Yeah, we know Bandaid. Mission first before play. We weren’t gonna run off lollygagging, if that’s what’s ruffling your feathers.” Kalasag said nonchalantly.

“ We know this is important to Mom so we’re far from sabotaging it.” Espada added.

They walked a couple more minutes in silence, mapping out the street and having fun with everything that’s happening around them. It was hard not to just run around and get in trouble, but they managed. Mom was counting on them, even if she didn’t know about it yet. The day was calm, the wind was cool, the hilarious rich ponies were providing entertainment to the tourists and the 6 nymphs.

Everything was going so smoothly, that it was only proper for Fate to drop a bit of spice.

“ What are you children doing here? Without a guardian too!”

All their heads turned to the massive Guardpony looming over them from behind, golden armor glinting in the sunlight. He had a spear in his magic hold, and his face, a face of suspicion, didn’t help matters.

Bandaid had to peck himself to avoid hooting in panic as he hurriedly thought of a plan to get his siblings out of this before it escalated.

Kalasag and Espada, who looked older out of the remaining 3 fillies, spoke up and went into a protective stance.

“ We were just exploring the city sir.” Espada said calmly.

“ And we’re old enough to roam around without any Guardians.” Kalasag added.

The Guard squinted his eyes, frown deepening. “ Yeah right. How about you tell me what’s really goin’ on? Or else you’re all getting into trouble.” Espada managed a quick glance at Bandaid, who flew down an alleyway. He smirked inside, knowing what his brother was going to do. 

Kalasag noticed Espada’s suddenly calm demeanor, and was about to shoot him a look to ask why when the Guard suddenly turned around.

An adult version of Bandaid’s pony form was approaching them.

“ Excuse me Good sire!” He spoke in a British Accent. The Guard seemed to relax at this as well, for some reason. “ Ah, I assume you’re the father of these foals?” He asked. Bandaid flashed a tired smile. “ Quite right there, chap. I sent them out to play until I remembered about the still on-going changeling threat. I was quite busy to forget, but I’m certainly glad it did flash through my mind again. Did they take you away from your route, good sire?” The Guard was now fully at ease after hearing Bandaid’s lie. He chuckled. “ It was no problem, kid. I’m actually grateful that you came. For a moment I thought…” His gaze went to Kalasag’s direction.

“ Thought what?” Bandaid pushed.

“... Never mind. It was crazy. Anyway, these kids are lucky I found them. Who knows what could have happened to them with all the things still hiding out there.” The Guard turned back to meet Bandaid’s eyes. The Medic nodded. “ Thank you sire. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take my foals home, where they’ll be safe and sound.” He took Espada’s hoof and started leading the group away from the Castle gates that were only a couple more minute’s walk away. The guard tipped his hat to Bandaid. “ You better. Good day and be careful, kid.”

Then he went back on his way.

After getting out of earshot, Mariposa whistled. “ Nice job there, Bandaid. And I’m the infiltrator around here.” The others nodded. Bandaid allowed himself a minute to bask in the praise, before doing a sharp turn into a nearby alleyway. There he turned back to his foal pony form.

“ Now that we know there’s a patrol going around here, what’s the plan?” He asked.

Gaia perked up at that. “ We could sneak in as rats and climb the Castle walls. Then we rush into the palace, and take the ceilings from there and find Princess Celestia’s room.”

“ That could be arranged, then what do we do when we meet the Princess? It’s not like we could just outright say our Mom’s her student. She won’t understand that nymphs grow fast, you know.” Mariposa pointed out.

Espada chuckled. “ That’s easy. Lets do the ‘she asks we answer’ thing. I’m sure as love she’s going to at least ask when she sees 6 foals in her room.”

“ That’s not very sure.” Bandaid frowned.

Espada rolled his eyes. “ Motherly love. Now are we doing this or what?” 

---------------

“ That’s her, right?” Bandaid asked his siblings as they hung from the corner of the throne room’s ceiling. It was quite easy to infiltrate the castle, after getting past the Patrol guards and getting inside the building itself that is. From there you just have to camouflage yourself and travel to where you want to go.

Seeing as it was still about 8:00 am, they changed their route from the Princess’s chamber to the Thrones Room. This was thanks to Star’s recall of a Day Court from their Mom’s memories.
So now here they were, hanging from the ceiling, watching as the nobles bickered and complained about weird stuff. They were making obviously ridiculous requests too, causing both entertainment and pity for the Princess dealing with them to sprout in their hearts.

“ That’s her alright. She’s the only pony with a mane that colourful.” Kalasag smirked.

Princess Celestia was sitting on her throne, listening to the latest noble to ask her for something. They didn’t need to be changelings to know she was trying her hardest not to bite back, snap, and sleep at the same time.

“ How about Princess Luna?” Gaia said.

“ That mare Mom turned back to normal from that… Nightmare Moon? Right?” Mariposa recalled.

“ Yeah, her. One, her mane is not colourful, it’s the night sky. Two, did Mom ever say anything about telling her too?” Asked Kalasag.

“ Well, they’re sisters, Princess Celestia and Luna, right? That’s probably an unspoken rule.” Said Espada.

“ How about we tell Princess Luna first then? Princess Celestia’s busy, and while I would gladly cause some distraction to save her from this…. whatever this is supposed to be,” Star gestured at the bickering ponies, “ I doubt Mom would like that.”

Bandaid nodded. “ Yeah, that’s probably the right course of action. Only problem, Mom’s memories didn’t say anything about where Princess Luna’s room is.”

“ Maybe she’s walking around?” Kalasag suggested.

“ Walking around? No way, she’s the night Princess. She’s probably asleep somewhere.” Gaia concluded.

“ So we either disturb an obviously suffering Day Princess, who’s closer to Mom, or a sleeping night Princess, who’s probably going to need that sleep tonight.” Bandaid summarized.

“ Yikes, when you put it that way…” Star murmured.

They looked at each other. Then to the suffering Princess. Espada surveyed his siblings’ stares, before grinning.

“ Princess Celestia, we’re here to save you.”

-----

Celestia could hardly restrain herself from calling upon her sun and burning Jet Set and Upper Crust to ashes. The Couple had once again tried to take advantage of the Changeling threat to upgrade their manors. That’s right, MANORS, which probably are much better used as farmlands for the good of the nation.

She pretended to listen, tuning out the irrelevant topics but also at the same time listening a bit to make sure she’s not nodding in agreement to something outrageous.

It was hard, but it was her duty.

But as she remained eye contact with the blabbering fools, she noticed something quite odd in her peripheral vision. Something so random that she just had to break eye contact for a teensy second to look at it. She was frozen solid.

Luckily, everyone in the room was too busy swimming around and inflating their egos to notice a foal hanging from the ceiling. What boggles the mind more than that mere fact was even from her distance way back in the room she could always recognize her student’s trademark mane color, which was shown on the colt. 

The colt waved at her, before promptly turning around and was followed by five other foals down the door as he slipped outside when it opened to allow entry to another headache causer.

Now if that wasn’t reason enough to cut the Day Court short, then she didn’t no what is. 

She suddenly coughed, earning all eyes to her direction. She coughed more, harsher and harsher each time, before trying to smile. “I-I’m sorry, Jet Set and Upper Crust, I must have eaten something odd today.” Jet Set frowned. “ Are you alright, your Highness?” Celestia tried not to grin. She coughed again. “ A-Actually, come to t-think of it I have been feeling down early this morning…” She made a big show of coughing again. She fought hard not to smile when worried looks erupted in their faces. 

Jet Set frowned deeper. “ If it’s that worse, your grace, you should rest up. The Day Court could always continue tomorrow.”

“ T-Thank you, Jet Set….” She coughed harder. The Unicorn then had a smug smile on his face at her gratitude. He turned to the crowd. “ You heard that everypony! The Princess needs her rest. Out with you!” He shooed them away as he himself rejoined the crowd.

After only a couple of minutes, the Thrones Room was, for once, fortunately empty.

Celestia slowly got off her throne and was about to make her way outside and back to her chambers, because that’s probably where those foals are, her mind still reeling about it, when a colt’s voice said from above,

“ That was five out of five, your highness. Finally those prissy ponies are out of your hair.”

She froze, then slowly looked up. Six pairs of familiar lavender eyes stared back at her. As she watched, they dropped from the ceiling one by one, allowing Celestia to fully accept that this was in fact happening, and to notice they all bore her student’s eyes and mane, as well as, on closer inspection, some semblance of her cutiemark on their own.

The one who spoke cleared his throat nervously.

“ I assume you’re changelings?” She managed to ask. The lead colt bowed, followed by his siblings. Then the colt beside him smiled. “ Changeling nymphs, Your Highness.” Celestia blinked at the specification, before they all dropped their disguises.

She again found herself frozen for the umpteenth time in the span of one day.

They were indeed nymphs, and the first thing that stood out about them were their remaining cutiemarks. Next were their different appearances from the changelings that attacked Canterlot. They had the same form as Twilight’s changeling self, with purple chitin, lack of holes, and navy blue backplates and stomach membranes. Then there were their extra appendages. The changelings she’ve seen had both wings and a horn, but these foals had either one or none at all. And the one with the wings had pegasus ones, not the membrane kind.

Then it hit her on what it could possibly mean. 

Her eyes widened. “ You’re Twilight’s nymphs!”

Espada nodded with a grin. “ Yep! And we’re here to explain what actually happened yesterday!”

Celestia suddenly frowned and squinted at the foals as a thought ran through her head. “ Did Twilight send you here?” She widened her eyes when the nymphs cringed, implying they came here without permission.

Star giggled nervously. “ N-Not exactly….”

Gaia cupped her face in her hooves then dragged them down so it looked like she was ripping her face off. “ We got bored and….” 

“... We remembered Mom wanted to talk to you….” Kalasag ventured.

“...And here we are?” Espada tried a smile as he finished the sentence. He expected the Princess to demand they go home or something, but then she surprised them all with a chuckle.

“ You really take on your mother.” Was her words backed with a smile. The siblings looked at each other and gave a collective sigh of relief, since that smile meant she was far from ratting them out or something of the like. All postures eased, they gave their own grins at the alicorn.

“ So, little ones, before you tell me what Twilight wanted to, what are your names? I’d like to get to know my most faithful student’s first nymphs.” Celestia said. Bandaid perked up at that. He was the eldest, so he felt he should introduce everyone.

“ Princess Celestia, I am Bandaid, a healer. My brother Espada,” 

“ Sword?” Celestia asked.

“, a Soldier. My brother Kalasag,”

“ Armor.”

“,a Praetor. My sister Mariposa,”

“ Butterfly.”

“, an Infiltrator. My Sister Star, a Mage. And Finally my sister Gaia,”

“ Earth.”

“, a Farmer.” Bandaid finished. Celestia’s smile only widened. “ What fine names your mother has given you.” Mariposa giggled. “ I never knew my name meant Butterfly!” Kalasag and Espada joined in. “ Me neither. What language is it?” The Praetor asked. Gaia nodded. “Yeah. Mom never explained where she got them.”

“ Mariposa’s name is Spanish, while yours,” Celestia looked at the two nymphs, “ Are Tagalog, a language from the country Fillypines,” She turned to Gaia, “ And finally yours, came from Greece.” The four foals ‘ahh’d’ in understanding, before they were interrupted by Bandaid.

“ Enough about names! Mom’s brilliant and all that. How about we start telling the Princess what we came here to tell?” He pointedly looked at everyling, who just giggled at him.

Celestia couldn’t help but join in when she could just see Twilight in the foals. 

She smiled at Bandaid. It was easy to tell them apart, by their cutiemarks and their added appendages.

“ Do tell, Bandaid. I have all day.”

----------


“ So, with all that out of the way, how exactly are we going to approach the Sun Princess?” 18 said, now reborn into a mage, to the other changelings. They had already exchanged stories, already heard Twilight’s plans, and already were surprised by Twilight’s foreign but welcome mannerisms.

Twilight frowned. She had never gone too far into planning this particular action, since she was too preoccupied with other just as important matters.

“ How about just simply telling her? Sneak in the castle, probably tie her down first so she doesn’t blast us into the moon, and just explain yesterday and the hive plans.” 215 said nonchalantly. 324, 18 and Twilight’s eyes widened at this and they immediately started stuttering about all the ramifications of such actions. 

215 rolled her eyes at the unnecessary worry of her Queen, which she normally couldn’t do without being put to jail under Chrysalis’ rule.

“ My Queen, relax. If this mentor of yours is trustworthy enough to be one of the first ponies to know about our hive, then you should trust her to listen to you at least long enough to NOT banish you or kill us all with her sun.” The Soldier pointed out.

Twilight went silent. One of the reborn underlings, 81, a Farmer, saw this as an opportunity to test Twilight’s character and suddenly interjected. “ 215’s right My Queen. Besides, this is an easier solution.”

He waited with baited breath for Twilight’s reply, which to his delight was an accepting sigh and a tired smile. “ Alright, 215 and 481,” The two changelings smiled at the credit given,” This is a better solution. I’m sorry,” All changelings widened their eyes at the apology, “ I’m just nervous, I guess. I mean I AM just going to reveal our hive to somepony powerful enough to be an ally AND an enemy.”

A Healer, 67, found courage after hearing Twilight’s apology and spoke up. “ But didn’t the princess practically raised you, my Queen?”

“ She should love you as a daughter…” A Praetor, 50, added.

Twilight blinked. Then she laughed. “ Of course! How could I forget that?!” 

215 smirked. She was liking how the Queen treated them as equals. “ Nerves?” Twilight rolled her eyes and playfully shoved the Soldier, who went from angry to surprised when she realized it wasn’t meant. “ Oh stop it, 215. I get it, I get it.” She chuckled, not noticing the shocked new lings and a laughing 324. She smiled at her new friends.

“ Then it’s settled; we tell the Princess tomorrow.”

“ Or you could tell her now!” All heads turned to the collective voices of Twilight’s nymphs, who were rushing into the temporary meeting chamber. The Queen raised an eyebrow as her nymphs hugged her. She looked at the nearest one.

“ Star? What are you guys doing here?” She asked.

“ Leading me here.” Everyone’s head turned again to the entryway, only to freeze, soldiers and praetors sneaking closer to their new Queen, at the sight of who it is. Twilight’s jaw dropped and her nymphs merely giggled. “ Here she is, Princess! Told you we’d find her!” Bandaid grinned.

Princess Celestia chuckled. “ She indeed is here, Bandaid.”

“ P-Princess?! How-WHen!?-” Twilight stuttered, earning a gentle laugh from the alicorn. 

“ I guess we both have a lot of explaining to do, eh?” She said with a knowing smirk.
> Everfree
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“ I gotta say, My Queen. Your mentor really knows how to pick a secret hideout.” Was 215’s remark as she slashed the thick undergrowth on their path.

It took them two full days to straighten things with the Sun Princess. It took a lot of explaining from both parties and a whole lot more time in relaying the Hive’s plans. Luckily, Celestia was a patient pony. Maybe it had to do with her being practically immortal, the hive wasn’t sure.

The Sun Princess had suggested that before they begin with trying to integrate into Pony society, they had to settle in first and make their hive thrive. She recommended the EverFree forest, since it was the perfect environment for survival based creatures like the changelings, and it was a place where no pony in their right mind would just accidentally wander through.

She also let the Moon Princess in on the plans, who was more than happy to lend a few Bat Pony guards to escort the Hive until they could stand on their own four hooves.

It took another two days to arrive stealthily at the vast, uncharted forest, but they weren’t really in any hurry courtesy of Twilight’s love producing nymphs. The Bat Ponies also knew enough of the flora to just simply pluck a fruit to snack on, so hunger was far from a problem. If anything, it was a casual move from the Crystal Caves to the EverFree forest.

But they were starting to slowly get tired of seeing plants everywhere they looked, and the place Celestia had picked for their new hive was still a couple hours away.

“ She should know, given her experience.” Twilight replied, following the Soldier closely behind with two tired nymphs on her back. The poor younglings were the ones who were really struck by boredom, but they knew enough to just sleep so they could still produce love for the moving Hive. The rest of Twilight’s brood were scattered on various changelings’ backs, giving the chosen lings a bit of happiness to know their Queen trusted them with her first clutch.

“ I hope it’s as perfect as she promised.” 18 said, also slashing foliage and low-hanging branches out of the way.

324 grunted as he stood beside Twilight, acting as her guard without her asking. At this point the infiltrator knew his Queen loved it better when they treat her as a friend, and friends take action without permission, right?

“ It better. Two days of travel is not to be taken lightly, even with 7 love sources.” 

“ We had to go slow, 324, or else we’ll risk getting spotted. We have my brother hot on our tails, after all.” Twilight said with a slight frown. She still couldn’t believe her brother hated changelings THAT much. She guessed he must’ve been severely traumatized, but someone with that condition shouldn’t have been able to just visit her because the mere sight of a changeling would knock him out.

“ Speaking of brother, I can’t wait to see his face when he realizes he’s been wrong the entire time.” 18 chuckled.

“ And he almost killed his own sister and her kids.” 215 added.

“ It’s enough for me to not hold a grudge against him, at least. Watching his world burn would be enough revenge.” Twilight laughed.

Small talk saved them from complete boredom though, and it also helped the other changelings get to know their Queen more. Twilight would switch places every now and then in the travel formation, sometimes on the front, the tail, the sides, and the middle. She would talk and ask the changelings things, who would reply happily after the initial shock, and then rinse and repeat.
Given how long the journey was, at that point the changelings could get over their surprise in a second rather than a full minute. And also call her Twilight instead of My Queen half of the time. Twilight wanted all the time, but hey, it was a good start.

-------

The sun was beginning to touch the horizon when they finally arrived at their destination.

The changelings and the thestrals could hardly stop themselves from rushing in the vine-covered cave. 215 and 18 refrained from cutting the undergrowth and small plants that were littering the area to maintain it’s untouched look, so they resorted to flying inside, with Twilight leading.

Lighting her horn, filling the Cave Hallway with the soft lavender light, she marveled at the natural rock formations. The Cave was deep, which was helpful, since it meant even if someone strayed inside they wouldn’t immediately see the hive on the far back.

Continuing their slow flight deeper into the cave, Twilight started to notice something strange.

She could see bits of healthy, thriving plants on the cave floor, despite it being solid stone. Further ahead she could see bits of the fading rays of the sun, but sunlight nonetheless. These two factors kept growing in numbers the further they flew, until they were almost blinded at the sudden amount of light.

“ Dear God…” 18 mumbled.

They slowly opened their eyes, and they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

An entire underground paradise, with an enormous sparkling lake fed by seven waterfalls, with a small forest surrounding it. The slopes of the cave containing this impossible location were also littered with smaller caves, perfect for a growing hive. And finally, above it all, was a hole showcasing the beautiful sunset, indicating this was a hollowed volcano.

“ I remember this! This was where Star Swirl the Bearded trained the two Princesses! That’s why Celly recommended this place.” Axiom, the Bat Pony general and old friend of Twilight, said with a chuckle.

It broke Twilight out of the trance and caused her to stare at the old Thestral with a baffled look on her face. “ How did you know that?!” Was what she managed. The Batpony just patted her shoulder. “ The Thestrals have been around longer than ponies, little Star. We know things.” He slapped her back playfully. “ Now go on! You have a hive to grow. Make us proud.” He shoved the shocked Queen to her changelings, who had already been in a frenzy to both settle in and explore the new Hive.

--------

“ Infiltrator 900, how are things in Canterlot?” 

“ The guards are in Patrol, the city’s security has been doubled, but otherwise calm enough, Your Grace.”

“ Patrol? Doubled security?”

“ The Captain has instated these operations for the sole purpose of catching changelings, specifically the one who replaced his sister.”

“ I never ordered such a suicide mission! With her paralysed, she is out of the game!”

“ Permission to speak, Your Grace?”

“ Permission Granted.”

“ Mayhaps the other hives did this, Mayhaps out of curiosity?”

“... More like trying to take Equestria while we recovered! Trying to get ahead while we take the brunt of the impact!”

“ I doubt they would dare defy the largest hive in the colony.”

“ They wouldn’t. But now they would, since we are under that wretched alicorn’s watch!”

“ What do you suggest we do?”

“ I can’t let them take my glory! We are weakened, but not for long. Double all hunting parties!”

“ But all infiltrators and even farmers are already out on the field.”

“ Then order every able-bodied changeling to hunt!

“ But that’s just it! Only the infiltrators and the farmers had gathered enough love during the invasion to stay on the field. The rest are too weak and hungry to go out, so they either are maintaining the hive or just standing around.”

“ The Underlings! They do not require much love!”

“ Didn’t you know, Your Grace? They cut themselves from the hivemind.”

“ WHAT?! ALL OF THEM!?”

“ Along with Infiltrator 324 and Soldier 215.”

“ ARGH! Whatever! We don’t need them anyway. In fact it is a good thing they cut themselves off. Less mouths to feed.”

“ What to do now, Your Grace?”

“ Capture as many ponies as you all on the field can and bring them all to the hive. Half of them we drain, half of them…. “

“ …. In all due respect, Your Grace, isn’t that forbidden?”

“ Pish Posh, desperate times call for desperate measures. Now Go! I expect you all back tomorrow, so we may begin immediately.”

“ Of course, My Queen.”

--------

“ We already set up the Nursery, The Gel growing chamber, The Barracks, The Storage, and the Guest Chamber, where all the Thestrals are staying.” 18 reported.

“ Me and Soldiers 56, 40, 32, 12, 17, 34 and 50 are on Patrol duty, My Queen.” 215 added.

“ And me and a couple more Infiltrators, namely 88, 57, 65, 30, and 10 are going out tonight to get more supplies through the bits the Sun Princess gave us.” 324 finished.

Twilight looked at the three changelings in front of her, wide-eyed at their reports. For a moment they feared they went too far, doing all those things without the Queen’s permission. But that was easily put out when Twilight tackled them all in a hug.

“ Thank you guys… I couldn’t have gone this far without you.” She said gratefully before releasing them from her deathgrip. The hug had filled the three with her familial love, and they all felt full and happy. 

“ You could have, but it would probably take longer.” 215 jested, causing the four lings to laugh.

“ Maybe, but I’m happy I have friends like you.” Twilight said with a smile. They returned it as they accepted more of Twilight’s love. She was really a refreshing pony to be around, given how long they’ve been with someone like Chrysalis.

“ But how about you guys? Have you found somewhere in the hive to call home?” The Queen asked.

324 grinned. “ Yep! I picked a cave near the Nursery, because someone ought to watch those nymphs of yours, especially after their ‘mission’.” 

“ I picked one near a waterfall, since I’m going to be needing water for spells and potions. I’d probably have the Alchemists as neighbors.” 18 said.

“ I picked one near the Main Entrance, as well as all the Soldierlings.” 215 smirked.

“ Then I’m glad. The rest of the hive too, right? Picked their own cave?” Twilight clarified. They nodded. The lavender Queen sighed in relief. “ Good.” She looked outside her cave. It was dark obviously, since it was around 8:00 pm, but the changelings had added Love Crystals on various hubs around the hive to both light it up and distribute trace amounts of love. These kinds of Crystals were also abundant, the farmers and builders were FAST workers, in the Nursery and the Storage.

“ Now how about you guys catch some sleep? It had been a long day of non-stop walking, and I’d be spared from a heart attack to know none of my friends fainted on their missions.”

Genuine care replaced familial love for a split second.

215, 18, and 324 nodded and bowed. “ Sure Twi/ Yes, My Queen/ Good night, Twilight.” They said in unison before leaving. 324 lagged behind though, looking at Twilight with pride in his eyes.

“ You did great for a pony Queen, you know.” He winked before flying off.

Twilight giggled as she watched his fading form, before staring at the Lake reflecting the bright moon in the sky. 

< Thank you, everyling.> 

It was promptly followed by shock and a few stuttering ‘your welcome’s and ‘my pleasure’s, causing more giggles to erupt from the Queen’s mouth as she retreated in her cave, eager to finally have a good night’s.

---------------
12:00 pm…


“ Are you ready?” Espada asked his siblings.

He was carefully looking outside from the Nursery, surveying the area and staying hidden from the patrolling Soldiers. He heard a moan from behind him, causing his head to swivel to the owner’s direction. He let out a groan when he saw who it was. “ What is it this time, Bandaid?” 

Bandaid grimaced, but kept his frown. “ I understand the first mission was to reach someone who is friendly, but this?! To sneak off to somewhere completely filled with hostile ponies?!”

Star rolled her eyes as she strapped a saddlebag on. “ They aren’t completely hostile, Bandaid. And that somewhere is where Mom’s friends are.”

“ Who don’t know that Mom’s not actually replaced!” Bandaid snapped back.

“ Big bro, if you’re going to be like this EVERY mission we have, we’re making sure to bring you along tied up.” Gaia remarked as she gave out the saddlebags her siblings were going to be bringing.

“ What do you mean EVERY mission? We are not going to have any more missions!” The Medic portrayed his stress by pulling at his hair. When he heard his siblings’ giggles though he glared at the nearest one, who happened to be Mariposa. “ We’re lucky Mom was too preoccupied to scold us on that first escapade!”

“ No scoldings mean we did a pretty fine job.” Kalasag pointed out.

Mariposa put a hoof on Bandaid’s scrunched up nose. “ And we learned a lot from that single mission alone. We’re bound to be better this time.”

“ Don’t get too cocky, dear sister.” Star warned with a smile.

“ Are you guys serious?!” Bandaid tried desperately. He was rewarded with a smack on the withers, courtesy of Gaia. She relished his yelp of pain before stuffing a saddlebag on his face.

“ Yes we’re serious. But if you’re going to keep complaining we’re leaving you behind.” 

Bandaid took the saddlebag before noticing all his siblings were already sneaking out of the nursery one-by-one. He had a very disgruntled look on his face.

“ You’re leaving m-me behind?! I-I c-could tell o-on you, you know!” He stuttered helplessly.

Espada smirked. “ We know you won’t. You love us.” The Soldier then made sure Star made it out undetected before positioning his body to do the same.

“ Are Mom’s books really THAT important?!” Bandaid tried for the last time, but he already knew the answer. If you’re a Sparkle, then you have the answer hard-drived into your soul.

Espada gave him a triumphant look, “ Yep.” before sliding down the slope, disappearing from Bandaid’s sight. The poor medic sighed as he quickly followed, already dreading the journey.

----------

“ Oh hello Bandaid. Nice of you to join us.” Star giggled with her siblings when Bandaid landed on the spot they all slid down from the slope below the Nursery Cave. The Medic had a frown on his face. “ You know full well you all tricked me into this.” He held the angry expression for a few more seconds before sighing in resignation. “ But I suppose every team HAS to have a Healer- HEY!” He didn’t even get to finish his sentence before his siblings tackled him with a group hug.

They wasted half a minute on that action, giggling and nuzzling the already stressed Medic before he finally pushed them off.

“ Get off me!” He shoved the last giggling nymph away as he fixed his hair. “ I don’t want to die of asphyxia so early in the mission.”

Espada chuckled. “ Good. Because with that out of the way, time to sneak out of the hive and out the EverFree forest.” The Soldier then started to make his way through the Lake Forest, the other nymphs following his lead. The boy had already looked for a quick route out the Nursery to the Main Entrance when the other lings had been busy looking for caves, and was glad when he put it to good use.

-----------------


They spent a good chunk of the night just crawling as close to the ground as they possibly could, trying to both hurry and hide from any passing Soldierlings. They started to tire, but when they finally arrived at the Main Entrance, the sight of Soldier 215 talking with the two Soldiers who were assigned at the gateway woke them up pretty quick.

“ Okay… What’s your plan for getting past Soldier 215?” Bandaid asked Espada.

The Soldier gulped, then put on a determined face. “ Same plan, ceiling is our way out of here. I’m going first, then you guys. We’ll take this slow.”

“ Slower than a while ago?” Gaia quipped.

“ Maybe not as slow, but you get what I mean. See ya on the other side!” Espada immediately flew as quick as he can to a bush near the Main Entrance, barely staying still on time for 215 to pass right by. The younger soldier exhaled, before scaling the tree that was right beside the bush and then connecting with the slope. He made sure to be as discreet as possible as his eye was trained on the guard right beneath him, especially as he finally stopped scaling the side of the gateway and dashed to the ceiling.

Trying to not set stalactites crashing down the unsuspecting guard’s head and alerting the one right across him was hard, but the soldier somehow managed it. Once he was sure he was out of changeling earshot, which took a long time to get out of, he sprinted until he was all the way to the vine cover. There he dropped down, flying to stop such a loud landing, and waited with baited breath for his siblings.

-----------------

“ I swear I almost died right there and then when Soldier 215 came back with gel for Soldiers 8 and 9.” Mariposa muttered as she dropped down the ceiling with the rest of her siblings.
It was probably already about 12:45 pm when they fully got past the guards, and it wasn’t helping that they needed to get back to the Hive, deposit the books secretly in the still constructing Archives, sneak back into the Nursery and pretend nothing ever happened before 2:00 am, where Infiltrator 324 was scheduled to return from his team’s shopping spree and check on them.

“ But you’re an infiltrator, Mariposa.” Star pointed out.

The budding infiltrator rolled her eyes. “ Being an infiltrator doesn’t make one immune to nerves.”

“ Enough of this! Let’s just get going already! Time’s a wasting!” Kalasag scolded as he gestured for them to get past the vine cover. The snake-like plant parts were thick and heavy though, something they didn’t think ahead of since when the hive first arrived no one touched the vines for it was levitated by magic. Luckily Star and Mariposa had enough magical energy to lift a few just a bit, enough for all of them to crawl under and into the Everfree.

But even that was straining enough, since they didn’t train with their Mother yet on proper magic energy conservation.

“ Are you two alright?” Bandaid said worriedly as he watched his two sisters grit their teeth as they themselves pass under the cover. It was when they finally let go of the heavy thing that relief flooded their faces.

“ Y-Yeah. Just didn’t think it would be THAT h-heavy.” Star said for the two, since being a Mage made it a tad less painful.

“ Well as the team Healer I advise you don’t use magic for the remainder of the mission unless necessary. We didn’t need it after all in the last escapade. Now hurry along.” Bandaid went and allowed Mariposa lean on him as they traveled through the Everfree, while also feeding Star with sibling love to keep her magic levels from dropping into a critical rate.

Espada spared a look at the three and despite the situation, felt a smile on his face. He was glad Bandaid finally fully joined the team, and can expect less resistance on whatever the next mission will be. He looked at Kalasag and tilted his head to the lagging trio.

“ Carry Mariposa so we can be a bit faster. Mom’s memories tell of weird wooden creatures that are on the prowl on this hour.” 

Kalasag nodded and obliged, running back and carrying the Infiltrator on his back and came to return to the main group’s position with Star and Bandaid. Espada then flew up and through the thick Canopy to see the direction of their destination, and found it to be only a few minute’s walk. But they needed something faster, since they couldn’t waste time here in the Everfree. He then grinned as he got an idea and hurried back down.

“ It’s quite a walk from here. We need to shift into something fast but not noticeable.” He accompanied his grin with waggling eyebrows. “ Could everyling be a deer, and well, be a deer?”

Gaia smacked him upside the head, earning a pained chuckle from the Soldier. “ That was terrible.” She said, before promptly erupting into purple flames, leaving a young doe in her place.
The others followed, even Mariposa, and soon their little spot had three young bucks and three young does.

Espada then nodded his horned head to the general direction of Ponyville, before leaping into action and leading their little herd to their destination.

----------


Purple fires erupted suddenly in the edge of the Everfree forest, soon disappearing as quickly as they appeared leaving 6 nymphs hiding in the bushes, surveying the town with awe.

It was a quaint little place, not too grand, not too plain either. It proved the statement ‘Simplicity is Beauty’.

“ I could see why Mom felt so at home here. It’s far from Canterlot’s stiffness.” Gaia commented.

“ Well we better get moving. There’s only one building here that’s a living tree, and it’s right in there.” Mariposa, a bit fine after that rest on Bandaid’s shoulder and then Kalasag’s back, pointed. Everyone looked at where she directed, and there it was. A tree with windows and even a balcony.

Golden Oaks Library.

“ Shift to pony selves and just try to keep a low profile. Let’s move.” Espada’s order was promptly followed and soon their little group was quietly running across town, using every shadow as a cover. 

Kalasag and Mariposa even used their magic to turn off/on street lamps as they went. It only required a spark of magic, both to Mariposa and Bandaid’s relief.

In no time they were in front of the building, still hidden from view, and Star was about to pick the lock when Kalasag’s hoof stopped her horn. She blinked and was about to question, as well as the rest of their little group, when they went quiet at Kalasag’s ‘hunter’ face.

Mouth a snarl, scrunched up nose, all indicators of a hunter smelling prey.

“ Someone’s inside….” He sniffed a bit harder. His eyes widened a bit. “ Scratch that, more than one someone!” He whisper-screamed at Espada, who immediately went to action. The Soldier gestured for the group to stay in the shadows as he shifted into a black owl, flying into the nearest window to see exactly who Kalasag smelled.

His already wide owl eyes widened as he recognized the ponies inside.

He flew back to his siblings, who were hidden under the balcony of a nearby house. He turned back to his pony form and gave a panicked whisper; “ It’s Mom’s friends!”

Everyone’s eyes widened at that. 

“ What are they doing there?!” Star asked.

" I don't know!" Said the panicking Soldier.

Bandaid looked at his siblings and knew by the look of their faces he should do something soon before something goes wrong.

" Look," He touched the Soldier's shoulder. ", Maybe they're there for something like checking for clues that might point to where Mom is. Remember, Twilight Sparkle is still missing. We could just continue the mission with more stealth than usual or back out." He said.

Espada breathed out, after having heard the obvious conclusion, and blushed a bit out of embarrassment for panicking. He was supposed to be a Soldier too, adding insult to injury.

" You're... You're probably right, Bandaid. Sorry." He cleared his throat in an attempt to clear his blush.

Gaia giggled. " You know it's fine to panic, right?"

" And as Sparkles, we are more than allowed to panic almost if not all the time, dear brother." Mariposa grinned.

" Plus, I hear panicking clears the head." Bandaid squeezed Espada's shoulder. 

" What's the plan, Captain?"
-------

Spike allowed steam to escape his nostrils as he sat glumly on Twilight's bedroom window.

He felt empty without his friend and sister, and the remaining guilt that was brought about due to the Wedding Invasion, the very event that caused Twilight's kidnapping in the first place, was not helping him feel better.

He had failed her as her most faithful assistant, and now he had failed her as a brother and friend.

He wished he followed her advice on strengthening his sense of smell that one day, about a year ago. If he had then he could have sniffed her scent and found her already, no matter how far away.

But alas, he had a, now obviously not important, date with a certain unicorn.

Pfft, who was he kidding. Calling it 'date' was being generous. It was more like him drooling as he followed the alabaster mare as she shopped around Canterlot.

Looking back on it, he was a fool to not see his lust and her obvious lack of reciprocating his feelings.

To think he gave up on being taught an important dragon trait over a mare he would never win over.

Spike smirked to himself. After realizing that painfully blatant fact he snapped out of it and finally left Rarity alone.

Then a frown found it's way into his face.

But it was sad that it took for Twilight to disappear before it opened his eyes.

" Spike? Are you alright?" 

The Dragon's ears twitched at the soft voice as he turned around to meet turquoise eyes.

" Fluttershy? Uh," Spike jumped down the window. " Yeah, I'm fine. Just thinking about stuff..." He sighed. 

Fluttershy trotted over and draped a wing on the sad dragon hatchling.

" Thinking about Twilight again?"

Spike froze, then completely melted against the warm feathers of the shy pegasus.

He exhaled steam again.

" Yeah. I mean, it's been almost a week since we found out a changeling replaced her, and who knows how long that thing switched places with her!" He dragged a claw across his face to convey his frustration.

But Fluttershy was quiet, when she usually would say something uplifting. The dragon looked up to see hesitating eyes.

" You still think that Twilight wasn't actually replaced, are you?"

Fluttershy blushed in embarrassment, but nodded.

" I still think that Twilight feeding was mere instinct. All creatures have at least a set of instructions in their DNA that teaches them how to survive. And seeing how Twilight got a species change, the instincts would have all the more reason to activate to make sure she survives." 

Spike sighed again.

" I want to believe you, that Twi is safe out there, but at the same time I don't. What if you ARE right, that Twi wasn't actually replaced, but that would mean Shining Armor just almost KILLED his own sister believing she was something else. And that would mean if a Twilight would come knocking on the door and we capture it then torture it for information-"

" Torture!?!" Fluttershy gasped.

Spike was too depressed to make the Shy pegasus not panic that he just explained, " It's Shining interrogating a changeling. What do you think?" before continuing, " and then after we find out it WAS Twilight. It would take more than another round of apologies to fix that, assuming the betrayal wasn't too severe to cause her to just shut us out."

Fluttershy gasped again. 

" I never thought of it that way...."

The tables turned as Spike was now the one comforting the pegasus, his claw stroking her back.

" It's alright. But ignoring the aftermaths, I'd much rather have Twilight safe out there rather than being brainwashed or something in a Cave or hive." He gave the pegasus a comforting smile.

Then his ears perked up at the distant sound of pots clanking and plates breaking in the library kitchen.

" Oh my." Muttered Fluttershy.

" Oh my indeed. Let's go before thet destroy the Library. Can't have Twilight return to a messy house." Spike chuckled as he led the mare through the door and down the stairs.

They didn't notice 6 pairs of eyes trained on them from the ceiling.
-------

Sneaking in the building via balcony as House geckos was easy.


Listening to their Uncle talk about how he missed his 'kidnapped' Sister was NOT.

They had already gathered all the books that their Mom had kept in her bedroom, and were pretty much done with what they came for and could've already been somewhere in the Everfree heading home if they hadn't heard that conversation.

Bandaid looked at his siblings, having a sinking feeling on what they were having an internal debate on what to do, their looks confirming his suspicions.

He sighed rather heavily, causing startled looks to be drawn to him.

" I suppose you'd want to tell Uncle Spike?"

Everyone's eyes widened, not at the question but at the fact that it was BANDAID of all lings to address that.

" Mom would've done it... He's her real brother in my opinion..." Mariposa whispered, choosing not to snark at Bandaid for suggesting a risky move.

Kalasag snorted. " Not like Uncle Armor."

" So.... New mission within a mission then?" Star said hopefully.

Espada straightened his posture and nodded respectfully at Bandaid.

" Operation REUNITE is a go."

" Buck being scolded, amirite?" Gaia giggled as she and her siblings shifted once more into geckos and crawling to the lower library.

Now they just need to separate their Uncle from the 5.

But the possibility to also telling their practically-Aunts was there.

REUNITE is truly a fitting mission name.
> Normal?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

" What's going on here?" Spike asked as he beheld the mess that was a sea of pots and pans strewn on the library floor.

Rainbow Dash was floating above it all with an annoyed look on her face, Applejack was completely buried with only her hat as a testament to her existence, and finally the perpetrator, Pinkie, was in the center with a nervous look as she watched Spike's muzzle slowly scrunch up in anger.

" I was just trying to find the right cooking pan to make the pancakes later in the morning! But Twilight didn't have any so I brought my own stash but they were lost too under all this and I can't find them without making noise I'm sorry but I can't allow no breakfast to happen so I really needed that pan!!" She explained without even being winded.

Spike groaned. Rarity's magic would've been useful in cleaning this mess, but she had to watch their sisters and was way over at Carousel Boutique.

He went down the stairs and started picking up pots and pans.

" This could've waited till later, Pinkie." He said with a stern look.

Pinkie gulped as she too started putting the items back in the safety of her hair, somehow.

" I'm sorry, I got excited. Making the perfect breakfast would've made you guys cheer up a bit!" She tried a smile.

" Well ya blew it by makin' a mess, Pinks." Murmured Applejack as she was rescued by Fluttershy from the sea of kitchen utensils.

" Yeah, and we're here to look for any clue as to where the changelings would hide Twilight." Rainbow grunted.

Spike sighed as he placed the last pot into Pinkie's tail. " Plus you guys would've had gone home once morning arrived, having breakfast at your respective houses." 

Pinkie's ears drooped. " Oh.... I'm sorry.... I just wanted to make you guys cheer up...."

Rainbow gestured to the now clean library. " You know what would cheer all of us up? Finding Twilight!!! We should be out there, actually looking for her, not in her library looking for some damn clue! Why would we even find a clue here!?! It's not like the changelings used her geography books to find the perfect place to hide her! It would've been in their hive!"

Spike sighed again. " I know, Rainbow. I feel the same. But Princess Celestia said to keep looking in the Library. We can't disobey."

Rainbow scowled. " Why though?! I thought she would have at least known something about changelings to figure out that they always put their captures in their hive!"

" Speakin' of knowin', how'd YOU know so much 'bout them lings?" Applejack interrupted.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. " Flutters here told me."

Everyone's eyes looked at the pegasus, who was quiet the entire conversation. Eyes suddenly trained on her made the shy pony tense up.

" How do you know that, Fluttershy? I doubt you read them from a book." Spike said with a raised eyebrow.

Fluttershy shrunk but that was normal. " I just thought that the changelings looked a lot like insects and the fact that they have a Queen made them similar to Termites, so I thought it made sense for them to keep Twilight in their hive, where they are the strongest."

Everyone went silent at the logic.

Then Applejack widened her eyes. "So that's why ya insisted that Twilight prolly was just actin' on instinct!"


Fluttershy nodded. " Yep. And if my theory is right, then it WAS Twilight who Shining Armor thought to be an impostor."

" It that's true.... Then poor Twi...." Spike said quietly.

" Betrayed by her own kin..." Applejack whispered.

" Then all the more reason to find her!" Rainbow practically screamed. " If that's true, then she's probably hurt somewhere, hiding from the guards or worse, starving to death!" She said in alarm, wings flapping twice as fast.

" But how will we find her!? There's a 50/50 chance that Fluttershy is right. If she's wrong, Twi's in a hive we can't trace. If she's right, then we don't know where the heck she's hiding. Probably Canterlot, Ponyville and the Everfree, but it will take us forever and she may be injured but she's still the Element of magic. She'll teleport out of our sight before we could even explain we weren't on Shining's side." Spike listed.

" No she wont! Not after this at least."

They froze at the new voice, then slowly looked up to find not one, but 6 changelings staring down at them from above.

All jaws dropped in unison.

One of them giggled.

" You broke them, Espada."
---------

Twilight was between panicking and pride. 

She was panicking because she worried that her friends will think that her nymphs were a threat and report them to Celestia, which was fine but that report would eventually go to her brother and he might kill them. 

She was filled with pride because her nymphs worked together and snuck past the hive's guards, on another mission with the purpose of helping out the hive.

She was far from angry, she was like that too when she was a foal. Celestia has pictures of her everyday shenanigans even.

215 stared at the pacing Queen, a smile on her face. " Twi, no need to worry. They're YOUR nymphs. They're more than capable of getting themselves out of trouble."

" If they even manage to get into trouble. They made it past 215. That's not an easy achievement to accomplish." 324 added.

" I'm sure they'll be back right before dawn." 18 said with a grin.

Twilight stopped pacing, sighed, then offered her closest ling friends a smile.

" I sure hope so." She said.

" Twilight!!!" 

They looked in unison outside Twilight's cave, seeing a flying Alchemist, 65, waving for their attention.

Twilight flew to the lip of her cave and settled, looking at 65 with concern. A few buzzes later informed her that her three friends followed.

" What is it, 65?" She asked calmly, producing love for the ling, sending shivers up his spine.

" Uh-Uh YOUR nymphs a-are back. But they brought something much bigger than books." He gulped.

Twilight frowned. " Much bigger?"

" Follow me, they're at the Entrance." He retained his composure and gestured for his Queen to follow, which Twilight obliged along with the other three.

They flew over the lush Lake Forest, actually taking 2 minutes to get to the Entrance. Once they got there, Twilight stopped in mid-air as she saw what exactly the nymphs brought that were bigger than books.

Her Friends.

Rainbow Dash immediately made eye-contact with her, and Twilight made a break for it, startling everyone.

" COME BACK HERE AND EXPLAIN YOURSELF!!!!" The Element of Loyalty demanded as they turned the Hive's airspace into a racetrack.

215 tensed then glared at the nearest pony, Applejack.

" What is the-" Applejack's chuckle stopped everyone's rising aggression. Their Queen was being chased by a more-than-capable-of-hurting-her-pegasus, after all.

" It's fine, miss. Rainbow won' hurt 'er. 'Specially with what the youngin's said." She looked at her unofficial nieces and nephews. 

Espada laughed as he watched his Mom somehow outfly the more experienced flyer before turning to 215.

" Don't worry Soldier 215! Aunt Rainbow knows that Mom's about to lay again. She's just having revenge for Mom not trusting any of them." He said with a smile.

215 relaxed, signalling to the others that they do the same.

" If you say so, Espada. But we're probably going to have a hive wide meeting about this latest mission of yours."

Gaia noticed the wording and frowned. " You're not angry?"

215 was surprised. " Angry? No! Everyone shares the same thought as your Mom, that what you did was fine, just next time alert us so Twi doesn't have a heart attack."

Fluttershy perked up at that. " And also be more careful in whatever New mission you embark in."

215 nodded. " Exactly My Queen's point miss...." Her eyes washed over the startled pegasus, as well all the other close lings'. The 4 and Spike stared back, trying to figure out the sudden change in demeanor.

".... Fluttershy. Welp. I just hope you don't sell us out." She eyed her warily.

To the group's surprise, Fluttershy seemed offended instead of confused.

" Hey, Twilight's my friend. I won't sell her out!"

" What are you talking about, Fluttershy?" Spike asked, watching the two mares engaged in a staring contest.

" Not now Spike." She whispered.

" Then what are you here for? Where's the real one?" 215 asked, ignoring Spike's interference.

This time Fluttershy actually frowned. " She's right here. And as to why I'm here...." She gulped before straightening ber posture, looking confident.

" I'm here to join a friend to build her future."

Everyone that was not a changeling had confused looks on their faces, while the nymphs had something like a realization strike.

All the grown up lings stayed wary, but 215 just nodded at Fluttershy's words.

" Fine. I suppose you're not much of a threat-"

Rainbow's scream at almost being hit by a lavender beam caused 215 to snicker.

", but I think you'd have to deal with Twi hyperventilating and your other friends' questions."

Fluttershy eased her stance and looked at her still confused group. She allowed herself a small laugh.

" I know, and I'm already dreading it."

-------

It took a while for Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle's chase in the sky to end, surprisingly caused by the flier stopping and mentioning that they shouldn't fly any longer with Twilight's condition.

It surprised the Queen, Rainbow's knowledge of her about to lay in a few days shocking her, causing the beginning of an impromptu hive-wide meeting in one of Lake Forest's meadows.

It took them the whole day straightening things out, but in the end all misunderstandings were fixed and all questions were answered. With everyone satisfied, they decided to call it a night.

Twilight had the girls taken to the Guest Cave along with the Thestrals, but Spike stubbornly never let go of her leg.

" Spike, I missed you too, and okay fine you stay with me just please let go of my leg or my nymphs will follow you and I won't be able to sleep." She stated.

Spike grinned as he got his wish and obliged, looking smug at the lavender Queen.

He got a playful punch to the shoulder as a reply, as Twilight smiled and turned to the inside of her cave, with the baby dragon following eagerly.

The inside had a snug little nest-like bed with a bunch of pillows and blankets, a couple of bookshelves and worktables, stools with paper work on them and other things.

It was basically a study cave.

" What are you studying for, Twi?" He asked.

" I was just recording everything I've learned about being a changeling, Spike. May come in helpful one day." She said proudly as she shoved a little journal in his chest. He grunted at the impact but took the book with great care, opening it and widening his eyes.

It was, in-short, a VERY detailed journal.

Almost like an encyclopedia.

This was easily one of the best works Twilight has ever done.

Twilight could sense the awe radiating from the Dragon as he marveled at each page he turned. He slowly looked up at his sister.

" D-Does Princess Celestia know about this?" He managed. 

He knew with all his being that Celestia would practically devour this, both for the new knowledge about changelings and the fact that it was written by the smartest pony in Equestria, who was her student.

Twilight blushed. " Not yet. I still think it's too short."

Spike beheld the obviously thick and well-informed book with a hanging jaw.

" I think you and I have VERY different understandings of the word short."

Twilight giggled as she hugged the dragon, who placed the book carefully on a nearby stool and hugged the Queen in return.

" It's good to have you back, Spike." She whispered.

" I love you, big sister." Spike said with a smile, filling Twilight with love with the eggs in her abdomen the recipients of it's nourishment.

" I love you too, little brother." She squeezed him for good measure before letting him go.

She watched his smile grow.

" Brother? That means I'm an Uncle now!" He said happily.

Twilight laughed. " Yep! An Uncle to an entire hive."

Spike puffed out his chest.

" Then I'm going to make sure I grow up big and strong! Your hive's lucky to have a Dragon protecting it, you know!"

Twilight just smiled as she listened to him ramble on and on about ways he could use his lineage as a Dragon to defend her hive. It was charming to see such determination fron the little hatchling.

" Excuse me, Twilight? Are you there?"

Both beings jumped at the soft voice, whose later appearance confirmed it's owner.

" Fluttershy? What can I do for you?" Twilight asked with a smile.

Fluttershy's eyes drifted to her midsection, eyeing the shadows of the eggs with worry.

She hoped her confession won't stress the Queen.

She took a deep breath.

" Actually, I have something to tell you...."

The surprise that rippled through the hive mind startled everyone, except 215 who just cackled with laughter.

Later when a new presence joined their little server however, they understood what had happened and welcomed the new hive member with open arms in the Hivemind Archives.

----------

" What are you reading, Sister?" Luna asked as she walked in on Celestia reading a rather lengthy scroll.

" Twilight's letter." The white alicorn said with a smile. From what she read, her student had things looking up for her, and the alicorn was happy for that.

" Really? Let me read thy student's letter!" Luna snatched the scroll clean from Celestia's magical grasp and to her own.

The night princess was a fast reader, and in no time she laughed at a part that was way far into the story written in ink.

" Twilight's nymphs would make great guards in the future, Sister. I'd much rather have them protect us than the current guard, all talk and no action." Luna smirked.

Celestia chuckled. " I'm sure they will be guards someday, but we have to wait until the public at least views even only Twilight's changelings to be good."

" With your student? I'd bet that will happen in mere months, a year give or take. Any other pony would've taken centuries." Luna grinned.

Celestia smiled at that. " Twilight is a special pony, after all."

" Now if only her brother would see that." 

---------

" What else about the missing ponies' case that you've dug up? Anything new?" Shining Armor asked the pony in front of him.

The pony shook his head.

" Nothing. Only the usual. Changeling slime's the only evidence of them being taken and not just disappearing mysteriously."

" Argh! Those monsters! First my sister, then thousands of innocents?! They're up to something, I just know it." He grunted.

" They're definitely up to something, if they take hundreds of ponies every single passing day." The pony said, ruffling his feathers.

" It's been about a month now, Stormy. We have to crack this case before something worse happens." 

" We can't get anymore closer than we are now, you know that. The changelings are taking ponies by random, with only your sister's kidnapping as the one with at least a valid reason why. We can't bait one to kidnap an agent, they'd simply just choose another target miles away. And doubling patrols are useless against shape-shifters. They're getting stronger, they can hide from a normal unicorn's revealing spell. The only revealing spells powerful enough to actually work are the ones cast by the Princesses and evidently your sister. But with one missing and the other two just not allowed to help on the field, we're stuck in an endless goose chase until they decide to attack or something." 

The pegasus', Stormy, Spike was rewarded with a frustrated growl.

Shining's horn sparked angrily.

" I-I just HATE not being able to do anything!!!" He snarled.

Stormy patted his shoulder.

" I know. I'd do anything to be able to track those changelings down."

Shining gritted his teeth. " We need to capture just ONE, just one changeling, to be able to catch up with them. But that alone is already a challenge."

Then he sighed. " It would've been much easier with Twilight and her smarts."

Stormy gulped at the sore subject being brought up. The Captain talked about his sister everytime his walls broke, each time getting more and more sucked down the memory lane, which was bad for a Captain of his calibre. They needed to all be strong in the emotional side too, after all, especially with mind manipulators as enemies.

" Hey, we'll find her soon." He tried.

" As I've said, It's been a month now since she disappeared, Stormy. A month of suffering. I just can't help but think I'm failing her every day that passed without so much as a progress to figuring out her location. If we can't find her then, can we find her now? The thought of her in somw kind of torture for her love gives me terrible nightmares." Shining dragged a hoof on his face, showcasing his stress. 

" Your sister's strong, Captain. Have faith."

" She may be Equestria's hero, Stormy, but she's still my little sister. If I can't handle the changelings, then who's to say she can?"

Now that statement made Stormy want to protest, since he spied on the mare sometime, it's his job after all, and she was more than capable of protecting herself. He was willing to bet that she was probably giving the changelings a hard time. 

He opened his mouth to vocalize the thought, but he was interrupted by sudden shouting. 

Both stallions went on alert and immediately ran towards the source of shouting, abandoning their previous location of the Castle Courtyard were they often met to discuss findings.

The shouting was coming from the Main street, evident by the running ponies. The source of the chaos wasn't hard to spot either.

A flash of lavender caught Shining's eye, and it was obvious it was from a carapace.

" Changeling!!!!" The Captain shouted.

The thing turned it's head at the owner of the shout, fear evident in it's pony eyes.

It's appearance sent shivers up the unicorn's spine, especially with it's awfully familiar hair. 

But questions could always come later. 

Right now they need to catch that monster.

" Call for backup!" He ordered Stormy as he charged at the thing. The pegasus took off without a word, but he spared a glance at the captain.

Shining sensed Stormy's worried gaze.

" GO!" He yelled before following the changeling in an alleyway.

Stormy shot through the air, right towards the barracks.

---------

The changeling lead Shining Armor through numerous streets and Alleyways, occasionally looking back to check on it's pursuer.

Shining was beginning to tire, but he pushed on, knowing this was the only time he ever would get to catching one of the monsters.

Now that his eyes were locked onto the thing, he could notice differences between it and the ones at his wedding.

It was lavender, it had a mane and tail, and it had a cutiemark of a star and a sun.

It had no horn nor wings, and strangely no holes.

But to Shining Armor, they were all the same, no matter what color or what form.

He was sure to get more information once it was captured.

He lit his horn, preparing a shield spell. It wasn't for him though, it was for trapping the thing in.

Somehow it sensed his spell and started running in a zigzag motion, confusing the Captain's aim and making him growl under the strain of keeping the spell ready and the changeling's seemingly playful manner.

They kept at this, crossing a street and entering another crisscross of alleyways.

But this time, the changeling managed to enter a dead-end, probably focusing on it's zigzag motion more than the direction it was traveling.

It turned and looked at Shining Armor in fear, both practically gasping for breath at how long they were running at full speed.

Now that it was facing him and was perfectly still, he saw it, the last straw.

It had his sister's mane and eyes.

" How.... How dare you!" He huffed as he began treading closer.

It tensed.

" Not only do you kidnap my sister and hundreds of innocents, you have the audacity to mock her image as well!?" He stomped his hoof.

The changeling looked offended, but fear overrode her face.

" Giving me the silent treatment?" Shining Armor snarled.

" That wont last for long." His spell, that he had been maintaining the entire time finally was set free, heading straight for the changeling.

But it never hit.

Instead, a lavender beam met the spell, and it exploded into a bright light.

Both sides recovered fast, Shining Armor looking at the changeling with a frowed-surprised look, the changeling looking at the spot were the two beams met, which was marked by a burned patch of cement.

" LIGAYA!!!!" 

Both turned to the voice, Only Shining Armor was hit by a paralyzing spell, instantly causing him to fall to the ground without so much as a scream.

But he was only unable to move, not knocked out, so he saw and heard everything with clarity.

He watched as his attaker, a male version of the previous changeling but with a purple unicorn horn.

He dashed at the girl changeling and they hugged wach other, staying in that position for a few seconds. Then they separated but his hooves were still on the other's shoulders.

" Are you alright, Ligaya?" He asked.

The girl nodded. " I'm fine, Galit. Just a little winded is all."

The male frowned. " What made them find out? Did you drop your disguise somehow?"

" Nothing like that, just the Patrol.... They interrogated everybody, and I panicked. Especially when they did the scan with three unicorns. I'm not a unicorn, so here we are. They revealed me." She said with a sad look on her face.

Then she looked at the other with a smile.

" But thanks for having my back."

The other smirked. " No prob, sis." He put his hoof to his mouth and whistled. Moments later something flew in their alley, and it was a girl changeling but with purple pegasi wings. 

She hovered near the two.

" Damn, Ligaya! Are you okay girl!?" She looked at Shining Armor, whose face was emotionless but she could feel that id he wasn't paralysed then he would have pure hate written all over his muzzle. 

" He gave you quite a chase. Sorry I didn't stay with you. Had to run with the crowd, make him think you're all alone." She turned back to the others.

" I'm fine, Ilog. It's okay, you were just-" Her face turned to a smirk. " Going with the flow."

The third thing had a poker face. " This is no time for puns, Ligaya."

Her face suddenly went slack, causing frowns to erupt on the others' muzzles.

The third ling blinked. " Let's get out of here. Scout said a big group of guards are headed this way."

" What about Uncle Armor?" The first one said, looking at the shocked-inside Shining Armor.

" Don't call him that!" The second one scolded.

" He's going to forget it anyway, Galit. Again, what about him? We can't just leave him here, especially with your spell! This alley is really hard to find, and your spell lasts a week! He could get hurt!"

A paralyzing spell that lasts for a week? How strong were these monsters?!

" What do you suggest we do? Disguise as civilians, carry him to the Main street and teleport immediately? " The second one said sarcastically.

" No way. I've already called Scout and Spy. They'll do that for us. Plus if they get found out they'll escape no matter what." The third one said, before grabbing the first one and putting the changeling on it's back.

" Now let's go!" 

Both females erupted into lavender light, turning into an owl with a chick on it's back before flying away.

The second ling looked at the 'birds' before shifting his gaze at Shining Armor.

" You're stupid." Was all he said before shifting into an Owl himself, flying towards Shining Armor and slashing his cheek with his sharp talons.

The Captain wanted to scream in pain. Tears started to well in his eyes as he stared at the Owl.

The owl seemed to glare at him.

" That's for mom, since I know she won't do it." It said, before flying away.

Moments later of trying to bear the pain Shining armor heard flapping wings and saw two pegasi, both had lavender fur and the same style of the second one's mane. 

The first had a spyglass with a star in the background as a cutiemark, while the other a paw print with a star on the paw pad.

" Geez, I knew Galit casts powerful spells but this is just overkill. " The first said as he began to pick up the Captain on one side, who felt immediate disgust at being in contact with one of the things.

The other followed. " He's named Galit for a reason, Spy. He represents our collective anger somehow."

They started to ascend over the buildings, and even as they began to fly to the direction of the Main street, Shining was waiting for both of them to just drop him on a fence spike or from a higher altitude.

Soon they landed on the tarmac, and he was deposited against a building just the side of the street.

They were immediately spotted.

" HALT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH OUR CAPTAIN!?" Stormy said from across the street, just noticing the trio.

Shining wanted to scream 'don't let them escape' but alas, he can't. He saw the first one grin at the question, irritating the Captain more and more, since his grin indicated he treated this all as a game od some sort.

" Should we allow ourselves to be captured?" 

Like they couldn't be caught without them secretly giving consent to the Captors to be, right?

The other shook his head. " I'm sure it will be fun irritating the winner of the best brother of the year award over here, but I think we have something to report that couldn't be delayed for too long."

Their lack of answer and clear smiles made Stormy's group start to charge at them.

" Plus Shining here knows a lot. It wouldn't be fun anymore. " The other laughed before they both turned into owls, the flash of their transformation startling all.

The first on smiled as he flew near Shining's face. 

" Catch us if you can! Oh wait, you can't move! HAHAHHA!"

And they shot through the sky, already fading dots by the time Stormy ordered a loud " FOLLOW THEM!".

--------

" How is the Hive, Summer?" Celestia asked a female unicorn changeling in a navy blue hood. Her cutiemark was a pencil drawing a familiar star, indicating she was a planner or artist of some sort. Her ever-present smirk confirmed the planner part.

They were in Celestia's office, which was why she was undisguised.

" After two months since we arrived at the place, it's been pretty calm. The hive's thriving. The Builders are having a blast customizing the place, both my siblings and our Aunts and Uncles from the other hive." She said with a small laugh.

Celestia smiled at the changeling. " Really? I hope I can visit sometime."

Summer nodded. " Mom would love that. Just teleport or something, I'm sure after that fiasco with Ligaya Uncle Armor's on high alert."

" Sadly, yes. Captain Armor has been morw on the paranoid side of things lately." The alicorn sighed.

" Don't tell me he still thinks changelings are all the same?" Summer asked. " Despite that obvious ponylike behaviour Ligaya, Galit and Ilog displayed? Even the twins'?" Her hoof supported her question as she looked at the Princess.

" Unfortunately, it seems so. I have a feeling he still didn't move on from the events of the invasion." The alicorn said sadly.

Summer sighed. " At least we have you on our side, Auntie Celly. I don't think Mom would have survived of she was hunted by her own second mother."

Celestia smiled at the nickname the young changeling called her. " I will never do that. Even if your brother Bandaid and his clutchmates didn't explain for her."

" Nice to know. " Summer smiled back. " Speaking of knowing, did you know that the Thestrals are also thriving with the hive?"

Celestia widened her eyes at that. 

" You speak truly?" 

Summer giggled. " Yes I speak truly. When Aunt Luna called the Thestrals back because Mom had sufficient guards to keep the hive safe and thought they were hogging important hive space, Mom objected and said the Thestrals could even live in the hive, since the place was originally YOUR training grounds. That reminded Aunt Luna that the remaining Thestrals did need a place to live since they still hid in the castle because of public opinion. So they all moved in one night, and since then the Hive consisted of pure changelings, Hybrid Changelings which are me and my fam, and pure Thestrals and the Hybrid ones. It also helped that this certain tree that produced the fruit that the Thestrals needed to eat in order to grow without being prone to deadly diseases blossomed because of the Lake's water, The Everfree's magic and the Love produced by our crystals. Which, as you can guess, solidified the Thestral's stay and revealed that the Batponies and the Changelings did live together."

" That must have been wonderful to discover for Twilight." Celestia said with a knowing smirk.

" Yeah, she almost exploded, but she did send my siblings and I on an excited-much spree, the Hivemind has it's side effects, ya know." Summer smirked right back.

Suddenly the door was hit with three powerful knocks, and immediately Summer erupted into a copy of Philomena, flying straight for Celestia's desk.

The alicorn allowed herself a giggle for the young changeling's antics before clearing her throat.

" Come in!"

The door opened and revealed it to be Luna.

" Sister." She greeted, then noticed the phoenix. It was strange, since Philomena was still in the observatory shedding her feathers for another rebirth, until she realized their resident changeling was nowhere to be found. She raised an eye-brow.

" Summer." 

The changeling-phoenix chirped with a smile on her beak.

Celestia chuckled. " Hello, Luna. What brings you here?"

The night princess allowed herself inside, closing the door behind her. Summer flew from the desk to Luna, nuzzling her cheek, which the happy-to-be-an-aunt princess gladly accepted. It brought joy to Celestia's heart even as Summer flew back to the desk, allowing Luna to state her reason of being there.

" As you know, Captain Armor has sent his troops to patrol Ponyville." She started.

" Yes, we already warned the elements to stop visiting the Hive for the mean time."

" But we haven't warned Twilight that he's now planning to send search parties into the Everfree."

Celestia almost jumped out of her skin.

" What evidence led him there?" She asked.

Luna rolled her eyes. " The 'evidence' that led him there is the mere fact that The Everfree houses monsters and anomalies within it's mysterious land. While unknowingly he is right that it would be a perfect site for a changeling hive, no one has ever mapped the forest without dying besides Twilight's hive. He's going in blind."

" Personally I'm not worried about Uncle Armor finding us by chance," Summer stated while still in phoenix form in case somepony busted in, " but I am worried about the other ponies under his command. The Everfree is dangerous for any pony who doesn't at least know where they're going."

" Exactly my niece." Luna nodded.

" Summer, I have to talk to Twilight." Celestia ordered. 

At those words Summer froze, seemingly staring into space. Then a few moments later she jumped off the desk and erupted into lavender flames, leaving Twilight's unicorn form in her place.

" What is it, Princess Celestia? Princess Luna? Summer said you have something to discuss with me?" Twilight asked, controlling Summer's body.

Luna cleared her throat, still surprised about the puppeteering thing.

" Your brother is launching a search party in the bowels of the Everfree."

Twilight immediately frowned. " He doesn't know the forest. A guide would be fake unless it was one of my friends, the give members or Zecora. They'll die by Timberwolf or any other of tge Everfree Monsters!"

" Which is exactly why I called you here, my student." Celestia started. " What do you plan to prevent this possible future?" She looked at Summer's/Twilight's eyes.

Twilight was silent for a moment, bwforw a voice made her jump a bit.

< What if we cause something to happen that will divert Uncle Shining's attention from the forest....? I know! Uncle 324 knows where the Other Hive is! Maybe he could make some kind of appearance, make the Patrol see him but far enough away to not get a bunch of shouts, then slowly lead them to the Other Hive. He could also bring Aunt 215 along or Uncle 18 as a 'hostage!' That's what the Other Hive lings are doing, right? >

Twilight's face erupted a smile. " That's brilliant, Summer! Excellent job!"

Luna raised an eyebrow. " What did Summer say?"

" She said that one of the changelings from the Other hive could lead the patrol there instead of Our's. He could pretend to be sneaking off 'back home' with another changeling to act as a hostage to further motivate the Patrol to following him!" Twilight said excitedly.

Celestia widened her eyes, then chuckled. 

" If Summer still doesn't know what her cutiemark says her role is in the hive, then her intellect would surely help as a clue." She cupped her hooves and put her elbows on the desk.

" That's what we'll do then. You pick the right changelings for the job, and I'll report back to you anything Shining Armor reports to me." She smiled as Twilight did the same.

" Alright. I'll have to go then and have my friends ready once Shining steps foot in the forest." 

Luna suddenly spoke up . " And also have that male version of Summer, Loki, wasn't it?"

Twilight snickered at the 'version' thing but nodded.

" Loki, have him infiltrate their patrol and 'spot' the chosen Changelings. They'll be too terrified or focused of the prospect of searching a mysterious and magical forest to notice even an undisguised ling."

" I'll do that too, Princess Luna." She looked at both of them and waved a hoof. " Good bye, until the next dire situation to discuss about!" She quipped before letting go of her control on Summer and changing her back into changeling form, jacket a bit ruffled.

Summer blinked then grinned. " This is going to be a fun year."

Luna spared her own smile. " Despite all this drama, then yes, I agree, my niece."

" Depending on your definition of fun...." Celestia playfully said with suspicion.

" Oh no! Look at the time! I got to go and continue spy on the Patrol for inside info! Bye Aunties!" Summer said 'nervously' as she laughed and turned into an owl before disappearing out the open window.

" And I as well, will continue my daily dose of Bluebull. Farewell sister." Luna hurriedly walked out the door.

Celestia smiled. " Farewell, Sister."

Then her words sank.

Celestia's face went slack.

" Wait, what?!"

A faint high hoof was heard behind the door as changeling and night princess ran to escape further questioning.
> Plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

" I still don't think the changelings are in here, there are too many monsters capable of killing the entire hive living in the Everfree." Fluttershy protested as she led the Royal Guard Patrol out from her Cabin and into the Forest's direction.

Twilight had warned her ahead of time, but it still didn't get rid of her wariness when Shining Armor came into her doorstep asking to stay for the night before they went on their search party.

But at least the entire Hive was with her during this predicament, watching through her eyes and giving her silent support.

" We don't really know much about these monsters, Miss Fluttershy. We can't leave any stone unturned." Shining said with the seriousness of a TV detective who's confident just because he knows the script won't let him die.

" But you don't know the forest at all, Captain Shining Armor. Your chances of survival are-"

" We are the Canterlot Royal Guard, Miss Fluttershy. We can handle whatever the Everfree throws at us." Shining interrupted.

Fluttershy sighed. " Oh well, if you say so, Captain."

< Are you ready Loki? 324 and 18? >

< Ready when they are, Auntie Flutters! >

< We're ready! >

< Let's just do this before Shining's too far from the town. >

As Fluttershy finished her mental conversation, Loki went into action. 

He looked at himself, as of searching for his weapon, until his eyes widened. He looked at the pony nearest to him.

" Uh, man? I forgot my spear at Miss Fluttershy's place. Think you can cover for me?" He asked.

The pony grunted and tilted his head as if telling him ' just go '.

Loki nodded in respect before running back, making sure his hooves were as loud as they can be.

This caused Shining Armor to look back.

" Where's he going?" He asked the troop.

" He forgot his spear, Captain. Must've been a rough morning for him." The pony who agreed to Loki's request said with a shrug.

Shining Armor sighed. " Well, we have no choice than to wait for him then. We need all the hooves we can get."

Fluttershy smiled internally. Great work as always.

Moments later, instead of a calm marching guard, what came back to the little group was Loki running with a panicked look on his face. He darted through the little crowd and towards Shining Armor.

The Captain frowned at this.

" What's gotten into-" He started, but was interrupted by Loki.

" Changelings! They're flying to Canterlot!" He yelped.

Shining instantly went on alert. " What kind?"

" The ones from the wedding. He's alone, but he's carrying somepony unconscious in a sack. Come! He's still in Ponyville Airspace!" He said urgently.

Without so much as an ounce of suspicion Shining Armor nodded at all the pegasi, and they instantly followed Loki as they shot through the skies, while the Unicorn and Earth pony soldiers ran right underneath them.

They completely forgot about dear old Fluttershy, who if they looked back at they would see a very, very amused smile.

------------

324 grunted as he bit harder on the mouth of the sack containing 18, trying not to make him fall from hundred meters to the ground.

< I could transform into something lighter, you know. > 18 said.

324 wanted to curse him but the entire hive and the nymphs would hear him.

< They need to see the pony shape against the sack, du- er, 18. > He retorted, barely able to hold himself back at calling 18 'dumbass'.

His ears twitched as he heard a chuckle from the sack.

< What's so funny? Do you WANT me to let go? > He practically growled.

The chuckle became louder.

< I know you wouldn't. But juuusst in case, I'll be a good little hostage now. Chill though, 324. > 18, based on the next sound 324 heard, snickered.

324 wanted to at least throw 18 off a cliff, but alas he couldn't. Not when all eyes of the Royal Guard are now successfully trained on him.

< Shining Armor's right below us, Uncle 324. They're planning on stealth following you. > Loki's voice said as it rang through his head.

< Stealth? I could see them from a mile away in the middle of the darkest night. Come on, how are they even Royal Guards!? >

< You can insult them later when we're out of the bag, Unc. Just continue acting suspicious. > Loki said probably with a smile on his face.

324 inhaled, then exhaled.

Focus on the mission first, then come up with the finest insults later.

The Infiltrator looked at his surroundings. He could see the beginning of the forest that separated Ponyville and the long way to Canterlot. It was wide, very wide, probably would take a few days to cross.

But he had wings, and he was going to take advantage of it.

324 relaxed his wings, trying to feel how strong the wind was. Air glided over the membrane, each telling a story. About how hot our cold it is. About which direction they came from. About how strong.

And many were telling the same story.

324 grinned. He found the perfect ride.

In less than a second, he closed his wings, and dived straight down.

< HOOOOLLLYY SH-! > 18 yelped but managed to shut himself off in time or he would've had earned himself a lecture from their Queen.

324 continued to dive down, the tops of the trees all ready to greet him painfully and perhaps fatally. 

He grunted as he opened his wings just in time, shooting back up the air, successfully riding a strong breeze.

If it weren't for his Queen's pegasi genes starting to seep into their magic through her love his wings would've tore long ago and ripped completely off after that nose dive.

< Are you f-ing crazy!? What was that for?! >
18 asked, censoring himself.

This time it was 324 who chuckled, which was clear even with sack in his mouth.

< Loki! What did they think of my show? > He asked, ignoring 18's slight kicking.

< We're following you in that nose dive to ride the current you're using. That was awesome, by the way. > Loki replied.

324 grinned at both the news and what he was seeing. His little act helped a lot at speeding his travel, and the end of the massive forest just passed beneath him.

This was it.

The Badlands.

324 wanted so bad to look behind him to check if they were following, but that would be too suspicious.

So instead he bit the already wet sack and sped up, wanting to reach the place and begin his own investigation for Twilight.

He and 18 weren't just going to lead Shining Armor to the Other Hive, once they arrived they'd snoop around and see what their Old Queen was up to, and possibly rescue some of their brothers and sisters.

His ear twitched at a really heavy flap.

Dear God they were all but stealthy.

He really needed to talk to the Sun Princess at improving her guard. She could use some real soldiers fresh from their Hive, He knew some decent ones from the Underlings as well as Twilight's brood.

Suddenly the already harsh wasteland wind picked up, snapping the infiltrator from his thoughts, and 324 heard a rumble in the distance.

< Was that a sandstorm? > 18 asked quietly.

324 blinked, and looked at the approaching cloud of sand that almost camouflaged against the desert floor meters below him.

< Yep. >

< What are we going to do? Our eyes can only handle so much sand! > 18 said nervously.

Right. They almost barely got out of the hive before, and they didn't really practice their eyes at repelling what looks like a monster sandstorm.

Think. THINK.

Wait, Twilight might have a spell!

324 closed his eyes, and flew on autopilot as he went inside the Archives, instantly flitting through Twilight's shelves, looking through her arsenal of spells. 

Books flew from the shelves to the floor, making quite an impressive pile. 324 just hoped Twilight would understand. It was in a dire situation, after all.

His ears twitched again and he sensed another presence in the Archives.

Was it 18? No. It was one of Twilight's brood, he could sense the ambient love from it.

He spared a glance and the familiar hoodie caught his eye. 

" Summer?" He asked.

" Hey Unc! Been watching you in Canterlot. The spell you need is right in this book. Eye Guard, I think." She handed him a book, btwpurple cover and gold designs. Said book flew out of her hooves wrapped in a purple aura as 324's own hooves caught them. 

He immediately read through it with the urgency of someone very hungry.

Summer resisted a chuckle at the sight of a panicking 324, but she acted calm when 324 halted at a particular page. He eyed the spell, and spared a smile at Summer.

" Thanks, Kiddo." He ruffled her hair before disappearing back to reality.

324 opened his eyes, and the Sandstorm was much clearer. 

His horn immediately lit up in a lavender light, and a scuba dive goggles-like sheet formed over his eyes, albeit making the dessert look tinted purple, protecting his eyes.

He sent the spell quickly to 18, who he assumed cast it as well.

Just in time, too as they dove straight through the Cloud.

It was like sleeping in a pile of needles and syringes. It took all of 324's willpower to avoid scratching himself to death. It was very, very itchy. And Painful with a capital 'P'.

He heard 6 puffs occur behind him, indicating the Guard followed. 

The wind was strong and threatened to bring him down, the sand was biting against his chitin, and he could feel tiny holes start to appear in his wings.

But he could almost see the end of it, and he will NOT disappoint his Queen.

Even if he knew she'll never be, he still didn't want her to worry.

After what felt like eternity in the storm, with a final flap, he burst through the cloud, and almost stopped in mid-air. While he was relieved that the itchiness stopped, it was immediately replaced by a sense of dread.

Seeing his old hive brought back unwanted memories, memories of a life that didn't even exist in his New Hive. No slavery, no love shortages, no punishments that were too cruel. There was always familial love waiting to feed even the slightest hunger, and most of all a Queen that CARED.

< 324, are you alright? > 18 asked.

The infiltrator snapped out of his reverie and growled. He was not going to let the old hive get to him. His new hive depended on this mission, and he was not going to DISAPPOINT them, he said so to himself before.

< Yes. >

324 tore his gaze from the towering black fortress and scanned his surroundings, before widening his eyes as he realized something.

The hive was right were he left it, that's true, but that sandstorm he passed through?

Yeah, it was encircling the entire hive.

There was no way his old Queen could sustain this spell for even a minute.

Nothing changed other than the Sandstorm barrier, the land was still a Crater with the hive in the center. He shook his head as he slowly descended.

As his hooves touched the ground, he heard 6 puffs erupt from the Sandstorm, a pause and another 6 puffs, indicating they went back to report to their Captain immediately.

Well, at least they're not THAT dumb.

Mission complete, Shining Armor's troop now has it's eyes on the Other Hive.

But it wasn't over yet for the two of them.

324 carefully walked behind a big boulder and let 18 out, carapace full of sand but their goggles worked their magic, dispelled for now until the next Sandstorm.

" I won't be getting into any sacks again, if I keep experiencing THAT." 18 coughed out, but a weak smile was on his face.

" Yeah, I feel ya. Are you ready? " He asked.

18 grinned. " For Twi. Now let's get into infiltrating! I have a feeling there's something sinister inside." He rubbed his hooves together eagerly.

324 smiled. " I know. It'll be your first since getting intelligence, and you want to test how much you've learned. But first," he pointed to his head. " I've got a niece to call." 

18 nodded. " Alright, I still need to shake off sand. "

With that 324 took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was in the Archives again.

The feeling of the familiar place gave him comfort from the previous walk down memory lane, and he couldn't help but just stand still and tell himself the past was in the past, the proof right around him, before looking around for his goal.

" Summer?" He called.

" Over here!" 

324 looked at the direction of the voice, and saw Summer materializing from thin air as she ran up to him.

" There you are!" He ruffled her hair, eliciting a giggle. The only changeling in the hive without an official role, being the Jack of all trades, backed away from him to avoid his ruffling hoof.

He grinned. " I need your help." 

" Whatever can I do for you, Uncle 324?" She said in an overdramatic way, a smirk on her face.

" Connect through my eyes, and project what we see somewhere to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. We might find something they need to know."

Summer grinned in understanding as she saluted. " Right away!" Before disappearing.

324 was reminded that he really liked Twilight's brood. They proved themselves again and again that they were not slaves to their mother and were individuals with personalities they chose on their own. Something they were deprived of in the Old Hive. 

324 reluctantly closed his eyes again, and he was back in the real world.

He blinked and looked around for his brother, whom he spotted just behind a tree shaking the last remnant of the sandstorm from his tail.

" Who'd you call?" 18 asked as he cane over, completely cleaned of sand.

" Summer. The Princesses will have to see this." He said.

" You're damn right. It'd be easier if they saw themselves and not rely on a spoken report. " 18 nodded.

Moments later 324 felt a presence riding behind his mind. 

< They're both here with me. Princess Celestia says you can now proceed. > Summer reported.

324 nodded both to Summer and 18, signaling both that the game was on.

In flashes of lavender light both turned to snakes, slithering as subtly as they could closer to the hive.

The closer they got, the more confused 324 became. Usually there were a squadron of Soldiers completely filling up the airspace of the Hive, keeping it safe.

But the outside was completely deserted.

< Are you seeing this? > He turned his head to 18 as they crawled over a dune.

18 looked just as confused.

< I don't know. I've been an Underling my entire life. Are there supposed to be guards around here? > He asked.

324 nodded as they slithered into one of the entrances.

It was dimly lit by little green crystals littered on the ceilings, walls and floor. The gathering dust on their underbellies indicated that no one used this particular passage in a long time.

This puzzled the two changelings more as they trudged on, still tense in case they meet another ling.

After what felt like hours though in a pregnant silence, they finally reached the inner hive.

And both their eyes, plus everyone watching, widened.

No wonder the hive seemed dead when they arrived.

Filling up every wall space imaginable were all the missing ponies taken from Canterlot the past few months. 

Cocooned in chrysalises to be converted, all connected by a web of greeb veins, probably to distribute love equally. The web of veins all conjoined near the top, indicating whatever their love source was it was situated on the higher levels of the hive.

What was worrying is that this entire chamber they saw was only about a fourth of the hive. The structure continued down the layers of earth and had an uncountable number of tunnels crisscrossing and conjoining.

If every wall space was decorated with the ponies, then the amount of changelings to arise at the same moment would definitely break some kind of record.

And so will reverting them all back into ponies, if it was even possible.

< Dear God. It's supposed to be forbidden. > 18 whispered.

< So is infecting by bite. > 324 said helplessly as he turned back into a changeling and circled around the chamber, trying to drink in more information.

18 followed his example but went to the closest Convert-to-be and lit his horn. He rested it gently on the cocoon, closed his eyes and breathed in.

324 flew over to him and watched as 18's face turned to panic.

" They're too far down the Converting process. Freeing them from the pod would kill them immediately." He said sadly.

324 gave out a shuddering sigh.

He then looked up, staring at the veins. " What about up there? I assume that's where the love source is, If the veins conjoining upward was any indication."

18 shook his head. " Did you notice no ling's around to care for these? It's because they already are well past the sensitive stages of Convertion. The caretakers and guards are probably deeper down, with the younger pods, and putting the love source powering the entire operation somewhere that can be penetrated easily is just dumb."

324 sighed. " Down we go then."

18 nodded. " Come, as a former Underling I know a lot of secret passages." He flew to a spot in the opposite wall of their current position and lit his horn.

A circular aura appeared and when 18 pulled, there was a circular tunnel waiting for proper use.

----------

" Sister, do you see this?!" Luna exclaimed as she watched the cocooned ponies from a video-like projection Summer had conjured upon the wall by her horn.

Their resident changeling's eyes were closed, she was using 324's after all, but everything they're seeing was showed via the very clear projection. There was Audio too, meaning Summer also was using 324's ears.

Celestia was just frozen in her seat, her eyes never leaving the footage.

" My poor ponies...." She put a hoof to her mouth and felt a a tear threatening to fall.

" That's why Chrysalis' changelings were kidnapping as many ponies as they can! They want to convert them into changelings themselves!" Luna concluded angrily. 

" But why?!" Celestia asked as the projection showed 324 entering the tunnel with 18, pulling their gazes away from the Converts-to be.

" Probably to up their numbers. They're planning on some sort of attack." Luna guessed with a frown.

The Sun princess widened her eyes." Do you think they know about Twilight?" 

" Twilight Sparkle have yet to inform us about her brood getting attacked by the other changelings. They seem to be as clueless about it as Shining Armor. " 

Luna straightened up her posture. " Speaking of the Captain, Phase 1 of the plan is done. Infiltrator 324 and Mage 18 are inside the old hive, meaning the guards who followed them probably went back to report. The Captain would either send a letter to inform us, or come here personally."

Celestia sighed. " Knowing him he'll send a letter then charge ahead because of his hatred for Chrysalis. "

Luna snickered. " I wish I could see his face when he sees the pods. I wonder what outlandish idea he will come up then."


Silence reigned as Luna's words began to sink, and horror slowly spread on both their faces.

" Shining's gonna kill them all. " Was Summer's quiet but still snarky voice, still able to hear the conversation despite watching and listening to two separate places at the same time.

Celestia wanted to scream.

Luna wanted to kick something.

" Already warned my Uncles. Don't worry, they didn't realize too. They're panicking as much as you two." Summer giggled.

-----------------

As soon as Summer's warning registered in 324's brain, he stopped cold in the tunnel, and so did 18. They had successfully steered Shining Armor from their hive, but they didn't know that in the Other Hive the ponies captured would be in a vulnerable state. Shining Armor's hatred for changelings would cause him to 'rescue' the Converts-to-be, and when he realizes they died from the 'rescuing' he'd make up some crazy reason that'll make him and the ignorant public more un-accepting of changelings.

Of all obstacles to encounter when integrating in Pony society Shining Armor had to be one.

18 turned to him despite the tight space with a panicked look on his face.

" Shit. " Was all he said.

324 waited for Miss Pinkie Pie's voice to say something like ' NO CURSING IN MY CHRISTIAN SERVER! ' or that creepy whisper of ' OMAE WA MOU, SHINDEIROU ' before slapping the curser with a hoof encrusted in cupcake frosting.

But thank God nothing happened.

" I know. We can't finish the mission with him around." 324 mumbled. 

" We'd have to protect the Converts-to-be from him while making sure the guards down below won't notice out presence. Because if they do they'll know theres a rival of Queen Chrysalis because we joined her. And also protecting the ponies would make Shining armor think we're one of Chrysalis." 18 muttered back.

324  sighed. " The PURR-fect cherry on top."

18 blinked then raised an eyebrow. " Really?"

324 waves the concern away. " I pun when SHIT's about to go down. I know, nothing about this is PUNny, but we have no choice but to deal with Shining Armor's CRAP. "

18 tried to ignore the absurdity of this situation. " Yeah, what do you suggest we do?"

324 grunted. " First we'd have to intercept him and hold him in the Sandstorm Barrier as he crosses as long as possible. Then we'd have to.... Princess Celestia I hope you're listening, let Princess Cadence in on this."

" WHAT!? That's suicide! If she knows then he knows and who knows what he'll do to our Queen!" 18 practically shrieked.

" Look! I know it sounds crazy, but hear this: If there's anything Princess Cadence loves more that Shining Armor it's Twilight. If she knows Shining Armor might hurt Twilight there's a high chance she won't tell. And if there's anything Shining Armor values than revenge on changelings it's his wife. If she makes something up that will make him go home and actually plan before raiding the Old Hive, which we WON'T allow but it'll also buy us time to prepare, we'll be able to save the Converts-to-be even for a short while." 324 reasoned.

18 looked at 324 incredulously, then deeper into his eyes to reach Princess Celestia. The unspoken question was answered by Summer through the Hivemind.

< They say it's A-okay. >

The mage sighed heavily, dragging his hoof down his face. 324 looked at him with baited breath. Most of his little last-minute plan involved 18's magic. The success of it relied greatly on the young mage's approval.

324 relaxed when 18 looked at him with a resigned expression.

" Let's fuck shit up." 

324 grinned. " That's the spirit! Now we just have to go find Shining. Besides, we can both kick his ass now."

18 had a small smile. " You should have started with that. I've been waiting for an opportunity to set his tail on eternal fire. "

" Let's go, and hope the Princesses at Canterlot can convince Princess Cadence, wherever she may be." The Infiltrator said as they began to back track.


< We're on it. Just keep Uncle Shin-Shin occupied. Kick him for me in the balls, will you? >

324 cackled as quietly as he could. " You didn't have to ask!"
> Chaos
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

" It's right around here, Captain! Right through the Sandstorm!" Loki reported as he flew alongside Shining Armor, who was barreling through the sands of the Badlands like his life depended on it. He already had the Eye Guard spell on and so did his guards, proving they at least were smart enough to prepare for an event like a Sandstorm.

324 had already relayed the plan, and Loki was now contemplating whether to reveal thier group was easily infiltrated or just appear out of nowhere.

" Curse those monsters! They put up a Sandstorm Barrier! They're getting stronger!" The Captain said through gritted teeth as their destination became closer and closer.

The wind was starting to prick at Loki's fur with it's high speed tiny sharp sand particles, and the guards' suble slower pace and occasional cringing were signs they were affected too.


It was itchy, and it was stinging like crazy.

< We're in position! > 18's voice screamed in the hive mind, startling Loki a bit. He thought they'd give off their signal through silhouettes in the sand, but he could understand this was a last minute plan and had no time for planning dramatics.

So he would do the dramatics for their team by 'reveal through question'.

" Probably because 'we're' stealing a lot of love from those ponies we kidnapped!" He said with a creepy grin, waiting to see Shining Armor's reaction.

The Captain nodded. " Those monsters! They will pay-!" Then he froze, realization on his face. All other guards stopped as well as they too noticed Loki's 'slip up'.

Loki grinned as he dropped his transformation, revealing the Unicorn changeling underneath.

" IT'S A TRAP!" Shining Armor yelled as 324 and 18 came out and not a few guards, instantly paralyzing them.

Loki blasted Shining Armor as he tried to attack his uncles, effectively drawing the Captain's attention to the young male.

Shining put up a shield as just as Loki's spell hit, it bouncing off into the depths of the Sandstorm.

324 and 18 managed to bite down 4 out of the 20 Patrol members, a unicorn, two pegasi and an earth pony, before the guard became aware to leave as much distance as possible between them and their fangs.

Being both OG changelings they had the ability to both fly and attack with magic, an advantage Loki and his siblings didn't have. They'd have to transform into an OG changeling to do both at once, which is really inconvenient.

But at least Shining stayed on the ground like he did.

Loki shouted in alarm as Shining blasted the sand that was way too close to his legs, jumping back but recovering enough to return the favor. Shining deflected it with an easy shield.

Loki spared a look at his uncles. They were holding out, but not doing well or worse either. 3 against 16 is not fair.

The young infiltrator thought long and hard on what to do that will turn the tables just a bit as he dodged and fired spells at his uncle. He knew this battle would take long, since he was sure convincing Aunt Cadence to their side would take more than a few minutes.

" I've brought down hydras and dragons, vile changeling! You have no chance against me!" Shining bellowed as he fired another spell at Loki. 

The young changeling though, after dodging the attack, froze for a second.

Shining's boast rang theough his head, and it was slowly forming an idea. 

He looked to his still battling uncles, mere silhouettes through the intense storm despite their closeness.

They looked more sluggish than usual.

< Uncle 324! Uncle 18! Transform into something that can burrow in the sand! > He ordered.

18's silhouette's ears perked up.

< Why?! >

< Trust me! NOW! >

With little hesitation two lavender flashes of fire erupted in the Sandstorm, causing pause to the Patrol party.

Loki looked at a wary Shining Armor, with a determined smirk on his face.

" Thanks for the idea, Uncle Armor!" 

With that, he erupted into flames himself, and what replaced the changeling was a juvenile dragon that looked way too similar to a certain assistant of Shining's sister.

The Dragon flapped his wings once, throwing Shining Armor and his troops farther out the Sandstorm but still in it, before inhaling.

" Drop down!!!!" The Captain commanded as the dragon spat out bright purple flames right above their heads, so intense that it made the dune protecting the guard turn into glass.

It went on for a full minute before the dragon finally ran out of breath. Shining Armor poked his head out the glassy dune and snickered. 

" You missed!" He yelled.

Loki smirked. Shining blinked as the dragon crossed his arms in triumph.

" I never miss." 

Then Shining felt it. The Sandstorm's already pricky, stinging, painful little bits of almost microscopic sand became ten times more intense. 

It was beyond painful, it was agony.

His patrol suddenly were in a panic as the tiny glass shards that replaced the sand buried deeply into their fur and eyes at the speeds akin to a tornado.

They hastily put up shields but the Glass storm already achieved a critical hit.

Now they were forced to fight with little glass bits that kept doing damage to their skin with every move.

Loki knew they were hurt, but convinced himself that they could handle it.

" CURSE YOU!" Shining screamed as he put up his own shield over them all and himself.

< Is it safe to burrow out now?> Was 18's nervous sounding voice.

Loki internally giggled.

< If you want to get glassed, then yeah. >

Silence reigned in the hivemind before it was broken by 324's guffaw. Or at least it sounded like it.

< Genius! Good job, Loki my boy! >

Loki grinned as he watched Shining Armor's shield morph and twist until it encased the Captain's body, making it a shield for the entire stallion instead of an area.

The unicorns had one to make an area shield around the other spellcasters who pointed their shields to the earth ponies and pegasi outside the area shield. 

Lavender flashes out light revealed two giant beetles emerge from the sand, and the battle resumed.

--------------

Princess Cadence nervously trotted to the throne room, wings fluttering in response to what she felt.

She had never been outside the hotel she and Shining had been temporarily living in the last couple months, researching all she could about a certain kingdom about to meet the expiry date of a certain curse. 

Princess Celestia had allowed them a week of personal time before handing out the assignment, leaving the Princess of love  alone with books that would make her sister-in-law's mouth water and make the rest of the world sleep in under 10 seconds.

That included Cadence.

It didn't help that the books and scrolls were also another language and she had to decipher them BY HERSELF, and if this call by her Aunt was just as important as the Secret Kingdom then she might as well die of pressure and stress.

Maybe it's tamer.

Maybe it's about her lost Sister-in-law, whose situation also added to the Alicorn's stress, knowing she couldn't join the search and planning as she had her own assignment.

She had been worried about Twilight since the day she was kidnapped. The worry was only forgotten a little because of the books and scrolls, but whenever she would think about how the purple unicorn would love these more than her it would come back full force.

" Princess Cadence." 

The guardpony's voice snapped Cadence out of her thoughts, and also drew her eyes to the owner of the voice.

She looked new, purple fur and a straight pure navy blue mane peeking through her helmet. She was a unicorn, and her cutie mark a familiar star drawn by a pencil.

An odd cutie mark for a guard.

Even odder that she was alone.

She was smiling, mischief clear in her purple eyes. 


" Princesses Celestia and Princess Luna awaits." Her smile turned to a grin. It was so familiar that it was creepy. Cadence couldn't help but ask her name.

" Of course. But what's your name? You seem new around here. " 

The guard giggled. " That obvious? Name's Summer. Summer Sparkle. "

This mare had the same surname as her sister-in-law....

" Nice to meet you Summer." Cadence forced a smile. " Are you perhaps related to one Twilight Sparkle?"

Summer's grin widened. " Oh yes! In fact we're very close."

" Oh really?" Cadence said in genuine surprise. Twilight never said anything about having a friend named Summer.

" Absolutely. But you technically didn't come here to know about ME. Go on now, they've waited long enough. " Summer raised her hoof as if checking a watch, which was SUDDENLY THERE when Cadence would swear that she had no other accessories. " Plus I don't think my Uncles could hold that long in a Sandstorm battle."

Cadence frowned. " Wait, Wha-"

Summer suddenly pushed the Princess of love through the door unceremoniously, almost shoving her to the carpeted tiles of the throne room.

In seconds Summer was out the the door and closed it with magic.

Cadence blinked, looking at the door as if it was blown to smithereens.

" WHAT just happened?" She said out loud.

" Ah, We told Summer to ease with the dramatics, but young ones are young ones." Said a familiar motherly voice.

Cadence turned to the sound and saw Celestia and Luna walking toward her from the hidden room behind the throne.

She trotted toward them for a greeting bow and hug before addressing the original reason she came for before she doubted about her mental health after that encounter with the new guard.

" What did you call me for, Auntie Celestia?" The Princess of Love asked, ignoring the previous statement.

The eldest Alicorn smiled, but something about was forced.

" Have you noticed our new guardspony?" She inquired.

Princess Cadence blinked, and looked at Celestia incredulously. " What's Summer got to do with this?"

Luna cleared her throat. " She has a role to play in what we are about to tell you. We apologize in advance, it might be too much too handle in light of your current assignment."

The Princess of Love had a frown on her face. " What is it, Auntie Luna?"

" Do you recall the day Shining Armor reported the kidnapping of Twilight Sparkle?" Was Celestia's question.

Cadence was getting more and more confused and worried by the second. 

" Of course! I'll never forget the day Twilight was taken from us. If it wasn't for the assignment I would be out there looking for her with Shining Armor."

Luna and Celestia exchanged knowing looks, deepening Cadence's frown.

" We know where Twilight is." 

Cadence froze, her confusion immediately replaced by barely controlled anger. If they were joking, then it was a sick prank. If it was true, then why did they wait months before they told her this!?

" Wait, WHAT!?"

Luna instantly got between Celestia and the approaching Cadence. " Calm down, niece! We know full well how angering it is to be withheld information by a family member-"

" Obviously! To think, you had the comfort of knowing where Twily is, while the rest of us are wrenching our brains and hearts out trying to find her! Do you know how devastating it will be to Twilight's friends and family when I tell-"

" Then do not. "

Cadence looked at Celestia as if she just said she was going to off herself. 

" Excuse me?!"

Celestia looked at her in the eye. " You will not tell the others about this."

" Who are YOU to withhold-" Cadence tried but was instantly drowned out by Luna's semi-shout of;

" It is for Twilight's safety, Cadence!"

Silence reigned after the echo of Luna's declaration died, Cadence's face a flurry of jumbled emotion while Celestia's a waiting one.

" The reason we hid this from everyone is that Twilight needed to hide from the other changelings and Shining Armor's assumptions, especially in her condition." Luna started.

" OTHER changelings? Condition?" Cadence repeated.

" She became a changeling queen, Cadence." The Princess of the night paused to see Cadence's face contort to horror before continuing.

" That day she disappeared was in fact the day she was rescued by her changeling companion. Infiltrator 324 was declared an outcast of his hive for daring to speak against Chrysalis. He taught Twilight how to feed. That changeling you all taught to impersonate Twilight was in fact Twilight herself."

" And that's not all..." Celestia added with a small nervous smile. " Twilight fed on enough love during her recovery period that it boosted her growth from a princess to a queen, and that resulted in Summer and her siblings."

Both elders looked at Cadence, who was listening to the explanation with a face of all emotions.

But there was one thing that caused Cadence to gasp and shoot her hoof to her mouth, and it didn't take long to find out what that thought was.

" You mean to tell me Shining almost killed not only Twily, but her EGGS as well!?" She shrieked.

Before either Celestia or Luna could confirm the doors burst open to show Summer rush inside, an urgent look on her face.

Cadence widened her eyes as she reevaluated the "guard" with her new information.

Summer ignored the Princess of love and looked directly at Celestia.

" Are you done?! I checked in on Kuya Loki and they are not in a pretty situation. Even with them using the storm to their advantage, Uncle Shining is beginning to push them into the hive. If he gets so much as a step near the hive's walls then the converts-to-be are doomed." She reported.

Celestia snapped her posture straight as she turned to Cadence. 

" We will give you a more detailed explanation later, my niece, but this is why we told you earlier than the rest. We need your help."

Cadence was still swimming in information and questions, but managed to blink three times before giving approval.

Barely, that is.

Summer turned her attention to her aunt and gripped her shoulders, Summer's draconic eyes clear and up close.

" Good. You're still shocked, that's perfect."

Cadence involuntarily gulped and let out a stammer of a question.

" W-Why is t-that?"

Summer allowed a smirk, showing off her fangs. 

" How good are you at acting?"

-------------


Shining Armor breathed heavily as he struggled to dodge the dragon's tail AND maintain his body shield at the same time.

While he would reason that the glass shards should have completely blown to another part of the storm, the dragon's constant fire-breathing immediately killed that hope.

His unicorn soldiers were also showing signs of fatigue, concentration required to shield a moving object flitting around in the cover of a raging Sandstorm was hard to attain after all.

It didn't help that the other two THINGS were STILL giant beetles.

That fact made it so the rest of his troop not in the Area shield was preoccupied with the two beetles, leaving him alone with the disturbingly similar-to-Spike dragon.

He fired another spell, which of course was easily dodged. This dragon had wits, and his snout in a smirk was driving his already tired and paranoid mind crazy.

The dragon raised it's tail again for another sweeping attack, Shining Armor already tensing his body for the inevitable impact.

But it never came.

Shining risked a glance and saw the dragon look blankly into space, which was a golden opportunity if he ever saw one. He already charged his horn on instinct and was about to fire into it's head if it weren't for it's smirk turning into an evil smile.

The moving sand around him also indicated the Beetles' shuffling had ceased.

" You fight wonderfully Shining Armor. I am quite satisfied with playing with you." The dragon purred.

Shining growled, he didn't like this change of mood one bit.

" But all good things come to an end. That goes for both you and me." The dragon grinned.

" WHAT DO YOU MEAN, MONSTER?!" Shining yelled over the wind.

" I've done my part well, distracting you was as I said, fun!" 

That made Shining freeze. 

" Dis....Distraction?" He warily repeated with a calculating/worried frown.

The dragon's smile did not ease his rising anxiety.

" It's too late for you, so I suppose it wouldn't matter. You see, while you were fighting with us, my sister, the hive's best ASSASSIN, has successfully infiltrated your pretty pony castle," The emphasis on ASSASSIN made shivers go up the Captain's spine, " and get this, she just reported she has also successfully kidnapped Princess Mi Amore Cadenza! Isn't it fantastic? Our Queen could finally have revenge!"

Shining Armor was whiter than normal as the sentence sank in, a horrified and angry look on his face revealed all.

" You monsters...."

" I mean, I may be lying, but hey! You never know about us lings!" The dragon said mockingly, ignoring Shining Armor's words. He put a claw on his chin and pretended to think." What will the great Captain of the Royal guards do...hmm... I wonder?" The two beetles beside him produced ear-bleeding scratching sounds, almost eerily akin to laughter. The dragon's eyes pierced through Shining Armor's soul.

" Continue on and attack our hive for revenge on some event months ago, or run back to his pony capital and save his wife, which, I doubt you'd be there in time. My sister would've already slashed the Love Princess' neck. So a bit of re-phrasing then, run back to the capital and find my sister before she throws your partner's body to a volcano. That is her favorite method of disposing her victims, at least."

The dragon snickered. " Your choice."

The following scream of anguish echoed loudly even in the desert storm, and the light of teleportation was brighter than the dragon's first volley of flames.

The dragon stared at the spot where the Royal Guard had been, seemingly a stone statue, before sighing.

In flashes of lavender light he and his companions dropped to the sandy floor.

" For a second there I thought I'd have to hold that transformation longer than my love reserves would allow." 18 mumbled.

" We still have to continue our investigation too. " 324 added.

Loki gave a tired grin. " Take my love. I adore my uncles after all, so it's freely given familial love."

324 chuckled. " Figures. But we better get out of this sandstorm."

18 nodded in agreement. " I just hope we didn't attract any more unwanted attention."

" Pfft. I doubt it. The roar of the sandstorm is stronger than the sounds of our battle. Now enough chit-chat, let's get out of here, feed the two of you and continue our part of this Operation." Loki transformed into an OG changeling as their little trio lifted off and went back to the direction of the Other Hive.

--------------

Summer laughed as she circled around her Aunt Cadence in OG form, her wings fluttering with excitement.

She had just been informed that her Pony Uncle was coming, apparently having used a Royal Guard emergency artifact to immediately travel from the Badlands to Canterlot in a split second.

Summer had relayed this news to a slightly recovered Cadence, still digesting the given information to make sure she doesn't pass out from stress at the more coming after Shining's 'rescue', with a smile even as she heard shouts on the lower floors of the Castle.

She had decided to use the library as her hostage room, because her Mom is a bookworm, and it is the only place in the Castle with a small amount of ponies.

Cadence looked at the excited changeling bouncing around like a certain filly, and a giggle escaped her as she could certainly see Twilight just OOZING from Summer.

Summer raised an eyebrow, still smiling.

" What?" 

Cadence suppressed her giggle with a smile of her own.

" You really are Twilight's nymph. You act just like her when I foalsat her."

Summer chuckled. " Yeah, we get that alot. All 48 of us."

Cadence's eyes widened at the number. " Changelings lay eggs that fast?"

" Depends on how much love they have. Since Mom's half-pony and the first clutch is too, they were able to feed each other and the Other Hivelings with familial love." Summer explained as she pulled out a knife she had borrowed from the Kitchen on a nearby table.

Cadence mulled the info over as Summer went back to acting hostile and 'villainy' beside her.

" So they really needed that love..."

Summer tilted her head. " Yes, but they could've fixed their love problem by just sending out more infiltators and harvesters. We were lucky because of Mom being a half-pony, but the other hives will surely starve or have a hard time because of Chrysalis' hive revealing changelings to the public. Ponies are more wary, and since the invasion was the first exposure to changelings, then all other hives will be judged as if they were the same."

Cadence had a worried look on her face. " That includes your hive too... Oh no..."

Summer nodded. " And Auntie Fluttershy's past hive as well."

" Fluttershy's a changeling?" Cadence couldn't help but widen her eyes.

" Oh, yeah.... We didn't tell you yet that Mom's friends and Uncle Spike knows about all this already..." She nervously scratched the back of her head in embarrassment, but quickly froze when her ears perked up.

She glanced at the door and immediately went into acting mode, but not before saying;

" They're almost here, I'm going to cast a paralyzing spell to help with the act of being unconscious. Trust me, alright?"

A quick nod and soon a limp Princess of Love sat at the Changeling's hooves, who in turn was seated on a chair.

It looked like a hunter posing for a photo of his fresh new kill.

The knife was truly the star of the show, though, twirling around in a lavender aura, hovering near Cadence's neck, ready to slash. It set just the right mood, at least.

------------------


Shining Armor ran to the throne room as soon as the teleportation spell restored his body completely.

The Captain caught quite a few eyes and stares when he and his troop appeared in a flash of white, even more so at his sudden run. 

But one thing was common, be it guard or maid. They were completely 'chill', for lack of a better term, as if there was no changeling in the castle about to (he hoped) assassinate his wife.

He was expecting exactly what was laid out before him though, especially since it was the monsters' work.

As much as he wanted to immediately find the Changeling himself he at least had a few brain cells left to command him that getting the Princesses' help would be more beneficial than just charging at nothing.

Their magic was much stronger, and they knew the Castle well. With their help they could probably find his wife faster than he would be able to.

Even if the throne room was only a wing away, since the return spell had designated the infirmary to be the place in Canterlot they'd be brought to, Shining felt as if the hallway was much longer than he remembered.

He just hoped he'd be there in time.

------------

Summer grinned as the doors burst open with golden and blue magic, revealing The two Princesses and a pissed off Captain of the guard.

All three pairs of eyes settled immediately on the no-longer twirling knife, gently touching Cadence's neck.

Celestia's face was disbelief, Luna's was outrage, and Shining's was horror.

Who can blame 'em?

" Hey Captn'!" Summer greeted all too cheerfully. " My brothers give you a hard time?" She asked.

" LET HER GO!" Shining demanded.

Summer feigned a thinking face. " Oh... I'm afraid I can't do that. It's my mission, and you know better than anypony else the importance of fulfilling an order."

Shining growled. " You Monster!"


" I've heard that song and dance before, get a new one." The changeling said nonchalantly. " I'm here to kill her, period." She said with finality.

" Then why wait, fiend!" Luna barked.

Summer had to admire her aunt's acting skills. " I know right! I could have just killed her under your noses, and get away and blame the nobles." She shrugged. " But I wanted to see the Captain's face personally, as another loved one is taken by us 'Monsters'."

The knife tensed as she 'readied' to slash, and Summer braced herself as a lavender beam hit her square in the chest that she all too fully anticipated, knocking her to a nearby wall slightly dazed.

Shining Armor was breathing hard, his horn smoking.He ran to Cadence and checked to see if she was alright.

Luna teleported to somewhere, probably to fetch a few more guards.

Celestia went over and joined Shining Armor, before going to the 'knocked out' Summer.

Her body fully blocking the panicking Captain, Celestia smiled at Summer.

" Well done, my niece." She whispered.

Summer offered a small grin and a wink.

---------------


" That's it, Twilight. The Other Hive is filled to the brim with Converts-to-be, and we also only saw about 50 Caretakers, 50 Guards, and 50 infiltrators to go and harvest more ponies. The old Queen is nowhere to be found, and the love source we couldn't get to because it was the most secured part of the hive." 324 reported.

They were back safely at the Hive, relaying the gathered information to Twilight. Said Lavender Queen was frowning already, thinking of explanations on why the Other Hive did what they did.

" What do you think they're planning?" She asked.

" If Chrysalis was willing to break a more forbidden rule than biting-to-infect, then probably to regain pride and invade Equestria again, this time with military force." 18 guessed.

" Sounds about right. With how many Converts-to-be we saw they could easily do that." 324 nodded grimly.

" You say Princess Celestia knows already?" Twilight said as she went to a table with a map of Equestria, with three marks on the surface. Their Hive, the Other Hive, and the Canterlot Castle.

" Yep. I had Summer project what we were seeing." The infiltrator and Mage followed their Queen to the table, also seemingly starting to plan something like her.

" And Shining?"

" Went back to Canterlot after Summer's attempted Assassination." 18 chuckled a bit.

Twilight blinked, looked at the Mage, and giggled at little herself, despite the situation. " Really now?"

" Yep. Right now she's at the dungeons, probably having the time of her life being interrogated by a pissed off Captain." The infiltrator had a small smile.

" Well thank you all, you saved those poor Converts-to-be from my blockhead of a brother." Twilight said as she sent out familial love, filling up the two changelings as thanks.

18 laughed lightly. " But of course! We couldn't let him kill the ponies because he was trying to rescue them."

324 rolled his eyes, no meaning behind it by the smile on his face, and grunted. " Yes, Yes. Now what do we do? Almost all those Converts-to-be are ready to pop out in a few days time. Chrysalis would feed them a bit of love, delaying them a bit,before launching an attack."

Twilight simply smiled. " If Chrysalis wants to fight with force, we fight right back with wits. Call the entire hive to the lake, and fill in Summer too. We have a meeting to attend."


-------------



Summer made sure her grin was as wide as it could get even as Shining Armor's horn was sparking in his anger. This interrogation had almost gone on for the entire afternoon, with Cadence at the infirmary being treated of the paralysis spell and Celestia and Luna occasionally checking in on Shining Armor.

More on making sure he doesn't kill his own niece than Summer's answer really, since they know everything already.

" I won't ask this again. What is Chrysalis planning?!" Shining screamed at her face.

Summer looked at him innocently. " I'm an assassin. I'm given orders, I follow. Knowing the Queen's plan is a Praetor's job, being her personal guards."

" You're lying!" 

" How would you know about changeling ranks when you couldn't even distinguish your wife from our Queen, nor if your sister is lying or not." Summer calmly retorted. She watched in amusement as Shining Armor's face contorted to several levels of frustration to downright murderous.

It appears she had hit quite a nerve. Probably because of the sister and wide comment, proving once and for all that the truth truly hurts. Especially at one's pride.

He stepped back, eyes locked onto Summer. His horn lit up and the knife that she borrowed floated into view.

Summer tried so hard to contain her shock. He wasn't really going to.... Even in his blockhead state, right? She only attempted Assassination, she didn't actually do it! Not that he would know, but Cadence being alive should have been enough.

" This knife would've taken the love of my life away...." He whispered, before a creepy smile appeared on his face.

" Now though, I'll make sure it takes away YOURS."

Shit.

In a fluid motion, the knife slashed through the air and right through Summer's right eye, destroying it and giving her a scar. The poor changeling dropped her transformation and couldn't help but scream as blood and tears poured out her eye.

She squirmed in her seat, the ropes holding her tight. Another pained yelp escaped her mouth as a she forced her eye shut.

Shining Armor gasped as he realized what he intended to do and dropped the knife, backing away. 

It was then he knew he went too far.

He just made himself equal to the monsters.

A large bang indicated the interrogation room's door opening to let someone of authority through, and whoever did made their identity known immediately.

" CAPTAIN SHINING ARMOR WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" 

Shining Armor felt himself being pushed to the wall as Princess Luna rushed to the Changeling, seemingly checking if it was alright.

" I-I...." He tried to explain to both himself and the princess but was cut off instantly by the Night Alicorn's glare.

" YOU IDIOT! WE HAVE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN TORTURE TO PRISONERS NO MATTER WHAT THEY HAVE DONE! "

Shining let out a not-so-well thought out retort before he could stop himself. " It wouldn't take me seriously-!"

" OUT WITH YOU, CAPTAIN SHINING ARMOR! YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT IN THE RIGHT STATE OF MIND TO HANDLE INTERROGATION!" Luna ordered menacingly.

Shining Armor couldn't help but feel he had done something so very wrong as he hurriedly left the room, even if his brain was saying it was alright because it was on a changeling.

Luna's reaction was suspicious too, which did not help matters to sorting out this self-doubt.

He closed the door as he left, walking as fast as he can to anywhere he could clear his mind.

----------

Luna waited until the doors shut before reassessing her niece's injury. She couldn't believe she would encounter this scene when she went down here to check on the 'progress'. She couldn't believe that Shining Armor allowed his feelings to cloud over his judgement so much that he would violate one of Equestria's rules.

Summer's eye was beyond surgical repair, the knife slashed too deep into the eyeball. It left a deep bloody scar as well, making Luna cringe.

Summer was writhing in pain, her hooves looking like they want to be free and cover the injured eye.

But even then Summer managed to smile despite her wince of agony. " Ow. That hurt."

Luna freed the changeling from her bonds before answering; " That is a very big understatement."

" Didn't think- Ah!- he'd actually do it. You think I went too far?" The young changeling asked.

" No, despite the situation. If he got angry enough to do this to you then you did a VERY splendid job at acting like the Other Hive changelings." The alicorn said as she caressed her niece's right cheek while she used her magic to clean out the blood.

" Was it a mistake keeping him out of the secret?"

" No once more. If he knew without a proof worthy of a stallion of his calibre then he would stalk you lot  and come up with bizarre explanations and possibly destroy Twilight Sparkle's brood." 

Summer paused as she hoofed the scar on her eye. She looked at her aunt, the injured peeper clearly hesitant to open.

" Thanks Aunt Luna.... But... You think you could heal it?" 

Luna allowed herself a small smile as her horn shone brightly. " Of course young one."

With that blue light encased Summer's eye, and the changeling could swear something replaced the slashed ball of flesh. It felt.... Like nothing was inside her eye socket but at the same time it's texture a bit glassy.

Luna's horn died out and she waited for Summer to open her new eye.

When the changeling did, it made the Night Alicorn smile widely. She thought the young mare would not suit an eye made of moonlight, but looking at it shine along with the purple one immediately quelled that thought.

" Woah! Cool!" Summer squealed. She jumped from her seat and hugged the alicorn, who widened her eyes with surprise.

" Thanks Auntie Luna! " She nuzzled the princess' chest. Luna blinked, she only ever got a hug from Celestia alone, but then smiled when she realized it was only a matter of time before the rest of her nieces and nephews follow. She returned the hug.

" You're most welcome, little Summer. Now how about we tie you back up and let's continue this little charade?"


-------

" So.... Twilight's Hive is somewhere in the Everfree? That's why they led Shiny to Chrysalis' Hive instead?" Cadence asked her Aunt beside her bed.

She was right about preparing herself for more information, since what happened to her Sister-in-law was quite a story.

It took the rest of the day to explain it too, even with Celestia starting her tale as soon as Cadence could deem her words coherent. Summer's paralyzing spell was more powerful than she anticipated.

" Yes. But they didn't anticipate to find all those kidnapped ponies in converting pods." Celestia answered.

" Converting pods?" 

" Cocoons that transforms a pony into a changeling. A complete full-blown changeling. Fully under Chrysalis' control. "

Cadence put a hoof to her mouth in horror. " Poor ponies..."

Celestia nodded. " But that is not their main concern at the moment. The ponies in the pods were in a fragile, sensitive state. If forced out of the pod by an outside force, they will die."

" Shiny's anger towards changelings would cloud his judgement; he would rip them out of their pods...!"

" Exactly what they thought. They intercepted and fought the Captain in the Sandstorm, and we called you here to help divert his attention back to Canterlot. The rest is history." Celestia finished.

Cadence mulled over the newest batch of information, silence reigning in the room.

Celestia couldn't blame her. She herself would've done the same if Bandaid and his crew weren't the ones to explain. Their childish appearances and little squabbles during the explanation had helped her nerves. If it had been Twilight it would take a moment longer. If it had been another of Chrysalis' changelings then it would've taken much more and would start with a battle.


" What do you think Chrysalis is planning to do with all those poor ponies?" Cadence suddenly asked.

Celestia blinked but recovered quickly. " My sister and I have suspected that she is certainly planning on an attack, seeing as she's upping her numbers."

" I... I figured as much. Suddenly Twilight being a Changeling Queen is beneficial for both the good changelings and protecting Equestria." Cadence muttered.

" Exactly what Twilight's Hive's goal is." Celestia smiled in agreement.

Suddenly the door to Cadence's guest room in the Castle, where she was transferred to for safety reasons, burst open.

Both Alicorns looked at the doer of the action, Luna, with confusion.

" Luna? Back so soon? How was the interrogation?" Celestia asked.

The alicorn grunted as she walked inside, closing the door and casting a spell on the room that would keep whatever they were about to talk about away from prying ears.

" If Summer's eye being slashed is good, then I'd say the interrogation went smoothly." She said with heavy sarcasm.

Both mares were surprised.

" Wait, what?" Celestia managed.

" Slashed eye? Summer? What do you mean, Auntie Luna?" Cadence asked.

" Your husband let his anger take control of him and he resorted to violence. He used the knife Summer had borrowed for the act and sliced her right eye." Luna huffed.

Silence reigned as the information sank.

Both couldn't believe Shining Armor would do that, violating a very known rule, even in blind anger.

" Is Summer alright?" Celestia inquired, trying to push the topic away from the Captain's involvement in the violation.

" I replaced her eye with one out of moonlight. She'll be fine. You'll see her in a few minutes to check on her yourself, and also talk to Twilight. I bet my moon she already has a plan on Chrysalis' upcoming attack." Luna replied.

" Wait wait wait, hold on a second," Luna and Celestia looked at Cadence ", I thought you said Chrysalis' attack was speculation? Is it confirmed? And how will we be seeing Summer in minutes if she's still acting as a prisoner?" 

Luna snorted. " With Chrysalis, you need no confirmation. And we'll be seeing Summer in a minute because she 'miraculously' escaped the dungeon."

As if on cue, shouts of panic were heard from the floors bellow, followed by the sounds of spells being cast and a familiar giggle.

Moments later a bat suddenly went flying into the room of the three Alicorns and made a loop in the air, before diving and landing on the floor. In a flash of lavender flames, Summer replaced the bat and was revealed to be in a standing position with arms wide open.

" Ta-da!" She exclaimed, blue eye shimmering brightly as the moon outside the Castle.

Her entrance did not phase Celestia however as she was immediately encased in golden light and brought to the Sun Princess for closer inspection.

" Hey! " She complained as Celestia had a horrified look on her face as she spotted Summer's new scar.

" Are you alright little one?!" She asked as she put the changeling down.

Summer allowed herself a smile. " I'm fine, Auntie Celestia. Auntie Luna healed me. " She looked at Cadence, who was staring intently at her new mark.

" Besides, I know you'll want to talk to Mom now. Enough about me."

Seeing nods from Luna and Celestia, the young changeling immediately dived into the hive-mind. She stopped a bit to hear the comforting song before proceeding to call her mother.

< Mom? My Queen?>

As soon as her voice rang in the hive-mind she was bombarded with love and worry.

< Summer are you alright?! >

< What happened sis? >

< What made you scream like that? >

< That was way too much pain than what a punch would give. >

< Who hurt you?! >

< Hey guys chill! I'm alright! I'm fine!> Summer said in an effort to quell their worries.

< I expect an explanation after whatever it is you contacted me for, Summer Sparkle. >

Summer inwardly gulped.

< Yeah, I know Mom. But Princess Celestia wants to talk. About what's the plan regarding the oncoming attack. >

< Fine. But don't think you're off the hook, young lady! > Twilight threatened as Summer felt her presence dominate her mind.

< Never even thought of it, Mom.>

---------

Cadence watched as Summer stared off into space, the changeling's action bringing confusion over the Love Princess' previous shock of her new scar.

While she would definitely have a heart-to-heart talk with her husband about his anger management issues and mental health, she decided to push that thought away for now and focus on why exactly the young changeling was staring at nothing.

She voiced this concern.

Celestia chuckled. " She's calling Twilight. You'll see."

And indeed she did. Summer, without warning, burst into purple flames once more, and in her place was an exact copy of Twilight before the bite.

Cadence let out an involuntary gasp, drawing the changeling's attention to her.

'Twilight' widened her eyes. " C-Cadence?! " Summer said with Twilight's voice, looking at Celestia and Luna before going back to Cadence.

" I-I didn't realize you would be here..."

" The plan worked, Twilight Sparkle. She knows of thy hive. No need to worry." Luna said nonchalantly.

" It's not that-! It's just...." Twilight gulped, looking nervously at Cadence.

The Princess of Love knew that look very, very well.

" I'm not mad, Twilight." She found herself saying, to the confusion of Luna and Celestia and the surprise of the pony in question.

" But," She added, sprouting a panicked look on the purple unicorn's face, " You will explain everything to me again in your own words, alright?"

Twilight nodded nervously. " Yes Cadence." She was relieved that her foalsitter accepted her for who she now was, but at the same time nervous because she would have to explain something she still didn't know the answer to; why she accepted being who she was now.

Considering Cadence's experience with her new species the princess of Love would be understandably baffled by her almost doubtless acceptance.

She cleared her throat. " So... With that out of the way, what did you call me for again, Princess Celestia?" 

The Princess had a slightly amused look on her face. " The plan, Twilight."

" R-Right, " Twilight blushed in embarrassment. " The plan. Um, our infiltrators are going to continue monitoring the Other Hive so that we may have a bit of a warning when the attack happens. The Thestrals also are wishing to help and are only waiting for your approval, Princess Luna." She looked at the princess.

Luna smiled. " They have it already."

Twilight returned the gesture. " Thank you princess, I'll be sure to tell them right away. So," she continued, " we have the easy parts done. Our Changelings and the Thestrals are going to help protect Equestria from the attack. But,"

Princess Celestia frowned. " What?"

" There's the matter of my.... Brother. " Twilight sighed. Cadence blinked, since the way Twilight was acting made it seem like they kept having problems when it came to her husband. Was he that bad?

" We only temporarily diverted his attention from the Other Hive. He would surely go there again, now that he knows where it is. And I'm very sure we can't repeat what happened today to draw him back in, he would get suspicious, and we already made him hate my children too with Summer and Loki's revealing their true form." She swallowed.

" All else is fine, Our Hive ready on the first wave of changelings, except that part. We have to keep Shining Armor away from the Other Hive and the Converts-to-be, lest he kill them all." Twilight finished.

While everypony else was pondering on what method to use against this little snag, Cadence was already smirking. Changelings she would leave to Twilight, because it's how to handle her husband she knows more about.

" I may have some ways...." She slyly said.
> The Calm before the Storm
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Infiltrator 900 resisted the urge to pace around the throne room as he waited for the Queen to rise from her slumber.

The changeling ruler had been sleeping quite a lot during these past couple of months, delving more and more deeper into the Hivemind to make sure every Convert-to-be was under her complete and utter control. 

That understandably took a lot out of the Queen's mental energy, causing this constant state of Slumber.

But while that helped in making sure her sanity did not get any lower than where it had been since the invasion, it made her physical body very vulnerable to a simple knife stab.

All it took was a poke on the right artery and she'd be dead without even a fight.

He would've normally order a few soldiers to guard the Queen, since despite his role he was her right hoof, but the 50 guards left that weren't chosen for the rebirth that went along with the conversion were occupied on making sure the pods were safe and free from damage.

Meaning not only was he to help oversee the entire operation, he was also to guard the Queen.

This stress only wanted him to pace more.

" Infiltrator... 900?" He snapped to attention at the yawning acknowledgment.

His Queen shakily stood up from her position on the throne, having laid on her belly for more on convenience than comfort. This only made him worry more since her body barely moved the last couple months.


" Yes, Your Grace. Permission to report." He saluted.

Chrysalis let out an annoyed snort, probably at having to wake up.

" You could not do this in the hivemind?" She drawled.

" I could not afford to break your concentration, your grace."

She smirked. " A wise decision. Very well. Permission granted."

" All pods are healthy and expected to hatch in the next couple of days. But due to the hardwork of the harvesters, that due date has been cut short to tomorrow evening." 900 recited.

Chrysalis' eyes snapped open. " Indeed? What caused this pleasant surprise?" She said almost giddily.


900 tried to ignore this behaviour. " They came back with thrice the amount of  ponies than they usually brought because of Captain Shining Armor's absence in the field. He was last seen heading into the EverFree forest in search of our Hive."

Chrysalis cackled, the sound echoing eerily against the huge chamber. " Foolish little Captain. Our Hive is meant for a desolate but safe desert where we are the threat, not a lush forest with mysterious magic and competition on the food chain." She grinned, before looking back at her Right Hoof Ling.

" Anything else?"

900 shook his head. " Nothing else pertaining to the operation and the Ponies' Awareness. We are ready to attack by tomorrow's nightfall."

Chrysalis opened her wings suddenly, looking like she was making herself look larger than normal for dominance. Now that 900 thought about it, it was similar to what was that... meme that the youth of the ponies also joke around to be of Asserting Dominance, the T-pose or something like that.

" Wonderful. All is according to plan. We will have Equestria in our hooves by tomorrow night." She said in an almost majestic way before the image shattered at her giggling maniacally.

" And I'll finally have my revenge!" She snickered.

900 gulped silently as he watched the Queen laugh to herself and mumble incoherent words for a solid 30 seconds before she looked at him.

" You are dismissed." She said before reverting back to the disturbing behaviour.

900 bowed and left the room greatly concerned about his Queen's mental state than he was when he returned from routine check.

Now that the deadline was near he doubted she'd sleep again, and that giggling thing only confirmed that.

He wanted to sigh.

He hoped their victory would return her sanity.

----------------

" Any sightings? News? Disturbances related to the Assassin?" Shining Armor asked tiredly, exhaling through his nose.

He still couldn't believe that the thing escaped as soon as he left the room. While he was a bit suspicious of Princess Luna, he immediately shot it down to just the Princess wanting to save face, since Equestria was known for it's reluctance and complete avoidance of torture and violence to prisoners. After all he figured she'd have a bit of a grudge against the changelings too, considering her sister was defeated by their Queen. He doubted anyone would willingly help the monsters.

But why did the thing just had to escape after THAT incident? He was sure that now it won't delay it's mission to assassinate his wife with what he did. 

It deserved it though. In fact it wasn't even enough compared to the nightmare he'd been through. That busted eye didn't even come close to him almost losing his wife, family, friends, and even Equestria to the monsters.

The only thing that made him regret picking up that knife was the monsters making him go down to their level. That thing was uncooperative, and the stress that it added to the already thin patience brought about by the now thousands of missing ponies and his sister's kidnapping forced him to commit violence.It wasn't his fault. The thing was asking, nay, begging to be beaten up.

His conscience wasn't eaten because of guilt at hurting a living creature, it was being eaten because he had to sully his hooves to get a taste of what it was like when he would finally have his revenge.

He has to admit it felt good, after the initial shock, to be the cause of a changeling's pain.

He did promise to make them feel what he felt.

Stormy shook his head. " No reports of anything involving the changeling. But I have a feeling it's still here in Canterlot."

Shining grunted. " Me too. I know it's going to try and kill Cadence again."

" Yep.." Stormy cleared his throat. " ...especially after what I heard you did."

" It deserved it. In fact, it wasn't even enough." Shining Armor said coldly.

" Dude, that's harsh. Just don't explode next time alright? We need that thing in one piece if we're going to find out where it's hive is." Stormy ruffled his wings. Shining hated changelings this much?

" Oh, I'm sure it just needs a mouth to talk." Shining blurted out before he could stop himself.

Stormy was frozen after hearing that comment from him, his eyes wide open. He did not just hear that from the Gentle, Loving Captain of the guards, right? 

He visibly took a step back. " Oh ho ho ho, hey now. Don't go too far there, Captain." He gulped audibly. " An-Anyways, back to the thing, I heard Princess Luna healed it before it escaped."

Shining was a bit glad at the topic change. " I heard about that as well. But I still don't believe that after that, Princess Luna even sealed the cell with magic, mind you, it just disappeared." 

The varying reports from different guards gave him a headache trying to figure out the real deal and the exaggerations. 

" What went into your mind to station Newbies down there anyway?" Stormy asked.

Shining shrugged. " They were the closest to where we caught the thing, and I was still panicking over what it did to my wife. Can you blame me?"

Stormy chuckled quietly, still not letting go of THAT statement. " No, I'd be panicking too if I was in your position. But speaking of Cadence, did she notice anything unusual lately? Said anything about the feeling of being watched? You said it yourself the thing would definitely target your wife."

Shining nodded. " Yes, that's why I'm here in Canterlot and my boys are headed to the Badlands as we speak. She's with Princess Celestia in her office discussing something important to her assignment, before you ask why I'm not by her side. She had said she always would feel someone breathing down her neck or right behind her, following her everywhere."

Stormy whistled. " That's creepy. And my job's being a stalker in a sense, so that's saying something."

" Yeah, so after her discussion with the Princess I'm going to be her temporary guard replacing the actual ones until we catch the thing. And I'm making sure it won't escape again" Shining said.

Maybe I won't go for the eye this time. 

Without a horn it can't cast magic and transform, right?

---------------

Infiltrator 900 gazed at the humongous glob of pulsating gel, feeling admiration and disgust at the same time.

A web of slime veins that covered every surface imaginable were connected to the Glob, siphoning love before exiting out tiny tunnels to distribute the emotion for the thousands of pods that needed sustenance.

It reminded him of a Heart, albeit a bigger, greener, grosser version of one.

He looked beside the repulsive mass of moving changeling saliva and instead observed the day's haul of Ponies.

3 soldiers were prodding a group of 12 unicorns, probably from Manehatten, their horns cut, closer to the thing.

900 watched as a soldier flew over to the Heart and tapped it's gelatinous surface thrice, instantly causing the gel organ to turn transparent, revealing the actual horror inside.


The other half of whatever amount of ponies collected lay dead in the Heart, empty husks sucked dry of all emotions. The earliest ones, at the very center, were nothing but bones, their organic material also absorbed.

The ponies screamed and started to panic, running around and even trying to fight the 3 soldiers.

The soldiers let them run around for a bit, before taking to the air and started picking off of the scattered group.

One by one the ponies' numbers dwindled as each catch was flown above the Heart and dropped, where the massive organ would immediately engulf them for their emotions.

In no less than 5 minutes all 12 ponies lie in the Heart, some unconscious, some still struggling to fight against the gel for freedom and breath.

But 900 knew it was futile. The Heart was made of the stickiest gel the farmers could grow, and it was semi-sentient as well.

Knowing just enough to know that all prey must be drained of all emotion before absorption of organic material.

Love must be acquired fresh.

The soldier who activated the Heart flew close once more, tapping it twice. The Heart lost it's transparency and the horror was once again concealed under a veil of dark green gel.

The three soldiers went back to the hole from which they came, and 900 was the only ling left in the Heart Chamber, still in the same position from when he came in and laid eyes on the monstrosity.

He couldn't help but give an involuntary shudder as he silently turned and backtracked, leaving the Heart alone to do it's thing.

Ever pulsating, ever absorbing.

-----------

"......Ponyville is evacuated safely to the Hive, everybody is still preparing for the battle to come, and everyone was given a role, the code, and that's all there is to know for now." Summer yawned as she finished her report after a quick tune in the bustling Hivemind. Everyling was scampering around reading everything they could get their hooves on, both from her Mom's knowledge to the Other Hivelings'.

It was like a very educational feeding frenzy for her siblings.

" You still remember the code, right?" She added.

They all figured that if it was going to be a battle between shapeshifters, there was going to be a lot of impersonating while magic, metal, fire and fangs clashed. They needed something subtle and can quickly be passed through communication not involving intonation and obvious body language. Something fast, and that the Other Hive Changelings couldn't copy even when they see it.

Luna, Celestia and Cadence, who was filled in of course, all blinked the word 'HI' in morse code that was way too fast to be even be thought to be other than just someone blinking rapidly to clear their eye.

" What code?" Luna said innocently.

Summer sent her some finger guns, shifting her hooves for effect with a grin. " Ey! They get it!"

" So when the battle comes we have to constantly check on who we're fighting with the code, right?" Cadence clarified.

" Yep! Even us, connected to a Hivemind where we can easily just ask without speaking. But from what we've experimented on, when one accesses the Hivemind they always either stop and stare into space or have a hard time focusing on both sides, which is a weakness during a battle where you're filled with adrenaline and under the threat of death. The code is much easier, and we have plenty of backup ones in case they catch up on it." Summer explained.

" You reported that Ponyville is evacuated?" Celestia asked.

" Yep again! It's empty, even!" Summer grinned.

" How come we haven't heard from Shining Armor's patrol then? An empty Ponyville would raise alarm." Luna pointed out.

Summer's grin widened. " Because we replaced the entire squad! Same with the ones heading for the Other Hive. They're all in the Guest Cave."

" They...aren't hurt, are they?" Cadence asked hesitantly.

" Not a scratch! In fact, the Ponies of Ponyville are probably explaining the entire thing to the poor guards. Maybe once the attack started they'd join in, too!" 

" Everyone fights? What about the hive? Twilight's nymphs and eggs?" Cadence asked again.

Summer chuckled. " Didn't I say everyone has a role? Well, The Thestrals, All able-bodied Lings, The Elements and Mom fight, the Ponies of Ponyville protect the Hive, and the Foals...." She grinned excitedly.

" You're involving the little ones?!" Celestia said in alarm.

The excitement was not lost. " YEP! The little ones are going to be on field as well, as Medics! They take the wounded ones and bring them to the Bases around Canterlot that we planned on. They're small, and hardly noticeable. They're perfect!"

" But they're too young! What if they are used as hostage or get caught in the crossfire?" The Sun princess tried again.

" Oh, don't worry about it. They go by teams of four, a changeling, an earthpony, a unicorn and a pegasus. Earth Pony would bring the wagon for the wounded, pegasus would watch the sky, Changeling and unicorn protect the back and front. Perfect, as I've said. They have Uncle Spike watching over them specifically too, since he's joining the fight as well. And besides-"

She made her eyebrows go up and down.

" It's better to give them a job than to have them sneak out of the Hive and join in unannounced, right?"

Celestia sighed. Luna smiled. Cadence had a thoughtful frown on her face, still mulling over information. Her eyes washed over Summer's blue eye and scarred face.

Oh Shiny....

" Do they at least know the code?" Celestia almost pleaded. Despite what Twilight, when she was young, and her first clutch proved of the capability of foals, they were still foals.

Her motherly nature was screaming at her.

To her relief Summer nodded. " Of course! It would be dumb to let them in on the Secret and only expose a part of it. Ya know, that thing were the more you try to avoid it the more it happens? Better just welcome it with open arms!"

" Thank the stars...." Celestia muttered.

" So, what will your plan be, Auntie Sunny?" Summer inquired, her report and QnA portion done. Princess Celestia blinked, surprised a bit that she was now answering questions instead of asking.

" For the attack? I would rally the Guard, of course. Shining Armor and his troop would jump at a chance to battle them, I bet." She said.

Summer smiled. " Great! It's all going according to Mom's plan then."

" Plan?" Cadence tilted her head.

" Remember how Mom wanted to change the Changelings' image? Well, this battle will make it very clear the the Amethyst Hive is against the Badlands Hive. We all agreed to always be lavender in whatever we shapeshifted into, even. It would also be a perfect slap to Uncle Armor." She rubbed her hooves evilly, before giving Cadence and apologetic look.

" Sorry, but it's better that Mom's revenge would be Shining Armor's own self-realization, than another wedding crash, right?"

Cadence chuckled bitterly. " I can't disagree with you there, but I don't like it that you're going to all this trouble keeping Shiny out of this. It would've been easier if he knew."

Luna shook her head. " Maybe, but not likely. If we revealed Twilight's Hive too early he would be an interference to the Hive's growth. He would be all over Twilight, and Dear Lord I don't even dare think what he'll come up to explain changeling culture."

" Also because to a Soldier, and the rest of Canterlot snobs," Summer snickered, " the best proof to show we're different is when they actually were there, and we're fighting on their side. There's no greater proof out there when it's literally happening around them."

" And after the Attack, ponies will be unable to deny the fact that the Amethyst Hive fought against the invading one." Celestia added.

Summer frowned a bit. " That's what I said."

Cadence sighed. Her husband was a sweet stallion, but she never thought he would be this... difficult to handle. Her own grudge against Changelings were now placed on the Badlands Hive alone courtesy of her enlightenment on the Secret, but even without it she had a feeling she'll accept Twilight's Hive after a thorough explanation.

Shining though.....

Luna, Celestia, and Summer looked at each other. They were starting to think that the way Shining Armor was behaving was putting doubts in Cadence's head.

Summer chuckled nervously as she trotted over to her aunt and put a hoof on her back.

" Hey now, I know Uncle Armor's acting like a piece of crap, but that's not who he is... I hope... That's why we're going to make him realize and see for himself his mistake! Think of it like, uh, a self-therapy session. He'll be fine." She, for the first time, forced a grin.

Cadence did not need to be a changeling to know Summer was doubting her own words.

--------------

Soldier 682 flew as quietly as he could in the deepest tunnels of the Hive, careful not to disturb the earliest pods.

He couldn't help but feel shivers travel up his spine upon seeing the almost complete Converts floating in green gel, eyes closed and hardly breathing. They looked very much like preserved dead bodies.

682 grunted as he shook his head to rid of the thoughts. He was a Soldier for Chrysalis' Sake! And Pods were normal even before this operation, so why did he feel fear just by passing through them?

It wasn't like they would just rise out and start to chase him, hungrily draining his love-

Dear God he should've had his memory erased of that particular incident.

" 682?" 

He sharply turned his head to the sound, body tense, but relaxed when he saw who it was.

He flew over and landed softly, careful not to make a sound.

" You almost scared the love out of me, 576." He deadpanned.

Caretaker 576 giggled. " Wouldn't want that now, do we?"

" No. We don't." 682 chuckled. With all the love going in to the thousands upon thousands of Converts, it had been a bit of a hard time for the 150 remaining pure-bloods who weren't chosen for rebirth.

" At least we won't be required to join the Conquest." 576 grinned. 

" Yeah, what a mercy. Do you have the goods?" 682 suddenly asked.

576 nodded and opened his backplates, levitating 5 glowing, billiard-ball sized pink orbs. He handed it to the Soldier, who immediately grabbed one and stuck a fang into it.

Instantly the liquid flowed out, into his dry mouth and soon leaving an empty glass orb.

He shuddered with delight.

" Oh thank the first mother. It's been a long time since I ate that much love." 

576 smiled. " I know. Now where's my bits?"

A bag of the said item almost hit him in the face, but he caught it just in time.

" There. Why would you need bits, anyway?" 682 grunted.


576 almost squeed as he felt the bag around with excited hooves. " I'm ditchin' this hive after they go to Canterlot! Be my own ling, start a family ya know? I'm tired of just following orders around."

682 frowned. " You want to have somepony? That's possible?"

576 nodded. " I have a clutchmate who did the same. Has a wife and two half-breeds now. And his family knows he's a ling too, but he's still loved. I want that, someone to love who actually loves me back."

" Pfft. Alrighty. Have your own way." 682 snorted at the idea. Ponies accepting changelings? Ha.

576 looked offended. " Hey, I didn't tell you this to get judged."

682 rolled his eyes. " Whatever. Now excuse me, this never happened."

He got up, but didn't notice a Love Orb in his magical grip embed itself in a nearby pod. 

The orb immediately glowed as the pod absorbed the love inside, the light causing both changelings to freeze.

They watched in horror as it sank deeper into the gel.

" Shit-Shit-Shit get it out!" 576 panicked, buzzing his wings like he wanted to both fly away and help.

682 was already trying to pull it out. He was grunting in frustration, The orb refusing to acknowledge his effort.

" I'm trying! Shit if they notice this Love Orb container-!"

He immediately stopped talking when the pony inside moved. First a tail twitch, then a shiver, then an arm looking like it wanted to reach out for something.

It's chest suddenly rose, like he was inhaling air for the first time in his life.

Both changelings' gazes drifted up the pod, and almost screamed.

The Convert's eyes opened.

It started to kick and trash around, making them both back away.

" Fuck! I thought they were supposed to wake up tomorrow night!" 576 pointed out in fear.

" The Love Orb must've boosted it! It's one of the earliest batch!" 682 screamed back.

Dear God what would happen to them if Chrysalis knew?! Would she kill them, or maybe even chuck them into the Heart?!

The Convert broke out of the pod and landed with a thud on the floor, The gel cushioning it's fall. It instantly stood up, blue eyes freezing when it settled on the two drones.

It was tense silence before the Convert screamed.

" CHANGELINGS!" He yelled, startling the souls of everyling near the area.

He scrambled in the slime, trying to get up, before running to where 682 came, legs wobbling from not being used in months.

682 snapped out of his irrational fear. 

" Catch it! The Queen might forgive us if we caught a non-brainwashed Convert!"

He slapped 576's shoulder as a signal for him to follow before he too ran, depositing the three remaining love orbs into his backplate.

576 blinked and shook his head. " Nah! I'm outta here!" He put his own bag of bits into his backplate before flying the opposite direction, overcome with fear.

----------



Infiltrator 900 froze when he felt a sudden shift in the Hivemind, a feeling he was all too familiar with during his long life. 

A Convert has awoken, and it was panicking.

This early? What happened? Why is it scared? His Grace's spell would've made it a mindslave the moment it broke out of it's pod, programmed to just stand there until order was given.

He shook his head from his surprise and focused. Whatever was happening, it was his job to figure it out. And to do that he needed to catch that Convert.

----------

682 snapped at the Convert's tail, who was surprisingly fast despite it just waking up. It was screaming as it ran from him, like it was in pain.

It would've been hilarious if he wasn't the one chasing it.

" HELP! SOMEPONY HELP ME!" It shouted as it rounded a corner.

682 followed, but almost stopped when he picked up a familiar beat.

He examined the hallway they were running through, and it was the very same that led to the Heart.

Shit! If this guy did something to it then it would be his fault!

" STOP! CONVERT!" He yelled.

----------

Infiltrator 900 skidded to a stop, avoiding just running off the tunnel and falling straight into the Heart below.

This was where the Convert was headed, now where was it?

His eyes immediately spotted the 3 soldiers who had fed the Heart again, indicated by it being transparent once more. It looked like they were just about to deactivate the Feeding process when a very girlish scream made them all freeze in place.

A Convert drone ran out of the tunnel the 3 soldiers came from with a Changeling tailing it, being absolutely hysterical.

And it was headed straight through the Heart.

--------------

Shit! The Heart!

" STOP!" 682 screamed in desperation. They have never tested feeding the Heart something other than ponies. God knows what Chrysalis would do to him if the result would pose a threat to the Operation.

It was feeding time too, his three siblings in the air covering their ears from the Convert's scream, who seemed like it didn't even noticed the Heart.

" STOP HIM!" He practically ordered.

But his siblings paid no mind, still writhing in pain from the unexpected ear-drum killer.

Before he knew it the Convert's scream was cut so suddenly, indicating he had dived right into the Heart's hungry gel.

And what followed next threw everyone near the heart against the walls.

------------

Infiltrator 900 yelped in pain as the love-shock wave hit him square in the chest, reminding him of the one in Canterlot. 

Luckily it was a less agonizing version, and he was able to get up as quickly as he was thrown away.

What had happened?! One second the Convert was screaming, next it hit the Heart and the organ threw out a shockwave.

Infiltrator 900 wasted no time flying down to the four soldiers, who were also wondering what in Tartarus was happening.


" What is the meaning of this?!" He yelled angrily.

All four soldiers bowed stiffly at his presence, including the one that had followed the Convert. He must have had something to do with this.

He landed, then glared at them.

" Who is responsible for that Convert? Lying will get you nowhere." 

No answer.

He snorted. " As the Queen's Right Hoof I demand the guilty soldier step forward!" The order instantly made the right stallion do as he commanded against his own will, his instincts compelling him to follow higher authority.

900 scowled at the perpetrator. " Number. Explain."


The soldier's lips appeared to move on their own judging from the scared look from his eyes.

" 682. A Love Orb I obtained from Caretaker 576 submerged itself in the Convert's pod, boosting it earlier than expected."

900 frowned at this. Perhaps the Pod was from an earlier batch?

< Infiltrator 900! The First Batch are all waking up! What happened to the Heart?! >

He flinched at the voice, but didn't have time to recover as another voice followed.

< Some of the Second Batch too! What is happening!?>

Voice after voice hit the Infiltrator, causing confusion to the soldiers watching him cringe in pain.

" Enough!" He yelled both in the Hivemind and outside, startling everyling to silence.

So the Convert carried enough love to finish the first batch's conversion, and some of the Second too, huh?

He looked at the guilty ling, a plan to explain everything forming in his mind.

He looked at the three Soldiers.

" Feed him to the Heart."

682 immediately backed away in shock. " WAIT! WHA-!"

The first soldier tried to grab hold of his arm, but 682 threw out a desperate punch before running away.

This was for naught as the other two just grabbed him together before flying over to the Organ and chucking him in.

" NO-!"

With a disgusting 'splotch' sound, 682 was engulfed in slime, and the absorption was instantaneous as another, albeit much smaller shockwave occurred, proving 900's guess.

Throwing a Convert or Changeling into the Heart would cause a significant boost enough to finish a whole Batch, due to the gathered love in their bodies that are either unused or stockpiled. For the Converts, their entire form is made of love, as evidence by the pony turning back to normal after being inside. For the Changeling, years of collected love flow through their veins, just waiting to be siphoned out.

< The Third to Fourth Batches are awakening as well!>

That does it then.

" If I may ask, what is happening sire?" The first soldier asked while rubbing a sore jaw.

900 sighed. " Well, the Conquest might happen earlier than expected."

The soldier blinked. " Wha-? How? When?"

" Tonight, I'm afraid."

-------------


Princess Celestia sighed as she watched the Sun almost touch the horizon. 

It won't be long before she had to lower it to make way for the moon.

The day had been uneventful, especially after that Secret Meeting with her sister and her two nieces. The day went on as it normally would, being painfully dull despite Summer's presence in her office during paperwork hours and Shining Armor's paranoia induced Patrols around the Castle grounds.

At least it had a little difference.

" Banana?"

Celestia blinked as the fruit in question suddenly invaded her vision, wrapped in lavender magic.

She looked at Summer with an eyebrow raised.

" You look hungry." She said simply.

Understanding, Celestia chuckled as her golden magic replaced the lavender of it's grasp upon the yellow fruit, peeling it before she took a small bite. 

The sweet taste filled her mouth, and she gave the young changeling a thankful nod.

Summer grinned, blue eye sparkling as always. " You're welcome! Knew a little snack would cheer you up just a bit. Speaking of that, what's making you frown, Auntie Sunny?" She asked with a head tilt.

Celestia finished the banana, teleporting it's skin to the trash can, before answering. " Just the upcoming attack, dear niece. Just because we know it's approaching does not exactly mean we should lower our guard."

" What if you knew the exact date? Would you be less worried?" 

Celestia fluttered her wings. " That would be worse. Because we would have to avoid giving any hints that we know, preparation or otherwise, for it would cause the enemy to change dates."

Summer clicked her tongue. " So either way you're worried because you can't prepare?"

Celestia nodded. " Exactly. In fact the only reason I am slightly less worried is because while I can't prepare, you can. We have the Element of Surprise on our side."

" Pinkie Pie? Oh wait, she's the Element of Laughter." Summer waited expectantly, and got her response via a small smile on her Aunt's muzzle.

" Yay! I got her to smile!" She clapped her hooves. " Don't worry anymore about the attack, Auntie Sunny. Despite their numbers, Brain always wins against Brawn."

Celestia just kept smiling. " Thank you, Summer."

The changeling shrugged. " It's my job. I'm the only person in this palace that's not emotional. Someone's got to be the Punching Bag or Pillow, ya know?"

" Are you sure that's your true reason for your shenanigans other than it's entertaining?" Princess Celestia grinned.

Summer returned the gesture. " That too. Besides, it's hard not to laugh whenever I get Aunt Luna angry. She knows a lot of old-timey curses that are very funny to hear."

The Sun Princess giggled. " That's my sister alright."

Summer smiled after seeing that. " And THAT, means my job here is done. I got ya out of your reverie with food, I made you chuckle, grin, smile, and giggle. You're clear to rest now, Auntie!" She hugged the alicorn, who was a bit startled at the declaration, but then returned it after understanding.

" You always know what to say." She said.

Summer broke the hug. " Of course! What kind of niece would I be?"

She then started to push the elder mare out of the office.

" Now set the Sun and go to bed! We can't have you tired with the attack oncoming yeah? I still have to go make sure Aunt Cadence had a stalker. Gotta keep Uncle Shining grounded!"

Celestia laughed at Summer's tiny frame pushing against her own. She complied to the order, walking out of the office and to the hallway.

" Alright, Alright warden!" She teased.

Since the day Summer came, no day in the palace ended without either laughs or cries of anguish.

She was a very weird changeling.


--------

Princess Cadence stared at the statue in the fountain, trying her hardest not to laugh out loud.

Perched on the statue's horn was a gray butterfly, perfectly hidden in the dim light of the rising moon.

The lights of the Castle didn't reach this part of the garden too, which just made it the best hiding spot.

She never thought she'd say this, but Summer had to be her favorite stalker.

She made sure Cadence would know where she was, making it painfully obvious sometimes, just to make her laugh or chuckle when others wouldn't even bat an eye at her presence.

" Why are we even here, Cady? It's very dark, the assassin could be anywhere." 

Cadence almost nodded. He couldn't be more right, she thought as she smiled at the butterfly.

" I just wanted to take a stroll, Shiny. I have been cooped up in the hotel for months." She reasoned to her stallion.

Shining Armor grunted. " I understand, but there's an assassin out here! You would be safer inside, and you could stroll there! The hallways are long enough, the windows give beautiful views of the city."

" Are you saying you won't be able to protect me?" She asked playfully.

" No, I'm saying I want not to have a reason to protect you at all! It's better that you're safe and without a monster following you around." Shining mumbled.

Cadence sighed softly as she stopped and looked at her stallion.

" I'll be fine, dear. The assassin won't get me this time." She said with a soft smile.

Shining narrowed his eyes. " What makes you say that?"

She lightly slapped his shoulder. " Because you're here, dummy."

She expected Shining Armor to lighten up after that sentence, because it was cheesy but true. But all she got was him looking quite offended.

" So you're saying it's my fault?!" He asked with his tone an octave higher.

Cadence almost jumped and backed away.

" Wh-What?"

" That the assassin got to you? It's my fault now, huh?!" Shining angrily stomped his hoof.

Cadence frowned. " Dear, that's not what I was saying!"

" Good! For a second there I thought you sided THEM!" He practically roared.

" What?! Who? Shiny, are you alright?" The poor alicorn hesitantly asked. She wasn't expecting for this conversation to stray very far from where she wanted it to go.

She wanted to ease her husband's worries with a few light teases, ease his heart and then lead him back into the Castle for dinner.

But she didn't expect for him to blow up out of nowhere.

" Tch. Never...Nevermind. I'm just...worried." He mumbled, deflating a bit.

Cadence gulped and tentatively placed a wing across his back.

" I'm sorry.... I'm just stressed, ya know? With this Assassin gallavanting around, Twily and those thousands of ponies still missing.... All because of THEM." He growled.

Cadence wanted to assume the 'Them' were the Badlands Hive, but deep inside she knew that wasn't the case. It was ALL the changelings.

His heart and mind were so clouded with anger that Cadence could not deny anymore that Twilight's plan was the only thing that would change his opinion of the other changelings.

Seeing the evidence for himself would be the only hope she would have to getting her husband back from hate.

" We'll find them soon. I just know it." She said confidently, having knowing the truth.

" Oh, I'll make sure of that, I promise." He snorted. 

Cadence flinched when he slapped her wing away from his back and straightened his posture, looking at the moon, which had risen a bit since she saw it.

" It's getting late. Let's head back." He practically ordered.

She sighed as she allowed herself to be escorted out of the garden, but not before looking back at the statue in the fountain.

She widened her eyes.

Summer was not there.

" Shining...." She said carefully, voice laced with a bit of fear, hoping her suspicions were incorrect.

Twilight said the attack would still be days away, right?

The stallion raised an eyebrow as he turned around. 

" What is it?" He asked, voice a mix of concern and annoyance.

She was about to answer when suddenly two lavender paws wrapped around her waist and lifted her up in the air, eliciting a curse word from Shining Armor as she was brought higher and higher up in the air.

She started to struggle, even lighting up her horn when a very familiar voice stopped her attempts to break free.

" LOOK DOWN!"

Cadence instead looked the opposite way to confirm that it was indeed Summer, shifted in the form of a lavender Jaquin from those old stories she would read to Twilight every night. Her blue and purple eyes remained as stubbornly as her cutiemark during shifts.

" LOOK DOWN DAMN IT!"

Cadence finally complied and wished she didn't.

Canterlot was ablaze in green flames, smoke rising to reach even their height in the sky. Screams echoed from below as black figures flitted about the city, abundant in numbers and carpeting the capital.

Magical explosions occured every now and then, and were the reason for her snapping out of her frightened trance.

" I-I THOUGHT THEY WOULD ATTACK A COUPLE OF DAYS FROM NOW?!" She managed.

Summer's chest vibrated with excited laughter.

" APPARENTLY THEY HAD A BOOST OF SOME KIND, SO NOW IT'S HERE!"

" DID YOU-"

" ALREADY DID! THEY'RE COMING, AND WE'RE GOING TO MEET THEM. GET READY FOR THE FIGHT OF YOUR LIFE, AUNT CADENCE!" 

Summer sped up her flight towards Ponyville, and Cadence could see lights of teleportation spells happening in the EverFree.

" LET'S BUCKLE INTO IT!"
> Battle for Canterlot
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shining Armor could not convey into words just how peeved he was at what just happened, which in turn he could also not fully comprehend to have just occurred.

He didn't seriously just WATCH his wife taken away by no doubt the same changeling that had threatened her continued existence in this world, did he?

He did, and all he could do was scream pointlessly at the rapidly disappearing lavender dot in the night sky.

First he was a failure as a Brother, then as protector of the public, then now as a Husband.

All again, because of them.

If they hadn't barged their way into his life all this failure wouldn't have happened.

All their fault.

It could've been worse.

Shining was brought out of his murderous brooding by the sound of rapidly flapping wings, their owner confirmed after a voice shortly shouted;

" CAPTAIN! CANTERLOT IS UNDER ATTACK!" 

Shouldn't have said that.

Shining whipped his head around just as Stormy went into view, his eyes wide as if he too could not believe what he just said.

Shining had an incredulous look on his face. 

" How in the fuck did that happen?!" 

Stormy flinched. " Nopony knows! All I've gathered is that one moment it was a normal quiet night, and suddenly green explosions occured in the Park. Then the things just came pouring into the city!"

Shining growled in anger. " Those monsters have portals!?"

" Apparently. Now they're tearing apart homes, attacking everypony." Stormy reported.

The unicorn sighed. " What of the guard?"

" Already deployed with Princess Luna in charge. I was sent to get you." Stormy then suddenly looked confused.

" Where's your wife?"

Shining glared at him. " I'll deal with that later. How about Princess Celestia?"

Despite the situation, Stormy found it odd that Shining didn't answer his question. Other than his duty, family and friends, Shining's wife was everything to him. Why this attitude?

Nevertheless he answered curtly, " Engaged in Battle with the changelings near the portals."

Shining lit up his horn as he summoned his sword out of the void unicorns had the privilege of tapping into. Without a word he unsheathed it.

The blade shone hungrily for blood.

" That's all I need to hear."

---------------

< Pulse! Rod! Light! Are you in position? >

< Yes Mom. Team E in Base Echo south of Canterlot Castle! >

< Teams A through D! >

< Positioned in Bases Alpha, Beta, Charlie, Delta!>

< Patrol reports! >

< Loki reports the attackers come from three portals in the Park near a Crystal Cave entrance. All activity confirmed in Canterlot vicinity. No oncoming force as of now. >

< Good enough for me. Commence Operation: Secure! >

--------------------

Princess Luna.... Never in her long life did she ever think she would one day find an invasion of her home to be FUN.

But who could blame her?

There was just the fact that she knew they were few steps ahead of the enemy, the fact that they were prepared, the fact that it was a secret that made her feel safe.

Even as a feral Convert almost ripped her face in half.

Knowing that her friends and nieces and nephews were coming to stop this threat just gave her a sense that she should just enjoy this.

She should just enjoy watching the attackers, specifically Chrysalis, continue thinking that they surprised them, that they were in control.

That tonight was their night, that glory would be theirs.

The thought of proving them wrong made her smile gleefully.

" Princess! There are too many! The guards are too few, and they are also preoccupied with trying to evacuate the citizens!" A guard beside her reported worriedly as he smacked a Praetor, thank Summer's lessons on Changeling ranks, through a line of converts with his shield.

She kept smiling. The only real threat here was the threat of casualties. That alone was easy, the swarm was too focused on trying to bring down her and Celestia, proving that while invading from inside and doing so suddenly may be smart, apparently Chrysalis' planning skills halted just there and went nowhere else.She was leaning on the element of surprise too greatly.

At least the Wedding Scheme was better.

" Fear not, dear guard, and just enjoy the rush." She grinned as she bucked a few changelings to a building. The crunch of their chitin and yelps of pain awakened her battle spirit more than it already was. Though she secretly knew that was too much for beings probably fighting against their will, and that crunch was too loud for comfort when Twilight specifically requested to NOT kill a Convert.

The guard looked absolutely flabbergasted. " What?!"

She kept her smile. " Friends are coming."

The guard pushed a changeling away from their spot again, before risking a questioning look at her.

" Wh-" 

The ground suddenly shook, stopping all activity temporarily. Luna smiled wider than she already was as the telltale sound of spellcasting rang through the air, and when she looked up to see the lavender bowl descend upon the entirety of Canterlot, the faces of the attackers were forever etched into her immortal mind.

She smiled as she hefted her axe, for whacking, not slicing or she would regret it of course, drawing all attention to her as she showed her progress in her modern language lessons;

" Now you're all fucked up."

---------


< Operation: Secure is set! >

< Perfect. Proceed to Operation: Contain! >

< Yes, My Queen! You heard her, 18! Bring the foals in! The Sun and Moon definitely already left unconscious Converts around! >

< Copy that, 324! >

---------------

" Alright! Foals of the Amethyst Hive, the stage is yours!" 18 lit up his horn as he opened a hole in the lavender shield encompassing Canterlot.

What he was allowing entry to was quite a sight; all the foals of Ponyville and Twilight's most recent clutch in 10 groups, each one containing four youngsters bearing 'nervouscited' faces. Each Earthpony in one group was attached to a stretcher on a wagon, and the rest carried a couple of toys like slingshots and marbles as weapons.

Boy they sure hurt a lot.

Leading them was a young Purple Dragon, same height as Celestia and same wingspan even. He was fairly built, not too thin and not too buff. His tail was as long as his body, and on his face was a goofy grin.

" Everyfoal remember their bases?!" He asked, stopping in front of the opening, barely crossing the threshold for a final check.

The Foals replied with a collective 'yeah!!'

Spike grinned. " Then, FOR EQUESTRIA!" He yelled taking to the air, rallying everypony with a column of green fire larger than him.

Cheers echoed not just from the foals as they ran through, heading immediately where the sounds of fighting echoed from, but also from the good 100 or so Changelings and another 100 or so Thestrals.

Colourful, Purple, Black, then Midnight Blue.

That was the stream of determination that entered through 18's shield opening.

18 smiled as he followed the last thestral inside, resealing the shield. 

" Best Queen, Best Hive, Best Family."

-------

Princess Celestia lit her horn as a Praetor shot a beam of menacing green at her wings, trying to eliminate her ability to fly.

She returned the gesture and sent him crashing through a building, making even the most feral of the Converts back away for a brief moment before trying to bite her face off again.

Despite this, much like Luna, she was unable to stop a smirk.

This was the most fun she's had in years, actually battling and not with politics as the battlefield.

Tonight her weapons were not words, tonight they were her magic.

She was very well aware that Phase 1 of Twilight's plan was successful, if the shield was any indication, which only fueled her happiness.

It was too soon to celebrate, but even Fate could not deny that this battle was obviously an instant win for Harmony.

The Praetor shakily stood up and glared at her kicking a Convert as gently as she could to a group of more Converts, snickering.

" That's all you've got, Celestia? And here I thought you are all-powerful." He hissed.

Celestia just chuckled, seeing his obvious bait. He 'knows' that if she complied she would be killing her ponies, but he doesn't know that she knows too.

" I just wanted to have a little fun, Praetor." She smiled as she saw him tense up at the rank.

The Converts had paused for a moment, trying to see where this conversation would lead, or rather, Chrysalis had heard the comment and was interested to know where Celestia got even the information of Changeling Ranks.

She has yet to notice the shield though, controlling thousands of minds can leave one's own to be scattered at least once in a while.

Celestia used this tension to raise her front hooves and slam them hard against the concrete, releasing a shockwave that made a small crater in the cement and knocked the air out of everyling in the surrounding area.

Of course they were immediately replaced, there were thousands, but Celestia only continued smiling and fighting back, no doubt they thought they would tire and overwhelm her.

No doubt they didn't see the wave of purple, black and blue coming towards them, too.

------------

" Uncle 324 wasn't kidding about unconscious bodies." Positive muttered as he and Scootaloo lifted a Convert to AppleBloom's wagon, Sweetie Belle meanwhile was standing right behind them  with her horn lit to keep watch.

The young unicornling sighed in relief as they finally placed all of the Convert within the confines of the stretcher and had the straps on tightly, wiping his brow.

As soon as they had entered inner Canterlot dozens of unconscious Converts were everywhere, as well as purebloods, making the Foals of the Amethyst Hive the first of the on field group to do their job. 

They were quite proud to be entrusted with such a responsibility, and they were determined to finish it, even as this was only their third body and they were already a bit tired.

Their Base was a bit too far, and it would take 30 minutes before the first shrinking of the Shield area, which would bring the bases closer and force all of Canterlot to watch the two hives fight.


" Ah saw it comin'. There were thousands of 'em Converts pourin' outta that portal. Princess Celestia 'n Luna probably wanted to lower the numbers the Hive would fight." Appleboom grinned as Sweetie Belle gave the signal and they started to run back to their base, which was South west of Canterlot.

Scootaloo flew, she still couldn't believe she was even after 18 healed her, right beside them with her slingshot ready, eyes scanning the surroundings.

" You're probably right. But they better fight slow if they want us to rescue every fallen convert out here before the Shrink!" She muttered.

Positive looked at Sweetie Belle, who had been silent since the March to Inner Canterlot. 

" Sweetie? You alright?" He asked.

The unicorn filly flinched, but nodded.

" Come to think of it, you've been quiet since the March." Scootaloo noticed.

Swettie Belle grinned. " I'm just being silent, ya know? This is our first REAL mission. With REAL enemies and stuff! I know I should take it seriously, but I can't help but feel like I'm supposed to have fun."

" I- Oh. Suppose you're right." Positive chuckled.

" Hey Ya'll? We're almost there, Ah think!" Applebloom whispered as they slowed their pace a bit on a downhill road.

Base C was an open field, separating the City and the forest that grew on Mount Canter. The group hurriedly ran out of the last alley to the designated spot.

They could see Four lavender spots, and about 5 blacks sheltered by those blue tents used often for evacuation situations.

They got closer, and one familiar face, or rather, gender and cutiemark, greeted them.

" Great job! That's your third body! Come! " Bandaid smiled as Applebloom stopped right outside the tent, allowing him and Sweetie Belle magic the Convert out of the straps. 

" Wh-At about, Ca-Candy's team?" The earthfilly asked, breathing heavily. Despite her race's well-known endurance and strength, running while dragging a wagon containing something thrice her and said wagon's weight put together is not an easy feat.

Bandaid grinned. " They're catching up, at least. You're still ahead with one body."

" Wait, I was not made aware that it's a competition." Positive protested.

Scootaloo snorted. " Do we need to? It's obvious it's a competition! Now come on! Candy's team might out-rescue us!"

" One, that's not a word, and two, easy for you to say." Positive gestured to the panting Applebloom, who emphasized the action with a glare at Scootaloo.

The pegasus filly laughed nervously at Positive's smug smile.

" Oh, right."

" Let's just rest here for a few minutes, then come back with two bodies." Sweetie Belle suggested. 

" Splendid Idea. It's almost time for the Shrink anyway." Bandaid gestured at the three other changelings, just outside the tents positioned in a triangle, their horns lit and shot at an angle that allowed them to converge into a thicker beam, which in turn is also at an angle that made it meet the four others at the veey center of the shield surrounding Canterlot.

" I thought the Shrink was only to happen if 30 minutes passed since the March. It's barely even 10!" Positive reminded.

Bandaid nodded. " That's true. But the Shrink is also to happen if Operation: Contain is done."

" Well.... Is it?" Applebloom panted out, though not as intensely as when they just arrived.

Bandaid just chuckled. " Nope. But also yes."

-----------


Infiltrator 900 clicked his tongue disapprovingly as his fellow pureblood, one of the reborn no less, fell because of the Sun Alicorn's magic.

He expected at least three more blows before a Reborn could be taken down.

But clearly he had overestimated the power of his brethren. 

So he took another approach and backed into the horde, watching The Sun Princess as she fought off the overwhelming amount of Changelings.

She was fighting a smile, that much was obvious, and 900 could tell she wasn't taking this seriously.

Curious.

A Reborn, finally using his brain it seems, suddenly erupted in green flames, disappointingly startling the others. In his place was a huge black furred diamond dog, and with this he dug straight through the Concrete and under the ground.

What a powerful use of a digging spell, impressively so with the form he assumed.

Celestia instantly found herself surrounded by flashes of green after that, then by thousands of holes in the ground.

She lit her horn as she scanned the surroundings, probably expecting the Reborns to surprise her from underneath.

But then to Celestia's surprise and 900's pride, The Reborn from before emerged as a giant Sabertooth Tiger, fangs at ready.

Celestia was caught so off guard she didn't even had a spell ready; instead she just opened her wings in a reflex.

900 waited for the Reborn's fangs to sink, but then, now to HIS surprise, a purple blur shot through the air and intercepted the Reborn, mouth clamped against his neck as they crashed through a nearby building.

The victor emerged, and it was the purple wolf. 

900 thought it was most peculiar, until more purple THINGS, creatures of every kind in every shade of lavender swooped in fron every direction, fighting the oncoming Converts and even pulling out the Reborns straight out of the holes.

900's mind was blank.

WHERE THE FUCK DID ALL THESE THINGS COME FROM!?

WHAT IN THE EVER CHANGING FRICK ARE THEY?!

< WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! > Was his grace's demand.

He didn't answer, he was too busy watching the sky, which was also the battlefield for his swarm and... THE THESTRALS!?

" If it ain't Right hoof Ninety-Oh." 

900 whirled around and saw a pureblood with purple eyes, leaning against the wall of the alley he had hidden in.

That pose. That smile.

He snarled. " Soldier 215."

215 grinned, still leaned against the wall. " That's me! Like our surprise?"

900 blinked. Our?

" .... This Swarm is your new Hive?" He hesitantly asked.

215 nodded. " Bingo! Knew you'd figure it out. New Queen's Children. Quite Powerful for drones, aren't they?"

" Drones?!" 900 failed to stop his outburst at that comment. There was no possible way THOSE, especially with their chosen forms ( Goodness is that a DRAGON?! ), are mere drones. 

" Oh yeah. Most are drones." She said nonchalantly.

What Queen could possibly have that powerful swarm of JUST drones?! Even the first mother couldn't have drones who could even transform into a wolf!

" You must have risked a lot to be able to infiltrate that shield the Captain put around the City." He muttered, trying to regain his composure.

Only for it to be shattered at 215's snort.

" Pfft, Shining Armor? That shield? Nah, that's ours."

What?!

" A-Ah, I see. You wish to take Canterlot for yourselves." He tried.

215 grinned. " Nope."

900's mind simply froze. It was too much.

" Want to know why, Ninety-Oh?" She smirked, and suddenly 900 could feel many eyes upon him. 

He looked up.

They were surrounded by all those Purple Changelings and the Thestrals.

He looked at 215, with admittedly a bit of fear.

She smiled. " It's our Queen's Home. No one touches Equestria."

---------

" Why are there many bodies around Inner Canterlot?" The wolf asked Celestia with a smile after flinging a Convert out of her path and making sure to blink at the Sun Princess.

Celestia blinked back and smiled, after also scanning the wolf's flank for identification.

" We wished to lower the numbers, Mariposa."

Mariposa chuckled before pouncing on a Praetor that tried to sneak up on her aunt. 

" You gave quite the work for the Foals. I hear all bases have at least 30 bodies each by now."

Celestia gave a worried look. " They aren't hurt, are they?"

" Relax, Auntie. They aren't hurt, just tired. Spike's watching over all of them." Mariposa reassured.

Celestia still felt unsatisfied. She took it out on the Convert that tried to spit gel on her horn with a well-placed fire spell.

" You should have seen them in training, even when it was just for fun. They're great, Auntie. Trust them."

Celestia sighed. " It's not like I have a choice, don't I?"

The wolf grinned, showing every fang. " Nope!" She laughed, and Celestia couldn't help but join in as well.

--------------

Chrysalis was watching all the fighting through the eyes of her Converts, jumping from one changeling to another, each one immediately falling unconscious.

Her numbers were starting to dwindle, with this new swarm trying to take her glory.

Why were they here in the first place? 

Did someling reveal her plans to a rival Queen?

She needed to find out.

< 900? Infiltrator 900? >

No response.

She frowned. It was impossible he was defeated too! He was the most perfect out of her first clutch, he was the best second only to her!

She growled. This new Queen had planned well. Maybe even as well as her.


No. This was not going to happen. This needs to stop. This needs to stop before the tables turned. This needs to stop before her swarm shows weakness. This needs to stop now!

" 173!" She yelled.

No movement, no sound. She scanned her surroundings. The building stayed quiet.

That is until she looked behind her, and she had to admit even she flinched a bit when two blue eyes met her own.

" My Queen?" He asked in a monotone.

She gulped and regained her composure. 

" You shall be my escort. There is a new factor in this game, one that shall need my attention. This has gone on for long enough."

--------------


< We've managed to cut down the swarm to a manageable hundred! Proceed with Operation: Contain! >

< Aye Espada! Group 'em all in the Park! >

< If that's the case we're moving in! >

< Me and Ol' Axiom are ready to take the skies as our own! >

< Mom and Cadence already evacuated the citizens near the park! >

< Still in disguise, noling thought of impersonating anyling. I see Ateh Star and her crew. >

< Watch our backs then, Summer! >

< Go! >

-----------

All of the Amethyst hive and the Thestral Swarm suddenly backed away from whatever fight they were engaged in, seemingly afraid all of the sudden.

The Badlands hive were confused, watching the admittedly stronger group flee as if their life depended on it.

The BattleField that was once the great coty of Canterlot lapsed into silence, crackles of fire and falling debris the only song it sang.

The Celestial Sisters too, spread out their wings and flew to the skies, as if retreating.

Hope and confidence started to creep back into the hearts of the Badlands Hive, happy and thankful for whatever force, be it fear or stupidity, that secured their place as Equestria's conquerors.

Greater than Sombra, Greater than Discord, Greater than Nightmare Moon.

Cheers and mocking laughter erupted from the Hive, as Changelings rejoiced.

" GLORY TO HER GRACE! HER PLAN SECURED OUR PLACE! HER WIT GREATER THAN SWORD OR MACE!" 

They laughed and laughed, none noticing the returning enemies.

Purple, Blue and Black formed a wall of tight formation, all bearing horns glowing at their intensity.

Then the first volley hit true.

Shouts of joy turned to screams of fear as the closing wall of enemies drew ever near. 

Like how wolves herd their prey, instinct drew all of the remaining Badlanders to the park whence they came, the menacing stares of the fliers and Earth-Bound and the magical force of the spell-slingers being an added motivator.

Once the Hive was struggling to get past the Park gates and fence, the Equestrians slowed down. 

Smirks crossed their faces.

Operation: Contain; Success.

Operation: Protect; Proceed.

Protect Canterlot.

----------

< The portals! They're still intact! >

< Let me through you vile scum! I am of higher rank! >

< Our Queen! SAVE US! >

----------

The Badlanders scrambled across the grass, pushing each other as instinctual fear was ever present.

The green gateways of magic called their names, promises of a safe underground hive almost driving them insane.

There was still hope, there was still a chance, there was st-

CRACK!

All three portals suddenly imploded, letting loose a small shockwave that took both the changelings themselves and their hopes to the wind.

They all tumbled through the grass, yelps and groans of pain their final verse. 

Revealed in the Portals' place were three of the Equestrians, all fatigued but victory in their snouts.


The lavender shield shimmered as the ground shook, throwing the Badlanders around even more and striking more fear into their hearts. By now they were fully like animals trapped in a corner, panicking and unable to think a single coherent thought.

The shield slowly closed in until it was only a few steps from the entire park's fence, and the Badlanders could only stare as the Amethyst Hive, the Thestral Swarm, and the Traitors landed, all staring at them with mischief in their eyes.

A male Unicornling smirked and said, " Auntie Luna chose the wrong moment to say this, but I think now's the most perfect one of all."

He leaned down as if to whisper a secret against the nearest Praetor's ear, but his voice was loud and clear.

" NOW you're all fucked up."

----------------

Those things shrunk their shield and are all gathered around that park they sprouted from.

The Princesses must be in there. 

I hefted my sword.

Grimacing, I wiped the repulsive green slop off the magical blade on a nearby curtain.

Ugh, at least I'm doing my job as Captain.

Oh well, time to trudge off another Battlefield.

Another day, Another war....

Changelings forever in my way.

But not for long.

--------

The park was in pandemonium.

Black mixed with Purple and Blue as the Badlanders scrambled and fought for their lives.

The Amethyst Hive were laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, wasn't this the hive who drove their Uncle to PTSD?

They weren't even killing; just knocking the Converts out and throwing them beyond the barrier for the Foals to tend to.

Green flashes of magic were their only obstacle, but even that was a piece of cake.

Their Mother was the Element of Magic, a simple blast was like a breeze against a tornado.

It was a painfully obvious win, even if Luna and Celestia weren't helping in knocking them all out.

But they had to give it to them, they fight like rabid dogs.

" QUEEN TWILIGHT SPARKLE!"

Scuttling stopped.

Spells remain uncast.

Everyone's eyes trained to a towering figure amongst the chaos, her menacing growl and gleam of fangs confirming her identity.

" I CHALLENGE THEE! QUEEN AGAINST QUEEN! OR ARE YOU TOO MUCH OF A COWARD?!" Chrysalis proclaimed.

The Badlanders scrambled to her side, prompting the others to do the same with Celestia and Luna.

The two Princesses frowned and readied their weapons.

" Chrysalis." Luna began.

The Queen hissed. " This does not concern you yet! Where is the foolish nymph!?"

The Battlefield remained silent, the Amethyst Hive wary but far from afraid.

A changeling in a blue hoodie rose from the crowd, in the middle of both Sisters.

A blue eye surveyed every inch of the Queen's body.

" What do you want with our Mother?" Was her calm voice.

Chrysalis scowled. " Who do you think you are, drone?!"

The unicornling smirked.

" Drone? I'm a unicornling. And as to who I am, I'm Summer Sparkle. Jack of all trades." She laughed.

" You want to challenge mom, eh?"

Chrysalis bared her teeth. " Are you deaf?!"

Summer's eye twinkled. " I'm assuming that's a changeling tradition. And that Mom has no choice."

Silence means yes.

" But you're forgetting one thing." She winked.

All of the changelings suddenly erupted into purple flames, in their place hundreds of identical copies to one Twilight Sparkle.

Luna could hardly hold her giggle at Chrysalis' dumbfounded face.

The Twilight in front of the Queen bore a blue eye, but was nevertheless smiling despite her bad shift.

" We're not changelings. What stops us from taking you down together?" 

The air was tense.

Chrysalis snarled at all the Twilights, for once in her life feeling unsure.

She hadn't considered their ability to choose what tradition of both of their races to follow.

Hybrids always had the most problems, but also the most loopholes if they're smart.

And this swarm was most definitely smart, considering their Queen.

" Enough, Summer."

All of the swarm reverted back to normal forms, eyes trained at one remaining Twilight.

But this one was obviously the original.

Purple Carapace, signature mane, Cutie Mark, Unicorn Horn, Feathered wings and determined look.

The faulty changeling chuckled.

" I was having fun though. But the stage is yours, mother dear."

< We're going to have a long talk about that eye of yours. >

Summer grinned as she backed away.

Twilight locked eyes with Chrysalis as she came forward, the other boring into her very soul.

" So you weren't paralyzed. Pity." 

Twilight just frowned.

" I accept your Challenge, Queen Chrysalis of the Badlands Hive."

Chrysalis snarled. " So be it, QUEEN TWILIGHT SPARKLE. "

As if by divine power, all of the respective swarms backed away, making a circular arena for the two Queens.

Luna and Celestia looked like they wanted to argue, but was stopped by Summer.

" Don't worry, Aunties. Mom can handle Oldbag over there. "

And so the first blast started the real Battle for Canterlot.

Chrysalis fired a bolt of electricity against the younger Queen, who dodged it by taking flight.

The older was quick to follow, and it turned into an aerial battle.

Twilight's flapping simulated that of a dragon, using the peculiar movement to expertly maneuver herseld in the air to avoid five firebolts.

Her own horn lit as she encased herself in a body shield, before diving at Chrysalis.

It hit, and she could hear Chrysalis' curse as she sped past.

Larger firebolts followed the purple Queen, and soon the older one herself.

Twilight made a sharp right to make the larger firebolts hit the ground instead of her, and while it worked the older Queen fired an airbolt, a bolt of compressed air, straight at her neck.

She yelped as she crashed against the grass, making a small crater, but disappeared in a purple flash right as Chrysalis dropped like a weight from the sky with a gravity spell intent on making a purple pancake.

Twilight reappeared in the air behind Chrysalis and hit her with an ice spell to freeze her wings.

It hit and Chrysalis buckled from the pain before harshly turning around, horn encased in green.

In that split second her wings flapped hard to break off the ice, her legs pushed her off the ground, and her horn locked against Twilight's, pushing them through the air and out of the circle.

They hit a few buildings, but Twilight took most of the damage on her back, wings, and especially her horn, who was the reciever of Chrysalis' assault.

She grunted as she escaped Chrysalis' lock with a quick teleport, eliciting pain from her horn, and fired a firebolt at Chrysalis' back to send her faceplanting against the road.

It made a small crater, and Twilight hit a nearby building to send it crashing down the Queen.

The Queen barely had time to stand when hundreds of tons of cement hit her entire being.

Twilight took the time to breathe, watching the dust settle as she landed on a nearby tower.

She wasn't worried she killed the Queen, she knew she was probably hit by worse.

This was proven true when the building suddenly erupted into a million pieces, a black claw reaching out to her.

She screamed as she barely dodged, the building she had been on suffering what could've been her fate.

She glared at the dragon, who on closer inspection was more insectoid than reptile.

Chitinous scales, solid green eyes, a scorpion tail. She was as big as a ten story building.

Chrysalis conjured fire in her mouth and wreathed the battlefield in green flames, making Twilight rise higher to be an easy target.

She was rather surprised when Twilight tackled her as another dragon, one of purple scales and blue eyes, her claws feeling a little more real than a normal changeling shift.

It must be because they really are shapeshifting, not just with the form and just using a similar spell to copy the form's powers.

Twilight tried to push the larger dragon off balance, digging her claws to make Chrysalis focus more on the pain than on what she was trying to do. 

While Chrysalis was trying to bite down on her eyes, nonetheless.

But after 30 seconds of pushing and retaliation, Twilight felt her spines go erect. This species of dragon use their spines to tell of danger, and with how stiff they are it was very, very, near.

Chrysalis grinned.

Time slowed down as Twilight turned to see a poisoned barb of a tail mere inches from were her heart would be, and her life flashed before her eyes.

Her family, her children, her mentor, her friends, her hive, her home....

Her... Br-

A purple paw grabbed the barb, and with one twist of a wrist, snapped it off.

A scream came from the black dragon as green globs of changeling blood poured out of the wound, and Twilight found herself pushed aside by another dragon.

It was the same size as them both, only fur, feathers for it's wings, covered it's draconic body. It had a familiar blue eye, and where a dragon's horns would be were large wolf ears.

Summer pushed her mother away and grabbed Chrysalis' neck with her fangs, crunching down hard and almost let go to smile at the sound.

Chrysalis immediately burst into green flames as her shift shattered, appearing to have lost her right hoof and bloody all over as she hurtled from the sky, caught by Summer's soft purple paw.

Twilight stared as Summer grinned at the queen literally in her hand, fearing at what her daughter might do.

Summer looked at her, before turning back to normal.

Twilight immediately followed, and when she was back on the ground she found Summer staring at the Queen with a creepy smile.

" She's still alive, just shocked I helped."

Twilight sighed in relief, Summer was being her usual self.

" Thank you, Summer."

Summer winked. " No problem mom. It was fun. How about you go and celebrate with the others?"

Twilight blinked. " What others?"

Summer pointed a hoof behind her, and Twilight turned despite the pain in her neck.

The hive, her friends, and the Princesses were running toward her.

" TWILIGHT/ MOM!" Was the collective scream before she was hugged first by Pinkie, then the rest.

She laughed even as she struggled to breathe.

" I need...Oxygen, guys!"

They backed away sheepishly, before immediately bombarding her with all kinds of congratulations.

" HOORAY!"

" Nice fighting there, Egghead!"

" Mighty fine indeed."

" You were so graceful darling!"

" ....yeah."

" Well done, my faithful student."

" You fight pretty well, Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight grinned. " It wasn't all me really. We all fought well."

" And we couldn't have done it without you!" They all said in unison.

" Thanks for watching!" Pinkie pie giggled, wearing a pink shirt, orange shorts and a purple backpack with a skyblue stuffed monkey sticking out of it.

They ignored her and continued celebrating their successful plan and victory, the Amethyst Hive and the Thestral Swarm now having a better chance at being considered different from the Badlanders, who all passed out when Chrysalis' hoof being cut caused her to pass out and the hive mind connecting them all to having the same fate.

The ground shook slightly as the shield was lifted, removing the purple tint tainting Luna's night sky.

They cheered louder, and Twilight remembered a certain someone who probably would be louder than them.

She grinned at Summer's direction, who was leaning against a nearby building and watching shit go down.

" Summer! Come on!" Twilight beckoned, with the agreement of their entire group.

Summer smiled and looked like she was about to oblige, when a sound that Twilight will soon never forget cut through the air.

SHINK

They all gasped as a purple blade peeked out of Summer's jacket, completely wrapped in red blood.

Summer's smile faltered as she looked down, blood also coming out of her mouth and nose.

She looked at Twilight, and sent on last smile before crumpling to the concrete.

" SUMMER!!!!!" 

Twilight's scream was that of a mother losing her first child, and remained the most pain-filled despite the others following her example in unison.

She gave Rainbow Dash a run for her money as she practically five to Summer's side, her body in a heap and the magical blade sticking out from her back.

She would've taken out the blade, heales her daughter, cradled her in her arms, whispered encouraging words, begging her stay, but she didn't. Couldn't.

For standing right behind Summer was none other than a smiling Shining Armor.