Steno trots along quietly, his face stoic in nature, betraying nothing. The palace guards allow the group entrance without so much as a word of challenge. Steno leads the group through the castle, and past the heavily-guarded hallway. Familiar voices can be heard, although faintly, from the vast expanse. The guards in the hallway seem to be on higher alert, watching the group pass as much as they are watching the heavy doors at the end of the hall.

Steno leads the group to a well-furnished room. "We weren't expecting you to bring company. I will make arrangements for the rest to have places to sleep. The queen will more than likely want to see you early in the morning. I suggest you get some good sleep." Steno then exits the room and closes the door, locking it from the outside.

"I really wonder what could be in that hallway," Orion says, more to himself than the others. "But the guards won't let me look, and the queen would kill me." He shrugs. "Maybe it'll reveal itself on its own." He shrugs, crossing the room to stare out the window at the moon. "It's a beautiful night," he says finally.

Raven trots out to the balcony to join her husband. She gazes up at the night sky. "It's a wonderful view of the stars from here, much clearer than it is in Ponyville," she says. "And the moon ... seems bigger here, like we're closer to it." She sighs and nuzzles in to Orion. "Do you think we'll be okay?" she asks, a touch of worry in her voice.

"I hope so," says Orion at last, wrapping a foreleg around Raven and holding her close. "As long as we do what the Queen asks of us, I don't foresee any major problems… but she is also temperamental… anything could happen to us." He sighs softly. "It's going to be a rough time for us… the best we can do is stick together." He turns away from the window. "Let's get some sleep," he says, trotting to one of the other beds. "We'll need it."

Raven nods. "I'll get the children settled in, and I'll join you in a moment," she says, trotting to where the children lay. After making sure they were properly settled, she joined Orion and was soon asleep.

Orion falls asleep as well, entwined with her, but dreaming troubling dreams.

Strange sounds can be heard through the night, but as tired as the two are, they pay them no mind and return to sleep.

Orion wakes the following morning and stretches out, still holding Raven in his hooves. His eyes open and he looks around.

Vincent and Melody are awake, and looking at Orion. "Good morning, father," they say in unison. Their smiles seem unnaturally wide, and a quick flash of green appears in their eyes.

Orion Shadow eyes the flashes, and frowns. "Something's wrong…" He moves to wake Raven up.

Raven stirs, and mumbles. "Wh-what is it?" she asks sleepily. Her eyes open and she sees the concern on Orion's face. "What happened, love? Is it the children?" Her face shows concern and a little fear.

"They've been replaced," he whispers back. He turns back to the foals. "What have you done with Melody and Vincent?" he growls, looking angry. "I'm not stupid. I know when I'm being lied to."

"We've become one with the hive, father... it's really quite nice," Melody replies."We're still your beloved children, and we haven't been harmed in any way." Her eyes revert to a glowing green state while her overall appearance remains unchanged.

"Join, daddy!" Vincent exclaims, his eyes converting to the same state as his sister's.

Orion turns to face Raven. "Run!" he exclaims, grabbing her hoof and cantering toward the door.

Raven's hoof slips away from Orion, as she remains in the bed. "The door is locked from the outside. And besides, where would you run?" Raven asks, a smile crossing her muzzle ... and a green flash crossing her eyes. "Relax, my darling. Our great queen only wants us to be one with her hive. Do not resist her ... I would be devastated if you were sent for execution." Her eyes glow bright green. "It's quite painless ... and very liberating. Please join us."

Orion Shadow: "Never!" His horn flares to life as he backs away from the three. He glares at each of them in turn. "You'll have to drag me there yourselves."

The lock to the door clicks, and Queen Chrysalis enters, flanked by two burly-looking guards. "Oh, come now, Sir Orion. Why must everything be a struggle with you?" she practically purrs.

Orion glares at Chrysalis, unafraid. "We had a deal!" he spits out. "I would do as ordered, and you wouldn't harm my family. I don't know about you, but I find inducting them into the hive to go against the terms of our agreement."

"Our deal is intact ... your family hasn't been harmed in any way," Chrysalis replied. "They have merely become my servants, swearing their fealty to me as they once did to your weakling princesses." She approached Orion slowly, warily. "Do you not wish to be one with them once again? You will retain all of your memories and personal effects ... but your loyalties and mind will be linked to me." She smiles a feral smile. "Of course, if you prefer to do things the hard way..." she chuckles, turning it into a long, loud laugh.

Orion heaves a deep sigh, turning to Raven. He goes over and holds her hoof. "Tell me how we met," he asks her softly. "If it really is you…"

Raven smiles a deep, loving smile. "It's a funny story, really... I was in Trottingham with instructions to kill a troublesome noble... but then, when we met, he took me in." She giggled. "I fell hard for him that day ... and I fall deeper in love with him with each passing moment."

Orion Shadow kisses her cheek, gasping slightly. "It really is you…" Holding her close, he turns to Chrysalis. "I'll join," he says finally, sinking into a true bow at the changeling's hooves.

Chrysalis smiles, her horn glowing s soft green. "A wise choice. Now, hold still and clear your thoughts." She touches her horn to his, the green glow getting brighter, encompassing Orion's head completely. "You are my servant now, your loyalties belong to me. You are one with the hive, and the hive is one with you." The glow subsides and Chrysalis steps back. "Rise, my servant. You shall aid me in turning Canterlot's nobles to me, and once that is complete, my conquest of Equestria will be finished!" She laughs loudly, throwing her head back, an evil smile on her face.

Orion's already green eyes simply glow a brighter version of the same color, in time with those of the others. "Long live the Hive! Hail Queen Chrysalis!" he shouts as she laughs, still bowing.

The chant echoes through the castle as each changeling responds. Chrysalis just smiles.

Orion rises again, and looks around for a calendar. "The meeting is tomorrow! At the estate!" He glances back to his family. "We must prepare!"

Steno Pad enters the room. "All will be done as you ask, Orion. Just prepare a list and we will be ready for the meeting." He smiles a toothy smile. "Oh ... and welcome to the family."

Orion smiles back. "It is a pleasure to be one of the hive, Steno. I can't imagine why I waited so long." He floats over a quill and parchment, writing furiously, before hoofing him the list. "Have my finest waistcoat pressed and ready, my spare glasses polished, the manor dusted and cleaned, the kitchen restocked, and the dining room converted into a sort-of conference room. Refreshments should be prepared as well."

"As you wish," Steno said with a small bow. He immediately trots off, carrying the list with him.

"For now, we wait," Chrysalis says. "No point in rushing anything when we're so close to victory. I want to savor this moment," she purrs happily.

Orion nods a bit, moving to sit near Chrysalis. "I assume the sisters and the element bearers have been disposed of? Or brought to our side?"

Chrysalis waves a hole-y hoof. "The elements are of no concern to me. Each is contained in Ponyville, separate from each other. As for the sisters ... I have special plans for them," she replied with an evil cackle.

"But they are so powerful! Twilight Sparkle herself is the most powerful unicorn in Equestria... With her fighting for us, we'd be unstoppable!" Orion points out.

"She is also the most loyal to those princesses," Chrysalis spat. "First, we will turn her lesser-powered friends. Then, once she sees what we've done to her beloved princesses, and with her friends at our side, she will have no choice but to bow before me!"

Orion allows himself a smirk. "May I turn them? I would happily do anything to serve you, after all."

Chrysalis casts a glance at Orion. "My, aren't we an eager one! I will allow it, but you will be accompanied by Steno and one other." She smiles, her eyes narrowing and her fangs visible. "Do not attempt to trick me, my dear Orion. Or your fate will be worse than the one I have for the sisters."

Orion Shadow smiles back, his eyes glowing slightly. "I would never dream of it, my queen." He looks to Raven next. "What about you, sweetie? Would you like to come?"

"I would love to, my darling," Raven replied, "but I would need to bring the foals along as well. If it is allowed, I would be delighted to go with you."

Orion nods happily, looking back to Chrysalis. "May she join us? Or is she needed elsewhere?"

Chrysalis sighs. "Oh, very well ... now, prepare yourself for the meeting tomorrow. After which, you will go to Ponyville to finalize our conquest. And remember," she says, a greenish glint in her eyes, "Do not fail me."

Orion salutes. "Yes ma'am, I won't fail you. Come, Raven!" He makes his way back toward their suite, to clean himself up.