(A/N: This chapter is a side story and is just for fun. It is not canon to the rest of Black Queen, Red King.)

‘Ah, ‘Tis the season,’ I thought merrily to myself. Just over four months ago had been the Battle of Canterlot. Since the Queen’s resounding victory, her hive’s economic and political standing in Equestria had never been stronger. My own hive had grown as well, quadrupling to forty changelings, six of which were born rather than converted. All in all, both hives were in great spirits.

Now, Christmas is just around the bend for us. Chrysalis’s Hearth’s-Warming Eve falls on the same day as our Christmas Eve, today. So, to celebrate, she and I had decided to throw a joint party with both bi-lings (two-legged changelings) and our quad-ling (four-legged changeling) counterparts. Some of Chrysalis’s quad-lings had decided to also bring guests, but only those that already knew about their changeling partners.

The hotel ballroom that I rented out for the occasion was decorated in reds, greens, and silvers. Lights hung from the ceiling and Christmas trees surrounded the dance floor. The DJ, my newest convert, was setting up in the back of the room. Food, in the form of various meats, as well as sweets for the non-changeling guests, lined the tables to one side. The other wall was completely devoid of decorations.

My watch beeped nine o’clock and I decided to kick off the party. A wave of my hand opened a portal between the two worlds that spanned the entire side of the ballroom. On the far side, hundreds of changelings stood waiting. After clearing my throat, I spoke into the mic, “Welcome! Welcome one and all! Welcome to my little Christmas party! Of course, if you’re on that side, it’s a Hearth’s-Warming party. Whatever,” I said, waving my clawed hand dismissively, “go have fun. Remember, I’ve got gifts for you after midnight!”

With that, the DJ started playing some of the more energetic renditions of traditional Christmas songs. Changelings from both sides began to mingle and dance. The occasional flash of green could be seen throughout the ballroom or changeling caverns as one would transform to match his or her dance partner.

Spotting the queen was easy as she stood almost two head taller than any of her subjects. Then again, being at least two feet taller than any other living thing in the room gave me a unique advantage when searching through a crowd. A few seconds of buzzing my wings and I had drifted through the air above the crowd to where she stood near the edge of the barrier that kept us trapped in our respective worlds. My friend and ally said, "this is a wonderful party you've thrown. Did I hear you correctly when you said you had gifts?"

"Why, thank you," I replied. "And yes, I have a couple hundred little goodie bags for your people. 'Tis the season, after all. I also have two gifts for you. The smaller of the two is, hopefully, quite funny."

Chrysalis's eyes narrowed as she looked me in the eye. "I hope you do not plan on making me the butt of some mockery." I did not respond, only giving a slight smirk. Chrysalis snorted, "humph, well then, I'm off for less... devious company."

"Hey, if you get a chance, try the egg nog. It's made with lust~," I called after her as she turned and walked away. Had she seen my face, she would have seen me giving her bedroom eyes. Several of her changelings snickered at me, to which I gave them the finger. In retrospect, that was a rather pointless gesture as the fingerless specie would have no clue what I meant.

Though, what I had said about the eggnog was true. Instead of rum, the drink was mixed with liquid lust, the closest analogue to rum that existed for changelings; it made you feel warm and intoxicated. Granted, it was a powerful aphrodisiac to both changelings and ponies, so I wouldn't be supriesed if an orgie broke out sometime halfway throught the night. Oh, wait, they're already going at it. Best to leave that crowd alone for now.

A changeling party is an interesting event to attend. For instance, the dancing tends to cover every available surface and moves in 3D. The walls, ceiling, floor, and air space were all completely packed with dancing changelings. Add to the fact that they are connected by a hive mind and the whole crowd dances in perfect time with one another. Even the beat of almost a thousand wings was in perfect time, creating a uniform hum with a pitch that changed in sync with the music. Furthermore, some of the dance routines called for extra appendages or some magical assistance from your dance partner. Since both created emerald light, the two hives acted as their own strobe.

I found the whole scene to be rather hypnotizing, especially with how erotic the dancing was. I swear, one glass of the glowing pink eggnog and they are all trying to jump each other's bones as they dance. It doesn't take a genius to know that my hive will be coming home with a few new members.

"5... 4... 3... 2... 1... Merry Christmas and Happy Hearth's-Warming!" the crowd cheered as the clock struck midnight.

I sent a pulse of magic through the room to quiet them all down. When all were calm, I spoke into the mic, "Well, I hope you've had fun tonight. I know I did; I got laid!" Many members of the crowd chuckled at the comment. "Though the party's only half-way over, I thought I should welcome in a special guest, our very own Saint Nick!" I waved my hole-filled hand over to where my friend stood. He had transformed himself into his namesake holiday figure. Behind him, he pulled a cart full of small wrapped packages. "Everyone here tonight will get a little something I threw together for you all."

I turned and waved my hand towards a tarp on the floor of the ballroom near the portal. My bi-lings cleared the area of party goers. "Courtesy of my cousin, I bring you-"

"Hey, King! Someone slipped the big fellow some 'nog!" Wasp, one of my newer converts, interrupted. That comment sent my changelings, who knew of my plan, into fits of laughter.

"Wonderful~," I commented. "As I was saying, I bring you: Iron Hoof!" As I said that, a flash of light appeared over the tarp, teleporting in a Earth-born Draft Horse. Iron Hoof, as he was called, stood at a massive 21 hands tall at the shoulder (7 feet or 2.13 meters). The muscular stallion was literally over three times as tall as the average Equestrian pony. Iron Hoof neighed and reared up in shock from his sudden arrival, but was quickly calmed down by one of my changelings.

"Now there's a stallion," someone from the Equestrian side said. Several mares swooned while laughter drifted from the humanoid changelings.

A camera flashed, capturing Chrysalis's stunned expression. I moved as close to Chrysalis as I could before the barrier stopped me and said to her, "So, do you like him? I'm sure that he's quite the animal. Iron Hoof is a thoroughbred Draft horse. His breed is known for their strength and stamina. Give him some hay and I'm sure that your pet will let you ride him. Although, given that someone," I said, knowing full well who it was, "gave him some lust, I'm sure that he would like to ride you, if ya' know what I mean."

Needless to say, while the barrier stopped the queen from hitting me for my poor taste in jokes, magically propelled Styrofoam cups and plates had no such problems. Nor did it stop me from getting slapped by her personal guards. But 'twas all in good, drunken fun.

"Now, Chrissy, before you throw that cup at me again, remember, I have one more gift for you." I summoned five of my changelings to my side. Each one levitated two to four large boxes behind them. "This is my Cyber Corps, meet Wasp, Spark, Jerry, Baljeet, and Sally-Anne. They are my tech geniuses. Together, they are going to help bring your hive up to the 21st century. I expect you to be having your digital revolution within five years. They have computers, blueprints, generators, and funds. With your cooperation, your nation will be at least 100 years more advanced than any other nation in your world. That is my gift to you."

Silence reigned for a moment before a gradual applause started. It built until every changeling in the room was cheering. Chrysalis looked like she was about to tear up with joy when her crown lit up. One of the changelings next to her transformed into a perfect replica of the queen and jumped on me, giving me a strong hug. "Thank you, thank you!" both queen and double said.

Needless to say, best Hearth's-Warming day ever.

Author's Notes:

*Ding* Have a bonus chapter. I wanted to give you all a Christmas gift. Just a little something for you all. My IRL cousin is a horse fanatic and I wondered what would happen if you gave one of her horses to a changeling.

Also, if a changeling condenses an emotion to a liquid form and you drink it, do you feel that emotion? I say yes. Wouldn't you want to go to a changeling party?

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Wasp is an OC belonging to lord scoro.

Jerry the changeling was inspired by my sister; any time she sees one of the beetles that are infesting my house, she calls it Jerry. I have no idea why. Now, that whole species (no idea what it is) will be forever known as 'the Jerrys' to my family.

I still plan to bring the changelings into the digital age, even if it doesn't happen exactly like this.