The silence of Monday morning is shattered as Rhino is roughly tossed from sleep by his high pitched alarm clock. He groans as he rolls over and flails his arm in the clock's general area to try and shut it off.

Gel clicks the button on the alarm, pulling him back to her. "...do you have to go to work, love?"

Rhino groans a little more, seeing as talking requires a more awake brain than flailing one leg. "Not really... Haven't told them we're back yet... but probably responsible thing to do..." He nuzzles her lovingly. "Don't want to though..."

"...but you should..." She kisses him gently, smiling softly at him. "...and who knows? Maybe I'll be able to give you a treat, later..." She playfully winks and sticks her tongue out at him.

He holds her tighter as he responds. "Hesitant to go back... Especially considering what I came home to last time..."

"...but you're needed, Rhino..." She pulls herself up the bed to look him directly in the eye. "...besides, there's three of us here, now...and you gained Port's respect, so he probably won't do it again..."

The stallion sighs. "Ok... promise to be here when I get back?"

The nymph nods, touching noses with him. "You have my word."

He kisses her deeply before smiling and getting out of the bed to get ready. "Alright, now I just need to think of an excuse for the bandages when Manila asks."

She taps her chin, trying to think of one for him. "Say...I accidentally got too excited?" She sheepishly smiles, aware of how strange that sounds.

He raises an eyebrow. "I don't see how that would lead to burns and bite marks..." He unwraps a small bit of the cloth, glad it only covers a smaller portion of his body than it did a few days ago.

"Well..." She scratches the side of her head for a moment. "...what about a timberwolf?"

He nods as he continues speaking as he heads into the bathroom. "Good idea... Though one thing, since obviously our plan to tell them Friday didn't work out, when did you want to tell Mane and Manila... you know, your secret?"

She tilts her head to the side, thinking about this a moment. "...Wednesday, maybe?"

"Sounds good." The sound of the sink running water starts. "Shall I just bring them home after work?"

"Probably best." She sighs, glancing towards one of the closed windows. "I can't exactly go to them...the path has two towers along it..."

"Yeah... maybe between them and Silk, we can find a way to where you aren't pretty much under house arrest." A short time passes and Rhino emerges in his usual work-ready state. "Alright, I guess I'm gonna grab a quick bite then be off." He walks over and nuzzles her.

She returns the gesture and then nips his neck, smirking teasingly. "Be back soon, okay?"

He smiles. "Will do, love."

***

Rhino arrives at the clinic and smiles as he realizes he beat Manila there. He unlocks the door and heads inside to get ready. As he dons his white coat, he debates wearing it closed instead of open like it usually is, if only to keep ponies from noticing the bandages on his chest as quickly. He shakes his head as he knows he'd only be scratching at the fabric as it rubbed his chest. Rhino makes his way to the front and begins perusing the files that occurred while he was gone in order to kill time until Manila arrived.

Soon enough, he spots the mare in question through the clear front doors. She stops in surprise as she sees the clinic unlocked and running already. Rhino waves casually to her as she enters. "Morning!"

The earth pony mare blinks in surprise at him. "Rhino? You're back?"

He smiles at her. "Miss me?"

The mare nods with a still slightly stunned look on her face as she takes her seat. "Well, yes. First you say Angel's sick then the next day we just get a letter saying that something came up and that you both were going to be gone for an unknown length of time. We didn't know what happened!"

He rubs the back of his head. "Yeah... sorry for the short notice, but it was an emergency."

"What kind of emergency-" She cuts herself off as she sees the bandages on his chest. "Oh Celestia, what happened to you? Is that why you had to leave?"

Rhino hesitates before realizing that she is technically correct. "Yes, actually. There was an incident with a timberwolf..." His voice trails off, letting her fill in the blanks for herself.

She gasps and covers her mouth with a hoof. "Oh my! You were attacked by a timberwolf?! I knew you lived on the edge of town but I didn't think they came out that far from the forest... Was Angel hurt too?"

He shakes his head quickly. "No no, I made sure she didn't get hurt. She's been helping take care of me while I heal up but she's still dealing with some things, which is why she still isn't coming to work."

Manila has a pitying look. "Poor dear... I hope she wasn't traumatized by what happened to you..."

He waves a hoof. "We're doing fine, we got through it and even got a few new friends, so it all turned out well." He sets down the last of the files he was reading to catch up. "But actually, we were hoping you and Mane would join us at our house on Wednesday once your part of the shift is over. She wanted to explain herself about why she's been gone."

"Oh!" Manila takes this news with a smile. "We'd love to! I'm sure I can get my sister to come, we've both been worried."

Rhino nods.'"I'll bet... Well, aside from worrying and these patients," he taps the stack of files, "anything else happen?"

She blushes as she scuffs the floor with a hoof. "Well, I actually do need to thank Angel when we come over... Because of her, Big Mac actually called this weekend and asked to hang out!" She does a little squeal of excitement. "Oh, it was nothing fancy, just going for a walk through the park, but it was so nice... I was a little tense at first but after about the fifth time he told me to just relax I was finally able to. The best part is that at the end, he said we should do it again sometime!"

He smiles. "Glad to hear it, I think you two would make a cute couple. Isn't this much better than just watching him from afar?"

She giggles. "Yep! Now I get to watch him from up close!"

The two laugh and begin their work day properly, waiting for the next client to walk through the doors.

They don't have to wait long. A yellow filly runs through the door, eyes wide in panic. She pants heavily, showing that she had been running for quite a while.

Rhino walks over to the filly. "Woah there, what's got you in such a hurry?"

She looks up at him, taking a moment to breathe before replying. "It's time!"

He tilts his head. "Time for what? Who are you?"

"I'm Apple Bloom, and we have to hurry!" She grabs his forehoof and starts trying to pull him towards the door. "Big Mac says the puppies are coming!"

His eyes widen as he neatly picks up the filly with magic and sets her on his back. He looks back to Manila who is already closing down the clinic. She tosses him a vet bag, which he catches in his magic before heading out onto the street, the mare not far behind. "Alright Apple Bloom, where are we headed?"

She points a hoof away from town, towards the rows of apple trees. "Sweet Apple Acres! Winona and Big Mac are in the barn!"

The stallion and filly quickly make their way to the farm, Manila right on their tails. Rhino slips through the open barn door, the filly jumping off his back as he surveys the scene before him.

Big Mac stands next to a box, staring inside it with genuine concern on his face. Winona lays within it on a generous layer of towels, eyes closed. The filly walks up to the scene, her expression mirroring her brother's.

Rhino walks up and kneels down next to the dog as Manila comes in the door. The canine's stomach is large and convulsing as she pants heavily. He peeks under her tail and quickly gives a diagnosis. "Yeah, they'll start coming out any minute now." He turns to the Apples. "The important thing is to stay calm, we don't want her getting overly excited. We're just here to let nature do its job, and help where we need to."

Manila walks next to the red stallion and looks on before turning to him. "Don't worry, it'll be fine."

He glances at her, nodding in acknowledgement. He turns back to watch the others for a moment. "Thank you, Manila."

As Winona lets out a whine and small howl, Rhino nods. "Here we go." The next 20 minutes crawl by as the vet slowly takes the small forms as they exit the mother. He wipes them off as best he can before setting them next to her, where they huddle for warmth as they whine. Soon enough, the ordeal is over and there are five new fuzz balls next to the tired new mom. There are three girls and two boys with variations of patched white, brown, and black coats. Rhino smiles as he backs up a few steps while Winona cranes her head back and starts to lick her pups. "Perfect."

Apple Bloom peeks over the side, smiling brightly at the little ones. "They're so cute!" She looks up at the two standing off to the side, hopeful. "We can keep them, right?"

Manila looks to the red stallion. "Generally you can't separate them from their mother for over a month anyway, so you do have time to decide."

Big Mac nods, smiling a bit. "We don't need to wait." He chuckles. "They're family."

The filly cheers in delight, rushing over and hugging him. "Thank you!" She turns to the mare, beaming up at her. "And you, too!"

Manila scuffs her hoof against the ground. "I didn't really do anything..."

"What are you talking about?" Apple Bloom's smile falls slightly. "You didn't have to come, but you did!" She embraces her, giggling softly. "You've also been here for Winona, so you've gotta be a kind mare, right?"

The mare blushes as she takes the compliments with a smile. "If you say so..."

Rhino chuckles as he looks on while gently moving the pups so they can nurse. As Winona licks him, he smiles as he comments. "Don't thank me yet girl, you've got your own little pack now. It's gonna be eventful from now on."

The yellow pony nods, still smiling brightly. "Besides, Applejack says you're going to be part of the family, soon!" With that, she walks out the door, whistling a small tune to herself.

With her face almost matching Big Mac's natural color, Manila sputters. "W-what?!"

Big Mac keeps his expression neutral, though he turns a shade brighter. He glances at Rhino for a moment.

The unicorn aides his fellow male. "Meh, you know young ones, sometimes they misinterpret things."

The mare calms down a little. "I guess you're right... We should probably be getting back to the clinic anyway..." She turns to the red pony. "Will I see you around?"

He smiles kindly at her. "Eeyup."

***

The Badlands, one of the only places in Equestria not named for ponies in some way. Aptly so, it is named that way simply because it is not a place for ponies. A barren land fills of rocks and shrubs, one can take one look at the place and just turn around, thinking that there is nothing of value there. Even if there was, who would be crazy enough to go into a place where all your sustenance would have to be carried with you?

This is the place no one goes, and thus, it is the perfect place to be hidden. Among the mountains of stone, among the cave mouths dotting them, only a select few will lead one to the biggest secret of this land. Stone turns dark and shiny as it transitions to chitin, and further down one will find the central hive of the changelings.

A maze of tunnels, windows, and spires. This place holds more changelings than anywhere else. It is also the center of almost everything for them. Thus, when the small returning squad from the outpost came home, they each knew where they had to go.

The three lower ranked changelings headed straight to the nearest infirmary to get well needed treatment. Meanwhile, Port escorts a blindfolded and magic-suppressing ring wearing Mimic. They both know that due to his cracked horn, the ring on the red changeling is more of a mercy than anything else since it prevents the lances of pain when he would try to use magic by not letting it flow at all.

Their trip is long but purposeful, taking the one path that no erring changeling would want to go down. They pass through the majority of the hive, heading further into the ground. The trip ends in front of a large set of doors. Clearing his throat, the orange drone knocks on the door, the very sound causing the changeling next to him to flinch in fear.

A few seconds pass before a single female voice calls out loudly, echoing around them. "Enter."

Port pushes on the door, opening a smaller, more practical one hidden inside the inlay. He uses his magic to tug the reluctant former-general into the room, leading him through the long room and in front of the throne. He bows respectfully, his head almost touching the floor. "My Queen. I have some rather...unsettling news."

Chrysalis raises a hole-filled hoof and places it on her forehead, just below her massive jagged horn. She sighs as she replies. "I really am growing tired of hearing that there is even more unsettling news." She shakes her head before leveling her eyes seriously at Port. "Report, General."

He stands up, keeping an expressionless face. "The pony that was Colonel Gel's target came and took her after beating the rest of us. Major General Luster had the strength left to head up the stairs, trying to help, but, as it turned out," he gestures to the changeling next to him, "General Mimic had used forbidden magic on the Colonel. When I awoke, I found a letter saying so, and the remains of what appeared to be a collar. There was also no sign of Brigadier General Flick or Major General Luster anywhere in the outpost." He sighs, unsure but keeping that hidden for now. "What do you recommend we do?"

She hums in thought, but it has edge to it that shows she is troubled. "Was there anything suggesting what happened to Luster and Flick?"

He nods. "The metal coating Luster's quarters was gone, as was Flick's art supplies. Knowing them, they wouldn't just let anyone take those. Though to be honest, I can't see a pony simply taking the metal."

Her eyes narrow. "I see... And you said a single pony managed to beat the four strongest of our military in single combat?"

He nods once more, frowning slightly. "I'm afraid so, my Queen."

She rubs the bridge if her muzzle, restraining herself. "Let's... come back to that. You stated that Mimic used the forbidden spell. Was there anything else hinting at this other than the letter and collar? Any suspicious behavior?"

"I...I can't really say." He glances at the red changeling, thinking a bit. "He did seem in a bit of a hurry when we first arrived, and he was supposed to hold the trial for the Colonel. He didn't appear to follow through with that, though."

Her eyes sharpen as she looks at the red changeling. "Foregoing trial? What exactly did he do instead? Feel free to let him speak for himself if you don't know, Port. Any lies will only worsen his situation."

Mimic can feel her harsh glare, flinching in fear. "I-I used the spell in an attempt to reform her. I felt it would be unreasonable to lose one of our best if we could get her to forget about her target. About that pony she fell for."

"So she did fall for him... I thought she might be above such things." She shakes her head before yanking off the blindfold and staring angrily into Mimic's eyes. "However that does NOT give you the right to take away her free will and make her your puppet! What did you make her do in this 'reform program' of yours? What were you going to make her do!?"

He averts his eyes, ashamed. "I made her...attack her target. She broke free and tried to attack me. I was going to make her...swear loyalty to the hive. She can't bring herself to break her word, after all."

She huffs. "You know as well as I that those wouldn't even have been her words, simply your words spoken through her. She would not have honored them. What did you do when she broke free?"

He grimaces, shuffling his hooves. "I...I knocked her unconscious."

She sense something more behind those words. "And was that your intent?"

"...no." He sighs, hanging his head. "I was trying to kill her. I didn't want our secrets getting out."

She hisses. "The decision to execute is reserved for me, and me alone! So let's go over this again shall we?" Her voice is like honeyed venom. "Usage of the forbidden spell, inhibition of justice by skipping trial and performing punishment that you decided, and now, going above the queen and attempting murder. Anything else I should add to this list?"

He shakes his head, unable to say anything in the face of her anger.

She turns and quirks an eyebrow at Port. "Have you anymore to say on this issue before we deal with it and move onto others?"

The orange drone frowns slightly. "I have nothing else to add, my Queen."

She nods. "Well then, follow me." She leads them over to a wall where she touches the chitin with the tip of her horn. It melts away and reveals a staircase going down.

The two drones follow her, one wondering what was down there and the other dreading what might come.

They descend down a stairwell lit by green-flamed torches, deeper and deeper. Finally they arrive in a small room with only a tall mirror on a raised platform. Chrysalis walks over and stands next to it. "Bring him forward."

Port grabs the other drone's horn in his magic and pulls him forward, causing the dishonored general to grit his teeth in pain.

Mimic stares up at her, eyes wide in fear. At that moment, with him shaking and shrinking in on himself, he looked like a lost pupa cowering in front of a timberwolf.

As the drone stands before her, the Queen looks down at him. "Mimic, you stand accused of a number of crimes, proven by both witness and your own testimony. You are to be sentenced accordingly." She gestures to the mirror. "You will not be killed, instead, you will be exiled. As you know though, no changeling is allowed to leave in order to maintain our secrets. Thus, you are being exiled to a place where you can do us no harm, and maybe even redeem yourself."

He lowers his head, accepting his fate. "...I-I understand...but..." He glances up at the mirror in confusion, keeping his head bowed. "...where am I being sent to?"

"Put simply, you are being sent to another Equestria. There are other changelings there, perhaps you can start over with them." She laughs. "And I do mean 'start over'. You will have nothing, and to them, you will be no one. You will start as the lowest of the low. Perhaps you will climb back, perhaps you will die. Your life is in your hooves, we no longer care what happens to you." She lifts him up with her magic and faces him towards the mirror, removing his magic inhibitor ring. "Any final words?"

He stares at his reflection, seeing the pain in his own eyes. He nods solemnly, bowing his head. "...my only regret...is that I acted out of love, and not reason..."

She replies simply. "One cannot only use one or the other. Find balance." With those last words, she tosses him into the mirror, and he disappears into it. She motions for Port to follow her and the two walk in silence until they are back in the throne room.

He moves to stand in front of the throne, respectfully turning towards her and bowing. "You handled that issue expertly, my Queen. I do have one question, though." He looks up at her with his stoic gaze. "What do we do about the unexpected decrease in officers?"

She sighs as she thinks. "Well, considering our other officers are simply missing instead of dead or otherwise unable to return, their positions shall remain empty for now. As for you though, I believe you have earned a promotion, and seeing as the only position above yours just opened up... Congratulations, General."

He bows respectfully. "I'm humbled, my Queen." He straightens up, trying to hide his curiosity. "You mentioned something about other issues?"

"Of course," she smiles but her tone is definitely not happy, "aside from you, every one of my highest ranking changelings, elites no less, have either defected or gone AWOL. If my suspicions are correct, then all three of them are defecting. This cannot stand. As of this moment, those three are the biggest threats to our entire species' existence!"

He blinks, a little concerned by the pure rage coming off her form. "Then...what do you propose we do?"

She stand up. "The time for subtlety is done, with all of them out there, time is now of the essence. I shall go myself to either retrieve them... Or otherwise make sure they are silent. You shall accompany me."

He nods, bowing respectfully. "As you wish."