Twilight opened her eyes. She was startled to find the room crowded with degenerated changelings. They were so close to her, she had a feeling if whatever had happened hadn’t happened they would have pretty much just swarmed her and drained her dry. But they had stopped inches away, and each and every one of them had the same somber expression as they looked down at the frail thing of a woman in Twilight’s arms.

They were degenerated, yes, but they were sane.

Twilight could feel their hunger still. But this was… different. She could feel their sorrow, their regret, everything. It was far more than she was used to. She was going to test if they had recovered their sanity by asking them to leave, but just at the thought they all quickly left. She thought of her closest individual friends in the hive. Of Nictus, Ceren, Keine, Nel, Charon. They stayed, barely recognizable. It took a few seconds for the swarm to file out, but before long the room was empty. She became worried about the now smashed entrance, but there were already changelings repairing it.

And she could feel everything they did. Almost see what they did. There was a tiny spec of her in all of their minds. And a tiny spec of them in hers.

She stood with Chrysalis and placed the Queen on the bed. She turned and looked to her friends.

“It’s time we get to work… We’ll have to make all of our progress back up again, and then some.” She said to them. Her voice echoed in the minds of every single changeling of the hive, though, even though she hadn’t used magic to do so. The five in front of her bowed.

“Nel and I will return to our places in Ponyville to spread the word that we are safe.” Charon said. Twilight nodded and they shot off.

“I will go alone to speak to the mages and the Equestrian guard keeping the barricade up, we’ll probably need you to convince them in the end.” Keine said.

“Take Ceren with you, she’ll be able to explain the details better than you.” Twilight replied. They both nodded and shot off.

“I will gather our hunters, and as soon as the barrier is down we will find food. Many of us haven’t eaten in days, you especially. We’ll have the best meal branch cook you up something nice.” Nictus said with a smile. Twilight nodded and she too shot off. Now alone again, Twilight looked down at Chrysalis. She was a little happy to see that the pained frown had finally turned into a peaceful smile. The burden of the hive wasn’t on her shoulders anymore.

It was on Twilight’s.

Author's Notes:

So I forgot to put this at the end of the final chapter. I was thinking of putting it in the prologue of the sequel, but I don't know when I'll be starting that. i want to get through and finish some of my other stories before I start it, lest I go back into my old habits.
This finale was really good to write I think, it just came out in one long go. And I think this Epilogue sets it up for what I have planned for the sequel.
So yeah, there will be a sequel.