“OK, Everypony sorted?” I ask looking over the living room.

“I'm good.”

“Me too.”

“Ah'm fine”

“Perfect here.”

“Ah'm comfortable.”

I nodded and sat between Applejack and Atriea. I reached down and pulled the blanket up over the three of us. I turned and noticed Atriea was blushing as she snuggled down into the blanket.

“Atreia, I think you had something to tell us?” I ask.

Atreia nods. “Yes. It like a said before that it's common for ponies to not understand why the changelings dislike Equestria as hate is a little far.” Atreia took a deep breath and then let it out. “I guess I should start at the beginning and tell you that once changelings where two races.” Atreia paused but noticed the lack of shocked expressions. “Something tells me you already knew that?”

I nod. “There's a colony hive of Hybrids in the Everfree.”

Atreias eyes go wide. “There's Hybrids still alive!?”

I reel back at Atreias outburst. “Yeah, I guess you haven't met them yet.”

Atreia now looked horrified as her breaths quickened. “That's not good I can't stay here! I-I need to go! I'm sorry!” Atreia goes to get up but I hold her. “No, please let me go! I can't stay they'll kill me!”

I continue to hold Atreia as her attempts to get away become less and less. I watch as she breaks down and turns to place her head on my chest. Atreias cries of pain cause me to look around the room. I reach up and begin to stroke her mane. “What's wrong? Why do you think their going to kill you?”

“Because...,” Atreia looks up to me her eyes and face wet with tears. “Because it's what they do to insectoids! They kill our kind because they blame us for the empire being destroyed and their right! We destroyed it with our greed! We killed HER! We killed her....we killed her....” Atreia closes her eyes and goes limp as my hand presses to her head.

I sigh and lower my hand. “Damn...”

“What happened?” Apple Fritter asks her worry evident.

I shake my head. “I'm not sure but if a didn't sedate her she would have suffered a break down. One things for sure though I think I need to ask the Hybrid council some questions.”

I stood on the porch of the farm house looking out at the white landscape. A blue flash of light next to me made me smile. “You got my message?”

“Of course. You said you needed my help?” Luna asks walking up to me.

I smile and place my hand on Lunas cheek. A slight blush and smile as my reward. I remove my hand. “Yes I need to go to the Hybrid Hive. I have questions.”

Luna nods. “I gathered that after you reported Atreias reaction a few days ago. Though the timing is not great on this due to Hearth Warming celebrations getting ready for the day.”

I nod. “I understand Hearths Warming is in a couple of days but this is really important. I need to know why Atreia thinks Hybrids will kill her but she won't tell me without freaking out. I can't keep sedating her.”

Luna sighs. “Very well my love. Do you wish to leave now?”

I nod. “Applejack is looking after Atreia with the help of the other apples.” I sigh and look towards the front door. “I'm worried about her Luna. This fear is deeply ingrained in her. She truly believes the Hybrids will kill her and there's nothing we can do to stop them.” I turn back to Luna and was surprised to see she was frowning. “Luna?”

Luna shakes her head and blinks at me. “Uh what?”

“You looked a little angry.” I state.

Luna blushes. “Sorry I was just remembering....” Luna takes a deep breath and lets it out. “Well lets go shall we?”

I nod and take hold of Lunas outstretched wing. I give her a smile when she lights up her horn and closes her eyes. A flash of blue light later and I found myself looking up at the hive towering over us. My smile grew as I spot two Hybrid mare guards giving Luna and I shocked looks.

“Good morning my little ponies.” Luna says walking forward. “We have come to see the council.”

“T-The council your highness? I-I'm not sure they are free....” One of the mares replies clearly not liking being the one to say that.

“Oh? I'm sure they would make an exception for me beside our purpose here is an important one.” Luna replies confused.

“I will take you to them Princess. If it's important then I'm sure they would make time.” The other guard states walking forward and gestures to the hive entrance. “Please follow me.”

I step beside Luna as we follow the guard inside. I look around and notice something very wrong. I look to Luna. “Where is everyone?”

Luna returns my look. “I don't know. This isn't the hive I know.” Luna steps forward and speaks to our guard. “Where is everypony? Has something happened?”

The guard looks back to us and her ears fold back. “We have received reports an insectoid changeling has been seen near Ponyville and the hive has gone into lockdown until the threat can be removed.”

“Removed?” I ask.

“Eliminated.” The guard replies before continuing onwards.

I look to Luna and notice she had the same expression. They were talking about Atreia.

Luna lent against me as we waited. The guard had gone into the Council Chamber and asked us to wait while she spoke to the mares inside. I idly stroked Lunas mane and relished the feeling of her hair between my fingers. I looked towards the doors as the guard from before walks out.

“The council will see Princess Luna but only her.” The guard lowers herself when I give her a look. “Sorry....”

I sigh. “Well I guess it falls to you then to tell them.”

Luna nods. “I guess it does.” Luna walks forward but stops and looks back to me. “See if anypony in the hive will talk to you. There might be somepony that can give you more information on the Hybrid – Changeling past.”

I nod. “I see what I can dig up.” I turn but look back over my shoulder. “Good luck.”

Luna gives me a smile. “You too.”

I sat on a rock rubbing my temples. I had just finished talking to a mare that gave me little if no info about the insectoids but gave me plenty of info about how fertile and ready her daughter was. I had to politely turn her down stating I had two mares already. I left with the sound of tears echoing in my ears. I leaned back and rested my head when I heard a voice off to my left.

“John? What are you doing here?”

I look up to see Green Shimmer walking towards me. “Hey Green Shimmer, How's things?”

“Uh Fine but I asked you first?” Green Shimmer Smirks.

“I can with Luna to see the council but they only wanted to talk to her. I have been left to get info on the past between the Changelings and the Hybrids but no one seems to be talking.”

Green Shimmer chuckles. “Well of course no pony here is going to talk much about it, the history between our two races is filled with pain and violence.” Green Shimmer looks away and taps her chin. “Actually there maybe one pony that can help you. I have to warn you though that she might be a little...weird.”

“Weird?” I question.

“Yeah...it's the only way to describe her.” Green Shimmer states giving me a smile. “However if it's a history lesson you want then she's the best one to go to as she's basically the hive historian slash archive pony.”

I nod. “Then lead on my friend.”

Green Shimmer walks pass me and I turn to follow her. I take the time to look over the hive from the inside. I was always curious at how the Hybrids create their hive as I don't see the changeling slime stuff over the walls. I was so caught up in my sightseeing that I don't see Green Shimmer stop and I run into her. I put out my hands to stop myself only to find I place them on Green Shimmer butt.

Green Shimmer looks over her shoulder and gives me a smirk. “Well if that's what you wanted I'm sure I can spare some time.” Green Shimmer flicks her tail at me.

I quickly remove my hands and rub my neck. “Sorry, didn't mean to grab you.”

“Shame. Some mares like rough play.” Green Shimmer laughs when almost choke on my next breath. “I'm kidding. I know you have eyes for Luna.” Green Shimmer gestures to a door. “Here we are the archives. The mare you need should be inside.”

“You not coming in?” I ask when Green Shimmer turns to walk away.

Green Shimmer shakes her head. “Sorry but I have patrols to take care of and last time I went in she tried to kiss me.”

“Wait what?” I say only to find Green Shimmer had gone. “God dammit....oh well I guess I'll knock.” I reach up and knock on the door. I stand there for a few minutes and nothing happens. “Maybe she's not in?” I ask myself. I nearly jump out my skin when the door bangs loudly and slowly opens. I watch as a Hybrid with a bright red mane pokes her head out the door.

“Y-Yes?” The mare asks sounding almost like Fluttershy. “Can I help you?”

I bow my head. “I was told this was the archives and there was a mare here that could answer some questions of mine?”

“I-I'm the archivist.” The mare replies.

I give her a smile. “Then maybe you could tell me about the history between the insectoids and the Hybrids?”

The mares eyes widen as a smile graces her face. “Oh certainly! Please come in!” The mare opens the door wider and gestures for me to enter.

I nod. “Thank you.” I walk in and find a small cavern filled with bookshelves. I whistle. “Wow this is some room.”

“T-thank you. I try to keep the archives sorted but there's so much to go through.” The mare replies closing the door behind her.

“Well before we start I think introductions are in order.” I place my right hand on my chest. “My names John from Ponyville.”

The mare keeps up her smile and gives me a bow of her head. “My names Lixia, I'm the third archivist of the hive.”

“Third? As in third around or third ever?” I ask.

Lixia puts a hoof to her mouth and giggles. “Third ever. Only one pony can be archivist at any one time.”

I brace myself to ask the next question but I had to. “Lixia, may I ask? What's with the red mane?”

Lixia reaches up and blushes. “Oh, it's the badge of office. Anypony that becomes archivist has their mane changed to red. It allows anyone in the hive to know who you are.”

“That's actually kind of smart...plus...” I reach forward and remove a strand of her mane from her face. “It suits you well.”

Lixia looks away her face darkening even further. “Thank you....” Lixia coughs. “If you follow me John I can tell you what you need to know.”

I gesture for Lixia to lead the way and we head deeper into the cavern. I glance down to Lixia and notice the sway she has in her hips. I look away and think of Applejack and Luna. The two of us enter a cavern and for the countless time after coming to Equestria I look at possibly the greatest sight I have seen.