Eighteen Changelings slowly plodded along the dusty ground of the Badlands. They were a soldier patrol out to ensure the safety of the dying hive. Each one was emaciated and tired. The Badlands were a dry swath of hard, cracked dirt heated by the blistering sun. The land was flat for as far as the eye could see in any direction. To any seeing them, they would appear lost when in fact they were not far from their subterranean hive home. They spoke freely among themselves as they walked. There was nobody to hear them.

"I'm so hungry..." one spoke. Every Changeling left in the hive was female and none had enough power to metamorphose into a male.

Another one answered moodily, "We know. You've only been complaining about it for the ENTIRE patrol."

"Shut it!" snapped a third. She was the one in charge of the patrol.

"But it hurts so bad!" The first one whined, "I feel like I have muscle cramps everywhere."

The leader kept walking, swiveling her head from side to side, "That's what happens when the entire world hates you... you die."

"I'd be willing to BEG for food right now! Our mushroom farms aren't producing enough food-we're dying out here! Those... those strange creatures the Queen took in get first pick of what tiny bit of food we have. Why take in more mouths when we're already starving!?" The first one said, "Maybe... maybe it would be better to eat those creatures instead of giving them our food."

The leader whirled around and pierced the speaker with an intense glare, "We will NOT eat any intelligent beings! The Queen has offered them shelter and we will not abuse her guests! Do I make myself clear Areat?" she growled down at the complainer.

Areat had lowered herself down to the burning hot ground as her commander verbally lashed her. The words burned her more than the hot soil pressing against her body, 'I can't believe I said that... I wouldn't actually... ohhh... what have I become?' She closed her pupil-less eyes and shook her head, "I'm sorry Alliena," she whimpered, "I-I got carried away."

Alliena shook her head and turned back around with a huff, "Do not concern yourself with it. I cannot expect nursery drones to behave like soldiers. I am sorry you had to be pressed into this, but you will acclimate in time. Soldiers have a hard life. We're used to going hungry. Farmers and nurses were always given food before the Massacre of Canterlot. We do not have the numbers to do otherwise. Eight hundred Changelings do not make a hive, they make a tomb. I already understand we have no chance to survive. It is a bitter pill and hearing about it drags us down so please keep such thoughts to yourself." She continued marching.

"But surely if the Queen dedicated all of us to farming the mushrooms..." Areat began to say, following along behind her.

Alliena cut her off, "It's too late Areat." she said evenly, "I may be a soldier, but I know some math. Even if the Queen dedicated all of us to farming the mushrooms, most of us would die of starvation before they were ready to eat. The Queen played a gamble in the attack on Canterlot and it failed. She never made it well-known but the mushroom farms all died while we were gone. With none of us to keep them moist, they all dried up. We followed our Queen in a risky gamble and lost. We ARE doomed Areat, it is only a matter of time. The Queen knows this. We need to accept that our time on this world of ours will end with a whisper. We will be forgotten by the other races and in time not a single being will remember that we ever existed. I have accepted it and I find my only solace in the knowledge that I served my Queen faithfully until the end. It is the only thing left for us." She held her head high, "I can only hope you find something to hold onto when your day comes."

Areat grit her teeth and clenched her jaw to hold her tears at bay, 'It's not fair!' She wanted to scream it at the top of her lungs but she held her silence, 'We asked for help and the Ponies... those ACCURSED Ponies turned us away...' she felt her anger boil, "I'm not giving up!" she cried, "I'm going to find that Pony prison and die there! At least I'll have a full tummy when I die!"

Alliena scoffed loudly, "A myth at best Areat. They hate us. If they found you, the best you could hope for is a swift death..."

"I DON'T CARE!" Areat cried, "I can't just die HERE! This stupid, blistering sun-baked desert... I hate it and I-I-I hate Chrysalis! I hate her!" She stopped and stared at Alliena's back, "I'm leaving! If I'm going to die, I want to take my chances first! You haven't accepted it, you've surrendered! You're not even willing to try anything!"

Alliena merely continued walking, "There is nothing to try Areat. I do not hang on to hope because there is none to be had. If you really wish to speed your demise," she held up her left forelimb toward the slowly setting sun, "Equestria is that way."

Areat blinked through her tears and followed Alliena's pointing limb. She looked back at the other Changelings nervously, then back toward the sun. Alliena's voice took her by surprise, "We will not stop you Areat. If you have found the strength to try such a desperate gamble once more, we wish you well."

Areat took the opportunity and dashed away as fast as her legs could carry her. Behind her she failed to see the moisture in Alliena's eyes as she whispered, "I hope you find some measure of peace before the end."

* * *

Areat had slowed her gallop to a steady walk as soon as she lost sight of the rest of the patrol. She had continued walking into the evening as the sun went down and the clear sky let out all of the heat of the day. The temperature began dropping rapidly and she knew she would have to either dig a hole and cover herself with dirt for warmth or freeze to death during the night. She suddenly spotted a small orange light in the distance. It was too far away for her to make out, but she knew that almost any light meant a fire and despite the earlier heat of the day, she wanted to be warm again. Her mind spun as she made her way toward the source of the light, 'What if it's a Pony? Would they be willing to give some food to...' she looked down at the holes in her limbs, 'No... nopony would give anything to a Changeling.' She felt inside of herself and what she found saddened her even further, 'I don't have enough power to change into... anything,' she groaned quietly, 'I probably couldn't even lift anything with my magic either. I guess I'll have to beg. If begging gets me food, I'll do it.' Her stomach gurgled and the dull ache she had been feeling for the past three days intensified. She closed her eyes and groaned but she kept walking. She knew there was little chance of tripping over anything on the ground. The land was flat for as far as the eye could see.

She stumbled over her own limbs, she was so hungry she was dizzy. She tried to correct herself, but gravity was a harsh mistress. She felt her chest hit the hard ground with a thump that sounded much louder than she felt it should have. She groaned in the deepening darkness and slowly rose up and began walking again.

As she approached the light, she began hearing voices. She could see the light did indeed come from a fire. It was not a colossal fire, just something small enough to cook with and provide some small amount of heat and light. She heard male voices as she continued her slow approach.

"... makes no sense. We don't even know where they are. How are we supposed to make a delivery if we can't find them?" A frustrated male voice asked.

A smooth, cultured tenor voice answered him, "It does not matter. We have a job to do and we shall do our level best to complete our task. The only reason we are to turn around is if we run out of supplies. I can show you our orders if you wish. I do not like this assignment any more than any of you. I detest this atrocious wasteland. It cooks you during the day and freezes you at night. My coat and mane are in such a state, I doubt they will EVER be clean again, to say nothing of the body and shine I spend hours to achieve every day. There are no landmarks to follow and no way to stay on course without a compass, unless you follow the sun or if you can navigate by the stars. How are we supposed to find clean water in this... this... dust swamp. Urgh!" The speaker took a deep breath and exhaled loudly and dramatically, "It does not matter. We have our orders and we will follow them."

Areat was close enough to count make out twelve tents and twenty wagons set up on the far side of the tents for a wind breaker. She counted out eleven Pegasi, five Earth Ponies, and five Unicorn Pony stallions, all wearing golden colored armor. One snorted, "You and your looks Commander." He and the others chuckled, "I swear, you care more about your looks than most mares do."

Areat stopped, 'They're Equestrian Guard!' She almost backed up, but a painful rumble in her stomach stopped her. Each stallion had a small metal bowl set on the ground in front of them, some still had the remains of what looked like stew in them. Areat bit her lower lip, 'If I show myself they might kill me... but they have food. Even if it's just what's left in their bowls...'

"Humph! I happen to take a great deal of pride in my appearance, thank you very much." The cultured voice said.

"Hehe, yeah maybe if you didn't out shine all the mares, one might actually take an interest in you." One of the others teased.

"There are plenty who are interested. I simply have not found one that I desire. Most are too prim and proper to realize that somepony like me does not follow social standards and norms. Why is the stallion always supposed to do so many things for mares? Are they not capable of doing the same things themselves? Those rules and social torts were developed in a world where mares were in control. In most places they are still in control! I chose to act in a manner contrary to the norms and suddenly I am a lout?" The cultured voice ranted.

"You ARE a lout." One of the other stallions said.

"Only because I am not willing to act like a servant to a mare. Instead of holding a door for her, she should hold it for ME!"

"Are you by chance talking about that one mare a couple of years ago at the G.G.G.?" One of the other stallions asked, "The one who you used as a shield from that flying cake?"

The cultured voice snorted loudly, "Heh, I will admit THAT was a mistake. She was not like other mares. She actually put up with what I was doing. I picked a rose from the garden and I intended to give her, but as soon as she saw it, she lowered her head for me to put it in her mane. Her assumption angered me and so I put it on me instead of her out of spite. However, instead of voicing her thoughts she just ignored the slight. That is where it started that night. I acted as boorishly as I could manage just to make her angry. My temper is not something I am proud of and I will freely admit to being more than a touch petty at times so I kept going. I made her hold a door for me, I made her buy a snack and insulted it as soon as I took a bite, I had her use her cloak to walk on, over a spilled drink. For some reason she just took every slight with a grin. I will admit that by the end of the night I was somewhat impressed with her patience. However I delved too deeply into my pettiness. When you act a certain way, even for a short time it is often difficult to... 'break character' as it were. When I saw the flying cake at the end of the evening, I pushed her in front of me. It covered her entire body with icing and moist cake. She was furious and... well I believe you know the rest."

The other stallions all chuckled, "You are such a HEEL sometimes Commander."

"I am, aren't I?" The cultured voice said, "Auntie puts up with me though. I am certain that eventually I will find mares who are willing to 'go against the grain' as the saying goes. I loathe my Mothers for how they treated me and if I have a son, he will not be treated the same way. I want any foals I have to receive equal attention. As much as those Humans annoy me with their antics, they DID manage to achieve a law of equality. It will not come into full effect for a few generations, until the previous generations pass. If I have any daughters I want them to be able to follow in my steps. Join the Guard, command a unit, anything she wants. If I have a son I want him to be able to become a surgeon or even a teacher if he wishes. I want the best for my foals, if I ever have any. I am a paragon of virtue, just not what is considered to be social virtue..."

"Good grief Commander." One of the other stallions cut him off, "I'm glad none of the other officers rant like you. At least when they rant they talk about what we can improve upon. YOU just talk big about yourself."

The cultured voice took on a snide tone, "Perhaps, but how many would be willing to let you heckle them while out on assignment?"

"Meh, fair point I guess. So, who takes first watch? I'm about ready to turn in."

The cultured voice addressed the others, "Are any of you still wide awake? Obviously I, like a mare, need my beauty sleep as you all were so eager to point out."

"I'll take first watch Commander." One of the Pegasus stallions offered.

Areat saw them nod and stand up. They began picking up their bowls and one tilted his to the side to pour out the rest of his unfinished dinner. The sight of wasted food forced her voice, "Please..." She had spoken before she realized it.

The stallions' heads all turned and focused on her in an instant. Areat knew she was close enough to be visible in the fire light but she did not care. She had already revealed herself so she pressed forward in desperation, "P-please... I haven't eaten in three days..."

One of the Unicorn stallions snarled at her, "Well you're not getting any of US Changeling!"

"Stand down!" One of the Unicorns ordered. It was the one with the cultured voice; the one that the others had referred to as their commanding officer, "Come closer." He ordered.

Areat lowered her head and gradually crept closer to the stallion. He stood still watching her every move. The other stallions moved out of her path as she neared the fire. The Unicorn watched her with scrutiny until she stopped less than a Fathom from the fire. His blue eyes never strayed from her. The intensity of his gaze left her extremely conscious of how many Ponies there were as compared to her. The Unicorn's face was devoid of any sort of telling expression as he studied her.

Areat lowered her belly to the ground trying to seem as harmless as possible, "Please I-I just want what you're not going to finish. I won't hurt anypony I promise. I just want some food." She spoke quietly.

The Unicorn silently studied her for what felt like an eternity before he spoke, "Are there any others out there waiting for you to give a signal?"

Areat shook her head, "No. I-if you don't want to give me your leftovers then could you..." she swallowed hard, "Could you at least take me to the prison you have? Your Changeling prisoners get fed... right?"

Areat's blood ran cold when the stallion's eyes narrowed at her, "We do not have any Changeling prisoners. Not anymore."

She huddled close to the ground fearing for her life, eyes watering, "Please I'm begging you... I just want some food." She whimpered, "I-I can show you how to find water. I can clean for you. You can..." she shivered as she forced herself to speak, "You can... do whatever you want to me..." she closed her eyes, "I don't have enough power to change shape and I-I-I-I know I'm ugly to you... but I'll do whatever you want me to. Please," her voice cracked, "Please I'm so hungry..."

The Unicorn stallion continued staring at her for several long minutes. Areat could only imagine the kinds of things he was imagining. The possibilities made her pained stomach turn, 'If he is taking so long to decide then... maybe he is considering my offer,' she forced herself not to look around at the other stallions, 'Will they all make me... do something before they give me their food?' The Unicorn opened his mouth and spoke his answer, "Make sure she does not leave." He turned around and trotted toward the wagons.

Areat shuddered as the stallions set their bowls down and closed in around her. She shrank down as close as she could to the ground. Not a single one of the Ponies moved an inch, they just stared at her silently. She swallowed loudly as her eyes darted around the stallions standing over her. Not a single one of them showed any expression as they stared at her silently.

"At ease," the Commander Unicorn said trotting back toward Areat, "Step back from the Changeling."

Areat twitched fearfully as the armored stallions moved away from her. The Unicorn Commander trotted up to her with an apple and a small head of broccoli held in his magic. He stopped and dropped the two items in his own bowl then slid the bowl to Areat, "This is yours if you can lead us to your hive."

Areat was transfixed on the apple and broccoli. It was more food than she had eaten in the previous month. The Unicorn stallion's demand frightened her though, "Why," she swallowed, "Why do you want me to lead you to the hive?"

The stallion snorted and rolled his eyes, "Because we have a message to deliver to your Queen and the crates of food on the wagons are for your hive."

Areat looked past him to the wagons and the Commander huffed again, "The crates are enchanted. Their space is quadrupled on the inside the food will not spoil. There is a great deal of food in the crates."

Areat could not believe what she was hearing. It made no sense. She backed away from the bowl of food, despite her hunger, "No!" She cried, "You're lying! Why would you be bringing us food? You hate us!" Her eyes widened as a thought occurred to her, "It's poisoned isn't it!"

The stallion's face contorted in anger. He threw his head and huffed, shaking out his mane, "You... you... ignorant, half-witted... INSECT!" He stomped right up to Areat and stared her in the eyes, "If we wanted your kind dead we would not have to do anything! Why would we waste our time in this miserable waste if we just wanted you dead? Auntie would not send me, a member of the Royal Family, on an errand like this unless it was to do something important! Here," he levitated the apple to his mouth and took a bite. He chewed and swallowed his mouthful before continuing, "I am telling you the food is not poisoned! Now come over her and eat before you pass out!" He turned and stomped away angrily, "Leave your bowls out for her. If she refuses to eat the fresh produce perhaps the remnants of our dinner will satisfy her! I am turning in! If she leaves, let her go. I doubt we shall receive any help from her. Infuriating idiot!" He stopped in front of one of the tents and spoke over his shoulder, "Do not stare at her, it seems to upset her. Leave her be and go about your business." He entered the tent and let the flap close behind himself.

Areat looked at the apple and broccoli with uncertainty while the other stallions set down their bowls and headed to their tents, 'Was he... telling the truth?' Her stomach shot a powerful pang of hunger up through her body. She looked at the food salivating heavily. She bit her lip unsure whether or not to take the food and run or to stay and eat. Her hunger made the decision for her. She lunged at the bowl and crunched down on the broccoli, moaning in ecstasy as she felt the feeling of food in her mouth. She chewed and swallowed and was going for a second bite when her stomach lurched painfully. She cringed and held her stomach curling into the fetal position, 'It WAS poisoned! He lied to me! He lied to me!' She sniffed as the pain in her body multiplied. She whimpered in agony, writhing on the ground.

"Miss," a masculine voice asked, "Is something wrong?"

Areat curled up tighter, shivering in pain, "Why?" She whimpered, "Why didn't you just kill me? Ugh!" She cracked her eyes open and stared up at the armored Pegasus who had volunteered to stand guard, "Finish me." She pleaded, "Have mercy... put me out of my misery."

The stallion's eyebrows creased. He trotted over to the tent that his commander had entered, "Sir, the Changeling seems to be in pain for some reason. What should we do?"

The white Unicorn stallion emerged from his tent looking distinctly angry, "Ooh, these stupid bugs!" He shook his head, "Wake the medic and have him examine her." He ordered the Guard, "I will act as a witness."

The Guard trotted to one of the other tents while the white Unicorn flopped himself down on the ground, "I am already as dirty as I can be, might as well." He looked at Areat, "Alright Changeling, what is the problem now?"

Areat shot him a hate filled glare, "You lied to me!" she hissed, "You said the food wasn't poisoned!" Another lance of pain shot through her body and she cringed, holding her stomach tightly, "Aarg! My stomach!"

A light yellow Unicorn stallion no longer wearing his enchanted armor strode up to the Commander, "Sir?"

The Commander nodded to Areat, "The Changeling says she is in pain. You have examined Changelings before, scan her and make sure she is in no danger."

The yellow stallion lowered his head and lit his horn. He swept it up and down Areat's body before extinguishing the glow, "Her body isn't used to having food. The pain will fade with time while she adjusts. Should I offer an anesthesia spell to ease the discomfort?"

The Commander spoke impatiently, "Yes, yes, shut her up already."

The yellow stallion lit his horn again and Areat's pain quickly faded. She unclenched her body, relaxing in relief. She sniffed loudly scraping herself against the ground as she splayed out her limbs, "Th-thank you... I'm sorry for... for calling you a liar." She shivered as the icy cold wind blew over her body.

The Commander noticed the shivering and rolled his eyes with an almost irate huff. He rose to his hooves and lit up his own horn, "Come on you." He groused, "You're obviously cold now too." He turned and spoke to the yellow Unicorn, "Thank you. Go back to sleep. I fear tomorrow is going to be a very trying day."

Areat felt herself being lifted from the ground. The Commander spoke before she could get any words out, "Come Changeling. You are going to be sleeping in my tent. It is warm enough and I suppose I can spare the room."

Areat swallowed as she was levitated toward the tent, 'He's going to...' she could not even finish the thought, 'Just have to stay still and let him do what he wants. Maybe he'll let me go when he's done with me.' She resigned herself to being used by the stallion, 'At least I have a full tummy.' She was saddened that a single bite had filled her up, but she was willing to take whatever small comforts she could get.

The Commander pushed aside the flaps of the tent and set Areat down on his bedroll before turning and closing the flaps. He laid down on the bedroll and Areat forced herself to be calm. She rolled over onto her stomach and clenched her eyes shut as she slowly raised her hips. She was willing to force herself to pay the price for her comfort. The Commander laid down on the floor of the tent next to her instead of what she was expecting him to do.

"Are you stretching out your back?" The Commander asked.

"N-no?" Areat answered in confusion.

"Then lower your hindquarters and go to sleep." The Commander said sternly, "Here," he laid his blanket over the two of them, "Now stop acting like a foal and let us go to sleep."

Areat was confused, "But... I thought..."

"I am not going to take advantage of an offer like that from any female, especially if she feels obligated to do so and I am NOT attracted to you. Get comfortable and go to sleep. I will not tell you again."

Confused, but full and warm, Areat slowly relaxed and fell asleep.

* * *

Queen Chrysalis gazed down at the nine hundred plus strange creatures that her Changelings had brought to their hidden colony. The creatures stood upright, had no natural covering, and were filthy, nevertheless despite what they lacked in the deserts the Changelings called home, the creatures had managed to fashion clubs and had somehow found water by digging in the sand. Chrysalis' biggest concern was the Unicorn stallion the creatures had with them. The stallion was all but dead. He was unconscious and he stank like infection, yet the creatures would not allow Chrysalis' Changelings to perform the act of mercy and put him out of his misery.

She had ordered her Changelings to take the stallion, but the creatures had formed up around him and would not let the Changelings close. Chrysalis was unsure what to do. She opened her mouth when one of her soldiers burst into the chamber, "My Queen!" The female soldier stopped and slid on the floor, her head bowed in supplication, "We have ambushed an Equestrian supply wagon train."

Chrysalis swiftly rose from her small cushion, "How much!?" she asked urgently.

The soldier raised her head, "We have not opened the crates yet my Queen. We found that they had a Changeling with them. She claims that they fed her and are bringing food... for us. She made quite a fuss about not letting them down here, but one of the Ponies confirmed her story. There are two hundred soldiers out there with the Ponies. We were reluctant to act until you were informed."

Chrysalis scoffed at her soldier, "That traitor Changeling is a fool, destroy her. Those Ponies are liars. Ponies would never help us. I begged Celestia for help and she turned us away. They care nothing for us. Burn the crates. Capture the Ponies and put them in cocoons. We can use them at least."

The soldier bowed her head again, "Forgive me my Queen but we are too weak to take the Ponies by force. They surrendered to us without a struggle. None of us are strong enough to force them to do anything."

Chrysalis growled and shakily rose from her cushion, "Fine, I will deal with this myself." She turned to the other soldiers in the chamber, "Keep the creatures here until I return."

* * *

Areat tried not to tremble as Queen Chrysalis slowly strode up from the hole in the ground which led down to the hive. The Queen was just as thin as the rest of the Changelings and likely not much stronger. Areat bowed to the Queen as she stood beside the armored Ponies, most of whom were still hitched to their wagons. The Commander was the only one not pulling a wagon. He had been FAR from pleasant, but he had cared for Areat and had not taken advantage of her even when she was willing to let him have his way with her. She was not fond of him, but the small amount of kindness he had shown her meant a great deal to her.

The Commander and the other Guards did not bow when Chrysalis made her presence known. They merely stood in place, stoicism being their only outward emotion. Areat had been surprised to discover that the Guards actually loved the Commander. It was a platonic love, like one loves an older sibling, nevertheless she had been able to siphon off some of the energy. She felt more powerful than she could ever remember being before. She held her power inside though. She knew the Queen would not listen to the Commander.

Chrysalis sneered at the Guards, "Be gone from here, Ponies." She spat the final word, "I am feeling generous at the moment. If you turn back now, your lives will be spared."

The Commander cleared his throat and boldly stepped toward the Queen, "I am Blueblood. I command these stallions. We cannot return until we have delivered this food and message to you. We have strict orders not to intentionally bring harm to any Changelings while we are here." His horn lit up and he levitated a scroll toward Chrysalis, "This is an offer from Princess Celestia, written by her, on her own desk, and using her own quill. The offer is to allow any and all Changelings who wish it, to come to Equestria and live in a town there. There are several hundred other Changelings already living there. They are treated fairly and many are gorged with love. There is even one of the Guardian Changelings living there," the statement caused many gasps from the surrounding Changelings. Blueblood continued undeterred, "He has been accepted into the town populace. He cuts down trees for lumber and is given shelter and food. He recently assisted the township with raiding a Bloodmage safe haven." The statement elicited even more gasps, "Things are not as bad as you imagine Chrysalis. There is hope for all who wish it. There is land set aside for your Changelings if they decide to accept the offer."

Chrysalis was quiet for a moment before she threw her head back laughing, "Bwahahahaha! What utter nonsense! The Guardian template is a last resort! It cannot be sustained for any length of time! Your lies are feeble, Unicorn!"

"His name is Rifin." Blueblood stated evenly, "To my knowledge, a Changeling named Alana was the first to show herself to the town..."

"Alana!" One of the soldiers gasped, "My-my sister... is alive?"

Chrysalis' head snapped toward the Changeling who spoke, "Don't be a fool!" She turned her head back to Blueblood, "They obviously tortured information out of the one they captured before they executed them." Chrysalis lowered her head and widened her stance dangerously, "You will take your lies and leave this place immediately!"

Blueblood was unfazed, "If you require proof we can provide it." He tapped the yellow jewel set into his armor, "Auntie are you there?"

Chrysalis had to hide her surprise, 'Auntie?'

Celestia's voice echoed out from the jewel, "Yes Blueblood?"

"We have found the hive, but the Queen is calling you a liar. You said you had proof waiting in case it was needed? Now might be a good time to deliver that proof."

The jewel shimmered as Celestia's voice came again, "Very well. I will need a few minutes. Have Chrysalis take whatever precautions she needs to feel safe."

Blueblood looked back to the Queen, "Do whatever makes you feel s..."

"I heard the cow!" Chrysalis spat. She turned and spoke loudly to her soldiers, "Conceal the hive entrance, quickly!"

The soldiers began pulling a long and wide slat of wood over the entrance of the hive then covered it with sand and dirt. Within moments, the entrance was invisible as if it had never been there. The two sides then stood and waited silently. The stallions kept their eyes straight forward while Chrysalis and the Changelings shifted their weight anxiously.

"Be prepared for an attack." Chrysalis said quietly, "We may be weak but if they mean to kill us, we will die fighting."

A few more silent minutes passed and then Blueblood's jewel lit up again, "Is Chrysalis ready for the proof?" Celestia asked.

Blueblood pressed his hoof to the jewel again, "Let me make certain." He lowered his hoof and looked at Chrysalis, "Are you re..."

"Of course I'm ready you fool!" Chrysalis snapped.

Blueblood pressed his hoof against the jewel again, "She is ready."

Celestia's voice came in through the jewel, "Very well. I am sending four of our friends and my sister. Tell them not to be frightened."

Blueblood opened his mouth, but Chrysalis cut him off again, "I heard her."

There was a brilliant flash of light and the Changelings had to cover their eyes. When they lowered their limbs, they noticed that they were standing in shade. They slowly lifted their heads, eyes widening. They stepped back taking in the sight before them. A Guardian Changeling stood in front of them. From behind the Guardian came two more Changelings, both with pupils. Princess Luna then stepped out from behind the Guardian.

A tiny voice called from the direction of the Guardian, "Are we there yet Mr. Rifin?"

Rifin spoke to the open air, "We are here Amber. You may come out now."

Chrysalis squinted in the direction of the guardian's head. A small Unicorn filly squirmed her way out from between the Guardian's back carapace plates. The Queen's jaw dropped, 'This CANNOT be real!'

Amber scrambled up over Rifin's head and held her right forehoof over her eyes as she looked around, "This is where you used to live?" Amber asked, "I thought home was boring. This place is... worse. There's nothing here Mr. Rifin."

Rifin chuckled a deep rumble, "There is plenty to see if you know where to look Amber."

Chrysalis was beyond confused, 'This... this is impossible!' Her eyes roved to the two Changelings who had pupils, 'They're becoming Queens! HOW? Where did they acquire so much power?' She looked hack to Rifin, 'And a GUARDIAN? This must be an illusion! There is no way this could ever be true!'

Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, "A fine illusion, Princess." She spat, "But you must truly thinks us fools to fall for THIS. You went too far. This illusion is not believable." She gestured to the two Changelings with pupils, "And who are these two supposed to be hmm?"

The eyes of the smaller of the two developing Queens narrowed, "My name is Vaiawa, Chrysalis." She slowly stalked forward, "I knew your plan was wrong. I disobeyed your order to attack. It is a good thing I did too. The inhabitants of..."

Chrysalis spat in Vaiawa's face, "A well-made illusion, but still not believable..."

Crushing power forced Chrysalis to her knees as the other Changeling spoke, "Be silent my FORMER Queen! This is no illusion and you know it!"

"Alana?" One of the Soldiers asked, "I-is that really you?"

Alana turned and looked at the soldier. A small nod was her only answer before she turned back to Chrysalis, "You lied to us Chrysalis! You claimed that Celestia turned us away coldly. I have seen the letters you sent her. She showed them to us! You demanded that she send her own Ponies to act as slaves and sources for power! She offered you a counter offer and you refused her!" Alana raised her head away from Chrysalis and looked at the other Changelings, "Celestia offered us food and aid but Chrysalis declined the offer! She wanted everything to be her way!" Alana turned back to Chrysalis and lowered her head to speak so that only Chrysalis could hear her, "You are finished as Queen. I have a male who loves me. He may not be attracted to me in my normal form, but he still loves me no matter what I look like. The love that is freely given to us back home is more than we could ever need or even want. You have betrayed your subjects. You never cared about us, I can see that now. Your pride blinded you to reason and it is blinding you now."

Alana raised her head and spoke to Luna, "Princess, could you take Rifin and Amber back home?"

Luna nodded. In a flash the Guardian, filly, and Princess had vanished. Alana stepped away from Chrysalis, her horn still lit, "I challenge you, as one Queen to another, I challenge you to the rule of the hive. This madness ends today."

"You will do no such thing!" Blueblood barked, "This was never part of the plan! This was supposed to be a mission of peace, not an act of war!"

Alana regarded Blueblood solemnly, "I will not let any more Changelings suffer because of HER! Her reign ends today and we will bring these others home! We are outside the borders of Equestria and outside of your jurisdiction, Blueblood."

Blueblood frowned, but he could not argue her words. There was nothing he could legally do.

Alana kept Chrysalis pinned with her magic, "If you can break free of the spell, I will fight you. If not... I will flatten you like a crepe." she said coldly.

Chrysalis began struggling against the power arrayed against her as Alana spoke to the watching Changelings, "She lied to all of us! Every one of our families who died in the aftermath of the attack on Canterlot was her fault! She led us to our deaths and she was willing to lead our entire species to extinction because of her pride! Will you follow her to your deaths when there is hope? Back home there are thousands just waiting to welcome you with open hearts and you still follow this miserable piece of filth? There is a place waiting for you in Equestria!"

Vaiawa took over, "It is not perfect, it is a place of trials, but it is also a place where we can walk proudly in our natural forms and not be judged! Not all love us, but there is so much love there and it is given freely! They value us! We came under threat from Bloodmages and I wanted to help. The Captain wanted me to abstain from placing myself at risk because he valued me. I helped anyway. I was pierced by three crossbow quarrels and killed... I... DIED! They loved me so much, they cared so much that it was enough for me to recover! The legends are true! We are offering you a home where you do not have to disguise yourselves! You can do whatever you want, be whatever you want! Alana is marrying a doctor! He proposed yesterday and he asked for her to be in her natural form when he did! Everything Chrysalis told you was a lie! We CAN be loved! We CAN be accepted! We can have a place to call home that ISN'T dying!" Vaiawa held her head high and cast her eyes at the watching Changelings, "We have been given a wonderful offer and Chrysalis was going to throw it away! Come with us! Chrysalis has no more power over you! Who will come with us?"

Chrysalis grunted knowing there was not even a remote chance of success for her. She hid a smirk, 'It does not matter. Soon they will let me go and I can go to the hive that I hid from them. Eighty-eight thousand Changelings all still under my control in a self sustainable hive. Heh, you have not won traitor. Victory will still be mine.'

A second voice appeared inside her mind, 'That's what you think Chrysalis.' Alana hid her own smirk, 'You cannot win. You are beaten. Show that you care about our species, tell me where the other hive is.'

Chrysalis suddenly found a surge of strength to throw against the power of the fledgling Queen, 'No! I will never tell you! I cannot lose!'

Alana's face softened as the mental and physical battles waged, 'Do the right thing for once Chrysalis. Show me there is some hope for you. I don't want to force my way in, but I will if I feel the need. I refuse to break the law like this in New Humansville, but here and for this reason... I will if you make me.'

Chrysalis struggled mightily against the power holding her back. She tensed her muscles, both physical and magical trying to break free. She threw her whole being against Alana's magic. She slipped a single hoof under her body and began to push herself up so she could wedge another underneath herself. She felt a surge of joy, 'I can do this.'

Alana's voice popped up once more, 'I suppose I should probably put some effort into this shouldn't I?' Chrysalis' eyes bulged as the colossal force holding her down suddenly multiplied exponentially. What little progress she had made was torn from her as she felt some of her bones crack against the ground. Alana hid a shiver of pity, 'Please Chrysalis, let go. This was all wrong and you knew it. You have no hope of winning. This is your last chance. I'm warning you.'

Chrysalis snarled at her mentally, 'NEVER! I am the hives! I am eternal! You can never be rid of Changelings! You can never be rid of me! I will return and I will crush you! I will take everything from you and force you to watch as I destroy everything you ever cared about!'

Alana sighed mentally, 'Very well. You brought this upon yourself.'

Chrysalis had no time to ponder. With a single thought Alana burst into the Queen's memories and knowledge. Alana's consciousness was like a sponge. She soaked up everything Chrysalis knew and withdrew in less than a minute, 'You... you MONSTER!' Alana screamed at Chrysalis, 'You were going to let this hive die knowing how much it would wound Equestria while you snuck away and prepared a second invasion! You were going to massacre every Pony!' Alana had to take a mental step back, 'You have no soul Chrysalis... you... you... you are beyond redemption.' With one additional thought Chrysalis's body was flattened into the dirt with the crunch of shattering bones and a splash of green blood. The entire area in a circle around her indented nearly a Fathom into the dry soil.

Alana extinguished her horn and turned to the gaping Changelings, "I am your new Queen by right of challenge. I hereby dismiss the right of challenge and relinquish my position. I will hold control over no Changelings. You are free to do as you wish. I hope you will come with us, but I will not force you to. We are going to go down below and spread the word and then we will go to the separate hive that Chrysalis hid from you and tell them as well." Alana took a deep breath, "Stay or go, the choice is yours."

Let me know if you spot any typos.