When I arrived at the hive with Mirage, we were swiftly lead to a room where Ribbon and a yellow drone where sitting. Makes sense, just send a drone and have them act as a relay. “So, messenger?” I didn’t even bother trying to act cold and unfeeling like I usually tried to in public, partially because of the fact that both Mirage and RIbbon were here with me, and also because changelings can sense emotion, so there isn’t really any point in doing it anyways.

She looked at at me for all of one second, and turned back to Ribbon. “You invited your pray to this meeting?” I simply gave the drone a fang filled grin, causing her to cringe.

“Don’t mind her, Chitsuki is just being playful, and we’re still missing one more member before this meet and greet can start.”

“I am here, you needn’t wait. Our sister is busy with court and won’t make it.”

“Woona!” Mirage peeked over my shoulder, a massive grin on her face, causing Luna to groan in embarrassment/annoyance.

“Yes Mirage, Luna.”

“Why was a proto-queen with her? and why is she friendly with one of the Equestrian princesses?”

“Watch your tone, this is my hive and you are in my territory.” Wow, your rather defensive today Ribbon. Or is she just trying to act imposing?

“Very well. Now, may we start?”

“Yes, we can start our little Q&A now, would you like to ask the first question?”

“Sure. Why did you bother saving members of my hive, even going out of your way to do so?”

“Ah, rather simple really, a wise man once said, ‘Freedom is the right of every sapient being.’ I took that to heart, and what those griffons did… disgusts me.” Not so much a man, as a transforming semi truck, but I doubt anyone other than Ribbon would get that reference.

“My turn. You said earlier, ‘Why was A proto-queen with her?’, am I to assume there are multiple protos in your hive?” Ribbon’s question got my attention.

“Yes, currently there are four proto-queens. The one to show the most promise has the honor of become a queen.”

“Again, you said A, are there multiple queens as well?”

“Yes, the two previous queens and the current queen. The elders are tasked with knowing as much as they can in what ever field they like, and the youngest leads us, using the elders as guides. But, if need be, the elders and call a vote and out way the youngest.”

“Seems rather efficient.”

“Now it’s my turn to ask. Why are you so comfortable letting, what I assume is, your nymph, be around a pony” I gave the poor sod a rather impatient glare, causing her to flinch in fear, before Ribbon decided to chew her out.

“Is it not important to know about your food? Most farmers tend and take care of their food source, I would think we should do the same. By letting her be around ponies she is used to them and they are getting used to her. The reason my hive is where it is now, is because the previous queen thought so little of ponies, and despite the numerous chances their princesses had to kill me and destroy the hive that nearly took their capital, the thought didn’t even cross their minds to do so. Am I right, Princess Luna?” Okay, Ribbon was definatly acting, as she had never referred to me as food.

“Of course, we would never stoop to such a level, unless a peaceful solution was not an option. And even then the most we have done is banishment.”

“Well. that and considering my resemblance to a certain infamous somepony has gotten me rather alienated by most of the populace, so we have that in common. the alienated part, not the resemblance to you-know-who.”

“And I’m guessing it helps that you’re in a relationship? Tell me, how did that come to be?”

“Well, the first time we met was a bit… hectic.”

“She walked in looking like Nightmare Moon and scared me into thinking I was about to die.”

“And I thought that I had caused you to spontaneously combust just by looking at you when you revealed yourself out of fright.”

“Why have you decided to approach us?” Asked Luna.

“As I asked before, this hive had rescued changeling that didn’t belong to them. My Queen was curious. And with the rumors of changelings living open lives, we wanted to know what happened.”

“It was a long day, but it can be summed up as this. The previous queen thought little about the ponies and tried to take what she could by force, by replacing one of the princesses that was being married. And while she seemed to be winning and defeated Princess Celestia, she met her end with Chitsuki. In one attack, she was put in a coma, and I took the throne since no one else could.”

“And she got off easy.”

“She was put in a coma? Is she still alive?”

“Yes, alive and awake. She’s being held as a prisoner for recklessly attacking our food source and revealing us to them. Though, it turned out for the better.”

“What do you mean by that?” Goodness, that drone is inquisitive.

“You said it yourself. Changelings are living open lives, as long as they obey Equestrian law. Well, most of them are, there are still the few and I won’t force them.”

“How about a change in topic. How did you free our changelings, all they remember is being bound and then being free, coming across you along the way?”

-should we tell them? or would it be in our best interest to keep the shade form a secret?-

“Chitsuki can keep herself from being remembered, you can look right at her and the second you look away you’ll forget she even exists.” The drone gave me a look of terror.

“Calm down, I’m not doing that right now.”

“A-and what of the dragon that just happened to attack during your raid?”

“Yes, on top of everything else, she can also transform, although, it’s nothing like us.” The poor drone’s jaw dropped to the floor. I guess violating the conservation of mass so easily is a big deal? “If you didn’t know, each alicorn has a field of magic that only they can do, or do easily. The sun, the moon, the emotions of love, and the darkness. Although with three alicorns and two terrors, terrors have the upper hoof given that they also can form dark magic crystals and have one very special ability. Chitsuki’s ability to transform is hers.”

“What’s a… terror?” I’m surprised that drones brain hasn’t short circuited from all the information she’s been receiving.

Ribbon pointed to Luna. “Alicorn.” She pointed to me next. “Night Terror. Basicly the nocturnal alicorn.” I nodded at Ribbons description.

“Yes, That’s what I am, although it has its less obvious perks.” Mirage had begun batting at my mane, so I manipulated it to poke her on the nose, causing her to giggle uncontrollably. “What? you thought that was hair?” I had noticed the drones stupefied expression, as she slowly nodded. “Well its not. Its actually the condensed byproduct of a more refined version of dark magic.”

“How can you all speak of dark magic so casually when it is so dangerous?”

“I sorta found a way to purge the corruptive side effect, and I dubbed it ‘Shadow Magic.’”

“Could I ask for a… demonstration?”

I first levitated a random pebble to show the color of my normal magic, before The red glow of my shadow magic emanated from my horn, and a small clump of deep crimson crystals emerged from the ground in front of me.

“Oh my. Is there a limit to the size, or how many you could make?” The drones awestruck expression was priceless as she stared at the dark red crystal.

“No, not that I’m aware of.”

“And what of your ‘special ability’, may I see it?”

“Alright, just don’t freak out.”I set Mirage down on the ground, and let my form dissolve, before I reformed into a perfect duplicate of Luna. I looked at the poor drone as her head barely peaked out from below the table.

“Is the other Night Terror as horrifying as you are?”

“Hey! I don’t try to be scary.

“Believe it or not, the more you’re around her when she does it, the less it affects you.”

“its kinda like beer, its an aquired taste.”

“A taste I am fine with not having again.”

“Lightweight.”

“My last question. How old was your longest surviving queen? I’d like to know my own life expectancy.”

“I will have to ask my Queen about that.” Ribbon looked a little disheartened that she didn’t know.

I frowned, reminded that my life was tied to Ribbons and possibly Mirages. -I really didn’t need to be reminded of that.-

’Sorry.’

“Now my last question. About the banning of changeling hunting, does this law apply to all changelings? And if so, could we place a small extension within your borders?”

“I consider the central and southern parts of Equestria to be my territory, I have no problem letting another hive take the north, but that’s not my call.”

“We may consider it. But, we will need to speak with your Queen for proper negotiations.”

“The Queen has been listening to this conversation, through me. Negotiations can start now.”

“Called it. you were acting as a relay.”

“Of course. Now what are you conditions for letting us put a small hive here?”

“If your Queen wishes to migrate to Equestria, she will have to give up her crown and submit to our laws, she may still be in charge of her hive however as this is mostly public sake. Miss Ribbon is in charge of her hive and still acts as their queen. If your Queen does not wish to migrate here, then we will treat her and these elders as ambassadors, and the small outpost as an emissary, though we will need to know where you build it and we will keep such information very tight lipped. In addition, any changeling that comes to live in Equestria must follow our laws and register.”

“They will consider your terms and make their decision tomorrow.”

“by the way, I never got your name?”

“The Queen that was listening was Queen Corona, and my name is Hid.”

“It’s been a pleasure to meet you.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you as well.” One of Ribbon’s changelings came to escort Hid to her room, leaving me, Mirage, Ribbon and Luna in the room. Luna looked over at Ribbon in concern.

“Ribbon? Tell me, how did those line appear?”

Ribbon’s cheeks went green with blush, and she pointed at me. “To rough.” Luna looked between me and Ribbon, slowly forming a blush herself. I begun blushing as I remembered how wonderful I felt after that.

“She said she wanted it. now can we drop it before Mirage figures out what we were doing?”

“SEX!” my jaw hit the floor. Who told her about tha-

“Did Wendy tell you about that?”

’WENDY! You’re not her baby sitter anymore!’

“I should go.” Yes luna, you should.

“BANGING!”

“You go straight to bed! You’re not supposed to know about that yet.”

“Awww.”

“Wendy is a horrible baby sitter, and should feel horrible. Think we should call it a day as well?”

Ribbon sighed. “Sure, but no sex, I’m still sore.” We started towards our bedroom. I noticed Ribbon was still limping. Once we were there Ribbon closed the door and sat by the bed.

“Just make me your snuggle bug then. I make a cute snuggle bug, right?”

“I thought I was the snuggle bug?”

“You are, I just want to be cuddled.”

“So you’re a cuddle bandet, and I’m the snuggle bug.”

“Yes.”

“Good, now that we have that straightened out, I’ll get the straight jacket. And you still look like Princess Luna.”

“Oh. that would have been awkward to wake up to.” I let my form revert to normal, giggled. “Waking up in bed with one of the princesses in a straightjacket. The mental image amuses me.”

“Not that bad of an image, really.” I was suddenly Lifted into the air with the straight jacket attacking me.

“Nooooo~ Not the straightjacket!~” I wailed in mock terror. Once the jacket had it’s way with me, I was plopped down on the bed, Ribbon already wrapping her forelegs around me. ”So, am I snuggle worthy?”

“Very.”

“I love being yours. It feels nice bring your plaything.”

“And I love being your plaything. We’ll have to roleplay again soon.”