After my little meeting with Queen Chrysalis, I was immediately escorted out of the throne room and towards a hallway full of open doors. The escort stopped me at the second to last set of doors and pointed me into the door on the left.

"The Queen has requested that you be situated in standard quarters for the duration of your training." the changeling said. "She has also requested some 'special' accommodations and that you would please eat dinner with the rest of the hive. By then, the accommodations shall be here for you."

"Um, thanks." I said. "What kind of-"

"I am not the one to thank, but I shall relay your thanks to the Queen." it said. "As for what kind of 'special' accommodations, I was told to be silent on the details."

"Okay then..." I said. "I guess I'll see you at dinner..."

"Very well then." it said. "Someling shall be sent to get you when it is time to feed, which will be soon."

The changeling that had been escorting me left immediately after he finished talking to me. He didn't check to see if I was alright with the room, or anything that was common to having a guest. One thing was certain here: This sure as hell wasn't a five star hotel. Nor would it be.

As I went into the room and climbed up onto the bed, the question that I had tried asking the escort was plaguing my mind: What were the 'special' accommodations? Was I going to be taken in the night and held inside a cocoon? Was someone going to come and 'service' me? What exactly did Chrysalis have in mind for me?

I was pulled from my thoughts when a changeling entered the room and made itself known. I recognized her as the one who had taken my weapons. She must have come back to rest or something.

"I'm here to guide you to the feeding hall." she said.

"Don't you mean the dining-"

"No." she said.

"Oookay. So what's being-"

"Do not ask me questions, outsider." she said. "I don't know how you learned of our Queen's glorious plans, or even of her for that matter, but if you so much as look at a single one of us funny, you can bet your ass I'm going to come at you."

"Fine! Fine!" I panicked. "Just calm down. Jeeze."

She obviously had something against me, if not all outsiders. I made a mental note to try not to piss her off in the future.

We didn't talk any more than that, not until we got to the 'feeding room' and she directed me to a seat and then pretty much forced me to sit down. By that I mean that she gave me the option of either sitting down or, and I quote, having her break my legs before forcing me into the chair and then binding me against the backrest, end quote. Again, she obviously didn't like me.

The table was set with forks and knives and what not. There were fancy wine glasses filled with a strange green liquid. I couldn't see any platters or anything, so I couldn't begin to guess what the food was. Directly to my left, at the head of the table, was none other than Queen Chrysalis. To my left was a changeling in wearing some special wraps of some sort. Across from me was a changeling wearing what appeared to be armor of some sort, sans a helmet. To his right was the changeling that led me in here, giving me the death glare. They weren't the only ones there, but they were the only ones that stood out from everyone else.

The room was made silent by Chrysalis who had tapped on her glass.

"I would like to thank you all for attending this gathering." said Chrysalis. "I am sure you know why I have called you all here tonight, as we have plans to discuss in the morning with our new guest here."

Those at the table erupted into applause which ended when Chrysalis raised her hand.

"I am sure you all know why he is here, as we all know how fast word spreads through the hive." she said. "Tomorrow we shall discuss the plan, and if his information is any good, he shall start his training."

The changelings stayed silent, hanging on every word their Queen spoke.

"For now, however, we shall enjoy ourselves and show our guest a good time." she said. "But before we begin eating, is there any words you would like to say, dear guest?"

Crap. Hadn't thought about a formal dinner with multiple people, I mean changelings. What do I do? What do I do? I know! Suck up mode activate!

"Just that I would like to propose a toast." I said. So far so good, no objections. I raised my glass. "To you and your health, as well as that of the hive. May it last for years to come."

..... Please take that.... PLEASE. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS. ACCEPT THE DAMN TOAST. I REALLY DON'T WANT MS. DEATH GLARE OVER THERE TO KILL ME!

"Yes, to the health of the hive." Chrysalis said, raising her glass.

"To the hive." said the rest of the changelings seated at the table in unison.

"Bring out the food." Chrysalis commanded.

I saw several changelings come out with trays that were covered. As they reached the table, they took off the covers to reveal plates of a strange green substance with a pink coloring in the middle that I could only compare to slime. One such plate was set in front of me. All I could do was stare at it.

"Well? Dig in." Chrysalis said to me. "It's not the usual way we feed, but this is one of the hive's favorites."

"Um, what is it?" I asked.

"It's love."

"Uh.... yeah, about that." I said.

"Yes?"

"I know I said I'm a changeling, but...."

"But what?" Chrysalis said with a hint of malice in her voice.

"I'm not the same as the rest of you." I said. "Like I said, I came from a different world. I'm not the same type of changeling as the rest of you...."

"Meaning.... what?" she said. "Get to the point already!"

"I don't eat love." I said. "I wouldn't be able to digest it."

"Oh, well then." she said, her voice now full of spite. "I guess you should go back to your room. But before you go, these two shall be in charge of your training. Meet Major Artifice," she motioned to the changeling on her right, "and Captain Con," she motioned to the changeling on my left. "These two shall be in charge of your training, if I deem you intelligence as useful." She started to motion for me to leave. "Until tomorrow."

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When I reached to door to my room, which took me a bit due to me almost getting lost, I heard a noise come from the other side. I prepared myself for whatever and reached towards my sword as I opened the door.

What was in there totally caught me off guard.

On the other side of the door, waiting in a chair, legs crossed, was a changeling that was undeniably female. I say that because of her curvy figure, her clothes, and high pitched 'Eep' when she noticed that I was there.

"I'm sorry, wrong room." I said.

"No, no! This is your room!" she said.

"Then why are you in here?" I said.

"I was told to stay with you and help you out. Do whatever you want me to do." she said. "If you want I could just stay outside."

"No, no. Can't have that." I said. "Um, why were you told to stay here?"

"You were told that you would be getting accommodations? Right?" she said. "Well, that's me, I'm you accommodations. Here do to as you please."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. What?" I said, completely confused. "Why would... What would.... UGH!"

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do anything!" she panicked. "Please don't hurt me!"

"Why would I hurt you?" I said, sitting down on the bed. "I not even mad at you."

She just whimpered and made her self look smaller.

"Ugh." I groaned as I curled up into a ball on the bed. "This is just too much for me. First it's getting sucked in, then it's the portal, then fighting in a war, then killing things, then this. What's next? A freaking explosion? Poison in my food? I don't care anymore! I just wish I had a way to cope with all this! I wish I had my freaking cello, or at least my bass!"

It was true. I had no way to deal with all this, and the stress and guilt were starting to impair me severely. If I couldn't find a way to vent my frustrations like how I used to before I came to Equestria, then I'd surely become a shell of the person I once was.

Well, you know how things are. Ask the universe hard enough, you'll get your answer.

Right before me, in a flash of light, appeared an unmistakable Fender bass guitar with a red yellow and black Fender strap. The body had a natural wood color and the pick guard was custom and made of a clear plastic.

"I can't believe it...." I said in a hushed voice.

"What is it?" the changeling asked.

"This is my bass." I said to her. "I played in a jazz band with this. I love this instrument like I love my celli."

"Interesting." she commented.

"Lemme try something...." I said.

"One, two, three, four..."

I played out like how I used to play back on Earth. I loved this song. It was Chameleon. But, something was weird. I could hear the other parts when I played.

I stopped playing for a second and asked the changeling if she heard it, too. I really didn't want to be a full blown maniac now, nor did I ever. Strange thing was, she did. I went back to playing, and sure enough, the rest of the 'band' played with me. Where was it coming from? Hell if I know.

I'm just happy to have my music back.

Author's Notes:

What?
......
Oh, I said that updates would be in short supply, didn't I?
Honestly, this came to me all of a sudden. I admit, the end was a little sloppy, and a tad rushed there, but I'm sticking with it.
This is actually a key part of the story. Remember the item he just got.

Fun Fact: This chapter had a second name to it, Coping. Why? It's obvious, we figure out how our main character copes with all the stress that's hitting him.

Second Fun Fact: This is also how I cope with day to day life, by playing music. Why do you think I refer to myself as Music Mod when I sign off?

Anyways, this is Music Mod, saying that I am one lucky guy to have the free time to do this. I love you guys and I thank you for the support. Keep swingin' on.