Morpheus had been in this situation before. He recalled it not a week ago, or more, when the light was fading into the tiny slits of his retina, when he realized that the Canterlot Campaign failed. And how much had happened since?

He had been captured and imprisoned with an annoying changeling, who had turned out to be the General of Intelligence. He had been chased and captured by bounty hunters. He had even been trying to avoid friendly fire during an invasion. He had been knocked out Chrysalis knows how many times. And finally, he had gotten his flank owned by two general, one of which being the true second-in-command.

And where does that then leave me? the Commander thought. As he got up, he could see he was no longer on the ground. In fact, he was staring at a compound sheet of resin that formed a sort of window to the outside world. The harsh, beating sun of the badlands penetrated enough to make the room feel comfortable despite the rush of cold coming from below.

How long ago was it, that he had tried to frame an aristocrat, be tested with spiders, have nearly lost a friend, proved he was no baker, and also find out his entire life was a lie. He should have known Chrysalis would never have trusted him with any position. He should have known that the Commander in Chief was just a ploy she used to deceive the generals into accepting the true leader of the armada. He knew he was just another drone, never destined for glory and never destined to be more then a nuisance.

What had become of his hive? His home? Why was he even resting in such a finely constructed chamber? Why had he not abused room service yet?

Deciding the current objective was to get a feel for himself, Morpheus stretched out his legs and bent down to release the tension in his carapace. He had just noticed the scars that had been sewn over by a healing chrysalis. As he turned around, he suddenly came face to face with no other then.

"High-General Double?" Morpheus was taken aback, his eyes darting from the general to the chamber. "This...isn't yours is it?"

Double merely giggled at the changeling's bewilderment. "No, no silly, I have my own chamber. This is just an observation chamber converted to your new living quarters."

Morpheus tilted his head, perplexed at the officer's comment. His room was a damp, 10 ft in length cave with a boulder adorning the side as the only piece of rudimentary furniture.

"You must be joking," Morpheus replied, "I live downstairs in the..."

But his words melted away when the High-General gripped him in a bear hug that was so tight that his bronchitis might have shrunk to half its size and whatever muscles that were left in his body were compressed against his black skeleton.

"Thank you," Double half whispered, half-sobbed, "I never knew you had it in you to care for another changeling, let alone a changeling who owned you in a duel."

Morpheus merely took in the praise with a smirk. "Hey, it was nothing. I'm sure if I would have kicked Carbon's flank a long time ago. Anyhow, where is that sorry sod?"

"Don't worry about him, he's still in the infirmary," Double replied, "and it'll take a whole another story to explain where he's going."

By this time, the proximity of the High-General was making Morpheus's blood pressure rise. "Ummmm Double?"

The High General, as if reading his mind, let go with about as much care as a walnut. "Well now that that is in order, have you ever played in a game of a chess?"

"Errrr...no?"

Double sighed, a playful sigh. "Too bad, I was really hoping you would. We would have so much fun."

He was sure by 'fun' she meant agonizing pain that would never cease till ever pawn at his disposal was destroyed.

Morpheus merely blinked at her before seeing another, taller figure rise from the shadows. It didn't take an idiot to know Queen Chrysalis when they saw her. Giving Double and affirmative nod, the High-General turned to walk off into the adjacent hallway, vanishing from sight.

As for Morpheus however, she motioned him to the window. Cautiously, the changeling followed in suite. As he got closer, he could see the Badlands stretched about him. Beautiful plateaus and gargantuan mesas dotted the red landscape, the sun hanging like a god in the sunlight.

"A sight worthy of a king wouldn't you say 769?"

Morpheus merely grumbled and muttered something about it all being sand. The Queen only seemed to look on, enchanted by the beauty her kingdom still held.

"You may still be the only changeling who doesn't know your full potential."

"Huh?" Morpheus replied.

"Flutterponies and changelings are one in the same.Didn't you know?"

Morpheus backed away, his eyes staring at the Queen like she was some sort of nut from the asylum. "What did the drones make for you Chrysalis. Cause I ain't going insane again..."

"I speak the truth," the Queen replied nonchalantly,"you are descendant of a great flutterpony. In fact, I can trace your lineage all the way back to him."

"Well, considering you aren't crazy, who was my ancestor?"

The Queen heaved a sigh before saying the name. "He was the Centurion of Serenity. He was...the Captain of the Flutterpony Guard."

"Well I don't know how you knew-"

"I was merely a princess back then."

"Bah humbug," Morpheus chided, "that would have to make you-"

"Very, very old." The Queen answered with a sly smile. She turned back to glare at the window. "And believe it or not, he too was prankster. Though he was not nearly as bad as you..."

"Maybe..." Morpheus murmured. He was still not entirely ready to take in this rather abrupt set of news, but at least he was giving it a try. Flutterponies and changelings, two distinct species. One that was extinct and one that exists to this day.

"You aren't taking it in nearly as well as I thought you would," the Queen said after a long period of silence.

Morpheus merely shrugged. "It takes a really loyal soldier to be in charge of protecting his homeland. I am merely not cut out for that kind of work. At least, now I know I was never met to-"

"You never did let me finish my statement back at Ponyville," the Queen interrupted, "Perhaps you are willing to give it a second try?"

Morpheus tried to think of another place he should be in, but his mind was blank and his legs wanted to stay put. So with a nod, he allowed his leader to continue.

"It is true that the position of Commander-In-Chief was a lie to put off all the generals."

Morpheus let out a slight hiss of annoyance. "Perhaps you are trying once again to show me how gullible I was back then-"

"And still are." the Queen finished. "But I never wanted to kill you."

"But Reflect-"

The Queen let out a tumultuous outburst of laughter that made Morpheus back into a corner. When she managed to control her vocal cords, she once again spoke in her normal, authoritative voice.

"Reflect is always and will always be a conspiracy theorist. It's why I chose him for the job. His hot temper may get in the way, but his love of digging into every secret he can find, while sometimes being rather annoying, does pay off. He's discovered a lot lately, and some of this may have even landed in the hooves of our dear friend Carbon."

"Well if you weren't going to kill me," the Commander began, "then what exactly did you have in mind?"

"To test you dear Morpheus Bloom!" the Queen cried out.

Morpheus was flabbergasted. Why would the Queen ever want to test him? What had he done that convinced her that he needed to be tested? If anything, he should have been demoted from legion drone to common worker where he could spend the rest of his days under Alter's command and digging tunnels...

"Morpheus?"

The changeling looked up at his queen, realizing that he must have said his thoughts out loud. "I don't understand why you would want to test me my Queen. I was never an officer, a soldier, or even a proper guard. I wasn't even fit for the duty of the common worker."

"And yet you remained true to your hive's morals?"

"What?"

The Queen facehoofed herself. "Must I explain everything to you?"

"Quite frankly yes."

"Well then," the Queen continued, "if you didn't notice, you were one of the few who had not developed empathy sickness nor was ever susceptible to it. In fact, you were, at your heart, unable to fathom such a disease."

"Wait a second," Morpheus said slowly," point me out if I'm wrong, but isn't empathy sickness-"

"An actual sign of compassion," the Queen interrupted, "yes and we all have it in us to be like it. Empathy sickness is not a disease at all. In fact, it was a blessing that the Elements of Harmony disposed on all of us except..."

"...me." Morpheus finished, "But why? What's so different about a changeling like me that-"

"You never needed a pony's love to feed," the Queen said, "and in a way, you had another strain of empathy sickness. Heck, I think you're more addicted to food then anything else."

"Well I alway trust my tastebuds..." Morpheus replied in a matter of fact tone.

"And getting back on track," the Queen said, "because of this, you neither strayed for the ponies nor deceived your Queen. In fact, you were about in the same position I was. You neither tried to befriend Equestria, but you certainly, despite your constant oaths to do so, never destroyed Equestria either. You were never power hungry despite your lineage. And you never seemed to fear capture."

"Because I was captured nearly, I don't know, EVERY SINGLE TIME!"

The Queen chuckled. "I've made mistakes with many changelings Morpheus. For example, the nursing drone thought you were supposed to be a female and was going to name you Bloom until I stopped her and told her to change your name. At the time, I was practicing ancient changeling, which in reality is improvised Flutterponian. So when I met to change your name, I said 'Morpheus Bloom'"

"That doesn't sound like-"

"I told you I was still practicing it. Anyway, the nursing drone realized her own mistake and just decided to be safe and name you whatever the heck I called out."

Morpheus stood there for a while, thinking to himself. Even his name was a mistake. Was he even met for this universe? Was there a place in this world for Morpheus Bloom or was this place, like the nursing drone had thought, made for just Bloom? Was Bloom a successful changeling? Was Bloom the one that would have stayed as a normal drone. Was Bloom the one who was supposed to come in? Perhaps.

Once again, the Queen read his mind-he would need to learn how to stop being so obvious when thinking-and assured him that she thought it was a fine name.

"Morpheus," she said, "I know I was never the best of Queens to you. Tartarus, I think you would have rebelled faster then Carbon had considering how bad I was. But you know what?"

"What?"

The Queen sighed, "Nevermind, perhaps another time. You need to get ready after all."

"Ready?" Morpheus cried out," ready for what?"

"You'll see," the Queen chuckled," but in the meantime, just take the moment to walk around the hive. Perhaps get a feel of your home no?"

"Maybe," Morpheus muttered, "but I still don't see..."

However the Queen had vanished and Morpheus was once again by himself. After much bickering, and stretching, he finally agreed with himself that a stroll would not be a deathtrap and that he was prepared even if it was.

Walking down the corridor, he noticed the hive was filled with changelings going to and fro, but it still felt less...crowded. It was later on that he learned that many, including Mirror Match, had returned back to Ponyville, to be friends with the ponies. If Morpheus had been given the choice, he might have gone with them. For what life was there left for him in the stinkin' hive?

As he trotted along the sidewalk, he gazed up at the large bulbous cocoons that beheld crystals, the emerald light shimmering down on a ravine converted into an underground city. The walls were still immaculately decorated, the vendors just as stubborn with haggling black market goods. When he reached the cocoon chambers, he saw that they were devoid of detainees, apparently all of them having been let go.

The plaza was busy at the time, but here and there, he spotted both warriors, merchants, workers, drones, guards, and even nursing drones mingling with one another, talking in hushed, but excited tones. Likely, they too were surprised at the shift in alliance between the changelings and their Queen.

Morpheus recalled not too long ago running amidst the flurry of crowds, pranking fellow changelings and being reprimanded by the guards for doing so. He recalled his foal days so vividly, with his Big Brother Retain. Retain had been an average changeling, and yet all the pranks Morpheus knew came from him. His Big Brother had been a Centurion, and then one day...he never came back. Morpheus had to be on his own for the longest time, constantly switching from sibling to sibling until he became an adult. By then, his playful nature had turned to sadistic humor to cover up a lonely husk of a drone, forlorned by the only thing precious to him.

The hatchling chambers were still bustling as nursing drones came up with erratic names for each new batch. He was sure they would be going into the thousands soon. One thousand changelings. A sight to behold at a time like this. 3 more generations and possibly, just possibly, things would begin to straighten out.

By now, the rumor of the Commander had vanished into thin air. The hive society had taken the word without question that they had been lied to for the greater good. Amazingly, the hive was relieved at this. Morpheus was sure that, like him, they too were weary of the constant squabbles and bickering for power.

As for the colonies, word was spreading around of relief services pouring from the main hive. Apparently, a rebellion was close to breaking out, until the leader of the batch, a synthetic changeling that had once been a dragon, vanished. By now, the Queen's return restored order among the outer rim and most of the colonies were slowly assimilating.

From what he had heard, Forge had been appointed general to his own colony near Appleloosa, where even now, he was trying to right his wrongs with the authorities. So far, the settlers and buffalo had been gracious for the combined help of the swarms. If Morpheus ever got the time, he may even go out to visit his former bounty hunter. He was, after all, a great singer.

As for the Elements of Harmony, It turned out that all except Rainbow Dash and Applejack, had been harboring a changeling. In fact, they were the two changelings he was noted on for pranking on: Mirror and Ditto. He was relieved to know that so far, no changeling had been hurt.

As he walked down another corridor, he crashed headfirst into a changeling. Scrambling to his hooves he hastily apologized.

"What the Tartarus man-"

But the voice abruptly stopped and Morpheus turned to look eye to eye with no other then his old pal, Reflect Fury. The changeling was in his general's outfit. At first, Morpheus wanted to punch the changeling, but he could already see the sorrow on Reflect's eyes.

"What happened to you?" Reflect asked.

"Long story," Morpheus replied curtly, "you?"

"Long story," the intelligence general said cynically, "perhaps we both will save our tales for later."

"Yeah," Morpheus chuckled, "perhaps we shall even make books out of them eh."

By now, the bond that was broken was restored and the two changelings were back at the prison, laughing and hollering at each others blunders in their attempt to bake.

"Yes," Morpheus said, "Tales of a Changeling Commander"

"More like Tales of a Queer," Reflect replied in an upbeat tone before growing silent, "or perhaps I was the queer. I can't believe I played off you."

"I played off you too," Morpheus answered rather reluctantly, " I think we are all rather back-stabbing team killing bucktards."

"Perhaps good sir," Reflect said with a smile, "but commander or not, I won't forget your leadership Morpheus."

"And I won't forget your fellowship," Morpheus answered. "Speaking of which, what happened to your friends?"

"Vapor and Zeth? Oh they went back to Manehattan to help fix up the damage they made. Boy, those two can sure put up a fight."

The two changelings hollered at the comment. It was just like old times, perhaps even more. Now they realized they both had faults and perhaps they could work it from there.

"Hey," Reflect began, "would you ever be willing to try some paintball with me and the guys?"

"Paintball?" Morpheus murmured, " never heard of the sport."

"Then boy will we have a surprise for you," Reflect laughed, "oh and by the way, did the Queen tell you about us all being flutterponies?"

Morpheus nodded, adding "although I still don't believe an ounce of it."

"Well believe it brother, cause it all makes sense. All secrets and lies with her."

"She also said you were a conspiracy theorist."

Reflect looked taken aback, his face giving off an I-Would-Never expression. "Conspiracy theorist? I only speak the truth when it comes to secrets. At least...most of the time."

Morpheus grinned at the intelligence officers timid nature. Perhaps he had misjudged his fine friend. However, Reflect managed to regain his composure and adressed the Commander once more. "Scat, I forgot to tell you that Transparence was looking for you. Had something to say but wouldn't tell me what."

"Well then I suppose a meeting should be assembled," Morpheus proclaimed.

"You're still a queer," Reflect said in a monotone tone, "but whatever. Anyhow, I'll catch you later at the ceremony."

"Ceremony..." Morpheus began but Reflect had already flown off.

Deciding he might as well see Transparence, the changeling began to trot down the corridor until he reached the chambers of the Elite Strike Team 23rd Legion. The cavern was large and spacious, with leather straps strewn over the rocks and jet-black suits hung loosely over the chairs.

The room was completely devoid of any life. As Morpheus made a couple more steps however, a sharp voice froze him in place. "Take one more step and I'll make sure you won't be walking for days."

Morpheus nearly wanted to faint, but managed to swivel his head to face the changeling who had materialized out of the shadows.

"He-hello there..." Morpheus choked.

"You gotta name?" the burly changeling asked. Morpheus merely gulped.

"Relax Shade," another voice popped out, "he's with me."

The changeling gave a shrug. " I was just playing with the guy." He playfully punched Morpheus, which nearly caused him to lose balance.

As Shade left the cavern, another changeling materialized out of the darkness. However, she was smaller, and looked more like an average drone than a spec-ops commando. "Hello Morpheus, remember me?"

"Transparence?" Morpheus replied out loud," I don't believe it! It is YOU! You backstabbing jerk! Well if I recalled correctly, we did meet before, although the last I heard of you was being promoted to the elite covert ops team."

"Yes, well I must say it's been a while, and the truth is I never did get to thank you fro saving my shell back in our first mission."

"Oh," Morpheus said slowly," you mean the first...first mission?"

"Yes," Transparence replied cooly, " the first mission you and me went on."

"Cause that wasn't my first, first mission," Morpheus answered rather awkwardly, "it was actually my second, second mission, which in reality should have been my second-in-a half mission although I could never tell the difference."

Transparence merely sighed. "Well first mission or not, you saved me and for that I owe you a favor, which I was going to repay back in your escape but..."

"The bounty hunters beat you to it." Morpheus finished with a sly grin. "And then you betrayed me with Double-"

"Hey," Transparence protested, " you were being a bit of a jerk."

"Well then that makes you my personal slave. Now go and fetch me a bottle of love."

Transparence merely laughed before swinging her leg and tripping Morpheus on the ground. As she trotted up to him, she merely stared the changeling down before replying in a gentle, cheerful voice. "I'm not one to generally be like this to you. That's Double's job. But I said I owed you a favor and I'll grant it. But just make sure it's a real favor and not one like a stupid command to fetch you something. Because if that's the case I will forget my oath and make you wish we never crossed paths. Clear?"

"Crys-tal!" Morpheus gasped. With a smile, Transparence left him, but not before adding, "I'll see you at the ceremony Morpheus."

Whatever pain remained finally subsided and Morpheus bellowed out "What kind of ceremony is going on at this time of day?"

%%%%%

By this time, Morpheus was sore, but not too sore to make a few more round around the hive. He forgot how amazing it was. How the craftsmanship was made with resin secreted by his brothers and sisters. The sweat and tears they poured into it literally created the edifices that had fascinated scientists for years.

Perhaps the Queen was right. Perhaps this truly was his home. In the coolness of a protective roof. Standing among others on duty, despite how boring that was. Even visiting his old pal Shift and talking about the day and how annoying Haze was.

Would his life ever be the same after this? Maybe there was still time left to go back. He was no longer Commander in Chief, so perhaps he still had a place among the swarm. He decided it wouldn't hurt to at least give it a try.

But before he could even get started, a guard tapped him on the shoulder. "Ummmm, Drone 769?"

"Yes?" Morpheus answered.

"The hive is waiting for you in the Queen's Hall..."

"Why would they...oh shoot the ceremony!"

%%%%

The Hive was filled to the brim with changelings. Many had never even seen the Queen's Hall before, as it was reserved for the elite and higher castes of the society. However, many could understand why. The entire structure was decorated with bulbous cocoons arranged in delicate chandeliers, the crystals inside them changing light every few seconds to cast the room from emerald green, to sapphire blue, to diamond white.

Large, decorated archways supported the cavern from collapsing, and the floor was so polished that you could actually make out your own reflection. In the center of the hall laid a large, throne decorated to look like a blooming rose, its thorns protruding and spiraling into vines that spread out like an interconnected web. On it, sat the Queen herself, flanked by Double on the right.

"Step forward, Drone 769." The Queen proclaimed.

Cautiously, Morpheus did as she said, walking to the point where he was only a few feet from her imposing eyes. The crowd had by now become silent, all except for the occasional cough or buzz of wings. Even the cavern managed to stop groaning.

"Double, can you read the verdict?"

The High-General eagerly got a scroll out and began reading aloud. "Her royal highness subjects Drone #769 to immediate torture and humiliation for challenging the Queen. Thou shall have thy entrails hung from his corpse and paraded around the city until-"

The crowd gasped and Morpheus took a step back, his eyes widening in utter shock. "That's dragonscat that is," Morpheus proclaimed, "I thought this was a ceremony!"

There was murmurs of agreement until the Queen hushed them with an impulse from her horn. Double continued, as if uninterrupted.

"But then we found that to be inappropriate for a changeling of your stature, Morpheus Bloom."

Morpheus tilted his head in confusion. Double merely smiled.

"As you may or may not know, and you probably don't know, the Praetorian Guard was set up long ago among the Flutterponies to protect the Queen from danger. But as time would see it, the long tradition of guards have vanished along with the Flutterponies. Which is why our Royal Highness has decided to bring it back once more."

There was a chorus of cheers, although the cheers were probably of relief at this news. The Hive Mine was filled with an array of messages that asked what was going on and when would it happen.

"As I was saying, the Queen has figured it was time to bring back this tradition. Now that we are at peace with Equestria, a defensive force must be made to answer Equestria's call for aid should anything happen. As such, we have invited any who wish to join this new division to volunteer as soon as possible. Like really soon, or else this whole ceremony is rather pointless."

"And I'm here because..." Morpheus began.

"Didn't you already know?" The Queen asked puzzled. "I thought someone was going to tell you."

"Well," Morpheus replied between gritted teeth, "other then the fact that not a few seconds ago I was scared shitless at getting my entrails hung above the city, no one has told me a Celestia-Bucking thing other then some ceremony!"

"Truth be told, I thought you already knew..."

"Well I didn't-"

"Well, you'll just have to wait and see Commander..."

"I'm not the Commander!" Morpheus shouted back.

"Oh," Double interjected, "I haven't gotten to that part. Your're spoiling your own surprise Morphy!"

"What?" Morpheus began before Double interrupted him.

"As such, this new defense force will require someone to command them and bring order or chaos, whatever comes first. And so, we, the Hive Society, have agreed in unison, that Morpheus Bloom, Drone #769, should be bestowed with the honorary title of Commander of the Guard. He will have full control over this force and will lead his troops along with the Changeling Armada under my command."

There was another equally loud gasp from the audience before the Queen sentenced everyone to silence. "Let our High-General continue please."

"Thank you, your Highness!" Double replied cheerfully, as if oblivious to the gravity of what she was doing. "Now, however, it is up to Morpheus Bloom should he take this responsibility."

Morpheus was dumbstruck. He, in charge of an entire battalion! He would lead the swarms and actually be in charge of something for once. But then again, had he not wanted to start over? Had he not wanted to perhaps resume his life in Ponyville? He had had a purpose back there, with the guards. Maybe, just maybe...

"Has thou come with a decision?" The Queen proclaimed, her voice hinting with impatience.

"Yes," Morpheus said solemnly. He would do the right thing, the thing he should have done a long time ago.

"Then, what is your decision? It is alright if you wish to go back and live with the others. Perhaps you will find-"

"Does grass grow?"

The Queen tilted her head in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Does grass grow?"

"Yes." the Queen said slowly.

Morpheus took a deep breath before saying what he needed to say. "All of my life, I had wondered what life outside the swarm was like. I had wondered what it would be like to adventure. I now see the beauty of my home, but I also cannot deny the fact that out there, there is a chance for all of us to become our own."

By now the audience was silent, hanging on to every word.

"Therefore, I know what I must do."

The Queen smiled, masking the sadness. She would miss that changeling. "Very well then, Morpheus, you may now go back to your-"

"Woah there missy," Morpheus blurted, "why the buck would I throw away the opportunity to become a real, real COM-MAN-DER?"

"So then does that mean you are accepting the position?"

There was a momentary pause before Morpheus replied. "OF COURSE I'M TAKING THE POSITION! SOMEONE GET ME A QUILL SO I CAN SIGN THIS HUNK OF DIAMOND!"

The crowd was taken aback and Morpheus shuddered a little. Perhaps I was too enthusiastic So in a much softer voice, he said, "Ummmm...where do I sign to complete my registration ma'am?"

Author's Notes:

So there you have it. Morpheus, unlike every other changeling who has experience Ponyville, decided that only an imbecile would throw away such a position to live with ponies. Oh well, to each his own I guess.

Anyhow, I would like to thank all of you who have stuck this far into the story. I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I did.

P.S. This doesn't mean it's over yet. Morpheus still has some unfinished business to settle up.