Author's Notes:

Still working with shagohad12 on this chapter. Hope you enjoy.

“That was fast Jason,” Chrysalis’s voice said as the world returned to normal. We were in the throne room of the castle...I think. It was covered in a strange black substance, with fluid dripping every so often from the ceiling. “And hello Vash, nice to see you again.”

“Hello Chrysalis,” I said with a wave while a looked around the room. “Wow, this place looks a lot different than it does in my world.”

“Well, two dueling alicorns and a thousand years will do that to a place,” Chrysalid smiled, “Of course we had to make a few changes to turn it into a proper hive.”

“Two dueling alicorns?” I asked with a tilt of my head.

“Yes Vash, you know them quite well actually.”

“Chrissy...” Jason warned narrowing his eyes.

“What?” she asked innocently, “I’m not telling him anything...but...just know that one of those alicorns...decides that their time of day shouldn’t end...ever...”

“You just want me to hurt you don’t you?” Jason asked, crossing his arms.

“Hurt the mother of your children? Just what kind of man did I marry?!?” Chrysalis asked, recoiling with fake distress. Jason just sighed, placing his head in his hands.

‘Technically he isn’t really a man at the moment,” I thought offhandedly.

“Well uh…” I started trying to get the conversation on track. “There is a reason I’m here besides a social visit.”

“Then do tell, why are you here and why is Jason currently a woman?” Chrysalis asked, leaning back in what was once Luna’s throne.

I looked up at her and let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, this would probably be better if… uh what was your other wife’s name Jason?” I asked glancing over to him.

“Rarity.”

“Right, Rarity. This would probably be better if she was here too.”

Chrysalis sighed, closing her eyes. “Just speak, she can hear everything we’re saying.”,

“Okay, do you wanna tell her, Jason?” I asked, scratching my cheek.

“Well...we got drunk and uh...well...now I’m having his kid...”Jason mumbled, looking away, his face red.

Chrysalis was still for a moment, not making a sound until she burst out laughing, falling out of her throne, rolling around the floor.

“Is this how she gets when she’s pissed, or is she taking this better than I thought she would?” I asked, very confused by what I was seeing.

“That's the most hilarious thing I’ve ever heard!” Chrysalis laughed, tears flowing down her face, “Oh Faust my sides!”

“Did you think she would react like this?” I asked, looking at Jason.

“Yup...” he sighed as another laughing voice filled the air. We turned around to see a tall, about twelve feet, woman standing behind us, laughing her ass off as well.

“Who’s this?” I whispered to Jason.

“I told you to stop spying on me!” Jason shouted, his eye twitching.

“But your life is so entertaining!” she argued, trying to control her laughter, “To answer your question my good man, I am Hel, Goddess of Death.”

“I uh figured as much but didn’t want to be presumptuous,” I chuckled as I extended a hand towards her. “My name’s Vash. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine!” she took my hand vigorously shaking it. As she did, I got a good look at her face. One half of is was white as snow and the other was black as night.

“I’ve heard that you are Jason’s grandmother,” I said returning her handshake as best as I could. “But that can’t be right. You look much too young for that. Are you sure you aren’t a sister or a cousin of Jason’s?”

“Oh stop it,” she said with a laugh, “But thank you, not many can look this good this old.”

“You know I always thought I’d stare death in the face one day.... though I didn’t expect it to be a literal face.” I joked, pulling my hand away.

“Don’t worry, I won’t try to steal your soul,” she said, giving me a rather bright smile.

“Okay,” I said with a bit of a nervous chuckle.

“But onto better topics! Jackie got herself pregnant! I guess she thought Loki was a great role model after all!”

“Hey! I didn’t do this on purpose and why the fuck are you calling me Jackie for?” Jason asked, crossing his arms.

“Short for Jacqueline, we can’t exactly call you Jason or Corypheus right now now can we?” Hel asked, looking down at him with a big grin.

“Jacqueline?” I asked placing a hand on my chin. “I don’t know Hel, he… or she rather looks more like a Jenna to me.” I added looking Jason up and down. “What do you think Chrysalis?”

“Hmm? Oh I’m sorry, I was just undressing her with my mind...” Chrysalis said, a lecherous smile growing across her face.

“I can understand that,” I said with a nod. “Though it was literally undressing her that got me in trouble here.”

“All of you just shut up!” Jason shouted, his face now bright red, “This isn’t helping me at all!”

“Sorry,” I said with a laugh. “I just got caught up in everyone else’s levity.”

“Oh you can all go fuck yourselves!” Jason huffed.

“Only if I got you babe,” Chrysalis smirked, waggling her eyebrows.

“Are you already having mood swings, Jason?” I asked with a chuckle. “Weird, you just found out that you’re pregnant.”

Jason narrowed his eyes, growling.

“Okay, everyone just calm down,” Hel held her hands ups, summoning a very pregnant looking white pony, who had changeling wings and that...saddle thing Chrysalis had on her back.

“Please warn me next time you do that...” the new pony said, holding a hoof to her mouth, looking queasy.

“Um hello there. You must be Rarity. It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’m Vash.” I said by way of introduction as I extended a hand towards her.

“Nice to meet you as well,” she smiled, shaking my hand, “So...you and Jason hmm??”

“Yeah, we decided to have a drinking contest… and by the time we woke up… Jason’s a mommy.” I explained.

“I see,” she nodded, moving past me and laying down on Celestia’s throne.

“Huh, you’re taking this rather well. Much better than my Celestia and Luna did.” I said rubbing the side of my head.

“Oh no,I’m rather furious but, I think Jason’s condition is punishment enough,” she got comfy, giving Jason a glare, which he flinched under.

“I uh suppose that makes sense.” I said. “I’m sorry by the way. The drinking contest was my idea so I deserve my share of the blame,” I explained.

“So...how are we handling this?” Chrysalis asked, climbing back onto her throne, looking between me and Jason.

“Well, I am going to be involved with the baby,” I said. “And Jason figured out that there’s a difference between our universe’s timeframes. Do you want to tell them the plan, Jason?”

“Well a day here is nine months there so I figured I would stay there until...you know...” he said, rubbing the back of his head.

“I just had a thought Jason. Maybe we should bring a doctor or something with us considering medical technology isn’t quite as good back in my universe. Unless of course you want to go through childbirth without some serious painkillers.”

“Wait, you want to spend nine months in another universe?” Chrysalis asked, looking at the two of us, raising her eyebrow.

“Uh, that was the initial plan,” I said. “Jason, do you have any other ideas?”

“Not really no...” Jason sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“I’m open to suggestions. Hey, maybe Hodgepodge has an idea? He seems like someone we could go to for an out of the box idea?” I suggested.

“Yeah, insane ideas,” Jason laughed, rolling his eyes, “Ugh, this is just insane...” he moved over, sitting down with Chrysalis, leaning on her.

“Yeah, I’ve got to agree with you there. The last thing I was thinking when we first met was, ‘I’m gonna get this guy pregnant’” I said with a sigh, rubbing the side of my head.

“You’re not helping...” Jason glared.

“Sorry, just thinking out loud there. This is a lot for me to take in too.”

“Quite the predicament hmm?” Hel asked, looking between us, “So, what are you two love birds going to do?”

“Well, what if Chrysalis and Rarity come with us Jason?” I asked. “Considering only a few days or so will pass here I think I can find some room for them in the castle back home.”

“I think that could work, if you don’t mind us bringing the children along,” Chrysalis said, standing up, “We’re not exactly going to leave them here.”

“Are you kidding?” I laughed. “My Celestia and Luna could never turn away children.”

“Good! I’ll go get them!” she smiled, trotting off with a spring in her step.

“Well, this isn’t turning out like I had planned,” Jason muttered, getting comfy on his throne.

“You’re not the only one. But hey, just think of this like a big sleepover… in the past!” I added, trying to look on the bright side.

“I wonder how that’ll work...” Rarity tapped her chin, “I mean, I’m the element of Generosity now, I hope that doesn’t conflict with anything on your end.”

“I dunno,” I shrugged. “There’s probably nothing to worry about there.”

“Ready!” Chrysalis trotted back out, four foals on her back. One was a black unicorn with a wicked curved horn, and the others where changelings.

“Alright then let’s go,” Jason got to his feet, helping Rarity to her hooves. He gestured for everyone to gather around. I did as he asked while suppressing my urge to pinch the foals’ cheeks and braced myself for the feeling of getting transported back home. The familiar feeling of being pulled apart and mashed back together overtook me and when it was over we were standing in the throne room of my castle.

“Ugh, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that feeling,” I said shaking my head.

“Tell me about it...” Rarity moaned, retching a little, though thankfully nothing came out.

“So, thou hast returned.” Celestia said getting up from her throne. I flinched a little, fully expecting to get chewed out, but then her eyes locked onto Chrysalis’s back. She then rushed over and knelt down to look the foals in the eyes. “And who might these wondrous creatures be?” She cooed.

“These are Hakol, Sif, Heimdall and Freya,” Chrysalis beamed. The changelings looked up at Celestia, chittering softly, buzzing their wings.

“Oh, well they are much too precious. May we hold one of them?” She practically pleaded.

“Sure but you might want to be careful with Sif and Heimdall, she’s ice and he’s fire.” Chrysalis explained.

“We shall keep that in mind,” Celestia said as she carefully picked up one of the changelings and started to use baby-talk on it. It chittered away, looking up at her with bright yellow eyes.

“Hey Celestia, glad to see you again,” I said with a weak wave.

Celestia looked over with slightly narrowed eyes. “Is this an attempt to appease us? Appealing to our love of children.”

“I won’t lie, that thought did cross my mind.” I said with nervous smile.

“Wait, wait...” Jason said, sighing a little, “We forgot someone...”

“Who could we have forgotten?” Rarity asked, tilting her head.

“My mom...”

“Wait, your mom. You’re able to see your mom in your Equestria?” I asked. “Actually… who is your mom? I mean your grandmother is Hel so…”

“Okay...I think that's my least favorite method of travel...” the woman moaned, placing a hand over her mouth.

“I feel your pain,” I said with a nod. “Teleportation is the worst.”

“So you’re Vash huh? I’m Megan, nice to meet you.” She held out her hand, giving me a sweet smile.

“Charmed,” I said giving her hand a shake. “Sorry the first time we’re meeting is under such strange circumstances.”

“Please,” she said with a laugh, “Besides...nothing tops the Smooze...” she said, trembling in pure terror for a moment.

‘Wait a minute… I’ve heard that before in my travels across the internet. Weird,’ I thought with a quizzical expression.

“Well, did Jason fill you in on everything?” I asked.

“Yes, yes he did...which brings a question to my mind...”

“And what would that be?”

“Well...if Jason and the girls are a ‘herd’ and you and your girls are a herd...does this mean you’re all one herd now?” she asked, looking between each of us.

‘Uh… that’s… I don’t know. What do you think there Jason?” I asked with a nervous chuckle.

“I have no idea...” Jason said with a sigh, “So...what do we do now?”

“Well, Morning is still out looking for the changelings. So we’ll have to wait for her say in this.”

“Ooh! Changelings hmm?” Chrysalis asked, trotting over to me, “Tell me how is that going?”

“Well, a couple nights ago somepony named Hot Streak came in covered in injuries and told us that some settlers were dragged off into the badlands. Due to some of the details of the story we believe that changelings may have done it.” I explained with a sigh. “So we sent a contingent of guards led by my marefriend and captain of the guard to investigate and hopefully bring back their leader to discuss peace.”

“Did you check to see if Hot Streak was a changeling?” Chrysalis asked, looking at me.

“Uh… no, that is something that we did not do,” I admitted, slumping over.

Chrysalis let out a long sigh, facehoofing. “Take me to them, quickly.’

“You got it. He’s in the infirmary,” I said motioning for Chrysalis to follow me. She passed the foals off to Jason, quickly trotting after me.

“So what made you think that Hot Streak is a changeling?” I asked quietly as we walked down the halls.

“It’s a classic tactic,” she looked around, “Have an ‘escapee’ go back to warn others. They feed off the concern that is directed toward the creature they’re impersonating while any sent to rescue the others are cocooned and used for feeding.”

“So what you’re saying is that my marefriend might be in a cocoon at the moment and being drained for emotional energy.” I said in a flat tone.

“Yes, that's most likely happening.” she nodded her head.

“Well, whoever this changeling leader is we’re going to need to have a long talk before we go through with this peace talk thing.”

“Well, there might be more than one hive out there, we’ll know if this ‘Hot Streak’ is indeed a changeling.”

“Okay, but are you going to change your shape first?” I asked stopping in front of the oak door to the infirmary. “It might be a good idea to shock Hot Streak or trick him into dropping his disguise.” I suggested.

“No, I’m an empress and they’re a drone,” she pushed into the infirmary, scanning the room. In the corner of the room by the window Hot Streak’s bandaged form appeared to be sleeping.

“Welp, do your royal thing Chrysalis.” I said waving my hand towards Hot Streak.

Chrysalis stood at the foot of the bed, closing her eyes. A moment later her horn started to glow a sickly green color. A moment later his body was consumed in green fire, shifting into a bipedal changeling. “Drone!” she commanded, opening her eyes.

“Queen!” The changeling called out in shock in a buzzing, vaguely female voice as they scrambled to kneel before Chrysalis.

“You shall tell me your mission,” she snarled, narrowing her eyes, “Now!”

The drone looked up in fear only for confusion to fall over their features. “Thou sounds much like my queen… but thou art not her. Why should I obey thee?” The changeling said stubbornly.

“I am empress!” she snarled, her horn glowing brightly, “You will tell me your mission your I will destroy your mind drone!”

“I recognize no empress!” The drone spat out, “My mind, body and soul all belong to Queen Chiton. I would gladly die before betraying her.”

“Then I shall have to tear it from your mind!” the green glow encompassed the drones head, with Chrysalis baring her fangs.

“Hold it right there!” I called out, flicking the tip of Chrysalis’s horn in an attempt to break her concentration on the spell.

She hissed, spitting some kind of goo at my face. I panicked for a moment, worried that I may be unable to breathe as I tore at the goo.

“Now you will tell me why you are here drone,” Chrysalis demanded, turning her attention away from me.

“I-I shall tell you nothing,” The drone groaned, sounding much weaker than before.

“Chrysalis, what the hell are you doing?!” I boomed, managing to pull the goo off of my mouth.

“I am taking what we need.”

“And you wouldn’t happen to be torturing her to do it, would you?” I asked as I stood between her and the drone.

“Vash, you don’t really understand what’s going on do you?”

“Explain it to me, please,” I said as I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

“Because of her queen,” Chrysalis hissed, “Her queen is the reason my race had to hide, had to starve and suffer in the shadows for a thousand years! I will not let her doom them to that fate here!”

“And you’re just going to torture someone to do that!” I roared. “I’m sorry Chrysalis. I can only imagine what you and your race went through. But you’ve resorted to something heinous way too quickly. Now, maybe you should sit down over there for a while so I can talk to this drone?”

She snarled, her horn going out. “You know nothing Vash, just like you don’t really know the princesses.”

“Watch it there Chrysalis,” I warned her, turning back to the drone. “I don’t want the two of us to get in a fight. I’d like to remain friends with Jason.”

“You truly know nothing. I wonder just how you’ll react when Luna finally snaps.”

That had done it, that caused me to snap. “You think I don’t know how Luna feels!” I thundered looking Chrysalis in the eye. “I might not be a being that feeds off of emotions, but I’m not an idiot either! I know how lonely she feels. I know that she wishes that there were others that saw how much of herself she puts into the night sky each night! I may not know all the details Chrysalis, but I do know a bit about how Luna feels. So please, drop it.” I finished, barely speaking above a whisper.

“You don’t know the jealousy and resentment bubbling under the surface, nor do you know that it will consume her. She will become a monster and try to take the country for her own and bring about eternal night.” she glared up at me before shifting her gaze to the drone. “All this negative emotion must be overwhelming you hmm?”

I looked over to the drone only to see that the drone looked like she was a bit sick. She noticed that Chrysalis was staring at her, and immediately straightened up. “I know not of what thou speaks of. I have been trained to overcome such paltry emotions.

“Are you sure?” she asked, slinking over, a predatory look on her face. “Tell me, does your queen feel the death of her drones?”

“She does,” the drone said a stone look coming across her face. “But she and I have steeled ourselves for that possibility. She knows the cruelty of ponies when they discover a changeling among them.”

“Chrysalis, don’t you even think about killing this drone,” I growled. my fists balled at my sides.

“I lost hundreds myself, all at the same moment,” she stopped, staring into the drone’s eyes.

“I will not be swayed by thy story. My will is my queen’s. I shall not let the ponies and their allies keep her from her design.” The drone declared, wavering slightly.

“And do know why they all died? Because of my hubris. My hive was starving but I thought I could bring down the sun and moon. But, do you know the single thing that would have prevented that?”

“What?” the drone croaked, trying to shrink under Chrysalis’s stare.

“Talking. I could have simply come to Equestria under a banner of peace and asked for help. If I had all of those drones, my children, would still be alive. You don’t have to live in the shadows, you don’t have to be monsters.”

My glare softened and I walked up to Chrysalis to place a hand on her shoulder. “Please, just tell us where your queen is. I don’t care what you were ordered to do. All I want is to talk to your queen, I swear it.” I told the drone softly. I then leaned down to whisper into Chrysalis’s ear. “You did most of this to fill the room with my negative emotions and weaken her, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did,” she whispered back pausing, “I apologize.”

“You’re forgiven, just don’t make a plan without filling me in next time,” I whispered before looking at the drone. “What is your name by the way? I’d rather not just call you Drone.”

The drone looked at me as if I had two heads. “I do not have a name. Only generals and queens have names among my hive.”

“No name huh,” I said as I scratched my chin. “How about, Wisp?” I suggested.

“Wisp?” The drone asked.

“Yeah, it’s the name of a spirit that appears as a flickering flame where I come from. I figured since you transform in a burst of flames that it fits.” I answered with a smile.

“If this makes it easier for thee to address me then do as thou will,” Wisp made it a point to look away from me though she sounded a little pleased at having a name.

“Oh stop being pouty,” Chrysalis rolled her eyes, charging her horn up, though this time it was a bright pink. Wisp turned to stare, her jaw hanging open. “What? Never felt this much love before?”

Wisp caught herself and wiped a little drool from the corner of her mouth. “And why art thou trying to entice me through food?” She asked as she turned to me. “Thou said that thou did not care what my mission was? What if my mission was to assassinate the princesses?” She asked.

“I don’t think it was,” I said with a shrug. “You didn’t have a weapon on you and if you really did want to assassinate a princess you could’ve just waited in the forest, cried out for help, took the place of a guard and got close to a princess that way. If I were a betting man I’d say your mission was a surveillance one. You probably would ask for a job once you “recovered” and found out as much about this castle as possible.”

“I’d say that's the most likely scenario,” Chrysalis agreed.

“Hmm, that may have been my mission,” Wisp said, still trying to be elusive. “Not that I suppose it matters now. So, thou wishes to speak to my queen. Why should I believe thee?”

“Well, it’s either believe me or I could leave you alone with Chrysalis and she’ll just rip your mind apart and then you’ll be left to sit in the dungeon afterwards.” I told her with a shrug.

“Very well, I shall lead thee to her.” Wisp relented with a sigh. “Just know that if I find thee to be a liar, then I shall not hesitate to kill thee,” She warned me as her jagged horn lit up a dark purple.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I told her with a nod. “Follow us, Wisp. We need to get a few others to come along on this trip to see your queen.”

Wisp nodded weakly and I motioned for her and Chrysalis to follow me back to the throne room. Along the way I looked over to Chrysalis and asked, “Hey, about what happened in the infirmary. Do you mind if we keep that to ourselves?”

“Of course Vash, and no, I couldn’t have warned you before hand, if I had, the emotions would not have been genuine.”

“I figured as much,” I sighed. “Still, I wasn’t expecting you to be able to push my buttons like that.”

“You should get used to it, I do it to everyone,” she smiled, giving me a wink.

“This is going to be the longest nine months of my life, isn’t it?” I asked with a long, drawn out sigh. We then walked into the throne room where everyone was still waiting for us. Once Wisp noticed Celestia she tensed up and became stiff as a board. “Hey everyone, turns out Hot Streak was a changeling,” I told them.

“Huh...the drones are female here weird...”Jason commented, looking Wisp over.

“Maybe they’re related to bees in this universe?” I suggested.

“Do not compare me to a lowly bee!” Wisp growled.

“Sorry Wisp, didn’t mean to offend you.” I told her with a chuckle. “Hey Jason, do you and Chrysalis want to come and help me talk to a changeling queen?”

“Should Luna and we come as well?” Celestia asked.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I told Celestia. “Based on one of Wisp’s comments I don’t think these changelings have the best view of ponies. I think it’s best that we send a group of non-ponies to talk to her.”

“Sure I’ll go, you ok with mom and the kids?” Jason asked Rarity, who gestured with a hoof.

“Just go Jason, I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t you worry Rarity, I’ll have him back to you before you know it,” I said with a big grin. “So Jason, do you want me to grab you a sword and shield from the armory since you can’t transform just in case we run into trouble along the way. Highway ponies are a thing after all.”

“I’m fine,” he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a rather strange looking sword, “I have this, so I should be fine.”

“Alright, that’s fair. I guess we’ll need to gather some supplies before we head out. Maybe we’ll even be able to get you some clothes that fit.” I said as I pointed out Jason’s saggy clothes.

“That’d....be nice...” he said with a nod, and I note he’s been holding his pants up.

“Alright, why don’t we do the clothes thing first? Would you prefer pants and a top of some sorts, or do you wanna see how you look in a dress?” I asked with a chuckle.

“Ooh! I have to see Jay in a dress,” Rarity smiled, “Would you happen to have a tailor in the castle?” she asked, turning to Celestia and Luna.

“Of course we do, it would be improper for a princess to not have one on standby in case one of our garments were to be damaged in some way.” Celestia. explained.

“Like unexpected frosting stains,” Luna joked, shooting her sister a pointed look.

“Marvelous!” she declared letting out a squeal, “May I have access to their supplies?”

“Of course, help thyself to whatever thou needs,” Celestia said with a smile.

“Welp, life is just screwing with you now,” Chrysalis chuckle while Jason let out a long groan.

“Oh come on,” I said with a chuckle of my own. “How bad could it be for your wife to make you a dress?” I asked, patting Jason on the shoulder.

He just stared at me, his eye twitching.

“Oh come on Jason, just think of how pretty you’ll look,” I told him with a grin. “Hey Rarity!” I called out. “Do you think we should give Jason a makeover too? Just think of what you could do with his hair.”

“Stop giving her ideas!” Jason shouted, his eye twitching more.

“Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.” I said with a chuckle. “I’m so used to being the one that has all the wacky things happen to, it’s nice to see it happen to someone else for a change.”

“I hate you...”

“Give it a while Jason. I’m sure it’ll be my turn to have something happen to me soon.” I told him with a pat on the back. “Now just take your lumps and let Rarity make you a dress. Who knows, you might even like how you look in it.”’

“I will hurt you...”

“Threatening the father of your child?!” I cried out in a tone very similar to the one Chrysalis had used earlier. “I thought I knew you better than this, Jason.”

Jason just growled, pushing past me and walking out of the throne room.

“Oh he is just going to be fun when the hormones kick in.” Chrysalis snickered, flashing a smile.

“I’m just wondering what kind of cravings a half Jotun half Plant baby will cause.” I said, placing a hand under my chin. “I’d put my money on donuts being one though,” I finished with a snicker of my own.

“We’ll just have to find out won’t we?” she asked, trotting out of the room, humming a tune to herself.

I just chuckled, shook my head and followed the two out of the room, with Rarity close behind.