Metamorpha, with Green Mist walking along beside her, made her way to where Celestia was being held, the same room where the wedding was meant to take place.

When they made it to the room entrance, four of the best guards, those called the Shadow Daggers, were standing guard. They each had red armor with navy blue highlights, full face helmets, spears enchanted with various spells, and either one sword or two daggers on their waists, also with various enchantments. "Princess," the lead one said as Metamorpha walked up. "If I may ask, what do you require?"

"I wish to speak with Celestia," Metamorpha said. "Has anything happened since her imprisonment?"

"No, princess," the guard replied. "Though, I'd recommend caution. She may be pretending."

` "I'll keep that in mind," Metamorpha said before she went to and opened the doors to enter the room.

The room was just about the same it had been in earlier when Cadence and the others were taken prisoner, but with other pods clung to the ceiling, though most were empty. The only ones occupied were those with changelings in them who were in critical condition, as most of those in the room were medical pods.

Now, you may be wondering why they were here. The answer is actually simple, and that would be that the medical wing of the castle did not have the requirements for changelings, and, actually, most of the chemicals there would dissolve the pods, and Chrysalis wanted to play it safe.

Regardless, Metamorpha walked over to the pod that held the solar alicorn, who, like Cadence, was nude due to the chemicals in the pod. Now, contrary to what some would think, the conversion was not painful, a few ponies in the settlements Metamorpha mentioned earlier became changelings willingly, often because the one they loved was a changeling, though that didn't always happen. The changeling liking the pony more as a changeling, not the relationship, which resulted in the pony now changeling using their new ability to shift back to their old form. Regardless, none of them ever reported any pain. Another thing to point out is that the first change is to the mind, a slight addition, and only that, that allows them to listen into the Hive mind and always, on average, takes a few hours. Of course, that varied between individual.

"Hello, Celestia," Metamorpha said, both physically and mentally. "Can you hear me?"

In the pod containing the solar alicorn, the occupant opened her eyes. Hello, my former student, Celestia said, and it was obvious, even not with the hive mind, she was bitter. Come to gloat?

Metamorpha chuckled. "No, I just came to see if you remembered my grandmother?"

I've not met a changeling since before Luna's banishment. And just where is my sister?

"Maybe this will help jog your memory," Metamorpha said. "She was a castle aide by the name of Black Ink. Her skin was black, and her hair was white. Also, one of the only castle staff you've let call you by name and not title."

She was a changeling? Celestia asked, shocked.

"Yep," Metamorpha said, grinning with her arms crossed. "And do you remember the bet you made with her?"

Inside the pod, and mentally, Celestia sighed. That if Equestria were to be taken over, I would have to change myself to that race. I thought she was joking because she was drunk, and humored her.

"Changelings can't get drunk," Metamorpha said. It's a part of our anatomy. Sure, we can act drunk, but we don't really become drunk."

Apparently, Celestia said. So, what is it you and your mother are going to do to me?

"What the bet with my grandmother entailed," Metamorpha said. "After that? Well, it'll depend on you."

And of the other Elements?

"For the most part, the same thing," Metamorpha said. "And to answer your earlier question, we do not know where your sister is."

Well, I'm sure she'll be able to get me out of here, and remove you and the other changelings, Celestia said.

"Maybe," Metamorpha said. "Maybe not. I guess we'll find that out when it happens. Until then, I guess you'll just need to wait."

It was here that Chrysalis came on over the link. Dear, stop antagonizing her.

Metamorpha rolled her eyes. Of course, mother, she replied. "Well, goodbye, Celestia," she said before she left the room, not noticing a shadow in the corner of the room. One that seemed to smile.

The frozen north

Two royal guards, both in golden armor with winter jackets over the armor, stood on a crevice. "Why do you think the Princess stationed us here?" one asked.

"I don't know," the other replied. "Honestly, though, I'm just glad to be away from my family."

"Why?"

"They keep trying to make me see my cutie mark the way they do."

"And just what is your cutie mark?"

The first scoffed. "A shield," he said. "Because it's my family's seal, they think it means I'm supposed to be a part of the family business, while I think it means I'm meant to spend my life in the guard, protecting Equestria."

"Well," the second replied, "not everypony sees things the same way."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Still, be nice if something happened."

"Well," a third voice said, making both guards jump, "perhaps I can help with that." With that, a black cloud enveloped both of the guards, the cloud looking as if it was made of black ink.

When it faded, both guards were not as they were as before. They now had on steel gray armor with black plumes from their helmets, and green eye slits with a full faced helmet.

"Now, then both of you are to help me take my throne," the voice said.

"Yes, highness." Next Chapter: Changed generosity and loyalty Estimated time remaining: 32 Minutes