Max was chuckling to himself as Celestia carried the injured changeling to the private dining room. Luna and Crystal were following along quietly, both whispering harshly to one another after being caught in the act of spying. Luna calling Crystal out on not realizing two ponies, both of which she should have been able to detect, had left the room, while Crystal was arguing that Max had distracted her and she was almost certain the two were mating.

"What did you do to Crystal? She seemed certain that the two of us were fornicating," Celestia whispered back to him, cautiously watching for any guards who might overhear her.

"I sent a few flashes of sexual acts over the link," he replied, his grin never faltering. "Change a few colors from blue to white or navy to pink, blue and green, and I had Crystal convinced she was catching glimpses of the two of us getting to know each other intimately. Good distraction, but kind of tough doing that. Switching details and pushing those thoughts towards her while having a conversation."

"B-but you were imagining doing that with me?!" she nearly squeaked out.

"Not like it's hard to imagine. I wasn't lying when I said you were beautiful."

Seeing the mare's ears fold back as her cheeks lit up he leaned forward, giving one of the ears a quick nip. Instantly the alicorn shivered and he could feel the tingle go up her spine.

While Celestia was too busy fighting down her blush, Luna and Crystal had gone silent, both staring in surprise at the flirting and banter Max was directing to the older mare. Luna was radiating a bit of lust as usual, though there was a desire below that which carried more than a sexual want. Longing, almost. Crystal was also silent, both through the link and in the hall. The shape shifter's emotions were much easier to read, transmitted openly through the link Max shared with her. Confusion along with a good bit of surprise.

'I'd probably be surprised too, if I hadn't spent a week looking after her while she was recovering,' he thought with a dismissive shake of his head. Instead of speaking though he relaxed, resting his chin on the top of her head.

"Maybe I should get hurt more. This is kind of comfy."

The alicorn hummed happily, her wings shifting enough to touch his sides in what he assumed was a subtle hug. He let his eyes drift closed, enjoying the warm happiness radiating right into his shell as well as the bubbly emotions from Luna behind them. It was worth some misery, though lunch wouldn't be much fun since he likely wouldn't be able to eat. Really, he didn't even want to try until at least a little time had passed. He still didn't have a stomach after all. Poison's didn't stop working the instant you added a bit of an antidote to the victim's blood.

He woke some time later to a spike of fear and anger. The horn just before him was blazing with power as Celestia lowered her head and flared her wings. Luna was attempting to say something but he couldn't make it out over the blazing emotions he was currently sitting on. The energy suddenly snuffed out, causing the alicorn to recoil in shock and fear just as Max's vision was clearing. What he saw was the last being he expected.

"Well, I see some things don't change. Thank you for letting them know, Luna," Discord remarked casually, sitting at their now round table. With a Casual gesture he flicked on a light switch that was on the wall and suddenly Celestia had her magic again, though her shock caused the power to sputter out.

Max shifted on Celestia's back, staring at a sheepish Luna who was currently being used as a shield by a now very terrified proto-queen.

"I was, uh, a little distracted with your injury, Maximus," the blue alicorn said, giggling nervously. "I also thought he would show up for evening meal, as that is the normal time visits are done."

"Rule of thumb, Luna," Max deadpanned. "When it comes to anticipating Discord, don't."

To everyone's surprise the draconequus was downright amicable. There was a nice spread on the table, the servingponies couldn't enter or even find out what was going on inside the room, Discord even snapped his claw, leaving Max's seat with a comfortable sofa that left his head just above the level of the table. Max sat down but kept a weary eye on the being across from him. As did everyone present. Celestia still had Luna seated across from her but this time she had Discord to her right, while Max was across the table from the chaotic creature.

Crystal was still present, but she was currently on Luna's opposite side, nearly hiding under her alpha's wing. The fear pouring off of her was palpable even to Discord, who didn't seem to understand why he terrified her.

"She's scared you'll teleport her again," Max finally said, getting tired of the nervous tension at the table. "She's just getting comfortable and the last time she saw you her world was shattered."

"But it all turned out for the best, didn't it?" Discord asked, looking to Crystal. "You're happier now than you ever were, correct?"

"While your actions did end in a better situation for Crystal, they originally left her wandering the countryside with neither food nor allies. If not for her stumbling upon some extra honey that Maximus had produced, something he discovered how to do quite by accident, it is very possible she would still be lost and alone," Luna said, slowing to take a sip of water. "Do not attempt to offer her situation as an example of your kindness, Discord. The same is true for Max's appearance in the garden. You did not put him there to help us, but to steer our path away from the one we were following. To change fate. Was his survival something you considered important?"

Discord opened his mouth to say something but snapped it shut, tapping his chin instead.

"Nope, can't say it was."

"Gee, thanks a lot," Max shot at him, a small smile appearing on his face none the less. "Not that I'm completely against how things turned out but the only help you gave me was convincing them not to kill me outright. From what some of the knights told me, the idea was on the table."

Celestia gave a nervous chuckle at that, shooting Luna a glance that they shared.

"One of our knights was of the mind that Discord's ally should have been destroyed the moment he arrived. It was only your boast that you won no matter the outcome that led to our questioning the changeling. It very nearly could have ended in his death. In fact, it still has nearly ended in his death several times. The first being in the garden. Another one of the knights nearly killed him on the spot out of fear."

"Just because good things happen because of your actions doesn't mean you had good intentions," Max added. "I wouldn't change it for the world, though. Luna's happy, Crystal's happy, Tia's happy, I'm happy. We're all going to work together on this. Watch each other's backs while this country develops. Maybe in a generation or two you could visit openly, but you'd have to wait. The ponies alive today know you and your actions first-hand."

"Yes, I am aware of that. It's why I've done my best to avoid the lime-light. Even used a disguise. Not a very good one, but I think that was the first time in Equestria I've done that," Discord responded, his mood sober. "That bit though, last I heard from Tia over there she was hating your existence for slipping into Luna's good graces, among other things, so easily. How'd you change her mind?"

"Went with her into a bandit raid, carried her out, then spent a good week watching her while she was recovering from emotional backwash. She apparently thought using the elements to keep herself calm was a good idea."

While the white alicorn was busy looking anywhere but at the changeling, Discord looked genuinely worried.

"You stopped her, correct? I mean, that won't end well. There's actually this cult I keep running into, even seen it here on Equis, that seems to think sealing away all emotions is the way to inner peace or something like that. They usually end up going mad. Not the fun kind of mad, either. The stabby kind."

"He did. He then spent the last week watching over me while I attempted to relearn how to deal with my emotions. It was an unpleasant experience, for both of us at times, but Luna was unable to do so as I would...become upset when she entered the room. Maximus was still a relatively new acquaintance and I was able to handle my feelings regarding him. For the most part anyway," the alicorn finished with a blush.

"Her mood swung all over but I never really felt like I was in danger," Max added, giving the mare an assuring smile. "The worst I remember was her getting clingy, which was more cute than anything else."

"How did you convince Luna to not rip your spine out through your ass?"

Discord guffawed at the casual delivery of the question before waving a paw in Luna's direction.

"I offered her an analysis of the poison as well as several local cures. As I said before, the last I saw of the relationship between you and Sunny-buns, antagonistic would be a kind description. She wanted you gone. Yet just earlier I watched her defend you quite viciously."

"Oh don't take it the wrong way, Celestia. The mare's willingness to attack you surprised me even more than that but the fact you defended Max then tended to him without a second glance to your attacker was interesting. Certainly the last thing I expected to see. Then Luna arrived, surprising only in how quickly she seemed to realize you were in danger. She was accompanied by a second love-bug though, one who seemed just as concerned for Max-y if not more so than Celly."

"Crystal and I have grown close since she showed up," Max said, flashing the shaking changeling a smile. "There are a few things we're worried about with her development into a full queen but Luna and I will help her, she knows that."

"Actually I don't know if I should be angry that you destroyed the Hive or thankful you destroyed Mother's power base. The changeling over-queen that your presence set off was the living embodiment of cruelty."

Taking a deep breath and pushing those thoughts aside, Max turned to brighter topics.

"So you've been world hopping in the meantime, anything interesting catch your eye?"

The misshapen being beamed, pulling a book out of nowhere and showing Max the contents. Pages upon pages of pictures.

"Do you want the most interesting or the most bizarre? Because I don't think we have enough time to cover everything I've seen in half an hour."

Discord left after lunch, a box of Pop tarts left in the changeling stallion's possession as a sort of peace offering. Max had accepted, promising to only buck Discord in the face as opposed to the genitals and the draconequus had agreed, shaking his hoof with a grin.

"Strange," Celestia muttered. "To see Discord so calm. So...normal?"

"I think this was an experience for him as well. He may consider this his home in spite of the two of you claiming the land from him. It's familiar. And familiarity is always nice," Max said, looking at the blue box before him with a distant smile.

Luna stared at the box, taking note of the strange symbols scattered all over its surface.

"It is something from your home, is it not? I would not have believed him capable of such an act had I not seen it with my own eyes. What is it?"

"When I can eat I'll show you. They're better warm, but even just tasting something like this...I didn't think I'd ever really see something from home again."

Max chuckled but still felt a few tears forming in his eyes. It was a simple thing, not too over the top but it was more than he ever hoped for. Because of that, it gave him hope that he'd find more. A way to speak to his family before too long. Maybe he'd look for that mirror from the show. It was never made clear how exactly it worked, but the timeline of that world was much closer to his own than this one. Maybe he could at least enjoy a few snacks, take the flock out for a nice dinner or something like that. Crystal would understand more of the culture now, so she wouldn't be bad company either.

"It was nice," Celestia added quietly. "Like he held no desire to do us ill. Considering our extended campaign to dethrone him, I would have expected him to at least wish us ill if not outright attack us upon his return. I am uncertain how I feel about this new Discord."

"I think we should worry about hosting him later," Max said. "He's not looking to shake things up here, for better or for worse, so we can continue to make our own plans. Try to be civil if you can manage it, otherwise just don't go out of your way to attack him.

"Like I'm one to talk. I wanted nothing more than to punch him in the dick, even in my current state."

Letting out a self-deprecating laugh, Max gave Celestia a quick nudge with his magic.

"Nobody has complete control over their emotions. Even though the guy was capable of smearing me into a fine enough paste I'd be able to coat the entire castle, I still wanted to hit him. There's nothing logical about that."

Luna nodded, pulling Crystal closer while whispering reassurances to the still-shaking mare. It was strange to all three of them. Normally only a shift in Luna's attitude left Crystal this upset. Now the young mare couldn't stop shaking, even several minutes after the source of her discomfort had left.

"I think the most surprising thing about this was his discomfort," Max finally added, looking to Crystal. "He was genuinely surprised by Crystal's terror. Like he didn't realize just how badly those around him took his games. Hell, it's possible he didn't. Empathy isn't something everyone has in equal measures and being as strong as he is..."

Luna nodded again.

"He mentioned something similar in village. When he offered the cure I asked why he was suddenly concerned with the pain of others. In response he told me that he'd nearly been killed by a creature he met in his travels, and that the introduction to pain gave him a different perspective. He was scarred, Tia. Did you see them?"

"I did, though many were difficult to make out. It is unsettling to imagine something capable of causing Discord harm."

"When you two first became alicorns were you able to raise the sun and moon on your own?" Max asked.

Celestia frowned thoughtfully.

"I do not recall. I do not believe so, as for the first year or so we always used our ritual to aid each other."

"And yet now you can, even if it takes a bit of work. You're already getting stronger. Maybe in a few years you could match him, maybe in a few decades you could beat him? You're only just now coming into your power, Tia. Discord's older than dirt and his magic is intuitive to him. He doesn't even think about it from what I've seen. It's all force of will. It's also likely why he could beat you so easily. He knew he could, he knew that your spells wouldn't work on him so they didn't."

"Yet he did not know of these new creatures so they were able to harm him?" Luna postulated.

"Possibly, but it's also possible that whatever attacked him is running by different rules. I don't know, I still don't know much about magic. Hopefully I can change that once we're properly set. Do we have enough stone to begin filling the cavern?"

"We do," Luna said. "I was only waiting until Tia was well enough to aid me in teleporting the stone below the castle. Though I would suggest making certain nothing sapient has taken residency in the cavern in the past years. It would be most unfortunate if we were to find that creatures had decided to make a home there and we began filling it in with rock."

Max smiled, looking to Crystal.

"Want to go spelunking?"

The mare slowed in her tunneling, watching as magic pulled large chunks of stone and dirt from her path back the way she had come. The tunnel was not straight down as Crystal had wished it to be, but rather at a comfortable angle. It meant more digging in the long run but it also meant that Luna was capable of following her into the earth, a reassuring prospect after her close encounter with Chaos earlier that day.

Being so deep underground was reassuring as well, actually. She didn't realize just how much she missed it. The changeling had spent most of her life underground after all. While her flock were comfortable above ground, the darkness of the tunnels beneath the surface would always be her home.

'Perhaps some day I might be able to create a home of my own. A place where the three of us would all be comfortable.'

She began tunneling again, her hooves having been shifted into shoveling claws that tore easily into the dirt ahead of her. Simple, relatively mindless work that didn't require her to think. There was no strange ponies with their strange wants and needs or their strange reactions to her presence. Just a changeling, the earth that held her close, and a mare behind her that gave her strength.

"We should be nearing the cavern, Crystal. Prepare yourself accordingly."

The changeling nodded, a flash of green fire passing over her as she increased the density of her shell even further. She knew now that her alpha feared things, knew it for certain. And if Luna feared things, things could hurt her. Crystal wouldn't let that happen.

'Easy, Crystal. Easy. She's a big girl and can see in the dark as well. I'm here for you as well, if not physically,' Max soothed over the link.

The proto queen nodded, feeling the earth before her beginning to shift and cave away. After several hours of work that would have taken pony miners days if not weeks to accomplish, Crystal gave a quick burst of force from her horn that knocked loose the dirt and stone ahead of her, sending it tumbling into the darkness of the cavern ahead. Stepping up to the newly opened area, she stared in awe.

The cavern was perfectly cut, the alicorns having teleported the stone directly out of the earth as they shaped it to their needs. A large orb of the planet having been removed by the hand of a God. Luna stepped up behind her, the soft glow of her horn spreading the barest trace of light that didn't even touch the farthest reaches of the chamber. The two were towards the upper section of the orb, leaving a long drop just ahead of them that fell into the darkness of the cavern.

"I knew we had removed much from the ground, but I did not realize the scale. Maximus is right, this is dangerous," Luna whispered.

Crystal listened to the lose dirt rattling off of the chamber's floor, focusing on any source of emotion nearby. Luna was the only thing she sensed, however. It seemed the cavern was empty. She was just turning to leave when Luna leaped into the cavern, her emotions sparking with curiosity. Crystal buzzed in irritation as she tensed her legs, leaping and following the alicorn into the chamber.

Luna was providing plenty of illumination as she descended to the cavern floor, the shimmer of various underground metals catching the changeling's eyes as she followed the alicorn mare. Max was curious as well, attempting to identify them from memory but having little success. The thing that had drawn Luna's attention however was the shimmering glint of a visible gem, a small part of it cut from the teleport spell the alicorn's had used and causing it to reflect the light beautifully.

"Crystal, could you unearth this for me?" Luna asked her.

Crystal nodded quickly, tearing into the rocky terrain and quickly excavating what turned out to be a full gem vein. Luna was ecstatic, cheering the proto queen on even as Max whispered caution into her mind.

'I know you like making Luna happy but you two went down there for a reason, don't get too distracted.'

'I won't, I can taste anything if it gets-'

She stopped mid-scratch, a faint sense of emotion reaching her through the stone. It was nearby, but on the other side of the gem vein.

"Something's under the gems."

"What do you mean?" Luna whispered, leaning in closer to the extra tunnel the queen had begun to excavate.

Crystal flew backwards out of the small tunnel she was beginning, looking around nervously. She could sense it still, a blob of emotion steadily digging through gems nearly as quickly as she had. Pointing with her hoof, she looked to Luna.

"I can sense something, it's right there."

"Can you determine its current state? Curious, scared?"

"It tastes curious, excited should we...?"

Luna nodded.

"If there is something living beneath the castle, I would like to know now."

The changeling moved back to her tunnel, continuing to dig towards the source of emotion. It was tunneling in her direction, following the gem vein as well. She dug a little closer, letting Luna carry the beautiful gems she cut loose out into the cave behind them for teleportation to the surface. Feeling the unknown creature drawing closer, Crystal slowed in her digging. The other burrower did as well, likely hearing the movement on the other side. There were a few taps against the gem-wall and she returned them, tapping with her clawed hoof against the various crystals.

A more forceful impact hit the crystals and she backed up, perking her ears as the digging started again. A few loose gems fell back into the tunnel beyond before the rest of the wall fell in, revealing a second small tunnel just beyond Crystal's excavation. Standing in the tunnel, staring at her in curiosity, and illuminated by a glowing crystal attached to a plant-fiber band around its head was a creature neither mare had ever seen before.

The first term that came to the changeling's mind was a troll or orc, the monster of several of the fantasy worlds Max had read about. It was furry though, a dusty grey fur that covered its body. The creature's lanky forelegs ended in clawed paws while its muzzle was much shorter than her own. It wore a ragged vest, the material threadbare while on its forehead was a plain band that held a glowing gem. The moment she laid eyes on it, she felt Max reacting.

'Diamond dog. Wow. They're certainly different in reality.'

Crystal flew back out to the main cavern, landing lightly beside Luna as the creature followed behind. As it peaked it's nose over the edge of Crystal's tunnel and looked about in the cavern, the proto queen leaned in to Luna's side.

"Max said it's a Diamond Dog," Crystal whispered. "Or at least that it might be since he's never seen one."

The creature slowly crawled out of the tunnel, sniffing the air as it explored the cavern. It yammered excitedly for a few moments before taking off down the tunnel again, leaving the mare's confused. Just as Crystal was about to suggest they make for the surface and return tomorrow the strange dog-like creature returned, jubilantly cheering and pointing to the cavern while using its other paw to drag along a much older dog.

"Found it, found! Found top! Found!"

The older dog muttered darkly under its breath, striking the pup upside the head and drawing a surprised yelp.

"This is not the surface, fool. It is merely a large cavern. Now let us return-"

"Excuse me," Luna called, causing the older dog to flinch in surprise. "You are looking for the surface? You are quite close. We just tunneled down here from the surface ourselves, in fact."

The elder creature regarded Luna and Crystal with a gaze that surprised both of them, as if he were carefully measuring their worth. Crystal returned his gaze, her eyes traveling over the brown dog's clothing and the belt of gems slung over his shoulder. Max was already postulating uses for the gems on his belt, everything from beacons to snacks to replacement crystals for his mining light.

"I suppose most four-legs would not stray too far from the surface. I remember hearing of ponies being seen outside our cities before the Great Bath. They are ill suited to travel underground. What brings you down to the darkness of the earth?"

"An attempt to correct a mistake before it causes a disaster," Luna explained. "This cavern was excavated by myself and another for materials to build our home, a castle on the surface. A stallion, er, male of Crystal's species warned us that our idea would bring about a disaster, that we risked the loss of both the keep and any near it if we tarried too long in filling in the cavern we created as we built the structure directly overhead. He said that with a large cavern like this, the land could become unstable or too heavy in the event of heavy rains or storms. Sooth, neither Tia nor myself realized just how much earth we moved to the surface to obtain the stone. We asked Crystal to allow us to check the caverns for any activity before we attempted to fill them in with stone from elsewhere."

The dog looked about, wandering the cavern and touching his paws to the sections of the cavern where stone had been magically hewn by the alicorns' magic.

"It would depend upon the depth of course, as well as the weight of your structure. I know neither and thus cannot give you a solution. I must know, though. Can you show me to the surface, to the sun? The packs have been lost beneath the oceans for so long, none live that have seen the sky."

"We would be delighted, though it is evening at the moment. I am most glad that we decided to investigate the cavern. I would have been horrified to find out we harmed one of your own as we attempted to fill in this cavern. Crystal, if you could fly to the tunnel and light your horn?"

Crystal did as she was asked, even going so far as to dig out a small chamber just beyond the tunnel where Luna could easily land with two others. The alicorn arrived shortly after Crystal lit her horn as a signal, the two dogs levitating in her grip and being set down in the newly excavated chamber.

"I, I think I would rather walk from this point on, miss. Thank you anyway," the older dog mumbled shakily, leaning forward to keep all four limbs on the ground. The younger pup didn't even attempt civility, whimpering and clinging to the ground like it would run away from it.

Luna giggled sheepishly, murmuring apologies while burning with embarrassment that Crystal couldn't understand. It wasn't as if her alpha would drop them after offering to help.

'They can't fly, Crystal,' Max sent, his amusement blooming over their connection. 'Creatures without wings often develop a fear of heights. Even more so when they spend their time in confined spaces like these tunnels.'

'I suppose that makes sense'

Luna led the way back to the surface, with Crystal following after and the dogs bringing up the rear. Once more she found herself thinking about how much easier it would have been to tunnel straight down then fly straight up, but Luna's wings would have been confined. Even Crystal's own wings likely would have been brushing against the walls as she flew up and down the tunnel. Something that could have ended with the ends of her wings becoming damaged and tattered.

Luna stepped out of the tunnel with a sigh of relief, spreading her wings and radiating happiness at being free of the earth. Crystal followed shortly after, taking note that Celestia was standing nearby, two large mounds of dirt and rock beside her as well as a good portion of the gems the changeling had been digging out as well. A pony was sorting through the gems, holding each up to the fading sunlight and commenting on the quality of each before putting them in to one of several piles that were being watched over by knights.

"Clouds...this is it," a voice whispered from behind her.

The old dog was walking in silent awe, pulling along the confused pup with a strong grip. He sniffed the air, his tail beginning to wag in excitement before he walked towards a nearby copse of trees. He took a deep breath of the air before sitting down in the grass, rolling a bit before settling down on his back, staring at the evening sky through the leaves.

"What is it?" Celestia asked quietly, approaching Luna and Crystal as the dogs rested under the trees.

"Maximus said that they were called Diamond Dogs, though we have yet to hear them identify themselves as such. I had asked Crystal to begin excavating a gem vein while we were down there in the hopes of acquiring a good amount of gem dust for long-lasting enchantments lest we bury them beneath the stone we move into the cavern, but while she was doing so she noticed another digging into the vein from the opposite side. If we had not checked it is possible we would have dropped the rock on top of the younger pup."

Shifting her wings uncomfortably, Luna nodded back to the tunnel.

"The elder asked to be brought to the surface, something about being lost beneath the oceans. That is a long ways from here, Tia."

"Max said if that was true, they would have been extremely cautious of digging too high. Doing so would flood their tunnels," Crystal added, vocalizing the stallion's thoughts for the older mares.

Luna worried her lip in thought.

"It would make sense. We will need to know more of course."

As one, the three mares approached the peacefully humming dog as he rested in the waning sunlight. His ears perked at their approach and he sat up, pulling himself to his feet with a tired smile on his face.

"I thank you, big pony. We have been lost under ground for a long time, digging through the earth in the hopes of finding a cave that would bring us to the surface. We could not find any, none that we wished to explore anyway. Once or twice we came upon occupied caves, but even under the ocean we found such things. It was often best to seal the caves before the inhabitants realized we were there. Less dangerous that way."

"It was my pleasure," Luna offered with a smile. "We do require information, however. Your people, you species, and I am curious as to this Great Bath you spoke of."

"Diamond Dogs was the name our packs use. Mostly there are only digging packs now. The old dogs spoke of a rocky paradise where we first learned our trade but it collapsed into the sea. Too many tunnels, they said. Too much earth missing from beneath our home with no true support left. The island fell into the sea, drowning many while some managed to fill the tunnels in behind them enough to prevent themselves from drowning. There was never a number given to the deaths but..."

"But it matters little in the end, as you lost your homeland and your race was scattered," Celestia said softly. "You are not alone in surviving a disaster to befall your race. Crystal the changeling here also lost her home in a disaster, as did the ponies. Ponies were driven from their lands by windigoes, creatures that feed off of hate and anger while slowly driving the land they reside in to eternal winter. This was to be our new home after the disaster of the windigoes, but we soon found why nopony had settled this beautiful land. Discord, a being of great power, roamed these lands not too long ago. He left the land, the communities, the ponies themselves in shambles. He shattered Crystal's home, her hive, leaving her to roam the land lost and alone. Discord is no longer a threat, so now we rebuild."

Luna smiled widely.

"We would be delighted to deliver aid to your, um, pack should you require it. I'm certain our races could be of benefit to each other."

"I, I must convene with my pack first. Your offer is appreciated, strangers. I shall attempt to return here tomorrow with others," the old dog said. Turning to Luna he smiled hesitantly. "We shall make our own way to the tunnel you created, Blue one. Your aid will not be needed in returning to our tunnels."

'Ask them if they need water or food,' Max sent over the link.

"Before you go, is there anything you require?" Crystal asked. "Food or fresh water? We have Vegetables and grain for bread."

"No, though your offer is again very much appreciated," he said with a much more sincere smile. "Directing us safely to the surface is a favor we can never repay. It will be good for the pups to play in the sunlight again."

Sensing a bit of fear and apprehension from behind them, Crystal turned to find the guards and Lady Sapphire watching the exchange with fear. It didn't surprise her though. They had viewed changelings with fear upon their first encounter, why would she expect any different from...

"Luna, why do you not fear them?"

Luna blinked in surprise, looking from the tunnel the dogs had just entered.

"We have found much benefit from the changelings joining our cause and personally I wish to pursue the rumors of Thestrals in the northwestern mountains. Why would I attempt to drive away this race when I open my door to so many others? Besides, they are not the first creatures capable of bipedal motion I have encountered."

"Discord does not count as a bipedal creature, Luna," Celestia admonished with a small smile. "In fact I do not think Discord counts in any category you may wish to create."

"I was speaking of Maximus. You have seen his other form in the dream-hive you share with him have you not, Crystal? The difference between his current form and his old one? His old race is much more jarring than these doglike creatures as I have never seen anything even similar to a Human."

Grinning brightly, Luna turned her attention back to the tunnel.

"It will be a great city, Tia. One that will put those glimpses we received of Maximus' homeland to shame. Now, lets get these gems to the keep so we may begin the cellar's enchantments. We have much to do, and I aim to see our home grow."

Author's Notes:

The Great Bath, a disaster that sounds both silly and horrific. You should feel ashamed for laughing about it. The smell of wet dog still permeates that part of the ocean.