"What is it, Trixie?" Twilight had to fight not to use her drollest tone; Trixie had shown her and her friends up in the Crystal Empire, but she had done the right thing. Getting booped on the nose—twice—hadn't improved her disposition towards the stage performer, however.

"Oh!" Trixie lowered her hoof before she accidentally booped a princess a third time. "The Great and Powerful Trixie," of course she struck a pose, how could Trixie not, "thought she best come and speak to the princess of the town before she puts on her first show. There were some other things Trixie needed to speak about…"

The final few words were what got Twilight's attention. "I…" she trailed the syllable off, "think we should go inside to discuss this." The instant relief on Trixie's face told her she had done the right thing. Ushering Trixie and Rainbow Dash inside, Twilight closed the door of the library behind them. "So what did you need to talk about, Trixie?"

Trixie looked around, scanning the room for potential threats—as she was trained to; all she saw was Twilight's other four best friends already present. "Changelings." As she said the word, Trixie scanned the ponies present. Each of Twilight's close friends looked surprised, but none looked actually evasive. She breathed a sigh of relief. "Prince Shining and Princess Cadance have discovered plans to send a group of changelings to Ponyville."

"And how do we know you aren't a changeling?" Applejack's eyes narrowed as she accused Trixie. "I mean, this could be something to throw us off before we leave for the Princess Summit."

"Oh, she's the real deal alright." Rainbow Dash stepped up beside Trixie. "She knew all kinds of things about the first time she was here without me telling her." She gave a nod of satisfaction.

"And how do we know you aren't a changeling too, Rainbow Dash?" Again Applejack jumped in. "How can you both prove to us that you are the real ponies?"

Trixie smiled. "Trixie is most glad that somepony is taking this seriously. You are right to distrust Trixie in this, but she is not just a school filly with some fancy ribbons." As she said the words, she watched Applejack blush. "And Trixie can verify that Rainbow Dash is real too."

"Well, good enough for me, I guess." Applejack felt the bite of more than a little embarrassment at being proven wrong.

"But it was a good sentiment. Trixie proposes that we choose two words; when somepony says the first, always react to the second." Of course it was a good idea, it had been standard fare in the Royal Crystal Guard. Trixie trusted changelings to come up with ways to fool their own systems.

"That is brilliant." Twilight lifted a hoof to tap her chin. "I guess the two words shouldn't be related, and shouldn't be common. We don't want to be accidentally saying them. What about—"

"Trixie already has the words for you, her commander came up with them." All eyes were on Trixie as she cut Twilight off, she sensed a little annoyance at her move. "The commander that came up with this system. The first word is Sombra. That should be easy for you to remember."

"That is actually a good one. With him gone we won't need to be talking about him anymore, but talking about him won't be completely strange." Twilight looked around her friends with a smile. "What's the reply word?"

"Hug." Trixie smiled. "So if Trixie started talking about how things had changed in the Crystal Empire, and how nice it was now Sombra was gone…"

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down, raising her hoof. "Then I could say how awesome it is that ponies are allowed to hug again?"

"Huh, that is kinda neat." Rainbow Dash put in her own thought on it. "So if your boss told it to you, who else knows it?" She looked to Trixie.

"Trixie knows it, of course, as does Prince Shining and Princess Cadance, Commander Gilt, and Careful." Trixie watched as various of Twilight's friends showed recognition of the names used. "So, with that out of the way, have any new ponies arrived in town recently?"

Applejack started giggling. "I just knew there was somethin' up with that family. Ya see, a few days ago some ponies arrived and wanted to settle their own farm nearby. They said they was from Appleoosa, but they didn't have the right accent, ya know?" Six heads nodded back to Applejack. "Was two ponies and three foals, or so it seemed. Guess they was all changelings?"

"Well, if they are, we can deal with them when we get back from the Princess Summit." Twilight ruffled her wings a little in apprehension; she still didn't think of herself as a princess, not completely.

"Or you can leave it to Trixie to handle it." Trixie grinned. "Being here to put on shows is Trixie's cover—not that I won't put on shows—Trixie is actually here to protect you, Your Highness." Accepting that Shining Armor and Cadance were worthy of bowing to had been a hard lesson, but it was one that let Trixie lower her head to Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Twilight was shocked on two counts. Firstly she was unable to reconcile this Trixie with the one who had challenged her to a duel and been so full of herself. Secondly to have somepony she knew bow to her, like she was a real princess, made her head spin. "Trixie, please stand up straight…" She realized a moment later that this was a command and it would do nothing to change the situation were Trixie to follow it.

Trixie lifted her head. "Prince Shining Armor himself commanded Trixie to come and protect Princess Twilight Sparkle. Trixie holds her Prince in high regard, and trusts his word that his sister is equally worthy of trust."

"This is all really sudden, and strange." Twilight stepped back from the situation, literally and figuratively. "I don't understand why I am so important. What have I done that would make you… this!" She pointed at Trixie with a hoof.

"Darling," Rarity had been keeping quiet for most of the events, but felt it was her time to chime-in, "this is how ponies are going to see you now. You are a princess, you have saved Equestria from disaster more times than I can count." She walked over to Twilight and lifted a hoof to pull Twilight into a hug. "And you are one of my best friends."

"If it would help, Trixie can wear her official armor? It will make the covert parts of her mission harder, but it is very shiny." Trixie saw Twilight's eyes roll at the over-the-top suggestion. "Then leave this to Trixie. Finding out who the changelings are is important; the next time Prince Shining and Princess Cadance are in town they will likely pick them up."

"You still have your armor? How is the fit? Does it ride comfortably?" Rarity brightened right up at mention of one of her creations. "I was simply overcome with delight when I was asked to design that armor. I do hope Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor will invite me back next year. It would be dreadful if they found another designer." When everypony stared at her, Rarity felt duty-bound to defend herself. "Well come on! It would be horrible to have a complete style redo from one design season to the next. It just won't do! Standards must be maintained!"

"We can talk about all of that when we get back." Twilight was dearly hoping she could get some sleep. With all her friends so worked up, her chances weren't looking good. "We will be leaving tomorrow morning, Trixie. With changelings snooping around, I would rather stay here and take care of them, but knowing somepony my brother trusts is here is reassuring."

"Your highnesses?!"

Shining's head rattled at the yell, but it was thankfully still muffled by the door of their cabin.

"Prince Shining Armor, Princess Cadance?!"

With barely a thought, Shining took his disguise and slipped into his white-pelted, male self again. He had to remind himself that he was a prince now, and Cadance a princess: the world would wait for them. Leaning in, he kissed Cadance's cheek, nuzzling her soft fur again and again.

Outside, the sound of more hooves approaching the door made Shining's ears keep flicking to the distraction. "This had better be important to wake the Princess and Prince." Bright Flash's voice sounded firm and demanding.

Shining could have kissed Bright then. "Wake up Cady, I don't know if our loyal guards can keep back the day." When Cadance's lips pressed up to his, Shining almost purred. "Come on." He nuzzled her cheek and coaxed her on.

"But sir, there was an accident last night. Commander Gilt sent me to fetch the Princess and Prince as soon as they were in." The voice outside sounded relieved that somepony with more authority was around.

Pushing to his hooves, Shining Armor clopped to the door and unlocked it. "What is going on? Is there a reason for all this yelling?" His eyes flicked to Bright Flash, taking solace in the perfect stallion disguise he wore. He turned his head to look at the guard who had been sent to fetch them. "Well?"

"Your Highness. There was an incident last night, your quarters were… they were ransacked."

Shining's blood ran cold, and he quickly had to go through his memory to think of anything incriminating in there. "Was anything taken? Do you have any suspects?"

Sliding up beside Shining, Cadance leaned up and gave him a nuzzle on the cheek. "This sounds like something that should be discussed in private." She lifted her eyes and set them on the guard. "Please let Gilt know we will be at the castle shortly."

"That was a dismissal, Private." Bright Flash didn't need to use his talent to send the guard running. "Sorry," his eyes danced in delight, "your majesties, but I tried to intercept him. Do you require an honor guard to escort you to the castle?"

"One pony for an honor guard?" Shining smiled at Bright, but his expression turned hard when a second guard moved up beside Bright. This one was a pegasus that he had seen before. "Straight Horn, you haven't earned the right to wear that armor." Pausing until a flash of green revealed Straight's chitin, Shining added, "Yet."

Slick walked up next, still in his raw chitin. "Your Majesty, allow me." He shifted into the big crystal pony stallion he loved disguising as. Moving down the corridor of the train, soon Bright and Slick stepped out onto the platform, their queens following behind them.

Changelings were everywhere: wandering around on the platform, some buzzing their wings as they flew above, and yet others just sitting and waiting for their queens. Shining closed his eyes and reached for them all, finding the touch returned, he sensed all the drones at the train station, a few up at the castle, and one back in Canterlot. Memories of the self-styled "life of the party" made him smile. "Form up, lead us all home, Bright."

"Yes, sir!" Bright snapped to attention, facing away. He didn't even need to look to know that Slick Dive was beside him; the presence of the big stallion made Bright wanted to grow to match him, but relaxed and discarded the thought. "Move out!"

Cadance moved up beside her husband, giving him the naughtiest look she could drum up as a tease for future fun like their train trip had been. Behind them the flying drones landed and fell in, and soon dozens of sets of hooves started clopping as their new hive followed them back to the castle. "Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are due to arrive around midday."

"I know, Cady. And then Twily and her friends in the evening." Shining rolled his eyes and leaned in to nuzzle Cadance. "You can guess which I am happier about." The pulse of love Candace gave off almost had him stumble. "I love you too."

"You are reading me entirely too well, Your Imperial Highness." Cadance giggled, but turned her head sharply when she heard somepony fall down. Behind her, most of the changelings were swaying on their hooves, the one that had fallen down had started giggling. "I hope you all know that I don't intend to stop loving my husband, so you had better get used to full bellies."

Shining looked as well, and saw two more drones buzzed their wings in shock when Cadance giggled, falling down to roll around and chirp. "Okay. The rest of you use your magic to lift the ones that have fallen, burning off love will help. You can trust me—there will always be more to eat."

Bright looked to Slick. "Are you handling it okay?" He spoke softly, trying not to make a scene. It almost worked until Jade Wings walked past. He watched Slick's eyes land on the mare and follow her as she walked past them. "Slick?"

"Not so well, but I need to be a good 'ling if I want to have a hope of her loving me again." Slick didn't feel good. His legs wobbled, his body felt too big to support, so he locked his knees. It took a few moments for him to get some measure of composure back. "I think I can go on now."

Author's Notes:

Twilight: How do you feel that your old enemy Chrysalis might become an 'adopted' daughter to your ex-big-brother's hive (AKA your niece) ?

Floating their bags onto the train, Twilight looked back at the questioner. "Well, to be honest, I am not sure at all about it, but if Fluttershy can help Discord reform I am sure my BBBFF and Cadance can do something for Chrysalis." She started to turn around again then froze. "What do you mean 'ex' big brother? Shining Armor is still the same unicorn he always was." Before any further questions can be asked, the newest princess raced onto the train and hid under Pinkie Pie.

~~~~~+++++~~~~~

So I do this "Ask x" thing, x can be any pony within the story. You can ask them anything and I they will definitely hopefully reply. Keep the questions appropriate to the age-rating of the stories and of course, I they will answer the best question(s) in the author notes of the next chapter. The more votes a comment has the more likely I will get it to the right pony to answer, try and keep it to one answer per post! I They will pick one question per chapter.

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