An announcement and a coronation were shortly followed by an invasion, and although Shining had been strangely unaffected by Tirek's magic-draining attacks, many others were not so lucky. But the Crystal Empire, with its growing population of changelings, fared better than Equestria itself.

With their empire secure, the Emperor and Empress had finally gotten to their planned outing to visit Twilight and Shining's parents.

Trixie's letter arrived the day Shining and Cadance were setting off for Ponyville. Careful had rushed the letter to them while they were on their way to the train station, but Shining and Cadance didn't open it until they were in the privacy of their train car.

Shining was getting used to remaining in his changeling form for long periods of time, but for now he chose the disguise of his old self. "I wonder what she has to report?" He opened the letter and unfolded the thick sheaf of paper. The first line shocked Shining to the point where he almost dropped the papers. "C-C-Cady?"

The air of panic in Shining's voice cut through Cadance's complacency. All her attention turned to her husband. "What's the matter?" His magic shoved the papers to her. She read aloud, " 'My Queens, Chrysalis is in Ponyville.' " Cadance had to fight her own panic. She turned to her husband. "We can't stop in Canterlot, we must go straight to Ponyville."

Planning, Shining could always do planning. "Right. Ponyville. Prepare for battle, but I wonder why Twilight hasn't…" He trailed off. "If she has hurt—"

"Slow down, Shiny." Cadance's eyes were flicking down the page. "Keep reading. This could be more complicated than we thought."

Shining and Cadance read the letter together. It recapped a lot of what they had already gleaned from previous reports, but reading Trixie's account of Chrysalis distracting Tirek stunned both of them.

"Was she only doing it to protect her food?" Shining was desperate to wrap his head around why Chrysalis would put her life in danger to save ponies. "Or is she planning to capture the town?" The panic inside Shining calmed as two forelegs and a pair of wings closed around him. "Thank you." He leaned into the hug, nuzzling his snout into Cadance's neck and inhaling her smell. Immersing his senses in every aspect of Cadance, Shining could think properly again.

"Better?" Cadance knew her husband well enough to help him through his panic. "This is an opportunity. We get to observe her and interact with her. Cinnamon Stick seems to be a good way to get to know her and learn her intentions."

"So long as she isn't lying through her fangs the whole time." Shining gestured to the pages detailing how Cinnamon acted with the new information coloring the interactions. "We can give her a chance to do good, but if she shows any inclination to hurt anypony…"

"Then we work together to subdue her." Cadance nuzzled against Shining's nearest ear, wrapped her lips around it and nibbled her mate into further relaxation. The tense readiness in his body shifted from "fight or flight" to something much more up Cadance's alley.

By the time the train reached the station in Ponyville, Shining and each of the changelings in their Personal Guard were topped off with love. Cadance slid from the couch where she had been hugging Shining after having a quick clean up from their lovemaking. "So, the first day we observe only, the second we push her to see how she acts, and the third…"

"The third is still a complete mystery. If either of the first two days turns her out to be her wicked self, the choice is simple." Shining couldn't help but feel pride and hunger with Cadance in such close quarters. Sex had left him wanting more, which he definitely didn't mind. Shining adored wanting more of Cadance, and he doubted he would ever not want more of her. Giving Cadance a warm kiss on the cheek, he stepped out into the corridor of their assigned sleeper-car.

"Make way for the Empress and Emperor!" Gleaming Shine's voice echoed down the aisle, and a half-dozen sets of hooves clacked sharply. "Your Imperial Majesties." She greeted Shining and Cadance with a smile that spoke more of friendship, and put her previous stiff words into a playful refrain. "We are ready when you are."

Shining's critical eyes ran down the corridor of the car, picking out the guards of the Royal Crystal Guard. His eyes focused in on Sunset Shimmer, but moved to the other new recruits who were getting experience. He gave Gleaming a nod and started marching towards the end of the long hall.

Sunset's heart was beating heavily. She had broken her promise to herself; she was in Equestria again. Pride grew enough to shove panic away when Shining Armor and Cadance walked past her. Snapping her hoof into a salute, she almost shed tears of pride at seeing the pair. When Shining stopped, an edge of worry entered Sunset.

"Relax. This is a state-announced visit. You answer to nopony but us while here." Shining had felt Sunset's nervousness. "And if by some chance Princess Celestia does arrive, you have my full permission to ignore every word she says. You followed our rules to a 'T,' Sunset, loyalty given earns loyalty."

Pure joy replaced the worry in Sunset. She stood a little straighter in her bright uniform. "Yes, Your Imperial Majesty!"

Shining made a promise to himself to invent some title in the Royal Crystal Guard, just so they could call him "sir" again. "As you were." He marched on, sparing a word or two for each of the ponies in his Guard. Nimbus Cloud. Bright Flash. Jade Wings. Soft Glow. Slick Dive. Each of them had stories, and each of them looked ready to do what Shining feared they would have to.

"Cady." Shining waited at the end of the hall for Cadance to reach him. "If things turn bad—"

"I won't run, Shining Armor." Cadance's tone was firm. "I will stand beside you."

"Not what I was going to ask. I gave up trying to protect you, Empress Mi Amore Cadenza; that is why I formed the Royal Crystal Guard. I was going to tell you about what I had planned for Twilight." Shining explained his plan for a treasure hunt through Ponyville. "And setting all this up gives us time to ask about Cinnamon Stick."

Four of the guards stepped off, followed by Gleaming Shine. Stepping to one side of the train car, she lifted her voice. "Announcing the arrival of Empress Cadance and Emperor Shining Armor!" Pride for the titles and their owners filled Gleaming, when nearby ponies all gasped and looked towards their honor guard.

"Lieutenant Gleaming, this was supposed to be a quiet day. Can we avoid the yelling?" Shining smiled to Gleaming and walked up beside her. "We have some things to get done before meeting Twi, and I was hoping to get them done as quietly as possible."

Seemingly from nowhere, Trixie Lulamoon scooted up beside the royal couple. "Why don't you have them take your things up to the castle while you take care of what you need to? Trixie can make a more complete report as well."

"Trixie Lulamoon." Cadance felt delight at seeing the unicorn. "We heard there was some excitement here recently?" While she guided Trixie away, she gave Shining time to issue orders.

"Take our things up to the castle in about an hour. Until then, I want you to mingle. Pairs or more at all times. Keep on your hooves. There are potentially hostile changelings in the area." Shining had the guards' attention. "If in doubt, or if anything happens, make your way to the castle immediately."

Gleaming saluted. "Yes, Your Imperial Maj—" Gleaming's reply was cut short by Shining's hoof on her nose.

Shining drew his hoof back from Gleaming's snout. "And stop yelling, Gleaming." He turned and trotted after Cadance and Trixie. When he reached the two mares, Shining slid up beside Cadance and made sure their cutie marks were touching. "Good work on the report, Corporal Trixie."

"Things have changed a little more since Trixie's report." Trixie waved a hoof in greeting to a passing pony she knew. "Cinnamon Stick doesn't suspect that we know."

" 'We'?" Cadance couldn't stop fluttering her wings, reminded with each step how close Shining was. "Who else knows of it?"

"Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends. It was unavoidable. Trixie gave Twilight the choice in the situation, and she is pleased that the right choice was made. Cinnamon is…" Trixie held out her hoof.

Shining and Cadance both frowned as three well-known fillies lined up beside Trixie. "Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle." Shining grinned at them. "Three of my sister's favorite friends. How are you doing?" The oddest thing about the fillies, however, was what they were wearing.

"We aren't here." Apple Bloom pulled her duster tighter around her, and lowered her hat brim.

"Right." Scootaloo narrowed her eyes at the two rulers. "And we didn't say nothin'!" Her own cloak jumped a little where it settled on her back, her wings buzzing against it.

Sweetie Belle froze, looked to Trixie, then to her friends. "Uh… what's my line, again?"

"Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom both lamented their friend's messing up the rehearsed meeting at the same time.

"How are we going to get our cutie marks in spy work now?" Scootaloo threw her hooves into the air, sending her hat flying.

"But we got our cutie marks, remember?" Apple Bloom turned and pushed back her duster to reveal her "Apple Heart" cutie mark.

Cadance cut in on the fillies, her excitement building. "You got your cutie marks? What are they?" It was an exciting moment in any foal's life, and everypony who encountered a foal who had just gained their mark typically relieved a moment of that thrill.

"We got them all at the same time." Apple Bloom turned a little to show hers off. "Mine's an apple with a heart-shaped shield behind it."

"You all have heart-shaped shields. This is amazing, girls!" Cadance was almost bouncing from hoof to hoof. It would have been hard to suppress her mothering instincts, and the Princess of Love didn't even try. "What did you get, Sweetie Belle?"

While Cadance's attention was focused on the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Shining Armor wandered off. "Now, where first?" He pulled a notepad out of his saddlebags. "Right, the…" He paused. An itch ran down his spine. An itch he remembered from Canterlot when he had claimed a bunch of changeling drones for his hive.

"Aww shucks, Cinnamon." Big Mac was standing behind his apple cart, selling apples to the fine ponies of Ponyville. Beside him, pressed close from her flank to her shoulder, was Cinnamon Stick. "Ya didn't have to go and make me that…"

Chrysalis had spent weeks telling herself that Big Mac was a means to an end, that the big stallion was nothing to her. She passed him one of the apple slices covered in cinnamon. "I was just helping Mrs, Cake prepare for a big event." She was surprised when Big Mac's big lips pressed to her cheek first instead of the apple treat.

"Howdy, Big Mac, Cinnamon." Applejack couldn't believe what had happened to her brother, but she could also feel all the way down in her cutie mark that Chrysalis wasn't lying about her love of the big red stallion. "How's the apples sellin' today?"

Mild worry flooded Chrysalis, as it always did when she was around Big Mac's sister. Applejack was the one element perfectly matched to catch her out. She unconsciously leaned a little closer to Big Mac, and his huge foreleg reaching around her filled her with confidence. "They're selling great, Applejack. McIntosh was just telling me if this keeps up, he will have to go back for another load."

Big Mac could feel the tension in Cinnamon's frame and squeezed her a little more. He didn't blame the changeling for being scared of his sister. When she got a bee in her bonnet she was downright scary. "Eeyup."

"Hi there." Shining couldn't keep out of the conversation anymore. Stepping out from behind the stall, he gave everypony a smile. His blood was running like ice water and real fear boiled inside, but for once his changeling instincts carried him. "How much for three apples?"

Chrysalis' heart stopped. She stared at Shining Armor, and despite everything she had felt for Big Mac, a yearning flared. For a second the Queen of the Changelings let that flame persist before she turned and poked her snout into Big Mac's neck. One breath. Two breaths. On the third, the big stallion's musk cleared her head and smothered that flame. The leg around her squeezed a little again, and she gladly accepted the closeness.

Shining tried not to stare at Chrysalis. The earth pony before him was leagues from the dominant and overpowering queen that had hurt him. She had turned from him, and something stung at the fact that a powerful mare who had proclaimed she wanted him would disregard him so quickly. Shining's ego ran wild for nearly half a second before his logic kicked it a few times and told it to shut up.

"Two bits." Applejack gestured to McIntosh. "Ah'll be goin'. Twi's got something big she wants to tell us."

Author's Notes:

Hounour of Humbleness, Beauty of Baking, Titan of Tray Bakes, Queen Cinnamon Stick... I mean Chrysalis: "How and when did you learn to cook?"

"Luck, patience, and the threat of being captured." Cinnamon slumped her shoulders. "I was hiding in Canterlot, disguised as a cook. When they asked me to actually cook something, I had to use magic, but the result tasted terrible. I 'admitted' I was a novice cook, but that cooking was what I wanted to do. They fell for it of course, but that is how I learned not just cooking, but to appreciate good cooking."

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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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