Two days and some odd hours later had left Daedalus in a rather confusing dilemma. Several rooms over, a meeting was taking place. Within the locked, guarded, and soundproofed room was a Changeling Queen, three Alicorn Princesses and a Unicorn Prince. A negotiation was happening, the end result hopefully being a new peace between Sapphire Hive and Equestria. If the other Hives wanted peace, it was up to them.

Daedalus could easily slip a tendril into the wall, pop it out of the floor or ceiling in the meeting room, and listen in. At least then, he would be able to storm in if weapons were drawn or spells prepared. Instead, he was sitting in the hall, in his pony form, with his hoof tapping against the floor repeatedly. He had no idea what was happening in the secluded room, nor would he know if the Princesses of Equestria decided to just execute Chrysalis and be done with it. He hated not knowing, yet he continued to do so.

All because Chrysalis asked him to trust her and not interfere. The virus trusted her. The virus also trusted two of the Alicorns in the room. He didn’t necessarily trust them when they were together. Although she hadn’t really shown in, Chrysalis had a natural dislike for ponies, one that most ponies shared for Changelings. A natural animosity existed between the two races and Daedalus had no idea if they could ever overcome it.

The meeting had already been going on for an hour or two now and the man was nearing the end of his patience. If it continued for another hour or so, nothing would stop him from drilling in through the floor and listening in. His prodding had already discovered that the floor, walls, and roof weren’t sealed. No spell was keeping the sound from escaping. The room was just naturally soundproofed, making it easy to make a hole through which his unnatural hearing could pick up the conversation.

He didn’t, though. Not yet. He was going to wait some time more for Chrysalis before he began eavesdropping. The Guards stationed outside the room, and a mere thirty meters from him, knew that he had something to do with the meeting and was allowed to be there. It didn’t stop them from watching him, though. Good thing he could create his tendrils from anywhere in his body.

Several bladed tendrils were positioned underneath the Guards, ready to spear up and end them in seconds. Another, much larger mass was suspended in the marble above the meeting room. Daedalus was fully prepared to use both of his forms, providing double the offensive and defensive capabilities while allowing him to take advantage of the confusion it was sure to cause.

He just hoped he wouldn’t be too late to stop anything bad from happening to Chrysalis.

Daedalus closed his eyes and forced himself to relax. It wasn’t easy for him to adapt to having emotions he couldn’t just switch off at will. He remembered having emotions when he was alive, but that was Jay, not Daedalus. Maybe they had the same form, and maybe he had Jay’s memories, but the virus wasn’t really him. He was just that; a virus. A collection of microorganisms that were neither dead or alive, just is.

For a slight moment, the mass of tendrils above the meeting room registered slight vibrations from inside, powerful enough to make it through the soundproofing. Immediately, he thought a fight was soon to begin. The virus began planning his breach as the tendrils slowly drilled the last few inches that separated confusion from certainty.

Go for the Unicorn; brutal and slow consumption to inspire fear of the unknown. Then turn and launch projectile spikes into one of the Alicorns. As the other two move to help her, grab Chrysalis and make a retreat. Plant viral traps behind to slow or eliminate and followers. Once out of the ca-

Daedalus’ thoughts and drilling were interrupted when the door to the meeting room opened and out walked five ponies. Three Alicorns and two Unicorns, all of which he recognized in some form. Celestia, Luna, and ‘Snow Flight’ were familiar to him, while a pink Alicorn named Cadence and a white Unicorn named Shining Armor weren’t quite as familiar. He knew somewhat of them from Disarray’s implanted memories, but not as much as he would prefer.

Princess Celestia turned to the Guards and said something, likely dismissing them if their leaving was any indication. She waved her wing toward Daedalus, requesting he join them. The virus-turned-pony did just that. He stood quickly after disengaging the tendrils he had and allowing his other form’s mass to absorb them before returning to the cave. When Daedalus joined the group, coming to a stop by the disguised Queen’s side, they began walking again toward, what he assumed, would be some form of private study or library; a place where they could all talk without gossip being spread throughout the Castle and kingdom.

Daedalus was lead through the winding halls of the castle down a path he wasn’t familiar with. He kept an eye out for any familiar locations to use as reference points, intending to expand his knowledge of the Castle’s layout. Before long, the group rounded a corner and Daedalus found his reference point. A familiar wooden door, adorned with the symbols of the sun and moon. The Solar Diarch, leading the group, magically opened the door and then closed it once the group was inside.

The virus quickly glanced around the room, noticing the same fireplace, the same furniture, the same dark wood walls, bookshelves, the same blue carpet floors. Even the small, magical orbs of light were in the same places as he remembered. The only difference is that the fireplace was unlit, no flames licking at the wood piled in the brick enclosure. The Diarchy sat in two chairs while the other Princess and Prince sat on a couch. Daedalus sat down on another couch, the same spot he had before, and smiled lightly as he was joined by Chrysalis’ disguised form.

After a short moment of silence, Princess Celestia casted a quick spell and then spoke. “Go ahead and drop your disguises. The door is locked and a soundproof barrier has been erected.”

With a swirl of black tendrils and a flash of green fire, both Daedalus and Chrysalis returned to their natural forms. The virus smiled lightly as Princess Cadence and Prince Armor looked at him in surprise, apparently not having known about him. Daedalus turned his attention back to Celestia and spoke. “This is the same study we spoke in before, isn’t it?”

She nodded with a small smile adorning her muzzle. “Yes, it is. My sister and I worked together to design this study and we are both quite happy with it. It gives us a place to relax and talk without having to worry about nobles.”

Daedalus nodded once and then turned his attention to the two ponies he wasn’t quite as familiar with. “Hello to you two. I don’t believe we’ve met before. My name is Daedalus, though the form you saw me in is Gene Splice.”

The pink Alicorn coughed into her hoof lightly, recovering her presence of mind, and greeted him cheerfully. “Hello, Daedalus! My name is Mi Amore Cadenza, but I much rather the name Cadence. I wasn’t aware you were a Chan- well, shapeshifter, too.”

Daedalus looked to the Unicorn for his introduction, receiving a short reply. “Prince Shining Armor, former Captain of the Royal Guard.”

He nodded to them both. “Yes, I am a shapeshifter, and as Princess Cadence noticed, I’m not a Changeling. I’m the only one of my kind here in Equestria and I’m fine with that. My species are called Evolved and we are astronomically advanced viruses.”

“Virus?” Cadence asked in concern and confusion.

“Yes, a virus. Though, there’s a rather large difference between me and the kind of virus you go to the doctor for. I’m not contagious and I don’t spread, I’m sentient, and I’m, in a way, alive.” Daedalus explained.

Princess Luna cleared her throat to interrupt them and spoke. “I think we should handle the reason we are here before we delve into friendly conversations.”

Everyone nodded to no one’s surprise and she continued to Daedalus. “While you weren’t able to be at the meeting itself, we’ve decided that you should know what’s going to happen due to your part in bringing this peace.”

When the virus nodded his thanks, Celestia took over. “A treaty was negotiated between the Sapphire Hive and Equestria, subsequently being signed by all of the leaders present. Some of the terms were quickly agreed upon, such as Changelings being allowed to gather the love they require from ponies provided that they caused no harm to the pony’s wellbeing. Others took some debate, such as what would happen if a Changeling were discovered. It was suggested by Queen Chrysalis that the discovered Changeling would relocate themselves to another town or city to avoid any anger or dislike from the ponies.”

When Celestia stopped, Cadence began speaking. “Of course, the Sapphire Hive would be required to pay reparations to Equestrian Royalty for all damage, mental or physical, that was done during the wedding invasion. After some debate over what the reparation actually would be, then some over the amounts, it was eventually agreed upon by all parties.”

Princess Celestia took over again, making Daedalus wonder if this had been planned or if they just knew each other well enough to switch so often. “The Sapphire Hive would ship one hundred and fifty thousand bits worth of precious metals and one hundred tons of iron, steel, plastic, and other building materials. Daedalus, do you have any complaints about these amounts?”

The virus shook his head. “If Queen Chrysalis has agreed to these amounts then I see no reason to dispute them.”

Princess Celestia smiled to him and placed a scroll on the table between them. Next to it she set a quill and inkwell. “Feel free to read over the treaty, then sign in as a witness.”

Daedalus leaned forward and quickly read the treaty, seeing that none of what he was told was a lie. The virus saw several plans for introducing Changelings into Equestrian society, a plan for mutual defense, and trade agreements. Seeing no lies or trickery, he picked the quill up and paused. “Sign my real name or the one I use?”

“Your real name for validity, please.” Celestia replied.

Daedalus quickly signed his full name, Jay Scott Fontenot, and set the quill down again. He leaned back as Celestia levitated it up and read it, her eyes widening slightly as she saw his name. After magically drying the ink, she rolled the scroll up, copied it twice in a flash of magic, and gave the other two copies to Chrysalis and Cadence. Then she smiled at Chrysalis, who undeniably looked happy. “This is be the beginning of a long alliance between our nations, Queen Chrysalis.”

The Changeling monarch bowed her head slightly in respect. “It makes me happy to know that, Princess Celestia.”

“Please, just call me Celestia.” The Alicorn said, smiling genuinely at her. Then her gaze drifted back to Daedalus.

“You have quite a lot of names, it seems, Jay.” She said, amusement playing at her lips and in her eyes.

He smiled back. “Jay Fontenot, Daedalus, and Gene Splice so far. The more forms I make, the more names I’ll have. Such is the way of a shapeshifter.”

Princess Cadence perked up as she heard that. “You make your own forms?”

Daedalus nodded. “I do. Unlike Changelings, I don’t change through magic, since I have none. Instead, I change through DNA. I genetically alter my form to perfectly match whatever I wish to become. The quickest way to make my own form is to take existing DNA and then alter it to make an entirely new being.”

“Can you show us you making a new form, if given a template?” Cadence asked.

“I would be willing to, yes. What form would you like to see?” Daedalus replied.

“Make an Alicorn!” The pink Alicorn requested cheerfully.

“May I see a strand of your hair, then, for the DNA?” Daedalus asked. While he could just use the DNA he had from Celestia and Luna, another Alicorn’s DNA may become helpful. He still had not integrated their genes into his own, preventing his virus from evolving, but he was capable of shapeshifting into them.

With slight, and understandable, hesitation, Princess Cadence plucked a single strand of hair from her mane and levitated it over to him. He quickly consumed it, being careful not to combine it with his virus, and quickly shifted into her. A perfect copy of Princess Cadence sat where he was did, which she quickly examined. “It’s identical to me.”

“Since I’m using your genes, it’s even more accurate than a Changelings. In essence, I actually become you, minus the memories and personality. I’m going to begin changing it now.” Daedalus replied.

Focusing on his currently altered external DNA, he began making changes to make his own Alicorn form, though it was nothing compared to an actual Alicorn. He was incapable of magic in all forms, making his horn useless, his wings too small to lift his weight, and his earth pony magic non-existent. Quickly, his coat shifted to a deep blue as his eyes turned gray. His mane turned orange with streaks of black and his feathers grew longer. His horn grew several inches longer as his entire form bulked up, vaguely visible muscles forming where they were unseen before. In time, he stopped and opened his eyes.

Where once was a copy of Princess Cadence was now a male Alicorn. His horn was long, slightly longer than Celestia’s. His coat was a blue similar to Luna’s, though slightly darker. His eyes were stormy gray with his tail a dull orange, black streaks standing out clearly. This body was much darker in color than Gene was, making Daedalus consider using an altered form of it for stealth. He quickly looked around the room at the others to see their reactions. He was glad he did.

Luna was looking over his form with a playful smile as she knew he was looking at her. Their eyes met for a moment and she winked in a joking manner, though he could see a trace of interest in her eyes. His attention drifted over to Celestia, who was examining him in slight interest. The virus didn’t know if there were any male Alicorns, so it might have just been the sheer novelty of seeing one, or maybe there was a deeper reason for her interest.

Cadence was examining him methodically, clearing intrigued in his ability to make his own forms. It likely only intrigued her more with the fact that his Alicorn form started as her own form before it underwent alterations. Shining was examining him as he expected him to; he was looking for any sort of weaknesses or disabilities, though Daedalus knew he would find none. This body was just as dense and muscled as any other body he made, though neither of those two traits were visible.

Finally, his gaze drifted to Chrysalis to see her eyes tracing over his entire form, following the lines and contours his muscles naturally produced. Her eyes stopped at his own and a smile broke across her muzzle as she spoke. “You look good, Jay, but I think I like the monkey better.”

He couldn’t help but laugh lightly at that, Chrysalis soon joining him. When they stopped, Celestia spoke. “I’ve never seen a male Alicorn so I can’t say if you did a good job, but I would take a guess and say that it is.”

“Wide wings are attractive on Pegasi, a long horn is admirable in Unicorns, and thicker hooves are considered better among Earth ponies. Considering you have all three traits, are well built, and even taller than before, I’d say you did very well in this form. Certainly pleasing to my eyes.” Princess Luna said, complimenting him.

“It’s strange to think that that was started off as a copy of me.” Cadence said. “It looked so strange when it began changing. I can imagine how useful that ability is to you.”

Shining Armor grunted at that. “Now that you’re an Alicorn, I assume you have their abilities?”

Daedalus chuckled and shook his head. “No, I don’t. I have no magic of my own so an Alicorn’s natural abilities are inaccessible for me. My horn can’t cast magic, my wings are far too small to lift me, even if I didn’t weigh more than normal, and an Alicorn’s strength brought on my Earth pony magic is completely lacking in my form. I only have my own abilities to access, though those aren’t inconsiderable.”

The former Guard Captain relaxed a little knowing that the virus didn’t have powers matching the Princesses. What Daedalus said sparked a question in Celestia. “You said you have no magic? How do you know this?”

“Well, I’m able to sense every last thing I have affecting my body as well as what I’m capable of and I’ve found no genes for magic, a magic medium, or anything to do with magic. At first, I thought I just needed the DNA of someone with magic, but I don’t think so. I come from a place absolutely void of magic, or at least my kind are void of it, and I’ve read that magic is of the soul, not the mind or body. If my soul isn’t capable of using magic because of my nature then nothing will change that.” Daedalus explained.

“I see.” Celestia mused quitely. “You’ve put some thought into this.”

When Daedalus began to speak, he felt Chrysalis lean against him, his soft and heated fur likely a comfortable spot for her. “Yes, I have. The ability to perform magic is incredibly useful, even in the simplest of spells. It would give me an advantage at defeating my enemies and protecting my allies. I may not be able to use magic to help me achieve those goals but I can still use my natural powers to do so.”

“What are your natural powers?” Shining asked curiously.

“They all revolve around the ability to alter my own biological structure. It sounds like it wouldn’t be much but it’s actually quite a lot.” Daedalus began. “I can rearrange parts of my body into weapons such as blades, claws, or whips. Being able to make the blades themselves only a cell thick gives them an unnatural sharpness capable of cutting through most things with preternatural ease.”

“Furthermore, I’m able to condense my own body. This increases my weight drastically but also makes me tougher. My body is denser and harder to cut through. On the other hand, my own weight means nothing to me and I’m utterly tireless due to being a virus. That means I never get tired. As a virus, I’m also not considered alive. I have no blood, heart, lungs, or brain so no matter how hurt I get, I can fully heal from it.” The virus continued. “Since I control my own body perfectly, I normally don’t feel pain and can even create new limbs than I can control. Being ageless and deathless, I’m eternal, essentially meaning I’ll outlive everyone by matter of being unable to age and almost impossible to kill.”

When Daedalus finished, Cadence and Shining were quite for a moment as they took in what he had told them. After a time, Shining spoke. “That’s quite a lot of things you can do.”

He nodded. “It’s only growing, too. Whenever my virus evolves, I gain a new ability instantly. Otherwise, I can spend time genetically coding a new ability on my own. With the first way, I can’t predict what it is, but it’s usually complex things that would take me time to memorize on my own. The second way, though, I’m able to prepare for situations by making powers specifically meant for that situation.”

“It sounds like you would be a big threat in a battle.” Shining said slowly.

“Yes, but then again, so would a lot of people. My threat in a battle is just a different kind, one that none here have experienced before.” Daedalus replied simply, not bothering to rise to his insinuation.

Princess Celestia interrupted and changed the topic before Shining could respond in anyway. “Chrysalis, why are you leaning on Daedalus like that?”

“Two reasons,” The Queen began. “I’m made of chitin and so I can’t feel heat that well, though I’m also rather weak to cold. Daedalus’ virus makes him very hot and that feels very comfortable for me because it relaxes me, though it would likely be uncomfortable to a pony if he didn’t purposely cool himself off.”

“I didn’t know that about Changelings.” Princess Cadence said, speaking to Chrysalis for the first time. Daedalus felt the Queen shift against him when the Alicorn spoke.

“There’s a lot ponies don’t know about us. Hopefully that’ll change in the coming time.” She said softly.

Cadence smiled sincerely to Chrysalis. “I hope so, too. You said there were two reasons?”

“We are together.” The Queen said honestly, prompting Daedalus to lean his head down and lightly kiss her.

“R-really?” Cadence asked, torn between happy and concerned. “You two are together?”

“Yeah, we are. Just a couple days ago we got together so it’s a pretty new thing.” Daedalus said in reply.

“How did it happen?” Princess Celestia asked curiously with a small smile on her muzzle. The virus couldn’t help but notice how Luna’s eyes shone with concern as she looked at her sister.

“For me, it was home much he helped me.” Chrysalis began. “He showed me and my Hive a degree of care and concern that we’ve never been shown before. My subjects look up to him like a protector, though they never told him. During an event, I was injured and bedridden for a week. He took care of me the entire time, ensuring I remained as healthy as he could make me, even while ignoring his own injuries.”

“It’s only been barely over two weeks.” Princess Luna pointed out. “Nopony develops feelings that fast.”

Cadence spoke before Chrysalis had a chance to reply. “That’s not entirely true. The situation called ‘love at first sight’ is quite real. Some ponies are able to develop deep, meaningful relationship that last for decades only days after first meeting. This might just be one of those times.”

Then the pink Alicorn blushed lightly as she gestured to Chrysalis with her wing. “Sorry for interrupting you.”

“It’s okay.” Chrysalis replied before turning her attention back to the sisters. “I’m a Changelings, not a pony. Our kind develops relationships much faster than most other species. Because we can sense if we are being lied to, as well as what others feel, it lets up form trust far faster. That trust can easily turn to a romantic interest and eventually love in the right situation.”

Celestia nodded to her and turned back to Daedalus. “What about you? How did you realize you liked Chrysalis, and why so fast?”

Daedalus hummed, his barrel vibrating with his deep voice, easily heard throughout the room. “Well, from the start, Chrysalis and I got along pretty well. I already respected her once I learned what she had been through and I already sought to help her, so that was a good start for me. It didn’t take us long to become friends and from their it progressed. It was during the week that she was injured that I began to notice how I felt and it was once the Blossoms were finished that we ended up together. As for how it happened so fast, I honestly don’t know.”

“What do you mean?” Cadence asked curiously, interested in learning the romantic patterns of another species.

“As a virus, I’m not really capable of true emotions. I know how a certain should make me feel, but actually feeling it isn’t possible without a brain. It shouldn’t be a surprise to learn that I was honestly concerned when I began to feel emotions I couldn’t find in my system. Even though I’m supposed to be incapable of romantic feelings,” Daedalus said, turning to look at Chrysalis. “I still took a powerful liking to her. I’m not upset at this development but it did take me by surprise.”

The room was quite for a moment as they thought about what he said, then Cadence spoke up. “Daedalus, if you don’t mind, I would like to cast a spell to sense your feelings for Chrysalis, as well as hers for you. I don’t know if it’ll help me shed some light on this subject or not but I can try.”

Daedalus shrugged, his withers rippling as he did. “If Chrysalis doesn’t have any against it, go ahead.”

Chrysalis just nodded to Cadence, interested in seeing what she would find. Cadence smiled again and her horn lit up with her teal aura as she cast a spell on Daedalus, that came innately to her. Its purpose was to find all of the strings of love that came from and to the target of the spell. Only she could see it but she could learn a lot from that spell.

As soon as the spell was cast, numerous pink threads came off of his body, heading his various directions. They came off of his body for several inches, flowing toward the recipient of the love. Some flowed into the floor or the walls, toward those who were lower than the mountain they sat on. Some flowed into the ceiling. One pointed directly at Chrysalis, though she knew it didn’t mean it was for her. She thought it was but there was a chance that particular thread pointed at somepony in that direction.

Platonic. Cadence thought to herself.

To her surprise, almost all of the threads disappeared, showing that he had few friends. Four headed toward Ponyville and one elsewhere. With a smile, she focused on them as three names leaped into her mind.

Pinkie Pie. Coal Dust. Fire Brand. Twilight Sparkle. Sutha.

All were weak, likely from them not knowing the truth about him. Pinkie’s was the largest, though it was still small. Their friendship must have been knew, although that didn’t surprise her if Daedalus really wasn’t from Equestria. Idly, she wondered what country he was from and why he left. She focused again.

Familial. The Alicorn called out to her spell.

The five threads vanished, replaced by four more, these ones heading straight toward the ceiling. She focused on them and another four names were whispered into her mind from her own special brand of magic.

Amaryllis. Melanie. Janet. Trey.

That must have been his family. They went straight into the ceiling, which confused her. She doubted they were in the sky and her spell never showed the threads of deceased ponies. She would have to ask about that later.

Romantic. Came the final request to the spell.

The previous four threads faded out, replaced by three others. The number surprised her significantly and she wondered who the other two were. She focused on the one pointing toward Chrysalis, wondering if it really was for her, though Cadence was sure it was.

Chrysalis. Cadence felt the name whispered into her mind and examined the thread in greater detail. It was small, befitting the recentness of it. It wasn’t quite yet love, either, but an intense attraction to both the mind and body. She could sense that it was the same both ways, that Chrysalis didn’t quite yet love Daedalus, but was certainly attracted to him. Though it was small, it was neither weak nor fragile. It was one that would not easily break or fade. With proper care, Cadence hoped to see it become a mighty pillar, not a thread.

Turning her attention to the other two, she focused on them both. Celestia. Luna.

She felt her eyes widen as she heard those two names. The threads were faint, nearly non-existent. The two threads- hairs, actually, weren’t even an attraction yet. Just barely able to appear, they signalled a possibility of what could come to be. It was the same from the two Princesses. None of the three loved each other or even shared the same kind of attraction that he felt for Chrysalis. Instead, it was nothing more than a possibility, something her spell sporadically showed.

The new information interested her but she couldn’t let herself get distracted. She turned her attention to Daedalus and focused on him. Not on his body nor his threads but on him. She looked past his body and his mind, sensing his soul. She nearly gasped on what she saw.

It was chaotic, a mixture of black and white with sporadic additions of a deep red. It reflected not just the sins he had committed but also his desire to become so much better. The red, though, was what made her heart hurt for him. It showed his slight, but still present, self-hate. He hated what he was and what he had done but still he wanted to become better than himself. Looking closer into the colors, she began to see others. Green, pink, gray, orange, yellow, purple, and so many more flickered across her magically-enhanced sight as she stared. She smiled when she realized what it meant.

Cadence’s aura vanished as she ended the spell and smiled to Daedalus. “I see where your emotions are coming from. I know why you can’t find them in your body.”

The Alicorn of Love watched as the disguised Alicorn leaned forward with a curious look. “Well?”

Cadence smiled genuinely as she answered. “They originate in your soul.”

Author's Notes:

I decided to post this chapter so early solely because the last one was so late. Normally, I post a new chapter weekly. Not always seven days after the previous but around a week. Since Chapter 19 took two weeks to be posted, I decided to post Chapter 20 a day after Chapter 19.