Jay leaned against the wall of the Peace Estate’s foyer, watching in amusement as Fluttershy, Element of Kindness, gave Chitin a light hug before slowing walking out the front door while waving at him. Jay grinned and returned the wave with one of his own, seeing her smile before she left. Out of the four mares he had told the truth to today, she was the last one to leave. Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity had all left moments earlier, each giving their well-wishes to him and Chitin. None of them seemed even slightly concerned or confused about him and what he was, all thanks to Chitin’s timely distraction.

With the door shut, Jay and Chitin walked back upstairs and rejoined Twilight and Pinkie, the two shapeshifting immortals taking their seat side by side on the couch. Chitin quickly snuggled up against his side and he draped an arm around her, making her sigh from sheer comfort. Jay gazed down at Chrysalis’ disguised form even as she looked up at him and they both smiled. After a moment, Chitin spoke softly. “I missed you, Jay.”

“I missed you too, Chitin.” The virus said, adapting to her temporary name. He leaned a little, aware that the other two mares were staring while trying to look like they weren’t, and pressed his lips to the end of her muzzle. Jay could practically feel the stress draining out of her system with the kiss, and he felt the same. In her embrace, he felt calm and safe. Yes, he loved Celestia and Luna and would continue to do so for quite possibly millennia, but Chrysalis held a special place in his heart. She was the first of his ‘herd’ that he loved and that was something that just wouldn’t change, no matter how long they spent apart.

After a moment of time, the two pulled apart and Jay turned back to the two mares sitting across the room from him. “Thank you for giving us a moment.”

Chitin nodded her agreement and flashed the pair of friends a quick smile, which Pinkie returned four-fold. Twilight, after a moment, spoke up. “I must say, Jay-”

“Say Jay!” Pinkie interrupted with her usual giggle-snort, putting an amused smile on everyone’s face before Twilight continued where she stopped.

“That I’m surprised our friends accepted what you told them so easily.” The Unicorn finished with a soft smile directed toward him.

“The power of a distraction is great, Twilight. Any anger or disturbance got completely siderailed by the shock and awe of meeting a friendly Changeling, learning that the Changelings are separated into Hives, and that not all Hives are bad. I suspect they’ll approach me and Chitin on their own time to ask more questions and clear the air. I’m pretty sure Rainbow is still suspicious of me and that Applejack isn’t too friendly to Chitin just yet. That’s just going to take time.”

“Hopefully, she won’t rat me out to the Guards…” Chitin said worriedly, not really acting.

“I’m sure the Princesses will understand!” Twilight said, content with her belief.

Jay waited for Chitin to speak. When she didn’t, he did. “I’m sure they will, Twilight, but that won’t solve the problem.”

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked innocently with a tilt of her head. Pinkie just sat silently and watched, already knowing his point.

“If Applejack tells the Guards, they’ll come here and drag Chitin through town. Even if the Princesses release her and leave her be, the town will know she’s a Changeling. That’ll damage her reputation and some ponies might be so against Changelings that they’ll try to hurt her.” Jay said softly, speaking slowly at first in case Chrysalis wanted to interrupt him.

Twilight frowned deeply, a pensive expression on her muzzle. The Unicorn was deep in thought about something but he paid no attention to her for the moment. Instead, he focused on the worried Queen nuzzling into his side and demanding affection that he was happy to give to her. His hand slowly ran through her mane as he held her close to him, content to just be there for her. He knew well how painful it was for her to tell the story to the other Elements because it was the story of the kind of pain and fear her Changelings had to go through on a daily basis. Maybe it wasn’t a pain she felt personally but it was a pain those she cared for felt and that made it hurt more than it would have otherwise.

While Twilight thought and Jay held Chitin, Pinkie stood up and quietly excused herself, citing a need to return to work. The virus’ eyes met the pony’s and she winked at him with a soft, knowing smile. The Earth pony walked down the stairs and out of the house, eventually passing the edge of his hearing. Jay turned his attention back to Chitin only to hear Twilight stand up. He looked up to see her pensive look gone and replaced by a determined one as she walked over, soon sitting down on the other side of Chitin. When the Changeling sat up out of curiosity, Twilight pulled her into a gentle hug. He could see Chrysalis tense, then relax as her hooves snaked out and wrapped around the purple Unicorn’s barrel. Then Twilight spoke. “Chitin, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” Her voice breathed out, confused. “Why?”

“For treating Changelings so bad!” Twilight exclaimed suddenly. “I should have known that Changelings were under more than one banner! I should have known that Changelings aren’t all the same! Equestria should know that all Changelings aren’t the same!”

Then her voice dropped into a whisper. “But we don’t. We don’t know because we’re too mean and self-centered to ask. To find out. We’re perfectly happy to hurt and, and kill and entire race while ignoring all the pain and fear they feel.”

Her head came down to rest on Chrysalis’s disguised shoulder, though the Queen was understandably too shocked to do anything. Jay was shocked too, seeing how moved Twilight was about how Changelings were treated. She had thought of something only moments ago, something that had changed her entire opinion of the Changeling race in general around. The virus idly wondered what it was that she thought of, what it was that had clicked for her.

“Equestria spreads love and tolerance and we don’t tolerate Changelings and we hurt you when all you want is love.” Twilight breathed out, a small trail of tears running down her eyes.

Chitin overcame her shock and tightened her grip around Twilight, offering a modicum of comfort to the distressed mare. Then she leaned in and whispered into Twilight’s ear, even though Jay still heard it. “Understanding is the first step to fixing a mistake, Twilight. You’re a good pony and I would be happy to call you a friend.”

Twilight sniffed and gently nuzzled her muzzle against Chitin’s shoulder. “I would be glad to be your friend.”

Jay smiled and leaned back against the couch again, watching on as Chitin and Twilight held each other. It was good for Chrysalis to make friends among ponies, even if they didn’t know the full truth about her. If she could prove that not all Changelings were bad then the Changelings were one step closer to being accepted into Equestria. Everything seemed to be looking up. The Princesses of Equestria are on Chrysalis’ side, the Guards of this building are working for us, I’m on her side, and Pinkie already knows who Chitin really is. I doubt anything can fuck this up.

“Twilight?”

“Yeah, Chitin?”

“I need to show you something.” Chrysalis said with a worried glance back to Jay. His eyes widened in surprise when she realized what she was hinting at, then he mentally sighed. If anything could fuck this up, it’s that.

“Your choice, Chitin.” Jay said simply, preventing his worry from showing externally, even if she could sense it. “You know I have your back.”

She hesitated but nodded shakily and diverted her attention back to the curious Unicorn whose gaze was shifting back and forth between the two shapeshifters. Twilight’s eyes slowly widened, her mind starting to piece things together, though Jay didn’t know what the sum would be.

I didn’t expect us to be revealing the absolute truth today. Jay mused to himself, watching as Chitin took a deep breath and slowly let it out, trying to reveal herself to Twilight. He understood why it was so difficult for her; her life may not have been on the line, but her life here in Ponyville was. If things went south fast, she may be forced to leave and, in her mind, she wasn’t sure if Jay would go with her. Of course, he knew he would follow her without hesitation, but she didn’t know that and if he said it now it would only make Twilight more suspicious.

“Chitin?” Twilight asked softly. “You’re aren’t really ‘Chitin,’ are you?”

Slowly, the Changeling shook her head. Twilight glanced up at the virus but he didn’t say or do anything, just watching impassively. He was going to let Chrysalis do this in her own way in her own time, he was just going to be there as moral support or a fallback plan. Jay was sure he could bullshit his way out of the situation if he needed to, though he doubted he would. After a moment, Twilight looked back to Chitin. “But you are a Changeling?”

Again, Chrysalis slowly nodded her head. Twilight frowned, not out of anger but out of thought. “But you already know I’m okay with you being a Changeling, so why would you hide who you really are? Unless, you’re a Changeling that we met before… The only ones we met before are the ones we fought at the wedding, but they would know we wouldn’t recognize them, so…”

The Unicorn trailed off, her gaze returning to meet Chrysalis’ solid blue eyes. There was a hint of steel in Twilight’s, though it was tempered by curiosity. “Chrysalis?”

Jay had to give the mare props, she figured it out with only the barest shred of a shadow of information. Nothing Chrysalis had done had really pointed her out as being the Queen in disguise but Twilight still figured it out, even if it was done after a little bit of hinting. He watched on, ready to leap to Chrysalis’ aid if Twilight should strike, as the Changeling erupted in green flames once again. Twilight leaned back slightly as the pillar grew and then suddenly faded, leaving behind the Queen of the Sapphire Hive. To her credit, Twilight didn’t immediately flinch, teleport away, or attack. Instead, she stared with her lips pressed together, thinking once more.

“Why are you here?” Twilight asked. Deciding to give Chrysalis a bit of reprieve, Jay leaned around Chrysalis, now that she was tall once again, and started to speak.

“First and foremost, swear that you won’t discuss what you’re about to hear anywhere that isn’t in this room. Swear that you won’t discuss this information with anyone other than myself, Chrysalis, and the Princesses of Equestria.” Jay started.

Twilight stared at him for a moment, then slowly nodded as confusion, interest, curiosity, and doubt played across her features. “I swear.”

Chrysalis suddenly stood up. “I’m going to go make everyone some tea, okay?”

Jay and Twilight both nodded and the Changeling Queen practically fled the room, heading into the kitchen where he could hear her sigh with relief. It was clear to him that revealing herself had gone against every instinct she had and she wanted a chance to take a break. He wouldn’t be surprised if the tea took quite a while to make.

“Jay?” Twilight asked while he thought more on Chrysalis. He snapped out of it and looked slightly up, a raised eyebrow his reply. “Was she scared?”

“More nervous and jittery. Revealing herself went against her very nature, Twilight, but she still did it.” He replied.

“Why?”

“Because she trusts you.” Jay said simply. “What you told her, about how Equestria saw Changelings, it gave her hope. Hope that one day, she and her subjects will be welcome in this country. You gave her that hope and she wanted to tell you the truth.”

Once Twilight nodded her understanding, he continued. “First thing you need to know is that the story of this building being the ‘Everfree Expedition Staging Point’ is a cover-up.”

“What?” She asked, understandably confused.

“Some time ago, I met Chrysalis in an effort to help balance relations between Sapphire Hive and Equestria. I, using my genetic abilities, created large plants, similiar to trees with flower buds, that would generate the love she and her subjects needed to survive. In return, Chrysalis would return with me to Canterlot in order to negotiate a peace between Equestria and Sapphire Hive specifically, leaving the other Hives out because Chrysalis had no say for them.” Jay began explaining. “The negotiations went well and Chrysalis accepted the terms as fair and I was given the title ‘Liaison of Peace’ and was put in charge of keeping Equestria’s relationship with Sapphire Hive peaceful, which was rather easy because I had recently gotten involved with Chrysalis.”

“So Sapphire Hive is already at peace with Equestria?” Twilight asked, her shock slowly being replaced by understanding.

“Right, and we’re hoping to get the other Hives to follow in time. Anyway, everyone decided to keep the treaty with the Changelings a secret because general opinion of Changelings are not very favorable. The Princesses are hoping to let the hate die off into mild dislike before publicly announcing the treaty and allowing Changelings from the allied Hives into Equestria, where the mild dislike with, hopefully, slowly shift into peaceful acceptance.”

“So this is a secret, which is why you haven’t said anything before. What made you decide to introduce ‘Chitin’ to my friends, then tell the whole truth to me?” Twilight questioned him, a few thoughts striking her mind in unison. “And am I going to have to keep this from my friends?”

“I told you the full truth because you are the student of Celestia and a friend of mine and possibly a friend to Chrysalis. As the Liaison, it’s my decision who knows and who doesn’t. I decided to tell you. Yes, you are going to have to keep it from your friends until either it’s officially announced or until I decide otherwise. The reason I didn’t tell them the full truth from the start is because the integration must be done slowly. If we do it quickly, ponies won’t accept the change and will reject if, sparking hostilities, aggression, and possibly an all-out war with the Hives.”

“Chrysalis wouldn’t do that! She loves you!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Yes, she does, and I love her too. However, if Chrysalis is forced to choose between being with me and allowing her subjects, which she views as her children, to suffer or going to war to try to give her subjects a better future, I know which one she’ll choose. I wouldn’t even hold it against her. Neither of us want that to happen and neither do the Princesses, which is why we’re doing this slowly.”

Twilight began to breathe in and out slowly to calm herself, but the virus couldn’t really blame her. The casual comment about war probably didn’t help her peace-minded values that were nutured by a land that hasn’t seen a real war in a thousand or more years. He gave her the few minutes she needed to calm herself, his unnatural hearing easily picking up the sounds of Chrysalis starting to make the tea. After another moment of patient silence, Twilight spoke while waving a hoof. “Thanks for waiting. The thought of a war…”

“I understand.” Jay said. “But keep in mind that Chrysalis, me, Celestia, Luna, Cadence, and Shining Armor are doing what we can to prevent that. The latter two aren’t exactly on good terms with Chrysalis but they understand the value of peace over war.”

Twilight nodded, only partially surprised to hear that her brother and sister-in-law were working to assist the peace between ponies and Changelings. Another thought struck her, something she had considered before. “Because of the way this building is placed, I’m going to guess it’s not really for the Everfree?”

“What makes you say that?”

“It’s too far west to be between the town and the Forest.” Twilight explained.

“Funny, you aren’t the first to say that. In any case, you’re right. In public records and records lower-tier officials have access to, this building is the ‘Everfree Expedition Staging Point.’ For the higher-tiers and those with the right access, this is the ‘Peace Estate.’”

“Rather simple name.” Twilight said offhandedly.

“Simple but fitting.” Jay agreed. “Considering that the official name might not be known for a long time, naming it wasn’t a high priority. This building is situated in such a way that Changelings from the Sapphire Hive are able to enter the premises without having to go through or around the entire town. Here, I’ll be able to meet with them and discuss various topics that would need a Liaison of Peace, which is rather similiar to an ambassador, except that they sometimes come to me. Other times, I might visit them in their Hive.”

“Do the Guards downstairs know?”

“Yes, they do. They’ve been sworn to secrecy like you have and were told the truth about me, Snow, and the purpose of this building. The building itself also had a wide array of magical defenses installed by the Princessess so that, if the truth is revealed and ponies are furious, they can’t knock this building down and hurt anyone inside.”

“What Hives have we, as in Equestria, made peace with so far?”

“Just Sapphire, though another Hive recently met with Chrysalis over one matter or another. I think we’ll be discussing that as well as the caster once we have some privacy.” Jay said.

“Oh, do you want me to leave?”

“Not at all.” Jay said with a shake of his head. “You’re welcome to stay here. I’m just saying that me and her will be discussing some things later tonight. We’re in no rush to have the discussion.”

Twilight sighed in relief, happy to know that she wasn’t overstaying her welcome. “So you two knew the truth about each other from the start?”

Jay nodded. “Yeah, we did. When I first met Chrysalis, she was in her native form and we were right outside her Hive. I was disguised as Gene Splice but once we were in her home I shifted into my real form.”

“Don’t you mean ‘her palace?” Twilight asked with a tilt of her head.

“Chrysalis doesn’t have a palace. She didn’t want her Changelings wasting time, energy, and resources on a palace for her.” Jay said in reply.

Twilight fell silent for a moment, a small frown on her muzzle, before she spoke softly. “Chrysalis really is different that how we thought she was…”

Jay just nodded slowly. “She made a big mistake out of desperation. She regrets the choice she made and now she wants to make peace.”

“If I had done that from the start, maybe ponies wouldn’t hate Changelings quite as much.” Chrysalis said slowly as she walked back into the living room, a pot of tea, saucers, and three small cups trailing behind her in her levitation. To his surprise, he also saw a plate full of cut sandwiches. She sat down next to him and placed everything on the table and Twilight moved to sit across from them so she could talk easier. The Queen levitated the pot of tea and poured three cups before giving Jay and Twilight each a cup and taking the final for her own. “I expected to be replaced as Queen when I returned to the Hive. I still believe I should be.”

“But you’ve admitted your mistake and already began taking steps to fix it.” Twilight pointed out. “From what you told us of Emerald Hive, you could have just as easily tried invading again instead of changing.”

Chrysalis set her tea down and gazed at Twilight, her face passive. The Queen thought for a moment as Jay looked on, the Unicorn starting to become uncomfortable due to the staring. After a moment of awkward silence, she spoke. “Twilight, why don’t you hate me?”

“I believe everypo-one, everyone, deserves a second chance.” Twilight answered with a bright smile to the Queen. “If we can give Discord, the being who tormented all of Equestria, a second chance, then why can’t we give you a second chance?”

“Because I hurt ponies.” She said simply.

“So did Discord, and he hurt ponies worse. If he can be forgiven, so can you!”

Chrysalis was silent again for a moment before she nodded nearly imperceptibly, a small smile coming onto her muzzle. “Thank you, Twilight.”

Twilight gave a single sharp nod as she chirped. “You’re welcome! My offer of being your friend is still out in the open, you know.”

“I’d like that. I really would.” Chrysalis said honestly, slowing leaning against the virus. His arm draped over her withers again as he just held her before she looked up at him. “Thank you for being patient with me.”

“No need.” Jay said, smiling down to her. “I’m always by your side. You know that.”

“That’s one of the reasons I love you.” Chrysalis sighed, leaning further against him. “Changing topics for a moment, did you finally make your decision about Celestia and Luna?”

Twilight jolted slightly and quickly levitated a sandwich triangle and focused on it intently, trying to hide her interest in the conversation’s new direction. Jay didn’t mind her listening; he severely doubted that she would go around and spread his business to others. He understood that she was just interested in news about her mentor. “Yeah, I did.”

Chrysalis waited for a moment for further speech, but when no more came she looked up with a firm expression that faded at his light smile. A look of irritation surfaced on her face and she starting hitting him with one of her wings. The impacts were soft, her wings having no bones in them, and he just started chuckling before pulling her closer to him gently. She pushed against him for a moment before letting out a long sigh and letting him hold her. “Just tell me what happened already, Jay.”

“Two new members to the family.” The virus replied. “And a little nightly fun.”

“About time!” Chrysalis shouted. “I’m glad you decided to give them and the herd system a chance. Did you sleep with Celestia or Luna?”

Jay watched out the corner of his eye as Twilight’s face grew red from shock and embarassment. Grinning internally, he answered. “Both together. I didn’t expect it but that’s how it ended up. Of course, it was after they chased me through the Castle shouting that they’re going to make me theirs.”

Chrysalis started laughing as she fell against his lap while Twilight spluttered, her levitation giving out and dropping her tea and sandwich, the porcelain of the cup shattering on the table. The virus visibly grinned even as he continued. “Quite a number of Guards and servants saw and heard them chasing me, though I don’t think we have to worry about anyone slipping. We kept that contained to the bedroom and bathroom.”

Twilight’s face was growing rosier as she looked down, trying to focus on one of the saucers. “J-Jay, did you really s-sleep with the Princesses?”

“Yes, I did.” Jay replied, his arm draping over Chrysalis while she was still trying to force down her giggling. The Unicorn’s face only grew brighter as she struggled to force her overactive imagination to not think of what that may have looked like.

“...I don’t need to hear this.” She said as the Queen calmed enough to sit back up, though she still had a wide smile on her muzzle..

“It was funny.” Jay said with a small smile. “Chrysalis seems to agree, at least. In any case, I’m not going to be messing with you about it anymore. I apologize for teasing you like I did.”

“Thank you.” Twilight replied, flashing him a quick smile with her face still rosy.

“Do you think the Sapphire Queen will keep to her end?” Queen Naventia asked her sister as the pair walked through a lush valley, a small river flowing quickly on their right. The mountains that flanked either side of the valley were utterly gargantuan, reaching high above the clouds, so high that their points seemed to scrape the very sky itself. The peaks were such a pure white from snow that they reflected the sky, making them seem as if they didn’t exist. The white transitioned to grey stone partway down, then transition again to massive trees and tall grass near the base of the mountains and the valley. The valley extended for miles in branching paths and long trails, making the Katariah Mountains a massive maze of peaks and dips that would take years to explore.

Fortunately, the two Queens knew exactly where they were going. They had entered the mountain range around twelve hours ago and began to take a path that they had long committed to memory. They would have already been home had they flown to the Ruby Hive, but they chose to walk. As they walked, Queen Ambrosia replied. “I do believe she will. I can’t guarantee that her lover will agree to create the plants in our Hive, but I believe he will if he does love Chrysalis. My concern is how Equestria will react to peace with us.”

“I’m sure they’ll be happy to agree to a peace between another Hive. Ruby was never as aggressive as Emerald or Opal, even if we weren’t as peaceful as Sapphire is- well, was. The attempted invasion ended their peace streak.” Naventia said, raising her voice slowly to combat the dull roar of a waterfall in the distance, the very same that fed the river they were following.

“But it doesn’t seem that Equestria is allowing Changelings to walk among their citizens freely, sister. Our infiltrators have yet to see a Changeling walking out in the open.” Ambrosia countered.

“Perhaps the Princesses are keeping the peace a secret for now. Their public opinion of Changelings is at an all-time low. There’s no general animosity right now; there’s sheer hate. If I know Celestia, and I do believe I do, she’s waiting for the hate to burn itself out before officially introducing Changelings into their society.” Naventia replied.

“Even then, it’ll start small. It’ll most likely be certain towns that accept Changelings while others don’t, depending on the culture of that particular region.” Ambrosia added, agreeing to her sister’s guess.

“Once those small towns get used to Changeling presence, word will spread of a lack of trouble and our kind will begin to be welcome in larger cities. Of course, for every two steps forward, there’s going to be a step back. There’ll be incidents with our allied Hives that will hurt our cases, and they’ll be incidents with other Hives that will hurt our cases.” Naventia mused, thinking of how long the process of peace will be. “All in all, I estimate a good decade or so before Changelings are fully accepted in Equestrian society. Fortunately, with the plants that Sapphire Hive has, we won’t be pressed for time like we were before. We’ll be perfectly able to wait for that decade to come in its our time instead of trying to rush it.”

“Once we have access to the love-producing plants, we might be able to expand throughout this mountain range. We are the only Hive within this place, surprisingly, and there’s plenty of room for us to expand.” Ambrosia said. A particularly strong gust of wind blew suddenly, forcing the two Queens to crouch down to avoid being blown away. For a moment, they believed it would pass in seconds. That thought was dashed when the wind kept blowing, slowly getting stronger. Nearby, one of the massive trees began shuddering as large white balls began to drift from its canopy, ready to cover the ground and Queens in some form of dust.

The two Queens saw the layer of white dust balls drifting toward them and leaped, forcing their way upwind to get away from the dust. As the wind howled, they pushed their way far enough away from the tree that they avoided the dust in its entirety before looking back once the wind faded. The wind had broken the small balls into a layer of fine white powder that had spread out farther. The ground was coated in a solid layer of white dust that coated everything. After a moment, Ambrosia added to her earlier statement. “And that’s why we’ll stay underground and not stray to the surface. Too damn dangerous up here.”

“That’s probably why we’re the only Hive here.” Naventia agreed, knowing that every single plant and insect underneath the blanket of powder was dead. They knew that area would stay dead for months before anything could regrow. “That was a bit close for comfort.”

“Quite a bit.” Ambrosia said with a nod. “Let’s just get home before we die. I’m not sure if we have any of the counter left.”

The two Queens spread their wings and took to the air, staying low to the ground. High up above the valley, they knew the wind was always strong, always blowing, and it was strong enough to tear a Changeling asunder. The only way their Hive had managed to survive in a place as dangerous as the Katariah Mountains is by hollowing out parts of mountains for them to live in, even if they couldn’t go particularly high in fear of running out of air.