Storm was out of the shower and went looking for Steadyhoof. She was bored, and the mare didn’t bug her as much as green or that metal Twilight. She found the mare in the kitchen cleaning the dishes from dinner, punishment for opening her mouth earlier.

"Oh, there you are. Having fun?" Storm asked

"What do you think?" She huffed, setting another washed dish in the next basin.

"Relax, I can help ya out, if we get a chance to spar after." Storm offered.

"Huh?" She blinked, surprised at what they were saying.

"I want a fight." Storm said simply, still full of confidence. "I spar with Nightfall nearly every day, unless I'm out on a mission, and I go stir crazy when I don't get one. So I chose you for my sparring partner.”

"Bwah?" Steady said, completely surprised.

Sky blinked and looked at them sternly, "What, got a problem with it?"

"Uh...just didn't expect that. Like at all."

"Yeah well, whatever. You want my help or what?"

"No." Steady answered immediately, looking back to the dishes. "This is my punishment and I'm not going to take the easy way out."

Storm rolled her eyes and walked off, trying to figure out what else she could do for entertainment. After a couple minutes of wandering bored, she suddenly realized something. If the punishment is the issue, then all she had to do was ask if it was ok to speed it up. What was the harm in trying?

She went outside, not having seen metal Twilight inside yet. She soon spotted ‘Stonewall’ as a pegasus flying around the castle. She flew up, maneuvering to their height and hovered in place, knowing she’d be noticed because of their reaction before.

Stonewall did notice the mare and soon flew over. "Need something?"

"Yeah, got a favor to ask. I wanna spar with Steady, but they don’t want my help to get it done faster."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"Said it's their punishment or something."

"It is for talking about things they shouldn't with people who haven't been read in."

"And I want to spar against them for training. So I figure, if I speed that up, they're available sooner. You have no issues with that right?" Storm said, practically ignoring what they said.

"Hmm, interesting.” Stonewall said, thinking as she hovered with her wings flapping, “Why spar with her?"

"Because I don't know if you'd try to break my hoof again if I fought you." She said bluntly, forelegs crossed.

Stone burst out laughing.

"What?" she huffed, crossing her arms and shifting her wings so she could continue the hover without flapping to save her strength.

"Oh!” Stonewall said with surprise, “You don't need to flap your wings? How do you do that?"

Stone was already examining Storm’s wings, leaning in close with a look of pure curiosity on her face, not unlike Princess Twilight had earlier while taking notes about the EDF.

"I'm a master at stunt flying. I capture the air currents by manipulating my wings down to the last feather of course." She smiled smugly.

"Why aren't you in the Wonderbolts then?" she asked as she ran a hoof over the feathers faintly, fascinated.

Storm shied away from the touch, flapping to regain the balance and height lost by the touch. "Not fast enough. Dad was a 'bolt though."

"They are the best fliers, though I guess this is another divergence,” Stonewall said, continuing to look like a gray version of the princess in the castle “I'd love to study this."

"I've only taught one pony my secrets, and that's because he was a stubborn mule who got knocked down 47 times by Black Mane, only to rise up onto his hind hooves and knocked him out cold. We traded secrets so I could finally beat him."

"Oh no, not wanting to be taught it, just to study it." She said. "I doubt I could do it."

"That's practically the same thing." Storm frowned, starting to flap again.

"But this is so fascinating!" Stone said with a big smile. "This isn't like anything else in our world. It is a total divergence from what we understand of magic. Oh the papers I could write!"

Storm then realized an opportunity, seeing a parallel from two years ago. She smiled broadly as she decided to act with her usual arrogance, "Actually... that same deal might work with you too. Tell you what, I'll teach you or let you study or whatever, if you teach me more of those moves you beat me with."

"Huh? Oh, I was already planning on training you though, so you don't need to pay me." Stone said, blinking in confusion.

"Oh really?" she replied, raising an eyebrow. She shook her hoof, "Well, I'll still do it if it'll help me beat Night. I’m not the kind of mare to just sit back and be taught without giving back."

"Oh you'd be giving back by being a more effective subordinate, and having a higher probability of survival."

"I still say I won't go down that easy." She frowned

"Shall I educate you once more?" She asked.

"Training and educating are two different things."

"What I did before was educating you in how ill prepared you are. Training you is making you more prepared."

Storm huffed silently, then looked Stone in the eye, "Fine, let's get to training then."

"Follow me." Stone smiled before she took off towards Whitetail Woods.

Fire Storm followed, keeping up as best as her wings could carry her.

Stone was a skilled flier, but she flew slowly enough to let Storm keep up, having noted their lack of speed from before. Soon, they landed in a clearing.

"Ok. Do whatever it is you usually do to warm up." She instructed.

Storm shrugged, then started flexing, starting up her stretches and moving around for a few minutes before nodding satisfactorily. "I'm warmed up. Morning routine still keeps me limber."

She saw Twilight standing in front of her without disguise, now in a dark green uniform and cap with a pair if mirror sunglasses on. She blinked as she realized they were once again standing on their back legs, arms behind her back and smirking back.

"Good let us begin. Shall we?" the commander said.

Storm stood up on her hind legs as well and assumed her stance, cautious of what she was seeing. "Like I said, no broken bones or pulling out a wing this time..."

"Of course. First, show me what you can do besides stand as a biped."

She nodded, and charged forward, diving in a flying kick before turning it into a roundhouse kick and a diving punch with her weight behind it toward the ground at her imagined target.

"Hm, decent. Do you only use your fore-hooves to attack?"

She spun around on her forehooves and tried another kick, twisting herself more than was appropriate, but did the maneuver well in spite of it.

"Hmm. A bit too much twisting there, you’re using a lot of unneeded energy, as well as running the risk of injuring yourself. Show me a few more."

Storm growled and went straight into punching in wide and short sweeps and jabs, throwing at Stone just about all the mixed martial arts that Nightfall had taught her, getting frustrated at how they couldn’t land a single blow.

"Hm. Decent.” Stone repeated. “A few areas that need improvement, and a few areas you're barely trained in, but you have good potential."

"Tch, what's that supposed to mean? I've only lost to the weapons master Black Mane before."

"That you are half trained, like the other recruits." She said. "And that apparently this world doesn't have very well developed unarmed combat."

"So what now?" Storm said, still frustrated at being lumped in with just a recruit, but bothered by them saying her world didn’t have good fighting skills.

"Now, we begin, you grasshopper." Twilight said, making her voice sound like an old mare's.

She frowned even more and took up a stance expecting to be up against Stone again, "The hay are you calling me a grasshopper for?"

"Just a reference, now then," Twilight chuckled before she took a fighting stance where her right leg was back a step, her left arm was forward, arm bent, and her right arm was close to her chest. Both hands were in fists. "Match this stance as best as you can. We will do a bit of bipedal training if you’re able to fight upright."

Sky nodded, trying to imitate it as best she could, and paid very close attention. Once the commander was satisfied, she nodded, and gave their next instructions.

"OK good now try to match my move as best as you can." She said, slowly throwing a right hook. And like that, their training for the night began.

Storm followed their instructions, grumbling internally at times, especially when she was told she got things horribly wrong. She felt like she was being untrained from her old training that had already served her well in the past, and she didn’t want to let go of what had worked before so easily. After two hours, Twilight looked up at the moon.

"Looks to be almost 11, so we will call it off here." She looked back at Sky and smiled, adding while patting her trainee’s head, "You did well."

Storm frowned, slightly through her panting from the long exercise’s efforts, and moved her head out of the way of the pats. "I'm not a filly you know."

"Your point?" She asked as she stretched, only slightly winded.

Storm rolled her eyes and turned to face away, not yet walking away from her trainer. She decided she would put up with it if it could help her get a leg up on Nightfall.

"You did good,” Twilight finished her pat and said cheerfully. She continued, still being transparently sincere, “We made a lot of progress."

Storm’s frown lessened as she sensed the genuine reply, despite internally hating it. She was a strong mare who knew what she wanted, and could always get it with plenty of hard work and despised those who didn’t. She wasn't about to give up that attitude that had served her so well, not to mention keep away all the losers she was around before.

"Anyways, let's head back and grab some food and a drink shall we?" Twilight offered.

"Yeah... I guess." She said, turning to follow.

Twilight donned her disguise as Stone and took to the air, flying at a relaxed pace, not too fast so Storm could follow.

Fire Storm followed Twilight and when they landed, asking, "So what do ya want to know about my flight stunts?"

"We will talk about it tomorrow in the train ride. For now, we will sleep as we have an early morning ride." She said, walking into the room.

"Ah. Didn't hear you say that... night then."

"Yeah, I didn’t say that before now. Things have been a bit hectic today is why." Twilight so as getting extra blankets for Storm to use. "Also you can take the second bed, all the others are taken."

Storm nodded, taking the blanket before getting into bed and falling asleep before Twilight could count.

Twilight chucked, recognizing she had worn the mare out well and had earned a bit of rest. She watched for a few more seconds before leaving the room to check on Dawn. She had been resting but not sleeping and opened an eye. She had been keeping tabs on them before nodding from where she laid.

"So Chryssy is headed to my home to meet us, and remember what I said about Violet’s chances being with Chryssy? It looks like it can be done." She said vaguely, as if more cautious than she had been before.

"Hmm. Wonder why she's going to meet us… and what do you mean about Violet?" Twilight asked as she sat on the end of the bed, her weight causing it to sink.

"Remember your worries of her not joining the link?" She asked. "Apparently, I'm in. Chryssy says I’m viewed as an alicorn drone, even thought it was that way the whole time." She spoke barely above a whisper.

"That’s,” Twilight blinked confused for a moment before her face went blank and she spoke in a monotone voice, “interesting."

"We can discuss it on the way home in private if you want,” Dawn nodded, “She had issues when I tried to correct her memory."

"It's fine. Don't need to." Twilight answered, still monotone, and she climbed into the bed.

"Ok... I don’t know how you're feeling when you go monotone like that, but I'm here if you need me." she said, disappointed as she laid still and let herself fall asleep.

That night was eventful, showing that the commander had another way they vented magical energy, and entirely out of her control. Dawn and Storm both were awoken to a purple transparent form that kept them awake, weakening them for a time as Twilight dreamed until they turned over and the magic ceased as the dream ended.

Dawn and Storm were both shaken, the Princess Twilight had seen the actions and ran, preferring to pretend it had never happened and put Storm in a foul mood when it was over and they could speak.

"Not... a word...." Storm growled toward Dawn.

Dawn nodded in agreement, not because she was intimidated by Storm, but because it was the best course of action for the time being. Dawn was more adaptable than Storm, but no one needed to know that she didn’t vent magic through her mane like everyone here expected.

Twilight started to stir as she woke, a large yawn escaping her lips.

"Good morning commander." Dawn said, standing as close to attention as she could, given her current weakened state. "Sleep well?"

Twilight sat up and yawned again. "Mmm, yeah. I did… seems I slept in a bit. How did you two sleep?"

Dawn shook as she started to stand. Her breath was shaky as she wobbled in place, then shook her head. "It was a very, very busy night." She answered, starting to fill her in when she felt a pressure from the queen, warning her to be silent.

‘Twilight isn’t fully aware of her sleep casting, only knows of a few times. If she found out what happened in her sleep, I’m not sure how she’d react. It’d be dangerous for everypony.’ Chrysalis warned. ‘But I worry more for Twilight’s reaction.’

‘Of course.’ Dawn replied, feeling like she was mentally bowing to them in her fatigue. She returned her gaze to twilight, who was still looking at Dawn with concern then added, “Don’t mind me, just a dream. It just felt so real that I felt tired after.

Twilight blinked, then shrugged, “Happens.” She said before getting herself some water.

Dawn watched, still feeling disappointed she couldn’t share, that Twilight could be so fragile in a way.

‘What’s wrong little drone?’ Chrysalis asked.

‘Nothing… just really sad and I don’t know why.’ Dawn replied as She took a deep breath and tried to relax, starting over. "Pregnancy sucks..." she mumbled out loud, and to Chryssy, as if that explained.

The Queen started to hum through the link, then she started to sing. Dawn listened to the song, gradually calming and intrigued by the behavior she hadn't expected. Sooner than she would like, the song came to the end and Dawn let out a sign, comforted and more calm than before.

The queen smiled on her end, and Dawn could instinctively know she was smiling outwardly, sensing the love they felt. 'I sang that song to the hive after our defeat at the Royal Wedding.' She explained.

'Thanks Chryssy.' Dawn smiled, 'I don't know what happened, but I will be fine, I think.'

'It is ok my little drone, you are still young.' Chrysalis replied, treating Dawn as if she were being their mother, caring for a foal who was still learning.

'I guess looking at it from an alicorn's timespan, I am just a child, and I already have a child inside me.' Dawn thought, considering how unprepared she felt.

'By pony standards, you are a mare, but you are no older then a changeling who just grew her chitin to us.' Chrysalis said.

'Sure slip up like it sometimes, that's for sure.' Dawn thought, wondering if she was viewed as new or young because of her recent status as a 'drone.'

'It's ok little one.' The Queen giggled.

'Well, at least you're more understanding than my parents.' She replied in a quiet grateful tone. Without meaning to, she relayed memories of her parents and how they kept turning to her and ask why 'he' did something she'd been told not to do and wasn't given any correction or motivation beyond spanking, more if she did talk... lots and lots of memories of those. She learned real fast to just be quiet and let them do what they felt was right.

Dawn drank the water and set the cup down on the bed, using her magic to reach for a brush in her pack to start getting her mane and tail in order.

'While punishment does have its place, it is only for the biggest of issues.' The queen said, noticing the mare's memories. 'Or when the same action is repeated several times and all other corrections have failed.'

"Feeling better?" Twilight asked brushing her own mane

"Somewhat... Just got overwhelmed easily. I can't turn the link off anymore, though I'm learning how to turn it down or tune it out." She answered Twilight before turning to Chryssy and saying, 'I hope I will never force you to need to make such a measure, or use one on my foal.'

"Ah. Usually the drones are able to shadow themselves from the link, which means only the queen can talk to them because no one keeps the queen from her subjects."

'What do you mean use on your foal?' Chrysalis asked.

'I don't ever want to spank my child or be spanked if I can avoid it, considering what I went through.' Dawn replied to Chrysalis before answering Twilight, "Ah... Perhaps because I'm so new to it, I just don't know how to handle it quite right yet... but if anything, what I'm learning can be taught to Violet and make her open to the link or forging a link, that'd solve the whole 'not able to be queen' issue, right?"

'So far, I've had no reason to.' The queen said reassuringly.

"Well, maybe. There are other possible issues." Twilight warned.

"Such as?"

"Her possibly being sterile." Twilight said.

"Oh... Yeah that would be an issue." Dawn said, thinking about it and distracting her from the conversation with Chryssy.

"Yeah, she's a hybrid and they are usually sterile."

"Didn't you both have hopes of her being a queen though? Or did I misunderstand?"

"I do hope so. I'm also prepared for that never being able to happen."

Dawn nodded, quietly asking, "When would we know?"

"Well, I could run the test when she reaches sexual maturity, or we wait till she tries to get pregnant and fails multiple times, and then gets tested."

"Ah... fair enough." she replied quietly, 'Makes me wonder how my queen would handle her pony drones having offspring, since we don't normally come with the link.'

'I'd be delighted.' The queen said immediately.

'Ok, but they wouldn't have a link.' Dawn stated again, to give focus to what she was curious about.

'Oh, I don't know about that. You have the link and aren't far along. It could be passed on.' Chrysalis said.

'Even though the link was forged by magic?' Dawn checked before looking at Twilight, "So when are we leaving to board the train, after breakfast?"

"Yeah." She said nodding.

'It is apart of you my little drone.'

Dawn smiled lightly, feeling her stomach grumble, "Of course I mention breakfast and realize I'm starving... may I request we get to the making of it please?"

Dawn was thinking hard at what Chrysalis said. She didn't know what to think of the link being a part of her now, especially since she doubted it was readily inherited from how it was forged, but she felt a shiver along her back of happiness of being called her little drone, as if feeling a sense of belonging because of it that she hadn't felt since meeting and being with Stalwart. She couldn't deny a part of her instinctively liked the idea of being a part of something bigger.

Twilight chuckled and headed for the door. Dawn began following, realizing after she got moving that she was still feeling weak from before, but followed happily until she noticed Fire Storm already in the dining area.

"Morning Sky, sleep well?" Twilight asked as she headed for the kitchen to cook.

Storm looked at Twilight with a mix of fear and anger for a second before simply grumbling very quietly to herself along the lines of "would have if you didn't cast spells on your sleep and drag other ponies into it..."

"What was that?" Twilight called from the kitchen.

"Nothing." Storm grumbled, "Just not going to sleep in the same room with you two." She paused before adding under her breath "Bucking ever again... stupid kinky shit I didn't ask for..."

'Awww, she doesn't like having fun.' Chrysalis said, very amused.

'She's VERY loyal to Night...' she commented, suggesting she was monagomous.

'Doesn't mean she can't have fun. I heard her last night moaning just as loudly as you, though the other Twilight had you both beat, think she has a thing for magic stimulation.'

'Why does that not surprise me.' Dawn chuckled, 'seems like the more reserved you are, the better it is at first. Definitely going to have to add to Twilight's 'research' later I think.'

'Most definitely.'

Dawn sat on a chair and settled down, enjoying more chance to rest, feeling barely functional suddenly as that activity reminded her how worn out her body was.

'You know you loved every second of it' Chrysalis said.

'Of course. Did I say otherwise?' Dawn retorted.

'Nope! Because my drone knows what she likes, just like her queen' Chrysalis said.

Dawn giggled quietly, very entertained and appreciative of being so well understood, 'You know just what to say to make me feel cuddly... you're totally feeding off my emotions aren't you?'

'Of course.' She said as if it was to be expected.

Twilight walked out, pancakes on three plates with heated syrup nearby, and began to place them before everyone.

"Ooooo. Thanks!" She replied before digging in. 'You know, that could work. Have a small population of well treated ponies to supply the emotional food you need and only need the food for them, reducing overall expenses...'

'Oh yes, that could work, but then you get into the whole 'violation' of them and their rights and such and... well yeah, it doesn't work. Personally, I like this 'being the fourth tribe' route even if there is a group who wishes to drive us from the land.'

"You're welcome." Twilight smiled. before starting to eat.

'True, not saying its a bad arrangement, but if it turned out differently...'

'I suppose, but then you have all the love replaced by fear and anger and hate, which don't taste very good at all.'

'Awww...' she empathised, feeling like she was getting a hint of the taste on her tongue and unconsciously tried to send her some love in sympathy, feeling almost parental in nature.

Chrysalis conversed with Dawn, sharing some of her plans with her about what memories they would share. The queen thoroughly enjoyed pushing Dawn's buttons, telling her of a time in her past where she was under a spell and behaved according to the personality she was given.

Dawn snorted through a mouthful of pancakes at one point at this news, earning her a glare from Fire Storm, as if she was both annoyed and curious at what was so funny, and then not caring again.

Twilight looked across at Dawn as she ate.

'Yes, it was from exactly what you think. Was a very lovely weekend.' Chrysalis completed

'I'm glad for you Chryssy.' She replied gently, a hint of jealousy and contentment both coming across.

She looked up and saw Twilight looking at her and half-froze, wondering if she'd ask what was going on. Thankfully she hadn't and remained eating.

'Yes. And I'll let you in on a little secret about Twilight...' Chrysalis gossiped, and Dawn continued to listen and banter.

Dawn smiled at Twilight gently as she listened, adding out loud as calmly as she could, "Very good pancakes. Thank you."

"You're welcome." She said smiling back.

Dawn listened to the Queen and their escapades, learning and appreciating the usefulness of a shapeshifter. She soon afterward consciously reached into the link to check on the status of her husband once again, hoping they had wrapped up their business with the theft ring, or will soon.

She soon learned how Stalwart was planning out a raid with the information provided by the changeling Tere ,and the ring would soon be brought down. She took that in, smiling and satisfied.

'Chrysalis, I just realized something. Since you've been thinking that I've been a drone the whole time, I don't want the link to have false memories any more than mine are already flawed. Is there any way that we can get my memories backed up somehow so they aren't subject to the hive making it fit what they know already?' Dawn asked.

'I could.' Chrysalis replied, thinking, 'We often had used memory shards as a backup of our link memories should the whole hive fall and be recovered by another hive. It's been a long time since we've used any, since the hives absorb the old links anymore.'

'All right, I'd appreciate that. I know my situation is very unique, and with how you've thought I was always a drone, I wanted to just play it safe.'

'That is fine.' Chrysalis approved, 'I took some time last night to think on it, and no, you haven't always been a drone. Still, if I'm not actively thinking about it, I do see you as a full member of the hive and always been such.'

'So it was an instinct issue? Not a memory issue?'

'Yes. According to my body and basic instinct,s you have always been here. But thinking on it I know you haven't.'

'Well, in a way, that's comforting. After all, if you instinctually feel as if I had always been here like this, as your little drone, that also means I am welcomed and belong. Isn't that right?' She asked gently, a smile crossing her face.

'Yes. You may not have hatched from one of our eggs, but you belong.'

'Good. I'm happy I do.' She sighed into the last bite of pancakes, savoring the flavor as long as she could before setting down her fork on the plate. 'And I hope you're pleased with having me too.'

'I am. You are a fine addition to the Hive Meadow Dawn.'

'Good.' She smiled, then started thinking of her flaws before wondering how she could make herself useful, 'So, what duties do you see me fulfilling to the hive as I grow with Twilight's tutelage and your own?'

'Caretaker I'd say is the closest, as well as acting as a sort of ambassador. Well, and being Twilight's pet of course.’

Dawn experimentally dug into the memories she was given, to see if she knew anything yet about being a caretaker for the hive. She quickly remembered. Caretakers were those who cared for the eggs and nymphs after they hatched till they grew their chitin as they were vulnerable in this state

She looked over the memory, then smiled gently as she pictured keeping them close to her and feeding them love directly. 'Think they'll grow better or stronger getting love from a pony directly, or would it matter?'

'Yes. They grow better when they can feed on a pony’s emotions, rather than when we pass it along.’ Chrysalis confirmed.

She giggled quietly, all the more eager to try and see just how much stronger or better they would grow by it. 'Think I'll need any training to do it well?'

'The link will provide all you need.' Chrysalis said before pausing, an idea crossing her mind. 'Actually, now that I’m thinking of it… I… I was wondering if I might place you in a cocoon for a time?'

'Sure, but why?' Dawn asked, suspecting it was something that was important to her.

'Well… you have joined our hive and well… I have seen your past from the times before. So in a way, the cocoon may be like an egg. I'm not sure, due to not fully understanding how this all is working since your the first outsider.'

'It's fine,’ Dawn said, a little nervous at the idea, but trying to be supportive. ‘as long as I am not at risk of any health issues. I’ve been curious about experiencing it myself at least once anyway.'

'You shouldn't be.' Chrysalis rejected right away, 'They wouldn't be of use if they harmed the one inside.’

'Not gonna transform into a changeling am i?' She chuckled, also wanting to tackle that concern.

'Don't know.' Chrysalis admitted.

'Well, we'll see right?' Dawn answered, a little nervous now that it wasn’t certain.

'Yes. But when you feel you are ready my little drone.'

'It’s more a concern for Stalwart. I love the idea, but if there is a change, he has a right to know at least.' Dawn thought.

'I do not know what will happen.’ Chrysalis reminded her.

'Yeah... But hey, I’m already the first not-changeling to enter the link and be thought of as a drone. Why not take on some more firsts?' She replied with a grin.

The queen was pleased by her answer. 'Just let me know when you are ready. I'd keep you in there for two days.'

'Oh? Only two days? Why two?'

'Well… I figured you wouldn't want more. I can keep you in there for longer if you'd like… 2 months?"

Dawn chuckled, 'We'll see how i feel. I do get restless so we'll do two and go from there?'

'Well, restlessness won't be an issue. You won't really be aware of anything. You will be in a sleep deeper then sleep.' Chrysalis explained, 'Not a coma but like a coma'

'Ahhh. That could be interesting. I'll be ok with it as long as I and my young are healthy and Stalwart is feeling good. I'd give him the permission to choose when i come out beyond 2 days.'

'Your foal would not be harmed. In fact, everything will be slowed down so much you won't miss them growing in you, as it's like time stops for you, so to speak.'

'How do you know? Shouldn’t I still be in the link during that?'

'You are, but you can only be sensed, not interacted within or out, and we know because we use them for healing and storing food among other things. We would try a healing solution so you basically won't be awake at all. Sort of like cryosleep if you know what that is.'

'That idea’s been theorized, but deemed too difficult. When would you like to do it?'

'Whenever you are ready,' She said, 'and you will basically be in cryosleep, only not frozen and more floating in a liquid.'

'Yes Chryssy, like a foal waiting to be born. I get it.' She teased.

'Actually, I never thought of it like that.' Chrysalis said, amused at the direction that went, 'We are born from eggs so it’s not something we think about.'

'It’s ok my queen. This is why you get other perspectives in your hive after all' she continued, as if it was part of her plan to show her value.

'True.' She said, smiling and sent a wave of pleasure and pride at being called ‘my queen’ by the pony.

Dawn looked around, wondering where the others were, but smiling broadly on the inside to please someone so much over such a little gesture.

"So, ready to go?" Twilight asked with their saddlebags.

'When shall we do it?' Chrysalis asked

"Yes Twilight, I am." she smiled. 'I'd love to do it when we visit and after Stalwart has his way until he's run out of steam.' she chuckled before asking, 'Where would we put my cocoon? have you made a hive just yet in the area set aside by Celestia?'

'No we were waiting for permission to do so and will begin once we see the area.'

'Wouldn't that be part of the setting aside land though? I can send off the letter to her to confirm...'

Dawn turned from Twilight briefly and used her horn magic to take her saddle bag and put it on herself, the straps barely long enough to be fastened properly.

'We hadn't had confirmation on where it would be till a couple days ago, and I was wanting to be there when we move.’

'Understandable... I'll go ahead and prepare a letter and send it when we're on the train and let you know. I want you to be able to build your hive. Though that still doesn't answer my question. Where would you keep my cocoon?'

'Well if you want it now, in your basement. If you'd like to wait a bit, in the hive. The hive seems more appropriate. Granted, I'd like to just go out and build my hive without waiting, but that could lead to issues.'

'I agree. Getting my hatch day really should be in the hive. There'd be no issues having Stalwart come visit the cocoon if he wanted though, right?' She asked as she got out quill and parchment to start drafting the request to build and dig in the zone mentioned.

'Not at all,' Chrsyalis assured, 'as long as he didn't try to move it or affect it somehow. Magic or other things could cause issues with the process.'

'The process?' she asked, 'you didn't mention anything about a process....'

'That's just what we call them being asleep having everything your body needs provided in the cocoon.'

Dawn nodded her understanding, soon having written out quickly.

Twilight and Chrysalis are wondering if they have permission to begin digging and building for the town area you gave. They wanted to wait for your approval first, despite being told where it was.

Dawn sent it off by magic and then dug into the hive's memories, curious what cocooning a pony or drone would be like from start to finish.

She found cocooning ponies was for food sources providing them with good dreams to produce love. While drones it was used mostly for healing or for metamorphosis into new roles.

She dug a bit more, wondering how it would be done from start to finish for the metamorphosis of other drones, how they would be induced, where the fluid came from, and how they would know when to wake and exit, or if they'd be helped out of the cocoon.

The link responded. The fluid was called the Mix and was made from things drones could naturally make, like everything with anything they ate that wasn't emotion was converted into a base material that can be used to make other things.

The process would be simple. She'd be sealed in the cocoon that would fill with the fluid, she'd have to inhale it so it gets into her body and can spread properly, then grow tired before falling into a dreamless sleep. Eventually she'd start to feel discomfort and a desire to move, then she would use her horn to pierce the wall of the cocoon and free herself.

She hummed, thinking to Chryssy, 'Well, that seemed straightforward... little nervous about breathing it in, but otherwise, not bad.'

'You won't actually notice it, we'll you will as it's like breathing in cool air.'

Dawn thought about it for a minute and then started laughing quietly out loud 'Why am I feeling so excited at this? If you had told me I'd be doing any of this two months ago I would have said they were crazy and I'd be terrified!'

'I don't know.' The queen chuckled as Twilight looked back at her as they walked to the station.

Dawn followed Twilight blindly, content as she looked for the soldiers, making sure the one she healed was keeping up ok.

Author's Notes:

Little bit of a quiet time after the events of the last chapter.

I have a PATREON with fair rewards. Every bit is greatly appreciated and helps me out.