In the private car on the tracks ahead of the Royal Car, three of the recruits including Steady hoof were playing cards at one of the tables. Fire Storm was watching, keeping herself aloof from the rest. They seemed to play a game where they had one face down card and one face up card. Everyone around the table either gained a card or stayed where they were, a pile of bits in the middle of the table starting to pile up.

Storm rolled her eyes, despite a small smile on her face. She thought they’d have some other kind of game they'd have played instead. If they were soldiers, she thought they’d be wrestling or lifting weights or whatever to train against each other.

She looked out the window briefly, recognizing landmarks as they traveled. Her cutie mark, a globe with a dotted line crossing it, showed just how much she enjoyed travel and getting to know parts of the world, finding new things.

"Ha! 19! I win!" Steady called out, causing the other two to groan as she pulled the bits to herself.

Storm snorted, looking at Steady yet again. She thought about joining them, but she didn't have her bits with her, and she knew she'd just wipe the table with them anyway of course.

"Hey Storm, why don't you join us?" One of the others at the table called.

Storm looked to them with a smirk, "I left my bits at the guild. Most of ‘em anyway." She walked toward the table before saying, "How do ya play?"

"Simple game, it's called Blackjack. Point is to get as close to 21 as possible without going over. Ace is worth 1 or 11, number cards are their value, Jack is 11, queen 12 and king 13. If you go over 21, you bust. You have one face down card only you can see, and one face up that everyone sees. You ask for a hit if you want another card or stay if you are good." The soldier explained. "As for bits, well, we can let you sit in without a wager. It's just a friendly game."

"Friendly my flank." Storm snorted, unable to stop a small smile from crossing her face as she sat down. "We'll see how long it takes to beat everypony here."

"Well yeah, it's just spare bits from our pockets." He said as a unicorn started to shuffle the cards.

"Place your bets." She said as the others tossed in a couple bits each.

Storm tossed out a pair of bits out of the few she had, noticing they were slightly shinier than theirs, "What’s wrong with your bits? Got dirty or what?"

"Probably a different material or something." One of them said. "And we did use a few of them to help boil water."

"Boil... water...." She looked at them with doubt clear on her face, "Whatever."

"Yeah, you can heat them up to a high temperature over a fire, then drop them into a container of water. Rocks also work but the bits are cleaner." He said as he finished shuffling and dealt the cards.

"Then why not actually boil the water instead of the coins or rocks… you know what, never mind. Let's just play." She said, not understanding them at all.

He nodded and dealt the cards. Storm had a queen up and a 3 down, while Steady had a four up, the pegasus of the group had a 6 up and the dealer had a king.

Storm looked it over and realized she was close, but the king and a card was probably more than she had either way, "I'll take a card." The dealer handed her a card that was a 6, putting her at 21.

Steady took a card, showing it was a 2, and the pegasus took a card that was a jack and his ears drooped while the dealer stayed.

"I'm good." she said, frowning. She knew she had it in the bag, but card games with the rest of the patrol taught her a thing or three on bluffing.

The dealer nodded and looked around. All others stayed.

"Alright, show them." Dealer said.

The pegasus flipped over a queen as his hidden card, showing he went over. The dealer turned over a 7 for 20. Steady turned over a jack for 17. Storm flipped her 3, showing a total of 3, queen, and 6 for 21.

"Looks like I win, eh?"

"Looks that way ." Dealer said as he began to collect the cards.

Storm smirked and pulled the wagers closer to herself, and put her original bits back in her coin bag. "Time for round two."

The unicorn nodded as he began the shuffled. "Place your bets."

Storm put two bits down and looked at what she had again.

She had a 10 down and a 5 up while Steady had a Jack up, Pegaus had a 7 up, and dealer had a 3 up.

She considered. It was probably too low to win, but more than a half chance of going too high. 'Enh, why the hay not.' She thought, "I’ll take one"

She got an ace, Steady got a 3, Pegaus got a 6, Dealer got a 7.

She shook her head. "Im good"

The rest atayed. "Show them."

She showed it, "16."

Peagasus had a 17, Steady had 19.

Dealer showed an ace. "21, house wins." The dealer said as he scooped up the pot

Storm frowned slightly but didn’t mind. She'd win in the end. Steady stood and stretched.

"Think I’m going to go for a short walk, check out the rest of the train." she said as the others nodded to her.

Storm watched, deciding she’d continue playing, but would keep an eye on her. Steady removed her uniform and placed it on a table before she left the car to walk the rest of the train

Storm watched her go, playing a few more rounds, then pocketed the two bits she still had left from her winnings and went to look for Steadyhoof. After a little bit of walking she found Steadyhoof in the dining car.

"Hey." She said, approaching them.

"Oh hey.” Steady answered, looking up from a menu. “Done with the game?"

"Yeah. I like games with a bit more skill involved. You ok?"

"Yeah why?"

"Just checking." Storm shrugged, turning to the window.

"Ah yeah, just grabbing some food. You?"

"Stretching my wings"

"Yeah, know how that feels. Always hate being in cramped places."

"I’d sooner fly, sleep on a cloud as I go than keep flying than go by train."

"Ah, I don't mind traveling, it's just I don't like being confined. Wide open spaces is what I like." Steady agreed.

"Fine by me... where ya from?"

"Small farm near Hallow Shades." She said. "You?"

"Canterlot. Mom's a unicorn so we couldn’t be up in Cloudsdale."

"Why not?" She asked blinking. "Cloud walking spell and there is that cloudcrete material that normal ponies can walk on."

"The hay is cloudcrete?"

"You know, that solid cloud stuff they use in Las Pagasus?"

"No... I don't..." She said, looking at them blankly.

"How do non pegasi go to Las Pegasus?"

"By train..." Storm said, as if it were obvious.

She blinked in confusion. "It's not in the clouds?"

"No… should it be?" Storm said, confused by how different it is for them.

Steady blinked and rubbed her head. "Damn divergences."

"So what, it's in clouds where you're from?"

"Yes." Steady nodded.

"Huh… That'd be interesting for mom... what interesting places ya got back home?"

"Well we got Canterlot, Ponyville. Manhatten, Las Pegasus is basically a nonstop party. The Crystal Empire, Fillydelphia… I guess it depends what you mean by interesting."

"Anything special about em, anything different from here, tell me all of it." She said, having a glint in her eye not present before.

"Well Fillydelphia has the Aeronautical and Space Museum. Manhattan is the art Capitol of Equestrian and has the Statues of Friendship. The Empire has the Crystal Heart and Princess Cadance and Princess Flurry Heart. Ponyville has the Castle of Friendship and Canterlot is of course the capital and where the Royal Sister rule from as well as Canterlot Castle and the Memorial to The Fallen."

"Wait a second, I'm trying to keep up.... the what museum? Manehattan is an art capital and has what statue? What memorial?"

"Planes and space." She said. "Aircraft that allow us non pegasi to fly. And space is well… space. The thing beyond our planet. And that big statue outside of Manehatten? It's the Statue of Friendship. As for the memorial… it's to honor those that fell in one of the darkest weeks in Equestrian history, and the EDFs first real engagement."

Storm listened with a clearly confused expression at first, then more seriously at the end. "That… ok, back up… unicorns can't fly without magic, and earth ponies can't fly at all without a unicorn helping them out. And… what's this about space?"

Steady smirked. "We have machines that allow us to, as well as ones that let us reach space. Even have some rocks from the moon."

"What..." Storm said skeptically.

"Yup. Ponies have been to the moon and back." She smirked.

"I mean… Luna has, but…" Storm said, still struggling to accept any of what was said. That world was so strange, but in spite of it, she started remembering stories of what Nightfall’s world and people had done. If they had done it, why was it so hard to think ponies couldn’t?

"It was a joint effort between Equestria, Zebrica, Saddle Arabia and the Griffin Kingdoms. And each nations sent one person in the shuttle and their flags are now firmly planted on the surface."

She blinked as the idea was confirmed by Steady, then looked out the window and going into thought. "Huh, ponies walking on the moon and they aren't Luna."

"Yeah. It was the only time we did it out of respect for her, but we wanted to achieve it just to see if we could."

"Ah..." She replied, before asking, "So what's this big statue thing you talked about?"

"It's a giant station of a pony holding a tablet and a torch. It's the first thing people see entering the harbor and is meant to symbolize friendship as it lights the way into Equestria."

"That makes no sense to me, but ok... "

"How not? Manehatten is the main port, basically the gateway to the nation. And wouldn't you rather be greated by a pony who hides in the shadows or one who holds a torch so you can see them clearly?"

She blinked, looking at her for a moment before shrugging. "It's a neat enough idea, just don't see it that way."

She sighed. "So any other questions?"

"Dunno... Can't see 'em unless we went over to your place for a bit. Would have to ask for a lot of time off the guild too."

"Yeah true." She chuckled. "So tell me, what sort of things are there here?"

"Depends on where ya go.” Storm smirked, “What you wanna know about?

"Well, let's start with Canterlot I suppose."

"Well, Canterlot's got the castle obviously, Cloudsdale visits it about every other year for a few months. I guess there's the annual fliers’ race. I know of a lot of good restaurants in town and where to get the best deals, but a tourist spot? Nope."

"Ah, so guess no major battles fought to defend the city against a monster huh?"

"No?" she said, sounding uncertain of herself, "I mean, there was the changeling invasion when I was just a foal. Does that count?"

"No… Well yes, but… I don't know. That wasn't anything like The Battle of Canterlot, as the changelings were being careful to not hurt anyone… the battle… well, the battle left much of the city ablaze with most of the castle destroyed."

"The hay?!" She exclaimed, looking at her like she was crazy, "who would be crazy enough to try that?"

"Tirek. He got angry after Fort Zander managed to crack his shield and injure him. The Canterlot garrison and surviving EDF soldiers that managed to reach the city along with the remaining guard put up one hell of a fight, throwing everything they had at him just to try and slow him down while the city was evacuated." Steady explained.

"What are you talking about? When Tirek and Discord stole everypony's magic, Princess Twilight and her friends fought him off and returned everypony's magic three years ago."

"Discord betrayed Equestria?" She asked, blinking. "If it wasn't for Discord there have been a lot more dead ponies at Camp Mendez since he held Tirek off while the recruits were evacuated till he had his magic stolen. Then all bets were off. Even the alicorns were only able to last for 2 hours against him." She said and sighed. "My granddaddy died in that city."

Storm looked at her with a mix of doubt and confusion, as if she couldn't picture there being another Equestria that wasn't like her own. She could handle Nightfall and airhead 'green' Dawn being some other kind of species thing, but that wasn't Equestria and they said as much. To then hear of ponies dying in Equestria when Tirek attacked, that really didn’t happen here. Everyone was too weak to move.

Steadyhoof sighed and sat back, looking out the window. "He was a staff sergeant. One of the first soldiers to join up. Was trained on the newly made tanks, only six of them having been built at the time, and he was the commander of one of them. Daddy said he'd never seen him more excited than the day he got assigned to the new vehicle…" she sighed before continuing. "As Tirek was tearing through Canterlot, he and the rest of the tanks were ordered to fall back to defend the castle. He was en route when he was flagged down by an instructor by Celestia's School of Gifted Unicorns… some of the students had gotten separated from their evac group and ran back to the only place they knew in the city to hide… grandaddy couldn't take them with him, as there wasn't room so he disobeyed his orders and took up a defensive position between Tirek and the school." She looked back at Storm. "Six shots. They got off six shots before the tank was destroyed, and in that time the foals and instructor escaped out the back and made it to safety."

Storm listened, not understanding some of what was said, but grew solemn when she heard the loss of life, "Well, that was gutsy of him…"

She nodded. "He and his crew were threatened with court martial for disobeying the order, but they refused it and saved 15 foals and one adult mare from Tirek. His tank is part of the memorial as a representation for everyone who gave their lives defending the citizens of Equestria… It's sort of why I joined up as soon as I was able to… following in his hoofsteps."

"So, how is it that that happened for you but not here? I mean, it's still Equestria, right?" Storm asked.

"Don't know. Guess the ponies back home are just different then here."

"Well yeah, but… I dunno. Seems weird to have one Equestria go through that and not others."

"Don't know. Guess we just made different choices than you."

"What?" She flinched, clearly thinking that unlikely too.

"Well, you never formed the EDF, and your Twilight is an alicorn much earlier than ours."

She blinked, "Why wouldn't she be an alicorn at that age. She's done a lot."

"No clue, but ours was in her 70s when she became one."

"But Twilight's only about 24 or something I think." She corrected.

"Not ours. She's 74."

Fire Stormed blinked and looked at them, "So wait, you're from like, 50 years in the future?"

"Kinda?" She said, unsure.

Storm frowned and looked at her a little differently before looking back to the window, "I don't get it...."

"Yeah, it's pretty weird… I didn't get it a lot growing up as well."

"Oh really? You weren't used to her being older either?"

"No not that. I mean how this whole displacement stuff works."

"Displacement… you mean the world travel thing?"

"Yeah, we call it displacement."

"Ah."

"Yeah, so…” Steady said before trying to continue where they left off, “where would you recommend as a place of Interest?"

Fire Storm started pointing out several of her favorite places to go to in many different cities, telling the history or the culture or good food of each place. She clearly knew her stuff and had a passion for it, and gave some insight to why she had a globe with a dotted line across it as her mark.

Steady whistled. "Wow, you would have loved being a recon I think."

"Huh? What's that?"

"Our version of a scout. They're sent in to learn all they can about an area, either to gather enemy Intel or just make sure it's safe for others."

"Hm, I could get into that, but I'm in the guild as it is. I get plenty of travelling and get to solve things my way."

"Yeah, but you almost spend a lot of time just waiting for a job out there right?"

"No. We were on leave before we tackled the next set of missions for the month. We're kept pretty busy as it is, but we try to take a week off now and then."

"Ah. There is down time in the army too unless something big is going on."

"Better be." Storm shrugged, "otherwise I'd be upset with whoever is in charge."

"Yeah. The recons are generally pretty busy. Only the best make it into recon."

She snorted with a snide smile, "Yeah, I'd make it if I had to join."

"Maybe. They have to be tough, observant, and stealthy, as they are often dropped behind enemy lines with only what they can carry and leave no trace."

Storm frowned, "Why?"

"Because that is their point, to gather Intel and cause as much damage behind the lines as they can and then leave no trace like a ghost. Put the fear of the gods in them."

Storm blinked a couple times, a clear look of non-understanding, as if she still was struggling to comprehend a different world.

"Tell me, how would the enemy feel if their supply lines got sabotaged and key people taken out and you can't find any trace of who did it, the only evidence being the damage caused."

"What enemies.... that's where you lost me."

"Thugs, criminals anyone really, or yourself. How would you react to some one doing that to you? Destroying part of your guild and stealing stuff, but there is no trace of who did it, only the damage?"

"I'd rip them apart, assuming the rest of the guild didn't beat me to it."

"But you cannot find any trace of where they are or when they will strike next. You only know they are there because of the damage they cause."

"You underestimate our rogue." She said simply.

"And how would you react if he failed to track them or find trace they soon realized was left on purpose to be found as a sort of calling card?"

"He wouldn't fail though. He hasn't yet." She replied, missing the point.

"So then if he did then you'd have him continue to look till he found them right?"

"Well yeah, it's his job."

"And what if say... the ones who did it left days ago and are long gone. He'd be searching for those who aren't even there. Chasing ghosts and not doing something more useful."

She sighed and looked away, clearly not believing the 'what if' she was laying out was possible. Their agent was good, and to think he couldn't track down someone was unheard of.

"That is what recons do. They make the enemy jump at shadows and chase things that aren't there. Because the more resources sent back behind the lines to stop them the less is on the front."

Storm started to ignore them, wondering how crazy their world must be if they believe such things, half tuning them out because of that doubt and stretched her wings out.

"You'll see when we meet the others." Steady said, noticing the mare's lack of focus.

"I guess..."

"So," Steady said, eyeing Storm, "tell me about this guild."

"Well, Nightfall and I were travelling Equestria and he got really frustrated with the guard sticking to the city when we heard of the residents or those outside needing help. He told me about this 'police' idea he had, said he used to be one and how they helped out no matter what. I thought he was crazy for setting his hq up in the Everfree." She chuckled. "But, here we are, and in the first week we were there he had tamed the Timber Wolves in the forest. Crazy right?"

"How the hell do you tame hundreds of different packs of timber wolves in a week? What you are saying sounds like a pile of shit honestly." Steady protested, "Not to mention all the other much more deadly monsters in the forest. And the fact none of them acted tame at all as they were attacking our camp."

"Fine, be an ass about it. I'll show you when we get back." Storm snorted, and with a huff, she walked back to the main car to be on her own, frustrated they'd think that she meant anything but the area they were in.

The rest of the train ride was uneventful

Dawn laid in the bed, simultaneously spent and wound up once again. She looked over to Twilight with a deep seated respect and sense of belonging, and she felt a similar loyalty to Chryssy, and would briefly wondered who she would follow if they both wanted something of her that contradicted the other, but she dismissed the possibility almost immediately.

Twilight lay back on the bed panting slightly and looking more then satisfied from the last few hours. Any form of resistance left to this had been drowned out long ago by the sheer force of her dominant mind and desire for control. Even as she rested, she idly stroked Dawn's mane before she looked at the clock.

"We will be reaching the station soon." She looked at Dawn. "Make us something to eat." She ordered.

"As you wish mistress."

Dawn got up, shaking slightly from weariness as she got down off the bed and headed toward the dining car, intent on getting a salad with sliced radishes and carrots for them both, as well as a small cup for ranch dressing. She walked past Fire Storm, who seemed to be in a foul mood, again.

Several of the recruits glanced at her and blinked at the collar as well as a few sniffed the air as they caught a whiff of something as she passed.

Dawn walked along innocently, giving a small smile and a wave before heading onward, using a bit of illusion magic to hide any evidence of their activities on her from the shoulders down. She couldn't help but smile as her illusion magic had gotten quite a bit better than it had been back on the last Nightmare Night, where the outfit she had was shimmering and waving as she lost focus on it, and now it was solid, maintainable and convincing, if temporary.

She arrived at the car that was in the middle of preparing the last of the meals before arriving at the station. Dawn prepared their meals and carried them quickly in front of her, heading toward the royal car and arriving with a knock from her hoof before entering. She closed the door behind her and offered the bowls and containers of ranch for her to choose which one she would like, or what changes to them she wished.

Twilight took one in her magic as she approached the table to eat. Smiling at the knock they did before entering what was basically her personal train car.

Dawn, of course, knew it was polite to knock, to announce her entry and the arrival of the requested food. She took the remaining salad and set it down, beginning to eat her salad without magic. She was a little surprised at how able she was to reach this way, and it felt almost right.

She ate her fill quickly, savoring the strength of the flavor by doing so, but knowing they were limited on time. She only spoke up once as she almost finished to ask, "Should I clean up before we leave?"

"Yes. Your magic isn't strong enough and I'd rather not deal with questions." She said

"As you wish." Dawn replied, setting her bowl on the table carefully to hide that she ate off the floor, and went over to where some water was made available along with a towel to clean up delicately.

"Hmm. Honestly surprised these cars don't have a small shower or tub for long overnight trips, though I guess a small alicorn sized shower or tub would be a large tub to a normal pony and take up a lot of space." Twilight chuckled.

Dawn smiled in turn, and could feel how pleased the queen was with her behavior, cleaning up while remarking, 'You had this planned all along, hadn't you.'

'Somewhat. Didn't expect you to react like that, but I saw an opportunity I couldn't pass up to please my Mate.'

'Oh really? You don't know me as well as you claim then.' She teased, chuckling a little, 'Out of curiosity, just how seriously would Twilight take what we just did and all the things I said during it?'

'From the looks of her, quite serious. You're hers as far as she is concerned.'

'Heh... well, I guess I'd better take responsibility for that.' She said, 'To be fair, joining the hive, even if on accident, probably doesn't help my responsibility level huh?'

'What do you mean?'

'Well, let's see... I've gotten to know you over the last month, and I've already joined your hive, and now I'm claimed by your mate, who I somewhat view as another entity I report to now, and I still have my own mate I'm subject to. Oh, and this not counting what I owe Princesses Celestia and Luna for making me a princess. It's a lot of loyalties. Dangerous to have too many of them I hear.'

'It is, but loyalty to me and Twilight isn't entirely different since she controls me as well. Celestia and Luna are somewhat the same and your mate is the wild card.'

Dawn shook her head as she set down her towel, satisfied at her cleanliness and lack of odor now. 'You both I can see as one, yes. you are second in line to her and aren't likely to conflict. Celestia and Luna... I feel like I owe them for what they've done for me in the last two years of being in Equestria and adjusting to a pony, and now a princess to boot, but I'm also frustrated at their hooves-off approach. If your rescue group were to appear, I don't know if I could bear to stay, and be left behind as you go, or if I could so readily disregard my position here as a princess, if in name only...'

Dawn sighed and added, 'And my husband, if he gets along with the other changelings like I get reports of, He'd stand a good chance of coming with, but he's only known this Equestria. It'd be hard on him to be away from his family.'

'And that is not only the responsibility of an adult but also a Princess, to face such decisions comes with your status. Twilight has made several even before she was a princess.'

She mentally nodded, 'I hope I can put it off a little I admit, but that's also to invite issues when the time does come. If I were to be frank, I would weigh how much either 'side' helped me develop, and how much each world would benefit from my presence and knowledge gained from both sides. How much impact do you think I could have in your world if I were to come back, knowing what you do so far?' she asked, seeking advice.

'I do not know. While I may have the Vast knowledge of the Link it still does not allow me to know the future and I cannot begin to know what effect you will have on either world on the coming years.'

'I understand. The way I look at it, the knowledge I gain from you both will be incredible, and I could help this world a great deal, but on the other hoof, you have had more action and chances to use that knowledge in nearly any year than this world has in the last 20 years... But that's also assuming that this world would hear and adjust to the changes I'd want to make... another variable in this lovely equation.' She mentally sighed, not liking being on this topic, but understood the importance of it.

'That is for you to choose and think on my little drone, as a Princess of this land.'

Dawn took a deep breath and let it out, dwelling on it even as she turned to stand by Twilight to await further instructions.

Twilight was in the middle of cleaning her self as well and, surprisingly, she had her left front leg disconnected as she cleaned it.

Dawn looked on, rather intrigued, but knew better than to speak or comment on it. Instead, she simply stood near and waited until she was commanded to act.

She could clearly see the joint in the connection as well as the wire hooks ups in her shoulder that allowed her to use the leg. It looked strange, as if it was naturally part of her body and not something added.

She continued to look, amazed at the ability of the technology, almost wanting to comment, but didn't know what to say, so she remained silent.

Once it was clean, Twilight slid it back into the socket and moved it around a bit till there was a click. She inhaled through her teeth sharply and winced.

"It hurts when you put it back?" she asked quietly, concerned.

"Extremely." She said as she rolled her shoulder and moved her arm up and down and side to side. Her fingers extended and she moved each one in turn before they retracted and a 14 inch blade shot out of her hoof then retracted.

Dawn jumped in place at the sight of the blade but then tried to calm herself, only saying, "If that's the case, I hope it continues serves you well... I don't know how to help someone block pain, at least yet."

"Been living with it for decades. Side effect of the nerve endings being connected." She said as some small screwdriver like tools appeared and began to work on her right legs. There was a click and it came off as well.

She frowned, not wanting her to be in pain, but said nothing, inadvertently sending her empathy to Chryssy in a small form of distress. She was a healer at heart, and she didn't want to see anyone in pain, voluntary or otherwise.

The Queen begin to hum gently in the link.

Dawn tried to force herself to calm down, closing her eyes as she mentally distanced herself from her emotions. She struggled, her mind seeming to have other plans.

'It is OK my little drone. I do not like seeing her in pain either. But she sees it as a badge that marks that she is still alive. Each one she lost could have easily killed her.'

'And if anything, it shows how strong she really is... considering what little I'm seeing of what it can do, has made her stronger in the process... at least, that's what I want to believe...' Dawn replied.

'It has. She has told me what she has been through and I do not think many could have survived it. She is strong by every definition of the word.'

'A worthy mate and addition to the hive.' Dawn chuckled within the link, still put off by the idea of the pain, even though she now understood it.

'Yes.' Chrysalis agreed.

Dawn could feel the love radiating through the link, a warm fuzzy feeling to her, and in turn, she tried to imitate that motion, attempting to share her appreciation with them. She was still drained of energy however, and waited for the train to come to a stop.

Twilight finished attaching her last leg, flexing it as well to ensure it worked to her satisfaction before she stood and stretched.

"Should I take off my collar mistress?" she asked quietly, not intending it as a request to stop being her pet, but to not have that relationship on full display if she didn't want it known yet.

"Mmm...it would be a good idea yes. Put it in your saddlebags when you grab ours."

"As you command." She said quietly, taking it off and putting it in her bag, putting it on herself before grabbing Twilight's own to put it on her back, feeling how much heavier it was compared with her own.

Twilight felt a spark of delight down her spine as Dawn said that and smiled as she took her guard form and headed for the door.

Dawn followed the now disguised Stonewall to the door, going ahead briefly to open it for her and standing to the side to follow after she passed. As they reached the platform, the recruits were already out and Stonewall looked around as if checking for threats before falling behind the Princess like a proper guard. Dawn led the way off the station now that they were in VanHoover and sighed happily.

"It's good to be h-" she paused, getting a flash of light in her bag. She pulled the scroll out, reading it.

Stonewall paused at the flash, as did the recruits, before walking on as they realized she was not stopping.

"Looks like construction can get underway when we arrive." Dawn answered, providing a report to Chrysalis, 'My queen, it's time to let the workers start crafting out the hive. We have permission to dig. She didn't mention anything about a hive, but she gave a blanket statement of permission for 'any' construction we feel is needed, as long as the issue with Flare is resolved because of our actions. Her guard's reported that we are making an impact, so we've got the go ahead.'

'Construction has begun.' The queen said, most pleased by the news. 'I had most of the workers gather there and find a suitable place. All they needed was the ok.'

'Awesome. I really want to see what kind of layout you will pick, above and below ground... I must admit, I'd like to visit where the nursery would be as well, when it's ready I mean.' Dawn replied, posing it as a question implied of asking for permission for it.

She suddenly knew the exactly what the layout of the hive was going to be. 'In two days time, we will be able to cocoon you.'

'Awesome... this is going to be exciting.' Dawn smiled, swept up in what she was included in. She turned to the rest, "Construction's already started at the area set aside for you all. We'll meet up at my place, it's a half hour trot from there to the east for where your town will start, so it'll be within 40 minutes trotting time of Van Hoover." She explained as she navigated the dissipating crowds of ponies heading home from their respective workplaces.

Stonewall nodded and followed close while the recruits just looked happy to be able to relax a bit soon.

Dawn led them to her home in the time stated, taking a leisurely pace with how hard she had been worked in the last 24 hours, but soon, her tree home along with several tents were visible within a few minutes walking distance.

She was surprised to see there was also a rather large truck parked behind it, very wide with a large box on the back and a door with steps leading up to it on the back and a large red biohazard symbol on the side.

"Anyone care to tell me what that is doing there?" Dawn asked, wanting clarity to address her surprise.

"Looks like some of the BCD ended up here with one of their mobile labs." Stonewall commented after seeing what Dawn meant.

"BCD?" she asked, starting to move forward once again, albeit cautiously.

"Biohazard Containment Division." Stonewall said.

Dawn took a deep breath, lightly shaking her head in disbelief, "Something tells me that half of equestria would probably know something's wrong at this rate. What's the odds of our two worlds melding into one at this rate?" she asked as they got into her yard.

"Slim. They most likely arrived the same time everyone else did. The BCD doctors are a little... odd would be the nice way of putting it." Stonewall said flatly.

"Noted..." She sighed, still thinking that the truck was more of an eyesore that ponies would notice than Twilight's castle, which said something in her eyes.

Dawn stepped toward her home, wondering who was still present and inside or out.

Several ponies in gold uniforms stepped out to greet them, they had pistols on their flanks and what were clearly telescoping batons on the other side as well as an array of other useful gear, Dawn's memories from the link told her this was the Royal Guard who specializes in law enforcement for the most part.

"You're Princess Dawn I presume?" The lead guard a unicorn mare asked in a Trottingham accent.

"I am. How's everypony doing?" She asked, slowing down until she stood so she could better look the mare over.

"More then a few shaken up, a hoof-full of injuries from a few close calls and fights before anyone realized what had happened." She said. "I'm Lieutenant Sugar, Trottingham guard, station 12, and I'm more or less in charge here outside of Captain Stalwart and that spook from MID." She said visably relaxing.

"Good to meet you Lieutenant." Dawn nodded, "I understand my husband is off taking care of a theiving ring. Did the queen tell you that construction was underway for a settlement zone to the east of here?"

"Not sure how she would." She shook her head. "Only drones around here are that spook and maybe some with the Plague Doctors, but no clue. The EDF left a few days ago to secure the site and send a flier here every three hours to check on us, but they left me in charge along with the rest of the guards."

"Well, the hive is working on it starting half an hour ago. I'd recommend not spreading news of it until more is done, but I figure you could use some good news." She smiled briefly, "Anyone giving any trouble anymore? Any other concerns you might have?"

"The plague doctors being creepy count?" She asked

"Yep." She chuckled. "But perhaps things I can help out with?"

"Not really then. We've recovered mostly here, except for the ones staying in town. I send a few plain-hide guards to check on them every few hours"

"You've done well." She smiled, "Keep up the good work, and remind me at some point I owe you a drink, whatever you want that I can get." She said as she started to walk again, moving past them to go into her home

The guard saluted with her right front hoof, raising it straight in front of her briefly before turning back towards the tents as well.

As they neared the house the front door opened. A pony shape in a bright yellow suit that fully covered their body with black boots and solid black gas mask stepping out. It was clear the suit was completely sealed and there was a small tank on their back that was attached to their base of the neck by a hose.

The royal guards slowed their walk back at the sight of this figure.

Dawn continued to walk toward them, intent on meeting them as well as establish some ground rules. If she were brutally honest, she was feeling a bit more insecure about so many ponies going in and out of her home, even if it was a necessity.

"Hello there." she called to the figure.

The pony looked at her, then spoke in a muffled voice from the mask they wore. "Ah you must be Princess Meadow Dawn. I am Doctor Bleeds. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." He said, bowing formally.

She bowed her head slightly, "Nice to meet you too. How long have you been set up here and if you don’t mind my asking, what project are you pursuing?"

"We have been here for four days Princess. As for projects, I simply pursuing food for myself and the other doctors."

Dawn snorted with a smile, "I meant what research are you conducting, or are you more a physical health kind of physician?"

"We are working on strain E-549b, more commonly referred to as the Tenila Flu."

"We don't have anything like that here as far as I'm aware. I hope you're taking the necessary precautions to prevent an outbreak." Dawn said.

"Oh of course. It is locked up tightly in the level four storage container. We were en route back to a proper lab when we found the road was no longer in front of us and we somehow crossed the ocean."

"Yeah... funny how displacement does that. Keep it contained unless necessary please. The tech you need or want for further research is a good century or two down the road." She replied, nodding again.

"Of course. What sort of doctors would we be if we allowed a virus to escape without first devising a counter agent?"

"I mean no disrespect, of course." she replied softly, "But I feel like it would have been silly of me not to mention it, just in case. Take care doctor."

"Of course Princess… Though, might I have a mane clipping and some fur samples? Maybe a blood sample as well?" He asked

"For what purpose?" she asked, growing stiff, unable to stop her tone from growing colder and more calculated.

"Our records of course." He said as if it were obvious.

She blinked twice before asking, "You keep records of ponies not from your world? I hope you'll forgive my not finding that comforting."

"Oh no, no. We keep records of everyone." He corrected. "As well as analyze it for what sort of contagions are being carried."

"I think for now, I'll.... well, actually," she paused, considering. She remembered that she had concern over if anything about herself were to change from being cocooned, but on the other hand, if they did this sort of thing all the time, they'd be the perfect ones to determine what changes will occur if they do. "I'll allow it on one condition."

"Name it."

"You do it again in the near future after my business in the hive is complete, and you go over the changes, if any, with me... I should clarify that while I have some biology education and genetic understanding, I may need some things simplified."

"Not a problem at all. We are happy to run tests!" He said rather excitedly.

"Good. We don't quite know what to expect, and while I don't think there should be cause for change, you'd be the ones to tell me." She said before mentally turning to Chrysalis, 'Do I have permission to share details of being cocooned to them since they're a doctor or should I withhold that from all but the hive?'

'Yes but in private.' She said.

"We can talk more about it when we take my samples." She said, "Would that work for you doctor?"

"Yes princess." He said. "Now, if you excuse me I must take this food so we can start decontamination of it." He said before turning to walk by, giving a polite nod and saying to them as he passed, "Citizens."

"Not going to lie, they really give me the creeps." Sugar said.

She chuckled, turning to Sugar, "Yeah, definitely a unique character, but well intentioned, I hope."

"They always say they are here to help… still creepy."

"We all have our oddities, or at least, that's what I tell myself anyway." she chuckled, in a clearly good mood. She opened the door to her home, heading inside.

Stonewall followed as the recruit reported to Sugar, Storm following them both.

A dark purple blur sped past Dawn and latched into Stonewall's chest in a tight hug. "Mother!" Violet said happily as she nuzzled, not in disguise

Dawn smiled broadly at seeing Violet once again. She had nearly forgotten how much of a smile the foal brought her face.

Twilight smiled as she dropped her disguise and nuzzled the top of the hybrid's head.

"Knew that wouldn't fool you my little flame." She said with a small smile at the filly, looking completely different then normal.

Dawn stood and smiled at them, smiling and nearly radiating happiness for the filly's reunion with her mom.

"Suppose we should let Storm in." Twilight said as she used her magic to move Violet onto her back and walked into the house the rest of the way.

Fire Storm was looking around, starting to mask her confusion about all the other ponies and Dawn's reaction until she saw Violet and just looked on in more genuine confusion. She walked into the home, but kept an eye on them, not sure if she was seeing a pony or a changeling, or if it was a trick of the eyes or magic.

Violet, sensing the confusion, looked over at Storm and waved, smiling wide. "Hiiiiii! I'm Violet Flame. Who are you?"

"I-I'm Fire Storm." Storm replied, hesitating as she still tried to figure out what she was looking at.

"Oh don't be like that. I don't bite...usually." she said still cheerfully, showing off her sharp teeth in the smile.

Storm looked at Violet with cautious concern when Dawn said, "Storm, meet Violet Flame, daughter of the commander and a young queen of the hive." Dawn then used her magic to reach out to Storm's mind and added, 'This is probably the biggest reason you don't want a grudge against changelings.'

'Shut up and get out of my head Green! No one asked you!' Storm yelled in protest.

"My isn't she the rude one." Chrysalis said as she walked in, undisguised, from the kitchen.

'In her defense, your mate is the same way for not wanting anyone in her head.' Dawn said in the link.

"Queeny!" Twilight said happily as she went over, nuzzling the taller being who nuzzled back.

"I made a light lunch in case you were hungry, I know Violet is." Chrysalis answered.

Storm jumped back and flared out her wings, as if preparing to be attacked. Dawn simply smiled at the pair before looking at Storm and just rolling her eyes, trying to give her a strong hint to tone it down.

Chrysalis looked at Storm. "Oh come now. If I wanted to attack, do you honestly think I'd be standing here talking about lunch? Trust me honey, you'd never see me coming."

Fire Storm slowly lowered her wings, but still was full of distrust.

'As insulting as she is being to her host by suggesting they'd have a harmful guest,' Dawn commented to the queen, 'I still can't help but have a slight bit of empathy to her, considering her near death experience with this world's counterpart of you. It's the main reason I don't push my weight against her as often.'

'Oh I understand it. It's why I just pointed out if I wanted to attack, I wouldn't be standing here in the open hugging my mate with my daughter present.'

Dawn chuckled mentally. 'Shame she probably doesn't get it... It's almost like she has small dog syndrome' she said, referencing her memory of how insecure and loud small dogs tended to be to make up for their size.

The queen chuckled in the link at the concept, finding it fitting.

"So then, lunch anyone?" Chrysalis asked out loud in the friendliest way an alicorn sized, black chitin covered pony with fangs and sharp teeth could with her voice. She looked like a predator who saw her next meal.

Fire Storm felt her fur stand on end and got ready for an attack, visibly jumping when Dawn spoke up and moved instead.

"I could use a snack, sure."

"Oh good. I made sandwiches." Chrysalis said cheerfully before turning to head for the dinning room, Twilight following with Violet on her back.

Dawn followed them into the dining room, leaving behind a cautious, worked up Fire Storm behind, who chose to walk back out of the home instead. She found a dark green unicorn with a blue mane and wearing coveralls approaching the house.

Storm looked at this unicorn with a slight bit of interest before shaking her head and walking among the tents. She had never before seen anything set up this way, and it was discomforting.

'How goes the digging of the hive, will it house any of the other ponies while their houses are being built?' Dawn asked.

'It goes well, progress is steady and we will have the first chambers done within the hour.' The queen said. 'As for that, yes, we will house them for a time.'

'Good, A case where it pays to have changelings as an ally. I think while I wait for Stalwart to come, I'll watch one of your drones work through the link if there's no issues. I'm curious to see it firsthand.'

'He should be along shortly, he's just finishing up paperwork for the 30 ponies that got arrested, including several guards. And it won't be a problem for you to watch your hivemates.'

The pony wearing coveralls glanced at Storm and then changed direction to observe her.

Fire Storm didn't notice her being observed just yet, and she walked around, and at each thing she didn't understand, she had a mix of confusion or interest, but would soon after frown as memory of it being linked to Twilight or that 'queen'. The idea of the other world was too strange and constantly in her face about it now.

"Something wrong ma'am?" The pony approached and asked, his speech hinted at a slight southern drawl.

"Nothing, I guess." Fire Storm shook her head, She replied without looking at them and continued to explore, confused on how some of their technology worked, the truck in particular.

The pony followed her. The truck was the biggest piece of technology in the camp, most everything else was a few camp stoves and a single laptop.

"You need something?" Storm asked as she heard their hoofsteps, sounding agitated.

"You seem lost is all."

"I'm fine... Just looking at this stuff you have at Green's place." Storm replied with a small snort.

"Green?" She asked confused

"The wannabe princess." she said, looking at a tire and bumping it with her hoof.

"What makes her a wannabe? Did she use some form of spell to get her wings? Or did she steal them?"

"She didn't deserve it." She said through gritted teeth, "Not after the stunts she's pulled..."

"And why do you say that?"

She glared at them for a half second, debating if she should stay quiet about it before deciding it would be good to make sure others knew her sins. "She's broken her promise to Nightfall, doesn't know how to focus or go for any goals, she's air-headed and stupid, and wasn't even a pony all her life. I can think of plenty who deserve it more than her."

"What promise?"

"To help get Night home. She destroyed his only way back, and then he was turned to a villain with dark magic to return home precisely because she had gotten his hopes up and he didn't want to give up."

"So she destroyed it on purpose?" The mare asked.

"No, but she told him he could and she was wrong... abysmally wrong." she answered, clearly holding a deep seated anger toward the princess.

"So, she tried her best and it wasn't good enough. She made a mistake and you blame her for something out of her control?"

"What would you know about it!" Storm snapped sternly, "She should have known if she could do it instead of ruining it. You have no idea what it did to him."

"How would she have know though till she tried?" She asked calmly. "Did you know you'd become a fast flier till you tried?"

Storm snorted before answering, "Of course I knew I would be a stunt flier. I'm not a fast one, but I knew I could do whatever the hay I wanted if I tried." She went quieter after, anger still noticeable in her voice, "You should have heard her. She repeated so many times that one day alone that she knew she could do it, that she had the power needed, the knowledge... The audacity to think she could be the fourth pony ever to fix a magical relic and none of them other than Starswirl was at that level... of bucking course it failed." she ended, barely said above a whisper, anger dripping.

"So, she thought she could do something, hoped she could, and strove to do so. Tell me. Have you ever failed at something you tried to do?"

"Not something that important..." she said with her eyes narrowing, as if it was an insult to her to suggest it.

"You will. Everyone does at some point unless you spend your life playing it safe and never take a risk."

She snorted, "You obviously don't know me, or green."

Fire Storm turned to walk away toward the east, strongly considering flying away, her wings starting to rustle. She eventually did decide to take a flight, get her mind off things, and the pony just watched her go and shook his head. Life was going to be a hard teacher some day she thought.

Dawn ate and settled down to watch a worker and how they dug, even as Storm took to flight in slow laps around her home and grumbled frustrated curses in her direction.

The worker seemed to be able to use his magic to sort of bore through the ground to loosen it, and the physical strength to move it away in a long chain of workers doing this, all of them carrying the refuse or packing it tightly to firm the walls.

Dawn hummed in interest as she watched with her eyes closed, laying down on her couch with the sun landing on her fur and making her coat feel warm. She felt like this was what she knew already, yet it wasn't quite what she had pictured. She started to recall the layout of the hive through the memory, and wondered about why it was laid out the way it was.

As she looked at the overall plan, she soon saw all the vital areas, hatchery, throne room, and food storage were all in the center of the hive with many dead ends around it. It also used many other maze like set ups and tricks to keep any outsider running in circles and all the while would be constantly under attack from the swarm.

Dawn hummed at the ingenuity of it. She knew it was from years of doing what it took to survive and and keep the hive safe. There was a level of admiration at the result so far, and clearly it would only become even better as time went on. Dawn knew it would be a secure place to be cocooned. A small part of her mind thought it would be wonderful as well, though when she realized it, she couldn't help but wonder why.

The work on the hive was going fast, as they were already reaching deep into the grains of dirt and stone, where the first chambers would be made.

Dawn settled in, waiting on Stalwart's return as she watched before she was interrupted by Twilight's entry.

"Hey Dawn could you watch Violet for a while? Like, a while a while? Me and queen have something very important to discuss... alone... in the basement... where we aren't to be disturbed."

"Absolutely. I love watching her!" she said happily, catching her drift. She linked to Chrysalis and added, 'I hope you ravage her as much as she ravaged me on the trip.'

'You know you loved it. And I'll be the one getting ravaged.' The queen said. 'And don't worry I'll share ever bit with you in real time since Stalwart is in his way back.'

Twilight smiled. "Thanks." She said heading from the basement

Dawn moved to hug Violet, even as she replied, 'You are truly evil my queen. Whatever did I do to deserve you?' she said, clearly meaning the opposite.

'All the worst things possible.' She said playfully as she followed her mate to the basement

'Enjoy yourself my queen. She is your mate after all.' She replied, hugging Violet, "So, Violet, I'm part of the link now, been checking in on you and chryssy while i was away."

"Really!?" Violet asked with wide eyes.

"Yes really.” Dawn smiled at Violet, “Chryssy's even asked me if I would be willing to be cocooned for a while in a couple days."

"Oh? Why's that?"

"I think it's a figurative thing, a sort of representing of my belonging in the hive. After all, Chrysalis already views me as a drone on instinct." she chuckled. "I've even been able to use my spell to be a proxy for someone else to hear the link."

"Really?" She asked, eyes widening again in surprise and admiration.

Dawn chuckled, "Yep. if Chryssy weren't busy, I'd do it right now to show you."

"Wow!" She exclaimed as Dawn became aware of the queen’s more intimate attentions to her mate.

Dawn blushed lightly, knowing she couldn’t let the foal be affected by that tease from Chrysalis, so she smiled and answered, "I've learned a lot thanks to her. You'll get to learn a lot more too this way I think, once we get you into the link. It might take a while though, we will need to test it."

"That's incredible!" She said excitedly as Dawn received another ‘update’.

Dawn chuckled, both at Violet's excitement and at Chrysalis' technique.

"Yup. You'll be a queen who will be able to work with all of your minions."

"Oh goodie!" She said happily, wings buzzing.

Dawn began to feel the straps her Queen was wearing. They didn't affect Dawn, but she could feel them, that the queen was partly bound, and wearing an outfit that would make it easy to bind her further or leash her to a wall as a hareness. Dawn stood, enjoying her freedom of movement and sent that sensation along with her gratefulness to be able to move again to her, as if to compound the issue.

"So, want to fill me in on what I missed? After all, you might have spotted something the hive missed!" She said as she headed back to the outside, intent on getting her samples turned in for the doctor if they were available.

She buzzed into Dawn’s back and disguised herself as a unicorn. "Oh, just saw the guards were stealing from stores and told Mr. Stalwart. Other than that, Mr. Stalwart has been telling me stories."

"Oh? What kinds of stories?"

"Ones he said he was told as a colt."

"Wait, has he been telling you his dad's old war stories?"

"Yup!"

"Hm... and what have you learned from them?" Dawn asked.

She listened to the stories her father in law had been told, from covering his comrades to fighting changelings to stories of heroism and feats of older generations before him.

"It's just like the stories mother tells me." Violet said.

Dawn received another update, the commander having wasted no time getting to work, and shivered in place, trying terribly hard to keep herself under control. "In what ways?"

"She tells me stories of her adventures with her friends as well as her old war stories." Violet said as Dawn felt her flank squeezed.

Dawn breathed more heavily as her heart raced. "Ahhh, well, now that I'm here, we'll have a lot more stories we'll need to tell you." she chuckled, doing her best to push that lust down.

"Oh I can't wait!" Violet said as the door opened and Stalwart entered along with a green unicorn in coveralls.

Dawn gasped as she started to stand and faced her husband and the green unicorn, "Welcome home you two!" She reached a hoof down and despite its trembling slightly, petted Violet's neck.

She knew the unicorn was a drone by the name of Tere and he smiled. "And how is the little princess?" He asked looking at violet.

"Good!" She said and Tere looked at Dawn and smirked.

"Why don't we go play outside?" Tere asked Violet, Violet squee’ing in response.

Stalwart chuckled and approached Dawn, smile on his face as he gave her a hug.

"That sounds like a good idea Tere. Let's go." Dawn said, trying to fight yet another update the queen was tormenting her with.

"How are you Dawn?" Stalwart said gently, bringing her attention back to him.

She linked up with him with her spell, and relayed just how worked up she was while simultaneously telling him, 'Proud of you, happy at what you were able to do, and really damn horny, no thanks to Chryssy… She has no shame I tell you!'

Tere took Violet and headed out the door.

Stalwart chuckled, "It's been a long night, but we can get to it after we put Violet to bed."

"It's ok, Tere's got it. Let's get you... cleaned up." She said, intent on taking him with her to the shower.

"Don't mind us, me and Violet will be camping out, as I hear there is going to be a full moon." Tere said winking at her before heading out the door, leaving them alone except for the two in the basement sharing their experiences with her

Author's Notes:

Yay Violet is back. :-D

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