Storm followed Twilight through the city, knowing her way around well enough, but not knowing where she herself wanted to go.

They soon arrived at the guard station, and Twilight went in with the troopers following behind, looking for the captain.

The Captain was down on the main floor, filling up a bigger mug of coffee as he always did. "Oh, Stonewall, you're back."

"Yes I am Captain, and I brought us some help." She said with the dozen Troopers and Storm behind her.

The captain blinked, looking between them and said, "And here I thought we were making progress."

"We are. They are just for assistance and later on." She said, looking at a unicorn standing behind her. "This is Lieutenant Star Burst. He is in charge of this group."

A nighttime blue pony with the white mane stepped forward as she spoke and reached a hoof out in greeting.

The captain turned to him, still holding his mug and nodded to him. His face was expressionless, but his frustration and annoyance was almost palpable to anyone who had worked with him in the past.

"And when will we be seeing Princess Dawn, hm? She was quite interested in keeping us motivated at first."

The Lieutenant looked at him expectantly, then put his hoof back down when he was left hanging.

"She is busy with other tasks and will be returning in a few days. You can brief me in private on what has happened while I was gone."

The Captain nodded, "I was heading there now. And Star, you'll learn fast I don't shake hooves with anypony before coffee, even my wife." He commented as he headed toward the stairs slowly, sipping his brew.

Star nodded, and Stonewall began to go to the room with Star. Storm did follow, but not understanding this odd connection between 'Stonewall' and the captain, let alone how he acted toward the 'lieutenant', whatever the hay that meant. After not too much longer, they were up in the usual room and settled in

"Now then what all has happened while I was away," Stonewall asked, “meeting with the Everfree Patrol?"

"I've got some bad news, and if you haven't heard it by now, I'm surprised." He said, setting his mug down, the guards-ponies present looking more drained than they had just two weeks prior, "We've got a bad case here. One of the bay areas held not just one or two, but twenty five bodies of ponies, all having had their throats slit. Now you've known about the twenty, and we've been keeping it quiet up until two days ago, when somehow, a reporter got wind of it and it's now been plastered all over the region."

"Show me everything you have." She said, unphased at the news.

Two guards went to gather the boxes of materials, several versions of the papers coming by from different sources as well as the original case materials, nearly all of which throwing questions at the guard and their ability to help keep the peace.

"We have ponies who have tried to chase the guard out or threatened to fight us. We've never dealt with anything like this before." He said, shaking his head.

The Captain stayed silent, not wanting to comment further. His men were demoralized as it was, and one had already come to him about resigning, but he reminded them of the promise they made to see it through. They weren't happy about it, but he said to take it up with the princess, she'd be the one in charge and able to override it otherwise. It was the only thing that kept him from deserting.

"Well, well… things just got a whole lot more fucking interesting now didn't it?" Twilight finally said after nearly half an hour.

Many of the guard shifted, mistaking what she said for amusement. The captain, reading the mood shift, replied in a calculated tone, "Care to rephrase that, Stonewall?"

"Not sure how. It's seems we are dealing with former zebra military as well based on some of these injuries. At least six of these were taken out with Gali knife fighting which is standard for soldiers of the Grand Zebra Army. The rest are low level injuries, many signs of hesitations and inexperience." She said not looking up from the files as the LT looked over her shoulder at the pictures, only flinching slightly.

"The hay is a Zebra army?" The captain asked, furrowing his brows

Twilight waved her hoof not wanting to have to try and explain Zebrica to ignorant fools. "Just decent army. This fellow is most likely not part of it anymore but they have the training."

The captain gave a small huff, a very obvious sign to those under him that he was not in a good mood and the nice cooperation was about to get a lot less common.

"So what do we do now?" he asked tersely.

"Now we continue on as we have, but I'll need somewhere else for the lads to set up shop. This room is of course for us guards, I'll need somewhere for them."

"I have no more room I can spare here." He said shortly, "We've been pulling double shifts as it is between this case and our usual work."

"I see… any abandoned buildings near by?"

"There's a few, and nopony's gone to that tailor shop where this all started." He said

"Then they will use the tailor shop. Can you make the arrangement?"

"Yes, yes." he said wearily, drinking from his mug.

"Thank you captain. I appreciate it." She said looking at him.

He was already looking away, toward the map and looking at the color coded pins and she slowly started to put the files back

"Well, back to your beats men, unless one of you lot wants to add anything." The captain ordered.

"If you need to talk do not hesitate to come find me." Twilight said.

About four of them seemed to hesitate, looking in her direction, one even taking a half hoof step, but then they looked to the rest of the ponies present and simply walked out slowly with an air of weariness about them.

Twilight made note of them, intending to find them later.

Fire Storm looked at Twilight and the other ponies with her. She'd be amazed at how well adjusted they were to this, if she weren't so busy feeling ill. She knew the darker parts to Equestria, and sometimes, there was a life taken, but nothing like this on that scale.

"Ok lads." Twilight said to the lieutenant. "Take your men and set up at the address the Captain gives you, I expect you to be done within the hour."

He saluted before going to get the address.

Storm turned to Stonewall and asked, "Who would do something like this? It's horrible..."

"Solar Flare. From the looks of it, he gained Control of some group, most likely criminal and then cleaned house."

"If he wants the alicorns to not be the rulers, why does he kill other ponies? That doesn't make sense." She protested.

"Because he is insane." She said simply.

She paused to re-gather her thoughts and then let out her breath in a heavy but quiet sigh. "So what did you want the patrol to do here?"

"You are competent fighters. Flare will be surrounding himself with the best he can find, having those who have potency be trained. He will try to recruit others such as your group into his organization."

"But if he can fight as well as you do, what good is it having us here?" Storm asked, looking down a little, briefly, "It's not as if I can beat you yet.”

"Because I can fight him, but I can't fight him and the rest of his group. Not to mention I can't be in two places at once." She looked at her. "I need someone to watch my back and keep the others off me Lapdog."

"Ah." She said simply, still not appreciating the nickname in a public space but keeping quiet. "So we take care of our own, and you go after him... Are you going to kill him?" she asked.

"That's the plan yes." She said, looking over the files.

Storm took a deep breath, looked at the newspaper, and steeled herself, "I can live with that. What do you need me to do?" she asked with greater force, closer to her old self than she had been the last two days.

"Continue your training so you are ready for whatever will come." She said simply as she started to read the newspapers. She had been ignoring them in favor of the files.

"Fine. I guess I'll spend my time thinking about what else we could have the guild do here."

"I believe your boss made it quite clear the guild wasn't getting involved." Twilight said as she noted the room had emptied.

"Night's a mule sometimes." She said simply. "He may be my special somepony but that doesn't mean I won't be able to kick some sense into him."

Twilight shrugged. "I already wrote them off except for you, since none seemed interested."

"None of them got told." She replied, "It was just you, Green, me, and Night. Remember?"

"Yes, but I mean after your educating experience I'd imagine they wouldn't want to tag along."

"Leave that to me. This is a bigger problem than I think Nightfall realizes, and you said this guy will either want us on his side or get rid of us, right?"

"Yes, because of your loyalty to Equestria. He'd rather eliminate the threat early then leave you to cause problems later."

"That's why we have to help." She said simply. "I'm not about to let Night's remaining dream get destroyed like it had with Green."

Twilight frowned at the last part, then collected the newspapers and put them away as a plan started forming.

Storm continued to talk, "Swift Hoof knows how to get into just about anywhere, and he's never seen, let alone caught. Gallade could put this entire town into a deep winter, trapping him inside..."

This conversation continued as she elaborated in greater detail how she would see the guild help against this threat, yet her presentation didn't account for any action by their enemy, nor expanded the scope of their actions beyond this one city

Twilight listened only to what skills they had and how they could use them and disregard the rest of the useless information.

Storm, in the end, informed of the two pegasi brothers Skyros and Soryks who were trained in the guard before, and were frequently used for weather manipulation in more remote areas and aerial maneuvers. She spoke of Landias, a talented chef, of Allen and his gigantic frame yet peaceful mindset who could help rebuild or reinforce structures, of Vanner, who would stay back as the guild secretary and is terrified of changelings.

Stonewall blinked. "Strange names they got."

"Yeah, but they get the job done."

"Yeah, just… curious is all."

Storm shrugged, "So what should I start doing?"

"Firstly, I want you to get acquainted with everything related to this case," She said pulling out all the boxes. "while I have some guards to go privately talk to."

Storm frowned, then stepped out to read the details of the case so far elsewhere.

Dawn felt herself shift. Something changed. She squirmed, intending to take a deep breath, but nothing happened. She panicked slightly as she moved about, feeling the edge of the cocoon and then remembered where she was.

She pushed against the membrane, rather badly wanting to breathe air again. It was soft and flexible and just bent when she pushed on it but did not break.

Dawn frowned and pointed her horn at it and tried to push and swim into the membrane, hoping to pierce it, despite her rounded tip.

The horn pressed against the film like substance, struggling to gain purchase before it seemed to find an ideal spot. Dawn pushed with continued effort and after a great deal of pressure, finally popped it, making it tear like wet tissue paper from that point, spilling her out onto the floor along with all the fluids that had been inside the cocoon.

Dawn half-fell onto the floor along with the contents, sliding a good three feet before coming to a stop as she wheezed out the gunk in her lungs, taking a deep breath and weakly coughing repeatedly. More and more of the concoction came out of her lungs and nostrils as she got more and more air in and dislodged the mix inside her. She shook involuntarily, feeling weak, only noticing that her lower half wasn't responding the way she expected it to, preventing her from rising.

She was much more keenly aware of those in the link, subconsciously reaching out to multiple drones interested in her hatching at once, mainly sifting through those who would be nearby if they would help her to her hooves. She tried quite hard not to retch, even though she felt nauseated, and yet could see in the dark of the hive with extreme clarity.

She was unaware of the degree of her changes just yet, but soft chitin of a dark green color dotted her back like dragon scales, save for the larger plates on her flanks and rump. Her eyes still held their iris color, but those who looked closely enough could see the compound eyes for the pupils which her mind combined into one very sharp depth perceptive image. Each leg had one half dollar sized hole just above the ankle, with another bit-sized hole above and behind that. She had no way of feeling such a difference just yet, and her pregnancy had advanced to her final trimester, though the foal had not begun to kick, at least, not yet.

Dawn could feel her position in the hive, she was no mere drone, and yet, as similar to queen as it felt, it wasn't quite that position either. She reached for a word to describe how that would be relayed, checking automatically with Chrysalis within the link.

She found the word Legate was part of her. Deep down it was who and what she was, and she felt the Queen approach as the Caretakers helped her to her hooves.

Dawn felt that title resonate within, she was quite happy, no, proud, of that title. She slowly stood, starting to notice more readily the obtrusive belly between her legs and the developing teats for after she gave birth. A firm kick to the wall in protest of her movements made her wince briefly, but it was a minor inconvenience as her mind blocked out the pain shortly after.

'Legate Dawn, reporting for service.' She replied strongly, forcefully in the link to her queen and those around able to see her. She replied with a strength she didn't feel at the moment, yet knew inherently that it was something temporary, that she had new levels of strength waiting to be discovered.

The queen was pleased, and in a moment she entered the chamber looking as regal as ever with her small crown upon her head

Dawn stood in place, feeling a slight shiver at her weakness and the approach, trying her best to stand upright and reflect well upon her Queen with her stance.

Her Queen looked at her with a critical eye. "Interesting." She said walking around her. "How do you feel my little drone?"

"Still recovering from hatching." She replied out loud. "but eager to see how I can serve my queen."

The queen was pleased. "Who are you?" She asked firmly as she stood tall before her drone.

"Legate Meadow Dawn." She repeated, feeling as if she was helping to complete some sort of ritual she inherently knew how to perform.

"And what are you?"

"A changeling alicorn." She replied.

"What is your purpose?"

"To assist the queen, take command if she is incapacitated or missing, and assist in strategy in combat. When not occupied with those tasks, to care for the future of the hive." She replied.

The queen was very pleased and reached out to pull Dawn into a hug. "Welcome to the Hive my little drone."

Dawn hugged her readily, saying, "It's good to be back. I missed you." She had nostalgic feelings, as if she had returned to a mother she didn't realize she had, made more amplified with memories of how her birth mother had loved her only up to a point.

As soon as those memories came up the Queen sent her love for her drone and how she cared without condition.

Dawn continued to hold her, reciprocating that love and the sentiment that she would help care for the hive as long as she lived. It was home, after all. She winced slightly as another kick from her foal was felt, the pain not quite being blocked.

"It seemed someone is happy with how things turned out." Chrysalis chuckled, running a hoof over Dawn's stomach, and Dawn could feel the care she had for Dawn's unborn foal as if it were her own. In fact, as far as the hive was concerned, it was one of them.

It kicked again and Dawn felt something about her foal, yet she had no idea what to consider it or call it while also instinctively knowing it was her young. "I think that kick just answered with a yes." she teased, "So much has happened, it feels like I was out of it for a while… just how much time had passed since you tucked me in?"

"A week." The queen said as she released Dawn from the hug

Dawn stepped back, looking down at her protruding belly and said, "Well, I can't say I recommend going into it pregnant, if we do this again." she joked.

"Your mate and a friend of yours came by to visit while you slept." Chrysalis chuckled.

"Stalwart!" She said, instinctively trying to reach for him in the link and then remembering she had to use her spell to do so. "What friend of mine came with him?" she asked as she spoke with Stalwart by magic.

"The little one from the guild." She said

"Nymph!" she exclaimed. "I hope she is still here." She replied, instinctively wanting to bring her into the family under her care. Only now did she understand the depth that Chrysalis felt when she learned of a changeling outside of the hive. She would nurture that little one and help lead them in gently

"She is with your mate and my daughter at your home." She said. "Shall I have them informed of your hatching?"

"Already done." she answered, having spoken to Stalwart and was now telling Violet by the spell, 'I have hatched, and will be on my way home soon little one.'

Violet jumped at the surprise contact, but was excited when she recognized who spoke to her.

Dawn smiled and turned to the others nearby who assisted her, "Thank you for your assistance, I should get moving while I still feel the strength." She replied, unaware of her chitin that was still soft and vulnerable.

"You should rest here a bit." One of the caretakers instructed.

"I should have the strength to move, at least until I need to eat. I doubt I am able to consume emotions like you do, I still feel much like my old self." She replied confused.

"Your chitin needs time to harden."

"My… I have chitin?" she replied confused before immediately reaching into that drone's viewpoint by instinct. She quickly realized that sure enough, she did. With quick calculation she replied, "So I do… I have survived without it before, can it harden while on the move?"

"Yes, but it's not wise to do so." The caretaker said, not even showing any sign of a reaction as the Legate entered her mind.

Dawn considered her options, debating between having them come to see her, or her going to see them. She reached into the hive memory to examine why it was not wise to be on the move while the chitin hardened.

She found it could cause it to harden wrong, limiting mobility and its effectiveness, as well as the fact it was easily broken while soft. That was extremely painful, and not something that can be repaired easily.

She sighed, recognizing that wisdom, while also hoping to see her family soon, she contacted Tere, relaying the message to Chrysalis at the same time. 'When you get the opportunity, I would like you to take the family to the hive so I can see them while my chitin hardens. I will have a room here prepared for the time needed while I develop, and assist in the nurseries where able.'

At the same time, she contacted a caretaker to inquire how much help she could be, giving love to the nymphs and young of the hive directly. She learned very quickly that her mere presence helped, though they had very few nymphs here. Mostly just small foals from the Ponies who were either with family or arrived separately and we're alone.

A room was already being dug for the Legate and would be ready in a couple of hours.

'We shall be on our way after lunch Legate, though Mr. Stalwart might make a break for it any second.' Tere sent back.

'I will console him. Don’t worry Tere, you've been a good companion to my mate, and it is well appreciated.' she replied while sending her feelings on the subject to him with the intent of reinforcing him and his mild concern for her husband.

'I will see to caring for the foals without parents in my room as best I'm able, to give them comfort while their parents are not present.' Dawn relayed to the nursery caretakers before contacting her husband again, being gentle and sharing her love clearly with him, "Stalwart, dear, I'm fine, almost better than fine. You're going to scare Tere if you run to me ahead of time. Be strong just a little longer. You will see me soon, and I look forward to it."

She felt Tere respond well to her words and feelings while The Queen watched on smiling at how naturally her Legate took to her life. Dawn simply smiled at the queen, reveling in her own ability to do more things than she had ever done before.

'This is why you added me to your hive is it not?' she teased, sending a small level of affection toward her as well. She laid down in a section drier than the rest of her rapidly drying ‘mix’ liquids and added, 'I hunger, and I crave meat, like a stir fry... oh gods, stir fry feels like it would be perfect right now.' she replied as her empty stomach begged for nourishment, as if realizing exactly how hungry it was without the mix to sustain her body and the development of the young inside.

She knew two workers stopped digging and immediately went to begin to prepare her meal for her. She sent her thanks to the workers who prioritized her needs so, and turned to Chrysalis once more.

'I hope our ritual was to your liking my queen, and my answers fulfilling.' Dawn replied as she observed the mix-liquid was drying rather quickly, looking like steam.

'They were.' She said smiling.

'Good. I meant every bit of it… Still, I don't feel any different, shy of the advanced pregnancy and the discovery of chitin.' She replied, not sure what to think of that. 'Do you notice anything? Am I different than I was before?'

'What do you mean?'

'I'm still me, right?' she asked, indicating that the essence of who she was hasn't changed. ‘Stalwart… he's unused to change.'

Dawn felt the queen’s presence in her mind for a few minutes. 'You are yourself my little drone.’

She felt relieved, yet unsurprised, as if she somehow should have known that all along. ‘Is there any specific tasks you would ask I do, or refrain from doing?'

'Only rest now my little drone. I do not wish for harm to come to you.'

'I am a changeling now, even if only in part. I am not so easily defeated.' she teased, feeling both tired and weak at the same time, but despite that understanding her need to uphold the image of the hive's strength.

The queen smiled at her, and Dawn could feel how pleased she was as the Queen ruffled her mane. Dawn smiled and leaned against them with appreciation.

‘Thanks mom…’ Dawn replied quietly, saying what came to mind.

The queen blinked and looked at her in surprise. Then she hugged her close, her love, affection, and joy spilled over to Dawn at being called ‘mom.’

Dawn laid down, overwhelmed with the events before starting to doze off, but trying to hold onto that emotion she was given as closely as she could, treasuring such parental affection she had not had in a decade and a half. The queen held her as she began to rest.

Dawn woke a couple hours later, feeling some of her strength back, but not much, enough to move due to her lack of food. She looked around, expecting the food being prepared to be ready by now.

She was in a bed in an obvious cave with the hive material around and some of the lighting moss, more than most of the hive. There was even a wooden table with some chairs in the room, and on the table sat the food.

She mentally sent her thanks to the workers once again, for doing more than they had to in caring for her and her room, then walked carefully to the table. She felt like her belly was too swollen, beyond what it should have been, and hoped there would be no complications in childbirth or with her foals.

'I had you looked over by a drone and they said you are fine.' The queen sent from somewhere else in the hive.

'I'm glad to hear it… Though it feels like I missed nearly three months of pregnancy, maybe more… when am I due now?' she asked.

'A few weeks, and based on Twilight’s reaction, is it really that bad to skip a few months?' The queen asked with amusement as she sent memories of the hectic moments with pregnant Twilight as she neared birth.

Dawn chuckled groaning, 'How in the world did she grow so much in so short a time?'

'Magic.' The queen said with amusement.

'So my foal is healthy?' she asked, worried.

'Quite.'

'Do we know what tribe they are, their gender, anything?' she asked, 'Maybe one of those doctor scientists would know?'

'Oh, they do most likely. I know I do.' The queen said with amusement.

'Have you picked a name, or am I still the bearer of that choice?'

'Unless asked to do the honor.’ Chrysalis replied, ‘They are yours to name my little drone for they are your children. I would never rob some one of that right.'

'Thank you. May I please know what my foal is, what she's like?'

'I do not know what they are like in terms of personality, but one is a unicorn colt while the other is an earth pony filly.'

Dawn paused, genuinely surprised and then felt all of her instincts kicked in as she felt like she radiated love and happiness, even as she worried at her abilities as a mother. Tears were brought to her face as she ate, saying, 'W-well, th-that's why I'm so hungry, of course. I'm eating for three.'

The queen chuckled and sent her love. 'Congratulations my little drone.'

Dawn was overwhelmed, and while she couldn't stop eating, she didn't stop crying either. She soon reached out to one of the caretakers, asking how the foals they were caring for were doing.

'They are well Legate.' She said, showing her the image of teaching a few to read while others worked on math or drew in coloring books.

Dawn smiled, 'When I am well, I'll hope to come help, if only to give them another who they can look up to.'

'We would be honored Legate.'

'I am merely doing my part to help the hive, caretaker.' she said, feeling humbled now by the recognition. 'You do your duty well.' she added before not being sure what else to say other than to convey her gratitude and return to her food. Her mind continued to try and work, unsure what she should be doing as emotions coursed through her. She had to pause her eating halfway through as she sought to control herself, yet couldn't.

The queen soon entered her room, not knocking or asking. After all, she was the Queen, so why would she? She soon walked up to Dawn and began to stroke her mane.

Dawn sobbed a little harder at first, her tears being tears of joy and emotional overdrive more than any degree of pain.

The queen stroked her mane, helping to calm the mare.

Soon her sobbing slowed, and she was able to focus once again, even if her chest hurt from the amount of crying that she had been doing. She almost sent out apologies to her queen, only to try and hold them back, because she knew she would be told there was nothing to apologize for.

The queen smiled at her. 'So then, there are a few people here who would like to see you.' the queen said sending an image of Stalwart and the foals entering the hive.

'Thank you, I really appreciate your support my queen.' she said gently, as if still referring and thinking of her as a mother. 'Let's bring them in.'

'They are already on their way.' She said smiling.

After a few minutes they arrived.

Dawn smiled broadly as she looked at Stalwart, who soon came over to give her a firm hug, to which she kissed him gently, feeling her lips brush against his fur and smelled deeply, quite happy to sense him against her once more. Chrysalis stood nearby, hugging Violet.

"I've missed you love." he said, pausing their hug and looking her over "You look different."

Dawn tasted something sweet on the tongue, yet something bitter, sharp, she didn't recognize it until she checked the link and realized it was fear. She felt herself tense as he looked her over.

"W-what's different." she asked, half afraid of the answer.

The queen looked over to them, sensing her drone’s concern and fear.

"Well..." he paused, making Dawn suspect he was tempering his words, "You've gotten a little taller, and you're more curvy than before." he chuckled, pausing to add, "And I don't mean our foal."

"Foals… They're twins." she said, tearing up again and smiling.

He approached gently as he gently teased, "You look like you've got a bit of dragon in you, the way those scales are on your back."

She winced as one of the soft chitin pieces was pushed into her and she squirmed, making him soften his grip.

'It should only be a couple of days before those harden enough to not be an issue.' The queen said as she watched.

Stalwart quickly let go when Dawn winced, staying close to her and giving her a kiss on the cheek, "Sorry, I just… twins!" he said excitedly.

"So I'm… not too different then?" she asked timidly.

"Dawn," He said firmly but kindly, "If you're happy, then I'm happy."

Dawn could practically taste how genuine his words were. It was almost as if he were happy to see her again and tinged with a sense of discovery to what she would do next. There was even a bit of insecurity she could taste after checking in the link what it was, and she simply pulled him into another hug and practically pushed him over onto his side to lay on him, giggling even as he laid there surprised at her strength.

The queen ushered everyone else out, picking up Nymph in her magic to remove her and leave them alone. Dawn told her queen nothing naughty would happen, but she appreciated it anyway.

'Still, I’m sure you'd like to be generally alone to talk.' She said with positive emotions.

Dawn kept her husband close, resting as they talked about their foals and her own changes in greater depth. They did so for two hours before Stalwart was satisfied and headed back to work with each other’s love reaffirmed. She knew Nymph and Violet were both eager to see her, so she sent word she was ready for other visitors as she laid carefully in the bed, testing its comfort.

It was clearly a high quality bed, where they got it, who knows. But as changeling in a possibly hostile land, it wasn't hard to guess how it was acquired. In a few minutes the foals came running in and Nymph leapt onto her bed while Violet calmly climbed on.

Dawn laughed, swift to remind them to be careful.

"Easy there fillies. My chitin hasn't gotten hard just yet." She chuckled with transparent mirth before commenting to her mother, 'I'm willing to pay for the bed, if it was acquired through less than official means. I have enough money back home to afford it. If you purchased it using funds from the hive, then please reimburse it from my savings.'

'It is not an issue. It was from one of our drones staying in a hotel. They expect towels, soup and mattresses to be taken and it's covered in the bill.' The queen said.

Violet was looking at her with her analytical eyes like before.

'What hotel in the world do you go to that expects those things to be taken!' she asked in surprise, still extending the offer as she dealt with the foals. "Well, what do you two think?"

"You reaaaaaly changed into a changeling!" Nymph replied in a small degree of admiration.

"I reaaaaly did." Dawn chuckled, "At least, a little of the way anyway."

She felt a mental shrug from the Queen.

Violet gently poked her flank.

Dawn took a gasp of breath as she felt it, turning to Violet saying, "Probably best if you don't touch it, that hurt a bit." She replied. "What do you see, my biological analyst?"

"Apologies." She said then looked at her confused at the last bit.

'Is it bad that I view Violet like a niece, even though I view you as a mother? Doesn't exactly make sense to me…' Dawn asked Chrysalis before explaining to Violet, "It's fine Violet, you're a curious little filly. So what do you think about my changes?"

'No. Not really. Still surprised at that honestly.’ Chrysalis commented.

"They are interesting." Violet said simply.

'Is that bad?' Dawn asked timidly, hoping that wasn’t an issue to her before asking Violet a question. "In what ways?"

"What can you do now as a changeling?” Nymph quickly chimed in, “Can you teach me things about being a changeling? Are you going to join the guild like I did?"

'No. Not at all.' The queen said, her surprise at being asked such a thing was very strong.

"Well, I'm not the only hybrid now." Violet said simply.

Dawn chuckled, replying, "Nope, you definitely aren't. As for you Nymph, I don't quite know all the things I can do as a changeling, but I'd be glad to teach you. As far as joining the guild… We'll decide that later." she said, having zero desire to join underneath Nightfall. At this point, she felt she was his rival, probably his superior in many ways.

The queen was amused and pleased by this attitude her legate had. Violet smiled at that answer, liking it.

"Are you a drone?" Nymph asked.

"Not quite little one, I'm a Legate, a second in command to Chrysalis. A position only just made upon my rebirth." she replied, smiling broadly before turning to Violet, "That will put me under you if or when you become a queen of the hive."

Violet blinked at her in awe

Dawn chuckled, "What? Surprised little queen?"

Violet slowly nodded wide eyed.

Dawn laughed, "When I said I liked looking after you, you didn't think I would go this far hm?" She chuckled a little more and then said, "So are either of you going to ask me more questions or are you going to nap with me on the bed?"

"Nap?" She asked blinking. "But I'm not tired."

Nymph simply moved closer to Dawn at the invitation, laying nearby with a wide grin on her face, excitement clear.

"So, what do you want to know little queen?" Dawn chuckled.

Dawn smiled gladly at Nymph being so close, an instinct being sated as she wanted to care for them. She could sense their excitement and curiosity even as they laid near her head, feeling like a queen or caretaker with a loved foal. The only thing making it not perfect was she couldn’t feel the drone in the link, and it made her anxious on an instinctual level.

"Uh… how do you feel?" Violet asked.

"Tired. I ate a lot and needed it, but this was not an easy process on me."

She wrote that down on her clipboard still with the blue crayon. "How do you feel about what's happened?"

"Happy. I'm a part of the hive and have more family than I ever had before, and I discovered I have not just one foal inside me, but two. I don't know how I feel about missing months of their growing, but… I'm happy, and tired, and happy." She repeated, giggling.

Violet wrote this down, looking like a miniature therapist to Dawn.

"Beyond that," She continued, cracking a small smile, "I can tell my vision is a lot better, though I don't know why, and I think I might be stronger, I've never knocked him over before."

Nymph waited patiently, really wanting to spend time with Dawn of her own, but could tell Violet was a queen and she waited for the little queen who taught her some magic already to have her turn.

"Mr. Stalwart you mean?" She asked.

"Yes, my mate, husband." she said, correcting herself.

Violet wrote then looked at Nymph. "Do you wish to speak with her alone?"

"I just want to be with Miss Dawn.” Nymph shook her head, “She found me in the cave when I was younger, and she wanted to adopt me into her hive, but Nightfall took me away to be in his. Now she's more of a Changeling like me, and I…" Nymph paused, feeling self conscious just then and not sure how to express herself.

Dawn felt what Nymph was saying and trying to say, and in response, she felt love and compassion toward both foals, Nymph especially. She had regrets in the past over letting Nymph go to Night, and to have the admiration of this foal once again, she wasn't about to give her up, Nightfall be damned.

Violet walked over and hugged Nymph. Nymph looked over to her in surprise, only to be pulled gently in by Dawn with magic along with Violet to up against her belly for a group hug.

"I can't curl up around you both like I used to." she said, "But perhaps you two young things would like to listen to the two foals inside me."

Violet blinked and carefully pressed her ear to Dawn’s stomach. Nymph did the same, and within seconds of their doing so, a pair of kicks hit below, closer to one of her teats, making Dawn wince.

"Ow… those two had better not be fighting in there." Dawn commented.

A drone in the hive jokingly yelled out in their mind, ‘Mortal Kombat!’ while several others chuckled and others still tried to shush that drone. They responded by continuing the theme.

"They are like Mr. Stalwart." Violet said.

"What makes you say that?" Dawn asked, genuinely curious as she tried to hide her approving smile at the drone that made the joke.

"Fighters."

"Stalwart is a lot more than just a fighter." Dawn chuckled.

"Yes, but in a fight or flight response, he will fight."

"He defends that which he cares about. There's a big difference." Dawn corrected.

"And if he sees someone in trouble, he would immediately jump to help."

"Well, you've got at least the important parts of it." Dawn admitted, checking on the time through a drone that was outside to see that the sun was setting. She nodded mentally and requested a blanket from a drone at a low priority, stretching her wing as she answered, “Looks like it is nearly bedtime for you both. Violet, would you like to sleep with your sire or stay put.”

"Sire." She said

Dawn nodded, letting Violet go and used her magic to set her gently on the floor. "Nymph, would you like to stay with me or are you used to having your own room?"

"I... I don't want a room by myself in the hive. Can I stay here?" She asked, sounding small and timid.

"Of course."

'My queen, Violet has stated her desire to spend the night with you.' Dawn reported.

'I saw and have sent a drone to guide her to my Chambers.' The queen said feeling pleased at the title. Within moment a drone arrived and Violet followed. Another dropped off the blanket requested.

Dawn thanked the drone, feeling glad that her needs were met, and she took the blanket, spreading it out over herself and Nymph, who was nestled in close.

"Nightfall never let me sleep with anypony like this… feels nice." she said drowsily.

"It's fine little one. I'll keep you by my side like I should have a year ago." Dawn replied tenderly, sending a small bit of regret along with the love she knew Nymph deserved.

Nymph ate that love until she was stuffed and fell fast asleep. It felt to Dawn as if she had been starving before and used to it, then given a feast and invited to eat their fill until she fell asleep content.

'She is so precious.’ The queen smiled in the link. ‘What will you do with her?'

'Bring her into the hive. By your leave, I'd bring her directly into my wing, shelter her a bit from the rest of the link until she is more matured. I'd be tempted to see about cocooning her when she's ready, see if we could help heal her and bring her back to the proper age and size she would have been, but I think it's a bit early for that.' She replied as she continued to help the filly go to sleep, playing a gentle song from her memory with her horn magic.

'You have my permission to do as you see best, Legate.'

'Thank you. I will likely check in with you about important matters regardless, or items not typically done in the hive otherwise. You have the right to know after all.' Dawn said, as if it were obvious.

Dawn yawned, not quite mentally tired, simply physically so, and thus she communicated with the drones out in Manehattan, always keeping in touch with one near Twilight for an update on the circumstance with Flare. After all, she had to have chosen at least one changeling in that force.

Twilight had taken two of the infiltrators with her. They reported things were going well, showing her an image of their base of operations. It was held in the former store, the windows enchanted to make it look empty inside, with a sign on the door saying it was closed. The place was filled with computers, radio equipment, one of the closets in back had been converted into am armory and they had files and paperwork and maps. The place looked like a human military command center set out in the field. Many of her soldiers started calling the place ‘The Shop’ as an unofficial name.

She was also informed of what had been found while they were away, not in too much detail, just the essentials, not to mention how Lapdog had been slowly becoming more and more obedient to Twilight.

Dawn smiled at the discovery of Fire Storm being given such a nickname. The thought of meeting her and calling her that alone made her want to be well all the sooner, but time was required. If she stuck around, she would have the time needed.

Dawn yawned, then looked down at Nymph briefly in concern as the young changeling twitched her head suddenly, limb kicking. She used her magic to connect in to the foal, helping to calm her, to remind her she wasn't alone, which was exactly what her nightmare was about.

Dawn checked in with Chrysalis, a thought crossing her mind, 'So what do you think of the position that the hive had generated just for me? Any plans for how a Legate might change how the hive operates?'

'I do not know. It is much more different than a trusted advisor, only with far more power as only I am above you in the Hive. Your word is effectively law.'

Drones watched the nymph in the link, not making a move, but watching in case needed. They did not wish to frighten the little one further by suddenly barging into her dream.

Dawn fended off the sensation of being alone, helping form the dream from being in a room by herself with no ornamentation to a setting just beyond the door that was barely open, a light streaming through as laughter and a feeling of family came through, Dawn's voice herself calling, 'Nymph? You coming? It's your party dear, everyone's waiting.'

'Perhaps, but I will not abuse this power.' Dawn replied to Chrysalis. 'so many ideas for how I could fulfill this role come to mind, from strategy review to long term planning and disaster prevention, to simply being a backup until a queen is ready… and that's what's already been said by me before.'

The queen smiled as she slept with her daughter. Her mind still fully active. 'Yes. There is much you can do.'

'I will consider my options and how the hive may be best developed, pursuing any weakness or lack of foresight discovered once I've recovered.' she said, feeling more certain of her course as she fell asleep.

Dawn joined the dream with Nymph, celebrating a party together, sharing in cake and watching movies together before returning to her room which had furniture and a lot of stuffed fuzzy animals.

In the back of Dawn’s mind, just at the edge of her vision, the queen stood smiling.

Dawn was content. Her queen-mother was happy, she herself had a foal who was happy to be with her like a mother, and she could see Stalwart with two rockers and playing with the two small foals in her dream. It was a scene she could see continuing on forever.

Nymph didn't understand much of the dream, but her focus was on the gentle presence of this changeling who radiated love, kept her fed, and wanted nothing of her. She felt herself float toward her and stay at her side for that reason alone, and she was content.

The queen was pleased with the dream and nodded to Dawn.

Dawn spotted the figure, only recognizing them by their presence, as the dream distorted them some. She wanted them to come, but did not force it, after all, they could come in if they so choose. Instead, she focused on the joy her dream presented for the limited time she could have it, instinctively knowing that such things would not last.

The queen slowly entered the dream fully and glanced at herself to see how she was perceived. While she knew what her drones think of her, she had no way to know how they saw her in their mind’s eye. Only dreams allowed that, as her appearance was shaped by the dreamer.

Dawn's dream of Chrysalis included her as a dark horse like figure, while frightening in some ways, had a gentle smile on her face. She had no other features so distinct that Chrysalis could see, not the holes on her legs nor the wings on her back, and even the horn was more unicorn-like in appearance, but it held a warmth and comfort to it that seemed centered on a motherly smile.

Chrysalis smiled, finding this view of herself interesting and amusing, and approached and sat beside Dawn.

Dawn had Nymph between her legs, the foal looking about at the smiling faces around her. Dawn protected her, keeping her from getting so much attention she was overwhelmed, but acting as a place of solace. When she felt like there was too much going on, she would bury her face into Dawn's underside and sniff at her, gaining comfort in the pony who found and cared for her.

The queen stroked Dawns mane, already proud of her. "You will make a great mother."

Dawn nearly woke at that comment, wondering who said such a thing, then looked down at Nymph and held her gently as she started to feel her worries start to seep in about being a parent.

The queen was amused at Dawn’s reaction, and pulled Dawn to her side with an arm around her. Dawn sighed contentedly, feeling much like a foal herself when she leaned against the queen, despite having a foal between her legs who was relaxing against her. The queen just held her like that for the rest of the dream.

Dawn woke by morning, and felt Nymph laying on her lower belly’s taut skin and fur, where the foals inside her continued to develop. She thought about how peaceful Nymph looked, and based on the dream, worried about how long she had felt alone.

Dawn checked in with Stalwart, making sure he was well, while also sharing each other's love. At the same time, she checked to see how the displaced town was doing, and the case for Flare and their ‘AOE magic’ thief.

The town was coming along nicely. The simple houses were going up quickly. The biggest issue was plumbing as they weren't exactly near any water lines so they were having to build without it functioning until they could connect to some.

The case was going along and she was shown an image of Lapdog walking, her back legs clearly stiff as she followed Twilight around.

Dawn chuckled, wondering what romp she dared have that wasn’t with Nightfall if that was the cause. She wondered if Storm knew of her hatching, then Twilight. She simultaneously wondered what should be done for the plumbing, considering options nearby. There was a river nearby but the issue would be cleaning the water. It would work for farming though.

The drones with Twilight were keeping Dawn well informed about Lapdog as they knew of their Legate's relationship with her and knew she'd enjoy seeing what Queen's Mate had been up to.

She sent her gratitude to them, even if they felt they were just doing their duty, and suggested Twilight be informed she hatched and her details when tactful to do so, and requested to be informed of Storm’s reaction of hatching.

They replied they gladly would as soon as possible and would send Lapdog’s reaction.

She smiled and turned her attention to the caretakers, wondering how she could assist, perhaps not with schoolwork, but with their activities. It turns out they could always use another set of hooves for the foals, the older ones were doing their best to help.

Dawn checked in with Nymph, who was starting to wake. "Morning Nymph, ready for a new day?"

Nymph groaned, giving a nonverbal groan groggily.

"We're going to join the other foals in the nursery today." Dawn told her

Nymph stretched and then nodded, hopping down off the bed and waited for Dawn to lead the way.

<<<<<o>>>>>

Fire Storm was frustrated. She had yet to have been of meaningful help, and all her ideas were shot down, not that she wanted to help much more if they all were going to call her Lapdog rather than her name. Even “Stone” shouldn’t have used it outside a private room, it was infuriating!

A few of her ideas were used, such as where to look. Twilight was curious as their thief seemed to have vanished off the face of Equus, and right now it was just her and Stonewall in the briefing room as Twilight read over reports. Storm spoke up, feeling anxious and cooped up in spite of their sparring.

"There has to be something I can do. Why can't I fly around, lure him out, something other than all this sitting around?"

"Because he wouldn't come out. He has no reason too." She said. "However you could fly around the warehouse district and see what you see." She said. "I need someone with sharp eye to recon that area."

Storm nodded and moved to leave, eager to fly once again. The sparring helped her antsiness, but not her need to keep moving. As she moved to leave, she spotted a red pegasus with a red handkerchief fly by the window where Twilight sat.

"Ratite..." she muttered as an offensive slur to the pony she thoroughly disliked, sighing and fearing the worst in a message from the guild.

"What was that?" Stonewall said looking up from the file.

"Message pony from the guild. I'd better go get him." She sighed, leaving to do so.

She nodded and went back to the file. "Hurry back and I'll show you the area I need you to recon."

Storm nodded, leaving, only to return with him 5 minutes later.

"What was it about?" She asked setting the file down.

"I have a letter from Nightfall for a Miss Stonewall?" Charred said breathily. He wore a gentle smile, but appeared skittish in front of Lapdog.

"That's me." She approached.

The red pony looked at her and handed off an envelope. "I had this letter for you from Nightfall, and was told not to leave until you read it… Awfully warm today no?" he asked, dabbing at his forehead with his handkerchief afterward, having his sweat turn to very light frost on the ends of his fur.

"A bit yes. Weather report said they were dealing with a major water line break so we're going to have a small heat wave the next couple of days to dry out the areas that were flooded." She said as she opened the letter and started to read it.

Charred frowned, shaking his head, "It's a shame, I rather like the cold."

The letter said thus:

To Stonewall:
I write to you in response to a letter that Storm sent to me, which I have just read, telling me she's going to stay with you another week. She tells me that you found bodies of murdered ponies in the water.
I am not happy that she has gone against your original deal, but she reminded me of something I had forgotten, something I do owe an apology for.

The Everfree Patrol had, and will again, accept your request for aid, and I must take back what I said that the patrol will not help you. Celestia tells me building has started near Dawn's home, and I have sent Allen and Skyros and Soryks. They will assist in weather control, observation, and building in the area for a time.
I have matters to attend to here, but I will attempt come in one week. After all, Storm told me she wanted to see my police skills in action, and she will.

Nightfall."

As soon as Stonewall finished reading the letter, her horn flared and the letter burst into flames, causing Charred to jump in surprise, and the ash was dumped into the wastebasket.

"Thank you for delivering the letter." Stonewall said as she looked at the deliverypony, grabbing some parchment and writing on it before rolling it up and handing it back. "Please deliver this to him."

He eyed her curiously in regards to their burning the message before accepting it and putting it into his saddlebag. "Y-yeah, sure, I'll get it right to him." He stuttered as he quickly turned to leave, going to the door and taking off.

Stonewall blinked at his behavior. "Was it something I said?"

Storm shrugged. "He doesn't deal with heat well, other than that, I don't understand him and don't want to."

"Hmm. He seemed nice enough. I’m sure he'd like the lads from Fort Chekov."

"Where?"

“EDF base up in the Frozen North near the empire. We have a few of their troopers back at base."

She shrugged, "If they have letters they want sent I'm sure he'd do it…"

"Well, doubt they do as they are here. Unless he can travel to other dimensions."

"Not likely." She snorted.

"Thought not. Not many beings have that ability."

Storm stayed silent for a minute, looking to the map before asking, "So what warehouses did you want me to look at and what did you want me to watch out for?"

Stone went over and used her magic to highlight a dozen near the docks. "These ones. And just look for anything out of the ordinary. Don't engage. This is strictly recon."

Storm noddedd, "Don't get into trouble, pretend I'm just exercising or whatever…"

"Exactly."

She smirked, "I can do that, no problem."

"Good filly." Twilight said patting her head.

She snorted, smiling despite herself before shaking her head to get rid of it and going downstairs and out before flying off to do that recon as she was instructed.

Storm flew at a leisurely pace, loving the feeling of the air across her wings. She did a lap without bothering to look at things in depth before taking it slow and starting to look around for signs of activity casually.

The place was filled with old warehouses, most of them looking abandoned. There were a few ponies who seemed to be scrounging for things here and there. She looked at them with curiosity, not seeing what or why they'd be scrounging, didn’t seem to be food.

After she finished her third lap she realized there was a warehouse that nopony was walking near, and even seemed to avoid for some reason.

She looked at it, curious. There had to be something to it… ‘She said recon… there couldn't be any harm in looking over the place right?' she thought to herself.

She continued looking the place over in her next lap and then moved into the warehouse window as stealthily as she could, making nearly no noise as she did so, intent on hanging in the rafters.

She saw it was fully of crates and ponies walking around. At almost two dozen of them were armed while others moved the crates around.

The crates were stamped with the Royal Guard sigil but not one of these ponies looked to be part of the guard.

She stayed there, looking at the equipment, trying to tell what it is that they had in those crates. She had an instinct nagging at her to leave, yet she couldn't help but want to stay just a little longer. She hadn't been spotted or given any clues of her location away after all.

One of the crates was opened to show it was full of weapons, while another showed part of a cannon.

Something pressed to the back of her head. "Hello little pony." An accented voice said behind her. "It would be ill advised for you to move."

Author's Notes:

So many surprises!

And Storm has gotten into a spot of trouble it seems

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