Meadow Dawn, the former unicorn, woke from a strange sort of sleep. She wasn't able to see or smell or taste, but she felt. There was someone pleasuring her to an extent she had never experienced before, not that she really knew much to begin with. Now, after nearly a day of not being able to sense anything, she felt like she was moving.

She was confused. She remembered bits and pieces of before, but now she could see, watching as she moved toward the bathroom, then the shower.

"How long was I knocked out…" She wondered out loud.

"I assume you just fell asleep." Twilight called back to the Dawn lying on the bed through the door as she turned on the shower.

The unicorn hummed, taking that information as if it was someone in the other room who informed her.

Meadow turned to the shower and sighed as the warmth flowed over them, thinking about how long it had been since she had gotten to shower… Weeks? Months? It didn't matter. It felt lovely.

Twilight washed and used her magic to click on a bit of MUSIC, something calm and relaxing.

Meadow blinked and tried to look around, wondering what it was that she was listening to. She shrugged, as it was nice enough, and enjoyed the sensation of her hair being cleaned.

"Gods it has been way too long since I managed to have a shower." Meadow thought out loud in relief.

"You really should take them semi-regularly." Twilight said as she washed her mane. "You can have the shower when I'm done."

"Huh? But I'm in the shower now washing my mane." Meadow said, confused.

"Um… no you're not?" Twilight looked around, even opened the curtain a bit to look put and blinked as she saw the empty room filling with steam and her data pad still playing music. "Dawn?"

"I don't see you, but I'm going to enjoy the shower while I can. I'm sure it's been like a year." Meadow shrugged, before she sighed contentedly, using magic to lift up some shampoo for her fur and started putting it on their back, continuing with magic to wash her back.

Twilight jumped and spun around in the shower as she felt the shampoo on her back that she didn't do.

Meadow felt her body move in a way she didn't expect while simultaneously feeling like she fell over the side of the tub. She couldn’t see anything but the same view as her body spun around and looked. She couldn't make sense of it. She was both standing and lying down.

Twilight looked around confused as no one was there and looked back at her back to see the shampoo.

"Ok… that was weird." Twilight said "Dawn are you playing a prank on me?"

Meadow slowly stood up and opened the shower to step in, fumbling because she couldn't see.

"Dawn?" She asked again looking around.

Meadow saw herself fallen over half in the tub. "Oh, that's so much be- … Why can I see myself?" she asked, looking back at Twilight's eyes confused. "Why can't I see you?"

"Huh? How did you get in here without any noise?" Twilight asked. "And why the unicorn look?"

"What are you talking about? I've always been a Unicorn." Meadow replied, looking clearly confused and distracted by seeing herself in the 3rd person.

"Uh… no? You’re an alicorn-changeling hybrid… Ah, seeing what it's like back as your old self." Twilight chuckled and patted Dawn's flank since she had it in the air.

Meadow looked up at her incredibly confused. "You mean that other Dawn, right? I don't know what you're talking about."

Twilight sighed and went back to washing. "Dawn I know you're upset about what happened to her but you shouldn't dwell on it."

"The hell are you talking about? Last I knew, your voice was the one I heard before I felt like I was being ripped in two. I woke up not ten minutes ago!" Meadow sighed and shook her head, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't talk like that to you, after all, you did get me out. I hope I haven't offended you, miss..."

Twilight looked back at her. "What are you talking about?" She asked, tilting her head.

Meadow frowned, confused, "I'm asking for your name... for getting me out of that bracelet Svikopi put me in."

"Wait… What? But… she was killed when the bracelet exploded." she asked blinking at her.

"What?!" Meadow flinched, wide eyed. "Wait, that means… AM I A GHOST!?" Meadow exclaimed, wide eyed in panic to Twilight, "Is that why I can't see anything outside the shower!? Wait a minute… Why would it just be limited to the shower?"

"Okay… okay… calm down… I'm sure there is a perfectly rational explanation for this." Twilight said, waving her hooves as she sat under the water.”We just need to find it is all.”

Dawn breathed heavily and then stopped, answering, "I… I don't feel my own breathing… What's going on?" she asked, looking up to Twilight, her body starting to shake, "Where am I now?"

"I have no idea. I'm in the shower and for some reason can see and hear you as if you're in the room with me." She said and then poked Dawn's chest, adding "And touch you."

Meadow sighed, reassured, "So I can't be dead if you can feel me… Still… that was some scare."

Twilight patted her head. "Ok, um, let's see… try to pick up the soap with your hoof."

Meadow reached over to the soap, starting to perceive more of the room as she adjusted. She touched the soap, then furrowed her brows, unable to feel it. She pushed on it, visibly doing so before she gave up, putting her hoof down and used her magic to lift it up.

Twilight blinked as she saw a lime green magic aura around the soap and then looked up to see her horn glowing the same color.

Meadow started to see the horn, purple, yet glowing green like her own, "What… What's going on? Why am I seeing things from your point of view… who are you?"

"I’m… Um, I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle… and… I think you are inside my head."

"I'm…” Meadow blinked, stunned, “I'm meeting the Princess Twilight? I… I don't know wh- Wait… How am I inside your head!?"

"I, I'm not sure… I was connected to the spell matrix that contained you when it exploded. You… must have gotten transferred into me."

"Well… better than dying at least…” Meadow sighed in relief, then looked up shyly at Twilight, speaking timidly, “I'm sorry for the intrusion."

"You didn't do it on purpose… and, um… yeah this is weird, even for me."

Dawn laid there, wondering what she should do as the shower water continued to rain on them both.

"Um… So, shower?" Twilight suggested uncertain.

"Ok..." She said, then hesitated, "Uhm, I think we were showering already... s-should I continue?"

“Right...yes….of course.” Twilight nodded as she went back to washing her back almost mechanically, her mind racing.

Meadow used her magic to help, spreading the soap throughout the body like she had a pair of hands causing Twilight to jump and Meadow pulled away. ‘I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!’

‘No….it’s okay just….wasn’t expecting it is all.’ Twilight said and very slowly Meadow went back to helping.

‘Is there any place I should let you wash yourself?’

"Um… No. I think if we are going to share this body it will be fine."

"But… are we going to? I mean, it's not my body, and… I don't think I'd like it if someone else did that in my body."

"Considering I've seen the private bits of your body so to speak, it's fine." She said chuckling weakly

Dawn blushed deeply and then asked, "Wait, does... does that mean everything I felt earlier... was that the other me doing that?"

"I don’t know…..maybe?”

"Oh… Oh god! I … I would definitely not do anything remotely like that!" Meadow blushed deeply and looked out of the shower, intent on getting up to give Twilight some privacy.

"It's fine." Twilight said as she started to wash her tail, slowly calming as she began to mentally disassemble a handgun.

Meadow soon got up and stepped out of the shower, feeling like she was no longer looking out of it or seeing herself in the world, yet her vision was locked into what Twilight saw, feeling what she felt. She pouted quietly, not sure what to do beyond ensuring she would give Twilight all the privacy she herself would want.

Twilight soon finished and begin to rinse off. Meadow waited, contemplating what it would mean to be a part of another pony, wondering if this is what Starlight himself dealt with, slightly saddened at his fading away into her.

Twilight soon stepped out of the shower and shook herself before starting to dry off.

Meadow felt the fur get shaken and the water dripping off, it was a lovely feeling since she had not felt anything in a long ,long time, but then thought to ask, "If I'm going to be in your body with you… what do you want me to do or not do?"

"Well, we don't know what you can and can't do. Right now, you can use magic, and I can touch you, but that seems to be it on what we know."

Meadow mentally nodded, "And… any boundaries you want me to respect?"

"Um… not especially no." Twilight said. "I'll let you know if something does come up.”

Meadow nodded again, "I can do that... Though, I think we're hungry." She commented, feeling their stomach rumble.

"Yes.....what do I call you? If I call you Dawn, things might get confusing for the other Dawn."

"I… that's fair. Meadow might work, or Jess. I used to be called that too… I'll use just about anything." She replied submissively

"Ok Hot Flanks." Twilight grinned.

Meadow flinched, "Ok, no, not that… please no."

Twilight laughed. "I know, I know." She said and ruffled Meadow's' mane. "Meadow will do."

Meadow felt the ruffle on her head and smiled gently, like a rejected pet dog that had finally gotten praise.

"So, shall we grab some dinner?" She asked.

"Yes please." Meadow answered standing up.

Twilight nodded and headed for the door, out into the living room where one of the drones slept on the couch while the other kept watch.

Dawn was nowhere to be found on the bed, having gotten up when she was called, but did not appear to be in the room at the moment. Twilight blinked and went to the living room.

Dawn wasn't there either.

"Where Dawn?" Twilight asked the awake drone.

"Legate said she was going downstairs to order food at the restaurant from the griffin menu. We offered to come with, but she declined. One drone is keeping watch on the floor, infiltrated as another guest waiting to be served." The drone replied.

"Good work." Twilight smiled, donning her Stonewall identity and headed for the door.

Meadow turned to Twilight, keeping up at her side, asking, "Legate? Who's that?"

"You are." She said then thought. 'Can you hear me?' She thought at Meadow.

"I can. Why, what's up?" Meadow asked, eager for attention and companionship.

'Just wanted to see if I could talk to you this way, the drones didn't seem to notice you and if no one can see you, that means it'd look like I was talking to open air.'

"Oh… Well, that makes sense I guess… What are drones and who was it you spoke to?"

'You didn't see the changelings?' Twilight blinked.

"I've heard about changelings, but I'd never seen one." She answered.

'Who I was speaking to was a drone of the changeling hive.'

"Oh. Well he seemed nice." She answered simply.

'Yeah. They all are once you get used to them.' Twilight said as she walked down the stairs.

"I see." Meadow said cluelessly, indicating she was listening.

The restaurant showed signs that its dinner rush had started to wane. Numerous tables were being cleaned off or needing to be cleaned off and a few recently cleaned tables were still unseated. The clattering of dishes from the kitchen being less prominent and laughter echoed from one of the doors.

Stonewall explored, looking for Dawn and letting the server know she was joining an existing party when she was paused. Stonewall was pointed to the corner and could see there a spacious booth with some privacy. Dawn was sitting upright as her alicorn self, a menu held in her menu in front of her and reading the options intently. Stonewall approached the booth casually.

"Hello ma'am.'

"Ah, Stonewall. Welcome, I had a feeling you'd be down after you finished." Dawn replied, "I'll probably wait until tomorrow for mine though. Sleep well?"

"Quite well, thanks to you three." Twilight chuckled as she sat across from Dawn.

"Of course.” Dawn chuckled, “We had to celebrate you waking up somehow after all. Storm needs a bit of work, but she'll shape up in her own way soon enough I expect."

"So," Meadow commented quietly, "This me is a princess. How did she do that?"

'Very carefully.' She thought and nodded to Dawn. "Yeah. That's where you come in, if you're up for it."

"I am." Dawn nodded, "It's going to be… interesting. ‘Specially considering how aggressive she's been to me in the past."

"Sorry, I'll be quiet while you talk." Meadow said, turning her attention to the other version of herself.

"I'm sure you are more than capable of handling her, if this morning was any indication." Stonewall smirked.

Dawn nodded, speaking quietly, "Had to borrow your voice, just for a little bit, but yes, she's more trainable and obedient than she herself realizes."

"I don't mind." Stonewall smirked.

"Well, I think I'm going to go with a half-pound burger here, with lettuce and tomato and ketchup. I'm really craving it after seeing the picture. Any ideas on what you want?" she asked, sliding the menu over, "And any idea if we'll eat here or should we take it upstairs?'

"Depends, how do you feel about your public image?" Stonewall asked.

"Fine overall, just didn't plan on staying downstairs very long by myself." Dawn replied.

"Why would she say that?" Meadow asked, too intrigued to stay quiet.

"I mean about eating meat in front of ponies." Stonewall reminded her.

"Oh… right." She hesitated, considering. "Then we'll take it to our room then. I don't think it would be received well."

"I know it wasn't when I did as a unicorn." Twilight said. "Hey can I ask a question?"

"You just did, but go ahead." Dawn replied mischievously.

"Are we the only two sitting here in this booth?"

"Yes…" Dawn answered hesitantly, looking at the booth to make sure, "Why?" she asked with furrowed brows, concerned and on alert before the server came to the table.

"Hello ladies, are you ready to take your order?" the yellow coated stallion asked, wearing a collared shirt and small tie.

“Yes, I’ll have the half pound burger with lettuce and tomato and cheese, ketchup and mayo with a caesar salad on the side.” Dawn informed.

"I will take the grilled chicken please, dark meat and with a side grilled vegetables." Stonewall said, smiling innocently at the stallion as she thought with amusement. 'Here it comes!'

The stallion looked between the two mares, slightly confused but nodding, "They'll be ready in just a moment."

"Oh, before you go, can you put them to go like I asked? We won't be staying long." Dawn chimed in.

"Of course princess." He bowed formally, heading off to the kitchen.

"Hmm....very good at his job." Stonewall said, thinking disappointedly, 'Damnit.'

"What's wrong?” Meadow asked, feeling the disappointment as her own.

'He didn't react. Also, seems I was right and only I can see you.'

"Perhaps he can flirt with you when he comes back?" Meadow asked, not sure if that was the source of her disappointment.

"So, I've reviewed the possible locations we could move to, and approved of one that we'll go over later, but everyone's working on packing and getting ready to readjust." Dawn said, keeping her words vague.

"Well,” Stonewall looked at her surprised, “your vacation really had an effect on you."

"I'd have to say so. My multitasking has definitely improved. The family is really accepting and listens far better than any I've ever had before." She said with a smile, "It helps that we're hard workers as well."

Stonewall chuckled, checking with Meadow to clear her confusion, 'What do you mean flirting?'

"That… wasn't why you were sad?" Meadow asked, "I'm sorry, I just… I don't know what you were expecting him to do."

'Be unnerved by me ordering meat so casually.' Stonewall explained.

"Oh… Well then, why do you eat meat?" Meadow asked, "I didn't have it because it wasn't around, and… Well, I don't think ponies can eat meat."

'Because it's good.' Stonewall said simply before confirming Dawn’s assessment, "Yeah, I'll say. Before, you wouldn't be so heavy into the tactical side of things."

"You should have seen when I played my real time strategy games.” Dawn chuckled, “Have to push with one wave while building up a secondary base with the time you bought. Risky, but efficient. If they overpowered your initial attack, you couldn't resist in time. If you succeeded, you kept your advantage quite hard."

"I see why you got adopted." Twilight chuckled.

"Oh really?" Dawn replied, "Why's that?"

"Wait, we got adopted? By who?" Meadow asked.

'My mate.' Stonewall clarified before saying, "You’re strong and smart."

"Strong? Maybe… in a few ways." Dawn replied, "Smart? I know I have the capacity, just not much schooling for it past high school. I’ve literally have been told I really could do whatever I set my mind to, not just as an encouragement thing, and yet all I did was customer service till coming here. Go figure."

"Book smarts can only get you so far. I learned that the hard way...." Stonewall said as her mind was filled with the memories briefly.

A strong image appeared to Meadow at Stone’s reminescing. Clean while halls. Rooms where horrendously unethical experiments were held. A slightly shorter man in a lab coat with black and white hair always being in the room for the experiments. Experiments Twilight remembered conducted on her. Experiments that made her wish for death that would never come. Experiments where each time, the human would repeat, “This is for science, 348.”

Dawn nodded. Unaware of the memories even as Meadow visibly flinched, unsure what happened.

Stonewall sighed. "Also, I have news to tell you once back in the room."

"Oh? Good news I hope?" Dawn asked, surprised that she would have news of any kind.

"Sort of?"

The stallion came back with a couple of glasses of water on a serving tray, "I thought you mares might like something to drink while you waited, Would you perhaps want any tea or something else to drink tonight?"

"Green tea would be lovely actually, thank you." Dawn nodded.

"Strongest alcohol you have." Stonewall said.

The stallion looked at her intrigued, "An interesting choice madam. Is everything all right?" He asked politely, a small but confused smile on his face, as professional as he tried to be.

"Yes, just enjoy a nice drink after shift is all. Helps to relax an all." She said smiling. "I'm sure you understand."

He bowed his head and turned to the rest of his section, checking on the other patrons before going to get the drink for her.

"Hmm. I took him for the type to enjoy a martini after work."

"He might." Dawn replied, "He seemed vaguely interested with you, but I sense a bit of unease with me." She said cryptically, her tone indicating a more cautious undertone as she checked in the link, 'Is there any way to detect poison or foul play in food or drink served mom?'

“You think something’s up?” Twilight asked as the link sent Dawn several spells just for that purpose.

"Could be nothing." She said quietly with a smile. "Don't worry. I hope our drinks are enjoyable."

"Twilight?" Meadow spoke up, sounding concerned.

'What is it?' She asked as she sipped her water and started to discreetly watch their surroundings.

"If we're the same, something's definitely up. I don't know why she'd be worried about it, but she wouldn't have mentioned the drinks like that without a reason, not with what she said just before that." Meadow said with trepidation.

'You sure?' Twilight checked.

"Positive." Meadow said with a fair bit of confidence, despite her hesitation earlier.

The waiter came back with a pre-poured glass of green tea, light on the ice, while a wine glass was brought out along with a wine bottle. "Aged 45 years Madam." He said, expertly opening it and pouring into the glass until it was half full, stopping and putting the cork back on and carrying the tray and bottle back.

Dawn scanned her glass and drink with her magic for clues of tampering, suspicious of the emotions that she tasted earlier.

Stonewall picked up her glass with her magic to cover her scanning it for contamination.

The scans confirmed that along the rim was a clear substance that would affect their perceptions. Dawn's scan, first time having done such a thing, only told her where the issue was. However, since it wasn't in the drink, she deduced it was applied afterward and simply used a straw left unused on a nearby table meant for her water, placed it in her drink, and started to sip.

Twilight scanned what the substance would do exactly. She found it was meant to dim their senses, make them more suggestible and trusting of others. It wasn't directly harmful, but that was an issue as well, considering it would be more easily found and harder to track down.

"I hadn't been expecting wine but then I shouldn't be surprised." Twilight swirled the drink around, indicating her drink was drugged. "I am most curious what this vintage is like." She said to signal she wondered why. "But I ‘trust’ the ‘suggestion’ of our server."

Dawn nodded, pretending to understand before contacting Chrysalis, 'What the hay is she alluding to? I feel like I was being hinted at but I have no idea what it was.'

'The drug apparently makes you more suggestable and trusting, and that her drink is drugged. Also, she may want to play along to see what happens.'

'So hide the straw when the server comes along, got it. I'm sorry, but while I will play along, I really don’t want to drink it now, not while I have young inside me that are more vulnerable than I.' Dawn replied worriedly to her mother before smiling and tried to reply back normally, "Let me know how you like it. Perhaps I'll have to try it later, possibly a month or two from now."

'Alter your body so anything injested isn't processed, you can dispose of it later.' Chrysalis reminded her.

Twilight nodded and pulled out a straw from her pocket dimension, to drink while she kept an eye out.

'Thanks Meadow.' Twilight thought.

'Ah, I didn't know I could do that.' She responded, not wanting to take a chance yet and drinking her tea through the straw before setting it in the glass of water to disguise its use. "The tea is quite lovely. Very refreshing."

"For what?" Meadow asked.

'You control your body now. You are a shapeshifter. Your body is yours to command.'

'Warning me about the drink.' Twilight said, drinking down the wine till there was just some left and then took the straw out and tapped on the side of it, signaling to the drone in the room that it was drugged and to keep watch.

'Have I mentioned how much I fucking love being part changeling?' Dawn teased, once again remembering her shapeshifting abilities.

'No, but I can tell.' The Queens said with amusement.

"It's nothing..." Meadow denied, "It was Dawn, she pointed it out."

'Yes but I didn't pick up what she meant and you pointed it out.'

The stallion came back a few minutes later with their food in paper bags. "Here you ladies go. Did you enjoy your drinks?"

"Very much." Dawn said, smiling happily, "We need to pay for our food though, right?"

"Of course."' He said, nodding, "Right this way."

He headed toward the cashier's station, where a griffin in a chef's uniform stood, eying the two of them curiously. Dawn tasted his emotions and was met with an unfamiliar flavor she couldn’t place. When she checked in the link, she was told it was eager anticipation.

Stonewall bagged up the food and followed the Princess on her right side like a proper guard.

Dawn followed the waiter and stood at the counter, cautious but trying to behave like a properly affected princess.

"You enjoyed your drink, yes?" The griffin answered with an accent that made her think of a Russian friend she had, a smile on his beak.

"We did, thank you." She smiled politely as she pulled out her bits to pay the waiter.

"Excellent. I enjoy making good food, but few ponies enjoy griffin eats. Be sure to send them back my way yes?" He said with a smile.

"Of course. Were you the one who cooked it?" Dawn asked.

Stonewall remained silent as she looked the part of the guard but was altering the illusion to make it look like her eyes were glazing over slowly. She hoped Dawn was doing the same.

"Yes. Lots of special spices and cooking. If there's one thing griffins love, it is meat." He said as he watched Dawn pay the waiter cheerfully, leaving him a generous tip. "And a good time.

"So I hear." She giggled, wobbling briefly on her hooves and looking over the griffin with an unfocused gaze and a wide smile, "I guess we'll have to find out when we come back."

"I look forward to it." He said in a low voice before walking off to the kitchen with a slow, strong gait.

Dawn tasted the enjoyment in his emotions, but it wasn't lust, but more dominant in a way that she had to admit unsettled her, but wouldn't show until they were in the stairwell alone. Stonewall had the same look in her eyes as she stood there, waiting for the Princess.

Once they were in the stairwell she answered, "I don't trust him in the slightest. I suspect the waiter could be sympathetic to Flare or otherwise involved in something underground, but doesn't want to take active actions against us, but the griffin is probably the one trying to pull the strings.

"Have the drones hide, as only you and me are on the registration for the room." Stone nodded. "And keep up the act, I want to see where this goes."

"Copy." Dawn said quietly before continuing her act, going up to their room to eat. Dawn soon enough had the door opened and after they were in, closed the door.
'Drones nearby, keep a close eye out and stay undercover. We are going to see this plot through. Standby for further actions.' she said, sharing the taste of emotion that the griffin had, one that indicated sadistic pleasure behind his desire.

They sent their confirmation, and in a moment there was two pieces of luggage in the corner with Dawn's cutie mark on them and the queen became the blanket on the bed.

'Storm said she was going to go for a late night work out and most likely won't be back for a few hours.' The queen said.

'I understand... what do you make of this?' she asked, feeling a bit nervous even as she set the food down and began to eat.

'May be a normal attempt at foalnapping a princess for ransom, or it may be something else. I believe that is why Twilight wishes to see if these are just would be foal napper or something else.'

'I don't know, it feels like something else to me.' She said, feeling insecure, 'I've not been in combat either. What happens if it's more than that and we need to escape?'

"What is everyone doing?" Meadow asked, "Why are you going into it if you know it's a trap?"

'I am here and so is Rener and Dilao as is Twilight.' Chrysalis comforted.

'I know… I just worry about how effective I will be. Do you th-' Dawn asked when a knock on the door made her freeze.

"Princess?" A voice called making Dawn wonder if it was something like a Russian speaker with what little she knew, "Would you to kindly open the door?"

"Coming!" Dawn answered, trying to play the part of a very easily suggestible, trusting victim. 'I hope I can play the part... and so help me if my foals get put in danger there will be hell to pay.'

'If they are even remotely harmed, I assure you death will be a gift not granted to them.' The queen said with a very cold and sadistic tone.

Stonewall stood and moved to follow the Princess, leaving their meals on the bed.

'But you will do fine. You are my daughter.' Chrysalis added as a reminder.

Dawn opened the door and looked on at the griffin with a wide, joyful smile, as if she had gotten a treat. She looked at him, now in a clean outfit.

"Oh you! Hai!" she said excitedly, "Come on in!"

"Thank you, you are too kind." he said, stepping in and looking around briefly, noticing the half eaten food on the bed "Was it you enjoying zee food zen?"

"Oh yes. It was amazing." She said as she leaned up against him, feeling his feathers against her body.

"Oh that is good." he said smiling, "I haven' met pony who like meat before, maybe heard of two, but you said you like?"

"Yes the meal was quite enjoyable." Stonewall said stiffly, but lacking the usual guard level stiffness as she stood beside the Princess in her gold armor.

"Very good." He nodded, closing the door with a back leg. "You said you like good time yes?"

"Oh yes." Dawn said simply smiling up at him.

“Good, good. Don’t mind me. Eat up. It makes griffin very proud when can share meat with good company.” The griffin chef said, sitting down on the floor by the bed and giving a small smile.

Dawn hopped up onto the bed carefully and laid down to eat, trying her best to look relaxed as she continued her meal, barely registering the flavor now from worry.

Stonewall got up onto the bed as well, sitting up and facing the guest as she was required, but having a relaxed look to them and hiding their readiness to spring to action.

“So how long you been eating meat princess?” The griffin asked.

“Oh on and off since I was born.” Dawn replied honestly. It’s supposed to be healthier if I don’t, but my parents swore it made me stronger.”

“But of course!” the griffin smiled wide, moving closer to the bed, making Dawn realize just how much bigger he was compared to her, “meat is good for strong feathers, strong muscles. Is why griffins so big and feathers full of shine!”

“I only got my feathers a little bit ago, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind,” Dawn chuckled, then asked cheerfully, “I’m sorry, I don’t seem to know your name!”

“Is Zyphon, princess.” He said with a smile and a bow of his head. “And what your name be?”

“Meadow Dawn.” She replied, finishing off her burger. “Pleased to meet you.

“No, no. Pleasure all mine!” He said excitedly, beak clacking and looking to the guard, “What your name be, quiet guard?”

“Stonewall.” She said in an ever so slightly slurred voice after a moment pause as if thinking was a tad slow.

“I see. Must be hard work guarding pretty princess.” Zyphon chuckled.

“It can be.” She said.

Zyphon eyed the guard for another couple seconds and then shrugged, turning to Dawn, “So, I not be hearing about you before Princess Dawn. You become princess soon?”

“Yep,” Dawn smiled, “broke my horn to keep a pony from hurting all the ponies of Van Hoover!”

“Oh my, is very brave.” He flattered.

“Noooo.” Dawn blushed, shaking her head.

“Oh do not be kidding old Zyphon.” He chuckled, using a wing to pat Dawn’s shoulder, sending a chill down her spine, “you strong, tough like griffin, should have been born griffin then!”

“You’re too kind.” Dawn blushed more, smiling away from him shyly as she thought, ‘All this flattery and I swear he’s up to something.’

‘That much is obvious… even if the only wrong thing is you should have been born a changeling.’ Chrysalis said with a smug tone.

“You know, I think strong pony like you should get perfect dessert to eat. I know perfect midnight snack!” He said, eyeing the guard closely for a couple seconds.

“Oh that sounds good, what is it?” She asked.

“Ah ah, would be surprise!” He said dramatically, opening up his wings, “Restaurant not have things I need. But, if you and your friend come to home, could give you best Zyphon can offer!”

"That sounds lovely." Dawn said, still trying to sound enamored, as a sick feeling settled in the pit of her stomach as realization dawned on her realizing why he was eyeing Stonewall. 'He means to kidnap us, and I fear, try to cook one of us up to the other… I… I hope I'm wrong, but… Chryssy, I'm scared.'

"Twilight, this is really bad..." Meadow warned, feeling skittish, but unaware of what she was going to do. This was out of her hands.

'Calm yourself. Do not forget who you are. You are the Legate of Ridgeback Hive and my Daughter.' The queen said with the confidence of knowing what her daughter could do.

'Shhh… I know what I’m doing.' Twilight said, her holstered service pistol appearing on her flank under the illusion. 'This guy doesn't know what he's dealing with. I am not a normal pony.'

'Yes mom... I can do this my queen.' She said more firmly.

"We can do that, right Stone?” Dawn asked, turning to them eagerly to play the part, “We don’t have to get back to the station until evening tomorrow or the day after. Let's go!"

"I have personal car to get home. Come, I take you there." Zyphon smiled.

Dawn nodded with an innocent smile and the three of them left, following him out of the hotel to the employee parking in the back.

Stone followed at her right flank, looking as if nothing was out of the ordinary and was just a normal everyday occurrence. Admittedly, for Twilight, it was, and she was calm as can be as she moved to see what this griffin had in store and got into the car with Dawn in the back seat.

Dawn settled into the plush back seat of the long car as the griffin climbed in, giving instructions to the driver in the separate section to go home. Dawn could feel the queen and two drones following behind having changes to two small parrots and a small dove to follow.

Author's Notes:

Yay Meadow is alive and Dawn has a fan. Th is C ouldnt possible end badly :-D

Song used in Chapter is Immortal by Aviators

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