The car started up, passengers inside and the driver got the car moving. The seats were well padded and comfortable, and the gryphon laid lengthwise along the backward facing seat, his claws hanging over the edge, relaxed.

“Very nice!” Dawn giggled, giving Zyphon a look of innocent pride and happiness, “No walking where we’re going huh?”

“Well, little walking once home," He chuckled. "but good gentle ride to home.”

“What do you like to do when you’re not cooking though?” Dawn asked, seeing this as an opportunity to learn more about her ‘host.’

“Enjoy billiards and bowling.” Zyphon said, adding, “And enjoy time with pretty ponies being close. What about you hm? Surely princess must be swarming with fans!”

"You would think so..." She said in a moment of slight clarity, her eyes losing focus for a moment before she shook her head and resumed her smile and said, "None of them were cooks though, even if my husband’s pretty good! Best way to a mare's heart is through her stomach after all!"

“Oh yes, is best way.” Zyphon said, chuckling, even as Dawn could hear his stomach rumble from across the seat.

‘It’s a good thing cars aren’t common in this world,’ The queen commented as she and her drones shifted to become hawks to keep pace with the car, ‘or else this would have been hard.’

‘Agreed…’ Dawn said in the link, ‘When should I drop the façade? Just keep following Twilight’s lead?’

‘Yes. Right now we don’t know what his plan is exactly.’

'Yes my queen.' Dawn replied, trying to still her nerves.

“Tell me princess,” Zyphon spoke up, “Does husband eat gryphon menu?”

“No, it makes him nervous.” Dawn said, getting an idea to test her fears and his motives, “He thinks of what it’d be like to be cut up and eaten and it makes him shiver.”

“Oh no, I never brought living thing to serve.” Zyphon said shaking his head, “Sure, gryphons know how to kill, is necessary, but best ones do with no pain. We not monsters after all.”

“Yeah, he very much likes living and it keeps him from eating good things, like bacon.”

Zyphon began to chuckle more as the long car took a turn, “Bacon is very good, but not good for heart. Plugs up arteries! Maybe we bring husband, show him not so bad eh?”

“Maybe.” Dawn said, nodding with a smile before the car came to a stop, ‘nothing concrete from that, but there’s something off. I swear he enjoys staying close to the line’

Chrysalis gave her legate a hug in the link as the driver opened the door for them. Dawn waited for the Gryphon to get out first, following his lead and appreciating his offer of a talon to help her out, as well as that to her guard, but noted his smile lessening when toward Stonewall and returned when he focused on Dawn again.

The driver had already gotten back into the car and when Zyphon closed the door, he turned to enter the home as the driver left.

“Huh? Where’s he going?” Dawn asked innocently.

“To garage.” Zyphon said as they went to the isolated small two story house. “Driver wants to see family too you know.”

“Of course.” Dawn giggled, “How silly of me.”

“Come. You and guard will enjoy desert!” The gryphon waved them on with a wing.

“I do like desert! Come on Stone!” Dawn smiled wider in what she pictured as childish joy, leaning against the gryphon like she was his adoring shadow.

They walked into the home, spaced for a gryphon, or perhaps just a large pony home.

“Nice place, very cozy!” Dawn smiled appreciatively.

“Of course! Gryphons known for hospitality!” Zyphon chuckled as he closed and locked the door behind them, “You must be very thirsty. I have good wine and drink that can warm pretty pony!”

“Well… maybe just a little.” Dawn said, thinking of her foals and remembering her mother’s words about altering herself. She wasn’t about to give away that she’s pregnant actively, but she was not about to have alcohol in her system.

“Eggcelent!” Zyphon said with his accent, almost making Dawn laugh at how he said it and the irony of gryphons likely hatching from eggs, “Please, rest on couch, I get drinks for you both! Won’t be too much, promise!”

Stonewall went straight over to the couch and took a seat. Dawn followed her and climbed into the couch, laying across it comfortably. Zyphon was barely gone a minute and came out carrying a small tray with a few glasses and a square glass bottle with a clear liquid inside.

“See, beautiful drink. Look like water, but made in Frozen Reaches. See how sparkles like diamonds? You will like.” He said, pouring the drink into the glasses.

A tiny mist could be seen in the drink being poured and offered to Stonewall. They lifted their glass with magic to hide their spell to scan what she briefly saw in the drink, discovering a knockout drug that was dissolving into the liquid. There was enough of the stuff to knock even a gryphon out for eight hours but a pony would be out for a few days.

Dawn did similarly, taking it and discovering there was nothing in her drink but alcohol. She took a sniff of the glass curiously, hiding her subtle shift to move the stuff into its own compartment in her body so it wouldn’t be absorbed, and then started to drink.

It was foul stuff to her. She guessed by how much alcohol she tasted in it and how much it burned it was probably some kind of vodka. She tried her best to grin wide as she chugged the stuff down, taking a deep breath afterward as she started to giggle for her host.

“Good! Firey.” She said before laughing and said, “Like drinking a dragon or something!”

“You make me smile princess,” Zyphon said, a small smile creeping onto his face. “No pony ever say dat to me.”

Dawn paused, feeling genuine appreciation from him. For all his strange behaviors, it seemed he did need a good friend. Sadly, as much as she felt for him, she had to remind herself that if he was a pony eater, this could be part of his charm to get his prey.

Stonewall carefully sipped her drink while they talked, but was quickly teleporting the drink into the bushes outside.

“Mmm, this ish ver… vergood…” Stonewall commented as the drug supposedly did its work and signal to Dawn her drink was supposed to be drugged.

Dawn looked at them and giggled, internally knowing Twilight was a strong drinker to where what little she had couldn’t possibly have affected her or so fast. She watched as Stone’s magic seemed to flicker as she ‘drank’ half of it, and then slumped in her seat as the glass dropped.

Quickly, Zyphon caught the class, patting Stone gently and petting Dawn on the back, making her sigh happily as he spoke.

“Look like guard like and very tired. Let’s let them rest.” Zyphon suggested, “I have portant call to make. Will keep eye on her, make sure all right?”

“Of course! Anything for an amazing gryphon like you!” Dawn said in a dreamy voice, laying near Stone and began watching her.

“Good.” He said, mumbling as he turned away, “Odd, that not take long. See what boss says.”

Zyphon went into the other room, and fumbled with something to where Dawn could barely hear. She immediately reached to the link to find a spell that would augment the hearing of Stone and herself, and cast it as soon as she got the instructions.

“Yes boss, I have princess and guard as guest.” Zyphon’s voice could be heard. The other person on the phone somehow was difficult to decipher to Dawn’s ears, but she listened to him as the queen instructed her how to tweak the spell. “Well, about reward, I’m wondering about maybe keeping princess.”

“Are you daft?” Another voice spoke, Italian maybe.

“No, Zyphon not daft. Just… pony is nice, like meat and compliment me. Thought might be nice, maybe keep as pet? Keep a gryphon company?”

There was silence on in the room, a small amount of clicking, and then raucous laughter from the phone, a very ‘tinny’ sound for the voice.

“Fine, you think you can, go ahead. Got weird reports about that one acting like one late at night. Do it, and we’ll wipe our debt and give you a hundred bits a week as a bonus!” The tinny voice said jovially.

“And guard?” he asked quietly.

“Don’t let them leave the place alive.” The tinny voice said, sounding much more serious. “If you knocked them out, don’t wait. Boss says they’re dangerous. Bonus pay if you show proof it’s the same one always around her.”

“All right. Good as done.” Zyphon said, and then sounds echoed loudly of the phone earpiece being hung up on the rack.

Dawn quickly cancelled the spell, gulping quietly as she tried to get herself to relax.

Zyphon came into the room, smiling softly. He went to the couch and petted Dawn on the head down her back, “Sorry ‘bout that pet. Time for dessert! But first, I should put guard to bed. Must be tired eh? You no fret. Tonight, we have fun and in morning you probably see them in bathroom or somefing.”

“All right… see pretty stars?” Dawn giggled and nodded, internally frowning and feeling her stomach churn. ‘That was crude… at least Stone should have heard that and can defend themselves, right?’

‘Oh, you’ll see my daughter.’ Chrysalis said with a knowing, sadistic tone. ‘There’s a special place in Twilight’s lessons about pony eaters.’

“Yes,” Zyphon chuckled quietly, petting Dawn again before moving to lift up Stone. “Very pretty.”

Zyphon carried the disguised princess around the middle, grunting when out of the room and took them toward the stairs.

“Ooof! Very heavy guard. Part earth hm? No matter. Plenty more flavor to go around then.” He said, reaching the bottom and beginning to lay Stone onto the recently cleaned wooden table before turning to reach for some of the butchery tools nearby, “At least new pet will like having you around for dinner for many moons.”

Stonewall’s arm came up and something grabbed just under the shin of the gryphon’s leg. “So, you think I’ll just lie down and let you feed me to the princess huh? I have to admit, that was an interesting phone call you had. Tell me who you were talking to.”

“Guard pony should be sleepink.” Zyphon grunted, reaching for one of the butcher’s tools, “Let Zyphon help!”

Stonewall smirked and pulled, making the gryphon fall on his front, wings flapping for balance. “But I’m wide awake! So tell me who you were talking to before I help you make the princess’ desert.”

“I-,” he started to protest, when Stonewall pulled something from her flank and in her hoof was the service pistol, finding himself staring down the barrel of the gun, “will talk, of course! Can tell guard everythink!”

“Well, pony-eater, get talking.” Stonewall said with a singsong voice, eyes betraying her carefree attitude, showing their intensity.

“I just know is boss. Poofed here suddenly, needed to eat.” He said quickly, “Went to mafia, boss only known as boss.”

“Wrong answer.” Stonewall said, firing a shot across their beak, “Try again.”

“Really, is all I know of them!” he said in a panic, unaware Dawn was coming down the stairs quietly at the gunshot, having released the vodka from her body into a nearby potted plant, “Mafia lent money to me, help feed and find work. Big reward for green princess and guard. Princess worth hundreds of thousands of bits… guard worth ten thousand.”

"10 you say?" She asked with a sadistic smile.

Slowly with a subtle swirling around the mare starting from the barrel of the pistol and moving up her arms, the illusion was slowly getting dropped. Her metal fingers holding the pistol steadily and the metal arm behind it, revealing the scarred purple body with wings until the head and face was showing, revealing a wide smile.

“I thought I’d at be worth at least 100,000.” She said in the same sing song voice.

“O-oh… c-c-commander. Is you.” Zyphon said. “I told you what I know, mafia say princess alive, grey guard dead. I had no choice.”

“Zyphon, there are always choices to be made.” Dawn said, trying her best to keep her voice neutral, wanting to be firm despite his friendliness to her.

"Hey Dawn, I see you decided to join the party." Twilight said as the group had three other visitors.

A curvy unicorn walked down the stairs standing by Dawn, along with an earth pony and a Pegasus behind her.

"I wasn’t about to let my favorite guard, husband excepted, become a meal, for me or otherwise." Dawn said.

"And now the guest list is complete with the guest of honor being the good chef here." Twilight said looking back at him. Her eyes no long purple but red and glowing faintly. The gryphon was highlighted in red, while the others had green triangle above Dawn and the Queens head and the drones had blue.

"What is this? A game interface?" Meadow asked, clueless as to its purpose and missing the importance of the timing.

"What does the mafia want with me?" Dawn asked, still disguised as her alicorn un-pregnant self.

"I not know. Many changes in power there. Rumors say blue unicorn came in, reform much. They say they want and they get!" He said, feathers ruffling as a sign of fear.

'Combat mode. IFF tags.' Twilight said to meadow before speaking in the same singsong voice, "Interesting. So tell me, what was your plan little gryphon?"

"Like in my old mech-warrior games? But, that’s just a work of science fiction!" Meadow protested. Then gasped, “Sorry, I’ll be quiet.”

"The plan… I… I to lace drink at foodery. Waiter brings room number to me. I take ponies to home and sell to mafia. Driver from mafia, tells boss to expect delivery. They kill me if I do not."

"And I kill you if you do. My, my, isn't this quite the catch-22 eh? Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Either way you end up a corpse."

The gryphon's eyes widened in further understanding, looking pleadingly to Dawn. "You from here yes? You wouldn't allow crazy commander to kill no? Just wanted to show alicorn good time. Mafia always protect things with value. Even offered to keep princess from harm and not turn in to mafia!"

"And yet." She said, voice growing colder, "You were about to kill my mentor and feed her to me. You attempted to drug and intoxicate a pregnant mare to keep and otherwise put her under the control of a pony who would want nothing but the worst for her as an alicorn. I’m sure you know because you called them commander that this blue pony is one that would not reason with me, even though we are a different world that might be willing to hear him out for all he knows.”

Zyphon looked between them, his stance going less submissive as his feathers started to puff out and fur rise. He looked between everyone more quickly, as if calculating his ability to fight or otherwise get away, repeatedly eyeing the firearm.

“Zyphon, you have two choices.” Dawn said, staying calm but firm, “You can turn yourself in, allow yourself to plead your case, or you can resist and fall to the commander or the guards.”

Meadow gasped quietly as she watched, hoping that he wouldn't die. She had enough of killing from watching in the bracelet.

"Personally, I'm just waiting for an excuse. My lads are on the way, with the guards I'm sure, to arrest you. But if you resist arrest? Well… no one can fault me for defending myself and the Princess now can't they?" Twilight said with that same smile, as if just asking him to give her that excuse.

Zyphon appeared to lower his stance, as if about to submit, then dashed at the closest guard past the princess, not wanting to hurt her.

Dawn erected a barrier between him and the guard and he collided head first into it. He struggled, and Dawn used her magic to pin his claws to the ground as he struggled, looking dazed.

The disguised drone moved to help pin him as the curvy unicorn summoned a light machine gun and an assault rifle, both aimed at him. The drone then tied the gryphon’s limbs and wings.

“Zyphon, It truly is a shame you tried to run,” Dawn said, sounding sympathetic, “and here I was thinking if you cooperated, we could avoid the other princesses sentencing you to Tartarus.”

He paused his struggling, and a good dose of fear filled the air as he considered what was said with wide eyes.

'You learn well, daughter.' the queen said with pride.

"He's lucky he isn't back where we are from, else he'd be executed." Twilight added casually as she holstered her pistol before she walked over and crouched in front of him "Now I am most curious little gryphon how exactly you knew who I was."

"I can’t deny, that's still a possibility sadly,” Dawn said, trying to play the ‘good cop’ to Stone’s ‘bad cop.’ “After all, if you could stop cooking ponies, I’m sure we could get along well. Still, I’m sure you just panicked when you ran toward one of my guards. Come Zyphon, tell us what we want to know so I can help you.”

"I… I know you from back home." He said to Twilight. "You are commander of EDF. I was simple butcher back home, but when poofed to here, I had no money, no home! I work at restaurant but ponies just avoid me, couldn’t find food. Gryphons need meet you know? I had no friend till mafia helped. Work charge too much for meat, they promise food and home if I help them out. First they just want ponies, but then big reward trickle down if caught alicorn. Saw you from rooftop walking. Had to help. Cow given for food was all gone. With money, could buy more, get back home, something! Ponies mafia didn’t want seen again they… they gave to me for food."

Dawn stayed near, and tried to sense his emotions, though they were too muddled for her to discern it.

The more experienced changelings had a very different impression. Zyphon’s emotions were filled with half-truths and was given away by his hints of excitement at playing the deception game with this gentle princess, as well as tremors of relief underneath as Dawn approached.

"Oh, so you’re from the Griffin Kingdoms!" Twilight said cheerfully. "What a coincidence, we happen to have a Griffin Commando with us, and I'm sure he will be most interested in meeting a fellow gryphon from back home who tried to foal nap a friendly nation’s leader and murder a member of that nation’s military in cold blood."

'Commandos are the Griffin's special forces.’ The queen instructed Dawn, ‘Highly loyal to their nation and have a strict honor code.'

His eyes went wide and he struggled more heavily against his bonds, "No! I can't… I'd rather die! Please green one, help me! You not understand, he… he is…" The gryphon begged, starting to work himself up in a higher degree of fear than when he was threatened with death.

"Tell me then, how you would fix what you have done." She answered, adding to Chrysalis, 'As much as I'm all for second chances, there weren't any for those he conveniently disposed of. Still, I'd rather not give up thinking he might be saved, even if his punishment cannot be avoided, just lessened.'

'You are more forgiving then Twilight.' The Queen said as Twilight walked over and started looking over the impliments in the room

"Your highness." He said, starting to calm as she watched his mind start racing, searching for an answer. "I… I could take you in, pretend you were caught. You could storm the place with your guards. You would catch many criminals!"

'I am, but remember, I'm also a Princess of Hope… I can't help but hope that there is a turning point for all who fall.' She replied to Chrysalis before turning to the commander, implying her feedback was desired.

"Hmm… that would be most generous of you, and probably would help your sentence I am sure." She said back to Zyphon as she ran a finger over a knife checking its sharpness. "The question is if the Princess here is willing to trust you."

The instruments had shown signs of prior use, as well as being recently cleaned. Nearly all of them were well maintained and quite sharp.

"You said that I would be a pet." Dawn said, going on a tanget. "Why is that? Why not go through with the orders I’m sure you had to kill me?"

"I… Well, this very embarrassing,” Zyphon said, embarrassment clear as he stopped struggling, “didn't want to turn you in and see nice pony killed. You enjoy the Vodka, and Zyphon thought maybe… Maybe you keep gryphon warm at night, be close friend. Better than killed, no?"

'So he really did consider having me as a pet for his own pleasure. While I can’t deny I’m curious about what it'd be like to take a gryphon owner, it most certainly is not like this. He said he was offered lots of money earlier, whether he was or not I don’t know, but he would ignore that reward to keep me for himself. I’d almost dare say he would put up every ruse he can to save his feathers more than to help us.’ Dawn thought with a sigh. ‘I fear he will go back to this path if he were to be released. I’d almost say he is very short sighted

‘He is a character with no loyalty, for he would ignore the rewards he outlined earlier to keep me for himself. Sadly, as tempting as his offer is, he is more likely than not to give away that it is a ruse to save his feathers than to help us and lighten his sentence.' She said to Chrysalis. 'I fear he will go back to this path if he were to be released again as well... since he looks so short sightedly. We should test that with his offer to help.'

'A wise assessment.' The queen said. 'And I'd be happy to help you with learning about the other races if you wish.'

Twilight hung the blade back up. "Hmm, so not even loyalty to the highest bidder. Worse than a merc… So, where were you going to deliver the Princess here to if you didn’t keep her as a pet?"

"Another restaurant, North end of town. Password is green lilies. Would let you go to back of ‘ouse. Many criminals there." He said, the same small bit of excitement starting to surge similar to a lie rather than hope, "I can take you, be good, yes?"

"Zyphon… we know when you're lying." Dawn said with a sigh, turning to him with her eyes, trying to appear gentle. "I'm trying to find a good reason to convince my superiors that you were helpful in our investigation, that you deserve to stay alive and in a furnished with the comforts of home, not to mention access to meat for the health of your feathers like you taught me earlier. What is the real password?"

"It… It is silver moon." he said, laying down defeated. Dawn could taste no other emotion than relief.

"I will be sure to remember that. You are to be taken into secure custody until we can see how much of what you said is true. I will remember your helpfulness," she said, giving him a small smile before getting up and quietly adding and replying to Chrysalis, '-on the day of your execution… I am sorry Zyphon. But you are too dangerous, as fun as you might be otherwise. And mom… maybe later. Not now.'

Dawn continued her façade as she briefly considered if it was possible to reverse the role he would have given, make him the pet, but even though she entertained the idea, she could not trust him even then, even though she wanted to keep him alive. She felt the queen hug her in the link and pull her close as the other drones comforted her as well, her mind’s body being held and supported by them.

"Thank you, your cooperation has been noted." Twilight said.

"Take him away to the closest secure jail. Post two guards at all times, for his protection." Dawn ordered, preparing her excuse as she turned to him and said, "You likely would be killed by the other inmates if you were known to be a pony eater. I’d like it if you could keep quiet on that, so you don’t get hurt."

"I will princess, thank you. I will serve you well. Promise." He said, giving as good a bow as his awkward position would allow before the guard drones began to direct him as they saw fit out of the home.

The EDF came down the stairs, the order being relayed by the changlings to the guards with them. A gryphon in black armor, with a long scooped rifle on his back, seemed to be trying to flay the chef with his glare. All Dawn could taste from him was pure hatred for the other gryphon.

Dawn turned away, facing the implements and trying not to cry as her empathy for the prior lives lost and Zyphon’s own shortening life filled her senses. She soon calmed herself, however, with the support of the hive and her mom. She turned to Twilight after he was out of earshot.

"So, how'd we do?" Dawn said, echoing the question to Chrysalis.

Twilight smiled and patted her head as the Gryphon was taken away none too gently by the other, who was half dragging him by the back of his neck.

"You did great Dawn." Twilight said.

"Thanks…" she said quietly, "I don't feel so great, but I'll blame that on getting rid of the drinks and food he gave. No way of telling if that might have been… Well…" she stopped, trying not to gross herself out at the image. "So, I played along ok?"

"Film actor's award level. You have learned well from your Hive." Twilight smiled.

"Well, I may have known a thing or two from hiding video games from parents when I was young, and detective shows and the like afterward." Dawn blushed, shuffling a front hoof on the ground.

Twilight chuckled and patted her head again.

"Thanks… Sadly, once we've gotten what we can out of him… Well, I hope he will rest in peace somehow." She said, taking a deep breath and letting it out slow. "I don't know at all how the princesses are going to react to the news. I'm tempted to keep it from them, but that'd be no worse than going rogue."

"They do need to know, and I'll go with you to tell them." She said.

"When should we go, right now?" Dawn asked.

"Sooner the better… also, you think they should be made aware of your new body and family?"

"No. THAT I'm going to hold back ‘till we know about this scenario. One piece of information at a time. Considering their war with the changelings before, as well as having questioned you about your methods… telling them might go badly depending, might also view it as split loyalties."

"Hmm. Good point."

"I'm not ashamed of what I am, in a way it was a dream of mine to be able to shapeshift like this, but I never thought it possible.” Dawn explained, wanting to justify why she wouldn’t brag about her family, “However, I've learned from my own parents it’s better to just shut up if you expect trouble… and boy do I expect there’ll be trouble. " She took a breath and sighed. "Ready for me to send the letter?"

"Whenever you feel ready. They do need to know about the attempted foalnapping of one of the princess though."

"Don't worry, I'll let you read it over but I want to write this now." She said, pulling out some paper and ink from a desk to the side.

Princesses Celestia and Luna,
An urgent matter has come up during our investigation, possibly directly related to our primary concern, but also very disturbing. I cannot say more in this way, but I and our trusted advisor are travelling to you as quickly as we can manage, and request a hearing for this purpose.

Sincerely,
Princess Meadow Dawn.

"There, what do you think?" Dawn asked, showing the letter to Twilight.

Meadow was quiet inside Twilight, reading the letter at the same time due to perspective, wondering what she witnessed, worried for all involved.

"Yes this will do well." Twilight said handing it back. 'You OK Meadow?’

Dawn sent off the letter in a plume of lime green fire and moved to follow them out.

‘No. I... what will happen to him? He was going to kill you and eat you!" Meadow replied, horrified.

'No clue, as I don't fully know the laws here.' Twilight said as she became Stonewall once more and headed back up the stairs.

"If... If it's like back home, he'd just be put in prison to be rehabilitated." Meadow said gently, hoping for a gentle solution.

'Don't know.' Twilight repeated as they walked out, seeing the guard transports.

Dawn walked on, following Stonewall casually before taking in a sharp gasp. Pain spread through her lower body, causing her to stumble as her face contorted in a soundless yell, eyes squished shut. She caught herself with her front hooves again and panted after a few seconds as she waited it out.

Stonewall heard the shuffle of hooves, noticed Dawn wasn’t at her side, and looked back. One look at the mare’s face and she moved swiftly to their side.

"Dawn, are you alright?" Stonewall asked, concerned.

'Daughter?' Chrysalis asked in the link, moving to her other side supportively.

Dawn finally felt her body relax and took a few sharp breaths before slowing her breathing deliberately, giving a quiet chuckle.

"God damn that hurt. Felt like I was kicked with a steel bar across the womb."

"Dawn, how do you feel everywhere?" Stone asked, mentally shifting into full medical mode.

"F-fine, just…” Dawn panted, wanting to wave it off so they wouldn’t worry about her even as the stresses of the cramping pulsed in her, “Just fine… ow."

Dawn groaned and nearly fell as another wave hit, face contorting once more as she looked down, betraying the pain that was pressing and pulling at her very being.

"You are going to a hospital." Stone said decisively before calling for an ambulance to be called.

Dawn shook her head, gasping for breath as she felt the contractions end. She shifted to allow more of her pregnancy to show, so it wouldn't be questioned why her anatomy was squished out of place and to possibly help her situation.

"W-why? I'm… I'm fine. I’ll be fine." She said, gasping as she added, "Water."

"Better safe than sorry.” Stonewall said, quickly pulling out a canteen. She unscrewed it as it levitated up to the mare’s lips.

Dawn drank for a few gulps then stopped and winced as she started to curl up around her pregnant belly, the entire thing pressing around her like a vice. She cried, never having stayed conscious for this degree of pain before and growled.

"Fuck getting pregnant, so help me if Stalwart wants more kids he can carry them himself!"

The queen smiled very slightly, amused at this comment and a memory of similar crossing her mind.

Dawn winced as it intensified, making her cry. Another minute of cramping at random times, causing her to lay down, and then the cramping calmed, making her wait in a sense of dread at the idea of another coming at any moment.

The ambulance arrived, medical ponies swiftly laying a stretcher out for her and moved her carefully onto it. The queen and Stonewall entering alongside her after explaining they were family, and Stonewall quickly sent a message to Stalwart and Storm.

Dawn laid on the stretcher in the small vehicle helplessly as she heard the group talk to each other, Stonewall discussing her condition on the way.

"I… I feel fine, really." She protested, not wanting anyone to worry more, hating that she was making everyone inconvenienced on her behalf.

‘Daughter,’ Chrysalis reminded her in her link, ‘You are much more important to everyone than you give yourself credit for. The hive would not have made you legate if you were not. It is their place to care for you. Let them.’

‘I…’ Dawn replied, then paused, realizing her mother was right, ‘yes mom.’

‘Good drone.’ The queen said, giving Dawn the sensation of being patted on the head.

Stonewall ordered the doctors to do multiple tests. Beneath her calculating exterior, she was terrified the stress of this mission might have done something or caused a problem with the pregnancy.

Dawn laid there, being poked, prodded, stuck with a needle for bloodwork, and even blushed deeply as at one point her nethers were spread so they could look for dilation. Her water had not broken yet, and after waiting a suspenseful hour, the doctors reported she had no complications.

They ruled it a false labor event and she was released to a waiting Stonewall, who was doing her best to wear a hole in the waiting room floor. The disguised queen, reading an expired magazine, looked up as Dawn entered the room and set the magazine down.

"Figures it was a false labor…” Dawn chuckled weakly as she walked out of the exam room to the lobby, shaking her head briefly, “had a feeling and could have told you as much… I'm… I'm tougher than most ponies... maybe. Sorry I worried you both."

Stonewall sighed with relief as she got the news and walked over to Dawn, quickly getting a hug out of the mare. Her emotions quickly moved to calm and relieved.

"Seriously, thank you for waiting. Come on, let's get the train before we're late." She said, reminding Stone a train should still be available to take them at this late hour.

Stone nodded and hugged back, ignoring the stare a a Princess hugging one of her guards got from a nurse who went back to her work soon after.

'Lapdog will be meeting us at the station.' The queen informed her

'Good… I was wondering where she went through all this. Best that she stayed out of this mess.' Dawn replied as she slowly walked onward toward the station, 'Mom, is there any way around the birthing pains? If I'm at all like my birth mother had with me… I'm screwed.'

Memories of Dawn passed along subconsciously, relaying how she was always told as a child how how her mom said she repeatedly cried for her mother because it was that painful and the epidural wasn't effective, and she was a heavy baby at birth.

'You control your body.' Chrysalis said simply.

'Like how I controlled being in false labor?" Dawn asked, pointing out her lack of control and confusion at the conflicting information. 'I feel like I don't have much control over that part of myself... perhaps because my foals aren't hybrids themselves? I don't know...'

'What I mean was you could alter the birth canal to make it an easier labor.'

'Ohhhh...' She replied, understanding crossing her mind, 'Maybe I could move it to the abdomen and just open it up, so they could be picked up gently and placed outside and then close it after?'

‘That is not a good idea. I would not recommend that.’ Chrysalis said. 'But don't worry. I am familiar with hard labors.'

She showed Dawn an image of Twilight. Her horn had 4 military grade inhibitors rings on it, the room had a hole in the ceiling and two in the walls from magical blast, and her screaming how she blamed Chrysalis for ‘this’ and will have her revenge before yelling out loud "I am fucking pushing your worthless excuse for a glorified back alley quack!" at the doctor, all of it in the royal Canterlot voice.

'I… why was she… you know what, I don't think I want to know.' Dawn replied as she looked on in horror at the memory, then saw the station up ahead. "Stone, would you mind buying the tickets ahead of us? I want to make sure we don't miss the train."

Stone nodded and walked ahead.

'Because she kept using magic during her labor. She broke the first five due to how powerful she was.' The queen said proudly, and with some arousal that her mate was so powerful she broke that many and needed that many to be restrained.

'You make me wonder how many I would break, though I'm decades younger than her… and as we joked before, by alicorn standards, I'm still a foal.'

The station was manned by a single young stallion, perhaps 17 or 18 years old, reading under a light until he noticed Stonewall. He put a bookmark in his book and listened to the guard before letting her know the train would leave in 5 minutes. Stonewall quickly informed him to connect the royal car for Meadow Dawn. The stallion quickly relayed the instructions through the booth to the workers, who then told the pair it would be ready in ten minutes.

'Twilight wasn't even a year old as an alicorn during that. She's just that powerful.' Chrysalis said, and Dawn saw her shiver, a dopy smile cross her muzzle as she thought about Twilight, many a lewd thought open to Dawn since they were talking.

'Yeah, she's a talented mate.’ Dawn chuckled as she noticed Stonewall , ‘You did well in being picked by her.'

Stonewall stood guard at the gate.

'Oh yes, I'm the luckiest female ever.'

Dawn chuckled, then distanced herself from her mother’s next thoughts. She was quickly distracted by feeling her foals kick around inside her as she moved to the royal car, taking a seat along the station to wait as she watched the royal car being maneuvered along the track.

The queen took up a position beside her as a guard, Stonewall taking the other side.

'You remind me of when Twilight was pregnant with Violet.’ Chrysalis commented.

'In what ways?" Dawn asked.

Chrysalis showed her all the times she had outbursts like Dawn did about Stalwarts carrying the next batch of foals, wanting Chrysalis to carry the next one, like how Starlight was in her now.

'Oh, you mean like that…’ Dawn chuckled, ‘and here I was hoping you meant in strength or talent or infiltration or... something.'

'Oh you are strong, just in a different way.'

Dawn nodded, remembering her words from before and considering the plight of Zyphon. There was still time to reconsider, but she knew she could not risk him getting loose.

'Mom? What would you tell Luna and Celestia if you were in my hooves?'

'I would tell them the truth of what happened.' The queen said.

'The whole truth, or only pieces?' She asked, considering as she watched the royal car get the final connections and the night crew worked furiously to ensure all was clean inside with a final dustdown.

'About what happened with this incidents, yes.' Chrysalis replied, intending the whole truth to be shared.

'The whole turth about it…’ Dawn nodded, ‘This is not going to be easy, but they deserve to know.' She took a deep breath and let it out softly, looking gently at Twilight and commenting, 'I have a long way to go still.'

'What do you mean?' The queen asked, even as Meadow and Twilight had their own conversation back and forth.

‘Twilight, what are you looking for? The bad guy has been caught, right?’ Meadow asked.

'That one has, but there is still a threat.' Stone replied.

'What exactly is going on?' Meadow asked, 'Is there maybe a way I can help?'

'We are hunting a dangerous pony who wants to bring down the alicorns, that griffin might have been unwittingly working for him.' Twilight answered.

'Are you trying to protect other ponies?' Meadow asked.

'Yes.'

'Is there any way I can help?' Meadow asked, 'I mean, I don't have a body, but I want to help out, somehow…'

'I'm not sure honestly.....' Twilight said. 'We can think on this later when we have some time

‘I'll try to figure out a few ideas for you for when you're ready." Meadow replied, ‘I've said it to others but I'll say it to you too, I don't really need much, Just be a friend and I'll do anything for you... that sounded desperate." she sighed, critiquing herself

'Little bit.' Twilight said chuckling. 'Relax. I won't make you do anything you don’t want to do.'

'I see how strong Twilight is, what she's had to go through just from what she told me, and she's so strong.’ Dawn said, ‘I want to be like her in that degree of strength. I'm trying not to beat myself up over it, as she's had so much experience compared with me, and yet, I also want to just give her a big hug and keep her safe so she doesn't have to do it all.' Dawn explained, feeling her admiration in her trainer, pausing before adding, 'I'm a bit silly, still thinking about this huh?'

'You aren't silly at all.' The queen said smiling in the link.

'You might regret saying that.' Dawn replied with a grin, winking at the queen, 'I'm incredibly silly. You'll live to find out. I'll make sure of it.'

The queen couldn't help having a small smile as her guard self at the antics of her daughter.

"The train will leave in 5 minutes." the young stallion announced, approaching them from the booth, "Everypony please get on board."

Dawn nodded toward him, slowly stepping toward the royal car as other pony passengers, nearly all changelings who were carrying items she wanted to bring with for the trip.

"You will join me, along with you," Dawn said formally to Stonewall and the queen, giving them a small cover story. "Everyone else, try not to make a mess in the cabins while I rest, ok?"

Storm stood at the back confused about why they were going to Canterlot and started to follow the others as Stone and the queen followed Dawn

"Lapdog, Come with us," Dawn said, realizing her oversight as she somehow didn’t register Storm’s arrival. She added quietly, saying only loud enough for Twilight, "Sorry mistress, nearly forgot your other pet."

Stone chuckled as Lapdog pulled her head above the group briefly to see who called her, only to grumble and walk toward the royal car. She got out of the small crowd coming with them into the cabin.

Once inside the royal car, she looked at the pair, then her eyes drifted down to the mare’s belly, bigger than she remembered it being before.

“Dawn, what the hay is going on with you? Seems like every time I turn around, you’re getting more knocked up. Did Stalwart come over when I wasn’t looking or what?”

"Yes he did. He has very potent sperm." Twilight said with a smile, dropping her disguise.

"I didn't know it was THAT potent." Storm said.

"Is somepony jealous?" Dawn teased. "But really, I'd just been holding back, you just never got a good enough look back at the hotel. I'm pregnant, and with twins."

"Oh I'm so sorry." Storm said dryly.

Twilight walked over to the small fridge and brushed Storm's nose with her tail so she caught her scent. Storm snorted, being caught off guard, but moved to sit by Twilight to get some distance from Dawn.

Dawn leaned against her queen, contented by the presence of those she trusted, though Storm’s attitude and emotions had her keep an eye on them, even as the queen wrapped her tail around Dawn.

Twilight pulled out some cups and a shaker and started to make herself drink. Storm looked at the bottles, trying to piece together what kind of drink they were making. Twilight shook the mixer with a small smile at Storm’s curiosity.

"Want some?"

"Sure, I could go for a drink." Storm shrugged.

Twilight nodded, continuing her mix.

'I hope she makes it strong. I doubt Storm can handle her liquor.' Dawn said to Chrysalis, smirking as an amber bottle appeared and was poured into the mixer before being shaken once more.

'That was Nightfall Whiskey, it's very strong.' Chrysalis commented, looking forward to the amusement to follow.

"Nice. Bring it on." Storm said as she looked on.

"Funny, you'd think I'd be saying that after what we went through." Dawn commented idly as Twilight began to smirk.

"So what the hay did happen to you?" Storm asked Dawn, knowing she wasn’t a drinker.

"She got knocked up." Twilight said, going back to the previous news of pregnancy. "If you need it we can have The Talk."

Sky rolled her eyes, "So her getting knocked up is why she needs a stiff drink? Weak."

'She's so clueless. I would almost wish I were that way, but that's weakness to such an extent I'm repulsed by it.' Dawn commented to Chrysalis

"It was that good of sex." Twilight suggested.

"Pathetic." Storm snorted.

'I'm going to enjoy breaking her.' Dawn thought to Chrysalis as she kept herself impassive. 'This mare doesn't know anything.'

The queen smiled and nuzzled her Daughter affectionately as Twilight finished mixing them all drinks.

Dawn waved her hoof and passed on the drink, "Sorry, I actually don't like alcohol much. The vodka he gave still feels like it burned every nerve in my mouth."

"Fine, more for me." Storm replied with a smirk.

Twilight smiled and handed the second shot glass to Storm. Storm downed one, and then her grin became more evident as she reached for the other and downed it even faster than the other.

"Damn, that was pretty good."

"Another?"

"Oh yeah." She said, smiling as she sat down.

Twilight poured her another shot smiling.

'Twilight seems to be wanting to see how much she can take, which also means we may be in for some entertainment on this train ride.' Chrysalis said with clear amusement.

'Heh, depending on what kind of drunk she is.' Dawn reminded her.

Storm sipped the next one briefly, trying to savor the flavor as she started to smile a bit more.

'We shall see.' Chrysalis nodded.

Twilight smiled as she took another shot while the queen enjoyed one as well. After a few minutes, it was clear the alcohol was getting to work, making Storm’s ears redder than they were before as Twilight entertained with her mixing techniques.

Dawn chuckled at the sight and chimed in, "Mind if I get something that isn't hard?"

"Tired of dick already Dawn?" Storm taunted, sauntering over as the alcohol took hold.

"Nah, otherwise you wouldn't be in this room." She said coolly, a calculated grin on her face.

Storm looked at her as if she had been slapped. "You know green, I'm tired of dealing with your sass."

Twilight levitated over a light cider for Dawn as she watched, asking "Another drink Lapdog?"

Dawn accepted the drink slowly in hoof as she looked to Twilight, "Not alcoholic right?"

"Don't you ignore me!" Storm said, knocking the drink out of her hoof.

Dawn retaliated quickly. Her horn glowed nearly immediately, a similar glow wrapping itself around Storm, lifting her up into the air and spread all of her legs out. Storm squirmed, her limbs moving to fight the force holding her still, wings squirming but pinned.

Dawn sighed quietly and walked over toward the side wall, levitating Storm with her until they were pinned against it, and spread out Storm’s wings. Twilight watched in quiet amusement as she poured another cider for Dawn.

"Tired of my sass you say?"

"The hay! Put me down!" Storm protested, struggling against her magical bonds further, then yelped as Dawn moved her from the wall to the ground, not being rough. It didn’t hurt, but it was humiliating to have no resistance to the magic and stuck on the floor.

"That’s funny you should say that,” Dawn replied, adding in her same tone, growing more firm and cold as she explained, “I'm sick and fucking tired of you berating me every chance you get."

Twilight calmly sipped her drink and brought the mixing equipment with her to sit beside the Queen, then leaned against her to watch.

"You may do that sort of shit in the guild, when Nightfall's at your damn back, but not here. Not in front of my trainer and owner, not in front of my queen and mother, and most certainly not when you've not got a damn clue what we went through." Dawn said with conviction. As Storm was about to speak, Dawn sealed her lips shut with a simple zippermouth spell. "No Storm, you will let me fucking finish."

Storm continued to struggle, infuriated, and Dawn waited until Storm stopped struggling so that she knew Storm would listen. Storm continued to struggle for a good five minutes, the strain getting heavy on Dawn's stamina, but she endured and at last Storm laid still, quiet and glaring up at Dawn.

Twilight sipped her drink as she watched with an unreadable expression.

"Storm." Dawn started. "You and I got along like oil and water at first. From thinking that I bet against Nightfall when I hadn't, from helping him walk to his bed after the fight you picked a fight with me instead of appreciating that I did it to help, from my failing the mirror fixing because I was lied to, but did my best in spite of it and risked my life to do so. I pushed on, continuing to be nice to you, even as you insulted Char as much as you did me, calling him a ratite and still do as far as I've seen or known. You've been against me when you ignored that I helped to rescue Nymph and care for her when she came to your guild, giving Nightfall all the credit. You've played my healing down as if it were nothing in the Grand Galloping Gala, my first one ever, in front of my peers, before sauntering off like a dick to your in-group of admirers. No. Fucking. More.

“Lapdog, I am better than you, as a person, as a pony, hell, as a changeling, I am better than you. Morally, in mental strength, in physical strength, in courage, and in kindness in the face of adversity. You are beneath me." She said, immediately checking in with Chrysalis at the same time, 'Mind checking if I have permission to tell her about the training, or let Twilight tell her herself?'

The Queen whispered to Twilight, who started digging into her saddle bags.

"Ah right. Meant to give you this, but got distracted." Twilight said, then held the collar from the couch with her magic, showing the collar’s tag bearing Twilight’s mark.

Dawn let go of her grip on Storm, making the zippermouth be dispelled, and turned to face Twilight, bowing, "Thank you mistress."

Twilight smiled and clicked the collar around Dawn's neck. "There we go."

Dawn smiled broadly at the reward, feeling how it fit snugly, easily felt but not to the point of chaffing.

"W-what? You mean she's your owner?" Storm asked in surprise, raising her brow at the idea of Dawn putting herself below another and stunned that Twilight would be intereated in someone else who wasn’t as strong as Storm herself.

"Yeah, owned her for a few weeks." Twilight said, then tapped her chin with a finger. "Come to think of it, if it wasn't for Dawn here… I wouldn't have gone for you at all, as I'd only be with Chrysalis here." She finished and sipped her drink.

Storm looked at Dawn in surprise, then defeat before grumbling, "Still would beat her at hoof to hoof."

Dawn declined to comment on that, lest she lower herself to the lapdog's level. Instead, she bowed lower and replied, "I'm honored by your words Mistress. It's simply a shame that you had to see me behave thus."

"Oh no, it’s perfectly fine my little pet."

Storm huffed, starting to get up as she realized, frowning deeply at Dawn, "Cheap move there green, using your damn magic on a non-unicorn."

'So help me gods....' Dawn complained to chrysalis, trying to be patient.

"Hmm. Queeny, is that thing I was having your drones make done?" Twilight asked, sipping her drink again.

"Indeed it is."

"Dawn, how long is this train ride?"

"About 10 hours Mistress." She answered curtly.

"Hmm… how long are we planning to be in Canterlot?"

"Depends on the reaction of the Princesses." She answered, not asking why since it wasn’t her place and she suspected Twilight would explain. "If received poorly, I’d like it if we leave right after. If not an issue, we could stay a day or two, provided nothing urgent appears in Manehattan."

"I think a day or two would be good." Twilight smiled, then looked at Lapdog. "Drink?"

Dawn nodded and bowed once again, "As you wish."

"The hay are you two planning?" Storm asked through narrowed eyes before looking at Twilight and shrugging, "Sure..."

Twilight poured her another drink. Storm got up to her hooves and dusted herself off, frowning at Dawn before going up to Twilight and raising a hoof to take the next drink. She downed the drink, swaying briefly on her hooves before standing straighter, spreading her legs a little more.

'I wonder what she'll do or have me do if she acts up... It took a lot of restraint not to bitchslap her.' Dawn thought to Chrysalis.

'Probably let you bitchslap her.' Chrysalis replied, no sarcasm intended either.

Twilight poured Storm another drink as she held out Dawn's cider.

Storm looked between them, confused from not being asked if she wanted another and wasn’t sure if she did. She looked at Dawn again, decided she wanted the drink and downed it one gulp before sitting down.

"I don' feel sho good."

"May I have some more Mistress?" Dawn politely asked, holding out her glass.

Twilight poured her another glass and eyed Lapdog, humming before asking, “How do you feel Lapdog?”

“Thank you mistress.” Dawn replied, sipping it politely.

"I feel abuzz." Storm groaned, wobbling briefly before steading herself again, "I'm fine."

'Is she giving Storm really hard stuff?' Dawn asked. ‘Or is she making her think it is for entertainment?’

"I need to piss." Storm said, standing up and wobbling over in the direction of the bathroom.

'Yes. It was mostly Nightfall in those mixes, and it is one of the strongest drinks there is in Equestria. For those not used to it, it is quite powerful.'

"I'll have another drink ready for your return Lapdog." Twilight called.

Dawn continued to drink her cider, quietly saying, "I really do love the necklace by the way. Thank you for the surprise."

"You're welcome my pet.” Twilight smiled, reaching to ruffle her mane.

Dawn purred gently, moving closer to rub her cheek and neck against Twilight's body before going to Chrysalis to settle down next to her, beaming up at Chrysalis at the attention. The issue of Storm’s attitude was forgotten for a brief moment until a flush could be heard, then some splashing water of a washed pair of hooves and a swaying Storm walked back to the main room before she laid down in the middle of it.

"Hey Lapdog why don't you put your harness on and show it to everyone?" Twilight suggested.

"The harmesh?" she asked, turning her wobbling head between them. "Room spinning."

"Mistress, may I help secure her?" Dawn asked after she finished her drink, setting it down on the counter by Twilight.

"Yes you may." Twilight said sipping her sixth drink. "I know she would love to show it off."

"Thank you mistress."

Storm saw Dawn approach and tried to wave her away clumsily, "Go'way. Le' Twi do it."

Dawn frowned, but was more patient with Storm, expecting it was due to the intoxication. She looked to Twilight for the furnishings and confirmation to continue.

"Hmm… I'd rather not have a fight." Twilight said and got up, getting the harness out of Storm’s packs.

Dawn nodded, bowing to Twilight and sighed nearly silently in disappointment.

'Part of me still wants to put her in a harness,’ Dawn admitted, ‘to secure her without magic with a direct order from Twilight… Still, her word is law when the collar is on.’

Storm wobbled in place, frowning, "Why is the room m- oh right, train."

'Yes, but if you try to force her to wear it, there might be a brawl, and Twilight wouldn't want that. Not with you pregnant and Storm drunk enough not to care.' The Queen said.

Twilight returned with the harness and started to put Storm in it.

'Yeah, I'm not blaming her, just… saddened. I really will need to get Lapdog to not be so frustrated with me. I had hoped the display of strength would show her I’m not weak or to be looked down on, but she seemed unaffected by it... or did you notice something different?' she asked, hoping for insight.

Storm settled in readily into the harness, feeling the material hold her securely as she fought the conflicting sensations her drunkeness had caused, it giving her some solace and to just enjoy the ride instead.

'She's drunk.' Chrysalis said simply

'And yet, I can't help but feel as if it is showing how she really is and feels, without any mask, what little she had. Maybe I'm reading too much into it.' Dawn replied, realizing her biggest flaw she knew of, overthinking things.

Twilight finished and smiled. “Why don't you show everyone how good you look?"

Storm simply shook her head and squirmed against the bonds, feeling them stay secure and looking unfocused at the ceiling and the wall opposite her.

'Alcohol does that. It's how Twilight first expressed her attraction to me sexually and she lost her virginity.' Chrysalis reminded her.

"Why not Lapdog? Don't you want to show everyone how nice you look in your harness?"

Storm shivered and seemed to pull her limbs up against her and Dawn suddenly tasted a strong sour note that echoed something inside herself. When she checked the link, confirming it was isolation, she frowned in sympathy. Storm felt alone.

Dawn took a risk and stepped closer by two steps, altering her appearance to match that of Twilight's own, albeit heavily pregnant.

"Mistress..." She said, hoping the meaning of her request was understood.

Twilight looked at her and then stepped back to watch

Dawn nodded, smiling gently in appreciation as she laid down alongside of Storm, petting her back and side as she laid there.

Storm looked at the pony beside her, her eyes unfocused. She saw the purple fur, she relaxed almost instantly, sighing as she started to calm and let her eyes close.

Twilight tilted her head. Had she really caused Storm to be dependent on her?

Storm pined after a moment, pushing herself into the disguised Dawn, sighing as she was soon held gently in their embrace. Dawn admittedly was confused as well. She didn't expect the fiercely independent Storm to insist on being bound and held to feel better. Twilight watched, confused as Dawn held the mare like a child.

Storm pushed herself into the Twilight lookalike, saying, "I miss this-lot" she said, still slurring her words as she relaxed.

"That's my good Lapdog." Dawn said in Twilight's voice, guessing at what would have been said. "Rest well. You're safe now."

Twilight blinked and gestured to the bed with her head.

"Come, let’s get you into bed Lapdog." Dawn said in Twilight’s voice, quietly.

Storm’s bonds were loosened so she could get up and immediately struggled up to her hooves, wobbling as she fought her senses before she turned green under the fur.

"Bathroom Lapdog, you're not well." Dawn corrected, once again in Twilight’s voice. Storm complied, soon rushing to it as the contents in her stomach came up into the toilet.

Twilight moved to the bed and climbed into it as she waited for them to finish. After a few minutes, Storm stopped and flushed before washing her face and hooves off and stepped out. It wasn’t long until she found Twilight on the bed and stumbled her way to it.

Twilight used her magic to lift them onto the bed, and then pulled them close to herself as the weakened Storm sighed and curled up against the purple mare wordlessly.

Twilight stroked her mane and looked at the others.

Dawn approached slowly, offering Twilight’s pack in case she wanted or needed anything else.

Twilight took out the blindfold and ear muffs, beginning to rebind Storm’s legs and wings securely.

"Rest well Lapdog." Twilight said as she put the earmuffs on. Afterward, she blindfolded her and bound her front legs to her chest and used the spreader bar between the back legs. She left Lapdog ungagged, so she could breathe easily or ask for anything.

Dawn stayed near, waiting, staying quiet as Storm calmed down from being bound before asking, "Did her behavior change after she was shot? How did that happen?"

Twilight placed a wing over Storm, giving a summary of what they had gone through to get Dawn up to speed.

"That’s unfortunate.” Dawn nodded, “No wonder she's feeling that way. A brush with death changes anyone."

"I guess… I didn't think it affected her that much to latch onto me this much." Twilight said, pausing as she felt Storm move against her more. The pushing got to the point Twilight laid on her side and Storm squirmed to be against Twilight’s chest, letting out a quiet noise of appreciation.

"Yeah. I don’t know what to say." Dawn replied as she thought to Chrysalis, 'I didn’t realize how fragile she was deep down...'

Twilight stroked Storm with her wing as she laid with her.

'Her first brush with near death was going to be burned alive. I'd hate to meet the pony who'd be okay after that.' Chrysalis pointed out.

Dawn mentally nodded then returned to Chrysalis’s side, standing with her furred chitin touching theirs.

The queen put her tail around Dawn as they watched Storm rest.

Storm soon settled into a fitful sleep, twitching against her bonds and staying against Twilight as best she could. Twilight pulled her close and held her, shutting out the world with her wings resting over the mare.

Storm whimpered as dreams of fires and zebras surged through her, but just as soon as it started, her movements slowed and she could barely be heard mumbling "Luna?"

Twilight held her close, stroking her mane as she looked up at the others.

"I really wish we had someone from Psy-Ops here but it seems none of them got brought." She said quietly.

‘Psy-ops?’ Dawn asked, confused and unaware of Storm’s mumbling.

'Psychological Operations' the queen told Dawn while Twilight went back to stroking Storm and speaking to her softly, telling her she was safe.

'They are doctors who specialize in wounds of the mind.'

'Ah… do they deal with dreams too, like Luna?'

'No. They provide therapy when awake.'

'I see. I’ve always wondered what Luna is doing with dreams, how that works… I never bugged her about it.'

'She manipulates the dream and changes it. Sort of like lucid dreaming if you know what that is.'

'I do, but never mastered it. Too caught up in my dream.'

Storm cried in her sleep for a few minutes, quietly, before breathing calmly again.

'That is close to what she does, and why her magic doesn't work against memories as she cannot change what you remember with her dream magic, only the dreams that come from those memories. It's why soldiers she can't help the same as others, as their dreams are usually flashbacks of what caused the trauma.'

Twilight held Storm, petting her as she soothed as best as she could.

'It’s a shame… I don’t want to see her suffer.' Dawn relayed, overlooking her earlier comment of wanting to break her as a desire to correct poor behavior.

'Neither does Twilight, not like that. She has her own demons she deals with.'

'Well, time for me to join her in sleep.' Dawn thought, laying down as drowsiness overwhelmed her.

The queen curled around Dawn, resting her chin on top of their side, 'Rest well my daughter.'

'I will, especially since I have a mother wrapped around me. Thank you.' Dawn replied, her body shivering slightly in appreciation.

The queen smiled and closed her eyes to let her body sleep. Twilight held Storm, stroking her mane, speaking gently to them. She whispered gently about how it would be ok, how she was safe.

The occupants of the car slept through the night, the train making better than usual time. Where they were projected to arrive around lunch time, they actually arrived in Canterlot an hour after breakfast.

Storm groaned as she woke, hangover looming over her as she muttered, "Damn dragons are dancing on my head."

"Ahhh, I remember that feeling." Twilight said, smiling as she still held Storm close, having removed the earmuffs a while ago.

Storm groaned as she got up, trying to get ready to leave as the train came to a stop at the station. Twilight began to unbind Storm slowly, so the hangover wouldn’t worsen. Dawn picked up the saddlebags, starting to gather everything together so they could leave quickly and easily despite her appearance as her very pregnant, alicorn self.

Storm got out of the harness and rubbed her head before staying at Twilight's side as they left, Twilight having already become Stonewall and disguising Storm with a guard uniform as well. Dawn led the way through Canterlot with her three guards. The trip was uneventful until she was greeted by guards at the gates to the castle.

"Princess Dawn, your presence is requested by the Princesses in the meeting chambers as soon as you arrive."

"Message received. I will go there immediately." Dawn nodded politely.

They saluted her and admitted her in, and her three guards followed. After she went through the gates, Dawn took a deep breath, steeling herself as she entered the front doors and began approaching the meeting room.

"Once more into the breach my friends..." Dawn quoted, remembering a game she played where it was said by her main character before battle would commence as a kind of war cry.

'Fix bayonets.' Chrysalis replied back

Dawn noted the lack of anyone else in the room and took that time to take a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm herself as she and her ‘guards’ waited for the princesses to arrive.