Dawn nodded slowly to her mom, wincing as she felt all of her stomach muscles contract. She contorted her face, determined not to let out a sound and disturb others.

"Princess Dawn, you are in pain?" An unfamiliar voice asked.

She looked for the source of that voice and there was Sgt Stem, looking at her in concern.

"D-did my water break?" She asked, the contractions stopping and let her breathe heavily once more.

"It doesn't appear so, no. Here, let's get you somewhere more private than the cafeteria." He said, lifting her with his magic.

Dawn felt her float, trying not to resist and let him move her, even if it made her feel helpless.

"My room would be fine." She said before another contraction hit her strongly and took away her voice.

The queen was quickly heading for the room to warn Twilight.

Dawn squirmed and Stem slowed, looking at her with concern, "Are you uncomfortable?"

"I feel like I'm fucking about to give birth, what the hell do you think?" She said through gritted teeth.

"That you speak too plainly too readily." He said simply.

Dawn was enraged, taking that pain and charging up her magic so she could punish the insolent stallion. She barely managed, with a great effort of will, to power it back down.

"Don't... ever... insult a mare when they're in labor. You won't live long i-" She winced again, breathing as she was instructed, though finding it more and more difficult.

Stem set her down, concerned, but getting the message as he looked at her, "I should contact a nurse." He said before his horn glowed.

A medical team, the group summoned by the queen, ran quickly down the hall in Dawn’s direction no sooner than he had stopped.

'In and out Dawn. Breath slowly.' Chrysalis instructed.

Dawn breathed while in the hall just down from the cafeteria, watching them approach as she tried to relax herself. It was an odd kind of solace as she waited, fully expecting more pain to come.

'That's it. You are doing great' Chrysalis said as she informed Twilight, quickly moving to an empty room.

"Yes…” Dawn chuckled, speaking out loud between pants without realizing it, “Because breathing… is so hard..."

Sgt Stem observed, staying at the Princess’ side like glue. He eyed the medical ponies, surprised as they were not the ones he had contacted.

Chyssy arrived a few seconds behind the medical ponies, as if she had been galloping behind them.

'Sorry… to worry… you mom.' She said in the link, looking up to her with a small slightly sweaty grin before grimacing as another set of contractions came about and she still held her voice back, the pain being too great for any cry or vocalization to come out.

The medical ponies moved her onto a stretcher and in short order they were heading for the infirmary.

Dawn barely registered where she was going, only that she was moving, she tried to protest in the link, 'I'm fine, really… don't worry, I'll… I'll be fine.' only to be wracked with a fresh set of contractions that seemed to wait long enough to contradict her.

The queen was concerned as she followed. Dawn continued to have contractions for a minute before they subsided. She laid there, sweating from exertion, joking afterward, "Yeah, I'll opt for getting my tubes tied after this…"

The queen chuckled in the link, glad her daughter still was well enough to joke. Sgt Stem stood in the room, observing them with a small frown. Dawn eyed him, noticing his frown.

"What's wrong Stem? Wishing you could have foals?" Dawn called, trying to make a teasing joke.

"Not particularly. I prefer other forms of company." He said factually.

'Oh, so he enjoys stallions then? Interesting.' She replied to Chrysalis at that comment. 'Unless he enjoys books or something else more than other ponies.'

'You could always be a book with a marehood.' Chrysalis joked.

Dawn laughed at the thought before whimpering at yet another set of contractions.

'Goddammit foals let me have a break and laugh! god!' she panted, trying to breathe in spite of it, tearing up at the strength of the pain as she tried to bear it, grunting, "Please fucking tell me they're coming out and I don't have to deal with this shit again..."

The medical staff quickly finished their examination and relayed the news, it was another false labor.

Dawn groaned, which turned into a growl and said, "So help me when they come out I am grounding them for a month!"

"I get the feeling that won't help." Stem commented neutrally.

"Leave the damn room Stem unless you have something better to say." Dawn snapped.

Chryssy chuckled out loud and looked at Stem, instructing him with a grin. "You heard the Princess."

Stem frowned, "Fine." and turned to leave.

"Stem. I… Know that I'm not mad at you, but you're making this shit worse and that's the last thing I n-" She gasped and yelled out, her face betraying her pain as it scrunched up tight with tears flowing down it, body trying to curl up despite her otherwise clear efforts to relax.

He nodded, frown lessening slightly, then left the room amidst the yelling that Dawn began to do.

Chryssy stayed and spoke to Dawn through the link, comforting her and sending her love. Dawn breathed and waited between each pulse, continuously grateful for her mother's support. After a couple hours, they started to subside.

Dawn felt drained, achy, and very calm at the end. She was looking up at Chryssy with an express that would have been more than enough for any pony to tell just how glad she was to have her there through all of it.

'You are welcome.' She said smiling in the link.

Dawn breathed slowly, before saying quietly, "It really meant a lot to have you with me through this..."

Chrysalis simply nodded her recognition.

"Think I should apologize to Stem?" Dawn asked breathily.

She nodded

"Please send for him then… I won't be getting up for about half an hour I think."

She nodded again and went to find him.

Sgt Stem was pacing the hall, looking out with an expression of seriousness and alertness. His emotion of concern was more palpable than anger or frustration.

"The Princess wishes to see you." Chrysalis informed him.

He looked at her briefly, attention fully on her. His longer than average horn glowed briefly before he nodded, going to the infirmary and opening the door. Chrysalis blinked at the horn glow and stepped to the side to let him pass.

Dawn looked to him expectantly as she saw the door open and he entered, staying at the door.

"Approach… my voice is almost gone." She croaked.

He slowly stepped forward to the side of her cot.

"I'm sorry..." She said quietly, barely above a whisper. "The pain was far more than I had ever dealt with, shy of my horn shattering, and… and I should not have yelled at you like that."

The queen gave her privacy, staying near the door, but still on guard from the magic Stem had used.

Sgt. Stem said nothing, driving her to speak again after a minute.

"I should clarify I am not asking for forgiveness Sergeant." Dawn said, trying not to let herself drown in sadness at his lack of empathy, "but I needed to make you aware that I recognize my error. It… would also be wise of you moving forward, to not add insults to injury."

"No, of course not princess..." Stem said, sounding quite serious. "After all, it is appropriate for a mother to punish a child for something beyond their control."

Dawn felt her sadness turn to a sharp dose of anger as she wanted to react on instinct, then forced herself to clam up that anger and said, "I am not your mother... and while I don't know what you went through, I would not have actually done anything to my foals. I have dealt with my own share of hardships, including being abandoned by my own mother to an expected death by the elements of winter. It is why I appreciate my adopted mother being here with me."

He looked at her analytically, tasting what she could only describe as pickle juice at his confusion before he nodded and walked out of the room.

The still disguised queen entered the room, going over to her daughter once more, 'Are you ok? I felt a spike in anger.’

'He felt no remorse for his behavior, then put in a barb of how a mother should not punish a child for what is not in their control. Clearly he's never had fucking labor before… but I decided to forgive him since it was possible he just had issues with his own mother, so I shared a bit about my own birth mother.. I hope it clicked.' She replied, 'I know you barely left and I miss you already...'

Dawn sighed, feeling bad for her neediness and haywire emotions as she stretched her tingling limbs and curled up as much as her swollen belly would allow.

The queen started to stroke Dawn’s mane, making her tear up gently at the comforting strokes.

'That feels so lovely right now... thank you.' She said, struggling to find any comforting memory of her birth mother like this, giving up and focusing on enjoying it with her current mother.

Chrysalis hummed a tune in the link as she stroked her daughter’s mane.

Dawn laid there, listening and letting her mane be stroked as she asked, 'Did Twilight have to go through this shit too?'

Chrysalis showed her a memory of her throwing one of the command staff against the wall for interrupting her during a meeting, then breaking down and crying as she apologized over and over again to them. Then Twilight began to hug the command staff, who was looking around awkwardly, as she cried into their chest and repeated how sorry they were while their belly showed a decent sized bump.

'Shortly after that, she was deemed too unstable after ordering a strike team to assault the largest newspaper in Equestria’s main headquarters, due to them not even considering me as the possible father. The troopers were called off just in time by the rest of the command staff.'

'Damn… That's a bit brutal… I'm tame by comparison huh? … I don't suppose you have any issues like this in your pregnancies?'

'Yes, you are very tame. All I end up is needing increased amounts if love, which I get more than enough from Twilight.'

'Oh? None needed from your daughter?' She teased weakly as she moved to sit upright, 'Guess this means my pregnancy takes after you then.'

'Guess so, as you haven't tried to blow up a newspaper’s ashes while standing on it.'

'Yeah, I know how to keep my emotions in check… usually.' She smirked, slowly getting up to her hooves, 'We'd better get moving I think, I don't want to lie here any longer. What's next on our to-do list today?'

'Twilight is busy with Lapdog and we have the day to ourselves.’ Chrysalis replied.

'Oh? A whole day with my mom? That sounds amazing.' She said in the link, chuckling out loud, 'When not interrupted by damnable false labors anyway. Anything you would like to do?'

'Not particularly. You?'

'Just spending time with you will make me happy... though I am hungry again, go figure.'

'Pregnancy does that. Just be happy you haven't climbed out a window to eat grass.'

'About that…' She blushed, looking to the side as a memory of her giving it a try one morning in her first trimester arose.

The queen laughed out loud and showed her an image of her walking into the library’s kitchen, noticing how Twilight didn't come back after going to get a drink, and found the window open and Twilight outside grazing.

'Yeah, I can relate…’ Dawn nodded, ‘I just… I was hungry and it looked good for some reason. I was curious and before I knew it, I had eaten my fill...'

Sgt Stem was in the hallway, looking at Dawn and noticing their interaction. He spoke up as they were about to pass by, "What are you nodding about?"

"The Princess asked me what I would recommend from the cafeteria, and she agreed with my suggestion." Chryssy answered as she shared a memory of Twilight saying the exact same thing about how the grass looked and being hungry.

Stem frowned slightly, suspicion faintly tasted on his emotions but he said, "In light of your issue today, I have further postponed our lessons."

"Thank you Stem. I will be ready for you on our train trip home tomorrow." She replied, chuckling in the link to her mom. 'Who would have thought, ponies needing to graze... probably a leftover evolutionary thing.'

Stem eyed the pair and his horn glowed for a moment. He began to frown and the spell faded as he looked away from them, pacing over to a window and staring intently out it.

'Maybe. Though it is ironic how much you are like Twilight when not being related.' Chrysalis replied before noticing Stem’s horn glowing. 'Do you know why he does that?'

'I do not know... I imagine he's using a spell, but unless he's in communication with someone...' She said, then started to think of him with suspicion. 'You don't think Flare's reach has gotten this far... has it?'

As much as Dawn desperately wanted to know how she was like Twilight, she would ask later.

'I do not doubt anything when it comes to Solar Flare. He is one of the most dangerous enemies of the hive, the Swarm is prepared to kill him on sight due to the threat he poses, and that is rarely achieved.'

'I will have to keep a close eye on him until we can confirm his trustworthiness... will we want to allow him in the hive in that case? I want my foals to be born there, so I will be living in my quarters until then.'

‘If he is an enemy, then the center of the hive will be the most dangerous place for him. If he revels himself as such, he would be quite surrounded by The Swarm.' The queen relayed with a morbid satisfaction.

'We'll welcome him into the heart of the swarm then.' Dawn smiled with a condescending confidence, 'then-'

Sgt stem cleared his throat behind them, startling her out of her train of thought. She turned to him expectantly.

"What is your plan once we reach Manehattan?" Stem asked.

'A rather daft move if he’s with Flare, or he has more subtlety than I give him credit for.' Dawn said to Chrysalis quickly as she spoke, "We are not headed to Manehattan."

"What do you mean?" He asked, brows furrowed as he said, "the threat is in Manehattan."

"Yes, and I'm about to give birth. Do you truly think it is wise to go, only to become incapacitated and then have with me my first and only two children who could be taken hostage more easily?" Dawn said with a hint of coldness. "Perhaps we will need to play some games of strategy if you feel that an appropriate course of action."

"Ah." Stem said, appearing to ponder her words.

'If he is working with Flare, he is either a master at deception or a decoy.' The queen commented while standing as Glory at the Princess’ flank. She teased her daughter happily by adding, 'Also, your changeling side is showing daughter.'

'Oh really? What'd I do this time?' Dawn asked, surprised before addressing Stem once again, "My intent, to answer your question, is to go to my second home for my foals' births. My tree home is nice, but for this, I prefer a little more security. I also need to ask you a question, now that I think about it." Dawn said, turning her whole body to him expectantly. "I keep seeing your magic activate around your horn. What spells are you using?"

"When you were in labor, the communication spell. I had requested medical attention."

"And more recently?" Dawn asked

"A scanning spell... I sensed something around you and was attempting to discern what it is." He said.

'Leading him into the heart of The Swarm.' The queen answered as Dawn spoke to Stem, blinking at him and concerned at this news, "What sort of thing?"

'I have a game that has a whole expansion campaign called Heart of the Swarm... it was my favorite of the three.' Dawn said, wanting to smile but was concerned as well at the same question.

"I am uncertain." He said, "Magic appears directed at you, but I cannot find the source."

Glory was now greatly concerned and it radiated in the link. 'We will need to investigate this once in The Hive.' She said as she alerted the drones to this.

'Indeed… if his concern is legitimate, regardless of if it is from him, an ally of him, or Flare and his allies, it is a warning well received.' Dawn thought, speaking honestly with him, "I appreciate being notified of this. If you find out the reason for the magic, beyond one of my own use or make, I wish to be notified, in addition to if you have a countermeasure."

"I will." He said before going down the hall.

Dawn attempted to taste what emotion he had, but all she could taste is concern. 'What do you make of this?'

'I am not sure. He is either trying to throw us off the trail, a third party is involved or he is being honest.' The queen said. 'We will know more once we reach The Hive.'

'Agreed. I would like to think him an ally, being recommended by Celestia, but that too could be a clever ploy… perhaps Flare is aware of my involvement being more active because of my visit, and wants me taken out first of the princesses.' Dawn offered as she turned to walk in the other direction.

'Being actively part of the group looking for him does make you a priority target.' Chrysalis said as she followed, playing the part of the guard perfectly. 'As for recommendations from the Princess, he was assigned as a handler, and we have had traitors in the Princesses own protection detail before through bribery or blackmail.'

'I only pray Flare hasn't gotten so much influence as to reach Canterlot yet, or we are far behind where we need to be.' Dawn sighed, 'I still don't know how I'm going to make a mirror for travelling between our worlds… if I were brutally honest, I don't want to study it when I'm so pregnant, nor when I'm going to be nursing my foals. What did you think of that lovely command?'

'If he has, then we will need to mobilize every available EDF trooper to stop him.' She said grimly. 'As for the mirror, you could work by proxy through a drone, remember Legate? Ordering a pregnant mare to work with something potentially dangerous this close to her due date has to be the single most bone-headed thing I have heard in some time.'

'I prefer to study the relics directly I admit, but it couldn’t hurt to try. Assuming I even have part of the talent that Svikopi instilled in me for his rise, no one else will be able to do it on my behalf. Twilight seems to be an exception of course…' Dawn replied with another sigh, 'It appears this world's innocence might be coming to an end, isn't it. But yeah, you’re right. It feels punishing to be asked to do that when I was taking on so much on my plate as it is.'

'Just assume partial control of a drone.' Chrysalis instructed. 'And don't worry, Twilight will do everything in her power to prevent that from happening.'

'I understand… I just hope I can discern how the mirror was made, what order the enchantments and matrices were placed, and recreate it… the hard part is if there's some sort of address system to go from one specific dimension to another. ' Dawn said, growing gloomy at the thought.

'We just use signatures.' She said. 'Every world is unique.'

'I would like to hear more on these signatures then, if that's how your world operates.' Dawn said, arriving at the kitchen. Some of the few witnesses to her earlier episode, the workers, looked at her with some degree of surprise or concern or both, before going about their business.

The young aspiring chef mare from before came over and spoke up, "You feeling ok princess?"

"I… am better. Foals really like giving me a hard time right now." she said with a brief chuckle.

"Ahhh. Should I get them a few sugar cookies to make them settle down?" She asked, winking.

"That... actually sounds good." Dawn said, hesitating as she tried to listen to her cravings, "And maybe several of those grilled cheese sandwiches you made last time. They were good. What'll you have Glory?"

"I will take the same." She said, relaying to Dawn, 'When the rescue team arrives they will be able to help, and I can give you what I know.'

'Good. I need to prioritize finding out if I have to get the signatures for both worlds, or just the target world then. More likely than not, I'll need to make two mirrors, which is an horrendously large a task. Actually, is it possible to have a drone or two research what would be needed, examine the mirror and so on? I'll need to look at the one for my world that's still operational, so they can notate the differences before we go, as well as the commonalities.'

"Great,” the mare said excitedly, eager to cook for them more, “I'll bring them out for you in ten or so minutes!"

"Thank you." Dawn said, nodding her way before returning more of her conscious efforts to her discussion with Chrysalis,

'You will have whatever you need or want Legate.' Chrysalis said, emphasizing that she need not ask for things from the hive.

'I know, but they all have duties, and asking them to go outside those is something worth checking and giving appreciation for, isn't it?' Dawn asked, confused.

'You are my second in command, my Legate.' Chrysalis reminded her, 'A leader and they your subordinates. Their duty is whatever you chose it to be and they will follow you to tartarus and back again if that is what you wish of them.'

Dawn looked thoughtful, if concerned. It was a huge responsibility. One would think it was something she was used to as a princess, yet she was a princess in name and body only to date. She took a deep breath and then looked over the hive for the one drone that enjoyed reading and had one of the best comprehension skills of magical studies, as well as a drone that was exceptional in practical application of magical studies, placing a moderate amount of weight on their enjoyment of the subject.

She easily found them in the Link, it was as if she knew exactly who she was looking for among the few hundred minds she could hear.

'I require your assistance.' She stated, starting her request, but remembering she no longer had to make requests, at first giving the instruction to both of them. 'Find what information you can regarding the creation and use of travelling mirrors. I have been assigned the task of creating a mirror between your world and mine. I have notes from Starswirl the Bearded and other such materials in my tree home that have not yet been returned.'

To the reader she instructed, 'I will need your expertise in comprehending the material. I give you one month to read and understand what you can, then report to me, and we will determine if more time is needed. If done early, inform me.'

To the practitioner she instructed, 'I will need your expertise in examining the mirror we bring with us to the hive. It is inactive, but a reference point nonetheless in determining magical style and travelling rules from this world, possibly even the address of this world if it lists both origin and destination. While I am here in the castle, I will be scanning the mirror for my birth world. I will expect you to notate everything for comparison when we do this. Ready what you need to and notify me when ready, we will examine the mirror within the next two hours.'

'Yes Legate.' They said in unison and moved at the same time to obey.

'It feels strange, ordering them around.' Dawn said to Chrysalis. 'They are also individuals and deserve respect as such… or is this something about command that I have never been taught or learned?'

'That is command. Twilight cares about those under her, but she will still order them to their deaths if need be, though she will try to achieve her goal with the least amount of risk to their lives.'

'To choose who lives or dies… that is a heavy weight. I hope I can handle it responsibly.' She said as she started contemplating the ramifications of that degree of power.

'Yes. It is. I will share more with you after your foals are born, so you understand what leadership on this scale is like.’

'Thank you, I think… I hope I will do you proud, even if the prospect is a little scary. After all, that is what it means to be in command and your daughter to boot, right?'

The young mare came back and delivered their food, bringing out the raspberry lemonade she made this morning. "Hope you two enjoy it!"

"I will, it looks well made." Dawn replied, noticing the steam from the cheese and no less than four cheeses on it, even a little sprinkled on top and fried on top of the sandwich for extra crunch.

'I know you will do me proud.' Chrysalis said, giving the chef in training a small smile before sitting to eat.

'I wish I would stop doubting myself on it.' Dawn replied as she dug into her food as well, nibbling the sugar cookie and grilled cheese sandwiches in slow satisfaction.

'You are young and this has all been thrust upon you.' Glory commented as she ate.

'I will adapt. I have when I was human, when I became a pony, when I became a princess, and I will as a Legate... and your daughter.' she said, 'the last thing I want to do is disappoint.'

Chrysalis smiled in the link and hugged her there. Dawn smiled as she ate, ever so grateful for her support. The pair ate on as they stayed close with the link.

'You're a damn good mother Chryssy... if we ever somehow go to my birth world, I'm going to rub that in her face or something... or just have her learn from you maybe.' Dawn replied, returning the affections as she ate, savoring the flavors as she thought about the encounter and what that’d be like.

Chrysalis simply chuckled in the link at the idea as she ate.

Dawn sighed contentedly as she finished the meal, then said as she got up, 'Let's go show you the mirror that brought me here and started the most recent leg of my… interesting journey through life.'

Chrysalis agreed and stood, ready to follow.

Dawn led the way out of the cafeteria, nibbling on the final cookie as she walked. Feeling her foals stop kicking her in the womb was a lovely feeling after all the strife of that morning now. She made turn after turn down the halls until they came across a door that was like most others.

Dawn used her horn magic, and felt the doorknob unlock and opened it slowly, letting light from the hall stream in to the already lit room, natural sunlight filling it in pillars of angled light.

Her guard followed close behind. 'Magic lock?'

'Yes, keyed only to allow princesses to enter and exit… Apparently it had always been that way, and surprised Celestia when I had opened it quite by accident within an hour of exploring in the room, knowing nothing of magic.' Dawn said, 'Several valuables are in the room that aren't of interest to us, but it would be wise if we avoided accidental breakage.'

'When dealing with items behind such doors, it's always wise not to break them.' Chrysalis said sagely as she followed her in.

'Very true… I just try not to break things regardless.' Dawn replied with an audible chuckle, closing the door and relocking it. 'Still, it makes me wonder why I could open it in the first place, if it realized I would be a princess, or perhaps was still a budding one waiting for my time…'

Dawn motioned toward the mirror that was in the center of the room, a mostly vertical body mirror, with a width large enough to accommodate almost two ponies side by side comfortably and stood nearly twice as tall. Dawn chuckled internally at that, knowing it was only about five and a half or six feet tall back as a human.

'Magic can be strange, and who knows what Fate has planned.' She said as she walked over to inspect the mirror

'I haven't believed in fate for nearly ten years… It makes you give up when you could have done more, and takes away the meaning in our individual choices in my opinion.' She replied, checking in with the drone in charge of recording the matrices, 'Are you ready to begin?'

'Almost… … now.' the drone said.

'Oh they are all quite real, they just don't meddle in every part of life like most people think. They mostly just watch unless it's part of their plans.' The queen said as she looked over the mirror.

'So big picture thinkers, not so much small decisions unless it has big ramifications for later?' Dawn asked, 'Doesn't make it that much easier to swallow… still, if such an entity exists, it would be nice to know what they have in store for me, I'll agree to that much.'

'Good work. Starting scan now. Give instruction if it is being done too fast or too slow.' Dawn instructed, then began using her magic to carefully, methodically, getting every layer of the enchantments on her mirror, only examining, never altering.

The drone kept up easily enough, but having an eidetic memory helped.

Dawn went around the whole of the mirror’s frame, inspecting it from every angle until it was complete. 'Final chance to request any section re-scanned or in greater detail.' she warned.

"The surface of the mirror itself, Legate.' The drone said.

'Ah...' She replied hesitantly, then proceeded to scan it with a great deal of caution.

The drone observed while the Queen waited to talk so Dawn could concentrate.

Soon enough, the task was complete, and she stopped the spell, putting a hoof on the surface, only to have it go through effortlessly and she recoiled, pulling it back.

"Seems to be active." Chrysalis observed

"Yeah. I… I don't want to go back right now though.” Dawn replied, suddenly considering what it would be like to visit her home, since she took for granted she could never return, “I mean, what happens if I stay a pony in a world of humans because I’m a princess, or turn human but go back to being male and maybe pregnant, or somehow lose my foals… I can't risk that, especially if the mirror got put elsewhere, like sold to someone else."

"Then that someone else just saw a hand poke out of their mirror and probably are freaking out." the queen said ruefully. "As for returning… you have been extensively changed since your previous form."

"I just… I won't risk it. There could be alarms or any number of other issues."

"Perhaps later." She said nodding.

"Yeah… Maybe so I can visit my family, let them know I'm not dead, but how I've moved on as well. But… it's risky, we'll have to talk it out later." Dawn said, taking a deep breath and letting it out. "Maybe leaving a letter and a request that they mail it for me, and leave me a message when it's been sent, or maybe it'd be better if I cut off the mirror, prevent it from letting anything through...'

'I leave the decision to you.' Chrysalis said.

"I... would like to get the message to my family, if it's possible, and wait for a response, but beyond that? I would shut it off... too much desire to conquer other lands resides in my world."

'You do know that desire is in the Hive correct? As well as others back home.' Chrysalis countered.

'... Fair point... but here? Not so much.' Dawn said, 'Unless we have forces left here due to the threat Flare poses to this world if he's not captured... which makes it all the more important to make this stable travel, since otherwise it would be too difficult to maintain the peace if the worst happened.'

'We are not leaving till he is dealt with. A few other criminals wouldn't be that big of an issue to leave behind, like those street gang members, as while they are dangerous, they are common and no were near as dangerous.'

'Even so... perhaps a small squad by the portal to wrap up, make sure such criminals are indeed taken care of before having them return, if they are up for it.'

'Oh if you do succeed in making a stable gate, we will be garrison in a few troopers on this side just to ensure nothing undesirable gets through.'

'That was the idea, yeah.' Dawn replied, checking in with the drone, 'Found everything you need? Any other final things to resolve?'

'No. I have what I need to begin research Legate.' The drone replied.

'I'll leave you to it.' Dawn turned to the door, asking, "Care to take a look at anything before we leave? Peek your head in to see what it'd be like on the other side or if you'd be human there?"

"I've been human once. It was… different." Chrysalis commented.

"I know… I was one." Dawn said, re-sharing her memory of it.

Chrysalis, in turn, shared the memory of her ending up as a human, and it mostly contained Twilight practically drooling while looking at her. She stood tall and not quite slender, but well-toned and curved, hips being almost comically large for her frame, and the same could be said of upstairs. Dawn found it most curious how her hair still stayed the darker teal and showed holes in the hairstyle like in Equestria, despite it otherwise appearing to defy physics that Dawn understood.

"You are one stunning human I'll grant you that." Dawn complemented.

'Would you like to see what I looked like? I saw myself in a full length mirror before Twilight got me something else to wear? Both before and after.'

"I would, yes please." Dawn said.

This was me just out of the portal. She shared the memory of looking in a full length mirror.

Chrysalis was clothed, in a way to Dawn’s relief, but Chrysalis had soon looked at herself in the mirror and saw a pale skinned, wide hipped and amply equipped human form with her green eyes and teal hair going down almost to her flanks retained. Her crown still rested on her head with small turquoise gems on each of the lesser points, and her outfit was one that only covered her midsection and breasts as enough to satisfy the public eye, a small belt going from side to side holding a green slender cover over her mostly black clothing. Her leggings were a darker green as a mix between the two and rode up almost to her hips while similar sleeves were on her arms and went almost up to the shoulder, securing themselves to her hand by some kind of wrapping around her middle finger and wrist.

'The clothes Twilight got me were like this.’ Chrysalis relayed, transforming to show a very business-like outfit, a top that went down to just barely reveal her bra holding her ample assets, and a short pencil-skirt that showed just how curvy her hips really were. ‘Twilight was very insistent about the glasses for some reason.'

Dawn jaw-dropped and smiled widely, "Yeah… I can understand why. I almost feel bad about some of the feelings I have for you because you're my mom."

'Feel free. We aren't blood related.' She said shrugging.

Dawn laughed with a small degree of embarrassment, then decided to roll with it, walking up to her and rubbing her side against the humanized Chrysalis, like a mix between a dog and a cat, then shifted herself lightly to reflect the mix of pony, cat, and dog.

Chrysalis smiled and reached down to scratch behind her ear.

Dawn sighed happily, getting scratched and loving every bit of it. "Oh that feels good… Please don't stop."

Chrysalis smiled and kept scratching, delving into Dawn. She was curious about their "feelings" she said she had seeing The Queen as a human.

Dawn felt a fair bit of arousal and familiarity as she leaned against her mother, finding every bit of her form pleasing, including the glasses and bosom, though she deep down to where she wouldn’t readily admit it, she really loved her rump as well. She soon shifted back to her princess form and sighed happily.

"After my foals are born, I have got to try being a wolf and other things. That was fun."

Chrysalis chuckled and gently leaned against Dawn, her human rump pressing to her side as she crossed her arms under her breasts. 'Yes it can be quite interesting being other species.’

"Very much so. I just enjoy experimenting and finding out." She replied cluelessly, unlocking the door. "I love your human body, though… mine was… not so sightly."

Chrysalis chuckled, though was a bit disappointed her attempt at teasing her failed. She became Glory once more and moved to flank her.

"Thank you.” Dawn nuzzled her mother and added, “I don't think I would have been able to behave if you stayed as a human…"

Dawn shook silently inside, moreso against her mother in the link as she conveyed the full pelt of emotions she felt mixed together, quite potent yet behaving as well as she could manage.

'Was a bit of the plan.' Chrysalis chuckled, following.

'You evil temptress! If you wanted love from me, you could have just asked.' Dawn teased as they left the room, walking back to her own room.

'Where's the thrill of the hunt in that?' Chrysalis smirked back as she followed behind her.

'Oh, well in that case, I guess I should hold back, since you're my mom n all.' Dawn played along.

'I don't recall saying that.' Chrysalis blinked, surprised at the change.

'No, no, you're quite right mom, I really should keep you at a respectful but platonic distance.' Dawn said teasingly, trying her best to have her mother believe it by thinking of her as her own birth mother that shouldn’t be played around with, but in the end, she couldn't hide her playful mood from them.

Chrysalis looked at her wide eyed for a few moments, sensing only that initial connection with her daughter. She blinked and as the deception failed, she began to smirk as Glory and chuckled in the link. 'Seems you really are my daughter.'

'What did you expect?' Dawn asked, still trying to play that game with her mentally as they walked along, passing by Sgt Stem, who stayed by the window observing the outside. 'I can't just be put into a birthing cocoon and just not be like a changeling. Especially when it's second nature to me and I have a mother who actually encourages it in me, unlike my previous mother.'

Chrysalis mentally hugged her.

Dawn laughed in the link, 'You won't take my love that way mom, going to have to try a lot harder than that!'

'Oh don't worry I will.' Chrysalis said as they walked past the room Twilight and Lapdog was in.

Dawn blinked as they walked past and that knowledge triggered, 'Wait, wasn't that my room? Why are we going past it?'

'Twilight and Lapdog moved rooms as you had said you were going to move to your room during your false labor.' She said as they neared Dawn's room.

'Ah. I thought they were staying in mine, so when we passed them, I got worried.' Dawn blushed lightly as she opened up her door and went inside, sighing contentedly at the space.

Dawn and Chrysalis went into her room, and Chrysalis surprised Dawn with a demonstration of her human form and several things she enjoyed while in that form. She enjoyed the reminiscing as well as the fun they shared, pouring love into her mother as she smiled appreciatively.

"I can't wait for my foals to meet you…"

Chrysalis smiled and nuzzled the top of her head. Dawn sniffed, tearing up a little as the emotions pushed forward again almost to the point of being overwhelming as she laid there with her mother. "I want to be back at the hive, the idea of giving birth here is a bit frightening."

"We will be there in two days my daughter." She said soothingly as she led her and then began to gently sing.

"We?" Dawn asked, "You mean, you're not going with Twilight to Manehattan?"

"And miss my grand foals be born!? Perish the thought." Chrysalis said seriously.

Dawn hugged tight, radiating love to her mother, "Thank you... It's more than I ever expected to have... thank you."

"For what?" She asked blinking confused at what she was being thanked for.

"For being a good mother to me, when I had given up having one long ago." She said, keeping close. A flashback surged to the front of her mind, the memories of her mother telling her on a phone 'Honey, I will let you visit, maybe even share a meal, but you will never sleep in my home again', followed by the bitingly cold winter she had shared previously. Her mind seemed to be running through all her paints as she found mistake after mistake after mistake her parents had done.

Chrysalis hugged her daughter tightly, sharing in the memories of their hardships and reminding her she is never alone.

Dawn took a deep breath or two, trying to calm herself as she said, "I don't know, it's hard to explain... sorry."

Chrysalis just held her and stroked her mane comfortingly.

Dawn stayed close-by and then chuckled, "Well, I'm sure you’re just as curious if my foals connect to the hive or not, huh?"

"Ehhh, … partly."

"Any other hopes for my foals as it pertains to the hive?" Dawn chuckled, smiling up at her as she continued that distraction from her memory.

"Healthy and strong, like their mother and sire." Chrysalis said readily.

"Oh? What would you say that Stalwart's prowess brings to the hive?"

"He is strong, and a skilled fighter."

"Oh? What fighting has he had to do that lets you know this?" Dawn asked, chuckling.

"Your memories."

"Well, I mean, I know what his fighting was like when I first came to Equestria, and he adapted well, but... yeah, he'd make a good soldier, especially if Twilight had him trained for the EDF." Dawn admitted.

Chrysalis nodded.

Dawn sighed contentedly and remembered her need to instruct the changelings about her room and how to structure it, "So the hive has no idea how to handle a live birth it seemed like."

"Oh we do, many have posed as midwives and doctors or nurses to feed off mothers who gave birth, but never a changeling giving one, so it is… off putting."

"Well, this changeling is still going to, and if the foals have their mother's shapeshifting, that could complicate it really fast. You say I am fully in control of my body, but I haven't been able to control it with these false labor things... you sure on that?" She asked, growing nervous.

"As sure as I can be, but pain does make it hard to control. You are young so you might not have the same level of control, maybe that of a young nymph who just grew their chitin."

"Oh boy..." Dawn said, tensing with worry. "Might want to get some inhibitor rings like Twilight then, just in case."

She genuinely didn't want to use them, and was conscious of her power's use, but still wasn't going to take any risks.

"They will be ready, simply because you are an alicorn."

"Is that so?" Dawn chuckled nervously, feeling bad that they felt the need, but not blaming them either.

"You have a lot of power, and labor can cause your emotions and magic to run wild. It's a safety thing." She said stroking her mane. "It’s used on unicorns as well."

Dawn nodded, taking a breath and letting it out slow. "As long as my foals are happy... I want to do for them what my parents failed to do... Though you have to admit, they're going to have a really good start to life if their mother is a princess and Legate, and their grandmother is a Queen, eh?"

"Grandmother who commands The Swarm and has an aunt who is a princess, a powerful magic user and commands a vast powerful army." She chuckled.

"So, gotta watch for them being adventurous as well as spoiled, got it." Dawn joked back.

"Well,” Chrysalis chuckled, “me and Twilight have gone on quite a lot of adventures in our time."

"Interesting..." she said as she thought about her foals and if she should come up with names for them, or go with the tradition of waiting for them to be born to find a name based on their appearance. She knew her husband would want to take part in it as well.

"Me and Twilight picked a name before Violet was born, but when she was, we found it didn't fit her."

"Oh?"

"Yes. We had decided on Sparkling Star but it didn't fit her."

"Hm... maybe I should wait until they're born to figure out what they are like then."

"As well as talk to your husband."

"Yeah..." She said quietly, sighing as she nestled into a more comfortable space, "Has he been told about my lovely labor false alarms?"

"Yes"

Dawn winced, "How did he take it?"

"Concerned, but was informed when they weren't the real deal. I keep him up to date through Tere."

"I see..." She said, contacting him with magic directly, only to realize he was sleeping and let him be. "I suspect he'll want to be present too."

"If he didn't, I'd be concerned."

"Yeah. He's a good pony." She chuckled, "Strong, reliable, and one really good fucker." She couldn't help but smirk and add, "In both senses of the word."

Chrysalis chuckled.

"I should lend him to you, he's got stamina to last." She chuckled and then sighed. "I want to have him by my side though. I miss Violet too."

She heard an echo from Tere that seemed to sound like 'And Nymph...'

Dawn gasped and once again remembered Nymph with wide eyes, "That's right, I also have to get Nymph cared for as well!"

She chuckled and nuzzle her daughter.

Dawn nuzzled back, kissing Chryssy's neck and said, "What, can you blame me? I have the same instincts you do about her now, and I get why you were concerned... "

"It's why I had so many issues. It was like earth ponies trying to raise a griffin when not knowing anything about them except some very basic info." Chrysalis agreed.

"Yeah... I will recover her from the guild if I can. It is my right, privilege, and responsibility." Dawn relayed, feeling like she would not miss her chance to care for them now that it has come to her.

Dawn checked to see if Nymph was still in the hive or the tree home, but could not find her there. A drone soon reported upon her inquiry, 'We have made a surface home for the odd one. She did not wish to be in the hive without you.'

'Let her know that I will be home soon, and would love to see her when I return. It would be best if you avoided mentioning me as a changeling if it upsets her like I suspect.'

'Yes legate.' The caretaker with Nymph replied.

"I do not doubt you will." Chrysalis said about Dawn’s recovery of the drone.

"The only resistance I expect to have is from Night... that's going to be a showdown worth seeing."

"I'll bring the popcorn." Chrysalis grinned.

"Make mine with extra butter or cheddar." Dawn commented.

Chrysalis nodded.

"I wonder if she'll send her badge back to the wolves or keep it for memory's sake. It still has benefits in this world, like tolerance as her changeling self out and about or an emergency beacon if broken. I think I'll assign Nymph to being a babysitter for my foals due to her accelerated growth unless something better comes along, it'd be too rough on her to make her a bodyguard just yet."

"That would do well, as she is still far too young to truly have a role as serious as a soldier, and her body most likely will have unknown issues from her forcing it to grow."

"Exactly. I mean, unless a cocoon helps to heal her, but she might not feel comfortable in it until a later point, and by then it'd be too late, if it isn't already." Dawn agreed.

"I am concerned by her inability to feed off other emotions or sense them...." Chrysalis commented.

"She could have been damaged by Svikopi. She was told to feed on his magic, and to top it off, from what little I've heard, she's not gotten a great deal of love, mostly tolerance and expectation. Nightfall said something at one point that he wanted to feed her, but out of concern it would drain him too much, would only feed her until he was affected. Perhaps she will do better if there is a much more caring source. Otherwise, it won't bother Stalwart and I, it's just one more mouth to feed... but again, only way I might see her healed is by cocoon."

"We will of course help." She said. "No changeling is ever alone."

"We are never alone… not anymore at least." Dawn said, squeezing into Chryssy with contentment.

Chrysalis smiled and hugged back.

Dawn sighed, not sure what to do, and then pulled out her fantasy book to read and entertain herself.

"So, tell me. What did you do to Lapdog exactly? Surely you didn't just share memories while in her head." She asked smirking, "Not with your accessing how to set up triggers"

"No, of course not. I instilled only one trigger, for her to feel and do exactly what a bearer of her owner's mark tells her to do. It's a bit on the weak side, but with repeated sessions, it will be much stronger. You can't make her go from 0 to 60 for example, but she'll work herself up to that as a part of that command, including some more... sensual ones." Dawn chuckled before continuing, "As far as what I did to Lapdog... I shared memories with her, groomed her gently, rained all sorts of sensual teasing while instructing her she couldn't find release, or move toward it on her own, and let Twilight do the rest. She's got such a strong sex drive, and an amazing tongue."

"Who? Twilight or Lapdog?" She asked getting some parchment and ink. "And explain what you mean by session, and what you did to install it as Twilight will want to know so she can further it."

"Lapdog will obey commands given to her by those wearing Twilight's mark. She will do them to the best of her ability, and feel pleasure or happiness doing so." Dawn explained, "As far as the session, I only spent about an hour instilling that into her and her trigger to feel the full effects is hearing Twilight tell her 'Pet, listen', and her finishing trigger is the clapping of twilight's hooves. All she has to do is speak calmly to her and repeat those triggers and how enjoyable it is to listen."

The queen wrote it all down so Twilight could continue the conditioning and know what it was and how it worked before she teleported it to Twilight.

Dawn chuckled, "Couldn't wait for Lapdog to be kept in her place, hm?"

"Well, you and I won't be with her for a while so you won't be able to continue it."

"True, though teleporting it immediately?" Dawn chuckled again, "Someone's eager. Is it perhaps that you really do not like someone behaving like she did?"

"Yes, and the fact Twilight probably isn't aware you set up such things and would like to know that as soon as possible."

"I... did forget to tell her didn't I?" Dawn said, feeling embarrassment at the oversight.

"It's alright you are still new to being a trainer.” Chrysalis smiled, patting her head.

"I will do better, though I think I did moderately well, since some take years to learn what I taught."

"Yes, you did. I am sure Twilight is pleased and will overlook the oversight this time."

"Good. She praised me so highly, I can't bear to lose that view in her eyes.” Dawn said with some exaggeration.

"A minor mistake for a new position is not something she will hold against you unless it becomes a habit."

"Good, then I will learn from it and become better."

Chrysalis nodded, and Dawn leaned against her, both noting how it was midafternoon.

Author's Notes:

A nice little moment between Mother and Daughter

also their are two descriotions of Chrysalis' clothing that are inspired by two pictures.

First description:
Artist: Zantyars

Second:
Artist: ta-na

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