Svikopi arrived in Vanhoover a few days later after his encounter with Flare. He had taken a train and planned obsessively over what he would do before he calmed himself, realizing it was too early with too many unknowns to factor in yet.

He walked along the city and once out of sight, cast his magic and walked along the forest. He did what he could to keep his trail small and his sounds mitigated but was not hiding his approach. He could pretend to a passerby that he had gone hiking and got lost after all.

He intended to wait until he was just in visible range of the hive, change his disguise from simple brown librarian to that of a changeling, and would walk in. It was a simple plan, but simple plans were often the best plans. There wouldn't be much energy spent, and they would be none the wiser, especially if he could convince her to come with him.

Svik frowned as he approached the edge of the forest only to find a town that wasn’t on the maps or where he had seen them. It was eerily close to the changeling hive as well. He couldn’t mask his approach as easily now, but that made things easier. He could scout the place, find a building that was abandoned if need be and review his options for retrieving his prize.

He approached the town casually, not speaking up much as he walked along, nodding to others in small greeting as he continued making his way to the hive while studying the ponies and buildings for any clue of what the best course of action would be.

Svik noticed the firearms some guards carried and frowned, having observed those machines before. Ugly things, but very efficient. He would do best to stay away from having those pointed in his direction, lest he have to use magic to subdue them, and there were too many ponies to attempt escape from.

He noticed the construction of other buildings as he continued traveling to the hive, eyeing the BCD pony in the strange yellow suit very briefly and attempted to act like the others did, giving them a wide berth. He did his best to blend in and found himself curious about what he would see next.

After passing several residents of this town, including a batpony and a few odder or darker colored ponies that he made a mental note to experiment on later, he found that ponies were gathering around a small stage-like place that might be their equivalent of the town square. He noted the four ponies setting up instruments and stayed briefly to notice the batpony joined a few others, appearing to be a family, and noted this for his experiment options later.

After spending a proper few minutes listening, he moved on. His science was waiting for him, and he knew that the changeling magic secrets were close to his grasp. He could have these other projects later after all.

He left as he heard the band introducing themselves as “Princewhatevrr” and the free event was to celebrate everyone being reunited. Their music carried far longer and louder than Svik expected at first, but he walked on. More mysteries to experiment on at a later time.

Eventually, he found what he was looking for, a hill outside of town with a few trees planted on it at the edge of the forest. He began using magic to scan for any ponies there as well as on the way, caution hitting his senses.

He was surprised to see that in between the town and the hill, several ponies were playing some kind of ball game, all kinds of tribes being present, yet when he focused on the hive itself, he could not see into it.

He ran another spell to check for changeling magic and noted how all eight of the playing ponies had traces of changeling magic in them, but only traces. He frowned, thinking about how he wanted to proceed. As far as he could tell, they weren’t changelings, but they were far too comfortable being close to a hive to not be.

In the end, he decided he would push forward, but it was dangerous to continue with anything but get in, get his prize, and get out. He decided he would attempt an invisibility spell, another one for masking emotions just in case. Once inside and out of sight, he would modify his scrying spell again, and if that didn’t let him scout the place, he would leave and plan his next move.

He was about to cast the spell when the ball thrown by the playing group was missed and bounced a long way toward him as a stallion galloped over to get it.

"Oh, hey! Didn't realize we had an audience," he said in a Trottingham accent, "or maybe you were you wanting to join Mr.…"

"Quill, Brown Quill." he said, thinking quickly, "And no, I was just taking a break from my walk is all."

"Ah, I see. Well if you wish to join, just let us know." The unicorn said, picking up the ball and throwing it back, informing the hive of an unidentified pony at the entrance. The drones in town instantly knew at the same time, the hive was being very attentive to who was from the town and who wasn’t… they knew this pony definitely wasn’t.

Svik watched and reconsidered. He could use his information on the personality of the green alicorn, and her coincidental name, to seek an audience with her, but it posed some risk. He would need her to move out of the hive for the plan to be fully effective, but he had other disguises he could use certainly…

Dawn laid with her young foals as her body healed, resting peacefully and communing with various hive members in the link when the alarm was given.

Dawn's nesting instincts came into full swing as she received the alert of an intruder and sought to calm herself by bouncing plan ideas off of her mother.

'They could be nothing or could be our spy. I'm not about to ask any chances taken. If they ask for me specifically, no one should know that I'm in this town or hive, since we didn't tell anyone. We can tell them I'm present, and lure them into a central passage, not too much room for running or magic trickery, but not too much bottlenecking. If they try to sneak past, we let them. The same thing then, guide them by patrols into the area and pounce. If they're not though… How can I be sure if they're an enemy?'

'We capture them either way. If they are not an enemy, we let them go. If they are, we have them.' The Queen said, already considering Dawn's ideas and trimming excess from them. 'If they know you are here, there is a high chance they are an enemy. Though Stem sent word of our location, the Princesses can contact you easily. We drawn them in and then cut off all exits behind them'

Dawn nodded in the link, not wanting to alarm her husband or her foals, the two foals feeding greedily. 'I think I should take a backseat to this. Show me how it is done my queen, I will learn from your plans. Maybe I can spot weaknesses and force you to adapt later when there is no enemy.' she grinned

'As you should, my Legate.' The Queen said with a small smile.

A drone readied themselves to take Dawn's place at this meeting while several more guards moved stealthily into the corridor outside her room.

Svik watched the group playing for a while longer, then decided it would be wisest to take the alibi approach. He did have magical power, but not nearly the endurance needed to maintain the pair of spells and deal with any sudden moves by the alicorn if things went wrong. It was his biggest complaint, and one he sought to make up for with constant use like in his youth. He slowly approached the stallion he talked to before.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I did have a favor to ask. Do you have a minute?"

"Huh? Yes, Mr. … Quill, right?" the stallion said, tossing the ball to one of the others before approaching.

"Right, I… truth be told, I'm here to see the princess of hope. I heard she lived somewhere in the area, and I have a friend that's not been doing well." He said, thinking of Meadow. A partial truth always was better than a lie, few saw through those around him. "I thought I could get some advice if she was available."

"Hmm, let's see..." the stallion said, scratching the back of his head as if thinking while he sent his interaction to the Legate and Queen for orders.

'I can instruct a decoy accurately if you're willing mom, as long as you let me know where you need me to go.' Dawn volunteered.

'We really should set up a decoy house nearby.' The Queen thought. ‘For now, we lead them into the hive.'

The stallion looked at one of his buddies. "Hey Cloudy! You know where the Princess of Hope lives?"

The pegasus mare stopped her stunt with the ball and thought for a moment. "Think I saw her going to check out some of the caves in the area." She said. "Rumor has it she is a bit interested in that stuff...what's it called?"

"Geology?" Another pony said.

"Yeah, that. Ground science stuff." The mare said.

The Trottingham stallion nodded. "Well, if that's true I suppose I could show you where they are." He said friendlily.

Svik smiled inwardly and nodded, "Thank you, I hope I don't slow you down too much. Please, lead on my friend."

"Name’s Sparkshot." The unicorn nodded as he started to walk off towards the hill.

"Well met Sparkshot. What do you do for a living?" Svik asked, walking slightly behind and at his side as he continued his charade, keenly watching for signs of the mare.

"Work installing those wires for electricity that are starting to become popular. Think they are thinking of calling the job electrician or something like that." He said as they walked. "And you, Quill?"

"Oh nothing really, just a bit of a chronicler for a small journal set. Nothing grand. I dabble in magic now and then, but I leave it to the real unicorns." He said, accenting real a little more heavily while continuing his own slightly British intellectual elite accent.

"Hey, somepony's got to do it eh?" Sparkshot nodded.

"Yes, but the same could be said of you Spark. Is it dangerous?"

"Very. A lot of issues with the lines having power in them, even if switched off. Heard about a stallion who ended up in the hospital when he hooked up some Noble’s house to the main line. The insulation around the wires wasn't done right where it was made, so the electricity went through it and into him."

"I am sorry for your loss my friend. You are braver than I." Svik consoled, shaking his head.

"Eh, he lived, though was bedridden for a couple of months." He said as they reached a natural cave entrance. "Ah! Here we are, want me to come with?"

"No thank you, I will manage." He said, "Do you know where she is down there?"

"Not sure. Pretty sure if she was cave exploring, she'd have left markers in case she got lost." He said scratching his chin. "Well, I'll keep an eye out for you okay? If I don't see you after a while, me and the lads will come looking in case you got lost or something."

"I'll do the same for you one day then, friend," Svik said before he started a light spell from his horn, and then walked in, leading the way slowly.

The stallion stayed there till the pony was far in, then began heading back to join the others as the hive was aware they had a new ‘guest.’

A way into the cave, he found a chalk marking on the cave wall. He smiled slightly and moved slowly, marking the repeated chalk marks every few meters and turned into arrows. Eventually, he could hear talking ahead.

"Look at this, this is a fine sample," a mare said and there was a bit of light around a corner.

Svik smiled, approaching her with comfort. It was all too easy, perfect for his continued research.

"Hello? Princess?"

Dawn was standing near a wall, using a small pick to get samples out of the wall, wearing a spelunking helmet. An earth pony mare in a similar helmet was with her and a lantern rested by them both, well lit and clear. Both wore saddle bags and looked at him when she spoke the lights on the helmets hitting him in the eyes.

Svik blinked, raising a hoof to block the light, "Princess? I'm sorry to interrupt, I just had a favor to ask."

"Oh! Sorry!" She apologized, quickly moving the light to point down at the floor while her companion did the same. Her horn glowed as she went to check him over. "Are you alright? I am so, so sorry!"

Svik rubbed his eye with a hoof before nodding, "I'm fine, really."

"Are you sure?" She asked worriedly

"Yes, I'm fine." he said, eyes readjusting, "I'm sorry to interrupt you but I had a favor to ask."

"What was it?" She asked blinking in surprise.

"I have this friend, and they're not doing well." He said, repeating his lie about Meadow, "They've been really moody, saying no one is there for them, a real mess."

Dawn blinked, still surprised that someone came to her like this. "Oh! Um, well … uh, what's been going on to cause them to feel this way?"

"It's a long story." He said, "One that I believe you might be familiar with."

His horn glowed and he cast a sleeping spell on them both as he played out his simple approach.

"Huh?" She barely managed to say before dropping like a stone.

The Link filled with alarms at the perceived attack.

A moment later, both ends of the tunnel were filled with a green shield. A second later in flashes of green flames, the walls and ceiling were covered in black chitin. Then dozens of blue eyes were looking at him as the tunnel was filled with hissing.

The drones did not give him any time, all of whom lunging at him, wings buzzing and horns glowing.

Svik frowned, but prepared his spells, creating a low power, more precise laser from his horn to conserve his energy for his escape. He aiming it at the closest changeling, intent on getting their wing in the process. He inwardly cursed as his casting revealed that something was preventing his magics from being more effective and wondered if he should risk a teleport.

All of the changelings fired spells at once at him. Three of the changelings quickly jumped onto his back as the spells were flung.

Svik flung himself to the side, hitting the wall before getting pinned by the three changelings that dove. He used magic to lift one attacker and fling them away, but then laid still when they realized there was little they could do to stop them all. His teleport spell refused to complete.

He had walked right into the middle of the swarm and sprung their trap.

Svik conserved his strength, watching for a chance to escape with what magic he had left. His illusion wasn't gone yet, and they would be easy enough to sneak past, once he recovered and with a bit of invisibility.

He was dogpiled upon while some sort of goo was spat onto his horn. In mere seconds, the same goo was spat onto all four hooves and was cementing him to the ground while interfering with his magic.

They then backed away from him, standing on all sides of the cave with blue unblinking eyes constantly staring at him.

Svik looked at them, intrigued with a small bit of fear. He was not concerned for his life by their behavior, and with them not seeking to take his life, he must exercise patience once more to escape. His passion may have clouded his actions before, but this will not be his end, he was certain of it.

'Well then, I think it is safe to say he is an enemy. Xeni and Fril will be out for a few hours.' the Queen commented to Dawn as she watched the prisoner through the 40 soldiers that surrounded him.

'That he is. I recommend we get an inhibitor ring, possibly two, on him and figure out what he was after.' Dawn suggested.

Svik was looking at the drones, slightly unsettled from instinct, but made sure to take this time to study their physiology close up.

The drones were all the same build, strong enough to do the job but not so much to have muscle get in the way. Their bodies were covered in thick chitin and their eyes were solid blue that almost seemed to glow in the dim light. They still seemed to have their characteristic holes in their legs, though he was mildly amused at their walking on walls or ceilings as if they were the ground. After a moment he simply yawned and closed his eyes to rest, acting like they were not any threat.

'True. We will also keep the material on his horn since it blocks magic as well, but never hurts to stack the deck.' The Queen said. 'And he seemed to have been after you, why I do not know.'

'Another drone could substitute for me like before and relay what I would do if I were there. Ever so slightly risky, if he is playing at being weakened, but worth a try if a drone is willing or able.' Dawn suggested.

She heard a dozen volunteers from among the Soldier class of drones chime in their willingness to assist their Legate.

'Dawn,’ the queen chuckled, ‘you should know by now the Hive is always willing and able to do whatever you desire.'

Dawn chuckled in reply, 'I am unused to command, but thank you, all of you.' She said, selecting one drone to act as a proxy on her behalf. Once the drone donned the disguise out of sight of Svik, her facsimile stepped into view, replicating her voice just like the last drone.

"So, you wished to see the princess, did you?" She asked, "Here I am. Why did you use a spell to knock out the changeling version of me?"

Svik looked at his prey, eyeing her carefully while fully aware that all the drones were watching him carefully in turn.

"How do I know that you are really her and not another drone pretending to be her?"

"Well, considering you're in a hive of changelings, that's going to be quite difficult to prove." she shrugged. "I can’t prove it to you at this point in any case. Now, what did you want out of me? I was nearby when you spoke up earlier, was what you said about a friend a lie?"

"It was no lie, but not my only reason for coming. I seek information and mastery of magic." He replied, feeling his magical strength weaken as his reserves for the disguise start to waiver. He did his best to hold up his neutral pose as he attempted to alter his spell’s inner workings and strength it.

"And why would I matter for that?"

"Because I want to know how it is that you know changeling magic."

Dawn had the drone stay quiet, contemplative, before answering, "And what were you going to use that knowledge for?"

"Justice." He said, using a half-truth once again.

"I don't see how it relates to Justice-" She paused as she saw the disguise fade away and the unicorn version of herself in front of the drone. She quickly felt enraged and let the drone reflect the figurative fire in her eyes as she continued in a cold dangerous tone, "you just want revenge for being stuck in the void, isn't that right copy?"

"Oh no, I've already had my revenge once." Svik shrugged, pretending he was dealing with something else.

"Bullshit." Dawn's drone said, "I know you well Svik, and in this reality, you failed, badly. You are to be my prisoner with your magic cut off until such time as I see fit unless you give us something we want in recompense for the damage you've caused. Drones, arrest this pony."

They moved and were on him in a second, fully binding him to where he couldn't even move. Only his face remained uncovered so he could breathe and see while five rings were placed on his horn as well as the goo. They took no chances since the princess herself needed five to be subdued during her pregnancy.

Dawn could feel the cold rage in the Queen at seeing an image of her daughter controlled like a puppet. She hated the idea even more that someone would be willing to control another being in this way. She would never tolerate such things.

"Svik, you have made the hive very angry." She said through the drone, trying to keep calm as she thanked him for his performance on her behalf. "You will start telling us the truth. What is the real reason you wanted changeling magic?"

"None of your business." He said, speaking as if he were talking down to them as a teacher who is held hostage by children.

"It is our business," Dawn said. "Changeling magic is for the changelings only."

"Nonsense." He replied, "I am a master of all magic, and I will master changeling magic so that all may use it."

"Don’t make me laugh. You were selfish, we know what happened in this world’s version of events. You promised me the world and that you needed nothing, then when you turned to Nightfall when I wouldn’t give in to you. You had him daring doo'ing across the country to steal power from artifacts you made until you could take him over and made sure you didn’t help him return and lorded the wording over him. You were defeated with the elements of harmony, and were screaming about revenge."

"I've already had my revenge." He said calmly, "I defeated the sisters who apprenticed under Starswirl, then had them construct my research tower, able to do what I pleased in the pursuit of magical knowledge."

'He is somehow more unpleasant in person than he was in your memories' the Queen commented. 'And clearly doesn't understand changelings in the slightest.'

'What's worse is this would make Twilight livid, considering it sounds like he wants knowledge for the pursuit of knowledge, even if he truly doesn't have a goal for the use of the knowledge.' Dawn said, trying to keep calm. ‘Besides, he’s an alternate universe one, perhaps he really is more unpleasant.’

"Your crimes go far deeper than overthrowing the princesses. Rulers rise and fall all the time, as I’m sure even I will." Dawn said, feeling slightly guilty for the admission, knowing it still applied to Celestia and Luna as well. "You will be left our prisoner for two days with only water to drink while you consider what information you will share with us. You will be under guard, and you will inform us of exactly what you will be willing to do to gain our favor. That is all."

Dawn’s drone turned away to go out of sight while mentally patting the drones involved on the back and head for a job well done.

They were all very happy to have served. Svik was lifted from the ground easily and moved toward a holding area out of the way, but deep within the Hive as the Queen are assigned a dozen skilled soldiers to guard him. Threats of this nature required strict security.

'If he was back home, he'd easily be sent to Irongate Prison Compound.' The Queen said. 'Remind me to show you there next time you visit'

'Perhaps.' Dawn said, 'Though now we need to research if it's possible to put Meadow back into her body, assuming she hasn't been integrated with Twilight too long or the like.'

'That is the question. This is all new territory.' The queen agreed before commenting. 'Also, I am proud for how you handled him concerning the Princesses.'

'Why's that?'

'Because many refuse to admit that no matter how great their leaders are, they can fall just like any other, and entire nations can be burned away.'

'None of us are perfect, even if they have had over a millennia of rulership, that can potentially keep things stagnant as they think they’ve found perfect or good enough solutions to most problems over time.' She said, 'It's only logical.'

'And many refuse to see that. Flare ironically despite his methods is one to see it, and is willing to take matters into his own hooves to accomplish his view of needed progress.'

'I'd almost want to see a compromise happen, but I suspect that's been attempted before or out of the question based on a few things I've learned so far...' Dawn said, then chuckled, 'Guess it's quite changeling of me to expect that leaders falling and rising is only natural… even if Celestia and Luna were quite kind to me, we all would fall eventually. I don't mind them not being rulers, though I don't want to see them dead to make it happen. They were like a second mother figure for a little while, or a big sister in Luna's case.'

'Neither do I. But I am prepared for their ends, no matter what it may be. It may be a slow quiet affair, a reshuffling of power, or it may be in a war that destroyed empires. It may be as simple as choking on a bite of food. It matters not to time. All things will be changed by its sands.'

'Including us.’ Dawn agreed. ‘For now, I will enjoy what things I can while they are around, including my children… How long until I can safely get up or move, healer?''

'A bit of walking around is fine,’ the lead healer instructed, ‘but no long walks through the Hive. Your room is fine.'

'Yes, healer.' Dawn replied before sighing.

"What's wrong Dawn? Want to have something to eat or drink?" Stalwart asked.

"No dear, I'm fine. We just found a spy in the hive and now have him under lock and key."

"What?" Stalwart looked at her in surprise.

"Worse yet, It was Svik… the one that was successful."

Stalwart gritted his teeth and grew rigid where he stood, "I should pay him a visit."

'Hmm. Not sure if that’s a good idea or… well, he was turned into a timber wolf by this one. Hmm, I shall leave it to you Daughter.'

'I'll wait till he has a more level head.' Dawn replied. "You will not, not yet. We don't need you damaging Meadow's body, provided you actually could raise a hoof to a pony who looks exactly like me…"

"Y… you're right. I couldn't." Stalwart said after her words sunk in and he realized what he was about to do. He shook his head and resumed sitting down on the chair near the bed where she laid.

Dawn felt the queen add what she called "brownie points" to Stalwart column for that last bit and she chuckled, 'I may doubt if he's quite the strongest or the most capable possible, but he's definitely strong in character and moral fiber.'
"And that's why you're staying here my husband." She said out loud to him, kissing him on the ankle of the hoof she held to herself. "Because you have me and our foals to be with, and the hive will be here for us too."

'Physical strength, while nice, is not the only strength'

'Very true… just as magical strength isn't the only one.' Dawn smiled.

"You rest hun, I'll watch over you and our foals." Stalwart answered as he nuzzled their heads gently with his muzzle before teasing, "A pegasus and a unicorn... Couldn't have stuck to just earth ponies could you?"

'Could have been changelings. Now I'd want a picture of his face if they were.' Chrysalis said with a mischevious smile

The unicorn colt’s forehead flashed a green flame color and his unicorn horn was gone. Dawn blinked and watched as her foal yawned and two sharp teeth were visible in the gumline that was not present before.

Stalwart looked at the babe, eyes wide in surprise and confusion, along with furrowed brows before turning back to his wife and said, "That's ok, Unicorn is just fine."

The foal seemed to smile slightly at whatever dream it had, horn returning and teeth disappearing with another small spurt of green fire.

'Well, you have the picture now.' Dawn chuckled, trying to capture what she saw in her memory.

'Yes, but no camera, so no picture. While memory is nice, I can't show Twilight that.'

'We need to work on that, or see if she'd be open to forging a link with a spell like mine so you can.'

'She isn’t. She has made it very clear under no uncertain terms is anyone allowed in her head in any form.' She said, disappointed she missed Stalwart reacting and actually considering wiping his memory of it so she could be ready with a camera.

'You know, I know there’s a spell that makes music play from memory, I enjoy it often. What if there’s a simple variant that uses the horn as a projector or slideshow? That would show her and a picture could be made from that. My memory is poor, but you, my living computer mother had seen it too…' she teased, hoping it was a good idea.

'I suppose, but not really the same as having a physical copy you can have and look at any point without needing magic or someone else.'

'True… just trying to help mom.' She said before stretching on the bed and settling back down.

'I know little one. This is sadly not something that can be helped without wiping his memory.' Chrysalis sighed.

'Well, maybe just one little wipe. The hard part is catching the foals shifting again and him seeing. I'm surprised they shift at all.'

'I can have cameras in place easily enough if you don't mind being watched.'

'I'm already watched.' Dawn teased. ‘I really don’t want this kind of magic used for ethics, but for something like this, I believe he’d understand and volunteer for it.’

She chuckled and in a moment, there were several flashes in the room as hidden cameras were placed and the queen cast a spell to remove the very small moment in time from Stalwart. Luckily, it was short-term memory and only 2 seconds long each, so it was easy.

Dawn smiled softly and hugged her husband’s hoof as she knew what was going on, and now it was only a matter of time before that would happen again.

'So how are you?' Chrysalis asked, concerned for her wellbeing due to who they had captured.

'Content. Our foe and counterpart has been captured, my foals are healthy, and my mate at my side, not to mention an attentive mother and protective hive. What more could I want?' She smiled.

The Queen was happy to hear this. 'I was concerned as I know your history with this Svikopi.'

'My history is with another Svik, though this one is similar. He doesn’t seem to be as good or cautious with his words as mine. Either that or he grew lax after his victory. There’s plenty of possibilities. My anger with him will return, but it does me no good to be upset if I cannot direct that anger productively.'

'Very wise of you. Yes, he does seem to think of us as inferior and not a threat. I do so love that type.'

'We will show him he is quite wrong.' Dawn smirked, 'What does my dear mother have planned for this… character?'

'Oh, I'm thinking some lovely mind games. I'm sure he made the guards outside, so a fake rescue is out of the question… Hmm… There is always locking him within his own mind and controlling what he sees.'

'I want to see what he will offer for his life or freedom at least. I don’t mind following through with some offers, provided I clarify you and Twilight approve, Meadow getting first say. Is it possible to use the same thing that put Starlight into an egg to put Svik in an object and put Meadow back?'

'No, unfortunately, that was very difficult to do and was moving one life into something that had none but could host it. I have no clue how to do it to anything else and it would be extremely risky to do so again.'

'I’m sure we don’t want to risk it, though Starlight will be very appreciative of the chance to live a life of their own again… Seriously, thank you.'

'You do not need to thank me, my daughter.'

'I choose to, mother, because you are deserving of our thanks.' Dawn said, trying to send all of the love she could feel to her, only to have her foals start to whimper in their sleep.

The queen was pleased and returned hers in kind while Dawn started to nuzzle her foals again, and Stalwart leaned in to do the same.

"Healthy foals,” Stalwart said quietly with a soft smile as the foals settled back down, “I need to tell my parents they're grandparents."

"And have them come to the hive where your father would likely be ready to fight any and all of the changelings?" Dawn asked with a smile.

"Good point, but I should tell them anyway. It’s just an hour's trot." He chuckled, ruffling Dawn's mane, "think you can manage without me?"

"We are never alone. Go hun, I'll rest with them and learn about rearing foals while you're gone."

Tere entered the room and nodded to Stalwart

Stalwart looked up to see his friend, "Tere! Welcome back! Have you seen our foals? Come, you must see them."

Tere nodded, smiling as he approached. "I figured I'd stick around here while you are away with the prisoner we caught being here."

Stalwart nodded, "I'd be glad to see you here in my place while I give them the news."

"Gonna take a picture to share of them Stalwart?" Dawn reminded.

'I am curious when I get to meet them. I am curious about the parents of the stallion who makes you happy.' The queen said while Tere nodded and moved to take a seat on the couch.

"Oh! Of course!" He said, looking around for a camera, not knowing where one was.

"When you go, Mind bringing Chryssy along?" Dawn asked, "She's quite curious about your parents."

"Oh? Why's that?"

Dawn felt Chrysalis facehoof as Tere’s laughter spread through the room.

"Because you make me happy, and she wants to meet your parents and get to know them because of how you make me feel." Dawn said, mentally adding, 'and that definitely has nothing to do with feeding the hive on our emotions... can you imagine his face if I added that?'

"Well, I suppose so. Why not?"

'Plus, I also want to see their faces when they know who his mother in law is.' Chrysalis added with clear delight, 'and you are more for emergency food Dawn, not direct food.'

'I know mom.' Dawn smiled back affectionately. 'Just remember that they know I didn't have a mother or father who accepted me before, so that'd need explaining. Oh, and would you take a picture of the foals and I? Stalwart is still looking for the camera.'

'Yes.' Chrysalis said while Dawn sensed her approach. 'And I am sure adoption is a thing here. Even a world without violence can have accidents.'

'True, though it’s uncommon for adults to be adopted. Still, all the better to surprise them.' Dawn chuckled. "Mom is going with you Stalwart, to share the pictures."

Stalwart froze for three seconds as he heard the offer, worried about his parent’s reactions. "Is that a good idea?"

"And why wouldn't it be? Shouldn't your parent know about your wife?" Chrysalis asked, walking in. "Including who her parent is?"

"Well, I guess you have a point there." Stalwart said, stepping aside.

"Now then." Chrysalis nodded, picking Stalwart up and putting him in bed with Dawn and the foals with her magic as she took out a camera. "Everyone together with big smiles!"

Stalwart flailed in the air at first at being lifted off the ground, then let himself be laid down. He shifted to a comfortable position by Dawn, resting his head by hers for the picture.

The Queen smiled and held up the blocky camera. With a click and a flash, a picture was taken and the picture slowly ejected from the bottom of the machine while Stalwart hugged Dawn and then got down.

"So then, when do we leave and what can I expect besides your father attempting to play hero?" She asked happily.

Stalwart shrugged nervously, "We leave now, but for what to expect, I'm not sure."

'Stalwart's father, Stonewall, is second generation captain of the royal guard, the type of pony who is very structured, but dotes on his family every chance he gets.' Dawn said, 'he always calls the mom Trish, but her name is Trickshot. With how she seemed to understand some terms I've thrown out before, I wonder if she might've been human at some point, but she never talks about it. She never questioned my use of hands or feet for example.'

'That is an odd nickname for a pony, and that lends weight to your theory.' The queen said and then smiled at Stalwart. “Relax, I promise not to do anything bad and be on my best behavior. It will be amusing to see his reaction.’

"Well, don’t be surprised if he doesn't take it well." He said, shaking his head once before pausing again on his way out. "Tere… watch over her, will ya?"

Tere saluted like a guard as Chrysalis followed him out, becoming the curvy unicorn she often was.

"Don't worry, you can always punish me if I misbehave." She said teasingly.

Stalwart let out a weak chuckle, "Well, I'll keep it in mind."

'I do believe you've gotten him embarrassed! Wow, that’s a rare sight.' Dawn laughed in the link.

'That was the point. … Hmm, should I go for a theatrical reveal, be blunt about it, or hold off till some point?'

'Definitely theatrical. I'm not embarrassed about you or being a changeling with them, and perhaps if we leverage how the hive protected their son and daughter in law, they might be a bit more open to you. I leave the choice to you.'

'Hmm… alright.' Chrysalis accepted, thinking how best to introduce herself. Definitely needed lightning.

Stalwart waited for her, commenting, "Sorry, but I don’t know my way out. Mind leading the way at first?"

Chrysalis nodded and took the lead, hips swaying from her natural gait, causing Stalwart to blush and look away while he tried to follow.

‘Stalwart… don’t tell me you have a thing for mothers.’ Dawn said in a teasing tone in the link.

'I think he does, or he is a flank stallion....or both.' Chrysalis said amused. Twilight loved her hip sway and Chrysalis had started unconsciously doing all the time to make her happy.

'Both would be my guess.'

Stalwart followed, gradually calming as they moved onward. Once in the sunlight, he winced, blinking many times as his eyes struggled to adjust to the light.

"Sorry, the hive is dim since low light doesn't bother us, but it makes navigation by enemies difficult. … Though it does the same for friends, unfortunately."

"I'll live, and as long as I stay a friend, I'll bear with it. Let’s head over to Van Hoover. It'll be an hour of walking, but the weather is nice, definitely getting cooler." He commented, looking at the leaves. Some trees had an odd leaf or two that turned yellow, some already on the ground.

"Winter is coming." She said as she walked beside him.

"Autumn and the Thanksgiving time is my third favorite time of the year."

"And after autumn is winter," Chrysalis commented, "and I never understood that holiday."

"What, being grateful for what you have and being with family?" Stalwart asked, turning his head to her.

"Why do you need a day for that? Aren't ponies grateful all the time? Seems rather strange to only be grateful one day out of the year when at any moment your life may end."

"Because some take it for granted, and it reminds us to be grateful more often."

She just shrugged. "Fools then to need a reminder of such things."

"Well fine, you don’t have to be invited then." Stalwart said, feeling a bit offended at being called a fool for enjoying it.

"What a wrong?" Chrysalis blinked, confused.

"It’s … I mean," Stalwart started to say before he stopped talking briefly and sighed, "I just said that it’s my third favorite holiday, and it’s my parents' second favorite, behind Hearth's Warming Eve. To hear you call it something only fools need… I didn’t appreciate it."

"Well, sorry, but ponies shouldn't need a day to remind them to be grateful in a world where everything you have, even your life, can be taken in a moment without any warning."

Stalwart went quiet, though a feeling of frustration hung in the air as they passed by Dawn’s tree home.

'Guess I'm a fool too.' Dawn said quietly, curled around her foals.

'What? No, you're not.' She said. 'You are thankful every day for what you have. Why do you need a day just for it? How can you think that?'

'Because my thankfulness comes to the forefront on that day, and now that I have a family, first with Stalwart’s and now yours, it’s special to me.'

'Then you should know exactly why it's ridiculous to need a holiday to be thankful for what you have.' Chrysalis said in answer to the mention of her being family.

Dawn didn’t reply, but she still felt saddened by her words. She didn't know how to explain it, that it was a good reason to spend time with others, that it brought everyone together specifically to give thanks, the bonds and connections strengthening. All of it was wrapped in a feeling of attachment she couldn’t express.

The hive’s memories came to the forefront when she tried to figure out her feelings. She was reminded of their race, who had been shunned and hunted for centuries and brought to the edge of extinction numerous times only to claw their way back. They knew exactly how bad life could be, exactly how easy it can all come crashing down. They were as close to each other as possible and thankful for every single breath they got to take.

'Fine" Chrysalis said both in the link and out loud before turning and stalking back toward the hive as she shadowed herself from the link.

Dawn felt her mood shift with that reminder, feeling saddened that she was acting foolish just like they said. She went to give her apology, but noticed Chrysalis’ diminished presence and sighed in disappointment before returning to her foals and those in the link, sharing in that thankfulness and admitting her realization she had indeed been a fool.

The other drones were distant as well, but still open to speaking to her due to her title.

"Wait, where are you going?" Stalwart called out.

"Home!" She said, annoyed.

"After we came all the way here? What's wrong?" he asked, going out in front of her and blocking her path.

"Oh, all I have is my own daughter not even understand me at all and her husband radiating negative emotions towards me. Why on Equus would I bother staying around that!"

"I'm not radiating negative emotions!" he said, frowning at the accusation "We disagreed on one thing. We're adults and can move past that. What happened between you and Dawn?" he asked firmly, not wanting to let her go until she was understood and the issue sorted.

"Oh, we didn't just disagree. Your emotions aren't just from disagreement, they are another level. And even Dawn was the same and she knows us, is one of us… or I thought she was, but it's clear she doesn't understand us in the slightest."

"Seriously Chryssy?" Stalwart asked sternly, feeling slightly annoyed. "After everything we been through together, you're going to throw a tantrum and walk away? I had just figured out how to tell my parents about you and you're just going to give up at the first sign of trouble?" he asked, intending to get her riled up. His emotions had cleared, and all he had was frustration at her childish behavior coming through, along with some nervousness about taking her to his parents home. He fully intended to get her to come after she had said she would.

Chrysalis was mostly upset about Dawn, but her husband was being insistent and bore the brunt of her frustration. "Well sorry I am upset my daughter doesn't understand her family apparently. You're a pony. I don't care what you think as you aren't a changeling."

"You're right, as your son in law, clearly that doesn't matter whatsoever. As far as Dawn is concerned, she has always been open to being corrected. It hurts her to hurt others, and she actively works to fix it. I know, she's shared the feelings she gets when she fails, so I get it. As far as I'm concerned, you are going to talk to her and get to an understanding now. We did not just walk nearly the entire way to my parent's home just to let you turn back and run because of something she said or did." He said, standing his ground. "Talk to her."

"Who do you think you are to tell me what to do pony?" She growled

"An adult, your son-in-law, and someone who is standing up to a pony who can kick him to the curb but is helping you do the right thing," he said, not backing down. He was resolute and knew she would appreciate that trait. "What's it gonna be mom? I thought you had some grandfoals you wanted to show off."

She growled deep at him in response, "By the mothers, if I don't see what she sees in you as well…" She grumbled though she couldn't help having a small smile at her daughter’s chosen mate.

'Your annoying mate is pestering me to talk to you and won't leave me alone despite the fact I could send him to the stratosphere.'

'Well,' She said with a small grin, 'I'd say it's pretty strong of him to stand up to someone, knowing that they could… Mom, I wanted to say I'm sorry. You were right, and I needed reminding which showed just how much of a fool I was about it. I shouldn't need a day to celebrate the desire to be thankful for what I have… I can't say I'll stop celebrating it with others, who do forget or take it for granted, but I will make a better effort to make sure I don't forget, or take my family for granted…'

Dawn was grateful for her contact, even if it was anger or frustration she felt and was hopeful that Chrysalis would see and understand how she felt now that she had been properly reprimanded.

'I thought you understood us,’ Chrysalis sighed, ‘or were one of us but…'

'I am mom, but I'm new, and learning… I still was raised a human, then adapted to being a pony. I'm going to make mistakes, but I am going to learn from them too...' she said, feeling horrible at what her adopted mother was insinuating. She had this horrible feeling of rejection at those last six words, particularly the 'but'. She had thought after all she had been through, she had a family again. To have even the idea of that taken away from her distressed her greatly, and she fought tears at her own fear from what was said.

'Stop thinking like that. I would never shun my daughter, even if she doesn't understand us.' Chrysalis said firmly, now annoyed her daughter would even think that way about her.

'Sorry...' Dawn said timidly, feeling very small at the reprimand. She spoke up again after a brief moment, 'Mom, will you teach me more about changelings again, so I do better understand what it means to be one?'

'What do you think I was coming to do?'

'I didn't know, you were almost cut off from me, it was scary.' She said, voice still quiet and small, 'have you already shown off our foals to stalwart's family?'

'No.'

'I'll wait mom. Go. Have fun showing off the foals. I'll spend some time remembering the events of the past and the things I could learn from them.' She said, gently giving her a nudge with her muzzle in her mind's eye.

'You sure? I can't stand anyone being improperly educated.’

'I will be properly educated mom, but you've already gone there, might as well speak to them, get to know them. If nothing else, it'll let you know a little bit more of where I came from, as they somewhat adopted me when I first came to visit, though nothing official like you had.'

She snorted, even doing so out loud, at the idea of them getting Dawn first.

Dawn chuckled once in light amusement, then moved to give her mother a hug in the link, even as Stalwart looked at Chrysalis intently.

"What are you snorting at?" Stalwart asked.

"Your annoying parents got my daughter before I did!" Chrysalis said, hugging Dawn back and making sure Dawn knew nothing short of betraying the hive would make her not be family.

Dawn relaxed once more with that understanding, falling into sleep with the exhaustion of all her emotions and the continued recovery her body made from the pregnancy.

"They... what?" Stalwart asked, surprised

"That's what she said," Chrysalis said. "Not officially but similarly."

"I don't know unless she means when we were married… she'd be their daughter-in-law unless mom said something to her that I don't know about, and she's horrible at keeping secrets, so that's not likely."

“I need to ask Dawn when she is alive again." Chrysalis blinked.

"Alive? did she die?" Stalwart asked, worry surging forward.

"Yes, like all of you ponies do when tired." She said. "Usually for 8 hours."

"Oh... you mean asleep." He said relieved as he guided her through the streets of Vanhoover. "So do you not sleep?"

"Not really." She said. "My body does but my mind is always awake managing the hive."

"That's... a different way of looking at it," he said, stepping forward and leading toward the final bend. They walked down a well to do area of town, not overly sophisticated or impractical, but well-tended gardens and lawns gave away a degree of wealth and retirement.

"I only sleep when Twilight does, as she likes me beside her. Other than that, there isn't much point as I'm always awake."

"Well, I don't know how to respond to that, but we're here..." He said, taking a deep breath before walking casually through the gate toward the front door.

Author's Notes:

Welcome to my parlor said the spider to the fly...

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