Deep within the hive, held fast by thick material so only her face was exposed, Svikopi was stuck to the wall like some bizarre piece of artwork. A few feet before him stood the Queen of this hive with a blank expression as she observed her captive.

Svikopi looked at them, unable to look elsewhere simply because he had not seen anything else for a while. He always had plenty to drink, but he felt hunger gnawing at him.

"You know, I did entertain the idea that I was mis-seeing you through the Link, but it seems that it was indeed correct."

"And what do you mean by that?" Svik asked.

"Simply put, I wanted to see you for myself."

"I see." He said, smiling at the irony of his reply.

"I find it curious that you are smiling." Chrysalis commented idly.

"Is a pony not allowed to smile when he sees one who is so beautiful and powerful?" He asked sweetly, attempting to mollify them.

Her face remained impassive. "Most ponies do not smile when in your position."

"Yes, but I am not like most ponies. I have looked up to changelings for quite some time."

"Is that so?"

"It is." He said simply.

"I’m curious as to why."

He stayed quiet for a while, gauging the quality of the one imprisoning them as well as their temperament. Chrysalis’ face was a mask of stoicism as she looked at him unblinkingly. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly before speaking.

"Despite all odds, you live. You know how to survive. I, too, do what I must to survive."

"Yes, we do, and we have survived by recognizing threats to the Hive and ensuring they are removed."

"As you should." He said simply.

She remained quiet watching him. He said nothing in turn. He told himself he knew patience, and now was not the time to speak. She remained still for some time.

'Funny how he says he respects us, yet he chose to use the methods he does' She commented to Dawn.

'Believe me, I know. He plays fast and loose with definitions, part of his work is charming his victims with loose enough words that they read in extra things of what they want to hear.' Dawn said as Svik continued to say nothing.

Chrysalis laughed in the link. 'Cute. He thinks himself skilled enough at subterfuge to battle with the hive.'

'Well, he probably is waiting for you to make your demands... what will you do mom?' Dawn asked, showing her interest in learning from her.

'Simply put, nothing.'

Svik laid there for several minutes, ignoring his mind’s antsiness and desire to act and move for ten minutes before speaking, "What do you seek?"

"Who says I seek anything and that I do not have what I desire?"

Svikopi smiled, "All creatures desire something. It moves us to act."

"What is it you desire?"

"Nothing important." he said, miming a shrug with what little he could move. "I offer what I know freely to those who need it and accept what they can afford to give in kind."

"And yet you sacrifice the unwilling to do so." Chrysalis countered, "You try to paint yourself as a good-hearted saint, and yet looking upon your methods shows you are far from that."

"Oh? We all make mistakes from time to time." he said softly. "I hear even you have made several blunders of your own, and yet I have still sought you out, or more specifically, the green one who seems to be a pony and a changeling at the same time."

"There are mistakes, and then there are choices made when knowing what they mean."

"Ahhh. So you believe you require nothing of me?" Svikopi asked calmly.

"Oh? And what could you possibly offer?"

"An enemy delivered to your doorstep." He said, "Name one."

"Who’s to say we have an enemy we are not already close to dealing with?"

"Because otherwise, you would not have bound me so."

"And what if you are that enemy?"

"Oh? I have done you no harm. The spell I used before was merely for having them sleep while I looked them over, study their magic. No harm." He said innocently.

"You snuck into my Hive and attacked two of my drones disguised as guests on top of the fact I am aware of the things you have done in the past"

He would have shrugged, but due to his bindings simply said, "I have learned a lot from the past, though some rumors are greatly exaggerated. You learn more from ponies when they are alive and well, unlike the claims of horrific experiments a certain pony has been spreading."

She remained silent

"It would be unwise to keep me here much longer." He said, his voice containing a smug attitude.

"Oh?" she said. "You are in a rather disadvantageous post to be making threats."

"Myself? Yes. If I were alone that is." He said

She arched a brow.

"I do my research alone, but for a trip this important, I did not leave without some... insurance." He said.

Chrysalis check for any sign of trouble through the link, quickly finding nothing and frowning slightly at him an eyebrow raised at his unimpressive claim.

Svik smiled simply. He would not have checked in with Flare if he did not think it was dangerous. He was under no illusion that help would come, but that didn't mean that action would not take place for the loss of such a powerful ally.

He continued to smile at her for a few minutes, inspecting her horn and started to use his vast knowledge to construct reasons as to how changeling magic is different until his thoughts were interrupted.

"I can assure you whatever you think will help you will fail."

"And why is that?"

"You are deep within the hive."

"And?"

"It will fail."

"So you claim." He said casually.

As a precaution, Chrysalis increased patrol in the hive as well as the town.

"It might be wise to provide food at some point. This body will need it long before I do." He said idly.

"It will be provided as needed." She said

He said nothing more, contemplating his next move. They would return. They always would return.

Dawn frowned, having watched through a soldier. 'The way he speaks, it's as if he is not actually physically there or in danger…'

'Yes, I am increasing the guards outside of this room, as well as patrols here and the settlement.' Chrysalis said as she turned to go.

"I will figure out how your magic works Changeling." He said cooly, not a hint of emotion able to be felt beyond a cool certainty.

"We shall see."

Svikopi closed his eyes, pretending he was in control and was ending the conversation. His mind was now sated and he began looking through his vast magical knowledge to decipher what he learned about changelings so far.

Chrysalis left the room as more guards arrived outside of it.

'I wonder why it is he isn't mentioning names… is he bluffing us?' Dawn asked, concerned.

'Perhaps' She said. 'He will be watched.'

'Should we play along? Suggest we are after Flare?'

'I was thinking that, but only after a bit longer.'

'As you wish mom.'

'Your thoughts?'

'I think he's after something that only I can fulfill… what have we learned that links what he said with me since he said he was looking for me?

'So far, only after the spying spell was blocked is no longer pressing the defenses your shadow set up. Most likely, he was the one doing it. He seems to think we will just hoof you over or that someone will come for him, all while he thinks he is justified in all he has done… so basically, he's insane.'

'True...' Dawn sighed, giggling slightly at her nipping foals before guiding them to nurse, thinking just how sore her body was after the repeated feedings for her young ones. 'He stands no chance either way. Not when we have you and each other.'

The Queen smiled as she walked. 'No a chance in Tartarus.'

'Damn right.' Dawn replied as she winced with another bite from her foal, 'Good thing I'm strong enough to use healing magic… I swear I don't know how mothers could bear do it.'

'Neither do I. Changelings don't nurse.' Chrysalis commented, adding, 'Also, be happy. Violet had her pointed teeth when she was born.'

Dawn grimaced, 'Ok, being happy! Being happy!'

Chrysalis chuckled, causing Dawn to chuckle and hold her mother in the link before looking over her foals, trying to piece together their personalities to give them good names.

'So how is motherhood?' Chrysalis asked.

'It's... I don't feel different, and yet, I feel so responsible for them, that I have to do better for their sake.'

'You will do well.' Chrysalis encouraged.

'Of course. I care about them a great deal, and I have like, so many brothers and sisters to rely on.' Dawn joked, referring to the hive.

They all chimed in with an affirmative, eager to rear the foals as their own.

Dawn sighed happily before settling back down in her bed, ‘Truthfully, I'm tired of feeling off from the afterbirth. I feel like I'm always leaking, and generally unwell, but I know I have very little to complain about, it's just the most uncomfortable thing I've experienced, besides birthing my foals and shattering my horn anyway.’ She thought with a smirk.

'You will recover in time.'

"I know… sorry if I'm complaining too much." She apologized.

'Not at all. I know how it can be.'

Dawn nodded, considering how the others have been getting along, including Storm's reports and vacation with Silver to pass the time.

'It is interesting that despite everything that is going on with our hunt, life still goes on.' Chrysalis commented.

'Yeah... Yeah, it is.' Dawn said, thinking.

What the queen said triggered thoughts of her immortality. She pondered how life will go on, with or without her. Her thoughts drifted to figure out just what was important about her involvement, what importance she could have if that were the case. She was unaware of the queen monitoring her quietly, watching their thoughts.

Dawn was gradually getting somber, even sad as she contemplated, but settled on the understanding that she really didn't have to matter to the rest of the world if she chose not to. Having said that to herself, that didn't mean that she had to stay fully involved or uninvolved. She would do her best, see what positive changes she could make, and if she met too much resistance because the ideas weren't actually helping, she would step down for a while until the time was right.

'That is very mature of you.’ Chrysalis commented. ‘Many spend their lives trying to be remembered, only for history to forget them anyways. Only a rare few pass into legend.'

'Huh?' Dawn jerked to awareness, looking around before remembering the link, 'oh, you were listening?'

'Did you not want me to?' She asked apologetically.

'No, no, it’s fine.' Dawn replied. 'Just didn’t expect the reply. So I’m being mature about my involvement?'

'As I said, perhaps you will achieve what a rare few do, and perhaps not. But obsessing over trying to achieve what can't be controlled has led many down dark paths.'

'I don’t think I mind not making a huge mark. I want to help where I can, but sometimes, you have to take a step back and let others go about their own ways. Help that isn’t asked for isn’t help.’ Dawn nodded as she quoted that phrase from her grandmother.

The Queen was proud of her. Dawn could feel it, yet she didn’t understand why they were proud. The queen chuckled at the idea of Dawn thinking she was ‘just being reasonable.’

"You will understand when you're older." Chrysalis replied, rubbing their head affectionately.

Dawn nodded, liking the rubbing she received, wings fluttering in instinctive response.

'So plans for today?' Chrysalis asked

'Just rest and recover... little boring if I were honest, but I’m not ready to get up yet.'

'Least you have company.' Chrysalis reminded her.

'Yes, and that's such a boon... all too often I'd feel alone, but then a drone checks on me, spends a little time together... we are never alone.' She said gratefully.

'Never."

Dawn sighed happily and watched Twilight’s operations, considering what Svik could offer.

'Enjoying learning from my mate?'

'She is very skilled at what she does, I'll say that.'

‘But of course. She is the best mate.’ Chrysalis chuckled.

'Actually…’ Dawn paused, a sudden thought crossing her mind at random that now felt important to act on, ‘I should be trying to bring Nymph into the hive. Have her brought to me, and tell her it’s me asking for her.

'As you wish Legate.' Two drones said before moving to recover the target.

After a brief wait, Nymph was brought to the room and Dawn smiled as she heard her small hoofsteps.

"Hi, Dawn! What'd you need me for?"

"Well, I wanted to see you and try to understand you a bit better. We never did get much of a chance to talk since you joined the guild." Dawn said gently.

"I'm ok I guess, the changelings here aren’t too bad, but they keep lookin’ at me funny."

Chrysalis hummed idly in the link, just to remind Dawn she was there.

"They're just concerned about you." Dawn replied.

"Why?"

"Because they can't imagine leaving any changeling behind, and they are all connected together." Dawn explained.

"With what?"

"The link... if it's all right with you Nymph, I wanted to introduce you to the link, just you and me at first. I want to show you why changelings say that they are never alone."

"But we are alone sometimes." Nymph said, as a matter of fact, causing Dawn's foals to whimper at the sound, even as the changelings flinched at that statement.

Dawn sent reassurance to the rest of the hive, nuzzling her foals to calm them before casting her telephone spell to reach Nymph.

'Here Nymph.' She said, gently sending love and compassion to her foals while trying to see if Nymph could feel or taste it too, 'This is what it means to be connected… always able to feel what the others around you mean when they speak, how they feel about you, that you're part of a family.'

Nymph flinched at the first contact of the spell, wondering what was going on. She started tasting the emotions Dawn put out in her direction and instinctively fed on the love, relaxing as she walked slowly toward Dawn. She was calming, even shaking in place as stress started to leave her body.

'Little one, you have been left away from a hive for a very long time, and I had the power to save you, though I didn't know it... I am sorry.'

Dawn noted how the rest of the hive wanted to come and speak to the drone, to comfort them, but they kept their distance as the Legate instructed so they did not scare her.

"It's ok..." Nymph said out loud, her hunger starting to become stronger as she fed on Dawn’s love.

'Eventually, we won’t need words to talk to each other little one. We will help you reconnect to the link, and we will build it stronger bit by bit. Once we get it nice and strong, I will be able to share the love I have stored for you.’ Dawn lifted Nymph up onto the bed with her magic, giving her a gentle hug, ‘Stay with me Nymph. I’ll look after you like one of my foals if you like, lay down next to them if you want. I’ll look after you, even as your hivemates come by to visit one at a time.'

Dawn left the invitation open and watched as Nymph gratefully hugged Dawn’s neck, clinging tightly before letting go slowly. Nymph moved to lay next to the foals, being very careful and laid her head on Dawn’s forelegs, closing her eyes.

Once nymph seemed to settle down, she gave the permission for drones to say hi or pay respects as they saw fit as long as it was one at a time, not wanting Nymph to be overwhelmed still.

Slowly, one by one, the drones touched the little one’s mind and shared who they were. Not a single word was spoken. Knowledge, thoughts, feelings, and memories were given piece by piece without a word. One at a time, just for a few seconds.

Nymph squirmed a little in the link at the contact, unused to it, trying to stay close to Dawn in the process for comfort and clinging to her leg. Dawn shared with her more love and assurance and she grew calmer, growing to accept the contact of the ones approaching her because Dawn allowed it.

Dawn felt Nymph’s emotions grow in a way she couldn’t describe, at best saying she was feeling a bond develop between them. Instinctively, she felt it was a role that was greater than the rest of the hive seeing her as a legate. As this feeling sunk in, she realized she had become Nymph’s queen.

'Well, that was unexpected...' Dawn thought to her mother, despite being very pleased at the result, 'I hope you don't mind, though I suspect since this is the first time anyone has given her this much love directly in so long, she's instinctively assigning me as her queen because of it... does that seem at all right to you?'

'I have no issues. I already conquered you.' her mother said, remaining away from Nymph as the drones continued to meet her.

'Conquered eh? With compassion? With love? With pure awesome?' Dawn chuckled out loud, causing Nymph to look at her confused and starting to pull away from the spell. Dawn called an order to hold off any further visitors from the hive, that they'd get their chance soon so the Nymph could get some space.

Nymph sighed happily as she enjoyed the calm once again. It was just her, her queen, and her queen’s young.

'You are my little drone Nymph, and I will look after you. You, in turn, will look after my little ones and my hive, and will want for nothing.' Dawn enforced to Nymph, feeling protective over them.

'Whichever one works. You have no intention of rebelling.' Chrysalis shrugged in the link to the statements about her, still keeping it just her and Dawn as the drones pulled back respectfully.

'Damn right. I'm a Legate to the Ridgeback Hive. I may be Nymph's queen, but it still makes you queen of the hive by proxy.'

Nymph settled down to sleep as Dawn sensed they started to digest the love they were given directly. Her foals whimpered a little for attention but as Dawn gave them what they sought they calmed and slept against their mother.

'Thus I conquered your hive.' her mother chuckled, 'and yes, I do think she did it by instinct and doesn't even know she did it. All she knows is she feels calm with you near.'

'She deserves to have a family… I know that Nightfall and the guild likely looked after her, but she still was put on missions and I still remember Night saying at one point that if he had taken her on the survival exercise he was doing at the time Svik attacked, that he would have had her suck the magic out of Svik to make him weak enough to be fought without the princesses… What he didn't know is that would have killed her… she deserves far better.' Dawn said, curling around them as best she could and sending even more love toward Nymph and her foals. 'I never would endanger her like that. She's too young for one.'

The queen blinked physically in surprise. 'Now when you say missions...'

'I mean she would be sent on errands, and if she were able to perform a task, she'd be treated like an adult at the guild otherwise. Nightfall says it was rare, but she was sent once to help find missing foals I heard.'

'Oh, that's not so bad… Still… She is a little one whose chitin has barely hardened. While doing some tasks will help hone her skills, she is still a child.'

'I was against it from the beginning, as that boiled down to child labor, which I have issues with on a matter of principle. In the end, I intend to give her a position as caretaker of my foals, even though she’ll be more like my child for a while and depending on how she develops, possibly caretaker of my home and the like. If her growth stays stunted, I may want to see how to help her regrow, possibly cocoon her to heal.'

'Hmm… Certain tasks such as the looking for foals would be fine. We are natural trackers and our empathetic ability makes finding fire-hoses-of-emotions, such as ponies, rather easy and it gets her used to working in a group as well as other abilities.' Chrysalis agreed. 'She is your drone, so whatever role you choose is acceptable. I am not sure if she will fully recover even with a cocoon, but we can try.'

'I will definitely consider those options. For now, I will do what I can to nurture this little nymph, and make sure she can enjoy life as fully as she wants to make up for her hardships.'

The Queen nodded and send her approval.

Dawn sighed contentedly at the approval, sending her thanks to the drones who dropped by for Nymph while giving thanks to the others and a hope that in the next day she would try it again.

They sent their understanding and would wait.

Dawn slept, and upon waking, found her foals nursing again and Nymph still asleep against her.

'Morning little one.' Chrysalis said cheerfully.

'Morning mom. Looks like Nymph is still attached to my side.' Dawn chuckled.

'You are her queen. The nymphs always crowd around me and on me when I enter the room.’

'I like it,’ Dawn giggled, ‘she's a cute filly of a nymph.'

Chrysalis chuckled. Nymph stirred in place and Dawn smiled, sending her some love.

‘I’ve missed you queeny…’ Nymph said in the back of Dawn’s mind, a small quiet voice, but still present. She sounded like she was on the verge of crying.

Dawn gave her more love, eyes glistening in empathy from the nymph’s plight, and was stunned as she heard nymph cry weakly, ‘I was so hungry… always hungry… how didn’t I know I was this hungry?’

Chrysalis readily shared some of the love from the hive through Dawn to bolster the starved drone while Dawn held them gently. Another minute later and she heard from Nymph again.

'No more please, I’m stuffed… it’s ok, really.'

'Nymph, my little drone, you will have all the love you could want from me moving forward.' Dawn reassured.

The queen smiled

Nymph sighed in relief and nodded, 'Thank you queeny…'

'What are your plans for the day?" Chrysalis asked Dawn.

'Not much.’ She thought, still worried over Nymph’s reaction to finally getting enough love to eat, ‘maybe walk a little, visit the other foals and nymphs like I said I would.'

'I think Nymph would like meeting changelings her own age.' Chrysalis smiled lightly.

'I think she would as well.' Dawn replied, moving her head down to the filly and nudging their head gently, "Nymph, it’s time to get up."

Nymph groaned, slowly getting up and rubbing her eyes as she woke.

Dawn heard a collective "dawwww" from the link and chuckled, "you ok dear?"

"Y-yeah, just sleepy."

"Slept well?"

"Yeah!" She said eagerly waking up rapidly as she felt energy going through her, jumping down off the bed and stretching like a cat would.

Another dawww echoed the link as Dawn chuckled at the hive and her drone.

"Come Nymph, I'm going to the nurseries and share some love with the nymphs and foals in the hive. I want you to come with and have fun."

"Oh. Ok!" She said eagerly, watching Dawn get down off the bed slowly

The foals cried, sniffling as they felt their mother’s embrace leave before Dawn tended to them again, setting them in new clothes and diapers before walking carefully toward the nursery. She felt tender but was more concerned if she was carrying them on her back correctly.

'Adjust your wings to be slightly open.' Chrysalis suggested.

Dawn obeyed, feeling better at the idea of her foals having rails by using her wing edges. She led the way to the nursery slowly and looked around for the nymphs and foals, wondering what they were up to. Once she arrived, she spotted four caretakers, the older foals being taught mathematics while the others played.

Nymph followed Dawn, watching the foals, buzzing her wings occasionally to be ready to catch the foals on Dawn’s back to be helpful.

Dawn smiled at her concern, going to the back of the class for math setting her foals against herself and waited, not wanting to interrupt as she connected to Nymph again.

'Nymph, let’s be quiet for a moment. They're learning right now.'

The caretaker at the head of the group was the oldest of the four in the room, the others she observed tended to the younger foals present. The oldest changeling used magic to teach and show numbers, not having a whiteboard to use.

Dawn smiled, feeling excitement at being around all of them, already debating how she could help. Her foals started to whimper, and her attention returned to them as she pondered their consistency in how they fuss.

'I swear they're jealous or something.' she thought, wanting to dismiss the notion due to their youth.

'Perhaps they are?' Chrysalis asked.

'I don't feel them in the link, but you think they taste or are feeding on my emotions then?' Dawn asked, entertaining the idea for a bit longer.

Nymph looked at the class, trying her best to pay attention to the lessons, but occasionally looking to Dawn and her foals while the boring lesson continued.

'Most likely yes.' The queen said. 'At least the nymphs do.'

'I meant my foals though.' Dawn thought before shrugging. She shared her love among all present, happy to see them and be out of her room.

'That I do not know.'

Dawn acknowledged the answer, content for the moment as her foals fell asleep.

After about ten minutes, the lesson slowly came to an end and the elder caretaker dismissed them for play time. Dawn smiled and nodded to Nymph, encouraging her.

'Go play little one.'

Nymph smiled and bounded in with the others, smiling and ready to be included. For the first time in a long while, the other foals didn’t seem to have any issues with her being a changeling and the other nymphs were eager to meet her.

Nymph smiled and laughed, nearly glowing with energy and excitement at the acceptance and being able to play with more than just the patrol. Dawn simply watched and laughed, happy to see them play together.

The foals started with playing hide and seek, the foals trying to find the changelings who used their shapeshifter abilities.

Nymph fit in, deciding to use her magic to shift into a little unicorn filly, following along another slightly older nymph, hiding with them. She took on an ice blue coat with white mane and followed the others to see what they do, only to see the filly change into a chair among the row of chairs.

"How'd you do that!" Nymph gasped in surprise, starting to forget the game.

The nymph filly was confused by her question, but maintained her disguise, even as Nymph looked closely and tapped on the chair to see an illusion. The knocking of wood lightly echoed in the chamber.

Nymph jumped and looked at the chair in surprise, "No wayyyy."

'Yes, way.' Dawn said, using her spell and extending the link to her. 'Even I can do this as your queen and their Legate... it'll take a little work, but you'll be able to do the same thing.'

"I can become a chair?" she asked confused.

Dawn chuckled, 'You can be whatever you want to be." Dawn said as the counting of the ponies neared its end.

Nymph eeped and looked around, no longer seeing any changelings in the room. She didn’t know how to shapeshift, so she went near a wall and tried to use her illusion magic to act like she was a part of the wall, studying it in depth and helping the illusion gain more and more details as she looked, trying to make herself as inconspicuous as possible.

With a final countdown from the foals, they whooped as the seekers began to look.

'This is a good game,’ Chrysalis commented, ‘it helps the nymphs learn to blend in, as well as the foals to be aware of their surroundings'

'Indeed...' Dawn thought as she watched their antics.

A couple foals checked everything thoroughly, counting items making sure things weren’t out of place and searching the room very methodically to spot an odd number of things or anything out of place. Others simply wandered about, hoping to find something by chance, mostly the younger foals.

Nymph watched nervously through her magic, hoping her illusion would hold and not be the first one found.

A triumphant shout filled the cavern as a young colt found a female hidden in the toy chest under the toys, acting like a toy herself that wasn’t played with before.

Nymph let out a silent sigh and redoubled her efforts, now trying hard to last as long as she could without being discovered.

Despite her efforts, an older colt searching along the walls noticed the wall was slightly off after finding another nymph hiding along the wall and when he knocked on the illusion, he found her.

"Awwww..." She sighed an trotted off to Dawn before she was paused with a command.

'Congratulate them Nymph.' Dawn instructed.

"For what?"

'For finding you. If you can find out how they found you, you can do better next time by learning from it.' Dawn said.

‘Do I have to?’

'No, but I will like it if you do.' Dawn said, then noticed the colt was already gone searching the room. Nymph almost went to leave when Dawn corrected, 'After they're done, honey. Come, be next to me while we wait.'

Nymph came over, sitting down as Dawn fed her and the two newborn foals more love. Nymph let her frustrations float away as she got another meal of love, starting to smile happily.

'Is it bad that I love seeing her like this? That I want her and all of the changelings to be this happy and well cared for?' Dawn said in the link, knowing that it won’t always be that way.

'I am the same way.' Chrysalis said, even as the chair changeling was found from being one too many chairs.

Dawn smiled at the problem-solving of that filly who found the chair, then nodded, ' It's just so fulfilling to see this… she'd been starved so long and became more of a pony to survive... ponies, in general, are good creatures, but she is not a pony and it's a shame she didn't get enough love to properly grow.'

'Yes, but she did what she had to to survive… I am not sure she would have lasted long and would have passed into memory before reaching her half-life.’

'I will ensure she lives a full happy life for what she's endured... even if her growth had stunted or her development... ' Dawn nuzzled Nymph, who laid across Dawn's front contentedly, feeling full once again, 'Not to say that no other changelings deserve that, I just... you know what I mean.' she thought, passing along the intent that she wanted all of the hive to have that kind of happy life and ending while she had the power.

'She is your drone.' Chrysalis chuckled. 'It is natural to focus on the good of your hive over others.'

'But your hive is my hive too, I just... I'm a sucker for little ones.' She admitted.

'Yes, it is, but she is your drone. I care for Equestria, but if I had to choose between Equestria and my Hive, I would choose my Hive every time.'

Dawn stopped, thinking about the choice, wondering what she would do if she had to make that same choice. She wanted to say that she would choose Equestria, even though the pain would be immense, yet she didn't know if she actually would. She wondered if it might partly be because she was so new to being a changeling that she wasn't as attached, but the idea made her feel guilty, that she knew they were connected and that it would be harder than she gave it credit for.

'The ponies have been good to us, friends of the hive, but they are not of the Hive and most are strangers.' The queen said. 'It may seem callous, but we have survived by doing what is best for the Hive. '

'I understand, though it helps that we get to know all of the hive through the link, and memory within the link. I have learned from experience that others are full of value as well, just like the drones around us, we just don't know them as well, and that distance makes it easier... but I can't help but think that if we knew them as thoroughly as we do our hive, would we be so quick to sacrifice them?'

'I would never sacrifice Twilight.' She said simply.

'Perhaps not, but what about the Everfree Patrol? The soldiers in the guard here? How about Sable Hearth, Petiso, Stang, Boer or the friends and family they have that you don't know and I barely know beyond their names?' Dawn asked, listing off Stalwart’s friends. 'Do you see where I'm coming from? I will never fault the hive for doing what it must to survive, and I will aid in it, but that is why I hesitate.'

'The Guild is not of the Hive. The others you tangentially know, or don't know at all. If they reached where the hive when there was danger, we may fight for them. They have to come to us, we will not risk ourselves to reach them. They live or die on their own as all things do.'

Dawn thought, feeling as if there was a contradiction in what was said. To expand on it, she thought, 'If all things live or die on their own, how are changelings an exception? I like that no one is left behind, but that reaction and the behavior toward other changelings don't match.'

'Changelings live and die on their own. We are strong together. Abandoning our own weakens us. We are all together, but ponies, zebra, griffins and all the others? They are not us. It is the same as a doctor deciding who to treat after a disaster. They have limited supplies and must choose who lives and dies.'

Dawn nodded, seeing their point, trying to find a good compromise between their positions mentally as the foals played.

'Do not get me wrong. I will defend the ponies to the best of my abilities'

Dawn nodded again, giving Chrysalis a hug mentally, 'Don’t mind me, I’m just big on reexamining myself from time to time.'

Chrysalis returned the hug, then watched as Dawn saw Nymph let out a cat-like meow as she yawned, making Dawn giggle and the hive ‘dawww’d’ again.

'Well,’ Dawn chuckled, ‘that was unexpected.'

Nymph looked around, feeling embarrassed at the outburst, then wondered if the game was over, discovering that it was almost.

Nymph looked for the nymph that lasted longest asking, "What did you do?"

The filly blinked. "I hid."

"But how? What'd you do?"

The foal tilted her head, not sure how to answer.

"Why won't you share?" Nymph asked, confused. "What’d you hide as? Where?"

'I did?’ she asked, confused.

"Never mind I guess." Nymph said, shrugging before going back to Dawn with a frown, disappointed at their apparent secrecy.

The filly blinked, confused before quickly forgetting about the strange nymph and going off to play some more.

"Did you see what they did?" Nymph looked up to Dawn, hopeful.

Dawn didn’t, but she used the link to attempt to figure it out. She fully expected the foal to have played and since she thought it was changelings vs pony foals, she was sure to find the answer. She was surprised to discover they were a filly, not a changeling despite the changelings vs ponies guideline she swore she heard earlier. That meant her answer wasn’t in the link!

'If I may speak Legate?' One of the caretakers volunteered.

'Yes, caretaker, what is it?'

'A few days ago, we found a small alcove being dug out one of the walls behind the far toy chest. I believe the little one has been preparing it as a hiding spot for weeks.'

'Nice… very clever. I won’t give away her secret, but perhaps a nudge in the right direction then.'

"Nymph, you did well for your first time." She said. "But sometimes a little forethought goes a long way."

Nymph frowned, "What’s that mean?"

The caretaker chuckled

"It means you should think things through and prepare." Dawn said, nuzzling Nymph to reassure her.

Nymph smiled happily as she was rubbed, settling in like an overgrown foal as she stopped giving the problem any more thought.

'That foal is showing much promise for her future.' Chrysalis commented about the filly who won.

'Indeed. She did well.'

'She will be formidable in her later years. '

'Yeah, and other changelings can learn from her creativity and planning… perhaps by continuing more games and prizes for coming up with new solutions that we hadn't thought up before.' Dawn thought, extrapolating possible uses for this activity.

'Perhaps. It is worth a look.'

Nymph watched from Dawn's side, enjoying being near her, "How’d she turn into a chair?"

"Who?"

"The other changeling." Nymph explained while the other foals and nymphs began drawing now that the game had come to a close.

"All changelings of this hive can change form fully." Dawn explained.

Sergeant Stem walked down the halls, intent on talking with Dawn. He arrived just in time to hear Nymph's question and Dawn's reply. The caretakers took note of him but made no moves against him either. Their instructions were to carefully watch him for the safety of the foals, though Dawn was unaware of this so far.

"Can you do it too?" Nymph asked, much to Stem’s surprise.

"Not as much as that, but yes." Dawn answered with a gentle smile.

"Is that so?" Stem asked.

Dawn froze, feeling surprise and an icy fear wash over her as she felt the voice, accidentally alerting Nymph, who looked at Dawn with concern.

The caretakers and the nymphs stopped what they were doing and looked over at them openly as soon as Dawn's emotions hit the link. They all stood and stared.

Dawn quickly calmed herself, suppressing her emotions, but she was on full alert. She sighed and slowly stood despite her foals whimpering.

"Am I not allowed to encourage the young to be the best they can be?"

"Are you lying about being able to change your shape? It's bad to lie to foals." He said, an odd spark of anger in his eyes and seeming to ignore the drones watching him intently both through the link and directly.

"Sergeant, I agree. It’s bad to lie to foals. It’s also bad to pick an argument in front of them. I was planning on saving this for nightmare night, but I suppose I can show this early." Dawn said, remembering her plans for an illusory spell that she couldn’t do last year even with Starlight’s help. It would be a half-truth at least. "Let’s show this away from the foals. I want to keep it a surprise."

Stem nodded, going to a nearby alcove that was out of view.

Dawn was nervous but hoped her bluff would work. Once she was out of sight for his satisfaction, she cast the illusionary spell that turned her into a darker colored batpony version of herself, bearing nightmare moon's mark.

Stem raised his brow. "Is that all you meant?"

"Sergeant, I’m among other allied changelings, and one sought encouragement from a leader they trusted… How would you react if a foal asked you if they could raise the sun like Celestia or the moon like Luna?"

"I would say they cant." He said.

"That is the difference between us Stem. You crush hopes and dreams with your assessments, which crushes their desire to work toward their goals, killing the ability they could have nurtured. Even if they did not gain the ability to move the sun or stars, their hopes to do so can push themselves to greater heights than if we crushed those dreams. I am the Princess of Hope, and I will give hope to any creature." She said with finality, dropping the spell as she felt her mother’s pride.

‘Sometimes a lie is the best hope one can give.’ Chrysalis said as she thought on the times she watched medics tell the wounded they were going to be alright when there was no way to save them and eased the last few hours they had. She did not share this with Dawn though, not right now.

Stem frowned and looked at her in the eye, "I see the way the changelings look up to you, in a way that they do with nopony else."

"And?" Dawn asked. "Perhaps they enjoy having someone ready to understand them."

"Perhaps." He said, before walking off, directly on a course to Svikopi.

Dawn then recognized the pride she felt in the link, and her insatiable curiosity for what she did well came up, even as she watched him in concern, hoping she would get an answer.

'You stood up to him, deceived him expertly, and stuck to your morals while speaking the truth about how to inspire.' Chrysalis assured her.

'Felt like a shaky cover to me, but thank you.’ Dawn sighed in relief, ‘I like knowing I did well.'

The hive monitored Stem as he continued his walk, appearing oddly comfortable with the passages without any issue detected outwardly or with his emotions, even as workers and other drones repeatedly passed by him, keeping tabs one by one on him.

Nymph went up to Dawn where she stood, the two foals at her side held in her magic were wailing their lungs out. Dawn quickly put them on her back and they slowly calmed as she reassured them she was still there.

"You can change shapes too? You can be a chair?" Nymph asked.

'Little one,’ Dawn said, opening up the telephone spell to Nymph out of habit, ‘I could, but I’m scared to because I'm silly. Even so, I try to only change myself if I feel like it or if it’s special.'

"What about now?" Nymph asked.

Dawn moved back into the room, noticing how when she calmed herself and her foals were settling in, combined with Stem’s departure, they all went back to what they were doing. She smiled and gently nudged Nymph toward the coloring tables to join the others.

---

Stem soon stood before the room where all the guards were guarding Svikopi. He took a deep breath, then approached purposefully before being stopped by the guards.

"What's your business here?" one asked, eyeing him with suspicion.

"Interrogating the prisoner. I heard he was attempting to kidnap the princess. I have to report why with my own eyes and ears." Stem reported.

'Legate, the guard pony wishes to visit the prisoner.' the drone relayed.

'I'll allow it, but accompany him. He suspects me of being a changeling, and Svik will possibly pretend to be me to say I'm an imposter. Correct him with facts each time.'

'By your command.' The drone replied before stepping to the side. “I will accompany you."

"Of course." Stem confirmed.

The drone led the way as two more followed behind to stand beside the door in case of trouble.

'I’m hoping this is the right choice.’ Dawn checked in with Chrysalis. ‘He suspects me, so the only way I see this improving by letting him see I am not lying in these other matters. What do you think?'

'It is the best we can do. He will either accept the truth or will not. This will answer whose side he is on.'

Svik watched as the royal guard appeared and he smiled saying, "I knew someone would come rescue me."

"Dawn?" Stem asked with a raised brow. He heard the same exact voice as the princess in the hive.

"Not Dawn," the drone said, "an imposter wearing her face."

"You would doubt me..." he sighed, "After all, you and I both are in a changeling hive. How do I know you aren't a changeling meant to deceive me?" He sighed again before saying a clinching line, attempting to imitate the princess he met earlier, "I can't help but hope, ya know?"

The drone growled at the fact the imposter would dare use something the Legate held so dear. "You have no right to speak of Hope, abomination."

'Drone, change tactics, show the lack of wings. Words alone will not win him.' Dawn warned him, not wanting to give support by sympathy to the fake.

Stem frowned and looked at Svik, then back the way he came before looking back, saying, "A test then, to prove who you are."

The drone hesitated, not wanting to risk possible escape, fearing losing the bonds that held Svik. He did what he asked and unbound the middle section where the wings should be while the two guards in the room primed their magic as a precaution.

It took some effort, but he exposed the impostor’s back and gestured for Stem to look. Stepping back to give room to inspect.

Svik squirmed, trying to move his aching back and attempt to free himself while Stem inspected him.

"You have no wings, princess." Stem announced, frowning at the prisoner.

'Good, you may re-bind him.'

The drone quickly moved to obey even as Svik frowned.

"I've never been a princess...” Svik answered, thinking on his hooves, ‘but fine. The one you think is Dawn? She is the imposter. I finally figured out a spell that can reveal the form of a pony, see if they are changeling or not."

The drone looked at Stem, arching a brow as if asking. ‘Do you honestly believe them?’

Stem looked between the changeling and the prisoner. He felt emotions, anger, conflict, and caution.

'Drones, fetch my husband to Svik's sight. Tell Stem to wait, and ask if he trusts Stalwart Shield, who knows me better than anypony.'

The soldiers quickly dispatched one of the other guards to do as she asked.

"Pony guard, do you trust the other one called Stalwart Shield?" the soldier asked as ordered.

Stem narrowed his eyes, "yes, why?"

Svik gave an all too brief expression of surprise but went back to feigning relief.

Dawn was headed to the room where he was held as she had her foals and Nymph taken to her room. She would be present to watch it herself, now that Svik is rebound securely.

Stalwart was already being escorted to the room under a four-soldier squad.

Dawn met him outside the room and was immediately approached by him.

"Dawn, what’s going on?"

"I'll tell you once we join up with Stem." Dawn replied.

"Stem? But-" Stalwart started to protest before they walked into the room, and he saw Svik in the other Dawn’s body.

"Sergeant." Dawn said, keeping up a façade of not knowing, filling in her husband in the same breath. "I understand you are concerned that I have been swapped out by a changeling imposter, yes?"

"How did you know?" Stem asked, eyeing her suspiciously as he noticed how there was now a dozen soldiers in the room, very attentive at what was going on.

"Not in front of the enemy." Stalwart said, smirking. "So it’s a trust issue huh? You think my wife could be a changeling or this unicorn bound up, right?"

"Good to see you again, Stalwart Shield." Svik smiled in relief, acting as lovestruck as the mare he had replaced.

"A series of tests then," Stalwart said, ignoring the response, "to know exactly how they respond and know who they really are. Stem, you come with me, I will tell you each question I ask and the right answers. Come with me."

Stem frowned, but nodded, finding the solution crude but satisfactory. They stepped out and conversed quietly.

Dawn stood in the room, anxious but trusting her husband as Svik began to chuckle, seeing a way out of his predicament even as soldiers stood between the Legate and him. After a few minutes, the two of them came back in, looking between them both evenly.

"What is lesson 10?" Stalwart asked, turning to Dawn first.

"Endurance." She answered.

"Endurance." Svik answered right after when he was looked at.

"And lesson 37?" Stalwart asked, still looking at Svik.

"Strength."

"Multitasking." Dawn said with a small smile.

"And what did we do the first time we did each lesson? You first." Stalwart said, gesturing to Svik again.

"W-well," he said, realizing he made a mistake, "we would go out on walks around Vanhoover because you said you wanted to take me caving one day."

"And multitasking?"

"I tried my hoof at cooking a three-course meal for you."

Dawn smiled before saying, "Bad form to change your answer there, I thought you said strength.”

“I just didn’t remember which lesson was which is all! Besides, he asked what I did for multitasking, not for strength.” Svik interrupted in protest before Dawn continued.

“Now for the right answer. Endurance, you had me tied up to bed to each corner of the bed with soft rope, silk based on the feel since I was blindfolded. You then proceeded to kiss and tickle me wherever the hay you felt like it until you were ready to take me as a mate should. Multitasking? Well, let's just say that you had me out for a walk, blindfolded yet again, only to have some fun with your two friends, Syroks and Skoryks or however their names went, and you told them to tell me they'd fly me to the moon when we never left the damn warehouse." She chuckled.

"Satisfied?" Stalwart asked Stem with a smirk.

'… Huh…’ Chrysalis blushed as Dawn’s tale sparked certain memories, ‘… … I see why you like Twilight.'

Dawn chuckled in the link, 'He'd been training me as a pet for a while before you both came, but I won't deny, you both have plenty of new things for me to enjoy about it.'

The queen simply nodded in reply as Stem turned to Svik to give his sentence.

"You are not princess Dawn. The fact still remains that you stole her answers after you realized you were wrong. Even if you were not a changeling, you are only pretending to be her."

"Just what do you all want with me anyway!" Svik frowned as his plan backfired.

"Justice, Svik. You are a danger to the hive, my family, and Equestria as a whole. A little bird told me though, you claim that if you don't check in with someone, you will be checked on. Who did you mean?"

Svik held his tongue, staying as quiet as the drones around him.

Dawn frowned, looking at him expectantly before saying, "I will have a meal be made of your choice within reason if you tell us. You have not eaten in two days."

"I do not require food." he said, despite a loud gurgle from his stomach.

Dawn smiled slightly as a memory flashed regarding her own fight with hunger, "You claim that, but when you took a physical body, you gained its weaknesses as well as the horn focus you desired. My offer stands until you decide. I'd give it five more days at most. Considering my own experience with hunger."

Dawn started to leave, and Stem and Stalwart followed.

The soldiers walked backward out of the room after Dawn and the ‘guests’ left, not taking their eyes away from the impostor with the Legate still nearby.

Stem turned to Dawn and said once out of earshot, "Have you really been starving her?"

"Him.” Dawn corrected, “This is Svik from another version of Equestria where I failed to defeat him and he took over that me’s body. I'm guessing because I didn't have Nightfall present to develop my magic skills to help him, that left me unable to break my horn to stop his takeover of my body."

"Fine, him. Have you been starving him?" Stem asked, irritated at the distraction.

"It's only a temporary thing Sergeant. I've survived one period of my life where I only ate once a week for three weeks... it was... unpleasant." She said quietly. "As much as I'm hating the idea of doing that to someone who looks like myself, especially if we can get that Meadow Dawn her body back, there's just too strong a likelihood he's connected to Solar Flare with what he’s said. The problem is once he says it, without a promise from us, he won't have any more chips to play beyond Meadow's body, and if we tell him to tell us that answer, we can't be sure it's true right away."

Stem frowned, "And what if that doesn't work?"

"He'll be fed one meal a day. He already is being given plenty of water, so he isn't in danger of dehydration, though I just don't envy the cramps." Dawn said.

"We would do more to one such as him, but the Princess asked us not to." one of the soldiers said.

"I'm not inhumane Sergeant." She said softly, "But I am going to be stern where I need to be. He's dangerous, and yet we need that information."

She stopped outside her room, where her foals were sniffling and she could hear Nymph trying to pat them and calm them down. She couldn't help but smile in the link, it seemed she was halfway decent at it.

"I understand better now," Stem said, "but I will visit him again later to find out what he wanted out of you."

Dawn sighed, "Stalwart, would you mind the foals for a minute?"

"Sure dear." he said, kissing her on the cheek before going in.

As soon as the door closed again Dawn looked at Stem seriously, "You do what you like on that, but be wary of deception. Based on what he said before, he's after changeling secrets and magic. I won't deny, for how much I have not shown prejudice and treat them as an ally, rather than with suspicion, I know a thing or two about them and will not be sharing with him. I will also remind you here and now that despite my familiarity with these changelings, I still look to Equestria's betterment, period. Whether you trust me on that should tell you more about yourself than me."

"No,” Stem replied as Dawn turned to enter her room, speaking factually, ‘it only tells me about you. I already know myself."

She did not taste malice in his emotions yet she could not help being annoyed, "Tell me, is it that you have some sort of mental condition such as being on the Autism spectrum then, or something similar? One item I’ve known such ponies to exhibit is being unable to understand common phrases and the context that it often entails. Does that sound accurate?"

"I haven't heard the term." He said, "But ponies' phrases often make no sense to me, even when they claim they’ve explained them."

"Ah...” Dawn's anger softened immediately in understanding. “Then perhaps I have misunderstood you because of that... I will point out your reactions have not helped, but would it help you if I were more direct with my words and explanations?"

"That would be best." he said, eyes focused and narrowed for a reason she couldn’t fathom.

"Good... Truth be told, I don't know if you actually do have autism or something else I’m mislabeling, but in my eyes, it's not a bad thing. You are different, and at some point, we might need a different perspective only you can provide. Just be mindful of how changing your wording can greatly improve how ponies react." Dawn said in an attempt to be encouraging, "I have my foals to take care of, but you are dismissed for the night Stem. I hope you find something entertaining until we meet again."

Dawn walked into her room, tired but somehow much more at ease about him. It didn't change his suspicion of her, no doubt, but she felt like she understood him better, though she couldn't explain how.

'We could have him talk to a psi-ops agent if you'd like.' Chrysalis said.

'Wouldn't hurt.' Dawn thought back, 'but only if he's willing. He clearly has done well for himself despite what some might call a handicap. I'm not so sure it is one.'

Dawn relaxed as her attention returned to her family, the foals and Nymph getting plenty of love as Stalwart helped her tuck in the foals for bed, nestling the twins against him while Nymph draped along his side as she fed on love.

Dawn was physically tired out from the day’s events, but mentally still awake, so she reopened the magical substitution for the link and reached out to Nymph.

'My little Nymph, my first drone... how are you today?'

'Tired, but goooood.' was the thought in return.

The queen took note of Dawn's mind still being active despite her body being tired. If that was what she thought it was, it seemed her daughter wasn't done changing after all.

Dawn's mind continued to take in the events of the day, attempting to project 'what ifs' for various plans or reactions to Svik, even as her spouse snored lightly at her side.

After several hours, Chrysalis reached out to Dawn. 'It seems you are not yet done growing, Daughter.'

'Huh? What makes you say that?' She asked, mind waking as she started to stir in place, alleviating an amount of pressure on her hind leg. Once she was comfortable again, she felt the foals nursing once more.

'Tell me, Daughter, are you tired?'

'I feel tremendously tired, my body sure needs the rest, but I'm worried about Svik, so I haven't fallen asleep, even though my eyes are closed.' She thought innocently.

'Tell me. How exactly does your body feel right now?'

'Like lead now, I doubt I could move it if I tried now.'

'And your mind?' Chrysalis asked.

'Like I'm running at half speed... I'll go in and out, but keep coming back to Stem and Svik and how close a call that could have been if he were cooperating with them.'

'But active, despite your body being in a sleep state.' Chrysalis replied, a hint of a smile being heard.

'Is it?' Dawn thought, confused.

She tested the idea, trying to muster the strength to move her limbs. None of them shifted even a little bit. She started to panic, trying to flex out her wing, only to feel it shiver in place as if it were locked. She instinctively reached out to her queen, looking for help and guidance as her fear mounted.

'It seems you are still developing Daughter.’ Chrysalis said comfortingly. ‘Your mind is completely active while your body is asleep.'

'R-really? Is that it?' she asked, slowly calming down, 'Just how else am I developing?'

'I do not know Daughter.'

'So, I’m having trouble sleeping, it happens." She said.

'Or you are sleeping as I do.'

'But… I always sleep, and usually dream… Hell, it feels like I usually fall asleep from sleep deprivation, that's about the only time I can sleep.' Dawn chuckled, even if she knew that wasn’t quite right. The idea of her mind not resting while her body did just didn't seem possible.

'We still don’t fully understand your metamorphosis, or how far it will go'

Dawn stopped and reassessed her assumption. Her mother was not deceiving her, she just knew this. She laid there and thought, distracted a few seconds later when her foals stopped feeding and flopped against her side to sleep again.

'It'll be interesting for sure. With how strong the hive is, I'm sure it will only make me and the hive better.' Dawn said, trying her best to bury her fear of the unknown. She would admit she was afraid, but she had to admit it's been good so far.

'I would never lie to you, my daughter. … Unless I had to.' She corrected. 'And yes the hive is stronger with you and I do not doubt it will grow stronger with time. I am most curious with how you will change over time.'

'I have no idea how else I'll change, but as long as I have you and my family and mas-Twilight around, I'll be just fine.' She corrected herself.

She took a deeper breath and let it out before letting it go back to its automatic rhythm, thinking about herself and the future of her family, and then back to Svik and Flare.

'You can call her whatever you'd like.’ Her mother chuckled.’I am sure she'd love to hear about it.'

'It… it was a force of habit, that's all!' Dawn chuckled, pretending to protest, but feeling lightly embarrassed.

'And I’m sure your master will enjoy hearing all about how you even think of calling her by her title.'

Dawn felt her body shiver at the thought, but she laughed in the link lightly, 'M-maybe… if she asks.'

Dawn felt her mother smirk and knew she was going to tell Twilight. She laughed a bit more, her mind finally feeling like it was ready to sleep as it grew clouded and sluggish.

'Good night mom.'

'Rest well my daughter' Chrysalis said, mentally nuzzling the top of Dawn’s head before letting her rest.

Dawn passed out to the nuzzling on her head, incredibly contented and sleeping like her foals by the time Chrysalis left her to rest.

After some time of sleeping, Dawn woke and heard a drone give a report to the Legate and Chrysalis.

'The prisoner states they are willing to give information in exchange for freedom.'

'Very good, I will meet with him.' Chrysalis replied.

Svik waited, ready to bargain as hunger gnawed at his form. He still had few chips in his corner and knew it could help him out somehow. He needed something to get back into the world, and came up with an idea to make it out and get what he came here for.

Chrysalis entered the room, standing as regally as her station deserved as queen of the hive.

Svik looked at her cooly, feeling the hunger pains he never had to deal with before. He was no longer looking as carefree as he had been before, and in the place of a smile, he held a firm intense gaze.

"You wish to bargain." Chrysalis said.

"Yes."

"Speak."

"I desire my freedom." He said simply.

"And why should you be given it?"

"Because I know the one behind the events in Manehattan." he said simply.

She arched a brow. "Speak, and I'll decide if it's worth something."

"I know locations of hideouts and names, particularly a 'Solar Flare'" He said, drawing it out.

"Go on."

"In exchange for information for him, I require freedom... and on his capture, one other small thing." he said, a smile starting to creep onto his face.

"And that is?"

"The secret to changeling shapeshifting."

"And why should I trust you?"

"Because he was the one wanting me to get information on a grey pegasus named Stone." He said shrugging, "I lent him my bracelet, but it appears something happened to it."

'Dawn. Thoughts.' Chrysalis demanded of her Legate.

'He could be telling the truth. He's ambitious if he's outright saying he wants that particular secret, but I think him only getting freedom, for now, is still dangerous. Considering he was willing to kidnap me, he could knock out his retainers to experiment with him.' Dawn thought, continuing, 'Frankly, I say we use him like he's used us, and work on getting what he knows, vet it out separately so we don't walk into a trap, and reward him later, but not with freedom as he's thinking... we need to investigate whether Meadow can get her body back after all.

'We could place him in a cocoon with a carefully controlled dream.' Chrysalis reminded her

Dawn frowned but shrugged, 'It's up to you mom, but I fully expect only to be helped by him so far as it helps his purposes. I would not keep him free on even a short leash.'

'I had no plan to release him.' she agreed before answering him, "Very well. Tell me what you know, and we will see."

"Freedom first, then information.” Svik said, “I have a terrible cramp in my right legs."

'What if we were to offer him his own 'room', even if it otherwise would be a cell?' Dawn asked, hoping it’s a worthwhile idea.

"Seeing as you attacked the hive full freedom is not an option at this time." she said, pausing to make him think she was thinking. "However... I may be willing to grant you a room."

"With food, that is acceptable for the moment. As you find what I say is true, you will follow up on your end of the bargain and offer more." Svik answered.

'Oh you presumptuous little tool...’ Dawn smiled in the link, ‘you didn't even phrase it as a question so we don't have to give a comment confirming it. Do we have any concerns of him taking off the inhibitor ring if he tried or does it prevent that?'

'It can only be removed without magic. Also, I never agreed to more than a room.’ the queen smirked in the link.

‘A pity, considering how brilliant he had been before, this was stupidly easy to maneuver. Almost makes me wonder if having my old form altered how he was able to process information, like if he inherited my faulty thinking, weaknesses or whatever else’ Dawn said, both in frustration and in triumph. It felt cheapened, but a win was a win.

‘I do believe this is what is referred to as one's own hubris, I am all too familiar with falling for its trap.’ The Queen said, mind temporarily filling with flames before the memory was banished to the dark corners of the Link.

A dozen soldiers entered and began to slowly unstick him from the wall, but left him bound as they started to move him.

Svik sighed in relief at the freedom he had gotten from bonds before wincing as his body did indeed cramp, weakened from being unable to move for so long.

Soon they were in a room the size of a small apartment. The soldiers removed the goop from the rest of his body while leaving the mix on his horn. He dropped unceremoniously on the floor, his magic still blocked from rings and goop both.

He groaned, slowly stretching his limbs before saying in his own charming way, "I guess I deserved that."

With that said, he started to inform them of what he knew of Flare and his top locations, next targets and so on. After nearly an hour of disclosing information, including an offer to enact his proprietary cutie mark change spell to gain the final bit of his freedom to wrap up stragglers, he ended on a final warning note.

"It's very likely he will change his location again in the next week, based on what I've seen. After that, you'll need to let me use my horn to be of help to you." He smiled.

"We will see." the queen said as she turned to leave and the door was sealed with the same goop that held him before.

She was pleased. The arrogant mule literally accepted a deal where he gave information only to get the cell he was now in with a hope of more but no actual agreement. She had given him more anyway, having a bathroom area and basic needs, and will ensure he has some entertainment and food, but that would be the extent of it.

Svik in the meantime sighed and laid on the bed, thinking what fools the ponies were. If they even thought they could betray him, given enough time, he could work out what the goo was and remove all those rings on his horn. He could simply pull the rings off if need be, gradually remove the goop on his horn, and then teleport out of the room. In fact, he could teleport one of them to his study even if he were released as a part of their deal. It was only fair after all, they imprisoned him unfairly and so he was owed recompense.

In the corner of the room was a very small object connected to a small, string-like item that fed into the wall. That string led to another room where a changeling sat watching a monitor.

Svik did not spot this device, nor would he have known what it was. He simply continued his plotting in his head, content that all still seemed to be going his way.

'I love the arrogant ones." the queen commented as she checked in with the drone in the security station.

'I love breaking them and giving them some humility if it makes them a better person…’ Dawn chuckled guiltily, ‘I have little hope for Svik though, at least this one.'

'Breaking them hm? My, my, seems you are more my daughter then I thought.'

'I'm glad you approve.' Dawn chuckled some more.

'How long do you think till he realizes what he agreed to?' Chrysalis replied with a smile.

'The end. It looks like he’s forgotten what it’s like to be a trickster, or I was way too easy and gullible and he wasn’t nearly as crafty in this version of things.'

'Or he's just never actually dealt with a changeling before.' She mused.

'Perhaps. Or maybe he dealt with changelings that don't have our abilities... damn I'm glad to be adopted.' She said, thinking about all she's gained from it.

Chrysalis began to laugh, making Dawn amused and slightly confused.

'What? You're glad too and you know it.'

'Didn't say I wasn't'

'True, but I'm a sucker for reinforcement for praise. I'm almost as hungry as Nymph is for love in that way.' Dawn countered with a smile, sending more love to her two foals and Nymph, causing Nymph to nestle in even closer.

'Well, I did take you as a daughter.' She said, as not just anyone would be able to join the hive.

'Yeah, point made.’ Dawn chuckled, ‘I'm gonna watch the drones, see how Twilight reacts to this information.'

'Which info? Svik or you calling her master in your head?'

'Yes.' Dawn replied quickly, smiling before saying, 'I meant Svik, but sure, yes.'

Chrysalis chuckled in reply.

<<<o>>>

Fire Storm came back to Manehattan from Vanhoover the morning after the deal took place. She was satisfied with the time she spent with her mate, making sure they were well after that surprise of her guild being attacked, and now was even more eager to ‘kick the tails of the idiots that attacked my family.’

Once she arrived, she quickly flew to the base and landed in the designated area of the base, showed her badge to the pony on duty, and went off to Twilight's office to report in.

She found that Twilight was looking over a map with more pins on it, making her smile briefly as she remembered how some things never change.

"Corporal Sky Flare reporting." She said, walking back in, "just got off the train."

She turned back and smiled as she saw Storm. "Welcome back. Have a good time on leave?"

"As well as can be expected. Had a hell of a time up in the mountains with Nightfall." She said with a smile, moving over to the map. "Anything happen while I was gone?

"Not especially, a few raids." She smirked. "And I see you've been around me enough for me to rub off on you a bit."

"In what way?" she asked, moving over to review the map from the side.

"Hell isn't exactly a word ponies know or use now is it?" She asked chuckling as she ruffled Storm's mane.

"Nightfall kept saying it when we were together." She smirked.

"Aw come on, can't you give a mare something?" Twilight faked a complaint.

"Yeah,” Storm chuckled, “you've got your lapdog bodyguard back."

Twilight chuckled back at Lapdog using her nickname willingly.

A knock came to the door, making them stop as Storm walked over to the door, checking them while she allowed them enter.

A drone guard came in and saluted, announcing, "A report from the hive."

“Trouble?” Storm asked, concerned.

"Two things. One from the queen, the other from the Legate."

Storm raised her brow and closed the door behind them, letting them make their report to Twilight.

"The queen reports that the legate refers to you as master, even in her own head unless actively not doing so."

Twilight and Storm chuckled at the information. Storm resisting rolling her eyes.

"The report from the Legate is information on multiple key locations of Solar Flare's operations as well as where his last known location was as of a few days ago."

Storm stood rigid to attention, surprised and looked to Twilight immediately.

Twilight had a … rather wide smile… almost too wide… a very unnerving smile.

"How do we know it's accurate?" Storm asked.

"The source is someone close to him who had no real loyalty to him. It's the only actionable Intel we've had."

"What do you say Stone, are we moving out right away? Or are we going to check out the intel first?" Storm asked, awaiting orders.

"Recon of course. I ain't going in blind even if the source was Celestia herself."

"What would you want me to do?" Storm asked.

"Hmm… With this, I'll want you to stay close and here at home. Flare isn't an idiot so we need to be careful." Twilight said. She instructed the drone to give all of the available details, scribbling four copies of the information at once in manilla folders. Once done, she immediately began heading for the door to give orders.

"If he gets wind of us he's gonna bolt.” Storm agreed, “We need to get him good and proper."

"That's where the M.I.D. come in." Twilight explained.

"The mid?"

"Military Intelligence Division." Twilight said, smirking. "The spooks."

"Ah." Storm said, not understanding but followed Twilight as they both went down the stairs and toward the far corner of the warehouse the rest of the EDF seemed to avoid.

Storm grew nervous as she realized she was going somewhere most did not, but followed Twilight there nonetheless.

They reached the area after a couple minutes of walking and found four ponies all dressed in business-casual clothes, sitting around a table and calmly discussing something in hushed tones. They immediately stopped before the pair got close enough to hear fully.

Storm stood at Twilight's side, as she was just there to cover her flank.

A unicorn arched a brow at Storm before looking at Stone.

"Commander." They said.

"I got a job for you lads." Stone said, making the four ponies smile as she tossed the four folders onto the table. She spoke up again, even as they snatched up the folders and started pouring through the contents. "I need it confirmed with the utmost discretion."

The unicorn looked up and nodded. "We can do that. We will be ready in less than 10."

Stone nodded and turned to leave.

Storm turned and followed, holding questions until they were back in the office, following Twilight and closing the door before asking quietly, "So what exactly do they do?"

"Oh, the usual intelligence gathering, infiltration, and assassination."

"So does that mean they'll kill him if given the chance?" Storm asked.

"Not this time. They are good, but not that good. They’d never make it out and I'd never waste lives like that." Twilight explained, "They will confirm the Intel and then we go in."

"What will my job be when we move in?"

"Stick close to me."

"I'll cover your flanks." Storm agreed.

"And I'll watch both of you." Meadow said using horn magic to speak up.

Twilight nodded, smirking. "And with a platoon of troopers behind us and the Guards surrounding the area, cutting off all escape, we will bring down Flare once and for all!”

"Here's to hopin’." Storm nodded, suppressing the nervousness she felt at the idea of being shot at with the determination she felt before to repay the attackers of her guild.

Twilight nodded, then took a seat behind her desk.

Author's Notes:

And here we see what happens when you are arrogant enough to try and beat a changeling in a battle of words and automatically assume you'll win.....also known as an example of hubris.

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