"So then, tell me what you been up to my little Lapdog." Twilight asked, satisfied that her M.I.D. operatives were investigating the lead they received on Solar Flare.

“Well, I was in a lot of shock because of the attack, but Nightfall filled me in on the train ride back.” Storm explained.

“I can imagine.” Twilight said, gesturing for her to continue since that was already in her report.

“Well, after a bit, we went back to our routine, starting up some sparring in the mountains nearby when we found a dragon egg.”

“You what!” Twilight asked in alarm.

“Yeah, we were a bit surprised too.” Storm said, misunderstanding, “No signs of any dragon nearby in ages. We took it in and-”

“Are you crazy? Dragons are really protective of their young!” Twilight protested.

“I know, we looked around for any signs of the parents and when the last markings we found were long ago, we figured it was worth a try to look after it.” Storm said.

“Storm…” Twilight said before walking over to her and putting a hoof on her shoulder, “If that dragon comes back, I will cover your funeral.”

“Relax Twilight.” Storm said, “We left a message just in case. Besides, we’re on good terms with the dragons here.”

“I hope you’re right, for your sake.” Twilight said. “ So what else did you do?”

“Well, not a whole lot, continued a few lessons back home. Multitasking was... interesting." she smirked.

"Oh?" Twilight arched her brow

"I did better than the green princess from what he said Stalwart told him." Storm smirked then gave a small shrug.

"Details Lapdog." Twilight insisted.

Storm smiled and sat down near Twilight’s chair to settle in and tell the story, "Let's just say that I had a couple guests he shared my company with, including a griffin. It was... interesting to say the least."

"Ah yeah, griffins are very interesting, both male and female." Twilight nodded, then began to smirk. "So how do I stack up?"

"Still pretty amazing, almost as good as Nightfall." She said with a knowing smile.

Twilight chuckled and her horn glowed and Storm felt her flank squeezed by invisible hands. Storm gasped and looked at her confused, only to see Twilight’s horn still glowing.

Storm squirmed in place with small movements, wondering whether she was going to just be teased or if more would happen. Twilight chuckled again before her magic cut off. Storm felt disappointed and frowned, but accepted it and returned to looking at the map.

"When this is all over I think I'm planning an orgy."

Storm eyed her, intrigued, "Oh yeah?"

"Well, I have three incredibly attractive mares all ready to do whatever I say… So… Why not celebrate with them?" she asked and smirked. "Unless you object?"

"I can't exactly object to the heroine of Equestria asking for an after-party request." Storm smirked.

Twilight chucked and used her magic to ruffle her pet’s mane. Storm let out her sigh and Twilight smirked, suspecting her pet had missed their owner’s attentions.

"So what else you did do on leave?"

"Not a whole lot. Nightfall tried his hoof at cooking for me again. He made some pretty amazing sandwiches each morning," Storm smiled, "though one morning he made pancakes in a heart shape with goofy faces with the strawberries and chocolate."

"That's adorable.” Twilight smiled softly, “Chrysalis usually just brings me my enemies tied up to do with as I please."

"Oh really?” Storm snorted in amusement, “And what do you do with them?"

"Let them go.” Twilight chuckled, “That's really not how things are done, but she doesn't exactly get doing normal gifts like breakfasts. Delivering me my political enemies is the surest sign of affection she knows."

"Like a cat." Storm hummed.

"Exactly" she laughed. "It's hard to not find adorable, seeing her proudly standing over them with a triumphant smile as they struggle against the goop holding them and their gag." Twilight’s voice trailed off as her eyes started to unfocus while she looked into a corner of the room and sighed contentedly.

"We'll be back to those days soon enough Twilight." Storm said softly. "We'll all make sure of that." She snorted before adding, “Even Gre-Dawn got us that intel and she just gave birth a couple days ago."

Twilight blinked and her eyes refocused, seeming to push back her memories that had resurfaced. "Yeah."

"So, what kind of political enemies do you have?" Storm asked.

"Mostly the High Nobles, those that sit in the Council and it's pretty normal, we have our agendas and they don't always agree so we compete and maneuver to try and push forward what we want or think is best." She said.

"And how do you deal with that? It sounds... well, stupid to be honest, but that's ponies for ya." Storm replied with a snort.

"Either getting more support than them, blackmailing them, intimidating them, or having them removed." She said shrugging.

"That's... rather cutthroat. I like that part of it." Storm smirked.

"Oh it varies, but it ensures the best are on top. The selfish and stupid cannot rise above the lower houses as their ideas never lead towards anything but harm, so they don't get listened too."

“I bet having a Changeling queen on your side helps.” Storm smirked more widely.

"Oh very. She is a most useful pawn and ally and honest....what she does for my birthday and or hearth warming is adorable and hilarious and works nicely."

“I can imagine. So she just brings over those enemies and you just let them go I’m guessing?

“Yup.” Twilight nodded, “I have to, but it’s still adorable. My enemies being captured in my name as a gift does wonders for helping me. Now, tell me what else you did while on leave.”

"Just lots of time alone with Nightfall...” Storm paused, thinking before chiming in quietly, “I overheard Gallade's adopting Char as her younger brother..."

"What’s wrong?" Twilight asked, noticing the tone shift

"Enh, I'm happy for ‘em.” Storm shrugged, “Gallade's history is kinda sad, but she's a tough enough pony and she’s happier when Char is near."

"Ah."

"What, not gonna ask?" Storm asked with a raised brow.

"Ask what?"

"About Gallade?"

"I figured if you wanted to, you'd tell me." Twilight shrugged.

“Well, I know Nightfall told me her family used to be very rich, some sort of mining business. Her brother loved winter and he died of a kind of sickness. Her parents died soon after and some sort of bad blood happened between her, the business, and then the town that only did well when the business did well. Things got worse and worse and she’d go out to make her home like winter to remember her brother. Kept getting worse and worse until the area was sunk into permanent winter till Char nearly got frozen with a smile on his face because he liked winter and the cold so damn much.

"Weird… and sort of petty." Twilight said shrugging. "Personally would have locked her up but not my call."

"Guess we disagree on that." Storm frowned.

"Sorry, but she plunged a town into an eternal winter. You know how much she fucked up and things she killed with that? Most animals and plants cannot survive in such a climate, not to mention how the two would be adversely affected, as well as surrounding areas. Actions have consequences and hers would have major negative ones for a lot of innocent people if they even got to survive it… Honestly, if that's how she behaves, I can see why her family was resented."

Storm nodded, acknowledging what she said and how they came to that conclusion. She didn't agree. The area didn't suffer, nor did any creatures or plants that they could tell when she flew over to the area, the ponies were able to move back in and were rebuilding their lives around a new kind of business now that the mining industry collapsed for them.

Twilight stared at Storm due to her slight frown. "Speak."

"I said nothing." Storm replied with a shake of her head.

"I can tell you want to."

Storm raised a brow, not wanting to share any of her thoughts on the matter. They disagreed, and that's all. This sort of thing happened, though it didn’t hurt that she did not want to risk frustration over something so simple.

Twilight stared at her for a bit longer, hoping she could make Storm speak up before going back to the paperwork she was doing.

Storm laid down, relaxing as best she could, knowing all the action was left in the hooves of others. After an hour of waiting and meditating, she got up and began her stretching routine, anticipating some afternoon sparring if no interruptions came up.

Twilight set aside her paperwork when she saw Storm starting up her stretches and decided to join her. She had settled most of her business for the day and until the M.I.D. reported back, there wasn’t much reason to put people on active ready status. They would be made aware of what they needed to know when it was time to know it.

Storm smiled happily as she got her partner back, pushing herself to match the veteran by her side.

Twilight, in turn, made sure to push her pupil, but not too much. She didn’t want Storm worn out if they were going to deploy immediately afterward.

Storm was sweating lightly by the time they were done, and she breathed deeply. "Feels good to be at it again."

"Oh?” Twilight smirked, “Someone miss being close to my sweaty body that much?"

Storm snorted, enjoying the comradery, "Why, you miss having a competent challenge at your side?"

"I always miss having someone who can keep up." Twilight said, patting Storm's head.

Storm smiled, appreciating the compliment. "Oh, and I beat the socks off of Nightfall. Forgot to mention that."

"Oh? Do tell." Twilight encouraged, ready to get more details.

"Beat him three times in a row and then he had enough." She said with a proud smirk. She watched as Twilight chuckled, letting out a sigh before her expression turned serious, “How long till we get word from those guys?"

"Whenever they have something to report." Twilight shrugged.

Storm nodded, feeling impatient, but unsure what to do next as her exercises had finished. Her mind began to wander again until she heard a voice speak up.

"So what's on your mind?" Twilight asked.

"Just thinking about what'd be next, after this is done I mean. I'd go back to the guild, get some more jobs done probably."

"Speaking of…” Twilight paused, going over toward her desk, “I have something for you."

Storm raised her brow in surprise briefly then followed.

Twilight opened a drawer and pulled out a small black collar with a tag that had Twilight’s mark on the front and Storm's name on the back. The purple mare held it out to the Pegasus.

Storm blinked, looking at it and felt herself almost want to jump at it, but hesitated, unsure what Twilight was about to surprise her with.

"It’s yours if you want it. I think you've come far enough to say you are truly my pet." Twilight said, smiling at her.

Storm looked at it and then up at Twilight. "And what expectations will come with it?"

"Nothing really changes except this marks that you are one of my pets like the others. You can stay here if you'd like when I return since there are plans for a gateway back and forth."

Storm looked at it and thought for a moment before smirking, "Eh, why the buck not? As long as my mate gets to come first."

Storm took it and put it on her neck before laughing at herself quietly and shaking her head. It fit her perfectly, no discomfort at all, making Twilight smile.

"How's it feel being truly owned and acknowledged as my pet?"

Storm snorted and looked away to hide a blush, "Never thought I'd end up as one. Better take good care of me, jus' sayin." She hesitated before adding, "Will I need to wear it all the time?"

"No. Only when it's just us or the others not doing anything important." Twilight said, smiling as she ran her hoof down Storm's mane and back.

Storm shivered in place, fluffing up her fur and feathers as her embarrassment seemed to heighten the sensation. She watched as Twilight smiled, trying to return one back before settling back down on the spare chair in the office, feeling the collar’s tag slide on her neck fur just above her chest.

Twilight smiled. "How's it feel?”

"Pretty nice…” Storm said before a thought crossed her mind, “So if I'm only gonna wear it some of the time, what happens if somepony just walks in on us? Not exactly an easy thing to just take off and hide without being noticed."

"Huh…” Twilight blinked in surprise at the thought, “Chrysalis was the only one who wore one before and no one walks in on my private floor…"

"You made a big show of Dawn wearing one in front of me, but I don't know what she does to hide it." Storm commented.

"I… hadn’t thought of that.” Twilight said, now going deep in thought.

"It's not that big a deal.' Storm said, "Just means there's points I'll be not wearing it."

Twilight frowned at the idea, not liking that at all.

"What?" Storm asked, sensing that was the wrong answer.

"Just thinking."

"About?"

"A way for you to not have to remove it."

Storm raised a brow but didn't complain. She had to admit, it felt nice.

"Would you like that?"

Storm thought about it and answered. "As long as it's not while I'm with Nightfall, I don't mind. I’ll leave that up to you."

Twilight nodded and grabbed some paper, starting to write out equations while muttering under her breath. Storm looked her way, approaching as her ears flicked as she recognized bits and pieces of what was being said.

"Just what are you cooking up?"

“A spell.” Twilight said simply.

"Yeah, I figured that.” Storm chuckled, “I swore I saw something about invisibility?"

Twilight blinked in surprise. "You know something about magical equations?

Storm snorted with a knowing smile, "Yeah... always had an interest in magic. Came in handy when Nightfall went on his magic artifact hunting and Gr-Dawn wasn't exactly on good terms with us by then."

"I see… Maybe someday you can learn to use magic by becoming an alicorn." She chuckled. "You'd get to spend forever as my pet."

Storm snorted, "Yeah... and I'm the princess of buttercups."

"Maybe Princess of Obedience?" She smirked.

Storm laughed before saying quietly, "Ponies like me don't get to be princesses."

"Why not?" Twilight said, easily hearing with her augmented ears.

Storm sighed, then explained in a quiet voice, trying to hide her resentment, "It's always the ponies who don't normally go out and do things and then when they do things, they get credit. Those of us that already were out doing things, it's just expected."

"Well… I've been a soldier most of my life… and I became an alicorn." Twilight replied, matching Storm’s soft volume.

"Not in this world anyway." Storm shrugged, "Bookworm sent to learn friendship, saves Equestria numerous times, a lot more than Dawn ever did."

"Didn't Dawn save Equestria?"

"Once. You did it about four times I think?" She said, looking up and to the side as she tried to think.

"Give or take, but remember how she did it. She shattered her horn so an entity would not succeed, who in another reality defeated Celestia and Luna together, all so he wouldn't be able to take her body and do the same here."

Storm nodded, looking to the side with her head slightly tilted, as if still doubting her. She felt like Dawn didn’t deserve what she got. She did good once, that didn’t deserve it. If she did it as much as Twilight had, then she could ‘maybe’ see it being ok.

“Yeah…” Storm sighed and slumped down in place, “I guess."

"Well, tell me. What you would do if you became an Alicorn?"

Storm froze at the question, considering it briefly before answering, "Dunno, never really thought about it. Never thought I had a chance at it so I never bothered."

"Ah." Twilight answered simply and continued to write.

"What do you think I'd do?"

"No clue. Maybe eventually come with me and be my loyal pet forever."

"Well, that'd be interesting at least.” Storm chuckled, “Nightfall tells me immortality is overrated and a curse anyway. We'll see if I get to that point."

"For some it is. It carries a high price most can't pay."

"What's that?"

"Outliving everyone else."

Storm nodded, "That's why Night says it's overrated and thinks of it as a curse."

"It can be."

"I like thinking about all the cool stuff I'd do and the ponies I could fly against, even beat at flying." She smirked.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, obviously." Storm smirked.

"Anything else?"

"Not really. I mean, a lot of ponies are a pain to deal with, and being in front of other ponies isn't my thing."

"Aw. So no Princess of the Nice Flanks?"

"Well,” Storm smirked, “I'd rather be known for other things, something cooler.”

"Princess of Good in Bed?"

"Nah, we already got a princess of love. Princess of sex is a little redundant."

"Not when it's for me" She smirked

"Are you hinting at wanting another go?" Storm asked with a knowing smile.

"Maybe,” Twilight continued to smirk, “though now we'd have to be quick."

"Yeah, from sex to action in a moment's notice huh?" Storm joked.

"Just the thing to get the motors running." Twilight nodded, still holding her smirk.

Storm laughed, "Fine, I'm game."

“Pick a spot." Twilight dared.

"What're my options?"

"The office."

"I guess the office'll do then." She chuckled.

“Anywhere in there?”

Storm shrugged, keeping her smile, "I'll follow your lead. Seems to be your thing."

"Well, I was giving it to you as a reward for earning your place." Twilight chuckled, "but if you want to give it up..."

"I wasn't giving it up." She frowned. "It was a compliment. I don’t give up decision-making lightly."

The pair continued to banter before venting their nerves in their own way.

<<<o>>>

Dawn was monitoring some of the drones and their activities when as one of them passed a mirror, she suddenly remembered the task Celestia gave a while back. Her mind rushed to focus on the task update, turning to the drones assigned to help her.

'How goes the analysis?' Dawn asked.

'We are making headway and we're going to run a few simulations.'

'Good. Do we know if we need to make two mirrors on our side or just one?'

'We are actually going to try for a gate.'

'Explain the difference.' Dawn instructed.

'One is bigger and not a mirror. We control when it's active.' they instructed. She instantly got an image of a group in a control room as a device activated. A rift tore in the air in front of a laser-like device. 'That is the device that allows us to recover displaced. We always are trying to make a more stable one that can be open and closed to a set target.'

'Interesting. My task was a mirror. Problem with the gate that I’m seeing is we don't have the technology to fabricate the rest of what you suggested. Do we have the materials needed already?'

'That… is the snag.' they said, admitting frustration with that knowledge.

Dawn mentally snapped her fingers as an idea flashed in front of her. She remembered a show where there was a traveling mirror, where the runes and pattern would go over a part of the mirror frame that could move or twist out of place and acted like an on/off switch. She put forward a similar idea to them to see if that was an option for the control they wanted.

"That could work..." The drone said hesitantly, considering the idea.

"It’s crude, but could work temporarily until a proper gate could be made, and the one piece needed could act as a key to prevent unwanted access. Gather the materials needed and a paper that’s life-sized so I can practice sketching what's needed.'

They moved to obey as they begin to think how to design such a thing, intrigued at the different approach to solve their problem.

Dawn smiled, enjoying how she was able to contribute a possibility. Even if it didn’t work, it could still lend itself toward a solution by being close enough. Dawn flitted back and forth between the drones, trying to get their impressions. Naturally, they were considering that and other side ideas Dawn was trying to come up with even as they worked on what she had given them before.

Dawn sighed contentedly as she reminded herself to sit back and let the hive work. She felt like she could see the path to her assignment becoming clear. The best part that she could look forward to will be the irony of Celestia meeting her double, who would almost definitely tell them off for their mistrust.

Dawn made sure she sent them her appreciation and upon receiving the paper, took a spare few regular sheets and started writing the glyphs and equations in pieces, leaving the large piece for the final draft.

The drones she was working with offered occasional suggestions or corrections if one was wrong, either because it was written slightly wrong or because the equation itself had an error.

Dawn took every bit of feedback she had, feeling focused, and barely noticed her nursing foals, even as they drained her dry. It wasn’t until one of them took a more firm bite as they wanted to get more before she winced and placed an order to the chef drone for food, including a supplement to increase her milk production and some substitute milk for the interim.

Her order was obeyed and before long, Dawn had outlined most of her mirror equations, barring the destination and origin points. She checked with the examiner of each mirror as a thought crossed her mind.

'Can we tell what the origin point is for this world based on these two examples?'

'We just need to find the signature of this world is all.' The drones said.

Her order was obeyed and before long, Dawn had outlined most of her mirror equations, barring the destination and origin points. She checked with the examiner of each mirror as a thought crossed her mind.

'Can we tell what the origin point is for this world based on these two examples?'

'We just need to find the signature of this world is all.' The drones said.

'But since we know what some of these are, that should just leave it in the rest of the mirror’s workings though.' Dawn thought. She had fully intended them to realize that the signature or origin point would have to be a commonality between the two mirrors. Both mirrors for her world and Nightfall’s very similar one would have Equestria as its destination or origin. Her mind looked over the outlines, thinking that she would place them at the top or bottom if she could.

'As you wish Legate." They replied obediently.

'You both know more than I on these.” Dawn quickly corrected them. She did not want to take them down the wrong path simply because she had an idea. “I'm relying on you both for your expertise and to correct me on what I am wrong on. While you’re working on that, what can you make out here, where mine is missing details? Do they match on yours?'

'Somewhat. We are more advanced in dimensional travel, but we will do what we can.'

'But do the two mirrors equations and runes match? In theory, they're both the same other than their destination.' She commented, comparing the existing mirrors and trying to help them understand her point.

'Yes. We will need to make adjustments due to the differences in our magic as we work, but they will work in the end.’ The drone replied.

‘Good, I look forward to it.’ She replied, letting them bow to her mentally and return to their tasks as she gave them her appreciation.

Dawn noticed her foals were crying, pressing tight against her belly and she curled around them protectively, rubbing them carefully as she gave them love and attention. Slowly, they calmed down into a sniffling sleep.

'Your foals are weird.' Chrysalis stated factually, without malice.

'Oh? And what makes them weird?' She asked.

'They are very good at manipulating their mother.'

'So even more changeling-like than I am to you, without being a changeling still.' Dawn chuckled, 'Then again, human children do everything they can to manipulate to get what they want. Maybe they inherited that.'

'Maybe. Though they just got a nuzzle for five minutes.'

'They just went without much attention from me for the couple hours I spent on these equations. Dawn chuckled, ‘I think I can spare them five minutes. Does mom want nuzzles for five minutes?'

'Bwah?' Chrysalis recoiled slightly in confusion.

Dawn chuckled again before explaining, 'Being silly.'

Chrysalis blinked as she processed that response. ‘Right…’

Dawn relayed gentle affection for her mother in the link, sharing her love to reassure them, only to receive some back from the queen. She yawned briefly before her food was delivered and she ate as much as she could while her body ached from feeding her foals so much and so often.

'I am happy I don't have to go through any of what you ponies do when pregnant.' Chrysalis commented.

'Yeah... I'm jealous of that in some ways.' Dawn said, nuzzling her foals with a hoof gently as she munched.

'Yeah, there is just the bit of discomfort near the end before laying the eggs, but not much else.'

'Evolution sucks sometimes.' Dawn agreed.

She felt her mother's amusement and then felt her curiosity mix with some confusion at that specific reaction.

'What? I can't be amused I got off easier than you ponies in terms of pregnancy? '

Dawn chuckled in reply as she understood, 'Yes, you can, I would never dare to tell my queen or mother not… let alone both.'

Chrysalis chuckled at her daughter’s sarcasm and sent her love.

Dawn sighed happily at the reinforcement, considering the mirror puzzle ahead of them once again with trepidation.

'You will figure it out.' Chrysalis encouraged.

'I know I will. I have the help of the hive at my back, and it makes me wonder if Starswirl had help of his own.’

'Perhaps. One never knows from such ancient times.'

'Well, the point remains, we are never alone.' She said before returning her attention to the now waking Nymph.

'Never.' Chrysalis agreed reassuringly before allowing her legate to be with her drone.

Nymph stretched, yawning before speaking groggily, "Morning Dawn."

"Morning Nymph, sleep well?"

She nodded. As she woke, Nymph looked between Dawn and the foals, mind struggling to think immediately.

"Nymph,” Dawn said, seeing how Nymph looked between her foals and her queen, “I didn’t get a chance to tell you before, but so you know for the future, the ponies here don't know I'm a changeling."

"Oh, so we should tell them!" Nymph said eagerly, a wide smile on her face.

"Not yet." Dawn said.

"Why not? I can go places and no one seems to mind." She said, tilting her head in confusion.

"Because it’s dangerous to at the moment. You were protected by the guild and their reputation to do good, even though their members aren’t always ponies." Dawn explained before hugging Nymph with her forelegs, “If ponies didn’t see your guild crest, they would be afraid of you…”

Nymph frowned, disheartened at the idea of ponies not liking her just because of something she couldn’t help before seeming to get a focused look in her eyes with a small frown as she puzzled out why that is.

"I’m sorry little Nymph,” Dawn said sadly, “This is why I don’t tell anyone. I'm very happy about being who I am. Ponies know me as a princess now, and they’re worried about the other kind of changelings who hurt them years ago. Once they aren’t so afraid, we can let them know about me, ok?

"Oh." Nymph nodded blankly before thinking on it, tilting her head, and saying, "I don’t get it."

Dawn sighed inwardly and pulled Nymph in, "It’s ok little one, you're still loved anyway."

"I’m still full from yesterday though!" She protested, giggling at the feed she was offered.

"All right, we can take a break and visit the other nymphs if they’re wanting to play again." Dawn suggested amidst the sorrow of the hive at the nymph’s ignorance of the world.

Dawn understood where they were coming from, but in a way, she was glad. Nymph did not know prejudice as much as she might otherwise, or the resentment for being on the receiving end of that prejudice. She would work to make a world that would match her view that changelings could be tolerated and loved. Naturally, if her world’s changelings were not able to be friendly yet, she would continue to defend her lands.

Dawn checked what the foals Nymph could play with were up to, if they were in another lesson or playing. The hive relayed the idea that there would always be prejudice, no matter how far progress goes, but Dawn still held hope that it could change in spite of that.

After a few more minutes of letting Nymph lay on her or look at her foals, Dawn got up and changed her foals before putting them on her back as they walked along in the hive so Nymph could learn or play more. She was still under close observation, the hive concerned for any distress or signs of weakness or illness from the pregnancy.

Despite her discomfort, it felt mild after her repeated uses of magic to speed up her healing and walked carefully toward the chamber as a thought crossed her mind.

'What is Stem up to?' She asked.

'Writing a scroll. He just sent it.' A drone reported.

Dawn paused, wondering what he was reporting, only to be told by the drones that he had been using spells to scramble his writing so they couldn’t decipher it. She debated writing a letter of her own but decided against it. It had too many risks of its own of revealing more information than desired in the process.

She had barely finished her train of thought and blinked as she realized she was already at the nurseries, the foals and nymphs all hard at play. Nymph got excited at all the activity and jumped away from Dawn’s side to dash out ahead and join them

Dawn’s foals woke gradually as she had walked on, looking around with bright eyes like their mother’s, looking around with expressions of confusion.

Chrysalis chuckled as she watched Nymph through the link, entertained by the pony-like behavior.

Nymph looked around for a game she knew, wanting to join in like the last game they had played together. She saw how some were drawing, some were playing with toys, and the rest were playing tag.

Nymph ran forward to join the mix of children playing, all of them darting in and out of the range of the one that was it. The eight of them played readily, Nymph whooping in excitement as she nearly missed being touched. She dodged nimbly, her inherent agility come in to play and her wings fluttered for extra stability.

'This is good practice for her.' Chrysalis commented.

'She's pretty fast.' Dawn smiled, appreciating their antics.

'Yes, she is.'

Nymph squealed as she dodged again, only to bump into a wall.

"Tag! You're it!"

"Awww, I’m gonna get you!" Nymph yelled, chasing after a blue colt.

'When do you plan for her to meet me properly?'

'When would you like to?' Dawn chuckled.

'Whenever you think she is ready.' Chrysalis answered.

'I think she is. I’ll bring her after she's done playing, though it might be a bit.' Dawn said, watching Nymph chase and tag her quarry before darting away.

'I'll be in the throne room.' Chrysalis smiled.

Dawn watched them play until she had tired herself out, her foals napping on her back despite the noise.

Nymph grinned as she walked back with a wobbling gait, panting with a wide grin, "That was fun!"

"I’m glad.” Dawn chuckled, putting the foal on her back with her other foals carefully, “Now it's time to go with me to one more place before we go back to rest."

"Where's that?" Nymph asked.

"You'll see."

Chrysalis made her way towards the throne room while Dawn walked toward her, relishing a chance for a proper introduction.

Nymph looked on in the hive, curious about what was going to happen. They eventually came to a slightly bigger room with a domed ceiling and numerous changeling sized holes in and out various places. She let out a ‘whoah’ of amazement, hopping down onto the floor while looking around.

Dawn looked around and she knew instinctually with every fiber of her being that this is not how a throne room should look. At first, she was on guard, suspecting an ambush or some kind of enemy when she was reminded that this was not a proper hive, so it wasn’t going to be a proper throne room.

Dawn relaxed at that response, double checking to make sure Stem was in his room. She received a confirmation from a drone then nodded slightly before turning to Nymph with a smile.

"Nymph, know how you called me a queen yesterday?"

"Huh? No, I didn’t." Nymph said, not remembering doing such a thing.

“Yes, you did.” Dawn chuckled. "Called me Queenie. Well, I’d like you to meet mine."

"You have a queen?" She gasped in surprise.

"Yes, she does." Chrysalis said from the darkness.

Nymph let out a squeak and dashed under Dawn timidly, keeping an eye out for who spoke.

Dawn chuckled quietly in place and awaited her mother's appearance

'What is your hive name?' Chrysalis asked.

'I don’t know. I was of the Ridgeback Hive before I had one of my own.' She replied, trying to think of a name to help her queen do the introduction.

'Well…' she hesitated, a bit put off by not having a name to use. "Uhh… Welcome Nymph of the newly formed… Um… Hope Hive!"

Dawn burst into laughter while Nymph tilted her head with a very confused expression.

"Wha?" Nymph asked, face contorted.

Dawn laughed harder, holding her foals with magic to not jostle them too much.

She felt her mother facehoof in the dark from how awkward that became.

Nymph looked back at Dawn, "is that what your hive is called?"

"Well, I don’t have a name for our hive yet, so we can call it that until we have a better name." She smiled, calming down. 'Sorry mom, but that was amazing.'

'I am trying to be dramatic here!' Chrysalis whined before getting ready to walk out into sight.

'Sorry.' Dawn apologized.

Nymph looked up at Dawn, then looked out into the room and saw Chrysalis on her throne and ran behind Dawn’s front leg.

"You're Chrysalis, aren’t you?" Nymph called out.

"What!?” Chrysalis asked in surprise, then groaned out in exasperation, “Oh come on!"

"We met before." Nymph said factually from behind the green leg.

"Nymph, let my queen say her piece."

"Not in person, only in Dawn's head and I was just a voice." Chrysalis whined. "Oh forget it. No one really appreciates the dramatic arts!"

The darkness lifted, the clouds forming up in the ceiling dissipating and revealing how numerous changelings walked off toward the exits. They were no longer needed. Still, the dark cloud rumbled in the room ominously as it slowly disappearing and showed Chrysalis more clearly on her simple throne.

'Sorry mom...' Dawn apologized, knowing this was the second time she was thwarted in her introduction.

Nymph continued to hide behind Dawn’s leg, saying, "Dawn, she’s not happy. Maybe we can come back later."

"Nymph, she was looking forward to seeing you, be a polite filly and go say hi." Dawn encouraged.

Chrysalis remained on the throne, watching them as drones filed out past them.

Nymph approached slowly, timidly as she tried not to venture too far away from her own queen. Dawn stepped forward with her, staying a pace behind as the little changeling's quivering legs as she approached, stopping a good ten paces away.

"H-hi!" She said before dashing under Dawn's legs

"Hello, young one." Chrysalis said soothingly with a smile. Despite the ruined introduction, Nymph was still adorable to watch.

Nymph looked out at the queen, Dawn chuckling gently as she patted their back.

"Nymph, come on, you can do it."

Nymph slowly stepped out from under her queen's legs, looking up at Chrysalis, "You're big…"

"Yes. I am a queen."

"Like Dawn?"

"Yes."

"Moreso." Dawn chimed in. "Her hive has a name."

"It does?" She asked, intrigued.

"Yes, we are within an outpost of Ridgeback Hive." Chrysalis explained.

"Oh... where's Dawn's hive?" She asked, getting more curious and less scared as she learned more.

"You are in it." Chrysalis answered.

"But it’s a ridgeback outpost you said." Nymph protested, not seeing how it pieced together.

"It is." Dawn said gently. "I am now a part of the Ridgeback Hive."

"Oh." Nymph hummed, accepting that at face value.

"And my daughter." Chrysalis nodded.

Nymph looked on in surprise then smiled. "Ok. Then you can’t be too bad."

"Depends who you ask. I'm sure when Dawn misbehaves, I'm the most evil mother to ever walk Equus." Chrysalis answered with a smirk. "There is a reason she doesn't misbehave."

"Very true." Dawn nodded sagely, going along with it, 'Totally fibbing.'

'It's in our nature.' She chuckled in the link as she looked impassively toward the nymph.

Nymph looked on, feeling amazement come over her. "Are you sayin’ if I misbehave you'll turn evil?"

"Yes. Very evil. The most evil thing you've ever seen." She said eyes wide in a slight threat.

Nymph gasped and ran behind Dawn again, "Miss Dawn, why you gots an evil mommy?"

"Because she conquered me and she can." Dawn said, "but don't worry. I know you're a good il’ nymph, aren’t’cha?"

"Y-yeah, so d-don't be a evil momma." Nymph called to Chrysalis shakily.

"Then be on your best behavior for Dawn." Chrysalis instructed

"I will." She said, staying under Dawn's body.

"Then I will remain good." Chrysalis said dramatically as she threw her head back, hoof on her forehead in a dramatic fashion.

Nymph giggled a little in nervousness at the drama as Dawn said, "Nymph, anything you want to ask while we're here?"

"I’m hungry. Can I have some doughnuts?"

Chrysalis blinked, her mind nearly screeching to a halt as she stared at the little one.

"Doughnuts. Do you have some?" She asked again after waiting several seconds.

"Eh, I can get some I suppose."

Nymph smiled, "Good."

She blinked at her.

Nymph went back to Dawn, "So when can I be a queen?"

"It'll take a lot to get you to be a queen little one." Dawn said, settling for a half-truth.

"Is that really all you have to ask of me?" Chrysalis asked bewildered

"For now." Nymph said with a nod, "Unless you can tell me when I can be a queen."

"You meet one of the most powerful queens there is with one of the largest most successful hives in history and is Dawn's mother, and all you have to ask is about doughnuts?"

Nymph shrugged, "As long as you're not a bad changeling or a bad mother, yep, that's all I wanted to ask. Doughnuts are really good in case I got hungry!"

Dawn chuckled quietly, "I'm sure there will be questions later, my queen.”

Chrysalis hit her hoof on her forehead with a loud ‘clack’ that echoed in the chamber.

Nymph tilted her head, "What's wrong?"

"I think mom is just surprised you aren't reacting the way she expected."

Chrysalis dragged her hoof down her face. "That's putting it mildly."

Nymph flew up in front of her face, smiling wide, "Will a hug make it better?"

Chrysalis blinked in utter confusion. "Eh?"

Nymph flew to their neck and gave her a hug as big as her little frame could allow.

Chrysalis continued her blinking, frozen in place as her mind tried to process what happened.

Nymph fluttered back to the ground and trotted over to Dawn, who simply smiled and hugged her Nymph, keeping her foals on her back.

Dawn waited for dismissal as Nymph waved to Chrysalis, 'I think she’s very pony-minded so far.'

'Very… you may go.'

'Diversity can make the hive strong, or at least, can lead to strength by having more options.' Dawn said, happy with her nymph.

'She is still strange.'

'True.' Dawn said, walking them back to her room down the uneventful halls.

Dawn set her foals down in the middle of the bed once in her room and climbed up, wincing as her body reminded her she was healing with a strong twitch of pain down her underside.

'Are you okay?' a Healer asked immediately.

'Felt like something tore.' Dawn replied even as the Healer was en route before she finished the thought.

As much as it drained her, she cast magic to have her body heal faster so she didn't bleed too much, laying down and leaving her hip toward the edge of the bed to make it easier for the healer. Her foals woke, moving groggily toward her lower areas to feed once more.

The healer arrived and moved swiftly to check her over

Dawn had indeed torn something. Her wound that had closed a couple nights ago had reopened from the movement and blood dripped from her flank onto the floor. Her bruising was still very visible through her fur.

The healer went to work with skilled practice and expertise as Dawn stayed still for them.

"Guess I pushed too hard huh?"

"Only a little, Legate." She said with a smile as she worked.

Dawn winced as she said, "I'll rest more healer. Promise."

The healer nodded appreciatively at the consideration for their acceptance of good counsel.

Dawn sighed happily at the feeling of family around her, Nymph having laid on the bed and watched the healer pony closely, then felt her stomach gurgle.

"I'll have food brought." The healer informed Dawn.

"Thank you, healer. I'm craving bacon, but also a salad... actually..." She thought, sending off in the link instructions to cook a heavy salad meal with cheeses, cherry tomatoes, and other such things that will make her feel full while also looking like she's eating a lot.

They quickly moved to obey, wanting to help their Legate. This made Dawn share her love and appreciation for their service, who then sent her their pride to serve the hive and do the jobs they were meant to do.

Dawn continued, knowing how much she wanted recognition when she was a grunt of sorts at different workplaces. They deserved it, even if it was their job.

The healer soon finished her work and let the mare heal while Dawn puzzled once again over the mirror as Nymph pulled out a book and was reading quietly by Dawn’s side.

Dawn felt like she had narrowed it down to three segments they hadn't pieced together yet. She ate readily when the food came, sharing the second bowl with Nymph, who munched slowly as she read while being very careful not to spill close to the book.

‘What is usually involved in finding out a home address?’ Dawn asked, trying to see if she could do to circumvent finding it based on the mirrors themselves.

"Scanning with the right equipment, though we don't need the home address as the rift originates in our home."

'So we have to figure out my world's address and yours...' Dawn paused, returning to the same problem of the mirror itself and repeated her prior train of thought when that came up, 'So that’s why we’re looking on these mirrors still. I figure what’s in common will be the home address, and what’s different will be the destination.'

'Maybe.' The drone replied, only indicating that the idea might or might not work.

Dawn chuckled. It was more than 'maybe’ in her eyes. The two mirrors were otherwise identical and that had to be usable in some way, she just had to piece it together. She was confident that it was reasonable to believe that to be the case, even though her drones assigned were being diligent by being skeptical of what she was trying to do. It was what she asked them to do of course, to make sure she didn’t get too one-track-minded.

Dawn ate and while getting the last tomato in her mouth, she had a burst of inspiration as she mentally twisted the runes around. She looked in each corner and suddenly it seemed like the address area was as plain as day. She knew she didn’t have any formal training on it, but she got excited at the idea of finding it by simple dumb luck like this.

The drones watched on while Dawn puzzled, working on their own tasks at the same time.

Dawn asked if she got it right once she was done copying it as closely as she could a full two hours later. She tried to justify it by showing the equation and where she got it from. From what she guessed, it was in three pieces, indicating its location in space, time, and frequency. Space was divided into three planes, time was another three symbols, and frequency was the final equation below it.

She was relieved as they double checked it. They said it was plausible and if nothing else, would significantly help them with their formulas. She joked that she knew enough to get in trouble, only to get told back that they knew enough to get out of trouble.

Dawn smiled happily at this small breakthrough before realizing that her body was laying flat on the bed and rhythmically breathing once more.

'Wait… Did... did I fall asleep while I was working and not realize it?' she asked, feeling confused.

'Your body did. You weren’t using it.'

'That's weird...’ Dawn replied, assessing how she felt and struggled to describe it. ‘I feel tired, but I also don’t. '

'How is it weird?' Chrysalis asked, 'You weren’t using your body for anything so why would it remain awake, wasting energy?'

'True, I just... I never had control over that. I would be awake and thinking or asleep and not. To be one without the other is disorienting to me.' she admitted before thinking to the mirror and wanted to brag a little. 'Still, this puzzle of the mirror is going really nicely. we're almost done with the planning stage at this rate!’

The Queen didn't understand how what Dawn felt was disorienting as it was perfectly natural to her. She opted for a diplomatic response by saying, 'That is good to hear.'

Dawn nodded happily to her, trying to suppress her feeling of unease with her excitement at the mirror.

'Yeah...’ She answered, her voice starting to grow quiet as her fatigue continued to mount, ‘We just have to figure out your world's address and then we're good to start crafting I think.'

'What’s wrong?'

'It's nothing...' She said, trying to stretch but unable to, causing her further worry despite thinking how Chrysalis always manages the hive, even in her sleep. 'Y-you do this all the time right? It has to be nothing...'

'Yes.' Chrysalis said, helping Dawn to feel her presence next to her on the bed to comfort her drone.

Dawn pressed herself as close to Chrysalis as she could, finding comfort in their presence, even as she felt Nymph press up against her in kind on the other side. 'Guess I'm worrying Nymph…'

'It's natural for her to worry. My drones are always clinging on me.'

'Why should she be worried? She has her legate here to protect her, unless she's picking up on my worry...'

'Because she is your drone, and you are her queen.'

'But that shouldn't be cause for worry...' Dawn said before realizing, 'Oh, she wants me safe and looked after, like I do for you?'

'Exactly. She is concerned with your safety and wellbeing, even if she doesn't know it.'

Dawn nodded, slowly relaxing, 'So am I supposed to be doing anything while my body rests and my mind doesn’t?'

'Whatever you want.'

'I don’t know… beyond solving this mirror request, there isn’t much, and I like tackling new things or I get bored.'

'Explore. Direct a drone to do things and watch through them'

'Oh? Like what? Don't we want things to be done that are productive?'

'You are a queen and my legate. The hive exists to do what you want. A single drone following your orders for entertainment will not harm productivity.'

'Well… true.' she admitted, feeling guilty about ordering them around frivolously.

'Never feel guilty about ordering those under you to do as you wish. They are there to obey you.' Chrysalis reminded her.

'I can't help but picture what if I were in their hooves, and want to not bother them or respect them as their own ponies as I would want.' Dawn thought, seeing the diversity in the hive and how they each were able to contribute or were busy.

'And what they want is to serve.'

Dawn frowned. The idea of such servitude did not appeal to her, and she struggled to let go of the ‘I don’t want it, so I won’t do it to others’ mentality. Chrysalis noticed this behavior and decided to correct it.

'Who wishes to be your Legate’s body for the night?' Chrysalis asked the hive.

Every voice in the hive replied eagerly. Dawn balked in surprise at this answer, not having expected this in the least.

“I… I see.” Dawn replied, trying to get her mind to think.

'They are your subordinates. Command them. The will obey any order you give."

'I… I don't know what to order now.' She admitted, feeling shy without knowing why at this amount of power. She was scared of misuse it.

'The first thing that pops into your head. Pick a drone at random and order it.' Chrysalis instructed.

Dawn picked a drone near the surface, a soldier, and commanded, 'Be a dog for me and show me what it's like from their perspective.'

The drone stopped its patrol and immediately became a yellow lab, sniffing the air and flooded the legate’s senses with things she had no way to describe.

Dawn expressed a childish glee at their transformation and quickly beckoned it to her.

The dog faithfully trotted its way toward Dawn’s room, sniffing things at random and sharing the information it got. It would have struggled to navigate by sight without the link, but it knew the hive thoroughly and revealed Dawn’s room entrance in grayscale.

'Show me what you would do to blend in as a dog.' she thought, not wanting to be too specific and take them out of reality just yet.

The drone nodded mentally and went inside her room. She sniffed everywhere within the room, glancing up at Dawn and her foals before padding slowly toward them. She sniffed toward Dawn’s bed then lifted her front half up onto the mattress before hopping up the rest of the way, sniffing closer and closer to Dawn and her foals.

Dawn watched them closely as her foals slept on, wiggling lightly in their sleep toward their mother’s warmth.

The dog sniffed close to the foals, giving them a lick or two before settling itself around them with Dawn and laid its head on her flank.

Dawn chuckled, feeling a great deal of affection flowing from her toward her foals and the drone acting the part, letting herself enjoy the moment. The dog slept on, or at least let its body act that way while its mind stayed active. Dawn enjoyed the contentment this caused, falling asleep for an hour before her mind woke once again. To entertain herself, she sent the dog out into town to show her new things.

The dog woke, stretched, and headed for the exit. It left the hive and headed for the dark town, relaying many new senses like the lack of color and the wide degree of smells. After a great deal of exploration, the dog returned to her room, wagging its tail at the love and affection it received.

‘Good drone,’ Dawn chuckled, ‘you made me happy tonight. You may return to your work.’

She bowed, shifting back into her natural state, and moved to return to work.

Dawn thought, reveling in the experience while her mother smiled at her.

'What?' Dawn asked, feeling shy.

'Nothing Legate.'

Dawn noted the use of her title, taking it to mean that she must also return to working on her task with the mirror. Chrysalis smirked at this reaction and left her to her work.

Dawn was refreshed, ready to tackle her task again. She considered what they knew so far and began trying to figure out ideas for the destination. She knew what they needed now, but had no idea how to find it. The current home address she believed was the right one didn’t seem to have an explanation for its work included, nor any derivations she could use.

Her drones reported they were already working on analyzing the results and a possible conversion metric. They assured her it would be easier once rescue came, they would have the equipment needed for it after that point.

Dawn frowned. She had been wanting to get it done and ready first, rather than give up until help arrived. Still, she had to admit her drones were doing the best they could and they were severely limited, only able to work with educated guesses instead of testing their hypotheses.

Dawn sent them her appreciation, asking if they needed a break from the project, only to be told they were fine, just frustrated due to the lack of equipment, and gave them hugs for doing what they can.

'Do either of you want a day or two for your own hobbies or rest?' Dawn offered.

'We are fine.'

'That wasn’t my question.' Dawn said, feeling particular at that moment. When no answer came, she responded, 'Fine, I'll take that as a no, but next time, please say so.'

She let herself feel frustrated by their not answering with a yes or no, then calmed herself, realizing they were trying to say no politely. She groaned internally as she realized she was being a hypocrite, since that was exactly how she would have responded as well.

The drones continued to work, not remotely bothered since their purpose to serve the legate and queen.

Dawn watched the life of several drones, keeping tabs on various parts of the country by their doing so, hoping that she would either learn from those observed or gain inspiration herself.

She found several had infiltrated Canterlot Castle and were spying on the goings on there, while others have infiltrated Ponyville and keeping tabs on the Bearers.

Dawn hummed in revelation of this, then checked in on Chrysalis, 'Keeping tabs on Twilight's friends in this world?'

'They are part of a super weapon.' she said as a reminder. 'Not to mention this Twilight is a princess as well.'

'A super weapon?' Dawn asked, quite confused.

'The Elements of Harmony. They are the definition of a super weapon, even if they cannot take life in our world.'

'I knew they bore elements of some kind as well, but I didn't realize it was a super weapon. As far as I know, they can't kill here either.'

'If it could take life, it would be a WMD. Instead, it tore the darkness and madness from Luna mind and turned the God of Chaos to stone in a single blast. Don't let the pretty colors fool you. It is a super weapon.'

'Noted...' Dawn sat in awe at the revelation, not having known much on the elements before.

'And so the hive keeps an eye on the components.' Chrysalis repeated.

'Funny, I had never met them directly.'

'Oh?'

'Yeah, only Twilight…. Well, actually, I take that back. I had seen them, but we didn't socialize much at the coronation. I might have seen them at the Gala, but I’ve only attended the once so far.'

'Ah. How come?'

'Just don't like politics.' Dawn replied.

'I wouldn't call meeting them ‘politics,’ I don’t the even know about them.'

'I keep being shown various leaders and rich people and people with influence, who all seem to want to get to know me, probably to get favors later...' She said skeptically.

'Yes, that is most likely, but if they are anything like Twilight’s friends, they aren't like that.'

'Ah... well, good thing I will have the chance to go again in a couple months, provided it's still held.'

'The Gala?'

'Yeah. It's held in autumn.' She thought, starting to be unsure of herself.

'It will always be held, as long as Equestria remains, I am sure.'

'Fair enough.'

Chrysalis laid beside her in the link, hearing Dawn sigh and sharing her love once more. She nuzzled her daughter comfortingly as she managed the hive.

'Thanks, mom.'

'For what?'

'Being here, always.' Dawn nuzzled, grateful yet again for their connection.

'I would never abandon my hive.'

'I know mom.' Dawn said happily, having taken solace in this fact.

Chrysalis nuzzled her daughter back, receiving some kind while Dawn once again shared how happy she was to be in a hive.

Dawn rested until morning, when her foals finished feeding and needed to be changed. She got them cleaned up, then went back to bed to lie down with her husband, intent on resting further so her body could heal. Chrysalis left her alone, for the most part, to go to manage the hive

Sergeant Stem stood outside the hive, at the entrance, looking southeast attentively.

"Something wrong pony?" a green pegasus asked, walking up to him. They spoke this way to politely let him know they were a changeling.

"No." He said simply.

"You seem to be staring awfully intently at nothing."

"I am not staring at nothing." he said simply, a dot in the sky now visible.

The pony-changeling looked where Stem was. Having a pegasus body made him have better eyesight than the unicorn. His eyes narrowed and he saw Luna, riding in her chariot with two batponies pulling on it with a direct course for the hive.

The drone quickly alerted the Legate and queen. Dawn continued to keep herself laying down, trying not to worry and looked to her mother for advice at this surprise visit.

Stem smiled slightly, commenting, "It appears Luna has come to visit."

The Queen was already en route.

'You rest daughter. I will see what she wants.' She said as changelings gathered at the entrance for a proper welcoming

Dawn nodded, 'be safe mom.'

Author's Notes:

Dawwww the little Legate is starting her own hive and it's adorable.

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