Luna landed just outside the hive, her batponies blinking in the sun disagreeably as she dismounted.

Several royal guard ponies had been gathered to greet her. The queen believed it’d be more comfortable for her to be greeted by non-changelings at first.

"I'm here to see Princess Dawn. I request entry and safe passage." She said, staying by the chariot.

"You need not ask." One guard with captain’s bars on his shoulder said. He led six other guardsponies, who took up a formation around the princess and her chariot to escort her.

Luna watched, turning to her escort and commented, “Then if it is no issue, we would have my charioteers indoors. They are unaccustomed to daylight."

"It is not. It will be moved into the hive." the captain said as they walked into the darkness of the cave.

"Thank you." She nodded, following in, "this is our first time in a changeling hive."

"We will be sure to only cocoon you a little."

Luna stopped and made her horn glow, ready to fight, "Thou'd best be joking."

A sigh came from the darkness.

"Apologies Princess. Zerk here fancies himself a comedian." Chrysalis said stepping out, having taken the form of a black alicorn with a green ethereal mane and tail.

"Apology accepted.” Luna nodded, “Forgive us. Despite our alliance, we are still cautious. I am here to see Princess Dawn."

'Dawn are you up for seeing Luna?'

'I am. I can be there soon, though it'd be best if we met in my quarters. After all, it’s a dead end and easy to trap her if needed.' She joked.

'Agreed.' Chrysalis said more seriously, already moving guards into position.

"Yes right this way. She is currently resting in her quarters." Chrysalis said as she started to lead the way. "Had we known you were coming, we would have prepared a proper welcome."

"It is fine. Our sergeant sent word of Dawn's foals and I had to see them for myself." She said with a small smile.

Chrysalis nodded while leading her through the maze of a hive to Dawn's room

Luna walked until she was at the entrance to the chamber. Dawn glowed a light spell on the ceiling for ambient light for Luna, before stopping her spell at a voice.

"That won’t be necessary Dawn," Luna said gently as she entered. "It is good to see you again."

"Good to see you too Luna," Dawn said with a smile.

Chrysalis left them alone, keeping a close eye through her drones in the link on the pair.

"Are you well?" Luna asked.

"As well as can be expected… there were complications during birth, but they are healthy."

"May I see them?"

"Of course." Dawn smiled, moving her wing from above her foals and folding it back in place. The foals were awake and looked at Luna with wide, attentive eyes.

"They’re beautiful," Luna said.

"That they are." Dawn smiled.

The colt hiccupped and yawned before his horn reappeared on his forehead in a flash of green flame.

Luna's mood went from tenderness to caution in a heartbeat, making the air go from a sweet taste to a lighter bitter-sour taste.

"Is that the complication?"

“It’s part of it.” Dawn admitted, giving an embarrassed smile, “grew his horn mid-pregnancy and tore down there. Admittedly they started it recently and Stalwart and I were surprised by this as well.”

Chrysalis watched closely, concerned about how things were about to develop.

"Dawn,” Luna said, “Stem believes you've been hiding things from us."

"Oh?" Dawn asked.

"He’s convinced you're a changeling."

Dawn frowned, looking up at the darker sister, who she’d respected for their second chance. It felt harder to mislead her, and felt like now was the time to play out who she was. She checked with Chrysalis simultaneously to ask her assessment, wondering if it was the right time.

'This is up to you. It will hurt things but also will cause issues the longer you take.'

"Luna, let’s start at the beginning." Dawn started. "Please know that what I tell you is not known outside of my family and those Twilight has appointed, and I feel it’s been important to keep secure."

"You have my word, but I will tell my sister as needed," Luna warned.

"I expected as much," Dawn said before taking a deep breath and beginning to tell how it started.

She explained the telephone spell being used with Chrysalis, and Chrysalis' concern with Violet not being able to talk to the hive. She had offered to help with the use of the spell as a substitute, and practiced by reaching out to Chrysalis. She explained how their friendship grew, slowly being thought of as more and more a friend of the hive inadvertently, and eventually, Chrysalis asked to adopt her and put her in a cocoon.

Dawn continued, Luna's face softening to sympathy and compassion when Dawn explained that she absorbed traits from the changelings. She almost seemed to smile when she learned Dawn was their Legate, a pony ambassador because of her friendship with the hive. She left out that she was a changeling and actually in the hive, but ended with the mention of how she was surprised her foals inherited at least one of their traits as well.

Luna listened attentively to the pony of hope, evaluating what was said. After a little silence, she nodded, giving a small smile

"I see why you kept quiet. Most ponies would not support you or your choice to make friends with the changelings, but I can see you are still living up to your element." She said with a growing smile. "I must confess, I was worried for you before, but you showed wisdom in not being flamboyant about it and causing panic to the uneducated. I will share with my sister and vouch for you. Oh, and one more thing."

"What is it?" Dawn asked

"You must show me the illusion you showed Stem for Nightmare Night when you are in Canterlot next. Stem said it was most frightening!"

'Well, that will be an issue.' Chrysalis commented.

'In what way?' Dawn asked before replying with a smile, “I’ll see what I can do.”

'You don't actually have an illusion spell, do you? '

'I do actually.' Dawn chuckled.

'Oh.' Chrysalis blinked in surprise.

'You didn't realize that, did you? Dawn chuckled before she shared a picture of herself turning into a vampire-like thestral and glowing with an aura, not unlike Luna's mane to her mother in that case. 'Very difficult to pull off, but otherwise satisfying. I would have Starlight help enforce the details as I acted or vice versa.'

'Ah.'

"Luna?" Dawn spoke up as Luna turned away to leave.

"Yes, Dawn?" Luna asked pausing and looking back to the mare on the bed.

"Thank you for understanding… it was hard to say this and felt worry that you would judge me or my foals for being part changeling."

"I cannot say that I fully understand it, but it is crystal clear you still have Equestria's interests in mind. Beyond that, your choices are your own." Luna said with a smile.

“I’m very grateful for your approval.” Dawn said honestly, "If I hadn't re-torn down below, I'd be giving you a big hug right now."

"It is fine. We must rest, then we will go back to Canterlot."

Dawn nodded, smiling as she felt like her involvement in hiding the truth was over.

'We are preparing her quarters. Do you wish for her to be close?' A drone reported.

'Yes.'

The drones began their work, ensuring that the quarters would be acceptable and suited to the Princess of the Night.

"Luna, why don’t you stay here a small while? They probably have to make your room and will get you when it’s ready. They’d want you to be rested before you go, they’re quite hospitable I’ll have you know."

"Very well." She smiled, standing by her bed, looking down to the two tiny foals staring back at her. "What will you name your foals?"

"Good question." Dawn said, "It’s another task on my to-do list. Been working on the mirrors more while I’m waiting to see what their personalities are like."

"Oh?" Luna asked, confused and intrigued.

"You mean… you didn’t know Celestia told me to make a traveling mirror?"

Luna looked even more surprised and shook her head, looking at her with concern. Dawn let out a frustrated sigh and began to explain.

"I’m to make a mirror from our world to that Twilight's. I suspect because she’s unhappy with how their history turned out or possibly Twilight herself."

"Even after the coma you went through, she-" Luna asked in surprise, looking over Dawn for something.

"She still wanted me to.” Dawn completed the sentence with a small degree of frustration. “I’ve been working with two changelings on the task, to analyze my work and help since they’re from the desired world.”

"I wish to see them please," Luna said.

"I'll send for them." Dawn nodded, glowing her horn while using the link, 'come when you have the chance.'

They begin to move to obey while Luna nodded, smiling at the now nursing foals.

"I’m interested to see what they'll do in life, with the princess of hope for a mother and behind them, it will be interesting.”

Soon, the two Changelings entered the room. They looked incredibly similar at a glance, though Chrysalis could see the minute details that separated them both. Luna looked at them attentively, turning her body to face them respectfully.

"Are you both the ones helping Meadow?"

They nodded

Luna bowed briefly, a small smile on her face, "Thank you both, for helping in my sister's foolish task. Please, keep Dawn safe if I cannot talk her out of this foolish command."

"It is our pleasure and duty." They responded, returning the bow.

"Duty?" Luna asked.

"She is the daughter of the Queen." One of them volunteered.

Luna looked back to Dawn and nodded slowly, "I see."

The two changelings still stood, awaiting further instructions.

“So this Chrysalis made a major play and Dawn has no clue of the implications?” Luna muttered, having glanced to Dawn briefly, “She really knows nothing of the game… perhaps I should have taken her under my wing like I had wanted to when she first came to our world…”

"I’m sorry?” Dawn blinked, not having caught any of what was muttered while the drones caught every word, “Come again?"

"Do you have any questions for us?" one of the drones asked.

Luna shook her head, "Not at the moment."

"What did you say about a game?" Dawn asked of what little she caught while the drones left.

"It seems we will need to teach you later. It appears my sister has neglected your studies, and so the task gets to fall to me." Luna said, getting up. "Is my guest quarters ready?"

'They are we are just moving in a bed.' Chrysalis replied.

Dawn hummed, “I think so… They told me it would be nearby at least, so you could watch them work if you wanted.”

"We will rest, and then talk further." Luna nodded, looking to the doorway to a guard who stepped into the room and saluted.

Luna moved toward the guard, who led her out of Dawn’s quarters and toward her room while Dawn sighed contentedly at how well that went, thinking on the conversation and letting the link fill in what it caught of Luna’s muttering.

'Do you know what game Luna was talking about mom?' Dawn asked.

'I do.' Chrysalis said, 'It is a cunning and dangerous beast with an insatiable hunger that's survived for centuries and through all attempts to destroy it.'

'Huh? But she said something about a major move...' Dawn blinked, confused about a game being a beast.

Chrysalis sighed and proceeded to share with her the politics of Daes Dae’mar.

Chrysalis instructed Dawn about all of it: the alliances, the betrayals, the destruction, the deaths. She held nothing back, not even how Twilight was personally involved in the deaths of her political rivals and those who stood in the path of her agenda, either with her own hooves or ordering it.

Dawn looked on at the lesson in horror.

Chrysalis showed how the hive had been involved in these betrayals, deaths, and alliances. The game was less about lives and more about players and pawns. Life and death matter little to The Great Game. All that mattered was that it was played…

And it would be played.

Dawn frowned, hating the very concept of the game, that it preyed on those who played, even if it might otherwise be politics in her mind. It was the worst kind of politics that she wanted nothing to do with. She cut off her empathy as much as reasonably allowed to cope, using breathing techniques to help.

"You ok Dawn?" Nymph asked, waking up and feeling Dawn’s tension.

"Yeah… I’m fine." Dawn lied, trying to reassure her drone.

'I am sorry, daughter. I thought it best you knew the whole truth. We are about deception, but not among our own hive.' Chrysalis answered, knowing Dawn understood what she said before with ‘unless we have to’

'Thank you…’ Dawn nodded mentally, ‘and based on what I'm hearing, Luna was unaware of most of what Celestia had done with me.'

'It seems like that. She has been playing the game so long, I doubt she even notices she does it.'

Dawn mentally nodded again, frowning at the idea, 'I can imagine getting swept up in it, then taking it for granted. I wonder if she intends to tutor me based on what she's said though. She said it now fell to her.'

'Who knows?' Chrysalis shrugged, 'I did sort of just give you everything you need.'

'I'm sure she'll play her cards soon enough.' Dawn thought.

"Dawn?" Nymph prodded. "I'm hungry."

Dawn chuckled and pulled Nymph in close, giving her plenty of love and affection, "There you go little one, plenty of love for you."

"I want food though…" She said quietly, nestling down as she received love, which she also needed, and ate readily.

Dawn ordered breakfast for herself to share with Nymph, requesting scrambled eggs with cheese being the primary portion of the meal for her family.

While the cooks completed the order, Dawn fed Nymph the emotional food she required, settling her down. It surprised her that Nymph still hungered for food and was waiting eagerly for it to arrive. She shared plenty of love with her foals as she waited then, causing their restless sleep to calm as she kissed them on the head while Stalwart began waking up.

A drone walked up to their room, delivering the food for Dawn, Stalwart, and Nymph. Dawn smiled and thanked them, giving her appreciation before taking a bite and encouraging Nymph to get her share from the bowl.

"Morning love..." He said quietly, yawning.

"Morning husband. Sleep well?" Dawn asked

"Decent." He grunted, stretching out and popping parts of his back.

"You missed Luna's arrival."

"Luna was here? Why?" He asked in surprise.

"Stem."

Stalwart groaned, but then nodded, "Makes sense I guess… with that little spy over your shoulder ‘n all."

"I told her most everything," Dawn said.

"Did it go well?" He asked, eyeing her with concern as he took his bowl of food.

"Yeah. Our bigger issue is making the mirror for Celestia and naming our foals."

"Been thinking about that actually." Stalwart nodded, getting a mouthful of the meal.

'Selina is a good name.' Chrysalis volunteered.

'It is a pretty name.' Dawn replied back while looking to her husband for his ideas.

"I think our little filly could be called Morning Rise." Stalwart volunteered when he had his first mouthful swallowed.

"Oh? Why's that?" Dawn asked, intrigued.

"Cause she keeps getting up and nuzzling me for your milk early in the morning, like clockwork." He chuckled.

"I'll consider it.” Dawn chuckled. “I know mom's suggested Selina. Personally, I would like to see our colt follow the pattern I've noticed between you and your father for naming."

"Like what?" Stalwart asked.

"Something defensive, like bulwark or tower or something, like we talked about when your dad was here."

"Right… Well, let’s see here… He's a healthy little colt, looking at how bright his eyes are, but he won't be as hearty as an earth pony, just the way it is."

"Hang on… that’s an idea… what about Beacon? Hearty Beacon." Dawn offered.

"A little odd, but not bad. Why that name?" Stalwart asked.

"Cause you said he's a healthy and beacon was partly because I saw his horn as a beacon, like a lighthouse on the shore." She chuckled, “A bit silly, I know.”

'I will never understand pony naming mechanics, even though I do.' Chrysalis grumbled.

'Trust me, I know. I kinda like your name for our filly, but we'll see. Perhaps it can be her nickname.'

Stalwart nuzzled his colt, smiling as he considered the name, then nodded, "I'll sit on it for a day, and we'll decide tomorrow."

Dawn nodded in agreement, then decided to check in once again with her mirror assistants.

'What tools would we require to find your home address?' Dawn asked.

'Delicate equipment well ahead of this Equestria’s level.'

Dawn sighed, then paused, 'Then how did Starswirl do it? Maybe we can learn from him.'

'We did as best as we could, but a lot of how he did it was lost to time. We have bits and pieces, and that was how we built the scanners.'

'Ah, sorry. Didn’t realize you already thought of that...'

'They may be more intact here, but it will take a while to get into the archives.’ The drone reminded her.

'Well, I’m still allowed access to the library at the Castle of the Two Sisters if we need to reach the copies there.'

'The… books are still there?' Chrysalis asked, confused at this news.

'Yeah, it’s still there in good condition. Our Twilight still reorganizes it once a week.’ She felt Chrysalis facehoof and asked, ‘What? … Oh, I meant to say once a month, but she wishes it was once a week.'

'They are just sitting in an abandoned castle, while Twilight has a castle.' Chrysalis half asked.

'And Twilight's castle is also full.' Dawn said factually.

'But the books!' Chrysalis protested.

'I know. She's turned it into a library.' Dawn blinked, not understanding the problem until Chrysalis showed her a mental picture of the castle being in disrepair and the damage the books would endure from it, 'Ours looks really nice now. It’s not a ruin any more mom.'

'They are still in the middle of a dangerous forest.' Chrysalis blinked.

'And the Patrol's bread and butter for income in slow days is escorting ponies to and from the castle or returning or fetching books for others.'

'It's still nonsensical and I cannot believe your Twilight can stand for the tomes to be there!'

'Oh she’s talked about it, but had been too busy to move all the books and make a great library.’

'She's a princess! She just needs to say it!' Chrysalis protested audibly.

Dawn chuckled as she realized how much Twilight had rubbed off on her mom. 'Perhaps, why not tell her sometime?'

'Oh, I will, believe me!' she said, already making plans to give her a piece of her mind.

'I wonder how our Chrysalis will take the idea once she gets with Twilight…'

'I don't care what that insufferable queen thinks.'

Dawn laughed but said nothing, thinking it entertaining that she be frustrated with her younger self, but knew she would be too at herself.

'Why wouldn't I be? You’ll see how she acts all high and mighty and like she’s better than everyone. Gah!'

'Yes, because you never sound high and mighty and act like you’re better than everyone... even though you are.' She added, just to see the reaction.

'And how would I have anything in common with her?' Chrysalis protested, a pout coming through the link.

'You have everything in common by my eyes, shy of your experience' Dawn said, believing that their experiences have shaped who they became, even if their core might still be the same.

Chrysalis looked at Dawn flatly. 'I am so much better than her in every way and got the better mate.'

'Aaand there’s high and mighty, better than anypony Chrysalis.'

'What?'

'That is exactly how I think she would have sounded when you said that.’ Dawn smiled.

'I am nothing like that poor excuse for a queen!' Her mother huffed, crossing her arms.

Dawn laughed and hugged. 'You aren’t... and you are.'

She huffed again

'I wouldn’t lie to you mom…'

'I know, but I feel you are misinterpreting things.'

Dawn laughed more and then sighed happily, 'Believe what you wish my queen, it is your Legate's job to give you a different perspective, and she will love you anyway.'

She hugged and then nuzzled Dawn in appreciation, and Dawn giggled and returned the affection, longing for their company.

Dawn felt Chrysalis start to make her way towards her room. Her foals fed themselves as she tried to spread her happiness among her family while she waited.

A knock came to the entrance of her quarters. Chrysalis wanted to be polite since Stalwart was present after all. Stalwart rose and went to the door, opening it for Chrysalis.

"Oh, hello Chrysalis."

"Hello, Stalwart.” She stood in her natural form, “Dawn wished for me to come by. May I come in?"

"Of course.” Stalwart nodded, “I was about to go get some more breakfast."

"I'll have it delivered," Chrysalis said with a smile as she walked in.

Stalwart chuckled and shrugged, "Well, all right."

Dawn smiled up at Chrysalis happily, appreciating their coming to her. She smiled even more when her mother came over and brushed their cheeks together, practically dripping with love for her mother and family around her.

Chrysalis smiled at the foals after their greeting finished, asking, "and how are my grand foals?"

The filly looked up at the grandmother and blinked before letting out a small squeak as it tried to speak.

She smiled and leaned down to nuzzle the filly when the foal looked up at the large queen without fear. The foal reached her own muzzle up weakly to them, and Chrysalis leaned down to let them have a closer look.

The filly showed no fear and once the queen was close enough, she licked at the queen's muzzle before going back to feed at her mom's teats. The colt continued to watch, more surprised at this thing, reaching slowly in to sniff at it.

The queen remained still and let him do what he wished, smiling softly. He seemed to be comforted and reached forward to brush his fur against her chitin before making a similar squeak to his sister and went to get his breakfast from Dawn like his sister.

Chrysalis smiled widely, lifting back up to stand. Dawn could feel the love she felt for her family even without the link telling her.

'They aren't afraid of you, though I think our filly is a brave fearless one, and the colt is a bit more cool-headed like his father.’ Dawn chuckled, thinking how the filly reminds her of Storm in that sense.

'Of course. They are my grandfoals.' Chrysalis replied with a chuckle.

Dawn chuckled back in the link before Stalwart said, "Brave little foals... what do you think of them Chrysalis?"

"I think they will grow up to be quite formidable."

"In what way?"

"They have no fear." She said with a proud smile.

Stalwart smirked, "A little fear is good sometimes, but still, whichever one joins the guard will be well suited to it."

"They will be formidable, regardless of their chosen path, and their enemies will be fools to take them lightly."

"How can they not be, with a princess for a mother and a queen for a grandmother, and a royal guard captain for a father and grandfather... very good stock." Dawn laughed quietly. 'Still, don't want to create an army together yet though, just saying.....' she thought in the link before suddenly picturing being more fully changeling and laying many eggs with stalwart's seed instead and reconsidering.

Her mother there chuckled in the link. "Precisely."

"I'm glad we had our foals together." Stalwart hugged Dawn gently.

Dawn chuckled, debating if she should tell him her idea.

"Dawn is imagining what it would be like to have hundreds of children with you in the manner I do."

Stalwart blinked, "Say again?"

"I…” Dawn blushed deeply, “might have imagined what it'd be like to lay a few hundred eggs for changelings with you as the sire."

Stalwart looked at her and said, "I don’t mind a big family, but I don't think we're ready to have that many children."

"No conquering the world with my own hive... yet." Dawn said, slightly disappointed at his response, yet felt puzzled at that feeling

Chrysalis smiled and ruffled her mane as Stalwart thought.

"I'm not sure how to feel about having a wife who wants to take over Equestria."

"Oh it wouldn't be just Equestria when I do, but it's a good hoofhold." Dawn corrected him with a wink.

"That it is." Chrysalis said nodding

Stalwart blinked, "Why?"

"Lots of natural resources and food." Chrysalis explained.

"But what will you do after you conquer the world?"

"Prove that I am the superior queen of course."

"You mean there's other queens?" Stalwart asked.

"Yes, of course there are other queens."

Stalwart blinked before laughing after dawn chimed in "like me."

Stalwart looked to Dawn, "You're not a queen."

"Just because my hive only has one drone and I've joined another hive doesn't mean I couldn't be..." Dawn pretended to pout.

"Hives absorb others all the time by conquering their queen."

Stalwart blinked, "How can a pony become queen?"

"Well… She isn't exactly a pony anymore now, is she?"

"I mean, she is still partly or our foals wouldn't be ponies." Stalwart countered

"True, but she is still of changeling blood." She said with pride.

"Thanks to alicorns assimilating pony tribe attributes, yeah..." Dawn said, chuckling some more.

Chrysalis just shrugged and Stalwart shook his head.

"Not while I'm alive." Stalwart said.

"All right, next century then." Dawn teased.

"Gives you time to come up with a plan." Chrysalis nodded.

"If Violet doesn’t beat me to it you mean."

"Well yes, of course. Whichever one of you does it first, the best will have done it… Though you can have this world."

"And why is that?" Dawn asked

"Why is what?" Chrysalis tilted her head.

"Why can I have this world?"

"Because it's yours?" Chrysalis said simply, as if wondering why Dawn doubted this.

Dawn shrugged, "We'll see."

Chrysalis nodded.

Stalwart looked around and saw the paperwork for the magic mirror, then asked, "What's this?"

"Her work," Chrysalis said.

"I thought you swore off working with relics." Stalwart said.

"I did... but I was asked to make a mirror by someone I couldn’t refuse…" Dawn said, thinking worriedly, ‘Didn’t we cover it before? Did that get wiped when we did the small reset for the foals’ shapeshifting the first time, or is my memory taking for granted we talked about it before?’

"For the love of Celestia... who?" Stalwart asked, exasperated

"Funny you should mention it…" Dawn said

"Celestia," Chrysalis said, responding to Dawn, ‘It may well have. I did my best to isolate the memory, but perhaps it was filed away in the same place and was accidentally deleted as well.’

Stalwart blinked, "You're joking right?"

"Not at all," Dawn said seriously. "Mom can vouch for me, she was witness to it, albeit through my eyes."

"Yes. She asked her to make a mirror to my world among other things. And by ask, I mean ordered."

Stalwart frowned and facehoofed soon after, "And you're ok with this Dawn? After everything you went through?"

"Honestly? No, I'm not ok with it at all, precisely because of what I went through, and I don't appreciate how Celestia is having me do this despite my fears of making a relic, which is harder than the repairing I did with the help of that lunatic Svik, in order to let her babysit her alternate dimension's version of her student, let alone having a babysitter of my own for not making the same decision she would have with the griffin!" Dawn said, getting more frustrated and emotional to the point where her foals started crying in distress.

Dawn sighed and let her negative emotions float away as she resumed her love to her foals as they slowly calmed down.

"Still, I can't fathom why she blames you for what Greywing did. He wasn't your subordinate. He wasn’t even Twilight's. He was a griffin Commando who was simply lending his skills to us under his own free will."

"I still suspect she thinks I had some control over the matter that I didn't really have. Why she won't let me correct it, I don't know, but still."

"Because she's none too bright," Chrysalis said simply.

"Or possibly blinded in some way." Dawn agreed, trying to defend her position out of fairness.

"I'm going to have to have a word with her when we get back." Stalwart frowned.

"Maybe she will listen to you. I have two drones assisting her so that she isn’t in any danger."

"You have changelings in the castle?" He asked, surprised.

"No, the helpers are here." Chrysalis blinked.

Stalwart paused, unsure why she said the changelings were helping Celestia in the castle because she said Celestia will listen to him and two drones were assisting her. He blinked and then tapped a hoof down on the other as he realized what she meant.

"Oh! Helping Dawn… Thought we were talking about speaking to Celestia and you had drones helping her. Good. Dawn’ll need what help she can get."

"I don't want to stand here and insult her in front of one of her former guards." Chrysalis chuckled.

"I’m still in the guard, Captain of the Vanhoover branch." Stalwart said, then smirked. "But I don’t blame you."

"Yes, but you are Dawn's guard now, not Celestia"

"Ah." He shrugged, "doesn’t bother me. It’s all the guard."

"Huh... I thought guards were supposed to be loyal to Celestia, weren’t they?" Chrysalis asked.

"We are responsible for their safety, and I have been loyal to them, but the guard just protects the crown and the country, not a specific ruler. It’s specific divisions that take on those roles… having said that though, what Dawn has been through gives me pause.” Stalwart frowned.

"Interesting … Most do not like anything negative said about the Princess."

"Dawn has shown me a different perspective to that a long time ago. We don't always agree, but it helps." He said, starting to smile again.

"Helps growing up where freedom of speech is protected," Dawn said, “for better or for worse.”

"That it does." Chrysalis nodded.

"Dawn, do you think you can make the mirror?" Stalwart asked gently.

"I believe I can. In some ways it’s scary, but I made my motto in life to not be ruled by fear. I’m allowed to feel fear, but not let it prevent me from doing what I need to." Dawn explained, much to Chrysalis’ approval.

Stalwart gave her a hug and donned his armor, "Well, I'll be off."

"I thought you had parental leave." Dawn said.

"Yes, but I’m getting tired of doing nothing."

"Oh, then you can watch the foals when you get back." Dawn teased.

"Will do." He agreed nonchalantly.

"The town can always use experienced guards." Chrysalis offered as he walked out the door.

"Yes, but back where I was from, fathers would lament their inability to spend time with their newborns. They might not go through as much physically, but it's an emotional thing for them too." Dawn said after Stalwart left, on his way to the surface. Quietly adding, "I just don't want him to regret not being with them in these first days, or later."

"He's a stallion of action.” Chrysalis assured her, “I'm sure he will be gone only a couple of hours then be fine till tomorrow."

"Yeah, I understand... I could do with some more varied entertainment for relaxation, but I've managed for the last two years without my games so I think I'll be fine."

"You have the entire hive." Chrysalis reminded.

"Yes, I do…’ Dawn replied, then grinned as she came up with an idea, unsure how seriously she could perform it but relayed it anyway for fun. ‘I suppose we could conquer the city. Perhaps make a political move, get some extra law enforcement drones, a well-positioned business-pony or two… Go for a subtle takeover without any bloodshed or those the wiser... those who’d object would realize they voted them into office and complain after it’s too late."

Chrysalis smiled and her chest swelled with pride as her daughter seemed to be taking her first steps toward conquest.

"That we could. It would take time." Chrysalis encouraged.

"Gives a foothold and lets us test the waters for policies. After a while, we can have changeling officials on both sides, that way we're still in control, but slow down if the population isn’t ready for some changes we want." Dawn smirked as she considered it more seriously, commenting, "Funny… plenty of conspiracy theorists claim that’s what really goes on back in my old world regarding politics."

"I wouldn't know. It is a brilliant plan." Chrysalis shrugged.

"I’ll work on some slogans and start engineering their entries and requirements to pass the time then." Dawn chuckled.

Chrysalis smiled wide and ruffled her mane. "That's my daughter."

Dawn laughed, reveling in their praise and glad that she was being encouraged so readily. She started to think about the idea more seriously, starting to realize just how much impact she could have on the world if she tried.

"Remember you have time. You don't need to rush it." Chrysalis reminded her.

"Yes, yes… I can have one politician be at it for a couple decades, then another after for a few terms, bring in ones that 'seem' incompetent to make others look better... Even starting out, I could learn from politics by going for a minor position and have each growing candidate learn from their predecessor’s mistakes and make it further and further" she thought, planning multiple scenarios and what if reactions, trying her best to find flaws in the ideas she came up with.

Chrysalis smiled proudly at her Daughter as she planned her first takeover. Dawn noticed the proud smile and paused, looking at her with some confusion.

"What is it?" Dawn asked, "Is my plan really that good?"

"If you handle it right, very."

"I mean, I’ll need to observe the political climate closely to cause this to work. I'd estimate a decade just to make sure I don’t misstep too soon... I just thought you preferred more immediate results." Dawn said.

"Patience is a virtue as the ponies say."

“Well, that’s not normally my strong suit. Ask Stalwart." Dawn smirked.

"You will learn, my daughter."

"Of course. After all, I have time." Dawn said.

Chrysalis nodded and nuzzled her daughter in encouragement, and Dawn returned the affection. Dawn’s foals were awake, squirming and looking up at their grandmother attentively, as if in awe. Chrysalis smiled more and reached down to nuzzle them.

The foals reached their hooves toward Chrysalis, accidentally and weakly bopping the queen’s snout with their clumsy movements.

The queen smiled widely at them, a small chuckle escaping her lips, even as the foals squeaked back at her, still reaching up to her. She leaned down toward them, putting together what the little ones wanted.

They giggled, and the filly sneezed. A burst of flames enveloped the foal and her form showed a little pony version of Queen Chrysalis. The queen blinked in transparent surprise.

"That is most impressive!"

"I'll say." Dawn said, similarly impressed even as the foal reverted in a long yawn and a burp. Chrysalis smiled at their antics before Dawn spoke again. “Has to be instinct, right?"

"Yes, and very strong." Chrysalis agreed, "I'd almost call them natural born Changelings if they were in the link and spoke our language."

"They don’t seem to have the link or chitin, but yeah,” Dawn chuckled, agreeing, “that leaves them a lot of possibilities in life even so."

Chrysalis nodded her agreement as Dawn nuzzled her foals with a smile as they went back to feeding.

"Didn’t realize what gluttons foals would be." Dawn said with a small embarrassed chuckle.

"Twilight could tell you stories." she chuckled.

"I'd love to hear them." Dawn said, wincing as her breasts once again felt very sore, passing along a reminder to a caretaker and a drone in Vanhoover to research options for substitutes on breastmilk for foals, or aids for her to keep up with the demand. A drone began to deliver what they had on hoof, as she had requested they help feed her things that would help increase production and went to ensure the Legate would have no issues regardless of approach.

"I'm sure she'd be happy to tell you if you asked, just be ready for her to go on for while about Violet. She might not seem it, but she is very doting and one of her favorite things to talk about is Violet."

"I'll try to be ready to be patient." Dawn chuckled, then clarified to the drone, 'I'd like the increased production and help with the aching first, then the substitute if it's still not enough.'

They understood, still approaching with the items needed. They were eager to obey and assist their legate and newborn hive-mates and naturally ensured everything they might need would be brought.

Dawn looked through the drones that were watching Violet, wondering how things fared on their end while she waited. Svik seemed to be behaving in his cell after all. She could feel Chrysalis amusement at that and her anticipation for the boot to drop… only to find out Violet was reading by herself with a caretaker, fully behaving herself.

Dawn chuckled at her mother’s reaction and turned her attention to Twilight next, a more serious endeavor in her mind.

"Violet is welcome to visit at some point if she wants." Dawn volunteered, making Nymph perk up in a wide smile at the idea.

The caretaker offered the idea of a visit, and Violet quickly put her bookmark into the book, put the book away, and quickly headed over to Dawn’s room, walking in without knocking.

"It's Violet!" Nymph smiled wide, jumping up from her spot as she buzzed her wings to stand nearby, smiling broadly.

A drone, the same one who yelled out before as a joke a long time ago, called out, ‘Who’s that pokémon!’

‘It’s obviously a Pikachu.’ Dawn replied jokingly despite some of the other drones mentally hitting their hooves to their head at the reference made too late.

"Nymph!” Violet smiled wide. “It's been so long."

"I know,” Nymph smiled, “are we gonna play some more?"

"Definitely."

Nymph grinned and took her place at Violet's side, like her lackey, leaving Dawn just wanting to laugh and trying hard not to.

The two foals went off with the caretaker who was following to keep an eye on them.

Dawn waited by Chrysalis and nuzzled her foals as they went back to sleep. "She's going to be tough competition."

"What do you mean?"

"Violet. She will be a competitor in taking over the world, especially with those plans she said about bioweapons.

"True. Though I doubt she'd ever actually use them on such a scale. Too much that can go wrong."

"I hope not… and for exactly that reason too. I also have a requirement to cause as little life lost as possible, hence the political approach." She said, considering.

"As does she. She has about a dozen plans, all of them carefully set for the pros and cons of both short term and long term."

"Ahhh, so the young queen already has a leg up on me… Well, she'll have to work hard once I get into full swing." She smirked before remembering Luna's words and then began wondering if she'll have the time.

"I look forward to seeing which of you win." Chrysalis smirked.

"Oh, it's going to be me, though I think for added challenge, I'll leave one weak point to exploit for her each time, just to see if she can find it." she said confident, smirking at her mother before laughing, "I can't do false bravado at all..."

"Oh? Could have fooled me." Chrysalis said.

Dawn shook her head and looked at her with a smile, "Not possible since we have the link."

"True. But a simple pony? I give you… a 68.3% chance."

"I see." Dawn chuckled, then began to stretch.

Dawn stretched and then laid still, looking at her hip and wondering if she should get some of the healing done by calling a couple favors from other ponies over to help split the energy load to heal.

"You will improve." Chrysalis patted her head.

Dawn giggled at the patting, enjoying it like always. She felt more like a pet when they did that, and the small metal jingle from her neck reminded her that she was still wearing the collar, even though it was hidden under the disguise.

"I look forward to seeing what devious plans you come up with and how effective they are."

"Once I get patience under my belt? Very." Dawn said with a smirk, much to Chrysalis’ amusement and approval.

Dawn fluttered her wings, giggling as her foals shifted to be under one of them, and Chrysalis smiled at their behavior before Dawn leaned in on her mother. The emerald mare was already refining her political schemes as she worked out what her goals were and how to reach them, all while awaiting Luna's waking and MID’s report, just like Twilight and Lapdog.

Chrysalis offered her information on politics and current affairs in the city right now, both short term and long term. She couldn't help but digging for information wherever she was after all.

Four hours later, while her body rested and she entertained herself with various schemes and distractions, a drone reported.

'Legate, the dark alicorn wishes to speak to you.'

'Send her to me.' Dawn ordered, her body starting to stir awake. She barely managed to wake up enough to move and stretch before Luna came into the room.

"Afternoon Princess Dawn." Luna said politely.

"Afternoon to you as well. Did you sleep well?"

"As well as I could. It is not home, but I will manage."

The link was saddened by this comment. The workers did their best to make the room comfortable and as relaxing to her as possible.

"That’s a shame, the hive did their best to accommodate you since they view you as a special guest. Is there anything they could do to make it better?"

"I miss the moon while underground.” Luna said, a shy smile on her face appearing briefly. “Other than that, your tutelage is what kept me awake."

"Oh?" Dawn asked, checking with the hive if a near-surface room could be made with a skylight for her to take care of it, only to find the hive had voluntarily gotten to work to resolve that issue.

"You know so little, and have already done much.” Luna said gently, “I would ask if you would like me to take you under my wing as my student, so you can learn what my sister has neglected."

"Wow… I don’t know what to say. Thank you. I’ve always struggled without a mentor-"

"Which is how you fell prey to Svikopi not just once, but twice." Luna said, nodding. "We will not see this happen again."

"Then I accept, though I would ask if we can stay in Vanhoover." Dawn requested.

Luna paused, considering. After a minute she shook her head. "I have too many duties that will be needed tending if we are to tutor you directly."

"Oh. So it’s not going to be someone else you assign?"

"No, I do not teach through others as my sister does. I must warn you, I am a demanding tutor, no one has made it through my courses." She smiled evilly in playfulness.

"Then I demand patience in kind. I will give my studies everything I can, barring raising my foals." Dawn said, returning the smile with a hint of mischief.

"That is all anypony should ask." Luna nodded, her smile going to normal.

'We are setting up her room to allow her to conduct her duties here.' A drone reported.

"I am curious, what duties do you have? Perhaps I or the hive can help." Dawn asked.

Luna shook her head. "There is much. Beyond monitoring dreams and nightmares, I must work on gathering the remaining batponies to help them grow in numbers safely. Thankfully there is no night court like there used to be."

Dawn hummed, smiling as ideas of helping with breeding crossed her mind.

"Why do you smile?" Luna asked, eyeing her cautiously.

'Constructing secondary ingredient areas for population growth.' the same drone informed as they continued setting up Luna’s room to be partly above ground, part of a network of caves of its own.

"Because the hive has heard your wishes for a better room and already started with improvements to help you stay and complete your duties here. I also just got news they are dedicating areas to help increase the batpony population, just because you mentioned it." Dawn smiled on, stifling a chuckle.

Luna looked stunned, not expecting that in the slightest. "Why do they do this? How did you know?"

'Why wouldn't we?' a drone asked.

'We are really good at guessing.' another said for the second question.

"Because you are helping their ambassador, their Legate, and they are serious about wanting to work together to help Equestria. As far as how they know? They’re very good at guessing and I get memos from them now and then with magic." Dawn chuckled, joking, “There’s a reason or twenty I have enjoyed having them as allies.”

"I see... then I guess I will bring some of my effects to move in and visit my sister on the weekends." Luna smiled, looking to the doorway as she added, "I must admit, these changelings are quite something.”

"They are, and should you need anything else within reason, say so and they likely will make it happen. Chrysalis and Twilight both have been frustrated by my lack of preparation, and will appreciate developing me further."

'It is good to see someone taking responsibility.' Chrysalis said idly.

"I… must thank Chrysalis." Luna said, smirking wryly, "that feels so strange to say."

'Oh come now, why is that so strange?'

"Why is that strange?" Dawn echoed.

"Because with all the issues we’ve had in the past and then her antics with Twilight and repeated attempts to take over Equestria… it is strange to be on good terms on something."

"Oh don’t worry, I’ll beat her to it." Dawn smirked.

"What?" Luna asked, startled.

"Oh, nothing." Dawn chuckled, giving her a wink even as Chrysalis surged with pride again.

Luna eyed her then smiled mischievously, "Then we will begin tomorrow. Stem will be reassigned to other duties in the meantime. I understand he has been... himself, and none too easy to work with."

"Actually, I have an idea if I may. He's already spotted spying spells Twilight and I both missed and helped block such spells for the whole hive, albeit with resistance. With permission, I request he be assigned to Stonewall's detail as a counterspell expert." Dawn said, just getting the idea as she said it.

'He has proven capable, if difficult' Chrysalis admitted, agreeing it was a good idea.

Luna thought about it, then nodded. "He scores poorly on physical aspects of combat, but his spells are highest among the guard."

'Why do people put so much focus on physical attributes?' Chrysalis asked.

'Because it’s the military, and once magic fails you, you still have your body.' Dawn replied. ‘They’d need a minimum requirement.’

'And your mind? We have the EMSD for a reason.’

'EMSD? What's that?' Dawn asked.

She was shown the layout of a hollowed out mesa, full of labs researching both technology and magic under the name of Equestrian Military Science Division.

'Ah… we don’t have that here.' Dawn said.

'That's because that lab is part of the EDF. Anything with Division in the name is part of the EDF.'

While she was analyzing the information, Dawn nodded, "I appreciate it. Stonewall will be gladdened to have such skill available."

"Dawn, no need to be so formal." Luna chuckled, "You are my student, and we can afford to relax around each other when no one is around."

Chrysalis sent Dawn an image of the two "relaxing" together with their tongues as Luna offered that idea.

"I’d like that as we get to know one another. Where would my studies start?" Dawn replied, stifling a chuckle at her mother’s distraction.

"That is simple. We shall quiz you on what you know, so we may better know where to begin." Luna said.

'No helping with my lessons please.' Dawn commented to Chrysalis. 'I may have the hive to help fill in the blanks eventually, but learning it will still be of benefit to me and she’s testing my memory, especially if there’s differences in our worlds.'

'Of course.' She said and the lewd image changed to Luna wearing a collar with Dawn's CM on it and being a good little mare for Dawn as she knelt before her and licked.

Dawn internally liked that idea, taking care of her seniors and betters and giving them a kind of retirement. She sent that mental image to her mother of pampering Luna into near helplessness as part of her plan as she answered, revealing plenty of knowledge on biology and math, but severely lacking in history and geography and magical fundamentals. Chrysalis approved and was amused by Dawn’s idea.

With her knowledge levels discovered, Dawn began her studies with the history of Equestria from the beginning. Dawn in turn, learned more about what Luna was like and cataloged how she responded to each answer and phrasing, working on getting onto her good side while Chrysalis managed the hive.

Dawn's head was soon swimming in names and dates and figures. She had admitted history was always a weak point for her, and Luna’s frown of disappointment told Dawn all she needed to know it was at her slow rate of learning.

"Perhaps you should take notes this time."

"Perhaps I should..." Dawn admitted, loathe to actually do so. “I’ve generally not learned as well from writing notes in the past and my hands would hurt after repeated writing…”

“You don’t have hands now though.” Luna blinked, “You have your muzzle and magic do you not?”

Dawn blushed at the reprimand and nodded. At the back of her mind, she felt Chrysalis and the Hive wanting to help by remembering everything for her, so she could assimilate the information when her body rested.

Dawn paused, wondering if she should. She wanted help, but she feared the possibility of needing access to the information and the hive not being present, such as when the hive went home and she stayed put, or perhaps when she might be displaced in the future.

The thought of being without the link repulsed the drones, but they knew she had a valid point. They offered to help her understand by giving her the understanding from centuries of learning from all nations that have existed since the Link, Even those whose names are forgotten by history. They reminded her she can learn while she slept, allowing her mind to grow the connections for information as she did.

Dawn considered then accepted the idea, asking them to memorize anything for her that was different about her world. She appreciated the idea that they would want to give the history as true as it was able to be presented, though she still suspected many differences in the worlds.

Naturally, the drones were memorizing everything along the way without her instruction to do so, information gathering was part of their nature. They were pleased they could help their Legate and went to their task to help with as much clarity as they were able.

Luna continued her lessons by moving on to magic, trying to help fill in her basic education of magic that had been corrupted so she could have a solid foundation to work off of. She found that Dawn did a lot with rough ideas of understanding and instinct, but lacked the finer control and efficiency that came with that knowledge of magic.

Unfortunately, Dawn’s efforts to comprehend magic were slow. Her mind repeatedly wanted to find applications for what she was learning and struggling to find the practical application often ground her progress to a halt until the link gave her a scenario it applied to and then her mind connected the dots.

Luna watched her student, nearly seeing the smoke that came from the mind struggling for the last hour and looked on as she struggled with a problem on the board she brought when she set the tools down.

“Dawn, are you all right?” Luna asked.

“I should be…” Dawn said before frowning, “It’s just that it’s not easy for me to grasp right away without some kind of example how it applies. You’d think I’d know more for figuring out what I had so far…”

“Perhaps a break is in order then.” Luna said, putting the materials aside.

‘I agree with the dark sister.’ Chrysalis agreed, ‘You must take the time to process what you have learned and are pushing yourself too far.’

“All right… Any issue if we had a snack?” Dawn offered.

“That should be fine.” Luna nodded, looking around the room, expecting a kitchen, “I suppose that means we will make a trip to the nearby town then.”

"You'd be surprised. Changelings are quite good cooks." Dawn smiled despite Luna’s look of confusion. "Let's see... I'm in a mood for a salad, but some fresh bread would be great too." Dawn said, sending the order to the chefs, "What about you Luna?"

"We would be fine with a salad." Luna blinked.

"What kind?" Dawn asked.

"Do they have blueberry?"

"I'm sure they could scrounge a few." Dawn smiled mischievously, knowing her drones were already working on the order.

'You know, I wonder what would happen if we put her in a cocoon for a while to rest.' Chrysalis said idly.

'I wonder as well. Perhaps she would join the hive.' Dawn thought, 'is that something you would wish?'

'A centuries-old alicorn who specializes in dream magic and is the co-leader of Equestria and holds untold secrets!?" her mother asked incredulously, as if the question shouldn’t have needed to be asked.

‘I mean, I would have thought we would need her cooperation or it could cause discord within the hive itself. Still, I suppose we can see what it would take to make that happen as part of our conquest.’ Dawn smiled, mostly meaning it as a joke, ‘Show me what we need in order to make one. After all, even if I can’t, that doesn’t mean we can’t try.'

Dawn instantly knew everything that went into making a cocoon. To her surprise, nearly all of it was a biological process, same as the hive material, made from the food they ate.

Their food arrived quickly and Dawn ate, still enjoying the quality of the food. Luna couldn’t help but agree.

"This is good." She said between mouthfuls. "Who would have thought changelings had such good chefs?"

"Many of them live lives like other ponies do, with a couple distinctions. I've met a couple that love cooking in particular." Dawn explained after her own bite.

"Just goes to show you shouldn’t assume what a pony is capable of." Luna smiled.

Dawn smiled back, but said nothing, still puzzling how to willingly coax Luna into a cocoon.

'Who needs willing?' Chrysalis asked.

'True, but it’d be easier. Perhaps slip on the inhibitor rings and move her into the cocoon.' Dawn considered.

'Now you are thinking like a changeling.'

Dawn chuckled, causing Luna to eye her, "What is funny about what I said?"

"No, no. It’s just a thought I had." Dawn said.

"And that is?"

"If the position of power between changelings and ponies were reversed, how things would be different."

'Would be quite different' Chrysalis commented.

"An odd idea." Luna said, "But harmless enough."

"I often enjoy 'what ifs' for fun, entertainment or puzzles regardless of which way I'd go." Dawn said.

"Clearly. Let us move on." Luna said, "we have until the night, then I will attend my duties and then resume until dawn."

Dawn winced, wondering if Luna knew about her ability to learn while sleeping, but she doubted it. Luna likely expected her to stay awake and go until her cycle governs them, perhaps she wanted her pupil to share those same hours. It would make Stalwart happy at least.

'Worse case, you excuse yourself and I can take your place for a time while you have a break.'

'Would she let y-' she paused and realized they would take her form and learn in her stead.

Chrysalis facehoofed. Her daughter had a lot to learn... Maybe more time in a cocoon was needed...

Dawn chuckled embarrassed and also wondered if she should have more cocoon time, but she disliked knowing would miss her foals growing up around her.

'I could foalsit them.' Chrysalis offered.

Dawn considered, rather wanting to be with her foals, and in the end, that desire won out as she declined her mother’s offer.

'Another time then. We have all of eternity'

'All right mom.' Dawn agreed. She received and returned the nuzzles of affection to her mother as Luna continued to go over the magical studies, trying to drill the fundamentals into her.

Chrysalis really wanted to help, seeing her Daughter struggle with things that she knew she was able to assist with. In the end, Dawn bent her pride as her mind struggled with the mostly verbal lesson and relied on the link to instruct her in what she needed to know, gaining the understanding as soon as possible.

When she opened herself to the link she found everything started to just click. It was as if she knew everything already, or maybe had the innate knack for magic as she heard how the lessons went and pieced the things together

She had a mental jaw-drop moment as she realized how much easier the link would make things, immediately starting to lean on it for helping with learning, breezing through lessons as quickly as her mind could assimilate the information and Luna taught the subjects.

The link was free with its knowledge and understanding, though after a few hours it seemed her pony brain couldn't really keep up. She began wincing visibly and rubbing her head as she tried to force herself to learn in spite of it.

"What’s wrong Dawn?" Luna asked, her brows furrowed with worry.

"My head hurts. Thought I would cheat a little and ask one of the changelings for a different perspective when I felt stuck.." Dawn said, only giving part of the truth. "On the plus side, I understand the fundamentals better, but I feel like I’ve been learning for days straight..."

"That is unusual." Luna said, still concerned.

The links held back, not wishing to hurt one of their own as several drones offered assistance. Dawn stayed connected, assuring them it was an issue with her still being part pony and she likely would require time to let her brain make the connections on its own. Chrysalis did her best to comfort her daughter as she leaned on her queen, frowning at how inefficient her pony brain was and once again wanting to cocoon her daughter.

Luna patted Dawn on the shoulder, "Dawn, I'm here for you, and perhaps we have started things too quickly for you. After all, you just had your foals… Rest, I will see you tomorrow and attend to my duties."

Dawn nodded, going back to her still sleeping foals as she flopped down and her body promptly passed out, her foals feeding shortly after once Luna had left.

'Sorry, mom... I probably should have spent more time in the cocoon...' Dawn said. 'perhaps I was brought out due to my foals needing to be born.'

'You have nothing to apologize for.' Chrysalis nuzzled her daughter in the link, trying to reinforce them tenderly.

'I could be better though. I know i could... and I'm being held back by not being changeling enough, and yet I can't bring myself to feel bad about it because I want to be with my foals...'

'Shhhh, it's okay.' She replied, stroking her daughter’s mane and holding her in the link. She noticed her daughter clinging tightly as she tried to reconcile her identities as a mother and as a legate in the hive. ‘We can wait. We will work with what we have, just as we always have.'

'But I'm holding back you and the hive.' She said, curling around her foals in her sleep. 'I was expected to learn and didn't use the link like I should have.

'You used the link fine. It is not your fault your brain is that of a pony. But you are not a detriment to the hive in the slightest.'

'You sure?'

'Would I lie to you?'

'if necessary.' Dawn said, intending it as a tease, despite knowing that her mother did say that she would.

Chrysalis chuckled and nuzzled her affectionately. Dawn leaned against her in return, feeling sad at her slowness of learning, then couldn't help but ask a new question.

'So is my pony mind a benefit somehow?'

'... … no. … it is slow, unable to fully accept the link, and isn't eidetic.'

Dawn chuckled, then frowned, feeling worse as she realized there were ways she could be better to the hive.

'You are perfect by being you.' Her mother said firmly and she felt Chrysalis begins to make her way towards her.

'But I could be more while still being me.' Dawn said as she felt her mind grind away, as if it was still sorting out and comprehending the fundamentals still

She felt the queen enter her room and climb into bed to curl around her

'Thanks, mom...' she said in the link

Chrysalis said nothing, simply curling around her daughter protectively and laid her head on their form, helping to rest Dawn’s less than peaceful mind. She smiled as she noticed how the Legate’s mind seemed to calm at their presence and fell into dreaming.

Dawn’s mind only partly dreampt, as if it couldn’t decide if it wanted to dream and sort what it learned or maintain the hive. She settled into watching her husband work through what drones were able to see him, only to discover he was returning after only half a day. She was happy at his return to the hive only half an hour after Chrysalis had joined Dawn in bed.

Chryaalis did not move from her spot around her daughter. She knew who it was and let her body sleep. Stalwart walked in and spotted them together, chuckling quietly as he set his armor down and climbed into bed with his spouse, cradling their foals together and smiling happily as their colt nested his head up against his father’s leg.

Chrysalis, once Stalwart was finished settling into place, moved her tail onto Stalwart, causing him to blink and look at her.

"You awake, Chrysalis?"

"By your definition, I am always awake."

"Ah… everything all right with Dawn?" he asked concerned.

"She is simply tired is all. She had a long day and needed her mother." She said cracking an eye open to look at him.

"I should have been home for her…” He said, looking between Chrysalis with concern, Dawn with worry, and himself with guilt. “I was patrolling and yet my mind kept going back to her and my foals... our foals."

"It is fine. You were with her in that the drones that were with you, she was connected to." Chrysalis explained.

"With all due respect, it's not the same to me." He said, settling down beside Dawn and began curling up in the area not reached by her mother, wrapping the foals up nicely while Chrysalis placed her tail over the both of them. Stalwart smirked, "Haven't had a tail over me in years."

"Shush. You are my son in law by your silly pony standards."

"Yes, mom." Stalwart laughed, not wanting to argue with a changeling queen right then, especially now that his colt was resting peacefully with his head between his hind leg and side.

Dawn stirred lightly in her 'sleep', chuckling internally and encouraged Chrysalis, 'Give him more teasing mom!'

"Good colt." She said and patted his head with a smile. "Children should always listen to their parents."

He snorted, rolling his eyes and shaking his head. He ended with a wide smile as he kissed his wife and nuzzled her gently.

Chrysalis smiled, still leaving her head on Dawn and one eye open as she rested, her changelings enjoying the amount of love this little family was producing. The kind of love ponies gave to their newborn foals was an especially sweet dessert that didn’t come from individual ponies often.

He laid his own head down and relaxed. Sleep was slow to reach him, but he fell asleep eventually like all ponies do.

Chrysalis was concerned by his issues sleeping, watching him closely to determine a cause.

'He's like that if he tries to sleep early, mom. Keep in mind he normally comes home just before breakfast, cooks me food, and then goes to sleep after a bit of time together. It's like me trying to fall asleep before dinner. It’s just really hard to do.' She reassured her mother.

'Ah, right. Still, I am your mother, so I worry about your mate.'

'Thanks, mom. He's a good one.' She said affectionately.

'Yes. He was a fine choice and you two will produce many fine little ones together.' Chrysalis agreed.

'Not to mention some good soldier drones at some point. You should have seen the beating he took and gave when in the tournament two years ago.' She said, recalling the memory to share.

Stalwart had fought in a small tournament for Luna's enjoyment against Nightfall, repeatedly giving him a hard time regardless of his 1 on 1 match or his 2 on 1 matches against Night. While he lost each time, he forced his opponent to use his wings to win or be overpowered or outdone each time. He nearly won despite the unfamiliarity with Nightfall's fighting style, losing only once his injuries grew too much or were knocked out when he was reduced to fighting alone.

Dawn imagined what it'd be like to have squads of soldier drones modeled after his traits, smiling at how charming yet unstoppable they would be, like what she heard agent 007 was like.

'Hmm...’ Chrysalis chuckled at the image conjured, ‘Perhaps I should put his sample to use for drones of my own...'

'He's always been willing to have sex with others and knows I'm not bothered by it. Give him a go and just don't let him know you'll put his donation to good use.' She smirked, realizing she had already gotten to him at least once.

'Why would he need to know?' Chrysalis asked with a smirk.

'He wouldn't. He's not a changeling.' She replied mischievously, 'unless he approves and will donate repeatedly for more drones. But as long as you have me around, I could learn to make my own drones and have him help me nearly every day once recovered.'

'More time in the cocoon may make you more changeling.' Chrysalis offered.

Dawn reached into the link, to better understand how she might become more changeling than she was already. She found the link held no answers, only questions of what she’d become with different lengths of time in a cocoon, all the way up to 1000 years.

Dawn explored the different outcomes in her mind's eye, but didn't seriously want to consider much more than a month or two at a time. Her attachment to the development of her foals and connection with her family was strong, and any longer period of time felt to her as if she were trying to escape from them. Her immortality would be a benefit, but her loved one’s time is still limited and more time in the cocoon would be less time with her family.

<<<o>>>

Lapdog heard a knock on the door and opened it, checking for Twilight as she quickly stowed away the collar she wore. An earth pony in a jumpsuit stood in the entryway.

"Unsealed the hushed casket."

Storm turned to Twilight, hoping they heard that and knew what to say. She hadn't the foggiest.

"Let them in, Lapdog."

She nodded, opening the door for them and stepping aside as the pony walked in, looking between them expectantly.

"We have confirmed the target is present, though well defended. We were unable to get close enough for the kill in such a short amount of time."

Twilight smiled as she closed her book, it was that same slightly too wide smile that Storm learned to worry about.

"Tell the lads to saddle up and prepare to unleash Tartarus!" She said cheerfully.

The drone nodded and turned to deliver the message to the base. It was wrapped in flames and becoming a changing before heading out swiftly.

Lapdog turned to Twilight, "What would you have me do?" She asked, going full business mode.

"Prepare. I had armor made for you." Twilight said as she went to a locker and opened it.

Lapdog stepped forward to inspect, wondering what kind of armor it was.

She saw a sleek, dark green ballistic vest, the same one she had seen some on the other pegasi of the EDF, the ones Twilight called sharpshooters. Above the armor was a matching helmet and on the left side over the chest was her full name, not Lapdog but Fire Storm, as well as a set of tags hanging in the locker above them along with a rank marker that would go below their name.

Storm blinked, taking it in and feeling a sense of pride, somberness, and a hint of confusion as processed what she saw.

"I-... I'm gonna need to be shown what's what… and how to get it on."

"Of course." Twilight said. She took it in her magic and began to show her how to use the straps and where all the pockets were. "We will have to wait for your dress uniform of course."

Storm nodded, seeing where everything was, then said, "Seems useful, but you said it was armor, and it seems like mostly fabric though."

"Kevlar. Not good for stopping a blade, but lighter than steel and able to stop bullets. It has similar enchantments as the Royal Guard to provide a bit of resistance to concussive forces such as magical blasts, though it's mostly for kinetic attacks. The Guard are the ones to deal with more magical issues."

"So it'll stop what happened last time." She said solemnly, picturing the event and wishing she had it on. Her memory of what Twilight said before burst forward and she mumbled out loud, “The ones who don’t complain about the weight are the ones who know it’ll save their lives…”

"Yes. You will feel the hit of course but nothing like last time." Twilight said putting a wing over Storm, having reverted to her alicorn self.

She leaned into the wing and closed her eyes, as if taking a small prayer, despite not knowing what one was. She reopened her eyes as she calmed herself and nodded.

"Let’s put it on."

Twilight smiled and first pulled out a bit of metal on a simple chain necklace. It hung in front of her face with Twilight’s magic as she stared at it, wondering what it was.

"What's this?"

"Read it."

She looked down at the writing, wondering what it was.

Storm, Fire
Corporal
49200418

"What's that supposed to be?" She blinked.

"Your dog tags. Every member of the EDF gets them from the lowest recruit up to me."

"What are they for?'

"Identification in case of catastrophe," Twilight said. Storm blinked, then slowly put them on, not understanding that at all, until Twilight explained again. Twilight sighed. "If… something goes wrong… on a mission… they can help identify you."

Storm gulped, standing still for a while as she contemplated what that meant, how if something happened like that, she’d be unrecognizable. She thought to the crazy zebra who tried to burn her alive, then tried to burn her guild and mate… she shuddered in place, even as the wing over her comforted her as she tried hard not to picture any of them as charred remains. After several minutes of her eyes being closed and focused breathing, she calmed.

"So, what am I doing on the mission?"

"Watching my back."

"Like you've been training me." Storm nodded.

"And I'll be watching both your backs." Meadow's voice said in the room, using magic to sound like she was beside them

Twilight nodded. "Exactly."

"All right, I should be fine if I've got you both." Storm said, "When do we move out?"

( Note: youtube - Sabaton - All Guns Blazing (Judas Priest Cover) https://youtu.be/-heRWvYVIdY )

Music suddenly started to blast from the staging area.

"Sounds like any minute now." Twilight smiled.

She blinked, flicking her ears in light annoyance, not understanding the music very well, "What makes you say that?" she yelled over the din.

"That is rollout music." Twilight said as she stood in place.

"How are we approaching him though? I thought he was well fortified!"

"Simple." Twilight smirked as she headed for the exits of the building where the soldiers were moving out. "He is watching the north, the south, the east, and the West and has them all defended with what your world can muster right?"

Storm nodded.

"Why would your world be watching above for anything but Pegasi?" She called as she pushed the doors open, just as half a dozen transport helicopters blades started to spin up while EDF troopers began to board.

Storm blinked, looking at the strange vehicle, "What in Equestria is that!"

"Transport helicopters."

"What?" she asked, not understanding in the slightest, then stopped, "Never mind, just tell me what to do!"

"Climb aboard." Twilight said as she donned her armor on the way to one of the helicopters.

Storm nodded, following Twilight closely. She had no idea what she was doing and for the first time in a while, was getting cold hooves. She watched as Twilight climbed into the back of the vehicle and climbed in after, wondering where to go or what to do. She saw the other pegasi strapped in, but looked at the harness with confusion while Twilight went up to the pilot’s section.

"How do I strap in?"

The soldier next to her chuckled and quickly showed her how, saying, "Ready to hit the ground running Rook?"

"Not really, but when is anypony ever?" she bantered, looking around and waiting.

"I hear that!" he chucked "just remember your training."

"What training?” she called back, making several soldiers laugh as if it were a joke, more when she asked, “What's a rook?"

"Short for rookie, basically you." The soldier said.

"That obvious huh?" Storm smirked. She liked these ponies. They took everything in stride.

He smirked. "Just a tad."

"Well, we'll see how long that lasts."

"It will last either one mission or a few more. Depends on how well you remember your training.” He said as the engine roared and the choppers started to lift off.

Storm winced, it was even louder than she expected. She mentally kept herself ready by going over her fight training in her mind, the motions, the energy, the strikes, all of it to keep herself calm.

"So what unit you assigned to?"

"Bodyguard detail to Stone." She said, nodding toward to the front.

"Stone? Oh! The Commander." He said and whistled. "Huh… good luck keeping up with her."

"Yeah… no kidding. She keeps kicking my flanks every time we spar."

"Yeah, she’s a real cybernetic bipedal war machine. I almost feel bad for anyone in her way." He chuckled and looked at her smirking. "Almost."

"Yeah." She said, thinking about what was to come. Her nervousness was transparent and the soldier spoke up again.

"Relax. Stick close to the Commander. She will make sure you don’t go home in a box."

"Besides, we've got another one watching my back. I should be fine."

"Yeah." he asked and looked at her. "Got any kids?"

"Will eventually it seems. Mate picked a dragon egg. Adopted." She said with a smirk, stating more of the obvious.

He whistled. "Well then, you sure picked an interesting family! When this is over you gotta tell me about how you ended up the mother of a dragon."

"I blame Nightfall." She chuckled, "He found the egg in the mountains in an abandoned cave, said he's gonna keep it."

"Nightfall… husband or wife?" He asked.

"Husband." She said, blinking as he missed ‘he’, but the engines were loud. "Well... fiance technically, but same thing."

"Heh, marry him when this is all over. Don’t want to leave this world with regrets." He said.

"Don't plan on it. Besides, how can I regret it if we were going to do it anyway this winter?"

"By not making it." He said solemnly.

"Not that kind of mare.” Storm shook her head. “If something happens, then that's that. No use getting upset about it when we weren't gonna have time to get married before then."

He nodded and reached up to his vest pocket and pulled out a photo of him standing beside a pegasus with colt sitting at his hooves and a small foal in the mares arms.

"My family. Best damn mare in the world. No one, and I mean no one even comes close to her."

Storm smirked but rolled with what he said, "You'll see her again after this. You've been through more than me."

"I hope so… I was going on leave… planned to head to Las Pegasus for a vacation, even got permission for two weeks of leave… I was checking in my gear when we ended up here."

"Well, let's meet up with her after all this." She said, offering a hoof.

He nodded and bumped his hoof with hers.

She smiled, not knowing many who would hoof bump her instead of shaking. She sat in the vehicle, watching the window or open air, feeling the differences of the flight by machine. It wasn’t as smooth as pegasus flight, and the movements were a bit sluggish due to the mass. She could see out the open back where an earth pony stood at a mounted gun.

She didn't know what to say now, and wondered how long it would be that they would be flying.

Twilight soon reappeared at the front of the chopper as Storm saw skyscrapers going by.

"Alright listen up lads!" she said into her helmet mic that was patched into the transport’s speakers.

Storm looked up and around for the sound, before noticing the source. The cabin went dead quiet as everyone looked to her, becoming deadly serious.

"We are going into an extremely hostile situation against the well-known terrorist Solar Flare. I’m sure we’ve all heard the stories of what this bastard is capable of." She said and the others nodded. "We have a bit of info on where he is and the approximate strength of his resistance, but the fact is we are out-numbered. The plan is simple. The helo’s are going to make a pass over the compound and rain down fire on any son of a bitch unlucky enough to be caught outside before turning back and coming into land.

"Once down, seek cover. Intel gathered suggests Flare has been working toward basic firearms for his ponies and even has a few minotaurs on his side. Expect resistance that is both fast and well-trained, if not the best equipped." She said. "Flare was known for his traps against anyone who came for him, so move with caution.

"I want the buildings of his compound secured as fast as safely possible. Anyone you encounter inside the compound is a hostile and you are cleared to engage." She instructed. "Keep your eyes up, triggers at the ready and we all get to go home."

Storm looked over to her new friend, looking at their badge and tags, hoping everyone does get to make it home as she remembered the tag’s purpose.

The name of his chest was Xerin and the chevrons on his neck told her he was a Sergeant. She then realized he outranked her, noticing the one extra chevron.

"Stay safe down there. Make 'em pay." She said, hoping it was the right thing to say.

He smirked and nodded. Storm took a deep breath, feeling anxious as she waited for the chance to act. She realized very quickly to be careful what you wish for. The cabin came alive with a whooshing sound, followed by a very loud clattering as the guns went off.

"I guess we're here!" She yelled, wincing at the noise.

"Yup!" He said as he grabbed his rifle and packed a bolt in his magic

Storm took a few good breaths and remembered her training as best she could, holding a pocket as well as she could, taking solace that she was armored by this stuff. It wasn’t invincibility, but like the commander taught her, it would let her take an extra hit or two.

She felt the chopper suddenly lurch to the side and she held onto the straps nearby as tightly as she could, fear surging at the idea that the vehicle was about to go down…

Author's Notes:

Well looks like Dawn found herself a teacher and we are off to bring Flare to justice.

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