Music for this chapter: Saboteurs by Sabaton.

10 years since exile. (Yes, to the day).

The plan was tweaked a little, as per the new info. Now, they would be taken to Queen Chrysalis, using the captive cover to get close to use the Elements. Rainbow didn't like the extra risk, but decided it was worth a shot to eliminate the biggest threat in the city. If the Changelings didn't surrender, then they would resort to the back-up: her initial plan of getting to the main gate to let in the army.

Pharynx led the Element Bearers through the old train station, past dozens of Changeling guards. The six of them were 'bound' in ropes, tied just tight enough to look sturdy. Rainbow, being the most dangerous, was given a 'muzzle' and had her weapons taken away. In actuality, the muzzle was held on by thick fabric, and Twilight simply put an invisibility spell on her weapons as well as the Elements as they made their way through the abandoned city.

They arrived at the Hive, a towering black spire of chitin that rose out of the old castle. Changelings by the hundreds milled about, ready for a fight. Pharynx and his loyalists lead them through the old corridors of the palace, towards the throne room. Inside, they were greeted with the old throne room, now covered by the same chitin of the outside spire. Inside, at least twenty Swarm Guards and Commanders milled about, taking reports and commands to and from the queen.

The queen in question stood, staring at Pharynx and the small procession he led in. "Commander Pharynx", she said in a similar watery, warpy voice of the other Changelings. "I see you have abandoned your position. Explain."

The red-crested Changeling stepped forward, bowing before her. "My Queen. Ponyville was overrun, the invaders pouring over out defenses like we did over the ponies. However, a few of my drones captured these ponies. The Element bearers, and one of the enemy Commanders. Useful hostages, besides their Princess and Nobility."

The queen turned from him, facing her throne. "An interesting tale." She then turned back to him, flashing a fang-filled, malicious smile. "I thought you were taught not to lie to your queen."

"I haven't lied to you, my Queen", he said, but shot them a look of urgency. They lightly struggled against their bonds, ready to get free.

"Don't dig yourself deeper, Commander", Chrysalis admonished. "I know about your little plan to subdue me. And of your treason, Commander Pharynx. Arrest these traitors."

The Swarm Guards drew their swords, both the rebels and the loyalists. At that time, the Element Bearers burst free of their bonds, the invisibility spell on their Elements and weapons fading. Twilight began to channel the power of the Elements through her tiara, and shut her eyes.

The Changeling Queen just smiled, and said, "Emerge from your shell, servant of the hive."

Twilights suddenly stopped channeling the magic and went stiff. She stood straight, and walked calmly over to the queens side. She opened her eyes, and they were glowing green, just like Shining Armor was.

The other Element Bearers were stunned. Fluttershy, stunned, stuttered out, "B-b-but ho-how?"

"Oh, well, I might as well", the Queen said, as she began circling them, eyeing them like a piece of meat. "I've had control of her, and her dear, sweet brother, since that bumbling morons wedding, all those years ago. I had initially sought to merely raid the city for its love, and then vanish into the badlands. But, after seeing how stupid you ponies were by manipulating you into turning on the spectral colored Pegasus, I saw a greater ambition. Why merely steal love from a single city once, when I can control all the love of a whole nation for decades, even centuries!? MWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!"

The other Element bearers stood in stunned silence, eyes wide in shock at the queen. "Y-you mean Rainbow did nothing wrong?"

"Technically, she still attacked the bride. But, I was behind the scenes, pulling you like puppets on a string."

While all of the Equestrians had devastated, stunned looks on their faces, Rainbow just fixed her with an angry gaze. While she still had a hatred of them for doing what they did and abandoning her, she now had a being on which she could rest her blame. And beat into a pulp.

Without warning, Rainbow sprang forward, blades outstretched. Two Swarm Guards got in front of her, but she dove past their slashes, cutting into their throats as she flew at the queen. Twilight then got in her way, horn alight with magic as she both raised a shield over the smug looking queen and firing a blast of energy at her.

Rainbow dodged the blast, and tried to slam the pommel of her sword into the bottom of her jaw. The mind-controlled mare dodged, magic coalescing into a glowing sword, with which she began to duel the with the Pryhan commander.

She was actually a decently skilled opponent, despite the fact she doubted Twilight had ever used a blade before. Rainbow had to use her flight to keep at a distance, eventually flying up into the air after a protracted series of back-and-forths. The sword dissipated for her to light up her horn, and she fired several bursts of magic at her. Rainbow swerved to the side of the barrage, and dove down at her, slamming into the mares back with a sickening *crack*.

Looking up from the crumpled form of the unicorn, she saw Pharynx's troops fighting against the Queens loyalists, most of whom appeared to be normal drones. The other Element Bearers also tried to fight back, but even with the Changelings, they were outnumbered and, for the Equestrians, outmatched. Rainbow knew they were done for if they stayed, and knew the objective was more important at the moment.

Grabbing Twilights limp body, she used her wings to beat back towards the group. Chrysalis fired a bolt of green energy at her, skimming her side and sent her careening into the ground. Sliding next to Pharynx, she hissed in pain, snarling up at Pharynx, "Can you teleport? We need to get out."

The Commander nodded, and she said, "Then fucking do it!"

The Loyalists surrounded them, beady blue eyes boring into them. Queen Chrysalis snarled, and said, "Stop them!" Pharynx lit up his horn, and a green flash surrounded them. A second later, they vanished into it.

POV: Queen Chrysalis

The Queen stopped her hoof in anger, growling. Those traitors and ponies had broken or taken away her toys, and were now loose in her city. Turning to those who remained loyal, she bellowed, "Fan out! Find them! I want to personally rip their guts out their mouths as I drain the love from their bodies."

Before any of the drones could respond, another Changeling entered the throne room. "My Queen! The invaders are coming up the mountain path, in droves! Thousands of them!"

That news sent her into a series of profane clicking. "Get all drones out, and ready to defend the city. Secure the trainyard, and the gate. Keep them from getting to the citadel." She then turned, heady towards the throne to coordinate the defense.

For the better or for the worse of the Hive, this war would end today.