Over the passed two days, Twilight had settled into her life in the resistance, at least somewhat. She definitely found herself missing her bed. The best she had right now was a sleeping bag on top of a small pile of hay. At the very least though she didn't have to deal with any snakes or mice or anything crawling into her tent. For some reason there was no wildlife at all around the changeling lands.

It could've been because of the massive domed shield surrounding the hive, or maybe the fact that changelings devoured the emotions of everything around them, but it honestly left her rather disturbed. Aside from the buzzing of drones, the shimmering of the shield, and the busy chatter of the resistance camp there was just... nothing around them. No birds chirping, no frogs croaking.

It made her even more eager to finally escape Sombra's shield. And the resistance had a plan to do it. The shield had, in all it's good graces, a somewhat fatal flaw in it's design. That flaw being, that the dome shield couldn't penetrate the ground, and that it had interconnected with a massive cave network at the very edge of the barrier. The cave network stretched on for hundreds upon hundreds miles before eventually connecting with the crystal mines of Canterlot.

The Changelings had dug this network about 4 years ago during their invasion of the city. It's how they managed to move their entire army above the city without being detected. It was very unlikely Spike's Empire currently knew this cave network existed, Chrysalis having kept her youngest son in the dark about it, for fear of him being captured during the invasion. This was their ticket out.

Now all they needed was a high ranking changeling who had been involved with the creation of the network to be their guide out. That part was a bit tricky.

"I'm not sure if this is a good idea." Spitfire said as she gazed over a map of Canterlot. "Even if we get through the caves to Canterlot, it will be almost impossible for us to escape the city. It's one of Spike's most heavily defended citadels."

"We have little other options of escape." Blueblood replied. "Besides, you're with a pony who knows the inner workings of the city like the back of my hand. I know of several secret passages through the city that were designed centuries ago that will give us enough paths to get at least most of us out."

"It's the most part that bothers me. What will happen to those we are forced to leave behind?" Zecora said, before Twilight rose from her seat and spread her wings.

"If I have anything to say about it. Nothing will." Twilight exclaimed raising her head and powering her horn. "I am an Alicorn, and the only thing Spike has that could possibly stop me is all the way in the Crystal Empire. I will make sure not a thing happens to anypony."

"An admirable goal yes. A believable one too, but we cannot rule out Spike not being at Canterlot either. Not to mention the new Regional Governor of Ponyville. We don't know who it is, but she is rumored to be equal to Alicorns in power. She is merely a hop skip and a jump away from Canterlot." Blueblood said.

Twilight deflated as plans rushed through her head. One question stuck though. Who was this mystery Governor anyway?

"We're not going to get anywhere near Canterlot without a guide anywhere. Those damn bugs design their tunnels like mazes." Spitfire hissed. Just then, the flap to the tent opened and a rather small yellowish-greenish stallion in guard armor and a slightly bigger yak in a leather hauberk stepped in.

"Excuse me My Prince. My Princess. I uhhh, think you might want to see this." Sandbar, at least that's what Twilight thought his name was, said while gesturing over his shoulder. The four resistance leaders looked at each other before getting out of their seats and following the two out of the planning tent.

A large crowd of gryphons and ponies had gathered in front of the tent, except they weren't staring at them. They were staring at the creature slowly limping towards them.

It was the changeling who had been with Sombra during Twilight's rescue. He was wounded. That much was obvious. A huge gash was across his chest, and it looked like he had a new hole in his leg, which seemed like it had been pierced by either a spear or a very harsh bite with a very pointy tooth. He wore a suit of rather torn armor, and had a helmet in his hand as he continued to limp towards Twilight. His leg gave out just as he almost reached the four, which sent him toppling to the ground.

"Prince Pharynx?!?" Blueblood cried out as he rushed forwards, catching him just inches from faceplanting into the dirt. "What happened to you? Did the shield fall? Are the dragons inside?"

"N-No... No they aren't." Pharynx said weakly as Blueblood gently lowered him to the ground. "C-Chrysalis did this to me." The changeling gave a hiss as Blueblood placed a hand against his leg to stop the bleeding.

"This is bad..." Blueblood said as he pointed at Zecora. "I need potions and bandages, stat."

"Right on it." The Zebra said before rushing away as Spitfire kneeled down next to the changeling.

"Sweet Celestia… His own mother did this to him." The former Wonderbolt exclaimed as she brushed a hand over Pharynx's chest wound.

Twilight was still. Silent as a rock as she watched the changeling smack Spitfire's hand away before coughing rather loudly. The crowd gathered around them started to murmur loudly as Blueblood hoisted the changeling's arm over his shoulder and brought him to his feet.

Twilight had never actually seen blood before. What was in front of her looked... horrible.

"Why are you here Pharynx?" Twilight asked as Blueblood started to carry him into their tent, Twilight following slightly behind him.

"I... I want into the resistance."

Starlight felt herself relieved as she followed after Spike, Ember and Thorax, who had just finished up their 'spa day'.

Ember confidently strode ahead of Spike, her scales glistening and shining in the hallway, attracting more than a couple draconic eyes, which quickly averted themselves when Spike glared at them. Starlight found herself actually rather fascinated by the shimmering diamond like quality of the drakes skin. It was indeed quiet beautiful.

Although, she did have to admit Ember was rather drowned out by Thorax, who was shyly hiding behind Spike. His carapace was absolutely stunning right now. It was shinned to such a level that Starlight could see her reflection on him. When she had first seen him like this, the unicorn couldn't help but drop her jaw, which only closed when Spike growled at her like an over possessive beast.

Starlight shook her head as the four continued down the halls of the Crystal Castle. It didn't dawn on her that they weren't heading to the throne room until Spike stopped in front of a seemingly random door.

"Wh-why are we stopping here?" Starlight asked timidly before Spike smiled at her. It certainly wasn't a friendly smile.

"To talk to a friend." He hissed. "I'm sure you are going to find this quite eye opening."

Spike opened the door and entered the room, Ember and Thorax following after him obediently.

Starlight gulped before she too entered the room, to find herself in a very large library. It wasn't as big as the one back in Twilight's castle, but it was certainly amazing, but something told her she wasn't here to enter the library. Particularly the distant sound of moaning coming from behind a door deeper in.

Spike gave a deep sigh. "I tell him to do research and I find him balls deep in his guard. Not a good look." He grunted, which caused Starlight to glance between Spike and the door several times. She had a hunch what was behind it, but she chose not to believe it.

Spike marched forwards and ripped the door open. What Starlight saw on the other side made her heart sink. Staring at the four of them, mid thrust into the bent over form of Flash Sentry, was Sunburst, who wore nothing but his cape.

"Sunburst. I could have sworn I told you to research for me." Spike said disappointingly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"S-sorry my lord." Sunburst said as he quickly pulled out of Flash, which earned a rather loud groan of disappointment from the Pegasus. The unicorn mage corrected his glasses. "I was just distracted by my..." He paused as if searching for a word.

"Your slave?" Spike answered for him. Only then did Starlight notice the golden collar around flash's neck.

"Yes sir. My slave. I apologize." Sunburst said before walking passed the Dragonlord and into the library. Starlight was shocked that he didn't seem to notice her. "Funny you should come here actually. I had just made a breakthrough. That's why me and Flash were celebrating."

"You can call what you were doing celebrating, yes." Spike said with a smile as he pulled Ember and Thorax closer to him. "A breakthrough on which process. The immortality, the growth blocker or..."

"The hybridization one." Sunburst said as he grabbed a potion from a table in the center of the room. "Merely give this to your slave during next changeling estrus cycle, make him turn into a female and boom. You'll have an egg."

Thorax gave a loud whimper when Sunburst finished talking. Starlight could see exactly why. That plan sounded insane to say the least. Actually, insane was an understatement. It sounded batshit crazy.

"Excellent." Spike said as he took the potion. "I honestly can't decide which of my slaves I want to make an heir with. So I'm just going to do both. That all right with both of you?"

"I was wondering when you were going to knock me up." Ember chuckled. Thorax didn't say anything.

Only then did Sunburst seem to notice Starlight. "Oh my, I heard the rumors but I didn't actually think they were true. You're the alternate Starlight right?"

Starlight didn't say anything. She was too shaken to. This had to be a dream.

"Hmmm. I should have expected something like this to happen. The Universe seems to have a way of always summoning Dues Ex Machina's to stop anyone who dares to threaten the princess's perfect society. I am glad you caught her my Emperor. I couldn't stand to see your rule come to an end." Sunburst said pressing a hand to his chest and giving a deep bow.

That is what sent Starlight over the edge. She rushed forwards and grabbed Sunburst by the shoulder, slamming him against a book case. "Listen to yourself! What is wrong with you! How could you support that fucking tyrant!?!"

"Myes hello, I'm still here." Spike exclaimed with a wave.

"He is a murderer! He is enslaving entire races! He is treating ponies like nothing more than expendable animals and here you are supporting him! What is wrong with you!" The Unicorn cried out, as she raised a first. She was about to strike her former friend in the face before she was suddenly tackled from the side and pinned down by the stronger form of Flash Sentry, who twisted her army behind her back very harshly.

"Don't you ever hurt my master again, bitch." Flash hissed.

Sunburst corrected his glasses again and stood up straighter. "Contrary to popular belief, some ponies like slavery. Not to mention. You're princesses did far worse." The unicorn said, but Starlight wasn't listening.

How could she?

The results are in.

Ember, Thorax, and Trixie are the winners.