Equestria had been a country that always maintained progress, be it cultural, economic and magical, and very recently, technological. Technology has grown by leaps and bounds. In fact, a large part of the population at this point enjoyed the use of technology in a much more habitual way. Although some ponies took a while to get used to it, certainly for a good part of the population, especially for the Equestrian royalty, it was a luxury that they had to take, especially for the well-known and famous couple of the Crystal Empire. Cadance and Shining Armor were the ones who almost by default began to introduce Princess Celestia and Luna into the digital world. Without much success, or at least not for the moment, according to the night Princess.

"Nothing replaces the value and elegance that a letter from a loved one can bring.” Luna would always say, learning but not enjoying the newer technology. “The older ways still have value.”

Of course there was even romance in a letter and Cadance understood it. Much of her adolescence was surrounded by suitors who handed her letters, and even after she and Shining Armor went on dates, letters played an important role in the romance. However, the message could be feasible for two unicorns, or Unicorn and Alicorn in case of Cadance and Shining Armor independently. Well, being able to use magic to send letters immediately after writing them was an effective way to communicate years ago. But it was almost exclusively used among unicorns. Or if they had a pet dragon and it had its fire enchanted; in the case of Twilight Sparkle. Even so, communications technology certainly turned out to be very interesting to both princesses.

Especially the fact of being able to call and communicate with each other in one's own voice. Yes, it was something that at the time seemed like something out of a comic that Shining Armor read when he was young. To which he was always thrilled to communicate in such a way. Cadance couldn’t help but giggle as her husband would have his adorable nerd moments. This also aided them, as both of their jobs keep them at a distance. That didn't stop them from communicating, a simple message almost always started conversations. He still found it impressive that the messages arrived in seconds. Sighing in an annoyed manner, listening to the monotonous voice of his own Aunt Celestia, Cadance leaned her back against the back of the chair.

While she led one of her hands towards the table, where there was a glass of red wine. She was upset that she couldn't stretch her wings. Growling to herself, Cadance simply moved her wings a little, catching her attention and her two companions on either side of her, a Hippogriff and a Gryphon. They seemed to understand the princess's intention, after all, they were beings that had wings, and they could understand why she wanted to stretch the Alicorn wings. They both moved a little further to the side to give the princess room to stretch her wings, a gesture that the princess of love appreciated with a flirtatious smile
.
“Given this, Queen Novo and I will ensure that all cultural agreements between our kingdoms are carried out correctly.” Celestia expressed, implying all of the above mentioned in what seemed to be a set of slides. “Which will only give the two kingdoms further prosperity.”

Yawning slightly, something had caught Cadance's attention; it was her cell phone. A small notification had caught her attention, she set the volume off, but felt the vibration. Using her wings to partially cover her body and with the excuse that this way she could relax her wings, she only made sure that Celestia was not seeing her. And it seemed like she was so deep into explaining everything necessary for this year's economic plan. The notification was about her husband, it seemed that he had sent him a small greeting, a hand raised in greeting. She had selected the profile photo of her husband herself. It was Shining Armor, a tall unicorn stallion, tall enough for both of them to compete in height.

Being an Alicorn perhaps had some disadvantages. The first was that you were generally taller than many of the ponies. Shining Armor in his own right was a tall enough stallion. Still, Cadance was a little taller than her husband, a few inches, but only noticeable when they were too close together. But no one could blame the couple. Still, that didn't make Shining Armor uncomfortable, in fact it was a good thing for her. Cadance's profile photo turned out to be her, but in a frame, where you could only see her in profile with a large part of her enormous, considerable bust exposed. Needless to say, only that image was there solely and exclusively for her husband to see, after all. He was the one who chose that photo for her. Curious about what her husband was doing at that moment, she sent him a simple message.

"What are you doing?" Cadance messaged her husband. “Please tell me something good, this lecture is sooooo boring.” Soon the answer she wanted so much would arrive.

"Finishing the bureaucratic paperwork.” Armor’s message replied. “And you my love? What are you doing? You mentioned a lecture?"

"I still have to finish this meeting in Canterlot.” Cadance’s message commented. “And go to dinner with the aristocrats..."

"Is our date tonight still on?" Shing’s message asked. “I was hoping to see you soon.”

"I'd like to say yes, but I really don't know.” Cadance’s message replied, even sounding annoyed by this meeting. “Ugh…when will this end?"

"Oh come on honey! I got everything ready for tonight!” Shining’s message commented, going into a longer text. “You can't leave me here after I had to wait in line for an hour to go to the restaurant you wanted to go to so much!”

"I know! And I'm so sorry!” Cadance’s message replied, quickly typing out her response. “But Celestia insists that I stay for that other dinner... I'm really sorry, darling. I'll make it up to you when I return to the Crystal Empire.”

"I don't know what you plan to do to make it up to me for this.” Shining’s message commented. Cadance could tell there was an unwanted tone to this. “Not to mention that you still owe me for what happened in Ponyville the last time you went on a "visit" with Twi.”

“Oh, come on, you can't be serious!” Cadance’s message snapped back, trying her best to be composed; but it wasn’t working. “I didn't even tell you anything related to when you were sleeping with Chrysalis and what happened at the wedding!" She could have continued with her message much further than Shining could believe, if not for the fact that a voice made her turn around in fear and fright.

"Cadance, did you finish texting with Armor?" Celestia asked, with a look of disappointment, it was a look that in many ways made her feel bad, and this time she was no exception. “You seem upset. I hope nothing bad is happening.”

The pink Alicorn had been so deep into her conversation that she had completely forgotten or rather, she didn't realize that she was the only one in that room. A blush full of shame invaded her when Celestia placed her hands on her wide hips, waiting for an explanation as to why she had taken her cell phone from her in the middle of the conference she was holding.

“Auntie...please spare me the lecture.” Cadance sighed resignedly knowing precisely what she would tell her, mainly because both Celestia and Luna were not very skilled in everything related to technology. “I just…I just don’t want to talk about it.”

“I didn't mean to tell you anything about that.” Celestia expressed, making a gesture with her hand while she told Cadance to stand up. “You're no longer a filly whose tail I have to step on every time she does something wrong.”

“But you still have that face that makes you look disappointed…” Cadance said annoyedly, putting away her cell phone. “Auntie, I'm really sorry...but, we've been in meetings since seven in the morning. Not to mention that in each and every one of them I have had to deal with my cousin Blueblood.” She was getting more and more annoyed. “On top of that even the courtships of many of the ambassadors...I mean...the Zebraika guy was charming and cute but...the rest...for the love of...they know I'm married! Why can't Twilight come do this? She is literally 30 minutes away by train while I’m 3 hours away.”

“Young Sparkle still cannot be part of these meetings because the rest of the leaders see her as a favorite commoner of our sister.” Luna explained with an authoritarian tone. “As far as they are concerned, Twilight Sparkle is an opportunist who craves our sister's throne.”

“But it's not like that!” Cadance bellowed with annoyance. “You can’t seriously believe what Blueblood has been bullshitting to you.”

Cadance knew that Blueblood had a lot to do with all of this. That prince could not tolerate the fact that someone would take away his "right" to rule. In any case, in the prince's eyes, she was a commoner, just as the rest of the leaders and representatives believed. She was an opportunist to them. Everything Celestia had to do to keep the press silent and what all the aristocrats and even the leaders were saying about her, from reaching her ears.

Twilight often allowed herself to be influenced by others. Which often led to many of the noble elites underestimating her, or belittling her behind her back. Also, if she cares a lot about the princess's opinion of her, who was a second mother to her. Of course, it will matter what the elite of Equestria say. It was a necessary evil. The wage gap was notable, of course. But there had to be a social divide if Celestia wanted Equestria to enter an industrial age and currently a digital one.

“Unfortunately, the world doesn't see it that way Cadance.” Celestia said watching her niece simply pout while crossing her arms. “Let's just get this over with, we only have one more meeting left.”

“Aghhh…” Cadance grumbled in annoyance, simply resigned herself to not being able to go that night with her husband. “Shining is gonna be so upset.”

“Luckily for you, dear niece.” Luna spoke this time. “The dinner with the aristocrats was a mere bluff for you. In fact, we have a less stressful matter for you that requires your attention.”

At this Cadance's ears perked up to attention. On the one hand, she was relieved to not have to be present alongside boastful guys or "Juniors'' who simply liked to brag about the money they had. And in the worst case scenario she wasn't even "their" money since it was mostly her parents or grandparents who left them that inheritance, and it is the only reason why they are on the side of the Equestrian elite. It wasn't even her own merit, which bothered Cadance, if not all the princesses actually.

“Why lie to me about dinner?” Cadance looked at Luna with curiosity. “What would that possibly gain?”

“Because you, myself, and our sister, we know that you don't like it when Blueblood is the one who speaks badly about your sister-in-law or the Sparkle family.” Luna replied, sighing a little. “In any case…” She made a gesture with her hand while her horn lit up and the doors of that meeting room opened wide, revealing two changedlings in tribal costumes.

They were both known at this point. Thorax and Pharynx. Both stallions, although they were above average height for ponies. The body change since his ascension into a harmonic shifter was certainly good. Or at least good. His height from drone to ruler was clearly reflected in a good way. Especially when his body gave a more imposing appearance. Same for his littermate, although he wasn't as tall as Thorax.

Pharynx certainly had a lot more to offer in the form of him. Muscle that stood out compared to his brother. No wonder, after all, Thorax wasn't the type to be a warrior before his ascension as his brother. Although it was true that he had some muscle. Pharynx embarrassed him in a very noticeable way. It was obvious which of the two could beat the other in physical strength... And magic to beat.

“Hello Cadance!” Thorax said with a smile when he saw his friend, Pharynx by his side, although he greeted all the princesses cordially. “I hope you are doing well.” Although Cadance seemed happy to see her friend, curiosity was still present as to why they were there. Also to the point where they had to lie to her for this meeting to happen.

"Let's go to a more private place." Celestia said, looking out of the corner of her eye at her nephew Blueblood who was waiting at the door of the room, listening very attentively, and upon hearing what her aunt said she simply shook her head shamelessly to leave. “Then we can discuss things easier.”

They had to hold the meeting in the sun princess's own chambers, such was the security that there were a total of ten solar guards in the hallway making sure that no one was close enough while outside, the castle, flying over the window of the princess, there was almost an entire platoon of Lunar guards. Celestia looked over to her sister, knowing she was the one behind all these soldiers at the ready.

"It wasn't necessary, sister..." Celestia said, looking out the window at the large number of guards flying over the skies. “A few guards perhaps, but this many?”

“Security is above all the need to keep this conversation secret is very necessary!” Luna said with her own pride as she looked at the other two rulers. “Time, I think it is necessary that you explain to us why the need for this meeting.”

Both Thorax and Pharynx looked at each other and nodded at the same time. By this point, both Celestia, Luna and Cadance were lying sitting on some chairs that had been brought to the sun princess's chambers. However, due to how nervous and a little restless the other two changeling monarchs were, they had not agreed to sit next to them. This would have been considered disrespectful by Luna. But considering the time and what seemed to be the occasion, she decided not to pay attention to this.

“Well…” Thorax was the one who spoke, taking a seat after a long time in silence. “The question is next…” Pharynx walked next to the chair that was for him, while the other monarchs watched him carefully. Pharynx didn't talk much, and it seemed that this time, he would be the one leading this conversation.

“Two years ago...the last of the eggs in our breeding chamber hatched.” Pharynx expressed with a somewhat serious tone of voice and with a gaze lost in nothingness. “And now, we have a growing concern.”

“And that's it?” Cadance didn't seem to understand. “Because I understand that those eggs that were in that chamber were only Chrysalis'.”

“They are!” Thorax spoke a little scared, this also caused the princesses to become over excited by his reaction. Seeing this, Thorax calmed down and cleared his throat before saying. “That is precisely the problem…there are no more eggs.”

“I don't understand.” Luna this time was the one who spoke before leaning back in her chair and crossing one of her legs and saying. “Don't they have females that can do the work of reproduction and maintain their species?”

“No. That's not how it works.” Pharynx spoke, taking a seat in the chair. “Our "females" are workers or soldiers, regardless of the amount of love received in the gestation stage.”

“So, if females can't give birth…what good are they?” Luna had been the one who had spoken and of course, her idea was justified, after all, every species only needed a female and a male for the conservation of the species. “ Sorry if this sounds wrong, but it's strange that a female can't give birth.”

“The queen is the only one who can give birth.” Pharynx said, which made both Celestia, Luna and especially Cadance tense in their seats just as a feeling of discomfort hit them, especially Cadance. Who gritted his teeth thinking about what that changeling had done. Everything from the wedding, to the kidnapping of all the princesses and their daughter, to the attempt to rule Equestria with the help of the other villains. “The other females are incapable of breeding.”

“Are you implying that you want to free Chrysalis!?” Cadance was the first to react, and not in a good way considering the large number of things the villain had done. “I’m sorry, but surely there’s another way to deal with this than letting her out!” Realizing how aggressive she was sounding, she tried to compose herself.

“NO!” Thorax responded quickly, trying to calm the princess of love. “Well….technically yes. We're completely aware of what Chrysalis did to you, Cadance, seriously. But-”

“If we don't free Chrysalis.” Pharynx interrupted her brother. “So, those last simulators that were born two years ago, will be the last of our species.”

There was a moment of silence. Cadance for a few moments did not want to consider that fact. It was obvious that the meeting was about freeing Chrysalis. She didn’t want to agree to this without a good reason. Not only her resentment towards the changeling’s former queen, but because of how her life was nearly destroyed by her. But having an entire race literally on the brink of extinction was a good reason. And from the look Cadance saw on her two Aunts, it was obvious that they would accept. Or at least they would consider freeing her from it.

“What if we use a spell to fertilize most of the Drones and…” Luna spoke trying to give a solution. “Surely, there’s some way to adjust pheromones, or induce it magically?” She wanted to help, but Cadance stopped her.

“It would be useless, fertility or virility spells work for ponies.” Cadence interrupted, sighing a little as she was a little irritated her explanation was going to support Chrysalis’ release. “Also regardless of DNA, magical activity, reception and above all whether the individual's body can tolerate it. Our spells work perfectly on ponies. Doing it with a simulator, not to mention that it would be like injecting a dog with medicine that would work for a crocodile.”

“Not to mention that our magic may not properly affect the body of the simulators.” Celestia commented, looking over to Thorax. “Although we could try with the males and-”

“No.” Thorax spoke, interrupting the alicorn. “Sorry, but you see it’s more complex.”

“Yes.” Pharynx made a gesture with his hand and said. “All of us, without exception, are either workers.” He pointed to Thorax. “Or soldiers.” Saying this, he put his hand on his chest. “As such, although we have our reproductive members we would not be able to impregnate a pony or any other species from our seed. That would only be from the ‘Alphas’ who stopped being born since the amount of love that was given to us during our gestation stage decreased noticeably.”

“Exactly. Now, we thought that perhaps, in those last eggs, a ‘surrogate Queen’ would be born, it is rare, but Chrysalis is the only one that can give birth to another queen.” Thorax commented, fidgeting with his hands. “In the same way, also with the ‘Alphas’, if we had one, we could do without freeing Chrysalis, and only let the Alpha be able to preserve our species until...well…” He continued to play with his hands for a few moments. “I don't know if they had the idea or maybe...they could consider…”

"Release her." Pharynx said dryly, going straight to the point, looking at the princesses. “I know she’s committed evil deeds, but she’s the only way for our kind to carry on.”

Again the silence remained constant, it was a completely uncomfortable silence, and above all tense. Both Celestia and Luna knew perfectly well that Cadance would be against it. After all, Chrysalis almost succeeded in marrying Shining Armor, and if it weren't for Twilight, she very possibly would have starved to death in those crystal catacombs that lie beneath Canterlot. However there was another point, she currently possessed magic that came from Grogar's bell. She was, so to speak, strong, or at least she could be a certainly problematic potential enemy.

Without the bell, it would be impossible to take those powers away from him. For a serious Alicorn, a relatively easy one to beat Chrysalis. Sure, they had an advantage. She had been locked in that stone prison for several years, and of course, she would be weak. Despite the source of power she had acquired from Grogar's cowbell. Viable? Maybe. After looking at each other for a few moments. And above all, think about it carefully...everyone looked at Cadance, as if they expected her to be the one who decided what to do with all of this.

"What?" Cadance said when she saw everyone's looks. "Do you really want me to be the one who decides what to do?"

“To be honest.” Thorax spoke. “You are the reincarnation of love and...well...of all those present here, you are the one who could have the most resentment.”

“It's true.” Cadance said without looking at Thorax. “I hold a certain grudge against her...but at this point, in our conversation, it would be negligent on my part to put my emotions and personal problems with her first, so that an entire race comes to the end. extinction.” Letting out a heavy sigh she said. “I will agree to this, for the mere fact that it is about you…” Saying this, everyone in the room had let out a sigh of relief.

"However..." Cadance continued speaking, which made everyone tense up in their seats and turn their attention to Cadance again. "There is something I want in return."

“Cadance.” Celestia spoke, settling in her chair to look better at the princess of love. “Do you really want to ask them for something despite everything?”

“To them?” Cadance said, looking at Thorax and Pharynx. “No, not at all. I'm happy to help a friend.” She smiled calmly at both of them. “However, I'm sure you intend to ask Twilight or one of her friends to take care of Chrysalis, just like what happened with Discord, right?” Saying this, she showed a thoughtful face full of feigned innocence, as if considering more options.

She wasn’t exactly wrong. Celestia had the habit of tasking Twilight and her friends with many, many such problems. But it has shown to be of great success. The cleansing of Nightmare Moon to save Princess Luna. As well as the reformation of Discord, who was now a great ally who helped defeat Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow. But still, she hesitated a little with her words. For a moment, she felt this was a waste of time, believing that the rest had made their choice and they just wanted her to agree without feeling forced.

"In fact, I'm sure you meant to ask Starlight Glimmer since she was the one who had fought against her, and who...directly, he was the one who took the hive from her." Cadance said, receiving silence from the others. “We know better than anyone that Chrysalis is proud and I am very sure that Starlight would be the last pony I would want to see…” She looked at Thorax and Pharynx.

“Please, just tell us better what you want, Cadance.” Celestia expressed, cutting it off once and for all. “Your feelings about this are well known. But respectfully, get to the point.”

“Very well.” Cadance let out a small childish laugh as she played with her mane. "I want to be the one who tries to reform her."

“Don't be offended princess but…” Thorax seemed unsure of the decision. “Do you really think you can do it? I mean...it's not that I distrust you or anything. But I think you could take this...very personal, considering the history you have with our ex-queen.”
“Cadance…” Celestia intervened again. “You're not planning on taking this personally, are you? We are talking about the survival of the changeling race, it is necessary for Chrysalis to accept giving birth to a queen in a good way.”

“Not to mention that it will require a very high amount of love to be able to maintain the egg of its future heir.” Pharynx said. “Yes, Alphas need to have a very significant amount of love daily. That of a queen is a hundred times greater than that of the alphas.”

“Is that so?” Cadance laughed, almost shamelessly as she tried to compose herself. It wasn't until she almost had a hiccup attack and after wiping away a tear, she moved her head to shake her hair for a few moments, letting her mane flow seductively over her shoulders before looking at the other princesses and saying. “Sometimes I think they forget precisely who they are talking to...who in all of Equestria could provide more love than the princess of Love herself?” She almost seemed arrogant as she continued. “Yes, it's possible that I take it personally...you owe me, Auntie, for getting me involved in these matters and getting me out of the crystal empire on my anniversary.”

“Well…” Celestia said, letting out a sigh of resignation. “I guess as long as you can accomplish the task...I don't see why you can't be the one to convince her first.”

“But…are you sure you can convince her, Cadance?” Thorax said worriedly. “Chrysalis...she was never exactly someone who accepted orders from anyone.”

“Not to mention that you would be one of the last faces she would want to see.” Pharynx added. “So you’ll certainly have more than a handful when dealing with her.” Cadance stood up from her seat and walked over to them, a rather smug, but seductive smile at the same time displayed on her face as she took him by the chin.

“Believe me…I can be very persuasive when I set my mind to it.” Cadance said, her voice rippling with a tone that sent a shiver down Pharynx’s spine. Releasing him from her chin, he walked calmly while she strutted until he reached Thorax. “Just tell me what tricks she may have up her sleeve. And I'll take care of the rest."

Next Chapter: Preperation Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 40 Minutes