Far out into the east, beyond the cold stone peaks of the mountains, lay a land of festering bogs and jagged rock. Even from a distance, it is a land warped from nature's design: there were cave systems whose sheer size rivaled that of entire cities, and obelisks the size of mountains. This, was the republic of the Changelings.

It was their nature to remain hidden: spells had been in place since the very dawn of their known history to hide the main obelisk, a symbol of their architectural prowess that stood proudly at the center of their city. It was there that decisions were made, even during the dark times of the queen.

The obelisk housed a massive auditorium in its depths—a sort of coliseum where the diplomats and militants gathered to devise what road their people were going to take. So much had changed, ever since she was dethroned. A revolution had ocurred, and their leaders were now chosen, instead of being born. Even then, saying her name was something worthy of punishment, depending on the context.

The great hall was absolutely filled to the brim. It was something to be expected, given the recent occurrences. Changelings from all around the realm were sitting, looking down at the circle in which the councilors and the main agents sat, preparing themselves to discuss matters of grave importance.

Councilors... A form of government adopted from the great bipeds. A mixture of democracy and meritocracy, one that the changelings looked up to. Many had taken to carving etchings on their chitinous exterior, a form of establishing a personal identity. This uniqueness took them one step closer towards the bipeds, who all looked much the same but each had its own, individual identity. In the wake of the monarchy's collapse, they had become a beacon, an ideal to a people craving change.

“Attention!” Arcturus Minerval, one of the five counselings, called out. His body was adorned with trinkets and ornate etchings—a sign of his identity. All eyes locked onto him, and the massive hall fell silent. “We are now in session!”

He cleared his throat. “As you are all likely aware, the war between Equestria and the Gryphon Kingdom was ended two days ago, by none other than the humans.” He waved his foreleg, gesturing towards the entire chamber. “We have all learned so much from them... Almost everyling plays homage to them...

“They are capable of good and bad. They evolve, they change.” He looked up at the ceiling. “They brought a stop to a conflict brought on by years of tension—in nothing but a mere day.” Arcturus motioned to one of his fellow councilings to continue.

A workling stood up, taking the spotlight. “But our agents have reported some very worrying information...” The hall was washed over with whispers before she continued, “They are lost, incapable of returning to their society. They are running out of resources... nourishment. Something that we have an excess of, if only in material form.”

“It was but a year ago that we overthrew her,” another counciling said as he stood up. “And we have since realized that love must be earned, not taken!” he exclaimed as he began pacing around the chamber’s center. “Forcing love out of others has brought us nothing but misery, and it is time to change that! It is time... time to return the favour.”

“Even if it goes against our very nature, we must help! This, is our next step towards a brighter future! My fellow changelings, we must not waste this opportunity! We. Must. Change.”

Another changeling took the spotlight, this one armored with metallic plates. “We aim to establish a proper relationship with the great bipeds. We both lack nourishment, and we will earn ours by giving it to them! In this process, we will learn from them. Learn how to be selfless, learn to love...

“This is the perfect chance for that, as we can use them to repair our relations with Equestria. Let us live under the shadow of a dead queen no more! We will fix our mistakes, earn our love, and walk towards the light! Tell me, my fellow changelings, do you see the light at the end of the tunnel!?” he exclaimed, and the entire audience broke out in cheers.

“From this very day, we walk forth!”