A week had passed since I last seen Intel, and as I strode through the halls and made my way to the Hives cafeteria, I thought to myself,‘I’m still surprised they have one. I thought they only ingested emotions.’ As I waited in the lunch line, a few friendly changlings waved to me and smiled. I noticed and waved back to them. Then my turn came and I grabbed my food and sat down in my usual stop in the mess hall. The far back of the room in the corner. I remember back on earth, when I was still in school that I used to enjoy lunch alone. But my privacy here in the mess hall was all but nonexistent. I would always be surrounded by the familiar faces of all sorts of changlings. Today was slightly different though, for only one changling sat beside me today.

“Hello Darkmoon.” voiced a changling as he sat beside me and he set down his lunch tray.

“How are you today... Grey Skull right?” I asked. He seemed to be the right changling.

“Yeah, I’m glad you remember me. May I ask you another question? If it’s ok with you that is. I did hit you with a bunch of them yesterday, so I’d undertand.” He asked as he smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. I nodded and gave a warm smile. “Well, I’ve noticed something different about the Queen recently. She seems to be looking... how do I say it.. ‘Brighter’?”

“How do you mean?” I asked Skull. The choice of words seemed to confuse me. “What do you mean ‘Brighter’?”

“Well, she seems to have.. gained a small bit of weight, but it’s not usual for a changling to gain it, even if she’s laying eggs for new soldiers.”

“Are you calling Chrysalis overweight?”

“No, I just find it different. I’m just wondering is all.” He gave off a small audible cough and the situation grew a bit awkward. “Well, just forget it for now, how has training been lately?”

“Well, I’m back to my old self once again. Emphasis on the “Old”. I should be traveling the lands pretty soon but I’d like to spend a few more days with Chrysalis and Moon.”

“Ah, nice! And how has Moon been so far?” He asked as he raised an eyebrow.

I took a quick bite from the spuds I had taken and a drink from my mug. After I finished chewing and swallowed the mouthful, I turned back to the curious changling and said,“She’s been fine, she’s not the small filly I met a few months ago, that’s for sure. I used to be able to pick her up with no problem, but she’s gotten much bigger since then. As for how she’s feeling? you’d have to ask her.”

//////////////

After I finished my lunch I made my way back to the throne room. As I stood beside Chrysalis as she sat in the throne, I watched as she presided over a case. Apparently, it was an old case. From back when I first met with Intel, the metallic stallion. She caught word that one of the generals had sent a group of changlings out without the approval of the Queen herself, risking the prospect of of war with the Equines of Equestria. The royals and the changlings were still a bit sore about the Canterlot wedding, and they were always in their corners, sneering at each other. The only things separating the two races from breaking out in a war were two things. The treaty I had signed with Chrysalis, and Me.

“So what do you have to say for yourself general?” Asked the ebony queen as she awaited an answer from the general on the ground.

He had been removed of his rank and handcuffed. He sat on his knees and pleaded to the queen,“I swear to you my queen, I wasn’t the one that sent the orders for the changlings to patrol passed the mountains. I swear!”

Chrysalis glared down at him,“And do you have any proof that states your innocents? I have many eyes throughout the Hive and they watch for stallions such as you. I’ve called upon them, and they all give me the same answer. They say that they heard you, General Zero, had ordered for that brigade of rogues to venture passed the mountains and raid nearby villages!”

“I never gave that order, I wouldn’t! It would jepardize the Hive’s well-being! and I know this! My Queen, you have to believe me!”

“I will not.” She turned to the guards and ordered them to remove him and place him in the dungeons.

“I’m sorry, my queen.” The ex-general stated as he was being drug out of the room. I couldn’t help but feel pity for the stallion as he was dragged across the throne room and out of the large fleshy doors.

Chrysalis stood from the throne and gave a small stretch,“I need to rest.” She placed her palm over her stomach and gave a warm smile as she stared down at it. “Come along dear.” she said to me and I followed at her request.

As we strode our way down the hall towards the royal quarters, Chrysalis wrapped her arms around mine as she leant against me. I stared down to the mare beside me and gave her a quick lookover. ‘What did he mean when he said ‘brighter’?’ I thought to myself. We finally reached the doors of Moon’s room and I opened the door to check up on her. As we gazed into the room, Chrysalis and I found Moon sleeping in the bed. Light snores could be heard within the quiet of the bedroom. I gave a smile as I laid my eyes upon the small mare sleeping and whispered to Chrysalis,“Isn’t that just adorable?”

She looked up to me and placed a small kiss on my cheek,“Pretty soon, this room will be echoing with light snores.” I closed the door and we made our way over to our room. As I opened the door and closed it behind us, she gave a cheeky smile and lead me over to the bed. ‘I’m so confused.’ She laid down on the bed and I laid down beside her. We laid there and cuddled, I don’t know what it was but I was filled with the inner sensation of happiness and whispered into the Queen’s ear,“I love you, My Queen.”

She pulled herself a tad back as stared into my eyes with hers half lidded and smiled,“I love you too, Darkmoon.” She planted her lips on mine and I placed my hand on her waist. As I slowly ran my hand up and down her smooth skin, small moans of pleasure echoed inside my mouth.

Family, it’s what’s important. And as for mine, it was just about to get a bit bigger.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll see you all in the next one.

Keep it cool, Condemned.