A New Day

  I wiped the tears away. Don't be afraid. Be strong. Remember, your hive can hear you. They are not alone. I am not alone. Peace is still possible.

  Shining Armor stared at me. I couldn't hear anything at all, the room was silent. In fact, it was. The changelings stopped praying and stared at the captain. Then they saw me.

"Queen of mine. Queen of mine. We join you. We join you. From one to another, we join the green."

  They chanted this over and over again. I felt the love they had left, but I cut it off. I shouldn't take something that isn't mine. They need it more than me. I lifted my head to meet the captain's eyes, they were cold as ice.

"I will not say it again. Tell me why you are here, where the real Emerald is, and how long you have been in Equestria."

"Captain, you know those answers."

"Answer."

"All right. I have been here ever since I ran away from my mother's hive. She had my only daughter executed on the spot. Recently I learned this was not true. I am the real Emerald. My name is in fact Emerald, Queen of Green.

  And finally, I'm hiding."

"Hiding from what?"

"Silverwing, Queen of grey. She believes that I or another queen has kidnapped her daughter. Her forces are strong, stronger than Chrysalis's. But until recent events, she won't have as many soldiers as before."

"Recent Events?"

"Yes, but I refuse to speak about the subject."

"You can't refuse. I am the pony who holds your life in my hooves."

"No, Celestia holds my life. And with my new friends, I believe that I will live."

  He laughed. His voice echoed through the dimly light prison. Then he snapped his head back to my face.

"Monsters don't make friends, they make lunch out of foals and fillies."

"Then you should read more."

  With that I turned on my hoof and went to the far corner next to the nearest cage. The five sitting in there immediately moved closer to me. Shining took notice of this.

"Can you explain to me why my sister attacked me after you were unconscious."

  I thought for a moment trying to replay an image of Twilight going against her brother. It was actually comical.

"I told you Shining. I have new friends."

  Shining Armor then turned around and climbed the stone stair case to another room. I heard a shuffle of hooves above me. I felt the presence of a powerful magic. Either an alicorn was there or Twilight was there.

  I looked at the changelings closest to me and smiled. Then I began using the last of the plink I had.

Through Shining Armor's Eyes

  Why. Why of all the ponies did it have to be my foal-sitter. At least she gave us a hint of a book. Now who to give the assignment to...

"Captain Amour, Sir!"

  Flick Note, perfect.

"Yes."

"Princess Luna wants to see the new prisoner, sir."

"Did she say why?"

"She wishes to see and talk to it, sir. Captain Amour, she wants to make friends with it."

"How many times do I tell you, my name is Shining Armor. Just because I'm married to Princess Cadence doesn't mean I take her name."

"Whatever, captain."

"Listen to me, Flick Note. You signed up for the guard and I am it's leader. You will give me the proper respect and obey my commands."

"Yeah I signed up, but I'm also the only messenger that is in the guard. So we are equals, captain."

  It took all my self control to not to blast him with another lightning bolt. But I got distracted by another thing. It was by the stairway just lying on the ground.

  Flick Note watched as I picked up a piece of green silk. It was strange. Where did it come from? And why would anypony leave silk of great quality on the ground?

"Flick Note send a message to Twilight. Here is the note, now go. Before I blast your tail again."

  He was quick to leave the room, darting out the door like a train. Now I had only one thing to worry about. And just as I thought it, Princess Luna trotted inside the room.

"Captain Armor, we wish to speak to Emerald."

"Of course, Princess. Just don't get too close. I will go down with you."

"No, my own guard will suffice. They are loyal to me and you are not."

  With that Luna went past me and down the stairs with a bat-winged mare behind her. I don't see why she won't have normal ponies as guards.

Through Emerald's Eyes

  I heard more hoof-steps coming from the stairs, the visitor is coming. I straightened my back and hid my fangs as best as I could. But after giving away my plink, I was exhausted.

  The pony was Luna of course, she also had a guard of hers. Princess Luna turned and magically sealed the door leading to the stairs. I heard a click meaning she locked it. The guard's eyes never turned away from me.

"Emerald, my friend, we hope you were not harm and.........your mane, what did they do to it?"

  I looked up to the Queen of Night and then to the mare. The mare shot a cheeky grin and bowed. It was quite weird on my end. Then the pair took notice of the lings around them.

"Did you do this?"

I nodded to Luna. The entire room had vibrant green shells and wings. I asked them to use the last of my plink to change themselves. It was like a game of telephone, passing on the plink to each cage so each one could get a surge of magic.

"They seem happier."

  The mare still didn't break her stare.

"I thought they would rather be in my colors if they are to be rid of. If they were in their original colors they would simply die of sadness. Noling deserves that fate."

  Luna nodded and the mare sighed. She seemed strange for a pony, I couldn't even taste any emotions from her! No emotions....

"Name, rank, purpose."

  The mare's eyes flashed blue, not regular ling blue, but double-ringed blue.

"Mother?"

"Child of mine, you look beautiful, but whoever cut your silk will pay. It is a crime against the queen. Especially the Queen of the Circle."

"I am not Queen of the Circle. Queen Ruby is."

"I submit to you daughter. War is coming and there must be a side to defend ponies. I do not care for the creatures at all, no offense to the Night Queen, but I care for my daughter and will support you in the only way I know how."

"If you are submitting, then you lose your title as Second Commander of the Circle until a new leader is declared."

"I know."

"Mother of mine, Queen Chrysalis of blue, I hereby place myself in control over your hive, but you shall continue being their queen. I show mercy. You will help lead the armies against Silverwing of grey. I will remain in the cage for the time being, so as not to alarm the guard."

"Of course,my commander."

"Luna, please send a message to Celestia. I wish to speak with her."

"Of course, Emerald."

  I gave Luna and mother a smile and saluted them. Mother saluted back and Luna gave a small nod. Then they left me to plan for the war ahead.

  Queen Ruby is tougher than any other queen. In order for me to become Queen of the Circle, she would have to be eliminated from existence. It's the only way to make the other queens follow.

  The lings around me stared. I was their queen and they would fight to the death just to keep me out of harm's way. I then shouted at the top of my lungs.

"Long live the hive!"

"Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the hive!"

"Long live the Queen!"

"Long live the hive!"

"Long live the Queen!"