A New Day

  It took some time because we were all invisible, but we finally made it to Emerald's house. A transportation spell would be seen. Plus we needed to be visible for that.

  Chrysalis's plan was surprising to say the least, but it did get us out of the library. Never thought I would say that. On the way to her house we spotted a large group of soldiers heading to it. Chrysalis had to pull Scootaloo out of their way or we would have been discovered.

"They are going to investigate." (Luna)

  Then Shining Armor ran past us in his purple armor. The look on his face would have killed ten changelings. I grabbed a small plink bottle from my mane. I had to hide it from the guards after being rudely shoved into my own house.

"Here Flutterwing, Sunbeam. You might need this."

"Thank you, Twilight."

  Sunbeam took the bottle and drank half, then gave the rest to Flutterwing. Now we stood outside the door were Luna was trying to get one of the changelings to open it. We heard a noise from inside and the door opened to reveal a mare with a bright orange silk mane.

  Luna finally dropped the spell and we appeared into her vision. The changeling mare flinched, but quickly recovered.

"Princess Luna, do you have news about my mother?"

"Indeed, but first you must let us in."

"I must warn you that my mother's new broodlings are not happy with you."

"I would think they would come to trust me. Is it because of......"

"Yes. I told them you couldn't stop him even if you were the queen of Equestria. He is loyal to the Sun Queen. Did my mother get any word from her?"

"No. My sister was not pleased when she was told about the problem at hoof. She has locked herself up in her room."

"With my mother away the hive appointed me standing queen until her return. And I hope that will grant me a way to speak to Queen Celestia."

"We are not queens, Cicada. We are princesses. We dare not take our mothers' titles from them. They do still rule over us. And you might be able to get a hearing for Emerald. If my sister ever decides to come out of her room."

  We group moved to the basement cave where the rest of Emerald's hive hid from the guards patrolling near the house. A small group of red eyes saw Luna and immediately buzzed at her. Luna smiled at them, showing a pair of fangs like those in her guard.

  The red eyes flashed their fangs in response, a sign of hostile/neutral ground for all species. Cicada sent a message to the small group and they fell over in pain.

"Are they well?"

"Luna, my mother may have been lenient with her hive, but now that I'm in charge I may do as I please. As long as it involves getting my mother back. I lost her once I will not lose her again."

"Yes, but do you think she would be cruel? When I saw her she gave the last of her magical plink energy to change the shell colors of the captured changeling in the cells. From want we have been told, a queen would never give her energy to castaways from another crown."

  The fiery maned changeling tapped the ground and two changelings jumped out from the shadows and stood at her sides. Both looked like they wanted to attack us, but then they saw a little orange pegasus glaring them down.

"Hey! Just because your a princess doesn't mean you can ruin mom's work!"

"Little pony I am Queen Emerald's only daughter. Noling would ever call themselves a ponies mother."

  Sunbeam trotted up to Cicada and raised a holed hoof. He then flashed his fangs and his eyes changed. They were not the normal grey they usually were. They were black in double-ringed irises, both blacks were a different shade.

"You are not fit to be in her place. And you do not raise your voice to my daughter. I suggest that you quickly dethrone yourself and allow the ling Emerald appointed to lead her armies to do her job."

  Chrysalis stepped forward and placed a green helmet on her head over they small crown. I stared at her then she floated a similar helmet and placed it on my head.

"Magic Leader, that is your new title. You promised my child your protection and you will keep it. Silverwing is coming quickly and you will be a great help in the battle."

"What can I do?"

  Cicada came up to me despite the glares and snarls from Sunbeam.

"You were told of the Orb of Helix by my mother. Your duty is to find and retrieve it. Our future lies in the orb, my mother's hive shall complete the mission the Queens Circle ignored while their children died slowly in the caves. Twilight sparkle, of all the ponies in Equestria, you are the most trustworthy and brave.

  Your magic is stronger than you think and it will guide you to greatness. We just need you to find the orb and release the bond around it. Then and only then can Flutterwing cast the spell needed to heal what time could not."

  I took this all in, but none of it made sense. Why was she talking to me like this? Why am I the only one that can help them? Wait.....I not the only one.....

  I trotted up to a group of grey eyed changelings, most of them must of sensed my emotions and stood tall. I guess they know I need them.

"If you don't mind, I need a volunteer to change back to grey and infiltrate Silverwing's army."

  The group stared at each other and then one trotted out. He was smaller the others, especially his horn.

"I volunteer. As an infiltrator in the grey queen's hive I am most qualified to do the job."

  I tried hard not to stare at his horn, but it was as big as mine and it was apparently this was not a common thing for them.

"Thank you.....?"

"Silent Night."

"Thank you, Silent Night."

  I turned to Chrysalis and asked for a private room to plan. I was given one on the second floor next to a weapon storage room. Most of the weapons had a dragon scale as a blade. I winced when I saw a purple and green scale on a spear stick.

  Princess Luna left for Canterlot with Cicada to try and get Princess Celestia to listen. Nymph and the girls were in the room to the left being watched by Sunbeam. After showing his black eyes the grey changelings have been acting strangely around him.

Through Celestia's Eyes

  It is all a prank. Luna is just playing me for slowing down the sun. There is no way in Infernus that my adviser, that my best friend was a changeling. They are gone. Extinct. With only the Badlands as a memory.

  No. There was a changeling queen at the wedding. She captured my.....my.......

Knock Knock

"I will not be seeing anypony."

"Tia, open the door. I have news from Ponyville."

"I don't want to talk about it at all."

"Sister, you are the daughter of the most loyal pony in the world. The one who made it possible to defeat Discord, the mare who took the place of the sun when all was lost."

  I stood in front of my mirror staring at the white mare staring back. Her eyes were red from tears. Her mane of many colors was ruffled and lost its usual wavy form. Her mind was fogged with questions and memories.

"Lulu, you may come inside. Please, tell me first she won't hurt me."

"Who dear sister?"

"The changeling next to you. I placed magic charms. I can sense her."

"Do not worry. She is here to discuss her mother's release. And about the upcoming threat."

  I opened the doors to my room after placing my crown back on my head. The changeling trotted in with Luna and bowed with respect.

"Princess Celestia, Sun Queen. I am grateful for this meeting."