A New Day

Through Emerald's Eyes

  I opened the door to my home, levitated Cicada onto the couch, then shut it. I hope no ponies come to visit. When I turned around I saw all of my broodlings. My 'family'. My hive.

"Children, of green. Today we are in code black. For those who are not familiar, it has been ten years since the last one. May I see the hatchling?"

  Tulip levitated the basket from the kitchen and into the living room. Carefully setting it down on a glass table. I leaned into the basket and and pink set of double ringed peered back at me.

  The changeling child was indeed a princess. Her mother must have just tossed her aside into pony society without taking good measure to find a proper home or even giving her a disguise.

  Of the eight queens left, only Queen Ruby comes to mind. Though Queen Silverwing might be the mother. In fact most of them could be the mother!

  The only queen that can be ruled out is Chrysalis. She made sure that I was placed in a loving home.

  Manehatten was a beautiful place and--no stop. Stay on track. Ruby, Silverwing, Aphid, Peony, Bumble Bee, Pearl, Meadow.

  Red, grey, bronze, purple, yellow, white, tan.

  Which one though?

"My queen, what will we do?"

  Onyx put his holed hoof on the table. He wore a worried look. Most queens used their children against other queens. But who was going against me?

I heard the many voices of concern from my children through H.M. Nymph, though, stayed silent. "Mom."

"Yes Nymph."

He hovered over the basket, watching the pink princess wiggle her hooves.

"Are we keeping her?"

My mind was racing. Should we? I heard my broodlings whisper amongst each other, asking the same. Who ever this one belongs to, I have to return her to that queen.

I looked back at the princess. She was chewing on a piece of silk. A message from another hive. I picked it up with my magic and began to read it aloud.

"Queen Emerald, the keeper of lives, savior of changelings, and queen to all,

  You do not know me, nor any of my comrades in the other hives. But I bring you the princess of the grey queen. I, a hatchling caretaker was commanded to place her in a safe home.

  She, however, didn't say if it was among ponies or not. This is Princess Flutterwing. She bears the wings of the past and had to be in a home where she will not be harmed.

  Do not try to contact me. I believe by this time my queen will have rallied her troops to come retrieve Flutterwing. I hope you understand why you were chosen above the rest.

Please protect the princess of old, she is our future.

Your new subject,

Sunbeam

P.S. The princess will shed into foal hood soon."

I placed the letter down onto the table. My children were in shock. One changeling just changed fate. We are not safe. My hive is not safe. It will be.....

"Locust how long will it take Silverwing to reach Canterlot."

"About three weeks, my queen."

"Cicada, you were hidden in Chrysalis's hive. What was your cover?"

Cicada released her disguise. Apparently she wore two. She was now pitch black as the rest of us, but she had an orange mane and tail tied on the end with blue ribbons. Her eyes became double ringed.

"I was a trainer. I made troops go from weak to unstoppable."

"Then began training. We must be prepared."

"Mother, you have been building the Sun Queen's trust. Maybe you can gain aid from her?"

  All eyes looked to me. It was a good idea. But what if she saw through me? What if she finds my hive?" What if-

"Emerald."

  Wormwood's hoof was on my shoulder. "We will fight. Remember the story you told us. About the old days."

"Yes, I do."

  I never smiled so much. But if my changelings were going to fight, we would need a new training ground. I believe I know where to go. But first...

"Thank you, Wormwood. Everyling, pack your bags, clean the house, and disassemble the hive rooms. We are moving."

"My queen, what about the Plink?"

"Mantis we will store it inside jars for now. Wormwood."

"Yes, my queen?"

"May I have a piece of silk?"

"Of course."

  He turned and cut a piece of his tail and gave it to me. I proceeded to write a note, then conjured some parchment and quill.

"Dear Princess Celestia..."