Intermediate Lessons

Chapters

Lesson Two: Watch your Step
Lesson Three: Mind your Manners
Lesson Four: Know your Boundaries
Lesson Six: Learn from your Mistakes
Lesson Seven: Taking Responsibility
Lesson Eight: Prioritize
Lesson Nine: Making Things Right
Lesson Ten: Look Below the Surface
Lesson Eleven: Exercise Self-Control
Lesson Twelve: Productive Inquiry
Lesson Thirteen: Meeting New Friends
Lesson One: Be Prepared
Lesson Five: Trust your Instincts

Lesson Two: Watch your Step

This was turning out to be one of the more awkward train rides Twilight had embarked upon.

As it turned out, Rainbow Dash and Chrysalis had managed to avoid causing a scene on the way to the train station, despite tensions still running high between the two. In fact, getting to the train station had gone rather smoothly, all things considered. While Chrysalis had indeed disguised herself as a unicorn, she had taken a form that was entirely too eye-catching and exotic, for Twilight to believe the changeling would go unnoticed. Of course, Twilight had failed to account for the fact that, while Chrysalis' form was a bit conspicuous, the changeling was in the company of royalty and two national heroes. Nopony batted an eye at Chrysalis' strange eyes and coloration, when they could be ogling celebrities.

So that had been a bit of a relief.

It was when their party got themselves situated into their train car, a private one of course, that Twilght again found herself worrying. Here, sharing a confined space, was the rather temperamental Changeling Queen, the aggressively protective Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie, whose particular brand of friendliness did not seem to mesh well with Chrysalis' sensibilities. And Twilight had to be the one to rein them all in. Twilight loved her friends dearly, but she might have gone with some different ponies for this kind of endeavor if the choice had actually been in her hooves.

A bit surprisingly, Prince Blueblood wasn't doing much to raise Twilight's blood pressure. He had taken to his own seat, next to Twilight's, and was touching up his mane in a mirror held in his telekinesis.

As things were now, Chrysalis was reclining in her own seat, fortunately still disguised, and steadily munching her way through the container of brownies. She had been rather quick to lay claim to the chocolate-y sweets, after boarding, which had nearly lead to Pinkie Pie kicking off a song about the importance of sharing and caring. Chrysalis had been less than enthused, and suggested that she would be happy to share the brownies with whichever pony was the one to throw Pinkie Pie off the train. It took a few moments to explain to her Earth pony friend that Chrysalis' had no intention of sharing the treats, and that, no, Pinkie Pie would not be getting any even if she threw herself off the train.

“I'm watching you.”

And, of course, there was Rainbow Dash standing in the aisle, pointedly keeping an eye upon the changeling queen.

Chrysalis turned one eye towards the rainbow-maned pegasus, as she collected another brownie from the container “Is that so?”

“You're bucking right, that's so!” A moment later, Rainbow Dash had taken to hovering above the changeling, aggravated by the changeling's flippant manner.

Placidly watching the irate Rainbow Dash, Chrysalis easily took another bite of brownie, before pointedly and slowly chewing and swallowing. A few seconds later, Chrysalis turned away from the agitated pony before commenting “Not surprising, I suppose. When you're me, you have to get used to ponies ogling you.”

“O-ogling!?”

“Of course, who could blame you, when I'm looking this good?” Chrysalis continued on, as if the antagonistic pegasus hadn't just shouted in outrage. And, to be fair, by most pony standards the form she had assumed did look rather...fetching. Long, thin legs, a curvaceous body, a glossy black coat, and a teal mane and tail, Chrysalis seemed to have set fairly high standards for her current disguise. The cat-like eyes certainly lent an exotic touch to the form the changeling had assumed.

“Y-you wish I was ogling you! I wouldn't be caught dead looking at you, if I wasn't sure you were up to something!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

Chrysalis turned back to the pegasus, with an easy smile “How fortunate. That saves me the trouble of explaining that, you just aren't my type.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Rainbow Dash asked, defensively.

“Well, your legs are a bit...stubby.” Chrysalis supplied, as if she was trying to break it to the pegasus gently.

“Stubby?!”

“And you clearly dye your mane and tail. Very fake.”

“I don't dye anything! They've always been this way!”

“Also, you could stand to work on your manners.” Chrysalis continued, as she turned up her nose at the infuriated pegasus.

Twilight had to sigh, as Chrysalis continued to tweak her friend's temper.

“Guys!” Twilight called over to the two, before they could continue. Sliding down out of her own seat, as the two of them turned their attention to the purple princess.

“I know everypony's feeling tense right now, but this isn't helping. I know neither of you are excited about sharing a car, but can't we all just relax and enjoy the rest of our train ride?” Twilight implored.

Chrysalis merely rolled her eyes, before turning to look out the window, evidently choosing to simply ignore everypony. Which while not ideal, would serve as a fair enough solution for now, or so Twilight thought.

Rainbow Dash was still glaring at the Changeling Queen, only turning away when Twilight prodded her with a hoof. Turning away from the target of her ire, Rainbow Dash just sighed “Whatever...and for the record, I've got ponies lining up around the block to stare at me!”

“I know, Rainbow.” Twilight reassured with a nod.

“And I don't dye anything! This is all-natural!” Rainbow Dash continued before heading back to her own seat.

Twilight merely nodded again, with a smile, before heading back to her own seat. As she got comfortable again, she noticed Prince Blueblood leaning over towards her, as if to say something.

“Well done. I had no idea you had experience dealing with children. Cadance would be impressed.”

It took Twilight a moment before she chuckled at that; maybe foalsitting was something all alicorns had to go through at one point or another.

A couple of seats back, Rainbow Dash was still keeping a careful eye on the changeling, still waiting for Chrysalis to try something. Rainbow Dash had to blink when, instead of the evil shapeshifter, she found herself glaring at a cupcake resting upon a bright pink hoof.

“Cupcake?” Pinkie Pie offered with a grin, as if her friend hadn't been about to come to blows with the royal changeling.

“Pinkie Pie, I-...actually, yeah. Thanks.” Ready to lament her friend's randomness once more, Rainbow Dash stopped when she realized that, yeah, she could kind of use a cupcake.

Smiling as her friend took the first few bites into the cupcake, Pinkie Pie happily exclaimed “And don't worry Dashie! I think your stubby legs are cute.”

“They aren't stubby!” Rainbow Dash shouted around her mouthful of cupcake. But by that point, Pinkie Pie was gleefully bouncing over towards the changeling queen. Furrowing her brow, the rainbow-maned pony then started looking over her front legs, as if to convince herself that they were perfectly average in size.

Turning away from the window, taking in the sight of the smiling pink pony at her side, Chrysalis snapped the container of brownies shut before flatly asking “What?”

“Just wondering if you're enjoying your brownies. Are they really good?” Pinkie asked.

“...yes.”

“That's great!” At this, Pinkie Pie propped her forelegs up on the seat “I mean, they looked really, really good! But you can't always tell, just by looking. I mean, I can, but that's cause I do a lot of baking. Cause I work in a bakery, so trust me when I say, I see a lot brownies. And those looked like some good brownies!”

Chrysalis simply stared as the pink pony nattered on, seemingly about nothing. Twilight taking note of the situation, stepped out of her seat.

“Uh, Pinkie?”

But Pinkie Pie was not one to be deterred.

“Well, that's what I do when I'm not planning parties. Oh, I plan some of the best parties around! Which works out great cause then I can bake stuff for my own parties! Isn't that smart?”

“Pinkie, I think Chrysalis would rather-” Twilight attempted again to intervene.

“Which means, I can totally make some awesome brownies for the party I'm planning for you! To celebrate how nice you are now! And we can have balloons and streamers, oh, and games! What kind of games do you like, Chryssie? Do you have special Changeling games?”

“Leave, before I eat you.” Chrysalis said.

Pulling out a small notepad and pen, from her curly pink mane, Pinkie Pie began jotting that down “Leave, before I eat you...Got it! Oh, is that like the changeling version of tag? That could be so fun! How do you play?”

“Pinkie! Can I speak with you over here?” Twilight now was actively trying to nudge the pink pony away from the irritable changeling.

“Just one more minute, Twilight. Just gotta jot down a few more things down for the party. Like Chryssie's favorite-”

“There will be no party!” With a flare of green magic, Chrysalis was standing and glaring down upon the pink pony, in her true form “This isn't a game! We aren't having fun!”

Pinkie flinched back from the sudden shouting, with her ears folding flat against her head “But, everyone deserves some fun. Especially, the new 'Nice' Chrys-”

“And, I am not nice!” Chrysalis cut her off with another shout.

“Chrysalis! You need to calm down, Pinkie was just-” Twilight quickly moved to defend the disappointed party pony.

“What the buck is your problem?!” And now Rainbow Dash was back in the mix, hovering mere inches away from the Changeling Queen.

“Excuse me?!” Chrysalis asked, not pleased to be dealing with the cyan pegasus once more.

“That's right you better excuse yourself, changeling! Pinkie was just trying to be friendly, and you had to go and bite her head off!”

“Hah! If I had bitten her head off, we would be having a very different conversation.” Chrysalis smugly countered.

“Now, now. Let's all take a breath, perhaps we can-” Blueblood tried to assist Twilight in averting more fighting, before he was cutoff by identical glares from the Changeling Queen and Rainbow Dash.

Turning back towards the changeling, Rainbow Dash accusingly pointed a hoof towards Chrysalis “I know you're scheming something, and I'm not letting you get away with it this time!”

“Ah, yes! You caught onto my masterful plan to hurt the little feelings of that annoying little pink-thing. Well done!”

“I'm alright! I mean we all-” Pinkie Pie also tried to get in a word, to try to stop this.

“Arrg! I can't believe Princess Celestia would trust such an evil jerk, like you!” Rainbow Dash shouted back at Chrysalis.

“Oh, is that so? Does it boggle your little pony mind?”

“You're darn right it does! After all the crap you put everypony through, she still tries to give you a chance, and you still act like an evil, selfish nutjob! I bet that was your plan the whole time! Get in good with Princess Celestia, just so you could betray her, and take everything you wanted!”

Chrysalis went worryingly quiet after that, though she was still visibly growing more furious, at the mare's accusations. Twilight recognized the brief moment as perhaps a chance to get in a word edgewise, though she was given some pause. Twilight had thought much the same about Chrysalis herself. And both Pinkie and Blueblood had recognized that this was a situation that they might just make worse, if they tried to intervene again.

A moment later, Rainbow Dash set down in the aisle, though she didn't let up on the glare she was directing towards Chrysalis, even as the Changeling loomed over her.

“Oh, so you've got this all figured out, little pony?” Twilight did not take Chrysalis' calm, even tone as a good sign “Such a brilliant scheme, putting myself in the position of choosing between the one being that I find even remotely enjoyable and doing my duty to my faithful subjects. Oh, and then refusing to choose between the two, for centuries. Looking for that proper balance between hurting my subjects and her's. Oh, what will it be this century? I think terrorizing some stupidly innocent little ponies. We'll save the love rationing and hiding ourselves from everypony for the next century. Gotta keep it fair.”

“I- well...” Rainbow Dash tried to raise a point, before Chrysalis continued along.

“After all, I can't choose to not hurt either changelings or ponies, so why not both?! Can't very well be loyal to everyone, so I might as well betray everyone.”

Everypony gathered now was frowning at this summation of the situation, including Rainbow Dash.

Still glaring down upon the pegasus, Chrysalis continued “So, was I being selfish? Certainly. Never was I being more selfish, than when I decided to try to compromise the trust that both my subjects and Celestia placed with me, for so long. The only thing less selfish was choosing to serve one over the other. Which I did. And I chose wrong. My changelings are in greater danger than ever, Celestia couldn't possibly trust me again, I was humiliated, all mere months before a solution would reveal itself, that my own actions may have jeopardized...So tell me how I've gotten everything I wanted, pony.”

“I-...” Rainbow Dash tried to say something, anything, but Chrysalis had given the pegasus far too thorough an explanation for it not to give her something to think about. And what she thought, was that the situation struck a bit too close to home for Rainbow Dash, reminding her of that terrible day in the hedge maze, when they were first trying to thwart Discord. She hadn't really made the right choice either, when she had been forced to choose between competing loyalties.

At Rainbow Dash's silence, Chrysalis started to turn back towards her seat “That's what I thought.”

“Well, maybe if you didn't act like you enjoyed it all so much, maybe...” Rainbow Dash countered before trailing off, not sure where to go from there. It was still enough to make Chrysalis pause in her steps.

“...okay. Everypony, I think-” Twilight began again, in as calm a voice as possible, before again being interrupted. At least this time, it wasn't because everypony was ignoring her, but due to the rather hesitant knock at their train car's door.

“Uhm...food cart?”

Everypony and changeling looked at the door, both in surprise and sudden worry. Prince Blueblood looked between everypony in their train car and the door, before quickly making a decision.

“I'll go take care of it!” Blueblood started a quick canter towards the door, eager to escape the uncomfortable situation in the room.

“Oh...me too!” Pinkie Pie quickly seconded the motion, cantering after the stallion, as Chrysalis once again assumed her chosen pony-form.

Blueblood put on his best smile as he opened the door, revealing an uncomfortable looking mare with a food cart “And what can I do for such a wonderful and hardworking mare?”

Pinkie Pie quickly popped up beside him, with a similarly radiant grin “Uh-huh! What he said!”

“Well, I- the cart and...is everything alright?” The confused mare asked.

Blueblood and Pinkie quickly exchanged glances before simultaneously plastering their grins back on, before Blueblood asked “Why? Whatever could possibly be wrong? A relaxing train ride, in the lap of luxury? Yep, everything's better when you're doing nothing and obscenely wealthy.”

“What he said!” Pinkie Pie again backed Blueblood's words.

“Well...was there some shouting?” The serving mare asked hesitantly.

Blueblood's gaze quickly darted around as he thought about the situation, briefly looking back towards the other three passengers. Nodding to himself, as an idea occurred “Ah...yes. Well, perhaps we should talk out here. It's a very...sensitive issue.”

“And I'll come too!” Pinkie Pie was soon nudging the mare out the door along with Blueblood, and paused just long enough to wink back to Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Chrysalis.

Silence reigned over the train car, with everypony and changeling either too uncomfortable with the previous conversation or still trying to process how closely they may have come to having to explain...everything.

“Well...that all could have gone worse.” Twilight observed.

A couple of hours later...

The party continued it's train ride in relative quiet, with most everypony either lost in their own thoughts and concerns or busy being Pinkie Pie. The pink pony did manage to get some faltering small talk started up here and there, but things tended to quickly return to relative quiet. Really, Twilight was all too happy to be taking her first steps off the train at the train station. Then things got a bit weird again.

“Have faith in love, Princess Twilight! You can never give up on love!” This coming from the now weeping food-cart mare from before, as she embraced the bemused Twilight, eliciting bewildered stares from Chrysalis and Rainbow Dash.

“Uhm...there, there?” Twilight attempted to calm the hysterical mare, while hesitantly patting the mare on the back.

“And you don't need to worry about any sort of scandal getting out. Our lips are sealed!” The mare reassured Twilight, in an overly intense manner “Just promise, promise! That you won't give up on them!”

Twilight stared at the mare, before following the mare's gaze to the equally confused Rainbow Dash and Chrysalis “...Ok?”

Twilight had to catch herself, as the mare suddenly pulled her into another embrace. She was about to ask for help in escaping the mare, when the emotional food cart mare broke off the hug. Our young princess was almost ready to declare this strangeness over, before she noticed the mare approaching the pegasus and the disguised changeling. Eyes widening as she started to realize what was about to happen, Twilight reached a hoof out to stop the distressed pony and...too late.

The crazy mare had just wrapped both Chrysalis and Rainbow Dash in a crushing embrace. Twilight let her hoof hang in the air, as she waited for one of the two to react to the...overt invasion of personal space. Blessedly, it seemed that those two were too shocked themselves, to really react to what was happening.

“Love will find a way!” With that final declaration the mare, finally, left the group be.

After about thirty seconds of silence amongst the group, Twilight asked the most pertinent question “What was that?”

A moment later the three turned towards Blueblood and Pinkie Pie, the former of which was avoiding their collective gaze. The latter seemed all too pleased, considering what had just transpired.

Realizing he wasn't going to get out of explaining that encounter to his traveling companions, Prince Blueblood rubbed the back of his head anxiously as he considered how to go about explaining what had happened.

“Yes, well, you see...she was very concerned about all the shouting and...I've often found the best way to get someone to stop digging for a secret is to let them think they know what the secret is...”

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow at this “Go on?”

A little while ago...

“So, you're telling me that, one of Princess Twilight's best friends has been secretly harboring romantic feelings for her?”

Blueblood and Pinkie Pie nodded.

“And just as she was about to declare her feelings towards the Princess, one of Princess Twilight's childhood friends showed up, to declare that she also was in love with the Princess?”

Another nod followed.

“And her childhood friend had only just gained the courage to reveal her feelings towards Princess Twilight, because she found out that she's dying of a terminal illness and felt that she had to tell the Princess?!”

Blueblood and Pinkie Pie glanced towards one another, before again nodding.

“Oh my goodness, that's terrible!” The mare with the food cart from before exclaimed.

“Yes, yes. It is a terrible bit of business, isn't it? So you can imagine why tensions have been running a bit high. Very stressful for our newest Princess.” Blueblood explained.

“Which is why everyone was shouting earlier! And why it's such a good thing that you couldn't hear what everypony was actually saying through the door!” Pinkie Pie quickly backed up the story with an incongruous smile.

“It's just such a tragic turn of events, and so soon after her coronation...it's almost sounds like-...Oh, dear Celestia!” The mare exclaimed as a thought occurred to her.

Blueblood blinked at the mare's outburst, before looking around the hallway, worried that somepony else may have overheard them “What?!"

“This is just like what happened in 'Love Lost in the Gardens of Canterlot' when Ruby Rose confessed her feelings to Glass Slipper, and Morning Glory overheard them!” The mare explained with a mixture of worry and excitement.

Blueblood simply froze as the distraught mare recounted the storyline from a very particular, and apparently popular, romance novel.

“The What-Lost in the Gardens of Where?” Pinkie Pie asked, a bit bewildered.

“It's only one of the greatest love stories of the decade! By Princess Purple Prose! How could you have not have heard of it?” The mare explained to the baffled pink pony.

Blueblood quickly cut back into the conversation “Yes, well...that is an amazing coincidence isn't it? And just a coincidence. With no underlying subtext that connects the two events. But, of course, I think the important thing to remember is how that story ended, right?”

The mare gasped, as she recalled how the story ended “You are so right! We can't let anypony find out about this! There would be a scandal!”

“What kind of scandal?” Pinkie Pie asked.

“Well...I can't say for sure, but the book ended with Canterlot in flames! With Glass Slipper leaping from the tallest tower, after Morning Glory and Ruby Rose slew one another in a duel for her hoof. We. Can't. Tell. Anypony!” The mare exclaimed, as she grabbed Pinkie Pie and looked the Earth pony in the eyes.

“...I can't imagine anything less than that happening, if this were to get out.” Prince Blueblood decided to go along with that scenario. He hadn't really expected to run into one of his fans, when he had concocted that explanation for the shouting the mare overheard, but it seemed to be working.

“You told her what?!” Twilight exclaimed, before quickly ducking her head as she realized her shouting had drawn the attention of other ponies.

“Why would you tell her that?” Twilight asked Blueblood in a quieter tone.

“I dare say, we had to tell her something.” Blueblood defended, even as he avoided making eye contact.

“But...that?” Twilight asked again, in bewilderment.

“As I said, she couldn't be counted upon to not snoop if she didn't think she had found out what was going on. And, it's been noted that it is easier for somepony to buy into a big lie, rather than a small one.”

Twilight simply facehoofed “I don't even know if I can be angry. I can't even believe she bought that story!”

“Too true...As if you would have any difficulty picking between the two of us in such a scenario.” Chrysalis remarked, as she pointedly glanced towards Rainbow Dash.

“Totally...wait, what's that supposed to mean?!” Rainbow Dash demanded as she caught on to the implications of Chrysalis' remark.

“Oh, I think it's quite obvious.” Chrysalis waved a hoof displaying her own form, before then gesturing towards the pegasus “There's tall, dark, sensuous and intelligent, and then...there's you.”

“Hah! Like she would pick you over one of her best friends.” Rainbow Dash countered.

“I do believe I explained just why she would.” Chrysalis explained with a smirk.

“Oh, please. I've got way better chances of hooking up with Twilight, than you ever will!” Rainbow Dash said, as she crossed her forelegs.

“Hm...well, there's a very simple way we can prove which of us she would find more appealing...” Chrysalis commented. After exchanging looks with one another, Rainbow Dash and Chrysalis turned towards Twilight expectantly.

Staring in confusion at the two, before it dawned on her just what they were asking of her, Twilight quickly put her hoof down “No, no, no! Just- no! Why would you guys even think-”

“Unsurprising.” Chrysalis exclaimed with a roll of her eyes.

Pausing in her rant, Twilight glanced towards the disguised changeling “What's unsurprising?”

“It's nothing. I should have known you would be unwilling to indulge a simple hypothetical.” Chrysalis answered casually.

“Not that kind of hypothetical!” Twilight yelled at the changeling.

“Geez, Twilight. Chill out. It's not like it's a big deal.” Rainbow Dash commented, as she rubbed her ears after Twilight's shout.

“This kind of overreaction really does seem to be typical for her.” Chrysalis observed, to which Rainbow Dash nodded “I barely even touched on the subject of Celestia bringing some cake and a few guards to bed, and she fainted dead away.”

“Heh, I could totally see that happening.” Rainbow Dash chuckled.

“That is not the subject we need to be discussing just this minute. What Blueblood told that mare could come back to bite us all in the flanks, if we're not careful.” Twilight asserted to everypony, in the hopes of once more taking control of the direction of the conversation.

Chrysalis simply rolled her eyes, as if to say 'Typical.' before she began to canter away, evidently expecting the others to follow.

Rainbow Dash just shrugged as she followed and Blueblood simply adjusted his own saddlebags before following, as well.

Pinkie Pie cantered over still smiling “Don't worry so much, Twilight. If you fall out of a tower you can fly now! So it'll all work out whoever you choose!”

As Twilight watched her pink friend bounce after them “That's not the point, Pinkie!”

After a couple of hours of travel in to the Badlands...

“...and that is how I was able to capture and impersonate Celestia, for two weeks. And all it took was some cake, a cat, and two shockingly inept guardponies.”

“Seriously?...wow. You always kind of figure that somepony like Princess Celestia is totally invincible.” Rainbow Dash observed.

“Personally, I lay more blame with those particular guardponies.” Chrysalis continued “Subduing Celestia wasn't exactly a quiet affair, even with surprise. And they still thought she was simply playing with a particularly grumpy cat. Idiots.”

It seemed that the Changeling Queen and Rainbow Dash had managed to find something to talk about that didn't result in them considering assaulting one another. It happened to be embarrassing stories about Princess Celestia.

“Guys. I'm happy that you two are managing not to kill each other, now. But do you perhaps think we can talk about the matters at hoof. I mean, we haven't even talked about your changelings or how we're going to go about doing this.” Twilight requested, as she trailed behind Chrysalis.

“Hm?...Yes, I suppose we should go over some ground rules...” Chrysalis agreed after a bit of consideration, though a moment later she seemed to reconsider “...though, I was planning on going into a bit of detail, about that time I caught Celestia with all those guardponies in her bed.”

“N-nopony wants to hear about that!” Twilight quickly objected.

“I could do without that imagery, as well. I've certainly suffered enough of it by now.” Blueblood quickly agreed, though his comments did cause Twilight to look over towards the stallion in brief confusion for a moment.

“I wouldn't mind catching the details.” Rainbow Dash casually mentioned.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight exclaimed in shock.

“What? You don't get to hear about that kind of thing everyday. Especially about Princess Celestia.” Rainbow Dash defended.

Chrysalis smirked, before continuing “And it wouldn't be fair to your little friend, if we were to go on without filling her in on all the juicy details. After all, we can't be selfish now, Twilight. And it involves cake, so the pink one will be able to enjoy the story, as well.”

“There was cake too? In bed?! Princesses really do throw the best parties!” Pinkie Pie quickly declared.

“Certainly the most memorable of parties.” Chrysalis added, before gesturing to the group with a hoof “And it seems that the votes are in, and it's 3-2 in favor of Celestia's Bedtime party story.”

“Oh! Let me get my notepad out. I don't want to miss a single thing.” Pinkie Pie soon pulled out her notepad and pen from earlier. But before she could even work the cap off the pen, they floated out of her grasp.

“Wait! Come back! I need you for juicy details!” Pinkie Pie soon followed her things over to where Twilight was standing, with the notepad and pen floating in her telekinesis.

“Twilight? Did you want to take your own notes? Oh, are you going to have a test on Celestia's Bedtime party story?” Pinkie Pie asked obliviously.

“No, Pinkie. I just-... I really don't think you really want to hear this kind of story, Pinkie.” Twilight tried to sway her friend.

“Don't be silly. I like all kinds of stories, Twilight. Especially stories about parties! All kinds of parties!” Pinkie Pie assured.

“No, I mean...do you know what kind of party she's talking about?” Twilight asked, hoping she wouldn't have to explain to much to her friend.

“Uh, yeah! Chryssie's gonna tell us about Princesses Celestia's super se~xy party!” Pinkie Pie took the effort to punctuate the word “sexy” with a shake of her head and a come-hither look, leaving Twilight momentarily dazed from the shock.

“I-...Pinkie Pie, do you know what sex is?” Twilight didn't know why she felt the need to ask that question, cause she couldn't think of an answer that wouldn't lead to an uncomfortable conversation.

“Uh, duh! I know all about sex, Twilight. You know I grew up on a farm.” Pinkie Pie answered with a laugh, before bouncing after Chrysalis and Rainbow Dash with her notepad and pen.

As Twilight tried to process this, Blueblood cantered over “A valiant effort, Twilight. Though, I suppose it was a foregone conclusion; I dare say, very few farm ponies are going to be shy about those kinds of details.”

Twilight turned towards the stallion slowly “But, she grew up on a rock farm!”

“Okay! That's it! I'm putting my hoof down!” Twilight shouted out to the group.

As the others glanced over to the irate purple princess, Twilight stepped to the front of the group “I think that I was very understanding when you and Rainbow Dash were at each others throats. Telling that mare that I was trapped in some tragic love triangle, I can accept. Sharing embarrassing stories about my mentor, that was fine. But we've been traveling for half-a-day, and we haven't even talked about the peace mission that we're on!”

As everypony looked on a bit surprised at this little rant, Twilight managed to rein herself in enough to lower her voice to regular speaking levels “...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to shout. I guess I'm a bit stressed out too. But can we please talk about the details of what we're doing a bit more? Like when are we going to reach the swarm? Who's going to be meeting us? That kind of thing?”

Chrysalis seemed to consider Twilight for a moment, before shrugging “I don't really see much point in it now.”

“Oh, really?” Twilight asked, unamused by Chrysalis' tone.

“Indeed.” Chrysalis reconfirmed.

“Okay...well, how about we tell some more stories about you and Princess Celestia then?” Twilight suggested, with a false innocence that would make a changeling proud.

Chrysalis simply raised an eyebrow at Twilight, evidently unimpressed.

“Rainbow Dash, how about I tell you a story about brussel sprouts?” Twilight asked the bemused pegasus.

“Uh, sure. I guess.” Rainbow Dash reluctantly agreed.

Glancing towards the Changeling Queen to gauge her reaction, Twilight was rather disappointed to note that Chrysalis seemed unmoved by the threat Twilight had brought to the table. Frowning, Twilight turned back around and started an easy canter forward “I think, you'll really like this one, Dash. It involves Chrysalis here, and-”

“I would go no further, Princess Twilight.” Chrysalis called up to Twilight, in a rather neutral tone.

“Oh, and why is that, Queen Chrysalis?” Twilight coyly asked, certain that she had finally managed to gain some modicum of control.

“You are about to step on one of my changelings.”

“What?” Twilight looked back down, to where she was about to set her hoof. She didn't see any changeling, just a large rock. A large rock that just opened it's eye, and blinked at her.

“Gyaah!!” Twilight quickly backed away from the apparent rock, only now noting that it did seem rather oddly shaped. A moment later the rock seemed to stand up and, with a buzz of changeling wings, take to the air. A moment later it was wreathed in a green fire, causing the rocky texture of it's skin to turn into black carapace.

With a quick motion, the revealed changeling flew past Twilight and the others, before stopping in front of the waiting Chrysalis and saluting.

With a feminine voice, that possessed the same resonant quality as Chrysalis' “At the ready, your Grace.”

Chrysalis nodded to the changeling “Excellent, we'll be-...” Chrysalis trailed off as she looked to the sides of the smaller changeling expectantly, which soon led to the changeling doing the same as her queen.

“Shouldn't there be two of you?” Chrysalis asked her subject.

“Affirmative, your Grace...Sister?” The smaller changeling called out in confusion.

“Get it off! Get it off!” Another feminine, and distinctly changeling, voice shouted.

Everypony turned to take in the sight of another changeling, still possessed of it's rocky camouflage, desperately struggling to escape the grip of the pink pony attached to it.

“It's attacking me!” The changeling cried out, as it tried to escape Pinkie Pie.

“It's alright! I grew up on a rock farm!” Pinkie Pie called out, as she futilely tried to reassure her new friend.

As Chrysalis' subject went over to assist her fellow changeling in escaping the overly friendly Earth pony, the Changeling Queen turned towards Twilight “By the way...we've arrived.”

Author's Note

So my Monday was a bit more interesting than I had counted on, so this is a day late of my projections. Still, I hope you all enjoy this chapter. This story will probably be two more chapters, of similar length; one covering most of the events in the hive, and the last one to wrap everything up.

As usual, I welcome all questions and criticism.

Lesson Three: Mind your Manners

“See? This is what I was worried would happen.”

“I fail to see the issue. Things seem to be going better than I imagined they would.” Chrysalis told Twilight, as she gestured to the pile of struggling ponies and changelings.

“It is going better than my expedition to the Mild West. Nopony's been carried off by a giant condor, so that's a start.” Blueblood commented wryly.

The changeling that had originally been...glomped by Pinkie Pie, was still struggling to escape the overly friendly pony's hooves, with the assistance of it's fellow changeling lookout. And, evidently, Rainbow Dash had decided that they were being entirely too rough with her pink friend, and quickly got involved. Leading to the tangle of shouting ponies and changelings, Twilight found herself watching in exasperation.

“Admittedly, that is a low bar to set, and the day is not over yet.” Blueblood added a moment later, before turning back to his fellow royalty.

Twilight sighed once more, before looking over to the Changeling Queen “Chrysalis, can we please take this seriously now?”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, before responding “Fine. I suppose you wouldn't want Celestia to find out that your first diplomatic mission, as a princess, involved a pile of bodies.”

“That would be nice.” Twilight agreed “So can you...?”

“...Can I what?” Chrysalis asked, unsure where Twilight was going with her question.

“I...don't know. Haven't you given this any thought at all?” Twilight asked, with increasing concern for their chances of success.

“Wasn't that what you were supposed to be doing this whole time?” Chrysalis countered, leaving Twilight resisting the urge to facehoof. Facehoofing was probably on the list of things one should try to limit on a diplomatic mission.

“...I really should have made a list.” Twilight lamented.

“Perhaps we should start with something simple. Introductions.” Blueblood offered easily. He paused a moment later as a thought occurred “Though...I suppose a pile of bodies would be a great way to kickoff introductions in the Griffon Kingdoms or with the Dragon clans.”

Chrysalis considered the idea for a moment, before glancing towards Twilight, evidently waiting on her decision on the matter.

“I suppose that's as good a starting point as any.” Twilight agreed, before glancing towards the pile of changelings and ponies “As soon as we can sort-”

“Atten-tion!” Chrysalis suddenly barked.

Both changelings immediately looked up, at the Changeling Queen's call. A moment later, both changelings' bodies flashed with green fire, and just like that both slipped free of the tangle of limbs they had been involved in just seconds ago. Quickly taking to the air, the two changelings zipped through the air before stopping in front of their queen with identical salutes.

“At the ready!”

“Yes, your Grace.”

Twilight blinked as the two changelings simultaneously responded, before glancing back over to her two friends. Whatever the changelings had done to free themselves didn't seem to cause her friends any harm. She suspected it was some sort of application of their innate shapeshifting abilities, though she would need to ask to be sure. Whatever it was, neither Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie seemed to even notice that it was just the two of them rolling on the ground now.

“Uh, girls?” Twilight asked, hesitantly.

“Hold on, Twi! I- Where'd they go?!” Rainbow Dash called out, finally taking note of the situation, as she stood up. A moment later, she faceplanted, as Pinkie Pie took advantage of her momentary distraction to sweep the pegasus' hooves out from under her.

“Gyah! Pinkie! It's me!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Say Uncle!” Pinkie Pie shouted back.

“What?! I'm not-” Dash quickly refused.

“Say Uncle!” Pinkie demanded again.

“Would you just-!” Rainbow Dash tried to reason, as she continued to try to break free of her friend.

“R'ay Un'le!” The pegasus paused as she struggled to understand Pinkie's latest call for her to surrender. Glancing backwards...

“...Are you biting my flank!!”

“R'ay it!” Pinkie Pie shouted around the cyan flank in her mouth.

“Uncle!” Rainbow Dash finally gave in.

A moment later, the pink pony let go of her pegasus friend with a triumphant grin. Rainbow Dash quickly rolled back onto her hooves, before glancing back at the bite marks on her flank.

“Pinkie! What was that all about!?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

“Well, you said Uncle, so I let you go.” Pinkie Pie answered cheerfully.

“Not that! Why did you decide to go and bite my rump?! Did you even know it was me?” Rainbow Dash clarified.

“Oh, that! I just wondered what your Cutie Mark tasted like.” Pinkie Pie answered.

“...What?” Rainbow Dash asked again, flabbergasted.

“Well, you remember that time we all went up to Cloudsdale, and you showed us the Rainbow Factory, and I got to taste the rainbow? It got me thinking, cause I always thought my Cutie Mark kinda tasted like balloons. And since I finally knew what rainbows tasted like, I was wondering if your Cutie Mark tasted like one. So, I decided to go all Nom-nom while I was back there!” Pinkie Pie explained, in her rambling way.

“Wha- I-...why didn't you just ask, or something?!” Rainbow Dash still seemed to be having trouble following her friend's train of thoughts.

“Sooo...what does your Cutie Mark taste like, Dashie?” Pinkie Pie innocently asked.

“What? I don't know!” Dash answered.

“Girls!”

As Twilight finally got their attention, Rainbow Dash realized that this whole little discussion she was having about Pinkie biting her flank had an audience. The two changelings were watching with undisguised curiosity, with Chrysalis managing to look smug and amused all at once. Prince Blueblood on the other hoof, seemed to be rather indifferent, though he did raise a rather condescending eyebrow at the display.

Blushing under the scrutiny of the ponies and and changelings, Rainbow Dash quickly rubbed the back of her head anxiously, as she tried to play it off as not-a-big-deal “So, uh...how about we all pretend that didn't just happen?”

Before Twilight could give any assurances to her friend, Chrysalis cut in “Oh, I don't see that happening, anytime soon.”

As Rainbow Dash ducked her head in embarrassment, Twilight sent a glare towards the Changeling Queen that she didn't seem to notice, before turning back to everypony “Let's just try to move on.”

Chrysalis shrugged, before gesturing with a hoof towards Twilight “By all means...”

Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her head a bit, still a bit embarrassed, before cantering over towards the rest of the group. She did make a point of keeping an eye on her bouncing pink friend. The pegasus could do without anymore surprise taste tests.

“Ok, then...uhm...” Twilight turned towards the two hovering changelings, as she tried to figure out how to take her first steps into this whole thing. Meanwhile the two changelings glanced towards one another uncertainly, as they waited under the young princess' scrutiny. Hesitating for a few moments, Twilight glanced towards Blueblood, hoping for some sort of cue from the stallion. He simply shrugged, before gesturing his own hoof towards the two bemused changelings; better to just dive right in.

Twilight, realizing that she couldn't stall anymore, approached the two with as friendly and non-threatening a smile as she could manage. Raising a hoof to her chest, she took a quick breath before beginning “Greetings. I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle, and I'd just like to say that I'm very excited to be meeting you and I look forward to finding out more about the changelings. I hope that we can all get along and become good friends.”

'There. That wasn't so hard, was it? Clear, concise, and open. Formal, yet friendly. At least, an A- going by most formalized criteria, and...they're just staring at me.'

The two changelings were, indeed, just quietly staring at the young princess, as if they didn't understand what was going on. Had she done something wrong? Her smile and posture became a bit more forced as everypony stood or hovered there in relative silence. A moment later, the two changelings glanced towards one another, before they both sent identical questioning looks towards their Queen.

Chrysalis sighed, before gesturing towards Twilight “It's fine. She's just being a pony.”

The two changelings turned towards Twilight, before glancing back to Chrysalis, asking another silent question of their Queen. At a nod from Chrysalis, they both seemed to give something like a shrug, before setting down in front of Twilight.

As one, the two changelings plastered on large smiles, before mirroring Twilight's earlier gestures. Raising their hooves to their chests, they both took a breath, before delivering their own simultaneous introductions.

“Greetings. I'm Alate.” Said the one on the right.

“Greetings. I'm Cryptic.” The one on the left said at the same time.

“And we'd just like to say that we're very excited to be meeting you and we look forward to finding out more about the ponies. We hope that we can all get along and become good friends.” The two finished in perfect sync with one another, as they delivered a slightly reworked version of Twilight's own introduction.

“...Well, that wasn't weird.” Rainbow Dash commented in the silence that followed.

“Uh...” The whole thing gave Twilight some pause, as she considered the two changelings; they seemed to have imitated everything about Twilight's introduction down to her posture and the cadence of her words. It was kind of weird.

“Right, so you're Alate and you're Cryptic, it's...very nice to meet you both.” Twilight continued.

Alate and Cryptic both glanced towards one another, before turning back to Twilight “Right, so you're Princess Twilight Spar-”

“You two can stop that now.” Chrysalis stopped the two from continuing their mirror-mirror act, which netted two quick salutes from the changelings.

Twilight needed a moment to process this, which seemed to be the cue for Blueblood to step up “Very good then. It seems things are proceeding smoothly, now. You may call me Prince Blueblood. This here is the Lady Rainbow Dash-”

The stallion gestured towards the hovering pegasus, who waved a hoof and called over “S'up.”

“...-and here we have the Lady Pin-” Blueblood tried to round out the last of the introductions, before noting that the pink pony had decided again to take care of her own introduction.

“Hello!” Pinkie Pie shouted, suddenly in front of the two changelings once more.

The one on the right, Twilight was pretty sure it was Alate, quickly took to the air and began hovering conspicuously out of reach of the pink pony. Cryptic, or the changeling Twilight thought was Cryptic, while startled managed to stay groundside, and now had her eyes on the vibrant Earth pony in front of her.

'Huh...how exactly am I supposed to tell them apart, without asking?' Twilight thought to herself, worrying about how it might come across if it seemed like she thought all changelings looked alike.

“Awww, you don't have to be scared! I'm really friendly!” Pinkie Pie continued, while Twilight mulled over this latest problem. “Seriously, you can ask anypony! And they'll tell you 'That Pinkie Pie is the #1 Super-Friendly Pony! Just ask anyone!' and then you could totally ask somepony else, and they'd say the same thing! You could even ask me! Cause that Pinkie Pie is friends with everypony...Oh, and I'm Pinkie Pie. Just in case you didn't know.”

“That's quite enough of that.” Chrysalis suddenly interrupted, to the relief of her two subjects. “I think it's about time that you show our guests to the entrance.”

The two changelings saluted their queen, before glancing towards one another, then Pinkie Pie. Cryptic nodded towards the pink pony “We...have work to do.”

Soon the two were back in the air and at the front of the group, leading the party through the rocky terrain of the Badlands.

A moment later, Pinkie Pie leaned over towards Rainbow Dash, before whispering conspiratorially “I think Cryptic is starting to like me.”

“Pinkie...how in Equestria can you even tell which one you're even talking to? They look exactly alike!” Rainbow Dash said, a bit too loudly for anypony or changeling not to hear.

Twilight sighed with disappointment, and a distinct lack of surprise, at Rainbow Dash's lack of tact. Noticing Twilight, Rainbow Dash simply asked “What?”

"It's nothing, Dash." Twilight answered, before cantering up beside Chrysalis, as their party began following the two lookouts “Sorry about that.”

Raising a brow at the apology, Chrysalis glanced towards the princess at her side “For what?”

“Rainbow Dash didn't really mean anything by what she said.” Twilight tried to explain “Sometimes she doesn't always think about what she's saying, before saying it.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about.” Chrysalis responded in a neutral tone.

Twilight hesitated for a moment, unsure whether Chrysalis was messing with her or if the Changeling Queen really didn't understand what Twilight was talking about “Uhmm...when Dash said that your Cryptic and Alate looked exactly alike? Wasn't that, I don't know...rude?”

“Why would it be? They do look exactly alike.” Chrysalis replied.

“I-...Really?” Twilight wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. Couldn't changelings tell one another part, like ponies could tell one another apart?

“It is to be expected, considering that they're twins.” Chrysalis continued matter-of-factly.

“Twins?...Of course! Twins. That's why they look so alike. Hehe.” Twilight awkwardly agreed, suddenly aware of just how close she had come to embarrassing herself “Right. It's certainly not as if all changelings look alike. It's just that they're...twins.”

“...Correct.” Chrysalis agreed after a couple of moments of silent squirming on Twilight's part. “Was there anything else?”

“Well, uhm...”Twilight considered the question for a moment, before glancing back towards the other two changelings, where it seemed Pinkie Pie was trying to maintain a conversation in-between her trademark bounces. “Did I do something wrong, when I was introducing myself?”

Chrysalis considered the question for a moment “Not particularly.”

“Really? Cause they seemed a bit...thrown when I spoke to them.” Twilight argued.

“They simply don't have much experience dealing with ponies. That's more the field of our more experienced changelings and our...Agents, I suppose is the most precise term. And they thought you were trying to assert your dominance, when you spoke to them directly.” Chrysalis explained, as if it was all quite obvious.

“Why would they think that? And I kinda figured changelings would be used to dealing with ponies?”

“A fair number of my changelings will never even leave the vicinity of the hive, barring any sort of major incidents. Is it any surprise that they don't run into many ponies out here?” At this, Chrysalis gestured pointedly to the wasteland surrounding them.

“I suppose not...though Alate...or maybe is was Cryptic, seemed pretty freaked out by Pinkie Pie. It's almost like they don't even know what ponies are like.” Twilight commented.

Chrysalis seemed to take some time to think about this point, before finally answering “We have spent a long time hiding from the world. When one spends all their time hiding from something, it's not so odd to be fearful when exposed to it.”

That gave Twilight some pause; the idea that the changelings could be afraid of ponies was a rather odd one for her. Especially considering that it wasn't ponies that had abducted royalty and perpetrated a failed invasion. Though, there was something to be said for the power of fear of the unknown. There were plenty of occasions in history where ponies themselves had...negative reactions to the strange or new.

In that light, her first meeting with Zecora had been rather embarrassing.

Shaking her head of these thoughts for the moment, Twilight looked back towards Chrysalis “And what about the part where Alate and Cryptic thought I was trying to be dominant?”

Chrysalis sighed, before rolling her eyes, at yet another question being posed to her. Twilight frowned at Chrysalis reaction, adding her own piece “We could have covered all of this earlier, but you wanted to spend all of our time sulking or telling stories. It's not really fair for you to blame me.”

Chrysalis in turn frowned at Twilight's observations, before answering “...it's generally considered poor form for a Changeling Queen to directly address another Queen's subjects. It implies that she is in command, rather than their rightful ruler. And as far as most changelings are concerned, a Pony Princess is the equivalent of a Changeling Queen. So, do you now see why they might be confused when you started addressing them?”

“I think so...but how am I supposed to talk to them then?” Twilight asked.

“Generally, a Queen would speak to the ruling Queen or through her own subjects.” Chrysalis supplied.

“I don't really have any subjects though, and it seems like it would get awkward trying to speak through you all the time.”

“Then don't. It'll be simpler that way anyway.” Chrysalis replied.

“But won't they find it confusing, like you said?” Twilight asked.

“It'll be less confusing for them, for me to simply explain to them that you are an ignorant pony, rather than explain that you are an ignorant pony trying to act like Changeling royalty.”

Twilight again found herself frowning at the answer offered by Chrysalis; though, it was technically correct in saying that it would be simpler that way. Twilight just didn't particularly like the idea of being cast as 'an ignorant pony'.

Though, again, it was technically correct, in this particular instance. She really didn't know much of anything about the ways of Changelings as things stood now.

A couple of minutes passed before something occurred to Twilight. Turning to Chrysalis once more, she gave voice to her thoughts “You said it's improper for a Changeling Queen to address another's subjects directly. Does that mean that there are other Changeling Queens out there?”

A silence hung over the two for several moments after Twilight posed her question, while Chrysalis' face remained carefully impassive. Twilight again found herself wondering if perhaps she had asked the wrong question. Eventually, Chrysalis gave a quick clipped answer “Yes.”

Twilight took that as a sign that she should drop that particular line of questioning.

A little while later...

Knock, knock...Knock, knock...Knock, knock, knock, knock...

“Hm...”

“Uh, Twi...what are ya doing?” Rainbow Dash asked from a little ways down the, surprisingly, well-lit tunnel. After the party had passed beyond the rather well-hidden entrance to the hive, they started seeing odd little bulbs hanging from the ceiling; the sources of the gentle glow that filled the tunnels.

Twilight barely glanced towards her hovering friend, before holding up a hoof gesturing for the pegasus to be quiet “One sec...”

Twilight leaned towards the tunnel wall, before pressing her ear to the wall and again using her hoof to knock against the wall. A few seconds later, Twilight pulled back to look at the wall with open fascination “This is amazing...What are these walls even made of?”

Rainbow Dash glanced around skeptically at their surroundings, before looking back towards the purple princess “Just hazarding a guess here, but I'm thinking the walls are made of the same thing as everything else around here...they're made of rock.”

“But it's no~ot.” Pinkie sing-songed from directly below the cyan pegasus.

Blinking, as she noticed Pinkie smiling up at her, Rainbow Dash pointedly glanced at their surroundings once more, before looking towards her pink friend doubtfully “...Really?”

“Yep.” Pinkie Pie answered with a confident grin.

“If it's not rock, what exactly is it supposed to be?” Dash asked, as she crossed her forelegs.

“Dunno, but it's definitely not made of rock.” Pinkie Pie reconfirmed.

“How can you possibly-”

“Rock farm.” Pinkie answered, before Rainbow Dash could even finish her question.

Dash had to pause at that response, before rubbing the back of her head “...I guess, you would know about that then.”

“Yep, and I don't know what this is. So it almost definitely isn't rock.” Pinkie Pie finished with another smile.

“Pinkie's right...it's certainly as strong as rock, but I don't see any sign of cuts in the stone, and the consistency seems wrong...Hm, some form of special concrete, perhaps?” Twilight added, as she continued to examine the walls. A moment later, she stepped back from the wall before clearing her throat and taking a deep breath.

“Hello!” Twilight called out, not quite shouting.

Rainbow Dash watched, in growing confusion, as Twilight tilted her head from side-to-side, with her ears swiveling in all directions. Dash was starting to wonder if she was supposed to say 'hello' back or something.

“...did you hear that?” Twilight suddenly asked, before Rainbow Dash could take any action.

“Uhm, was I supposed to?” The pegasus asked uncertainly.

“Yes! You see? There was barely an echo there. It's like the walls have some sort of...sound dampening quality! I mean, under different circumstances, we could just chalk it up to a fine understanding of acoustics in construction. But there are no sound baffles or noise barriers to break up the sound, at least none that I can see. It's gotta be something about the materials.” Twilight excitedly explained “I bet you could barely even hear us talking if you took just a short canter down the tunnel. Oh! Rainbow Dash, can you and Pinkie-”

“If you're so curious, why don't you just ask those two?” Rainbow Dash asked, with just a touch of irritation, as she pointed a hoof towards the two changelings, Cryptic and Alate.

“Oh, right. Of course...” Twilight quickly cantered over towards the two hovering changelings, who had thus far been content to watch the purple pony play with the walls. Their Queen had asked the two of them to watch the ponies for a few minutes while she made sure that her subjects remembered that they were having...guests, with Blueblood insisting that he go along. It wouldn't do to have the whole hive go into lock down, all because some changeling didn't get the memo.

They both settled to the floor of the tunnel as Twilight approached; the two changelings were both still a bit leery of their guests, but they were both fairly sure that the ponies weren't going to suddenly unhinge their jaws and swallow them whole. It had helped that Twilight had convinced her pink friend to give the changelings a bit of space.

“So, uhm...Alate, Cryptic. I was hoping you wouldn't mind answering some questions about your home?” Twilight calmly requested of the two changelings. It had been Chrysalis' suggestion that if she couldn't tell the twins apart, to just address the two of them at the same time; everyone else did, and they were almost always together anyway. The two of them glanced towards one another briefly, as they always seemed to do, before again responding in tandem.

“We are ready to assist.”

“As long as Queen Chrysalis does not take exception.”

“Th-thanks.” That, the way the duo always seemed to speak at the same time, was also taking some getting used to. Chrysalis had assured that other changelings didn't do that, but thus far Twilight hadn't really had the opportunity to verify that for herself; not a lot of changelings around at the moment. Or any, apart from Alate and Cryptic, so far. The tunnels had, thus far, been conspicuously absent of any other changelings.

“So, I was wondering if you could tell us about these walls of yours?” Twilight asked of the two changelings.

“...We have a lot of them.”

“...We have floors and ceilings, too.”

“...I kinda was hoping you could tell me something more specific. You see, I was wondering what you used in their construction.” Twilight clarified for the two changelings, who both nodded as they came to understand what their guest was asking of them.

“Dirt.”

“Saliva.”

“Oh...I see.” Twilight took a moment to process that, before glancing down at her hooves and then all around. Glancing back towards Alate and Cryptic “So all of this was made by combining dirt and-”

“Saliva? As in spit? Are you seriously tell me you guys spit into the dirt, and just make some sort of crazy changeling spit-sand castle?” Rainbow Dash cut-in at that point, with a vaguely grossed out look towards the walls.

“I'm sure there's more to it than that, Rainbow.” Twilight said to her friend.

“Not really.”

“That's about it.”

The two changelings chimed in helpfully, getting Twilight's attention. Hesitating at their blunt agreement with Rainbow Dash's summation “Well- I mean, I'm sure that you put a great deal of work into this construction. You must have all kinds of recipes and secrets put into the building of your home.”

“It's just moving dirt around to us.”

“It's not really our field.”

“Hah! I guess even other changelings aren't as into spit-walls as you, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash called down to Twilight, eliciting a small frown from the purple princess. Though Rainbow Dash did have something of an indirect point. You wouldn't ask a guard pony or an accountant about brick-laying, and expect a thorough answer.

Twilight rubbed the back of her head, as she considered that, as she turned back to Alate and Cryptic “Right. So, I suppose you two aren't really experts on the subject?”

The two changelings shook their heads in unison.

“Do you perhaps know who might know more? I'd really like to know more about what goes into this construction. And, perhaps somepony could tell me why changelings use sound dampening in their tunnel walls?”

“Because a couple of thousand changelings going about their business makes a terrible amount of racket, unless measures are taken.” Neither Alate or Cryptic had the opportunity to answer Twilight, as Chrysalis chose this moment to return, with Blueblood at her side.

“Whaa?!” Everyone glanced over towards Pinkie Pie, now by one of the tunnel walls, as the pink pony reacted to Chrysalis' words. She began by pulling her tongue back in her mouth “There's a couple of thousand changelings here!?”

“...was she just licking the wall?” Chrysalis asked.

“Yep! But that's not important! Do you really have that many changelings here?” Pinkie Pie asked, after sidling up to Chrysalis.

“...Yes, though quite a few of my changelings are out right now, there's still around that many here.” Chrysalis looked over towards Twilight “Why was the pink one licking the wall?”

Twilight simply shook her head and made a gesture, that made it clear that she was just as lost as to what Pinkie Pie's reasons for her actions as the next pony. Twilight ultimately decided to focus on the more important bit of information “You really have over two thousand changelings here?”

“That's what she said, Twilight! Weren't you listening? I mean, it took most of the day just to meet Alate and Cryptic! How am I ever going to meet them all?!” Pinkie Pie asked of everypony gathered. Abruptly sitting down, Pinkie unslung her saddlebags and began rooting through them “I don't have nearly enough treats for everypony to get one!”

“Pinkie! It's alright. No one expects for you to make friends with every changeling here, in one visit. You'll get more opportunities to make friends, I'm sure.” Twilight tried to calm down her pink friend, as Pinkie Pie continued to go through her supplies “I mean, it must have taken you years to get to know everypony in Ponyville.”

Pinkie abruptly paused as Twilight pointed that out, staring ahead blankly, as the party-pony was evidently struck by a thought. Twilight not quite sure what was happening, extended a hoof out to her friend “Uhm, Pinkie?”

Pinkie Pie suddenly leaped into the air with a mighty gasp, before bolting as soon as her hooves touched back down onto the tunnel floor. All that was left behind was a, surprisingly pony-shaped, cloud where Pinkie Pie had been standing.

Chrysalis stared at the strange sight, before cantering over. A moment later the changeling queen attempted to prod the cloud, causing her hoof to pass through it, and causing the cloud to dissipate.

“I say, it's as if she disappeared into a puff of smoke.” Blueblood observed.

“What just happened?” Chrysalis asked, as she realized that the pink pony had, indeed, vanished. At their Queen's inquiry, Alate and Cryptic both tilted their heads in consideration, before turning towards their queen.

“An allergic reaction to wall-licking?”

“She exploded.”

Rainbow Dash considered this all for a moment, before smacking her head as she realized what had happened “Uh-duh! Pinkie Pie's just doing what she always does when she needs a way to make a bunch of friends.”

“And just what would that be?” Chrysalis asked, with a bit of irritation.

“Well, obviously, she's gonna thr-” Rainbow Dash began, before suddenly being yanked down to the ground by Twilight's telekinesis.

“Gya! What gives Twi?!” The pegasus asked of the purple alicorn, before suddenly looking down at her hooves “Great...I'm touching the spit-floors now.”

“Dash! Do you really think it's a good idea to go telling her, that Pinkie's about to turn her home upside down, for the sake of a party?” Twilight asked her friend in a hushed whisper.

“Why not? The big-bug is gonna find out soon anyway.” Rainbow Dash pointed out, in what was decidedly not a whisper.

Before Twilight could argue any further, Chrysalis was looming over the two ponies “What. Is the pink one. Up to?”

Looking up at the increasingly irate changeling in front of her, Twilight cleared her throat before answering “Uhm, it's really not a big deal. It's actually something Pinkie Pie does for everypony she meets. And, uh...promise you won't get angry?”

“I do not.” Chrysalis immediately denied.

A little while later...

“Okay, Chrysalis, I really think you're overreacting.” Twilight argued, as she struggled to keep up with the Changeling Queen's longer steps.

“And, I really think you set very low standards for overreactions.” Chrysalis countered, before suddenly drawing to a stop, allowing the ponies to catch-up with the brisk pace she had set down the tunnels. Chrysalis made a quick gesture, apparently signaling for two changelings to drop down from their concealed positions along the ceiling. Startled by the sudden appearance of the two changelings, as well as their more intimidating physical appearances, Twilight briefly lost her train of thought. Both of these changelings seemed to be taller and more heavily built, with thicker carapaces and spikier protrusions along their bodies. It was most decidedly a departure from what Twilight had come to recognize as the norm for changelings.

“You two are to locate the pink pony that was with our group and capture her. Pick a cell for her to spend the rest of her 'visit' in.” Chrysalis quickly ordered to the two new arrivals, breaking Twilight from her examination of the two guard-changelings.

Noticing that the two were about to set off to follow these orders, Twilight quickly galloped ahead of them blocking their way “Now just hold it!”

A moment passed as the two guards got over their brief surprise, before they both shot glares at the purple princess, their disciplined stances quickly giving away to open hostility. Blinking at the sudden change in the two guards, Twilight quickly added “Not that I'm trying to usurp your Queen's authority, but I really think we need to discuss this a bit further. And I was hoping you could just wait a moment?”

That didn't seem to settle the anger of either of the guard-changelings, as they both took a step forward, only to be met with a blue blur zipping in front of them that quickly resolved into the shape of a pegasus mare. Rainbow Dash sent her own glare at the two, before speaking “Yeah, you just try that buddy!”

“Enough!” Blueblood shouted, as he stepped between the two guard-changelings and the mares of his party. Suddenly pointing a hoof back towards Chrysalis, he addressed the guards “Your Queen, has formally recognized our party as her invited guests into her home. An action that by all civilized standards guarantees our safety during our stay. Now unless you are ready to break your Queen's word, and besmirch the integrity of your folk, over an accidental slight, I suggest you simmer down.”

Facing Chrysalis fully now, the stallion addressed the Changeling Queen “I'm sure Queen Chrysalis would not wish for any of that to happen, considering what is at stake.”

Finally turning her own attention back towards Chrysalis, Twilight noticed the changeling queen rubbing her brow in irritation and muttering to herself “...should have thrown her from the train...”

Stepping around Blueblood and Rainbow Dash, Twilight approached Chrysalis once more “Look, I'm really sorry that Pinkie Pie is overstepping her bounds here; it's admittedly a bit of a recurring problem with her. But she really doesn't mean any harm, she just gets...carried away.”

“Yeah, they wanted her to get carried away right into a dungeon!” Rainbow Dash called over.

Sending a look over towards her friend, asking for the pegasus to let her handle this, Twilight turned back towards Chrysalis “I really don't think you need to go as far as imprisoning anypony. Let's just find Pinkie, and I can explain that you're really not in the mood for any sort of parties.”

Chrysalis took a deep breath, before lowering her hoof and speaking towards her two guards in a very controlled voice “You two are going to find the pink pony. When you find her, one of you will keep an eye on her and the other will come inform me. Is that understood?”

A moment later, both guards saluted Chrysalis before making their way down the tunnels.

Letting out a sigh, as the situation was defused, Twilight turned back towards the changeling queen “Thank you, Chrysalis. And I promise we'll keep a much closer eye on Pinkie, from here on.”

“I'd recommend a leash.” Chrysalis responded before cantering past Twilight “Come, we're barely even into the main complex.”

As Chrysalis and Twilight cantered past, Rainbow Dash looked over towards Blueblood, who was back to adjusting his mane back to perfection with a comb “Huh...didn't think I'd ever say this to you of all ponies, but that was actually kind of cool.”

“I have no idea why it should come as a surprise. It's all in the line-of-duty for Pony Royalty. Now come along, we shouldn't dawdle.” Blueblood said, before cantering past Rainbow Dash.

“And just like that, he's back to being a snooty doofus.” Rainbow Dash observed, before turning around to follow the group. Only to find herself bumping into another changeling “Gyah!”

Startled, Rainbow Dash took back to the air, before she realized just who it was she just bumped into. It was one of the two changelings scouts, either Alate or Cryptic “And just where were you when that was going down?”

“Waiting in ambush, in case you started a fight.” The changeling casually replied.

“Me start a fight?! Those two guys were the ones getting all up in Twilight's business!” Rainbow Dash argued.

“Yeah...those two are kind of jerks. They wouldn't really be good guards otherwise...Even if they are a bit full of themselves.” The changeling agreed.

“Tch. Yeah, they're doing a pretty good job then, if their jobs is to jam their heads as far up their own-...wait, do you guys even have butts?” Rainbow Dash trailed off, as her own thoughts took a strange turn. Glancing back at the changeling “So, uh...which one are you?”

“Alate. Cryptic is still up there.” Alate answered, before pointing a hoof towards a seemingly random section of ceiling. Rainbow Dash furrowed her brow for a moment, not able to really pick out Cryptic's hiding spot. Just as she was about to just shout for the changeling to come out, a part of the wall moved and revealing the light-blue of a changeling eye.

“It's not really nice, giving away my hiding spot, Alate.” Cryptic called down, before a burst of green fire revealed the changeling's position.

“Crisis is over. Besides, the two of us could probably take her without any tricks, if she tried anything.” Alate countered confidently.

“Please. I bet could take you both with both my wings tied behind my back.” Rainbow Dash called back smugly, taking exception to the changeling's claim.

“Especially once Alate resorts to her strategy of screaming 'Get it off!' and flying away.” Cryptic teased, as she hovered above the two.

“I wasn't expecting an attack! You would have freaked out too!” Alate pointed out defensively.

“We'll never know, though.” Cryptic countered smugly.

“Huh, I was starting to think you two couldn't help but say everything at the same time. What's up with that anyway?” The pegasus asked.

“Habit.” Alate answered.

“We're just used to it.” Cryptic said simultaneously.

“...Right. Never gonna get tired of that.” Rainbow Dash observed.

Author's Note

Right, so I got started on the next chapter of "Intermediate Lessons" rather than the next chapter of "Diamond Tiara goes to Boot camp". It's just where my brain was focused at the time. That being said, I'm not perfectly pleased by how this chapter turned out; feels a bit clunky in spots. I'll probably end up touching up the dialog here and there, later on. The next chapter should be smoother, I think.

Anyway, we're starting to get into my ideas for what the Changelings are like. Hopefully, they'll prove interesting and consistent. I've put more than a bit of thought into them, and I welcome any question you might have about my interpretation of the Changelings.

As always, I looked forward to any questions or criticisms. I'll be working on the next chapters for "Diamond Tiara goes to Boot Camp" over he next couple of weeks.

Lesson Four: Know your Boundaries

It was terrible.

It was unexpected.

It was loud.

It was pink.

And, perhaps worst of all...it was coming around the corner.

Here Probos had been, just going about his duties, some of the many tasks that went to keeping a changeling hive livable. In this particular instance, he had been one of the many changelings tasked with moving rock and dirt from the newly expanded tunnels. Not exactly highly skilled work, but necessary. And taking on such tasks made a good impression upon the builders and diggers there, perhaps encouraging them to take him under their wings. To teach him the finer points of their work.

A nice safe role in the hive that was, nonetheless, appreciated by every changeling. Which sounded great to the young changeling. And if it panned out, it would have been a more than worthwhile investment of his time, he had thought. Probos didn't really understand why more changelings couldn't get that excited about the prospect of, literally, working on the hive that they called home. Shaping things with your own hooves, creating the ever so delicate contours that separated one tunnel from another, and leaving your own mark upon the hive, for every changeling to see. Having to lug around some boulders for a while, seemed like a small price to pay, really.

Until now.

Word had spread, over the last few days, throughout the hive about some sort of diplomatic envoy that the Queen was bringing to the hive. Made up of ponies. And sure, ponies weren't the scariest of creatures in the wider world, according to those changelings that often went out there, but they still weren't changelings. And there were lots of them. And they were squishy. And eye-burningly colorful. And a pony in the hive completely went against over a thousand years of secrecy and paranoia.

There had been many assurances by Queen Chrysalis herself that this envoy would stay under her supervision the whole time, and that she would keep a handle on the situation. Along with assurances that this was all necessary, young Probos, like most changelings, trusted in the judgment of his Queen.

Of course, he didn't think he would have actually run into one of the ponies.

He had just seen several of his fellow changelings fly or shuffle past him quickly down the tunnels, all in a rush to make their way down various sidepaths. He had only barely been able to stop one of his fellow changelings long enough to get an explanation. One of the ponies was loose in the hive, running amok and presumably performing all manner of terrible...things, and every changeling was making themselves scarce.

Suddenly left alone, the young changeling glanced back down the tunnel, suddenly very worried about what could be lurking further down the cavernous tunnels. He could only hesitate a moment before realizing it was too late, as the sound of hooves and...cheerful humming?...could be heard just around the corner.

Catching only a brief glimpse of bright pink, before attempting to bolt after his fellow changelings, he soon found himself tumbling to the floor. The poor changeling had only a moment to remember going out of the way to make extra sure that the straps harnessing him to the heavily loaded sled were secure and tight. Out of time, and increasingly anxious, he did what most changelings did when feeling threatened and attempted to conceal himself.

He wasn't doing a very good job, by changeling standards, having just crouched as low to the ground as he could and then covering his multi-faceted eyes with his hooves.

A moment later his body flared with green light, as the changeling made an attempt at improving his odds of going unnoticed. Now, instead of a changeling, lashed to a sled, sitting in the middle of the tunnel, there was a changeling shaped rock, lashed to a sled, sitting in the middle of the tunnel.

Again, not an impressive showing, by changeling standards.

After about a minute of steadfastly screwing his eyes shut, in the hopes of going unnoticed, the young changeling eventually started to wonder if perhaps the colorful invader had passed him by. The humming had stopped, as had the sound of it's hooves along the tunnel floors. Taking a calming breath, getting his brief overreaction in order, he decided it might be time to check and see if perhaps the pony had gone on it's way. Probos slowly opened one eye, steadily taking in the tunnels once more.

“Hi!” Pinkie Pie enthusiastically greeted, mere inches away from the changeling's own face.

Probos immediately went back to closing his eyes and pretending to be a rock.

After several more minutes of, more or less, silence and a notable lack of anything terrible happening, Probos eventually began to consider the possibility of opening his eyes again, to see if the pony was still there. It hadn't really worked out so well the last time, by his estimation. Though on the other hoof, Probos couldn't sense anything terrible happening to himself; perhaps his disguise had worked? Lots of changelings tricked ponies all the time, so they couldn't be that bright. And he was still expected back at the tunnel expansion, to carry off the next load of rocks. Was he going to let some pony paralyze him with fear? Keeping him from doing his duty?...yes. But not indefinitely. He had rocks to move! A swarm to serve! A life to live! He would not let himself be trapped here forever!

Probos slowly inched one of his eyelids opened.

The pink pony was still there.

Though this time she wasn't shouting greetings at the changeling's face. No, she, Probos was fairly sure it was a she, seemed to be crouched down with her hooves covering her eyes. Much like the young changeling had been doing the whole time. She was just sitting as still as possible on the ground, like she was pretending to be a rock herself. A pink fuzzy rock.

After another minute of watching this strange tableau, Probos was starting to think that this wasn't some sort of trick. He soon opened his other eye, before slowly bringing himself upright once more, sitting on his haunches. Still keeping one eye on the pony, he steadily undid the knots holding him to his sled; just in case he suddenly needed to flee in terror.

But nothing had happened so far.

With his anxiety steadily ebbing away, Probos began scrutinizing the pink pony, finally able to take in the sight of a real live pony. It looked like...a pony. Many of the changelings that went out into the world for the various necessities that kept the hive going, had shown off their shapeshifting skills for their fellow changelings, giving them a glimpse of the various folks outside the hive. This pony looked basically similar to the disguised forms of some of the infiltrators and love-gatherers. Looking at her, she felt different in some sort of intangible way that Probos couldn't pin down. Which was again in line with what those changelings that ventured outside had conveyed. Even disguised a changeling could just sort of feel the difference between ponies and changelings. Though, they never said anything about ponies spontaneously dropping to the ground and...hibernating?

He briefly considered hiding once more, but it just didn't seem terribly justified right then.

Now starting to become more curious than afraid, the young changeling started leaning over for a closer look. Probos understood that ponies came in all sort of colors, and wore their manes in all kinds of ways. One didn't see many manes among changelings. Such things were usually only seen on the highest of changelings, the Queens and occasionally as just a rare random quirk of birth for regular changelings.

So this pink pony's curly locks served as a source of no small amount of fascination for Probos.

It looked like a rather bouncy pile of bright pink moss, not unlike those cultivated further down the tunnels, but for the coloring, of course. None of the pony-forms assumed by the other changelings had manes or tails like this. It was almost hypnotic, following the individual hairs of the pony's mane as they curled and twisted around one another...

Glancing down both ends of the tunnel, Probos brought his gaze back to the odd pony before coming to a decision. Quietly edging closer to the mare, he watched carefully for any reactions from the pony, before reaching his hole-filled hoof forward. Slowly waving it in-front of the pony's face, before pulling it back, he concluded that the pony was...he didn't really know what she was doing, but she seemed docile.

Apparently satisfied that there wasn't a great danger in what he was about to do, Probos decided to give into temptation and reach a hoof towards the pony's mane.

He had kind of expected the pony to suddenly leap up and...do something. But nothing seemed to happen, when his hoof met her mane.

It was rather soft.

“Does that mean I win?” Pinkie Pie cheerfully asked.

He froze for a moment, hoof still caressing her mane, before suddenly stumbling away in a rush. At some point after Probos had started...fondling the ponies mane, she had moved her hooves and popped open her eyes, and fixed them upon the changeling.

Freaking out a bit, over both the pony's sudden animation and the fact that she had caught him doing something...weird, Probos could only utter “W-what?”

“Well, it was my first time playing that one. Did I get it right? I was just kind of guessing at the rules.” Pinkie Pie cheerfully explained.

“...rules?” Probos haltingly asked.

“Uh-huh! I figure I haven't got much time to learn as many changeling games as possible for the party. Oh, oh! Did you wanna come? Did ya? I've been trying to invite as many changelings as possible, and you're the first one I've found! So are you coming?” Pinkie Pie again began crowding the changelings personal space, causing him to lean away, as she made her inquiries known.

Probos stood there with Pinkie Pie looking straight into his eyes, entirely uncertain as to his proper course. He had only barely followed along with what the pink pony had been saying. And even then he didn't know what the proper answer was to her questions. He hadn't even been aware there was a party; the changelings had the occasional celebration, but not now, as far as he knew.

Pinkie Pie didn't seem to mind the changeling's hesitation as she continued waiting, as still as a statue, as the changeling did the same thing. Eventually, Probos decided that he was the one that was supposed to break this impromptu waiting game.

“...there's a party?”

“Yep!” Pinkie Pie happily agreed.

“...what for?” Probos asked slowly.

“Well...” With that question Pinkie Pie backed away from the changeling once more, this time raising a hoof to her chin as she considered the question “At first, I just needed a way to meet as many changelings as I could, at once. Cause it's been taking, like, forever getting to know everypony here. But then I was all like, 'But, Pinkie Pie, you can't just go throwing parties just to meet everypony. That's not the right way to throw a party! It's gotta be for something, ya know?”

At this point she began moving from side-to-side as if she was playing the roles of two different Pinkie Pies discussing the issue with one another. “If you're gonna throw a party, missy, you better be celebrating something, or making somepony smile, or making new friends! And I was like, 'Oh, I make a good point' but I didn't know what we could be celebrating. And I was all 'Uh-duh, we'll celebrate all the new changelings friends we're making'. Then I think there was a third Pinkie Pie that was like 'Oh, oh, we can't forget Chryssie. She's all super-gloomy and grumpy, so we should totally throw the party for her too' so it can be a party celebrating how we're all gonna be friends to make Chrysalis smile!”

Pinkie Pie finally finished with a grin.

Probos just blinked a couple of times, completely unable to follow the strange little skit that Pinkie Pie had just acted out in front of him. He was steadily becoming less afraid and more baffled, by this strange being.

“So, are ya gonna come to the party? I promise it'll be super-fun!” Pinkie Pie again leaned in as she asked the question.

“You're...throwing a party to make friends with the Queen?” Probos asked, trying to sort out Pinkie's little spiel.

“I'm throwing a party to make friends with everypony!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“...me too?” The changeling asked skeptically.

“Uh-huh!” Pinkie nodded.

“But...who are you?” Probos asked.

“Oh, I totally forgot!” Pinkie Pie playfully bonked herself on the head with her hoof, as she realized her oversight. A moment later she extended out a hoof to the changeling “I'm Pinkie Pie, your brand new, super-best friend ever!”

Probos looked down at the hoof for a moment, a bit surprised by the gesture. It seemed to be no different from a typical changeling hoof-bump. After a moment, he reached out and bumped hooves with the pink pony “I'm Probos...so, we're friends now?”

“Well, yeah! We're-” Pinkie Pie excitedly began.

“There it is!”

Before being interrupted by the two changeling guards stamping their way down the tunnel. Looking over Probos shoulder, Pinkie Pie smiled before clapping her two front hooves together excitedly “Oh, Yay! I knew this would be the perfect way to meet every changeling! At this rate I'll probably know everypony before the end of the month!”

The shared frowns between the two bulkier changelings only deepened as they approached, with one moving on one side of Pinkie and the other pushing Probos back before taking up on the pony's other side. For Probos part, he seemed rather indignant about being shoved back like that, but didn't raise a word against it.

Sparing only a glance for the younger changeling, the guard-changelings both focused their attention back upon the cheerfully oblivious Pinkie Pie. They almost seemed a bit put out that she seemed not at all intimidated.

“So, what are your names? Me and Probos just became friends, but I think I'm going to need a lot more help for this party. I mean, I don't think I ever had a party that had thousands of ponies coming. And it's gonna be the bash of century, if Pinkie Pie has anything to say about it.” The pink pony proudly proclaimed.

One of the changelings cleared his throat, when it became clear that nothing was being conveyed with their hostile body language. The one that had pushed Probos away decided to just spell things out at that point, in as gruff a manner as possible “Pony! For your trespasses you are being taken into our custody until such a time as our glorious Queen can take you under her supervision. Until then you are to stay here...away from our Queen's subjects.”

Pinkie merely furrowed her brow at this for a moment, before waving her hoof “I don't think we're going to have enough room for everypony here. And how is everypony supposed to enjoy the party if they have to stay away?” Pinkie Pie leaned in towards the changeling guards “You guys must be really new to this whole partying thing. Luckily, you have Pinkie Pie here to show you the way.”

This time all three changelings present frowned. The two guards for apparently being ignored by their captive and Probos for concern for what the two guard changelings might do if annoyed. Probos wasn't exactly sure how he felt about this strange pony, but she hadn't really done anything bad, and it was well known around the hive that the guard-changelings tended to take their jobs very seriously.

While Queen Chrysalis, and simple good sense, insisted on their presence in the hive, they didn't get much opportunity to put their talents to use. Historically, the only time the guard-changelings got to do anything was when things were going catastrophically bad anyway. Apart from the ill-fated invasion on Canterlot, they rarely got to do anything more important than run off the very occasional wild animal. If every changeling was doing their jobs properly, guards mostly just stood around looking like they were doing nothing.

Which, incidentally, led to their generally hostile attitudes. Being under-appreciated could do that.

So it didn't really surprise Probos, when the guards came across as a bit snappish “We do not need to be shown anything, pony. There is no party happening, and you should count yourself lucky that our Queen has decided against seeing you thrown into cell. So cease your prattling, and let us be done with this.”

With a nod from his fellow guard-changeling, the changeling that had spoken quickly turned back down the tunnel, prepared to go report their success to Queen Chrysalis.

“Wow, I had no idea the situation was so serious.” Pinkie Pie observed, leaving the guard-changeling rather satisfied that he had gotten the pony to settle down. He stopped in his tracks, at what Pinkie Pie said next.

“I'm going to have to throw a really, really, amazing party to turn all these frowns upside down!”

Probos wasn't entirely shocked by this. Though he did wonder if perhaps this particular pony happened to be crazy.

Turning around sharply the same guard-changeling began to snarl out “Are you-”

“I bet Chryssie will be so happy when she sees how quickly we've all become friends!”

“What?” All three changelings managed to ask at the same time.

The first guard-changeling stomped over before looking Pinkie in the eye “Do you mean to say that you believe this will make our Queen...happy?”

“Uh-huh!”

Probos leaned in this time “Isn't she already happy though?”

“I don't think so. I mean, she seems to like Princess Celestia and Twilight and stuff. But I think she's really bummed out. She even said, on the trip over, that she didn't even want to have fun!” Pinkie explained.

“Bummed out?” Probos asked, not familiar with the expression.

“Yeah, I guess it's cause she thinks she's doomed any chance at ponies and changelings living side-by-side in peace, or something.” Pinkie Pie off-hoofedly supplied “It's kinda like how Twilight gets when she thinks she's messed something up, ya know?”

As Probos and the first guard-changeling tried to process this, the guard-changeling that had held his tongue till now spoke up “And you want to make our Queen smile?”

“Why wouldn't I want to make her smile?” Pinkie asked “Everypony could use a smile!”

“But...aren't you a pony?” Probos asked.

Pinkie Pie looked over herself before giving a nod “I think so.”

“Then why?”

Pinkie again brought a hoof to her chin as she considered the question. After a moment “What? Well, obviously it- When somepony smiles-...Huh, I guess it is kind of hard to explain...Well, no problem. I know the perfect way to make everything clear now! And it was so obvious too...”

This got the three changelings attention as they all leaned in for her answer.

“We need...a musical number!”

“So what do you guys do for fun around here?”

The two changeling scouts glanced back towards Rainbow Dash, as she posed her question, both a bit surprised that the pegasus was still following the duo. Both pausing in mid-air, Alate and Cryptic did that weird thing again, where they seemed to have whole conversations with one another without saying anything aloud, before facing Rainbow Dash again.

“What do you mean?” The one on the left, Alate, asked.

“Fun? Cool stuff that you do when you aren't sleeping or working and junk?” Rainbow Dash asked again.

Both changelings just scrutinized the hovering pony, as if they were having trouble figuring out something about the pegasus.

“Seriously?...do I gotta go grab Pinkie Pie, and have her explain what fun is to you guys?” Rainbow Dash asked with a mixture of annoyance and disbelief.

This time it was the changeling hovering on the right, Cryptic, that responded, frowning at the questions asked “We know what fun is...”

“...but, this isn't exactly the time to go around having fun, if you ask me.” Alate finished for her sister.

“Huh? Why not? Did the Queen of Mean decide to ban having a good time in the last few minutes? Sounds like her, actually...” Rainbow Dash asked, netting sour looks from the two changelings, as they realized the disparagement being directed towards their Queen. Picking up on their annoyance, Rainbow Dash just shrugged “What? She's kind of a jerk.”

Both changelings again shared glances with one another, before Alate testily responded “Our Great Queen-”

“She's not that great...” Rainbow Dash audibly muttered.

“...Our Great Queen, has not banned fun. We just have jobs to do.” Alate finished, after the little interruption.

Before Rainbow Dash could say anything at that, Cryptic flew in front of her, pointing a hole-filled hoof in the brash pegasus' face “And don't you as well? Aren't you supposed to be one of the special envoys from the Pony Princesses? Don't you have your own work you need to be doing, instead of insulting our Queen Chrysalis?”

“Envoy?” Rainbow Dash asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion “What the heck's an envoy anyway?”

Both of the scouts blinked in surprise at this development, before Alate chose to fly up “Uhm, you're not an envoy?”

Rainbow Dash pushed Cryptic's hoof away, as she answered with her own frown “I just said, I don't know what an envoy even is! How could I be one, if I don't even know what an envoy does?”

Now sporting her own look of confusion, Cryptic floated back a bit before asking “If you're not some sort of an envoy, why did your Princess bring you then?”

“The only reason I came, was to make sure none of you changelings tried anything funny with two of my best friends. And to keep an eye on that Queen that you guys seem to love so much. Not to do any of this envoying stuff you keep going on about.” Rainbow Dash explained, pointing her own hoof back at the two changelings, as she did so.

“You thought we would try something funny? What, like, attack them?” Alate asked with a bit of incredulity.

“We wouldn't do anything like that.” Cryptic firmly denied.

“Oh, no? What about those two jerks, that were sent after Pinkie, huh?” Rainbow Dash accused.

“Duh, those two were being jerks.” Alate easily countered.

Frowning at that response, Rainbow Dash continued “OK, then. What's up with your Oh-So Great Queen's poor attitude?”

“Your attitude isn't exactly perfect, either.” Cryptic reminded.

Rainbow Dash fell quiet for a couple of moments, before raising an eyebrow as she brought up her next piece of evidence “Alright then...if you guys are so great, why'd you go and try to invade us?”

Both of the changelings hesitated a bit on this one.

“Well...we weren't really...there or anything...” Alate tried to start.

“So? A bunch of your buddies were happy to go trashing up Canterlot, messing with Twilight, and scaring everypony in the city.” Rainbow Dash quickly cut the changeling off, not letting her slide out of the question.

Both changelings looked a bit sheepish, as they again exchanged looks with one another, before Cryptic tried to take over “Well...we do need to gather love and that's-”

“Seriously? So, what? Everything else was just your Queen's idea of having a good time then?” The pegasus asked again, clearly skeptical and a bit annoyed with the excuse.

“...we're sure Queen Chrysalis had her reasons.” Cryptic finished, as evenly as possible.

At this Rainbow Dash, snorted as she rolled her eyes.

After an awkward silence between the three, Alate rubbed the chitin along the back of her head before speaking “Right...so, what exactly do you do then?”

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash was clearly thrown by the sudden change in topic.

“Well, like you said, you clearly aren't an envoy. So, what exactly do you do?” Alate clarified.

“Wait...are we just gonna ignore everything we just talked about? To talk about our jobs?” Rainbow Dash asked in bewilderment.

“We're not ignoring it.” Cryptic answered.

“But weren't we talking about jobs in the first place?” Alate asked.

“Well, yeah. But is that really important right now?” Rainbow Dash asked right back.

“Jobs are important.” Cryptic responded surely.

“So, what's yours?” Alate asked again.

Rainbow Dash's mouth opened and closed a few times, as she tried to process this, before giving up. Eventually shrugging, she just tried answering “I'm the...weather captain of Ponyville?”

“...are you asking us?” Cryptic asked, after a short pause.

“No! I'm the weather captain, alright? I take care of the weather around my home.”

Both changelings nodded at Rainbow Dash's answer, apparently satisfied.

“Hm. Well, that sounds like an important job, if you live on the surface.” Alate observed.

“Tch, not really.” Rainbow Dash countered.

Seeing the two changelings tilt their heads at this, RD realized they were hoping for an explanation “I mean, it's not like there aren't a bunch of other pegasi out there that can't do it.”

“So, you aren't very good at what you do?” Cryptic asked.

“Are you kidding?! I'm the best at what I do!” Rainbow Dash confidently asserted “That's why I don't want to be stuck just moving clouds around all day, ya know? Really, it's just a gig to pay the bills till I join the Wonderbolts, that's all.”

Both Alate and Cryptic seemed to consider this for a few moments.

“Those are the ones with the silly uniforms, right?” Alate asked of Cryptic.

“That sounds right.” Cryptic answered off-hoofedly, before turning to Rainbow Dash “Anyway, why do you want to join these Wonderbolts? I've never really been clear on what exactly they do.”

“Why? Why wouldn't I want to be a part of the best flying team in Equestria?! Being the best is what they do!” Rainbow Dash asserted. As an afterthought she pointed a hoof towards Alate “And I don't know what Wonderbolts you're thinking of, but the Wonderbolt uniforms are made of awesome. Just like yours truly.”

“...but what do they do, that's more important than being this 'weather captain'?” Cryptic asked again.

“...OK, I don't think you're really getting the picture here. All you really need to know, is that I belong with the Wonderbolts. I mean, it's been my dream since I was little. You guys have dreams right?” Rainbow Dash asked of the two curious changelings.

“But...you said you were the best at what you do.” Cryptic again pointed out “Wouldn't that mean you do the most good where you already are?”

“Well, yeah, I guess. But it's not like there aren't other ponies that can't do the job. And it's like I said, I've been training since I was just a filly for this, alright?” Noticing that Cryptic still didn't seem able to really get what Rainbow Dash was trying to say, she decided to just give up explaining “Just forget it. I guess you guys don't even know what a Wonderbolt is. No point trying to explain, I guess, if you have no clue who I'm even talking about.”

Alate rolled her eyes at this, though the expression was lost on the pegasus, what with the lack of a discernible pupil in the changeling's eyes. “We know who they are, alright? Our great, great-...”

“...-great grandfather-” Cryptic easily supplied for her sister.

“-was one.” Alate finished relatively smoothly “And his old uniform looked pretty goofy to me.”

“...Whoa, whoa, whoa! There's no way! No changelings were ever part of the Wonderbolts!” Rainbow Dash denied while waving that claim away with her hooves.

“And who would know that?” Cryptic calmly asked.

“I would, that's who! I mean, I know just about every Wonderbolt there ever was! Some of them personally!” Rainbow Dash countered.

“So you know the names of every Wonderbolt?” Alate asked confidently, picking up on what Cryptic was getting at.

“Uh-duh. There's Fleetfoot, Soarin', Spitfire, Fire Streak, Silver Lining, Rockette, Surprise, Skydart, Firefly, Fairy Flight, Zipper-”

“-Glimmer Wing?” Alate and Cryptic named off simultaneously.

“Yeah! There's Glimmer Wing, and-...No way.” It took a moment for Rainbow Dash to get what the twins were implying, but when she got it, it hit her like a brick.

“Yeah.” Alate smugly said, upon seeing the look of realization on the pony's face.

“B-but he was a pony! A pegasus!” Rainbow Dash tried to explain.

“Changeling.” Both Alate and Cryptic chimed, disagreeing with the claim that Glimmer Wing was a pegasus, and explaining how such a thing was possible, at the same time.

Rainbow Dash just hovered in mid-air for a couple of seconds, before suddenly pointing a hoof towards the two changelings “Wait, didn't you just say that you thought the Wonderbolts were useless? Why would a changeling try to join the Wonderbolts anyway, if you guys think they're so useless?” She asked confidently, sure she had found a hole in their logic.

“Because, for whatever reason, you ponies adore the Wonderbolts.” Cryptic answered easily.

“And Grandpa Glimmer Wing somehow got the idea to gather love from all the ponies that were fans of the Wonderbolts, by infiltrating them.” Alate then elaborated.

Rainbow Dash slowly lowered her hoof, as she heard this, fairly obvious, explanation “Oh, well...I guess that kind of makes sense then.”

“Indeed.” Cryptic agreed.

“Right...so, were a lot of famous ponies really changelings, or something?” Rainbow Dash asked.

The two changelings simply shrugged.

“Grandpa Glimmer Wing's the only one I know of.” Alate answered, with Cryptic nodding in agreement.

“Huh.” Rainbow Dash grunted as she took that information in “So, if Glimmer Wing was really your grandpa, I'm guessing you two must be pretty solid flyers too, right?”

Both changelings considered this for a moment.

“It's kind of hard to say.” Cryptic supplied.

“Why do you want to know?” Alate asked.

“Well...I think I just thought of a way we could have a bit of fun around here.” Rainbow Dash finished with a grin.

Thus far, Twilight's visit to the Changeling Hive had proven to be quite fascinating and intriguing. Which was why it was such a shame that Chyrsalis' poor mood was making it so difficult to satisfy the alicorn mare's curiosity.

After sending those two guards to seek out Pinkie Pie, Chrysalis had set off at a brisk pace through the tunnels of the changeling hive. And while this did have the fortunate side-effect of allowing Twilight to witness a good deal more of the hive in short order, Chrysalis wasn't really putting much effort into explaining what the ponies in the party were seeing. Granted, Prince Blueblood didn't seem to mind overly much, perhaps owing to his previous visit, but Twilight was having to strike a balance between trying to keep up with the Changeling Queen's longer strides, while trying to get in a question or two.

According to Chrysalis, the small party had passed by canals, a forum, farms, training grounds, sleeping areas, storage spaces and more during their tour, and Twilight had thus far not gotten anymore than that on any particular subject. If changelings didn't eat, what exactly were the changelings farming? What were they training for? Did the changelings need to move a lot of water around? What exactly were the sleeping arrangements for the changelings?

The list of unanswered questions was starting to run a bit long, in Twilight's mind.

On the bright side, the young princess was getting to see more and more of the actual changelings, now that she was further into the main complex. Although, the changelings didn't seem quite as enthused about this, as she was. Many of the changelings seemed to pause in whatever activities they were pursuing to stare at the ponies accompanying their Queen, while others made no attempts to hide their attempts at making themselves scarce.

It seemed that while normally a busy place, the hive would come to a screeching halt whenever Twilight found herself entering a new chamber. Indeed, only a hoof-full of the changelings, that passed the group by, seemed entirely calm about the ponies' presence. Presumably, those changelings were counted among the groups that ventured beyond the hive regularly.

And while Twilight wasn't finding out overly much about the areas they were passing through, she was starting to spot the differences between individual changelings. It was certainly subtle, but individual changelings sported some fine differences in the shape of their...carapaces?...and their physique. So far the easiest method of telling one from another, had been for Twilight to glance at their hole-filled legs and hooves; each changeling seemed to have hole arrangements distinct to them.

Though she still didn't know what to make of the changelings that clearly stood out from the others, like the two guard-changelings, with their greater bulk and more intimidating appearances. It was definitely a small minority, but some of the changelings looked as different from their fellow changelings as Unicorns, Earth ponies, and Pegasi did from one another.

There's another question for the list.

“These are the doors to my throne room. Mostly, it's just ceremonial...” Came Chrysalis' terse explanation, as they passed a set of wooden double doors.

“Wait.” Came Twilight's own terse response.

Both Blueblood and Chrysalis drew to a sudden stop, at the princess' call for a halt, both turning towards Twilight questioningly.

“I...just would like to know-” Twilight began.

“Where's the loud one?” Chrysalis abruptly cut-off Twilight, as the changeling Queen looked behind the two other ponies in the group, prompting Blueblood to do the same.

Twilight quickly frowned at this, thinking Chrysalis was being difficult still, on account of Pinkie Pie's antics “Okay, first of all, I know that you know Pinkie's name, and I think it's getting a bit petty for you to keep pretending otherwise. And second, I-”

“The loud blue one, Princess Twilight.” Chrysalis clarified, with her own expression of displeasure.

“What?” Twilight asked, before noticing that Blueblood was gesturing behind her, prompting her to finally look to the back of the group.

She had kind of assumed that Rainbow Dash had simply been bored, but now that she thought about it the pegasus' absence should have been obvious. She had never known Rainbow Dash to sit quietly, bored or not.

“Well?” Chrysalis asked once more.

Twilight took a few moments to consider this, before turning back to the Changeling Queen, and calmly saying “I don't know.”

“You don't know?” Chrysalis asked, with just a touch of incredulity.

“I'm guessing Rainbow Dash must have gotten bored and wandered off, at some point.” Twilight continued.

At this, Chrysalis took several steps to the side, before raising a hoof to the bridge between her eyes for several moments. Without looking towards Twilight, Chrysalis voiced her own thoughts “Why?”

“Well-” Twilight attempted to speak.

“Why? Why did I think this would be a good idea?” Chrysalis seemingly asked herself, before abruptly lowering her hoof to send a glare towards Twilight “And in what world, did you think it would be a good idea to bring those two?!”

“Wha- I didn't! You're the one that picked Pinkie and Rainbow Dash! And when I tried to say anything, you just ignored me. In fact, you haven't paid attention to single thing I've said this whole trip.” Twilight countered, her own irritation finally getting the better of her as she met Queen Chrysalis' glare with one of her own.

“Those little fools are-” Chrysalis snapped out.

Before the argument could spiral out from there, Blueblood loudly cleared his throat, getting the attention of the Princess and the Changeling. Glancing between the two, before settling his gaze towards Chrysalis “Unless there are any objections, I'll go seek out the Lady Rainbow Dash?”

After a few moments of silence from the two, Blueblood started making his way back the way they had come from. Twilight was pretty sure she heard some muttering about “foalsitting” before the Prince moved beyond sight.

Twilight glanced towards Chrysalis once more, noting that she still seemed a bit annoyed, but more in control than a few moments ago. Twilight took a moment to sigh, as she let some of her own aggravation with this day go, during this somewhat uncomfortable moment.

“You had questions?” Chrysalis abruptly asked, once again appearing controlled and imperious.

“What? Oh...” Twilight responded, blinking in surprise at the sudden question from the changeling, before taking a moment to re-order her thoughts.

“Well?” Chrysalis calmly inquired again.

“Uhm, yes. That is to say, there were some questions I wanted to ask about...everything.” Twilight continued, still a bit thrown by the change in Chrysalis' demeanor.

Chrysalis simply raised an eyebrow, prompting Twilight to continue.

“I-...was wondering about some of your changelings. Like those two guards?” Twilight eventually broached the first question that her mind had decided to settle upon. Gaining a bit of momentum now, seeing that Chrysalis didn't seem to be taking issue with the subject “So, as we were passing through your hive, I was trying to...distinguish between everypo-...changeling. And, while it's a bit challenging, I think I was getting better at telling your changelings apart. But, I also noticed that a few of them appeared very different from the others...I was hoping you could explain that for me?”

“...is that it?” Chrysalis asked, after Twilight finished her own rambling question.

Standing up a bit straighter now, and meeting Chrysalis gaze firmly, Twilight nodded “Yes. That's my question.”

After several moments of apparent thought on Chrysalis' part, she nodded before trying to explain “I suppose that would seem odd to you. Those differences, that you noticed, are a result of a special process. One that I usually perform on the behalf of those changelings that show exceptional ability in their particular fields. Put simply, I made those changes to them so that they could better pursue their duties.”

“A process? How do you go about...changing them, exactly?” Twilight asked.

“The specifics are hard to describe to those that are not changelings, but essentially with large infusions of 'love', above and beyond what a changeling would normally need to consume, certain changes can be prompted to occur.” raising her hoof to her chest as she continued, Chrysalis continued with a touch of pride “Selecting certain exceptional changelings for this process and then executing it, is one of the services I provide my subjects as Queen.”

“I see...so you're saying that under the right conditions a changeling can undergo permanent alterations to their bodies, just like they can create short-term transformations?” Twilight asked, the idea tumbling through her head, as she began to theorize about the mechanisms and implications of such a thing.

“That pretty much sums it up, yes.” Chrysalis agreed.

“Is the process safe?” Twilight asked, as another question came to mind.

“There are...things, that can go wrong in the process. Which is precisely why it usually falls to me to handle it. It takes far less effort for one such as myself to do it, with it being safer for both parties.” Chrysalis answered carefully.

“It usually falls to you? Can it be done by other changelings too? And what exactly could go wrong?” Twilight found more questions arising for every answer she got on this subject.

Chrysalis was growing a bit annoyed by the many questions, concerning what, to Chrysalis, was a fairly run-of-the-mill part of being a changeling. Rolling her eyes to the ceiling, before continuing “The process can be completed by my subjects under their own power, yes. Though, again, without a Queen's reserves of energy or control, some unexpected developments might occur. Now, unless you would like me to draw out some in-depth diagrams, I'd like to get this-”

Whatever Chrysalis was about to say was cut-off as the Changeling Queen and Alicorn Princess were both buffeted by the overpressure caused by a certain high-speed pony flying past the two in the tight tunnels.

After a moment of shaking her thoughts back in to order, Chrysalis snapped out the most pressing question “What was that?!”

Twilight herself was a bit stunned herself, but managed to catch sight of a fading rainbow trail further down the tunnels “Was that...Rainbow Dash?”

“Why-” Chrysalis, nearly ready to cut into a series of very agitated questions on the topic was cut-off, as another slightly slower flyer passed directly over her head, causing her to reflexively duck.

“That was definitely a changeling.” Twilight observed, having gotten a better glimpse of the speeding object, supplying the answer to the next expected question.

Another couple of moments later, a third speeding object came into sight. Though unlike the first two, this one came to an abrupt stop as it came upon the confused royalty, resolving itself into the familiar shape of a changeling. It turned out to be one of the two scout-changelings from before, either Alate or Cryptic.

“Your Grace!” The changeling quickly moved to salute, as she realized just who she was hovering in front of; her disheveled and increasingly agitated Queen.

“Cryptic! By the pit of Tartarus, what is going on?” Chrysalis sharply demanded, causing Cryptic to visibly shrink back, before settling to the tunnel floor.

“...high-speed patrol?” Cryptic hesitantly offered.

The changeling quickly sank to the floor in submission, as Chrysalis furious expression seemed to double in potency right there. Twilight was certain that Chrysalis was about to launch into a tirade, then and there.

She probably would have, were her attention, along with Twilight's and Cryptic not suddenly drawn down the tunnel, as a scraping sound suddenly drew to a halt.

It was one of the guard-changelings from earlier. Lashed to some sort of sled, that was loaded down with all manner of colorful fabrics.

Perhaps operating on some sort of deeply-seated survival instinct, the guard-changeling had frozen at the sight of his Queen.

It took everypony present a couple of moments to process this, which might have created an intriguing scene if any other ponies or changelings had taken that exact moment to wander up.

Fortunately none did.

“What are those?” Chrysalis asked of her guard-changeling, with a surprisingly controlled voice, that left Twilight's hairs standing on end.

After a long pause, on the part of the guard-changeling, he blinked before evenly answering “Assorted colorful fabrics, to be used for party decorations, Your Grace.”

“...Why do you need party decorations?” Chrysalis asked, again in a chillingly calm tone.

“The Pinkie Pie has made a...very compelling case, on why a party might be...necessary.” The guard-changeling supplied, his own calm starting to slip and crack.

“What?” Chrysalis asked sharply.

“There was...some singing.” The guard-changeling slowly admitted.

Chrysalis took in a deep breath, before leaning in closer to her subject “You found the pink one?”

“Yes, Your Grace.” The guard-changeling quickly affirmed.

“You will take me to where you found her. Now.” Chrysalis ordered.

“...The Pinkie Pie is not exactly...where we originally found her.” The guard explained.

“Oh?”

“Yes. You see, Your Grace, around the 2nd chorus of the song some of your very loyal subjects joined in and we couldn't really fit anymore changelings into a single side-tunnel, so obviously...we had to...move...” The guard-changeling's explanation slowly trailed off into silence.

“...It was a very catchy song, Your Grace.”

The Changeling Queen closed her eyes for several seconds, before taking in a deep breath and letting it out. Turning towards Cryptic, who had been all too happy no longer being the focus of her Queen's ire, Chrysalis gestured down the hall that Rainbow Dash and, presumably, Alate had flown down “You are going to locate that pegasus and your sister, and you will bring them to me.”

Cryptic, with a speed that startled Twilight, immediately took to the air, saluted, then darted down the hall even faster than before, without uttering so much as a word.

Turning back towards the guard-changeling “And you are going to lead me to the pink one, as quickly as you can.”

After a short pause on the part of the guard-changeling “...should I bring the decorations?”

“NOOWWW!!!” Chrysalis suddenly roared, giving a fair approximation of the Royal Canterlot Voice.

The terrified guard-changeling quickly took to the air, seemingly oblivious to the heavy sled weighing him down, and began quickly flying back down the tunnel. A moment later Chrysalis took to the air herself and began following her subject.

Leaving Twilight alone in the tunnel.

After a moment's hesitation, Twilight quickly began galloping after the Changeling Queen, suddenly very worried what she might do now “Chrysalis! Wait!”

Of course, Twilight soon ran into a problem with this course. Intentionally or not, the design of the changeling tunnels made it very easy to get lost. Particularly if one did not know where one was going in the first place. And worse yet, she couldn't even hope to listen for the sounds of an enraged Changeling Queen, to find her way, on account of the same sound-dampening quality of the walls that Twilight had found so fascinating earlier.

Within a few minutes, Twilight found herself drawing to a halt, somewhat winded and very lost.

“Well...this is going just great.” Twilight commented to herself, as she took in several deep breaths.

Before the young alicorn could lament her problems any further, or plan any means of solving said problems, a sound grabbed her attention just down the hall.

Casting her gaze forward, her eyes rested upon a pair of wooden double doors set into the side of the tunnel wall. The sound that had gotten her attention, the steady creak of one of those doors inching open.

Deep within the halls of a mysterious and secretive race, lost deep in a dark world that she had little understanding of, a mysterious door was opening of it's own accord just as Twilight neared it.

'Well, that's not ominous at all.' Twilight's thoughts snarked back to the young princess.

Author's Note

Right so, terribly sorry for the delays in posting, to make a long story short a combination of Writer's block and numerous crises have made it very difficult to get any writing done. Thankfully, my thoughts are now clear and my life has settled back into a more comfortable routine once more.

Anyway, I've fit quite a bit more about the changelings and their differences and similarities with ponies into this chapter. As I've mentioned I've put quite a bit of thought into their culture, and how it would impact their reactions, so I welcome any questions about my portrayal of them. Chances are I have answers for most questions that might be posed. Some of it's fairly obvious, other parts are somewhat subtle, but I hope it's all entertaining regardless.

Also, I would like to extend a thanks out to D48, for his help in filling things out on the biological side of changelings. He has a lot of good ideas, and his assistance has save me a lot of work. Unless I directly contradict an idea of his, when it comes to Changeling physiology, you can safely assume that's what's in play. So a round of thanks to him again.

Anyway, based on my projections, this looks like it's going to be a six-chapter story in total. We'll see how well that prediction holds up.

As always, feel free to ask questions or offer criticisms. And again, my apologies for how long it took to get in an update.

Lesson Six: Learn from your Mistakes

Twilight couldn't believe her ears. Whatever she had expected the elderly changeling to say, that wasn't it.

“A-are you being serious?” Twilight asked slowly, still in shock.

“Oh, don't get me wrong, sweet thing. That was hardly my daughter's only mistake.” Manti began easily, as if she hadn't just lamented the fact that her daughter hadn't committed regicide. Smiling, as she rasped out the next part, Manti leaned in closer to the shaken princess “I was rather disappointed when she failed to dispose of this Mi Amore Cadenza she has complained so thoroughly about, when she was done with her. With that bit of prudence on my daughter's part, I dare say we wouldn't be having this conversation now.”

This didn't seem right. Scant moments ago, Twilight was being told embarrassing foalhood stories by Manti, about her daughter. The young princess could have been having a similar conversation with Granny Apple Smith, if one were to disregard the bits about conquest and allowing one's elders to die. The former Queen had seemed...nice, in a way.

“Does what I say unsettle you, my little pony?” Manti asked of Twilight, breaking her from those thoughts. The elderly changeling seemed to enjoy the look on Twilight's face, as she leaned back from the young alicorn “Does it upset you that the thought of my powerful, brilliant daughter sparing the life of that self-righteous, manipulative shrew, causes bile to rise in the back of my throat? That my sincerest regret, is that Princess Celestia still breathes?”

“But-...that's insane! Princess Celestia-” Twilight tried to shout back.

“What? Raises the sun?” Manti asked with condescending amusement “We both know that there are ways around that little issue. Just off of the top of my head...well, we have that little sister of her's now, don't we? And as I understand it, she is simply rife with guilt over that whole “Eternal Night” incident. I doubt it would prove too difficult to twist her to our needs. A bit of shame can work wonders, with the right bit of prodding.”

'Get out. Get out. Get out!'

“Y-you really are a monster!” Twilight shouted back, stomping her hoof, as she was flooded with outrage, at what had just been so casually suggested. Twisting a pony's mind, like it was nothing. Just thinking about it made Twilight ill. It reminded her of Discord. At his worst.

Manti fell silent at this, before slowly rolling her head and lazily turning her blind gaze towards Twilight.

Twilight couldn't comprehend what happened next, as she met the ancient changeling's clouded eyes with her own.

It was as if all thought and feeling was suddenly chased from her mind.

Twilight couldn't move. She couldn't breath.

She couldn't turn her own gaze away from those empty eyes, as much as she wanted to.

“Spare me your outrage.” Manti's words seemed to echo through the room, all traces of earlier warmth and amusement gone now, as she raggedly croaked out these words.

In that moment, time seemed to resume for Twilight.

And suddenly she was afraid.

On some level, Twilight knew that she could move her hooves, that she should be able to act. But the very thought caused every fiber of her being to scream at her not to. It was as if some primal pony-instinct had taken over. And this weak, withered changeling was a horrific predator that had set it's gaze upon her.

It didn't matter that Manti was blind.

It didn't matter that Twilight should have easily been able to escape.

The very thought of moving was fundamentally connected with death, at this moment.

'This isn't right. Move. Move! She can't-'

“How blind do you think I truly am, dear?” Manti quietly asked. For a few terrifying moments, Twilight wondered if the elder changeling was reading her thoughts.

“Did you really think, that I did not see what Celestia was doing?” The changeling continued, even as Twilight railed at her frozen body to move. To do anything. Manti leaned in closer, maintaining eye contact with the young princess “Did you think that I did not see it, as that wretch twisted my daughter to her designs?”

Twilight couldn't have answered even if she had wanted to.

Then Manti moved her hoof.

Twilight screamed, as the fear suddenly surged. In that moment, she had to get away, Twilight had to do anything to gain some distance from this horrible being.

The next thing she remembered was falling to the floor in a tangle of hooves, as she looked on in terror, as Manti steadily climbed from her bed.

Some cold, rational part of Twilight's mind, recognized just how slow and careful the elderly changelings movements were. How weak and exhausting the simple action of getting out of bed had to be for the changeling. Even as Manti stood to her full height before Twilight, the changeling looked as if it would only take a strong wind to blow her away, like dead, dry leaves...

The rest of Twilight's mind told her that the wind wouldn't dare challenge this being.

Twilight could feel herself beginning to hyperventilate, as she watched Manti slowly approaching.

'This isn't right!'

“I never would have thought that my proud, strong, intelligent Chrysalis, could have been so easily touched by Celestia's empty words. That her sense of duty would give way to empathy for our inferiors. That she would place her own kind at the mercy of our food.” Twilight might have felt some fear at Manti's growing fury, if she wasn't already drowning in terror. Manti didn't seem to care though, as she spat out the next part in disgust “...I never would have imagined that she would want what Celestia was...offering.”

'This isn't right! This isn't you! This isn't Twilight!'

Twilight tried marshaling her thoughts, trying to force back this irrational fear with reason and sense. But you couldn't fight something so irrational with the rational. And that's what this fear was. Irrational. Meaningless, and without cause. Nothing tangible had changed. How could you lay fear to rest, if you didn't know where it was coming from in the first place. She shouldn't be afraid.

But she was.

“I suppose, my daughter's misplaced sentimentality might serve her well now.” Manti mused, as she watched Twilight, as one might watch a particularly unsightly insect “This hopeless desire for her to cling to me, that little bit of weakness that she couldn't let go of, will allow her mother to correct her course...”

“... really, I suppose that if I had properly quashed those tendencies when I was raising her, her course wouldn't need correcting, in the first place.” Manti observed “Weakness begets weakness, it seems. And now...you'll be paying the price...”

Twilight had barely heard the changelings words, as she fought a losing battle against this onslaught of fear. That is until Manti took another slow, shaking step towards the prone Twilight.

Twilight screamed again, as she clumsily scrabbled away from the object of her terror.

But she couldn't get away. She'd never get away.

She was trapped, alone, in the dark.

Twilight's own light had faded, allowing the shadows to creep in, surrounding the two of them.

She wasn't going to get away.

She couldn't get away from the darkness.

Never get away.

It was just so dark...

...too dark...

'...it isn't that dark.'

For a split second, Twilight's mind came into blazing focus, as that thought came to her. It seemed like such a meaningless statement at that very moment, but she clung to it like a piece of wood amongst a roiling ocean. It was important. She didn't know why at that moment, but it was.

The fear continued to wash over Twilight, but she didn't fight it. Couldn't fight it. But she could at least figure out why this one thought was so important...

Twilight forced her eyes into focus, even as she gasped for breath on the floor, before fixing her gaze upon Manti.

“...Y-you.” Twilight managed to slip out between breaths.

Manti's cool, contemptuous expression was chipped, ever so slightly, by that one word.

“What?” Manti quietly demanded, surprised that Twilight even still had the faculties to speak.

“I-it's you...M-magic...” Twilight said again.

Twilight could see the subtle shifts in expression on the ancient changeling's face at those words. She could see Manti shift from one hoof to another, as the changeling looked down upon Twilight.

It wasn't that dark.

The glow of Twilight's horn had already gone out. They should have been plunged into absolute darkness the very moment the light from her horn had gone out.

But Twilight could see Manti...

...by the sickly, green light emanating from the changeling's own horn.

Manti glowered down towards Twilight, even as the young princess forced herself to meet the changeling's stare head-on “Very good. Very...clever.”

Even so, Twilight's mind remained in a tumult. Even now she could only barely control her breathing. But this, it gave Twilight something for her to cling to, something that her mind could understand.

“I suppose, I shouldn't be too surprised...” Manti observed, the crackle of her voice still sending shivers down Twilight's spine.

Forcing herself to take a breath, Twilight refused to look away from Manti, confident now that she could fight whatever was being done to her “N-no...you shouldn't be...”

Manti merely tilted her head, considering the mare, before she nodded to herself. She briefly smiled down at Twilight, leaving Twilight a bit unsettled by how genuine it seemed, now knowing the changeling's true nature. A moment later, Manti rose a hoof “What was it I told you, dear? Something about assuring you that there was no need for you to fear me?”

Twilight suddenly felt uncertain, as her eyes locked upon the hole-filled hoof.

“Let us have a look at you...” Manti quietly said.

A moment later, all of the anger, and reason, and strength that Twilight had mustered drained away, as Manti ever so lightly brushed Twilight's cheek.

Twilight screamed again, as she tried to escape the changeling's touch and waves of terror washed over her mind again. It was several seconds later before Twilight stopped screaming, as she stared up in genuine fear of the changeling through tear-filled eyes.

“It's very true that there is no need for you to fear me...” Manti told Twilight easily. Her voice dropped darkly when she intoned her next words “...but, you will fear me all the same.”

The changeling took another step forward, before leaning down to look into Twilight's eyes once more. This alone was enough for Twilight to try to avert her own gaze, to squirm on the ground, as she direly wished that she could sink into the stone floor, or cease to exist outright. Anything to get out from under those eyes.

“Did you really think that it mattered, knowing that it was my magic doing this to you?" Manti asked contemptuously “Did you think that you could simply choose to not be afraid? My magic is not so pathetic.”

Finally pulling away from Twilight, Manti stepped away from Twilight's prone form, before slowly waving a hoof to the side “You may take that as your first, and last, lesson in Changeling Mind Magic, Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight didn't respond, still desperately trying to pull her mind back together.

“It really is a shame, that my Chrysalis did not develop such an interest in the Art. I truly think that she would have enjoyed the-” Manti began.

Twilight's horn flared to life at that moment, it's light easily dwarfing the light cast out by Manti's own magic, as a dome of magenta energy sprang up around Twilight's body.

The elderly changeling was briefly startled, before her senses caught up with what was happening. Manti seemed almost bored with this development “Oh, yes. That's right. You've been trained in the ways of magic. And by Celestia herself...Are you going to try to defend yourself now?”

Twilight didn't spare any words for the changeling, as she forced herself to focus on maintaining her shield. It was a fundamental of magic. Manti had yet to stop channeling her magic, meaning that the spell needed to be maintained by her power. To maintain a spell one needed to supply it with one's own magic. If one cut off a spell from it's source of magic, in this case Manti, it would dissipate. If Twilight could generate a strong enough shield, it would interfere with Manti's own magical energies. With that, whatever spell Manti was casting should fall apart...

“So, is your latest idea working, dear?” Manti asked.

It wasn't.

Twilight could feel the energy coursing down her horn. If her own eyes weren't screwed shut in concentration, she was certain the room would seem as bright as the noonday sun. There was simply no way Manti could be maintaining the spell's energies amidst so much magical energy.

But, it wasn't working.

A moment later, Twilight was gasping, as her magic gave out, plunging the room back into darkness. Her last moment of defiance had faltered, and the fear was creeping back in. Along with the first hints of despair.

“That's what I thought...” Manti said.

“W-why...” Twilight managed to choke out, as she tried to keep her gaze averted from the elderly changeling.

“Why?...I already told you, my dear. A mother can't very well tolerate the corrupting influence of your Princess, upon her own daughter. Her only child. I won't let Celestia take my Chrysalis from me...” Manti explained again. A thought seemed to occur to her a few moments later “Oh...you mean why am I doing this to you. My mistake, dear.”

Twilight couldn't help but look at Manti from the corner of her eye; the way the changeling spoke made it seem as if the fact that she was torturing Twilight mattered not at all to her.

“Well, the answer to that question is not so difficult.” Manti continued easily “Obviously, this little scheme that has been hatched needs to be...oh, what's the expression?...ah! It needed to be smothered in it's crib. Which is, of course, where you come in.”

“You know, Chrysalis tried so very hard to keep it all from me. Foregoing her usual visits and our talks. She tried a bit too hard, really. Made it a bit too easy for me to find out that there was something that she didn't want me to know about.” Manti explained “Try as she might, even my daughter can't keep her own drones from talking. Knowing that, I merely needed to pry a bit of information loose from the lips of the servants she sent to check upon me.”

“I am intrigued by what I hear, I must admit. The return of the Crystal Empire presents opportunities, I grant. Just not the ones that have been slipped into my daughter's sweet little head.” At this, Manti smiled before turning towards Twilight, making the young alicorn flinch away “Just as your...visit presents me with certain opportunities...”

“Somehow, I doubt Celestia will be overly pleased, when I send you, her beloved student, back as a gibbering, weeping wreck.” Manti rasped out with a touch of glee “Then, we will finally accomplish what the Invasion failed to do...destroying this repugnant...relationship that my Chrysalis is so unwilling to end.”

A few moments later, Manti slowly stepped into Twilight's line-of-sight, one shaking step at a time “Just as this relationship, between you and I, must end. And for your sake...I suggest that you just...let go now...”

With that Manti again began to close the distance between the two of them, causing Twilight's mind to tremor in fear in time with each step. Again, Twilight tried to scrabble away, as Manti raised her hoof, knowing the terror that would come with the changeling's touch.

But she was so tired.

Even as Twilight began screaming again, in between choking breaths, she found that she was just so tired.

She really did want to just...let go...

Manti wasn't like any enemy she had ever faced.

'That's not true...'

The ancient changeling was in all ways worse than her own daughter. And if Twilight was being honest with herself, it seemed as if Chrysalis could have been the victor, on the day of the Invasion, but for a happenstance of fate.

Nightmare Moon, for all of her madness, had held onto a touch of Luna's own nobility, and still, in a way, wanted to be loved.

King Sombra, for all of his dark power and his terrible genius, had been an enemy that could actually be fought. How could Twilight fight someone that had turned her own mind against her?

Even Discord had never-

'That's not true...'

Twilight forced herself to open her eyes once more, to stare into the blind, uncaring eyes of her foe.

'...you know the spell, Twilight.'

Twilight's horn glowed.

Her screaming stopped.

Manti looked down upon the exhausted mare, wondering if perhaps the young princess' mind had finally been broken.

The changeling briefly started, as she heard Twilight begin to stir.

Manti could feel the force of Twilight's own gaze upon her, and found herself taking a trembling step back.

Twilight's own voice cracked, as she tried to speak, her throat worn by her earlier screaming, though this brought no comfort to the changeling.

Princess Twilight Sparkle's voice was firm and defiant when she next spoke.

“I've figured out your spell.”

Author's Note

Alright, like I said, I'm kind of in the groove, when it comes to writing these scenes. Kinda gets dark in this chapter, but, yeah, Queen Manti is not...pleasant.

Also, I think I seem to be having an easier time writing slightly shorter chapters than I've been writing up till now. Since it seems to allow me to get more posted, in a shorter amount of time, and with less stress, that's probably going to become the standard for future chapters. In this story and other.

Twilight get's to be a kind awesome next chapter, and things will get back to being a bit more light-hearted.

As always, I welcome questions and criticisms. I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter.

Lesson Seven: Taking Responsibility

The fear, the terror, was gone. A moment later, the darkness followed as Twilight's horn began to emit another steady glow, lighting up the chamber once more.

And there stood Manti, straining to stand on trembling hooves. Gone was the terrible monster that had brought Twilight to tears mere moments ago, and in its place was the thin, frail form of a far too old changeling. Where before, Manti seemed untouchable, unstoppable and completely in control, Twilight could now see the changeling's own confidence draining away.

Twilight had been right.

“You what?” Manti quietly demanded, even as she took another step back from Twilight.

“I said...” Twilight paused long enough for her to get her own hooves under her body again. Manti was visibly startled at the sound of the young princess rising to stand upon her own hooves “...I figured out your spell.”

It was actually amazing how quickly everything Twilight knew about magic started coming back to her, once she had undone what Manti had placed upon her.

There were a great number of different spells in the world, most of which could be fit neatly within certain sets and categories. One of the most prevalent ways of organizing spells was by fitting them into schools, wherein all spells within a particular school were related to a particular goal, like protection or moving things. Or affecting the mind of a target.

But one could also organize spells by the magical structure of the spells themselves. Many spells needed to be maintained with a constant supply of energy from the caster. Others could be maintained with a sort of...reservoir of magic, allowing the caster to place the spell, and have it maintain itself till its energy ran out. Most of the more traditional mind-altering spells, tended to fall into one of these two classifications. And then there was another group of spells that could be described as 'instantaneous'. You cast the spell, it exerts a tangible physical effect upon the world, and then it's done.

This last variety of spell was tricky, in some ways.

You couldn't dispel, using magic to dismantle another spell directly, whatever effects such a spell had caused. If you generated a magical fireball and used it to burn away a piece of paper, you couldn't then just dispel the ashes back into an unblemished piece of paper. The magic had already done its job, and faded away. At best, one would need to cast a second spell to turn ashes into paper, or, if one was prepared, use another spell to protect the piece of paper from the fire, before it was ever burned.

Twilight couldn't dispel the magic that had been placed upon her by Manti, because the magic had already dissipated, leaving behind its 'burn marks' on Twilight. And she couldn't block the spell, because it had already been cast upon her while her guard had been down.

All of that zipped through Twilight's mind over the course of the short silence between Twilight and Chrysalis' mother. It was amazing how much clearer things seemed now.

These thoughts all seemed lost on the old changeling, as it seemed Manti's was busy trying to decide between glowering down at Twilight, or letting her mouth hang open in shock at this development.

Twilight had to smile at the sight, just a bit. Though her amusement quickly faded, as she remembered just what Manti had attempted to do to her.

Twilight narrowed her eyes into a glare, before taking a step towards the bemused changeling “You brainwashed me, didn't you? I'm guessing before I even stepped into your room.”

“...Is that what I did, now?” The changeling snarled out, unable to think of another response.

“Yes. I'm guessing you buried some sort of trigger in my mind, that when set off would cause me to feel nothing but fear for you. That's why you were channeling magic through your horn before. You weren't maintaining the spell, you were making sure that I could still see you. To fuel the compulsion you implanted.” Things seemed so much clearer, it all seemed obvious now that she was beyond Manti's influence “And that's also why I couldn't dispel the fear using magic or block what you were doing. You had already rewritten my mind. You didn't need to sustain that with any more magic once you were done...Now that I think about it, that probably wasn't the only compulsion you implanted, was it?”

Manti didn't respond, though she didn't need to. Every hoofstep into the former Queen's room Twilight had been forced to drive down her own instincts, even as they screamed at her that something was wrong. Considering how often those very instincts had saved lives...

Manti hadn't just created feelings of fear, or created some sort of magical aura, or enchanted Twilight to start screaming and crying on command. The changeling's magic had changed the very way Twilight thought and reacted. Manti's magic had made it so that, in the same way that getting pricked by a needle would cause pain or touching a piece of ice would chill her skin, Twilight would be terrified of the mere sight of the elderly changeling.

“That's it, isn't it? The moment you sensed me outside of your doors, you took your opportunity, luring me in so you could complete your spell.” Twilight asked again, her own anger rising as Manti held her silence.

Twilight stood there for several seconds staring into Manti's pale eyes, almost hoping that the changeling would try to deny any of it.

“...How did you undo my magic?” Manti quietly asked, seemingly disregarding Twilight's accusations.

“Y-you-...you're not even going to deny it?” Twilight asked in aggravation.

“I don't care about your theories or feelings. There's no way some...pony, could undo my work. How was it done?” Manti demanded again, the changeling having reined in her own earlier shock.

Again Twilight found herself at a lack for a response.

For a moment, Twilight thought that, perhaps, Manti simply wanted to know if there was some sort of weakness that Twilight had exploited. So that she might make another attempt. But that idea was ridiculous. Surely Manti didn't think Twilight would be caught unaware a second time, after what had just transpired?

Manti had all but admitted that her goal was to drive apart Chrysalis and Celestia, by attacking Twilight. The elderly changeling had gone on-and-on about how much she hated Princess Celestia, and how much she hated the influence Princess Celestia had over Chrysalis. Chrysalis' mother had tortured Twilight with the ultimate goal of ensuring that no peace could be reached between Ponies and Changelings, with no concern for how self-destructive and insane that course would be...

“You don't care what happens to the changelings...” Twilight quietly accused, as she started to realize the truth of Manti.

None of this was about doing what Manti thought was right. This wasn't about doing what was best for the Changelings. It wasn't even about protecting her daughter, Chrysalis. This was all about control.

Manti was a narcissist.

And she had been throwing it in Twilight's face the whole time they had been talking.

Despite whatever feelings Manti might have had for Chrysalis, the one thing that she had made apparently clear to Twilight is that Chrysalis was her's. In Manti's mind, Chrysalis wasn't just her daughter, she outright belonged to the ancient monarch. Chrysalis was supposed to be Manti's ultimate achievement, the perfect successor, molded to Manti's views of perfection, and embodying her will after death. Chrysalis was going to be the one that overcame every obstacle that Manti could not. But Chrysalis never bowed to that role, choosing to cut her own path, one that eventually intersected with Princess Celestia. And Princess Celestia began to pull Chrysalis even further from Manti's vision, smoothing away the hard edges that Manti had carved into her daughter over the years.

Chrysalis was meant to be Manti's legacy, and Princess Celestia had taken that away from her.

And Manti hated her for it.

All of Manti's claims that Celestia had corrupted and twisted Chrysalis, were less about her daughter being misled and misused, and more like...somepony adding there own touches to a masterfully created painting, and thus ruining it, at least in Manti's mind

It all came together in that light.

There had to be easier ways for Manti to have sabotaged things, if that was truly her goal. She clearly had more influence than Chrysalis was entirely aware of, so arranging for an accident wouldn't have been impossible. And even if she didn't want to entrust her plan to any other, Manti surely could have picked a different way to attack Twilight. Even as weak as she was now, Manti could have put an end to Twilight when she was laying helplessly on the floor. She could have killed Twilight, if that had been her goal. Manti needed to be the one to do it to satisfy her own pride, and she chose how she was going to dispose of Twilight with the goal of satisfying her own hatred for Princess Celestia.

Simply killing Twilight wouldn't have been enough in Manti's view.

In the same way that Princess Celestia had changed who Chrysalis was, Manti wanted to change who Twilight was.

Over a vendetta that, likely, only Manti was truly aware of.

And even now, Manti didn't truly care about any of the possible consequences for her actions, just the fact that Twilight had gotten the better of her. Just as with Chrysalis, Manti hadn't been able to control Twilight.

Though, perhaps ironically, it wasn't entirely Celestia's fault that Manti's attempt to control Twilight had failed.

Discord could take some of the blame for that.

“How dare you? Everything I have ever done has been-...” Manti began to snarl out before a fit of coughing overtook the changeling.

Some small part of Twilight considered trying to assist as the changeling continued to hack and attempt to clear her throat. A larger part of Twilight was less sympathetic to the changeling's woes.

“You really are a monster...” Twilight didn't need to shout it, as this wasn't some outraged insult she was delivering. Just a simple statement of fact.

This seemed to earn Manti's attention again, even as her coughing fit persisted. She seemed to almost force her lungs back into control though force of will, even as her legs gave out, forcing her to lay down on the floor. The changeling sent another baleful gaze towards Twilight as she asked again.

“How?”

Her voice sounded even more ragged than before.

Twilight simply frowned at the changeling for several moments, suddenly very upset with these insights “I used to think Chrysalis was the worst being I had ever met. Even worse than Discord or Sombra. She manipulated my brother, just so she could drain him away. Abducting and imprisoning one of my dearest friends, just to get her out of the way. She turned my friends against me!”

Glaring now at the changeling, whose own blind stare firmly met the young princess' gaze, Twilight had to take a breath to calm herself, before continuing “But after meeting you...I can't help but be amazed at how decent and moral Chrysalis actually turned out to be!”

“I don't need-” Manti started.

“She actually cares about her subjects! Even when Chrysalis was doing terrible things, I can at least believe she thought she was trying to do the right thing for them! And it's becoming more and more obvious that she didn't want to lose what she had with Princess Celstia, but thought she had to!”

Easily one of the most disturbing of things Twilight had learned about Chrysalis, was the true goal of the Canterlot Invasion. Love and power were certainly goals from the beginning, with outright conquest being added to the list as circumstances changed. But the ultimate objective, what Chrysalis had been aiming to accomplish regardless of the success or failure of the rest of the plan, was to betray and shatter the bond between herself and Princess Celestia.

The idea of somepony, even Chrysalis, purposely trying to destroy the trust and friendship that was shared with another, had gone against so much of what Twilight now cherished. Worse yet, Chrysalis' reasoning made a terrible kind of sense, when spelled out. A ruler's first obligation was to their subjects, and what surer means of making sure that one does not give in to temptation, than removing the option of giving in to that temptation.

Chrysalis had been trying to betray Princess Celestia for the sake of making sure that she couldn't betray her changelings.

And now Manti was offering a great deal of...context behind that reasoning. Twilight was starting to wonder how many of Chrysalis' more...deplorable actions during the Invasion had been encouraged by her horrible mother.

“...I think Chrysalis' friendship with Princess Celestia has done more for her than you ever have.” Twilight quietly told Manti.

For a moment, Twilight had thought that she had shocked Manti into silence. She found herself quickly dismissing that as a possibility, when Twilight noticed the changeling slowly shifting her legs to stand. Shaking with both fury and effort, Manti stood up again.

“Friendship? Friendship!?!” Manti's voice cracked, as she screeched at Twilight “Don't call it that! Don't call that friendship!”

Twilight found herself taking a step back in momentary fear; not the mindless terror of before, but the rational fear of a dangerous and unpredictable being. Twilight found herself channeling a shade more power, as she leaned her horn slightly more towards the former queen.

“I know what your precious princess is doing! I know what she wants from my Chrysalis! And I know what's she's done to my daughter!...” A moment later Manti's strength seemed to leave her, as once again, one of her front legs gave out beneath her.

Manti's chest wheezed like a bellows, as the changeling gulped down air raggedly. Manti didn't bother raising her blind eyes towards Twilight again, as she muttered the next words “I raised her. I was there for her like no one else was...made her mine...made her strong...made it so that she wouldn't yield. My daughter wouldn't bow...she's not soft...”

Twilight couldn't help but feel some degree of pity at this sight. Manti didn't even seem to be really talking to Twilight at this point. Eventually Twilight just had to shake her head at this “Just...stop, alright?”

Twilight distantly hoped that, perhaps, Manti had heeded her request. When the elderly changeling loosed a labored chuckle, Twilight couldn't begin to imagine what that meant. The former queen's moods were even more mercurial than Chrysalis'.

The word's that followed however shed some light on the matter.

“...No...she's not soft.” Manti quietly said. A moment later, Manti again forced her body to obey, as she again rose to all four hooves, a weak glow emanating from her horn “...Perhaps...I just need to...show her...”

Twilight's own concern was growing by leaps and bounds, though oddly it wasn't for her own welfare. Twilight was far from an expert on Changeling physiology, but the elderly changeling's body looked as if it would shake apart with the force of exertion it was under. This worry was only reinforced, as Manti forced a hoof forward. The changeling seemed to sway on her hooves for a moment, making it seem as if Manti would passout at any moment.

“S-stop! You're going to hurt yourself at this rate.” Twilight soon pleaded, disturbed by what she was seeing.

Manti tried to loose a cackle at these words, though it quickly devolved into more coughing. As the coughing fit subsided, Manti seemed to sway, almost drunkenly, as she took another step forward, bearing a grin of cracked and broken fangs at Twilight “...Tell me...now...how did you break my magic...dear? I'm so...curious.”

Twilight again found herself slowly backing away from Manti, unsure what to do, as the changeling tried to speak around labored breaths.

“It's over! You're going to kill yourself!” Twilight shouted at the, apparently, insane changeling.

“...And how terrible...that would be...” Manti slowly rasped out.

“It would be! Now stop!” Twilight shouted back.

“...I can...only imagine...” Manti began, before trailing off. Despite her own growing horror with the unfolding situation, Twilight still couldn't stop herself from fixing her ears upon the changeling's voice.

“...what Chrysalis would think...” Manti slowly said.

It took Twilight a moment to process what the elderly changeling was implying, and then it hit her.

Manti was going to drive herself to death, in the hopes of the blame falling on Twilight.

Twilight wasn't the one standing on death's door here. Twilight wasn't sporting any visible injuries, while Manti looked as if she was about to fall apart. And, while unintentional, her being in these chambers probably would qualify as trespassing. If a changeling found Twilight here, standing in front of the dead body of the former queen, it wouldn't be too great a leap for them to come to the conclusion that Manti was hoping for. Twilight would probably come to the same conclusion, in a similar situation.

“Don't do this...” Twilight quietly requested, almost not believing the lengths that Manti would go to sabotage...everything “You don't need to do this! Chrysalis-”

“I'm doing this for Chrysalis!” Manti reaffirmed.

“No! You're not! You're doing this for yourself!” Twilight shouted back.

“Maybe it's...both...” Manti again loosed another chuckle, as she forced herself to take another step towards Twilight “...How?”

Twilight again found herself glaring at the elder changeling, before she shook her head “I don't-”

“Twilight!”

Twilight paused at the muffled sound of her name being called out, her right ear turning towards the sound. It took a moment for Twilight to realize that it wasn't just in her head.

“Twilight! You in there?!”

Manti, as exhausted as she was, found her attention being diverted to the doors leading into her chambers, as well, dragging her blind gaze over Twilight's shoulder.

“...Rainbow Dash?” Twilight quietly asked, no one in particular.

“...Who?” Manti asked.

“Hey! Is this the room or not?!” Rainbow Dash shouted from the other side of the door.

“Yes. Now step away from it!” Chrysalis responded a moment later.

“What?! Fat chance! You said-!” Rainbow Dash called back.

“I know what I said! Now move away from that door, so I can-” Chrysalis argued.

“I'm not going anywhere if Twilight's in trouble! There's no way!”

“If you think I'm letting you go in there-”

“Who said you're letting me go anywhere?!”

“...Hm.” Twilight found herself turning towards Manti, as the former Queen let out a grunt that seemed to convey something between 'Seriously?' and 'How typical...' in regards to the ongoing argument between Rainbow Dash and Chrysalis.

Twilight really didn't like the that she found herself kind of agreeing with Manti.

“Sit down! And let me handle it!” Came Chrysalis' muffled shout back at the pegasus.

“You want to handle it? Fine!” Rainbow Dash countered.

This ongoing argument had really ruined the mood, Twilight thought to herself. Shaking her head, Twilight decided that she needed to try to speak up now to, among other things, stop this argument between Chrysalis and her friend.

“Rainbow Dash! It's me, I'm-” Twilight called out, as she approached the double doors.

“Twilight!? Hold on! I'm coming!” Rainbow Dash called back.

“Wait, Rainbow! I need to-” Twilight began to call back.

The young princess was cutoff as the heavy wooden doors were slammed open, by a powerful buck from her friend.

In retrospect, Twilight conceded that she really shouldn't have been standing so close to the doors, as one of those same doors suddenly smacked into her face, with no small amount of force.

A moment later, a rainbow trailing blur zipped in to the room, before resolving into Rainbow Dash.

“Twi! Twi! Where are you?!” Rainbow Dash began calling out for Twilight, not noticing the purple princess nursing her bruised head, on the floor by the door. Suddenly catching sight of the elderly changeling, now laying down on the floor again, the impulsive pegasus darted in front of Manti “Alright, I'm only asking once! What did you do with Twilight?!”

Twilight was moments away from providing an answer, having started to stand up once more, when the door suddenly banged into her head again, as Chrysalis passed through the doors.

Twilight could stand up to the most evil and powerful entities in the land with dignity and strength. But the moment she was reunited with her friends, Twilight all too often found herself slipping into slapstick routines. There was something very wrong with that...

“Get away from her now!” Chrysalis quickly demanded of Rainbow Dash, as she stomped into the room.

“This was your plan the whole time, wasn't it?!” Rainbow Dash shouted, as she rounded back on Chrysalis “Luring me away so...whoever this is, could do...something to Twi!”

“Are you- I'm the one who led you here in the first place! You wouldn't have known anything was wrong if I hadn't said anything!” Chrysalis countered angrily.

“I- Well-...it doesn't mean you didn't have something to do with it! And I'm gonna figure out what it is! Now where's Twilight?!” Rainbow Dash again demanded.

Though still dazed, Twilight couldn't help but note that Manti seemed rather amused by all of this, even as the elderly changeling was recovering from earlier. At this rate, Manti final plan might have been proven completely unnecessary.

Twilight needed to get things under control.

“Dash, I'm-” Twilight quietly called over.

“Twilight?!” Rainbow Dash immediately broke off her argument with Chrysalis, as she heard Twilight's call.

Rainbow Dash quickly darted over towards the still open doors, before inexplicably, by Twilight's estimation, trying to push the doors open even further. Again slamming a door into Twilight's already abused cranium.

Rainbow Dash quickly pulled the door back, having felt the impact, to reveal Twilight to all those present.

“Twilight! You're alive! What happened? Are you alright?” Rainbow Dash asked, as she picked up the still dazed Twilight.

“...It's getting worse by the moment, Dash.” Twilight sarcastically noted.

“I knew it! What is it? Poison?! Did that freaky changeling poison you!?” Rainbow Dash asked of Twilight, even as she looked over Twilight for any wounds. Suddenly letting Twilight once more drop to the floor, to Twilight's annoyance, Rainbow Dash flew back over to Manti before jabbing a hoof in the elderly changeling's direction “You did something to her didn't you?!”

Manti considered the pegasus for a moment, before smirking a bit “...that I did.”

“I knew it, she-” Rainbow Dash began.

“I already told you-” Chrysalis started, near simultaneously.

“Would everypony just be quiet!?!” Twilight cut both of them off, with a shout.

For the first time since Chrysalis and Rainbow Dash had arrived, they actually seemed to be directing their attention towards Twilight. Silence reigned for a few moments, as they all stared at one another.

The silence was broken by the sound of hooves on stone, as Blueblood appeared at the door. Out of breath, having apparently galloped some distance, Blueblood took a moment to compose himself “My apologies...it seemed like something might be...wrong, when I saw everypony flying this way.”

With her attention finally on the entrance to the room, Twilight was a bit surprised to note that Alate and Cryptic also seemed to watching on anxiously, hovering just past the threshold into the room. Her attention quickly turned back to Blueblood as he finished regaining his composure.

The stallion took a moment to cast his gaze across the room, and finding its various occupants staring at him “...what did I miss?”

Twilight quietly suspected that nopony there knew exactly what they wanted to say, about what the stallion may have missed. Apart from Rainbow Dash.

“...some changeling attacked Twilight!” Rainbow Dash suddenly shouted, while pointing a hoof at the amused Manti.

“What?!” Blueblood asked in shocked, while Twilight quietly entertained the thought of face-hooving at that moment.

“They lured her down here so they could poison her or something! I'm betting it was her plan the whole time!” Rainbow Dash continued, moving her accusing hoof towards Chrysalis now.

“I already told you! I'm the one who led you here!” Chrysalis again reminded the pegasus.

“Twilight, are you alright? Are you injured at all.” Blueblood asked, as he moved over to assist Twilight. Twilight found herself briefly hesitating before accepting the stallion's helping hoof, and standing back up “I'm...fine, I think.”

With that, Blueblood also angrily rounded on Chrysalis “I demand an explanation for this!”

Chrysalis, already aggravated with Rainbow Dash through this whole matter, seemed unable to respond, stymied by her own frustration and total lack of actual answers.

“Yeah! And that one even admitted that she did something to Twilight!” Rainbow Dash added 'helpfully'.

“Is this true?!” Blueblood demanded, now growing a bit angrier.

“Nothing happened, alright!” Twilight suddenly shouted over everypony present.

“...seriously? Twi, you look like you just got smacked around by a bear.” Rainbow Dash pointed out. Which was not unfair, as Twilight still looked quite disheveled as a result of her experiences, with her coat matted with sweat and her mane sticking out in all directions.

“I-...that would be my fault.” Twilight said.

“What?” Rainbow Dash and Manti asked at the same time, while everyone else simply settled for looking over towards Twilight.

“I said it's my fault, Dash.” Twilight reiterated with more certainty.

“Perhaps...you should explain what happened here, Twilight.” Blueblood suggested.

“I will.” Twilight agreed, as she glanced towards Manti. Swallowing, Twilight started “So, uhm...I kind of got a bit lost earlier.”

When nopony or changeling tried to interrupt her, for once, Twilight took another breath before continuing “Anyway, I didn't really want to wander around and risk getting even more lost than I already was, so I decided to try to find somepony that could give me some directions, instead. That's when I ran into Chrysalis' mother.”

“Hold it, hold it, hold it for a sec!” Rainbow Dash said, holding her hooves up to signal for Twilight to pause for a moment. A moment later, Rainbow Dash pointed a hoof towards Chrysalis “...she has a mom?”

Nearly everyone present sent looks of annoyance and exasperation the pegasus' way. Picking up on the ire being sent her way, Rainbow Dash held up her hooves defensively “What? That's news to me. How was I supposed to know she had a mom, like some kind of regular pony?”

Twilight simply shook her head at her friend's antics, before trying to re-focus on what she was saying.

Twilight had to make a conscious effort to avoid sending any pointed looks Manti's way, as she continued. Twilight had no idea how much Manti would say in front of Chrysalis, or how much Chrysalis might believe. Though, going by Manti's continuing silence, it wasn't much “After I introduced myself, we chatted for a bit, when she...suggested I stay here for a while.”

“That's it?” Rainbow Dash asked doubtfully. Both Blueblood and Chrysalis also looked rather skeptical, as Twilight nodded.

“Then why do you look like you just lost a fight with a manticore?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Indeed.” Blueblood agreed.

“That-...well, while I was waiting here with Chrysalis' mother, we discussed a few things. Didn't we?” Twilight asked of Manti, to which the elderly changeling didn't respond.

“...eventually, the topic of Changeling magic came up, and...she offered to give me a lesson on the subject.” Twilight continued.

“...What kind of lesson?” Chrysalis quietly asked, her gaze trailing over her mother.

“Just a quick demonstration, that's all.” Twilight said calmly “I suppose, I shouldn't have been so eager to experience a new kind of magic without first making sure it was safe. That was my mistake, as I happened to react a bit poorly to the magic involved...That's all.”

“...I see.” Blueblood said, as Twilight finished her explanation of what happened. Rainbow Dash still looked skeptical, and looked ready to say as much, but Prince Blueblood beat her to the punch “Well, then. I suppose, that's a perfectly reasonable explanation for everything. Just a bit of misfortune and somewhat incautious fascination with magic. Quite reckless on Twilight's part, wouldn't you agree, Lady Rainbow Dash?”

“Uh...yeah. I guess so...” Rainbow Dash hesitantly agreed.

“Yes, just a simple misunderstanding, rather than any sort of foulplay on Queen Chrysalis' part.” Blueblood calmly reiterated, causing Rainbow Dash to glance a bit sheepishly in the Changeling Queen's direction.

“Indeed. A very...satisfactory explanation.” Chrysalis agreed.

“You don't seriously-” Manti began.

“As Princess Twilight Sparkle said, nothing worse than a bit of inadvertent trespassing and some incautiously applied magic has occurred here. And unless somechangeling would like to contradict the events, as she has described them, we should move on.” Chrysalis firmly stated “Despite appearances, no one was attacked here today. Though, I dare say you have overexerted yourself, mother.”

“What?” Manti asked.

“You are clearly exhausted by today's events. This was a bit too much excitement, I think, for someone in your condition, mother.” Chrysalis suggested easily.

“I am not-” Manti began again.

“Will everyone else please wait outside, while I help her back to her bed?” Chrysalis calmly requested of everyone else present.

“...Still can't believe that Chrysalis has a mom.” Rainbow Dash muttered before flying towards the still open doors.

Blueblood simply nodded before making his own way from the chambers.

Twilight found herself lingering behind a bit, watching as Chrysalis guided the ancient changeling back to her bed. The whole time Manti glared hot daggers towards Twilight.

Chrysalis rejoined everypony and changeling a few minutes later.

“My apologies. My mother can be quite...stubborn, at times. It took some time getting her to take her rest.” Chrysalis calmly explained, as she closed the doors behind her.

“Well, I'm just glad that we have everything settled now.” Blueblood said.

“Not quite. I still need to speak with Princess Twilight for a moment, in private.” Chrysalis said, as she stepped down further down the tunnel, evidently expecting Twilight to follow.

“What do you need to speak with me about?” Twilight asked, hesitant to follow the changeling.

“You've been the subject of Mind Magic. I should check for any lingering issues.” Chrysalis explained.

“And you can't do that here?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“...No.” Chrysalis said, before turning towards Alate and Cryptic “Keep an eye on them, while we talk.”

Both changelings quickly saluted, both apparently in no hurry to anger their Queen again.

Twilight looked over towards Blueblood, who seemed to be maintaining a carefully neutral expression, before turning her attention onto Rainbow Dash. The pegasus seemed a bit annoyed by Chrysalis' terse response, but otherwise fine. Sparing a smile for her friend “I'll be right back, Dash.”

“Yeah...just be careful. Alright?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I will be, Dash.” Twilight reassured her friend, before cantering after Chrysalis.

A few moments later, Twilight drew up alongside the Queen of the Changelings “What did you want to talk with me about?”

“As I said, you should be checked for any remaining issues after being assaulted with Mind Magic.” Chrysalis told Twilight matter-of-factly.

“I-I never said-” Twilight began.

“You don't seriously think that I believed that story, do you?” Chrysalis asked. Twilight found herself frowning a bit in response, as Chrysalis continued “Honestly, the only one fool enough to believe it, was that loud-mouthed pegas-”

“I'd appreciate it if you'd stop insulting my friends.” Twilight suddenly snapped, surprising both Chrysalis and herself. Her emotions must still running a bit high after everything, Twilight thought to herself “Th-that is to say, that-”

“Very well, I suppose that's fair.” Chrysalis stopped Twilight before she could begin to backtrack on her words “...you would agree that your little story, was purely for...Rainbow Dash's benefit, correct?”

Twilight didn't really know how to respond to that. She didn't really think that asking, would have been enough to convince Chrysalis to spare her friends of the changeling's harsh words “I...guess so.”

Chrysalis nodded at Twilight's agreement before continuing “I doubt there was any need for you to try to cover for my mother.”

“I-...it's not that.” Twilight confessed, before meeting Chrysalis' gaze “She was...trying to sabotage everything. I didn't want to give her a...second opportunity.”

“I see...” Chrysalis let that hang in the air for a few moments, before she set her horn aglow, startling Twilight a bit and causing the princess to take a cautious step back. Chrysalis reined in a small amount of annoyance at this “I need to check for any lingering damage.”

Twilight remained a bit anxious, the memories of the last time a changeling had mucked around in her mind still very fresh. It took her a moment to compose herself, before she looked back up towards Chrysalis. After a few moments, Twilight nodded for Chrysalis to continue.

Just as before, Twilight found that she couldn't feel a thing, as Chrysalis' magic settled over her. Even as she tried to remain aware of any errant thoughts that might suggest that something was wrong, everything felt...normal.

Twilight was broken from her thoughts, as Chrysalis let out her own hum, before asking “How did you undo what she did to you?”

“I'm sorry?” Twilight asked, not having been paying perfect attention to Chrysalis' words.

“I can sense the last lingering traces of her spell. It's something of a signature of my mother's, a spell whose effects are very difficult to undo. I find myself doubting that Celestia covered this sort of thing.” Chrysalis clarified.

“Oh...” Twilight had almost forgotten just how she had overcome Manti's magic in all the confusion. Twilight glanced up towards Chrysalis once more, before clearing her throat “Uhm, you remember when Discord first broke out of his prison?”

“Discord...Yes, I recall that.” Chrysalis quietly said, spitting out the name 'Discord' with no small amount of venom. Twilight suspected the Changeling Queen didn't have any fonder memories of the dracoequus, than Twilight did.

“When Discord first broke out, my friends and I set out to try and stop him...he tricked us. Got us separated and...” Twilight trailed off for a moment. As terrible as that whole experience had been, Discord had never brainwashed Twilight directly. She hadn't been forced to experience that till just now.

“...he brainwashed my friends, in a similar manner, to keep us from using the Elements of Harmony. I had to find a way to undo what he did in order to stop him.” Twilight finished.

“Mm. You still shouldn't have been able to realize that you had been brainwashed however. That is kind of the point of such magics.” Chrysalis pointed out neutrally.

“Right...I ended up studying up on the subject afterwards, to try to find a...counter to those kinds of spells.” That wasn't exactly the truth, Twilight knew. What she had studied was the 'Reformation Spell', which was essentially another kind of brainwashing...

Twilight decided that she needed to shelve this particular moral quandary for some other time.

At least, Chrysalis seemed satisfied with Twilight's explanation “I suppose that's fortunate then...whatever spell you used, it seems to have overridden the programming she used on you.”

Twilight glanced towards Chrysalis, remembering something that Manti had mentioned “Are you...very good at this Mind Magic? Your mother suggested you weren't as...enthusiastic, as she was about it.”

Chrysalis spared a glance towards Twilight, before finishing whatever spell she was using to check upon Twilight's mind “A lack of...enthusiasm, does not mean I lack the skill. That often seems lost on her...”

“...Why is she still around?” Twilight asked suddenly.

“What?” Chrysalis asked, obviously surprised by the question.

Suddenly realizing just how...wrong a question that was to ask of someone, Twilight quickly turned away from Chrysalis “I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-”

“Because I care for her, and because she doesn't want to die.”

Twilight hadn't expected an answer. She found herself staring at Queen of the Changelings, with Chrysalis staring back. Again Twilight was reminded of the things Manti said, and found that she couldn't really hold Chrysalis' gaze.

“...she said that she wanted to die.” Twilight confessed to Chrysalis.

Chrysalis seemed to consider Twilight for a few moments, surprisingly calm “...my mother has told me, on more than one occasion, that she cherishes every moment of life that I give her...She's also told me that she'll cherish them all the more when I kill her.”

Twilight didn't have any response, and could only stare at Chrysalis.

“She doesn't want to die...she wants me to choose to let her die.” Chrysalis coolly explained “Now...have I satisfied your curiosity?”

Twilight found it hard to look back towards Chrysalis, suddenly a bit ashamed by how much she had pried into Chrysalis' personal issues.

“Did she...is Manti the one that came up with the Invasion?” Twilight asked, now unwilling to leave anything unanswered.

“...What did she say?” Chrysalis asked, her voice hardening now.

“Nothing exactly...but she-” Twilight began.

“Good.” Chrysalis quickly cut-off Twilight, before leaning in imposingly “And let me make something abundantly clear to you, Princess Twilight Sparkle. Whatever my mother may or may not have said, she is not the one that made that decision. It was mine.”

“But-” Twilight tried to interrupt.

“It was mine when I abducted Cadenza, and imprisoned her. It was my decision when I drained your beloved brother of his power. And especially when I turned your friends against you, it was my decision. I enjoyed defeating Celestia, and having her at my mercy. I hadn't felt that powerful and alive and certain, in centuries. Do. You. Understand?” Chrysalis asked, after having explained things in no uncertain terms.

Twilight again had no words. She couldn't understand it...

“...they were my mistakes.” Chrysalis finally said “And now, I'm trying to fix them...We should rejoin your friends. We still need to finish your little tour.”

“What?!” Twilight swore that if it was possible, she would have some form of emotional whiplash by now.

“We should have enough time, for one last stop.” Chrysalis told Twilight, without looking back.

“After all that? What could be so important, that you still have to show me?!” Twilight asked, still flabbergasted.

“The Library.” Chrysalis easily replied.

“...Oh.”

“Indeed.”

Twilight was getting very confused.

Author's Note

Big chapter now. Probably only going to be one more moderately sized chapter in this story, to wrap things up, and perhaps take a quick look at what's been going on back in Canterlot.

As always, all questions and criticisms are welcome. And I hope everyone enjoys this latest chapter.

Lesson Eight: Prioritize

Twilight wasn't really sure what to think.

On the one hoof, she had just been psychically assaulted by her former enemy's own mother, whilst on a mission of peace. And she was now realizing that the aforementioned enemy, an individual for whom until recently Twilight utterly despised, might be dealing with some very serious emotions right now. All while Twilight was trying very hard to bring about peace between two competing species, while two of her dearest friends seemed to be making every effort to keep that from happening.

One of whom was currently missing.

And on the other hoof...library.

To be fair, it was likely a library that no living pony had ever set hoof into and served as a home to the written texts of a race which, until recently, nopony even knew existed. A collection of writings that could do more to illuminate the mysteries surrounding the changeling race in a single afternoon, than could be done in a month of wandering about the hive. If it met even a portion of Twilight's expectations, this library could answer every lingering question she had carried with her on this adventure. It could give her that last push she needed, to not only know that peace could be had between ponies and changelings, but that it was the right thing to make happen.

However, as some ponies that weren't Twilight Sparkle would say...it was just a library. And her brainpower might be better spent on other more important issues.

Like her missing friend.

Glancing towards Chrysalis once more, Twilight's thoughts went back to the...uncomfortable conversation they had, mere minutes ago. In retrospect, Twilight might have pried a bit more than was appropriate, into Chrysalis' personal affairs.

Ok. Way more than a bit.

Even after the years she had spent learning about building ties with others, Twilight still found that she could run at the mouth or say the wrong thing.

As the current awkward silence stood as a testament to.

But extreme discomfort was no excuse to not ask after Pinkie Pie's welfare...

“Why is everyone being so quiet?” Rainbow Dash blurted out, just as Twilight was preparing to inquire after their missing friend. All things considered, it was actually kind of amazing that, in a group that included Rainbow Dash, things had been able to get quiet enough for there to even be an awkward silence.

Everypony and changeling drew to a halt, before turning their collective attention towards the colorful pegasus.

“What?” Chrysalis asked with a tilt of her head.

“Well...everypony's acting like somepony just died. It's creepin' me out.” Rainbow Dash explained, a touch defensively.

Chrysalis, apparently unsure how to respond to Rainbow Dash's question, simply stared at the pegasus for a few moments. Growing impatient, Rainbow Dash made a gesture with her hoof, that suggested she was saying “Well?”

Chrysalis simply raised an eyebrow, before turning towards Twilight, evidently now expecting some input from the pony princess. Rainbow Dash's own gaze quickly traveled over to Twilight, placing even more pressure on the young alicorn.

Her mind, taken up with other concerns, was not in a state conducive to trying to field that kind of question. And she couldn't exactly tell her friend the truth, that everyone was being quiet as a result of a psychic attack on Twilight, perpetrated by Chrysalis' own mother. On the other hoof, even though she didn't exactly expect the headstrong pegasus' reaction to that news to be productive, Twilight was kind of regretting lying about it all in the first place.

The fact that Chrysalis, and probably Blueblood as well, had seen right through her cover story actually seemed to make the whole situation seem even more underhoofed. Like they were working together to purposely exclude her friend.

Realizing that these thoughts had distracted her from finding any sort of response to Rainbow Dash's question, and that she had been standing there silently for several seconds now, Twilight decided to follow Chrysalis' lead.

“Uhmmm...” She turned towards Blueblood, evidently passing the question on to the stallion.

Unfortunately, the moment Rainbow Dash's confused and exasperated gaze turned towards the unicorn, Blueblood abruptly shook his head, before pointing a hoof towards the two changeling twins, Alate and Cryptic.

Twilight wasn't exactly sure why the duo was still following the group, but they had indeed been quietly flying behind Chrysalis the whole time. She suspected there was some sort of changeling protocol being observed there.

And unfortunately, the two changelings didn't seem to understand what exactly was going on. After quickly glancing towards one another, they both turned back towards Rainbow Dash before simultaneously pointing their own hooves towards the pegasus.

“Seriously?” Rainbow Dash asked, exasperated with the run-around that she seemed to be receiving over a simple question.

Alate and Cryptic, recognizing that they hadn't exactly provided the desired response for the pegasus, glanced back towards one another, before turning their shared gaze back towards Chrysalis questioningly.

“Oh, come on!” Rainbow Dash, shouted as the silent conversation came about full-circle back to the Changeling Queen.

Rolling her own eyes, Chrysalis quickly concluded that no progress was being made like this.

“Fine. I can't speak for everyone, but I can tell you why I haven't spoken, if you want.” Chrysalis irritably offered.

“Well, that'd be a nice start.” Rainbow Dash responded, with equal irritability.

“Very well. I...have nothing I want to say.” Chrysalis answered.

“...That's it?” Rainbow Dash asked, not expecting the simple answer.

“Yes.” Chrysalis answered tersely.

“Well, why didn't you just say so?” Rainbow Dash asked, evidently accepting the answer at face value.

After a brief pause, Chrysalis again moved her gaze back towards Twilight, though this time Twilight suspected she was just doing it this time to mess with her friend a bit.

“Alright, alright! Forget I asked.” Rainbow Dash said with a wave of her hooves. The slight quirking at the corner of Chrysalis' mouth at the Dash's reaction seemed to support Twilight's theory.

Sensing an opportunity to bring up a rather important topic, Twilight stepped forward before raising a hoof to get Chrysalis' attention “Uhm, actually, I was hoping to ask about Pinkie Pie.”

“Hey, yeah!” Rainbow Dash quickly seconded.

Chrysalis spared a momentary glance towards the pegasus, before focusing back on Twilight. After a few seconds of staring at Twilight expectantly, Chrysalis followed up “...and?”

“And?” Twilight responded with a blink.

“What did you hope to ask about...Pinkie Pie?” Chrysalis clarified.

Twilight briefly frowned at Chrysalis' overly literal interpretation of her question, before sighing. Twilight realized that recent events had done nothing to diminish the changeling's desire to needle her whenever possible “Alright...What is happening with Pinkie Pie right now? Is she alright?”

“Or have you gone ahead and thrown her into some cell?” Rainbow Dash interjected.

Chrysalis considered the two for a moment, three if one took into account Blueblood, before focusing on Twilight “As far as I know...she's fine.”

“Fine? How do you mean?” Twilight asked, in a fairly neutral manner.

“I mean, that last I heard, she had convinced a number of my subjects to assist her in preparing a party. Of which I did not, and still do not approve of...At all.” Chrysalis answered evenly.

“The last you-...I thought you were going to...check on her though?” Twilight asked again.

“Yeah, I bet-” Rainbow Dash seemed ready to jump into the conversation once more, but managed to stifle herself at a strong look from Twilight.

Briefly raising an eyebrow at the interaction between the two, Chrysalis apparently decided not to comment upon it “I was...until I realized that I had left you...unattended to, in my haste. Worried about what trouble you might get into on your own, I turned back to find you.”

“...Oh.” Was Twilight's only reply to that explanation.

Glancing towards Rainbow Dash now, Chrysalis continued “And as it happened, I came across your friend here, arguing with one of my subjects about who was the superior flyer.”

While Alate shrunk down behind Cryptic in shame at the recounting of the events, knowing that her Queen was likely still rather...aggravated, Rainbow Dash seemed rather unrepentant about the whole thing.

“Fortunately, it seemed that...Rainbow Dash and my subject were shaken from their little discussion, by my passing, and wisely elected to follow me...Rather than wander off. Again.” Chrysalis finished

Rainbow Dash, rather than arguing any particular point, seemed to be considering something at the moment. Presumably, it was in regards to what had transpired earlier.

“Well, then. It seems there's little need to worry about the Lady Pinkie Pie, I suppose.” Prince Blueblood interjected at this point “By all accounts, she should be fine, correct?”

“...More than fine.” Chrysalis supplied sardonically “Now, shall we be on our way?”

“I guess...but, just what exactly do you mean by 'fine' though?” Rainbow Dash hesitantly began to agree.

“Coercing my subjects into aiding in her in the preparation of an unwanted celebration, through the power of song.” Chrysalis answered, not missing a beat.

“Oh...well, that's cool then.” Rainbow Dash decided.

“Is it?” Chrysalis asked pointedly, before turning about and continuing down the tunnel, having evidently decided it was time to move on.

“Tch...she's acting kind of moody.” Rainbow Dash observed.

Twilight was tempted to chastise her friend, before she admitted to herself that Chrysalis was acting kind of moody. In the course of a short conversation, the Changeling Queen had gone from uncertain, to teasing, to aggravated, before seeming to settle on disdain.

Though, given Twilight's recent encounter with Manti, her subsequent, and unintentional, prying into Chrysalis' private affairs, and just the general stress the Changeling Queen must have been feeling before all of that, she supposed Chrysalis' moodiness was understandable.

Noticing that Chrysalis didn't seem to be slowing down her pace for anypony, Twilight soon cantered after her, without comment.

Rainbow Dash found herself furrowing her brow a bit, at her friend's own contemplative mood. Everyone was acting kind of weird. Weird for them, as this was already kind of a weird group.

Rainbow Dash was pretty sure something was going on.

Prince Blueblood, like Twilight, followed without any further comment. The stallion set a quicker pace, to draw alongside the purple alicorn, leaving the pegasus with the twins once more.

Humming to herself, Rainbow Dash cast a glance towards the two hovering changelings, prompting Alate and Cryptic to glance towards one another. A moment later, they both shrugged before turning back towards Rainbow Dash and leveling their hooves in the pegasus' direction once again.

Rainbow Dash resisted the urge to roll her eyes, at the sight “So, I guess you guys don't really know what's going on around here either, huh?”

The twins lowered their hooves once more, both considering the question briefly “We...know that we're in trouble. And our Queen is upset. And...”

“...And?” Rainbow Dash prompted, as the twin trailed off.

The twins took a moment to share in another of their wordless conversations with one another, before Cryptic spoke up “We're not really sure what's going on either.”

They probably could have guessed at more of what was going on that Rainbow Dash, but they weren't sure if it was a good idea to volunteer anything at this point.

“Hm...what is up with everypony?” Rainbow Dash seemed to ask no one in particular, as she began to trail after the rest of the group, alongside the hovering twins.

Alate and Cryptic simply shrugged. Though they quickly noticed that Rainbow Dash also seemed to be wrapped up in her own thoughts, prompting the two to turn towards one another in consideration. A few moments later they shared a nod before focusing back upon Rainbow Dash.

After a few moments hesitation, Cryptic waved Alate forward, encouraging her to gather the pegasus' attention “That was a...pretty cool bit of flying though. You know? Earlier.”

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash cleverly responded, blinking as she was shaken from her thoughts.

Seeing her twin hesitate, Cryptic took point “You flew quite well, is what I think she is trying to say.”

“Uhm, ok...Thanks, I guess, but-” Rainbow Dash began.

“She did alright, but she's lucky I wasn't trying that hard.” Alate suddenly interjected, with a surprisingly accurate display of Rainbow Dash's own brand of bravado.

“What?! You're kidding me, right? The only thing you had going for you was the homefield advantage. I was leaving you guys in the dust.” Rainbow Dash confidently countered.

Soon, the two changelings managed to drag into a debate over flying ability and technique, distracting the pegasus from whatever suspicions Dash may have been entertaining.

Prince Blueblood seemed to be eying her.

Twilight suspected she knew why the royal unicorn had his attention upon Twilight, though she hadn't given voice to these suspicions yet.

It was kind of obvious, that he had seen through her...lie from earlier.

Again, she found herself thinking that it had been a rather pointless endeavor, trying to cover-up Manti's actions, for the sake of the diplomatic mission. Everypony seemed to see right through Twilight, with even Rainbow Dash seeming to catch on that things hadn't gone exactly as she had described.

Twilight glanced over towards Chrysalis, to their fore. She wouldn't be much help right now, Twilight suspected. The Changeling Queen seemed rather intent upon her own thoughts. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash seemed to have fallen to the back of the group, and seemed to be chatting up the twins once more.

Glancing towards Blueblood, she tried to give an easy smile, though she felt it come off as more than a bit forced “So...this has been-”

“I'm not really one for smalltalk, Princess Twilight. At least, not usually.” Blueblood interjected abruptly, still eying the young princess intently.

“Oh. Well, what would you like to...” Twilight began, before giving up on attempting to divert Blueblood any further, from the topic that she knew he wished to speak of.

Seeing Rainbow Dash wrapped up in her own discussion with the twins, and knowing that Chrysalis was basically privy to everything anyway, Twilight found herself taking a quick breath. There weren't really any excuses for her not to admit to the truth, that Blueblood already seemed to have guessed at.

“Well, the truth is-” Twilight began in a low voice.

“We're here.” Chrysalis suddenly called back, interrupting Twilight's attempt at a confession.

Fortunately, Blueblood seemed to be willing to put this discussion on hold for the moment, as he cantered ahead, leading Twilight to do the same.

Again, Twilight found herself before a set of double-doors, albeit a much plainer set of doors, bereft of the carvings and woodwork she had seen upon the doors leading to Manti's chambers.

In spite of Twilight's own anxiety, she had to admit to feeling a small swelling of excitement, at the sight of this last barrier to the changeling's library.

Part of her mind reminded herself, that she still had to settle a lot of issues between most of the members of their party...but, it would also be rude not to give proper attention to what Chrysalis planned on showing her.

“Where exactly is 'here'?” Rainbow Dash chimed in from the back of the group, hovering between the two twins.

Chrysalis glanced towards the pegasus “Oh...good. You haven't wandered off again. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Yeah, yeah, just tell me where you've been dragging us already.” Rainbow Dash said, as she waved off Chrysalis' remark, earning some mildly irritated looks from the twins at her flippant manner with their Queen.

“It's the library, Dash.” Twilight supplied, before either Chrysalis or Rainbow Dash could aggravate one another any further.

“Correct.” Chrysalis confirmed.

“Oh...Huh.” Rainbow Dash said to herself, glancing towards Twilight, before turning back towards Chrysalis “Not exactly the most original way to lead Twilight around.”

Rolling her eyes, at her friends comments, Twilight sighed as her perfectly normal fondness for books was thrown in her face once again “Dash, she isn't leading me around anywhere, we're just-”

“Technically, I have been leading you around.” Chrysalis pointed out.

“I-well, yes, technically. But-” Twilight began.

“So what's your next evil plan? Are you going to wave a book in front of her nose, or something? Lead her into some sort of overly elaborate trap?” Rainbow Dash asked Chrysalis.

“...Perhaps.” Chrysalis said, without a hint of irony.

Sparing an annoyed look for the two of them, Twilight had to resist the urge to say something unkind. One moment, Chrysalis and Rainbow Dash were spending their time sniping at one another, then ignoring one another, then they were making fun of Twilight. Again.

“Could we perhaps focus on wrapping up our little tour?” Blueblood interjected, in a mildly condescending manner “I understand that we are on a timetable. And, frankly, there are things I would like to see to.”

Again, Twilight was fairly sure as to just what Blueblood wanted to see to. Library or not, he probably wanted to discuss certain recent happenings with the young princess.

“As you wish.” Chrysalis agreed easily enough, before turning towards Twilight “I imagine you'll wish to take a moment to brace yourself.”

“Brace myself? Why?” Twilight asked.

“Uhm, for the big pile of books your gonna get all excited and weird about?” Rainbow Dash cheekily supplied.

Twilight was about to respond to that entirely uncalled for remark from her supposed friend, when Chrysalis pushed open the doors, without warning.

Twilight would deny claims that she nearly got whiplash, after turning her head so quickly from her friend towards the prospect of big piles of books. Even if she found herself rubbing some kinks out of her neck for the next couple of hours, it wouldn't do to validate her friend's teasing jabs about her love of reading.

Twilight would never hear the end of it, if she did.

Twilight had been undeniably looking forward to this, and with the knowledge that her friends were alright, she didn't feel particularly bad about that. Her other worries could wait for a few minutes as she got her first glimpse of the literary works of the changelings.

It wasn't a particularly impressive sight.

The room seemed to be somewhat smaller than the main floor of the Golden Oaks Library, with much of the space taken up by long, low tables, the tables cluttered with scrolls, vellum and writing utensils. Amongst the tables was a scattering of changelings moving to and fro carrying scrolls, others focusing upon the contents of the table, and still others writing onto blank scrolls and books. The scritch-scratching of quills, the buzz of changeling wings, and the clopping of changeling hooves all drew to a pause as the party entered the chamber, as the changelings turned their gaze to the doors.

All in all, this room looked more like an office than a library.

Along the walls were various cubbies etched into the wall, with many of them holding a few scrolls or sheaves of paper, with some sections of the wall playing home to maps and charts that Twilight couldn't immediately decipher. On the farwall there seemed to be another set of double-doors leading from the room. There were some books scattered here and there, to be sure, but far fewer than Twilight honestly expected. One changeling seemed to be manipulating an abacus in the glow of it's magic...

There were a couple of bookcases shoved up against one wall, haphazardly filled with books and scrolls...though hardly enough to qualify as even an individual's private library.

Perhaps the changeling definition of a library was a bit...different from that of mainstream pony society...

“It's...” Twilight awkwardly began, unable to really come up with the right thing to say. The changelings seemed even less certain of the situation, with most of those present unabashedly staring at the ponies, apart from a couple that had failed to even glance up from whatever it was they were perusing.

“Uhm, are you sure this is a library?” Rainbow Dash asked as she slipped into the room, glancing around “I mean, I've probably got more books than this just lying around my house.”

“That's-...I mean, Dash, you can't really...maybe they...” Twilight began haltingly, looking for something to say about the relatively small chamber's contents.

“This isn't the library.” Chrysalis said.

“You've got that right.” Rainbow Dash agreed, earning a mildly annoyed glanced from the Changeling Queen.

“What? If this isn't the library, what is it?” Twilight asked, supplying the most obvious of question.

Chrysalis slowly panned her gaze across the room, and more specifically it's changeling workers, before turning back towards Twilight.

“Record-Keeping.”

“Record-Keeping?” Twilight repeated back, surprised by the answer.

Chrysalis gave Twilight a look that suggested that she wasn't particularly inclined to repeat herself, before again sparing a glance towards the staring workers. Taking the hint, most of the changelings went back to their work, only sneaking the occasional glance now towards the ponies.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, before she began a canter across the chamber “There happens to be quite a bit of information that a swarm this size needs to keep track of, obviously. So we record it, and keep it hereabouts. I shouldn't think the idea to be too alien for a pony to grasp.”

Frowning a bit, at the obvious jab, Twilight found herself cantering after Chrysalis, with the rest of their party quickly following.

"Alright. Well, if this is Record-Keeping, then where is the library then?” Twilight asked, as the party joined Chrysalis by the second set of double-doors.

Chrysalis simply pushed the doors open with a single motion of her hole-filled hoof.

This was a somewhat more impressive sight.

One could tell this, by the way Twilight Sparkle's mouth dropped a bit...and the way her wings suddenly sprang open.

“Pbsts! Really? That's nice, Twi!” Rainbow Dash complained, as one of those very wings smacked her in the face. Spitting out a couple of purple feathers, and shoving the offending appendage away, Rainbow Dash continued to gripe “That's really uncool you know?!...And you haven't been preening, like I showed you, have you?!”

“Yeah...” Twilight absently replied, as she stared at the shelves and shelves of books. The chamber was far larger than the one they had just passed through, with several levels, and countless shelves stocked with wonderful,wonderful books. It seemed as if almost every available inch of of wallspace had been carved out to accommodate reading material, with even support columns for the large chamber being designed to accommodate even more books. All of it was cast in the soft, but bright glow of the many luminescent little orbs the changelings used for lighting.

The huge chamber even smelled of books.

“This would be the library.” Chrysalis said, with a touch of clear pride.

“H-how? This-this is amazing!” Twilight blurted out, as she took in the large collection of books. Very large. Larger than even the collection at Canterlot Castle. The closest comparison she could draw, would be to the library she and her friends had tracked down in the Crystal Empire.

Chrysalis easily cantered into the chamber, apparently enjoying Twilight's reaction “Aside from providing something for my changelings to entertain themselves with, books have always provided a safe avenue for my changelings to gain a better understanding of ponies and the outer world.”

Chrysalis paused to brush a hoof along the spines of the books one of the many shelves “To that end, I have encouraged my subjects to bring back any literary works they could acquire while on excursions. A thousand years of steady additions, along with a few...donations, here and there, has lead to what you see here.”

“Hm, might I ask just how your subjects have been acquiring these additions to your collection?” Blueblood calmly asked.

“They stole them.” Chrysalis bluntly answered “Not all of them, but a fair few. Others were acquired with more traditional means, like trades or the exchange of bits.”

“I see. And just how did your subjects obtain these bits and tradable goods?” Blueblood further inquired.

“My subjects are perfectly capable of earning such things, while keeping themselves hidden among you ponies. A pony without some sort of job would stand-out, I should think.” Chrysalis pointed out.

Blueblood simply nodded, conceding the point.

“This really is amazing, Chrysalis.” Twilight said again, having now stepped further into the library “I just wish I had time to look around...”

“And why wouldn't you have the time to do so?” Chrysalis asked.

“What? Well, you said we only had time for a visit...” Twilight pointed out.

“And isn't the point of visiting a library to read books?” Chrysalis pointed out neutrally.

“R-really??” Twilight asked excited at the prospect of perusing the collection.

Chrysalis simply raised an eyebrow, as if to ask what the princess was waiting for.

Twilight immediately shot into the air, quickly drawing up to one of the shelves and beginning to scan the spines of the books.

The rest of the party found themselves watching, as the excited princess began her enthusiastic exploration of the library.

“She spends a week training with the best flyer in Equestria, and she can barely get off the ground. Bring her to a library and she's flying around like she was born to it.” Rainbow Dash complained a bit, though not without some clear fondness in her voice.

It took the best flyer in Equestria a couple of moments to realize that Blueblood had cantered after Twilight without a word, leaving Rainbow Dash alone in the company of Chrysalis and the twins.

Rainbow Dash glanced towards the Changeling Queen briefly, before looking away again “So...”

Chrysalis said nothing.

“...Yeah. I'm just gonna say it. I don't know what your deal is, or whatever...but that was kind of cool of you.” Rainbow Dash finally admitted.

“I have no idea what you're talking about.” Chrysalis said dismissively.

“Right...” Rainbow Dash replied skeptically.

Author's Note

Right, so I have more of this story planned out in my head. As in exactly what characters are going to say and do. But this seemed like a good stopping point, for this chapter. For anyone that's curious, Blueblood is going to be getting a good deal more focus next chapter, and we'll probably see what Pinkie Pie has been up to as well. Anyway, the plan is for me to focus on this story to the exclusion of all others, till it's done. It shouldn't be much longer but I'm not even going to bother guessing at how many chapters are left.

As always feel free to level any questions or criticism my way, that you may have. Enjoy.

Lesson Nine: Making Things Right

Twilight couldn't believe her eyes.

The young princess had quickly combed through the library, at Chrysalis' prompting, her eyes dancing across the backs of countless books. Old books, new books, large and small, books from across every possible genre, Twilight had found herself struck by just how eclectic the literary collection was turning out to be. On some of the shelves were novels that had been penned within the last few years, with some even newer than that, sitting beside works that were older than some countries. And it wasn't just the literary classics that were present, but even oddly obscure titles, whose ages she could only estimate by their antiquated writing styles.

Which was not to say the library was poorly organized. While she might have gone about organizing some sections a bit differently, it had turned out to be a rather simple matter for Twilight to adapt to the changeling system.

There was just so much variety.

There were novels, reference books, journals, plays, textbooks and very nearly every other kind of written work conceivable. From the mainstays of any literary pony's collection to obscure works that failed to even gather attention in their own times, the changelings hadn't been especially choosy...

She was sure the 'Treatise on the Impact of Donkey Culture on Griffonian Poetry' was quite an interesting read for...someone.

Even more amazing was the care and attention the books here clearly garnered.

The creased spines and general wear of the books showed that most had been read more than once in their time here. There were also signs that some of them had been restored at one point or another, and many older books had newer transcribed copies sitting beside them on the shelves.

The Golden Oaks Library got so little traffic, that on more than one occasion Spike had been able to sneak off the whole day, with nopony the wiser.

Well, almost nopony.

Even now, at a time when Twilight would suspect that many changelings would be far too anxious to pay a visit too their library, she had encountered nearly a dozen different changelings going about the library.

Twilight felt the term 'encountered' was more apt than any other at the moment. She couldn't very well say that she had 'met' nearly a dozen different changelings, as they had all quickly made themselves scarce when they spotted her.

She felt a bit guilty about that...

Though only a bit, as she was still very busy perusing the library's contents. Again, there was an almost unparalleled variety of written works in this collection, and not just of pony works. More than a few griffon works sat alongside books written by ponies. There was a scattering, here and there, of Zebrican and Donkey works, as well. Twilight had done a double-take when she had caught sight of Diamond Dog glyphs adorning one tome, almost not believing her eyes. With the isolated and territorial Diamond Dogs, ponies had little more than a cursory knowledge of their written language, with some doubting that the brutish subterranean canines even had literature. It almost struck Twilight as whimsical that such a rare find was sitting on the same shelf as the collected works of A.K. Yearling.

Twilight's mind had practically shut down when she caught sight of the draconic runes adorning a particularly large tome's cover.

Which was a bit unfortunate, as she had been flying at the time.

But a few bruises were hardly going to register in her mind for very long, after what she had just seen. Rainbow Dash would have been proud to see how quickly Twilight had brushed herself off and gotten back into the air, even as she teased her for the reasons behind her quick recovery.

A moment later, she was hovering in front of the book in question, reconfirming what she had seen. During her years under Princess Celestia's tutelage, Twilight had been exposed to a wide breadth of knowledge, including what was known of draconic culture. Which wasn't especially much. She only barely understood the rudiments of the draconic language; enough to know it was largely unpronounceable by your typical pony. She also knew that the draconic tongue's written form rarely got much usage, with there being more examples of the written draconic tongue penned by ponies, than by actual dragons.

Using her magic, she slowly slid the weighty book from the shelf, before turning it to show the front cover.

Along the front was a fairly long series of the draconic symbols. Twilight had to wrack her brain for a moment, on the long untouched knowledge she possessed pertaining to dragons, in order to decipher their meaning. It seemed to be a short poem, but she quickly recalled some tidbits of what she knew of draconic naming conventions. Most dragons would begin to adopt long, descriptive titles of their deeds as names, in lieu of their, usually much simpler, birth names, as they grew older. This row of symbols seemed in line with what would be expected of the name for a fairly old dragon, with Twilight recognizing the words 'Storm', 'Destroyed', 'Darkness', and...

“...Crystal Mountain?” Twilight said to herself, in consideration. There actually was an old story involving a dragon and a Crystal Mountain, which quite naturally hailed from the region occupied by the Crystal Empire. A story that explained why there wasn't a Crystal Mountain anymore...

This book may very well have been penned by an actual dragon.

...What in Celestia's name was it doing in the Romance section?

She set down upon the floor once more, the book floating down with her, as the purple princess began to use her magic to crack open it's covers...

“Find something interesting?” The highly refined voice of a stallion called from her side, startling Twilight and causing her magical hold on the heavy book to loosen.

A moment before the large tome could collide with the ground, a second magical aura wrapped around it, arresting it's fall.

Twilight turned to see Prince Blueblood standing to the side, his horn alight, as he covered any strain the weighty book may have been causing him with carefully perfected poise.

“Oh! Prince Blueblood, I didn't see you there.” Twilight exclaimed.

“Yes, I gathered as much.” Blueblood pointed out, as he cantered closer, lifting the heavy book through the air to it's former resting place. It was fairly easy to find it's spot, as it was the only space on the shelf large enough to accommodate it.

A small amount of disappointment, at the sight of the intriguing book being put away, was steadily replaced with growing anxiety, as Twilight realized why the stallion had followed her.

“I'm guessing you would like to finish our earlier conversation?” Twilight broached.

“If it isn't too much of a burden for you, yes. There seems to-” Blueblood began, before drawing to a sudden stop, as something on the shelves caught his eye. Twilight found herself tilting her head, as she observed a conflicted expression cross the stallion's face “Uhm...is something wrong?”

“What? Yes- I mean, no...it's an unrelated matter, and-” Blueblood began.

“Princess Purple Prose?” Twilight quietly said to herself, as she observed the name along the backs of the novels that had caught Blueblood's gaze. It was a fairly large number of novels, all under the same author, as Twilight could see more than one copy of some of the works in the section. There were also quite a few signs that this collection had seen more than a few changelings perusing it's contents over the years.

“I don't think I've ever heard of her before...” Twilight observed “...she seems to be popular, though.”

“...Yes, well, I assure you that any popularity this writer has earned is completely unwarranted. These stories are all quite trite and cliché...I'm rather disappointed to find them here.” Blueblood explained, in a forcibly dismissive tone.

“Have you read many of her works?” Twilight asked, curious about Blueblood's rather severe reaction to the sight of these novels.

“...I think we're getting too far away from the more pressing matters at hoof.” Blueblood said, after a few moments of hesitation.

“Oh, right...” Twilight conceded.

“...Would you care to start?” Prince Blueblood asked, after several moments of silence between the two of them.

“Maybe you should start...” Twilight suggested, unsure exactly where to begin.

“Very well...were you attacked earlier?” Blueblood asked, opening with the obvious question.

“...Yes.” Twilight admitted, turning her gaze to the floor as she did so.

“By Queen Chrysalis' mother? This...Manti?” Blueblood continued, with a displeased expression crossing his face.

Twilight nodded, causing Blueblood to turn his own gaze to the side, in clear agitation.

“And just how did she go about doing this? Mind magic?” Blueblood asked, pushing forward in to the conversation.

Twilight was a bit startled that Blueblood had managed to so quickly guess correctly “Uhm, yes, actually...how did you...?”

“I am well aware of the fact that changelings have cultivated such magical talents. Now, why did you feel the need to obscure the facts? Were you worried that Queen Chrysalis might...?” Blueblood trailed off, though it was fairly evident to Twilight that he suspected that Chrysalis was somehow behind her mother's actions.

“I...don't think Chrysalis had anything to do with what happened.” Before recent events, the purple princess wouldn't have put it past the Changeling Queen to use her mother in such a way. But, after hearing the vitriol and bitterness that came from Manti, concerning Chrysalis' ties to Princess Celestia...it was hard to believe that so much hatred could be faked. Manti believed that her daughter was too close to Princess Celestia, and had taken action to try to stop it. If Chrysalis had truly been interested in allowing her mother to...do what she wanted do to Twilight, she doubted the Changeling Queen would have come running, as she did.

“So, you believe Queen Chrysalis had no idea what her mother intended on doing?” Blueblood continued, breaking Twilight from her thoughts.

“Yes, that's right...” Twilight agreed, before another thought struck her, from her encounter with Manti. Her mind had been rather...preoccupied at the time, and Twilight was only just now going over her conversation with Chrysalis' mother with a clear head “Actually...I think Chrysalis may have been worried that her mother was going to try something...”

Blueblood raised an eyebrow at this, prompting Twilight to continue.

“When Manti was...gloating, she made it sound like Chrysalis had been trying to keep our plans from her.” Twilight recalled.

“I see...and you're sure she wasn't trying to mislead you?” Blueblood asked, as he considered this.

“...at that point, I don't think she was worried about keeping anything from me. She-...” Twilight found herself coming up short, as she recalled what the elderly queen had planned to do to her. Even after what Manti had attempted, the only evidence she had to show of Manti's tinkering with her mind was a slightly sore throat and a sweaty coat. She couldn't feel anything off about her thoughts. She didn't feel anxious or tired or pained by what had happened. There didn't seem to be any tangible traces of Manti's brainwashing...

But, Twilight objectively knew what had happened, that Manti had effectively tried to drive her mad with terror.

The fact that she felt absolutely fine, now, actually made the whole experience even more terrifying. The total lack of any lingering after effects, just made it...

“Are you alright?” Blueblood asked with clear concern, as he leaned in to look into Twilight's eyes.

“What?...Yes. Yes, I'm fine. Sorry about that.” Twilight said, trying to allay the stallion's concerns.

Prince Blueblood didn't seem convinced.

“Are you suffering any lingering effects, perhaps? From Manti's attack.” Blueblood asked.

“No, I don't think so. I feel fine and Chrysalis seemed to think I was fine...I was just bothered a bit by the whole thing.” Twilight explained.

“Chrysalis?...You're willing to trust her word on this?” Blueblood asked a bit skeptically.

“I...think so...” Twilight admitted slowly. She felt like it made sense, to trust Chrysalis' word, in this instance. If the Changeling Queen intended on...altering Twilight's mind, there wouldn't have been any need to go through so much effort. Manti had been willing to drive herself to death, for the sake of putting a stop to their efforts, efforts that would benefit the changelings in Chrysalis' care. And at this point she couldn't believe that Chrysalis didn't want to help her subjects or that she would throw the life of her mother away for such a goal...

Twilight really, really, didn't want to believe that Princess Celestia could be that wrong about Chrysalis.

The young princess had seen Chrysalis from a different perspective, and couldn't reconcile what she had seen, with her previous conceptions of the Changeling Queen as a heartless monster.

A misguided and generally irritable individual, that happened to delight in picking at others, but not a heartless monster.

“Do you-...do you think I'm right to trust her on this?” Twilight eventually asked of Blueblood.

“I'm sorry?” The stallion asked, with a confused tilt of his head.

“You seemed to have already known about the situation with the changelings, before all of...this.” Twilight explained, gesturing around them as she did so “I don't think Chrysalis would risk everything, just to...mess around with my head. That sounds right, doesn't it?”

“I'm afraid that...I don't really know the Changeling Queen so well, as to guess at such things.” Blueblood admitted.

“But, what about that expedition? You must have spoken with her before, when she and Princess Celestia had to...bring you into the fold?” Twilight asked, surprised at the stallion's inability to provide any input.

“Yes, well...that all occurred somewhat after I had been returned to Canterlot. Auntie's really the one that explained the whole situation to me.” Blueblood explained.

“But...you have been here, to the hive, right? You must have, at least, met Chrysalis before, right?” Twilight pressed the stallion.

“Oh, of course, that much is absolutely true.” Blueblood agreed.

“...But?” Twilight prompted.

“But...my first encounter with Chrysalis' subjects may have...been a bit lacking in the poise and dignity, that I implied.” Blueblood hesitantly admitted.

“Lacking how?” Twilight asked with mild annoyance.

“Well, while a stallion possessed with the skills that I have rarely stumbles into any situation, they do occasionally...fall in through the roof.” Blueblood explained.

“You what?” Twilight blurted out.

“I may have fallen into the hive, where one of their tunnels came a bit too close to the surface. Which, I dare say, could have happened to anypony...” Blueblood defended, before again turning to the side “Though...admittedly, my first reaction upon seeing the changelings was...less than eloquent....there may have been some unnecessary screaming and running...It was all very surprising for everyone involved.”

Twilight had to stare at the stallion for a couple of moments, unsure how to react.

“In any event, my only real encounter with Queen Chrysalis during that time, was when she came to the cell I had been thrown into.” Blueblood finished.

“And just how well did that go?” Twilight asked sarcastically.

“Quite well, if you must know. She believed me when I told her who I was, and I was able to convince her to speak with Auntie before rearranging my memories.” Blueblood said, oddly proud of that fairly minor accomplishment.

“Thank goodness for that...” Twilight snarked, while looking off to the side “So, I guess that you don't really know that much about what kind of po-...individual Chrysalis is, then...”

“I'm afraid not...though, I suppose she could have taken advantage of my position then, if she had wished to. Regardless, I don't really believe that my lack of insight on our host will be too much of an impediment to our mission.” Blueblood continued easily.

“Uhm, it kind of is, actually.” Twilight denied, having been in need of a second opinion, that the stallion apparently couldn't provide.

“Actually, it's not. And, I dare say, you have a more than fair grasp on Queen Chrysalis yourself. I rather doubt you need any input from myself, to come to a proper decision.” Blueblood countered, earning a surprised look from the mare. It took a moment for him to realize that he would need to clarify himself “This is your mission, Twilight Sparkle.”

“I don't-” Twilight began, still not understanding.

“You do understand that Princess Celestia is entrusting you with this task? That while you may have your friends and my support, it is you, Princess Twilight Sparkle, who's decision shall decide our course?” Prince Blueblood asked of the increasingly bewildered alicorn.

“It truly does not matter what I, or your friends, believe about the changelings, Twilight. Whether we push on or not, is up to you.” Blueblood summed up for the princess.

“B-but, I can't make a decision like that on my own.” Twilight objected, overwhelmed by what the stallion was trying to tell her.

“Actually, you can. And if I know Auntie Celestia, which I do, you may very well be the best pony to make such a decision.” Blueblood continued, with more certainty than Twilight felt.

“But...how can you think that? I'm not-...” Twilight began.

“Are you not the pony that she has mentored these long years? And I understand you've been spending these last few years actually studying how to form ties with others, and that is what we are trying to do here.” He asked, pressing Twilight to try to deny those facts “And if you, of all ponies, can look past what the changelings have done, and decide that they need our help, not many could truly argue against your choice.”

Twilight couldn't really say anything against his claims about her.

“And...if none of that can convince you, then I suggest that you should trust in Auntie's decision to trust in your decision, Twilight. And I've rarely known Aunt Celestia to be wrong about somepony.” Blueblood finished.

“...It's my decision?” Twilight asked, a bit in awe at the thought.

Twilight had to stare at the stallion for a few moments. As daunting as it all sounded to her, the way he said it...made sense. She actually found herself believing the stallion's claims...

Including the claims he made concerning his previous 'date' with her friend, Rarity.

There was no way a stallion could say something like that, yet act like that much of an inconsiderate boob at the Grand Galloping Gala, without actively trying to be a fool.

Still, it would have been nice if he could have just explained to her friend that he wasn't interested in dating her, rather than sending her running for the hills with his little act...

“So, if you don't mind my asking, has this...encounter of yours with Queen Chrysalis' mother, helped you reach a decision about the changelings?” Blueblood asked.

It took a few moments for Twilight to grasp the question, and realize that, yes, she had come to a decision about the changelings.

Really, she had made her decision sometime ago, without even realizing it. Well before she knew that her decision carried so much weight in this endeavor.

“I think so...” Twilight quietly said, as it came to her.

She'd barely even spoken to any of the regular changelings, since she had arrived. And Chrysalis' mother had hardly made a positive impression upon Twilight. But still, she was fairly certain that she had seen enough.

The changelings weren't violent monsters, by any stretch, and knowing that alone could have been enough for the young princess.

But, more than that, the changelings were afraid.

Of Twilight. Of her friends. Of ponies in general.

Skittish. Paranoid. Worried. From what she had seen, the changelings were constantly in fear of what might happen, if they ever let down there guard.

The same could be said for Chrysalis, even if the Changeling Queen hid it better.

It could even be said for Chrysalis' nutjob of a mother.

Twilight could only guess at why the changelings could look upon ponies with such fear. Probably for some of the same reasons ponies were so afraid of changelings. She suspected that neither ponies or changelings could remember that far back, but as of right now...nopony or changeling, that she knew of, wanted to hurt anyone...

...Apart from Manti. But changelings were hardly the only species to have a few evil nutcases lying around, so it was only fair to let them have a bit of a pass on that one.

Regardless, she couldn't just let changelings and ponies keep living in fear of one another, if she could help it.

“...And that decision would be?” Blueblood prompted, after watching Twilight stare into space for a few too many seconds.

“What?” Twilight blurted out, not expecting the question.

It took a moment for Twilight to note the expectant look on the stallion's face, as he waited for her answer.

Really, if this had been some sort of play, this should have been the moment where the whole audience could have guessed at Twilight's decision, without being told.

“I...think we should help them.” Twilight replied, while giving the prince a look that suggested it should have obvious.

“Ah...well. Good choice then. As I said, I think we can all believe in your judgment, Princess Twilight.” Blueblood said with a nod.

“Thank you...uhm, did you really mean all of that?” Twilight asked, eliciting a confused look from the stallion “I mean, the things you said about me, and how you and everyone...trusts my judgment with all of this?”

“Of course. After all, this isn't the first time I've had to explain to a young princess just how capable and ready she really is. And, personally, I don't think Cadance would mind her big brother reusing a few lines of wisdom for your benefit, Twilight.” Blueblood explained.

“So, wait...you had to tell Cadance something similar? I thought-” Twilight asked, somewhat surprised by this revelation. She had never known Cadance to be anything other than the very picture of relaxed confidence, before now.

“Trust me, on this one, Twilight. My sweet sister is not always as confident as she appears, and sometimes needs to be reminded of why that's absolutely ridiculous...Try not to make a habit of doing that yourself, if you please. I've had my hooves full with her on more than one occasion, I can tell you.” Blueblood replied.

“I'll...try to remember that. Thank you.” Twilight hesitantly agreed.

“Well, honesty certainly does feel good, doesn't it?...Now that we have that out of the way, there remains one more answer that I would like from you.” Blueblood said, after a brief silence.

Twilight simply tilted her head towards Blueblood, not terribly worried about what questions might remain for her to answer. It seemed like they had already tackled all of the really tough ones.

“Do you plan on mentioning any of this to your friend?” Blueblood asked.

“Rainbow Dash?...I suppose I should, shouldn't I?” Twilight admitted, reminded of her earlier misgivings about leaving her friend out of the loop.

“...Eh, that is one option you could go with...” Blueblood hedged, while looking off to the side. Seeing the confused expression Twilight was sending his way, the prince tried to shrug away his discomfort “Well, I mean, honestly certainly does feel good...but the Lady Rainbow Dash does seem to be a bit...rash.”

“Seriously?” Twilight asked, in apparent annoyance.

“Now, I know what you're going to say-” Blueblood began.

“That it's wildly hypocritical to demand answers of me, while suggesting that I withhold answers from my friend?” Twilight suggested.

“Exactly. Took the words right out of my mouth.” Blueblood proclaimed cheerfully.

“...Seriously?!” Twilight asked again.

“...No. Actually, I think it probably would be best to explain the situation now, before she figures it out on her own.” Blueblood said matter-of-factly, eliciting a confused stare from Twilight.

“Were you...wait, are you messing with me?” Twilight asked.

“Just a bit.” Blueblood admitted with a chuckle, before noticing the perturbed look the mare was giving him “It seemed a bit more amusing in my head...In any event, your friend is more than a bit confrontational, and one should probably keep that in mind for the future, but I'm fairly sure she'll listen to you.”

Noticing that the Princess was still staring at him, Blueblood began to rub a hoof along the back of his neck awkwardly.

“...You actually thought that was funny?” Twilight asked, with genuine curiosity.

“Well...comedy isn't exactly my specialty.” Blueblood admitted.

Twilight eventually just shook her head, deciding not to hold his 'joke' against him; the rest of his advice had been rather spot on, in any event.

Nopony could be perfect.

Twilight sighed, before sending a glance back towards the bookshelf “I guess, we should probably go find Rainbow Dash then...”

“Find me for what?” The eponymous pegasus asked, just a short distance away.

“Rainbow Dash! I didn't see you there...” Twilight admitted, as she and Blueblood turned towards her swiftly approaching friend.

Twilight was quick to note Chrysalis just a short distance behind her friend, the two changelings scouts still trailing along.

She was even quicker to note the book the pegasus had in her hooves.

“Oh, you found a book too?” Twilight asked, zeroing in on that topic, rather than the...weightier matters she still needed to bring up.

“Huh? Yeah! Check it out!” Rainbow Dash confirmed enthusiastically, before holding up the book she had grabbed up.

“...Daring Do and the Featherscale Jungle?” Twilight read the title aloud, recognizing it as the latest release in A.K. Yearling most well-known series.

“Right!? Can you believe it? They actually have Daring Do books here!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed excitedly, before hugging the book to her chest “And it's the newest one too! I thought it would be weeks before I got to read it!”

“And you thought correctly.” Chrysalis suddenly interjected.

“Huh?” Rainbow Dash cleverly asked.

“You do understand that you aren't just going to canter off with that book, don't you?” The Changeling Queen pointedly asked.

“Certainly no changelings would ever think of just cantering off with a book.” Blueblood dryly observed, eliciting a brief glance from Chrysalis.

“No, a changeling would put a bit of effort into making sure they got away with the book, without being detected.” Chrysalis remarked, before focusing back on the pegasus “Now, unless you intend on staying here to read that book, which I sincerely hope is not the case, I'd appreciate it if you would return it to it's shelf.”

“But, I- The Daring and- Awwww, come on!?” Rainbow Dash sputtered out, distraught at the thought of missing out on the latest Daring Do story.

“Dash...you know I have it on order back at the library, right?” Twilight pointed out to her friend.

“Yeah, but that could take weeks!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“...Actually, it'll take about one week.” Twilight dryly corrected.

“But- But-...” Rainbow Dash began, as she turned back to Chrysalis plaintively.

“...What? Do you honestly think begging me for the book, will change my mind?” Chrysalis asked, before pausing a moment to put some thought into that prospect “But, by all means, don't let me stop you.”

“...That is so weak...fine.” Rainbow Dash relented, as she sat down on the floor, looking sadly at the book in her hooves. A moment later she pushed it away dramatically “Just take it away! Before I do something I'll regret...”

Both Twilight and Chrysalis rolled their eyes at the pegasus' antics.

“Well, now that we have that settled...” Blueblood remarked, sending a pointed glance towards Twilight, as he did so.

“...Right. Uhm...Dash? I need to talk to you about something.” Twilight hesitantly began, as she cantered over towards her friend.

“Huh? What about?” Rainbow Dash asked, shaken from her disappointment by Twilight's anxious approach.

“...You remember everything I said, when you guys found me earlier?” Twilight began, earning Chrysalis' attention, in addition to Rainbow Dash's.

“...Yeah?” Rainbow Dash confirmed.

“I...actually, I was attacked earlier, Dash.” Twilight admitted.

“What?!” Rainbow Dash blurted out.

“Chrysalis' mother-” Twilight began.

“I knew it!” The pegasus exclaimed, before pointing a hoof towards the bemused Changeling Queen “I knew you-”

“Dash! Chrysalis had nothing to do with it!” Twilight shouted, preventing Rainbow Dash from gaining any momentum.

It seemed to work, as Rainbow Dash paused mid-accusation, before glancing between Chrysalis and Twilight “...Uh, seriously?”

“Seriously, Dash...Manti, that's Chrysalis' mother, attacked me on her own. Against Chrysalis' wishes.” Twilight elaborated for her friend.

“Oh...so, I mean...are you sure about that?” Rainbow Dash asked, as she eyed the Changeling Queen.

“Pretty sure.” Twilight confirmed “Manti was trying to sabotage things, because she disagreed with what Chrysalis wanted to do. I'm fairly certain of that.”

“Well, wait, if Chrysalis didn't want you to get attacked, how could it have happened, unless she let it happen? I mean, this is her place, right?” Rainbow Dash pointed out, still reluctant to give in.

“Well, Chrysalis was keeping an eye on me if you recall, Dash.” Twilight pointed out “Right up until she became...distracted.”

“Distracted? What could have distracted her from protecting you from her crazy mom?” The pegasus asked.

“Uhm, well...” Twilight hesitated, before glancing towards her friend pointedly.

“...Oh.” Rainbow Dash said, as she realized what Twilight may have been getting at.

“Indeed.” Blueblood quietly agreed.

For Chrysalis' part, the Changeling Queen seemed content to watch impassively from the sideline.

“Listen, I'm really sorry for misleading you, Dash. I wasn't really in my right mind and I was worried that-” Twilight began, in an apologetic tone.

“No, no...I get it.” Rainbow Dash interjected, waving her hoof to stop the purple princess from attempting to apologize. A moment later, she glanced towards the Changeling Queen, before focusing back on Twilight “So...she really is on the up-and-up then?”

“...Yes, I think so.” Twilight confirmed.

“And when she was rushing to find you earlier, she was trying to protect you, I guess?” Rainbow Dash slowly ventured.

“That would appear to be the case, Lady Rainbow Dash.” Blueblood answered for Twilight.

"Huh." After hearing that, Rainbow Dash turned her gaze towards the floor "Sorry about that, Twi...”

“S-sorry? Sorry for what, Dash?” Twilight asked, genuinely thrown by her friend trying to apologize to her, rather than the other way around.

“I-...guess that means I've been-...” Rainbow Dash tried to begin, before glancing towards the two twins still hovering behind Chrysalis “...I know I've been making this a lot harder than it needed to be, Twi. I just-...”

“Dash...” Twilight called, as she cantered alongside her friend “I know you were just trying to protect me.”

“Well, yeah, but-” Rainbow Dash began.

“I mean, I was pretty worried about Chrysalis trying something too.” Twilight admitted, to which the Changeling Queen only raised an eyebrow without comment “And, I'm glad that you were willing to go so far to protect me...And I really should have trusted you more with the truth earlier. So, I'm the one that's sorry, Dash.”

“Eh...it was probably the right call...if you had told me then, I probably would have socked that old prune in the jaw.” Rainbow Dash admitted with a chuckle.

“That...that could have could have caused some problems, I'll admit.” Twilight conceded with a smile.

“Yeah...” Rainbow Dash chuckled as she stood up, before hesitantly glancing towards Chrysalis once more.

Swallowing down a bit of anxiety, Rainbow Dash found herself fidgeting a bit, as she considered the Changeling Queen “Right, so...I-”

“You can have the book, if you'll spare me this conversation.” Chrysalis interjected, as she held up a hoof to forestall the pegasus' words.

“Uhm, w-what? Really?” Rainbow Dash asked, as she took a moment to process the Changeling Queen's words.

“Yes.” Chrysalis simply answered.

“...Ok. Cool, I guess.” Rainbow Dash agreed after a couple of moments thought.

“Marvelous.” Chrysalis said in a bland tone, before her magical aura pushed the Daring Do novel back towards the pegasus.

Twilight had to stare a bit, as Chrysalis handily avoided a potentially conciliatory conversation with her friend so easily. For a moment there, the princess had hoped that the two might have been ready to come to some sort of mutual understanding with one another...

“Huh.” Rainbow Dash said aloud, as she collected her book, before shrugging “Well, that was easier than I thought it was gonna be.”

Author's Note

Well, here's Chapter 9. Probably going to be going over it some more, correcting errors and tweaking some lines here and there.

But for now, enjoy. And as always, I welcome any questions and criticism you guys might want to level my way.

Lesson Ten: Look Below the Surface

“Wait. So you're sure you don't have anything you wish to discuss with one another?” Twilight asked of the Changeling Queen and her pegasus friend. The young princess was still a bit perturbed that the two of them seemed perfectly content to not openly address some of the problems that had gone on between them.

“Nah, she's cool.” Rainbow Dash said with a wave of her hoof, as she began to peruse her prize, the latest Daring Do novel.

“I consider those matters settled, as well.” Chrysalis easily agreed.

“But-” Twilight began.

“She's quiet now. What more do you expect from me?” Chrysalis asked, annoyed by Twilight's continued pressing on the issue.

“But you didn't actually settle any of the problems you have with each other, did you? All you did was bribe Rainbow Dash with a book!” Twilight exclaimed, baffled by how willing the two were to ignore all the conflict that had gone on between them over the course of the trip. Turning towards her friend “I mean, Dash, you guys were almost at one another's throats when we were on the train!”

“Geez...try to relax, Twilight. I was kinda being a jerk. She was definitely being a jerk. Can't we just leave it at that?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“...You don't have anything you want to say to her still? It's just...settled now?” Twilight pressed her friend again.

“I-...well, maybe...” Rainbow Dash hesitantly admitted as she glanced towards the Changeling Queen. There were some things she still kinda wanted to get off her chest, but... “Aw, come on, Twi. Can't we just be done with all of this already?”

Twilight glanced between the two once more, before sighing to herself “...It's fine, I guess.”

It just didn't feel fine to the young princess.

“Well, I'm certainly pleased to note that we've managed to settle all of these outstanding issues.” Blueblood said aloud, before making a gesture with his hoof “Now, if someone would be so kind as to lead us out of this...lovely library, we might wish to go about retrieving Twilight's other wayward friend.”

“I almost hesitate to even bother...” Chrysalis commented, before turning her gaze towards Twilight “Are you done for now? Is there anything you desire before we find your friend?”

“Anything I desire? What do you-” Twilight began to ask, surprised by the sudden question.

“Do you want a book?” Chrysalis asked, making it as clear as possible what she was asking of the young princess.

Twilight had to resist the urge to blurt out 'Yes' though she suspected her thoughts were clearly being advertised.

Forcing down the base, primal part of her brain that governed things like her desire for books and her 'Fight or Flight' response, Twilight took a moment to clear her throat, before trying to address the question.

“Uhm, well, I'm certainly not one to turn down such an offer. But, are you sure it's alright? You seemed...reluctant, about parting with just one book earlier.” Twilight politely hedged, even as she struggled to 'play it cool'.

Chrysalis rolled her eyes “I hardly see the point in fighting the issue at this point-” she paused for the moment it took to gesture a hoof towards Rainbow Dash “-I don't even like this one, and I'm letting her canter off with one of our books.”

Twilight had to frown a bit at Chrysalis' excuse; that kind of sniping only backed up her concerns about things not being 'settled' between the two of them.

But even so, it seemed neither Rainbow Dash or Chrysalis intended on clearing the air...

...and she would like a closer look at that book that was written in draconic.

“Hold on a sec...” Rainbow Dash suddenly spoke-up, setting her book to the side as she did. Cantering a bit closer to Chrysalis “Do you mind running that last part by me again?”

“What?” Chrysalis asked, an eyebrow raised in confusion at the pegasus' sudden request.

Twilight found herself a bit confused by her friend's question, as well.

“Just that part about you not liking me.” Rainbow Dash clarified easily.

“Does that come as some sort of shock to you?” The Changeling Queen asked, with just a touch of sarcasm in her voice.

“Nah, that's fine. You don't like me. I think you're kind of a jerk. Whatever.” Rainbow Dash waved away that line-of-thought easily, before continuing “It's just, the way you went about pointing out how you don't like me...sort of makes it sound like you kind of like Twilight.”

“...What?” Chrysalis blurted out, mirroring Twilight's own thoughts perfectly.

“Yeah, I mean, I'm getting a book and you don't like me, right? Which is cool, by the way.” Rainbow Dash explained with a cheeky grin “And since you maybe, kinda, do like Twi, it'd only be fair if she got a book too, right?”

“That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.” Chrysalis exclaimed indignantly, which earned a slightly annoyed look from Twilight. Noticing this, Chrysalis shook her head at Twilight “Oh, please. Stop acting offended. That is hardly the worst thing I've said about you today, which proves my point exactly.”

Twilight had to admit, that Chrysalis had a point there. The Changeling Queen had taken many opportunities to tease and insult the young princess over the course of the trip.

Rainbow Dash just shrugged, not deterred “So? Gilda was my best friend for years and we always gave each other a hard time.”

...And Rainbow Dash kind of had a point, as well, Twilight admitted to herself.

“I am not even going to validate that reasoning with a response.” Chrysalis proclaimed.

“Because you think Twilight's kinda awesome, right?” Rainbow Dash gleefully asked.

“This is ridiculous. You can't dissect some off-hoofed remark like that, and then expect to come to some sort of revelation about the one that said it.” Chrysalis again argued.

Blueblood, who till now had been content to keep his peace, brought a hoof to his chin in consideration “Perhaps so. Though, I dare say, the Lady Rainbow Dash may not exactly be wrong in inferring that-”

“Would you care for a tour of your old cell?” Chrysalis suddenly bit out, with a glare towards the stallion.

“...-we really don't have any time for baseless suppositions, do we?” Blueblood finished, recognizing that he was not welcomed in the discussion.

“Tch, I don't get why you're having such a- Hey!” Rainbow Dash began again, before suddenly noticing her book floating away, engulfed in Chrysalis' magical aura.

“Oh, come on! Is that how you're really gonna play this?” Rainbow Dash asked in annoyance, as she tried to move a hoof towards the floating book, only for it to drift out of her reach.

Chrysalis gave no response, and simply gazed off to the side.

“Alright! You win! You hate everyone and I was totally wrong...” Rainbow Dash conceded without much sincerity, as she again reached for her book.

Only for it to drift out of her reach again.

Rainbow Dash loosed an irritated sigh, before taking to the air so she could cross her forehooves over her chest “Fine. I'm, like, completely wrong about everything ever!...And you're super-smart, and awesome, and good looking, and-”

“Finally, you're starting to make some sense.” Chrysalis dryly commented, before depositing the Daring Do novel in front of the hovering pegasus once more.

Rainbow Dash just rolled her eyes, as she collected her book, before audibly muttering “Talk about being stuck in denial...”

The Changeling Queen either did not hear the pegasus or simply chose to ignore the remarks, as she continued to march up to Twilight. Stopping before the bemused alicorn, Chrysalis eventually raised an eyebrow before coolly asking “Well?”

Twilight blinked.

“Uh, you're wondering if I would still like a book from your collection?” Twilight hesitantly asked, deciding to not confront the rather bizarre issue that Rainbow Dash had raised.

“Is it that obvious?” Chrysalis sarcastically asked, evidently still irritated. Though part of Twilight noted that the Changeling Queen generally didn't seem to like being forced to repeat herself in the first place.

“Right. Sorry...” Twilight conceded, as she stood under Chrysalis' gaze. Getting over her discomfort fairly quickly, Twilight did find that her eye was trailing it's way up the shelves to rest upon the large tome from before “...Well, maybe.”

Chrysalis followed her gaze easily enough, to rest her own gaze upon the draconic work. Raising an eyebrow at Twilight's apparent choice “That one? Fine.”

Twilight found herself a bit startled by Chrysalis' quick decision, even as the Changeling Queen wrapped the book in her magic and brought it down from it's place on the shelf.

It was almost certainly a literary treasure, and Chrysalis didn't seem to give anymore mind to hoofing it over to Twilight, than one might give to the question of what to order for lunch.

A few seconds later, the heavy tome was hovering in front of Twilight, Chrysalis evidently waiting for the young princess to take it with her own magical power.

Twilight hesitated.

Twilight had never before hesitated to take a book that was being offered to her.

“I'm not carrying it for you.” Chrysalis declared, tiring quickly of Twilight's reluctance to take the book.

“I- It's just-...Are sure you want to give this to me?” Twilight asked. Maybe Rainbow Dash was right about the Changeling Queen...

“Do you not want it?” Chrysalis asked.

“No, that's...I mean draconic works are so rare...” Twilight tried to explain.

“It's fine if you don't want it. Or if you do. What is not fine is leaving me standing here as you wrestle with yourself over whether or not to take the thing.” Chrysalis pointed out, in an increasingly short tone.

Twilight was briefly tempted to try to explain herself further, but quickly realized that, knowing Chrysalis, if she hesitated any longer the changeling might just rescind the offer out of annoyance. A moment later, she took the heavy tome from Chrysalis using her own magic.

“Uhm, thank you.” Twilight intoned as her gaze moved from the book to Chrysalis.

The Changeling Queen merely rolled her eyes, as she cantered around Twilight, commenting aloud as she did so “Just don't come back claiming you've changed your mind, once you've realized that you've read that story before.”

“Wait, what?” Twilight blurted out, not understanding what the Changeling Queen was implying with the vague remark.

“This day has already worn on too long for my tastes. Let us find your missing friend and finish this.” Chrysalis declared, ignoring Twilight. A moment later, the Changeling Queen glanced back towards the quietly hovering Alate and Cryptic “You two, as well. I've yet to decide how to deal with you.”

The twins both swallowed anxiously, but did not hesitate in falling in behind their Queen.

“Deal with them?” Rainbow Dash asked aloud, as she collected her book. Frowning at Chrysalis' choice of words, the pegasus glanced towards Twilight “What do you think she meant by-”

“Wait, Chrysalis! What did you mean before?!” Twilight anxiously demanded of the retreating Changeling Queen, holding up the heavy tome in her magic, as she did so.

“It's not important.” Chrysalis easily declared.

“Not important how? Do you mean the book isn't important? Or that what you said isn't important?” Twilight asked, causing the Changeling Queen to draw to a halt.

Turning back towards the young princess, Chrysalis slowly rose a hoof to her chin as she visibly considered the question. After several seconds spent thinking over the matter, leaving Twilight eagerly awaiting the answer, Chrysalis slowly leaned forward “...You'll see.”

Twilight's jaw dropped a bit, as she tried to come up with some sort of response “I'll see?! What's that supposed to- wait! Chrysalis!”

Not waiting for Twilight to come to terms with her unhelpful answer, Chrysalis had turned away and begun to march away again, evidently expecting the ponies to follow.

Twilight certainly wasted no time in pursuing the Changeling Queen, dragging the heavy book behind her in a magenta magical aura.

“At least, tell me if it was written by an actual dragon!...Please?...Chrysalis!” Twilight continued to bombard Chrysalis with questions, as Chrysalis, no doubt gleefully, continued to disregard them all.

Blueblood simply shook his head, going 'tsk-tsk-tsk' as he did so.

“Yeah...” Rainbow Dash quietly agreed, before following after her friend.

A little while later...

Twilight Sparkle was most definitely not pouting.

She was not brooding, sullen, or over-reacting in any way to the fact that Chrysalis was refusing to explain what was wrong with her recently acquired book.

“What's wrong with it?” Twilight demanded again, breaking the relative silence over the group, as they marched down the tunnel.

“Wrong with what?” Chrysalis asked neutrally.

Twilight did not pout.

“There's something you're not telling about this book.” Twilight accused.

“Well, that's almost a certainty. There are many things I could tell you about that book...Most of them are quite dull.” Chrysalis calmly explained to the irate princess.

“You know what? That's alright. You don't have to tell me...In fact, I'm betting there isn't even anything wrong with it.” Twilight confidently declared, from Chrysalis' side. Twilight wasn't going to let the Changeling Queen bait her any further...

Twilight loosed a heavy sigh, after only a few moments of silence, letting her head droop towards the floor as she did so.

“...Please tell me.” Twilight requested again.

Chrysalis sighed herself, as the Pony Princess continued to press her on the minor issue. The Changeling Queen had to admit it was starting to lose it's comedic value, as she turned her gaze towards Twilight “You truly cannot let anything go, can you?”

“I'm sorry?” Twilight asked, having not expected the question.

“Certainly, that quality may have served you well in uncovering my plot during the Invasion, but it's getting a bit annoying now. Celestia undersold it, when she said you have a bit of a tendency to obsess.” Chrysalis elaborated.

“W-what? I don't do that! When have I ever-” Twilight began to protest.

“Celestia's mentioned the 'Want it, Need it' incident to me before.” Chrysalis easily interjected, causing Twilight to suddenly snap her mouth shut.

After a few moments of silence, Twilight swallowed down a small amount of leftover shame for that incident, and cleared her throat “Ok. Yes, I might have some issues with worrying too much about certain things. But-”

“Alright, do you mind if I cut in here, Twi?” Rainbow Dash suddenly asked, with just a touch of annoyance.

“I certainly do.” Chrysalis said with a glance towards the pegasus, to which Rainbow Dash only reacted with a roll of her eyes.

“Hah. Hah. Look, I got a question for you, alright?” Rainbow Dash explained.

“Alright.” Chrysalis easily granted, even as her magic once again encased Rainbow Dash's Daring Do novel and floated it a way.

“Hey! Would you- You know what? If you want to be that way, that's your call. I still got something I want to know from you.” Rainbow Dash said, taking to the air to be able to look Chrysalis in eyes.

“Go ahead...As if you were truly waiting to gain my permission.” Chrysalis said with a sigh, disappointed that her current method of gaining the pegasus' silence had been lost.

“What exactly is it you want to know, Dash?” Twilight found herself asking, broken from her previous concerns over her book.

“Ok, why have those two been following us this whole time?” Rainbow Dash asked, as she pointed a hoof towards a surprised Alate and Cryptic “I mean, sure, they're pretty cool, I guess. But they haven't really been doing anything, have they?”

Chrysalis frowned slightly at the question, and the somewhat accusatory tone “They are following me, because I expect them to. So-”

“So, you can what? Deal with them? What exactly is that supposed to mean?” Rainbow Dash demanded of the Changeling Queen.

“It means I am going to be determining their punishments.” Chrysalis answered, her earlier levity swiftly disappearing.

“You're punishing them?! For what?” Rainbow Dash loudly asked.

“Do you not recall your little race from earlier?” Chrysalis reminded.

“Seriously? So, what? Have you got a problem with them just flying around now? Have you actually banned having fun now?” Rainbow Dash shot back.

“Dash, I think-” Twilight tried to interject.

“She's not up to anything, I get that. But that doesn't mean she hasn't been acting like the biggest jerk ever! They're kind of weird, but they haven't even done anything wrong!” Rainbow Dash explained.

“What they were doing was disturbing the current, very tenuous, peace of my hive. The same peace that serves as the wall between my subjects and complete panic.” Chrysalis explained, as the twins both sank to the ground in apparent shame and worry. Leaning down to meet the pegasus' gaze directly, Chrysalis bit out the next words “Or perhaps you thought the little games of hide-and-seek my changelings have been playing, every time we rounded a corner, was just typical behavior?”

“Uhm, no-” Rainbow Dash began.

“To say nothing of distracting their Queen as she tries to lead the historic delegation that may very well determine the ultimate fate of the entire swarm!” Chrysalis finished with a shout.

“Well, fine then! If that stupid race was so bad, then you can punish me too!” Rainbow Dash shouted back.

“What?” Chrysalis asked, though not in a manner that suggested she was surprised. It was more like, the Changeling Queen had just heard something profoundly stupid.

“You heard me. It was my idea, and I roped them in to it. So if you're going to punish them, you should be punishing me too.” Rainbow Dash explained, as she set down on the floor and looked back up towards the Changeling Queen. For Alate and Cryptic's part, the twins stared at the pony dumbfounded.

Chrysalis rose a hoof to the bridge between her eyes, in a mix of exasperation and aggravation.

“I'm afraid, that's not really possible, Miss Dash.” Blueblood finally spoke up, cantering up as he did so. Clearing his throat as he approached “You see, while Queen Chrysalis is perfectly within her rights to discipline her subjects, within reason, it is not so easy a thing for her to do the same to you. Or anypony, really.”

“What? Why not? I just said-” Rainbow Dash began, not grasping the problem.

“He's kinda right, Dash.” Twilight said, agreeing with the stallion's words. Coming up alongside her friend, she gestured around them with a hoof “Technically, Chrysalis' swarm hasn't been formally recognized in the international community. The changelings are sitting in something of a political gray area, right now.”

“So? What exactly does all of that mean?” Rainbow Dash asked, still not understanding.

“It means, that as far as anyone else is concerned, the changelings are nothing more than a rather large gang. And you would no more be expected to obey their laws, than the laws of a school of fish.” Blueblood explained succinctly. Tilting his head towards the Changeling Queen, Blueblood continued “And if she did try to enforce her will upon you, to punish you, we would be rightly able to claim that she is perpetrating a crime upon you.”

“Uh, so?” Rainbow Dash asked with a shake of her head.

Prince Blueblood blinked, before turning towards Twilight “I'm not sure I can explain it any simpler than that.”

“Dash-” Twilight began.

“Arrgh! I got all of that, alright? So what part of me volunteering to be punished are you guys not getting?” Rainbow Dash asked in annoyance.

“...You're choosing to allow me to punish you.” Chrysalis slowly summarized, even as Twilight and Blueblood were still processing what the pegasus had just said.

“Uh, yeah.” Rainbow Dash again confirmed.

Chrysalis actually seemed to consider that for a moment, before glancing towards Blueblood, who could only shrug “I suppose, that if she's willing, there is no true problem with her being punished...as long as it's within reason.”

The Changeling Queen tilted her head towards his words, before turning her attention back towards Rainbow Dash. Humming to herself, she began to steadily walk around the pegasus “So, you'll accept any punishment I choose to dole out for you?”

“Again, within-” Blueblood tried to interject.

“You got it! Anything you can dish out, I can deal with!” Rainbow Dash defiantly declared.

“Rainbow Dash, I really don't think you need to-” Twilight began as she cantered over towards her friend, her voice laced with concern.

“Twi, I'm not gonna leave them hanging, alright? And if that stupid race was such a big deal, then I shouldn't be able to get off, just cause of some stupid legal thing.” Rainbow Dash explained a bit forcefully.

Twilight frowned as she heard her friend's reasoning, but didn't say anything further. Rather she turned her own attention towards Chrysalis.

Twilight had to note that, for a change, the Changeling Queen seemed rather calm.

Not calm, as in suppressing extreme annoyance, but actually calm.

“...Very well. I believe I have your punishment decided.” Chrysalis declared after a few more moments of consideration.

“Alright then...lay it on me.” Rainbow Dash said.

“Your punishment...is to not be punished.” Chrysalis slowly declared.

“...What, really?” Rainbow Dash asked, as surprised by the punishment as everyone else gathered there. Raising an eyebrow, the pegasus again glanced towards the twins “So...what? You're not punishing anyone?”

“Oh, no. You misunderstand...These two are still being punished for what they did...” Chrysalis explained with a gesture of her hoof towards the duo. Raising that same hoof to her chin in consideration, she turned towards Alate and Cryptic “And, I think...two weeks of clearing out rocks from the newly expanded tunnels, should remind these two of the importance of caution and consideration for their actions.”

Both Alate and Cryptic quickly bowed their heads in unison “Yes, your Highness.”

“B-but, I just said-” Rainbow Dash began to protest, lifting up into the air as she did so.

“That you would accept any punishment that I chose for you?” Chrysalis reminded the pegasus.

“But, I thought- that doesn't make any sense!” Rainbow Dash declared.

“I disagree.” Chrysalis succinctly replied, as she too casually began to examine one of her hooves. Noting the increasingly confused and irate expression on the pegasus' face, she sighed before explaining “Your punishment is to accept the fact that you will not have to suffer for your actions, and my two changelings will.”

“Well...I can't think of any proper objections that can be raised against that.” Blueblood conceded from the side, earning a brief glance from Rainbow Dash and Twilight.

Seeing the lost expression on her friend's face at the Changeling Queen's declaration, Twilight stepped forward “Is this really necessary, Chrysalis? All Rainbow Dash is trying to do is make things right, and your throwing it back in her face.”

“I don't see how she's really left me any choice.” Chrysalis commented, before focusing back on the hovering pegasus “Honestly, it strikes me as quite the perfect punishment for her. Something she's used to.”

“Are you trying to say-” Rainbow Dash began, taking offense at the thought of being the kind of pony that shirked the consequences of her actions.

“I'm saying that, based on what I've seen, you do a marvelous job of punishing yourself.” Chrysalis said with a smirk. Which only grew, as she noted the bewildered look the pegasus was sporting “That is, after all, the reason you demanded to come along, isn't it?”

It was actually Twilight that managed to get a word in ahead of her friend, glancing between Rainbow Dash and the Changeling Queen “What is she talking about?”

“Isn't it obvious?” Chrysalis asked of Twilight “Your little friend is trying to make up for ignoring you, when you were trying to warn them when I was impersonating Cadenza. She feels guilty for making it so very easy for me to turn them against you then, so she's trying to make up for it now.”

“But, that's ridiculous! Rainbow-” Twilight was given pause when she noticed her friend not making any effort to dismiss Chrysalis' claim.

“Dash...you don't think that I still hold that against any of you? Do you?” Twilight asked as she stepped closer to her friend, as the pegasus set her hooves back on the ground.

“...No.” Rainbow Dash slowly admitted.

“Then, I don't understand what the problem is, Dash.” Twilight admitted.

“...Look. I know you've probably forgiven all of us already, and that you probably haven't even thought about it for, like, months. But then she comes along, and...” Rainbow Dash trailed off as she gestured towards Chrysalis with a hoof. After a few moments, she looked back towards Twilight “If she really was up to something...I didn't want to end up letting you down again, Twi.”

“Rainbow Dash, you didn't-” Twilight started.

“Yes, I did, Twilight. We should have listened to you then, but we didn't. I mean, when are you ever really wrong, Twi?” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“I am always getting things wrong, Dash.” Twilight firmly stated for her friend.

“Not when it's important-” Rainbow Dash argued.

“Especially when it's important! That's why I need you guys by my side, Dash!” Twilight shouted at the pegasus, stamping her hoof as she did so.

"But-" Rainbow Dash tried to object, before being cut-off by the young princess.

“Without all of you, I never would have found the Elements of Harmony, much less actually been able to use them! I was the one that got us to go into the maze, when Discord first broke out! And I didn't even think to get any actual evidence, when Chrysalis was impersonating Cadance!”

Drawing to a pause as she let her words sink, Twilight took in a deep breath before continuing.

“We all make mistakes, Dash.” Twilight finished, setting her hoof along her friends back and pointedly meeting her friend's gaze.

"Now that you mention it, you do kinda screw up a lot.” Rainbow Dash conceded, before smiling towards Twilight "And I guess, there was still some stuff I needed to get off my chest. So you're still right about some things."

Twilight just smiled back, glad to have gotten through to her friend.

After sharing in the moment between the two of them, Rainbow Dash took in a deep breath before exhaling it out. Taking a couple of steps forward, the pegasus stopped in front of the, now attentive, Changeling Queen.

Steeling herself for a moment, Rainbow Dash then looked up to meet Chrysalis' own curious gaze “I'm...sorry, for earlier. Disturbing the peace. Getting those two in trouble...And whatever else I may have done...yeah.”

“...You do understand that this does nothing to sway me on the decided punishments?” Chrysalis asked.

“...Yeah. Yeah, I get that.” Rainbow Dash conceded.

“Good. Now we can finally move on.” Chrysalis said, apparently eager to get a move on, as she began to turn down the tunnel almost immediately afterward. The Changeling Queen came to a sudden stop before turning back towards the silent changeling twins “And you two will begin your punishment tomorrow, is that understood?”

Both had been rather caught up in Rainbow Dash's moment themselves, leaving them both surprised when their Queen addressed them.

“O-of course, your Grace.” Cryptic said, with a somewhat sloppy salute, where Alate just frantically began nodding towards her Queen.

“Two weeks...considering it's the two of you, I should expect you to complete your punishment in half that time.” Chrysalis rather casually remarked, leaving the already off-balance changelings very nearly floored by the implications.

“...My Queen?” Cryptic asked.

“Are you saying...?” Alate began at the same time.

“I am saying, you are being punished with two weeks worth of laboring in the tunnels. And the math says, that between the two of you, that should amount to one week each.” Chrysalis slowly explained.

After a few moments of silence on their part, both Alate and Cryptic saluted their Queen, accepting her word on the matter. To which Chrysalis simply nodded, before she again began to lead the way down the tunnel.

She didn't get very far.

“Wait a second!” Rainbow Dash demanded as she took to the air and stopped in front of the Changeling Queen.

“What is it now?” Chrysalis asked irritably, as she was forced to come to a stop.

“You just tricked me somehow, didn't you?” Rainbow Dash accused.

“I don't know what you're talking about.” Chrysalis denied.

“Don't give me that. You just tried to pull a 'Princess-Celestia' didn't you?” Rainbow Dash pressed on, earning a bewildered look from the Changeling Queen.

And an equally bewildered look from Twilight “She pulled a what, Dash?”

“You know, that thing Princess Celestia does when she's tricking you into figuring out something on your own, or whatever?” Rainbow Dash explained.

“Princess Celestia doesn't try to trick anyone, Dash.” Twilight exclaimed, earning skeptical looks from nearly everyone present.

“She doesn't!” Twilight reiterated, a touch defensively.

“Whatever you say, Twilight. The point is...” Rainbow Dash pointed a hoof towards Chrysalis as she continued “Just now, I think she was actually trying to be nice...You know? In a really mean way, but still.”

“...I put all that effort into psychologically tormenting you, and you now believe that was my way of being nice to you?” Chrysalis asked in a tone dripping in skepticism.

“A little too much effort if you ask me...And, I think you're trying to cut them some slack now, aren't you?” Rainbow Dash accused, as she glanced back towards Cryptic and Alate.

“I don't have time for this.” Chrysalis dismissed, with a shake of her head, as she shouldered past the pegasus.

“Fine, don't admit it. But, you are trying to fix all the mistakes you made, right?” Rainbow Dash continued, darting back in front of the Changeling Queen as she did so.

“What is your point?” Chrysalis bit out.

Rainbow Dash considered the Changeling Queen for a few moments, before she loosed a heavy sigh, before extending a hoof out towards Chrysalis.

“What are you doing?” Chrysalis asked, as she eyed the extended appendage.

“It's a hoof-bump. You know? You just-” Rainbow Dash began to explain.

“I know the gesture. Why are you doing it?” Chrysalis clarified, irritably.

“Eh...We all make mistakes, right?” Rainbow Dash said, echoing Twilight's earlier words. Noticing that she had finally managed to surprise the Changeling Queen, Rainbow Dash loosed a shrug “And, I mean, if you really are trying to make up for them...it's just fair that you get a shot at it too, right?”

“...I'm not hoof-bumping you.” Chrysalis abruptly said.

Twilight noted that she didn't bother to deny any of the rest of what Rainbow Dash was saying.

“Oh, come on! Why not? My hooves aren't that dirty, and you guys walk on these weird spit-floors anyway, right?” Rainbow Dash complained, even as she continued to hold out her hoof to be bumped.

Chrysalis stared down the smaller pegasus, evidently trying to will her into moving out of the way.

“I'll hover here all day if I have to. And who knows what Pinkie Pie will be getting up to while-” Rainbow Dash began, only to be interrupted by the tap of a changeling hoof against her own.

“Don't read into that.” Chrysalis said, as she shouldered past Rainbow Dash “I just have no intention of wasting time while your little friend is off spreading havoc amongst my subjects.”

“That's cool.” Rainbow Dash agreed easily, even as she began following the Changeling Queen “But it's not like it was that hard to bump hooves, was it?”

“...Shut-up, and take your book.” Chrysalis ordered, punctuating her words by using her magic to launch the Daring Do novel at the pegasus' head, forcing Rainbow Dash to quickly catch the book.

“You didn't need to throw it at me!” Rainbow Dash complained, before taking note of the prize she held in her hooves “Thanks, though.”

“Ugh, do you ever stop-” Chrysalis began to complain.

“SURPRISE!”

Chrysalis drew to a sudden halt, as she was suddenly covered in various bits of colorful paper.

“...Oh, come on guys! You gotta say surprise too!” A certain pink pony explained to a number of bemused changelings.

A few moments later, the Changeling Queen found herself quickly blinking her eyes, as she had several more hoof-fulls of homemade confetti thrown upon her by her hesitant subjects.

“...S-surprise!” One changeling drone nervously exclaimed.

“Well, I guess that's not so bad for your first try, but we still really need to work on the timing.” A cheerful voice declared.

Twilight noticed the steady twitching of Chrysalis' eye with no small amount of trepidation.

They had managed to find Pinkie Pie.

Author's Note

Alright. It's late and I'm not sure if my brain is up to telling me if this latest chapter is any good.

Probably go over it tomorrow for editing and tidying it up.

As always, questions and criticism are welcome. I hope everyone enjoys this latest chapter.

Lesson Eleven: Exercise Self-Control

“I'm really gonna miss Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow Dash remarked, as she noticed the twitching of Chrysalis' eye.

Prince Blueblood glanced towards the colorful pegasus mare at his side, before shrugging “...I could take her or leave her.”

“Hey! What's that supposed to mean?” The pegasus asked, a touch defensive of her friend.

Blueblood shrugged “...She can be a bit much.”

Twilight decided to ignore these remarks in favor of looking for a way to defuse this situation. Glancing between her pink friend and the cadre of anxious seeming changelings with her and the, she suspected, very angry Changeling Queen, the young princess had to swallow down her own nervousness “So, uhm, like I said earlier, Pinkie does have some trouble-”

“Quiet.” Chrysalis tersely ordered, without looking towards Twilight.

“I- Chrysalis, please. I know-” Twilight began.

“I said...quiet.” Chrysalis coolly reiterated.

Without waiting for a response, the Changeling Queen took several steps forward, shaking the majority of the bits of confetti from her body. Twilight couldn't help but tense up, as Chrysalis stopped just in front of Pinkie Pie, worried that she might have to act to protect her friend.

“Alright. C'mon and chill already, it's not like you're the only one to-...” Rainbow Dash began, before noting the glare being sent her way by the Changeling Queen “...let me guess, you want me to stop talking, right?”

Chrysalis, her expression still stony, turned back to look down upon her subjects and the still grinning Pinkie Pie, before taking in a deep breath.

Exhaling slowly, the Changeling Queen closed her eyes before speaking “What exactly is going on here?”

“Isn't it obvious? It's a-” Pinkie started.

“Not you.” Chrysalis sharply cut-off the cheerful Earth pony. A moment later, she opened her eyes before casting her gaze over her changelings, and eventually leveling a hoof in the direction of the changeling that had yelled “Surprise!”.

“You there. What is this?” Chrysalis ordered, before gesturing with her hoof to the remaining bits of confetti.

The small group of changelings all turned their attention to the changeling singled-out, who quickly began fidgeting, clearly anxious. Glancing towards his fellow changelings for a few moments, only to note that they all seemed equally aware of their Queen's irritation and were all equally disinclined to speak up, he made a quiet gulping noise.

The changeling glanced from one side to the other, before looking back up to Chrysalis questioningly, evidently unsure how to answer. At this the Changeling Queen visibly took in another deep breath, before speaking in a calm tone “The one thing I will not be angry about is you trying to answer my question. Now...what is this?”

The changeling nodded quickly, before swallowing down his nervousness “Confetti?...For the party?”

“Party?” Chrysalis asked, to which the changeling and his comrades all nodded in response.

“Uh-huh, it's the super-awesome, Pinkie-” The pink pony began.

“Pinkie!” Twilight cut-in, worried that whatever magic was allowing the Changeling Queen to remain calm might be broken, if her friend got in a word “Pinkie Pie...maybe you should let Chrysalis finish speaking with her subjects first.”

“Okie-dokie-lokie.” Pinkie Pie happily chimed.

Chrysalis didn't seem to pay any mind as she began trotting forward, her subjects clearing a path for her, as she stepped out of the tunnel into a larger chamber. Alate and Cryptic soon followed, leading the remaining changelings to one side, as the ponies in the party trailed behind the Changeling Queen.

Twilight was surprised to note that it seemed to be one of the main chambers of the underground complex, an area that might be compared to the town square of a pony community. They had passed through it earlier on their little tour of hive, but the princess could have sworn that they were farther from it than this. Granted, she wasn't very used to navigating while underground, and Twilight was starting to suspect that the changelings deliberately arranged their tunnels in a misleading fashion. What Twilight was definitely sure of, was that when they passed through this chamber earlier, it hadn't been filled with streamers and balloons.

Pinkie Pie had been busy.

And it looked like Pinkie Pie had quite a bit of help along the way, if the hundreds of changelings flitting about were any indication. Some seemed to be flying about the upper levels of the chamber, still decorating, while others continued to fashion decorations from bits and pieces of fabric and paper. Some changelings seemed to be setting out what Twilight could only assume were food and beverages. And still others seemed to be haltingly working their way through a number of familiar pony party games, which Pinkie Pie had no doubt introduced to them.

Alate and Cryptic seemed to be in momentary awe, by the changes wrought by the pink pony, each of them turning about in the air to take in the sights of the chamber.

Rainbow Dash couldn't help but notice, before grinning up at them “Yeah, she does that...you don't really get all that used to it.”

“Pinkie Pie...you managed to do all of this in a couple of hours on your own?” Twilight asked, a bit amazed. She fully knew that Pinkie could work miracles when it came to arranging parties, but the chamber was enormous. And she couldn't even begin to guess where Pinkie had acquired the party supplies that was being put on display.

“Oh, no way, Twilight! I had lots of help!” Pinkie replied with a grin, as she wrapped a hoof around the changeling that Chrysalis had been questioning, demonstrating just who had been assisting the pink pony. For the changeling's part he didn't seem to be frantically trying to escape Pinkie's clutches, and instead merely looked a bit uncomfortable.

“Is that so?” Chrysalis asked, her eyes narrowing at the pink pony. The Changeling Queen didn't seem at all moved by Pinkie's celebratory accomplishments.

“Uh-huh!” Pinkie Pie replied with a chipper nod.

Chrysalis glanced towards the uncertain changeling at the pink pony's side, still wrapped up in Pinkie's companionable hug “Just how did-”

“Oh, oh, oh, I know!” Pinkie interjected, waving her hoof around to draw Chrysalis' attention. Pushing the changeling in her hooves forward “Cutter here was a really big help with making all the confetti! Like he's just super good at it! Like so good that I bet he would have like some sort of scissors Cutie Mark if he was a pony, to show how good he is at it! That would be so awesome, cause I know this one colt-”

“Enough.” Chrysalis interrupted.

“Oh, no! That wasn't nearly enough! I mean Cutter was a big help, but he couldn't do it all himself.” Pinkie Pie replied, misunderstanding the Changeling Queen's intent “Just about everyone really helped out a lot! Like Echo over there's been teaching me all kinds of neat party songs, and Amanita has this really cool glow-y stuff that we used to make this really neat banner. Probos has been super-helpful in helping with the party treats! Oh, oh, did you know that Pinch knows, like, every changeling here?!? He's really good at that thing that Twilight does, where it's all like 'You go here!' and 'You go there!' just like at the Winter Wrap-...There's Pinch! Hi Pinch!”

Pinkie Pie abruptly cut off her rambling in order to begin frantically waving her hoof at a changeling in the distance, presumably Pinch. After a few moments the distant changeling offered a hesitant wave back. Chrysalis slowly rose a hoof to begin massaging her brow, evidently trying to sooth away a growing headache.

Prince Blueblood took this opportunity to step forward “Yes, well, it certainly seems that you have been keeping busy, Lady Pinkie Pie. Though, I-”

“Really, really, busy!” Pinkie enthusiastically agreed.

“...-I was going to ask, what made you think this was a good idea?” Prince Blueblood finished in a tone that suggested he was starting to get a good idea as to what the answer to his question should be.

“Oh, I just wanted to be the best possible friend I could be for Chryssie, and all her changelings.” Pinkie replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

An awkward silence ensued, as most of the members of their party glanced between Chrysalis and the well-meaning, though seemingly oblivious, Pinkie Pie.

“...Anyone want to take that one?” Rainbow Dash asked aloud.

“Take what, Dashie?” Pinkie asked with a tilt of her head.

Twilight stepped forward “Pinkie, it's just...Chrysalis doesn't really seem to be a fan of parties...”

“Oh, I know that, Twilight.” Pinkie responded easily.

“...Really?” The princess asked, skepticism made evident, as she glanced about the large, party-filled cavern.

“Uh-huh.” Pinkie Pie nodded with a big smile.

“But...this is a party though, right?” Twilight pressed on.

“Yep.” The pink pony nodded again.

“If you know that Queen Chrysalis doesn't like parties, then why are you now throwing a party?” Blueblood interjected, his own patience wearing thin.

“Oh, this party isn't for Chryssie.” Pinkie responded.

“Come again?” Rainbow Dash chimed.

“How am I supposed supposed to come here again, Dashie? I haven't even left yet.” Pinkie pointed out.

“What I think Rainbow Dash means is...what do you mean this party isn't for Chrysalis?” Twilight clarified for her pegasus friend.

“Hm? Oh, that's easy. It's for her changelings, silly. Who else?” Pinkie replied with a laugh.

After a few moments, Blueblood made a rolling gesture with his hoof to prompt Pinkie Pie to continue. A few seconds later, the stallion sighed, as he realized that the pink pony wasn't getting the message “Explain yourself, please.”

“Well, obviously I'm throwing the party so that all of the changelings can have a lot of fun and stop worrying so much, which I was pretty sure would make Chryssie all happy and not worried.” Pinkie explained.

“What?” Chrysalis finally spoke-up, setting her hoof down to look in Pinkie's direction.

“Uh-huh. Cause, it's like you were super freaked-out, and I was all like, well maybe a party isn't the best thing to make her happy. Just like this one donkey I met. Cranky really didn't like parties either, but I still made friends with him, and that got me thinking that maybe I need something other than a party to cheer you up. But, I was all like, well I only really know how to throw parties, so I was all like, how can I use a party to cheer someone up that doesn't like parties?” Pinkie Pie continued to ramble, as everyone present struggled to follow along with the cascade of words coming from her mouth.

“And then it hit me like Gummy does when he forgets that he's not a bird. I'll throw a party to cheer up all the changelings and that'll make you super-happy and then we'd totally be friends! And then the changelings would all be happy that you're happy, and then we'd all be super-friends, and then I'm pretty sure we'd need some sort of secret base. Which is perfect, cause we already have one! Only it doesn't have to be secret anymore cause I've made friends with everyone here, so no one has to worry anymore. So maybe we should get like some sort of new secret base...like a treehouse!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed excitedly.

“...I barely caught any of that.” Rainbow Dash admitted.

“Oh, oh, oh, we can do another song!” Pinkie declared.

“What?” Blueblood demanded.

“Uh-huh! Just like before when I had to explain to all the changelings why I wanted to help Chryssie turn her frown upside-down! Oh, do you want to hear that song too? It was great!” Pinkie Pie immediately darted over to the changelings that were still watching from the sidelines.

The changelings quickly gathered around the pink pony, even as she began to adopt a pose to begin her song “Ooooohhhhhh, sometimes what you need is-”

“Stop.” Chrysalis quickly ordered, causing the gathered changelings to come up short, each of them stopping themselves before they could join in on Pinkie's song.

Cutter looked particularly abashed by how eager he had been to be a part of another musical number.

“So you don't want to hear the song?” Pinkie asked of the Changeling Queen.

“No.” Came Chrysalis' quick reply.

“Oh, OK then. You want to check out the party, instead?”

Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, as she gazed down upon the Earth pony. A moment later, she panned her gaze across the large chamber, the party supplies and decorations, and her changelings. Twilight couldn't help but note that many of the changelings had turned their attention towards their Queen, her arrival having been noted by nearly everyone present.

“...Fine.”

Twilight blinked.

She must have heard that wrong.

A loud gasp from Pinkie Pie drew Twilight's attention, as the pink pony sent a mixed look of hope and joy towards the Changeling Queen “Really?!”

“...I'm not going to repeat myself.” Chrysalis responded with a frown.

“But...party?” Pinkie hopefully asked.

The Changeling Queen gave an annoyed sigh, before giving a slow nod.

“We did it!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed at the top of her lungs, throwing her hooves into the air in exultation. The pink pony managed to startle a goodly number of the changelings in earshot, but they seemed to settle quickly. Some even seemed a bit pleased by this turn of events, as well.

Twilight was almost ready to smile at the sheer joy her pink friend was displaying.

Then Pinkie Pie wrapped Chrysalis in a friendly hug.

Chrysalis didn't seem to respond at first, she merely stared ahead, seemingly not acknowledging what was happening. Many of the onlooking changelings seemed to be displaying varying levels of worry at this turn of events. Alate and Cryptic were backing away, in anticipation for whatever might happen. Twilight found herself swallowing down her own worry.

“...Remove yourself, now.” Chrysalis quietly ordered.

“Not until you hug me back!” Pinkie cheerfully denied.

Twilight more felt the quiet growl the Changeling Queen gave off, rather than heard it.

“I will not repeat myself-” Chrysalis began, before being cut-off as a multi-colored blur flew past her.

A moment later, Rainbow Dash had yanked the pink Earth pony clear of the Changeling Queen, and was falling back to the floor with a grunt and a secure hold of Pinkie Pie.

“Dashie! I was talking to Chryssie...though I guess if you really wanted a hug too-” Pinkie complained to the polychromatic pegasus.

“Uh, Pinkie...” Rainbow Dash tried to stop her friend, even as she kept an eye on Chrysalis.

“-that's fine. But it's really kinda rude to just jump-in when me and Chryssie were having our first friendship hug.” Pinkie finished undeterred.

“We are not friends.” Chrysalis declared, even as she loomed over Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.

“But...what about the-” Pinkie began.

“And you will never do that again.”

“But...I give all my friends hugs.” Pinkie hesitantly pointed out.

Chrysalis merely glared.

“You still don't want to be friends?” Pinkie asked of the Changeling Queen.

“No.”

“...Why not?” Pinkie pressed.

“Because I dislike you.” Chrysalis replied.

“...Oh.”

Without another word, Chrysalis marched past Pinkie and Rainbow Dash.

Much to the blue pegasus' relief.

“Well...that was a close one.” Rainbow Dash noted, even as she let go of Pinkie Pie from the hold she had her in.

Twilight soon cantered over, seeing the somewhat distraught expression on her pink friend's face “Pinkie?...Are you alright?”

A few seconds later, Pinkie recalled her usual chipper expression, picking herself up with a smile “Yep! Never better, Twilight.”

“I-...are you sure? I mean, Chrysalis...” Twilight hedged.

“Oh, don't worry, Twilight. I'll get her eventually.” Pinkie confidently replied.

“...And I'm just sure that will go over well.” Prince Blueblood noted.

A few minutes later...

The changelings that had been a part of Pinkie's welcoming group for Chrysalis dispersed fairly soon after having gotten their Queen's answer regarding the party. After quickly checking over Pinkie Pie, and receiving her assurances that everything was “absolutely-tootley, hunky-dory” the party of ponies soon trailed after Alate and Cryptic, who had in-turn followed Chrysalis.

“Pinkie! Will you knock it off already?!” Rainbow Dash requested of the pink pony, even as she tried to break out of Pinkie's grasp.

“Awwww, but just a few minutes ago you couldn't wait to get a Patented Pinkie Pony-Hug.” Pinkie pointed out.

“That's not-” Rainbow Dash began.

“Maybe she was simply jealous of the growing relationship between yourself and Queen Chrysalis?” Blueblood offered.

Pinkie let out a dramatic gasp, before turning to her pegasus friend “Dashie, is that true? Were you jealous of me and Chryssie?”

Rainbow Dash could only stare in disbelief at her friend, her jaw hanging slack.

“I think you have your answer right there, Lady Pinkie Pie.” Blueblood in a too-casual tone.

Twilight had to suppress her own amusement.

“It's true, isn't it?! Oh, Dashie, I'm so super-duper, double-fudge dipped, with sprinkles on-top sorry! You can have as many hugs as you want!” Pinkie dramatically declared, as she redoubled her hugging efforts.

“Gyah! Will you- come on Pinkie! Just-...look! Look at the thing over there!” Rainbow Dash suddenly declared as she jabbed a hoof in a direction, in the hopes of distracting Pinkie “See? What is that thing-...what am I looking at here?”

Rainbow Dash trailed off, as she realized that she had, in fact, been pointing at something noteworthy, however inadvertent it may have been.

There stood Chrysalis, speaking to a fairly large group of changelings. Not terribly odd in and of itself. It was more the fact that the large group of changelings seemed to be mainly comprised of...rather smaller than average changelings.

Small enough to be...

“Oh, my gosh! They're sooo~ooo cute!” Pinkie loudly declared, releasing her hold on Rainbow Dash to dart towards the young changelings.

Twilight couldn't really say she was surprised, when the small changelings scattered, some by hoof, others by wing. A small chorus of surprised yelps and buzzing wings ensued, as the changelings nymphs fled from Pinkie Pie, to seek shelter among the adult changelings present.

Chrysalis, in particular, as no small portion of the little ones crowded around, hid behind, or now clung to her form. The Changeling Queen had easily been swarmed by the young changelings, with some of the braver, more curious of the small changelings peeking out from safety to stare at Pinkie Pie.

“...Thank you, for that.” Chrysalis slowly said, as her eyes narrowed into a glare for the pink pony.

“You're welcome!” Pinkie replied, not picking up on the sarcasm.

At the sound of some barely suppressed snickering, the Changeling Queen cast her ire towards Rainbow Dash, even as a couple of dozen little changelings clung to her “...And just what is so funny?”

The pegasus couldn't hold it in anymore, and quickly hit the ground rolling in laughter. For a moment, Chrysalis rose a hoof as if she was going to march over, before stuttering to a halt, as she glanced down to the small changelings crowding around her hooves. The Changeling Queen seemed unable to decide whether or not it was worth trying to dislodge the little changelings, for the sake of putting an end to the pegasus' laughter.

“Oh my gosh! Bwahyaha- I never- I never thought I'd see that!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed between bouts of laughter “It's like- It's like-”

“Dash, you might want to take it-” Twilight tried to interrupt.

“Gyah!”

Rainbow Dash's laughter was quickly cut-off, as she was launched backwards by an expertly aimed glob of changeling goo.

“Dash! Are you OK?” Twilight asked, as she darted over to her friend, reaching out a hoof to assist. She had to quickly lean back and put up a small magical shield, as several droplets of slime were launched at her, when Rainbow Dash suddenly sat back up “Oh...ew.”

Rainbow Dash was covered from nose-tip to the tip of her tail in slime, her mane jutting out in an even wilder than usual manner, thanks to the gooey substance. Twilight visibly winced when the pegasus looked down at herself “Are you alright, Da-”

“I can't believe you just-...oh, you didn't. This is so uncool!” Rainbow Dash declared as she futilely tried to wipe the slime off. All this accomplished was smearing the viscous substance around and creating long, sticky strands of goo between her hooves and mane “This is- gyack!...I think some of it just went in my mouth...”

Twilight sighed.

The princess had to send her own glare towards the Changeling Queen “Was that really necessary?”

Chrysalis simply shrugged.

“You know, that might be misconstrued as some sort of an attack, on your part, Queen Chrysalis.” Blueblood calmly pointed out.

“I don't know what you're talking about. That is considered one of the highest compliments a changeling can give to a pony, and could not possibly be mistaken for an attack.” Chrysalis calmly replied, even as she slowly dabbed at her lip with a hoof. Twilight couldn't help but notice the small changeling nymph that had climbed atop the Changeling Queen's head.

“It rather seemed like an attack, my Queen.” A male changeling noted, even as he herded his own small group of curious changeling nymphs.

“Only to the untrained eye.” Chrysalis easily replied.

“Well...I suppose we'll have to take your word for it, Queen Chrysalis.” Blueblood remarked.

“My left hoof we have to! She-” Rainbow Dash began to climb to her hooves, but quickly faceplanted, slipping upon the pool of slime that had formed on the floor under her.

Ignoring the grumbling pegasus, Chrysalis turned her attention to the other adult changelings present “As I was saying-”

“That was amazing! How did you manage to spit that so far? Oh, can you teach me to do that?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, suddenly at the Changeling Queen's side, causing all the little changelings to suddenly migrate to Chrysalis' other side.

Chrysalis had to take a moment to right her balance, as her center of gravity was shifted for her, before turning her attention back to the pink pony. Suddenly her horn was letting off it's own green glow, as she used her magic to jerk the pony into the air in front of her.

“Stop doing that.” Chrysalis snarled out.

“Doing what?” Pinkie asked, still held aloft by Chrysalis' magic.

“Scaring them.”

“Scaring them? What? I'm not...” This actually gave Pinkie Pie some pause, her upbeat attitude fading a bit. The Earth pony glanced at the little changelings once more, before looking up to Chrysalis “But...I'm not scary?”

Chrysalis didn't respond.

Pinkie's ears drooped a bit at this.

Twilight trotted over, earning some stares from the small changelings...They really were kind of cute, in a weird way, with their big, curious eyes...

“Pinkie- Could you please set her down, Chrysalis?” Twilight requested, to which the Changeling Queen acquiesced after a few moments of consideration “I don't think Chrysalis is saying that you're scary, Pinkie. They're just not...used to you, that's all. They don't know that you're...safe.”

“But I'd never hurt them!” Pinkie told Twilight. The pink pony quickly turned back towards Chrysalis “Honest! Cross My Heart, Hope to Fly, Stick a Cupcake in my Eye!”

Chrysalis gave a bemused look at the strange gestures that accompanied the odd promise.

“What was that?” The Changeling Queen flatly asked.

“A Pinkie Promise! And you never break a Pinkie Promise!” Pinkie declared firmly.

“She takes those pretty seriously.” Twilight elaborated for the Changeling Queen.

Pinkie, immediately taking note of Chrysalis' skepticism, darted off. A moment later, she reappeared holding a lumpy looking bag of flour, while standing up on her backhooves. Without any preamble, Pinkie Pie quickly emptied the bag's contents over her head.

Both Chrysalis and Twilight had to lean away from the ensuing cloud of flour.

“Ta-da!” Pinkie exclaimed, with a big smile and a goofy pose.

“...Pinkie, where did you get that bag of flour?” Twilight asked, unsure as to what her friend was trying to prove.

“Just a sec, Twilight...Ta-da!” Pinkie quickly resumed her pose.

There were several more moments of silence.

“...Am I supposed to respond in some way?” Chrysalis asked of Twilight, who just shrugged.

Suddenly, Pinkie Pie let out a great sneeze, dislodging a great deal of the flour and sending out a billowing cloud of the white powder. Caught at the epicenter, the pink pony went into a fit of sneezes, as the flour continued to agitate her nose, resulting in the pink mare falling to the floor.

Her sneezing abated just long enough, for Pinkie to spread her hooves out again and smile up at the, now, intrigued changeling nymphs “...Ta-da!”

There were several giggles.

Chrysalis let out another sigh.

The Changeling Queen turned to the other adult changelings “Take the little ones with...Pinkie Pie and show them this celebration...she's harmless.”

Pinkie Pie let out a cheer, which, rather than startling the young changelings, merely seemed to amuse them further.

A number of affirmations were given by the changelings, as they quickly began herding the nymphs, coaxing and scooting them along. One, presumably very brave, changeling went about collecting the small changeling that was still clinging to the top of Chrysalis' head.

“Does this mean the Queen is going to tell us some more stories?” An older male nymph asked of his caretaker.

“Oh, stories?! I love Chryssie's stories!” Pinkie excitedly declared.

One particularly bold nymph stepped forward and spoke up in a feminine voice “Queen Chrysalis tells the best stories! She does all the voices and knows all the songs!”

“She does voices too?!” Pinkie exclaimed.

Another smaller changeling leaned out from behind one of the caretaker changelings “She always tells us stories whenever there's a celebration.”

“I-...this might not be the best time to indulge in-” Chrysalis awkwardly began.

“Awwwww, but you gotta! It won't be a real party if you don't!” Pinkie pleaded.

Chrysalis frowned at this and began to worriedly glance from one side to the other, as she noted the expectant looks the little changelings were sending her way.

“Pleeeeaasssseee! I promise I'll be super-quiet!” Pinkie Pie offered.

“...Fine. One story.” Chrysalis finally relented, to the shared delight of Pinkie, the young changelings, and several of the older changelings.

Pinkie was about to loose another cheer, when Chrysalis interrupted “Just go already.”

“You got it, Chryssie!” Pinkie quickly agreed.

“Hey! Why am I the only one that got slimed?!” Rainbow Dash suddenly demanded, having been given some assistance in getting back on her hooves by Prince Blueblood. One could assume that the assistance rendered had been magical in nature, as the Pony Prince didn't have a bit of the changeling mess on him.

Chrysalis spared a glance for the pegasus “Because, she would enjoy it too much.”

Pinkie let out a giggle at this, as she started leading the way to the rest of the party “She's right, I would.”

Rainbow Dash frowned at this, not exactly satisfied with the answer.

"You know what?! You-" Rainbow Dash began.

"Dropped this." A pair of changeling voices sounded from behind her.

There were the twins, one of them proffering the Daring Doo novel from earlier, as they hovered just behind Rainbow Dash.

"Huh?"

Whether it was Alate or Cryptic, the one holding out the book tilted their head in confusion, as Rainbow Dash did the same "You dropped the Queen's gift to you...earlier?"

"Oh, uh, right." Rainbow Dash supplied.

The twins glanced towards one another, before focusing back upon the pegasus.

"You do still want it?"

"Is something wrong?"

"Uh, yeah?" Rainbow Dash replied with a bit of incredulity, as she gestured to her gooey-self, incidentally answering both questions at once.

Cryptic and Alate didn't seem to know how to respond to that, and simply continued to hover, with the novel in-hoof, expectantly, in front of the pegasus.

"Just...hang onto it, until I can get this gunk off me, or whatever." Rainbow Dash relented

"We can help with that."

"I don't think I've read this one." The one holding the book idly noted, while scanning the cover of the Daring Do book.

Twilight couldn't help but smile as she watched Pinkie Pie with the procession of little changelings. She still wasn't sure why Pinkie felt the need to cover herself with flour, but the pink party-pony seemed to know what she was doing. Her smile slipped a bit, as she noted a grumbling Rainbow Dash trudging off to the side with Prince Blueblood and the twins, presumably to get herself cleaned up.

Twilight was about to follow after, when Chrysalis took the chance to speak up “I would speak with you for a moment, Twilight Sparkle.”

The princess let her hoof hang in the air for a moment, before turning back towards Chrysalis. It took her a moment to realize that, somewhere along the way, they had gained a modicum of privacy; the many changelings and her friends having dispersed.

“Uhm, what is it?” Twilight asked.

“What exactly did you think I was going to do to your friends?” Chrysalis asked in a neutral tone.

“...I'm not sure I understand the question?” Twilight hesitantly replied.

“You thought I was going to hurt them, didn't you?” Chrysalis calmly accused.

Twilight stared for a few moments, before looking away “I- Well-...”

Swallowing down a bit of discomfort, Twilight turned back towards the Changeling Queen “I was...a bit worried that you might lose your temper.”

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow, at the careful response.

“I suppose it was unfair of me to just assume-” Twilight began.

“That's not an unfair thing to assume about me.” Chrysalis interrupted, giving Twilight some pause.

Noticing the confusion and surprise her answer had garnered, the Changeling Queen took in a small breath “Given our history, it's a reasonable concern...And, frankly, I was tempted.”

“You, what?” Twilight demanded, taken aback by this admission.

“More than once today, I've wanted to harm your little friends.” Chrysalis repeated.

Twilight didn't have a response.

“...So I suggest you keep a closer eye on them in the future. Especially around me.” Chrysalis suggested, before turning around, to follow in the direction Pinkie had gone earlier.

“Wait a minute!” Twilight suddenly demanded, galloping ahead of the Changeling Queen to block her path “You can't just say something like that and expect me to let you walk away!”

“Is there something you wanted me to say, instead?” Chrysalis asked.

“I-...I thought that you-” Twilight began.

“Didn't want to hurt anypony?” Chrysalis supplied, as she leaned in towards the princess.

Twilight fell quiet at this, before taking a cautious step back.

“You- I mean-...”

“Well, I don't. I don't want to harm any of you ponies, and I haven't wanted to for sometime now.” Chrysalis said in a sharp tone, before leaning back from Twilight. In a calmer tone “But...that hasn't stopped me from doing so before...So, do me the favor of staying on your guard.”

Twilight was finding it more and more difficult to guess at the Changeling Queen's motives. Chrysalis was truly proving herself difficult to predict.

“You're telling me that you want me to not trust you?” Twilight asked, with a touch of incredulity.

“You really shouldn't trust me to begin with. And I don't entirely trust myself, so why should I expect you too?” Chrysalis replied.

“...I guess you...shouldn't?” Twilight eventually supplied. She really didn't know how to take this.

Chrysalis simply nodded, before attempting to bypass Twilight once more.

“Wait!” Twilight again blocked the changeling's path, earning a look of mild consternation from her. Twilight swallowed, before looking up to Chrysalis.

“...Well?” Chrysalis irritably prompted.

“I...don't know what to think of you. That's the truth...” Twilight admitted. She briefly glanced to her own shifting hooves, before focusing back on the Changeling Queen “...but how bad do you think you really are?”

“I didn't think the invasion was a bad thing.” Chrysalis pointedly replied.

“But...why are you even telling me this?” Twilight asked.

Chrysalis didn't respond for some time, as she considered the young alicorn, struggling to come to some decision that Twilight could only guess at.

Chrysalis eventually sighed “We've wasted enough time...I have no desire to leave your pink friend unsupervised for too long.”

Twilight's ears drooped a bit, sensing that she wasn't going to get an answer from Chrysalis over this matter. She spent several long seconds watching Chrysalis, before she let out her own sigh and fell in alongside the Changeling Queen.

'What could have brought that on?'

Twilight didn't know what to make of this. The truth was, she had been afraid that the Changeling Queen might have done something. Chrysalis had surprised Twilight earlier, with the level of restraint she showed around Pinkie Pie, despite her clear frustration. Earlier Twilight had thought she had gained some sort insight on the mystery that was Chrysalis, that she'd gleaned a greater portion of the picture that made up the changeling. Twilight had been coming around to Princess Celestia's view that there was more to Chrysalis than simple cruelty. And then there was the whole thing with the little changelings...

Twilight didn't know what Chrysalis' words were meant to achieve and she didn't want to hazard any further guesses about Chrysalis, for fear that she might be proven wrong again.

But it almost seemed as if the Changeling Queen felt...guilty over something.

The silence was wearing too heavily over Twilight, with Chrysalis' words still occupying her thoughts. She wasn't normally given over to letting issues drop, but Chrysalis was, admittedly, a good deal more stubborn than Twilight was used to dealing with "...You know, Pinkie really is just about harmless. As strange as it seems, she actually is pretty good at taking care of children."

The Changeling Queen barely spared Twilight a glance, before pointedly casting her gaze over the busy cavern “I wouldn't exactly call all of this, harmless.”

“She means well.” Twilight supplied.

“That means very little to me.”

Twilight frowned at that response. It didn't seem like it was an out-of-character thing for Chrysalis to say, but the princess couldn't help but wonder what qualified as in-character for the Changeling Queen.

“Pinkie's not going to stop trying to be your friend, you know.”

“I can be patient.” Chrysalis replied.

“She can be pretty persistent.” Twilight quietly insisted, even as she wondered if it was a good idea for Pinkie Pie to pursue such a friendship.

“She can only have so many years left.” Chrysalis countered, without thought.

“What?” Twilight blurted out.

“I said, she-” Chrysalis began, before noticing that the princess was no longer at her side, but had halted several steps back. Chrysalis gave Twilight a curious look, that seemed to go unnoticed by Twilight “What is it?”

Shaken from whatever thought that had captured her mind, Twilight turned her attention back to Chrysalis “S-sorry, I just-...never mind. It's not important.”

The Changeling Queen didn't let up on her scrutiny, staring down Twilight, even as she continued trying not to give away her thoughts.

“...How long ago was it, that you became an alicorn?” Chrysalis quietly asked.

“Really, I'm fine, we-” Twilight began.

“Has anyone spoken to you, about what being an alicorn entails?” The Changeling Queen demanded.

When Twilight failed to give an answer, Chrysalis' expression visibly hardened, worrying the young princess. For several moments, the Changeling Queen seemed to consider Twilight, as if she were holding some manner of internal debate. Eventually, she turned her gaze off to the side, having evidently settled the issue in her mind.

“As I said, we should go find your friend.” Chrysalis said.

Twilight stood there dumbstruck for several seconds, before following after the Changeling Queen.

Author's Note

Oh, boy...

Well, let me just start by saying that I'm kind of proud of myself for living up to the update schedule I set out for myself; the next update done by the end of the month. But, this chapter was a challenge to write. I started off with worryingly few ideas for what I wanted in this chapter. But, in typical fashion, I soon had more ideas than I knew what to do with.

I'm honestly kind of surprised by the direction things took.

I'm a bit hesitant about this one. So, I'm sure I'm going to get plenty of questions about this, though I'm pretty sure I can supply some answers for most of them.

Naturally, this chapter will be going through some edits over the next few days, as I pick out the typos and straighten out dialogue.

I've said this before, about my writing, but hopefully this one isn't a trainwreck.

I'll probably be starting work on the next chapter of "Diamond Tiara goes to Boot Camp" next, and then after that a one-shot for Valentine's day.

As always, I welcome any criticisms or questions that you might have. And I hope everyone enjoys this latest update.

Lesson Twelve: Productive Inquiry

“How old are you exactly?”

This question jerked Chrysalis' attention from the ongoing 'celebration' that her changelings were attempting, to the young princess at her side. Given a brief pause, as she processed Twilight's question, the Changeling Queen gave an expectant look towards the alicorn.

After several seconds of this, Twilight could only assume that Chrysalis was looking for some clarification “I mean, I understand that you are over 1000 years old. That's perfectly clear. But, how long have you been alive exactly?”

Chrysalis continued to give some sort of...look towards Twilight, that she couldn't quite dissect.

She tried clearing her throat, as this wore on, before glancing behind her. Half-expecting to find whatever was garnering Chrysalis' attention, she found nothing more interesting than her own wings, twitching from her growing nervousness. Those didn't seem to warrant the attention the Changeling Queen was directing in this direction.

Turning back towards the changeling, Twilight sent back her own questioning look.

Eventually, Chrysalis let out an exasperated sigh, before shaking her head, in apparent disbelief. She soon focused back upon Twilight “So, I can only assume that Celestia has taught you, literally, nothing about tact or etiquette?”

“What?” Twilight blurted out, thrown by the apparent change of topics.

“I'm starting to understand why you've been studying friendship, of all things, these last few years. Before then, did you just blunder from one social function to the next?” Chrysalis asked of Twilight.

“I didn't blunder from anything. Just what is it you're talking about? Did I say something wrong?” Twilight demanded, not understanding where all of this was coming from.

“So, you aren't even familiar with the notion that it could be construed as rude, to bluntly ask someone their age like that?” Chrysalis prodded, in a somewhat condescending manner.

“I-...Oh. Oh!” Twilight was actually familiar with the notion.

It just never occurred to her to take such a thing into account, when interacting with others...which rather nicely explained Mayor Mare's sour reaction that one time...

“Sorry! Sorry. I wasn't thinking. I didn't know that sort of thing was offensive to changelings, and-” Twilight began to apologize, realizing her error.

“I don't know why you're apologizing. I didn't find the question offensive.” Chrysalis swiftly interrupted.

Twilight couldn't help but blink in confusion at this “But, you-”

“I never said I was offended. I just find it shocking, that Celestia could have instilled such poor manners into one of her students, that they could be so forward.” The Changeling Queen calmly clarified.

It took Twilight a moment to realize that Chrysalis was once again messing with her.

Clearly noticing the annoyed look Twilight sent her, but obviously unmoved by it, the changeling tilted her head towards the princess “This is what I look like when I'm 'shocked'...for the record.”

Her 'shocked' look, could easily be mistaken for smug amusement.

“Nevermind.” Twilight replied, shaking her own head in exasperation.

“Now you decide to let a topic go...If you must know, and assuming my count isn't off, I'm 1237 years old.” Chrysalis abruptly supplied, startling Twilight a bit “Now, why exactly do you want to know?”

“1237 years...” Twilight muttered aloud, somehow astounded by the number. Academically, she knew that it wasn't much older than what she already knew to be the Changeling Queen's age. But, having an exact number somehow made it seem more real, made it apparent just how much Chrysalis had seen come and go. Twilight had to take a moment to clear her throat, before speaking again “And...you used to be just another regular changeling?”

Chrysalis furrowed her brow, as the princess seemed to ignore her own query, in favor of this new line of questioning.

Twilight found herself anxious, and soon found herself mistaking the Changeling Queen's silence for a desire for elaboration on the question “Your M-...Manti, mentioned it to me earlier. Before the situation...deteriorated.”

“Mentioned what exactly?” Chrysalis asked, now genuinely desiring a bit of clarity.

Twilight ducked her head a bit, under the changeling's obvious scrutiny “That you were a young...drone, when she took you in. That seemed to imply that you could have lived a normal life, for a changeling, if she hadn't...”

“I could have...” Chrysalis slowly agreed, as it became increasingly obvious to her what direction the young princess wanted to lead this conversation. It seemed, that she had spoken too soon when she had teased Twilight over finally being ready let to let an issue go. Given Twilight's faltering response, to Chrysalis earlier off-hoofed remarks concerning her friend's limited lifespan, it wasn't hard to connect the dots.

A quiet seemed to reign over the two of them, that was only broken by the ongoing sounds of the party happening in the other parts of the cavern. Twilight seemed caught at an impasse, as she struggled to articulate the questions that Chrysalis knew she wanted to ask.

Chrysalis decided against going easy on her “Was there something else you wanted to ask?”

She wasn't going to abide the young princess' indecision lightly. Either Twilight could, ideally, drop the subject, or she could stand her ground and speak her mind.

“Oh...Uhm, how old is your mother?” Twilight asked, after being startled from her thoughts by Chrysalis' prodding.

The Changeling Queen had to briefly scrutinize the purple alicorn, a bit vexed by the question. It wasn't quite a change of the subject, but it obviously wasn't key to what she believed was plaguing Twilight's thoughts.

Chrysalis briefly considered not answering, but couldn't see how that would help the situation “I'm not sure exactly. Her reign extended to before the founding of Equestria...She is, perhaps, some good 600 to 700 years older than myself.”

Twilight was visibly surprised, by the calmly delivered response “Wait. She's only 700 years older than you?”

“...And?” Chrysalis replied, not understanding the confusion.

“I-...She just seems so much older than you. By that accounting wouldn't that make you...middle-aged? Or even past that?” Twilight asked, her mind obviously taken by this mystery.

“There is no 'middle-age' for a Changeling Queen. A Queen does not age, as her subjects do.” Chrysalis authoritatively declared, shooting down that notion firmly.

“But, that doesn't explain how she can seem so elderly. She seemed ancient.” Twilight pointed out.

“She is ancient.” Chrysalis reminded, before shaking her head at this turn of events. There was some small relief in the fact that the young princess was distracted from her earlier thoughts, but still she didn't care to go into this topic with any depth. Focusing back upon Twilight, Chrysalis began with a gesture of her hoof “However she appears, has very little to do with her actual age, and more to do with her choices. Now-”

“Choices?...You mean making you her successor?” Twilight asked, recalling the elderly former queen's words on the matter.

“Yes. That.” Came Chrysalis' terse reply. She was ready to end this conversation and walkaway, but she could already see the question forming on Twilight's lips “What you are seeing, in my mother, are signs of starvation. Not aging.”

“...Starvation?” Twilight prompted.

“Essentially. Her body lacks the energy it needs to maintain itself...so some parts are simply no longer maintained.” Chrysalis explained.

Twilight furrowed her brow at this explanation. It didn't sound so different from what happened to any other creature that was starved of nourishment, but “If she is starving, couldn't she become healthy again by...feeding?”

Chrysalis closed her eyes, before answering “No. Any significant amount of damage due to starvation, is usually irreversible. Our body's ability to retain love, or energy, or whatever you wish to call it becomes...compromised. All that can be done, is the staving off of any further damage. Keeping any more of our bodies from rotting, even as they remain a part of us.”

Twilight briefly swallowed down her discomfort “And, this-...this is what it means for a changeling to starve?”

“Watching and feeling, as our own bodies steadily die all around us? Yes, that is what starvation means to a changeling.” Came Chrysalis' frank response.

Twilight had no words for that, and couldn't help but stare in horror, at that answer.

“You might see then, how we can be so callous about the harm our feeding inflicts upon ponies...Given the options.” Chrysalis continued with a deceptively casual tone.

“I had no idea...” Twilight admitted, not sure of what else she could say to that.

Chrysalis offered no response.

That was a horrifying thought, one that she couldn't even imagine having to approach. Even without going into the details of the process, it seemed like it would no doubt be a terrifying and painful process to undergo. There were many things, concerning the divide between changelings and ponies, that Twilight had yet to glean any answers upon. But this certainly explained why the changelings didn't seem too broken up about having to harm others in their feeding process.

She honestly had to wonder, if she wouldn't make the same choice, in their position. She liked to think her principles and ideals would hold out. But Twilight couldn't help but doubt that she could accept that fate for herself. Or for those she cared about...

It certainly made it easier, for her to stick to her decision to help the changelings find their way to the Crystal Empire.

Her gaze had to wander towards the busier parts of the large chamber, taking in the sights of Pinkie's celebration. She could easily see the faltering attempts of the changelings, as they tried to work their way through the new party-games that Pinkie had introduced to them. There was the quiet rumble of hundreds of changeling voices, echoing throughout the chamber. Off in the distance, she caught a distinctive flash of bright pink, as Pinkie Pie successfully frolicked and played with the young changelings.

That spurred on a sudden thought in her mind.

“That always happens to a Queen, when she raises her successor?” Twilight suddenly asked, causing Chrysalis' attention to snap towards her. It seemed the Changeling Queen had been doing much the same as Twilight, thoughtfully watching as her subjects went about this party.

Chrysalis tilted her head at this, before nodding “It is the usual fate of a Queen, yes.”

“And, that's why Manti is so-...” Twilight paused, as she tried to find the right word to use.

“Decrepit?” Chrysalis easily supplied.

“...Uhm, yes. That.” Twilight agreed, a bit thrown by the word choice.

Chrysalis simply gave another nod, as an answer.

“...She saw something in you...that made her willing to choose to go through that...” Twilight said, more to herself than anyone else.

Chrysalis furrowed her brow at this, not sure why Twilight seemed so in awe by that thought. She didn't get a chance to give voice to her thoughts, before the princess spoke again.

“What was it?” Twilight suddenly asked, looking up to meet Chrysalis' gaze as she did so.

“...Why are you asking me this?”

And then, the reality of what she was asking Chrysalis set-in, and of why she felt the need to ask such a question of the Changeling Queen. It also suddenly occurred to Twilight, that this might be a profoundly inappropriate thing to ask anyone “I-I'm sorry. That was...really, really thoughtless. You obviously don't have to answer-”

“If I answer, I shall expect you to answer a question of my own.” Chrysalis abruptly interjected.

Twilight stared for a moment, before glancing from side-to-side “Uhm...well, sure. That seems fair.”

“My mother asked me a question. To pick from one of two choices. Rather than accepting either choice, I told her I would instead create my own choice.” Chrysalis succinctly relayed.

“What were the choices?” Twilight asked the obvious question.

“...Whether I would be willing to sacrifice a few changelings, to guarantee the safety of the entire swarm, or if I would risk the whole of the swarm for the two changelings instead...assuming, I was in her position and had to make that choice.” Chrysalis elaborated, in what Twilight thought must have been a forcibly neutral voice.

Twilight couldn't help but notice the change from 'a few changelings' to 'two changelings' and quickly gave voice to that thought “Two changelings? Who were they?”

“...It was a hypothetical. Simple as that.”

Twilight took this to be another issue that Chrysalis wasn't going to providing anymore answers on. Twilight found herself nibbling at the inside of her cheek, before looking back towards the Changeling Queen “And...what was the choice you made?”

“That I would be strong enough to not need to make that choice...Now, I have a question for you, Twilight Sparkle.” Chrysalis declared, keeping the young princess from ruminating on the Changeling Queen's answer for too long.

“Well, that's fair. What did you want to ask me?” Twilight quickly acquiesced, curious now.

“Why did you choose to become an alicorn?” Chrysalis asked, without preamble.

“What?”

“Even if Celestia failed to speak with you about it as in-depth as she should have, I can't understand how you could have so many doubts, that you think to turn to me for answers. Did you not think about it at all before choosing-”

“I didn't choose to become an alicorn.” Twilight suddenly interrupted.

Briefly surprised by this, Chrysalis soon narrowed her gaze “What do you mean?”

“I mean...it just sort of happened.” Twilight replied.

“That is not the kind of thing that just happens, Twilight Sparkle.” Chrysalis exclaimed.

“Well, it kind of did. It was my...destiny, I suppose.” Came the princess' response.

“Destiny? Is that the line that Celestia used to convince you to-”

“Princess Celestia didn't convince me of anything, Chrysalis.” Twilight patiently corrected again.

This seemed to give the Changeling Queen some pause, as she was forced to parse apart the implications of that reply “You're telling me that she did not speak with you about it at all before letting it happen? That she didn't give you a choice in the matter?”

Twilight blinked, as she took note of Chrysalis' steadily growing ire “I-...well, I'm not sure that she knew-”

“Of course, she knew. How could you not realize that by now?” Came Chrysalis' sharp reply.

“Why is this making you so upset? This-” Twilight began, genuinely unsettled by the changeling's reaction.

“Because, you should have been given the opportunity to refuse.” Came the angry assertion.

“...Why would I have-” Twilight hesitantly began.

“That is what this whole conversation has really been about, hasn't it? You, just now realizing what it means to be an alicorn, realizing how you are going to be different now. How you are going to outlive every-” Chrysalis abruptly halted her tirade there. She took a moment to take a calming breath, her eyes briefly closing, before focusing back upon Twilight “You should have been the one to choose, not her.”

The young princess couldn't help but let her mouth hang open, as Chrysalis displayed what could only be described as open concern...for her. She couldn't have guessed that the Changeling Queen would have reacted so strongly to these revelations. Or that these feelings would overcome any leftover animosity she held towards Twilight, and Chrysalis' own prickly nature. Though, perhaps she should have seen it coming...

Twilight could surmise that Chrysalis had gone through a not so different ordeal. How life-altering was it, to go from being a mere mortal of a changeling, to the thousand year-old Queen that stood before Twilight right now?

The young princess' mind shook at the parallels, that she saw between herself and Chrysalis.

“Would you have refused, Chrysalis?” Twilight suddenly found herself asking.

“What?” Came the quick reply.

“I...I am scared, by a lot of what's changing about my life.” Twilight admitted. She quickly turned her gaze down to her hooves, as she struggled not to think about some of those changes “But...I don't think I would have refused, even if I had known everything. Not knowing, that if I accepted, I could...help.”

“That-” Chrysalis began, but was halted as Twilight suddenly turned her gaze back up, to meet her own.

“Manti spoke with you about it first, and gave you the opportunity to say 'no', didn't she? Did you even consider turning her down, knowing what you could do if you accepted?” Twilight suddenly pressed.

Chrysalis visibly struggled with the question. Particularly, as there was no real point in even giving voice to an answer. The mere fact that Chrysalis was standing here, some 1200 years later, was answer enough. In the end, she merely scowled before turning her own gaze to the side “That does not excuse Celestia's inaction, in any of this.”

Twilight didn't deny that.

Honestly, she didn't know how she felt about things right now, about how she felt about her ascension. Part of her wanted to simply believe that Princess Celestia held a great deal of faith in Twilight, or that on some level, perhaps the choice still remained with Twilight. The events surrounding her becoming an alicorn were kind of vague and confusing.

On the other hoof, Chrysalis has an undeniable point. One that was reinforced by the fact that, the Changeling Queen had proven to be the first to speak with Twilight about the issue in a frank manner. Indeed, more than anyone else so far, Chrysalis seemed to understand what Twilight was dealing with...

“...Thank you.”

“Why are you thanking me now?” Chrysalis asked with a gesture of her hoof, bewildered by this turn.

“I-I don't really know...I just kind of feel like I should.” Twilight hesitantly admitted.

Chrysalis gave a skeptical look at that, one that showed she didn't find that a satisfactory answer.

Twilight swallowed down at that, as her hooves shifted of their own accord “Just...thank you, for being concerned.”

This seemed to throw Chrysalis for a few moments, as the Changeling Queen became visibly uncomfortable. Nearly as uncomfortable as Twilight was right now.

“You are not my concern.” Chrysalis declared, even as her gaze trailed off to the side. She didn't turn her gaze back towards Twilight when she next spoke, and if anything seemed to be consciously avoiding doing so “If anything, this should be Celestia's concern. If anything, you should be speaking with her about this, not me. So...do us both a favor and bother her with it instead.”

Twilight eventually gave a nod at that, deciding against poking at the issue. Clearly, Chrysalis was quite done with the topic. There was still more that the young princess wanted to speak of, but it didn't seem...fair to the changeling, to press Chrysalis for these answers.

How in the world, had it come to the point where Chrysalis was the one most capable of empathizing with her issues, at this moment?

Twilight's attention was soon pulled back to Chrysalis, as the changeling took in a deep breath.

Letting it out as a heavy sigh, the Changeling Queen seemed to take a moment to settle her thoughts before speaking “Before we go any further, before you come to a decision about my changelings, I need to-”

“I already came to a decision.”

“What?” Chrysalis blurted out.

“I've already decided that I should help.” Twilight clarified.

“W-when?” The Changeling Queen uncharacteristically stuttered, evidently floored by this.

“I realized it just a little while ago, but forgot to mention it. Back in the library-” The princess began to explain.

“The library?” Chrysalis interrupted, with a raised eyebrow.

“Huh? Yes, I-...” Twilight stopped when she took note of the look the changeling was sending her “It wasn't just because you showed me the library!”

For Chrysalis' part, she merely glanced to the side a bit innocently “So, it did play some part though, then?”

“I-...maybe.” Twilight conceded, after realizing that even she didn't believe that the trip to the library had failed to have an impact on her thoughts. The young princess cleared her throat, to regain Chrysalis' attention “Uhm...thank you, though. For showing me, I mean.”

“...Right.”

“...I couldn't help but notice-” Twilight began after a moment.

She was stopped by the sound of Chrysalis' hoof knocking on the floor, as the Changeling Queen spoke up “Focus.”

“Oh, right.” Twilight replied a bit sheepishly. Any questions she might have about the library's contents could wait till later “Like I said, I came to the decision just a little bit before you and Rainbow Dash rejoined me and Prince Blueblood.”

“What was it that made the decision for you?” Chrysalis asked.

Twilight had to consider that question for a few moments, though it didn't surprise her “It wasn't just one thing. After seeing everything here, I don't want to see ponies and changelings keep being afraid of one another, if I can help it. I don't want to even think about any changelings having to worry about...starving, not when there's a way that they might not have to. And, I want to learn more about the changelings. To meet them and find out what's special about them. And...”

Twilight paused, before meeting Chrysalis' gaze “...I really want Princess Celestia to be right about you.”

“...And what if she is wrong?” Chrysalis asked, in what Twilight was sure was forced neutrality.

“I don't think she is. Not entirely.”

“She's been wrong before, about me.”

“...If she was that wrong about you, would you be pointing that out to me?” Twilight countered.

Chrysalis turned her gaze to the side, momentarily stymied by that argument "You need to-"

The Changeling Queen's response was cut-short, by the 'thwack' of the rubber ball that suddenly bounced off of her face. Twilight couldn't help but follow the arc of the blue-striped yellow ball, as it sailed through the air, only to bounce off of a profoundly pink head.

“Great return, Chryssie! That was a good one!” Came Pinkie Pie's enthusiastic encouragement, as she proceeded to bounce the ball off of own her head several times. At some point, Pinkie had somehow managed to clean off the copious amounts of flour she had poured over herself, and now had a large cadre of changeling nymphs with her. The cute, little changelings seemed to enjoy watching the pink mare's adroit handling of the ball, happily watching it's regular bounces off of her head, as they hovered and stood around her.

Chrysalis shook her head, as she blinked away her own surprise from the sudden intrusion, and seemed ready to loose an irritated rant towards the pink pony.

“This one is really funny, Queen Chrysalis!” The light, echoing voice of a changeling nymph happily called out, leading to Chrysalis abruptly biting her tongue.

“Hey, thanks! You guys are really funny too!” Came Pinkie's happy acknowledgment. Letting the rubber ball drop down to her nose, and balancing it in place briefly, she then launched the ball towards the gathering of young changelings “Here! You guys try now!”

There was a brief yelp of surprise from one of the changeling nymphs, that quickly lead into the sound of the ball being bounced back into the air. Quickly overcoming their surprise, the little changelings were soon gleefully bouncing the ball back and forth, to Pinkie's own delight “Oh, wow! You guys are naturals at this!”

The Queen and the Princess couldn't help but watch for a few moments, before their attention was called by one of the changeling nymphs “Does Queen Chrysalis want to try?”

This was quickly met by a chorus of little changeling voices echoing the sentiment, as they brought the ball to a rest on the floor. Soon they, along with Pinkie Pie, were all sending hopeful looks up towards Chrysalis.

Twilight couldn't help but note again, how much the young changelings seemed to adore Chrysalis. Nor could she disregard the fact that, despite the Changeling Queen's prideful nature, she seemed loath to disappoint them. That is, if the way Chrysalis was now standing stock-still as she tried to decide whether or not to indulge their pleas, was any indication.

Chrysalis' own gaze briefly narrowed, in annoyance for Twilight's pink friend, before smoothing over into neutrality. Holding up a hole-filled hoof to forestall the changeling nymphs pleas, Chrysalis seemed intent on regaining a bit of her dignity “I'm afraid, now is not a good time for such...frivolity. There are still things that must be discussed-”

“Awwwww! You two haven't even joined the party yet! How much more stuff can you have to discuss?” Pinkie Pie pleaded and prodded, gaining the nymphs' attention, before their collective hopeful gaze again turned towards the royal duo.

Chrysalis briefly frowned at this.

“Please, please, please! If you two don't come now, you'll never get a chance to see the whole party!” Pinkie Pie argued.

The Changeling Queen seemed to be more moved by the little changelings than anything Pinkie Pie actually said, and eventually turned towards Twilight expectantly. The princess briefly considered saying something, before she simply smiled and shrugged helplessly.

Chrysalis lowered her head, appearing to finally have given-in, before nodding towards the little changelings “...Very well.”

This was met by a chorus of cheers, lead by an endless optimistic pink pony.

“I knew we shouldn't have left her unsupervised...” Chrysalis muttered to Twilight, as they followed Pinkie Pie to join with the rest of the party.

Meanwhile...

“Well, I dare say you have everything in-order, Lady Rainbow Dash.” Prince Blueblood noted.

“Tch, yeah. Things are just going great.” The pegasus griped, as the twins continued with their efforts to clean away the changeling goo. If she wasn't so grossed out by the stuff, she might have thought it was kinda cool, the way they were doing it. All Alate and Cryptic seemed to be doing was making their horns glow at the stuff, but everywhere they passed, the sticky stuff seemed to just slip away. Little wisps of light seemed to lift away from her, as the goo turned watery and dripped off.

She was still wet and kind of smelled funny.

But, whatever, it was progress.

Blueblood clearly picked up on the sarcasm, but simply shrugged and decided to disregard it “In that case, I shall leave you to finish getting cleaned up. I find myself suspecting, that your pink friend could do with some proper supervision.”

“Whatever.” Rainbow Dash remarked, even as the prince departed. He hadn't really been that big of a help anyway, what with the way he kept trying to avoid getting any of the goo on himself. Sure, it was gross, but it wasn't like the stuff was that bad.

“Whoa! What the- Just what the buck are you doing?!” She suddenly exclaimed, as her attention was torn from the retreating form of the stallion, and given over entirely to the changeling that was sifting their way through her mane. Without warning, one of the twins had decided to start mucking about with her hair. Which kind of ranked right up there with touching her wings or handling her hooves; those were all no-fly zones.

Fortunately, whichever of the twins it was, came to an abrupt stop at Rainbow Dash's exclamation. Rejoining with their sister, they shared a questioning look with one another, before they both shot perplexed looks towards the pegasus.

“What's wrong?” Said one twin.

“There's still stuff in there.” Came the other, right afterward.

“Yeah, your hooves poking about in my mane!” Rainbow Dash remarked, managing to reply to both changelings at once, even as she ran her own hoof through her mane. This was ill-advised, as there was still quite a bit of goo left in there. Rather than returning her polychromatic mane to it's normal awesome state, all this did was result in a sort of sideways cow-lick.

The twins again shared a look with one another, before one of them, Cryptic, responded “Is that a problem for ponies?”

“It is for me.” Came Dash's slightly defensive response.

“...Is it really sensitive?” Alate innocently asked.

“What? No. I just don't want folks poking around there.” Rainbow Dash tried to explain. She didn't know why she was protective of her hooves or her mane or whatever, but she was.

“...Is it sexual in nature?” Cryptic asked, now plainly curious.

“...What.” Was Rainbow Dash's slow reply.

“Like, part of your mating rituals? Alate thinks it would more involve your wings, but I think your mane would prove more likely to catch the attention of another pony.” Cryptic explained in a matter-of-fact tone.

The pegasus could only stare, unable to formulate a response to that.

“...I still think the wings play a part in-” Alate began.

“Okay. I'm going to stop you right there.” Rainbow Dash interrupted.

Both focused their attention back on the pony, evidently hoping for answers.

She briefly considered trying to correct them, but realized, no, she didn't think she was up for that. Rainbow Dash rose a hoof up to rub the back of her head, only to be reminded of the slimy mess that was her mane.

Making a face, as she felt the strands of goo hanging from her hoof, Rainbow Dash shook away any lingering embarrassment she might have had “Alright, there's nothing sexy about my mane, okay? So, let's just get this over with!”

With that, the pegasus promptly sat down, and leaned her head towards the two changelings. After only a few moments of hesitation the twins quietly went back to work.

“...Wouldn't even have to be doing this, if Chrysalis wasn't such a jerk all the time...” Rainbow Dash audibly muttered, causing a brief pause in their task.

Sensing that she had managed to offend their sensibilities again, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but roll her eyes “Look. I know you two think she's just super-great and all that, but you gotta admit we wouldn't be doing this right now, if she was just a little nicer to-”

“Queen Chrysalis is nice to us.” Cut-in one of the twins.

“Huh?” Came Rainbow Dash's own response, as she turned her head back up to look at the duo. Sweeping her hoof through her mane, she was briefly pleased to note that her hair felt more like she'd just come out of rainstorm now, rather than just climbed out of a vat of gelatin.

“She listened to you, earlier. When you...defended us?” Alate pointed out.

“But she still-” Rainbow Dash began to argue.

“And the punishment she gave wasn't too bad to begin with.” Cryptic interrupted, and after a moment of thought added “She also reduced the punishment after you apologized to her too.”

“But, she said that my apologizing didn't matter, that she was punishing the two of you just the same.” Rainbow Dash reminded, a shade of guilt entering her tone.

The two changelings seemed to take a moment to consider this, as they watched Rainbow Dash glance down towards her hooves, still a bit ashamed that she was getting off without any sort of real punishment.

“We're pretty sure she listened to you.”

It was impossible to really tell which of the twins had spoken up, but Rainbow Dash could guess that whichever one did, it was the other that responded now “Not that, Queen Chrysalis isn't normally considerate of us. She's usually more so than most other changelings.”

“...Huh?” Came the same reply from the pegasus, though for different reasons this time. Glancing between the two changelings “Wait...what's that supposed to mean?”

The two glanced towards one another, before focusing back on Rainbow Dash “What part is confusing you?”

“The part where she treats you better than others do.”

Cryptic tilted her head at this, while Alate took the lead “How is that confusing?”

“Well, doesn't that mean that there are others that are treating you worse? I mean, there isn't anyone but changelings here, so how exactly is she more considerate?” Rainbow Dash clarified, even as she reined in a bit of aggravation.

“She doesn't treat us as if we're weird.” Cryptic answered.

“She always has something for us to do.” Alate added, a moment later.

“Queen Chrysalis finds us a place where our weirdness helps.” Cryptic summed up.

“Wait, are you saying that the other changelings-...what? Don't like you or something?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

The twins shared another glance, before Cryptic answered “Not really. They just...avoid us.”

“Because they find us weird.” Alate reminded, to which Cryptic nodded.

“They ignore you? Wait, I don't get it, how are you guys so much weirder than any other changeling? You guys seem alright, to me.”

The two didn't even glance at one another this time, before simultaneously shrugging “Twins are always weird.”

“So, that's it?” The pegasus asked again, clearly not satisfied with the answer.

“We just...get along better with each other, instead of others. It's just a bit...harder, understanding other changelings. It doesn't come natural to us.” Alate tried to explain, unable to properly describe what set them apart from other changelings.

Rainbow Dash furrowed her brow at this “So, none of the other changelings want to hang out with you guys? Just because you're twins?”

The duo seemed to hesitate, before Cryptic shrugged “I guess, that's kind of why.”

Alate nodded “That's why Queen Chrysalis let's us work on the surface instead.”

Rainbow Dash frowned at this, as the implications sank in. The two changelings didn't seem at all bothered by any of this, and seemed to merely accept it as part of life. If anything, they seemed to find it strange, that she found it strange “So...do you guys have any friends? I mean, aside from Chrysalis?”

“It's easier for us just to work together, instead.” Came the practical reply, from Cryptic.

“Cause...we are weird.” They both said at the same time.

“...Well, screw that!” Rainbow Dash angrily exclaimed, startling the twins. Shaking her still wet mane out of her eyes, she stomped over towards the duo, causing them to start backing away. Before they could get far, she wrapped one hoof around each of them “If everyone's going to be stupid about it, then I'll be your friend!”

“...What?” They both chimed, not needing to glance towards one another to be in-sync. They both shared in a look of confusion, surprise, and mild discomfort at this turn of events.

“I said, I'm your friend now!” Rainbow Dash angrily reiterated.

“But-” Alate began.

“That's the whole reason we're here, isn't it?” Rainbow Dash reminded, before looking between the two of them again. She had to admit to herself, it did feel kind of weird, their carapaces. It was an unfamiliar sensation, but she refused to let it bother her though.

“You...want to be our friend?” Cryptic hesitantly asked.

“No. I am your friend. You're not getting any say in this.”

“But, why?” Alate asked.

“Because...I don't know. That's just how this is gonna be, alright? This is probably one of those things I'm not gonna be able to explain to you guys. So, you're just gonna have to deal with it.” Rainbow Dash authoritatively explained, in a somewhat calmer voice.

After several seconds, Alate shrugged towards her sister, before speaking up “Okay...we'll be your friend.”

“Great, then-”

“But, we need to do something first.” Cryptic interrupted.

“Huh? What is it?”

The twins squirmed out from Rainbow Dash's grip, before they looked towards one another again, doing their usual silent conversation trick. Though this time it seemed to wear on a bit longer than usual. Long enough, that Rainbow Dash was considering poking one of them, to see if she could get some sort of response.

She didn't need to, as Cryptic suddenly spoke to her sister “You're the faster flyer. You should get it.”

“Yeah, but you're the one that organizes all of our stuff. You'll find it faster.” Alate countered.

“Uh, what are you guys talking about?” Rainbow Dash asked.

They glanced towards her as one, before replying “One of us needs to go get you something.”

Blinking at the simultaneous response, Rainbow Dash ran another hoof through her mane “Uh, what? You guys don't need to do that. That's not really how being friends works, you know? You don't-”

“She needs to go get it.” Alate firmly declared, earning a frown of annoyance from her twin.

“...Fine.” Cryptic conceded taking to the air and turning away from them, prepared to dart off.

“And, since she's our friend, you might want to show her your collection too.” Alate offered, to Cryptic's back, causing her twin to halt in mid-air.

“...You think?” Cryptic asked.

“Uh...I don't know what's going on, guys. But, sure, I'll check out your collection, or whatever.” Rainbow Dash offered.

“Oh...well, that's good.” Cryptic nodded, before darting away quickly by wing.

Alate made a movement, that Rainbow Dash was fairly sure was the changeling equivalent of a roll of her eyes. It was kind of hard to tell with changeling eyes, but the knowing smirk on Alate's face kind of gave it away.

“And stop making faces!” Cryptic's voice echoed back, earning a slightly chagrined look from Alate.

...Okay. They were definitely pretty weird. Still, Rainbow Dash wasn't backing away on this decision, not after having come along this far.

“So, uh...what exactly is it you guys want to show me?” Rainbow Dash asked Alate, hoping to pass the time till Cryptic returned.

“It's something we think you'll like.” Alate told her.

“Huh...And this collection of her's?”

“It's just something she gets the, uh...infiltrators to help her with, when they go out on their trips. It's kinda silly, but she likes it.” Alate explained.

Rainbow Dash had to tilt her head at this. Alate seemed a lot more normal, with her sister not at her side. She had to wonder if perhaps Cryptic would seem the same way; without their constant 'looks' and strange way of speaking over and around one another.

She was about to give voice to that thought, when the sound of approaching changeling wings drew her attention.

“Found it.” Cryptic declared, as she set down the small box she had in her hooves on the cavern floor.

“Told you. I knew you would find it easily.” Alate crowed.

“If you paid any attention to my system, you could have found them too.” Cryptic primly responded, before opening the lid of the small box, and retrieving an item.

It looked to be an old pair of flight-goggles.

Without preamble, Cryptic set the eye-wear down at Rainbow Dash's hooves “Here.”

The pegasus slowly looked over the old pair of goggles, noting the obvious wear-and-tear they had suffered, before glancing back towards the twins “Uh...thanks.”

“I knew she would like them.” Alate noted with a smile.

“Yeah...been needing a new pair of goggles for a while now...” Rainbow Dash politely said, as she used a hoof to lift them up by the strap. They even smelled kind of bad. Like old sweat.

It seemed to be Cryptic that took note of her lack of enthusiasm first “They were Grandfather Glimmer Wing's.”

“What?” This got the pegasus' attention.

“We weren't sure where the rest of his stuff was. But you like the Wonderbolts, right?” Cryptic asked.

“Uh, yeah! Are you saying I can really have these?” Rainbow Dash asked, as she began looking the goggles over with new found respect and awe. Suddenly they seemed much, much cooler to her now, with every bit of wear-and-tear now telling a story of awesome, high-flying stunts, in her mind.

“We're not using them for anything.” Alate easily pointed out.

“And you do like them, right?” Cryptic asked.

“Again, yeah! This is awesome! He actually wore these, right? When he was flying with the Wonderbolts?” Rainbow Dash excitedly asked, as she looked through the old, dirty lens.

The twins both nodded.

“Sweet!”

“So...you want to see my collection now?” Cryptic hopefully asked.

“Huh? Oh, right. Sure.” Rainbow Dash agreed easily, after being reminded of Cryptic's collection. Slipping the goggles over her head so that they rested around her neck, Rainbow Dash happily trotted over “So, what exactly is it that you collect, anyway?”

Before Cryptic could answer, Alate spoke-up “She collects pony-pictures.”

“They aren't just pony-pictures...” Cryptic irritably corrected, before lifting the cover to her little box. A moment later, a small black-and-white photo of some pony Rainbow Dash didn't recognize floated out, held in Cryptic's magic “...they are pony-photographs.”

“There's not that much of a difference.” Alate argued, with a gesture of her hoof.

“Is too.” Came the, not exactly compelling, argument from Cryptic.

“It's cool. Photographs are pretty awesome, I guess.” Rainbow Dash cut-in, diffusing what she assumed would have been an argument, before it could form. Leaning over to try to get a look into Cryptic's box now “So, let's see them all.”

“All of them?” Cryptic asked eagerly, the normally more reserved of the two twins almost giddy, at getting a chance to show off her collection.

“Yeah, sure, that's why we're here right? How many you got? 10? 20 photos?” Rainbow Dash easily agreed.

“97.” Cryptic proudly informed her.

“Oh...Great.”

Author's Note

So, after several faltering attempts at writing some other things, I just conceded that my brain really wanted to see to the next update for Intermediate Lessons.

As always, I'll probably be doing some tidying up of this chapter over the next few days.

And, as per the norm, I happily welcome any questions or criticisms that you guy might have. Hope everyone enjoys.

Lesson Thirteen: Meeting New Friends

Twilight found herself wandering about the party for the next half-hour or so.

She had to remind herself a few times of the circumstances that had lead to being escorted around the massive party, taking place deep under a nigh-lifeless desert, by one of her most dangerous enemies. Sure, following the trail of events in her mind told her exactly why she was standing at the side of a certain Changeling Queen as she advised her changeling subjects about pony-party events. But, if you had told Twilight a year, a month, or even a week ago, that this was where she was going to end up, it wouldn't have been out-of-line for her to scoff at the idea.

But, here Twilight was, watching Chrysalis patiently instructing her attentive changelings on the rules of Bobbing for Apples. Which, due to a lack of readily available apples, had become Bobbing for Rubber-Balls-that-the-Changelings-had-in-a-Strange-Abundance.

When asked about why they had so many little rubber balls, Chrysalis, without even turning away from what she was doing, pointed a hoof towards Pinkie Pie.

Twilight had to admit that it wasn't the strangest thing she had ever discovered, that Pinkie Pie had brought with her a large supply of rubber balls for their trip.

Pinkie Pie, for her part, was delivering her usual Pinkie Spirit into the proceedings by cheering on the changeling nymphs that were trying to play the improvised game. She had originally been trying to teach the changelings the intricacies of the supposedly simple game. But when most of the little changelings had tried climbing into the tub of water after the balls, it was quickly concluded that the pink pony's rambling explanations were doing more harm than good. The Changeling Queen had given a huff of annoyance, before curtly ordering Pinkie Pie to one side and taking over the role herself.

Watching as Chrysalis carefully fished one of the bizarrely adorable little changelings from the tub of water, while Pinkie Pie continued to cheer her on, Twilight again had to remind herself of how she'd gotten to this point.

It had been a weird day.

Twilight had dealt with weird days before, with many of them being brought about by the aforementioned pink pony.

She'd dealt with a similarly weird day, when she had stumbled upon Chrysalis snoozing away in Princess Celestia's own private study not too long ago.

But this day might very well top her long list of weird days. With so many ups and downs, discoveries both personal and otherwise, and subverted expectations, Twilight found herself regretting not finding a way to record the day's events. She was sure that before too long, she was going to be losing track of important details or misremembering events.

She'd lose track over how such a traumatic and uncertain day, could end with her feeling so warmly and certain about her course.

Certainly, dealing with Chrysalis was almost perpetually stressful, as she seemingly went out of her way to tease, annoy, and unnerve the young princess. But now that Twilight was able to stand to one-side and look on, as the Changeling Queen looked after her young subjects, knowing what she now knew...

Twilight was left dealing with some inevitable cognitive dissonance. And unlike many ponies, she was well-read enough to recognize the mental phenomena as it was happening. With even this small amount of distance and calm, her thoughts cleared and she found herself recalling the events surrounding Cadence's Wedding. Twilight could see the juxtaposition between the monstrous individual that had turned her friends and mentor against her, and the imperfect, but-...complicated individual she had been around all day.

'It's not like Chrysalis' is anywhere near as bad as her mother...'

The young Pony Princess was given some pause by that thought. Not because she felt any confusion or regret about thinking such a thing of Manti. Twilight could think of some much more insultingly accurate assessments of the ancient changeling than that.

Manti had attacked Twilight, terrified her, and wished nothing less than death upon more than one of her loved ones.

Chrysalis' mother was dangerous, and maybe even insane.

And yet, Twilight had barely given her a second-thought since leaving her behind. Well, that wasn't exactly true. The ancient changeling had come up more than once, both in conversation and in thought, but there was still something off. It was like she was just so overwhelmingly impassive and apathetic, about the fact that Manti had tried to drive her insane with fear.

Like it didn't bother her as much as it should.

That was kind of weird...

Splash!

Twilight found herself shaking those thoughts away, as she returned her attention to the party game in-progress. It looked like Pinkie Pie had taken the liberty of joining in on the nymphs' game of Climb-into-the-Tub-of-Water, apparently deciding that was more fun than the game they were originally trying to play. There, glaring down upon the pink pony, was Chrysalis soaked by the resulting splash from, what Twilight assumed was, a pink pony cannonball. Suddenly concerned for her friend's continued welfare, Twilight was ready to attempt to intervene once more...

She came up short, as she reexamined that thought.

Certainly, Chrysalis seemed rather annoyed, but she had been annoyed before. The Changeling Queen had managed to restrain herself from harming Pinkie Pie before, despite making it no secret how aggravating she found the pink pony. And while it was true that Chrysalis even warned Twilight against trusting her with her friends...

...Twilight found herself sending an awkward smile the Changeling Queen's way, as she marched over towards the Pony Princess. Just behind Chrysalis floated the dripping wet Pinkie Pie, held in her telltale green magical aura, as she happily waved about the set of flippers she was wearing on her hooves.

“Hey Twilight!” Pinkie Pie enthusiastically greeted, apparently enjoying her time floating in the air.

“Hi Pinkie.” Twilight waved, a moment before Chrysalis abruptly dropped the Earth pony to the floor.

Chrysalis shook her own wet mane out of her eyes, incidentally sending a small cascade of water droplets Twilight's way, before stepping past her “We're going to be looking for a different activity for the little ones...”

“Oh, oh, oh! I know just the one!” Pinkie excitedly declared before darting past the Changeling Queen, quickly taking the lead.

A mix of wet and dry changeling nymphs quickly followed after her, leading Chrysalis to let out a sigh before trudging after them, with Twilight only a few steps behind her.

Wandering about the large cavern, watching the little changelings attempting to use their little wings to emulate Pinkie's trademark hops, Twilight couldn't help the burst of laughter that came rolling out.

Noticing the look Chrysalis was sending her, after the bout of snickering and giggling, Twilight quickly brought herself back under control “Sorry. It's just, they're really kinda cute...”

The Changeling Queen didn't give any sort of response at that, leaving the purple pony feeling as if she should add something to round out the thought.

“I didn't really expect you to be so gentle with them.” Twilight noted.

The royal changeling furrowed her brow at that “Why wouldn't I be?”

“That sounded better in my head...” The young alicorn sheepishly admitted, realizing how that statement came across now.

“It would have to.”

“Right. Sorry. I guess even you-...” Twilight abruptly stopped herself, preempting another hoof-in-mouth moment.

“Go on?” Chrysalis pressed.

Twilight tilted her head back and forth, as she tried to sort herself out of the hole she seemed to be digging for herself “I- That is-...You're just really good with your children. Surprisingly good, even.”

It took Twilight several moments to realize when Chrysalis came to a sudden stop. When the young princess turned back, she was met by an intensely scrutinizing look from the Changeling Queen.

“What was that?” Chrysalis sharply asked.

“What was what?” Twilight cleverly replied, looking for all the world like she was caught in some sort of trap.

“About-...” The Changeling Queen started before pausing. Tilting her head, as she considered the alicorn for a few moments “...Do you think that they're all my children?”

“...Not as much as I did a few minutes ago.” Twilight admitted, her ears drooping as she realized her mistake.

“So a few minutes ago, you were comparing me to a termite in your mind?”

“What?! No, no, no no! I just thought- I mean, with all the insect terminology- And termites aren't really that bad. I might have gone with bees instead, but-”

“You really are too easy.”

Twilight blinked at that, before facehoofing.

“It's almost like you're looking for opportunities like this to embarrass yourself. I barely even have to try.” Chrysalis observed with a smirk.

Twilight was tempted to ask the Changeling Queen to, at least, stop trying to do that to her, but suspected nothing helpful would come of it “So, I guess the little changelings aren't all yours then.”

“Do you have any idea how exhausting that would be? I do have other things that I need to do.”

“Right...so, I guess changelings are like ponies, in that they-”

“Breed with one another?” Chrysalis supplied.

“But where exactly do new changelings come from?”

Chrysalis shrugged “It's like you said, not really being that different from what you ponies have to go through, though there is an egg involved.”

“There's technically an egg involved when ponies do it too.” Twilight pointed out, unable to resist sharing a bit of information.

“Oh, is that so? I wouldn't think you were so knowledgeable about such things. Going by the way you fainted when I mentioned walking in on Celestia that one time-”

“That's entirely different! And that wasn't just about Princess Celestia!” Twilight blurted out.

The young princess realized how Chrysalis would take that, the moment it exited her mouth. Indeed, the Changeling Queen was looking at her with an upraised eyebrow and a near-predatory smirk.

“I'm not talking about that anymore.” Twilight abruptly stated before sealing her mouth shut. She was starting to realize that Chrysalis was never not going to find that incident hilarious.

Chrysalis merely shook her head, before glancing about the cavern. Easily picking out the distinctly pink hues associated with Pinkie Pie, she reset their pace to rejoin the energetic Earth pony.

Trudging along a few steps behind Chrysalis, Twilight found herself chewing on her lip a few moments later “I was being serious.”

Noting the look the Changeling Queen sent her way, Twilight cleared her throat before continuing “I honestly didn't really expect that, you taking care of them like that. I mean, not that I-”

“I understand what you are saying.” Chrysalis cut her off, before she could slip into another rambling attempt at explaining herself.

Twilight nodded at that “Right...was Manti ever like that?”

“She cared in her own way.”

“I guess it's not the most amazing thing in the world, seeing someone that cares about their children.” Twilight admitted.

The Pony Princess again found herself coming to an abrupt stop, as she bumped in the changeling's backside. Shaking her head and blinking away her confusion, Twilight tried to send a look towards Chrysalis “Could you please stop-”

Twilight quickly lost her train of thought, as she noted the stern look Chrysalis was sending her own way.

“As I said before, if you have a question you want to ask, ask it. Don't spend all your time trying to dance around the topic.” Chrysalis sharply demanded.

“I didn't mean to-” Twilight started, not sure how her comments had offended the Changeling Queen this time.

“Is there a question you wanted to ask, yes or no?”

“Not...particularly. I was just-...” Twilight replied haltingly, before coming to a pause. Furrowing her brow, she hardened own resolve, before taking a more confident stance “Actually, yes. I do have a question for you.”

Chrysalis merely tilted her head, to show she was waiting.

“What exactly have I done that has you so upset?” Twilight demanded, leading to a short silence over the two, as they stared one another down.

“...Nothing.” Came Chrysalis' abrupt reply, leading to some brief confusion from the young alicorn, as the Changeling Queen started to walk away.

“But-” Twilight began, reaching a hoof out towards the changeling.

“As I said, the process isn't that different from what ponies go through. We have to be a bit more conscious about how much energy we invest and most of the gestation takes place outside of the body, but it's otherwise the same.” Chrysalis calmly relayed without slowing down.

Twilight tilted her head at this, before cantering after her “What?”

“You were wondering about changeling children.” Chrysalis supplied.

“Oh.” It was a fairly obvious attempt to change the subject and Twilight was briefly tempted to call her on it, but couldn't really imagine that it would help things “...Go on?”

“What more is there? The egg moves outside the body, we supply it with nourishment, it eventually hatches. New changeling.” Chrysalis summarized.

“Nourishment? You mean the energy you collect from ponies?” Twilight asked.

“Yes. Any physical nutrients they need are already supplied by the egg.”

“Who takes care of the egg?”

“Sometimes the parents. Many are looked after communally, for the sake of convenience.”

Twilight looked up at that “Communally? Like a sort of nursery?”

“More or less.”

“Can I see it?”

“I imagine you're physically capable of viewing it. But, no, you won't be seeing it today.” Chrysalis quickly denied, before muttering “...this day has already run on a bit too long, as things stand.”

Twilight nodded, before glancing back towards the Changeling Queen “So, the little changelings just like you because you're nice to them.”

“Why is that so puzzling for you?” Chrysalis asked with a narrowed gaze.

“I- it's not! What I meant to say is-...” Twilight quickly blurted out, even as she tried to figure out exactly what it is that she meant. It took her a few moments to admit to herself that maybe there was no polite way to articulate her thoughts on the matter.

Glancing down at her hooves, Twilight swallowed before looking back up towards the waiting Changeling Queen “Actually...it is strange, for me...”

Chrysalis in-turn, pointedly oriented her ears Twilight's way, letting it be known that she was listening.

It took Twilight a moment to come to terms with the direction she had just committed to, but soon managed to let out the breath she was holding “That is...you're kind of intimidating...”

Chrysalis tilted her head at this.

“And, it is surprising. I've never seen you as being particularly nurturing till now...” Twilight pressed on a bit further, glancing up towards the changeling to gauge her reaction. Noting the impassive look being sent her way the princess continued “I mean, up till now you've come across as less nurturing and patient and more...”

“Does the Princess want to meet Mr. Skink?” Twilight almost jumped out of her skin, as the young, chipper voice piped up behind her.

“Ooohh! I want to meet Mr. Skink! Can we meet Mr. Skink, Twilight?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed a moment later, just as the young princess turned herself around to see a changeling nymph hovering in the air at her friend's side. Both of them were sending excited, hopeful looks her way.

Glancing to-and-fro for a moment, trying to take in the situation she found herself in Twilight focused back in upon the little changeling in front of her.

Putting on a smile that she thought seemed non-threatening, Twilight tilted her head to the little changeling flapping it's wings in front of her “I'm sorry?”

The little changeling briefly glanced towards Pinkie Pie, before rubbing its two forehooves together anxiously “Does the, uhm, Princess want to meet Mr. Skink?”

“Oh, you just gotta meet Mr. Skink, Twilight! He's the best! The best, Twilight! The best!” Pinkie helpfully exclaimed, gleefully leaning in towards the bemused Twilight as she did so.

“What's a Mr. Skink?”

“I don't know.” The pink party pony happily answered.

Furrowing her brow at this response, Twilight refocused on the bashful changeling in front of her with an encouraging smile “Do you mind telling me your name?”

“I'm-” The nymph began.

“This is Silky! We were just playing right over there, and then Silky was all like 'Do you want to play with Mr. Skink?' and I was like 'Sure!' cause I've never met a skink before.” Pinkie Pie giddily rambled over the little nypmh's words, excited to explain everything she could about Silky “And then she was telling how she'd love to introduce us, then I was like 'You know who loves meeting new friends?'...Well, do you?” Pinkie eventually trailed to a stop, evidently waiting for Twilight to provide an answer.

“...Is it me?” The young princess asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“It is! So then I was like-” Pinkie started up again.

“Pinkie!” Twilight interjected, before her pink friend could regain her momentum.

“What is it, Twilight?”

Sparing a smile for her friend, Twilight tilted her head towards Silky “Do you think perhaps Silky would like a chance to introduce herself?”

“That's a great idea, Twilight!”

“Thank you.”

“Oh, do you think-” Pinkie began again.

“Do you think she might like to do it herself, Pinkie?” Twilight gently asked.

“That's an even better idea, Twilight!” Pinkie exclaimed, before stepping to the mildly annoyed Chrysalis' side to watch the two of them intently.

Nodding in thanks towards her friend, Twilight turned her attention back towards the still hovering changeling nymph. She momentarily found herself as hesitant as the young Silky, unsure how to continue. Twilight found herself smiling to herself, as she recalled her earlier attempts at introducing herself to changelings, how much effort she had tried to put into something that should be relatively simple.

She didn't need to make it complicated.

“I'm Twilight.”

“I'm...Silky.”

“It's nice to meet you, Silky.” Twilight earnestly replied.

“Can I touch your mane?”

“What? Why?” The princess immediately blurted out, surprised by the request.

Silky bobbed her head again, before turning her gaze towards the Changeling Queen standing just behind Twilight “I was wondering if it feels like Queen Chrysalis'...”

There were a few moments of silence, during which Chrysalis noticeably avoided making eye contact with Twilight.

“Uhm...well, sure. I guess that's fine.” Twilight awkwardly relented, before leaning towards the little changeling.

A moment later, she could feel the air being displaced by Silky's buzzing wings as she hovered over and began moving her little hooves through Twilight's mane.

Despite herself, the situation didn't actually feel all that strange to Twilight. Yes, if she thought about it, this wasn't something she ever expected to be doing, but as far as how she felt about it...

Actually, something didn't feel quite right.

Blinking, as Twilight took note of where Silky was hovering at the moment, it took the young princess a moment to realize she could feel another hoof moving through her mane. One that couldn't possibly belong to Silky.

Turning her head a bit, she quickly cast her eye to one side to try to take in what was going on. “Pinkie!”

Twilight felt a bit bad, when noting how she managed to startle Silky.

“What is it, Twilight?” Pinkie Pie asked, still happily pawing her own hooves through Twilight's mane.

“What are you-...why are you doing that, Pinkie?” Twilight quickly corrected, recognizing that she knew exactly what her friend was doing.

“I just wanted to see what the big deal was.” The pink party-pony explained in a chipper tone.

The alicorn had to pause for a few moments to collect herself, before letting out a sigh. It didn't make much sense to be upset about anything “Alright...but, please ask ahead of time when you're going to do something like that. Like Silky did. Okay?”

“Okie-dokie-lokie!”

“Thank you.” Twilight said with a nod before turning back towards the anxious changeling nymph hovering a couple of steps away “Sorry, about that Silky, I didn't mean to startle you.”

“It's alright...”

“...Did you, uhm-...did you want to feel anymore of my mane?” Twilight clumsily asked.

“No, thank you.”

“Sorry. I was a bit startled myself, so-” Twilight tried to explain.

“It's okay. I really liked your mane.” Silky earnestly replied, giving a small smile that the princess returned.

“Oh, oh, oh, Twilight!” Pinkie clamored, while waving her hooves around to garner her attention.

“Yes, Pinkie?”

“I really liked your mane too!”

“Thanks, Pinkie.”

“Can I smell it now?”

“What?” Twilight blurted out, understandably flabbergasted by the request.

“I bet it smells like grapes! Oh, can I, Twilight?” Her Earth pony friend continued to plead.

“I've never smelt a grape before.” Silky helpfully chimed in.

“Yeah, me neither!” Pinkie excitedly claimed.

“Pinkie...I'm fairly sure you've had grapes before now.” Twilight pointed out.

“But how will I know unless I smell your mane?”

The young princess was given some pause, as she struggled to unravel that string of logic. Quickly realizing that it was pointless, Twilight gave a vigorous shake of her head to dislodge those bewildering thoughts.

“No one is smelling my mane.” She authoritatively declared.

“Awwwwww....” Pinkie Pie moaned in an over-the-top display of disappointment.

“...I've never smelt a grape before.” Silky pitiably reiterated, sharing in the pink Earth pony's disappointment.

Seeing this, Twilight was left feeling a bit trapped, as she took in the easily readable expression of sadness the changeling nymph was sporting.

Twilight gave a heavy sigh “...Alright.”

Both Pinkie and Silky glanced up questioningly.

“Just one smell.”

“Yay!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

“Just Silky. You're still not allowed to smell my mane, Pinkie. Or my tail, for that matter.” Twilight declared, firmly setting down the boundaries between herself and her hyper friend.

“Awwwwww...”

Twilight just shook her head, trying not to smile at Pinkie's antics, before turning towards Silky.

“Alright, so...” Not knowing how to approach this, Twilight just gave up before leaning her head towards the hovering changeling.

A few uneventful moments later, Twilight could see Silky floating away from her with her wings, the nymph having apparently gotten her smelling in.

“So...”

Silky ended up tilting her head in apparent thought, before focusing back on the princess “I still don't know what grapes smell like.”

The young alicorn didn't know how to respond to that “Right...so, who is this Mr. Skink you wanted to introduce to me?”

“Oh, Mr. Skink is my pet!” Silky excitedly explained.

“Just like Gummy! Oh, I pet Gummy would have loved to meet you all!” Pinkie added.

Twilight just smiled at that “Well, I think I would love to meet Mr. Skink.”

“Really?”

Twilight gave an easy nod to the child.

“I'll go get him then!” Silky declared, before darting off through the air. Just out of the corner of her eye, Twilight noted Chrysalis making a subtle gesture towards another older changeling. A moment later, the older changeling was quickly following after Silky, presumably to keep an idea on the child.

“I can't wait to meet him, Twilight! I wonder what kind of pet Silky has! Ooooh, I bet it's a falcon! With great big wings and a-” Pinkie quickly started speculating.

“Somehow I don't think Mr. Skink is a falcon, Pinkie.” Twilight pointed out.

“Do you think Mr. Skink will be hungry when he gets here? We should get him something to eat! Oh, what about you two? Are you hungry? We've got treats!” Pinkie Pie babbled, before setting a pace towards a particular section of the party-cavern.

Once more leaving Twilight standing, more or less, alone with Chrysalis.

Glancing towards the Changeling Queen, the young princess tried to put on a casual smile, only to be cut-off.

“At this rate, if you have to force anymore smiles your face is going to become paralyzed.” Chrysalis observed, before following after Pinkie Pie.

Twilight tilted her head at this, letting her face slide into a more neutral expression, before quickly trotting after the larger changeling. Coming up along her side, the princess briefly cleared her throat before speaking “I wouldn't say that I was forcing any smiles...”

“Please, your discomfort was palpable. Though, I suppose you have to do that sort of thing a lot, for your pink friend.”

“Actually, I don't.” Twilight quickly asserted. Seeing that she had gotten Chrysalis' attention, she continued on “I admit, Pinkie's been a bit much today. But, most of the time I really do enjoy spending time around her...maybe she was feeling a bit nervous about today too.”

Chrysalis offered no comment to that.

After a few moments of...Twilight wasn't really sure what kind of silence it was. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but neither was it an oppressive silence. In any event, she found herself clearing her throat once more “So, I didn't know that changelings did pets...”

Chrysalis briefly glanced towards Twilight at that “Changelings that can do a good job taking care of pets are often considered for roles taking care of others, when they're older.”

“That's...practical.”

“Oh, did I forget to mention the joy and comfort that taking care of another living being cultivates? My mistake, for not bringing that up.” Chrysalis snarked.

“Sorry, sorry. It makes sense. I guess I've been realizing that most of the things changelings do have to serve some purpose or another.” Twilight explained.

“We don't exactly have a lot of room for frivolity.” The Royal Changeling agreed.

A few moments later the royal duo caught up with Pinkie Pie, finding the pink party pony excitedly waving them over towards a long table that had been laid out in the middle of the cavern.

“What have you done now?” Chrysalis unhappily intoned.

“I made cupcakes!” Pinkie exclaimed while gesturing a hoof to the table, which was indeed laden with some manner of cupcakes, among other things.

The royal changeling let an eyebrow climb upward, as she cast her gaze across the table “So you have.”

“Pinkie. Just what exactly are these cupcakes made of?” Twilight asked of her friend, even as she scrutinized one of the odd looking confectioneries.

“Lots of stuff! Here you go!” Pinkie replied, before hoofing over a rather odd looking cupcake. Topped with some fairly normal looking icing, the 'cupcake' was some sort of dark, mottled green substance, resembling...spinach? If spinach could be sculpted into the shape of a baked good.

Sporting a leery look as she accepted the cupcake, Twilight cast her eyes back towards Pinkie “What kind of stuff?”

“Stuff I found around here! And here's one with chocolate frosting, just for Chryssie!” The party pony unhelpfully answered, before shoving another such cupcake towards Chrysalis “Oh, wait here and I'll get you guys some punch!”

Chrysalis spent several moments looking over her own 'cupcake', before taking a bite without comment.

Twilight glanced back to her own treat, considering it carefully before finally giving voice to her curiosity “I don't suppose you know what Pinkie Pie used to make these, do you?”

“Changeling baby food, essentially.” Came the Changeling Queen's simple response.

“Baby food?”

“Yes?” Chrysalis replied, clearly wondering how the young princess could find her answer confusing “It's for young, still growing changelings. Baby food.”

Twilight briefly frowned to herself, before giving the substance an experimental sniff “...Is it safe for ponies?”

“I have no reason to think it isn't.”

“What's that supposed to mean?”

“It means I don't know for certain that its safe for ponies to eat, but based on what I know it should be fine.”

“But how can you not know something like that?”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes at this “Well, I've been meaning to to abduct a pony, hogtie them, then force feed them until something happens, but I've never been able to find the time. You know how it is.”

“Well, when you put it like that...” Twilight conceded.

“You know, you don't have to eat it.” Chrysalis pointed out, before deftly snaking her tongue out to snag the remainder of her own cupcake and pop it in her mouth.

“No, I-...it's probably fine. I was just...curious.” The young alicorn said in an apologetic tone, before focusing back upon her own treat.

“Whatever. I have other matters to tend to.” Chrysalis replied with an easy wave of her hoof, before stalking off, leaving the Pony Princess staring at her cupcake.

Swallowing down a bit, Twilight took the green cupcake up in her magic, steadily bringing it closer to herself. Letting out a held breath, she slowly opened her mouth, slowly inching forward to take a big bite...

It kind of tasted like a pickle. If a pickle had the consistency of bread pudding. And kind of tasted like...mushrooms? So maybe not a pickle. It was really hard to place, but she couldn't say it was bad, by any measure. There was definitely a veggie-taste in there, which was a bit of a relief, but it was also oddly juicy. And it had a bit of a melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Twilight wasn't sure whether the pink icing on top was a welcome addition or not, at this point.

Then it hit her, a sort of...warm sensation, that seemed to radiate outwards from her mouth. Twilight almost didn't realize when she swallowed her first bite, as a brief wave of giddiness overtook her, before settling pleasantly in her belly. Twilight felt like she'd just drank half-a-cup of coffee, whilst in the midst of a particularly cuddly hug.

Shaking her head to clear it a bit, Twilight sent a wide-eyed look of amazement towards the remainder of her cupcake “What-...what was that?”

“What was what?”

“Rainbow Dash? Where have you been?” Twilight blurted out, surprised that she failed to notice her friend's arrival. She soon turned her attention to her airborne friend “You look...clean.”

“Tch, yeah, right? These two really knew what they were doing.” Rainbow Dash easily agreed, gesturing back to the two changelings following her through the air, one of which seemed to be sifting through a small box, the other carrying RD's Daring Do book. Idly brushing her hoof against a worn set of goggles hanging around her neck, Rainbow Dash focused back on Twilight “So, what's up?”

“That's what I'm trying to figure out.” Twilight explained while holding out the cupcake for Rainbow Dash to see.

“Hey, cool. Pinkie made cupcakes?” The polychromatic pegasus eagerly asked, a flap of her wings carrying her over to the over-laden table.

“Sort of, yes.”

“Sweet!”

Seeing Rainbow Dash quickly snagging up one of the cupcakes, Twilight quickly reached out a hoof to try to stop her friend “Wait, Dash! I'm not sure-”

“Wha's tha', Twi?” Came the muffled reply, as the pegasus turned back towards the princess, her mouth full of 'cupcake'.

“I-uh...I'm not exactly sure what Pinkie used to make those...” Twilight finished, letting her hoof drop.

RD swallowed the majority of her mouthful, before shrugging “Eh, tastes fine to me.”

“Really?” Twi asked with a tilt of her head. They didn't exactly taste bad, but they certainly didn't taste like any normal cupcakes.

“Yeah?”

“You didn't find that cupcake...strange?” The princess asked.

The pegasus raised an eyebrow at this, before glancing back towards the table, where the twins were themselves prodding the unusual treats. The fact that even other changelings found them odd was a bit of a concern for Twilight. Picking up another one, Rainbow Dash considered the treat for a few moments “...I guess, they look kind of weird.”

“...I don't suppose you felt anything...strange, when you ate yours?” Twilight prodded.

Rainbow Dash just shrugged “How do you mean?”

“Like a-” Twilight began.

“I got the punch!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed, pointing a hoof to the two cups perched atop her brow

“Sweet!” Rainbow Dash declared.

“Hey Dashie!...Hey, where'd Chryssie go?” Pinkie asked, after glancing about for a moment, noting the conspicuous absence of the Changeling Queen.

“She had some things she needed to take care of.” Twilight easily explained.

“But, she never got her punch...” Pinkie lamented.

“I'll take it.” RD quickly volunteered, before snagging the cup off of the pink pony's head. Leaning back to swig down the beverage, the pegasus was given some pause, as she noted the looks Alate and Cryptic were sending her way. Glancing from the cup and back again “What? It's not like she would have wanted it anyway.”

The twins rolled their eyes at this, but didn't contest that point.

Sparing a look for the pegasus, Twilight quickly accepted a cup from Pinkie Pie “Uhm, Pinkie...what exactly did you make these cupcakes out of?”

“Oh, it's-” Pinkie began.

“It looks like what we feed to the younger changelings.” One of the twins observed.

“But, what exactly is it? I mean, it tasted...I don't know what it tasted like, but it felt good when I ate it. How do you make this stuff?” Twilight pressed, turning her attention to the twins in the hopes that they could offer an answer.

“By partially digesting a large portion of specially cultivated fungi, mixing in some water and grit, forcing your love-energy into it and then expelling it back out to be stored for later.”

“...What?” The young alicorn blurted out.

“Well, that's how I would do it.” Pinkie casually elaborated.

“Pinkie...where did you even get an idea like that?” Twilight asked, utterly perplexed.

“From Amanita!” Pinkie declared in a chipper tone.

“Amanita?” The young alicorn asked, recalling the name being mentioned by Pinkie earlier.

Pinkie gave an excited nod “Yeah! She's the one that helps grow the special mushrooms that they use!”

“So...what you're saying is, these cupcakes are-” Twilight began, giving a leery look towards her half-eaten cupcake.

Rainbow Dash darted over waving her forehooves to put a halt to the conversation “Wait, wait, wait-...you're not serious, right?”

“I'm always serious when it comes to cupcakes, Dashie. You know that.” Pinkie Pie replied with a laugh.

Rainbow Dash paled a bit at that, before turning to the twins “She's kidding, right? You guys don't do that right? Not with cupcakes.”

The changeling twins both shook their heads at that, before Alate waved off the question with a hole-filled hoof “No way, we'd never do something like that.”

“Oh, Sweet Celestia, that's a relief!” Rainbow Dash exclaimed with a relieved sigh, a sentiment that Twilight sympathized with.

“It's like she said, it's Amanita and her changelings that are the ones that take care of that kind of thing.” Cryptic quickly followed up.

“...What?”

After sharing a glance with her twin, Alate made a waving gesture towards the ground with a hoof “They grow a bunch of mushrooms and whatnot down below-”

“-some of which are the kind you eat-” Cryptic filled-in.

“-and then regurgitate them back up for the little ones, once they've soaked in enough love-energy into them.” Alate finished.

Cryptic noted the growing look of horror on Rainbow Dash's face “...It's kind of like what we do with the floors.”

“Only you can eat it.” Her sister added.

“Which you just did.” Cryptic finished.

“So...I just ate changeling vomit?” The pegaus quietly asked.

Twilight herself was processing this revelation a bit better. Having studied a wide variety of subjects in her time, including many fields that some would find gross, the young princess was quite capable of bringing a level of clinical detachment to certain things. It certainly wasn't as bad as her friend was making it out to be, she reminded herself, even as she found a few crumbs of the substance still stuck amongst her teeth. It was just something the changelings did to survive. It wasn't any worse than what some other animals went through to feed their young.

Looking at it through that lens helped a bit.

“Are you going to be alright, Dash?” Twilight gently asked.

“...I think I'm going to be sick.” Rainbow Dash admitted, before landing and holding her hoof over her mouth.

“What's wrong, Dashie?” Pinkie asked, not understanding where her grounded friend was coming from on this issue.

Twilight just shook her head, before coming up along side the cyan pegasus. Extending out a hoof she settled it over her friend's withers, before moving it lightly back and forth “It's not that bad, Dash. I mean, you didn't have any problem with it before, right?”

“Yeah. Before.” Rainbow Dash pointed out, before suppressing a bout of gagging.

“Come on, Dash. Lots of animals do things like this.” Twilight pointed out.

“Yeah! Like bees!” Pinkie chimed in from the side, before reaching over to the table to scoop up another of her improvised cupcakes.

“What? Since when do bees vomit-” Rainbow Dash began, bewildered by Pinkie's interjection.

“Actually, Pinkie's right. The process for making honey does involve bees regurgitating up nectar into honeycombs.” Twilight added, sending a surprised glance towards Pinkie as she did so. One can suppose that as a baker and a fan of all things sweet, the pink party pony would have picked up some peripheral knowledge about things like honey.

“Nopony ever warned me about that! What other things-...what?” Rainbow Dash started, before stuttering to a stop. Turning to her other side, revealed the twins at her other flank, each of them resting their hooves along her back. Much like Twilight had.

Picking up on the questioning looks being sent their way by Rainbow Dash and Twilight, the twins shared in a shrug.

“You seemed upset-” Alate pointed out.

“-and this seems like the thing to do-” Cryptic added, while gesturing a free hoof towards Twilight.

“-since we're friends now.” The duo finished at the same time.

For a few moments, it seemed like Rainbow Dash had completely forgotten about being sick to her stomach, as she processed the awkward gesture the two changelings were trying to demonstrate for her.

“I, uh...thanks.”

The twins nodded in tandem.

“You seemed upset.” Cryptic explained, with another shrug.

“Can I touch your wings?” Alate asked, her hoof inching its way towards the feathery appendages.

“Okay! That's enough of that.” Rainbow Dash declared, before slipping out from beneath their hooves. Ears twitching, as she caught the sound of barely suppressed laughter, she found herself turning towards Twilight “What's got you giggling so much?”

The young princess waved off her pegasus friend as she got her little fit of laughter under control “Sorry. I'm sorry, I was just so worried when we started all of this.”

“Uh, yeah?”

“I mean, you made some friends, Dash. With changelings. That's- it just seems like that means a lot right now. I'm not really surprised with Pinkie, but-...” Twilight tried to explain, but was given some pause at the disgruntled look being sent her way by her pegasus friend “...It's good to know that you're onboard with helping them too....You are, right?”

Rainbow Dash blinked at the question, before glancing towards Cryptic and Alate “Well, yeah, I guess. It's really more your call, but-”

“But it can't be, Dash. I mean, it is, but it's also-...It is my choice, but I also want it to be everyone's choice. So, I'm glad that it's your choice too....does that make sense?” Twilight struggled, as she tried to articulate her feelings on the matter.

“Is it alright if I just say that I'll support you, no matter what, Twi?” Rainbow Dash asked, with a tilt of her head.

“No! I mean, yes, but-...even if I'm a Princess now, that doesn't mean that everypony else doesn't get a say now.” Twilight tried to explain.

“Oh...why didn't you just say that from the beginning?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight was given some pause at that, taking a moment to rub a hoof along the back of her neck “Sorry. I guess that came out all wrong. I just wanted you guys to know that I'm listening, I guess.”

Scrutinizing her friend for a bit, Rainbow Dash flipped her polychromatic mane from her eyes as she considered her alicorn friend “Uh, you been thinking about that kind of thing a lot lately, Twi?”

“What?”

“Like, is this whole Princess thing bothering you or something?”

Twilight froze up a bit at that question.

“Do you, uh, need to talk about it or something? Cause we can totally do that, if you want?” Rainbow Dash offered, if a bit unenthusiastically. Which made it all the more annoying when Twilight burst into laughter at that “Hey! I was being serious!”

Forcing herself to calm down again, Twilight held a hoof to try to calm her friend, while stifling a bit more laughter “Sorry, Dash. I know you're being serious, and I appreciate it. I really do.”

“Then what is it that's so funny?” The pegasus demanded.

“It's just, I just got through talking about this- this whole princess-thing, with Chrysalis.” Twilight explained.

“Seriously?”

“I know. Of all pon-...individuals, I never would have thought, but...Sorry, I shouldn't have laughed.” Twilight conceded. No matter how hilariously weird her life became, that was no reason to laugh in the face of a friend that was offering a hoof “Really, Rainbow Dash, I'm sorry. It's just the way that you said it, and I guess I've been really stressed about everything-”

“Nah, I get it, I think.” Rainbow Dash waved off her apology.

“You do?”

“Not really.” The pegasus admitted with a smirk.

“Rainbow Dash...” Twilight groaned.

“What? Listen, it's like I said, I'll stand by you no matter what. If you want to get all buddy-buddy with the Queen of Mean, I'm sure you've got a-” The pegasus started to explain.

“Buddy-buddy?” The alicorn blurted out.

“Yeah, if you want to be friends with her, I guess-”

“But, I'm not- we're not friends.” Twilight haltingly denied.

This lead to Rainbow Dash lifting an eyebrow “What, really? You've been hanging out with her all day.”

Twilight shook her head at this “That- she's been showing me around the hive all day, Dash. So, I could learn more about her changelings. That's it.”

“Okay. What about the part where you ended up talking about your problems with her?”

“That's...the conversation took a strange turn. I was asking for a bit of clarification on-” Twilight started to explain.

“She gave you a book, Twi.” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

Sparing a glance for the hefty tome floating just behind her, Twilight hesitated for a moment “...Lots of ponies give me books.”

“Uh-huh.” Came Rainbow Dash's skeptical reply.

Shaking her head again, Twilight looked down as she tried to form an argument against this notion “I'm serious, Dash. You've seen how she is around me, always teasing me and-”

“Yeah, and friends never do that to each other.” Rainbow Dash smugly countered.

“I'm not friends with Chrysalis!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Twilight's friends with Chryssie? That's great!” Pinkie declared, much to a certain pegasus' amusement and a certain Princess' exasperation.

The twins, still looking on from the side, both gave a tilt of their heads at the ongoing antics of the ponies.

“Ponies are weird.” Alate observed.

“Mm-hmm...Do you think the pink one would want to take a look at my collection?” Cryptic asked.

Her sister gave a look at this, before giving a sigh “Well, we've just established that she's weird...so probably.”

Cryptic gave a sharp glance at that, before muttering “It's not that weird...”

“Uh-huh...you want to try some of these weird pony-things, the pink one made?” Alate asked, gesturing to the cupcakes, eliciting a nod from her twin.

“Pinkie! I'm not friends with Chrysalis!” The changeling twins shared in a twitch of surprise, at another loud declaration from the Pony Princess.

“Awwww! But you two were getting along so well! What happened?” Pinkie asked.

“Nothing happened! I mean, I was never friends with her, and-” Twilight tried to explain.

“But, I thought you liked hanging out with Chryssie! You even spent all day with her.” Pinkie pointed out, unwittingly retreading the same ground that Rainbow Dash had already gone over.

Loosing another sigh of frustration, Twilight brought a hoof to her forehead before turning back towards her friends “She- she has a lot of interesting things to say, I admit. And, she's not as bad, as maybe I originally thought.”

“Great!” Pinkie cheered.

Twilight held up a hoof to keep her friend from getting ahead of herself “But, Chrysalis still did a lot of things that I'm not ready to forgive her for. Things she hasn't even tried to really apologize for yet. She basically brainwashed Shiny!”

“She did?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“What? Yes! You were there, Rainbow Dash!” Twilight exclaimed.

“Oh, yeah, that does kind of sound familiar...” The pegasus admitted, after putting some visible thought into it.

“How could you forget something like that?!”

Rainbow Dash gave a slightly embarrassed shrug at that “I don't know, Twi. I mean, I never see your brother or anything. I guess I don't really think about him very much.”

Twilight had to take a calming breath at this admission, holding up her hoof to forestall her friends for a moment “Listen, I-I'm not saying that it's impossible that she and I will become-...friends. Chrysalis isn't really what I expected, and maybe in the future...But, right now, I'd like to try focusing on-”

“I found Mr. Skink!” The princess nearly jumped out of her skin, at the shrill, childish cry that had sounded just behind her. Glancing back, she half-expected to see the Cutie Mark Crusaders where little Silky was standing.

“What's a Mr. Skink?” Rainbow Dash asked aloud.

“Mr. Skink's my pet.” Silky helpfully supplied.

“Ah, Silky. You-you startled me.” Twilight admitted, around some nervous laughter, wondering how much of that conversation the little nymph had been privy to.

“I'm sorry...I was just really excited.” Silky sheepishly apologized.

“That's alright Silky! I get really excited about pets too! Just like Fluttershy. Oh, I bet you'd love to meet her!” Pinkie interjected, easily dismissing any worries that the little changeling might have had.

“Oh...I'm still sorry for scaring you.” The little nymph reasserted.

Twilight quickly put on a smile for the child, not wanting to leave her upset “It's really alright, Silky. I was just a bit distracted, but I'm definitely ready to meet Mr. Skink.”

“Great! Mr. Skink is-...Mr. Skink is-...” The princess found her brow furrowing, as Silky started glancing around her own hole-filled hooves.

“Is something wrong?” Twilight asked with a tilt of her head.

“Mr. Skink? Mr. Skink? Where are you?” Silky began calling out, having apparently misplaced her pet. Twilight was almost ready to offer to help find Mr. Skink, when the nymph's gaze made its way over to Twilight “There you are, Mr. Skink!”

“Huh?”

As Twilight glanced downward, she discovered two very interesting facts:

Mr. Skink was not a skink, as Twilight had initially assumed. Nor was Silky's pet any other sort of lizard or newt. Mr. Skink was a very large millipede.

And, much more pertinently, Mr. Skink was crawling his way up her leg.

“Gyaaahhh!” Twilight shrieked, rearing back and flailing her foreleg through the air, as she was briefly taken by a panic. Falling over backwards, Twilight quickly shifted her hooves back underneath her before darting her gaze back and forth.

This let her catch the sight of Rainbow Dash rolling through the air, holding her sides, as she laughed at Twilight's reaction “It's not funny, Dash!”

“Oh, that was priceless! The look on your face when you looked down!” The pegasus continued to guffaw.

“Where'd Mr. Skink go?” Silky chimed, bringing Twilight's focus back upon the matter at hoof.

“What? Where did he-”

“There he is!” Silky exclaimed pointing to a spot along the alicorn's back.

“What!” Indeed, glancing back revealed the millipede cheerfully crawling its way across one of her wings. Loosing another shout, Twilight couldn't entirely stop herself from reflexively snapping her wings open, again launching the arthropod through the air.

“Yikes!” Rainbow Dash's laughter was suddenly cut-off, as the pegasus took note of the creature flying through the air towards her. Loosing her own yelp, she ended up falling to the floor to avoid Mr. Skink's flight path.

Shaking her own head, as she picked herself up from the ground, Rainbow Dash looked herself over “Did he get-”

“Hey there, Mr. Skink!”

Both alicorn and pegasus turned towards a certain pink pony, to see the multi-legged creature crawling its way across Pinkie Pie's snout. Loosing a giggle, Pinkie Pie brought a hoof up to soothe the confused millipede “Awwwww, he's like a friendly little mustache!”

“What's a mustache?” Silky asked, even as she fluttered her wings over towards the Earth pony.

“It's this really great thing for your nose, that-” Pinkie began.

“Silky, that- Mr. Skink is a millipede?” Twilight eventually managed to ask, having finally managed to compose herself.

“Uh-huh! I've had him for three years!” Silky proudly informed.

“But, why do you call him Mr. Skink?”

“Oh. Because 'Ms. Skink' sounds silly when you say it out loud.” The changeling nymph informed in a matter-of-fact manner.

As Twilight tried to process this reasoning, Pinkie Pie stepped over, millipede still draped across her snout “Ms. Skink! Ms. Skink! Hey, she's right! It does sound silly!”

Shaking off Pinkie's contribution to the conversation, the princess turned back to the hovering changeling nymph “But, why not call him Mr. Millipede, instead?”

This lead to Silky giving Twilight a funny look, the kind of look children always gave adults when they thought they were being weird “I don't know if Mr. Skink is a boy millipede...”

Twilight was a bit dumbfounded by the simple reply.

“Huh. She's got you there, Twilight.” Rainbow Dash observed.

"Where'd Queen Chrysalis go?" Silky suddenly asked, casting her gaze about for the Royal Changeling.

"Oh, she-" Twilight began.

"The Queen is probably getting ready to tell the story everyone wanted from her." A changeling abruptly supplied. Standing just a little ways away, he was very likely the same changeling that Chrysalis had sent along to escort Silky earlier. Noting the looks everyone was sending his way, the changeling shifted a bit on his hooves "She did say she was going to tell one earlier...remember?"

"She hasn't started yet, has she?" Silky quickly asked.

The changeling gave a helpless shrug, not knowing for sure "If we hurry, we can probably catch the beginning."

The nymph gave a quick nod, before fluttering over to Pinkie Pie, holding a hoof out to the millipede crawling its way across the Earth pony's brow now "Come, come, Mr. Skink. We gotta go now."

"Awww, it was really nice meeting you Mr. Skink." Pinkie said, as she watched the millipede crawl over onto Silky's outstretched hoof.

"Mr. Skink really liked meeting you too. Bye now." Silky quickly declared, every bit a child that was excited to go somewhere else.

The same changeling from earlier gave something between a nod and a bow "I'm sure the Queen would not disallow you, her guests, from attending."

"I want to hear the story!" Pinkie exclaimed.

The changeling gave a simple nod, before gesturing after Silky "If you'd like, you can follow us."

"Wooo!! Story-time!"

And Pinkie was off, eagerly bouncing after Silky and her guardain, leaving Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and the twins to share a look between one another.

"So...story-time?" Twilight asked.

Author's Note

So, so very sorry for taking so long to get this update up. A month-and-a-half, it just got away from me so easily, with a lot of real-life problems popping up, writer's block, and a host of other issues..I think I needed a break from everything.

But, my head is getting straightened back out again. I'm not sure how this chapter turned out, as it kind of seems ramble-y to me at points, and I had to go through several re-writes. It probably shows, but I had to splice and re-splice quite a few lines back together. Hopefully it came out alright, and it should mostly just serve to show the changelings in a more normal light, open up some plotlines that will be addressed in future stories, and serve as a kind of cooldown episode, before things are wrapped up next chapter.

I'm going to try to get back to my more regular update schedule this week, with either Hero Antagonist or Diamond Tiara goes to Boot Camp. But we'll have to see how that pans out.

Any questions, criticisms, or thoughts are welcome, as always. I hope everyone enjoys this latest update.

Lesson One: Be Prepared

“No, no, no! What is this?!” Asked a very irate Changeling Queen.

“Well...this is Twilight. This is Princess Celestia. This is Rarity. This is a rug. This is a table. This-”

A certain pink pony was not helping the situation.

“Enough! I will not be mocked! And the rest of you need to leave!” Chrysalis soon declared to the gathered ponies, specifically Princess Twilight's five closest friends.

“Are we ready to go already?” Pinkie Pie innocently asked as she adjusted her saddlebags.

Chrysalis looked ready to leap into quite the angry rant, when an alabaster hoof was laid across the Changeling Queen's withers. A moment later, Princess Celestia's ever so calmly went about trying to soothe tempers “Now, Chryssie. There's no need to get so worked up. I don't believe Miss Pinkie Pie was trying to mock you and we can all be reasonable. Right?”

At this point, Princess Celestia sent what would have been a pointed look, if it had come from anyone else, towards Queen Chrysalis. Naturally, coming from Princess Celestia it was an entirely pleasant and entirely reasonable 'look' that could not at all be considered pointed. Chrysalis, also naturally, found this tendency towards omni-benevolence altogether annoying, but nonetheless took a calming breath.

“Why would I be mocking the new 'Nice' Chrys-” Fortunately, Twilight was able to stop this line of inquiry from Pinkie Pie...well, not stop, so much as muffle. Pinkie Pie still seemed to be talking around the hoof covering her mouth.

Chrysalis still seemed rather agitated and uncomfortable with Princess Celestia's proximity, but still managed to rein in her annoyance enough to address the issue at hoof “Why is there an entire herd of ponies here, acting as if I'm going to be leading all of them to the secret location of my swarm's home?”

Pinkie Pie immediately tried to respond, but Twilight hadn't yet removed her hoof, fortunately. The pink pony, nevertheless, attempted to give an answer that, while well-meaning, probably would have annoyed the Changeling Queen even further. In the end, it fell to Applejack to explain.

“Frankly, we just plain don't trust ya not to do nothing, if we leave Twilight alone with ya.”

Bluntly. It fell to Applejack to explain, bluntly. Chrysalis seemed even less amused by Applejack's response than the one Pinkie Pie originally gave. Before she could express her displeasure, Rainbow Dash quickly took to the forefront.

“Yeah! And if you think you're getting your slimy hooves on our friend, you've got another thing coming! If this is-!”

“Miss Rainbow Dash?” Princess Celestia calmly called over the protective mare's attention.

Stumbling a bit as she was interrupted, she glanced over towards the Princess of the Sun with some confusion “Uhm, yeah?”

Again with great calm, and a gentle smile “Could you please lower your voice? It's a bit inappropriate for a meeting like this.”

“What? But she-...!” The azure pegasus soon lapsed into silence, as she took note of Princess Celestia's expression. It seemed as calm and reassuring as it always did, and the gentle smile hadn't shifted, but even then it felt like the Princess' gentle request was more like a gentle command.

“Uh...yeah, no problem, Princess. Sorry about that.” Rainbow Dash quickly settled to the ground, with an awkward chuckle.

“It's quite alright. I understand that you were simply feeling protective of someone dear to you.” Princess Celestia calmly reassured, before continuing “Now, obviously, we've had a bit of a breakdown in communication that we need to settle, right?”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, which earned a couple of looks from Twilight's friends, before Twilight finally decided to try to step into the discussion. Pausing as she remembered that she was still covering Pinkie's mouth with her hoof, she glanced towards Pinkie, who still seemed to be trying to talk around Twilight's hoof. Twilight shook her head, in exasperation, before lowering her hoof.

“-and then we can all have even more wedding cake! Okay, I'm done.” Pinkie finished with a smile, even though no one had been able to properly follow along with what she had said.

Twilight simply raised an eyebrow at her excitable friend, before turning back to the matter at hoof. Turning towards Chrysalis “Right. First of all, I didn't mean to surprise anypony or disrupt the plan, for visiting your changelings. It's just that-...”

As Twilight lapsed into silence as she tried to articulate the worries that she and her friends had shared about this little endeavor, Rarity decided to step-in “It's just that this is a very unusual endeavor, even for someone as well-traveled as Twilight. After all, nopony even knew changelings were real, until recently. There's obviously going to be a great number of unknowns to deal with, and it only makes sense that we should lend our friend our support.”

Celestia managed to send over a smile at Rarity's more diplomatic approach, while Chrysalis was still huffing in annoyance. At least the changeling didn't look ready to launch anypony through a wall.

Exhaling forcefully, Chrysalis started to respond just as Fluttershy tried to quietly add her own support.

Chrysalis started “Regardless, of what you po-”

“And it's just- Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean-” Fluttershy soon began apologizing, as she realized that she had just interrupted the changeling queen.

Chrysalis narrowed her eyes “Just say what you were going to say.”

Shrinking away from the looks being sent her way, Fluttershy quickly tried to backtrack “Oh, no. I couldn't. I didn't even really mean to say-”

“Just say it!” Chrysalis snapped, causing the butter-coated mare to flinch.

“Hey! You can't talk to her like that!” Rainbow Dash quickly leaped to the defense of her gentler friend, and was once again angrily hovering in front of the Changeling Queen.

“I shall speak to her however I like!” Chrysalis spat back.

“Yeah, well-!”

“Enough.” As per usual, Princess Celestia did not need to raise her voice in order to command attention. And it seemed that her patience was finally starting to wane. Sighing, before turning towards the Changeling Queen “Chrysalis, will you please speak with me over here.”

As Celestia gestured over to the far corner of the room, Chrysalis forced herself to look away from the antagonistic blue pegasus. The changeling looked ready to bite out another retort, before Celestia asked again, in a beseeching tone “Please, Chrysalis.”

Biting back the words, at the look Celestia sent her way, Chrysalis hesitated a moment before sighing. A moment later, Chrysalis was trudging over to where the white alicorn was waiting, earning a smile from Celestia.

Rarity raised an eyebrow at the unusual interactions between the two rulers, as she and the others gathered around Twilight.

“Can you believe her?! She deserves a buck right in the snout if you ask me.” Rainbow Dash quickly made her displeasure known.

“I know she's hard to be around, Dash. Believe me. But, please, try to remember what we're trying to do.” Twilight implored of her friend.

“It's not that we don' git what's going on here, Twi. But, there just ain't no way we can really trust somepony like her. Kinda wonderin' how Princess Celestia can trust ya with somepony like her.” Applejack quickly responded.

“Right, and that overgrown bug had no reason to go shouting at Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash quickly added.

“I-it's alright. I really shouldn't have interrupted her, and-”

“That's still no reason for her to yell at you, Fluttershy!” Rainbow Dash quickly countered, as Fluttershy tried to take the blame for the situation.

“But Dashie, you're yelling at Fluttershy right now.” Pinkie innocently pointed out.

“Th-that's different! I was yelling as a friend. She was yelling as a big, slimy, creepy-”

“Guys!” Twilight shouted, in an effort to get things back under control.

Everypony settled a bit, before Applejack took the lead again “Like Ah said, we're all for settlin' this peaceful-like, but we still want ta keep ya safe too, Sugarcube. And Ah haven't even heard so much as an 'Ah'm sorry' from her. And that Chrysalis doesn't care a thing about anythin' but getting' as much love as possible to chow down on.”

“I think that's exactly why I can trust her though.” Twilight pointed out.

“Uh, come again?” While Applejack was the one that gave voice to the question, as it seemed everypony was wondering the same thing.

Twilight quickly tried to explain “What I mean is, if she wants her changelings to be safe and have as much love as they want, then she won't do anything to jeopardize what we're trying to do. She might be completely selfish, but in this case we want the same thing as she does. A way to feed her subjects without anypony getting hurt.”

Applejack rubbed her head as she began to understand Twilight's reasoning, along with everypony else. And that really was the primary reason that Twilight wasn't too worried about this trip. But, it also didn't hurt that in the last couple of weeks, she had been given an opportunity to be around the Changeling Queen, in a non-violent context. It was only a little while back, that Twilight had inadvertently stumbled upon Chrysalis, in Princess Celestia's private study, and discovered the secret history between her mentor and the changeling. And while she hadn't really come around to liking Chrysalis, she had come to kinda accept that Princess Celestia and Chrysalis actually did like being around one another...after a fashion. They did seem to spend a lot of time teasing and embarrassing one another, but friendship came in many forms.

And the thing was, it was only after that day that Twilight came to appreciate how lonely Princess Celestia had been, especially before Luna had been freed of Nightmare Moon, and returned to her. It had never even occurred to her before then that her wonderful mentor could have felt so alone; Twilight had seen her interacting with so many ponies before then. But then again, Twilight had never given real thought to what it might be to not only be royalty, but also immortal. How difficult would it be to find someone that would treat Princess Celestia as a friend and equal, that wouldn't be lost to old age in a, relatively, short time.

It wasn't just for Chrysalis' changelings that Twilight wanted this to work. If they could settle the conflict between changelings and ponies...

“Oh, oh, and if we don't give her a chance how are we ever gonna become friends with the new 'Nice' Chrysalis?” Pinkie Pie helpfully pointed out, breaking Twilight and the rest from their thoughts.

“Tch, yeah. Sure, Pinkie Pie.” Rainbow Dash said, even as the others all sported varying degrees of skepticism at that possibility.

Twilight on the other hand, stared briefly at her pink friend, before she decided to simply smile at her friend's optimism. She had seen Pinkie pull off the improbable before, so who was she to say that Pinkie Pie couldn't manage it?

While the others focused on Pinkie's off-the-wall point, Fluttershy sidled over to her friend Rarity, somewhat concerned “Uhm, are you alright, Rarity? You've been awfully quiet. Not that there is anything wrong with that.”

“Hm? Oh, I'm sorry, dear. I was just...lost in thought, I suppose.” Rarity, quickly reassured her friend as she was shaken from her thoughts.

“Oh, OK then. It's just that you seemed...worried.” Fluttershy relaxed a bit at the other mare's reassurance.

“I'm sure it's nothing. Just entertaining some silly thoughts.” Rarity might have gone into these 'thoughts' further, if the Changeling Queen hadn't taken just that moment to stomp back over to the gathered group of ponies. Turning to Celestia, who was likewise rejoining the group of ponies “Fine, if it'll cease your nagging, we'll go along with your compromise.”

Not bothered by the changeling's tone, Princess Celestia smiled as she responded “That's all I ask, Chryssie.”

Raising an annoyed eyebrow at the nickname, before focusing on the group of ponies before her, Chrysalis pointed a hoof at Twilight “Pick two of your friends to come along. That's the deal.”

Blinking at the sudden order, Twilight was only able to articulate the first thought that came to mind “What?”

“Pick. Two. Of your friends. What part of that did you not understand?” Chrysalis explained.

“Wait a minute! You're only letting two of us come with Twilight? What about everypony else?” Rainbow Dash quickly demanded.

“Go home. Or whatever. I don't care. She can either pick two of you, or none of you. That's the deal.” Chrysalis waved a hole-filled hoof dismissively, as she said this.

“Well, you better believe that I'm going! No way I'm leaving her alone on this.” Rainbow Dash quickly asserted.

“Fine. She can pick one more of you to go along then.” Chrysalis agreed easily enough. A moment later Pinkie Pie started waving her hoof in the air, trying to get their attention.

“Oh, oh, oh, pick me! Pick me!”

“Not the pink one!” Chrysalis quickly eliminated that as a possibility, eliciting a moan of disappointment from Pinkie Pie.

“Now everypony, just wait one second.” Twilight demanded, as she approached Chrysalis “I don't know how I can pick just two of my friends. It's like the Grand Galloping Gala ticket fiasco, all over again.”

“Good, because you only have to pick one more of them now.” Chrysalis pointed out, unhelpfully, since as far as she was concerned Rainbow Dash was already one of Twilight's two picks. Chrysalis had no desire to listen to the shouting that would ensue, if Rainbow Dash wasn't allowed to go.

Soon Twilight, her friends, and Chrysalis were caught up in a heated discussion as to whom Twilight was going to be bringing.

As they tried to settle this dispute, Pinkie Pie soon noticed Princess Celestia subtly waving her over, a twinkle in the alicorn's eye.

A minute later, Pinkie Pie had sidled up to Chrysalis as the changeling continued the argument with Twilight, on who to bring along. Pinkie soon began tapping the changeling queen's leg to get her attention.

“It is entirely- What?!” Chrysalis soon snapped at the pink Earth pony's insistent tapping, and in the process managed to bring the whole argument to a brief pause, as everypony wondered what Pinkie Pie wanted.

Chrysalis took a calming breath, before asking in a more measured tone “What do you want?”

Pinkie Pie just grinned before asking “Oh, I was just wondering if you're really, really sure I can't come along. I mean, really, really sure.”

Raising an eyebrow at the peculiar antics of the pink pony, Chrysalis was unsure whether Pinkie Pie was just being odd or was up to something “...Yes. I'm absolutely sure, that I don't want you to come with us...why are you asking?”

“I just wanted to be really, really sure. Cause if I'm not going, I'm going to have to figure out what to do with all the brownies I made.” Pinkie Pie cheerfully explained, as she pulled a container of brownies from somewhere.

“Pinkie...no offense, but we're dealing with something kind of important here, you know?” Rainbow Dash pointed out, not really in the mood for her friend's randomness, at just that moment.

“Pinkie, where did you even get those? I didn't see you bring them with you.” Twilight asked. Sure she was used to this kind of thing from the Earth pony, but still.

“Just around.” Pinkie answered unhelpfully.

“Well, while it's a shame that your treats will be going to waste, I don't think your going to be changing...Queen Chrysalis' mind with them, dear. Isn't that...” Rarity tried to explain, before trailing off as she noticed that Chrysalis did seem rather focused on the container of sweets.

“Brownies?” Chrysalis asked with a clear frown on her face.

“Yep! Double-fudge and chocolate chunk icing!” Pinkie Pie confirmed.

“...Hm.” With a noncommittal grunt, Chrysalis shouldered past the gathered ponies, and cantered over towards Celestia. A moment later a hushed discussion soon ensued between the two monarchs.

“...Well, that was odd.” Twilight observed with some confusion.

“Uhm, perhaps she has a history with...brownies?” Fluttershy offered.

Less than a minute later, they could catch the tail end of the conversation between Princess Celestia and Chrysalis, as the changeling raised her voice in annoyance “Fine!...and this isn't funny!”

Celestia simply nodded with a smile, apparently satisfied with Chrysalis' decision.

The changeling quickly stomped back over to the group “The pink one's coming. Get your things ready.”

“Yay!” While Pinkie was simply celebrating her accomplishment, the others were baffled by this turn of events.

“Wait! You said I got to pick who was coming with us!” Twilight pointed out with some annoyance.

“Yes. And you made two very fine choices. Bravo. Now, let's hurry up before anything else annoying happens.” Chrysalis deadpanned.

“Excellent, it seems everypony is already here.” At that very moment, Prince Blueblood stepped through the doors into the antechamber, with a set of fully-loaded saddled bags strapped to his back.

Princess Celestia actually had to suppress a giggle at her nephew's serendipitous timing.

Chrysalis soon walked over, not giving any mind to the others “It's about time. We've already had enough annoyances without your beauty regimen dragging us down.”

“Well, excuse me, but this is a diplomatic mission if you recall, and maintaining appearances is-” Blueblood defended, before being brought to a halt by Rainbow Dash flying up.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! You're letting this guy come? After all the hay we had to go through just to get you to let Twilight bring me and Pinkie too? What gives!?”

“I didn't actually pick you guys.” Twilight tried to point out. Nopony paid her any mind.

Blueblood frowned at the blue pegasus' assessment, before giving his two bits “Queen Chrysalis is indeed allowing me to come along. Since this guy, happens to be one of the few ponies that's actually been to the changeling swarm's home. To say nothing of my expert skills in-”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, before cutting off the stallion “Yes, the little popinjay is coming with us. Because I said so. Now say your goodbyes and stop wasting anymore of our daylight.”

As both Blueblood and Rainbow Dash scowled at the changeling's assertions, Rarity was cantering over to Pinkie Pie, who was in the middle of packing a number of strange objects and confections into her saddlebags.

“Need an extra hoof?” Rarity offered.

“Hmmm, I'm not sure...I'll definitely be needing a hoof, if I'm going to be using these flippers. What do you think, Rarity?”

“I...think, you'll be alright without the flippers. By the way, do you mind if I ask you something, Pinkie?” Rarity decided to just slide past that odd question.

“I think you just did, but you can always ask another one.” Pinkie Pie pointed out.

“Right. Anyway, just how did you know how to convince Chrysalis to let you go with Twilight?” Rarity asked.

“Oh, that's easy. Princess Celestia told me that Chrysalis's favorite food is chocolate. It's like the only kind of pony food that she'll eat.” Pinkie helpfully explained.

“...Chocolate?” Rarity asked, having really expected some sort of more convoluted explanation than 'Chrysalis really likes chocolate'.

“Yep! Princess Celestia says it's a really easy way to get on her good side and stuff.” Pinkie Pie elaborated.

“...I see.” Rarity said as she considered that.

“Alright, if you are all quite done, we can finally set out.” Chrysalis called back impatiently.

“Alright then, well you look out for yourself, sugarcube. Ah'd hate to have to get rough with that varmint, if she pulled anything.” Applejack gave her own farewell to Twilight by wrapping a hoof around the young princess.

“I'll be sure to be extra careful, Applejack. But, I really think it's going to work out alright.” Twilight returned the hug, as she reassured her friend.

“I'm sure you'll do a wonderful job, Twilight.” Fluttershy quickly agreed, before letting Twilight move over to join everyone that was going on the trip.

As she cantered over, Rarity came over to give her own goodbye “Do look out for yourself, Twilight. I'm sure you can handle anything you might run into, but still that's no reason to be incautious.”

Smiling again at the consistent concern all her friends had for her “I'll be sure to be careful, Rarity. And thank you.”

“Good...and one more thing?”

Tilting her head in curiosity, at her friend “What is it?”

Rarity seemed to consider her words for a moment “Try to keep an ear out, as to whether Queen Chrysalis is...seeing anypony.”

“...What?”

“You know, if it comes up in conversation. Now you have a wonderful trip, dear.” With that she shared a hug with her friend, before leaving the young princess to her confusion.

Watching as Rarity joined Applejack and Fluttershy in saying their goodbyes to Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, Twilight almost didn't notice when Princess Celestia slipped beside her. For being so large, she could be quite stealthy, if you weren't paying attention.

“Feeling a bit anxious, Twilight?”

“Huh? Oh-...” Twilight took a moment to look between the changeling queen, her friends and Princess Celestia again before answering “-...well, now I am.”

The princess nodded at that, prompting Twilight to continue “I mean, we aren't even out the door and this almost blew up in our faces. And between Rainbow Dash and Chrysalis, we're probably going to have an international incident before we even reach the train station.”

Chuckling a bit at that, Celestia added her own thoughts “Yes, they both tend towards being a bit strong-willed and protective, don't they?...I hope you don't hold it too strongly against Chrysalis if she's a bit...grumpy. The changelings don't receive many visitors, and I think she's feeling anxious about all of this.”

“I guess, that makes sense, Princess Celestia...but it sure doesn't make my job any easier.” Twilight nodded at that, before snarking a bit.

“True...but, I'm sure you're up to the task, my student.” Princess Celestia reassured “Perhaps you'll be able to take her mind off it, on your way there.”

“Well, if anypony can distract her it's-...” Twilight's eyes widened as she looked between her beloved mentor, and the bouncing ball of pink that was her friend, Pinkie Pie. “-...Pinkie Pie?”

“I thought so, too.” Celestia remarked a bit too casually.

As Twilight appraised her mentor, she didn't catch what Princess Celestia said next “I'm sorry?”

“I said, you should probably join the others, I think Chryssie and my nephew are ready to go.” Celestia said in a kindly manner.

“Oh. Oh, right! Uhm...right.” Twilight said awkwardly. As she turned to join her friends, she felt Celestia stop her with a hoof on her withers.

“One more thing.”

“What is it, Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked.

Princess Celestia seemed to be considering her next words carefully, and with even a bit of worry. It was kind of surprising coming from her normally unflappable mentor.

“Princess Celestia?” Twilight asked again, with growing concern.

“It's probably not going to be a problem...but do be careful if you happen to run into Chrysalis' mother.”

“...Her mother?!”

Author's Note

Alright, here's the first chapter detailing Twilight's visit with changelings, I hope you guys enjoy and review. As I mentioned int he description, you're probably not gonna be able to follow this without having ready "Advanced Lessons" first. Probably going to be three chapters in all.

Expect a bit of editing, for this first chapter in the next couple of days, and I'll be working on the next chapter of "Diamond Tiara goes to Boot Camp" this coming week.

Lesson Five: Trust your Instincts

'This is a terrible idea, Twilight...'

Twilight couldn't really argue with her more cynical side, on that point.

But, she was at a lack for options right now. She was alone deep within the Changeling Hive, her friends were stirring up problems, and circumstances seemed to be shoving, the already temperamental, Chrysalis towards doing something rash. She needed to find at least one of her friends, or Chrysalis, and start getting the situation under control.

Unfortunately, Twilight was also hopelessly lost. The Changeling tunnels were distressingly featureless; between one tunnel and the next, it was impossible for her to even attempt to tell them apart. And while perhaps if she had passed through one of the larger chambers she could have oriented herself somewhat, she had only found tunnel after tunnel, whilst trying to follow the agitated Chrysalis.

Which probably could have revealed some interesting facts about Changeling architecture and design, if Twilight was in a position to actually research the issue. But now wasn't the time for that.

She still needed to find her way. Perhaps, if she had been able to find a changeling that wasn't terrified of her, she could have gotten some directions. But for whatever reason, this section of the hive seemed even more desolate and isolated than any other...

And here we come to the ominous double doors, seemingly beckoning for the young alicorn to approach them.

Sometimes a terrible idea is the only idea, unfortunately.

Approaching cautiously, Twilight found that she could make out some additional detail in the woodwork of the doors, in the dim light cast by the odd glowing orbs hanging from the ceiling. That was a bit surprising. The changelings didn't seem to put much effort into decorating, leaving most of the hive quite...stark and almost ruthlessly functional, at least at first glance. But carved into the dark hardwood of the doors, were countless trailing, curling lines, that called to mind both vines and spider webs.

That probably had some significance in changeling culture.

Once more glancing down the tunnels, in the hope that an alternative might decide to present itself, Twilight quietly cleared her throat, as she resigned herself to this course. Setting one hoof against the partially opened doors, she quietly called out “Hello?”

As before, the walls of the changeling hive seemed to absorb the sound of her voice, which while fascinating before, was now coming across as a bit creepy.

Steeling her resolve once more, Twilight steadily pushed open the doors before leaning her head in.

It was dark.

Very dark.

Even the dim glow of the tunnel seemed almost bright compared to this chamber, as the faint light poured through the open door, ever so slightly providing definition to whatever resided in this chamber.

“Is there anyp- changeling in here?” Twilight quietly called out “I was separated from Queen Chrysalis, and I'm a bit...lost.”

Twilight had to resist the urge to jump, when she heard the something shift in the darkness beyond, her ears both orienting towards the faint sound. Even after a few moments of staring into the darkness, her eyes could only adjust so much, and she could only distinguish a few distinct shapes in the darkness.

'Terrible, terrible idea...' Twilight's thoughts unhelpfully reminded.

She took a step forward into the room. And another.

“I don't mean to disturb you, but-” Twilight nearly jumped out of her skin, at the sound of a door closing behind her. She barely even remembered stepping fully into the room, as she was plunged into darkness. After a few moments of forcing her breathing back under control, Twilight 'calmly' channeled a small amount of magic into her horn, generating a faint glow. Quickly turning around, Twilight quickly approached the doors again, quietly terrified that she might be trapped in this room, without anypony knowing where she was. Or worse, trapped in this room with something...unpleasant.

Her body almost sagged in relief, as the doors easily pushed open once more with a simple prod of her hoof.

“Must have just been the wind...” Twilight quietly whispered to herself.

'We both know that you didn't feel any wind, Twilight. Also...we're underground.'

Twilight took in another deep breath, as she tried not to focus too much on why it probably wasn't the wind that caused the door to close. Turning back around, she was almost startled again at another unexpected sight. It took her a moment to realize that, rather than some horrible creature sneaking up on her, it was just her wings, both extended and fanned out. She was never going to get used to these new additions to her anatomy.

After consciously willing her wings back to her side, Twilight let the glow of her horn intensify, bringing a bit more light into the room. Sparing a glance back to the doors again, as they once again closed behind her of their own accord, she turned her attention to the contents of the strange room.

It was curiously well-furnished.

A number of rugs were thrown along the floors, there were several large pillows set on the floor to one side, faded tapestries hanging from the walls, and a large bookcase was set into one of the walls. Naturally, the bookcase is what grabbed Twilight's attention. The glow of her horn steadily chased the darkness away from the contents of the shelves, as Twilight approached.

The books were old. Very old. The lettering along the spines of the books was faded to the point of being indecipherable, and the bindings were tattered and loose. Leaning in, it took her a moment to realize that of the parts of the lettering that could be deciphered, not all of it was in Equestrian. Raising a hoof, Twilight brought it closer to one of the shelves to rub a bit of dust away...

“Who are you?” A dry, feminine voice rasped through the dark, startling Twilight.

Suddenly very worried, the young princess turned towards the direction of the voice, directing the light of her horn at the same time, and illuminating a dark shape in it's glow. It took a moment for the lines of the shape to resolve into the shape of a bed in her mind, though that was a secondary concern at the moment. More importantly, she could just makeout the form of an equine figure shifting on the bed, and a faint, sickly-green glow emanating from the bed's resident.

It took scarcely a second for Twilight to link the mysterious voice to it's most likely owner, as her mentor's earlier warning came to mind. In all likelihood, she had inadvertently wandered into Chrysalis' mother's chambers.

“Are you going to answer your elder with silence?” That same voice called over, in growing irritation. The voice sounded almost like a thin wind passing through the leaves of a dead tree, to Twilight's ears.

'Not the most reassuring of analogies to call to mind...'

Twilight attempted to swallow down her anxiety, as she took a step back. Princess Celestia had not really elaborated on her warning, at the beginning of Twilight's journey, leaving Twilight uncertain as to the level of danger she might be in. As far as she knew, Chrysalis' mother could simply be a particularly cranky individual...or she could be as terrifying a figure, as one might assume that the being that happened to raise Chrysalis would be.

Either way, Twilight didn't think she was welcome here.

Clearing her throat, Twilight continued to edge back towards the doors, as she attempted to respond “I-...am, just, terribly sorry for possibly waking you from your...nap. I'm afraid I got a bit turned around and-”

“Come closer, child.” The mysterious voice called out, the earlier irritation gone now.

Twilight froze for a moment at the request, uncertain as to how she should respond to the request. It really seemed like discretion was the wiser course here, to her. On the other hoof...

“Are you really so rude, as to keep me waiting. Again.” The voice called out once more, a touch of irritation returning “Do you need assurances, child, that you have no need to fear me?”

Twilight paused for a few moments at this, before taking a calming breath. Perhaps she was overreacting a bit, or so she thought. Strictly speaking, there had been nothing any scarier than a bit of darkness. Whoever Twilight was in the room with hadn't leaped over and attacked her yet, when they had clearly had the chance to. And Twilight had been looking for someone that could direct her on her way. And, as luck would have it, she had found someone...

“I-it's alright. I was jut a bit...startled. And, I'm sorry if I was being a bit rude.” Twilight began, with more confidence than she could honestly say she felt.

“Ah. Now that I heard. Though just barely...Must I strain my hearing the whole time that you are speaking to me?” The voice called out, in an almost teasing manner.

“I-...sorry, about that. I didn't realize it was a problem...ma'am.” Twilight hesitantly answered. Briefly looking down at her hooves once more. It took her a moment to will herself to approach the voice, to force her hooves to carry her towards the bed.

'Terrible, terrible idea...'

Nonetheless, she found herself moving her hooves towards the dark shadows of the bed and it's occupant.

...It actually wasn't that bad really.

Once she got close enough for the light of her horn to chase away the shadows of the bed, the whole situation seemed much less intimidating. It even seemed as if she could catch just the barest outline of the bed's occupant now. The proportions of the bed's occupant were noticeably larger than that of a typical changeling, supporting her earlier theory.

It was actually a bit comforting knowing that. Maybe it had simply been all the 'unknowns' that had been intimidating Twilight before?

“That's better, I think. Now who are you?” The voice called out in an almost...kindly manner.

Swallowing the last of her anxiety, Twilight decided to answer fairly easily this time “I'm sorry again, about before. My name is Twilight Sparkle. I was brought here by...Queen Chrysalis, to settle some issues...I'm afraid I got a bit lost.”

“I see, I see...you are a pony then? The one my so-very-willful Chrysalis decided to bring to our home?” The voice asked, while all but confirming her own identity for Twilight.

Twilight again found herself hesitating, but only for a moment, before she nodded “Uhm, yes. I suppose I am.”

All she heard from the shadows of the bed was a humming sound, from it's occupant. After several seconds of waiting, Twilight leaned in, compelled to finally confirm her suspicions “Am I to understand that I'm speaking with...Chrysalis' mother?”

A few moments later, the voice loosed a slow chuckle, before answering “...Yes, my little pony. That is correct. Though, I'm surprised...I didn't think my Chrysalis would have mentioned me to her guests.”

“Uhm, well...she hasn't exactly mentioned you yet...” Twilight admitted slowly.

“Hm...Am I to understand, that I am speaking to Princess Twilight Sparkle then?” Chrysalis' mother asked, apparently uninterested on whether or not Chrysalis had mentioned her to Twilight.

“Th-that's right.” Twilight answered.

“I see...come closer. Let us have a look at you...” Chrysalis' mother called back out, as she made what Twilight surmised was a beckoning gesture with her hoof.

Again, some small part of Twilight was hesitant to approach anymore than she had already. Apparently, Chrysalis' mother noticed her hesitation.

“Still afraid are we?” A raspy voice teased once more.

Twilight found herself shaking those thoughts away, as she closed the distance to the very edge of the bed. She was briefly startled, when she noticed the figure on the bed shuffling to that side of the bed. Twilight was even more surprised by what the light of her horn revealed.

It was clear that this changeling did, indeed, share the same proportions as Chrysalis. Or at least she once did. While she was still tall and her legs long, everything about her body seemed aged and withered. Her carapace was faded, and almost looked papery to the touch. Her wings, or what little of them remained, seemed discolored and dead. Her mane, though long, looked brittle and was now a dull gray. Everything about this changelings body seemed to speak of frailty and age.

And then Twilight saw her eyes.

They were completely white.

Twilight almost didn't put it together in time, when she noticed the changeling's shaking hoof approaching her own face.

Chrysalis' mother was blind with old age.

Twilight found herself freezing in place, as the hole-filled hoof brushed against her cheek lightly. Oddly, all that Twilight could note was how the changeling's carapace didn't feel particularly 'papery', despite appearances.

'Get away...'

Twilight had to tamp down her nerves once more, as the changeling's hoof slowly withdrew back to the bed. Indeed, she had to resist the urge to sigh in relief.

“Yes. You most certainly are the Princess I have heard about.” Twilight almost didn't catch what the changeling said, having fallen a bit out of focus at the close encounter.

Bringing her thoughts back in order, Twilight tried to clear her throat, before asking “And...if you're Chrysalis' mother, does that make you her predecessor?”

“Yes, yes. You are now in the presence of the former Queen Manti. Now...merely a far too-old changeling.” Chrysalis' mother replied around a small smile.

Twilight had to admit, it was much less creepy being able to see Chrysalis' mother speak, rather than listening to a disembodied voice. It helped remind her that she wasn't dealing with some sort of boogey-pony, rather than someone that was just, more or less, another pony.

“It's...nice to meet you...Queen Manti.” Twilight slowly replied.

“As I said, child, it's not Queen Manti anymore. That title belongs to my daughter, now.” Manti said, with a slow wave of one of her hooves.

“Oh...is there some other name I should refer to you as then?” Twilight asked, uncertain.

“Just Manti should do for now.” The elderly changeling supplied “But, I think we've spent enough time on names, don't you? You came here for my darling Chrysalis, did you not?”

“Uhm. Well, yes, actually. I really think I should go find her actually. The situation has gotten a bit-” Twilight began.

“What do you think of my Chrysalis?” Queen Manti asked without preamble, leaning in as she did so, unsettling Twilight slightly.

“I'm...sorry?” Twilight asked.

“You've already apologized enough, I think.” The elderly changeling pointed out “Now, what do you think of my Chrysalis?”

“What do I think of her?”

“Yes.” Manti answered, a tinge of annoyance entering her tone once more, as a frown etched over her withered features.

“Oh, well...”

The first thing that came to mind, when Twilight thought of the Queen of the Changelings, was that she was a manipulative, sadistic, prideful, petty, and all-around unpleasant individual, that delighted in tormenting and humiliating others. Particularly, Twilight.

Twilight suspected that her friend, Applejack, might have responded with something along those lines.

Realizing that the elderly changeling was again becoming a bit impatient, Twilight tried to think of a more...polite way to describe Chrysalis. She found her hoof idly pawing at the ground as she tumbled the question through her mind.

Twilight found that it helped to not try meeting Manti's blind gaze, while trying to answer “...well. Your daughter, in my experience, can be...a bit...difficult to be around.”

There was a worryingly long pause, that left Twilight wondering just how things were going to play out. Twilight was verging on open worry when she heard a quiet chuckle come from the elderly changeling.

“My, my, what a polite way to describe my daughter. I dare say, it is in everyone's experience to find my Chrysalis a bit difficult.” Manti responded with amusement, to Twilight great relief.

“Tell me, is that how your Princess Celestia describes her now? A bit difficult?” Manti asked of Twilight.

“Uhm, not exactly...though, it wouldn't surprise me, now that I think about it.” Twilight supplied, eliciting another laugh from the elderly changeling.

“Ah, yes. It wouldn't surprise me either. My dear Chrysalis has always been so willful. Though, I suppose I knew that when I chose her.” Manti continued in a fond manner, that helped to chase away the last of Twilight's worries.

And with her anxiety ebbing Twilight found that her curiosity was on the rise “Did you say you chose Chrysalis? Was she not supposed to...inherit your position before?”

“Oh, yes, my dear. She was just another sweet, little drone when I chose to take her under my wing. I suppose you would find that quite hard to believe now.” Manti replied easily.

“I admit, that is a bit surprising for me.” Twilight could never imagine a time when Chrysalis could be described as sweet.

“And she was so stubborn. Never letting anychangeling tell her what-was-what, unless it could make sense to her.” Manti continued easily “To this day, I don't think anyone can convince her to eat your pony-foods, except in the most dire of situations. She always thought it was the most disgusting thing ever, to eat as you do.”

“Really? That's a bit odd. I've seen Chrysalis eating before, and she seemed to be enjoying herself.” Twilight replied, remembering the train ride and Chrysalis' brownies.

“Let me guess...It was chocolate, yes?” At this Manti again chuckled, not waiting on Twilight to answer “That was the one exception, of course. Granted most changelings have a fondness for that little pony creation.”

“Oh. So I guess changelings in general like chocolate a lot then?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, though certainly not to the same degree as my Chrysalis. She could scarcely get enough of it.” Manti answered, before seeming to remember something that made her chuckle “I once asked her, when she was still very young, what she planned to do with all of you ponies, if she ever conquered your precious Equestria. Do you know what she told me?”

Twilight had a hard time responding, a bit put off by the idea that Chrysalis' mother had casually discussed the conquest of Twilight's homeland with her young daughter.

Fortunately, it seemed that Manti had simply assumed that Twilight's silence meant that she was shaking her head 'no' “My Chrysalis told me, that when she had conquered Equestria, she was going to imprison anypony that couldn't make more chocolate for her and the swarm. The way she said it was simply adorable. You would have thought she was making it a royal decree then and there.”

Awkwardly laughing a bit, as Manti finished her story with a cackle, Twilight replied a moment later “That does sound adorable...”

“Yes, yes. Obviously, the idea was ridiculous, but never could I have convinced her of that at the time. After all, what situation isn't improved by the addition of chocolate? It was always so difficult convincing her to do things my way...” Manti continued a bit wistfully “Of course, I suppose she would have let me die long ago, if my Chrysalis was the kind to do as her mother wished.”

“L-let you die?! Why would she let you die, though?” Twilight asked more than a bit shocked by this casually delivered bit of information.

Manti seemed to consider the young princess for a moment, before leaning in “No. I suppose she wouldn't have explained that bit of information to you. No matter, as I can explain it just as well.”

The elderly changeling took a moment to shift about on her bed, apparently uncomfortable “To put it simply, tradition dictates that when one queen rises, the previous must be allowed to fall.”

“I'm...still not understanding. Why does that mean that you need to die?” Twilight knew very little about Manti, and changelings in general, but this seemed incomprehensible to her.

“Oh, there are a number of good reasons that I could go into. But the foremost is that it simply is our natural course.” While blind, it seemed that Manti knew that Twilight was sporting a look of doubt at this “You see, raising a changeling to Queenhood is no easy process. Even for a powerful and skilled Queen. It takes more energy than I think any mere pony could comprehend...no offense. Generally, a Queen will only ever be able to raise a single Queen, her successor naturally, as the strain of doing so is enough to ruin our bodies utterly. It's a very rare thing, for a Queen to regain her health after elevating her chosen heir...”

“It...ruins your bodies?” Twilight asked, wondering if this was connected to Chrysalis' own explanation of how she was able to permanently alter her own changelings.

“Indeed. It becomes almost impossible for us to stay healthy afterwards, becoming an utter burden to the hive. According to tradition, my daughter would normally allow me to fade away a few decades into her rule, allowing my energy to wane until...” Manti casually waved a hoof, implying the obvious to Twilight.

“And you...want her to just let you die?” Twilight asked, bothered by these revelations.

“Oh, yes. And I assure you, I have my reasons. Though, of course, I can never convince my dear, willful, sentimental Chrysalis to do as I tell her. It's her strength and her weakness, I think.” Manti observed. Turning her blind gaze towards Twilight, Manti waved a hoof as she continued “You can take that whole invasion, as an example of what happens when she refuses to heed my word.”

“You don't agree with what Chrysalis did then?” Twilight asked, surprised by this turn of events.

“Not at all, dear. For one thing, my Chrysalis should have killed that wretched, alabaster nag, that you call 'Princess' when she had the opportunity.”

Author's Note

Right, so a pretty short chapter. Perhaps my shortest yet. But that's a pretty good point to leave things hanging, I think. And I am in the groove when it comes to writing this scene, so you can expect the next chapter up in fairly short order. Before the end of this coming week, I think.

Hopefully, this chapter proved engaging, despite it's shortness.

As always, if you have any questions or criticisms to offer, feel free to toss them my way in the comment section. I likely have a response in mind for a good deal of them. Hope everyone enjoys.