One Mask Among Many.

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten.
Chapter Eleven.
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen.
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty One
Epilogue

Prologue

It began when the sky burned with fire. The flames billowed over the city of Ponyville in a raging multi-coloured storm that blackened the high towers and caused the various business signs and antenna to sag as the conflagration swept over the scene.

‘Princess Twilight Sparkle’ snapped her head upwards; her delving into magical science forgotten as the windows of her laboratory framed the tempest of flames surrounding her research tower. Ruffling her feathers Twilight could only watch as the fire billowed and raged all around before closing her tired eyes slowly.

Her purple coat alive with the reflected colours from outside, Twilight trotted over to the nearest communications panel and with deft hoof taps opened a channel to her most trusted aid.

The blue ‘Please stand by’ image was just visible through the rainbow distortions crazing the screen due to sympathetic feedback from the storm washing against the tower. These cleared as Twilight’s research centre was enveloped within a magical field of its own. Twilight had tested it against dragon fire and so was confident the billowing inferno outside would find no purchase.

After a few more moments of weary waiting the screen changed to display a green unicorn stallion with a messy purple mane blinking owlishly at Twilight. He rubbed his sleepy eyes and peered closely, “Yes Director?” His voice sounding as tired as he looked.

Twilight took a calming breath, cooling the frustration welling inside before answering wearily, “Sorry to get you out of bed ‘Bullet Point’, but I don’t suppose you noticed the sky is on fire?”

Even as Twilight watched, ‘Bullet’ disappeared from view and she waited as the flaming clouds continued to swirl about the tower. Twilight also picked up the distant sounds of alarms beginning to chime as the city below awoke to this latest emergency.

She didn’t have to wait long for Bullet’s return, “Yes it is princess, would you like me to begin putting together a press release for you?” Bullet didn’t sound at all shocked by the firestorm sweeping over the city, responding as calmly as if Twilight had asked him to read the minutes from the latest staff meeting.

Nodding gratefully Twilight smiled to her chief ‘Pony Relations Manager’. Bullet was good, she had to admit, but Twilight found herself missing Trixie. Her stalwart friend for over five decades had retired a year or two ago, age finally catching up with her. It was a similar position for all the former element bearers these days it seemed.

Celestia had tried to explain the phenomenon to Twilight a while back, how the ‘World’ had a certain ‘balance’ to it. Twilight and her friends had given so much of their time in service to the World (both as the Element bearers and before forming the Council of Harmony) that it seemed the World was repaying them in kind with a far longer life than expected.

It was a mixed blessing, because ponies they knew inevitably went the way of the world while they hung on and seeing the great changes that had occurred over the last fifty or so years. Best way to get something done is to find a pony who’s already busy and give the job to them. Well the world had certainly kept Twilight and her friends very busy, so how long they would live for was beyond Twilight’s reckoning.

Celestia continued to be a great help as the years rolled on, assuring Twilight and her fellows that those who had passed on were not lost. That ‘hazy’ explanation didn’t appeal to Twilight’s inquisitive nature at all and only led to her pestering the ‘Royal Pony Sisters’ further.

Frustratingly Celestia and Luna hinted at knowing ways of visiting their past friends and loved ones, but for themselves only. Twilight still remembered how Celestia had lifted Twilight’s down cast chin, explaining that Twilight and her sister in law Cadance, though princesses, were not timeless as Celestia and Luna were. They would eventually get to see what happened ‘next’ in their own due time and need not worry.

Twilight closed the communication point with a resigned sigh before looking out the windows again. “One hoof step at a time Twi,” she reminded herself of Luna’s good advice. Ponyville was responding quickly and further energy barriers began to spring up over the buildings surrounding the research centre. These days if it wasn’t a fire storm then it was a blizzard or some other emergency hitting the city, so protections were firmly in place.

Mercifully its inhabitants had become well used to such strange occurrences, being the hub for advanced research attracted all sorts of odd phenomenon to Ponyville. Either natural reactions from within or when another nation displayed their displeasure at the work done here. But as the fire continued to roil outside Twilight guessed it was an internal mishap this time, recognising a reactor emergency bleed-off when she saw one.

Having made sure all was in hoof, Twilight made her way back to the project she had been working on. “You know who caused it this time don’t you Princess?” A tinny synthesized voice called out from above. Twilight didn’t even bother looking up to respond.

“I have a good idea ‘Zip’, but there is no point worrying about it now. She’ll come home soon and I can ask her myself.” Twilight ruffled her wings, a sure sign she was annoyed despite her outward calm.

“You’re too soft on her Princess, I think she causes mayhem just for the fun of it,” Zip commented and Twilight was forced to agree.

“Well no pony should be hurt at least. The no high flying restrictions were in place for the test tonight in any case,” Twilight added in a distracted way.

“To speak boldly your highness, that’s not the point, she’s becoming a menace and you need to talk to her,” A tiny metallic creature, no bigger than a tennis ball drifted down to settle on Twilight’s shoulder.

This machine looked like a tiny pony with butterfly wings and small antenna; all crafted in bluish metal that glinted yellow in the light of the fires still raging outside. Zip turned ‘his’ green glowing multifaceted eyes to Twilight as his face formed a frown.

“Princess Twilight: This is the seventh time this month that something like this has happened and every time it turns out to be her,” Zip scolded.

Twilight nodded distractedly as she continued to tinker with the device upon the workbench, “I’ll talk to her Zip, don’t worry.”

The small mechanical ‘breezy’ folded its fore legs and gave Twilight a disbelieving look, “With respect Princess that’s what you said last time; it took the work crews weeks to clear out the lower levels of the research centre and all you did was scold her for being silly. The other princesses won’t stand for it you know.”

Twilight simply nodded again, carefully levitating a collection of tools and periodically adjusting the creation coming together before her. Zip released a tiny exasperated sound and waved his hooves in the air despairingly, “She is spending too much time with that ‘uncle’ of hers, you know he’s a terrible influence on her.”

Zip fluttered his tiny wings and positioned himself between Twilight and her work, “Princess I must insist that you take the situation more seriously!”

Twilight, now thoroughly interrupted, focused on Zip who glared angrily and smiled indulgently, “Zip, she’s young and trying out new things: So she gets a bit carried away with her fun sometimes, but Buzz means no harm.”

Zip folded his hooves and gave Twilight a look, “There is trying out new things and then there’s causing anarchy for the sake of it. Don’t get me started about her ‘uncle’. I know he’s the one who made Buzz what she is today and he has a right to spend time with her but…..”

Twilight continued to smile sadly and Zip simply scowled, “Yes, yes you have told me countless times how Discord’s intervention on the project caused the breakthrough for artificial sentience. How the world wouldn’t be how it is, ect, ect. That doesn’t mean you should condone Buzzbot behaving in such a manner.”

Even as the android and pony spoke, the firestorm outside began to recede, revealing the starry sky in all its beauty. Twilight tapped Zip on the head before gently pushing him out of the way once more, “See no lasting harm done,” Zip’s disapproving eyes continued to regard her before Twilight finally rolled her own eyes in defeat.

“Okay, Okay I’ll talk with her properly alright?” Twilight gently patted Zip on the head before depositing her tools back into their assorted containers. This done, Twilight rolled her stiff neck and began to tidy up the workshop with Zip watching her intently the whole time.

Thirty four minutes earlier:

“Not again Buzz, remember what happened last time,” ‘Quiz’ warned with trepidation, her delicate form floating above the disguised pony-bot below.

Buzzbot was currently a white coated unicorn with a dark blue mane. It was cut short while arranged at a severe angle, almost covering her mischievous green eyes. She grinned back at Quiz, who was even now barrel-rolling involuntarily. This little tech sprite resembled a 'breezy' as did like all of her kind. Quiz was a pale red hue with sparkling blue eyes that watched Buzzbot with undisguised concern.

“Come on Quiz, that wasn’t my fault and you know it: Discord was the one who pulled the control lever not me,” Buzz retorted, her own confident voice the complete opposite of her fluttering friends tiny squeak.

As Quiz calmed and her tumbling gait corrected itself. She watched Buzz carefully, Buzz had thick black eyeliner along with a few piercings in one ear. Quiz would have laughed at the effort, had they not been on the verge of disaster again. It was as if Buzz was trying too hard to look roguish.

Twilight had created Quiz with the idea of keeping an eye on the troublesome Buzzbot, who recently had taken the 'disgruntled and troubled young mare' persona to heart.

“Why couldn’t you have kept that nice look from before; the cream coat and orange mane. I liked that look on you Buzz,” Quiz tried again vainly as Buzz rolled her heavily mascaraed eyes.

“I told you Quiz, I want to try out something new, that’s all,” Buzz retorted, “I had all of my previous mission to be the good little filly.”

Quiz rubbed her tiny hooves with anxiety, “But why such a rebellious persona Buzz?”

Buzzbot grinned even wider this time, “Maybe because I am feeling ‘rebellious’ huh?”

The pair made their quiet way along the back streets of Old Ponyville. The cottages all around them looked like something out of a story book and in Buzz’s opinion were totally out of place. Ponyville was a city now; it had been so for years and this attempt at keeping the ‘quiet little village’ look in the centre grated on Buzz’s nerves.

Quiz and Buzz had carefully snuck their winding way out of the research quarter on this latest escapade. Though technically allowed to go out at after dark, Buzz knew Twilight disapproved of her nightly wanderings. If she was being honest Buzz felt far more at home among the high tech buildings and creations of the research quarter. It had been her ‘birth place’ after all.

But something of the Old Quarter always seemed to call Buzzbot back to the cities’ core and its vain attempts at holding on to the long gone image of a sleepy little town. Maybe it reminded Buzz of her first ever mission; going back to the past to study a much younger Twilight and her friends.

Buzzbot chuckled to herself, Twilight hadn’t even had her wings back then and the others well…. She continued to pass among the little thatched houses that looked so ‘quaint’ in the moonlight filtering down from above. Despite the levels of light the city generated, Twilight had continued to improve on her craft, so magical fields allowed the night sky to be seen despite the busy well lit life of a Ponyville evening continuing on uninterrupted.

Buzz progressed along the empty cobbled streets and marvelled at how her home could have ever been the size of Ponyville past. She smiled genuinely, completely at odds with her chosen form, at the simple buildings all around. Twilight had told Buzz that it had been one of the hardest events of the Princess’ life to finally move out of the Old Quarter: So much history was there and so many memories.

According to her own internal chronometer; Buzzbot had been online for just under three years now. It technically meant she was still a foal by normal standards and so didn’t have all that much history of her own. It was intriguing to think that so much had happened here whereas Buzz had only been around a short time.

Not to say her ‘life’ hadn’t been full of adventure, Buzz had travailed through time, officially been the first ever machine to be declared ‘alive’ and spent regular evenings with her ‘uncle’ Discord. It had been odd knowing her ‘parents’ before they had known her, but then again not much in Buzz’s life was considered normal anyhow.

“Please Buzz, I don’t want to get into trouble again,” Quiz’s pleading snapped Buzzbot out of her reminiscences.

“Come on Quiz, we’re only going for a little stroll around the processing plants,” Buzz assured even as she smiled innocently.

“That’s what you said about the refinery visit and the weather processors and....” Quiz gabled before Buzz held up a hoof.

“Okay, okay, I’m just restless alright. Nothing fun has happened for weeks and.....” Buzzbot trailed off as both she and Quiz noticed a crumpled heap on the ground.

Buzzbot cautiously trotted forward only to discover the mound was an unconscious pony: An earth stallion and one of the city guards by the looks of things. He wore the helmet and uniform of Ponyville’s custodians: A dark blue close fitting outfit with some red decorations all topped off with a white metal helmet.

Even behind the visor half concealing his face Buzz could see the guard was out cold and more worryingly had a dreamy smile plastered across his muzzle.

“Is he okay?” Quiz asked nervously as Buzz leaned in closer and checked the pony over. He didn’t look hurt in any way, just unconscious.

“Do I look like a doctor?” Buzzbot countered even as she did her best to turn the stallion over, his heavyset frame typical of soldier ponies. Closer inspection still revealed no injuries and Buzz was at a complete loss.

“He looks like one of the guards of the processing plant; see he’s got the insignia on his epaulet,” Quiz pointed out and Buzz saw the little sprite was indeed correct.

Buzzbot looked up at her planned destination. The processing plant was the main assembly area for all of Equestria’s mechanical components, but most importantly it was the chief supplier of magical energy cores; the life blood for magical technology.

The looming building was still bright and at work even at this late hour, the demands for its wares requiring nearly around the clock production. It shared the domed look of all of the more modern buildings; all glass and gilded frames. The sight reminded Buzzbot of a large snow globe, its bright dome pushing up from the surrounding buildings like a glass mushroom cap.

Despite the obvious activity within its structure, the noise levels (even this close) were almost nonexistent. Twilight’s genius showed through once more as the muffling enchantments did their work. As with all the advances and creations from ‘Twilight’s Centre for Academic Progression’ (T.C.A.P for short) the plant was designed to fit in with the local area and be as 'unintrusive' as possible.

Even as Buzzbot listened she could hear the sounds of nighttime birds singing in the distance. This made the form of an incapacitated guard all the more out of place, a wrong note in a gentle evening of calm.

“He’s a fair way from his post Quiz,” Buzz commented as she continued to watch the dome in the distance; the activity within showing nothing amiss.

Quiz landed softly on the guard and leaned her delicate head on his chest, “Well he’s got a steady heartbeat and is still breathing. Maybe he’s just out cold from one drink too many?”

Buzz shook her head, “Nah Quiz he doesn’t smell like he’s been drinking.” She turned her attention back to the unconscious guard and tapped his muzzle with a hoof, “Hey mister wake up!” The stallion groaned and his eyes drifted open briefly, the pupils unfocused, before he lapsed back into unconsciousness.

“Maybe we should go find another guard and tell them?” Quiz asked, her tiny wings blurring as she lifted off again.

“And tell them what?” Buzzbot replied, “All we have is a pony who’s not well and knowing my luck Twilight will blame me for that too,” Her tone sounded a trifle bitter.

Quiz’s face fell even as Buzz’s formed a grin, “Well we’re heading for the plant anyway right? Why don’t we find out a bit more and then we can tell how we saved the day!”

Before Quiz could contradict that idea Buzzbot was up and galloping towards the processing plant, leaving the guard lying on the ground and the tech sprite shaking her head in defeat, “Oh Twilight why did you have to put me in charge of her?”

As the pair approached the plant, Buzz caught sight of yet another guard unconscious upon the ground. This one also bore no signs of any outward harm and was snoring gently as she and Quiz came close.

“He’s out cold, just like the first one. I really don’t like this Buzz, we really should get some help,” Quiz fussed as Buzzbot leaned in close to study the unconscious pony. This one was a bat pony mare, wearing the same slightly dreamy smile on her muzzle as the previous guard.

Looking about Buzzbot saw the service door to the processing plant was partially open, the horizontal metal slats raised half way up to reveal the dark interior. Not pausing, she ducked under the obstruction and entered the building proper. Inside was dark and the sounds of industry, muffled to the outside world, suddenly rang clearly.

Adjusting her eyes to the gloom Buzzbot found herself in a darkened storage room, boxes and pallets lining the high walls. They were stacked in ordered piles all around, creating a grid of narrow passageways, leading off into the darkened space beyond.

“Please Buzz, this really is a very bad idea,” Quiz pleaded, hovering by Buzz’s ear and looking around with an anxious expression on her tiny face.

Buzz smiled ruefully at her little friend, “Come on, Quiz, enough with the whining, where’s your sense of adventure?”

“Left behind with your common sense it seems,” Quiz muttered as Buzz pushed further into the room.

As they moved deeper into the storage area the sounds of machinery in full swing became steadily louder, resounding and bouncing among the stacked crates which surrounded the pair. There wasn’t another pony to be seen and Buzz finally began to feel share Quiz’s growing sense of unease.

“There should be some pony here, these plants aren’t completely automated,” Buzz whispered to herself. She blinked a couple of times and her vision changed, flicking between different hues as Buzzbot worked through her sensors, until eventually the mundane world dropped away and she saw the magical hues in the air.

The plant was alive with arcane forces, flowing through the machines close by, hanging in the air and most importantly for Buzz, in the shape of a unicorn who was now revealed to her. The pony appeared as framework of golden magical lines. Throbbing and pulsing in the manner of a heartbeat. Her ‘Arcane Sight’ was such a beautiful thing and Buzz revelled at every opportunity to see the world like this.

The unicorn was different however. There was a sickly sense to the magic, just like when oil formed a sheen on the surface of water; an enveloping haze shrouded the normally bright lines of power. To Buzz’s dismay this wasn’t the worst of it. The unicorn was stooped over another pony, as with horn glowing, spread the tainted magic to its fellow on the ground.

Blinking again, Buzzbot returned her vision to normal and glanced at Quiz, a look of discomfort on her face, “Okay you’re right, this is bad and we need help.”

“What did you see?” Quiz pressed as Buzzbot led their way between the stacked boxes.

“There must be a security station here somewhere Quiz, we need to let somepony know about this,” Buzz replied.

Quiz threw up her tiny hooves in exasperation, “That’s what I have been saying from the start!”

“Okay, okay so you were right, what more do you want me to say?” Buzzbot snapped back as she neared a door marked ‘Security.’ “Thank Celestia Twilight uses prefabricated designs for these buildings,” Buzz commented as she knocked sharply on the door. “The important rooms are in all the same places,” She beamed at Quiz as the pair waited for a response.

After a short while Quiz began to fidget again, “Shouldn’t somepony have come by now?”

Buzz felt her ears flatten. Quiz was right, this whole situation was feeling worse by the moment. Cautiously she tried the door knob and to mounting nerves it slowly drifted open and revealed the room beyond. Several ponies, of all breeds, were slumped at their stations, the same dreamy, blissful look on their faces.

“Oh...” Buzzbot began before Quiz emitted a little squeak of panic.

Spinning around she saw what had frightened the little tech sprite. A unicorn was swaying gently in the darkened storage room, his eyes vacant and an unnerving smile across his face. This pony wasn’t dressed like a warden and he seemed to look past the pair as if they weren’t there.

“You two feel wrong, why aren’t you happy?” The newcomer asked in a fuzzy way, his eyes still fixed on a point past Buzzbot’s shoulder.

“Um why would we be?” She asked slowly as the stallion swayed gently, a look of confusion crossing his muzzle.

“Because everything is going to be alright, once the bad sounds are gone,” The unicorn explained as Quiz ducked behind Buzz’s mane and peered fearfully at the strange pony.

“Bad sounds?” Buzz pressed and the unicorn nodded.

“Yeah, they hurt my friend’s ears so we need to shut them off, then everything will be alright again, my friends can come back,” Buzz took a couple of steps back as the pony before them moved in closer, “Let me show you what I mean.”

“We’re quite happy as we are thank you,” Buzzbot replied as the unicorn’s horn glowed with the same sickly colour that Buzz had seen before. Quiz squeaked in fear as Buzz shoved past the clearly bewitched pony and headed for the exit at full gallop.

Even as Buzz heard the disappointed cry from the unicorn behind another stepped around a crate before her, the same distant grin and thousand mile stare adorning this mare. Buzz didn’t slow, veered off in another direction through the pallets.

“What’s wrong with them?” Quiz called as Buzzbot was forced to make yet another detour as a third unicorn shuffled into view ahead.

“Some sort of mind control or brainwashing I would guess,” Buzz replied as she inwardly cursed at having to change direction again, their pursuers seemed to be herding Buzz and Quiz deeper into the processing plant, evidently something was thinking more clearly than these enslaved ponies.

With little other choice Buzzbot rushed forward, bowing her head and barged aside the door connecting the storage area to the factory proper as yet more unicorns appeared from behind stacks of boxes. The noise level rocketed, the working machinery clanking and whirring away all around the fleeing Buzzbot.

It took only a fraction of a second for her eyes to adjust to the sudden light here and without even pausing Buzz quickly busied herself getting lost among the various apparatus. “Well if they say their friends don’t like the sounds here then maybe they won’t either,” Buzzbot had to yell back to Quiz who was trembling with terror.

Buzz slowed, weaving around the various components being produced here and felt a little more confident now she’d had time to take in their situation. Okay, crazy bewitched unicorns are trying to take over, so what do they want? Think Buzz think! Buzz cautiously watched the door from which they had entered, and to her annoyance she saw the unicorns calmly follow them in, any hopes that the loud noises within the factory floor would put them off fading in Buzzbot's core.

She watched the unicorns as they spread out, searching with that same disturbingly distant manner. The little smiles never shifting from their muzzles. She quickly glanced at Quiz who was shaking, her little hooves over her blue eyes and came to a decision. They couldn’t just hide here. They had to do something, there had to be a way of getting the outside world’s attention that things were very much amiss in the processing plant.

Looking around Buzzbot thought she caught sight of an emergency venting valve attached to what looked like the main power storage units for the building and a crazy idea formed in her head. Twilight would be so angry with her, but when she understood why Buzz had acted it would be okay. Maybe. Quickly bolting from their hiding place Buzzbot cannoned forward, knocking over a mesmerised unicorn even as it caught sight of her and galloped to the metal handle before gripping it tightly.

Buzz strained for a moment before hauling the lever down and diving aside as the stored magical charge that powered the processing plant was released in one mighty upward blast. Arcane forces, once carefully stored were suddenly freed and surged upwards and outwards along specially intended lines. The ball of magical energy crackled and spat as it passed through the ceiling, the roof over head before exploding outwards.

The rogue power mixed with the background magic in the air and ignited, causing a billowing wave of magical multi-coloured flame to spread outwards and wash over the city of Ponyville in a tide. Back down in the plant, Buzzbot and Quiz watched with fascination as the unicorns that had been chasing them all suddenly toppled over, like puppets with their strings cut.

Quiz chattered in happy relief, but Buzzbot looked at the fallen ponies as a nagging sense of dread crept over her: They still all had the unnerving little smiles on their muzzles.

Chapter One

“Okay, so tell me again what happened,” The cream coloured earth pony who had introduced himself as ‘Strict Discipline’ asked in a wearied manner.

Buzzbot glared at the stallion, matching his bored expression with a frustrated one of her own, “Look sergeant I explained already. I was out for an evening walk when I found a custodian out cold on the ground.”

‘Strict’ nodded and jotted down further notes on a small pad, “And so you felt you needed to investigate, correct? You didn’t think it was appropriate to find some guards and inform them of what you’d found?”

Buzz let out an exasperated groan as she weighed up the pros and cons of telling this soldier who she really was. It would save so much time, but would also see her in deep trouble too. The guards all knew about Buzz and her nighttime excursions. If she revealed her true identity then they were bound to find a way to blame her for all this mess. A mess she was completely innocent of having stumbled upon the unicorns genuinely by mistake.

Continuing to glare at Strict, Buzzbot reached a decision. With a brisk flick of her magic she dropped the persona she’d been wearing to reveal her true appearance. Strict started as the white unicorn was enveloped in a yellow glow and transformed into a slender mechanical equine.

Gone was the blue mane, replaced by a nest of short antenna and blinking sensor spines. Her short tail became several lengths of armoured cable, terminating in connectors and inserts for data port access. The moody eyes morphed to become a pair of camera lenses hidden behind shielding screens of yellow tinted glass while her petulant frown vanished to reveal the smooth featureless face resembling a ponyquin.

In less than a second Buzzbot had shed her outward identity of the moody, rebellious young mare and now presented an almost skeletal figure of rounded white casing covering a dark metal interior. Buzz now showed her true form, a pony-bot, a mechanical pony; the first ever to achieve true sentience.

Strict’s dismay turned to anger as he recognised who was before him, “Oh you again, I should have known you’d be mixed up in this somehow.”

“Buzz what are we going to do with you?” Twilight’s resigned voice cut Buzzbot to her crystal-powered core.

“Maybe believe me for once? I know that my track record isn’t good, but I really didn’t cause the trouble this time!” Buzz tried to explain, her voice now metallic with a synthetic resonance.

She stood on a raised dais while Twilight delicately connected Buzz’s ‘tail’ to a monitor. Buzz watched her ‘mother’ with tiny clicks, her eyes whirring and adjusting to follow Twilight’s movements around the laboratory. The room which was situated high in the research centre’s main tower and was lit with bright white fluorescent lamps. These showed off the various implements of scientific apparatus along with half finished projects. It was any pony’s guess as to their intended purpose.

“I do believe you Buzz, but that’s not the problem. There were some serious happenings last night and not just at the processing plant,” Twilight finished connecting Buzzbot up to the information storage crystal display and Buzz felt her own systems synchronise. Her mind was filled with the odd sensation of data transfer as Twilight began to copy Buzz’s memories for reading and review.

“You do?” Buzzbot’s voice was filled with hope.

“Of course I do Buzz, but these ‘bewitched’ unicorns have shown up all over Equestria and we need to know more,” Twilight explained with a frown.

The harsh radiance from the lights dimmed before a floating display of Buzzbot’s last few hours was projected so that both ponies could see the events of last night unfolding. Buzz studied Twilight and felt ice in her core as the princess’ face became dour. With a flick of magic she stopped the playback and Buzz followed Twilight’s gaze to the screen.

The image Buzz had captured with her ‘arcane vision’ of the unicorn was hovering above their heads and Twilight gave a sharp intake of breath, “That makes no sense?”

Buzz would have cocked an eyebrow had she had such a thing at Twilight’s manner, “What doesn’t make sense, that unicorn is obviously ill or something Twi.” It seemed perfectly clear to her, but Twilight’s muzzle scrunched up in confusion.

“What did I miss?” The voice that Buzz knew well called as the door to the laboratory slid open and ‘Tinker Track’ trotted in, a big smile on his face.

His yellow eyes took in the scene before them before he looked up at the displayed image of Buzzbot’s memory. She watched as her ‘father’s’ face became one of acute interest, “Looks like a case of ‘Equine Morphic Obsclusion’ to me.” Buzz paused for a moment before her memory brought up the meaning: Changeling Brainwashing.

Twilight snorted, “I could have easily told you that Tinker, what bothers me is the scale of this.” She waved a hoof and the image above them swapped to a map of Equestria, where tiny red blips were glowing angrily over every major city.

Tinker chuckled unconcernedly, “It’s not the first time those critters have tried something like this Twi. The measures you put in place keep their drones out easily and if any queen tried to set up nest somewhere your detectors pick them up almost instantly.” Buzz studied Tinker, his blue coat and white mane keenly reminding her of Trixie. She shouldn’t be surprised, he was her grandson after all.

He tapped a hoof to his chin and Buzz couldn’t help but smile. She’d known Tinker all her life, the white lab coats he insisted on wearing, the pair of welding goggles that always adorned his forehead and the various tools and exotic trinkets acutered about himself always cheered Buzz greatly.

“This was doomed to failure just like all the other attempts Twi,” Tinker Track announced with confidence and Buzz was inclined to agree. They hadn’t had any real trouble with changelings for decades now, Twilight however shook her head sadly.

“I know Tinker, but that’s not what’s confused me. This is all typical, since we put the ‘Sonic Deterrents’ up changelings have been trying to brainwash ponies to break them,” Twilight spoke as with another wave of her hoof a set of glowing rings overlapped the map depicting the coverage of the protection net.

“Because everything is going to be alright, once the bad sounds are gone,” The strange manner in which the unicorn had spoken to Buzzbot drifted up in her mind again. They were using ponies to destroy the anti-changeling devices protecting Equestria.

Buzz quickly accessed the information. The Sonic Disruption Field or ‘S.D.F’, broadcast a signal that only changelings could hear. It prevented them from using their powers to shapeshift and from what Buzz had seen it really hurt their ears too. It was nowhere near as effective upon a queen, but it sent their drones and other underlings crazy.

“That’s the point Tinker; this didn’t stand a chance in Tartarus of working,” Twilight explained, “I mean it’s clever in its own way. Try and distract us by causing havoc in places such as the processing plant where Buzz was last night.” Twilight gave Buzzbot a look, “Which Buzz did a fine job of helping them do.” Buzz felt that was unfair, she was only trying to warn ponies of what was going on.

Twilight turned her attention back to the map and continued thoughtfully, “They didn’t even get close to damaging even one broadcaster, it speaks of desperation or some other motive maybe?”

Tinker smiled indulgently, “Well then make sure every key person is double checked for contamination and increase security on the important sites. Either way I don’t think it’s something to worry about Twi.”

Buzz felt the feeling of disconnection as Twilight removed her tail from the data port and normal light levels resumed, “I guess you’re right Tinker, I’ll do as you suggested.”

“So can I go now?” Buzz asked hopefully as with a flash of magic she became the white and blue unicorn again.

Twilight gave her a disappointed glance, “I was hoping we could spend some time together Buzz, it’s been a while since we just sat down and chatted about things.”

The air in the room seemed a little colder as Buzz turned her now blue eyes upon Twilight, “So you can just tell me off again?”

Tinker winced and Twilight’s ears flattened before she responded, “No of course not, I told you I believed you about the processing plant.”

Buzz snorted, “Yeah and how I helped the changelings with their distraction huh?”

“Now come on Buzz she didn’t mean it like that,“ Tinker tried to reassure Buzz, “Twilight and I are just worried about you that’s all.”

Buzzbot felt a mixture of annoyance and sadness. Deep down she knew they did care, but Twilight being so busy with her research and filling her position as the head of the council of Harmony.... It made it very hard for Buzzbot to feel like she was getting the time a ‘daughter’ deserved.

Twilight smiled hopefully, “How about I talk with Bullet Point, sort out some proper family time together huh?”

Buzzbot gazed into Twilight’s hopeful eyes and felt a slight softening of the frustrations that had been building within her for weeks now. She still felt angry and so the response was not as kind as she’d intended, “Well if you can find time in your busy schedule I....” Buzz saw the pained expression on Twilight’s face and quickly changed track, “I’d like that yes.”

Tinker smiled as Twilight gave Buzz a hug, “I’m sorry Buzzbot, I know you’re often left to your own devices while Tinker and I are working, that’s partly why I made Quiz to keep you company.”

Buzz felt that little rebellious part of her flex before she snorted, “And here I was thinking it was to keep me out of trouble.”

Twilight smiled sadly before chuckling, “Well that too, I don’t deny it, I really do worry about you and it’s only because I care.”

Buzzbot rolled her eyes as Tinker joined in the hug, “It’s really true Buzz, you’re so special to us both, sometimes we just don’t know quite how to show it,” Buzzbot felt the blush forming and lightly cursed that her parents had built that feature into her disguises.

Finally Buzzbot’s forced pouting faded and she smiled happily, “Oh alright, you win again.”

“What are they saying?” Quiz asked as she flitted closer to the wall grating just outside the laboratory, her blue eyes sparkling in the gloomy shadows among the vents and crawl spaces high in the ceiling.

“If you’d stop pestering me I may be able to find out,” Zip replied with an annoyed squeak and a wave of his tiny hoof.

“It’s about Buzz and I being in trouble isn’t it? You’re just trying to spare my feelings I knew it!” Quiz wailed, “They’re going to recycle us into lampshades aren’t they?”

Zip gave Quiz a disbelieving look, “Since when did our creators do that?”

Quiz barrel rolled with anxiety, “Well never, but Twilight will be so angry with me for letting Buzzbot get into trouble again that she’ll have me melted down for scrap, I just know it.”

Zip shook his head in a rueful manner, “Quiz Twilight’s not angry with you, this is all about the odd unicorns at the plant, now shush. I can see the display screen coming up now.” Even as Zip spoke the light filtering through the grating dimmed.

“Oh no, oh no, oh no....” Quiz trembled as Zip did his best to make out what was going on below.

“Oh Twilight, we really need to work on her emotions,” Zip mumbled as Quiz descended into another fit of paranoid shivers. He narrowed his gaze to see the projected images floating in the air while Buzz, Tinker and Twilight all watched the projection in fascination.

“Looks like they are bringing up the map of Equestria’s defences, that’s the S.D.F coverage,” Zip continued to mumble before Quiz pushed him aside to stare instead.

“That means it’s to do with changelings, oh no!” She squeaked before Zip shoved her aside again. The two tech sprites devolved into a mass of pushing limbs and angry buzzing as they both wrestled with each other for the best view.

So enamoured were they in their current struggle, neither sprite saw that the meeting below had concluded. Both Zip and Quiz froze as they heard the door below them sliding open:

“Okay you two, I’ll chat with Bullet Point and arrange a trip to a nice restaurant, just need to check in on the sprites alright?” Twilight’s call echoed up and the mad scramble for a good view suddenly changed into a frantic fight to be first to escape back to their storage room.

The pair of tiny robots worked their wings desperately, ducking and weaving among the pipes and other obstacles that made up their disproportionate world, every so often catching sight of Twilight through the grills below them.

Their journey finally came to a narrowing and without a second’s thought both sprites flung themselves forward, eager to be the first through. The ensuring bottleneck trapped both machines and after a cramped moment they looked at each other in horror.

Twilight was at the door to their room just below, she was inputting the pass code and......”Director, Director!” A stallion called out.

Both Quiz and Zip looked down to see Bullet Point approaching Twilight. Grateful for this reprieve both sprites struggled frantically to free themselves even as Twilight turned to face her P.R manager, “Oh hi Bullet, I was just on my way to see you. I need you to sort my schedule so that Buzz, Tinker and I can go for a nice meal.”

Both sprites looked to one another before wriggling and straining. They were only freed when Zip pulled backwards and allowed Quiz to go first. She paused for a moment before sticking out a tiny tongue and darting through the hole.

Zip quickly dipped through, not catching Bullet’s reply before climbing his way down and through into the sprite storage unit. Inside was an average sized room, lit by a faint blue light and whose prominent feature was the large number of cubby holes arranged along the far wall from the door. Zip could already see Quiz climbing up into her own compartment and darted forward even as the sounds of the door began to unlock with a hiss.

Most of the other sprites were in ‘standby’ mode and purred gently, but one or two watched Zip with annoyance. Ignoring the indignant stares, Zip fluttered over to his own booth and quickly settled in just as the door to the room slowly slid open and the light levels increased.

“....nks Bullet, I knew I could count on you,” Twilight was just finishing up before turning to the task at hoof, “Zip! Wake up I have some errands for you and your friends.”

Zip took a little while to respond, doing his best to pretend he was powering up at the director’s call. Sitting up and spreading his wings, he hovered out of his compartment and forced a sleepy reply, “Yes Director, how can we be of service?”

“Are you alright Zip, you look a little tense?” Twilight asked and Zip did his best to ignore the tiny squeak from Quiz’s booth.

“I’m fine your highness, just a little worried about this latest ‘accident’ that’s all,” Zip explained hastily.

Twilight nodded in understanding, “You and me both Zip, that’s why I need your help,” She paused and checked that no one was outside, “I need you and your friends to take a message to the other Harmony Council members.”

Zip tilted his head in surprise, “But surely it would be faster to send it by.....”

Twilight shook her head, “Not this time Zip, I want to meet with them quietly and you’re the most trustworthy way of me doing that.” Twilight looked up and around again and Zip only now registered the worry in her voice.

Zip felt a stab of guilt in his core, only moments ago he’d almost been caught eavesdropping on the director who trusted him, but hiding this well Zip nodded obediently, “Of course your highness, you can count on us.”

Twilight nodded thankfully before producing six little capsules, “I want you to pass these directly to each of the other council members, nopony else. Do you understand?” Zip nodded, motioning for a number of fellow sprites to each take a small sphere. The messages were no bigger than a pea and shaded an off white colour.

“You don’t want to inform the other princesses?” Zip asked with curiosity and Twilight’s ears flattened as he lip crumpled.

“No not yet, I don’t want to bother them with something that may turn out to be nothing,” She paused, “This is official Council of Harmony business, they have left me in charge of that and so I have decided to only let them know when I have something to actually tell them.”

Zip gave a smart salute followed by the others as they assembled to carry Twilight’s messages. She smiled back with a little chuckle, “Thanks, I knew I could count on you.” With a thoughtful look in her eyes, Twilight then about faced and headed out of sprite storage unit without another word.

Once the door finally closed one of the other sprites could keep quiet no longer, “Zip! What were you and Quiz doing? You could have been caught and then what would have happened?”

Zip drew his tiny self up and locked eyes with his challenger, “Are all of you so scared of being seen as more than simple messengers? I for one trust the director, she’s my friend alright?”

His heckler didn’t seem too impressed, “ If you're so confident in her then why do you take so much care sneaking around huh? If there is nothing wrong with what you’re doing then it shouldn’t matter right?”

Zip admitted he didn’t have an answer to that, it was a deep down fear for the sprites that if ponies truly understood what they had created then........ “Enough alright, we didn’t get caught and now we have a job to do understood?”

The other sprites nodded slowly one after the other before heading for the launch window which was even now sliding open. Zip mentally shook himself, they were all just hyped up about nothing. Equestria had plenty of sentient machines, Buzzbot being a prime example, but the nagging thought wouldn’t leave him alone: They hadn’t made sprites to be this smart, only to be useful.

We were made to be simple task doers, but we’re so much more than that. Buzzbot and her kind were intended to be sentient, whereas we weren’t and yet we are. No pony had said anything, but the tech sprites didn’t want to push their luck. Zip shivered before putting such deep questions aside, Twilight had a task for them and by the heavens they were going to do it!

Buzzbot had made a real effort to smarten up this time, she was in her once favourite form who most ponies knew as ‘Stage Cloak’: A cheerful cream coloured unicorn with neat orange mane and a welcoming smile. It had been the first persona she’d ever thought of as ’her’ and it felt good to ‘wear’ it again.

Twilight had been as good as her word. She Buzz and Tinker made their steady way along Ponyville’s main thoroughfare during a pleasant summer evening on their way to ‘Tasty Bite’. It was considered one of the more humble eateries in the city and to the shock of many of the ‘social elite’ Twilight’s favourite place for a meal out.

Tinker held open the door for the pair and the vendor ‘Chin-up’ beamed as his most famous and loyal customers entered. Coming out from behind his counter the stallion escorted them to one of the booths and with great ceremony presented the menus.

The large brown earth pony rubbed down his cook’s overall and waggled his very bushy black eyebrows at the seated trio, “So great to a’ve you er’e princess, the usual?” ‘Chin’ asked with great solemnity, bowing to the party.

Buzz had to suppress a chuckle as Twilight rolled her eyes, “Come on Chin, you know I hate all that bowing and scraping stuff.” Twilight grinned darkly, “Plus that accent doesn’t fool anyone.”

Chin-up looked hurt, “Oh but princess, I ave ter treat my most famous customer right, it just wouldn’t be well right. Not for you your Highness.”

Tinker met Buzz’s amused eyes with a smile as Twilight gave an exasperated snort, “Chin, you do this every time we come here, please just take our order and our thanks alright?”

Chin-up beamed mischievously, “But your highness, that’s the beauty of this. You still come er’e even after all the song and dance I put yer through! It speaks wonders for my cooking.”

Buzz had to put a hoof to her mouth to prevent the laugh from escaping as she looked at all the pictures Chin had up on the walls. Almost everyone had Twilight in various states of annoyance with Chin grinning happily next to her and it was true. With Twilight’s patronage the humble Tasty Bite was practically a famous landmark.

Twilight smiled in defeat, “Fine Chin, the usual please.”

“And for your fellows?” Chin-up pressed.

“I’ll go for the hayfry bun with the side salad,” Tinker Track announced after peering at the menu.

It finally came to Buzz’s turn to order and Chin gave her another solemn look, “And fer yerself my dear? Don’t tell me you’re gonna skip the main course again. You’ll waste away if you not careful.”

Buzz smiled up at Chin, when it came to her and food it was complicated, mostly because she didn’t need it. She was a machine and drew all she needed from the background magic in the air, but to keep up appearances she could eat while disguised: Storing the food in a special container and.....well, Buzz didn’t tend to go into much detail after that and it wasn’t a well known fact open to Equestria as a whole.

It felt wrong to make such good food go to waste here and so Buzzbot was very ‘frugal’ in her order, sticking with some biscuits and other light starters to which Chin shook his head sadly, “One of these days I’m gonna tempt you to something more than that Buzz.” With his ‘duty’ done, Chin headed back behind his counter much to the relief of the other customers who had been queuing impatiently.

“Do we really have to go through that every time we come here Twi, I know he means well and all but surely it must get on your nerves right?” Tinker asked in a bemused manner.

Twilight smiled, “Royal duties and all that Tinker, it’s not all that bad and the food here is really good.”

Tinker conceded that point as with extraordinary haste their meals were brought to them, the mouth watering smells causing Twilight to close her eyes blissfully as she inhaled deeply quickly followed by Tinker himself. Buzz watched the pair with no amount of envy, taste was one of the things that had eluded her design. In fact there were many things that Buzz still didn’t understand to this day. For example exactly why she had been made?

It had all been a big confusing matter of cause and effect from what she understood. Twilight and Tinker had built her to go back in time, to find an earlier version of Tinker and make sure he straightened up and flew straight. But if she hadn’t have gone back then the whole mechanical revolution that had swept Equestria wouldn’t have happened....

Buzzbot always lost interest at this point. All this progress and technological advancement was part of some big plan privy only to Celestia and Luna. They had never deigned to let her or even Twilight know the full details and quite frankly Buzzbot was happy with that. She was here, she had a family of sorts and overall Buzzbot was happy with things. If a little restless.

She had so many talents for sneaking into places and being able to be practically any pony she wanted. These skills, while being useful when going back in time and not upsetting history, didn’t have much call in Equestria now. Buzzbot’s life had become one dull day to the next. It seemed her primary directive had already been accomplished and all that was left was to while away the years in boredom.

“Well?” It dawned on Buzz that Twilight had been speaking to her for the last few minutes and now expected an answer. Buzzbot shook her head before coming back to the here and now:

“Sorry Twilight, I was just musing on things,” Buzz added quickly before nibbling on one of the biscuits she’d ordered, “What was it you were asking?”

Twilight chuckled, “Well that’s one thing you take after me in Buzz, always daydreaming about something: I was asking what your thoughts were on the three of us going on holiday for a bit? Somewhere distant like the dragon realms or such?”

Buzzbot looked dubious, not that the idea didn’t appeal to her, more that she didn’t believe Twilight could pull herself away from work for that long, “That would be nice I guess.”

Tinker grinned supportively, “I’d say more than just nice, it would be great to see the sights and visit....”

Tinker was cut off as a wave of spreading silence suddenly filled the Tasty Bite. They all looked around to see what had caused the disturbance; A Pegasus mare had stumbled into the restaurant and she was in a bad way by the looks of things. Haggard and wasted, it was a small miracle that she was even standing.

Several patrons shrank back as the pony, whose coat might have once been a warm orange under all the grime that covered her, took a couple of faltering hoof steps forward. Her pink eyes were distant and she mumbled a nonstop tirade of babble, twitching the whole while as she swayed visibly. Buzzbot felt an odd familiarity sweep over her, a sense of lingering wrongness which only heightened when the pegasus caught sight of Twilight and made her determined way towards them.

“Please! Please! You must help us, have mercy we’re dying!” The pegasus ranted as she half stumbled, half crawled towards the shocked trio. The stunned silence was broken by further pitiful cries before this newcomer collapsed mere inches from the table and crawled feebly onwards with painful slowness.

Twilight looked terrified at the sudden change events had taken, but mastered herself and leaped to the pony’s aid, “Hold on, who are you and how can we help?”

The pegasus looked blearily into Twilight’s anxious face and simply whispered, “Feed us.....” Something vital faded in the mare’s eyes and with a last shuddering breath she trembled slightly before becoming very still. As what had just happened dawned on the crowd a number of gasps and a few shocked cries resounded around the Tasty Bite.

The ensuing pandemonium faded into the background as Twilight saw what the pony had been clutching in one hoof, it was a small piece of shiny black carapace along with a delicate looking insect like wing. Tinker and Buzzbot saw them too and they knew what those items belonged to: Changelings.

Chapter Two

“You can’t be serious Twilight! I mean they’re changelings for Celestia’s sake!” Rainbow Dash slammed her hoof down on the crystal chair with such force that Twilight feared it would crack.

The Council of Harmony were arrayed in their thrones, high within Twilight Sparkle’s castle. The light of the dying day filtering in through the high windows, casting the assembled ponies in a golden glow. The six pastel coloured mares sat in a circle and glanced back and forth, digesting the announcement which Twilight had made with varying degrees of disbelief.

“Well I have to agree with Rainbow on this one Twi. The last time we had a major tangle with those things we nearly lost your brother, sister in law and the capital city of Equestria,” The deep and resonant voice sounded out from a glowing screen as Spike’s massive eyes peered at the assembled ponies.

“I know that Spike, that’s not the point now. They are dying and have asked for our help,” Twilight replied, taking deep breaths while trembling slightly all the while.

“And a spider would plead for the fly to come into its web too if it were able Twilight. It’s a trap, I’m certain of it,” Rarity added, her sceptical expression mirrored by most of the others present.

“I know we’re all fer helpin those in need, but them critters? Ain’t no way they can be trusted - even if we could you know what they feed off Twi,” Applejack’s stern eyes stared at Twilight as if she’d suggested they summon back Nightmare Moon for a friendly chat.

Twilight looked around to Fluttershy who couldn’t meet her gaze, “Come on Fluttershy; please tell me you will back me up here?”

Fluttershy’s eyes didn’t leave the floor, “Oh Twilight I know you mean well, but I don’t think it can be done. They’re just so wrong, even if they are truly desperate and asking for help the changelings cannot survive without draining their prey of love. They leave empty ponies with nothing good in them, only the dark and hateful emotions. I want to help them of course, but I can’t see a way of them coexisting with any race.”

Twilight felt her heart sink as she tried to push the image of that poor pegasus in the diner out of her mind and her ears drooped. Surely Fluttershy would have had some idea of how they could help without endangering anyone?

In dismay Twilight turned to Pinkie Pie, seeing even her almost limitless optimism absent as she slowly turned a part squeaker over and over in her hooves. Pinkie cradled it like a precious stone, her face looked just as bemused as the rest of them.

“Well we need to do something ladies, we can’t just ignore this,” Twilight agonised.

“Yeah we should double the guards or something, make sure nopony else gets bewitched or hurt and then let the things starve,” Rainbow jumped off her throne and Twilight saw her whole body trembling with a need to act.

“That’s cold Dash. Of course we’re going to make sure everypony is safe, but you would just let them starve to death?” Twilight countered as she watched Rainbow pacing back and forth.

“If it meant the problem was solved, they haven’t earned any good will and have killed or destroyed thousands of ponies in their time,” Rainbow snorted.

“And we haven’t hurt them back?” Fluttershy whispered quietly. Only to be cut off by Applejack.

“Yeah sugar cube, them critters don’t have any redeemin qualities that I can think of, don’t make no sense us riskin ponies and others trying to help em,” Applejack continued, “When a timber wolf comes ter eat yer live stock yer drive em away, not ask them to walk right on in n take their pick.”

Twilight cringed, these were both good arguments but it just wasn’t the same. From everything she understood of changelings they were intelligent, they could reason and that made them more than just an animal like a timber wolf or a hydra. Their queen had certainly been cunning enough to endanger Equestria many times in the past.

Things had only really changed with the new S.D.F system. It had driven the changelings away, leaving Equestria and its neighbours practically free of their taint. Barring the occasional case once every few years, the changeling threat was all but over for them.

Such an act of invention had once made Twilight proud, but now it seemed that she was driving a fellow sentient race to extinction. That had never been the plan, only to keep Equestria safe. Twilight had never considered the far reaching consequences of such and still wasn’t sure if she was happy about it. Twilight didn’t want to be known as the pony responsible for the destruction of an entire species.

“We first need to know if the changelings are truly in such dire straits, that they are even willing to talk. I would be far more inclined to find a solution if we could be assured it’s not just some trap,” Rarity added, her hoof slowly tapping her chin as her eyes focused on some point in the distance. Twilight brightened, at least her friends were trying.

“I could do some investigation Twi. I wouldn’t be in any danger and could see if things are truly that bad?” Spike rumbled and Twilight didn’t doubt that Spike would be alright. Her adoptive brother now loomed in the small image, massive and powerful. He was a mighty dragon in his own right and far too big to fit into their council chamber any longer; hence the projection screen linked to his own home in Ponyville.

“Thank you Spike, but I don’t know,” Twilight said slowly before he snorted in annoyance. She smiled at him indulgently, “Oh not like that Spike, I know you can handle yourself in a fight and would be safe, but we are unlikely to find out anything solid even if you went and ripped open every nest in the badlands,” Spike growled softly in acceptance before relaxing into an attentive silence.

“Plus we could end up hurting them further. I don’t mind defending ourselves, but there must be a better way than storming their hives,” Fluttershy spoke up, her quiet voice laced with unease.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, “They’re love sucking vampires, and you’re worried we might hurt them?” She continued pacing back and forth, agitation radiating from her.

“If they are really asking for help and we barge in there smashing up the place what does that make us then?” Fluttershy snapped back, showing a rare moment of determined force. Rainbow’s ears drooped and she muttered something Twilight didn’t catch.

Twilight was too busy watching Pinkie Pie who still cradled the squeaker with a glum expression, “You know, it’s such a shame we can’t just throw them a party. Why can’t they just eat cake like everypony else?” Pinkie Pie commented almost to herself.

Twilight firmly agreed with that, why did things have to be so hard? Shaking this worry aside she straightened up in her throne and addressed the council, “The way I see things is we simply need to know more. Too many ‘if’s, buts’ and so forth.” She tried to force a look of decision onto her face, “I want to go and find out what’s really happening.” The collective sounds of dismay her friends vented made it clear what they all thought about that.

“That could be exactly what they wanted all along Twilight, if they can’t smash the S.D.F then what better way to disrupt it than to ponynapping the princess who made it. You can’t go Twilight,” Rarity insisted and the others all nodded in firm agreement.

“But I don’t want to put any of you in danger either, plus we all have responsibilities here in Equestria,” Twilight countered her muzzle screwing up in frustration.

It was true, their days of wandering the wilds and going on errands for the Royal Pony sisters were now a thing of the past. They were an integral part of the realm and couldn’t just all up and leave on such vague intelligence. It had to be a dire threat to pull them away from their own duties now. They had families to think about, businesses to run and they couldn’t just wander off anymore.

It had crept up on all of them quietly and Twilight had been keenly shown something that Celestia had known for a long time. You can’t be everywhere at once, no wonder she’d charged Twilight and her friends with so many tasks all those years ago rather than doing them herself.

One day Twilight suddenly understood that she was herself doing just that, giving orders, directing forces and taking far more of a back seat in the happenings of Equestria. It wasn’t a bad thing per say, but life had become less ‘front line’ for them all, and then this.....

“So how are we going ter find out more? Send scouts to the badlands, an armed delegation? Yer all know how well the last trip ter try and reason with them changelins went,” Applejack reminded the council, her face screwing up in distaste.

Twilight had a creeping certainty that she had an answer, but really didn’t want to voice it. There was a certain ‘pony’ that would be perfect for such a task. She could sneak into the hives, disguised as one of their own and find out what was truly happening. The irony of a disguised infiltrator moving through a changeling hive wasn’t lost on Twilight.

She swallowed the lump forming in her throat and fervently wished that their council could have come up with something else, but needs must, “Well there is one pony that could help us do that....”

“So what is it?” Quiz asked as she poked the small ball of black carapace.

“From what I can tell it’s a failed larval changeling,” Twilight explained in a detached manner before Quiz flitted up and away in sudden fear, the setting sun glinting off her wings.

“Failed? Do they punish those who don’t work right?” Quiz gabled, her little wings beating at odds with each other, a sure sign the sprite was distressed.

With incredible care Twilight teased open the small ball of chitin they had recovered from the diner. Within was revealed a tiny equine form, almost translucent and utterly helpless, “No Quiz, not like that, I think that the hive couldn’t feed it and so it died.” Twilight’s voice was heavy with pain and regret.

Yes she knew changelings were dangerous, and preyed on ponies, but she couldn’t help but feel sad. This little ‘foal’ had no chance, gone before it could even open its eyes and deep down Twilight felt responsible for its fate.

Quiz rolled in the air, her small eyes looking so sad, “Aww that’s terrible...”

Twilight nodded slowly as she produced a few implements and began to extract some fluids from the little larvae, “So is what they do to ponies, they leave them as heartless husks which some would argue are better off dead.”

Twilight held up a small glass vial up to the light above her workstation and frowned, “Yes starved, but why would a bewitched pegasus bring this to me?”

The ache returned. The poor mare that’d died was called ‘Butter Fly’. Twilight knew this because she’d been the one to search the Equestrian national database. ‘Butter’ had been missing for two years from her small village called ‘Cavern-Fell’ on the southern border, evidently taken when not much younger than Twilight had been when she moved to Ponyville all those years ago.

Twilight still stung inside, having written the letter to the mourning couple only this morning and sent it by special priority line. Two years trapped with changelings, being drained dry of everything good and happy. Twilight shuddered and suddenly found it hard to be sorry for the small infant before her.

“Maybe they thought you could help?” Quiz added and Twilight realised she’d been thinking out loud.

“Maybe Quiz,” Twilight’s voice sounded tired, worn out and depressed as she slotted the small vial into an analyser which swallowed the sample with a hungry click. She then input a series of commands before letting out a long pained sigh. Why send me this? To make me feel guilty about what has happened? If that’s the case then it’s almost certainly a trap.

It didn’t feel like that to Twilight though. Oh she felt guilty alright, but somehow Twilight felt that this wasn’t the message the sender was trying to convey. She returned to the sad specimen on the table, its tiny form not much different from Quiz’s if Twilight was being honest with herself.

“So what are you looking for Princess?” Quiz asked the tremble obvious.

“Hmm? Oh, yes I wanted to find out which hive this little one came from,” Twilight replied in a distracted manner.

“You can do that?” Quiz seemed to momentarily forget her own worries and stared at Twilight with interest.

Twilight smiled back sadly, No matter how many times we re-examine them, the sprites always seem to be so curious. It’s certainly not in their programming, I wonder where it comes from? “Yes Quiz we can trace back family lines, look for different indicators to give us clues as to which hive they came from.”

Quiz nodded before stopping, then shaking her head, “How many hives are there?”

“We honestly don’t know Quiz, it’s not like the changelings share their records with us. We knew of about four big ones, the most troubling group being ruled by ‘Queen Chrysalis’: Every hive has a leader, queen or matriarch. Whatever they decide to call themselves. She directs the drones and other underlings and basically rules the hive,” Twilight continued to examine the foetal changeling as she explained.

“So why is it you want to know which hive then?” Quiz pressed and Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle, now she knew how her parents must have felt with all her questions. Twilight’s face fell a little. They were gone now, well gone on to what Celestia had assured Twilight ‘came next’. Time and time’s effects. It was relentless.

Pushing that thought aside Twilight forced a smile before replying, “Well if we know which hive it can give us a better idea of what we are dealing with, plus then I can replicate some markers to help Buzzbot slip in more easily. Changelings use scents to identify hive members.”

Quiz’s mouth curled down in disgust, “You want to make Buzz smell like a changeling, urg....” She made a small vomiting gesture before Tinker’s voice called in.

“Not just that, but be able to fly like one too,” Tinker explained as he trotted in, a complicated device slung across his back, “I have once again outdone myself my dear, behold a limited anti-gravity unit!” Tinker announced as he stepped up to the table Twilight was working at.

“You got it to work? Brilliant, I’m sure Buzz will love it,” Twilight smiled at Tinker who simply winked in return.

“Nothing like a crisis to make you really put your inventing cap on,” Tinker said, “Just wish we had developed something like this for Buzz sooner.”

Quiz watched as Tinker Track paused. Twilight had gone very still, her eyes riveted to the small changeling grub on the desk.

Finally Twilight found her voice, “I simply don’t believe this.....”

“Okay with a leading line like that you really have to explain dear,” Tinker said, a smile forming on his face.

Twilight still didn’t look up from her work, “The whole internal digestion system is wrong, this larva wasn’t actively starved to death, it simply couldn’t feed.”

The room seemed to become a little darker for a moment before Tinker Track spoke up slowly, “A mutant, or an off shoot maybe?”

Twilight shook her head and felt the colour drain from her face. If what she was seeing was right then somepony or something had deliberately altered this little infant’s constitution. The organs, though not fully formed were clearly not natural changeling form.

“This poor little guy would never have survived, he’s all mixed up inside,” Twilight’s voice became leaden, the implications of such tampering chilling her to the core. The body’s insides looked like that had been magically rearranged to try to...what?

“Crisis and invention,” Tinker commented again, and moved to steady Twilight.

She shook slightly as the horror of what she was seeing sunk in, a cold sucking emptiness that refused to be filled. You’d have to be completely insane or a monster to even try something like this and Twilight would have never believed anyone would. Or maybe so desperate that you didn’t care? The last though cut through Twilight like a knife stabbing her in the heart.

The analysis machine Twilight had place the sample in chose that moment to chime, breaking the sudden silence that had smothered the room in its choking grip. Turning her head slowly, Twilight looked away from the abused lava on the desk and into the angry face of the infant’s progenitor. Queen Chrysalis’ condescending glare watched Twilight from the monitor and she felt her bones turn to ice.

“Where’s Twilight Dad?” Buzzbot asked, as Tinker worked away at her torso with a set of tools.

Buzzbot was out of disguise and standing patiently on a work table in the lower levels of the research centre. The same cold light favoured by the designers lit her metal body from every angle.

Tinker Track’s workshop was tucked away at the base of the tower. It had ever been so with him Buzz noted. Ever since she’d met Tinker he’d preferred to keep his work space close to or even underground, surrounded by his tools and shelves almost full to bursting with cast off parts. He’d been like that in the past and carried that habit down the years so that instead of the gentle scene of Ponyville at night surrounding them, grey smoothed walls hemmed the pair in from every direction.

“Your mother has some important news to pass on to the other Princesses and so left me in charge of refitting you,” Tinker Track managed to say in between grunts of effort.

Buzz glanced at the device in question, a rounded ball with lots of wires hanging from it, “So this will really let me fly like a pegasus?” Buzz truly hoped so. She could pretend to be almost any pony, even to display pegasus wings. But flight was something they had never managed to give Buzz. The power requirements for such spells to lift her metal body just couldn’t be sustained in Buzzbot’s slight frame.

Tinker snorted, “Well no, but you should be able to pass for a crippled changeling who can only make small leaps.” He tilted his head out from under Buzz’s frame and smiled cheerfully, “It’s a darn sight better than nothing my dear.”

“I guess...” Buzzbot replied, the disappointment clear in her tone.

Tinker Track chuckled softly, “Oh dear Buzz, I keep forgetting how young you really are. Just think it was only a few years ago you were giving a far younger me advice. Now look at you, so much knowledge and so little experience.” His grin only widened, “Twilight may have designed a number of your fancier features, but all the hard work of putting you together was down to me and a fine job if I do say so myself.”

Buzz rolled her eyes before laughing too, “Well I can’t fault you there Dad, you do great work.”

“Indeed,” Tinker agreed, “So trust me when I say that this will be enough okay?” He gave a final grunt before shifting himself from under Buzz, “That should do it. Try synchronising with your new data chips.”

Doing as she was instructed, Buzzbot did a mental check over and found the relevant systems. With a cautious mental flex, she powered up the new ‘jump generator’ as Tinker called it and felt gravity loosening its grip on her.

Getting to his hooves and dusting himself down, Tinker Track beamed as Buzzbot hopped a few times on the spot. She found to her delight that on the simplest command Buzz could lower the gravity around herself and jump easily into the air.

“Okay now keep it simple, just a few more tests to run,” Tinker cautioned as Buzz was overcome with the urge to see if she could leap and touch the ceiling; bounding high into the air with minimal effort. Laughing, Buzz obeyed and felt the normal pull of the world reassert itself.

Tinker came forward and gripping her tail, connected it to the diagnostic device for just such an occasion, “Hmmm good, yes good...oh....ah.....hmmm,” Tinker Trailed off and Buzzbot felt a flash of worry.

She stared at Tinker intently, “What, what’s wrong?”

Tinker seemed to snap out of a daze, “I’m sorry to tell you this Buzz but I think you’re missing something, I was sure I put everything back in and in the right order too, but do you see this?”

Buzz craned her neck around to see the image displayed and to her mounting disquiet didn’t see anything amiss, “How can you tell? I don’t see anything.”

Tinker leaned in close, a questioning look in his eyes, “Oh my I think I can see it now, hold still Buzz.”

Feeling more worried than ever, Buzzbot froze and Tinker leaned in closer before with a sudden lunge forward he wrapped his hooves around Buzz, “You’re missing a big hug from your Dad! How could I have ever been so silly to forget that.”

Buzzbot snorted, feeling embarrassed as Tinker squeezed her tight and once he’d broken away, grinned mischievously, “Yep I’m amazing and you Buzz are a work of art.”

Feeling a little silly, Buzz shifted her hooves as she glared at Tinker, “Ha, ha, ha, very funny Dad. You shouldn’t scare me like that.”

Tinker looked hurt, “It’s part of the job my dear,” his face fell somewhat, “Plus I may not get to see you for who knows how long when you set off. I thought it was best to get my hugs in now.” The tender moment drew out before Tinker detached Buzzbot’s cables and gave her a final check over.

“I was based on changeling magic right? The whole shape shifting thing I can do?” Buzz asked as a tiny fear flickered in her core.

Tinker continued his work even as he replied, “Yes, what of it?”

“I, well, I...” Buzzbot began before shaking her head, “Never mind.”

Tinker paused in his administrations, “Now come on Buzz, that was a loaded question if I ever heard one. What’s on your mind?”

Buzz shuffled uncomfortably; it was such a foalish fear that have overcome her, “Well it makes me wonder how much of me is changeling?”

Tinker gave Buzz a disbelieving look, “What? No, no, no: You’re no more a changeling than Twilight and I am in any way biologically related to you.” He gave her a curious look, “Where in the heavens did you get such an idea?”

She felt so silly. It had been a passing worry, but with this entire changeling business Buzz felt the insecurity creeping back. It seemed that even without a disguised face to show her emotions Tinker could read Buzz’s mood and placed a much gentler hoof on her shoulder.

“Now listen Buzz, even though we don’t understand everything about you. One of the things I do know is, even though your magic is derived from the same spells changelings use to alter their form, that in no way makes you one of them,” Tinker reasoned.

“But at some level I....” Buzz tried, but Tinker shook his head emphatically.

“I have a thing for Barbeque hay fries, I use the nutrients I eat to make my cells, does that make me a hay fry?” Tinker said with a little chuckle.

“Do you want me to answer that truthfully?” Buzz countered, her own feelings lifting again at Tinker’s humour.

“I guess not, anyway you’re ready to go as far as I can tell. Why don’t we make our way to the testing rooms and try out some of your new hardware?”

Chapter Three

Twilight bit her lip. The meeting with the other princesses wasn’t going well at all. She watched her fellow rulers who each wore expressions of anger, dismay or cold indifference respectively.

”You had best leave it Twilight the changelings are dangerous, you know that as well as any of us,” the warning voice of Celestia stabbed at Twilight.

“But why? I mean they are living creatures like us and they need our help!” Twilight countered only for Celestia’s face to grow as hard as rock. Twilight's own face fell, “We know almost nothing about them, it’s like the dragons all over again and we helped them. Maybe the changelings really do want our aid this time?”

The normally gentle and kind Celestia that Twilight had come to trust snorted with anger, “I said leave it Twilight, nothing good will come from trying to reason with them. We have tried in the past and you know what happened to the last envoys we sent.”

Twilight had been shocked by the venom in Celestia’s voice and with pleading looked to Luna who stood mutely off to one side, “Surely we have a responsibility to help those who have been wronged in the past but wish to make amends?” She knew she was stepping on thin ice, but Twilight felt determined that this was the right course of action.

Celestia’s eyes flared with fire, “That was different Twilight. The point of Equestria is to provide a safe haven for those who will live by laws of justice and peace: The Changelings will never do so. They are a poison in our lands, parasites that drain and give nothing of value.”

Twilight felt a sudden stubbornness she’d seldom encountered before well up in her heart, “But surely they have a place in the world just like we do: like dragons or timber wolves? You keep hinting that there is some overarching plan to our existence, surely changelings have a pla.....”

Celestia’s wrath broke the bounds of her self control and fire swept into her aura. It lit up the room with an angry fury and caused several of the guards stationed near bye to lean back, “Enough Twilight. They are wrong, evil and were made to be so..” Celestia cut herself off and Twilight saw the hint of... something there.

Celestia snorted, the fire still running along her mane and tail, as she attempted to master herself, “I said no Twilight. Do not ask again. I will not sanction any further diplomatic actions with them and that is final.”

Without another word Celestia swept out of the council chamber, leaving smouldering hoof prints in her wake as she passed. Twilight sat in stunned silence. Why was Celestia acting like this? In all the years Twilight had known her Celestia had never been so abrupt before.

The shock of what just happened still resounded through Twilight’s bones as she felt a comforting hoof on her shoulder. Turning her stunned eyes to Luna, Twilight saw the sad expression in her fellow Princess’ eyes.

“Don’t mind Tia, it’s a painful matter for her,” Luna's muzzle scrunched up, “I fear she may be right though. It may be the changelings are not something we can fix, they are what they are Twilight.”

Twilight felt her soul ache, this wasn’t the way she understood the world. Everything she’d been taught lead her to believe that every sentient being could be force for good, they just needed to be given a chance. To think that a whole race was doomed to be nothing more than parasites simply didn’t fit into Twilight’s view of reality.

“Can’t we at least try?” It was almost a whisper, Twilight seeing the agonised expression on that dying pegasus again in her mind’s eye.

Luna’s ears flattened, “Celestia was very clear Twilight: No diplomatic attempts are to be made with the changelings.” Twilight felt her heart sink, this whole situation just felt wrong.

“Then we won’t,” Cadance’s distant voice sounded from the communications screen. Twilight had been so wrapped up in Celestia’s odd behaviour that she’d almost forgotten her sister-in-law was watching in on the conference.

“I more than most have reasons to be angry with those monsters, but I don’t say this out of malice though,” Cadance looked at war with herself. “There is currently no evidence to suggest the changelings are anything but the monsters we take them for.”

Both Twilight and Luna paused, surprised by this suggestion from their distant council member. “Be plain Cadance I would understand what you mean,” Luna’s eyes were dangerous, “Do not even hint at defying my sister, I will not stand for it.”

Cadance’s image smiled, “Of course not Luna. Celestia has been very clear that no diplomatic actions are to be taken.” Twilight felt her sister-in-law’s gaze, “But if I know Twi she already has some plan in motion right?”

Twilight felt her cheeks redden, “Well yes, it was all so confusing and so I was planning a little fact finding mission it’s true.”

It was Luna’s turn to be angry, “You decided this, when?”

The betrayed hurt in Luna’s eyes was worse than Celestia’s anger, but Twilight stood her ground, “The council of Harmony decided to discover the true cause of these changeling incursions, you gave us remit over matters of moral standing.”

Luna breathed heavily for a few moments, before her face softened, “Indeed we did Twilight and now I see the wisdom in such matters. I cannot gainsay my sister, Equestria will not engage in discussions with the changelings.” Luna’s mouth twitched in a relieved smile, “But should the council of Harmony decide to investigate on moral grounds I can get behind that.”

Twilight felt her own worries lift slightly, but Luna wasn’t done, “However I must make it clear that if you do this you will be alone: I cannot sanction any military or other aid. This will be a separate undertaking and will not reflect Equestria’s position on the matter.” Luna looked remorseful, “Even if I do personally believe you to be right Twilight.”

Feeling grateful Twilight smiled weakly in return, “Thank you Luna and you too Cadance, I know this all sounds crazy but I really feel there is something important that needs to be done here.”

Cadance nodded, “Any time Twi, glad I could be of help.” With a final wave and a wink she shut off the connection leaving Twilight and Luna together.

Twilight’s face fell as she regarded Luna once more, “Why was Celestia so angry? You know her best Luna, did I say something really wrong?”

Luna hesitated for a moment before giving the guards a tiny nod. Twilight studied Luna’s face for any explanation, but she had become utterly unreadable. It took a few moments for the soldiers to leave the room and close the door behind them. Luna studied Twilight with an uncertain gaze.

Finally alone, Luna took a deep breath, “I cannot go into much detail Twilight. I have promised not to, but what I can say is that someone hurt Celestia very badly in the past. Me too if I am being honest, but I think it stung Tia more than me.” Twilight’s eyes went wide. Who could possibly upset Celestia in such a manner?

“That doesn’t tell me much Luna, I thought I heard Celestia say the changelings were created to be as they are now?” Twilight asked hesitantly.

Luna winced, “I cannot tell you about this Twilight, please do not press me on it. Just understand that you will not get any help from Celestia on this situation and I will not go against her either. I will provide what support I can, but it won’t be much.” Twilight felt more puzzled than before, but was grateful nevertheless.

Luna forced a smile, “So tell me what you’re planning then? I trust it will not endanger our ponies?”

“That’s it ‘Rinse’, you can do it!” Tinker called encouragement from the sidelines and Buzz narrowed her focus to the raised platform ahead. Tinker Track sat among others watching the flight training and Buzzbot waved shyly to him in thanks.

This training area was decked out to resemble a cloud filled sky, used by the young pegasi and other flying races of Ponyville. It consisted of magically suspended platforms resembling clouds dotted about the enclosed space. Other areas were constructed to form wind tunnels and other hazardous environments such as a cyclone chambers. All things that your average airborne citizen may encounter. The whole area was lined with a protective cushioning to catch the inevitable crashes or blunders and Buzz couldn’t think of a better place to try out her new ‘flight’ skills.

Buzzbot was currently ‘wearing’ the form of a young green pegasus mare yet to gain her cutie mark with a tangled mane of pale yellow. She was mixed in with a class of young foals and a few griffon chicks.

Right now Buzz was doing her best to ignore the stares of the other class members. There were a couple of ‘hot shots’ who made things look easy having flown first, but now it was her turn and Buzz felt the uncomfortable sense of needing to prove herself.

“That’s it filly, spread your wings and let it come naturally!” The instructor called out and Buzz fought the urge to grind her teeth. Easy for you to say, you’re born with wings. She made an effort to flap her own wings, doing her best to put on a good show as Buzz powered up the jump generator.

The sense of weightlessness enveloped her and with a great show of straining, ‘Sky Rinse’ leaped off the floor and soared towards the awaiting cloud. It took Buzz only a few moments to realise that she’d over compensated, she was going to miss her target! Cursing inwardly Buzzbot felt her back legs just catch the platform, rewarding her with a tumbling spin.

The world rolled past her as Buzz fell uncontrollably towards the ground below, her fake wings flapping desperately the whole time. The cushioned flooring saved Buzz from any harm, but the laughing sounds of the other foals was what stung the most. Getting to her hooves Buzzbot saw the other class members all giggling at her.

“Wow is that the first time you have ever flown?” One of the older fillies called in a mocking tone and Buzz felt the growing blush that had nothing to do with her deceptive programming.

“Enough!” The instructor called angrily, and the other class members quietened down to a background level of sniggering, leaving Buzz with a flash of anger.

She felt her cheeks glowing as the black pegasus stallion in charge came over and offered a hoof up, “That certainly was an interesting technique Rinse. I would guess you’re trying too hard.” His voice was kindly, but that didn’t make Buzz feel much better, the taunts from the other class mates still ringing in her head.

“I haven’t had much practice,” Buzz mumbled and the instructor’s muzzle broke into an understanding grin.

“I see, parents not fliers huh?” He asked and Buzz shook her head sadly, “Well not to worry old ‘Wind Swipe’ will have you flying in no time.” Buzz looked gratefully to him and for the first time since she’d come here smiled genuinely.

Wind raised his head and glared at the still giggling class members, “Okay Trotter, that’s enough. Or do I need to remind the class what you were like on your first day?” Wind Swipe addressed the orange pegasus who had called out before. Her face became a sudden mask of horror and Wind winked at Buzz, “Don’t worry we all have to start somewhere.”

“Right, ‘Storm Bounder’ you’re next up to the plate!” ‘Swipe’ shouted and a turquoise colt stepped up with a look of determination on his muzzle.

Buzz watched as this heavyset pony flapped his tiny wings vigorously. With painful slowness he began to lift off the ground and Buzz felt much of her anxiety melt away. Not that she was happy that others were struggling, more that she wasn’t the only pony having trouble.

Before she could stop herself Buzz cheered ‘Storm’ on and was quickly joined by the others in the class as he slowly drifted up to the first 'cloud'. The cheering only increased as he grasped at it with his fore hooves and Storm dragged himself bodily onto the first objective.

Wind Swipe stomped, along with many others as Buzz made her way back to the other foals. She turned to see if Tinker was still watching; only Tinker wasn’t alone. She saw him talking animatedly with Bullet Point (Twilight’s personal assistant) and she felt her heart sink: Neither of them looked happy.

“Okay Rinse, your second try!” Wind Swipe called her back to the here and now. Buzz quickly snapped back to the starting plate. Mind still on the conversation behind her, Buzzbot threw herself at the target and was rewarded with a shock that ran up her legs as she landed heavily on the fake cloud.

“That was certainly better.....” Wind Swipe called in an uncertain way and Buzz looked down to see the rest of the class watching at her in confusion. She didn’t understand why they were all staring at her that way. Buzz quickly checked her disguise was alright, reassured by the green coat still adorned her body.

Bemused, Buzz stared across at Tinker who was making flapping motions with his hooves and it began to dawn on Buzzbot that her fake wings were still tucked neatly at her sides. She had jumped the height of an average house without moving them once and every pony in the class had seen her do it. Gah sizzling servos.

With a sheepish grin Buzz stretched out her wings, flapping them feebly and pushing herself a little way into the air before sinking back down again. As the rest of the class all watched her with sceptical expressions. Wind Swipe coughed, “Very good Rinse. I...er have never seen a technique like that before, but it certainly gets results.”

“I er....” Buzzbot began before the sound of slow clapping could be heard. Everybody present turned as if hypnotised to see Discord, larger than life sitting in the stands next to Tinker Track.

“Bravo! Well done and all that!” He called out, the confused stares of the crowd changing to annoyance.

Wind Swipe glared at him before shouting out, “Mr. Discord, I would appreciate it if you would not disturb my flying lessons. It’s hard enough for these young ones to learn without you disrupting things.”

Buzzbot felt a surge of relief as Discord did his best to look innocent, “Why I hardly did anything at all, plus they were trying so hard that I simply had to help. Isn’t that what good Equestrians do?” As if to prove the point he snapped his fingers and all the class, along with their teacher, suddenly found themselves floating in mid air. “Plus it’s Dr. Discord thank you very much.” Discord added tetchily.

Buzz had to stifle a giggle as the now upside down Wind Swipe folded his hooves and glared angrily at Discord, “I don’t know why you're here Doctor, but you’re certainly not helping.”

Discord made a theatrical show of indignant hurt, “Well I don’t know, I try to stop by and help and this is all the thanks I get.” He snapped his fingers once more and the whole class bounced off the spongy floor, “As for why I’m here, well that’s because of this stallion.”

Tinker Track glared at Discord, the creature’s lion paw gently tapping him on the head in a playful manner, “You’re late for your appointment Tinker, I’m very disappointed in you.”

Buzzbot had to stifle another giggle at the sight of her dad being treated thusly by Buzz’s ‘uncle’. Every pony knew of Discord and his work with the mentally disturbed. Buzzbot saw Wind Swipe looking up at her with sad eyes, “Oh Rinse, I had no idea…..” He paused for a moment, “Okay class dismissed, I don’t think we’re going to get any further today.”

The other youngsters picked themselves up off the ground, muttering to each other as Buzz leaped down. She was extra careful to flap her wings this time and silently thanked Discord for his timely intervention. As Buzz touched down Wind Swipe trotted up to her, “Well done Rinse, I think you did really well.” Swipe’s face screwed up, “If you ever need somepony to talk to then I could....” He left the question hanging in the air before Buzz shook her head.

It felt a little wrong to deceive such a caring pony, but needs must, “No it’s okay Swipe, thank you for the lesson. I think I’ll get the hang of things now.” Buzz replied even as she watched the frowning Tinker and gleeful Discord arguing in the stands. “Plus dad is much better now, it was meant to be his final check up two days ago and I think he just forgot.”

Wind Swipe looked doubtful, “Well if you’re sure.”

Buzz put on one of her winning smiles, “Really it will be fine and don’t worry about me.”

Swipe’s face became softer, “Well you know where to find help should you need it alright?”

“Of course I do, honestly don’t worry,” Buzz assured him before trotting off to see what her father and uncle were arguing about.

“Discord, I can’t believe you did that to me!” Tinker practically shouted once they were back in the workshop. “You made me look a total nutcase in front of all those ponies!”

“One tries their best of course, but can’t get perfect results every time Tinker,” Discord countered, “Plus I was only covering for my niece, you understand that right?” He winked at Buzz who simply rolled her eyes while Tinker fumed.

“But you didn’t have to make me look like such an idiot while you did so?” Tinker snapped, “Now that whole room thinks I’m a dangerous mad pony who can’t take care of his daughter properly!”

Discord poked some of the mechanical cast offs lining Tinker’s shelves which sprouted tiny wings and began fluttering around the workshop, “Need I remind you that you were once a patient of mine Tinker. It’s my duty to check up on you every so often.”

Buzz, still disguised as a pegasus, could only smile as Discord turned to regard her as well, “Plus you took Buzz on flying lessons without telling me, shame on you.” He grinned indulgently, “I couldn’t pass up the chance to see my niece taking her first steps into the world of flight.”

As much as Buzz liked having Discord as an uncle, he did cause a lot of havoc. The whole situation, like most of Buzzbot’s life, was complicated. The only thing Buzz did understand was that Discord was instrumental in her becoming who she was today.

“That’s so sweet Discord and thanks for covering for me back there,” Buzz smiled brightly. Discord grinned wryly in return as the enchanted machine parts began performing a merry dance around his head.

Discord regarded Buzzbot with a cocked eyebrow, “Is it true what I have been hearing about you sneaking off to a changeling hive?”

Tinker snorted angrily, but Buzz wasn’t at all surprised. Discord had a habit of knowing anything he shouldn’t. “Yes.....uncle, that is the plan,” She answered cautiously.

Discord cocked an eyebrow, “You do know that Celestia is completely against it right?”

Tinker Track made a choking sound, “What? You can’t be serious!”

Discord made a huge show of frowning sadly, “I’m afraid so. Seems dear, sweet and kind Celestia doesn’t want anypony sticking their muzzles into changeling affairs.”

Buzzbot scrunched up her muzzle as Tinker Track let loose a number of interesting expletives and she made a mental note to find out what some of them meant. Her father wasn’t finished however, “I just don’t believe it; Celestia would never turn down a chance to help someone. You’re pulling our legs Discord.”

Tinker marched up to Discord and scattered the winged castoffs with a flailing hoof, “Well I’m on to your game Mister. Go cause trouble somewhere else.” Buzz had to suppress a giggle as she saw Discord rolling his eyes and making ‘yapping’ motions with his paw.

Discord raised his hand to his forehead, “You know sometimes I despair at you ponies: I come and help you out of a sticky situation.”

Discord paused, leaning in close to Buzzbot before whispering, “Nice jump by the way my dear,” Before resuming his lament; spreading his arms wide as if addressing a vast assembly, “Stepping in to save the day like a good friend and uncle should. Not only this, I come out of the kindness of my heart to warn you of impending danger and you accuse me of trying to deceive you?” Discord made disappointed ‘tuts’ as he shook his head.

Ignoring the fuming Tinker Track, Discord turned to Buzz once again, “Regardless the point stands: You are still going into a changeling hive my dear?”

Buzz paused, the ‘yes’ half forming on her lips before she faltered. There was a certain kind of dangerous excitement about going behind Celestia’s back, plus Buzz had just been chafing that she didn’t seem to have a specific purpose when this opportunity arose.

Finally it came to down two facts: Buzz would always wonder if she didn’t go through with it and it felt the right thing to do deep down. Her mind made up she grinned confidently, “You bet your horns I am, can’t let Tinker and Twilight down.”

Discord looked impassive for a moment, just long enough to make Buzz feel uncomfortable, before rubbing hands together eagerly, “Marvellous, I can’t wait to see the look on Celestia’s face when she finds out.” Discord flicked his claw and a pair of books suddenly appeared, one grasped in each hand, “These should be useful my dear.”

Buzz read the title of the first book and cocked an eyebrow, “Untold Myths and Secrets?”

Discord Beamed, “Why yes, one of my favourites; there are some wonderful stories in there that should keep you entertained on your journey.”

The other title was even stranger: The writing on the cover certainly not Equestrian, or any other language Buzz knew, “Thanks Discord, um....”

“The Hive Cant of ‘Equinius Polymorphous’: a slang and insults guide.” Discord explained with relish, “With this little helper you can curse and swear like a changeling trooper. I have marked out a few choice phrases that you might.......” Discord was cut off suddenly.

“Discord, don’t you dare! I will not have you filling Buzz’s mind with such language!” Twilight called as she stomped into the workshop. The offending title was ripped from Discord’s grasp and vanished in a flash of purple light. Twilight looked him right in the eyes and snorted, “What else have you been telling them?”

Discord wore a look of affronted innocence, “Why princess, I have only been telling them the truth of course.”

Tinker ‘humphed’ and Twilight cocked an eyebrow, “Care to expand on that Doctor?”

The grin on Discord’s mouth could have sliced steel, “Simply explaining how Celestia has forbidden you to go messing around with changelings Twilight. Very wise of her and ‘all that’.” His face lit up, “But here I find to my delight that you all seem set on defying her.”

Twilight’s face was stony, “Celestia had decreed that Equestria makes no attempt to form diplomatic relations with the changelings. That’s not the same as what we’re doing here Discord and we are not defying her.”

Discord only grinned wider, “Semantics Princess, I knew there had to be a mischievous side to you under all those ordered lists and rules.”

Buzz grimaced as Twilight pointedly ignored Discord, “Buzz I have the lexicon of correct,” She glared at Discord who was still chuckling to himself, “Changeling languages for you.” Twilight levitated a tiny white data crystal, “This is all the information we have on changelings: I want you to study it carefully and then on the morrow we can finalise your disguise.”

Chapter Four

The programming was there, Buzz knew it. All she had to do was access the right data stores within her own mind and channel the magic like she always did. That ease didn’t make it feel any better to do so. Buzz had ‘worn’ hundreds of variations of pony in her time, but disguising herself as a changeling just seemed somehow dirty.

It felt like all the darker sides of herself were coming to the fore and even though it was only a disguise Buzz longed for a clean oil bath as soon as the magic had done its work. She understood that to change shape was to have empathy with the desired form: A basic idea of how the target felt, how they thought and what drove them. It was far more than just an outward appearance.

When Buzz had first come online the emotions she felt now were dormant, changing her shape had been a simple matter of arcane equations, of power flowing the right way and following predetermined examples of image. It could almost have been called instinct on Buzzbot’s part. Now it had taken on so much more. Feelings got in the way and coloured the final image of the change. Buzz struggled with desires and impulses that had nothing to do with programmed design, it was what set her apart from a common machine and made her ‘alive.’

So it was a very sad and dishevelled changeling drone that stared back at Buzzbot from the mirror. Her tattered and ragged wings, chipped and battered carapace and those sorrowful blue segmented eyes seemed to convey the self loathing she felt in the form that greeted Buzz in the polished glass.

“I look horrible,” Buzz said, the words emerging in a distorted fashion. She had to fight the urge to probe the new over sized fangs protruding from her upper jaw. Buzz’s tongue felt strange, all pointy, so unlike the normal soft organ belonging to a pony.

“You look perfect,” Twilight assured as she studied the drone before her.

“Perfectly horrible,” Buzzbot grumbled, the harmonics in her new voice causing shivers to run down Buzz’s spine. Her wings jittered feebly; making an unpleasant ‘tinkling’ sound like bits of glass being ground together. No wonder changelings disguise themselves, the way her carapace moved felt utterly alien to Buzz. She missed her coat, her mane and felt more like the cold metal machine of her true self in this form. Buzz missed the pleasant warmth of being a pony.

“But you will pass for a lost drone Buzz, that’s what we need here,” Twilight reminded, her face softening, “Look I know it’s hard, but we need to do this.”

Twilight made to hug her daughter and for the briefest moment paused. Buzz couldn’t help but notice and felt even worse: Even Twilight, knowing who Buzz really was didn’t want to touch her now. The urge to revert back to a pony or even her pony-bot self only increased as Twilight (visibly forcing herself to overcome her disgust) finally embraced Buzzbot.

Buzz felt the tiny hairs lining her shell tickle as Twilight made contact; so unlike the normal hairs of a pony. New senses, similar to her mechanical ones yet different in subtle ways began to make themselves felt. Buzz could see Twilight’s emotions like a rainbow cloud filling the pony before her: The overpowering pink glow of affection blazing at her core, but tinged with dark blue threads of doubt and worry.

The ugly reddish purple stains of fear ate at Twilight’s resolve and Buzz understood that her mother was just as anxious as she was about this whole situation. Buzzbot also saw the glowing white centre within Twilight’s heart: the determination to do what was right, almost scorching in its intensity and Buzz felt it fill her with fresh resolve. She could do this, even if it was horrible and scary.

Buzzbot hugged her all the tighter and felt Twilight’s worries and fears lessen, “I’ll make you proud mum. Don’t worry I’ll get to the bottom of all this.”

The fresh surge of pride flared in Twilight’s heart, blazing a golden yellow with reassuring warmth, “I know Buzz, you’ll do fine.”

It was almost a physical effort for both to separate and Buzzbot felt the tears of Twilight clinging to her cheek when they finally broke apart. She glanced at Tinker who was watching the exchange with the same golden glow suffusing his body. Both ponies beamed with pride as their daughter shouldered this uncertain burden willingly.

Buzzbot blinked, the emotional haze fading into normal vision and revealing the setting sun which bathed Twilight’s laboratory in its rays. Twilight and Tinker Track both smiled at her, their love evident even with Buzz’s empathic senses dulled.

Tinker Track quickly wiped his streaming eyes before coughing, “That’s enough Buzz, you can turn back now.”

Gratefully Buzzbot allowed the changeling form to melt away in a green flash of fire. Soon she was the cream coated ‘Stage Cloak’ once more. The distressing feelings of being covered in chitin faded and Buzz let out a contented sigh.

“Now we need to work on the plan of getting you to the right hive Buzz,” Twilight announced. She produced a data pad and began scrolling through its contents, “We have narrowed Chrysalis’ likely hive site to this area.”

With a flick of her horn Twilight engaged the view screen above, the map of Equestria displayed briefly before the image zoomed in and quickly focused on the its southern borders.

Buzz gazed attentively, seeing the rugged mountains and earthen wastelands that dominated that part of the world. She’d never been there herself but understood it to be a harsh place, full of monsters and beasts which could easily kill a pony. It was a lawless place where the safety and protection of Equestria bordered the wild untamed lands of the outside world.

“There are only very scratchy details on the current numbers and locations of hives,” Tinker Track explained. “We plan to have you fill the role of a displaced drone with distant ties to the Chrysalis family group. It’s common for lesser nests of changelings to be cleared out periodically by us near the borders so that should be a good cover for you Buzz.”

The image refocused to display a section of the ‘Badlands’ and a few pictures of a blackened cave system snapped into focus above the main map. Buzz frowned seeing a number of changeling’s corpses being burned by Equestrians. It was a sad image of necessity; ponies struggling against a real threat, their normally amiable natures curtailed by harsh realities and Buzzbot felt a little piece of her own soul cry out against it.

“The last confirmed location of Chrysalis and her hive was here,” Twilight pointed and the display centred on a grainy image of a rocky outcrop. Changelings were emerging from every crack and crevice of the stone, being lead by a furious looking Queen wreathed in green flames.

Twilight’s eyes reflected the sad scene and Buzz could feel the hurt pouring from her, “The last battle here could have been considered a stalemate and was the final Equestrian effort to remove the changeling threat before we established the S.D.F. It prompted me to seriously look into combating their incursions once and for all.”

The bitter history between ponies and changelings reared its ugly face as further images of fighting flashed up. Buzzbot knew of it of course, but recent events had a way of snapping ones focus upon just how tragic the situation was.

Twilight wasn’t done, “The hive was damaged, but our forces had to withdraw and we lost several good ponies that day.” Twilight’s muzzle scrunched up, “But at least we saved the envoys we sent.”

Buzz felt a mixture of anger and sadness even as Tinker laid a comforting hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, “We were right to try Twilight, don’t beat yourself up again.”

Twilight’s eyes almost shone with determination, “I’m not Tinker: But I am doing something about it.” This battle had been years before Buzz was created, back when Twilight was still learning the roles of command and of being a princess.

No one blamed Twilight for the outcome Buzz remembered reading, but on the whole it was generally considered a ‘bad call’ by most Equestrian tacticians, naive and overly hopeful on Twilight’s part. Buzz could see the pain of that decision and its consequences written on Twilight’s face even now. Such were the burdens of ruling and she didn’t envy Twilight in that regard.

Twilight visibly shook herself down before pressing on, “The hive could easily have relocated since then, but it’s still the best place to begin looking so we plan to drop you nearby Buzz.” Even as Twilight spoke a small dot flashed near the edge of the mountain range that separated Equestria from the Badlands.

Tinker spoke up, “It would be impractical to have you fly in on any of our aircraft as that would draw unwanted attention so we’re going to have Spike drop you off.”

Buzzbot raised an eyebrow, “A massive and powerful dragon will draw less attention than an airship?”

Twilight nodded in support, “Normally I would agree with you Buzz, but we have no direct aid from Equestria on this mission. Dragons hunting in the mountains is more common than you think and Spike has done so before.” Twilight smiled, “Plus I want him nearby in case you need help in a hurry.”

Buzzbot conceded that point with a simple nod and she was struck by just how odd her life really was. Spike being Twilight’s adoptive brother made him part of the family and Buzz felt reassured that he’d be there to back her up if things went badly.

Tinker grinned, “That’s right my dear. We may not have an army to support you, but you can count on family.” Tinker’s muzzle scrunched up, “Assuming we can convince him that is....”

In typical pony thinking Spike’s home had been simply dubbed “Spike’s Rock” and was now considered one of the great landmarks of Ponyville. Buzz was always impressed when she saw the vast pillar of stone that dominated the city’s eastern reaches: So unlike the buildings around it, yet beautiful in its own way.

Carved of grey stone from the nearby mountains and dotted with precious gems of every hue; the building was more of a monument than a home. Years of good deeds and being the epitome of a ‘noble dragon’ had earned Spike massive rewards from his Equestrian home. He was considered to be a hero of the land and if half of what Buzzbot had read about him was true then the title was rightly deserved.

“You know that Spike’s Rock was built a good distance from Ponyville and the city expanded to encompass it,” Twilight chatted away as she led Buzz towards their destination.

“Yeah Mum you have said so before, and how the central decoration over the door is a replica of the crystal heart from Cadance’s realm and how a rare shining ‘moon stone’ was gifted him by Luna and lights the main antechamber...” Buzzbot couldn’t help it, she’d heard the stories so often from Twilight that they had become rhetoric.

Twilight's spirits refused to be dampened, “You should be very proud of your uncle Spike and remember he’s going to be helping you out there so show a little respect huh?”

“I know mum, it’s just...” It was hard to explain; when Buzz had first met Spike it had been several years before she’d been ‘born’. Her first impressions of Spike were an overly eager, gem obsessed reptile with a ludicrously massive crush on Rarity. It was true he’d only been a baby then, even smaller than Twilight, but it was incredibly hard to compare that little Spike to the enormous creature that dominated the land now. “You’ve seen him grow up Mum, you were there as he became the ‘hero’ he is now. All I’ve met is the tiny baby who was smaller than me and the fully grown Spike we know today, Nothing in between.”

Twilight laughed, “Oh Buzz I forget you’re still only young yourself. I get to remember all he did, whereas you only have the rambling stories I tell.” She smiled indulgently, “Well maybe this mission will help you see him as I do.”

The pair trotted up the grand pathway leading to Spike’s home, where carefully tended gardens surrounded the massive edifice. Dotted about the lawns were statues of pony heroes and heroines from the past. Buzz saw many examples of heroes like ‘Shining Armour’ holding the line during ‘Frost Ram’ invasions; a far cry from the elderly unicorn that incessantly relived the ‘good old days’ he had known.

To one side was a gleaming depiction of ‘Spit Fire’ driving back the wyvern raiders and further out a scene of the two unicorn brothers. No pony knew their names, but the brave pair had saved a village from an unprecedented attack by timber wolves.

All these and more decorated the grassy vista of Spike’s gardens and as they came close to the entrance six statues of ponies very familiar to Buzz took centre stage. The council of Harmony, the former Element Bearers and the Chosen of the Tree of Harmony all looked down at Buzz with a slight smile on each of their carved faces.

Each one masterfully carved from crystals of the correct hue, a golden Applejack standing tall, a cyan Rainbow dash diving from the skies and a yellow Fluttershy surrounded by adoring animals. Buzz took it all in and felt humbled to be among such famous ponies. It seemed so strange to see a purple Twilight; her wings spread wide and with a beatific grin smiling down at her while the pony in question stood beside Buzzbot in the flesh.

It was even more surprising to Buzz that there were no depictions of Spike, in all this place there wasn’t a single image of its owner anywhere to be seen, that was until you reached the door to Spike's home.

Of all the decorations the doors seemed to be the only element out of place here. Two massive blackened metal doors fitted expertly into an archway lined with ice blue gems and flanked by depictions of Celestia and Luna.

The door’s style was a far cry from the gentle and rounded Equestrian art works and instead consisted of sharp angles with far more edges. It showed an image of the world picked out in minute detail; Buzz could even see the tiny shapes that represented Canterlot and Ponyville along with the other cities of Equestria nestled within the mass of other landmarks.

Either side of this map were spread a pair of dragon wings, their backs curling up and around either side of the world like a protective shield. Written in a language that Buzzbot had only seen written here was the title, “Spike: Lord of the World Guard Flight.” Buzz didn’t know any other words of dragon tongue and only understood this phrase because Twilight had explained it to her. The whole piece was bisected by the line of the two doors meeting and held a comparatively small picture of Spike in its centre.

Twilight looked at Buzz as if she was going to explode and Buzzbot rolled her eyes, “Oh go on Mum, I know you’re dying to.”

A cheerful almost foalish expression formed on Twilight’s face, “And here is the centrepiece, the doors a gift from the Dragon Empires in recognition of Spike taking his place as envoy to Equestria and claiming his heritage, as the last surviving member of the World Guard Flight.”

Buzzbot could have giggled at the eagerness in Twilight’s tone, clearly this was one of her proudest moments in regards to Spike and Buzz couldn’t deny her the chance to show it to the world. With great theatrics Twilight trotted up to the door.

“Now remember Buzz, we’re here to convince Spike to help, not do it alone. If there is one failing my brother has it’s that he does insist on being the hero and we need a gentle touch for this mission.” Buzz nodded and couldn’t stop the little thought, I wonder who he got that idea from. She smiled sweetly as Twilight knocked smartly, her small hoof barely making a sound on the massive metal barrier.

After a few moments the sounds of grinding metal could be heard and the doors swung slowly inwards, the heavy creaking was drawn out as the doors parted to reveal a towering monster of scales and claws. Spike stood before them in all his enormous splendour and smiled happily down at the pair, “Ah Twilight, I’ve been expecting you and it’s wonderful to see you too Buzz. Please do come in.”

The sense of scale was even more shocking as Spike carefully lowered one clawed hand to touch just the tip of his finger to Twilight’s outstretched hoof. He could have easily held her in the palm of his mighty hand with room to spare. The deep rumble of Spike’s voice caused Buzz to tremble, her whole frame reverberating with its power.

Spike held out his other hand and touched it to Buzzbot’s tiny hoof, “So I understand I’ll be your escort. It will be fun to explore the mountains to the south again.” Spike’s huge snout formed a slow smile, “But enough of that, today you’re my guests. It’s been far too long since you visited Twi.”

Twilight grinned happily before ushering Buzz across the threshold, “Thank you Spike, it’s an honour to be here again.”

The pale glowing moon stone aforementioned indeed lit the way into Spike’s home, its gentle radiance giving the room a ghostly quality. Spike backed up his vast body and made room for the pair to enter properly.

Assembled treasures were held on shelves carved into the walls, while murals of epic events were embossed on almost every surface. Buzz’s gaze swept over battles, mighty deeds of strength and tales of endurance; there was so much history here that it filled her vision everywhere Buzz looked: The very rock telling a story of Spike’s life.

Spike busied himself, carefully taking a table and chairs and placing them upon the ground for his guests. The absurd image of Spike playing with doll sized furniture flashed through Buzzbot’s mind, only these weren’t toys but pony sized objects that only appeared tiny in Spike’s mighty claws.

Buzz saw that the furniture was just as grandly ornamented as everything else here. Richly coloured cushions and masterfully carved wood supported both Twilight and Buzz as they settled down. Spike coiled himself at the far end of the cavern, so that his head was able to rest on his palms and watch his guests with shining eyes.

“So Buzz, you really up for this challenge then?” Spike asked eagerly, “It’s been such a while since I went on a good adventure and I’d be only too happy to help. Just think, you and me fighting side by side to rid the world of evil!”

The hunger in Spike’s eyes was unsettling, but Buzz smiled cheerfully nevertheless as Twilight responded, “Now, now Spike, this is something Buzz is going to have to do alone. She can’t have you hovering over her the whole time.”

Spike’s face fell, “Surely I can just....” Spike paused as Twilight gave him a look. “You can’t expect me to sit on the sidelines Twi. I’m not just some delivery service anymore, you know I can hold my own.”

Seeing Spike’s disappointment Buzz couldn’t help but smile sadly, “It’s not like that uncle, it’s just I will find it very hard to sneak into the hive with you next to me that’s all.” She looked to Twilight, who nodded with encouragement, “Though I’m very glad you’re going to be my backup and are willing to carry me to the Badlands.”

Spike’s massive eyes peered at Buzzbot, a slightly crestfallen expression on his face, “Well thank you for the vote of confidence. Those changelings are a menace and we should have sorted that problem out years ago.” Spike rolled his jaw as if mulling the idea over before fixing Buzz with an almost pleading stare.

She felt her ‘heart’ soften, for such a huge monster of a dragon, Spike could pull off the ‘puppy dog’ eyes like a champion. Buzz played her ace in the hole, “Plus it means you could have another statue for your collection if I do pull this off.”

A faraway look settled in Spike’s eyes. “Buzzbot, defeating the changelings single hooved!” A massive grin spread across Spike’s jaw, “Oh I can see it now, Buzz standing triumphant over a fallen Queen Chrysalis, carved from dark marble.....”

He glanced at Twilight, “Oh I can never say no to you my dear. I would of course rather be at the front lines saving the day, but as you said Twi this is Buzz’s duty and I can’t go hogging all the glory for myself.”

Twilight winked at Buzz, “Thank you Spike, I knew we could count on you.

Spike closed the doors to his home and Buzz released a sigh of relief, they had only escaped after a third round of home baked cookies and at least a gallon of hot chocolate. For all his hero talk Buzz was always astonished by the odd habits Spike had developed.

He could be fearsome and mighty (having enough war stories to sink an Equestrian airship), but his childhood in Ponyville had left its mark too. As far as Buzz was aware he was the only dragon in the whole world who could make "Mr Sprinkle's" double chocolate cookies. It was such a strange dichotomy it you just had to laugh.

“Spike has his own way of remembering the good times Buzz,” Twilight explained as they trotted back past the hundreds of monuments of Spike’s gardens. “He’s going to live for centuries at least, probably outlive any pony alive now barring Luna and Celestia.”

Buzz saw a slight melancholy in Twilight’s eyes, “Even me most likely and so he shapes us in things so valuable and long lasting that he can treasure our memories for as long as possible.” The idea boggled Buzz, she’d only been alive for three years now. Trying to imagine living for thousands of years just staggered her.

She suddenly understood Spike far better and could easily see why he lived for each memorable moment with his friends and family. Even why he had a tiny pink apron with a heart on it, placed almost reverently in a glass display cabinet in his home. When seen from this perspective his odd ways were far more sensible.

Looking at Twilight, Buzz saw how tired her mother seemed. It wasn’t a physical weariness, but a stretching of the ‘soul’ as it were. No pony was meant to be eternally in this world, it was a blessing and a burden that Twilight and the others had been gifted with far longer lives than your average pony, but they made it count with every decision they made.

Buzz thought of the famous six, their long lives meant they had buried husbands and watched children grow to be elderly; while still retaining the fire and strength of thier youth. (though not the looks, as Rarity constantly bemoaned when ever she got the chance) It was hard, but heroes and heroines were those who could bear these strains and still make the world a better place. They would all get their rewards for their sacrifices.

Twilight visibly shook herself, and Buzz saw her smile warmly, “Well Buzz, you handled that perfectly.” Buzzbot shook off the deep ponderings that had settled on her soul. She had far too much to be thinking about right now to be distracted by such thoughts. In three days she would be leaving Equestria for a task that was going to be nothing like she’d ever dealt with before.

Chapter Five

The wind whipped at Buzzbot’s orange mane, making tangles and causing it to writhe like a nest of eels. She’d wanted to fly, but riding on Spike’s back as he flew was turning out to be far rougher experience than she’d expected.

The setting sun was a pale golden orb shedding its last rays from the east, bathing the clouds in ruddy light that reminded Buzz of tiny embers floating in the sky all around. It was a peaceful contrast to how she was feeling now.

Buzz could feel Spike’s powerful muscles tensing and relaxing beneath her. The air itself seemed to be trying to unsettle Buzz’s grip on the spines lining Spike’s back. She screwed her eyes shut tightly and gritted her teeth. No, flying like this was not the way to travel, “Give me a royal chariot any day,” Buzz mumbled.

“You holding up alright back there?” Spike called without turning his head and Buzz could only reply with a whimper which was snatched up by the hungry wind. Spike's deep voice sounded far too cheerful for Buzz's liking, “It’s something isn’t it, makes you feel good to be alive!” Buzz, not reassured at all simply scrunched up her muzzle tighter as a strange sensation began building in her core.

It was dark and unpleasant, Buzz’s centre seemed to be contracting as if trying to expel some foreign object. “Spike can we please slow down just a little!” Buzz shouted over the rushing wind, but if he heard her Spike gave no sign.

Buzzbot’s insides seemed to be trying to rearrange themselves, twisting and turning while all the time she felt like….well not a feeling she ever wanted to experience again. Buzz sneaked a peek through one wind battered eye and saw the ground far below...far, far below and the unpleasant feelings became worse. I’m feeling sick, by Celestia’s wings I’m feeling sick! I don’t even have a stomach; how does that even work!

Apparently ‘Stage Cloak’ really didn’t like flying on a dragon and so it was with immense relief that Buzz dropped the disguise, reverting back to the metal skeleton she really was. The sensations instantly died back as Buzz’s world became one of numbers, information and blissfully safe ‘data.’ The shape shifting was really taking on strange new aspects that Buzz didn’t know how to deal with and so for now simply focused on keeping her grip.

Spike must have noticed the flash of magic behind him and swung his head about, “Buzz is everything okay?”

Buzzbot nodded, “Yeah, I just don’t think we should go as fast anymore please.”

Spike smiled lazily, but did as Buzz asked. She now could now clearly make out the distant landscape below. The rolling grasslands of Equestria were slowly making way for harsher scrubland and as Buzz looked further she could make out a line of rust-coloured mountains. Recalling her map, Buzz noted they were only a few miles away from the ‘Badlands’.

“We’ve made good time Spike, no need to rush,” Buzz added.

Spike chuckled, a motion that reverberated his massive chest and sent a tremble through Buzz, “Not a problem Buzz. I was just eager to be getting to the action.”

Buzz would have rolled her ‘eyes’ but all that came was a whirring sound, “Of course Spike, but if all goes to plan there shouldn’t be any action. I hope to slip into the hive quietly remember.”

Another shudder passed up from Spike’s chest as he laughed again, “Oh Buzz, I’ve been in more scrapes than I care to admit: They never go as planned.” (Buzz seriously didn’t doubt that, Spike admitted the fact all the time)

“Well hopefully this will be the first then,” Buzz called before she felt the her world tilting. Spike was beginning to dive, angling his descent to aim right for the tallest peak among the now fast approaching mountain range.

Buzz could only hang on grimly as her projected altitude reading began to plummet. She screamed with fear as the clouds zipped past either side, only for also to be lost in the howling wind.

“You can let go now Buzz we’ve landed,” Buzz felt something hard touch her cheek and simply gripped all the tighter. “Come on Buzz we are on the ground and you need to get going,” Spike prompted again and finally Buzz turned her visual feeds back on.

The fear had been so intense and Buzz had never felt anything like it before. She’d happily jumped into time portals, fought off timber wolves and many other dangers in her time. Yet the sight of the ground rushing up to meet her, the utter lack of control of the situation and unbidden thoughts of being smashed to scrap upon the rocks had overwhelmed Buzz.

The logic of her brain told Buzz she would be fine, Spike was an experienced flier with many years under his scales. She could calculate all the vectors and magic applied by him to keep them airborne, but all of that simply flew out of Buzz’s head as the fountain of terror had burst upwards from her core. Gah emotions are tricky, three darn years and still they sneak up on me! Sometimes I wonder if they are worth it.

The world was as it should be. They were on the ground (well high up on a mountain by the looks of things anyway) With delicate slowness Buzz released her grip on Spike’s spine and tentatively began to climb down his massive shoulders.

She could feel Spike’s gaze watching her with concern as she clambered to the edge of his shoulders and dropped the last few meters onto the rocky ground below. Now firmly on the floor Buzz finally felt confident enough to assume her disguise and with a flash of green fire she forced the unwelcome shape of a changeling drone upon herself.

She turned about and forced a smile onto her muzzle, “Thank you Spike, I’m feeling much better now.” Buzz shivered at the strange harmonics to her voice. Even though she’d been expecting it Buzz still felt ugly.

Spike graced Buzz with a cocked eyebrow, “Are you sure Buzz? That was an awfully convincing scream you made as we landed.”

For the first time since Buzz had needed to be a drone she felt grateful for it. She could feel the blush wanting to form, but thankfully her carapace hid it, “Really uncle I’m fine,” Buzz coughed, “You just caught me by surprise that’s all.” Spike continued to stare and Buzz felt angry at her own embarrassment.

Spike finally relented his scrutiny before tapping his ear, “You have the frequency for my communicator right?”

Buzz went to snort in irritation only for a wasp like droning to emerge. Both Spike and Buzz froze for a moment, equally taken aback by it. Buzz shook her head angrily before replying, “Of course I do Spike, I did read Twilight’s briefing and I was using communication link long before you were.....” Spike looked hurt and Buzz felt that accursed ‘guilty feeling’ creeping in and quashed it mercilessly. “I...er...sorry Spike,” Buzz finished lamely.

Spike lent back on his haunches and folded his arms, “Look Buzz it’s okay to admit if you’re scared. I would be.”

Buzz blinked, the sensation feeling just as odd as everything else about her form. “I’m not scared, I’m just a little ‘out of sorts’ that’s all,” She finished awkwardly.

Spike still didn’t look convinced, “Well if you’re sure....”

“I am,” Buzzbot snapped and Spike held up two claws in submission.

“Well I’m sure you know you’re own head Buzz,” Spike glanced out towards the sparse planes beyond, “I had best be going. The longer I stay with you the more chance of blowing your cover.” He gave Buzz a salute, “If you need me just call.”

The guilt came back with a vengeance and Buzz flitted her wings with annoyance, oddly that felt the right thing to do, “I will.”

With a final nod Spike spread his powerful wings and with a ‘thrump’ that sent dust billowing in every direction lifted up into the failing light. The sun was practically gone now, only its edge still peaking out over the horizon.

As darkness spread out across the land the temperature began to drop and Buzz felt an uncharacteristic shiver. The cold didn’t normally bother her? Then Buzz remembered she didn’t have a warm coat or mane to keep her warm. Twilight had warned her about such matters, but Buzz didn’t think they would actually apply to her for real. Yes her shape shifting was becoming a far more empathic experience than previously, like having emotions that she shouldn’t have either.

“Discord has a lot to answer for,” Buzz hissed and realised she’d spoken in hive cant, the clicking buzzing language of the changelings. She froze, it wasn’t a problem as such, only that she’d not intended to.

Buzz double-checked her memory and programming, yes there were the command lines: All present and correct, all in order. She could even see the point when, unconsciously, Buzz had selected the correct language files. It had been almost instinctual.

Putting this confusing thought aside Buzz glanced about the rocky outcrop. Even as the last of the light vanished and the stars came out Buzz’s eyes adjusted easily to the darkness. She was on a smooth, but slightly angled rock surface. The mountain proper behind her and the planes stretched out ahead.

With nothing else for it Buzz trotted up the lip of the platform and peered downwards. Jagged edges of protruding stone jutted out at numerous of points on the descent. Buzz silently thanked Tinker for the new upgrade. Well no time like the present she reasoned before with an effort Buzz stepped off into the void below.

“Urgh, I hate not knowing!” Twilight moaned, her mane all frazzled and a weary look in her eyes. The fading light of day flowing through the high windows of her laboratory, warring with the sterile lights hanging above.

“I’m sorry Princess but real time communication is impossible at this range. She’s with Spike though so I’m sure Buzz will be safe,” Zip said in a consoling voice.

Twilight had been restless ever since she and Tinker had hugged Buzz farewell. Pacing the laboratory floor and muttering about all the things that could have already gone wrong. It was getting to be quite a list now and Zip knew the signs, Twilight was heading for a meltdown.

She wasn’t the only one either: Quiz had become all but impossible too. Zip had left her back in storage, wailing uncontrollably that she’d never see Buzzbot again. He couldn’t worry about that now, Twilight needed him.

“I know Zip, but anything could have gone wrong by now,” Twilight fussed as she fidgeted back and forth.

“Well Tinker Track is checking the receivers every hour your highness, there’s not much else we can do,” Zip tried, only for Twilight to let out another exasperated groan. He grinned hopefully, “You have other duties Princess; Luna wants you help with....”

Twilight’s dismissive hoof waved Zip into silence before she took a deep breath, “Don’t you think I know that Zip? I just can’t concentrate right now.” Twilight continued her pacing and Zip tapped his fore hooves together anxiously.

“Please your highness; maybe a bit of sorting and organising will take your mind off things?” Zip asked hopefully. The room was immaculate, but he was ready to suggest anything to take Twilight’s mind off the situation.

Zip couldn’t honestly understand why in a world full of so much data storage, that Twilight insisted on still having books. They took up so much space and deteriorated woefully quickly compared to the newer storage units. Still he wasn’t one to contradict his princess and creator.

Twilight gave a distracted glance at the lab, “I know what you’re trying to do Zip. I thank you for it but it’s just not going to work.” Twilight looked out of the window, “Plus the lab is well within clean...” With a tiny ‘Thumph’, one of the books on the table fell to the floor. It was a small sound, but seemed to echo around the room.

Zip froze as Twilight snapped her head around and glared at him, her gaze slowly travelling to the book now on the floor, spread open and face down on the polished tiles, “Zip! How dare you!”

Zip felt a little flash of terror well up in his tiny core, he hadn’t done anything! One moment the book was on the desk, the next it was on the floor, “Princess I didn’t I assure you....” Twilight’s eyes bored into him angrily as she lifted the abused book from the ground. Several of its pages had been bent and with exaggerated care Twilight began to press and flatten them with her magic.

“Zip I know you mean well, but I will not have you acting in such a manner,” Twilight’s look of disappointment almost broke Zip’s ‘heart’.

“But Twilight I didn’t, honestly! The book fell off all by itself!” Zip held up his hooves trying to ward off her stare which had turned dangerous.

“I will not have you lying to me either Zip,” Twilight waved the book at him, the title Untold Myths and Secrets swinging back and forth before his eyes. “What’s gotten into you?” Twilight scolded. She placed the book back on the desk among the others and snorted angrily before turning back to the vista outside.

‘Thumphmph’, Zip stared at the collection of books now covering the floor and began to tremble. With a flash Twilight was suddenly pressed nose to nose with him, “Get-out-Zip, I will deal with you later.”

“But I....I” Zip pleaded only for Twilight’s eyes to flash with fire.

His courage failed him and Zip's little wings blurred as he sought to put some distance between him and Twilight, her burning gaze following him all the way out into the corridor. The heavy duty metal door slammed shut and Zip shook as he tried to understand what had just happened.

He honestly hadn’t moved those books, maybe Twilight was more stressed out about this whole event than he realised? There had been cases of such strange things occurring when a unicorn got stressed out, their magic ‘earthing’ in response to a tense situation and Twilight was far more than a unicorn.

Zip let out a sigh of defeat, best wait until she’s calmed down a bit then... The sounds of malevolent laughter filtered down from above. Instantly Zip’s head snapped up, that sounded like it was coming from the vents overhead.

Very slowly, Zip flitted up to the metal grating and peered inside. Something was moving in there. A scaly tail with a tufted tip was swaying back and forth slowly. He watched, mesmerised for a moment before another chuckle echoed its way along the space. Discord, about a third his normal size was stretched out along the vent. He had his paw over his mouth in an effort to suppress another bout of laughter while his eagle's claw snapped with a click.

Zip heard further sounds of frustration from below as whatever Discord’s mischief may be achieved the desired effect. So that was it huh? Discord was the one getting Zip into trouble and winding up his princess!

Summoning his courage Zip squeezed through the bars and with determination bit down hard on Discord’s tail. Sadly all he got for his efforts was a mouth full of hairs; the appendage just kept on weaving back and forth taking Zip with it. Discord didn’t even seem to notice his passenger and continued to watch Twilight’s mounting ire below.

Releasing his grip Zip proceeded to buck feebly at Discord’s tail, “Hey lay it off you big bully!”

Discord finally paused in his merriment and slowly looked back to Zip with a lazy manner, “What and ruin the moment when she’s so close?”

Zip’s face scrunched up, “Yeah close to having all us spites turned to scrap.”

With another flash a breezy styled and sized Discord put a companionable hoof around Zip’s shoulders, “Watch and learn my overenthusiastic toy.”

Zip was lead to the grate and looked down at Twilight, she was pacing and muttering to herself. With a casual wave of his little hoof the same book, Untold Myths and Secrets almost jumped off the table and fell to the floor; falling open on a page decorated in colourful pictures of alicorns, dragons and other far stranger creatures.

As Twilight screamed her frustration to the world Zip looked intently. There, on the exposed pages, was an image of what looked like Celestia along with Luna. They seemed to be talking with the other creatures as if in some kind of meeting.

The book was snatched up by Twilight and almost flung onto the workbench, but it never finished its flight. Discord raised his hoof to his muzzle and simply ‘shushed’ quietly. Zip watched in fascination as Twilight paused and slowly levitated the book back towards herself.

“The first council of harmony?” Twilight asked, reading the title out loud.

Zip eyed Discord who was smiling and clapping slowly, “You wanted her to read something out of that book? You could have just told her you know and saved an awful lot of trouble Discord.”

Discord grinned at Zip with mischievous eyes, “Well you always learn things better when you find them out yourself Zip. Twilight is a very studious princess and I think she’d appreciate the method I am employing here.”

Watching Discord’s face carefully, Zip saw the sides of his mouth twitch before Discord broke out in high pitched laughter, “Plus the look on her face was just priceless!” A stern glare from Zip only slightly dampened Discord’s merriment. “Fine be like that, but it worked didn’t it?” Discord pointed at the now riveted Twilight.

“The first Council of Harmony was formed during the early ages of the world. Each of the first created (or stewards of aspect) gathered to ensure the smooth running of the world,” Twilight’s enamoured voice read aloud.

“All was well while the different stewards acted as one, bringing light and life to the new world and fulfilling Creation’s plans. From the Pony Sisters who cared for the sky, tending to the sun and moon respectively, to the great dragoness of the earth and stone. All filled the measure of their creation,” Twilight continued on with wonder in her voice before she began listing all the different ‘Stewards of Aspect.’

“I didn’t hear your name there Discord,” Zip commented as Twilight moved on to further subjects and Discord grinned knowingly.

“Well I didn’t come on the scene till much later you see. I missed most of the fun sadly,” He explained before pointing to Twilight who had just made a sharp intake of breath. Zip stared down, frightened of what she’d discovered:

“But harmony didn’t last, disagreements and pride began to pull each Steward after their own way. Such instances of 'discord' began slowly, little matters of opinion which took root and eventually drove the council apart,” Twilight’s narrative became mixed with sniffles and Zip could see the artwork of the book had changed; filled with images of strife and argument.

“Matters finally came to a head when the ‘Great Beetle’,” Twilight paused, “I’ve never heard of a Great Beetle before?” She shook her head and read on, “The great beetle, steward of all creeping things became jealous of the support and praises heaped upon more loved council members. In a rage she left the council and turned to her own path,” Twilight’s narrative trailed off as she turned the page and looked revolted.

“Here we go,” Discord rubbed his ‘hooves’ together with glee, “This is my favourite bit.”

“The Beetle was especially angry with the steward of the sun, who had remained aloof and adored by the other council members. The example of the two sisters and their love angered her beyond reason. So in the Beetle’s darkest chambers she created the changers: A mockery of the sun’s form and with a burning hunger to steal the love held by the mortals made their image,” Twilight’s voice had become quiet and Zip felt a sudden stillness in the air.

“Is there any truth in this Discord?” Zip asked carefully, “Why show this to Twilight?”

“Of course it’s true my little sprite, I think Twilight deserves to know and understand the huge mess she’s sent my niece into,” Discord said levelly before grinning madly, “Plus Celestia doesn’t want her to know. I simply couldn’t pass up an opportunity like that.”

Twilight began to cry as she read on, “The mortal ponies were easy prey for these new hunters and it wasn’t long until the other Stewards took notice.”

Zip felt his gaze drawn to the awful scenes of pain and war. The artist whoever they had been had been very good at capturing the feelings of the time and Zip felt his own eyes moisten along with Twilight’s.

“The first council of Harmony collapsed as the cracks and tensions, long in the making, finally fractured. Each Steward doing their best to pursue what they thought was right, yet without a guiding unified ideal to work towards. Many new creatures, not originally intended as part of Creation’s plan came into being, causing further strife and suffering,” Twilight’s words were heavy now and Zip felt each one like a weight in his chest.

“Cue Discord!” Discord announced happily, startling Zip from the silent moment he was having. “Oh those were the days, I was fresh and ready to try out all sorts of mayhem. Nor was I alone. All the fascinating critters, the odd things crawling or slithering around popping up everywhere,” Discord’s assumed antenna bounced with excitement. “I can remember it as if it only happened tomorrow.” Zip felt the sudden urge to be as far away from Discord as he possibly could.

As the pages turned the scenes of conflict receded and glimmers of hope shone through, “The world itself was the one to stop the conflict. The powers of harmony blossomed in a single magical tree, spreading its soothing effects across the world and calming the raging Stewards. All but one. the Great Beetle, so warped and twisted in her own mind, destroyed herself rather than accept the council’s offers of peace: Veiling her creations in a final act of spite so that they could continue her work.”

Twilight stood very still for a long moment, she was breathing slowly and Zip could only guess what thoughts were running through her mind. The very air was pregnant with expectation, and that feeling continued to grow until Zip couldn’t take it anymore.

“What does this all mean? Is the world broken? Is it true that half the creatures that lived were never meant to be?” Twilight’s voice was barely above a whisper. She sounded dazed, lost and uncertain. Zip could practically feel the confusion pouring off Twilight even from where he was standing.

“Never met ‘Sift’, heard she was a right terror at the end. Very ugly business and all that,” Discord said sadly. “I’m all for a bit of chaos, but she took it all far too personally. Sift actually hated Celestia so much she made a whole race just to prey on ponies.”

Twilight slowly lifted the book and held it in her magic, the actions almost mechanical. Zip watched as she stared at the cover for a long time. What she did next surprised him, calmly Twilight took a deep breath and moved the book aside with great care.

This done, she scribbled a small note and tucked it between its pages and shut it delicately. Moving as if in a dream Twilight switched off the lamp and headed slowly for the door. Without another word she left the room and moved off down the corridor.

Zip felt numb, “So what happens now?”

Discord winked at him from the darkness that now surrounded the pair, “We let things take their course of course. If I know Twilight she will have some very pointed questions to ask tomorrow and things will get a lot more interesting around here.

Chapter Six

The gritty dust of the Badlands crunched under Buzz’s hooves as she made the final leap to the ground. Darkness had settled long before she’d reached the base of the mountains, turning the world into a collection of looming shadows and strange sounds that carried eerily on the wind.

Even the sky was desolate and empty. Clouds blocked the few stars out this night and Buzz felt terribly alone for the first time in her life. She kicked the ground with a holed hoof and felt the ever present loathing of her disguise welling up to trouble her once more.

Her black carapace reflected what little light there was, showing the faintest hint of green around its edges. Lifting a hoof high above her head Buzz stared through the gaps that dotted the limb, seeing the grey clouds above through its absent voids. She shuddered and lowered the hoof again, not wanting to dwell on such wrongness.

With a couple of blinks, Buzz returned her gaze to see the night vista more clearly. The darkness was suddenly replaced by her arcane vision. The shadowy view was suddenly alive with the ebb and flow of background magic, twisting and coiling around everything.

As she gazed about herself Buzz realised she wasn’t alone. Tiny balls of light zipped through the sky, wheeling this way and that while emitting a chittering sound. Buzz made to prick her ears, only to remember that changelings didn’t work like that. Sounds were different in this form, higher pitched tones came across more clearly hence Buzz could easily make out the sounds of bats hunting in the darkness.

The other thing she noticed was the cold; with the sun fully set the temperature here in the Badlands was plummeting. An involuntary shiver passed through her and Buzz inwardly cursed this body.No changeling would want to be about at this time, best get moving.

Her target was a rising outcrop of rock off to the south, a jagged collection of small peaks that loomed out of the swirling haze. It wasn’t hard to spot and taking a breath, more out of habit than anything else, Buzz began her trek across the desolate landscape.

Moving as fast as she dared Buzz trotted at a steady pace, keeping her senses alive for any potential danger. She’d heard in great detail from Twilight about the various beasts and predators that roamed these lands. That was the problem with perfect recall, every unpleasant monster and how it hunted ponies was listed for easy and convenient viewing in Buzzbot’s mind.

As she trotted Buzz tried to pick up the magical signs of changelings, but in the windswept dust all around it soon became clear that only very fresh traces of her quarry would be detectable. Swinging her head from side to side, Buzz felt her nerves twanging. There were large things moving about in the darkness, far away enough to not be seen but close enough for Buzz to hear their roaring calls in the night.

A tremble passed through the ground and caused Buzzbot to freeze, a gigantic snake burst from the ground ahead and bellowed at the night sky. To her horror some poor something shrieked in its jaws before being cut off mid cry. Buzz closed her eyes and tried to ignore the sounds of crunching as the monster devoured its prey.

Buzz waited as long as she dared, doing her best not to shiver as noises of rumbling were heard. When she dared to open her eyes Buzz caught the tail end of the enormous serpent disappearing back into the rough ground and felt the dirt all around her tremble once more.

It was a long time before she dared to move, ears straining for the tiniest hint of danger. Mercifully the darkness resumed its background rhythm. Buzz let out a slow, tense breath and continued on her way.

The hive loomed out of the darkness, its spires cracked and broken. The collection of rust coloured points rose out of the ground like a half buried and tarnished crown. To her arcane vision the landmark seemed dark and hungry; as if the very stone was sucking the magic out of the air and replacing it with the sickly glow she’d come to think of as changeling sorcery.

As she drew closer to the old hive Buzz noticed the lands round were deserted, all the tiny night time sounds were tellingly absent. Not only this the nature of the air had changed also. The magic took on that unpleasant sickly colour and Buzz felt the ‘dirty’ feeling magnified within her. Evidently the local wildlife shunned this place and she didn’t blame them.

Peering around however Buzz saw this magic was ‘stale’. This power was old and deeply ingrained within the surrounding rocks. Colouring the land with its taint and forcing a feeling of apprehension upon those who travelled here. If she was any guess then no changelings had been active on this site for a good while. This didn’t stop Buzz’s progress slowing to a cautious crawl. Every stone or looming rock seemed to watch her, the feeling of threat and wrongness following her every hoof fall.

As she pressed deeper into the increasingly rocky terrain Buzz was met by no challenger. No sentries or guards barred her path, only the oppressive sounds of the wind howling around the stones kept her company.

The feelings of repulsion only deepened as Buzz forced one hoof ahead of another, eyes squinting as the wind whipped up the dust and seemed to throw it in her face with malicious intent. Despite these barriers Buzz pushed on and her determination was finally rewarded. She came upon a rounded entrance way and her nose picked up the hints of a sickly sweet aroma emanating from within.

It was faint, almost instantly snatched away by the ferocious weather but definitely there. The smell of changelings emerged from that hole. Taking a deep breath Buzz paused before finally stepping over the threshold and into the old hive.

The nature of the stone became different as Buzzbot made her cautious way along the tunnel. The rock was smoothed, rippled, slightly warm to the touch and almost perfectly rounded as if she was walking down some test tube. The level of humidity also rose and so after only a few minutes travel Buzz was actually starting to feel more comfortable.

That was until she found the first husk. Buzz almost missed it in the murk, a crumpled mound of chitin slumped up against the curved wall of the passage. It had evaded her magical senses and the first Buzz knew of its presence was as she stumbled over the dead creature.

With an unpleasant ‘clattering’ sound Buzz found herself falling into the husk’s embrace and let out a hiss of terror. The cold, empty eyes of the head seemed to glare at her as Buzz frantically tried to disentangle herslef from the dead carapace. Sections of empty chitin rolled away with a nasty hollow sound until Buzz finally freed herself and was left panting in the darkness.

Buzz felt her heart hammering, limbs shaking and a growing sense of sadness settling within her. This place was dead. Buzz tensed just in case that assumption was wrong, straining to hear the faintest sound of life. All she heard was the muted sounds of the wind outside.

As her breathing returned to normal Buzz found the courage to press further into the darkness. The ingrained changeling magic was everywhere, but weak and muted by the absence of the hive’s denizens. Buzz advanced deeper and found yet more husks of dead changelings. They looked battered and worn, as if they had been left here for centuries.

What was more, they hadn’t gone quietly either. Several of the dead seemed to be locked in struggles at the time of their demise. Buzz saw at least one drone impaled on the horn of another and several husks were cracked and battered from multiple telling blows.

The numbers only increased as Buzz pushed on further into the hive. The corridor broadened with several tunnels branching off this main line. Buzz inwardly thanked Twilight as she made a mental note of her route: Having a perfect memory has its good points too. She mused, side stepping another pile of deceased drones.

The whole place felt so empty and not just from the lack of life. There was so little background magic here. It was as if the very air had been drained of its vitality and Buzz made another mental note to not linger long. She drew her power from the currents and flows of the world’s magic so down here she’d only have reserve power until she left this dreary hole.

Keeping a careful eye on her energy levels Buzz explored further, hoping that there would be some clue as to what happened here. She took small samples from the dead and double checked their family groupings. Yes, they are from Chrysalis’ brood; no doubt about that.

Buzz moved on and quickly wished she hadn’t. Stepping over more husks Buzz felt her hoof squelch into something. Looking down slowly she saw an unpleasant green goo coating her hoof and grimacing slowly lifted it to reveal a cracked ‘skin’ of dark green slime. The chamber ahead was coated in the foul material and Buzz saw the neatly fractured hoof sized hole she'd left in the substance. Oh this is going to get messy.

Here at least was some residual magic. The faintest whiff of sustaining power in a sea of emptiness. Buzz looked down unhappily and saw the floor was utterly coated in the slime. Scrunching up her face in disgust Buzz took another hesitant step forward with a crunch and the slime spewed over the edges of the new hole she'd made. Why did changelings have to be so horrible?

Suppressing a shudder Buzz forced one hoof then another forward, each one sinking into the goo in turn. Looking around desperately for something to distract her Buzz saw the walls were lined with bulbous forms that, in this place of darkness, glowed faintly with a green light.

Looking closer Buzz saw that there was something suspended inside the bulge and felt a wave of sadness welling up in her. A tiny changeling, no bigger than a puppy was suspended in the thick gloop. Buzz could see no life or magic in the dead infant, only the lingering sense of a life cut short by circumstance.

The rest of the pods were the same, tiny immature larvae that had never seen the world. It was a shock to Buzz that she suddenly felt terribly sorry for these monsters. They had young, they had feelings and intelligence. There must be more to them than just the monsters we think they are?

Buzz felt a mental picture forming in her mind. She tried to imagine the hive in its final desperate moments, the drones turning on each other: The frantic effort to sustain the young growing here while wasting away from starvation themselves. It was like a hammer blow to Buzz’s heart and to her immense surprise she felt tears running down her cheeks.

Buzz stumbled in the gloom as she tried on impulse to wipe them away and was rewarded with a smear of green excretion across her face. Stepping back she felt the solid ground's sudden absence and with a lurching shock Buzz’s slight frame toppled backwards. She fell into a far deeper pool of slime and fresh horrors were revealed. As she sunk into the soft matter around her, Buzz felt other solids displace in her wake.

Looking down she fought the desire to cry out. There before her was a long dead pony and it wasn't alone. The whole pit was full of preserved ponies, each one seemed to be looking vacantly at her with clouded eyes. They hung suspended in the green murk, starved thin and all with the same blank expression.

Terror gripped Buzz again and she thrashed upwards before breaking the surface. Buzz drew a habitual gasp of air and powered forward towards solid ground. As she dragged herself onto the relatively safety of the pit’s edge Buzz felt any pity she had for these monsters quickly evaporating. The corpses of those ponies and knowing how they had died smothered Buzz’s heart like a frozen sheet of ice.

Glancing at the dead all around her, Buzz could easily see why Celestia had forbidden Twilight to investigate the changelings further. They may vaguely resemble ponies, but changelings were far from being the kind and good natured equines of Buzz’s home.

Home the word seemed appropriate yet utterly alien here. The a strange and horrifyingly familial feeling suddenly stole over Buzz as if she somehow belonged here too. It was a terrifying thought and with a shudder Buzz shook her own head, wearing this disguise is affecting me more than I thought.

Pushing herself to her hooves Buzz felt the grimy sludge running off her carapace. No doubt we’re...they’re bred to live with this stuff. It would make sense that it wouldn’t stick. She thought distractedly, fighting the nearly overwhelming urge to revert back to a pony, but Buzz simply couldn’t risk it. As dead as this place seemed to be, Buzz couldn’t be certain she was alone.

With a final shake Buzz cleared the slime and paused to plan her next move. So far all she’d found was an abandoned changeling hive and was no closer to solving the mystery she’d been sent to unravel. Double checking her power levels Buzz decided to press on further.

Buzz passed through more nurseries, lengths of tunnel and what she suspected to be a barracks or sleeping chamber. All she found was more evidence of some massive internal struggle within the hive before it was abandoned. Finally she came upon what must be the heart of this graveyard. Buzz emerged into a massive chamber with tunnels leading off in almost every direction.

She glanced around about herself and saw that all the walls were lined with tiers, arrayed about a central dais so that no matter where you were in the hall the ‘audience’ had a clear view of the chair which was clearly the focal point of the massive room.

As Buzz approached she saw that it was not so much a chair as a rounded bed, with dark red upholstery and faded golden edging. The fabrics were tattered and stained with things Buzz didn’t care to guess at. The wood making up the frame looked to be on the verge of collapse and Buzz was even more strongly convinced that this place hadn’t seen a live changeling in many, many years.

It was at this point that she noticed what was missing. Here in this great hall there were no bodies. The chamber, though clearly abandoned, was empty apart from her. Buzz had become accustomed to seeing the empty husks of the hive’s former owners and finding such an important room clear of them struck a disturbing chord. Where was Queen Chrysalis? Why was this room clear of the fighting that was evident throughout the rest of this place?

Whatever fate had befallen this hive, it seemed that its queen hadn’t shared it. Blinking through various vision settings, Buzz strained to find any clue to lead her onwards. There was a stronger pull of magic here, more deeply embedded within the rock. It was then that Buzz saw something odd. Mixed with the other traces she’d come to associate with the changelings that once lived here was another ‘scent’.

Like Chrysalis’ brood, yet different as well. It was strongest about the central plinth and was so similar that Buzz had missed it at first glance. Another being it seemed, one with enough power to ‘stain’ the room with their presence had been there. Now she knew what to look for Buzz was able to read more evidence of this new being.

Back tracing her steps through the murky corridors, Buzz found at least some answers. All the areas where fighting had occurred was where the slightly different 'flavour' of magic residue was present. “They were invaded....”

These was the first words Buzz had spoken for aloud hours and the silence of this place seemed to devour the sounds of her voice hungrily. She sat down and mulled all this over: A rival, perhaps a close relative of this hive had attacked it? The dead on both sides was clear enough evidence of that.

Who had won? That was the next big question and Buzz didn’t have any answer to it. The fight couldn’t have been over ownership this place. The hive looked as if it was abandoned soon after the conflict. Was Chrysalis even alive? If not then who sent the plea for help?

Buzz felt a fresh image forming in her mind: A hive, recently raided by Equestrians was now vulnerable. Its lines of defence broken and many of its occupants dead or wounded. Another Changeling Queen sees her chance and invades and then.....and then....

The facts didn’t tell enough to be sure and with a shudder Buzz shook herself. It seemed that she had learnt all she could from this monument of death. Plus if she was going to have enough power to safely escape back to the surface she’d need to start now.

With a final morose look at the fallen hive Buzz frowned and began to make her steady way back to the surface. The foreboding passageways and murky rooms passing by without further incident until with a deep breath of relief Buzzbot found herself standing back out in the windswept wastes.

The cold struck Buzz again, but it was almost pleasant after the oppressive dark within the remnants of the hive. She resolved to put some distance between herself and the ruin, but soon thought better of it. The night beyond was full of strange noises and Buzz could see no significant cover in any direction.

With little else for it Buzzbot settled down in the entrance to the caves. Not willing to brave the darkness and horrible sights within, she did her best to crouch a little way inside. The wind continued to howl like a distraught soul as Buzz settled down to wait out the night.

The first few rays of sunlight were just surfacing when it came: The crunching steps that sounded out of kilter. Buzz had been reviewing the report she was going to send to Twilight via Spike when the odd noise caught her attention. It was coming from outside.

Mentally pushing aside the message, Buzz cautiously edged towards the tunnel’s mouth and peered outside. The wind from last night had died away, leaving the deceptive calmness of a Badlands morning. The dust shimmered in the new sun’s rays and contrasted against a shuffling form not more than a few hundred meters away.

Narrowing her eyes, Buzz saw what looked to be a mound of weeds and other plant matter making slow progress across the barren wastes. Even as she watched the form stooped and began digging at the ground with a triumphant hiss.

After a few moments of enthusiastic grunts and a load of dust the newcomer straightened and seemed to be holding a tiny something. Buzz stared in fascination as a dirty hoof lifted the object up to a dark recess under the mounds of brush and plant matter. She expected to hear the sounds of chewing, but instead an odd little cackle emerged and the hoof withdrew before stowing the object in among the weeds.

Buzz shook her head at this odd behaviour and was just about to return to her report when she caught the faintest flash of magic from under the mound, it was one she’d become very accustomed to now: Changeling magic.

Slipping from her hiding spot Buzz made her steady way out and along the side of her target, who had resumed its odd shuffling gate. The mound bobbed rhythmically as Buzz came around to tail the newcomer.

As she listened she became aware of a high pitched rambling coming from the creature, “Yes my little friends we’re going to find more for you, lots more friends and they can be my friend too.” The mound continued to bob and shuffle along, the constant commentary following in its wake.

Buzz didn’t know what to make of this new development, whoever this thing was it sounded madder than a Draconequus in a patch of poisoned joke. Then again, it was speaking in hive cant. Maybe it could help her make a clearer picture of what happened here.

With more confidence Buzz trotted forward, making no effort to hide her hoof steps. Still the rambling mass didn’t notice her. She stopped just outside of a hoof's reach of the odd creature.

The mound kept up its constant droning, “There must be more here somewhere? Not all gone! No not all! They wouldn’t leave ‘Scrund’ behind no.”

The idea of jumping this creature and interrogating it flashed briefly in Buzz’s mind, but it seemed so.... In the end Buzz decided to try kindness first and cleared her throat, “Excuse me. I was hoping to ask you a few questions?”

The effect was instant. The trembling mass froze before, with a frantic scrabbling sound, seemed to sink into the ground until only the gently swaying plants could be seen. If Buzz hadn’t just witnessed it walking with her own eyes she would have simply mistook this mound for any other among the many patches of brush littering the plains.

“Um I know you’re there, could I just ask you for some directions?” Buzz tried again, only for the mound to shudder. “Look I’m not going to hurt you, I just want to talk.”

After a few moments where the only sound was the gentle wind, Buzz decided on a more direct route. With a slight confused grin she poked the heap with a gentle hoof and the whole thing shuddered, “Go away, no one here.”

Buzz cocked an eyebrow, “If no one is here then who just said that?”

The silence was longer this time before a thoughtful response came, “Very clever flowers.”

Despite all the terrible things she’d just seen Buzz felt a smile begin to form on her face, “Well very ‘Clever Flowers’, I was hoping that you could tell me where everyone has gone from here?”

“They’re all gone long time ago, leaving poor Scrund alone. But Scrund isn’t alone, no! He has his friends and takes them with him now,” The muffled reply filtered through the mass of roots and stalks. Urgh, he’s got soil all over his back and there are bugs everywhere.

Buzz winced, but pressed onwards, “How long ago Scrund since they left?”

To Buzzbot’s amazement the mound shifted and shuffled about so that two eyes, one pale blue the other a pearly white regarded her from under the small garden, “You know Scrund?” His voice was so hopeful that Buzz just didn’t have the heart to correct him.

“Yes Scrund I’ve been away for a while, but now I've come back to see where everyone has gone,” Buzz felt a weight in her core, she hated lying despite being so good at it.

“Scrund doesn’t remember you, what name?” The eyes under the roof of bracken narrowed suspiciously.

Buzz paused for less than a moment before extending a friendly hoof, “It’s Grizz, pleased to see you again Scrund.”

“Grizz, Grizz, Grissss...” Scrund rolled the word around his mouth as if savouring the flavour. Whatever passed for thought in his head seemed to reach a conclusion, “Grizz, from the lower tunnels right?”

Buzz smiled, “That’s it Scrund, I came back as soon as I could to find you.”

Buzz’s heart broke as she saw Scrund poke his head out from under his hood, a look of utter joy plastered across his muzzle. He was a changeling, but looked so weathered and scarred that Buzz was shocked he was even alive.

Badly healed cracks dotted his face, his horn was broken at its tip and the pearly looking eye had an old deep gash running across it. Buzz saw with dismay that he had no fangs as Scrund treated her to an empty smile.

“Grizzzsss, Grissszz came to find Scrund!” Before Buzz could move he’d thrown his hooves about her neck and had drawn Buzz into an embrace.

All Buzz could do was smile weakly and try to ignore the dirt and tiny insects that began to clamber over her own carapace. After a few uncomfortable moments Buzz raised a hoof and gently tapped Scrund on the head. Oh sweet Celestia, what have I gotten myself into?

Chapter Seven

Zip looked to each of his fellow Sprites in turn. His determined eyes bored into their ‘souls’, “There’s trouble brewing here and we need to do something about it.”

One sprite raised a shaking hoof, “But what can we do? We’re only assistants and messengers?” An uncertain mumble of agreement swept the tiny storage room as the other sprites voiced their concerns.

Zip put on a brave face. The problem had been bouncing around his head since Discord had left him in the vent two days ago. Twilight was treading on thin ice right now, risking Celestia’s anger in the course she had chosen. Nothing had occurred yet, but Zip was certain that a volcano was rumbling. What can we do, we’re so small and.....

The grin on Zip’s muzzle caused several of the other sprites to lean back in their cubby-holes, “We ‘are’ messengers you’re right. That’s how we will help.” The plan seemed so simple now that Zip mulled it over. Sprites were a relatively new aspect of Equestrian life, they were useful for little errands and no pony gave them a second thought.

“For now all we need do is watch, keep an eye on things. When something does happen we can make sure all the right ponies are told what they need to know,” Maybe it was Discord’s influence, or maybe just an surfacing attribute of Zip’s own but he found himself eager for this new challenge.

“No pony knows the air ducts and crawl spaces of Equestria like we do. We can be the eyes and ears that are needed. We can be the.....” Zip’s voice trailed off as an image of sprites watching from every little peep hole: keeping tabs on events and making sure the right ponies knew what was happening. “We could be spies.”

The other sprites looked at Zip as if he’d suggested overthrowing the princesses and he coughed with embarrassment, “The good sort I mean.” His fellows didn’t look convinced. “We could drop a little note here, a message there. Let Twilight or the others know if trouble was brewing.”

“But we could get in so much trouble!” Zip smiled. It was almost a certainty that Quiz would be the one to object and he smiled indulgently as she voiced her concerns. “We’re not made to be that kind of machine Zip, if the ponies found out what you’re planning to do then...then.” A collective shudder ran through the assembled listeners.

“Then we won’t get caught,” The fire of vision had been kindled in Zip’s tiny robot heart. There was nothing that would dissuade him from his course now. “If we don’t do something then I fear that the princesses will fall out and who knows where that could lead?” There wasn’t a sprite alive who didn’t know the history of Nightmare Moon and every one of them shook with fear before Zip pressed on, “Is it worth the chance of something like that happening again?”

After a tense moment the other sprites all shook their heads in agreement and Zip felt a surge of relief, he had them on board now, “So for now we just watch how things go and bring news of anything suspicious back here okay?” The room nodded before a frantic tapping could be heard.

A yellow sprite poked her head through the vent above, “Somepony is coming!”

The secret meeting quickly broke apart as its members urgently settled down into their respective alcoves. A few seconds later the door seals gave a heavy ‘thunk’. The sounds of talking grew louder as the chamber’s hatch opened slowly and a green coated mare stuck her head in, “Good morning. I would like to send a package to thirty seven Walnut Street, any of you little darlings up for the task?”

As several of his fellows waved their hooves eagerly the mare smiled happily. Zip couldn’t help but grin, The ponies of Equestria didn’t suspect a thing, this might actually work!

Scrund shuffled into the lee of a boulder jabbering to himself the whole time and Buzz felt her pity for the creature only increase. She’d walked with the changeling for a little over half an hour, listening to his non-stop muttering.

“This place nice, no monsters come here,” Scrund beckoned for ‘Grizz’ to follow him down a root-lined tunnel and Buzz could almost have cried at the irony of that statement. Only us. Not letting her worries show Buzz followed the shambling mound down the passage.

The rust coloured earth had been mined into a twisting tunnel some time ago it seemed, roots hung freely from the ceiling and crept down the walls. Buzz could see cobwebs and little insects everywhere and fought the urge to shiver. He’d stopped just outside a thin membranous blockage.

“Scrund home my little friends and Scrund has brought a new friend too!” Her guide announced happily as he pushed aside the covering. It opened up into a small chamber which was lit by strange fungal-like growths dipping down from the ceiling. These gave off a pale greenish blue hue and Buzz had to fight the urge to cover her nose; the rounded room smelt foisty. The damp mildew and green slime of changelings mixed together to form a ‘unique’ aroma.

Scrund was oblivious to Buzz’s discomfort and hobbled enthusiastically around a central pool of stagnant water in the chamber’s centre. “This Grizz. He came to find Scrund. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Buzz shifted unhappily, even though technically without gender ‘she’ always considered herself a she. Pretending to be ‘male’ still sat poorly with her even after all these years, but all drones were male as far as Twilight could discover so needs must. The only females in Changeling society were their queens.

“Come say hello Grizz, Scrund is sure they will like you!” Scrund announced eagerly as he pointed out a number of slimy bulges attached to the walls. They appeared to be clumps of woven roots mingled with the ever present slime the changelings made.

Buzz felt her heart skip being keenly reminded of the nurseries back at the abandoned hive. Scrund lifted a flap of thin membrane and Buzz realised that they were wasp nests. She instinctively shied back as the sounds of hundreds of tiny insects filled the air.

Fighting down panic Buzz closed her eyes as the tiny humming bodies engulfed her. Crawling all over her, their many legs gently rubbing her carapace in an almost kindly fashion.... After a few terrifying moments Buzz could make out a collective ‘feeling’ from the swarm. They were pleased to see her.

It wasn’t spoken as such, but more of an imparted message of kindness that spoke straight to the soul and Buzz was taken aback by such an open welcome. Wasps had long been a pest in Equestria and ponies were rightly afraid of the tiny stinging creatures. To see them as something friendly was simply astonishing.

Slowly.... very slowly buzz opened her eyes to see Scrund beaming happily through the cloud of humming wasps, “Friends like Grizz!”

Buzz didn’t dare move as the swarm crawled over her, but amazingly took care not to get into her eyes or mouth. They were almost being respectful. “Thanks I like them too,” She said timidly.

Scrund’s smile only widened as he raised a hoof to rummage in the bracken covering his back, “Scrund has nice things for friends.” He dropped a few sickly smelling chunks of something before each hive and the wasps eagerly dived down and began to feed. Buzz watched in fascinated revulsion as Scrund lit the broken stump of his horn and a weak green glow covered the busy insects.

She blinked, opened her arcane vision and felt her ‘stomach’ lurch. Scrund was draining the tiniest sliver of emotion from every wasp. Their little bodies shook as essence was drawn from hundreds of small sources. Buzz cringed as the focus of Scrund’s magic swept from one group of bugs to the next, siphoning off a portion of their simple affection in turn.

It seemed horrible, yet Scrund took enormous care to not to take too much from any one insect. Buzz suddenly understood how Scrund had survived alone all this time alone: ‘Milking’ his friends like a farmer would tend livestock. It was almost moving yet disgusting at the same time.

“Grizz hungry?” Scrund asked and Buzz was snapped out of her reverie.

“What me? No I already ate earlier today,” Buzz lied. Mercifully Scrund nodded before letting the magical glow fade. “So this is your home then?” She asked quickly.

He nodded, “Scrund lives here now with Scrund’s friends.”

Buzz took the chance to look over the dank little room and felt her heart go out to Scrund. He must have been alone here for years with just his little ‘friends’ for company. No wonder he’s totally gone in the head.

The nagging importance of her mission pressed on Buzzbot’s mind. She needed to know what had happened here and where Queen Chrysalis was, but she didn’t want to unbalance this poor creature any further. Who knows what he might do if I push him?

“I like what you have done with the place, very homely,” Buzz managed, a brittle quality in her tone.

Scrund nodded happily, “Here been good to Scrund. Will be sad to leave it.”

“Leave? Why are you going?” Buzz asked in confusion.

Scrund gave her a lopsided look of disbelief, “Now Grizz has found Scrund we are going to new home. Going to see Mum right? See others?” Buzz’s heart cracked. Oh sweet Celestia, he thinks I’ve come to take him back to the rest of the hive.

Scrund pressed on as Buzz felt a terrible stab of ice pounded into her core, “Will be sad to leave friends behind. Maybe Mum let Scrund keep them?”

Buzz felt the tears begin to well unbidden and cursed herself for a fool, “I could um talk to the others when I see them...” She began and Scrund smiled appreciatively. Nothing in her programming had prepared Buzz for this.

Scrund nodded slowly before shuffling up to Buzz and rubbed himself against her like a sorrowful puppy, “Grizz came to find Scrund. We see Mum soon.”

The tears burst out and without thinking about it Buzz gently tapped Scrund on the head, he was kind of sweet in a gross way, “Yes Scrund, we will be home soon.”

The changeling blinked sleepily as he snuggled close. To her continued misery Scrund gazed at Buzz with his one good eye, “Tell Scrund about Mum, been so long since Scrund has seen Mum.

Buzz did her best to recall all she knew about Chrysalis, but all the data she had on the Queen was from a pony’s perspective and didn’t paint her in a terribly good light. She smiled sadly at Scrund whose eyes even now looked heavy, “Mum is big and strong, so strong she nearly overpowered the pony Princess Celestia. She cares a great deal about her children and would do almost anything for them.” Buzz felt utterly wretched lying to this poor lonely changeling, but what choice did she have?

“Mum has green eyes and crisp wings. It’s her responsibility to find food for her children,” Buzz continued on, trying to put a positive spin on the mad monster that had nearly destroyed Canterlot.

Scrund mumbled sleepily and pressed his head against Buzz’s shoulder, “Scrund found food, Mum be proud of Scrund....”

Buzzbot cried, it was too much for her to see this happening. If she needed anything to vindicate that Twilight’s course of action was a good one then this poor drone was it. He didn’t choose to be what he was. It wasn’t his fault that he was born a monster in the eyes of Equestria. All he wanted was his mother.

Scrund hissed softly and Buzz gratefully saw he’d fallen asleep. She sat there for a long time, thinking over the things she’d seen the past few days. It all seemed so...... an internal chime sounded in Buzz’s head.

Shaking herself free from the melancholy thoughts that threatened to drown her Buzz noted that Spike was attempting to contact her. With great care she removed herself from Scrund’s embrace and let his head rest gently on the floor.

Still wiping away tears from her eyes Buzz headed back up the tunnel. The cold air of falling night seeped into Buzz and she shivered. The sun’s last rays were dimming on the horizon as Buzz stepped out into the open air and finally responded to the incessant chiming in her skull.

“Yes Spike?” It was a sharper greeting than Buzz had planned. It was far more difficult to hide her grief with an internal communication.

Spike’s deep voice spoke inside Buzz’s head, “How goes the hunt?”

“Badly. I have found one drone, but he seems to have no idea about where the rest of the hive has gone,” Buzz replied in a trembling voice.

Spike didn’t respond at once, “Are you alright? You sound hurt.”

Buzz sniffled, “Yeah I’m alright it’s just a bit heavy going. The hive was deserted with only dead changelings and ponies there.”

“We knew it was going to be bad Buzz, I’m sorry you had to see that,” Spike said flatly.

Buzz nodded, “I was just expecting them to be monsters but they’re more than that. It’s far easier to dismiss them like some evil story book villain, but oh Spike, the drone just wants his mum.” Buzz’s attempt at calm broke and she cried openly, her tears running down her black shiny cheeks before splashing on the dust below.

“Him? You mean the changeling drone?” Spike asked, a troubled note in his tone.

“Yes Spike ‘Scrund’! He’s just a poor lonely drone who’s lost his family and thinks I’ve come to take him back to them!” Even though Buzz made no outward sound she was screaming inside and stomped her hoof on the ground.

Spike paused again, “Buzz you know what they do. They kill ponies and would have enslaved Equestria if we didn’t stop them. Don’t let your feelings get in the way of the mission. We’re here to help them if we can, but don’t doubt for a moment that they are dangerous.”

Buzz felt the anger growing in her; it just seemed so unfair, “You haven’t seen him, he’s living in a hole in the ground with only wasps for friends Spike! That’s not a monster it’s just tragic!”

The silence drew out and Buzz panted angrily. After a tense minute Spike finally replied, “Buzz, I feel for him I really do. That’s why we’re here to find out what’s really going on and if the changelings are genuinely willing to make peace.”

Buzzbot pawed at the ground, she’d snapped at Spike who was only trying to help, “I....Sorry Spike, it’s just all a bit much right now. It’s just so sad.”

“I know, I know. The first time I set foot outside Equestria it was a real eye opener for me too, but you have to focus on what’s needed,” Spike’s consolatory response lifted the dark cloud bearing down on her. “Did Scrund have any idea where the other changelings have gone?”

Buzz gazed out across the barren landscape, at the cracked and broken spires of the empty hive, “Not as such, but I don’t think his mind is all there anymore Spike. It might make Scrund worse if I try to get him to recall any details.”

She paused as the sadness welled up in her again until Buzz felt like she’d drown in her own heartache, “He wants me to take him home to the others Spike but I don’t even have the first clue where to start looking.”

Spike’s voice took on a predatory edge, “Well I could do a fly about and see what I can find. I can sniff out a changeling lair in my sleep.”

Buzz could almost ‘hear’ the grin on Spike’s face, “Well that seems like a better plan than just wandering the wastes and hoping we get lucky.”

A distant roar echoed in the darkness and Buzz was keenly reminded of just how unsafe this place was, “I’ll spend the night here with Scrund, you scout out and see what you can find okay?”

Spike grunted down the communicator in agreement, “Fine Buzz but no matter how harmless he seems now changelings are dangerous, remember that.”

“I will,” Buzz muttered and cut the line before taking a deep breath and trotting back down into Scrund’s lair.

Quiz trembled, she didn’t want to, she shouldn’t need to but yet she was. Zip had told her to keep an eye on Twilight and it had seemed the safest idea at the time. That was until had Twilight marched up to Celestia’s study in Canterlot with the incriminating book in tow.

It had been a simple matter for Quiz to be included in Twilight’s small entourage, travelling to the capital in a personal coach. Twilight took sprites with her almost everywhere now. Canterlot had been a real shock to Quiz, unlike Ponyville the capital of Equestria remained largely unchanged by the inventions of the future.

The guards still wore the classic golden armour and carried the symbolic spears of their role. But if a pony was to look closer the effects of the new age were there. Tiny crystals fed magical power to spear tips and a nest of sensor points were cunningly concealed within the helmets.

There was nothing low-tech about the security stations and checkpoints that needed to be passed to gain entry to Canterlot either; The tickling sensation of scan beams and arcane detection probes was the order of the day.

Even within the city itself the evidence of advancement was there to see for those who knew where to look. Masterfully enmeshed with the traditional styles were arcane lights, magical displays and communication terminals. As with Ponyville they the designers had done their best to keep the ‘feel’ of Canterlot intact.

What struck Quiz as they travelled the roads and streets of Canterlot was the lack of variety. She’d long become accustomed to Ponyville’s cosmopolitan nature, with Twilight’s research centre drawing in members from almost every sentient race of the world. Here in Canterlot the population was vastly dominated by ponies.

“Where are all the buffalo and others?” Quiz asked to no pony in particular.

Twilight lifted her head from Myths and Legends and smiled at Quiz indulgently, “They are here and welcome Quiz, it’s just Canterlot is the Equestrian capital and deals mostly with ponies.”

Quiz trembled, realising she’d spoken out loud, “Oh okay.” She didn’t really understand but trusted Twilight’s judgement.

The other members of the party didn’t give the conversation a moment’s thought as the coach rolled past the outer walls of Canterlot Castle, the sentries on duty waving them through with a smile.

Once inside the nature of the crowds changed. Quiz saw dignitaries and envoys of every shape, colour and race thronging the courtyard. Twilight stowed away her book as the coach drew up to the main entrance and a number of footponies trotted forward to open the doors for her.

“Thank you gentlecolts,” Twilight responded as she stepped down and smiled at the assembled crowds.

The level of chatter increased as those present saw that it was Twilight in person. Quiz felt the urge to hide and quickly dived into Twilight’s mane. Obviously feeling the gentle tug Twilight laughed softly, “It’s okay Quiz you’re among friends here.”

“But they’re all looking at me,” Quiz squeaked and Twilight laughed loudly.

“Oh Quiz I forget you’re not used to the attention,” She gently disentangled Quiz from her mane, “They’re all looking at me anyway so don’t worry. I seldom come in person to see Celestia these days so they will all be gossiping about the reason for my visit.” Twilight winked, “I’ll keep their attention and you just drift along behind okay?”

Quiz looked up into Twilight’s eyes and saw the undercurrent of pain there, despite her gentle words Quiz saw that something was eating at Twilight. Quiz’s gaze drifted to where the book was now stored in Twilight’s saddle bags.

“Yep, nothing to worry about,” Twilight said and it seemed to be almost to herself.

Twilight had been silent on the walk through the castle, acknowledging any hails with a slight nod. Now they were before Celestia’s study doors Quiz could feel the tension in the air. “I want you to stay here Quiz,” Twilight announced solemnly.

“But your highness I.....” Quiz tried, but one look from her stern eyes and Quiz’s courage melted. “Oh okay...”

Twilight nodded and signalling to the guards at the door waited for Celestia’s permission to enter.

“Why hello Twilight, it’s a pleasure to see you again. I must admit I was surprised to hear you were comin....” Celestia’s welcome was muted as the doors closed behind Twilight and left Quiz floating with little flits of her delicate wings.

She smiled weakly at the two ponies on guard, but they simply stared straight ahead. Wanting the tension to ease Quiz tried to engage the nearest pony, a grey unicorn stallion, in conversation, “So is it fun being a guard? You must get to see Celestia a lot?”

Stony silence greeted her enquiry and Quiz felt the shaking begin again. “Oh okay, well I’ll just stay here if that’s alright?” Still the soldiers made no effort to reply, simply looking dead ahead with an intense focus. What do I do now? I mean Zip told me to keep an eye on Twilight but...

There was a low rumble and the ground shook. This time the two guards looked at each other, finally breaking their detached manner to glance nervously at the doors to Celestia’s personal rooms. There were little wisps of smoke beginning to curl from the gaps around each decorated door.

Quiz felt her limbs lock up, there was a massive amount of magic being used in the next room and the doors were beginning to glow with an intense heat. The delicate carvings of ponies and symbols started to run as the portal turned from a dull orange to an angry red.

The soldiers backed away as the door achieved a brilliant golden radiance and heavy thumps and crashes could be heard from within. Panicking Quiz felt the heat building beyond the now trembling doors and tipped upside down as the fear made her whole frame go ridged.

The two soldiers fled as another tremble shook the floor and little gouts of flame seeped around the glowing doors. Quiz couldn’t flee, her mind locked with the terror now filling it and just as she sank to the floor and prepared to surrender to oblivion a soft hoof caught her.

Surprise shocked Quiz out of her transfixed state and she looked up into the humour-filled eyes of none other than Princess Luna, “Well there little one, you’re a long way from home.” The Night Princess spoke in a assured calm, totally at odds with the situation unfolding in Celestia’s study.

“Pri..Princess Luna you have to stop them they’re...” Quiz stammered only for Luna to smile widely.

“Oh that. That’s just my sister letting off some steam, she will get over it soon, not to worry,” Luna sounded playful, utterly at ease and Quiz simply stared at her with wide eyes.

“You’re not worried that somepony will get hurt?” Quiz asked, disbelief sounding from every word.

Luna glanced at the glowing doors before shaking her head, “Twilight and Celestia have had their differences in the past; it’s always blown over.”

Quiz simply couldn’t believe that Luna could be so calm about this, “But Twilight read in a book that everything is broken in the world, that half the creatures about now are wrong and...and and....”

For the first time since Luna had arrived her face became stony, “What book is this pray tell?”

The change in Luna’s manner was subtle but easily felt, a slight stiffening of the limbs and glint in her gentle eyes that wasn’t there before. Quiz put her tiny hooves to her mouth realising that she’d said too much, but the damage was done now.

Luna’s eyes bored into Quiz and the sprite faltered under that piercing gaze, “Tell me.” The kindness in Luna’s manner was gone pushed aside as something dark and terrible seemed to be clawing its way to the surface.

“Discord gave Twilight a book called Myths and legends of Equestria. It told a story about the First Council of Harmony and some big bug called ‘Slift’ or something,” Quiz’s terrified stammering came out in a flood as she hid her face from Luna.

Shadows seemed to swell about Luna for a moment, before her eyes closed slowly and the gentle alicorn from before returned, “I see and how perchance did you come by this knowledge?”

Quiz peered out from behind her hooves to see Luna was herself once again, “I...I...”

“I see we have much to discuss, come with me little one. Let Twilight and my sister resolve their differences in ‘peace’,” Without waiting for Quiz’s reply Luna swept down the corridor with the terrified guards watching from a safe distance.

Chapter Eight

Buzz sat quietly in Scrund’s lair and listened to his ragged breathing. The little drone hadn’t awoken when she’d returned to the dank little cave and Buzz was quietly grateful for that. Looking around this little hovel she let the cool darkness wash over her.

Buzz had no need of sleep so she simply sat and thought. Thought about her role in life and why the world could be so cruel. Life in Equestria had once seemed dull and confining to Buzz, the world outside a great adventure just waiting to be explored.

Then she’d found this and it wasn’t anything like she’d expected. Buzz was ‘raised’ on stories of Twilight and the other famous ponies going out and accomplishing brave or very clever acts that changed the world. They didn’t say much about the hardships or the downright unfairness of the world.

When she heard Discord recounting his fights with Celestia and Luna it sounded more like a crazy game. They would all smile and agree that things were much better now, how Twilight and her friends had helped Discord see the light of friendship. They seemed to gloss over the terrible things that had happened during those times and Buzz couldn’t help but wonder why.

Scrund gave a little bubbly hiss before turning over and Buzz watched the changeling sleep. There was a peaceful manner to him now and Buzz couldn’t help but feel her own lips curl in a smile. The little guy was kind of sweet in a disturbing kind of way and not too different from a real pony on some levels.

Without knowing quite why Buzz gently stroked the matted grass covering Scrund’s back and he gave a contented hiss, “Don’t worry little guy, I’ll find a way to make things better don’t you doubt it.” Buzz chuckled softly; look at me, playing nurse to a drone. If Twilight could see me now.

The silence drew out for a time while she gently stroked Scrund’s pitted head and Buzz simply sat and reviewed her feelings. After the horrors of the old hive this place seemed almost homely and Buzz was surprised to find she actually liked it. There was love here, a simple, plain affection of shared adversity.

Scrund cared for his little insect friends and they responded in kind, forming a mutually beneficial bond of sorts. Did he use his magic to bewitch his ‘friends’? That’s what Buzz had always understood about changelings. They didn’t make real friends, just bewitched their prey into adoring them, or who their victims thought they were at least.

But if that were completely true then why did the wasps respond to Buzz so well? Maybe changelings just made any creature who fell under their spell adore members of the hive? She hoped it was more than just that. Buzz couldn’t believe that they didn’t have their own feelings, she certainly wasn’t under any spell and Scrund was overjoyed to have met her. Or maybe just anypony who showed him the least bit of kindness? After what he’s been through I don’t doubt it.

Buzz checked her internal clock, they were long past midnight now and slowly crawling towards dawn. What was she going to tell Scrund when he awoke? Spike hadn’t checked back in with her so either he was delayed or.....

A sharp sound caused Buzz to freeze. It was a slow tearing noise and as she swung her head up Buzz saw that a sharp point had pierced the membrane covering the doorway. Tensing she half closed her eyes as if asleep and watched as the sharp point drew a jagged line across the door and several pairs of cold blue eyes peered into the lair.

Delicately Buzz switched to her arcane sight, enabling her to look upon the new intruders and instantly understood they ‘smelt’ wrong, familiar but different almost like the strange other scent in the hive....

The newcomers slipped into the chamber, clicking and hissing at each other. The first drone through the doorway whispered to the others, “Just another loner’s dump - hardly worth the effort.”

“The one I saw coming out of the old hive looked strong and healthy so don't tell me it's not worth it. You know the ‘Lady’s’ orders, any drones not of our hive are to be brought back for their essence,” the drone at the back sneered, "See there's two of them, double the find."

At first glance all the drones looked the same, there were only tiny subtle differences that marked them out from each other. So in the gloom Buzz could only tell them apart by their voices. The first drone gave a low hiss before replying, “Fine let’s get on with it then.”

Buzz tensed as the drone closed in, its horn glowing a dark green. She could see the build up of a spell charging and knew it was now or never and launched herself at the changeling. Her target only had a brief moment to look shocked before Buzz’s hoof connected with his jaw and snapped the drones head around. The spell he'd been preparing fired off into the ceiling before detonating with a loud crack.

As their leader toppled backwards the other two drones hissed in challenge and to Buzz’s surprise she returned it with one of her own. Her two opposites glanced at their leader who was crumpled on the ground, a thin trickle of viscous slime leaking from his snout before glaring at Buzz again.

Scrund stirred by the detonation fitfully awoke with a cry as further flashes of green magic lit up the room. His panicked cries mingling with the commotions of battle. Buzz ducked under a hurled bolt and slipped into the firer’s legs, buckling them with a heavy kick from her own. She may look like a changeling and even sound like one, but under that disguise Buzz was a machine. With mechanical strength she applied her hooves to a knee of the downed attacker and was rewarded with a satisfying cracking sound.

The second changeling screeched in pain and flailed about on the floor pathetically, but Buzz was already moving again. She knew the feeling of anger when it burned in her core and Buzz was astonished to feel it so strongly now. These drones just kindled her rage beyond reason. Their smell was wrong, their very aura was infuriating and she.... The final opponent’s head crashed against the dirt wall of the chamber and he mewled pitifully. Buzz realised just what she was doing and felt the horror welling up inside.

Buzz had him pressed up against the matted roots, her foreleg jammed under his chin and the drone’s frightened eyes stared at Buzz in fear. Every borrowed sense in Buzz screamed at her to apply enough pressure to snap this disgusting creature’s neck, but she reigned it in and fought for control of her mouth.

“Who-are-you and what are you doing here?” Buzzbot’s voice had an edge to it, sounding more like a true changeling than ever before. To Buzz's dark delight the trapped drone simply hissed and squirmed weakly. The cripple drone on the floor continued to whine and Buzz struggled not to shut him up for good with a well placed hoof.

“Answer me now!” Buzz screeched at her captive, her tattered wings flaring as her patience ran thin. She allowed the tiniest increase of pressure and the drone’s face was pushed slowly into the dirt wall.

“Nizit....I’m Nizit,” ‘Nizit’ gasped and Buzz could see the little fractures beginning to appear on his carapace. She was slowly cracking his shell.

“And what are you doing here?” Buzz hissed, fighting to not give in to her desires for what? Vengeance? Where did that idea come from?

“Scout of ‘Lady Ichor’ I...I” Nizit hissed as Buzz pressed just a little harder. That name should mean something to me, it had a familial ring to it. Why doesn’t it?!

Buzz’s programming wrestled for control and she saw a yawning abyss of anger and hurt threatening to swallow her whole. A spark of warning flashed in her mind and Buzz suddenly saw what she was doing and quailed at the realisation.

She staggered back, a look of horror covering her face. Mercifully Nizit was too busy catching his breath to notice and Buzz was able to master herself before she spoke again, “And why would Lady Ichor want you to scout for us here hmm?”

Nizit coughed a few times before glaring at Buzz, “You got a strong hoof I’ll give you that. I would never have guessed from one such as you.”

Buzz hissed in warning; the anger muted for now and Nizit took the hint, “We’re to capture any who are not of the Lady’s hive for consumption, you of all creatures should know the desperate times we find ourselves in. The strong survive by any means.” The words washed over Buzz like smoke, making little sense.

Nizit wasn’t finished however, “You’d do the same had the fates been reversed.” Nizit’s voice held confusion now and he peered at Buzz intently, “Who are you if we’re going to play this game before you kill me?”

Buzz froze, she had no desire to kill this drone before her. Then Buzz felt a fresh surge from her borrowed sense, they certainly did. What’s come over me? “Grizz,” Buzzbot replied flatly as Nizit continued to stare at her.

“Shame you were born into a losing hive, you could have gone far under Lady Ichor,” Nizit grinned, “you still can you know cousin.”

The understanding struck Buzz like a welding mallet, this Lady Ichor was kin to Queen Chrysalis! Nizit had called Buzz cousin, that meant that Lady Ichor was.... Suddenly the scent in the old hive made far more sense, it must have been Lady Ichor, Chrysalis' sister who..... Buzz’s train of thought derailed as she heard an unpleasant sound at her hooves.

Scrund was cackling, his horn aglow as he drained the essence out of the stunned drone on the floor. His one good eye glinting with delight, Scrund grinned with excitement, “Grizz strong, Grizz bring food for Scrund!”

A movement in the corner of Buzz’s vision caused her to snap her head back up. She was just in time to see Nizit diving back through the ruined door flap before scuttling up and out of sight. Buzz felt her stomach twist and her legs tremble as Scrund, with every sign of enjoyment, sapped the life out of the unconscious drone on the floor.

Even as she watched the cracks and broken elements of Scrund’s carapace began to heal, the damage reverting back until it was shiny and whole again. Buzz wanted to tear her eyes away, but found she couldn't. Scrund drew the final vestiges of life out of the drone, the flesh evaporating into dust before leaving an empty shell. With an almost contemptuous kick Scrund sent the empty head pin-wheeling away and straightened. Buzz couldn't help but notice how he held himself a little taller than before.

The moment was so sudden and terrifying that Buzz could only stare open mouthed as Scrund (with surprising care) removed the colony of grasses and insects that had been his shelter before grinning at her, “Well that’s much better, I haven’t had a good feed in such a long time.”

Scrund’s voice was different, deeper and more controlled. He held himself with more poise than before. Gone was the shuffling and jabbering wreck that Buzz had come to know, replaced with an almost charismatic demeanour. The change wasn’t total however, Scrund still bore one milky white eye and now that Buzz could see him clearly she saw he had only ragged stumps where his wings would have been.

Scrund breathed deeply before smiling confidently, “Thank you Grizz, without your help I would still be that miserable little creature.” He tilted his head towards the still whimpering drone on the floor who watched wild eyed, “Go on, you have more than earned your own share.”

Buzz trembled and felt the bile rising in her throat. So many warring emotions and notions were clawing at her mind, “I...I”

Scrund smiled indulgently, “Oh come now don’t be modest, that was some impressive fighting but you will need to keep up your own strength if we’re to rescue our Queen.”

The thoughts wrestling with each other finally came to a head in Buzz’s overtaxed mind. She tried her best to understand the information so at odds with her feelings. Buzz simply couldn't reconcile them with what she’d just seen. Timid, simple Scrund had just sucked another changeling dry. Now this new creature had emerged from.... In the end her mind chose the safest option and Buzz felt her systems begin to shut down.

With a tiny ‘urghurh’ she slumped to the floor of the cave, a suddenly concerned Scrund diving forward to catch her.

Static, that was the first thing to greet Buzz as she powered up. Her mind went through a series of checks, sifting through the events that led to her total system crash like a pony checking their shopping list. She struggled to recall what had led to her system crash, but only found unpleasant garbled images best left alone.

There were several gaps in her memory; nothing vital as far as she could tell, but frustrating by their absence. First level checks complete Buzz reviewed her body: Everything was intact and seemed to be in working order. Her disguise was still intact. Feeling more confident Buzz slowly opened her eyes and gazed into the hollow slits of an empty changeling’s head.

She reared back and let out a hiss before she felt another’s hooves steadying her. Looking around Buzz saw Scrund smiling weakly at her, his hooves steadying her head and neck, “Ah you’re awake I was starting to....”

Buzz flailed in panic as confused data came up in flashes. Images of Scrund that didn't fit. She pulled away from him and pressed herself against the dank surface of the cave: They were still in Scrund’s lair Buzz realised, the dank smells and cold light confirming her initial assessment. At least something was as it should be.

Buzz allowed her panicked gaze to finally focus on Scrund and forced down the wash of conflicting feelings that welled up from her still ‘tender’ core. She didn't feel reassured as Scrund smiled weakly, his hooves held out in confusion, “Grizz it’s alright, we’re safe for now.”

Buzz felt her heart hammering like a piston before she shook herself mentally, you don’t have a heart: You have a crystal power core and were built not born, focus Buzz focus! The fleeting image of Scrund sucking the very life out of that other drone returned to haunt her and she felt far from safe.

“Okay, okay just get your bearings Grizz,” Scrund spoke in a reassuring tone his confident smile utterly at odds with the poor lost drone Buzz knew. I thought I knew. Scrund pressed on, “I admit you had me worried there, I thought you’d been somehow hurt in the fight,” Scrund’s easy going manner only vexed Buzz further.

Buzz took time to glance around the chamber, seeing the hollow remains of Scrund’s last ‘meal’ scattered about the chamber. As she listened Buzz caught the sounds of angered hissing from under a mound of roots. Scrund followed her gaze and grinned wickedly, “Don’t worry he’s not going anywhere. Good idea about not killing him, we may need to question that traitor.”

Buzz felt her stomach lurch, her pretend stomach lurch as she recalled Scrund’s eager urgings to feast. Steeling herself Buzz replied slowly, “Yeah that was the plan, of course it was.”

Scrund’s smile fell, “You didn’t hit your head did you? It almost sounds like you spared him out of...” His face grew suspicious and Buzz felt her tiny spark of worry blossom into a hot fire of fear.

“Of course not, we need to find Queen Chrysalis and...” Buzz saw Scrund’s face darken.

“And where have you been if not with our Queen? My mind may have been a bit hazy before, but it’s clear now Grizz and I recall your assurances that you’d take me back home,” Scrund’s words cut Buzz to the core, she had said that and now it was coming back to bite her.

For once in her life Buzz felt her talent for lying suddenly dry up. She could only stare at Scrund with bemused eyes, her mouth hanging open and mind blank. Scrund ‘humphed’ and glared at the bound captive on the ground.

“Well you’re not with them, it seems too far fetched that you’d put together a scheme of such cunning to double bluff me,” Scrund worked his jaw back and forth, “You’re of our hive: I smell it on you, but you evidently don’t know what happened to mother.” He fixed Buzz with a penetrating stare, “Start talking Grizz, I’m grateful for your help but there are just too many unanswered questions for me to trust you again.”

Buzz blinked and summoned up her cover story, “My own colony was sacked a few weeks back, we’d fled after the hive fell and tried to....”

Scrund looked angrily at ‘Grizz’, “You mean you fled?! When our Queen needed us most you turned tail and ran? What kind of loyalty is that?”

Buzz was startled by the venom in his voice, but more so by such a sentiment coming from a changeling. It flew in the face of everything she’d been taught about them and Buzz looked on Scrund with new eyes, “What...”

Scrund seemed not to hear Buzz, “What else should you have done? You should have stood and fought, you should have stood by mother. I should have known....”

To Buzzbot’s mounting confusion Scrund’s eyes welled up with tears. The fire seemed to go out of him and Buzz could only watch in horror as Scrund turned and kicked their prisoner with all his might. She winced as a cracking sound mingled with another pained screech from the bound drone.

Scrund took a few deep breaths and without turning to look at Buzz spoke slowly, “I’m sorry Grizz, what else could you have done? Mother was taken by Lady Ichor, the hive was lost. The enemy were already within the walls, there was nothing to do but flee.” The anguish in Scrund’s voice momentarily pushed aside Buzz’s fear and she held a hoof out to him in comfort.

He glanced at the proffered limb and simply shook his head, “You’re right Grizz, now is not the time for placing blame. We need a plan, we need to find where they took mother and then we get her back!”

Buzz winced internally. Scrund may have been healed in body, but he still bore scars of the heart. It made him more, well ‘pony’ and less of a monster in her eyes and there was a tiny flare of something in her core. It was new and Buzz couldn’t place it.

Scrund let himself sink down and motioned with a hoof for Buzz to continue, “Sorry Grizz, you were telling me how you came to be here.”

Buzz pushed aside the strange new emotion and focused on the task at hoof, “Well a few months ago an Equestrian force drove those few of us left in our little colony away. I had nowhere else to go. Coming back to see if anyone else had escaped seemed the best idea.”

Buzz watched as Scrund’s face grew hard at the mention of Equestria and he hissed with scorn, “Yeah those ponies. Not content with starving us they come to drive us from our homes, kick us while we’re down.” A sudden thought seemed to spring to Scrund’s mind, “How long has it been since the hive fell Grizz? I wasn’t able to keep track of time before, well you know what state I was in.”

“It’s been about two years since the attack from Equestria on the hive so,” Buzz left the answer hanging in the air and thankfully Scrund filled in the gaps.

“A year! A year of wandering around as a drooling fool!” Scrund thumped the ground, “Curse Equestria, curse Lady Ichor and curse my....” He trembled and Buzz along with him, it sounded so strange to hear the name of her home being spoken of with such hatred.

Scrund panted as the bout of anger subsided, “This moping isn’t getting us anywhere. The one who got away, he’s bound to let others know. We can’t stay here.”

It pulled at Buzz’s heartstrings to see Scrund struggle. He was clearly wrestling with some pain, something more than just the loss of his home and she wanted to lay a comforting hoof on his shoulder.

Without fully understanding why Buzz forgot her fears and hugged Scrund, it was a simple show of support and kindness. Scrund was no longer the ‘drooling fool’ as he put it. His mind had returned to him and it didn’t like what it found.

She felt him shaking, the trembles of sorrow and pain finding voice in the action and all Buzz could do was hold him. She couldn’t tell him it would all be okay, because Buzz didn’t honestly know herself. Her own role in events made it unclear if she was a friend or foe.

Here she was hugging a distressed changeling, not out of some duty or need to maintain her cover but because her heart went out to the poor creature. The realisation shocked Buzz to the core but before she could ponder these feelings further Scrund pushed away, his one good eye studying her intently.

"Why did you hug me? That's a very pony thing to do..." Scrund shook his head dismissively, “You’re a strange one Grizz, but honestly you’re all I have at the moment.” Buzz could see Scrund covering the pain. She'd done it enough times to know when a pony was 'looking tough'. It seemed even changelings shared that trait.

Buzz felt a little reassured to think there was some common ground there and smiled with relief, “Thank you , I think.”

He eyed Buzz again and looked like he was going say something more before shaking his head, “Okay, here’s the plan we’re going to deal with this traitor and then we can do our best to pick up mother’s scent.” Scrund kicked their captive for good measure and Buzz struggled not to wince.

A disturbing look came into Scrund’s one good eye, all hunger and malice, “You go and keep watch Grizz. I have some questions to ask this one.”

Buzz paused, unsure what to do. She didn’t want to think about what Scrund was clearly planning to do (or even worse let him do it) but how could she act otherwise and keep her cover? The answer came as the injured drone moaned pitifully and Buzz knew what she had to do.

It would be quick, Buzz would make it quick and painless as possible, “I’ll talk with him Scrund you keep watch.”

Scrund didn’t move, “Oh no Grizz you may be family, but I still don’t trust you enough for that.” He smiled, his fangs glinting in the pale light of the fungi, “Plus I don’t want to miss this.”

Buzz’s heart sank. What do I do? With nothing else for it she slowly edged forwards to the bound drone on the floor who watched her with wide eyed fear. Why couldn’t he look at me with hate? Or anger? That would make this easier?

She closed the gap and lent down, keenly aware that Scrund was watching her the whole time. Buzz placed her horn on his forehead and felt the unbidden urge from her disguise. It knew what to do even if Buzz didn’t and she clenched her teeth as the desires flowed over her. Fighting its pull, Buzz whispered in the downed drone’s ear, “I’m sorry, I really don’t want to do this.”

It seemed for a moment that the whole world consisted of those fear filled blue eyes. Buzz could make out every facet of their insect like structure and thought she caught the traces of confusion there in. He doesn’t understand why I’m trying to be kind.

The moment drew out and Buzz feared she simply couldn’t allow herself to do this before with a snarling hiss the drone snapped at her, all pretence of fear gone. Buzz only just missed having an eye gouged out by flashing fangs and with a final “Sorry” let the ‘hunger’ free reign.

The magic flowed from Buzz’s horn and she felt her own essence connect with the drone on the ground. She could ‘see’ all his emotions, so like a pony’s yet twisted and distorted. Values like love and kindness bent out of shape to be replaced with an almost bottomless craving to steal such emotions from others.

He was so alien to her, a mind so at odds with Buzz’s own, the differences far outweighing the few common similarities found there. She felt his ‘soul’ resist the magic she was channeling, as with almost wicked claws the spell began to draw his vital strength from him.

Buzz was hit by the rewarding bliss so strong it almost staggered her. It was like a hole in her heart she’d never known was given a banquet after a lifetime of starvation. It set her every sense on fire with delight as power and strength flowed into Buzz, no not into her but through her.

Her assumed identity was revelling in the act, lapping up the stolen vitality. But quick as it sucked life the substance simply poured out again like water through a sieve. Buzz wasn’t made to be a changeling no matter how much her disguise tried to convince her otherwise. The drained essence of the drone passed into her only to drain right out again before dissipating into the air and vanishing.

In that moment Buzz felt an overwhelming relief, she wasn’t a changeling. Buzz was what her ‘parents’ had made her to be. The assumed identity was simply that, a disguise. A huge weight lifted from Buzzbot’s heart as her true self won out and she was able to complete the spell with detachment, doing what was needed and taking no joy in the act.

Finally the ordeal was over, the tingling fire running through her dimmed and Buzz studied the now empty husk at her hooves. She’d spared the drone a terrible beating and removed the pain from his injuries. She had to tell herself that over and over again, the moment of understanding drawing out painfully, I just killed him.

Her 'acting' wasn’t over though. Buzz forced herself to tremble as if with pleasure before grinning at Scrund (who to Buzzbot’s relief) returned it in kind, all trace of suspicion gone. Still aching from what she’d just done Buzz ensured to display the picture of satisfaction. Her lips curled upwards in a wicked grin, “Okay Scrund, let’s go get our queen back.”

Chapter Nine

“So let me see if I have understood you correctly,” Luna tapped her fore hooves together as she studied Quiz with intense eyes.

Quiz stared about the room, focusing on the complex astral devices and star charts: Anything to avoid Luna’s searching eyes. The ever-present tremble was back and Quiz knew Zip would be so angry with her for having talked, but what else could she have done?

Luna’s study was a collection of mysterious objects and curiosities. There were glowing crystal formations, odd charts with even stranger symbols adorning them. All this was shrouded in a comforting gloom. The sun’s rays held no sway here; this was Luna’s own space.

Quiz heard the steady ‘tap-tap-tap’ of Luna’s hooves and felt a shudder flow through her with each quiet sound. Luna hadn’t shouted, she hadn’t raged but simply enquired in a soft voice as to how Twilight had come to be in Celestia’s study.

Finally Luna spoke again, “Discord has been meddling again. He’s filled Twilight’s head with ideas of some sort of ‘great secret’ about the nature of the world. How many of the races we see today are results of a huge falling out between, for want of a better word, Demi-Gods?”

Luna’s eyes blazed, “You stood by while Twilight, in such a state, came to Celestia and disturbed the peace we have sought to nurture? Do you know what you have allowed to happen?”

Quiz looked into Luna’s impassive face; she didn’t want to but a will stronger than her own compelled her to do so. Like Celestia, Luna was so intense. She was larger than your normal pony it was true, but that didn’t account for the huge presence surrounding the alicorns. They held a mythical aura about them, of powers far greater than what was seen being held carefully in check.

To simply be in the same room as either of the Royal Pony Sisters pressed their nature into your soul. Quiz was used to Twilight, but Celestia and Luna were of an order of magnitude again. She felt like a tiny speck of dust being overshadowed by a looming tempest.

Quiz braced herself for the inevitable destruction her response would earn and in a tiny squeak she forced the reluctant words out, “Yes..”

Luna was very still for a moment, her mere presence shaking Quiz to her core. Here it comes, I did my best, Quiz screwed her eyes tightly shut and let the end come.

It took a few moments of ‘non-obliteration’ before Quiz’s curiosity overcame her fear. She forced one protesting eye open and to Quiz’s amazement saw that Luna was grinning. Dreading some new trick Quiz snapped her eye shut again tilted her head away.

When utter annihilation failed to occur again Quiz peeked and saw Luna smiling widely, all trace of her stern demeanor gone. The Princess’ lip trembled and to Quiz’s mounting bemusement Luna began to laugh.

It was a soft chuckle, but grew in strength until Luna was shaking with mirth. Quiz could only stare as the ‘Regent of the Moon’, ‘Royal Alicorn’ and ‘Co-ruler of Equestria’ laughed like a giddy filly. Tears began to trickle down Luna’s cheeks and the laughter continued to flow unhindered.

Quiz felt a fresh surge of terror, this unexpected response more frightening than any wrath she’d imagined.

Luna wiped her streaming eyes before holding up a conciliatory hoof, “I’m sorry little one, and I just couldn’t resist the opportunity.” A huge smile spread across Luna’s muzzle and Quiz felt her grip on events slipping away.

“You’re not angry?” Quiz was so astonished she forgot to shake in fear.

Luna tilted her head and grinned at Quiz, “At you little one? Of course not. Discord well his actions are to be expected even after all these years. I will give him a stern talking to, have no fear of that but you? Of course not little one.”

Quiz felt her own face crease up in confusion, “Then what’s so funny? I don’t understand.”

A mischievous glint sparkled in Luna’s eyes, “Well I must admit I had a little fun with you Quiz. Twilight doesn’t give me many opportunities these days to interact with one of her creations, she’s busy, we’re busy and so I wanted to ‘test’ you out.” Quiz actually felt the first inklings of annoyance at this statement.

Luna simply smiled wider, “I must say that Twilight is making huge progress on the emotional programming for your kind. Buzzbot was a fluke, an unexpected step into mechanical sentience, courtesy of Discord I might add.” Luna’s eyes became full of wonder, “But you sprites, that’s real progress. ‘Intended independence’ was the goal and look how well you’ve turned out.”

Quiz was dumbfounded, Luna was almost saying that Quiz and her kind were always intended to be more than just ‘useful assistants’. That wasn’t what Twilight had always told her. Did Twilight even know this?

Luna beckoned for Quiz to come closer, “Now let’s have a proper look at you little one.”

Quiz felt a calm assurance as she drifted forwards, and gently perched on Luna’s upheld hoof. She felt the scrutiny of those intense eyes as if they looked into her: Beyond the metal exterior and into the core of Quiz’s being.

“Yes very good, very good. Twilight still manages to amaze us at every turn,” Luna’s tone had shifted to one of analysis, as if talking about some interesting specimen.

Quiz felt an unusual flash of confidence, “So why did Twilight make us then?”

Luna smiled indulgently, “All in good time little one.”

“That’s not an answer!” Quiz called out before covering her mouth with a hoof, shocked at her own boldness, “I’m sorry, I spoke out of....”

Luna Laughed again, a genuine humour that made her look more beautiful and other-worldly than ever, “And there is that burning curiosity, mixed in with a little feistyness.” Despite herself Quiz pouted and Luna only laughed all the harder.

The feeling of being some sort of test subject didn’t sit well with Quiz and she frowned, “I don’t....”

Luna gently tapped Quiz on her head before moving to rub her on the chin with affection, “Do not fear Quiz; all will be made known at the right time. Trust Twilight and trust me, okay?”

At the mention of Twilight Quiz’s mind was drawn back to the terrible sights and sounds of wrath she’d witnessed, “Is Twilight going to be alright? Celestia seemed pretty mad about this whole thing.”

The cheerfulness faded on Luna’s face and she looked at a beautifully wrought sun symbol hanging on a stand upon the desk, “Ah yes...that.” She shook her head and gave a resigned sigh, “Discord does have his uses, though often he ‘helps’ in his own way.” Luna rolled her eyes, “It’s about time Celestia got over that whole sorry event and let somepony sort it out.”

Quiz cocked an eyebrow, “You mean there is some truth to that story, the one Twilight read in the book?”

Luna blinked as if remembering that Quiz was still there, “What?” Luna smiled sadly, “I’m one for honesty Quiz (well apart from the odd practical joke but that doesn’t really count)” Luna smiled and Quiz smiled along with her, “Celestia tries so hard to shield Equestria from anything unpleasant, it’s always been in her nature.”

Quiz’s tiny ears pricked up, sensing she was hearing something few ponies ever got to. Luna saw her rapt attention and grinned again, “In the most part I agree with her, there are many things it’s best not for the mortal folk to know, but Twilight.....is a special case. Like Cadance she has become far more than a normal pony.”

Quiz didn’t understand and it must have shown on her face as Luna smiled indulgently upon her, “Don’t worry about that, the point I am trying to make is that I believe Twilight has earned the right to know a bit more about certain things, whereas Celestia wants her to remain in ignorance.” Quiz frowned before Luna continued on hastily, “For her own good of course, too much knowledge at once can be more damaging than none at all.”

Quiz quietly admitted that Luna had a point there, most of this was going over her head despite a burning need to know more. She watched as Luna’s eyes grew distant again, “I tried for years to convince Celestia to tell Twilight more, but every time I was dissuaded: Trusting that Celestia knew better, my own conduct having been found in question.”

Luna gave a sigh and a little shake of her head, “But now Discord has forced the issue and we will have to see how things turn out.”

Quiz felt a suspicion growing in her and pressed for a straight answer, “So the story in that book is true?”

Luna smiled indulgently, “That’s enough for today little one.”

Quiz waited patiently for the now charred doors to open, its decorations having run like melting wax. It made the once proud ponies adorning the surface appearing as doughy blobs and Quiz shuddered to think what had become of the chamber beyond.

The guards had also returned and Quiz watched them eye each other warily. Don’t envy you guys. The scorch marks making it appear some sort of bomb had gone off in Celestia’s study, tracing a blackened firework outwards which mixed with the dollops of gold.

New ideas and fleeting concepts had begun to sprout in Quiz’s mind. They were intended to be more that just helpful ‘assistants’. The notion had never occurred to her before and it filled Quiz with an eager hopefulness. We can be more than we are.

The doors squealed open and Quiz was drawn from her musings as Twilight, unhurt and smiling emerged from the study. Further in, an impassive Celestia sat behind a warped desk looking out of the soot-stained windows, cooling puddles of various sizes setting on the blackened wood. Celestia had a distant look about her, staring through the murky glass at the glimpses of daylight beyond with a thoughtful expression tinged with hints of sadness.

“Hey Quiz, thanks for waiting,” Twilight’s cheerful tones at complete odds with the fire blackened surroundings, “I hope you weren’t too worried, Celestia and I needed to talk and things got a little heated.”

Quiz forced a smile, “It’s alright your Highness.”

Twilight paused, looking at Quiz with interest, “You’re remarkably calm Quiz, even the guards fled and yet here you are, as calm as a spring morning.”

For the first time since Twilight emerged Quiz felt the nerves twanging, “I um had some quiet time while I waited and feel much better for it.”

Twilight smiled, “That’s great Quiz I have to admit I had my doubts when Zip suggested I bring you along instead of him. But it’s done you good.”

Quiz nodded and settled just above Twilight’s shoulder, hovering with steady beats of her wings. A sudden impulse made Quiz look around and she saw Luna nodding with approval from further down the corridor, a conspiratorial grin on her muzzle.

“Yeah I think things are going to get better Princess,” Quiz added, keeping station with Twilight along the corridor.

They moved in silence for a while before Quiz broke the stillness, “So it went well then? The meeting with Celestia I mean?”

Twilight didn’t answer right away but kept staring straight ahead, her eyes focused on their destination. Quiz was just starting to think Twilight hadn’t heard her when the response came, “Yes Quiz, I think it did. There were some angry words spoken, but we have things all cleared up now.”

Quiz wrung her hooves, the real question she wanted to ask on the tip of her tongue, “Twilight, can I ask you something?”

Twilight smiled at her, “Of course Quiz, what is it?”

Quiz’s newfound courage faltered, “I...why did you make Buzzbot?”

She was met by a disbelieving grin from Twilight, “Surely you know that Quiz?”

Quiz scrunched up her muzzle, Just ask her what you really want to know you silly foal “I know it was something to do with time travel and helping out Tinker Track,” Quiz said quietly. You coward, just ask her.

Twilight’s eyebrow raised and Quiz pressed on hurriedly, “I mean...I know what you said...that, I just don’t understand why you made us machines at all?” You’re skipping around the subject Quiz, just do it: Twilight why did you make us? The real reason, Luna knows more than you’re telling us.

Twilight chuckled, “That’s complicated Quiz, I made you to keep Buzz company. I can understand you feeling a little lost with her trotting about the Badlands right now and you stuck here.” Go on, just ask her!

The soldiers ahead pulled open the doors for Twilight and bowed as she passed, “As for Buzzbot well.” She nodded in thanks to the guards who saluted in return, “Have you heard of time loops?”

Quiz shook her head and Twilight chuckled, “That doesn’t surprise me, well I met Buzz in the past and so needed to make her in the future so that she’d be there in the past to meet me.” Quiz felt her head ache, “That wasn’t the only reason, but I guess you could say it’s the triggering factor.”

Oh Quiz come on, remember what Luna told you. She screwed up her face and went for it, “Luna says we’re made to be ‘independent Intelligences’, she wouldn’t tell me what that meant or why and I want to know why you didn’t tell us!”

Twilight froze and blinked in astonishment as Quiz curled up, the sounds of her shout fading to be replaced by an uncomfortable silence and she hid her face. Peeking out from behind her hooves Quiz saw Twilight’s face awash with different emotions, mostly surprise mixed with astonishment before finally settling on confusion, “Independent Intelligences?” Quiz nodded, still hiding her face from Twilight.

“That’s what she said,” Quiz whispered before flinching as Twilight brought a hoof up under her.

“Oh Quiz,” Twilight’s voice was conciliatory, “Has this been bothering you for a while?” Quiz let her little hooves settle on Twilight’s outstretched hoof and nodded weakly. “Firstly the Royal Pony sisters know a lot more than they ever let on okay, trust me I know what I’m talking about.”

Twilight glanced meaningfully back the way they’d come before smiling at Quiz again, “Buzz was an unexpected success: Discord threw his magic into the mix (I still don’t know why to this day) and Buzzbot gained true life: A living soul in a robot body.

“Typical of Discord, he never does the same trick twice and we have never been able to fully replicate that event,” Twilight explained and Quiz felt more confused than ever. “I don’t think even Discord truly knows what he did that time and one of the first things Buzz asked of Tinker and I, like you, is where did she come from.”

Twilight’s face fell somewhat, “To have to tell a daughter, especially a machine one that you can’t answer a simple question like that is heart breaking Quiz.” Twilight’s eyes took on a determined glint, “Buzz was so sad when we told her she was one of a kind, unique and alone in the world that I just had to do something.”

Quiz wasn’t sure she liked where this conversation was going as Twilight gently patted her on the head, “So I began the sprite project. Starting as simple as I could to find the key to Buzz’s situation.”

“So we’re just tests or experiments?” Quiz asked, her tiny heart feeling like it was going to crack.

Twilight shook her head vigorously, stepping aside to allow further place traffic to come past. Quiz looked to see a number of patiently waiting staff had gathered behind the stopped pair.

Twilight smiled and waved as they shuffled past before turning back to Quiz, “Of course not Quiz. I made sure that any creation that held even a spark of intelligence was treated with kindness and respect. What we discovered was that emotions, true feelings, can’t be created. They develop over time as the magic of this world settles upon any being with thoughts of their own.

Twilight’s eyes became distant, “When I first created Buzz she was cold, mechanical and without feeling: A robot in every sense of the word. It was only when she got out and about among others that she really came to life with Discord’s magic as catalyst.”

She snapped back to the here and now, “I know it’s hard to understand Quiz, but we made Buzz based on plans and studies I made of her back in the past. A self fulfilling time loop that kicked off this whole ‘magical technology’ thing in the first place.”

Twilight’s eyes shone with the glow of the fanatic, “Where as you and the other sprites, you were my first attempts at an original design for ‘Independent Intelligence.’ To see if the theory of developing emotions would hold true.”

Quiz shuffled. It sounded better than she’d first thought, but still a long way from being ‘right.’ Quiz struggled to hold the information Twilight was trying to give her, being far more complicated than she was used to. She glanced up at Twilight, seeing her eager face and shining eyes. Was this wrong or right? Was Twilight playing with fire here but most importantly where did it leave Quiz and the other sprites?

Twilight was lost to the ‘lecture’ now and paid Quiz’s discomfort no mind, “That’s why we made a group. A collection of minds to interact and grow together, like a real society only in miniature. To make the test fair we had to let you develop by yourselves, so I couldn’t tell you the true intent behind the project.....”

Twilight’s eyes lost their enthusiasm and she frowned thoughtfully, “But now you know the test is....”

Quiz felt the fear well up again, “You’re not going to shut us down are you?” She couldn’t keep the tremble out of her voice and Twilight’s eyes went wide with horror.

“What? Of course not! How could you even think such a thing of me?” Twilight’s voice caused several guards to glance their way and she smiled sheepishly before waving away their attention. She rubbed her cheek against Quiz and smiled happily, “You’ve all grown far faster than I could have ever predicted. The fact that you’re asking me these very questions proves that you’re a success. That you’re scared about your future and what we think is simply amazing.”

Twilight’s smile grew so wide that Quiz feared the top of her head would fall off. Quiz scrunched up her muzzle, “So it’s good I’m scared all the time?”

Twilight beamed, “Yes! I mean no, it’s more complicated than that.”

The confusion only rose in Quiz, “How can it be both Twilight?”

“Because we all have trials to overcome, that’s part of being alive and you sprites are just setting out on that journey,” A confident voice caused Quiz to look up in shock. Wow Luna can move quietly when she wants to.

Even as Quiz stared in wonder Twilight blushed, “Oh hello Luna, I guess you heard about Celestia and I?”

Luna grinned and hints of mischief played around her eyes again, “How could I miss it? I felt the flare of power from the castle’s grounds.”

Twilight’s cheeks glowed all the brighter, “Well yes we did have a bit of tense discussion about history and the origins of species. Your sister did get a tiny bit cross.”

Quiz blinked, What did that have to do with anything and why would Celestia get so upset about such?

Luna was beaming at the pair with pride, “Celestia thinks that the ‘hooves off approach’ is the way to go, but find that gentle nudges do the best trick. Well done both of you.” Luna tilted her head to Quiz who smiled weakly.

Twilight’s eyes narrowed suspiciously, “On that point Luna, I think you told Quiz all that stuff on purpose didn’t you! You wanted her to come and ask me about herself and the other sprites.”

Luna smiled knowingly, “I did indeed, wanting to see how far they had come in their development.” She winked at Quiz, “Like some mutual friend of ours put a book in your path Twilight so that you’d ask some questions yourself? Possibly to see if you would go as far as bringing your concerns to Celestia even though you knew she’d be unhappy to hear them?”

Quiz could only glance back and forth as the two princesses talked, Twilight’s face still glowing with a blush, “Point well made Luna. Though I doubt he had such benevolent intentions, He’s probably laughing himself sore right now.”

Luna nodded, “True, still I must congratulate you Twilight on finding the nerve to stand up to my sister. You did it in a far better way than I ever have.” The wicked grin appeared again, “Celestia really does need a good kick in the flank to make her help us with our current problem.”

Quiz felt events getting away from her; something bigger than simple words were being spoken here, Luna and Twilight seemed to be talking in code and she just couldn’t keep up. Luna tilted her head, “Come Twilight, we should talk of this somewhere more private.”

“Your study? Twilight asked only for Luna to shake her head.

“Tia is still a little worked up right now, probably best for us to put a little distance between us,” Luna replied.

Quiz it seemed had been forgotten as both princesses nodded in agreement, which was fine with her. All these double meanings and implied notions were starting to make Quiz’s head hurt. She was just about to drift off when Twilight smiled back at her, “Don’t worry Quiz, I’m not angry at you. Just stay out of trouble while we will talk, later okay?”

Quiz smiled happily and waved as both Luna and Twilight headed in the direction of the gardens. It was all so much to take in and Quiz wasn’t sure if she was happy about all that she’d learnt in the last few minutes.

Luna and Twilight were just disappearing around the corner when Quiz suddenly remembered why Zip had assigned her here in the first place. She was needed to keep an ear out for anything important and if what the two princesses were trotting off to talk about wasn’t important then Quiz was a timberwolf.

Zip would never forgive Quiz if she passed up this opportunity. Checking the guards were not paying her any particular attention she flitted nimbly down the passageway after the retreating rulers.

Chapter Ten.

Buzz watched as the tiny wasps circled twice before scattering and felt an odd sense of sadness. The hives had been carried out with surprising care and affection by Scrund, the resin covered colonies appearing subdued as they were placed on the ground.

“Thank you my little friends. “We kept each other alive and I thank you for that,” Scrund intoned in a sober voice. “Be free now and find your own way.”

Buzz was astonished as the magic binding the small insects faded, but rather than instantly fleeing the little creatures enveloped Scrund as if to say a final goodbye. Their message delivered, the swarm lifted into the air and Buzz almost fancied that she saw the tiny queens of each hive bow in respect.

Scrund finally looked at Buzz with a frown, “They can’t follow where we’re going and will surely die if they stay in this desolate place.”

The more time she spent around Scrund the greater evidence Buzz found that changelings were so much more than the stories made them out to be. She had another flash of respect for him just before the drone lowered his head and began to eat the abandoned hives.

She felt her face screw up in disgust but quickly hid it as Scrund proffered one of the sticky pods, “Best not let them waste.”

Buzz stared at the now vacant hive and found her evaluation of changelings swinging back again, they were revolting things. Still appearances needed to be maintained and so pressing her eyes shut she took a reluctant bite of the pod.

Buzz shivered and it had nothing to do with the dawn chill as the doughy mess was champed between her teeth. Mercifully she could shut down her taste and smell, but the texture.....

“Okay Grizz, here’s the plan, We pick up the scent of that scouting party and follow it back to their hive, then we get our Queen out,” Scrund asserted as he finished off the last of the pods.

Buzz simply nodded as she tried her best to work the last of the ‘meal’ from between her teeth. If Scrund showed any indication he’d noticed her discomfort he hid it well and like a tracking hound on the scent began to work his head back and forth sweeping the ground.

Removing enough of the cloying mass Buzz was finally able to speak, “And how do you plan to accomplish that Scrund? Surely there isn’t much just two of us can do?”

Scrund continued to snuffle around the dusty ground even as he responded, “We can sort that out when we get there, first priority is to locate our mother.”

Buzz had put on enough acts to see a fellow at work and she felt her heart go out to Scrund, he was running ahead of his own despair and keeping himself busy. The first hints of sunlight crested the surrounding mountains and Buzz relished the warmth and light. Scrund however was driven, riveted to his task.

He fixed Buzz with a resolute gaze, “Don’t just stand there Grizz, help me.”

She paused for only a moment not sure how to accede to his request, but quickly pressed her own snout to the ground and gave a theatrical snuffle. Internally Buzz switched to her arcane vision and the world became a wash of multi-coloured hues.

Scrund was your standard cloud of dirty purple/browns Buzz had come to associate with changelings. But as she watched him out of the corner of her eye Buzz noted that with his true-self restored Scrund projected an aura of refinement: A higher quality of essence as it were and her mind raced. He had a marked difference from any other drone or bewitched pony Buzz had studied.

She also saw what Scrund must have been searching for, a fading trail of magical spoor that lead off into the dusty wastes. Buzz keenly saw the fresh tracks of other creatures, her mind recalled the roars and monstrous noises of the predators of the Badlands.

“I think I have it Scrund,” Buzz motioned with a hoof and with an eagerness that made her smile he darted over.

After thoroughly exploring the area Scrund hissed in triumph, “Well done Grizz, you impress me more every minute.”

A tiny flash of pride shone in Buzz as Scrund began following the trail across the dusty ground, his eye glinting with excitement.

The sun was heading for its zenith when Scrund suddenly called their steady hunt to a halt. Buzz almost collided with him as Scrund stopped abruptly with a hiss of warning.

She glanced about and saw their trail had led them into a rocky pass. High mounds raised either side, dotted with boulders and outcrops of stone. It seemed utterly abandoned to Buzz, her magical sight not detecting any creature larger than a beetle concealed among the rough terrain.

“What is....” Buzz asked before Scrund dived aside and hauled her into the lea of a jagged rock.

“Above!” Was his only explanation and Buzz carefully peaked her head out to study the clear sky overhead. A dark silhouette hung there, its outline familiar....Spike.

“A dragon, just our luck. We can’t move in the open with the likes of it up there,” Scrund hissed, his fury at the delay radiating off him.

Buzz did her best to hide her joy, With Spike up there then there was a good chance another changeling hive couldn’t be far off. Even as she watched Spike dipped before performing a graceful dive. The massive hulk of dragon swept out of her view behind the rocks before a roar reverberated around the depression.

Scrund ground his teeth, “It’s a big one too. Dragon’s that size don’t normally come this far into the Badlands, curse our poor fortune.” Buzz wanted to tell him that Spike was a friend, her uncle and could even be a help. But that was of course out of the question.

Instead she focused her thoughts and signalled him, Spike, Spike can you hear me?

A tense moment greeted her communication before the sounds of rushing wind blew strongly inside her skull, “Buzz is that you? Speak Equestrian for Celestia’s sake you startled me.”

Buzz hissed realising she’d still been using Hive Cant, Sorry Spike, is that better?

Even as Buzz watched Spike arose again, his powerful wings beating slowly as he glanced about below him, “Yeah Buzz, that’s better. What’s the news?”

“What’s that overgrown lizard up to now?” Scrund mumbled but Buzz paid him no heed.

Can’t talk much now Spike: Scrund and I are tracking a changeling scout from another hive. One that ponynapped Queen Chrysalis it seems,” Buzz sent and she saw the distant Spike nodding in understanding.

“I spotted a lone drone and was trying to follow him myself, but the cunning bug’s good,” Buzz could hear the excitement in Spike’s voice and fancied she saw a predatory smile on his snout.

Scrund wasn’t idle and peered up at Spike with bemusement, “He’s just hanging there and seems to be nodding?”

Buzz strove to ignore her companion as she went on, Look Spike, can’t explain now, but I need you to make yourself scarce okay?

A fiery jet of green flame blossomed from Spike’s mouth and Buzz winced before muting the angry tirade of his annoyance. Cautiously she reopened the link and tried again, Please Spike, you'll make my life Tartarus if you don’t.

Another gout of smoke billowed out from Spike, “I almost had him too.”

Sorry uncle, but it’s really important. We can see you, and Scrund won’t move until you’re gone...wait no don’t look around for us! Buzz felt a hoof tug her into the deeper shadows of the rock.

“I don’t like this Grizz. That dragon’s acting very strange you don’t think it knows we’re here does it?”

Buzz finally gave Scrund a worried look, “Look I don’t think it knows we’re here. More likely it’s spotted Nizit.”

Scrund stared at Buzz as if she’d suggested he ware a ball gown, “A fair point but why Equestrian?”

Buzz cursed inwardly, she’d been so happy to see Spike that she was getting careless again and switched to Hive Cant quickly, “A habit when I’m nervous...I...I..”

Scrund waved a hoof as he peered up again, “Shhh, I think it’s leaving Grizz. I hope you’re only half right anyhow, if that thing is after our scout then we’d stand little hope of him leading us back to his hive.”

Peering out from under their protective stone, Buzz saw that Spike was soaring away. She felt her hammering heart slow as he headed off towards the distant mountains, Thanks uncle you’re the best.

The receding roar of Spike caused Buzz to grin, the idea that she’d convinced a being as powerful and strong as her uncle to leave appealed to her pride. Scrund’s grin mirrored her own as they began to track Nizit once more.

The trail led them further along the gully and down into a ravine . Buzz felt the hairs on her carapace begin to tingle, there was magic here. Scrund seemed to sense it too and his pace slackened.

Before the pair was a jagged path between two sheer walls of broken ruddy stone. The ravine floor was covered with detritus, broken trees, large boulders and skeletons of long dead creatures.

The wind howled over head like a distressed animal, but down here the air was still and quiet. An oppressive gloom hung about the depression, not darkness but a shadow over the soul and Buzz was certain they had found Nizit’s hive.

The walls of the ravine were dotted with small holes, cunningly concealed by native brush or overhanging rock. From the air this place would appear like any other depression in the vast wastes of the Badlands, but from the ground you could see more clearly the hidden nature of the hive.

Buzz could almost feel the weight of several pairs of eyes watching her as Scrund pulled back and hissed in frustration, “I was hoping to catch him before Nizit made it back to the hive.” Buzz studied Scrund’s angry face and had to agree.

She blinked her arcane sight on and peered out again, the scene ahead heavy with Lady Ichor’s spoor. The whole valley reeked of the matriarch and Buzz felt her assumed form trembling with unbidden anger again.

Ready for the flash of emotions Buzz clamped down on it and tried to keep a clear head. If they were going to get in without being seen she’d need to use her wits. Scrund was muttering to himself and Buzz looked about to see he was frantically drawing scrawls in the ground.

Coming closer she saw they were rough layouts of the ravine before them, estimating enemy numbers and probable routes of attack. Buzz was no strategist, but even she could see the odds of a positive outcome were almost nonexistent.

The second they came close the drones on watch would smell their scent and..... Buzz shook her head. She was thinking like a changeling but she wasn’t a changeling, not truly. The vague idea of a plan began to form in her mind and she couldn’t help but grin at her companion.

“Scrund I have an idea that might get us in, but I doubt you will like it,” Buzz said as he rubbed out another doomed plan with a hiss of anger.

“At this point Grizz I’m willing to try almost anything, lay it on me,” He straightened just in time for Buzz’s horn begin to glow and a beam of magic struck him squarely between the eyes.

Buzz trotted up to the nearest entrance hole and tried to ignore the conflicting drives in her core. Buzz had thought like the machine she was and realised that she now had a sample of Lady Ichor’s scent, a template to copy and with that the infiltration pony-bot altered her ‘own’ makeup as only she could.

The first result, instead of the comforting assurance that Scrund’s smell had given her, she now found him repulsive. He smelt like the enemy and Buzz found all her senses screaming at her to hate him. That had made it far easier to cast a stunning spell on Buzzbot’s ‘friend’, knocking the drone out cold and dragging his (surprisingly heavy) body behind her.

As she neared the darkened circle on the rock face a pair of blue eyes watched her coldly, “Halt and be recognised.” The hissing sneer caused Buzz to pause as instructed. Don’t show any fear. You’re among friends here and are returning home with spoils, feel proud and confident.

Two heavy set drones clambered out of the tunnel’s mouth, reminding Buzz far too keenly of spiders emerging from a plughole and forced an air of assurance into her aura. They approached and studied Buzz with intent stares.

“What happened to your wings?” It was a question Buzz had not been expecting but the cover story slipped into place instantly.

“Had a run in with a desert monster, my two fellow scouts didn’t fare as well,” She matched the larger drone’s stare with one of her own and he grunted before turning away.

“And you found just this one in return?” The second asked flatly.

Buzz kept her face impassive as the pair examined Scrund’s unconscious form lying sprawled on the ground. Silently praying that she’d read the situation correctly Buzz finally replied, “The way I see it, two less mouths to feed and more food to go around.”

The two drones glanced at each other in a meaningful way, “An injured drone isn’t much use either.”

Buzz shivered inside even as she forced an angry hiss from her lips, “If you think I’m just kitchen fodder then try me, that’s what the monster thought too.” Buzz stamped a hoof and bared her fangs in challenge.

The tense moment drew out before the first drone chuckled, “We can leave that up to others to decide,” Buzz felt a flash of relief flood her heart as the second drone waved her on, “You know the drill, all prisoners to be taken straight to processing.”

Buzz kept her fangs showing as she dragged the forlorn body of Scrund into the ‘welcoming’ darkness. The smells and atmosphere of the tunnel was almost overpowering and Buzz felt her insides rebel at the intensity. She had to fight with every ounce of her will not to let her guard down: She wasn’t home despite all her borrowed senses told her, she was in the middle of the enemy stronghold.

The empty hive had been bad enough, but this place was far worse. A constant stream of pheromone commands lay heavily in the air, sending compelling drives through Buzz and she could feel her own independent decisions being smothered by it.

Minutes passed by where she was swept up in the crush of fellow drones, their eyes fixed dead ahead as if machines themselves. There was order here, a frightful feeling of suppression and direction that led the inhabitants forward with an iron lash in the mind.

Buzz could feel its pull on her until she didn’t know who was making the choices. She plodded, one among thousands, down one passageway to the next ever onwards and dragging the fitful Scrund behind her.

She passed chambers and cramped rooms filled with strange glows that set her teeth on edge until finally Buzz came to a foul smelling doorway. Buzz could feel her stomach convulse as she saw a pile of discarded shells within and realised with dismay that this was ‘processing.’

Several eager looking drones noted her approach and she had to fight the urge to tremble as they circled both her and Scrund. “So how many for the food bank?” The raspy call made Buzz shudder inside.

“Just one, he put up a fair fight so you should get some good eating off him,” Buzz replied and felt her heart ache as the changelings surrounding her cackled wickedly.

“Just one huh? I see two hurt drones here, efficacy states that we should find better uses for an injured drone than....” Buzz’s hoof flew out and connected with the speaker as the anger bubbled over. His fellows leaned back in surprise as she glared at the fallen changeling, his carapace cracked where the blow had landed.

“Now I count three injured, should I make it more?” It felt good to vent the conflicting impulses in Buzzbot’s system and she couldn’t help but smile darkly as the remaining drones backed away in fear.

“No? Good,” Buzz hauled Scrund past the clicking guards and released the breath she’d been holding.

The chamber beyond was like a larder from a mad pony’s nightmares: Hundreds of glowing green pods covered the walls, secured with copious amounts of green resin and slime. She could see those interred within twitching fitfully and with a shiver realised they weren’t all changelings either.

Ponies, were dotted here and there among the mass of battered looking captives. They looked almost peaceful in their capsules with only the slightly wasted aspect to their frames showing they were slowly being drained of everything vital and good in them.

More drones tended the obscene ‘garden’, crawling over the nestled pods like ants over a picnic hamper. Prodding and resealing any faults with expulsions from their thorax and Buzz fought not to gag.

“Just leave it over there,” A drone, waved a hoof casually as he saw Buzz’s captive. She smelt the pheromones drifting from the changeling that addressed her and recognised someone in authority when she saw them.

Keeping an eye on the ‘Overseer’, Buzz dragged Scrund up to a sealed alcove. Inside she could see the sorry inmates staring at the floor with vacant eyes. A drone ahead of her cast some sort of spell on his captive (A unicorn stallion) and pushed the latest of them into the slimy covering across the holding cell.

Buzz gritted her teeth as the new inmate passed through the green barrier with a sucking sound before he drunkenly took his place among the others. The distant eyes of the stallion looking right through Buzz as if she wasn’t there.

Buzz stepped forward and watched this process repeated again and again, ponies and battered changelings being fed into a massive ‘engine’ that fueled the hive. At the far end of the chamber she saw vats of nutrient gruel being stored in further pods and the discarded bodies of the dead heaped unceremoniously in a corner.

It was a sight to test the sanity of any pony which looked upon it and Buzz felt the hatred welling in her core. This was going to stop, one way or another. She felt Scrund stir and looking down he glared at Buzz with his one good eye.

Buzz leant down quickly and pressed her glowing horn against Scrund’s forehead. Imparting knowledge was a simple act for a machine and she’d had plenty of practice with data banks back home. A mind was only slightly different. Look Scrund, I’m sorry but it seemed the best way to get us in here. I’ll pretend to put a charm on you before I stick you in.

Scrund didn’t seem to recognise Buzz and simply snapped at her in anger, teeth missing by inches. She felt her heart crack a little, but didn’t blame him for the act, Listen Scrund it’s Grizz, I’ll be back to get you out as soon as I can okay?

His eye went wide with confusion, “But you smell like....”

His words were cut off as Buzz hefted him up against the barrier which like the others drew Scrund into the chamber beyond. She had a brief sight of his eye staring wildly at her before Scrund vanished with a slurp and was lost among the other inmates. Buzz fervently hoped he’d know to play along.

Her task done, Buzz had no official reason to remain within the nutrient halls. But she had some unofficial business to see to first. Shaking herself down Buzz made a beeline for the Overseer she’d seen earlier.

He was inspecting the contents of the latest batch of nutrient pouches, holding the disgusting sack up to the pale light and smiling confidently as he stuck out a pointed tongue and savoured the contents.

“Overseer we have a problem,” Buzz was sure to impart a great deal of real fear into her voice and he narrowed his eyes at her.

“Do I know you drone?” The Overseer hissed with displeasure as he looked over Buzz and took in the damaged wings on her back.

“Just returned from foraging and noticed a problem with the holding cells sir,” Buzz let a little more urgency slip into her tone. Come on, this is more important than who I am.

Cocking an eyebrow the Overseer shook his head and Buzz felt a brief cringe of fear, it seemed he wasn’t buying.....

“Very well scout, tell me what the matter is,” The Overseer sounded impatient and Buzz played on that.

“I think I saw a rupture in the holding cell’s membrane, I think it’s been deliberately dissolved.” That’s it: Make it sound serious enough that it needs the boss’ attention, but no guards.

The Overseer snarled, “Sabotage? In my hall!”

Buzz nodded in fear, “Yes sir, I fear that there is someone tampering with the nutrient productions.” Yes you’re the master, I’m just a stupid drone. You will need to see this for yourself.

“Of course they have you idiot, my barriers don’t just fail!” The Overseer sounded angry and Buzz had to fight to hide her grin, “Show me at once!” Perfect.

Buzz bowed in submission and led the larger changeling through the bustling chamber, feeling a satisfied glow all the way as he grumbled at the incompetence of his drones. Buzz lead him into the most out of the way corner in the chamber and pointed at the green slime covering an alcove, “Here master look for yourself.”

The Overseer shoved Buzz unceremoniously out of the way and stooped to look, “What’s the meaning of this there’s not....” Buzzbot’s hoof connected with the back of the changeling’s skull with a satisfying crack and he landed in a crumpled heap at her hooves.

A feral grin spread across Buzz’s fanged jaw as green fire enveloped her. Buzz watched as the changeling groaned before looking at Buzz in confusion, only it was like looking into a mirror of himself.

Buzz felt the pull of her disguise tugging at her mind and let it have a taste of freedom again, “Long live the Queen,” Buzz hissed in the Overseer’s voice before she unleashed her spell.

After a few moments the Overseer reappeared on the chamber’s main floor, a look of satisfaction playing around his muzzle. None of the workers questioned or barred his progress through the thronged area checking on various vital elements of the Hive’s food storage.

It was the task of the Overseer to make sure all was in working order so his attentions were met with obedient bows. Few drones noted that his wings looked slightly ragged and those that did knew better than to question their better. The Overseer’s pheromones demanded obedience and that’s what he got. To question those in command only earned punishment.

The first sign that something was deeply wrong was when one of the nutrient vats, freshly filled, exploded in a shower of sizzling goo. The stench of burnt resin filled the chamber and several drones toppled from their perches among the pods. Scolding hot nutrient gruel was flung across the hall and soon the air was filled with screeching.

As changelings rushed to discover the cause of the explosion further problems developed, the pods designed to leech the essence from their prisoners began to fracture. In mounting dismay the changelings could only cry in fear as thousands of captive pods began to burst open, unleashing a wave of angry foes into the ensuing chaos.

The alcoves which held the mesmerized fodder followed suit and soon the nutrient halls filled with the sounds of fighting. Through it all the workers looked to the Overseer for guidance, only for him to have mysteriously vanished.

Chapter Eleven.

Life, this wasn’t life it was just a smothering endless confusion. Sensations pull at me, but through a mist. A haze of clouding curses that pull at who I am. There are brief moments when I can see outside my cage of oblivion, I can feel the heavy shackle about my neck and the chains that bind my hooves: I know that I’m a prisoner.

I should be angry, furious at the betrayal, the indignity that one such as I is.... but then the heavy clouds of insensibility descend once more and I know nothing but half-thoughts. Vague recollections of power, love and the devotion of my children.... The thought is swept away before I can complete it, even frustration is denied me as my mind is silenced again. The heavy binding spells of....

The flash of anger surprised her; not the anger itself (she had plenty of that) but more that it came from an outside source. For the first time in heavens knew how long, her mind was her own. The burning fury of her captor had been like a beacon, lighting the way for Chrysalis’ thoughts to follow.

She forced a gummy eye open, her lids protesting after so much inactivity and Chrysalis peered blearily at her surroundings. The darkness was cluttered with glowing vials. Green flames flickered under multi-coloured containers. Chrysalis was laying belly down, her limbs bound in heavy chains while a tight collar was fixed around her neck.

A sulphurous vapour filled the air and Chrysalis saw her through the murk. Her captor, the sister she’d trusted once too often, lit by the raging incandescence of her horn. To see Ichor so infuriated made Chrysalis’ heart tremble with joy.

She glared at her sister, normally so confident and composed and relished her distress. Oh how Chrysalis yearned to wrap her hooves around that traitorous grub’s neck and feel it snap under the pressure. Once Chrysalis, the younger of the two, had admired Ichor. Learning the arts of trickery and deceit from her older sibling like a ravenous tick leaching blood from a host. Draining everything she could learn from Ichor until she was ready to start a hive of her own.

That was when times had been good, the feeding easy and rich. The poor fodder of Equestria had been theirs to take as they pleased. But then the cursed setbacks. Stupid as the ponies were they did learn surprisingly quickly, no doubt helped by their ‘demigods’. Chrysalis smiled despite her predicament, to see Celestia humbled so, trapped in an essence leaching cocoon of Chrysalis’ own making. Ah that had been the moment of triumph.

Never before had the changelings been so close to achieving their goal of subjugating Equestria and some other queens whispered that Chrysalis had played her hoof too soon. She’d paid them no heed, knowing she was prepared for every eventuality.

Then it had all fallen apart, curse those stupid ponies and their protectors. Why did they get such powerful creatures to watch over them? The thought stung Chrysalis and she pushed it aside, the weight of her chains reminding her of the dire situation she was in. No point crying over spilled mucus.

Chrysalis shifted her body, feeling the ever present pull of the binding spells Ichor had placed on her straining at her efforts. She couldn’t help but grin. So sister you’re not immune to our plight? Feeling a little weaker yourself hmm? The moment of mirth passed, as weak as Ichor must be to have the enchantments failing it made no difference if Chrysalis was even more so.

Bide your time, wait for the foe to look the other way. The lessons taught her still applied even when among family and so Chrysalis was content to simply listen for now and see what strange quirk of fate had given her a measure of freedom.

“It’s the nutrient halls Lady, we suspect sabotage,” The hapless drone cowered before his mother, snout buried in the soggy earth.

Despite her fury and enfeebled state Lady Ichor cast an imposing figure Chrysalis noted, It doesn’t do to let the drones see you weak. Her wings wickedly sharp throbbed in time with her anger. Ichor was thinner than Chrysalis and taller, as if she was a stretched copy of her own beautiful body. What really set Ichor apart from Chrysalis were her dark purple hues, like a rich ripe plum plucked from a tree in its prime.

“What fool allowed such to happen?” Lady Ichor didn’t shout or scream at this news but simply raised a ragged eyebrow.

The drone cowered, more fearful at his mother’s cold manner than if she’d been screaming in rage, “It seems the Overseer went mad your ladyship and destroyed the vats.”

Chrysalis was surprised. She knew well of accounts where underlings, had taken leave of their senses when the hunger gripped them too tightly. But that was when they were starved and desperate, to have an Overseer in charge of none other than food production succumbing to such was unheard of.

Watching her sister’s reaction carefully Chrysalis saw the same conclusion forming on Ichor’s face. She was taking the destruction of several months of precious food awfully well and Chrysalis was annoyed to feel a flicker of respect for her.

“I want the Overseer to be brought to me for punishment. The whole hive shall know of his suffering,” Ichor proclaimed, as if written in stone. But when the drone didn’t instantly move to enact her orders her demeanour of calm cracked, “Why do you delay?”

The drone shivered, clearly terrified, “Thousand apologies your Ladyship, the Overseer is gone….We cannot find him anywhere.”

Chrysalis had a rare moment of smug satisfaction as Ichor drew in a dangerous breath, the sight of her family rival in distress warmed her abused heart. Ichor stood stunned by such news, no doubt the very thought that anything within her hive was beyond her notice intolerable. It certainly would have been so in my hive Chrysalis thought and grinned all the wider.

The pleasure was fleeting as Chrysalis saw Ichor master herself once again, “What are the workers doing to remedy the situation?”

If the drone had pressed his snout into the ground any harder then Chrysalis believed he’d crush his own head, “There is fighting throughout the hive your Ladyship.” Oh this was too precious.

Lady Ichor’s eyes blazed, “Fighting?”

“Yes your ladyship, it seems that not only did the Overseer disrupt the vats, he also ensured the submission charms holding the fodder in line were broken. There is now a small army of freed creatures barricaded in the nutrient halls and confusion is spreading throughout the tunnels.” The hurried tones of the drone only seemed to enrage Ichor further.

Her veneer of control shattered and this time she really did scream at the minion, “I don’t have time for such interruptions! My work will not wait!”

Chrysalis’ good mood evaporated as Ichor mentioned her work. The hissing vials and bubbling containers held abominations. What made it worse, they were all Chrysalis’ own progeny. She’d given up trying to keep count of the numbers of stillborn or short lived drones, fodder they may have been, but they were her fodder.

The ache returned tenfold as Chrysalis recalled how Ichor had taken her children and experimented on them. As long as there was food a queen would produce offspring, it was in their makeup. As natural as breathing and Ichor had capitalised on that fact. Chrysalis had tried to stop herself, but her body did what it was made to do and so fed Ichor’s insane plans.

Desperation will do evil things to a creature: The changelings were starving and so solutions had to be found. That’s what Ichor had told Chrysalis to start with, before the spells of mind suppression and chains had been added.

Chrysalis had been so weakened, her hive so vulnerable after that final attack from Equestria that she’d stupidly allowed the envoy of Lady Ichor into her home. Surely at this time of trial, rival queens could put aside their angst to come up with a solution?

She clamped down on the feelings of sorrow and grudgingly admired her older sister for her foresight. Had the situation been different then no doubt Chrysalis would have tried something similar if she was being honest. Though even she balked at Ichor’s plan if not her methods.....

“I want this problem dealt with do you hear me! Why must I be surrounded by fools and incompetents?” Ichor’s rage soothed the pain in Chrysalis’ own heart. How does it feel to be the one with their world falling apart hmm?

As Ichor’s distractions grew Chrysalis felt the spells holding her down weaken further, and she felt a little strength return to her limbs. She felt the ever-present cramping and stiffness but pushed past those and drew on the magic within her. Timidly at first, but with growing confidence she let her mind ‘feel’ the hive around her.

She reached out. There were her children here, not the abused specimens of Ichor’s laboratory, but whole (if weak) drones of her own get. If nothing else she could spite her sister and cause as much trouble as....

“And that’s enough out of you!” Chrysalis felt her tender probing severed as if with a sword and the incandescent face of Lady Ichor pressed its muzzle up against her own.

“I don’t know how you managed it ‘Chry’, but be assured I will find out,” Ichor’s blazing eyes bored into Chrysalis’ own, no doubt looking for the knowledge that was simply not there.

Chrysalis chuckled, then laughed as Ichor’s probing revealed no answers to her, “Oh ‘Itchy’ you never could see my mind, even after all these years.” Her mirth was ended as a stab of pain blossomed in her side.

“When this little uprising has been dealt with sister, I will take enormous pleasure in removing your mind piece by piece until I find out you’re duplicity. I don’t need your company, just your body.” Ichor’s voice was dangerous, but Chrysalis didn’t care.

Gritting her teeth Chrysalis forced a smile on her lips again, “Don’t be gentle on my account, I would have had you lobotomised from the start. At least begin with a promise that if I co-operate you will be merciful. May as well give me some illusion that this could possibly end well?” The grating chuckle that escaped Chrysalis’ mouth only caused Ichor’s rage to flare all the hotter.

“Oh I’ll keep your mind intact enough to know what I’ve done to you,” Ichor’s cold quiet tones had returned. “No snivelling upstart shows me up do you hear?”

Chrysalis could almost have cried, Ichor still didn’t forgive her for being the one to nearly topple Canterlot. There really was no love lost between queens. She couldn’t bear that her little sister had achieved more than herself even if Chrysalis’ plan to conquer had failed in the end.

The pain redoubled as Ichor kicked her in the side again, “You and your ambition brought us to this point Chry, remember that.”

Chrysalis still had some fight left in her though, “Better to live for an hour as a queen than a whole lifetime as a maggot playing god in a laboratory.” Always save the best insults for family, thanks for that advice sister.

The screams of rage echoed through the hive and caused the panicking drones to redouble their efforts to reclaim the nutrient halls.

Buzz slunk slowly along the tunnels as the sounds of fighting grew more distant and thanked Twilight for her ingenuous programming. She hadn’t felt so alive for months. Here and now Buzz revelled in her own powers.

She was able to jump from one disguise to another and sow havoc throughout the hive almost at will. A misplaced order here, a conflicting pheromone there and pretty soon the hive was in uproar. It was almost frighteningly easy to do and called to the anarchy in her soul so long denied to her in Equestria.

Discord, he must be the root of it, Buzz mused. Nothing that her uncle touched was ever the same again and it seemed she was no different. A playful trickster lurked in her core, a birth gift from the master of chaos himself and Buzz delighted in it now.

She smiled to think of how Twilight would have scolded her actions, but this time she was doing what was needed and that was bedlam. A tiny voice of reason called to Buzz: This wasn’t her mission, but she was having too much fun to do otherwise; plus the sight of those poor trapped bodies in the nutrient halls.... She needed to find a release and this mayhem fitted that need perfectly.

Plus it would make Scrund happy and that was important to Buzz for some reason. She’d only ever cared what Twilight and Tinker thought of her, but now she had the sudden urge to make Scrund happy too. It couldn’t have been the pseudo feeling from her disguise, she was wearing the scent of Lady Ichor’s brood and every sense from that hated very thought of Scrund and his ilk.

Every time she thought about those puppy-like actions and simple joys that he’d shown when they first met an odd feeling came over her. It was kind of warm and fuzzy, but also scary and strange. Even now with his mind restored she felt that indescribable flutter in her core every time he looked or smiled at her.

Buzz wanted to feel that emotion again and so did her best to cause as much chaos in Ichor’s hive as possible. It seemed absurd that the changelings about her couldn’t tell she was a fake, surely the masters of disguise and imitation would be able to spot a fake a mile off? But here she was fooling them at every turn.

Another group of drones were misdirected into a passage by the simplest puff of pheromone, being driven to fight ‘traitors’ who’d been responsible for the disaster in the nutrient halls. The changelings fell on each other in a frenzy of snapping and biting, each side determined to win their Lady’s approval. Almost pitiful really.

Buzz had the mad urge to giggle, the feeling of power and control a new and inviting desire she’d never felt before. She could have this hive wrapped about her hoof. Make them dance to any tune she’d play, just for the simple joy of doing it and Scrund would be so pleased to know that his enemies were.....

A rhythmic chime was sounding in Buzz’s head, breaking through the dreams of conquest blossoming within her skull. Buzz was surprised she hadn’t heard it before and looked over the last few minutes. It had been there, insistent and constant but Buzz had only just noticed it now.

Checking she was now alone in a deserted passage, Buzz opened the channel and almost snarled into the communicator, “Yes? What is it? I’m busy!”

“Buzz, what’s going on in there?” Spike’s anxious call broke through the vistas of whole cities being overrun by Buzz’s changeling hoards. She looked about herself and only now seemed to realise what she was doing.

“I can see fighting down in the ravine, it looks like hundreds of changelings having a civil war!” Spike’s incredulous voice sounded in Buzz’s head and she staggered as if struck.

“I....er yeah, I may have something to do with that...” Buzz mumbled apologetically.

There was silence on the other end of the communication line before Spike spoke very slowly, “Are you safe?”

Buzz looked up and down the tunnel and saw no immediate threat, but somehow she knew Spike wasn’t asking about that. Her thoughts were muddled, her heart unclear. She was meant to be finding out who sent the cry for help, not force the changelings left to annihilate each other.

“Spike I don’t know. I think I’m in a little over my head here....could-you......” Buzz felt another system crash looming as too many conflicting points of data warred with emotions and the feelings shaking her frame. “I....” was all she managed before that accursed Error message flashed up and she toppled sideways. I’m getting really sick of seeing that. Buzz thought as the darkness swallowed her.

Chrysalis may have been immobile, she may have a mad sibling threatening to tear out what was left of her mind but despite all this she was enjoying herself immensely. Lady Ichor’s wrath was a tangible thing and it was like sweet nectar to Chrysalis’ troubled soul.

She gloated as more and more reports filtered back; telling tales of woe, confusion and best of all infighting. It seemed as if some force had completely destroyed all sense of order and trust within the walls of Ichor’s hive. What a sweet piece of poetic justice.

Running battles between drones all claiming to be loyal to her sister were erupting in every quarter. Stories of casualties and damage were rife. No drone knew who to obey and some Overseers were reported to have given directly conflicting orders to the same drones in the space of mere minutes.

Through it all Lady Ichor’s rage was stoked higher and higher until Chrysalis thought she may actually explode. Ichor had even incinerated the last drone who’d reported ill news, leaving the smouldering husk as an example to the others not to trouble her further.

“It’s so hard to find good help these days isn’t it?” Chrysalis couldn’t help herself and was rewarded with a shower of smashing chemistry equipment flying across the room. She had no idea what had caused such discord among Ichor’s minions but was very happy to take the credit if it wounded her sibling. Worth a few broken vials on the head at least.

Lady Ichor rounded on Chrysalis, her anger reaching a crescendo of blissful, explosive and beautifully apocalyptic expression, “Stop this now Chry! Don’t you see you’re dooming us all to starvation and death? Without my intervention we’re all going to die!”

Chrysalis only smiled wider, “Oh Itchy, you took everything I valued a long time ago. To die wouldn’t be all that bad, at least I wouldn’t have to listen to your insufferable arrogance.” Plus I wouldn’t have to see any more of my children used in you debased schemes. Chrysalis thought sadly, but there was no way she was going to let Ichor know that.

To Chrysalis’ amazement the mad changeling before her actually shed a tear, she’d never have even thought Ichor was capable of such a thing.

“You got to have all the fun didn’t you little sister, always so believable. So talented in the art of deception, oh how mother favoured you,” Lady Ichor was sobbing now and for just the tiniest moment Chrysalis believed it was genuine, but years of well-serving paranoia smothered such doubts quickly.

“Me? Mother hated all of us you stupid grub, same as we hate each other,” Chrysalis’ voice only shook a little as she tried to ignore the nagging feeling that Ichor was truly distraught.

“Why do you think I wasted all that time teaching you, you miserable, ungrateful termite! Mother thought you could make us safe, that you really could subvert and overpower even the likes of Celestia! Now look where your arrogance has gotten us! Please stop this madness before we’re all doomed.” The tears flowed freely down Ichor’s muzzle, the burning fury in her eyes replaced by insurmountable misery.

Chrysalis so wanted this to be true, it appealed to her pride. Of course mother would choose her over Ichor to carry the changelings into glory. Therein was the trap. Chrysalis grinned as certainty replaced doubt, “You know Itchy, you almost had me going there.”

Lady Ichor froze the tears still running down her carapace, “What?”

“All that ‘mother loved me best’ nonsense, oh poor itchy ever the less favoured. The truth is you just couldn’t keep up with me and you knew it. You were old news before I was hardening my shell,” Chrysalis felt vindication stirring in her heart as Ichor’s face became stony.

“You know I think I would stop this destruction for you if....” Chrysalis’ tired eyes were full of satisfaction as Ichor paused with breath held.

The moment stretched out and Chrysalis savoured it. Ichor’s eye twitched and Chrysalis’ mood soared, “Yes you would spare my hive if?” Ichor asked, all trace of the tears gone to be replaced by a hunger that Chrysalis knew too well.

“I would stop this if I had the faintest idea what had caused it, but if you will try to play God then you shouldn’t be surprised when destruction follows soon after.” Chrysalis laughed long and hard as Ichor’s face became a picture of fury.

It had been fun to allow Ichor to think she was behind this catastrophe, but how much more painful for Ichor to know that it was probably something she herself had done to cause the fall of her hive? For once Chrysalis was being honest, she knew all Ichors’ meddling was against nature and this event was all the proof she needed.

The air in the chamber was still, even the low burning fires of Ichor’s experiments seemed muted, before with a shriek Lady Ichor leaped forward teeth bared and horn aglow. Chrysalis felt a final surge of victory as the enraged image of her sister drifted slowly towards her.

Chrysalis really had no clue what was going on outside this room, but she did welcome the final peace from her sister’s enslavement. She closed her eyes, and waited for the blissful end to come.

It was at this point that the chamber trembled and a huge roar echoed through the hive. Chrysalis felt something heavy hit her flank and hissed in pain. Further sounds of impacts shook the room and an agonised scream assailed her ears only to be abruptly cut off. To Chrysalis’ amazement it wasn’t from her and she trembled along with the floor as a resounding ‘thud’ pressed her down.

She opened her eyes and saw a sight that would warm Chrysalis’ heart on cold nights. Lady Ichor’s twitching wings and an expanding pool of slime was all that could be seen from under a boulder. Half the ceiling had collapsed, further rocks and dust following in its wake.

Chrysalis’ mouth twitched and she stared down at her former sibling. The wicked grin spread slowly and at that moment she didn’t care if the roof fell on her too. This was quickly replaced by a fresh surge of determination. The spells Ichor had been sustaining faded away and Chrysalis felt a desperate strength returning to her limbs.

With a roar of her own she heaved upwards but the chains held. Panic began to sour Chrysalis’ newfound hope. Ichor knew her craft when it came to chains Chrysalis would give her that. No resin bonds for a changeling queen.

Further rock rained down on her and she felt the grip of dread returning, just when Chrysalis was free of a demented sister she now seemed doomed only to be crushed by a humble pile of stone. Still she wasn’t going to go quietly.

Heaving a cursing Chrysalis hauled on the heavy links, but they refused to yield. Her struggles became more frantic as dust began to fill her lungs. Rocks and loose gravel began to bury Chrysalis and she coughed desperately.

Lifting her head as high as she could, she yelled her rage at the heavens. Too many times fate had given her a taste of freedom or success and then cruelly snatched it away.

As if the heavens heard her cry the massive stone ceiling suddenly began to shift upwards. She continued to splutter as more rock and rubble tumbled down around her. Through streaming eyes Chrysalis saw a huge looming claw descending through the ruins of the roof. She screamed as the massive head of an angry looking dragon glared down at her and roared deafeningly.

Chapter Twelve

Zip poured over the collection of scrap paper and patchwork scrolls and felt his little heart tremble with pride. They were doing it! Before him, constructed out of scavenged materials was a very rough map of Ponyville.

Scattered upon it were crayon depictions of key landmarks, each of which had a different coloured pin. These represented a sprite whose task it was to feed information back to him: Well that was the idea anyway.

Zip glanced at the hoof scrawled note he’d just received from the town hall, More grass seed needed for the park expansion. The fire went out of him a little, surely a message from the city hall would have been important?

When he’d first conceived the idea of an information network Zip had had visions of great secrets being uncovered, devilish plots that the whole of Equestria would tremble at the mere mention of. Instead all he was getting was the price of grain and shopping lists.

His fellow sprites just didn’t seem to grasp what was important news and Zip ran his hoof over the map with a sigh, “Surely something of importance must be going on somewhere?” He rifled through the collection of notes and messages, feeling his high visions deflate further with each mundane report.

“There’s somepony coming!” The sprite on watch called and with a snort Zip began concealing their efforts. Covers, cushions and tiny blankets were thrown over diagrams. Very soon the storage room appeared as it had always done, with all the sprites sitting patiently in their alcoves.

Zip tensed as the main door opened and an elderly grey unicorn mare trotted in, her yellow eyes bright with excitement, “Afternoon sprites, I hope you’re ready because I have a very important message to send and I need it done fast!”

Zip felt his heart leap and he delt with it, leaving his alcove so quickly that the new comer leaned back as he flew right up to her face. An important message huh? Zip saluted and smiled, “Ponyville postal sprites at your service mam!”

The mare recovered quickly and gave Zip an indulgent smile, “Awww so cute and eager, just like me when I was a filly.”

Zip eyed the small envelope in the pony’s hoof with hunger before she continued on, “When I was little I’d help my mum do the postal rounds. Nothing beats a good letter, not even these new fangled message towers that seem to be popping up all over the place.”

Zip trembled with impatience as the pony droned on, “Now ‘Dinky’ being a mail pony is a huge responsibility, ponies are counting on you to get the right message to the right pony.” The mare winked at Zip and his eye twitched, “So I know you will keep up the fine traditions of the postal service my little friend won’t you?”

The letter and all its secrets were just inches from Zip’s hoof and he felt deep in his core that this was what he’d been waiting for, if only the old mare would just hurry up and give it to him!

“Of course mam, we sprites are the best at what we do!” Zip assured Dinky and she smiled at him.

“That reminds me of the old postal motto, mum always used to.....” Zip snatched the letter with unseemly haste and Dinky blinked in surprise, “Well that’s enthusiasm anyhow, you should find the address on the front.”

Hoof shaking, Zip looked at the note and saw it was addressed to ‘Sugar Cube Corner’ in the old district and his heart dropped. Another bakery order.

Dinky smiled again, “Aww don’t look down little guy it’s not too far and I assure you it’s of vital import that this makes it to its destination before the royal visitors arrive. I’m sure you’ll be up to the task.”

Zip sighed before feeling a gentle hoof tilting his chin upwards and Dinky winked at him, “Chin up mail pony, I believe in you!”

He fought down the disappointment before his mind caught up with what he’d just heard, “Royal visit?”

Dinky’s smile only widened, “Yep Princess Cadance of the Crystal Fiefdom is paying Twilight a visit.”

Zip’s eyes went wide and before he knew what he was doing the sprite had hugged the mare and plated a tiny kiss on her muzzle. Dinky laughed as Zip shied back, “I’m so excited too and now I know I have picked the right sprite for the job.” She gently patted Zip on the head as he tried to ignore the bemused looks the other sprites gave him.

Humming to herself, Dinky trotted out of the storage room and left Zip clutching the message in his trembling hooves. Cadance was coming here? That was bound to be something Twilight would want to know.... but Twilight was still in Canterlot and Zip hadn’t heard anything from Quiz yet.

“Zip, are you feeling alright?” One of the others asked.

Am I feeling alright? The question floated in his mind. Quiz should have reported something back by now. Had she been delayed, caught maybe? Maybe he shouldn’t have sent her to.... Zip’s eyes strayed to Twilight’s appointment book which he’d borrowed and made a copy of. Twilight should have been back yesterday, but still nothing.

“Zip?” The asker pressed again.

With Twilight delayed then it was all the more important for Zip to make sure that he knew everything about Cadance’s visit. Zip refocused on the watching eyes of his fellow ‘spies’, “We need to know more.”

Zip flourished a hoof and to the accompaniment of a collective gasp opened the letter. He’d just broken one of the cardinal rules of the postal service but Zip knew it was for a good cause. As the other sprites shrank back in horror Zip lifted out the note within and began to read.

Dear Pinkie Pie, with the royal visit that has just been announced I will need four cupcakes instead of three as aunty ‘Stopclock’ will be coming to stay so as not to miss the event.

The batch last week was wonderful, I loved the little raisins you put in. Hope to see you at the city hall in three day’s time where Cadance is said to be making an important announcement. I wonder what it could be?

All my best to Happy Harvest and the little ones,

Dinky Doo.

Zip’s expression became resolute, “My fellow sprites our mission is now clear: We need to find out all we can about Princess Cadance’s surprise visit.” His thoughts went out to Twilight still stuck in Canterlot, “Twilight is late in returning so we need to have a proper report for her when she does finally arrive. It will be of vital import in the days to come.”

A little twitch was visible upon Zip’s left eye and the other sprites looked at each other in worry. One raised a hoof, “Um Zip, don’t you think this is going a little too far? I mean things happen and Twilight may have just been held up for a good reason?” The silence stretched outwards before a number of the Sprites began to mumble in agreement.

Zip blinked. How could they all be so calm about this. A deep feeling of dread was hammering at Zip; telling him that something bad was going to happen. He glanced around the storage room as he tried to order his thoughts.

Twilight was upset, he knew that. The others may not see it, but Zip did and was determined to do something about it. Information: That was the key. The more they knew the more they could help Twilight. Not the silly day to day stuff the sprites had been relaying to him so far. They needed to look deeper. Ever since she’d read that book Discord had given her his princess hadn’t been right.

Books.... now there was a plan, maybe that old mare had been correct? If you wanted something important kept safe then you wrote it down. You didn’t trust it to the air waves. You wrote it down in a book. Stuff written down was safe from being forgotten. Twilight had hinted that Equestria kept all the really important things written down in the library. Twilight treasured books.

Zip felt the inkling of a new plan forming; one better than the last, “We need to find out more about books.” The sprites all looked at him as if he’d gone mad, Maybe I have but that’s not the point, mad ponies can still be right, right? He smiled at the others ignoring the tick that was ever present now, “Now bare with me. I know it sounds odd but the most important things are kept in books okay. So we need to have somepony stationed at the library too.”

Confused glances were shared about the room, but without a better suggestion they eventually nodded in acceptance. Zip rubbed his hooves together, “Good so I’ll keep an eye on Cadance when she arrives. That way I can take very clear notes for Twilight, you all keep doing what you’re doing and report back to me alright?”

Another murmur of assent rippled through the collected sprites and Zip grinned happily, Things were going to be okay, if they just kept at it then surely things will be alright.

Quiz was confused, Twilight and Luna had been talking long into the night about all sorts and she was hard-pressed to hear anything of true significance yet. She had nestled her tiny frame in a bush overlooking a beautiful gazebo as the two royals had chatted about the weather, quality of the food and how Equestria had changed so much recently.

The daylight had waned and Quiz found her mind wandering, thoughts heavy with what she now knew. If she didn’t have to be just a courier then what could she be? She didn’t need to be afraid either: The emotions and the feelings she was coming to grips with were intended.

She’d been so excited to tell the others, but one look from Twilight told Quiz that she wasn’t happy about the experiment being concluded just yet. Quiz grasped more than she was meant to and knew it. She wanted her fellow sprites to understand they need not be afraid now, but didn’t want to upset Twilight either; it was an impossible situation.

“So I told the cook to bring it back, only this time not to forget the top slice!” Luna laughed and Twilight along with her.

Wiping a tear away Luna grinned, “So the poor chef, fearing the wrath of Tartarus shuffled away and cooked another pizza base and placed it on top. By the heavens I was so embarrassed when I found out just how wrong I was!” Quiz rolled her eyes, this kind of talk was all she’d gotten for hours now.

Twilight smiled, “Well we’ve all had to come to terms with things Luna, like when Spike started growing up properly. I dearly miss that useful messenger service to you and Celestia.”

Quiz felt her eyes growing heavy, she didn’t need sleep as such but there was only so much small talk she could take before her brain shut down. Oh this is pointless, they’re not going to say anything useful. With a resigned sigh Quiz gave up and settled down to watch the stars. Soon enough her mind drifted from the world around her and she imagined all the things she could be.

Down below Luna pricked her ears and waved to Twilight for silence. Both ponies sat quietly for a full minute before Luna nodded with a smile, “There she’s ‘asleep’, when you build them Twilight you certainly know your stuff.”

Twilight blushed, “Well I didn’t think that long term endurance was needed, so I never tested them for it.” She smiled at the little hole in the bush, “I am amazed myself at how long she stuck at it, I was reaching the end of all the small talk I could think of.”

Luna grinned, “Well if nothing else it’s been wonderful to catch up with you. Both being so busy these days.” Her face became serious. “So about Buzz how is she doing?”

Twilight shuffled her hooves, “To be honest Luna I have been out of contact with her for two days now. I’m starting to worry.”

“Well you sent Spike with her, surely she’s safe enough with him?” Luna raised an eyebrow.

A whole range of emotions flowed across Twilight’s face, “That’s the thing; he’s not been responding either. I know he gets carried away sometimes, but when it’s important Spike normally manages to keep a clear head.”

Luna’s chuckle drifted on the breeze, “Well I trust them both, as I said you build your machines well Twilight and Spike’s a big boy now.” Silence fell for a time until Twilight finally spoke up.

“So about Celestia then, I mean I was able to convince her not to send a whole army to wipe out the changelings once and for all,” Twilight frowned, “But only just.”

Luna’s own face became sorrowful, “Well as I told you before, you have broken no laws and so she didn’t have any grounds to do so.”

“So how much of this is true and how much is fiction?” Twilight held the offending book up for Luna to see.

“Twilight things have a habit of being distorted with time,” Luna scrunched up her own muzzle before going on, “That there was a first Council of Harmony is certainly true, that certain harsh words and deeds were done is also true.” Twilight watched Luna expectantly, “As for the details of such events well that’s a bit trickier.”

Twilight snorted and Luna held up a warning hoof, a slight rustling was heard within the bush. They both waited and when nothing new occurred Twilight pressed on in a lower tone, “Well history books may be a bit creative with their facts, but you were there Luna.”

It was Luna’s turn to shift uncomfortably, “Yes but I promised Celestia that I wouldn’t tell anypony about that, it could have really damaging consequences, what would Equestrians think of griffons or the other races?”

Twilight folded her forelegs, “With respect Luna, they’ve forgiven and gotten over far worse happenings. Just because certain races aren't in the original design of the world doesn’t mean they won’t be accepted now.“ Twilight smiled sadly, “Plus I know enough now, you filling in the details won’t break your promise to Celestia.”

Luna’s face became a mask of uncertainty, “I suppose you know now, so it’s better to have you understand it fully I guess.” Both princesses sat quietly for a time, with only the distant sounds of the night drifting on the breeze.

“There was indeed a falling out like that book described, the first time any of us ‘first ones’ had ever experienced such a thing,” Luna’s eyes had taken on a distant quality. “Even to this day I don’t fully understand what caused it, but I think as with almost everything that’s wrong in the world it boiled down to pride.”

Twilight settled down as the tale unfolded, “While everything was new we all had such fun discovering who we were. Celestia and I, ‘Whisper’ the first great dragon, the Boar Lord and the others. We were untested and eager to see what we could do.”

“It all started out as friendly competition I guess, it quickly became clear that we were all very different creatures; our own desires, methods and more importantly values.” Luna rested her hooves on the delicate table between the pair and watched her reflection found therein.

“Before we knew it sides had been drawn over the simplest matters, the slightest perceived insult.” Luna smiled weakly, “I can at least say that I stood by Celestia faithfully that time.”

Twilight put out a hoof and comforted Luna who smiled warmly , “Oh I’m over my own failings Twilight: lessons learned. One can’t spend the whole of eternity dwelling on mistakes made in the past.”

“Like Celestia is doing now?” Twilight asked softly and Luna’s grin wilted.

“Yes, she still hasn’t let what happened next go,” Luna’s face became dour, “Fighting did break out; not the wars you have heard of Twilight, but battles of beings so powerful that the world shuddered.”

Twilight’s ears pressed down, “Like me and Tirek?”

It was Luna’s turn to put forth a comforting hoof, “You had a taste of it yes, but only a taste Twilight.” Twilight nodded and Luna continued, “Each group wanted to hold to a core ideal as it were: Strength, love, wisdom and many more.”

Once again, both princesses froze as a little ‘mewping’ sound came from above. With glints in their eyes both Twilight and Luna arose to peer in closely at Quiz. The little sprite was ‘cooing’ with a blissful smile on her muzzle, eyes shut in a sleep like manner.

Luna chuckled softly and both returned to their seats. Luna’s face was pained as she continued the story, “It culminated with Sift’s death, only then did we realise just how foolish we had all been.”

Twilight stared at Luna her face unmoving, “The book said she was jealous of you and the love you had?”

Luna cringed, “Not exactly, The most popular view was the idea that love and mutual respect were the most important ideas we should all work towards. When every creature truly loves another then the world is as close to perfection as you can imagine.”

Luna’s muzzle curled and she chuckled, “I can almost hear Celestia say those words now. She’s always been the best spokespony and inspiring creature to follow.” Twilight looked concerned, but Luna had only admiration and pride in her eyes.

“The other Council Members were won over by Celestia and it should have ended there, but for Sift,” Luna's voice became almost a whisper, “We thought we had no other choice you understand Twilight, we keep telling ourselves that.”

Twilight’s eyes brimmed with tears, “I believe you.”

Luna stared into the sky and winced, “Sift was the only council member who continued to object and grew more stubborn all the time.” Luna’s horn glowed and a wisp of magic drifted into the air.

A glowing image of a darkened chamber, lit only by pale fungal lights coalesced and Twilight watched wide eyed as the scene unfolded.

Quiz’s pleasant musings were darkened by shifting landscape. She found herself in a warren or cave of some kind. Mildew covered the walls and foul smelling vapours arose from the pit a winding path encircled.

A brief moment of confusion stole across Quiz and she felt the terror of being lost, then Celestia remembered why she was here: Sift, the heavens curse her had gone too far. Her ponies were being tormented by creatures that wore their skins as lightly as the decorations adorning her hooves.

To stand against her ideals that was one thing, Sift’s arguments had some weight to them Celestia was forced to admit. The will of one strong being to direct all the others, lead the lesser beings in order and control and the world would be ordered. No fighting, no conflict just peace and unity.

Celestia banished these lies for what they were, what point was there to a world where nothing grew or learned? Yes there would be peace and obedience, but at what cost? This world was for the races upon it to learn and experience and grow.

Some would make bad choices it was true, the consequences no doubt painful. But to have the world Sift wanted would invalidate the very reasons for the world they enjoyed. Celestia could, would make Sift see reason.

The vapours and smells only grew worse as she descended further, yet nothing barred Celestia’s progress. Pain was a new thing in this world. Not pain of the body, but of the heart and Celestia would see no more of it if she had her way. Not if it could be avoided.

The first opposition finally came at her: A collection of dark shapes that filled the air with droning wings. Celestia felt her anger rise as the vaguely equine shapes boiled up from the darkness below, their teeth glinting in the pale radiance she cast.

She closed her eyes in disgust, feeling the hunger on them: The urge to devour all that was good and noble, the very love that would enable the council’s plan to work. She let that disgust build, to give her the strength to do what was needed.

A glaring shaft of white power lanced out and Celestia’s nostrils drew in the smell of burning. As soon as it began the spell was suddenly snuffed out and she dared open her eyes. Scorched and steaming shells clattered downwards into the hole below, quickly greeted by an answering screech of fury.

Celestia moved to a gallop now, intent on finishing this sorry affair quickly. She felt the path tremble at her hoof falls, the earthy soil crumbling as she pounded forward. Soon it became obvious that the path wouldn’t hold and she spread her wings as huge chunks of soil tumbled away into the darkness below.

The angered shrieks only grew in volume and intensity as Celestia landed heavily on the squelchy ground, her white coat stained up to the knees as the squall absorbed her impact.

“Enough Beetle Queen, I will hear no more of your protests,” Celestia shouted, the hurt and anger heavy in her tone. “You can object to my ideas, you can challenge my ideals. That’s your right Sift. But you will not mock the mortals made in my image with such monsters nor attempt to enforce your will when the council has decided against you.”

Celestia’s breath turned to steam in the dank air and little wisps of water vapour rose from her sweating body. The screeches and wailing echoed all the louder, Celestia didn’t hear words in that noise, but did understand the meaning, So you’ve come to enforce your ‘freedom’ upon me? Such a funny notion is it not Horse Queen, having to ‘enforce’ freedom?

Celestia’s eyes narrowed as she saw a massive bulk shifting in the darkness just beyond the light she cast, “Freedom extends only as far as impinging on others freedom, and you violated that right when you sought to destroy others choice.”

Snorting angrily Celestia stood her ground, “Will you still insist on this course Sift? it can only end one way.”

The burbling shrieks continued in reply, You have already decided what you plan to do Horse Queen, I simply argued the course of wisdom. There will be chaos and anarchy, we will see so many die and suffer because of disorder. Come and do what you came to Horse Queen, but at least see the hypocrisy in your own actions.

For a brief moment Celestia faltered, never wishing to have this confrontation and with a dread sense of foreboding she understood that part of what Sift said was true. She and the others were opening the way for conflict, sorrow and suffering. But they were also paving the way for peace, joy and happiness to be found too.

When faced with that choice it was the only sensible option to take the good with the bad and learn from it. Celestia’s face hardened, “Sift: For failing to adhere to the council’s decision you have forfeited your place there on. Know that it was not your objections that condemn you, but the wilful rebellion against your fellow First Born.”

A hissing replaced the screeches and Celestia understood it was laughter, cold and unrepentant mirth from the one she’d once called friend, Destroy me if you dare Celestia, I have stood my ground for what I believe and you are the one destroying freedom.

Celestia felt a huge wash of foul smelling ooze spill forth, threatening to drown her as Sift charged forward, her black carapace glinting in the light.Celestia was forced to leap backwards, powering her wings to lift her from Sift’s path.

Sift quickly halted her progress and glared up at the departing Celestia with dark eyes, “I have made my choice Celestia. My children will be a scourge to yours: know with every drop of essence they take will be proof that mine was the better choice!”

The huge insect opened its shell casing and thrummed the air with her take off. She continued to shriek, all the while hurling magically charged globules of stinking slime which Celestia was hard pressed to avoid. Their very image will remind you of how empty and false your ideals are Horse Queen!

Celestia had heard enough: There would be no reasoning here, if only Sift had accepted the council’s decision. She didn’t even have to agree with it, just not impede their progress. But worse of all Sift had made it personal: Against her and her alone.

Celestia summoned her powers and with an angry flare made a new miniature sun, the ball of flame consumed the thrashing Sift who screeched all the more fiercely, So this is your justice then? I am glad I won’t get to see a world where such ‘freedom’ reigns.

With a final hissing laugh sift exploded, no simple death for a First Born. The magic contained within Sift’s being suddenly given free reign billowed out and engulfed Celestia. She tried to pull away as the eldritch power stabbed at her, the pain caused Celestia to scream out.

It was horror of what she’d done. she’d killed a fellow First Born, something the world had placed from the beginning to enrich itself. The stain of that act burned into Celestia’s soul and she vowed to never do it again, no matter the situation or provocation she......

Quiz shrieked until a comforting hoof caught her and she looked up into the concerned faces of Luna and Twilight.

Chapter Thirteen.

Chrysalis stared open mouthed at the huge dragon before her and was embarrassed to admit that she squeaked like a newly hatched grub. Half buried in the still falling rock she strained against her bonds, terror lending her strength. But it was all for nought, the chains were too well made and Chrysalis eventually resigned herself to her fate.

The dragon, huge and threatening, continued to watch her with its massive green eyes, a slight smile on its reptilian lips. Chrysalis coughed as further dust rained down before hissing at the beast, “Well, you ugly brute, what are you waiting for?”

The dragon simply smiled wider, showing off lines of teeth each easily the size of Chrysalis herself. It was obviously enjoying the moment, but Chrysalis was in no mood to be toyed with, “Look either burn me to a crisp or be off with you!”

Looking at Chrysalis with amused eyes, the dragon snorted once before retreating. She allowed herself a moment of pride, but it quickly became evident that this beast still wasn’t intimidated, but simply looking for something else.

Well that suits me, now just to get these wretched chains off. The rumbling continued as her ‘rescuer’ continued to demolish the hive and Chrysalis wasted no time in capitalising on such fortune. With her sister dead the hive was now leaderless and that gave her an almost poetic opportunity.

Now free of the spells addling her mind, Chrysalis focused. Come on you rabble obey your betters. The magic was slow to heed her call and with a grunt she threw even more effort into the spell. Come on, this should be grub’s play.

Sweat began to pour down her muzzle, mixing with the coated dust and dripping onto the floor as Chrysalis poured all her will into what should have been an easy task. She only stopped when the shackles binding her began to glow angrily and with horror Chrysalis felt them become unbearably hot. Gah well played Ichor, you know your chains.

Panting and trying to ignore the slight burning smell Chrysalis stopped and thought. There’s a dragon rampaging through this hive. It’s not after you so that’s a plus, but no doubt it will be more than willing to incinerate any poor fool who gets in its way. When it comes to drones they have a great number of fools among their ranks.

She had the dreadful vision of her being trapped here in an empty hive and left to rot. That would simply not do. With her magic denied her there was only one thing left, “Drones get your miserable bodies over here and get me out!”

Buzz felt the tunnel trembling even as her systems began to restore. “I really need to find out what keeps doing that,” She mumbled and cursed as the strength returned to her limbs. Blinking the dust out of her eyes Buzz saw the sorry state of the tunnel and shuddered.

Large cracks were spreading across the ceiling and down the walls, while little shafts of sunlight filtered through abused ceiling. She had been a good distance from the surface here and knew that daylight simply couldn’t be a good sign.

Even as she caught her bearings a number of panicking drones tore past, their frantic shrieks mingling with the ongoing rumbles that shook the floor. Well you wanted to sow a little chaos Buzz, guess what, you got your wish.

She stumbled along the shaking passageway and frantically tried to recall what she’d been doing before her crash. Something about making Scrund happy? Oh sweet Celestia the whole place was coming apart, Scrund! Ice gripped Buzz’s heart and she put everything else out of her mind.

Pushing through another pack of fleeing changelings Buzz desperately tried to barge her way back to the nutrient halls. She didn’t care that she knocked drones senseless in her wake, nor gave any heed to the chips and rocks bouncing off her carapace and simply.... Then the siren whisper in her mind. It was only brief and so quiet that Buzz was amazed she heard it at all, but it was there: The Queen needed help.

She double checked her disguise, she had reverted back to her first changeling form and for all intents and purposes was a member of Chrysalis’ hive in theory. That could only mean that Chrysalis really was here!

Buzz felt her insides writhe with indecision. Her heart was screaming to find Scrund, to make sure he was safe, but all her borrowed impulses drew her to save her Queen. The Queen needed help. The message echoed in Buzz’s mind and she froze in the conflict of indecision.

Gritting her teeth Buzz forced down the impulse, she wasn’t a true changeling, she was only pretending to be one. She could never forgive her true self if Scrund got hurt, but he may never forgive her if the Queen was lost. Buzz hissed in anger and bucked the nearest wall which simply cracked further.

Mercifully the instinctual call subsided and Buzz shook her head in relief, Chrysalis would need to take care of herself. Her choice made Buzz hammered forward again, sidestepping fallen rock and pushed past thrashing drones.

Her progress was slow, almost painfully so and yet more cracks appeared in the rust-coloured stone. Buzz also fancied she heard the sounds of roaring and her still addled brain began to piece together what must be happening, “Spike, Spike are you there?”

Buzz snarled at a blocking drone, one of Ichor’s brood who against all reason seemed to be determined to stand guard. Upon seeing Buzz the changeling hissed a challenge of its own and lunged at her. Spike please respond, whatever you’re doing you need to stop! The whole hive is collapsing!”

She blocked a powerful kick from the drone, before returning the favour with one of her own. Buzz felt the chitin crack as her hoof connected and felt a grim smile appear on her face, despite everything going on it still felt good to fight Ichor’s..... Buzz shook her head she needed to stay focused.

Angrily the opposing drone clutched at his weeping limb and hissed again as Buzz sought to barge past him. This time she was successful and knocked the foe onto the ground with a heavy shoulder slam. The trembling of the walls around her only increased and Buzz cursed inwardly, “Spike you great moron, stop attacking the hive! You’ll crush us all!” Nothing....

Buzz screamed her frustrations at the shaking ceiling as fresh changelings rounded the corner. Turning her desperate eyes on the approaching horde she vented her anger, “I-don’t-have-time-for-this!” She punctuated every word with an emerald flash from her horn, sending burning bolts of magic screaming down the tunnel.

They caused tiny explosions where they impacted, scattering rock shrapnel and causing the approaching drones to pull back. “Spike if he gets hurt I’ll...”

“Grizz it’s us!”, Buzz paused for a moment and the world seemed to crawl to a standstill. Buzz was panting heavily, the sudden flash of anger evaporating as she heard that voice. With terrible regret Buzz peered down the passageway and saw one of the drones was waving his hooves in frenzy. It was Scrund!

Every thought fled her mind at the sight of him and Buzz galloped full pelt towards the drone. Scrund leaned back, a look of terror on his face as Buzz leaped the last few meters and cannoned into him, “Grizz stop we’re on your side we....”

His protests failed as Buzz wrapped her hooves around him and hugged Scrund tightly. She stared at him with tear stained eyes before leaning in and kissing him on the muzzle. Little fireworks danced in Buzz’s heart as she finally began to understand the strange feelings she’d been having.

She smiled happily at Scrund so relieved to know he was alright, but as she pulled back a stare of utter disbelief met Buzz’s eyes. Oh broken servos and burnt lubricants, you’ve done it now.

With a forced motion Scrund broke Buzzbot’s grip and backed away, studying her the whole time with a wide eye. The other drones watched the scene with perplexed hisses, their teeth bared. Buzz felt a cold fear creeping over her as Scrund’s face morphed from disbelief to hurt and finally settled on anger.

“I don’t know what you are Grizz but you’re no changeling. No drone would expose their heart like that,” Scrund spoke in a tight voice as if struggling to force each word out. “I trusted you Grizz and now it turns out that trust was misplaced,” He nodded to the other drones which began to advance with hunger in their eyes.

The pain was almost overwhelming, the complete reversal of her situation was like a grinding blade against her soul. The way Scrund looked at her now made Buzz feel sick to her core. Gone was the slightly amused grin, the resolute determination and the smile that had once brightened Buzz’s soul just to see.

It was anger, pure and simple. A wounded trust that when broken left only hurt and rage in its wake and Buzz had caused it. “No Scrund it’s not like that honest I was just so happy to see you I...” Buzz looked pleadingly at the other drones but saw only hunters closing on an intruder.

In desperation she released a puff of pheromone, a cloying scent that said she was a friend, a family member and the closing drones paused for a moment. Scrund’s eye glazed for a second before he shook his head angrily and glared at Buzz, “No point in trying that imposter, it may work on the simple drones but not me. I know you’re no changeling.”

“Please let me explain Scrund,” Buzz felt the tears returning and that only seemed to make him angrier.

“Enough! I don’t know what your game is but I will not allow you to get in my way. Not when I’m this close to our...my Queen,” Scrund’s tone was dangerous and the other drones seemed to draw strength from his example.

Buzz was forced backwards. She probably could fight her way free, but that would only make things worse. Her heart was throbbing now, a massive wound torn across her soul. You don’t have a heart remember, you’re a machine. The thought was more painful than ever and she ground her teeth in anger.

Buzz was angry that she was alone in the world, a machine that had a soul: Angry that her emotions warred with her programming at every turn and caused her to crash whenever she got stressed. But most of all she was angry that the first time she’d felt real romantic love for somepony they ended up being a changeling who now wanted to kill her. It was so unfair!

That he’d resisted the simple pheromone trick she’d used on others made him all the more impressive in Buzz’s eyes. She wanted nothing more for that the two of them to spend hours alone, talking about the world, finding a way to bridge the gap between changelings and ponies and..... Buzz felt of all things a blush forming! Now is really not the time.

The closing drones were only moments away from striking Buzz now and she braced her legs in a fighting stance, “Please Scrund, it’s not what you think. I can explain everything and even help you rescue Chrysalis. Just hear me out I beg you.”

Scrund’s eye twitched and the drone’s steady advance halted again, “Why should I trust anything you say imposter? For all I know you could have been using me to get to Chrysalis, to finally wipe us from the world.”

There had to be something she could do to convince him, she didn’t want to lose his..... Buzz blinked as the answer came to her, “Scrund I know you can see my emotions, well look now.”

Buzz let her heart open wide, she let all her worries, her cares and fears flow freely. She didn’t hold anything back: Her love for ‘parents’ Twilight and Tinker, the way she longed for another like her to be possible and the awful despair that it would probably never happen.

She let him taste of her feelings for him, how Scrund had shown Buzz there was so much more to changelings and the brave example he’d been since she’d met him. All of it was bared, nothing held back and Scrund staggered under the weight of it.

Buzz felt his hunger, the deep down gnawing need to consume such feelings. She saw the starving glances the other drones gave her, their mouths open and drooling but didn’t care. At that moment she would have given Scrund it all if he’d only smile at her again.

You are totally insane you know that right? Buzz’s programming gave a metaphorical shrug and put its hooves over its ears, awaiting the inevitable feeding frenzy that would follow.

She waited for what felt an eternity while Scrund trembled, his limbs shaking and face a wash of conflicting emotions of his own. Buzz could ‘see’ the natural inclinations of his body driving him to draw in that substance, the life blood of her soul and devour it like a ravenous beast. But he didn’t.

The other drones had no such compunctions and with the eagerness of starving lions with a fresh kill they piled forward. Buzz closed her eyes and almost welcomed them, maybe if they drained me of all feelings then I won’t hurt anymore? I could stop this half life I struggle with and be just a machine again.

That had been the buried pain deep in Buzz’s spirit, she was one of a kind and it burned. Maybe that was why she always seemed to be getting into trouble. To fill that ache of loneliness? Was all she did simply to try and run from who she was, a machine with a living soul?

Buzz had never spoken such fears out loud, not even to Twilight and certainly not to Tinker. There didn’t seem to be anypony to talk to about such things because she was the first and there was no pony who knew how she felt. The sprites had given Buzz hope for a time, their funny innocent ways making her smile. But they were unlike her in so many other ways.

Emotions were such hard work, life had been so much simpler before they had begun intruding on Buzzbot’s life. Maybe it was better this way?

Buzz felt the tendrils of the first draining spell reach out to snare her exposed soul and readied herself for the pain to follow, hopefully it would be brief. But then the attack evaporated and the other drone’s magical assaults vanished just as quickly.

She trembled for a moment not daring to hope that her gambit had worked. Slowly Buzz opened an eye and saw that the drones had pulled back. They looked to Scrund who was shaking as if gripped by palsy, “I should have realised the first time you acted strange Grizz, but.....”

The tunnel trembled more violently than ever and to Buzzbot’s shock a set of massive claws pierced its ceiling and embedded themselves in the floor. Rocks and dust billowed outwards before Buzz was forced to stumble backwards as a massive hand wrenched the roof away.

The other drones scattered as spike’s enormous snout appeared in the freshly revealed sky and he peered down at them, “Buzz are you there? Please be alright.” He pressed one huge eye into the hole he’d made and Buzz could almost have cried.

Just when she’d been making some headway Spike had caused everything to tumble down again, “Spike! What have you done!” Buzz stamped a hoof and fresh anger flared in her.

“Your last message was cut off, I thought you were in danger,” Spike sounded hurt and his aggrieved innocence only made Buzz’s fury rise.

“I, well...” Buzz glanced down the ruined passageway and to her astonishment saw that Scrund was still there, his mouth hanging open.

Spike shifted his bulk and looked around to follow Buzz’s gaze, “Ah so this must be Scrund correct?” The changeling simply sat on his hunches, utterly transfixed at the sight before him. “Funny I thought he’d be bigger from how you described him.”

Buzz realised she still had tears streaking her face and quickly rubbed them away, “That’s not important right now, we need to find Chrysalis.”

Spike raised an eyebrow, “Are you sure you’re alright, you’ve been crying?”

Buzz felt foolish. She had nearly gone to pieces for a moment there, but Scrund was safe and wasn’t trying to kill her (for the moment). She was in no mood to share her soul again and so covered it with anger, “No I wasn’t, it’s just mucus. You know changeling body and everything.”

Spike continued to watch her carefully until Buzz snapped, “Look we really need to find Chrysalis if we’re going to get any answers okay? We can talk about bodily functions another time.”

Spike grinned slowly, “Whatever you say Grizz.”

Buzz checked on Scrund who was still staring at Spike, his mouth flapping while his eye twitched. She sidled her way past collapsed rock and gently patted the drone on the head, “Don’t worry Scrund we’re going to make things better, let’s go find your mum okay?”

Chrysalis had screamed herself hoarse and still no help had come. She pulled at the chains as several drones scuttled along the passageway, but they paid her no heed and Chrysalis was starting to fear no help would come.

Looking around desperately she saw nothing of use. Stamping her hoof Chrysalis glared at the spreading pool of Ichor, “Finished having a good laugh at my predicament sister, wherever you’ve gone.” She glanced at the still twitching hoof and frowned, “Well if things don’t pick up I’ll be joining you soon. Won’t that be wonderful?”

The congealing pool of slime failed to respond, not that Chrysalis was expecting any reply. She’d simply run out objects to curse and the slowly spreading remains of Ichor would have to do. At least the trembling seemed to have stopped, so hopefully that dragon had wandered off. Why hadn’t it killed her?

Chrysalis gave another yank at her bonds, more for the look of thing than with any hope of escape and sighed in resignation, “What I wouldn’t give for just one vaguely competent underling.” As if in response Chrysalis caught a familiar scent in the air.

Looking up with undisguised excitement Chrysalis saw two equine shapes approaching. These weren’t running in a blind panic but advanced cautiously along as if fearing attack at any moment.

Chrysalis took a deep breath and her frown slowly morphed into a sly grin, “’Praetorian’ is that you?” She waited as the two figures slunk into the light cast from the shattered ceiling above and Chrysalis felt her heart leap, “Scrund it really is you. I thought you’d died when the hive fell.”

Scrund stepped forward reverently and quickly bowed to Chrysalis, “No my Queen, but it was a close call. I have been living off....” Chrysalis was in no mood for Scrund’s problems and cut him off sharply.

“Yes, yes very good Praetorian I’m sure it was horrible, but enough of that. You and your drone are to get me out of these chains,” Chrysalis waved a dismissive hoof as she tapped her hind leg impatiently.

“Yes my Queen, but it’s not that simple this is no dro....” Chrysalis cut him off once more. Underlings talking back to her, had she really fallen that far?

“Quite frankly Scrund, I don’t care. Now get-me-out,” She released a commanding pheromone just for good measure. Her Praetorian’s single eye glazed over and without another word he advanced to do her bidding. Right now we have some order here I can...

It was Chrysalis’ turn to be cut off as she realised the mere drone was glaring at her, “Don’t just stand there you fool, remove these chains from me!” Still the drone didn’t move and Chrysalis felt her anger rising along with a mixture of confusion. This little mite was from her brood so her orders should be instantly obeyed.

Chrysalis’ eyes narrowed, he was from her brood? She studied the impudent grub and slowly saw that her first impression wasn’t completely accurate, “Who are you?” Chrysalis peered closer. Yes there it was, a slight flicker in the aura of this...

“Asss I said my Queen thissss isssh no simple drone, but says he’s here to help,” Scrund’s words were slightly slurred. Maybe I over did it on the command pheromones?

The newcomer finally spoke, “Well you’re more observant than most of the other changelings here.”

Chrysalis sniffed again, the scent was superficially right, but he...no. What was odd about the drone before her suddenly came into focus, “You smell like a female, that’s what’s wrong with you little grub.”

There was a choking sound from Scrund and he stared wide eyed at the drone, “You’re not serious my Queen, I mean he must be a he! I mean look at him.”

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, “Scrund, I can tell you most assuredly that whatever this ‘drone’ is it’s a girl.” She glared at the mystery before her, “A Queen can tell these things.”

If the drone was phased by her assessment it gave no sign but simply continued to glare at Chrysalis with...What? Not anger, but jealousy? Well that would make sense: She was the mighty Chrysalis and the maggot should be.

She caught Scrund watching the drone with wide eyed confusion, the chains completely forgotten, “Hey you stupid child, I told you to undo these chains.”

The flash of anger was like a fire and Chrysalis was amazed to realise it came from the drone. Looking around she saw its eyes full of passionate, protective love for Scrund. Its very next words confirmed that assessment.

“Look you ungrateful bug, Scrund’s done everything in his power to rescue you. You could at least be grateful,” The drone’s manner was almost ‘regal’ in its directness. Chrysalis could recall her mother sounding like that, oh far too many years ago. Well if I had any doubt it wasn’t a real drone then that clinches the deal. No drone would have that much independence.

Chrysalis felt a sneer forming, “You (whatever you are) do not tell me how to speak to my children.” She felt her hackles rise and lifted her nose at ‘it’.

“Grizz-is-a-girl?” Scrund’s voice couldn’t have sounded more lost.

Chrysalis sighed, “Yes Scrund, he smells like a she alright? Get over it and focus on the chains.”

“But that would make him - her - a queen, but you’re mother so how can she be of our brood and be queen. You’re our Queen?” Scrund’s whining continued and Chrysalis hissed angrily. She was about to berate him again when she saw that ‘Grizz’ looked almost as shocked as her praetorian.

She cocked an eyebrow, “Well we certainly have a lot to talk about,” Chrysalis glared at Scrund, “Once I’m free.”

Scrund shook his head and began working on the manacles again. Chrysalis regarded Grizz with interest. It seemed her child had a great attraction to this oddity and Chrysalis found her curiosity aroused, “So you’re here to help us?”

Grizz refocused on her and frowned, “That depends.”

Chrysalis sneered, “On what pray tell?”

“If you asked for it,” Chrysalis felt her brow furrow at Grizz’s reply.

She studied Grizz, “Surely you mean if I ask for it?”

There was a long pause as Chrysalis stared deeply into the un-drone’s eyes and was silently impressed that it could hold her gaze. Both she and Grizz snapped their heads about as a metallic clang sounded out.

Scrund had kicked the ring embedded in the ground which held her bonds, but sadly achieved nothing. Chrysalis felt her heart sink, Oh well, needs must. She pouted at Grizz, “Fine, please help me.”

Grizz didn’t move for a moment and Chrysalis shook her head with irritation, “Look If you’re waiting for me to beg then forget it. Not going to happen.” She watched Grizz with disdain and was about to snarl with anger when a shadow eclipsed the sunlight from above. Terror gripped Chrysalis as she saw the dragon, huge and terrible had returned.

“Oh shell rot, please-please-please let me out. We’re all going to die!” Chrysalis would have clapped her fore hooves together and pleaded with Grizz for help. To her horror Grizz simply grinned wickedly.

The dragon with lazy slowness, reached down with one massive claw and Chrysalis could only screw her eyes shut and scream with fear. She felt the claw brush against her back before with a screeching sound the chains binding Chrysalis snapped and she felt herself being lifted into the air.

Grizz’s simpering voice called out and Chrysalis opened her eyes to see the dragon was slowly lowering her to the ground once again, “See, all you had to do was ask nicely.”

Chapter Fourteen

Quiz couldn’t stop shaking, the images of what she’d seen in her ‘dream’ just wouldn’t leave her be. She had felt the pain, seen the horrible creatures and most of all she didn’t understand what it all meant. Her throat hurt as she struggled to let the sobs out, they came with such force that Quiz was hiccupping air.

“Quiz it’s okay, don’t worry it wasn’t real,” Twilight was gently patting her on the back and rocked Quiz back and forth as she cried. The little sprite was cradled in Twilight’s hooves and looked up to the princess with pained eyes.

Despite Twilight’s assurances Quiz didn’t believe her, the feelings were so strong. She’d been there in that dark cave, seen the horrible things ‘she’ had been forced to do and it tore up Quiz’s heart. “I didn’t want to! Why did she have to be so mean?” Quiz buried her head in Twilight’s soft coat.

It didn’t matter that Quiz was a machine; that she couldn’t truly cry tears or gasp for air. It felt real enough and Quiz responded as any pony would.

“How strange, it seems that Quiz picked up on the magical memory I was projecting. I didn’t know you’d built that into the sprites?” Luna’s tone was not unkindly, but she was certainly more detached than Twilight.

“I didn’t!” Twilight replied, “I had no idea that could happen; maybe it’s something to do with her 'etheric absorption core’?”

Quiz let the technical speak flow over her as Twilight and Luna discussed why she’d experienced the terrible dream. It was far too complicated and so she simply kept on sobbing and wished it would all go away.

“Well Quiz has seen what I showed you, so now she knows what Celestia was forced to do,” The tone in Luna’s voice made Quiz glance around to see Luna’s stony expression. Oh no, now Luna's angry with me.

Fresh waves of fear and despair welled up within Quiz and she wailed anew, hugging Twilight as if her maker was a lifeline, “Please don’t turn me off! I didn’t mean to!”

Luna’s eyes became pained, “Of course we won’t little one, certainly not for having a bad dream.” Luna shared a meaningful glance with Twilight, “That’s all it was, wasn’t it Twilight, just dream right?”

Quiz looked up at Twilight who was still stroking her with a hoof, “What? Yes of course, just a bad dream Quiz, nothing to worry about.”

“But it felt so real. There was that big bug, the nasty one and I had to hurt it!” Quiz felt Twilight stiffen and knew she’d said something wrong.

Twilight stopped comforting Quiz and lifted her to eye level, “It was just a dream Quiz, trust me you’ve done nothing wrong.”

“But Luna’s angry....” Quiz replied, her trembling returning in force.

“Luna’s just worried for you, she’s responsible for keeping pony’s dreams safe so she’s just sad you had a nightmare,” Twilight smiled weakly and Quiz wanted that to be true, but deep down she knew it wasn’t.

“It’s no use Twilight: Quiz knows more than she can fully express,” Luna announced sadly and Quiz felt terror grip her once more. “I promised that I wouldn’t reveal the events of that day to anyone Twilight. You already knew and I know I can trust you to keep it, but Quiz..”

The yawning maw of despair began to close around Quiz as she felt Twilight tense again, “No Luna she doesn’t truly understand so it’s alright.”

“I wish that were so, but Quiz has already confided in me about her fellow sprite’s plans. She clearly can’t keep a secret,” Luna’s sad voice explained and Quiz pressed herself closer to Twilight. “Plus think of your research too, Quiz knows of your experiment and if she tells the other sprites it will ruin everything.”

Twilight’s reply was angry now, “Only because you convinced her to ask me! You were all for Quiz knowing about my work, but when she finds out one of your’s and Celestia's secrets that’s a different story is it?”

There was a pause and Quiz dared to glance at Luna with a tiny flicker of hope who spoke with a heavy heart, “I did do that Twilight and now I truly regret my actions. I’m sorry.”

Quiz couldn’t hold the question in any longer, “What is Luna going to do Twilight?”

There was a tense moment where no one said anything and Quiz’s mind filled with every terrible scenario she could think of. Maybe they will lock me up so I can’t tell anypony? Or deactivate me and then say it was an accident.

She clung to Twilight hoping against hope that she would say or do something to change the situation, but her creator simply stared at Luna with grim eyes. I could run away? Or maybe...

“No Luna, I won’t let you do anything to Quiz. None of this was her fault,” Twilight’s voice was calm and Quiz felt overwhelming gratitude fill her soul. Twilight was defending her! Twilight looked down sadly at Quiz, “It’s my fault more than anypony’s. I made her and so I’ll deal with it.”

The world froze as Quiz suddenly understood what Twilight was saying and the horror flowed back tenfold. She stared up into Twilight’s eyes and saw only grim determination within, “No Princess! I’ll be good! I won’t tell anypony about any of this!”

Twilight winced, “I know you won’t Quiz.”

Twilight’s horn glowed and its radiance seemed to fill Quiz’s world, she felt the first touches of the spell then began to feel her own memories begin to dull. Her talks with Luna, her understanding of why she was created and the nightmare she’d had; all began to evaporate like smoke in a morning breeze. Quiz felt at peace for the first time in months and....

“Enough both of you!” A haggard voice called out and Quiz felt the enchantment smothering her mind fade away. Blinking as the magic dissolved Quiz looked to the sound and saw another pony approaching out of the darkness.

Quiz took in the wild mane and bedraggled appearance and her mind refused to believe what she was seeing. Celestia was standing at the foot of the gazebo, the normally pale glow that suffused her was muted. Her eyes, normally filled with calm assurance were bloodshot and puffy around the edges.

Celestia looked old and tired, as if her great age had finally caught up with her and Quiz was shocked at the state of her ruler. The memories of her dream that wasn’t a dream came rushing back and Quiz took off in terror. She wanted to be as far away from that creature as she could.

Her frantic wing beats only carried Quiz a few meters before she felt magic reach out and snatch her, holding her fast like a bug trapped in amber, “I cannot allow you to flee little one,” Quiz looked back and saw Celestia’s horn glowing softly, a sad smile on her muzzle.

“Sister, I....it’s my fault I shouldn’t have,” Luna’s pained voice called out only to be quickly drowned out by Twilight’s own.

“Celestia don’t she’s....” Twilight’s fearful tone was silenced as Celestia’s smile warmed.

“I have let this all go on for far too long, I have buried my hurt and now it’s causing my fellow princesses to do wrong, all be it with good intentions, on my behalf. Enough is enough,” Celestia drew Quiz in and gently kissed the sprite on the forehead. “I’m so sorry little one, it’s time I took responsibility for my choices.”

Quiz shook, she didn’t understand what was happening, but they didn’t seem about to harm her so and the guttering light of hope flared. Celestia released her and smiled sadly at her fellows, “Thank you both for respecting my wishes for secrecy. It means more to me that I can express, but I cannot let you do so anymore.”

She looked at Twilight with grateful eyes, “My faithful student, now my fellow princess and teacher. I should have trusted you more. In all the time I had you learning friendship lessons I should have been doing them myself.”

Celestia bowed to Twilight, “Please forgive my outbursts earlier; I was wrong and have been for far too long.” She smiled grimly, “Thank you for standing up to me and setting me straight, I saw you both ready to unfairly punish an innocent just to keep my secret safe and I couldn’t let you do that.”

Twilight shared a knowing glance with Luna before speaking, “It’s okay Celestia none of us are perfect. As I said to you before, it’s not the changeling’s fault that they are what they are.”

Celestia shook, but afterwards it looked as if a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders, “Everything that happened with Sift, what I was forced to do that day, it’s been with me all this time. I have never had the courage to face it.”

Luna grinned this time, “Being made to look a fool in front of the entire kingdom during Cadance’s wedding didn’t help either.”

Celestia’s eyes flashed with fire for a moment before she nodded in acceptance, “True Luna, very true.”

The story of how Chrysalis had nearly destroyed Canterlot and left Celestia hanging in a cocoon of slime was well known. Quiz had given little thought to how that must have made Celestia feel, but clearly it cut her deep.

Quiz listened in awe, hearing things that would make Zip explode with excitement as Celestia conversed with her fellows, “The power of harmony, the world’s own love for us let me save you Luna and I think that same force could help us now in our plight.” Celestia smiled at Twilight, “True you have returned the Elements of Harmony to their rightful place, but that doesn’t mean that the world is beyond helping us again.”

The mood of the gathering lifted and Quiz felt real hope for the first time in many days. Luna smiled as she spoke, “You’re ready to help the children of Sift then? Ready to put your hurts aside and see what we can do to help them rather than simply wipe them out?”

Celestia winced, “To say that I’m happy about that idea would be a lie Lulu. I don’t think I’ll ever like them, certainly doubt I’ll ever consider them friends.....” She took a deep breath, “But I will do my part to restore what harmony we can.”

Twilight grinned, “So what’s the plan?”

For the first time since she’d appeared Celestia smiled wholeheartedly, “I have already been in contact with Cadance and she was surprisingly eager to help. We’ve come up with something that may just work.”

Zip shook with anticipation, the whole city resonated with excitement and he was right there in the middle of things. The city’s centre had been completely given over to the upcoming visit from Princess Cadance and her entourage. Banners and streamers filled the air and every citizen was talking about this ‘special announcement.’

Zip had a commanding view from one of the banner poles situated above the central stage. The platform had been erected just for this occasion and he found himself enjoying things immensely. Zip cast his eyes about the thronging crowds and saw creatures from every corner of Equestria, a veritable melting pot of races and colours.

This felt important, he felt important and that thrill sent a shudder through his tiny body. Ever since he’d come online Zip had longed to be needed, to make a difference and now he could. Carrying messages and simply being a ‘useful helper’ was all well and good for his fellow sprites but Zip wanted more.

A horn sounded and Zip’s attention was instantly drawn to the glittering procession making its way down the wide road of the city. Citizens waved from windows either side and large numbers of guards stood resolutely flanking of the advancing crystal ponies.

In the centre of the group was Princess Cadance sitting in a ceremonial open carriage pulled by hefty crystal stallions, their armour and coats glinting in the warm sunlight. She smiled and waved as the crowds cheered, the very picture of a composed ruler and Zip felt his heart soar at the sight.

Princess Cadance, one of the rulers of Equestria and defender of the Crystal Fiefdom smiled with an easy going manner, the crowds exploding in appreciation as she gave them her attention. Sitting next to her was a wizened looking unicorn stallion with white coat, greying blue mane and Zip realised that he must be ‘Shining Armour’.

Despite his age, Shining held himself with poise and confidence, happy to take a lesser role in proceedings it seemed. Every so often Cadance would whisper something to him and he’d chuckle gently, the sound of his mirth lost among the roaring crowds.

Shining beamed proudly as close by, marching among the other soldiers were other ponies that were not glittering like their fellows. The mundane coats of two unicorn stallions and a pegasus mare were only partially covered by their ornate armour and Zip instantly recognised the family resemblance.

‘Platinum Shield’, ‘Silver Tongue’ and ‘Heart Strong’ all smiled warmly at the thronging Equestrians as they passed and Zip felt his own heart swell with pride. The royal couple’s foals had grown up to be just as wonderful as their parents, carrying themselves with an assured gait that easily kept pace with the crystal pony soldiers either side.

The crowds surged as the procession made its steady way to the awaiting stage. This caused the guards lining the walkway to gently but firmly hold them back, such was the excitement of the day.

Finally the group reached the stage and Shining Armour dismounted first, offering a hoof to Cadance who took it gracefully and stepped lightly down. The crowds roared their approval as Shining kissed her on the cheek and Cadance blushed brightly. Even from his place high above them Zip could easily tell the pair loved each other deeply.

Their children formed an honour guard that lined the final length to the stage while Cadance and Shining advanced slowly. Zip couldn’t be certain but it seemed that Cadance was subtly keeping level with her husband, letting him set the stately pace.

If Shining looked old, then Cadance didn’t look much over middle-aged. Zip recalled Cadance and Twilight having a deep discussion about such differences in lifespan and how to cope with such matters. Zip was happy to see that the Princess of the Crystal Fiefdom and her prince were holding up well under these pressures.

How long will their children live for? Zip couldn’t help but wonder, being no expert in such things he quickly dismissed the thought from his mind and focused on the stage. Shining Armour had taken position behind a microphone before gently waving a hoof for silence.

The crowd’s roaring died down as he slowly cleared his throat, “Greetings citizens of Equestria, it’s a great privilege to be here today on this momentous occasion.” Despite his aged body Shining sounded confident and strong. “It is my great pleasure to stand before you today with my lovely wife and children.”

The throng shouted their approval and Shining Armour was forced to wave a quieting hoof once again. Once the cheers subsided he pressed on, “Cadance has asked me to address you on an important matter of state, one that affects us all and I hope to be able to live up to that trust.”

Zip listened intently as did the crowds, their expectant faces all smiling up at Shining Armour who coughed again, “As you know the land of Equestria has long been a realm of equality between different races. I am happy to see many zebra, bat ponies and buffalo along with other fine examples of this harmony before me today. You’re acceptance and community spirit is a wonder to behold.”

The masses cheered again and Zip suddenly felt a pang of apprehension, he’d been around Twilight enough to know when a speaker was softening a crowd and Shining Armour was laying it on pretty thickly today.

The stomping of hooves died back as Shining was forced to wait for the crowd to quiet down a third time. There was a pause as he glanced at Cadance for approval before turning back and smiled warmly at the watchers, “As such I am here today to announce that another race will be making its first forays into joining our great community.”

All present held their breath, no doubt eager to know who Shining spoke of. Zip’s little army of spies had uncovered many rumours of such speculation. It was a widely held view that the Dragon Empires might finally be willing to formally join Equestria, but what Shining Armour announced next shocked them all to silence.

He cleared his throat a third time before a trickle of sweat ran down Shining’s cheek, “As such I want to inform you all that in a few days time Ponyville, or more accurately within the bounds of the Everfree Forest we will be receiving ambassadors from the changeling hives.”

The silence was total, only the sounds of the gentle wind ruffling the banners and decorations adorning the city swayed in the wind. Zip felt his jaw drop open and he stared at the stage as if Shining had just exploded and Cadance had turned into a timber wolf.

It started as a low mutter, but soon grew to a confused roar as the crowds let what they’d just heard sink in. Zip saw that Shining Armour was sweating heavily now and a brittle smile had formed on his muzzle.

Several angry shouts rose above the murmur, with cries of “Madness!” and “Monsters!” being bellowed at the now shaking Shining Armour.

As the crowds mood turned ugly the soldiers (only now did Zip truly realise just how many there were) formed up and stood firm, their faces grim. It began as a slight spattering at first but quickly grew into a torrent of thrown fruit and vegetables along with other items such as cups and boxes. These missiles clattered off the guards and off the magical barrier that Shining now caused to envelope the stage.

Zip heard the crowd’s roar muted as the shield closed in over his head and felt his fear rise. Looking down he saw Cadance arise from her seat, making her determined way over to the podium as thrown detritus splattered off the barrier.

She raised her hooves for calm, but too little effect, “Please, please let us explain this big decision.” Her voice was magnified by the microphone before her, but Cadance didn’t rely solely on that. Her horn glowed and Cadance’s voice became a booming sound that bounced off the buildings either side of them and caused Zip to shake on his perch.

“Listen Equestria: I, more than most of you have suffered at the hooves of changelings, I know this is a hard decision for you all to hear,” Cadance called out and finally the crowds quietened down. “We do not make this choice lightly and be assured that we are taking every measure to guard ourselves against expected treachery, but this matter must be addressed.”

The masses murmured again and Zip could sense their displeasure as Cadance pressed on, “If one such as I who nearly lost a husband to these creatures,” Cadance glanced at Shining Armour who nodded in encouragement, “Can set aside my own reservations then I hope that you all can too.”

Zip was astonished at such a frank plea but Cadance wasn’t finished, “I know that this is hard, that many of you have suffered from the despicable acts of changelings in the past.” Her face grew determined, “But if we are to ever live in peace then we need to do our part. I beg of you all to give us time, time to see if they can be redeemed and this threat to us all can be turned into something positive.”

The crowd’s murmurs were still there, but they at least had stopped throwing things. The temperature on the stage seemed to drop as Cadance gave her concluding remarks, “I do not know if such an outcome is truly possible, but we are duty bound to try.” There was a brief flicker of fire in her eyes. “I will make you this promise however, one way or another. This threat to our lands will be ended.”

Several of the soldiers watching trembled and Zip didn’t blame them, the final words of Cadance sent a shiver down his spine with their cold certainty. Her piece spoken Cadance sat down again and her eldest came forward.

Platinum Shield, all muscle and strength barely contained within a white coat watched the crowds with a grim expression, “This is why we are to hold these negotiations within the Everfree Forest, partly for your protection and so that we can talk before the example of unity for us all, the ‘Tree of Harmony’.”

Zip saw the unsure eyes of the watchers as they listened, “You have said that Equestria wants no formal negotiations with the changelings and Celestia respects your wishes. The Crystal Fiefdom shall therefore handle these talks; we are your ally and as such we are not bound by this decree.”

Platinum gestured to his brother and smiled widely, "Silver is our best ambassador and shall make you all proud with his skills in negotiation." Sadly the thronging crowd didn't seem at all impressed with his brother, a handsome looking blue stallion with intense grey eyes.

There was further unrest before Platinum spoke again, several shouts and angry calls threatened to drown him out but he pressed on regardless, “Know that my mother and father will only agree to any terms when they themselves are completely satisfied that the changelings are no longer a threat to us. You have my word and theirs that this will be so.”

Both Shining Armour and Cadance arose and saluted along with the soldiers on the stage. Zip felt their sincerity and their honesty enveloping the crowds below. If anypony could convince Equestria that they were taking the changeling situation seriously then it was Cadance and Shining Armour.

The crowd stood in utter silence and the barrier dissipated. Zip heard the muted sounds of the outside world rush back in and realised his own mouth was still hanging open. Of all the things he’d been expecting the Crystal Royal family to announce, this hadn’t even come close.

He felt his own efforts suddenly seem small and insignificant against such a bold showing of strength. Did Twilight know about this? Surely she did. But where is she now? Zip cast a glance over to the city of Canterlot, its gleaming spires shining off in the distance. This was the sort of announcement that he’d expected all the princesses to be involved in, but the other royals were absent.

Their speech concluded, Shining lead the way back to the awaiting carriage, crystal pony soldiers closing in around them. Several Equestrians called out to the couple, pressing against the wall of guards but were politely moved aside.

Soon only Heart Strong remained on the stage, her pale pink wings spread as she approached the microphone, “If you have any questions or relevant points to make then we will be receiving you at the city hall in one hour. That is all for now, please go with our thanks and return to your lives as normal. We will inform about any important developments.”

Several photographers were greedily snapping photos of the departing royals and Zip had no doubt that this would be headline news across all of Equestria before the day was out. He felt utterly defeated. He was hoping to find out any massive news before anypony else, but this announcement had taken everyone totally by surprise it seemed, “We’re not really cut out for the spy gig are we.”

He hung his head low and drifted off the flagpole despondently, the effort of even fluttering his wings seemed more than it was worth. He was just about to turn and head for the science centre when a shadow eclipsed him.

Looking up Zip saw the grinning face of Heart Strong peering down at him before she spoke in a conspiratorial manner, “And you must be Zip correct? The Royal Pony Sisters send their regards.” Before he could flit aside the pegasus grabbed hold of him and dived down towards the retreating procession making its way towards the city hall.

As they came closer Zip saw that Cadance was watching their approach with a conspiratorial smile of her own. He was neatly deposited in front of both Shining Armour and herself before another barrier spell sprang into being.

“Sorry about the sudden summons their Zip, but Twilight wanted me to personally talk to you about a few matters,” Cadance explained and Zip felt his knees tremble at the sound.

Chapter Fifteen

Buzz watched Chrysalis and Chrysalis watched Buzz, both robot pony and changeling queen tried to take the measure of one another. They stood in the centre of what had once been the nutrient halls of Lady Ichor’s hive, surrounded by freed prisoners who were all watching the scene with interest.

Fire blackened walls and husk strewn pools was all the evidence needed to show the intensity of the fighting here and Buzz felt no small measure of pride in bringing down Lady Ichor’s reign of terror.

Buzz couldn’t block out images from the ‘research’ room she and Spike had found Chrysalis chained up in. The apparatus may have been more organic in nature than say Twilight’s, composed of changeling resins and viscous slimes, but it had been a laboratory none the less.

Ichor had been dissecting and experimenting on changeling Larva, using magic and chemicals to attempt to breed a new strain of shape shifter. Such 'research' held up a twisted mirror to Twilight’s own studies and Buzz was only too happy to see it destroyed.

That left them with the now freed Chrysalis and Buzz wanted to feel sorry for the creature, but Chrysalis made it very difficult to like her. Buzz knew that Chrysalis had been forced to produce offspring to feed Ichor’s experiments and should have felt some pity, but even now Chrysalis was being domineering and just plain rude.

“I don’t see why you had to free the other drones, there is good feeding on my fellow queen’s underlings,” Chrysalis hissed angrily, she had all the drones from her own brood gathered about her while the waifs and strays from other hives were all milling about in confusion.

Buzz’s heart went out to them. They looked so lost and alone, in some cases they didn’t have even one other drone from their own broods to call friend. They did their best to gather together but none really trusted the others and Buzz honestly didn’t blame them if her own experiences in inter hive feuding was anything to go by.

The few ponies and other prisoners Buzz had found had not survived revival, either being too far gone to be awakened or so drained of any emotion that they were simply empty bodies that stared unblinkingly at the floor. Mercifully Spike had offered to ‘help’ these unfortunates and Buzz had reluctantly agreed. He still hadn’t returned.

“Scrund informs me that you managed to infiltrate this hive and drive the workers against each other, an impressive feat Grizz,” Chrysalis said conversationally as she eyed the lost drones hungrily. “I would very much like to know how you did it and what you really are,” She grinned nastily at Buzz who frowned in reply.

“And why would you want to know that hmm?” Buzz snapped. She’d made her own body into a ‘neutral’ scent that didn’t match any of the changelings present. She needed a clear head right now and not to be influenced by any pseudo feelings of loyalty to any one hive group. Even then she found her gaze drifting to Scrund and Buzz wrestled with her own feelings regarding him.

Chrysalis waggled her eyebrows at Buzz, “Well that’s a unique skill you have there Grizz, no changeling has ever been able to alter their own pheromones to fool another hive’s members. We’re simply not built like that. Just think of what we could achieve with my knowhow and your skills.”

Buzz was sickened by Chrysalis’ suggestion, as if she’d help her overthrow what was left of the other hives. Yet in a tiny part of her soul Buzz was tempted, the fun she’d had here causing such mayhem was delicious..... Buzz blinked and shook herself only for Chrysalis to laugh nastily.

“Oh I see the hunger on you Grizz, something of my offer appeals to you yes?” Buzz tried to ignore Chrysalis’ eyes which sparkled with amusement. “Just imagine: You in control of your own little army of drones, bringing all the different broods to heel, we could overthrow any kingdom we wished with such a force.”

“How can you be so sure it will work with any other hive, Ichor was mad and her own grip on this place only tentative at best,” Scrund spoke up and Chrysalis snarled angrily at him.

“Of course Grizz could work against other hives, they will do what she tells them,” Chrysalis winked at Buzz, “You underlings always listen to a female as is only right and proper.”

Despite herself Buzz was curious, “Is it really that simple, they follow a female who has the right scent?”

Chrysalis laughed until she saw Buzz was serious, “Of course it is Grizz, even ponies know to follow the most powerful females in the land.”

“We follow the princesses because they are good and wise. Not for any other reason!” Buzz snapped her, temper fraying and instantly realised she’d said too much.

Chrysalis leered at her, “Ah so you’re from Equestria, I should have known that those ponies couldn’t help but meddle.” The queen trotted over to Buzz and looked her up and down, “Very good disguise I’ll give you that. Not perfect, but then again what would you expect from a land of such primitives.”

Buzz glared at Chrysalis; biting back the angry retort that almost yearned to be loosed before Chrysalis probed further, “So what kind of pony are you then Grizz? I would assume it was that meddling Twilight who cast an illusion spell on you?”

Before Buzz could react Chrysalis kicked her. Buzz stumbled with a hiss, fangs bared in anger and tattered wings shivering before Chrysalis simply laughed at such a display, “No, more than that I see, you react like a changeling should. I doubt even that nosey Twilight could have such a grasp on our behaviour.”

The other changelings watched this interchange: Chrysalis’ drones chittering along with their queen’s humour, while the stray males simply watched in fascination, “So it’s deeper than that. Not a covering spell, but an actual change in the subject.” She peered into Buzz’s eyes, the green slits of Chrysalis still shining with amusement and.... a tiny amount of respect if Buzz was any judge.

“It must feel so strong upon you Grizz, to have an actual bodily transformation. The wills and desires of your pretend body pressing heavily on your mind, I am surprised a pony could stand it,” Chrysalis circled Buzz who tensed. The Queen had hit closer to the mark than Buzz would care to admit.

“But you’re not a pony are you? Even under all that magic you don’t even hint of an Equestrian,” Chrysalis looked genuinely interested now. “Yet you hold some loyalty for that land, fascinating.”

“And loyalty is something you’d know anything about?” Buzz, tired of such questions snapped with venom.

Chrysalis looked honestly shocked, “Loyalty? You think that I lack Loyalty? I’ll have you know, little faker, that I have more Loyalty in my tail than the whole of Equestria put together!”

Chrysalis looked deranged for a moment, her eyes bulging with anger, “I have looked out for the best interests of my children from the very day I was born you miserable little grub. Do you know how much I have sacrificed to keep them alive?”

“You mean how many innocent creatures you’ve drained to sustain yourself and your brood?” Buzz countered as she felt her hackles rise.

The madness in Chrysalis’ eyes only grew, “Innocent?” She laughed with fervour, a long cackling laugh that went on for just longer than was comfortable. “There is no such thing in this world as innocence. I’ve seen the feelings in the hearts of newborn pony foals; all hungry and selfish. I’ve locked horns with your precious Celestia and tasted her pride, thinking she’s better than all those around her. Don’t talk to me about innocence you writhing maggot.”

Buzz wasn’t cowed though, “Innocents, those whose only crime is to try to live in peace and harmony. You and your kind are parasites, leeching off others while giving nothing in return. Don’t talk to me about sacrifice!”

There was a quiet moment before Chrysalis grinned again. The fury retreating behind a mask of condescension, “You have the temper and mind of queen Grizz, such a shame you don’t have the experience and knowledge to match it.”

Chrysalis seemed to deflate, “Yes we’re parasites I don’t deny it, but that doesn’t make us monsters.” Buzz sneered but Chrysalis simply ignored her, “Ponies live off plants, timber wolves off meat, we live off the essence of other creatures Grizz: We all have to eat to survive.”

Buzz was shocked to see Chrysalis even shed a tear, “You say that your ‘innocents’ are simply trying to live in peace? Well that’s all we’re trying to do. We didn’t choose to be what we are, that our survival is dependent on others suffering is not our choice but our curse.”

Buzz could almost believe Chrysalis at that moment: That she was simply a mother doing what was needed for her young, then Buzz recalled how Chrysalis treated her children and the act seemed hollow. She looked past the trembling lip, the tear stained cheeks and into Chrysalis’ eyes.

As Buzz did so she allowed her borrowed senses to come to the fore and tried to read the Queen’s emotions. It was blank, a bottomless void in the world that sucked in all the lights around it. Even the drones Buzz had met gave off some idea of what they were feeling, but Chrysalis may as well have been a rock for all the feeling she showed.

“Did you ask for our help Chrysalis?” Buzz asked and the inquiry seemed to puzzle the Queen no end. Buzz continued to study Chrysalis for any sign of emotion, yet still there was nothing but blackness.

Chrysalis raised an eyebrow, “There you go with that odd question again Grizz. I asked for your help when that dragon was coming, what more do you want?”

Buzz sighed, “If you don’t know the answer then we’re done here Chrysalis, you can starve with the rest of your kind.” Buzz couldn’t help but glance at Scrund with disappointed eyes, with her empathic vision she could see he was utterly confused.

She wanted so much to explain to him what this was all about, to help him if not Chrysalis but if the plea for help hadn’t come from his mother then it must have come from Ichor and there was no way Twilight would have supported Ichor’s evil methods either.

It seemed Buzz had failed in her task, the changelings hadn’t asked for help. They were just as determined to remain as they always had been and that meant that Buzz’s mission was at an end. It was a depressing conclusion to her journey, but she had known it was always a possibility that this whole thing was probably a trap or fake. Such a shame that so many died and more will follow.

Chrysalis hadn’t moved and simply stared at her in anger, “Oh we won’t starve, you have my word on that Grizz. You sure you won’t join us? There is far more scope for a being of your talents with us and I can see you’re more than a little taken with my head guard. He could be yours if you reconsider.”

Buzz actually blushed at that comment and to her miserable joy so did Scrund. Chrysalis laughed again and Buzz felt the anger returning, “That was a low trick even for you.”

Chrysalis simply winked, “As I said, I only do what’s best for my brood. If I need to lose one of my most faithful children to ensure our survival then I wouldn’t hesitate to do so.”

Buzz glared at her, “Sacrifices huh?”

Chrysalis’ face became totally serious, “Anything for my brood.”

Buzz felt a flicker of hope. Maybe there was a chance here? She straightened up and decided to go for it anyway, “I have been sent by the council of harmony to see if the changelings were ready, truly ready, to give up their despicable ways and live in peace.”

She grinned nastily at Chrysalis before turning her attention to the homeless drones, “It seems that Chrysalis and her brood have decided to reject any such offer so I extend it to you all. We are willing to offer asylum to any changeling who would be willing to live under Equestrian law and work with us to find a way to live in peace.”

The assembled drones glanced at each other in bewilderment but Buzz wasn’t finished, “I doubt you will get such a kind offer from the likes of Chrysalis and her ilk.”

There was a tense moment where Buzz hoped that at least some of the drones would see reason, before to her horror they bowed their heads and shuffled over to Chrysalis. Buzz glared at the changeling queen who simply shook her head nastily, “As I told you Grizz they will follow the strongest female, you my dear are not it.”

“No!” Everyone paused at the sudden shout and the whole room looked around to see Scrund was shaking with effort, “We’re not just some mindless army of slaves. With respect my Queen I know you say you want what’s best for us and I believe you, but I think in this instance you are wrong.”

Buzz’s heart leaped even as Chrysalis’ face darkened, “We’re starving your majesty. We have nowhere to go and if something new isn’t attempted then we will die.”

Chrysalis hissed in fury and Buzz smelt the pheromones of control permeate into the air, “Scrund you have been my most able child in this spawning so far, I have a great deal of leeway for my gifted son, but I will not be spoken to in such a manner.”

Buzz saw Scrund screw up his face as the overpowering control his mother exerted began to affect him and without even realising she was doing it, her own body changed to counter it. She wanted more than anything for Scrund to be free, to be able to decide for himself and before Buzz could stop herself she was surrounded by green flames.

There was a collective hiss from all the drones present but Buzz gave them no heed, she felt her own freshly created glands vent and the sickly a sweet smell filled the air. As it reached Scrund he visibly relaxed and the light returned to his single eye.

A screech of rage erupted from Chrysalis and she spun around to glare at Buzz, but that look of fury faltered as her eyes went wide with astonishment. Buzz saw through the chink in her opposite’s barrier of emptiness and relished the brief sensation of utter terror that she displayed.

“What are you?” Was all Chrysalis could say before Buzz looked down at herself. She was taller, taller than she’d ever been even when disguised. She felt different and not just that, she felt almost whole.

Buzz blinked at Chrysalis and saw her with new eyes. Where before she’d been an unreadable void in the room Chrysalis’s feelings were slowly coming into focus, like a painting seen through a murky glass that was washed clear by a running tap. She was staring at Buzz with a look of utter terror.

Looking around Buzz saw the drones, all slightly smaller than she remembered and felt them. Where before she’d seen their emotions, their hunger and loss Buzz could now feel what they felt and it rushed upon her like a torrent of sound.

Swaying slightly Buzz closed her eyes to block out the new intense inputs flooding her system and found that with an effort she could stem the flood. Buzz opened her eyes and saw the whole chamber staring at her in wonder.

“I...” Buzz paused, her voice sounded different too, deeper and richer. “I...” She tried again before Scrund called out.

“Thank you my Queen I didn’t know you would be so merciful, does this mean you will accept Grizz’s offer?” Buzz looked into Scrund’s hopeful face and saw the love he felt for Chrysalis. He’d do anything for his mother, even defy her if that was needed.

Chrysalis for her part simply continued to stare at Buzz in fear, “You stupid lackey, as if I would listen to such an offer and neither should you.”

Buzz watched as Scrund’s face screwed up in puzzlement, “But you allowed me to speak my Queen, I thought....” He paused and looked at Buzz in utter bemusement, “Grizz how did....?”

Buzz could take the uncertainty no longer, she glanced around and her gaze finally settled on one of the nutrient pools. Its contents had been thoroughly drained by the freed drones, leaving a clear green liquid in the place of the normally cloudy suspension.

Buzz trotted over to it, her legs feeling awkward and she fought to keep her balance with their new length. When she finally looked over the pool Buzzbot's heart missed a beat. There below, looking back at her was a changeling. Not a mere drone but a fully fledged queen.

Her long mane was a messy pale yellow. Her horn sprouted proudly from her forehead; bent, twisted and lined with holes just like Chrysalis’ while her eyes were no longer the multifaceted blue of a drone. They were golden yellow and slitted like a dragon’s. Her wings were large and whole, the low light in the room glinting off their perfect sheen: She was a changeling queen.

Buzz glanced back to the others in the chamber who all stared at her in shock, “Oh shorting circuits, This is going to get ever so complicated.”

Chrysalis shied back in fear, the ‘whatever’ it was had grown in the few moments she'd been focusing on Scrund. No changeling or anything else she’d ever seen could do that with such natural grace. Altering ones shape that was one thing, but she saw how the creature before her almost completely rewritten its own make up.

In the flash of fire Chrysalis caught brief glimpses of a vaguely pony shaped skeleton before a new rival stood bold and tall. The odd smelling drone that had been a curiosity, some strange trick from Equestria to confuse her was impressive, but this was something else entirely: Nothing natural should be able to do that.

For a moment Chrysalis feared the ponies had sent one of their accused demigods; Celestia or Luna to torment her. But then she saw the awkward way the new queen walked and that thought fled from her mind. It looks just as surprised at the change it underwent as we are.

Putting these musings aside Chrysalis snarled, whatever Grizz was she was now a blatant challenge to her own authority and that would never do. Ichor had at least been kin; she would show this new upstart no mercy.

Chrysalis summoned up her magic, a searing beam of power that in the past had humbled even Celestia and hurled it at Grizz with a cry of “Monster!”

Grizz was still staring at her own reflection in the nutrient pool when the surprise attack caught her in the side and Chrysalis cackled in triumph as the green energy flowed out across the foe, charring and burning. At least that was what should have happened.

In her haste and fear Chrysalis had forgotten just how starved and weak she was, so the bolt meant to utterly destroy her opponent simply staggered Grizz who snapped her head around and glared at Chrysalis.

Grizz screeched in reply, “That was another low blow Chrysalis, I won’t make the same mistake of turning my back on you again!”

Chrysalis felt it before she could see any sign of a spell. She felt a great drawing of energy and not just from the within Grizz: Her foe was also stealing power from the drones crowding around her. It was so masterfully done that the underlings didn’t even realise what was happening until their legs grew weak and they began to stumble.

Even her own children weren’t immune and soon they were sagging to the ground, the strength leached from them. Only then did Chrysalis understood just how foolish she’d been in rousing the anger of this newcomer. The golden yellow beam of power that struck out from Grizz's horn sliced through the air and battered aside any efforts Chrysalis tried to muster before striking home with a flash.

Chrysalis expected to writhe in agony, to have her body burned away just as she had planned for her foe. But instead she was filled with understanding, It was the most terrifying experience that she’d ever had and Chrysalis had been through her own share of horrors.

Instead of the burning of the body she felt the searing of the mind, her very soul was exposed to all the evil things she’d done in her long life. Lives destroyed, loved ones parted and drained from all they held dear. This was small fry for her, but worst of all Chrysalis saw what her own children thought of her.

They loved her so much that it hurt. They were devoted to Chrysalis beyond reason and would have done anything for her. But she saw her own arrogance and mistreatment of them too. Far too often she’d used them as mere pawns, imposing her own will to smother theirs in mad schemes that more than often than not led to the individual's demise. They loathed her for what she'd done to them and others.

This shouldn’t have bothered Chrysalis (it never had before). It had been a part of life. Keep the hive alive, do what was needed no matter the cost. She’d always lived by that credo and it had served Chrysalis well, until now. The power that Grizz had drawn from the drones hadn't been mere strength: She'd channeled their own feelings and forced them upon Chrysalis.

Now, now she understood something denied to her since birth: She finally had empathy and that burning cold understanding was more painful than anything physical Chrysalis had ever endured. Her own kind knew she was a monster and yet they still loved her, sometimes by force Chrysalis was ashamed to admit.

The lance of power finished and Chrysalis collapsed panting with the effort of not throwing up her insides in revulsion. She was hated and loved, loved and hated and there was no clear line as to which it was true.

In her agonies Chrysalis felt her children, confused and fearful press up to her and try to comfort their queen. Normally she’d have driven them back, never show weakness, even to your children: That leads to dangerous ideas among the rabble. The words and teachings of her own mother echoed hollow now as her drones pressed in to support Chrysalis.

She glared up at Grizz who stood dumfounded before her, the fellow queen looking more shocked than angry. Taking gasping breaths Chrysalis mustered the effort to snarl, “Curse you monster, of all the things you could have done to me that’s by far the lowest blow I have ever witnessed.”

Even as she shook the drones in the room began to move, first a single changeling then in groups of twos and threes. Before long the whole chamber’s allegiance began to shift. Chrysalis snarled in defeat as even some of her own children, as with sad glances at her, shuffled away to join the growing throng surrounding Grizz.

Chrysalis felt another surge of anger as the tides of fate turned against her again, “What did you do to them? What sorcery did you beguile them with?” The world was fast unravelling for Chrysalis now as Grizz (without even thinking it seemed) was filling the whole chamber with a sickly sweet pheromone, one that Chrysalis in all her years had never felt before.

It was refreshing, but loathsome at the same time and Chrysalis prayed she’d never had to smell anything so horrible again. It was like the control scent she used only, subtly different and it hurt her head to be surrounded by such a strange odour.

Grizz herself watched the gathering drones and looked thoughtful before answering, “I gave them the one thing you never did Chrysalis. I gave them a choice, I commanded them to decide for themselves what they wanted to do.”

Now Chrysalis understood the chemicals filling the air and her own stomach heaved at the very idea. It was so alien to her mind that she couldn’t accept it as fact. Drones didn’t choose, they did what they were told. Otherwise there would be utter chaos. Grizz was filling the air with the smell of freedom and it made Chrysalis feel violently sick.

With eyes full of loathing and hate Chrysalis watched as the last of her drones hugged their mother before making their way to Grizz with guilty expressions on their muzzles. Last of all was Scrund, he paused before Chrysalis and bowed, “Please my Queen, the path you have chosen will only lead to the death of us all. Come with us, I don’t want to lose you again.”

Chrysalis looked upon her best soldier, the one who’d fought the hardest when her hive fell to Ichor and saw the love he held for his mother. Such a tough little boy, no wonder he survived when so many others died, Chrysalis thought sadly.

She looked about the ruined chamber and saw the state of her race. Yes she could strike out into the wastes again, try to spawn another brood on the meagre reserves she’d gathered from this place. Maybe even wheedle her way into a new hive, but in the end the cold hard truth of her world hit Chrysalis like a giant horse shoe crushing an ant. We’re beaten, there is no place in this world where we can survive as we once did. All we’re doing is fighting over the scraps left over from better times. Curse ponies and their technology, curse being born this way and most of all curse Grizz for humbling her so badly in front of her own children.

Scrund nuzzled Chrysalis and for the first time she knew it was out of genuine affection, not because she was his Queen and so deserved such. The thought made her strangely happy in an odd kind of way. He smiled at her before holding out a hoof, “Come on mum, it’s time to step into a new day.”

Chrysalis looked down at the proffered limb and felt the ingrained certainties of the past crumbling around her. Could I live in such a world, where drones are free to tell me what they think and want? Chrysalis honestly didn’t know, nor could she see how they could possibly live under Equestrian law either. They would be eating ponies for heaven’s sake, most of all she dreaded looking into Celestia’s eyes again and knowing that she needed her help after all Chrysalis had done to her.

Still Scrund smiled, he hadn’t moved the whole time Chrysalis had been running these thoughts through her mind. She looked up at Grizz who watched her coldly and realised she had only one choice.....

Chapter Sixteen

Buzz stared at herself in the pool: A changeling queen. She closed her eyes and tried to focus, Buzz was only disguised as a changeling queen surely? Then why did she feel different? Experimentally she tried to alter her form and to her immense relief her magic obeyed.

Buzz had retired to a small chamber after her dramatic ‘coronation’, deeply troubled by this turn of events. “My body changed by itself, I didn’t choose for that to happen. By Celestia’s mane I didn’t even know that could happen without my instruction.”

The tall and imposing figure reflected in the water diminished and Buzz felt the old familiarity of pony senses returning. She looked down at a simple unicorn; cream coated with orange mane and studied her eyes intently. That ‘is’ me right?

Buzz reviewed the last thirty minutes of her life and only found the confusion growing. Normally she had a perfect memory for details, a memory that just happened to let her down just before she became a ‘queen’. All her recordings blanked out, replaced by nonsense static and Buzz ground her teeth in frustration.

A cough from behind Buzz stole her attention and she released a flash of green fire. ‘Queen Grizz’ looked around to see one of the drones bowing before her, “Your highness the brood awaits your orders.” Funny, it was easier this time as natural as breathing.

“Very good?” Grizz prompted before the drone saluted.

“Nizit your highness, we await your command,” Grizz cocked an eyebrow at the drone before she narrowed her eyes.

“Nizit...The same Nizit I encountered in the burrow a while back?” Grizz peered at the drone’s features, “You tried to kill me Nizit, along with Scrund.”

Nizit shook and Grizz felt a dark pleasure at watching him squirm, “That is true your Highness, but had I known who you really were of course I would have never.....”

“Please Nizit don’t even bother, I don’t want to hear it,” Grizz replied as she waved a long hole ridden hoof. “As you said had things been different any drone would have done the same correct?”

Nizit trembled and Grizz shook her head sadly, “Don’t worry, I don’t plan to be like other changelings.” She savoured Nizit’s gasp of relief, “But that also means you will not behave like them either is that understood?”

A simple nod told Grizz all she needed to know and with a final glance at the pool the new queen swept from the chamber. Nizit hurried along behind in her wake and Grizz hated the way he was fawning at her. That’s going to stop for one thing, I’m no tyrant and no monster I’m...I’m Buzz.

The new sensations of her form were far more pressing than Buzz’s previous disguise, the colours brighter and the feelings of her. The drones around her echoed in Grizz’s thoughts like a background murmur. They were desperate, desperate enough to follow this untested new leader with strange ideas. Grizz felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on her, but felt oddly elated by the pressure.

Just as Nizit had said the drones all milled about the nutrient chamber and to Grizz’s amusement some were even wearing clothes. Well clothes may have been a bit strong; for some reason they had draped themselves in whatever rags they could find.

As Grizz entered the whole chamber bowed in submission. Well apart from Chrysalis who sat sullenly in the deepest, shadowy corner of the room. Grizz ignored the angry glare her fellow queen gave her and smiled at the others, “Thank you for your patience with me, I had some things to attend to.”

The drones shrugged to one another and Grizz forced a reassuring smile onto her muzzle, “Scrund do we have enough food for the journey to Equestria?”

Grizz’s heart danced as Scrund, now wearing what looked to be a cooking pot on his head saluted smartly, “Yes your highness, but it will be a close call and we may have to feed on the way.” Grizz’s good mood evaporated, no matter which way she looked at the problem they still needed food.

She was careful not to let the moment of worry show however and instead nodded with approval, “Very good, prepare to swarm then. There is no time to lose.”

The chamber was filled with the humming of over a hundred delicate wings as the drones all around Grizz took flight. There was a convenient hole above, where Spike had forced entry to the hive which looked about right and as her minions swirled around Grizz she spread her own wings and soared into the sky above.

What actually happened was that Buzz leaped into the air, her anti gravity allowing a far greater jump than normal and before she even managed to get half way up Grizz sank back to the floor with an angry hiss.

“What’s the matter your Highness? All that new power weighing you down?” Grizz felt fresh fire burn in her core as the mocking chuckle of Chrysalis sounded out. “Very impressive, a queen who can’t even fly. Oh woe is her, whatever shall she do?” Chrysalis’ words bit deep and Grizz had to use all her self control not to zap her for good measure.

Taking a deep breath Grizz thought things over for a moment before grinning in return, “Improvise of course.”

Chrysalis’ frowned as Grizz allowed her horn to glow and sent a thin beam of light skywards before it detonated in a bright flash. The look of astonishment that covered Chrysalis’ face would keep Grizz warm on cold nights as reacting to her flare Spike swooped down into the chamber.

Her drones scattered in fear as the monstrous dragon landed gracefully before staring at Grizz with fascinated eyes, “Er....”

Grizz smiled warmly as she activated her communicator, “It’s me Spike. It will take a while to explain and I’ll tell you all about things on our way home.” Her uncle opened his mouth to reply but Grizz wasn’t finished, They all think I’m their new queen called ‘Grizz’, please play along.

Spike glanced warily at the surrounding drones who all watched the interchange with mounting awe and Grizz was worried he'd do something stupid. Her fears were unfounded though as with great theatrics Spike bowed to Grizz, “You called your highness?”

“I did yes Lord Spike, one wishes to fly to Equestria in style. Would you be so good as to carry me?” Deep down Buzz was loving this, the chance to play a royal was just too good to miss. Who said we’re playing? The thought was so sudden that it caught her off guard and she had to stop herself looking around to see the speaker.

Shaking off the sudden chill she felt, Grizz mounted Spike and with a wry smile looked down at Chrysalis, “Coming?”

Chrysalis snarled but trotted forwards the jealousy pouring off her. Grizz watched as Chrysalis blurred her own tattered wings and drifted into the air towards the back of the formation. Grizz shook her head, “No Chrysalis I meant what I said, please lead on.”

The look Chrysalis gave her could have burned cities as with cheeks glowing she assumed a position just in front of Spike. Grizz felt the drones all silently laughing at such a cowed display, all except Scrund that was. You’re not going to be like other changelings remember?

Grizz frowned before addressing the swarm, “Chrysalis is still a queen. You will show her proper respect. I want her treated well even if I am forced to keep an eye on her.”

The look of surprise Chrysalis spared Grizz was matched only by the response from the drones. Many of them shook their heads and Grizz was pleased to see Scrund smiling at her from out of the swarm.

“Okay Spike we’re all ready to go, in your own time!” Grizz yelled to be heard above the roaring swarm and he moved to obey. She felt his powerful muscles bunch under her and with a lurching motion that nearly unseated Grizz Spike took off.

Rolling with the bouncing motions Grizz watched as the dank walls fell away: Layers of rock dropping downwards past them as Spike pounded his wings. Her drones flew around Spikes huge bulk and Grizz felt a sense of immense pride. She was going home and she’d be bringing some new friends too.

“But your majesty, If we deactivate the S.D.F then that will leave Ponyville vulnerable to changeling incursions!” Zip felt sorry for the guard, he really did. His job had just become far more complicated and it was set to become more so.

Princess Cadance sighed and rubbed her temple with a hoof, “That’s the point soldier, with the incoming delegation we need to switch off Twilight’s machine. We have taken extra precautions during this unusual time and I have two whole regiments of my own Crystal Ponies to sure up any loss of protection.”

Zip hadn’t left Cadance’s side since Heart Strong had introduced him and so he had a front row seat to the unfolding drama.

The guard scrunched up his muzzle in uncertainty, “I’m sorry your highness, but without proper written authority from Twilight herself I cannot allow the S.D.F to be turned off.”

Zip took this chance to stare around the main control room and marvelled at such technology. Sure Twilight had often had him sit in on her work, but never had Zip seen such complicated machines.

The whole chamber thrummed with arcane power. Cables and technical readouts surrounded the sprite and it caused his antenna to tingle with the force of it. Zip had only felt his excitement growing as Cadance and Shining Armour along with Heart Strong made steady progress into the S.D.F tower.

“Well that’s easy to solve,” Cadance announced as she produced a data pad and held it up for the guard’s inspection, “Here you go, one hoof print authentication from Princess Twilight.”

Zip wasn’t surprised by such levels of security, Twilight was a complete stickler for thoroughness and procedure. Much to the annoyance of her fellow rulers it seemed.

The guard studied the pad for a moment before nodding slowly, “Very good your highness.”

Cadance smiled happily and Zip watched the crews at their work stations begin the process of shutting down. “I want nothing to cause friction when the Changelings arrive, this is too much of a unique occasion,” Cadance announced solemnly.

“It’s going to be a life changing event princess, make no mistake about that,” The guard agreed and Zip rolled his eyes. I miss Twilight she’d have taken control of shutting down the tower personally, ah well.

Seeing all was in order Cadance bowed thankfully and trotted out, Zip and the others following close behind. Shining was first to speak as the group made their way towards the ground floor, “So you think they really want to talk?”

“They’re desperate dad, Twilight’s S.D.F has cut the changelings off from their food source. They will have to negotiate now,” Heart Strong added with a predatory grin.

“Now, now Strong you know just as I do how untrustworthy those things are. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if they tried something even now.” Cadance cautioned and Zip was inclined to agree.

“Still we can hope huh?” Shining added with a sad smile and Cadance reached out to hug him warmly.

“Of course dear, it will be good to finally put this whole changeling problem to rest. I have great faith in Twilight’s daughter to bring them to the negotiating table.” Cadance looked deeply into Shining’s eyes and Zip couldn’t help but feel humbled by the affection shown.

Strong rolled her own ice blue eyes and laughed, “Oh come on mum, not here. It’s embarrassing when you two do that.”

“Well I think it’s wonderful Strong, if your mother hadn’t given me that look all those years ago you may not have even been here,” Shining Armour chuckled playfully.

“Well if what you told me about these changelings is true then I almost wasn’t,” Strong pouted and for the first time since Cadance had arrived and the princess looked angry.

“Enough Strong, I don’t want you taxing your father with such things,” The sharp change in Cadance’s demeanour caught Zip off guard. For a moment Cadance looked darkly at her daughter with such venom that Zip could almost have..... no he was just imagining things.

Soon enough Cadance’s happy smile was back, “I’m sorry dear, it’s all the stress. I don’t want to overwork your father.” Cadance smiled warmly and touched Strong gently on the cheek, “Don’t worry about anything dear I’ve thought of everything and these negotiations will go exactly as planned.”

Strong smiled weakly back, “Sorry mother, it’s just you always treat me like a kid.”

Shining laughed with warmth, “Oh my little Heart, it’s just you’re my only daughter and my youngest. It’s our job to fuss over you.”

Zip watched as the three embraced and felt everything calm down again: The three royals were just another family walking along and talking about the worries of the day. Their progress had taken them to the exit of Ponyville’s S.D.F tower and as they stepped outside he heard the gentle thrumming overhead begin to die back.

Looking up Zip saw the spinning nimbus that usually surrounded the building’s peak gradually slow down and he became aware of a high pitched whine slowly growing louder. For a brief moment all present had to cover their ears as the noise only grew in intensity.

Zip felt as if his whole brain was shaking from within and soon the only thought in his head was for the sound to stop. Finally this too died away and Zip shook his head and saw the others doing the same.

“And that’s the S.D.F deactivated,” Cadance announced with triumph. She lifted a hoof to her ear and began speaking, “Okay Captain we are now unveiled, please ensure all your units are in their assigned positions. Remember check everypony coming and going and I mean everypony.

There was a brief pause as Cadance listened to the reply, “No captain I don’t believe they will, I am counting on it being a certainty. I want you to stop Celestia herself if she comes by, do you understand?”

Shining chuckled, “We used to use runners and scrolls, when did the world change so much?”

Cadance grinned back and tapped him playfully on the nose, “Well mine started when I met you.”

Zip saw Strong gag and was forced to agree, there was only so much 'lovey-dovey' he could take as well. It seemed Cadance wasn’t finished embarrassing her daughter yet and gave Shining Armour a long kiss. Zip coughed and the two drew apart, “So um, your highness what’s the plan now? Is Twilight coming back to Ponyville?”

Cadance looked up at Zip as if she only just remembered he was there, Probably just did Zip thought sadly as Cadance smiled warmly before winking at Shining, “Yes Zip, all the princess's plan to meet the changeling delegation at the Tree of Harmony. It’s hoped that such a symbol of unity will help smooth things over.”

Zip nodded, “Do we know how Buzz and Spike are getting along? I heard they dropped off the map for a while there.”

Heart Strong was next to answer, her gaze looking to the distant skies over the Badlands, “Well evidently they must have met with some success or there wouldn’t be a swarm of changelings heading this way right now.”

Zip followed Strong’s pointing hoof and quickly saw that she was right, The ebbing light was alive with darting shapes which seemed to be surrounding a central mass. “Oh sweet Celestia, that’s a lot of changelings.”

Cadance raised her hoof upwards once more and began speaking into her communicator, “Captain we can see our ‘guests’ now, remember I want no hostile actions taken. We need them to truly believe we mean them no harm.”

Zip found his gaze drifting to Shining Armour who had beads of sweat running down his face. The unicorn looked terrible and his eyes darted back and forth like a trapped animal’s. Zip wasn’t the only one to notice as both Cadance and Heart Strong placed a hoof on his shoulders, “Come on dad, you’re tired and need some sleep. It’s been a long day.”

Shining nodded thankfully to his daughter and allowed himself to be led towards the city hall, his legs shaking. Zip couldn’t help but notice the pained look on Cadance’s normally cheerful face, “Your highness I am sure he will be fine.”

Cadance didn’t answer for a moment and Zip was afraid she hadn’t heard him. Slowly she turned to look Zip right in the eyes and he saw the sadness deep within, “I know he will be. I’m doing all I can to keep him safe.”

Zip gently tapped Cadance on the shoulder and she smiled appreciatively at him, “Thanks Zip, Twilight’s done an impressive job on you little guys, you know that?” He bowed in mid air at such a compliment from Cadance.

“Why thank you princess, she’s something special that’s for sure,” Zip said as he grinned happily.

Cadance laughed, “Oh we all know that, but that’s not what I meant.”

Zip raised an eyebrow, “Really then what did you mean,” He coughed, looking a little sheepish, “If you don’t mind me asking you highness. Twilight always lets us ask anything we want, I’m sorry if....”

A little of the warmth returned to Cadance’s face, “Of course you can,” she then winked at Zip, “I don’t promise to always give you an answer, but you can always ask.”

Zip waited expectantly, but Cadance didn’t seem to be planning any reply. Finally Zip couldn’t wait any longer, “So what did you mean, or is that one of those times?”

Cadance gently patted Zip and nodded, “I’ll have to keep that secret to myself for now.” She began trotting after Shining and Strong and Zip shrugged before following after.

Chrysalis fumed as the lands of Equestria were spread out before her, long had she pictured flying over these rolling hills and green trees like a conqueror of old. But now she was limping here like some wretched refugee.

She glanced at the surrounding drones and only felt her anger rise, they were all wearing scraps of cast off clothing now; some even had makeshift helmets on. This was not what a swarm of changelings should look like.

They were meant to darken the skies and strike terror into their prey, but now they looked like a hodgepodge band of peasants. The very idea that her underlings would ape the foolish Equestrians in wearing apparel....it made her blood boil.

That wasn’t the element fighting for Chrysalis’ attention either, sustained flight was taxiing. They had been traveling for hours and hunger was setting in. Oh if she’d been in charge then they would have simply descended on some hapless town and fed. Chrysalis was under no illusions that Grizz would allow any such act. Bide your time, wait for your opponent to let their guard down.

Chrysalis felt the old smile returning. Let this upstart fill the rabble’s heads with ideas of freedom and choice. When she had hundreds of hungry mouths all clamouring for Grizz’s leadership, begging to be unleashed upon the ready food source Equestria was, then we will see what was really in charge of a hive.

Her mood lightened by such thoughts Chrysalis hummed to herself, it was a catchy little tune her mother used to sing Chrysalis to sleep with. The words were long lost to her, but it did conjure up memories of brighter days.

They flew on in silence for a while longer, crossing the mountains and finally sweeping out over the rolling grasslands of Equestria proper. Chrysalis could sense the shift in the swarm’s feelings: Food and lots of it was below, the simpering ponies were fat with love and good cheer and that was like nectar to a changeling. Looking left and right Chrysalis saw the underlings begin to salivate, their eyes glinting greedily.

Yes let Grizz think she’s won for now, let her believe she’s in control of the swarm with a few fancy tricks. The rising hunger would soon show her just what a real queen needed to do. Chrysalis glanced back at Grizz and her mind boggled. A changeling queen riding a fully grown dragon, it was impressive she’d give Grizz that.

How had she bewitched such a mighty beast Chrysalis wondered, never in all her life had she heard of anyone managing such a feat. Then again she’d never seen a queen who could fool drones so completely into thinking she was their kin.

Ponies, they were behind it. All their technology and crazy ideas had ever been a thorn in her side. They even allowed other races into their lands, that would only lead to trouble too Chrysalis had no doubt.

Then again, who was on the verge of starvation? Not Equestria that was certain. Chrysalis also thought back to Grizz’s commands upon leaving the hive, Chrysalis her rival was to be treated with respect and dignity? Such an idea was beyond madness, Grizz must know that Chrysalis was going to turn on her again surely?

Chrysalis saw that Scrund (curse his hide) was ever flying close to Grizz, her own gifted child doting on this usurper. That thought alone was enough to make Chrysalis grind her fangs until she felt her gums bleed. Yes there would be a reckoning between Grizz and herself.

Even as Chrysalis studied the pair she saw the tender bond of emotions flowing between them. Grizz obviously had feelings for Scrund and to Chrysalis’ own shock he seemed to be forming a growing attachment to her.

That was nothing out of the ordinary it was true. Queens often took a favoured mate from another hive in more prosperous times: Keeping the gene pool in good order and all that, but the idea that her son liked such an aberration curdled Chrysalis’ scent glands.

The more she watched them, the more Chrysalis was convinced that something unnatural was happening here, “We’re not what Grizz is trying to turn us into, we weren’t created to be the noble creatures she seems to think we can become.” If any of the drones heard Chrysalis’ musings then they didn’t show it.

The swarm’s mood shifted again and Chrysalis snapped her head around to see its reason, Pegasi and other flying beasts wearing the armour of Equestria were fast closing on them. Their glinting helmets glowed bronze in the failing light.

At their head Chrysalis saw a sight that chilled her to the core. Celestia, Luna and the meddling Twilight Sparkle were leading the formation. The presence of three such powerful beings shone in the gathering gloom, like three stars plucked from the heavens and Chrysalis felt the first pangs of fear rising within her heart.

There was no going back now, they were in this for good or ill. For the first time in nearly two hundred years Chrysalis prayed. She didn’t pray to a being from the unseen world, or the world itself. None of them held any love for Chrysalis or her kind.

She simply wished fervently that things wouldn’t get any worse and realised what she was thinking, How could things get any worse?

Chrysalis was dethroned, flying with possibly the last few members of her species into a land which was only two steps away from exterminating them. They were being led by a mad creature who had unknown powers flying on a dragon and about to be confronted by demigods who all had very good reasons to see her (Chrysalis) blasted off the face of the world. Yes look on the bright side, you just need to find it, ‘haha.

The cloud of drones slowed before keeping a comfortable distance from the approaching Equestrians and Chrysalis tensed, if this really was some big trap to eradicate the last of the changelings then they would very soon find out. Where's the pink one Cadance? Ah well it’s probably a trap, it’s what I would do. Chrysalis reasoned with a grim finality as Celestia with her fellow rulers closed in on them.

Chapter Seventeen

Grizz smiled as she saw Twilight and the others, to be back in Equestria was like a healing balm to her troubles. Patting Spike gently, she leant forward and whispered in his ear, “Thanks uncle, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

The rough chuckle of Spike shook her whole body, “My pleasure ‘Grizz’, it’s all part of the service.”

The drones circled with fear as the Equestrians approached and Grizz couldn’t help but smile sadly; there was nothing to fear now, Grizz patted Spike again and raised her voice, “Don’t worry, these are friends they will not harm you!”

“As long as we don’t try to feed...” Scrund muttered darkly by Grizz’s side and the queen looked into his troubled face, seeing only worry and hunger.

“I promise you Scrund, they are here to help us. I trust Twilight and I know she’s just as anxious to find a safe home for you all as I am,” Grizz smiled as she watched Scrund, when she’d first met him he’d looked just like any other changeling, worse even for being so battered and worn. It was strange how time had slowly altered that. Without any real ‘change’ in his looks or voice he’d somehow managed to become quite handsome (Despite the ridiculous cooking pot on his head).

Buzz shook her head as she looked down at her own form, only a few short weeks ago she’d have thought herself ugly. The smooth carapace now seemed to have an appealing sheen to it, her delicate wings caught the light in such pretty ways... It was funny how perceptions could change in such a short time.

The growing unease of the swarm called Grizz from her musings, They were crowding in with fear and Grizz needed to do something to assure them. Venting some chemical assurances Grizz urged Spike forward and intently aware of all around her watching, tried to cut an imposing figure as she approached the incoming demigods.

“Hail Princesses of Equestria, I come in peace!” Grizz yelled and was momentarily afraid as the soldiers of her rulers closed ranks to block Grizz’s approach. Twilight it’s me, there’s nothing to be worried about. Buzz sent a quick coded burst and to her relief Twilight nodded before whispering something to the other royals.

Celestia nodded in understanding and with a gentle glow of power called back the soldiers to clear a path for Grizz and Spike. Celestia then came forward herself with easy beats of her wings, “I Celestia assume that I am addressing the queen of this swarm?”

It was wonderful to hear Celestia’s voice again, it had always assured Buzz before and did so now. With a slight tremble of excitement Grizz dipped her head to Celestia, she wanted to bow but needed to keep up the image for her drones, “You do your majesty, and I am ‘Grizz’. We have come as invited and hope to find food and shelter from our long journey.”

There was a ripple of unease that ran through both sides at this announcement, the looming question of ‘food’ clearly evident on everyone’s mind. If Celestia was concerned she didn’t show it however, “Very good, we have some refreshments prepared.”

Grizz felt the confusion and hope that flooded the swarm and even to her own delight saw Chrysalis was staring wide eyed at them, surprise plastered across her face.

Celestia smiled warmly, “Just Grizz? Not ‘Queen’, ‘Lady’ or another such title?” She winked and Buzz couldn’t help but grin in return.

“No your majesty, I’m new to this ruling thing and hope to earn a title,” Grizz replied easily.

Celestia continued to smile, “Very well, if you would follow me then we can begin seeing to your needs. No doubt you’re all in need of a good rest before we begin negotiations.”

Gratefully Grizz nodded, the ever present chorus of hungry minds pressing in upon her soul. As the swarm began to follow prearranged paths down towards the Everfree Forest Grizz was elated to see Twilight drifting towards her, with Luna close behind.

“Princess Sparkle it’s great to see you and Luna too,” Grizz called out and was sad not to be able to embrace her mother.”

“Impressive, very impressive,” Luna commented with eyes full of mischief, “I had never thought a changeling could win over a dragon, but now I have been proved wrong.” She called out loudly and Buzz felt the swarm’s respect of her increase at these simple words.

“I understand that there were four Princesses in Equestria? Where is Princess Cadance?” Grizz asked to fill the time.

“Oh Cadance is busy below making ready for your arrival,” Twilight replied and Grizz saw she was almost bursting with pride.

Grizz looked to her mother, who seemed oddly smaller now. Well guess I’m kind of bigger so that makes some sense. Grizz grinned all the wider, “Very good, I look forward to talking with you all.”

It was small talk, a show for the masses Grizz realised. Protocol and all that stuff, what she longed to do was sit quietly with Twilight and tell her of everything that had happened. The worries and fears she held and most importantly to ask her why Grizz felt the way she did now.

As a changeling queen Buzz felt more at peace and whole than ever before and it was driving her crazy to know why. But there would be time enough for that now. She was home and by all measures was more than successful in her mission. For the first time in weeks Buzz felt herself relax.

It was coming, Chrysalis knew it was and ground her fangs while Grizz chatted easily with the ponies above. Okay so they promised food, were they going to give the swarm volunteers? She just couldn’t see that happening. To sate so many it would almost certainly prove fatal to any creature being drained.

That wasn’t what was bothering Chrysalis now however, it was the approaching glow of her.... Celestia was smiling in an almost predatory fashion as she drifted towards Chrysalis with easy beats of her wings.

“So we meet again Chrysalis, I can’t say that time has been good to you,” The mocking tone of this god horse set Chrysalis’ blood afire.

“Well you look good as always...” Chrysalis managed to sneer.

“Well not being cocooned up does wonders for my complexion, so how are you finding things? I see the swarm is under new management,” Celestia’s eyes held an arrogant mirth that she didn’t even try to hide.

“It’s what it is Celestia, if you have something to say to me then just say it alright. I am really not in the mood for games,” Chrysalis snarled and to her growing fury Celestia simply laughed, her tinkling mocking laugh.

“Oh can’t two acquaintances catch up on old times?” Celestia asked playfully.

Chrysalis felt her lip begin to bleed again she was gritting her fangs so hard, “I always looked to the future.” It wasn’t her normal cut and thrust of debate, but Chrysalis really was tired after the long flight, “Look Celestia, just tell me where I’m to be staying and leave me alone okay?”

Celestia looked genuinely shocked at Chrysalis’ lack of spirit, “Well if you must know we’re putting you and Grizz’s swarm up in the old castle for now.” The inflection wasn’t lost on Chrysalis and she held back a screech of anger.

“That-will-be-fine-thank-you,” Chrysalis managed to force out between the grimace she wore.

Celestia actually studied Chrysalis for a time, her curious eyes filled with something.... “Very well Chrysalis, If that’s what you want I will leave you alone.” Without another word she began to move away.

Relief and unwanted gratitude welled up in Chrysalis’ heart. That exchange, though far from pleasant, had been better than she’d feared. She simply couldn’t hold the question in any longer though, “Celestia?”

Celestia paused before looking back at her, “Yes Chrysalis?”

“I....how are we going to be fed?” Chrysalis asked after an uncomfortable moment.

Celestia smiled, “That’s Princess Cadance’s territory I’m afraid, but she assures me everything is accounted for.” Chrysalis felt the hunger gnawing at her insides and hoped it would be true.

“That’s the last wave your highness!” The guard announced and Cadance smiled widely at the news.

Zip marvelled at the efficiency displayed by the crystal ponies, hundreds of changelings were now billeted in the various chambers of the old castle and not a single one was unaccounted for. It was a masterpiece of logistics, as each wave of drones settled in and was quickly followed by the next. Cadance had overseen it all and Zip was amazed at her dedication.

“Thank you captain, and the queens?” She replied briskly.

“They have been placed in separate chambers as your instructions, Twilight is even now with ‘Grizz’.” The burly looking captain shone, his radiant coat dazzling like all the members of the fiefdom.

Cadance smiled widely, “Very good captain, I commend you on your duty. This couldn’t have gone better.”

The soldier seemed to swell with pride, “Thank you your highness, is there anything else?”

“No that will be all captain, thank you,” Cadance grinned as the guard saluted and trotted off. She then turned and beckoned for Zip to approach.

“Well Zip that seems to be us done for now, I understand that Quiz came back with Twilight and is eager to speak with you. You should go see her.” Cadance’s face shone and Zip felt his heart melt, she was so beautiful and lovely.

When he’d first met Cadance she’d seemed so soppy and far too open with her affections for Shining armour. Now Zip looked up into her beautiful face and realised it was all genuine and his heart was touched, “But you said that Twilight wanted me to stay with you your highness?”

Cadance nodded, “I know Zip but I’ve got things covered here, go see your friend.”

She smiled and Zip felt his heart flutter, She was very beautiful, “I..er...” Cadance winked at him with a giggle before there was flash. Blinking through the sudden haze Zip struggled to respond, “Er.....If you say so your highness, I’ll just be on my way then?”

“Very good Zip, have fun okay?” Cadance smiled warmly and Zip fluttered his wings in a dream.

He seemed to be floating on a cloud of love, the whole castle seemed to radiate with its power and Zip honestly believed he could get lost in such a pervasive sense of calm. It almost seemed to hurt to drift away from Cadance and head to the room where Quiz was to be found.

The guards didn’t bar him and as the door swung open he saw his fellow sprite sitting on a table, she seemed to be writing something down in a hurry and only stopped when she saw Zip. Her little eyes shone with happiness and before Zip could even say hello Quiz had darted across the room and hugged him tightly.

“Zip! Zip! Oh it’s so good to see you, I’ve gotten it all written down. Everything I have seen and heard. You’re not going to believe what I have found out!” Quiz’s excited chatter washed over him, but it wasn’t important anymore. The smiling, lovely face of Cadance had pushed every thought out of Zip’s mind and he just wanted to sit there and think of her.

“Zip? Are you alright?” Quiz asked and he happily waved her concerns aside.

“Of course I am Quiz, how could I not be? Everything is so lovely,” Zip smiled at Quiz and honestly felt that at this moment nothing could possibly be wrong with the world.

“I’ve got the reports you wanted, you’re not going to believe it. We’re not just little helpers Zip we’re....” Zip waved Quiz’s nonsense aside, none of that mattered now.

“Oh Quiz, don’t worry about that: Cadance has taken care of everything,” Why was Quiz so obsessed with reports and the such? There was much more important things to think about. Like how lovely Cadance was.

Quiz stared at Zip in utter astonishment, “Zip, what’s wrong with you?”

Now Zip was getting annoyed, there was nothing wrong with him. Why was Quiz so silly to think anything could possibly be wrong. He simply allowed himself to drift down onto the table and let the loveliness of the world surround him.

“Zip! What are you doing, what’s wrong?” Something in the urgency of Quiz’s voice began to seep into his world of pink fluffy clouds. Why was it so hard to think?

Chrysalis prowled her ‘cell’. Whatever the ponies wanted to call this room she knew it for what it was: A place of imprisonment. There were guards at the door for her ‘protection’, Cadance’s own offspring no less. She’d insisted on having only the best for their guests.

The growing sense of wrongness was all over this place, it permeated the very stonework. The ‘food’ they’d been promised was some sort of odd crystal held in a metal frame. Of all the things Chrysalis had expected, that wasn’t it.

It worked though Chrysalis was forced to admit. She was able to draw substance from the jewel and it fed her needs, if only barely. There wasn’t any flavour to it, not like drawing the love from living prey, but it dulled the aching in her core.

She could feel her drones as well, they were being fed too. At least the ponies had kept their word on that. Maybe she’d missjudged them? Maybe.....

The door to her room opened and Chrysalis instantly knew something was very wrong. In the doorway stood Princess Cadance, yet despite her outward beauty and warmth there was a cold emptiness within her. Her face was as ‘beautiful’ as ever (in the eyes of a pony anyway) but her soul was dark and shrouded.

“Hello ‘Queen’ Chrysalis,” Cadance’s voice was level and still had a gentle ring to it, but Chrysalis had spent centuries in the art of deception and saw the lie for what it was.

The Princess stepped slowly into the chamber, each hoofall steady and precise as if she had practiced a for a life time. Cadance’s face was a blank mask which was briefly illuminated as she softly closed the door behind her before with her magic.

The glow didn’t fade however and Chrysalis heard the nasty little ‘click’ of a lock engaging. How could I have been so stupid? Chrysalis watched Cadance’s eyes, they were full of a cold fire. It was a look she was very familiar with: A powerful female hurting.

“Hello Cadance, I assume this isn’t just a social call?” Chrysalis watched her for the tell tale signs of hidden malice and wasn’t disappointed. The slight twitch in the nose, the tiniest glint in the eyes. Cadance was masking it well, but it was there all the same.

“Well you could call it that,” Cadance replied in that same kindly ring, “I however would call this social justice.” Again the tiniest crack in the mask, showing the raging torment below, Cadance was incandescent, bereft and tortured inside. It didn’t take a genius to see where this little ‘talk’ was heading.

Chrysalis could almost have laughed, she’d been so focused on Celestia that she’d almost forgotten ‘dear sweet Cadance’ Princess of love, “Look we both know what you’re doing here, so why don’t you drop the act?”

Cadance’s eyes seemed to flash with fire, “Oh I don’t think you do Chrysalis, at least not fully. I want you to understand it all before the end, I want you to have a very clear picture of why this has to be.”

“Oh spare me Cadance I’m no grub, no point in sugar coating it. You want revenge.” Chrysalis smiled grimly while doing her best to keep distance from Cadance in the small room.

“Revenge? No I would never do anything so crass,” Cadance said with a raised eyebrow and Chrysalis was surprised to see that Cadance truly believed what she was saying. Her emotions had been tempered on the anvil of time again and again until they were a fierce point of self assurance. Cadance honestly felt she was doing the right thing here.

The two continued to circle one another, “Justice is very different from revenge Chrysalis. If I was out for simple vengeance then you and all your swarm would already be dead.” Cadance’s tone was matter of fact, completely detached from the cyclone within.

Oh sweet heavens she’s going for the whole hog here, Chrysalis thought. That’s fine by me, gives me all the more time to find a way out of this.

“Indeed?” Chrysalis asked.

“Justice needs to be fair you know, the drones who follow you aren’t to blame for my grievances. Plus not all of the drones are even of your brood are they? If I was to kill them then that wouldn’t be justice,” Cadance’s mask of calm was beginning to crumble, “That would be wrong.”

Mad utterly mad. “Ah so it’s personal then? Come on spit it out, I know you’re dying to,” Chrysalis baited back, her eyes frantically searching for the exit she knew wouldn’t be there.

Cadance’s eyes flashed with fire again, “Years you miserable creature, years of pain from what you did.”

“We aim to please...” Chrysalis began and Cadance finally snapped. The first blow snapped Chrysalis’ head around as Cadance’s armoured hoof connected sharply with her face. Chrysalis felt stars explode behind her eyes and without ceremony fell to the floor before spitting a glob of mucus onto the ground.

“You will pay Chrysalis, for all the sleepless nights Shining had. All the night terrors that made him wake screaming for mercy and fear for his own mind,” The delicate quality had gone from Cadance’s voice now, replaced by a cold wrath she’d been bottling up inside for so long.

Like a pressure vessel finally failing and spewing its molten liquid the facade Cadance was wearing quickly crumbled. She kicked the downed Chrysalis repeatedly, punctuating every word with yet more blows from her armoured hooves.

Chrysalis felt the air driven from her lungs and the cracking of her carapace. Had she been in her prime Chrysalis may have been able to put up some kind of defence, but weakened and starved she simply had to roll with the blows.

“He said he could never trust himself again you monster, that when he looked at me all he could see was you,” Cadance was weeping now, her normally pristine face was streaked with makeup and sorrow.

The blows continued so fast that Chrysalis couldn’t tell them apart anymore, “What was meant to be the happiest years of my life were all fouled by you! I can forgive trapping me in those caverns under Canterlot, I can forgive you simply having to feed off us to stay alive. But what you did to my Shining Armour? That I will never forgive you for Chrysalis and you will be kept alive until you’ve paid that debt. You will live through every moment, even if it takes years!”

Chrysalis knew then that Cadance was more than just angry, she more than just deranged in fact. Cadance was doing this because she loved Shining Armour. Snatching brief glimpses of her attacker’s face Chrysalis saw the overwhelming sense of loss and grief driving home the blows, hitting with more power than mere anger could deliver.

Cadance wasn’t beating Chrysalis to avenge herself of what had been done to her, but to get some crazy belief of justice for her husband. The thought boggled Chrysalis, as if any simple mate was worth such torment? Ponies really are insane, Chrysalis thought moments before another blow rattled her head.

Quiz Pulled vainly at Zip’s incumbent body, he’d simply stopped moving and there was a very strange smile on his face, “Zip! Wake up!”

She glanced around the room before gliding over to the door. To her dismay the handle wouldn’t turn and so Quiz banged feebly on the wood and cried out for help. After minutes of fruitless hammering she gave up.

Looking back Quiz saw that Zip still hadn’t moved from the table, the only sign of life was the slow movement of his jaw. He seemed to be mumbling something about Cadance and how beautiful she was. Ignoring the stunned Zip Quiz looked around the room again in a panic.

The old castle had seen some rebuilding over the years but still held the scars of age and conflicts it had borne witness to. Quiz saw a tiny chink of moonlight seeping in from the far corner and with fresh determination soared upwards.

There was a tiny hole, a gap where the new ceiling and the ancient brickwork didn’t quite marry up. It was just big enough if only she.... Quiz folded her wings and scrunched up as tightly as she could before pushing forward with tiny legs. We can be more than we are, the thought was like a mantra for Quiz as she wriggled and squirmed through the tight gap.

With one final heave she was free and tumbled for a short while before snapping open her wings. Looking around Quiz saw she was outside and a fair way off the ground. Below her she saw the trailing lights of the guards moving back and forth among the ruins.

“Get help, Zip’s not well must get help,” Quiz repeated to herself as she headed for the nearest soldiers, “Help! You have to help me, my friend is sick!”

She fluttered down before the patrolling crystal pony who watched her with unguarded suspicion, “Who are you little one?”

“I’m ‘Quiz’ a sprite my fellow sprite ‘Zip’ is in trouble, please I need to see Twilight!” Quiz felt relief, this soldier would show her the way and then....

“Captain we have an unaccounted for creature here, shall I take them in?” The guard spoke smartly into his helmet microphone and Quiz felt her heart sink.

“No, no I’m not a changeling honest! You have to listen to me, my friend needs help!” Quiz saw it was no good as the stallion nodded before drawing a sword.

“Orders I’m afraid, any unaccounted creatures are to be held for questioning,” The guard replied and Quiz trembled.

“But Zip!” She shouted as the guard made to grab her out of the air. Quiz fluttered her wings and felt the fear building, “No this is serious I don’t have time to wait, I need to see Twilight!”

“You’re not going anywhere, no….halt!” The soldier shouted angrily as Quiz darted up into the night sky again.

“Ohnohonohno!” Quiz stammered, this was really bad. She looked down and saw the guards were beginning to canter around the ruins, their lanterns casting beams of light in the darkness like a crazed disco display.

“Okay Quiz don't worry: You’re alright crystal ponies can’t fly,” The wood roof beside her suddenly sprouted a sizzling scorch mark as a fizzling line of magic struck the wood. “Okay but their stun rifles can certainly hit you!”

Quiz dived away as more shots began to strike the ruins around her, “And that’s not on the normal setting either,” she squeaked as fragments of stone erupted from the impacts.

She quickly took cover on the far side of a tower as more guards began shouting in the darkness. “Come on Quiz, think. You know where Twilight is she’s with Buzz, all you have to do is get there.”

Quiz peaked out from behind the chimney stack she was using for cover and worked out that Twilight’s rooms should be only a short flight from here. Further blasts rained down from above and Quiz shrieked in terror. Looking up she saw a couple of Pegasi also bearing rifles taking shots at her from above and made a decision.

Flinging herself around and forward, Quiz angled her trajectory for the window across the crowded courtyard. She closed her eyes and dared not open them again, knowing that if she did the sight would pin her with fear. The angry shouts of the soldier all around redoubled but Quiz still refused to look. Any moment she expected to be hit by a blast from the shooting ponies, but miraculously nothing did.

“Quiz? What in the heavens is going on?” Twilight’s voice called out and Quiz was so shocked she forgot to hold her eyes shut.

As Quiz peered about herself she found the world had turned purple. She looked further and saw Twilight, horn glowing was leaning out of the window before Quiz and wearing an expression of utter amazement. Several beams of light struck Quiz’s purple dome, but dissipated harmlessly in a shower of sparks.

“Zip’s sick and I came to find you, but the soldiers all started firing at me!” Quiz yelled as Twilight drew her into the warmly lit room.

Quiz saw the mechanical form of Buzzbot who looked up from the table she was sitting at, her expression of surprise only showing as her eye lenses raised, “What’s going on?”

“I don’t know Buzz, but something’s up,” Twilight replied as the protective bubble she’d cast faded with a final pop and Quiz collapsed into her waiting hooves. “Now Quiz, start from the beginning.”

Quiz looked up to Twilight and it took several moments to quell her shaking. Finally she managed to force out the words in a rush, “It’s Zip, he came to my room and was acting really strange.”

“Strange, In what way?” Buzz asked as she pushed aside what looked like diagrams of her own body.

“He kept muttering something about Cadance and how beautiful she was, then seemed to fall asleep. I tried to open my door, but it was locked,” Quiz let it all out while Twilight stared at her with a slight smile on her face.

“Sounds like my sister in Law is just as appealing as ever, even robots fall for her charm,” Twilight replied, but Quiz shook her head.

“No you don’t understand, he’s not just smitten I think he’s had a spell cast on him and when I tried to leave my room the guards had locked the door so I had to sneak out,” Quiz pleaded and Twilight rolled her eyes.

“Oh Quiz the guards wouldn’t lock the doors, see I’ll show you,” Twilight trotted over to the chamber and turned the handle, “See nothing to...”

The door rattled as Twilight tried again but didn’t budge. Eyebrows raised, Twilight knocked smartly on the woodwork, “Captain what’s going on, why are the doors locked?”

“Princess Cadance’s orders your highness, all rooms are to be locked to prevent possible changeling infiltration,” the muffled reply came through the door and Quiz saw Twilight’s eyes narrow.

“Captain, you know I’m not a changeling right? I’m probably one of the best ponies in the world to spot changelings: I invented most of the devices you use to scan for them. So why in the heavens do you think I would need to be protected from changelings?” Quiz watched as Twilight’s mood darkened.

“I’m sorry your highness, but Cadance’s orders were very clear, the castle is on lockdown: Nopony is to leave their rooms tonight,” The Captain explained and Quiz saw Twilight glance her way again.

“Okay Quiz, something is up. We’re going to get to the bottom of this,” Twilight announced as with the merest flexing of her magic caused the door to burst open and sent the two guards stationed there tumbling to the ground.

Chapter Eighteen

The guard tumbled away as Twilight’s spell lifted him off his hooves and deposited him neatly in a nearby cabinet. Buzz saw a mischievous grin plastered across her mother’s face, “I know I shouldn’t be enjoying this, but it’s refreshing to put some combat training into practice again.”

Another volley of stun rounds bounced off Twilight’s shield and she shook her head sadly, “Never use a weapon against those who made it and expect perfect results.”

Buzz was frankly in awe of her mother at this point, they had both been making steady progress along the winding passageways of the old castle and Twilight had already subdued four patrols of crystal pony soldiers as easily as cleaning up a spilled potion in her lab. This latest group was no exception.

“Why are they fighting us mum? I mean they must know by now you’re not a changeling,” Buzz felt a knot in her core, this whole situation seemed so surreal.

Twilight’s happy smile faded, “Well they are simply following orders and there is only one pony who could have given them authority to oppose a princess.”

Buzz felt a shiver pass through her, “Yeah, another princess.”

Twilight nodded solemnly, “I’m sure this is just some big misunderstanding.”

It may have been all her time around Chrysalis and changelings but Buzz was certain Twilight didn’t believe what she’d just said. It was then that a shudder passed through Buzz: The echoing call of the swarm suddenly swelled up within her and she staggered.

Twilight gave Buzz a stare, “Buzz?”

She shook her head, but the clamouring emotions of all the drones present were forcing their way into Buzz’s mind. She felt terror grip her, “I’m not a queen; I’m not even disguised as one right now so how can I be hearing them?”

Twilight’s eyes went wide with worry, “You can hear them Buzz, even now?”

“I...I” Buzz managed to mumble before she felt the change overcoming her again, with a flash of green fire Buzz became Grizz once more. She shook her head as the frantic calling of the drones only increased in volume until they were filling her head with their pleas.

Grizz looked down at Twilight and saw the emotions running through her; fear, confusion and surprise were whirling within Twilight in a storm, “A queen is in danger; the drones can feel her pain Twilight.”

Twilight simply stared at her, “Buzz I...how?”

“I don’t know how mum, but what I do know is that Chrysalis is in grave danger. It’s driving my minions into a frenzy,” Grizz hissed as, just at that moment, more guards galloped into view behind them.

As if to prove the point a harsh thrumming filled the air and the soldiers were suddenly covered in a cloud of thrashing drones. Twilight looked in horror as the swarming cloud bore the guards to the floor and proceeded to ensnare them in slimy resin.

“Buzz stop this, they’re going to kill them!” Twilight yelled and Grizz nodded before releasing a burst of command chemicals. For a moment nothing happened and Grizz feared the worse, then gradually the angry roar of wings died back.

The drones all looked to Grizz with apologetic bows and stood aside. Grizz and Twilight quickly galloped up to the stricken soldiers and saw to their relief that under the green slime they seemed to only have some minor cuts and bruises.

“I can’t keep them all in order Twilight; we need to stop the source of this problem. We need to find Chrysalis,” Grizz glared at the assembled drones and they all bowed in fear.

Twilight nodded, “I know where she’s billeted, come on this way.”

Twilight galloped down the corridor and sparing one look of disappointment at her drones Grizz tore off after her. She easily drew level with Twilight who was even now ‘persuading’ more soldiers to make way for her.

Grizz tried to block out the rising pressure in her mind as the soldiers all toppled with faint smiles on their muzzles, “I thought Cadance had all the security measures accounted for? How could someone have gotten to Chrysalis?”

She didn’t answer right away and Grizz saw the nasty cloud of suspicion blossom in Twilight’s aura, “I don’t know Buzz, but we’ll find out soon.”

The pair cannoned round the next bend in the corridor and saw more guards wrestling with the loose drones. Twilight snorted in irritation before an expanding wall of force pushed outwards and pinned all those fighting to the ground.

Wasting no time Grizz also sent the chemical command for the drones to stand down, the cloud of pheromones being left in her wake as they pressed on quickly. Sounds of frantic shots and shouts of alarm were beginning to echo around the ruins and Grizz didn’t dare to think what would happen if this situation wasn’t swiftly brought under control.

“Should be just around here,” Twilight gasped before she ran headfirst into an invisible barrier stretched across the hallway and stumbled backwards in a daze.

Grizz barely had time to avoid a similar fate and saw beyond the magical wall Platinum Shield, his horn glowing and his eyes full of fear. By his side was Heart Strong who looked at Grizz with anger, “You monster why did you attack us? We were offering you shelter and food!”

Stunned by such an accusation Grizz blinked, “Us attack you? You attacked us!”

“Don’t play games with us changeling, your drones are tearing into my soldiers everywhere!” Platinum shouted his face streaked with sweat.

“Platinum, you will not speak to your cousin like that!” Twilight yelled.

Heart Strong’s eyes went wide, “Cousin? You mean that’s Buzz?”

Grizz reeled and Twilight was stunned a second time, “Cadance didn’t tell you that Buzz was the other changeling queen?”

Heart Strong shook her head, “No, mum said that there was only Chrysalis and this other queen....”

“Don’t listen to them Strong, it’s obviously a trap!” Platinum shouted, “They’re trying to get us to lower our defences and then cocoon us like they did the others!”

Grizz felt ice trickle down her spine, “Twilight if Cadance didn’t tell them then.....”

“I know Buzz, but we will deal with that later,” Twilight pressed her horn against the shield blocking the corridor, “Platinum it’s really me and Buzz, lower this barrier now. I don’t want to have to break it.”

Platinum Shield simply braced his legs and glared at them, “You just try it imposter, I was taught by my dad Shining Armour he’s....” Platinum never got the chance to finish the sentence as Twilight, with a slight grin emitted a simple spark from her horn and the magic wall blocking the passage splintered before crashing down in a rain of evaporating fragments.

“Shining also taught me a handy back door to his barrier spells as any right thinking B.B.B.F.F should,” Twilight announced triumphantly. Platinum stared in horror as his trademark spell was brushed aside like cobwebs in a high wind.

Grizz made to step forward only for Strong to spread her wings defiantly, “Of course you’d know how to do that, Chrysalis bewitched our father and learnt the trick from him.”

Twilight rolled her eyes, “Yes, but he’d altered the spell since....”

The windows either side of the passage exploded inwards and Grizz quickly recognised the hoard of Chrysalis’ progeny being led by Scrund, “Your highness we are betrayed! Mother is in danger and we...” His eyes narrowed as he saw Grizz standing protectively beside Twilight, “Grizz what are you doing with this enemy princess?”

There was a tense moment when everyone paused, all three groups eyeing each other with surprise and suspicion before Twilight spoke out levely, “Okay, everyone just calm down alright?” Twilight glanced to Strong and Platinum, “Niece, nephew I’m going to lower my protective wards alright? Then Buzz here is going to get the drones to stand down as well. Then we can all just talk about this and figure out what in Celestia’s name is really going on here.”

“Buzz?” Scrund asked and looked to Grizz in confusion, “What does she mean your highness?”

Buzz...Grizz felt her cheeks begin to redden, “Well I er meant to tell you all of course, I just needed to find the right time and....” Suddenly Grizz felt the pseudo pain felt by Scrund, a double flash of betrayal and fear for his mother. It stabbed right to Buzz’s heart and she staggered at the strength of it. Grizz gritted her fangs before snarling in pain, “We don’t have time for this right now, we need to get to your mother.”

Her temper fraying Grizz rounded on her two cousins, “Let us through or by the heavens I’ll smash my way past!” Platinum and Strong visibly paled as green fire danced about Grizz’s body and her horn gave off warning sparks.

“Enough Buzz,” Twilight snapped and the tension in the room began to raise again, “Look this is getting us nowhere. Strong please be so good as to check in on Chrysalis alright? If she’s fine then we can all go back to our rooms before someone gets hurt.”

“Mum’s with her Twilight so I’m sure everything is fine,” Strong countered and Twilight’s ears flattened.

“Please Strong, just do it okay? Platinum can raise the shield again if that makes you feel better?” Twilight’s voice became pleading.

“Strong don’t: This imposter can just break my barrier like before,” Platinum had regained some of his colour and was glaring at Grizz and the others with determination.

“Well if she can then we can’t stop her and that many changelings anyway can we? What’s the harm in checking?” Heart Strong replied and Platinum simply snorted in responce.

Grizz tried to block out the rising pressure in her mind as Scrund and his fellows edged forward, the urge to fight and feed pouring off them, “Whatever you decide you’d better do it fast, the boys are getting restless.”

Without pausing to reply Heart Strong backed away, her eyes never leaving the assembled crowds who watched with growing frustration. The very air seemed to hold its breath as the pegasus reached the door and knocked smartly, “Mum, is everything alright in there?”

The moment drew out and Grizz felt her heart thumping in her chest, dreading what they might find. When no reply came Strong tried the handle before she banged on the door, “Mother let me in! We have a major situation here and I need your help.”

Strong began to panic, “The door is locked from the inside! It doesn’t make any sense, none of the locking spells should block members of the Crystal Fiefdom Army!”

Twilight’s face darkened, “Oh Cadance, what have you done?” A shiver ran through all present and Twilight took a hesitant step forward, her horn glowing.

Grizz felt the power build, Twilight was drawing far more deeply than before and the effects were quickly felt by everyone. It was as if a vast whirlpool had opened up and was sucking all the ambient magic down into Twilight before she released the power in a crackling web of glowing lines.

Watching in mounting amazement Grizz saw the tendrils of magic reach out and caress the door which began to glow with an inner light. Twilight’s face was a mask of concentration as the strands weaved and worked their way across the wooden planks which now shimmered with arcane symbols of intricate design.

“It’s a fourth level lockdown enchantment. I can break it, but it will take me time. You’d best try Cadance on the communicator and try to persuade her to open the door,” Twilight muttered through gritted teeth.

Chrysalis forced an aching eye open when the blows subsided. Cadance was panting with exertion, her expression was a mixture of triumph and satisfaction. Chrysalis tried to move and felt the stabbing pain of broken chitin grinding together, Cadance had been very thorough in her idea of ‘justice’.

Who would have thought a mare could be so worked up about a cringing husband? Chrysalis had gone through many partners in her life so far and couldn’t see what the big deal was. If they weakened then you moved on, why hold onto a mate who just kept you back?

Chrysalis thought about Scrund and Grizz, that wasn’t natural either. She was far too concerned about how he felt about her. Ponies were far too sentimental. The pause in her ‘administrations’ concluded as Cadance slammed a hoof into Chrysalis’ already aching abdomen.

Coughing, Chrysalis forced a grin onto her face, “So....how did...you....plan....to get me...away from here?”

Cadance frowned, “As if I’d tell you.”

Chrysalis chuckled between spitting mucus, “After we’ve gotten to know each so well I thought you’d be in a sharing mood.”

Cadance’s eyes bulged, “You know nothing about me! You may have copied my form, and even some of my memories but you don’t know me!”

Chrysalis heaved in a sucking breath, “I know you’re hurting, that your dear husband is becoming old and feeble and you just simply have no idea how to cope with it. So you’re taking it out on me. I totally understand what you’re doing even if it’s completely stupid.”

Cadance seemed to freeze, the rage causing her to visibly tremble. Her eyes bored into Chrysalis as if the changeling was a chunk of rotten fruit on her wedding cake, “It’s got nothing to do with that, that’s the way of the world and I’m at peace with such.”

“Keep telling yourself that dear,” Chrysalis hissed as she felt something inside her chest throbbing in a worrying manner.

“I have three wonderful foals and a whole kingdom that loves and adores me, I won’t be alone when he’s gone,” Cadance’s muttered darkly, “I wish I’d had more time with him: I should of have had more time with him but you stole that from me!”

Chrysalis was ready for the blow yet still winced when it struck. She wheezed before coughing up a wad of clotted slime, “Well I’d say it’s a good lesson in not becoming too attached Princess.”

“I....” Cadance snapped before a knocking on the door drew her attention.

“Mum, is everything alright in there?” The muffled voice of a mare called through the door and Chrysalis caught the sudden look of fear on Cadance’s face.

“Oh what’s this? You didn’t tell your dear foals what mummy was up to in here?” Chrysalis was rewarded by a guilty glare from her tormentor.

“They wouldn’t understand...” Cadance whispered before the voice called again and there was further banging on the door.

“Mother let me in! We have a major situation here and I need your help,” The mare shouted, a note of pleading her voice.

Despite the pain Chrysalis felt a wide smile forming on her muzzle, “That will be my boys, they know when mother is hurting and soon come running.”

Chrysalis caught Cadance’s fleeting expression of shock before she smiled grimly. I’ll give it to the mare, she’s got steel in her Chrysalis thought.

“My soldiers are all over the ruins, there’s nothing your drones can do to help you,” Cadance said with certainty in her tone, “You’ll not be allowed to slink off into the wilderness and lick your wounds Chrysalis. I’ve seen to that I....”

“Mum please talk to me, what’s going on in there?” The mare’s voice sounded from Cadance’s discarded earpiece (tossed into a corner whilst the justice was dispensed) and Chrysalis almost felt sorry for her.

“Well ‘Princess of Love’, aren’t you going to answer your daughter?” Chrysalis sneered as Cadance froze again.

“They were under strict orders not to disturb us, I didn’t want them to see what I had to do,” Cadance said almost in a daze.

The door began to glow a pale rose colour and Chrysalis felt tremendous power flowing into the enchantment Cadance had placed upon the wood. Someone was using a lot of magic to try and force their way in.

“Well children can be like that sometimes dear, always let you down when you need them most,” Chrysalis couldn’t help but think of Scrund as she said those words and winced inside.

“Mum Twilight is working on the door if you’re in trouble then let us in and we can help you,” The voice called out of the tiny speaker, it’s sound carrying far more force than just mere words.

“I have to keep them safe, all of them from all the horrors of this world: Horrors like you,” Cadance’s voice sounded hollow and utterly defeated, as if something vital had left her. She sat on the cold stone floor, wings drooping and head bowed.

Chrysalis almost laughed, “Like me? I’m simply a mother finding food for her children, if that makes me a horror then just think what you are princess.”

Fire returned to Cadance’s eyes and she glared at Chrysalis, “As if you can lecture me on morals, you parasite.”

“It takes a monster to know another my dear and you’ve certainly not been acting like the innocent princess I took the place of all those years ago. You’ve lied to your own children, manipulated your fellow rulers and...” Chrysalis winced, “beaten seven shades of slime out of a queen who came here under a flag of truce. Hardly the acts of a benevolent Princess of Equestria.”

Cadance was staring at Chrysalis now, her expression unreadable. Taking another shaking breath the former queen sneered at her, “Overall not a bad show from a pony. Your methods were sound, but your timing was off. A rookie mistake, but one that’s going to cost you I’m afraid.”

The silence was complete for a moment before with a crunch the earpiece was crushed into scrap, Cadance’s now mucus covered hoof twisting as she ground the device down. Chrysalis saw her slowly straighten up and focus on her with eyes burning with cold fury.

“Well if that’s what I need to be to get justice for Shining Armour then so be it,” Cadance’s eyes were two burning red coals now and she wept tears of fire.

“Welcome to the darker side of life my dear,” Chrysalis said just before the door exploded into a thousand spinning slivers.

The first sign that things were about to get worse was when Twilight gave a sudden gasp and tumbled backwards. Grizz had only a tiny moment to wonder what this foreboded before the glowing wooden door disintegrated into an explosion of rose-coloured light.

The glowing shrapnel swept into the room beyond in a lethal horizontal hail and Grizz felt her stomach lurch, anypony in there would be..... There was another flash of reddish light as an equine body was thrown like a ragdoll out into the hall.

Grizz caught a brief impression of Chrysalis, all battered and cracked sailing through the air before it impacted heavily into the far wall. Chrysalis struck it so hard she left a cracked outline in the plaster.

Twilight was getting to her hooves as Chrysalis sailed past and only just managed to duck the living missile before turning back to see another pony step into the ruined doorway. It was Cadance, but instead of normal pink there was a crimson glow about her.

Grizz stared in horror as Cadance turned two burning pits of anguish across the assembled watchers, who shrank back from her glare. Twilight raised herself up and trembled at the sight of her sister in law, “Cadance stop this, it’s madness!”

“I’m sorry Twilight, but I need to do what must be done,” Cadance replied, a disturbing harmonic underlying her normally gentle voice. With a crimson flash of her horn Cadance lifted Chrysalis off the ground and before anyone could stop her Cadance hurled Chrysalis down the passageway.

Several drones scattered to avoid the body as it bounced with a sickening crunch and skidded the last few meters before connecting with the distant wall with a horrible thud. Grizz stared utterly aghast as Cadance bowed her head as if in prayer, “I couldn’t give you all you deserved Chrysalis, the price for your deeds hasn’t been paid.”

Grizz felt her insides turn to ice as Scrund screamed, “Mother! No!” The drone almost seemed to shrink, curling himself up into a trembling ball of pain along with his fellows. The collective shriek of loss curdled Grizz’s blood.

Cadance turned her terrifying gaze upon the cowering changelings before her, “So it falls to your family to settle such a debt.” Cadance’s horn glowed again, but this time Twilight was ready for her and a gleaming barrier flashed into existence.

“Cadance, this isn’t you! Stop!” Twilight's tears ran freely down her face as Cadance paused.

Grizz had a brief moment of hope when she thought Twilight had gotten through to Cadance, but that was soon dashed as Cadance tilted her head to one side, “You’re right Twilight, Cadance would never do such things would she? So therefore I’m not she.”

Cadance’s eye twitched before she glanced down at herself and Grizz saw that her coat had become a deep red now, like a ruby and mane the colour of dried blood. The blazing tears still continued to fall, leaving scorch marks on the stonework beneath her hooves and Grizz’s mind refused to believe what it was seeing: Cadance’s cutie mark had morphed into a pair of crystal judicial scales with half a broken heart in either bowl.

“You're right Twilight: I can’t be Cadance, I need to be somepony else to fulfil my role. She paused for a moment before her mouth twitched, ”A bringer of justice, one who makes sure the guilty pay their dues.....” Cadance’s eyes flashed brightly for a second and Grizz felt her body shudder as the world she knew twisted. Cadance smiled crazily, “Broken Justice.”

Grizz felt her own heart tremble as the sorrow of Scrund and the other drones crowded around the still body of Chrysalis and she wept in empathy with them. They were hurting and she was too, Cadance.....

“Cadance, don’t do this please,” Twilight pleaded but ‘Broken Justice’ wasn’t listening it seemed.

“Don’t get in the way Twilight, I need to do my duty and I don’t want to hurt you, but I need to see that justice is done,” Broken said in a level tone even as her body shook with ticks and spasms.

“Mum no!” Heart Strong called out, her face full of sorrow, still lying where she’d dived to avoid the flying Chrysalis. Platinum Shield simply stared in muted horror at his mother, his mouth moving but no sound coming out.

Broken turned to her foals and smiled sadly, “Don’t worry my precious ones, when the debt they owe to Shining Armour is paid I won’t need to be me anymore. Just let mother deal with this then everything will be alright.”

“She’s dead that monster killed her!” Scrund howled in anguish and hugged Chrysalis while the other drones wailed in unison, their cries piteous.

Grizz felt the anger burning in her core, mixing with her sorrow at what her aunt was doing and it caused her insides to boil. Without even realising it she took a dangerous step forward. “Cadance I don’t know what drove you to this, but killing Chrysalis and her children isn’t going to solve anything.”

Broken Justice shuddered before glancing at Grizz, “Grizz, I wouldn’t expect a changeling queen to understand what justice is. How could a creature who steals love and happiness from the innocent even begin to understand right and wrong?”

It was then that Grizz knew Cadance was gone, or so buried deep under her new persona that she may as well be. Grizz looked to Twilight who was standing firm, her horn glowing as it sustained a protective shield around the others.

Twilight’s eyes never left Broken and Grizz heard Twilight’s voice inside her head, “Buzz, when I give the word you are to take Strong, Platinum, the drones and Chrysalis out of here. I don’t want any arguments, I want you to head straight for the Tree of Harmony and find Celestia and Luna. Do you understand?”

“But mum I....” Grizz began only for Twilight to snort in anger.

“For once Buzz please just do what I ask, Broken Justice is an alicorn whatever else she may be and so I’m the only one with a chance to stand up to her”, Twilight strained as Broken conjured a barrier of her own and began to step forward slowly. The two opposing forces met and began straining against each other with a crackle of lightning.

“Get the drones to safety and Chrysalis too, she may not be dead. Once they’re safe get Celestia and Luna to come back here, Spike too if he’s there.” Twilight’s voice was strained as she struggled to hold her ground.

“I warn you Twilight, don’t get in my way,” Broken called out in an unpleasant sing song manner, the frightening harmonics clashing sharply with her voice in a way that set Grizz’s teeth on edge.

“Okay mum, but you’d better not get hurt or I’ll never forgive you”, replied using her internal communicator. Twilight nodded and with another flash of her horn filled the hall with a blinding light.

Chapter Nineteen

The floor trembled as Grizz, carrying the body of Chrysalis, galloped out of the castle and headed towards the Tree of Harmony. She was doing her best to block out the suffocating feelings of loss all the drones around her, doing her best to hold the tears in as......

“Your Highness, what do we do?” Grizz slowed as bright flashes illuminated the darkness over the ruined castle and turned to the drone who’d spoken.

She looked into the lost eyes of the changelings, they were all looking to her for leadership and Grizz suddenly felt very small, “We’re to regroup beyond the ruin’s walls and then head for the Tree of Harmony, it’s not far.”

“Surely we should scatter your majesty? That way the ponies won’t find us and we can sneak back to the Badlands,” Another drone piped up and Grizz felt control slipping from her grasp. Give them freedom, let them make their own choices. It had seemed such a noble ideal at the time, but the swarm was quickly dissolving into scattered bunches of drones with no plan.

They were panicking, driven almost to madness as Broken and Twilight began their apocalyptic Battle. Grizz felt their terror, she felt their confusion and with her own heart aching she couldn’t muster the resolve to comfort them. Fear gripped her and she shook with indecision as an explosion tore out a large section of the castle and scattered it to the winds.

The changelings weren’t the only ones fleeing. Strong, Platinum and hundreds of soldiers were boiling out of every gateway and fissure in the partially rebuilt outer walls, all thoughts of fighting having fled from their minds. Still, they were holding up better than the drones.

I never wanted this; I don’t want to be a queen or have to guide a whole hive. It had been kind of fun for a while, having all the drones following her orders and leading them on a grand crusade to find a new home in Equestria. Grizz had been only too happy to be in charge when things were going well, but now....

She looked across her fearful charges and Grizz’s heart cracked, what have I done?

“Your highness, the swarm needs your guidance,” Grizz looked painfully into Scrund’s single eye and felt her stomach knot.

“Scrund I...I don’t know....” Grizz replied, fighting to keep the shaking from her voice.

She couldn’t hold his gaze and instead stared at the floor, holding back the sobs that threatened to burst free at any moment. The pain and loss were too much: Not only was Grizz terrified for Twilight and Cadance, the pressing weight of all those changeling minds was crushing her.

“Grizz you’re a queen, it’s within you to know what to do,” Scrund assured her as he placed a comforting hoof upon her shoulder.

“But I’m not....I’m just.....” Buzz wailed.

“You are to me Grizz and I trust you,” Scrund whispered as he leant in close and nuzzled her. Grizz looked into his face and saw the resolve present there. She marvelled at how he could be so calm and collected. Scrund was in turmoil as the loss of Chrysalis stabbed through his soul, but here he was supporting her with a glowing faith that Grizz would know what to do.

“I don’t mean to intrude, but we are still pretty close to....” Heart Strong shouted as she landed a nearby and a flaming chunk of tower crashed down only a short distance away. The flashing lights and shaking booms from within the castle were growing more frequent. Grizz took strength from Scrund’s simple words and forced herself to stand straighter.

The drones needed her now and she wouldn’t fail them, they had a plan and they had each other. That was all they needed. Grizz hugged Scrund before closing her eyes and reached deep within herself. Down, past the programming of a pony-bot, past the emotions and worries of her heart and looked into her own soul.

Buzz felt herself, who she really was and clung to that certainty. It didn’t matter what form she took, that little piece of her was always there; glowing with a radiance that she couldn’t describe. It was that ‘spark’ that made Buzz who she was. It was the element found in every living thing and it was a commonly shared heritage from the one who started them all. I am who I choose to be.

Opening her eyes again Grizz saw the circle of staring faces all watching her with expectation, “Scrund, I want you to take your brothers and gather the other drones. Get all those you can and head deep into the forest.”

Scrund hesitated, “But your highness what will you do?”

Grizz looked at him and her heart soared, “I’m trusting you to keep the swarm safe for a little while. I’m going to ask for help.”

“Your highness, you’re not seriously going to rely on these ponies again? They killed Chrysalis and will no doubt try to kill us too!” Scrund’s face was defiant.

Grizz shook her head slowly, “I’m not, please just do as I say and trust me alright.”

She hugged Scrund tightly, “I love you,” With that Grizz hefted Chrysalis onto her back and began to gallop away. “Strong lead the crystal ponies to safety, I’ll be back soon,” Grizz sent via the communicator and didn’t even pause to see if Strong acknowledged the instruction.

Grizz dared not look at Chrysalis fearing what Cadance had done to her. Sure the queen was a sour apple and a royal pain in the flank, but she was Scrund’s mother and Grizz had to believe that if someone of such integrity and character could come from such as her there must be good in Chrysalis. Plus Grizz suspected she was going to need the former queen’s help before this was all over.

Her thundering hoof falls carried Grizz further from the old castle and right to the lip of the deep chasm that had seen so many important events. Grizz recalled wandering that deep trench after fighting off a pack of timber wolves in what felt like a lifetime ago. She looked to the restored bridge of which Twilight had recounted stories of when Rainbow Dash had chosen her friends over great temptation.

Down there Buzz knew the Tree of Harmony was growing and hopefully the salvation she hoped to find. She spread her wings and with a thought roused her antigravity unit. Thanking Tinker with every safe landing, Buzz jumped from one rocky outcrop to another as she made rapid progress to the ravine’s bottom.

As her hooves touched down on the dusty ground Grizz felt yet another tremor pass through the floor, clearly she didn’t have much time. There was a groan from Chrysalis, but Grizz didn’t know if that was a good or bad sign. For all she knew that could have been a death rattle.

Her heart pounding Grizz tore off down the narrow gully, following the winding gap between the rocky walls on both sides and the growing sense of power emanating from before her. The chamber which held the Tree of Harmony wasn’t that far, but as yet another explosion sounded out from overhead Grizz was reminded that she still needed to hurry.

As she rounded another turn in the winding path Grizz saw several ponies, Night and Day guard standing either side of the portal that lead to her target. As she galloped towards them they raised their weapons in swift order. “Halt, declare yourself and your intentions!”

“Get out of my way, I need to see Celestia and Luna!” Grizz yelled, not slowing her pace.

“Halt changeling, you may come no....” Grizz loosed a bolt of yellow magic that struck the speaker in the chest. It wasn’t meant to hurt the guard, only bewitch him and Grizz was surprised she even knew how to cast such. Then again, so many strange things had happened so far that Grizz didn’t even care.

The fellow soldiers opened fire with their rifles while a couple even drew long stun batons. Grizz couldn’t dodge, not with Chrysalis weighing her down and so simply gritted her fangs and drove forward through the fusillade.

The soldiers looked on in horror as their rounds, impacted on the charging Grizz but seemed to have very little effect. Thanks for the tough shell Tinker, Grizz silently praised her father before barging past, knocking ponies aside and driving through the doorway into the gloom beyond.

There below her was the Tree of Harmony, its boughs glowing with a gentle radiance and to Grizz’s immense relief she saw both Celestia and Luna watching her as she approached.

“Buzz what’s going on?” Celestia called as Buzz leaped down five or six steps at a time.

“Cadance has gone mad, she's tried to kill Chrysalis and is even now fighting Twilight up at the castle,” Grizz explained as she finally reached the base of the long curving stairs leading to the awaiting royals.

Both princess’ faces mirrored the shock of the other before Luna spoke quickly, “Cadance? You must be mistaken Buzz.”

“See for yourself,” Grizz replied and let Chrysalis’ battered body tumble to the ground at the sister’s hooves, “Chrysalis didn’t do this to herself.”

Both Celestia and Luna stared at the unmoving queen on the ground and shared a look of grave concern with each other, “Shining Armour?” Celestia asked, her brow furrowing.

“No doubt sister,” Luna replied sadly.

Grizz shook with anger, “You knew there was something wrong?”

“We suspected but would never have thought Cadance would go so far,” Celestia explained, her tones heavy with regret.

“We both trusted her to stand up to the pressure, we gave her advice and consolation and with having foals to soften the blow we thought she’d be alright. It’s always hard when you lose your first husband,” Luna agreed sadly.

Grizz’s mouth dropped open, “First? You mean you both had....?”

Celestia smiled sadly, “You didn’t really think we could go all these years without a little romance in our lives do you Buzz?”

“How...” Grizz began before Luna waved her to silence.

“We don’t have time now, you say Twilight is holding off Cadance? Come sister we’re needed,” Grizz still couldn’t grasp the enormity of the idea, Celestia or Luna married?

Celestia nodded in agreement, “Buzz I trust that everyone is being evacuated as we speak?”

Grizz nodded in stunned silence as both royals spread their wings, “Captain please refrain from shooting our guests and if any changelings come this way allow them to enter understand?” Celestia called to the shook up soldiers peering down at the interchange, their rifles still pointing at Grizz.

“Lower your weapons,” Luna commanded and to Grizz’s immense relief they complied.

Celestia and Luna rose into the air with steady beats of their wings, “Don’t worry Buzz, we will take care of Cadance and Twilight. You wait here.”

“But Chrysalis?” Grizz whispered, the other queen was in the centre of a slowly spreading pool of mucus.

“It’s not up to us if she pulls through Grizz, that’s down to you,” Luna replied cryptically and before she could ask what Luna meant both sisters sailed out into the flashing night sky. Grizz settled down next to her silent companion and for the first time tonight she looked right at Chrysalis.

There were dents and cracks all over Chrysalis' carapace, her eyes were vacant and to Grizz's horror the queen's horn was broken off about two thirds down its length. There were sticky fluids leaking from dozens of deep gashes and Grizz felt she was going to be sick. Chrysalis really did look dead.

Grizz wasn't terribly attached to Chrysalis if she was being honest with herself, the old terror had been boastful, arrogant and cruel. Yet to see her so beaten and damaged..... Grizz wouldn't have wished that upon anypony.

You're alone now Grizz and what's worse you're not even really a queen. That was what was so terrible, As far as Grizz knew Chrysalis may have been the last changeling queen alive. If that was the case then Scrund and the others were doomed.

No more spawning, no more grubs and larva. Grizz could be a mother to these last drones, but she wasn't a true queen: There would be no more if Chrysalis died.

Funny that wouldn't have bothered me a few weeks ago, but now I've come to know them it's tearing me apart inside. Not for the first time Buzz wished she couldn't feel anything, that she was just a simple robot with direct and logical programming. The pains of the last few days were....

There was the faintest of chimes; it was a simple quiet note which caused her to pause. Looking up and around Grizz saw that the guards had taken up positions outside the door once more, so it wasn't them.

Grizz looked to the only other person here, but Chrysalis was just as still and lifeless as before. Gingerly Grizz poked the body with a hoof, but it gave no response. She wasn't sure if that made Grizz elated or disappointed. She loathed Chrysalis, but at the same time needed her too and Grizz felt her chest tighten again as she thought of Scrund, now orphaned.

That tiny chime sounded again as Grizz buried her head in her hooves; it was musical and soft, almost like a drop of water falling into a still pond and it drew Grizz's attention despite its softness.

Looking up Grizz regarded the Tree of Harmony. It was glowing as it always did and had done so since the world began as far she knew. Its reassuring presence wasn't overbearing, nor was it subtle. It just was and it seemed to call to Grizz, resonating with that tiny spark within her.

With nothing else for it Grizz got to her hooves and slowly advanced towards the tree, “Um hello?”

Nothing happened and Grizz was about to shrug before turning away when the chime sounded again. She was certain it was coming from the tree this time and Grizz shuffled forward, eyeing the magical plant carefully, “Are you just messing with me or what?”

The tree simply glowed and Grizz hissed angrily, “Listen I've had enough strangeness for one night okay, so either leave me alone or give me some clue as to what it is you want!”

When a response wasn't forthcoming Grizz shook her head, too tired to care. She made to walk back to Chrysalis when the light within the tree flickered. humph, I just shouted at the Tree of Harmony. I doubt Twilight would approve, neither does the Tree seemingly.

Grizz tensed herself as the flickering became a rhythmic flashing, casting the chamber in alternating shadows and luminescence which quickly made her eyes hurt. Backing off Grizz closed her eyes as the chime became an incessant shriek, Nice one Grizz you really did it this time, well done for ticking off a god tree...

All outside input faded away and Grizz felt as if the world tilted and she stumbled to the ground. As she opened her eyes again Buzz saw the cave, tree and everything else for that matter was gone.

“What the hay?” She said and noticed that her voice wasn't that of Grizz anymore. Looking down Buzzbot saw that she was her machine self again, smooth plated and without coat.

“That's a good question, but not one you really want to know the answer to,” A soft voice spoke and caused Buzz to spin around in fear.

There before her was a pegasus, her orange coat shimming in the strange light that seemed to fill, wherever Buzz was.”Okay either I'm dead or there is some really potent pollen coming off that tree.”

“Neither Buzz, Buzzbot, Stage Cloak or Grizz, which ever you prefer,” The pegasus looked oddly familiar to Buzz and as she looked into her rosy pink eyes her mind did a quick recall.

“I know you! You're the mare who died in the diner!” Buzz shouted in fear before taking a few stumbling steps backward.

“Sorry wrong again, though I admit I do look like her,” The newcomer smiled warmly, “So which is it?”

Buzz clicked in confusion, “What do you mean?”

The strange pony laughed softly, “Which name do I call you by?”

Buzz looked down at herself, “Oh um, well I'm the real me right now so I guess you call me Buzzbot.”

“Are you sure you're the real you?” The glowing pegasus asked and Buzz felt her frustrations rise.

“Enough with the questions okay, can't you just give me a straight answer? Who are you?” Buzz sat on her haunches and folded her hooves, “I'm not playing these games anymore okay, I've had a really bad day and don't need this.”

“Well you did ask me to give you clues, you should have said you wanted a straight answer sooner,” Buzz clicked again in confusion as this phrase washed over her.

“You're the tree? As in The Tree!” Buzz asked and finally the pegasus nodded happily, “And you're talking to me as a pegasus?”

“Yep,” The Tree replied.

Buzz sat stunned for a few moments, “Why?”

“Well I was having an important chat with two of my agents, then you burst in and told them all about what's going on above,” The Tree winked, “So I decided to talk to you.”

“As a pegasus?” Buzz pressed and The Tree smiled again.

“Well about that, I thought it would make things easier to understand,” The Tree only grinned wider.

“By being a dead pony? Does this mean I'm dead?” Buzz asked slowly.

“No, but then again as a machine are you truly alive?” The Tree asked in return.

“Twilight seems to think so,” Buzz muttered uncertainly, “ And you still didn't answer my question.”

The Tree smiled happily, “Ah dear Twilight how is she doing anyway?”

Did she even hear my last question? “Fighting my insane aunt who’s trying to wipe out every changeling there is, but apart from that doing fine,” Buzz said the sarcasm dripping from her voice.

To Buzz's surprise The Tree didn't look upset about that, “Well that will never do will it, I understand why my Sun and Moon had to leave in such a hurry now.”

Buzz shook her head again, “Look I don't mean to be rude, but I'm kind of in a big fix right now, so if there's anything you could do to help that would be great.”

“And what would you have me do?” The Tree asked with a raised eyebrow.

Buzz stomped her hoof in anger, “Oh I don't know: Stop lots of my friends and family dying!?”

For the first time since she'd met The Tree it frowned, “Yes that is very sad isn't it. I don't like having to let bad things happen you know. But I can't jump in and save the day all the time, otherwise it would spoil things.”

“You mean you could and you don't!” Buzz was shouting now.

The Tree's frown became a sad smile, “Yes it's like that I'm afraid. But when would it stop? If I was to stop all the bad things that happen then there would be no freedom would there?”

Buzz paused for a moment, “Well you could stop accidents and things like that?”

“And wrap you all up in soft fluffy clouds, just in case you might scuff a hoof? Then none of you would ever grow or learn,” The Tree replied and Buzz didn't know how to respond to that, “All the souls who live upon me are here to learn to choose good things, but to truly freely choose there needs to be an opposite in all things.”

“Without trials and rough times no one could achieve their full potential, would you have me deny my creations that opportunity?” The Tree gave Buzz a hard look. She tried to match it, but found her eyes dropping to the ground.

“Well when you put it like that then no, I wouldn't want you to stop that,” Buzz didn't feel satisfied though, “But that doesn't sound fair, if bad stuff happens how do you make sure everything is just?”

The Tree looked stern for a moment, “By having a very long term perspective and taking great care in how I manage things.” It smiled again, “But we're getting off the main subject here, you asked me why I chose this way to appear to you?” Buzz paused before nodding.

“Well firstly talking by sounds made by a tree is difficult for you to understand, secondly I do remember that pegasus in the diner and though I'm sad about what happened to her, know that she's been given a great reward for doing what she knew to be right,” The Tree sat down next to Buzz and put a companionable hoof around her shoulders.

Buzz was surprised not to feel anything; well nothing physical anyway, just a slight tingle upon contact, “Who sent her? I mean it can't have been Chrysalis and I seriously doubt it was Lady Ichor either.”

“Well I may have arranged for that pegasus to escape and bring word to Equestria about how bad things had gotten for the changelings,” The Tree said with a conspiratorial wink, “I just created the opportunities, she did all the hard work of course.”

“You wanted Twilight to investigate the changeling's plight?” Buzz asked as the truth began to dawn on her.

The Tree nodded, “My first choice would have been Celestia if I'm being honest, but I cannot force anyone to act, merely encourage them. That is the same with my own agents. Although they get let in on a few more secrets than the rest of you.”

“Why don't you tell us all about these things, surely the world would be better if we all knew you were there and cared for us?” Buzz asked her mind racing.

“You'd think so wouldn't you, but I find if you really want to know anyone's true intentions you need to see how they act when they don't think I'm looking,” The Tree explained.

Buzz nodded, “Sorry you were...what were you explaining to me?”

Her companion laughed softly again, “Well I know of the problems the changelings are having and I took steps so that they had a chance to be redeemed.”

Buzz felt a slight shock pass through her system, “Is that still possible? I mean Chrysalis is dead, was she the last of their queens?”

“Yes for the moment,” The Tree said slyly.

“You can bring her back?” Buzz asked, feeling hope for the first time in hours.

“I could do that, but I fear she isn't the right queen for the job,” The Tree replied and Buzz felt that shock flow through her again.

“This isn't going where I think is it?” Buzzbot asked with a shudder. She looked down at the bare glowing white floor and tried to imagine her own hooves being like those of changeling's for the rest of her life.

“Well I need someone for the job, I can sort out the genetics and what not if you're interested?” The Tree winked and if Buzz had flesh and blood at this point she'd be blushing. “You’ve had a taste of it, you’ve seen the responsibility of such a task.”

“What if I say no?” Buzz asked as the enormity of the idea bounced around her head.

“Then I'll have to make do with another plan and you would miss out on a great opportunity,” The Tree said as she waggled her eyebrows.

“But no one may save them, they could all die,” Buzz reasoned and The Tree smiled in return.

“Now you're catching on. Freedom of choice comes with consequences, they are good or bad depending on the decision made,” Buzz watched The Tree carefully as it talked on, “With an eternal perspective you could understand how it is possible to make up for every unfair thing that happens in this world, that's not in question. What is in question is who falls on which side of the line when that day of justice does come: Another reason why you all live and have the freedom to choose.”

Buzz tried to take in all this and found she simply couldn't grasp it, instead she tried to focus on what was before her. She had a choice, a big choice. Can I even do what The Tree was suggesting? I don't know the first thing about leading a swarm, but then she could be with Scrund properly.

“You don't have to be perfect Buzz, you will make mistakes as every living thing does. All I need you to do is try your best, and yes you could,” The Tree explained with a knowing grin. It was almost as if it could read Buzz's mind.....

“Hey did you?” Buzz asked angrily.

The Tree chuckled, “Promise I won't tell.”

Buzz would have burned with embarrassment had she not been made of metal and instead hid her face behind a hoof, “Do I have to decide now?”

“Pretty much Buzz, sorry but that's the way of things,” The Tree explained.

“Okay, um so how do I choose?” Buzzbot asked her core fluttered with nervousness.

“As I asked you right at the start, what do you want me to call you?” The Tree asked again and Buzz knew what she'd choose, there was one condition however. The Tree cocked an eyebrow in mock surprise, “Really? Are you sure?”

“Yes, that's my condition,” Buzz announced, all traces of uncertainty gone.

The Tree smiled one last time, looking pleased with itself, “Very well, hold on to your head. This will feel a bit strange.”

Chapter Twenty

Chrysalis opened her eyes to find darkness surrounding her. Well darkness is nothing new, but why am I here? She got to her hooves and glanced about at the shadowy, blank landscape which stretched off into the distance. It was quiet and mercifully so: for the first time in years Chrysalis had peace within her mind.

“Okay so you’re alone in some strange place, and your underlings are nowhere to be seen,” Chrysalis summed up as she had nothing better to do.

“Not quite alone ‘Chrissy’,” A familiar voice sounded out and Chrysalis spun around , fangs bared.

“Ichor?” Chrysalis called out, her eyes widening in fear.

Lady Ichor smiled at Chrysalis, “You’re looking well sis.”

Chrysalis peered at the newcomer with suspicion, “Ichor never called me sis..... ever. Who are you?”

‘Ichor’ chuckled, it was full of genuine humour, “Aww, been Rumbled. I should have known you’d see through this.”

“I’m dead aren’t I?” Chrysalis commented, surprised that this fact didn’t upset her all that much.

“Pretty close,” Ichor said in an easy going manner.

“It’s more boring than I expected,” Chrysalis quipped as she looked about the empty plains.

“Chrissy, you can drop the act with me, it’s alright,” Ichor put a comforting hoof on her shoulder, but Chrysalis backed away.

“Says the stranger who pretends to be my sister (who I didn’t get on with I might add). Not building trust very effectively here,” Chrysalis felt an odd sense of calm all around her, clashing with her well ingrained paranoia.

“Okay, I see you’re going to make this hard for me,” Ichor sighed, “Yes, I’m not your sister but I thought this would be a better way to break things to you gently.”

“Just hit me with it I’ve had worse,” Chrysalis replied.

“Well then, you have a choice Chrysalis. I can send you back to the world of the living, but you’re going to have to make some important changes and be under the rule of someone else for the rest of your days,” Ichor explained and Chrysalis felt her mood darken.

“That’s the bad choice, so what’s the good one?” Chrysalis asked.

Ichor paused, “That was the good choice Chrysalis.”

”Just my luck,” Chrysalis chuckled morosely.

Ichor nodded, “Yeah, the bad choice is standing before your ancestors and explaining why you let your race die. They will know that you had the chance to do something better with yourself and your race but you turned it down.”

“Hey, I gave my all for my children; that should count for something!” Chrysalis screeched.

“I know Chrissy, and it does. However, there are a number of less than good choices you did make,” Ichor cautioned.

Chrysalis hissed angrily, “And who are you to judge me huh? I did what I was taught to do and did my best at it. What more does the world want?”

“The ‘World’ doesn’t blame you for your start Chrissy, but you have done some pretty despicable things,” Ichor said and Chrysalis felt her anger growing.

“I did what I had to and I’d do it again given the same choices,” Chrysalis almost screamed into Ichor’s impassive face. She raged at the surrounding darkness which only gave solemn silence in reply, “No, it’s not fair! I did all I could, how can I be punished for something I had no control over?”

Chrysalis rounded on Ichor again and saw she was smiling, “The World understands that Chrissy. It’s your choice now which is important. You now have the chance to prove to everyone that you would be a better person had you been given the chance.”

“Oh so that’s who you are, The World huh?” Chrysalis scrunched up her muzzle, “You’ve got a great deal to explain you know, for one thing why were we created as monsters?”

Ichor smiled, “Well, let me tell you a bit about freedoms and choices.....”

Zip’s head hurt. He held his hooves up to his ears and tried to block out the pounding noises within, “Urgh, what happened to me?”

“Cadance zapped you with a pretty strong love charm, lucky you’re a sprite or you’d still be drooling over pictures of her,” Quiz sounded distracted and Zip peered blearily at her as she hauled him through the air.

“Why did she do that?” Zip mumbled as further thumping sent a stabbing pain through his head.

“She..er.....it’s a bit complicated Zip,” Quiz said with an edge in her voice.

Zip only then noticed the smoke in the air and a number of raging fires lighting up the ground below, “Um Quiz?”

“Yeah, I know, but we’re well out of it,” Quiz replied and Zip was shocked at the steadiness of her voice.

“You okay Quiz, you sound different?” Zip winced as another loud ‘boom’ echoed around in his head, “Um why is everything on fire?”

“Cadance and Twilight are having a ‘discussion’ about the changelings,” Quiz replied as a shockwave lifted both sprites and flung them off course.

“That wasn’t just in my head was it?” Zip moaned and Quiz nodded in confirmation.

Zip looked back and saw two bright stars floating in the air above the old castle. They were shining brightly; one an angry red and the other a lavender hue. Even as he watched both lights flew towards each other, meeting with another explosion of force and sound.

“Who’s winning ?” Zip asked, his heart frozen.

“I don’t know, but you’re awake now so use those wings you heavy lump,” Quiz ordered and Zip was struck by the change in his fellow. She sounded well, in control.

Zip flapped his wings gingerly and found he was able to hold his own weight. Looking down he now had a clear view of the scene below. Large chunks of the old castle had been demolished. Raging fires illuminated the tiny shapes of those still fleeing the ruins and Zip's eyes were instantly drawn to two fighting balls of light, “Is there anything we can do?”

Quiz hung there for a moment, rubbing her chin in thought, “Well we could always let the other Council of Harmony members know that they're needed?”

The sky lit up as beams of arcane power danced back and forth between Twilight and Cadance. The deflected spells from the aerial conflict licked out, setting burning lines of the surrounding forest ablaze. Zip swallowed in fear, “I think that all of Equestria knows what's going on here by now.”

“Still pays to be sure right?” Quiz responded and Zip could see a logic to that, “Plus it's safer than waiting for a stray spell to blast us apart.”

Both sprites glanced at each other, as a particularly bright ball of expanding magic resembling a new miniature sun blossomed below. “Yeah let's do it,” Zip agreed and as more sounds of destruction erupted behind them they fled toward the distant lights of Ponyville.

“The Tree of Harmony wasn't kidding when she said that it would feel strange,” Grizz muttered as she blinked her eyes open. She lay on the cold ground for a few moments and took a deep breath. It was her first real breath and it was a wonderful but scary sensation. I need to breath and I can feel my heart beating, for real!

Grizz sat up slowly and brushed the tangled mane out of her eyes. The world didn't look very different, the same hues were present and Grizz took another breath, savouring the joy of being alive. I'm actually alive. I need to breath I....

A groaning sound from next to her caused Grizz to look at the now trembling body of Chrysalis. The other queen was the picture of health, her beaten and cracked carapace now shiny and smooth while her horn had been restored to its crooked point.

Grizz watched Chrysalis as she slowly sat up and smiled, “I guess you said yes then?”

Chrysalis glared at Grizz for a moment before her own muzzle split into a grin, “Well I couldn't let you go around messing everything up now could I? Plus who's going to show you the ropes of being a queen if not me?” Chrysalis paused, “Do you feel that?”

Grizz closed her eyes, “Everything feels strange and new Chrysalis.”

“That sort of full feeling inside, bit like a warm glow or light in my centre?” Chrysalis added with mounting interest.

Grizz tried to review her programming it....”I can't seem to access my data banks right now.”

This time Chrysalis chuckled, “You mean you don't know or can't remember?”

Grizz nodded and felt a blush form on her face, “Yeah that, does it feel good?”

Chrysalis seemed to think for a moment, “Yep that's it. I feel full and contented, as if everything is going to be alright.”

“It's a nice fuzzy feeling like having mum hug you?” Grizz asked and Chrysalis made a face.

“Mother never hugged me, queens don't do that kind of thing,” Chrysalis said with a trace of sadness in her voice.

Grizz thought for a moment, “It feels like this,” and before Chrysalis could object she hugged her tightly.

Both queens (old and new) rested on each other for a time, until Chrysalis replied slowly, “That's a bit like it yeah.”

“That's being happy Chrysalis, haven't you ever felt that before?” Grizz stared at Chrysalis with shock.

They broke apart and Chrysalis' face scrunched up, then straightened as if she was savouring a new flavour for the first time. Grizz smiled as Chrysalis worked through the new concept and smiled in return, “Not like this before I admit,” She mused for a while longer before her smile grew, “I like it, how do we steal more?”

Grizz laughed, “We don't steal it, you earn it by doing good things Chrysalis, it's the great feeling you get by doing good things for others.”

“And that works?” Chrysalis asked with a curious glow in her eyes.

“Pretty much every time Chrissy, can I call you Chrissy?” Grizz giggled as she savoured the new sensations flowing through her body.

“Yes,” Chrysalis replied, “But not in front of the drones alright? I'd never hear the end of it.”

Grizz's face fell as she recalled the last sight she'd had of the swarm; their scared faces and longing glances, “We should go make sure they're okay, who knows what they have gotten into their heads to do.”

“Agreed Grizz,” Chrysalis announced as she got to her hooves. She'd only gone a few steps forward when a perplexed expression overshadowed Chrysalis' face. She tilted her head down to look at Grizz's own chest and began prodding it experimentally.

Grizz looked down and saw a glowing ball of energy nestled in her chest just below the surface of her shell. It throbbed and beat like a heart and it's shining core gave off a feeling of warmth and contentment.

Recalling some of the final instructions the Tree had given her Grizz nodded in understanding, “That's the solution to our food problem Chrissy.”

Grizz stood up and allowed Chrysalis to study it in detail.“ A gift from our mutual friend.”

Chrysalis prodded it a few more times before shrugging, “So what does it do?”

“I'll explain on the way Chrysalis,” Grizz said before, with a sigh of pleasure, she unfolded her wings. Grizz had never done so before and now for the first time in her life she was about to fly for real! “Race you to the doorway?”

Chrysalis didn't even get a chance to reply before Grizz leaped into the air, her wings throbbing with excitement and proceeded to crash unceremoniously into the rough ground. Grizz felt the bumpy rock scraping her carapace and rolled with a hiss of pain before Chrysalis chuckled, “Oh we've got some real work to do haven't we?”

Grizz decided she didn't like the feeling of being scraped across the floor and resolved not to do it again, “Ouch.”

Grizz looked up at Chrysalis who was smiling warmly at her. “You've never flown before have you?”

Grizz felt the embarrassed glow returning to her face, “No, not really.”

Chrysalis now had a playful smile on her face, “Well it seems we're going to be learning a lot from each other so best take it slow. One larva step at a time huh?”

Grizz got up again and dusted off her shell, “Okay so to the drones,” She began to trot up the stairs leading to the surface and felt the elation of simply being alive. “You know Chrissy, I think this is going to be the start of a very odd friendship.”

She turned her head back to see Chrysalis watching her intently, “You know, you even look different now Grizz, more natural somehow.”

“I know isn't it great, I'm alive!” Grizz could barely contain her excitement and practically floated up the stairs. She saw the guards positioned just beyond the door and gave them a huge smile, “Hello fellow living beings isn't it wonderful!”

The trembling unicorn stallion stared at Grizz with confused eyes before replying, “Um yes miss changeling queen, it's good to be alive.”

Grizz thought she heard a sniggering sound from behind her and saw Chrysalis wasn't much further back, floating easily on her now pristine wings.

A muffled explosion was heard overhead and Grizz's good mood faded as she recalled the troubles above. She coughed and forced a serious look onto her face, “Sorry I was a little excited, um lieutenant correct?”

The pony nodded and saluted again, “Yes ma’am, er queen um...”

Chrysalis chuckled again but Grizz ignored her, “How goes the battle back at the castle?”

“Well miss queen, Celestia and Luna left about ten minutes ago, leaving a set of instructions for when you woke up,” The guard handed Grizz a small data screen and she took it gratefully, “She said it would be already coded to your body.”

Grizz pressed her hoof onto the screen and an image of Celestia flashed up before her, “Grizz, by the time you get this message we will already be subduing Cadance. We need you to ensure the safety of your hive and any soldiers still trapped within the castle. We know we can count on you.”

“Thank you Lieutenant, ”Grizz nodded to herself before passing the data screen to Chrysalis who took it with a bemused expression. Glancing back to Chrysalis to see her peering at the small communication tool with a perplexed expression, “It's a datapad Chrysalis, I'll tell you about them later.”

Chrysalis shrugged before grinning, “Well you're the queen, get on with it.”

Grizz nodded before closing her eyes and reached out with her senses, the sensations of the cool night air began to fade along with the distant sounds of explosions. She looked for the 'thread' of emotions that would tell her where the drones were and after a few seconds of concentration she found the first of them.

“A small group, a little way off to...” Grizz tried to check her internal compass and hissed, “Um that way!” She waved a hoof in the vague direction.

“Okay, now call them,” Chrysalis urged.

“But I can't send pheromones that far the wind is...” Grizz began only for Chrysalis to tut with disappointment.

“Oh dear, oh dear, to think I was worried you could have dethroned me? Scent isn't the only tool in a queen's thorax,” Chrysalis rolled her eyes, “Feel them Grizz and let them feel you.”

“I can alright, but they can't feel me I....” She began then she sensed what Chrysalis was talking about. Her eyes snapped open in shock, “Wow, I never did that before.”

Chrysalis grinned in triumph, “It's a deeper connection than cables and pony technology can achieve Grizz, I'll tell you about it later.”

Grizz felt her own soul connect with the drones a little way off, it was a far stronger bond than she'd ever experienced as a disguised queen. With a slight tremble Grizz allowed her emotions to be seen and understood by her drones. She felt a tiny spark of fear in letting such creatures know her heart, but thankfully they responded in kind.

It was like talking, touching and understanding another pony all at once but having them in another room. The feeling was odd, but intoxicating. With care Grizz let her heart convey the order that she wanted. For a few moments she was afraid that they wouldn't want to come, but then with an almost joyful call they began to gather before promising to attend.

It was nothing like Grizz had ever felt before and she smiled at Chrysalis who was nodding with approval, “Just wait until you have your own drones my dear, it's even stronger.”

“My own drones?” Grizz asked in confusion, “But these are my swarm, they are my drones?”

Chrysalis simply grinned wider, “No my dear, these are adopted children into your family. I mean when you give birth to your own drones.”

Grizz's froze, “I can do that?”

Chrysalis laughed and the nearby guards all jumped at the sound, “Of course you can Grizz, where do you think they come from?”

Grizz felt the blush forming again, “Oh yeah, of course I can....”

Chrysalis grinned and waggled her eyebrows, “I'll tell you about it later. It's all natural and....”

“Oh look here they come!” Grizz called out while avoiding Chrysalis' amused gaze.

The small huddle of changelings were even now cresting the ridge high above them and began to crawl down the sheer face, carefully picking their way along the chasm's side.

Grizz beamed at her little swarm and waved happily to them, “Thanks for coming, we need your help.”

Soon enough the small crowd of changelings were huddled together before Grizz and the first thing that struck her was their hunger. Everyone of them was craving sustenance and Grizz felt her mood fall, they came more because they were desperate rather than out of any love for her.

“You called your highness?” A drone prostrated himself before her and Grizz felt her own heart clench.

“No, no, none of that I don't want you to bow,” Grizz fidgeted as the drone looked at her in confusion.

“As you command we will not bow,” The group all stood up as if at inspection for parade and Grizz shook her head again.

Biting her lip Grizz tried again, “I didn't command I simply asked that you wouldn't, remember what I said about freedom to choose?”

The assembled changelings all stared at Grizz blankly and Chrysalis sniggered, “Hunger doesn't help their mental powers Grizz, if you want independent thought then they need food. Trust me during recent years I have sorely missed proper conversation.”

Grizz nodded, “Okay then time to feed,” The drones all hissed and grinned with menace at the pony soldiers who shrank back in fear. Grizz waved her hooves in desperation. “No not like that, come here just one of you.”

Grizz smiled not unkindly at the watching soldiers, “Could you give us a moment, this is kind of a personal matter?”

The ponies bowed and Grizz could see the relief pouring off them. The drones looked disappointed but their leader trotted forward obediently and Chrysalis raised an eyebrow. Grizz closed her eyes, the instructions the Tree had given her said it should happen quite naturally, but Grizz had never tried anything like this before, no changeling had ever tried this before.

She willed her body to obey and after a few tense moments she felt the desired effect begin to happen. Grizz felt the new organ, the special gift from the Tree begin to pour love into the drone before her. It wasn't as strange as she'd first feared it would be, more akin to the sensation of sharing some wonderful secret with a friend and the giggly excitement that came with it.

The drone made a contented clicking noise as with pleasure it lapped up the offered food, wolfing it down like a famished dog. The flow stopped and Grizz felt a sense of triumph fill her own soul. She watched as the drone blinked slowly and the light of understanding filled its suddenly bright eyes, “My queen, I don't know how you did it but I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

He bowed again, and to Grizz's delight she saw it was out of genuine respect and thankfulness rather than compelled instinct. Beaming with joy she bowed in return, “I'm just sharing a gift from one that loves us all very much.” Grizz hugged him tenderly, “What's your name?”

“'Hizk',” your majesty he replied with reverence.

“Well Hizk, I need you to help in gathering the other drones, then we can look for the scattered crystal ponies,” Grizz beckoned for the other drones to approach and they did at first with trepidation. Hizk smiled, waved a hoof encouragingly and the rest crowded around Grizz with growing enthusiasm.

“It would be my honour to do so highness,” He replied.

As Grizz fed the other drones she saw Chrysalis watching in fascination, “Well that's certainly different. How does it work?”

“We consume love, well there's one who loves us more than we could ever understand Chrysalis and I get to share that love freely now,” Grizz explained. Now that she'd done it once the process of feeding became easier and she could 'suckle' more and more drones at a time.

The glowing core of love still burned brightly within Grizz and she didn't feel at all diminished by the experience. She smiled with joy at her little band of healthy drones, they looked at her like she'd looked at Twilight; like their mother who cared and provided for them.

The process completed Grizz became serious, “Okay now we're ready to begin finding the others. I need you to scatter and bring the rest of the drones safely back to me alright?”

As one, the swarm saluted before taking off into the air. They circled once and scattered in different directions.

Chrysalis continued to study Grizz carefully, her face unreadable, “And I didn't get this amazing gift?”

Grizz's happy mood cooled somewhat as she looked into Chrysalis' detached eyes. She could see the emotions clearly in Chrysalis now and was sad to see the faint glimmers of jealousy, “I don't know why you weren't given the same thing Chrysalis. I thought you would have it too.”

She saw Chrysalis frown and for the first time since she'd met her the old queen Chrysalis looked remorseful, “The World seemed to think I still need to prove worthy of such that's why.”

Grizz stared in utter astonishment as Chrysalis, with a pained expression, did something unbelievable. It wasn't grudgingly nor was it with any malice that Grizz could detect but Chrysalis seemed to almost bow to Grizz.

It wasn’t a full bow, Chrysalis stopped the act halfway and turned it more into an over pronounced nod. All the time Chrysalis’ face was awash with conflicting expressions and Grizz could feel the warring instincts within her fellow changeling.

“I understand that you becoming as you are now was only on condition that I was brought back,” Chrysalis finally gave up the awkward show of supplication and looked Grizz right in the eyes, “I owe you my life Grizz and though it pains me to admit it I believe that you really can save us.”

Grizz saw her tremble for a moment as Chrysalis regained her former proud stance and then old Chrysalis was back again, haughty and imperious,“Tell another soul about that belief and I'll gut you like a hollowed husk and devour that gift for myself.”

She studied Chrysalis for a long time, looking into her pained eyes and saw deep down a flicker of hope. “You have my word Chrissy, that I won't tell anyone. Plus I don't think you can just eat something like this.” Grizz tapped her chest.

Chrysalis smiled and Grizz did too, “Don't think I wouldn't be willing to try.”

Grizz saw the flicker of humour in her fellow queen's aura and with a chuckle lent forward and hugged her again. “Thank you for even being willing to trust me.”

“Yeah, yeah don't get mushy on me alright,” Chrysalis mumbled and Grizz hugged her all the tighter.

Chapter Twenty One

“What do you mean we can’t come in?” Quiz’s frantic shouts fell on deaf ears as she glared at the soldier through the shimmering barrier before her.

“Orders from on top, sprite. Ponyville is locked down for the duration of the emergency; no one comes in or out without proper authorisation,” The grim faced crystal stallion replied, his helmet hiding the top of his face behind a tinted visor.

“So how do we get permission? “ Zip yelled only for the soldier to snort dismissively before waving a hoof at the crowds all around.

Quiz followed the guard's gaze. “You and all the others here need to get authorisation, from one of the princesses, counter signed by the captain and verified with genetic markers,” His lip curled in a smug manner, “What makes you think you're any different?”

“I'm Twilight's personal sprite. Can’t you just let us in, it’s really important!” Zip tried again before the guard shook his head with finality.

“Sorry, my orders are very clear: No pass, no entry, even for Twilight's personal errand boy while the changeling threat is being dealt with.” The guard's tone sounded anything but sorry.

“Come on Quiz, there’s no getting through that thick skull,” Zip glared at the pony who gave them a vindictive salute.

The two sprites fluttered away and Zip felt his heart sink. There was no sign of anypony rushing to the rescue as far as he could see. Things had looked pretty dire back at the forest and they simply didn’t have time for this nonsense.

“Zip what are we going to do? They’re not letting anyone cross the defence lines,” Quiz said as Zip screwed up his face in thought.

“We could try another entrance, maybe find a more friendly guard?” Zip replied doubtfully.

“They're all the same Zip, it’s hopeless!” Quiz cried and sank down onto the ground.

The outskirts of Ponyville were thronged with angry Equestrians; market vendors, business ponies and haulage units were all queued along the roads leading into the city. No one was being let in or out it seemed.

“This is terrible, no one seems to have the faintest idea that there's trouble in the Ever Free forest!” Quiz moaned as she kicked a pebble across the ground.

“I was with Cadance when she shut down the S.D.F, crystal pony soldiers are all over the vital parts of the city. She has guards in the communications hub, they must not be relaying any messages,” Zip mused as he stared sullenly at the agitated crowds, “All this security and it's keeping all the right ponies from doing their jobs.”

Quiz fidgeted as the crowds thronged all around them, “Maybe we should just leave it Zip, I mean Twilight and the other Princesses are there. They know what to do.”

“Yeah Quiz they are and we're stuck here waiting, tell me something I don't know,” Zip continued to study the floor while his head spun, “There must be another way in.”

“How Zip? Twilight designed that shield, the armies of Tartarus couldn't breach it!” Quiz was shaking and Zip didn't blame her.

Zip glanced up at the glowing barrier and felt inclined to agree. The shimmering enchantment shrouded Ponyville from the outside world like a giant fish bowl placed over the city. Zip had seen Twilight's designs, there wasn't any force short of the apocalypse that would force their way through that magic.

A distant rumble reminded him of the desperate stuff happening back at the forest. He wanted to do something, anything to help but Zip was fresh out of ideas. All his plans had come to nought, it just seemed that every time they tried to do something of use....

“Hey Zip Hey!” The voice cut through the background chatter and caused Zip to look up in surprise.

To his joy he saw 'Wink' waving through the city's enclosing wall, “Wink is that you? What are you doing here?”

His fellow sprite, a green stallion with red highlights beckoned them closer as he pressed his hooves against the shield, “All traffic has been stopped but I've got a delivery to make. I was circling the border looking for a way through and to my surprise I find you're outside. I was hoping you could do me a favour!”

Zip looked gratefully to the heavens before smiling widely at Wink, “Oh thank you, thank…..thank you!”

He swooped over to Wink who was staring in utter bemusement at him through the glowing shield, “Thank me for what, I ain't done anything yet?”

Quiz quickly followed as Zip pressed his hooves against the defence field, matching Wink’s hooves. “Wink, you are about to save Equestria my friend. Forget the delivery we need you to gather the others and get messages to the Council of Harmony.”

Wink looked uncertain, “But Mrs Tangle will be ever so mad if I don't.....”

“It's more important than that!” Zip practically shouted and Wink leaned back.

“Whoa keep your wings on Zip. I'll do it alright, but you promise you'll take responsibility for the delivery?” Wink hefted a small parcel, “I need you to explain to the recipient that the order will have to be....”

“Yes, yes, yes Wink we will, but after you've told our message!” Quiz shouted, all trace of her nervous shiver gone.

“Fine, so what's the message?” Wink produced a tiny data pad and Zip paused for a moment, not sure how to word it.

“To all Council of Harmony members: Cadance has gone insane. Crystal Fiefdom soldiers are acting under compromised orders, don't trust them. Twilight and other Princesses are doing their best to keep Cadance contained, but we need your help to snap her out of it. Be ready to use your rainbow powers,” Zip explained and Wink simply stared in shock.

“You're pulling my leg right Zip?” Princess Cadance really?” Wink stared at Quiz who nodded her head seriously.

“Hey you there! What do you think you're doing?” Zip looked about and saw a soldier closing on them.

“Go Wink and quickly!” Zip yelled as the crystal guard galloped towards them.

“Don't need to tell me twice!” Wink yelled before he dropped his bag and dove away into the anxious crowds.

The guard finally reached them a frown on her muzzle, “What were you doing?”

“Just talking to a friend officer,” Quiz said in a brittle voice.

The pony turned her helmeted face to Quiz who shrank back fearfully, “Well...I guess you've broken no laws, but I must ask you to back away from the shield.”

Zip gently tugged at Quiz's wing, relief filling his heart, “Thanks officer we will.”

They drifted away all the while Zip fearing that some angry shout would spell the doom of their plan. It wasn't until they'd become lost in the crowds again did he dare to look back and see the soldier had moved off.

“Phew that was close,” Quiz muttered and Zip nodded. “Do you think he will pass the message on?” Zip glanced into Quiz's honest face and nodded again.

“Of course Quiz, we're the best delivery service in modern Equestria,” Zip assured her before settling down to wait again. I sure hope he does or I'll strangle him.

It was actually fascinating to watch, Grizz would gently reassure the drones that everything would be alright and then the magic happened. The light would return to the changeling's eyes and he would look at Grizz with something approaching longing and love.

None of her drones had ever looked at Chrysalis that way and she was hard pressed not to cry at the sight. They really love her, really love her. A single tear welled up in her eye and Chrysalis quickly brushed it away before anyone noticed.

What touched her the most was the way Grizz insisted on the drones giving Chrysalis a hug before they set off to find even more of their number. Chrysalis had never felt so warm and fuzzy in her whole life. Every drone would step forward and embrace her, not out of obligation but because they wanted to.

True it was heavily influenced by Grizz's smiling face that they would, they wanted to please her more than anything else. But every so often one would spontaneously dive over to Chrysalis and hug her warmly with no prompting.

Chrysalis realised she was watching something happening that had never occurred before, she was witnessing history and Chrysalis was almost happy to be a part of it. Then they found Scrund and her own drones and the moment became awkward.

Chrysalis' remaining children drifted down in a huddled group, peering around with fearful glances between her and Grizz. She could see how torn they were, between their true mother and a queen that offered such wonders. Of course they won't choose me, when there's such a love to freely feed upon. I know that Grizz is who they need I....

It was Scrund who acted first, his single eye was wide with wonder and without any direction from Grizz he dove forward and hugged Chrysalis so tightly that she feared he was trying to strangle her.

“Mum, you're alright we thought that mad pony had killed you!” Scrund wailed as he hugged Chrysalis tightly.

Before she could respond the others were piling in upon her and she found herself quickly buried beneath a tangled mess of hooves and wings, while Grizz laughed softly with a smile on her muzzle.

“Enough, Enough! Get off me you lot!” Chrysalis shouted and struggled to free herself from the suffocating mass.

Slowly her drones moved to obey, a slightly embarrassed look in their collective faces. Chrysalis dusted herself down and stood tall and imposing. “I am queen and you will treat me with respect and dignity.”

She watched her children and felt the conflicting emotions seething within her. They loved her, but they trusted Grizz. Chrysalis saw it clearly in their hearts that they would follow Grizz to the ends of the world and back, not because they loved her but because she was the stronger queen and that was how things had always been done.

Yet they would always love Chrysalis as their mother even if they would choose to follow another. Chrysalis felt her own heart crumple in pain. How she longed to be the one to lead them, the one to have them adore her like she'd seen the other drones adored Grizz. But Chrysalis knew she'd have to do the one thing she'd always done, what was best for them.

“Go on you lot, go. I know you're all eager to be on the winning side and I'm proud of you for it,” Chrysalis felt the tears returning and forced them back with a hiss, “We all know who will feed you, go.” Still her children didn't move. “What? Go on!” Chrysalis screeched and her children all whimpered.

“They don't have to choose between you and me Chrysalis,” Grizz said softly as she hugged her again. “You're going to be with me, by my side. I need all your experience and help if this is going to work.”

Chrysalis shook her head, “Queens don't share loyalty, it simply doesn't work. I'll be your support but they must follow one ruler.”

“Says who?” Grizz replied with a giggle.

“It's always been such since the very first queens....” Chrysalis began only for Grizz to shake her head.

“This is a new time for us Chrysalis. We make our own rules and decide what we do, not some long dead matriarch,” Grizz assured her.

Chrysalis look at her children who waited eagerly and shook her head, “This is only going to cause trouble Grizz.”

“Then we will work through it,” Grizz assured, “I never had a perfect relationship with my parents, so why should this be any different? The point is we don't have to fear any more, we can be happy and look for more than just surviving.”

Chrysalis gave Grizz a look before responding, “We're gonna have fights and disagreements you know. I'm going to make your life a real pain.”

Grizz laughed, “Yeah well that's part of being a family, no doubt I'll ruffle your mane a few times too. But we will have even better times as well.”

Chrysalis mulled it over, “A co-rulership?”

“It's worked before,” Grizz said with a twinkle in her eye.

“I don't think I can manage that Grizz, I need to know someone is in charge,” Chrysalis said as doubt crept back into her soul. Just at that moment an explosion lit up the night sky and all the drones cringed in fear. Chrysalis cocked an eyebrow at Grizz, “Yeah I can see the results of co-ruling clearly from here and I think I'll pass.” What are you saying you daft maggot! She's giving you a chance to rule with her.

Chrysalis looked deep into herself, did she really want to rule anymore? She'd been at it for so many years now and look where it had gotten them. She recalled the conditions The World had set for her return and knew this was one of those chances to prove her intentions once and for all.

“I just want to take a back seat for this Grizz. I know I'm crazy for saying so but think being an advisor and supporter is going to be good for me. I could do with a break from the responsibility.” Chrysalis boggled at what she'd just said, before thrusting such worries aside, “But if you don't live up to your role Grizz I'll depose you before you can say nutrient slime, you got that?”

To her surprise Grizz smiled all the wider, “I wouldn't ask for anything else Chrysalis.”

Chrysalis studied Grizz's face for any sign of duplicity and to her astonishment saw none, “As long as we've got that sorted then.” She smiled at her children, “Well you heard mother get over there and get with our new queen.” They bowed and all trotted over to Grizz apart from Scrund who still stood resolute.

“You too my special boy, what are you waiting for?” Chrysalis hissed with annoyance.

He finally bowed before smiling up at her, “Thanks mum you're the best. It means the world to me to have you with us and Grizz!” Chrysalis saw the feelings and pheromones pouring off her chosen son and smiled. You'll make a fine prince Scrund, Chrysalis thought and realised she meant it.

She'd long given up hope of finding a proper queen for him. Certainly not her mad sister Ichor, but now.....

Scrund almost skipped away and Chrysalis couldn't help but laugh at her child’s antics. She felt that happiness she'd longed for slowly building inside and a hope for their race that had long since burnt out slowly returning. Caw, I'm going to get all soppy I just know it.

Another rumbling tremor shook the ground and Chrysalis looked up to see that there were now four combatants circling in the sky. Cadance was being 'herded' by her fellow rulers away from the ruins but was putting up a fierce fight nevertheless.

“Why is it that the most powerful ponies always seem to go insane and try to conquer the world?” Chrysalis mused, “Being a 'queen' must go to their heads, how very changeling of them.”

For a single moment Chrysalis thought she understood ponies, but that quickly faded another cry was heard from the darkness, “There they are! Stallions get them, for Princess Cadance!”

Chrysalis saw the crystal ponies begin their charge and rolled her eyes, “Well some things never change.....”

Grizz saw the oncoming soldiers and sighed, “Ponies please stop and listen we're not your enemy!”

The charging guards didn't slow and Grizz shook her head sadly, “Don't say I didn't warn you.”

On reflex, Grizz released her combat pheromones and was soon surrounded by an angry swarm of drones. The approaching ponies didn't slow and Grizz was impressed by their tenacity but her priorities were clear. “Be sure not to hurt them more than needed.”

The soldiers were closing the final few meters before another voice shouted out, “Stand down sergeant, I know them and I need them alive!” The ordered charge became a stumbling rabble of ponies as the crystal soldiers lost their momentum.

Grizz released a sigh of relief as she saw Heart Strong flutter down before the two groups and quickly brought her drones to order as well, “Thanks Strong, what's it looking like up there?”

Strong watched Grizz wearily, “Buzz that is you right?”

“Yes and no Strong, I'll explain later. What is the condition of your soldiers?” Grizz asked again and Strong visibly wilted.

“It's utter chaos Buzz: Command has collapsed, we're getting confused orders and shouts for help on every channel and I can't reach Ponyville at all,” Grizz saw the hurt in Strong's aura. Strong was lost, with her mother going off the deep end and feral changelings fighting the bedraggled groups of remaining guards her will was faltering.

“Well we're doing what we can to stop the drones, I reckon we will have all of them under control within an hour at most,” Grizz assured Strong who snorted in anger.

“Yeah we have to make sure the precious changelings are all okay of course, “ Strong muttered and Grizz's gut twisted.

“It's not like that at all Strong, they're just confused and frightened. Once they understand what's really going on they will stop fighting I promise you, we don't want anypony getting hurt either,” Grizz tried to explain but Strong didn't look convinced.

“Whatever, as long as they stop trying to eat my boys then I guess we can work together,” Strong muttered before giving Grizz a salute, “So your highness what's the plan hmm?”

“To gather all the drones and your soldiers before getting them a safe distance from the fight up there,” Grizz said as shock waves buffeted the trees all around. Lights and explosions filled the sky now.

“Details Buzz, details!” Strong screamed over the gale.

“Chrysalis and I can force the drones to stand down we just need to be close enough to them,” Grizz yelled back and Strong's face went pale.

“Chrysalis, but she's dead isn't she I saw mother hurl her body....” Strong's words trailed off as Chrysalis emerged from the enveloping swarm and smiled brightly at her.

“Rumours of my demise have been greatly exaggerated,” Chrysalis winked at Strong whose mouth hung open.

“No, you're dead I saw....” Grizz cut Strong off.

“Look there's a lot to tell you, but first we need to stop our two forces from killing each other agreed?” Grizz hissed in impatience.

“Your communications are down, ours however are fine, why don't we attach a couple of drones to each group of your soldiers, we can be you links?” Chrysalis suggested.

“They'll never go for that,” Strong said, her ears drooping.

“Only if they know they're changelings,” Chrysalis replied with a glint in her eye.

Strong paused, “Still won't work, every team has a portable S.D.F and will disrupt your drones the second they come close.”

Chrysalis screeched with anger, “Ponies and your machines.”

Grizz watched the unfolding battle between Broken and the other alicorns in the sky above before speaking slowly, “They have drawn Cadance away from the old castle now, so barring the fires and damage already sustained it should be reasonably safe there.” Grizz smiled at the other two, “We need to do is stop fighting and all this will calm them down.”

Grizz raised her head and sent the impulse to the drones crowding around and marveled at just how easy it was becoming. She felt their confusion, but after a brief moment the drones saluted as one and the scattered. “If we remove one side of the fight then there will be no war,” Grizz explained to the seething Chrysalis.

Chrysalis glared at Grizz, “Run away? Now, when the prey is disordered?”

“Chrissy, they're not prey, they are my friends and family,” Grizz said and Chrysalis blushed.

“I thought you said you'd never call me that in company?” Chrysalis muttered darkly and Grizz smiled.

“I said I'd never call you that in front of the drones, not my cousin, anyway the point still stands, if we can remove the changelings from the equation then all we need to deal with are the fires,” Grizz studied Strong who rubbed her chin in thought.

“I don't like it but, that does seem to be the simplest solution. Most of my forces are so hyped up and paranoid about changelings that they simply won't trust any outside interference,” Strong shook herself and saluted, “Okay I will do my best to get the ponies to hunker down while you focus on calling off the swarm.”

Strong made to leave but Grizz stopped her with a companionable hoof, “I'm sorry Strong she's my aunt remember. Don't worry we’ll snap her out of this.”

“Yeah but the ponies of Equestria will never see her in the same way again Buzz, not after this fiasco,” Grizz saw tears in Strong's eyes before her cousin brushed off her hoof and trotted back to her soldiers.

“That went well I guess,” Chrysalis added and Grizz gave her a long sad look.

“She's right though. Poor Cadance, I never knew she was hurting so deeply,” Grizz said only for Chrysalis to sneer at her.

“I was the one she nearly killed remember, have a little sympathy for your own kind huh?” Chrysalis rolled her eyes and muttered something about ponies and their crazy ideas about husbands as she stomped off after the drones.

“My own kind,” Grizz said softly. It was thrilling and scary at the same time, she wasn't alone or one of kind anymore. She was part of a race to call her own, “One that needs guidance more than ever.”

“They got through right?” Quiz asked and Zip shook his head.

“I don't know Quiz,” Zip replied for the seventh time and looked across the thronging crowds to the still inviolable Ponyville which lay behind its glowing barrier.

“May be Wink got stopped by some soldiers? Quiz mused.

“I doubt it, they seem more intent on keeping ponies out rather than in right now,” Zip said sullenly.

“But then why would it take him so long to get help?” Quiz asked.

“I don't know Quiz, please stop asking me,” Zip begged, but Quiz didn't seem to get the hint.

“Or maybe the Council members don't believe him,” Quiz asked again and Zip simply held his head in his hooves.

The crowds outside Ponyville were beginning to turn ugly, several fights had broken out among the stranded Equestrians as the bright flashes and explosions coming from the Ever Free forest made themselves felt even here.

“It must be a scary fight Zip. I can feel the air moving from here,” Quiz said and Zip noticed her trembling had returned with a vengeance.

“Yeah, good thing we’re here,” Zip muttered glumly and Quiz gave him a questioning look.

“It was your idea to come and get help right?” Quiz asked her shaking momentarily forgotten.

“Yeah Quiz come and get help and now we're stuck here waiting!” Zip rounded on his friend, waving his hooves in frustration. “Wink has probably forgotten already and gone off to see something shiny....” Zip moaned as Quiz leant back from his outburst.

As if in response to his darkening mood the crowds all around began shouting angrily, Zip didn't care though. He'd failed again, failed to be a good sprite, failed to establish a useful spy network and now when Twilight really needed him, failed to convey a simple message, “I'm an utter failure Quiz.”

She looked at him in surprise, “No you're not, how can you even say that?”

“Everything I try to do just fails,” Zip replied sullenly.

“That's not what Twilight told me,” Quiz said and laid a hoof on his shoulder.

“No? Look around Quiz, we've failed,” Zip finally admitted to himself what he'd always feared, he was a failure. He and the other sprites hadn't managed to achieve anything of note and he'd let down Twilight.

Quiz hugged him tenderly, “We haven't Zip, this will blow over and the things will get better. They always do.”

Zip wasn't in the mood to hear hopeful optimism and shrugged off Quiz's hoof, “Yeah that's right, the ponies will sort everything out. We can just go back to being simple messenger carriers.”

“We're more than that Zip, you know that right?” Quiz assured him but the looming hole of despair rose up to swallow Zip.

“No quiz we're not, we may think we are, but we were made to be what we are: useless little toys! A fun distraction or cute pets. We had a chance to be useful I had a chance to prove to Twilight that we're more, but I messed it up okay!” Zip shook with the pain of having his dreams crushed. “Leave me alone Quiz,” Zip muttered and turned his back on her.

“We-are-not Zip, I was trying to tell you earlier but you were too out of it to listen,” Zip felt his chin forced around by a none too gentle Quiz so that he was looking her right in the face. “Twilight told me why she made sprites Zip and she's very proud of us, all of us.”

Zip began an angry retort before seeing the definite look in Quiz's eyes. Just at that moment she looked the very picture of serenity and Zip could almost believe Quiz really did know something of vital importance.

“Twilight made us to discover if machines could develop emotions by themselves. She wanted to figure out how Buzzbot worked and theorised that any machine with enough intelligence would eventually develop a soul and emotions as the magic of our world settled on them. Guess what Zip she was right,” Quiz's intense stare bored into Zip like a diamond drill.

“You mean we're all made simply to be and to become something more?” Zip asked quietly and a tiny spark of hope flashed in his chest.

“Yes Zip, not mere toys or pretty pets. We are the first steps into something wonderful,” Quiz assured him.

“But Buzz was the first living robot right?” Zip found he couldn't look away from Quiz's eyes which seemed to hold in their vice like grip.

“Buzz was made by accident Zip, we were meant to be and look at us now,” Quiz explained and Zip felt her conviction flow into him.

“Then we're a success? All we have to be is ourselves?” Zip could hardly believe it, Twilight had never said anything about this she......

It was in that moment of revelation that the energy barrier surrounding Ponyville cracked before collapsing in on itself with a massive shattering clamor. Zip, Quiz and all those milling around outside looked up to see its fall with open mouthed wonder.

The already dissolving fragments of magic tumbled all around, and out of it a huge shape could be seen flying. Zip felt his heart leap as he realised that Wink must have succeeded in getting the message across.

Spike, huge and powerful rose up out of the ruins of the defence barrier, smoke and fire pouring from the wrecked emitter at the summit of Ponyville's tallest building. The still sparking remains clutched in his claws.

Around him Zip could make out a blue blur moving so fast that it left a glittering trail behind it. This was joined by a slower yellow figure and they orbited Spike like a pair of moons. “He did it, he really did it!” Zip shouted and hugged Quiz tightly.

“We did it Zip,” Quiz corrected as with a bellowing roar Spike soared out towards the Ever Free forest and it was just possible to see three more tiny ponies clinging to his back. One seemed to be waving a Stetson with enthusiasm while another was surrounded by a cloud of confetti. The final figure was wearing a dazzling dress that caught the reflected lights of Ponyville almost magically.

Grizz sidestepped another flaming beam that tumbled down from the blazing roof overhead and found she was learning some valuable lessons about being alive. For one thing smoke, not normally a problem for her, was making Grizz's eyes water while her throat felt like somepony had run a cheese grater along it.

Coughing she had let Chrysalis lead her away from the blazing ruin, “What were you thinking Grizz? You'd be burned alive in there.”

“I...guess...I wasn't....” Grizz spluttered and looked gratefully to Chrysalis who watched her with disbelieving eyes.

“I don't know what you were Grizz, but a changeling can't gallop into a burning building like that!” Chrysalis almost sounded concerned for her.

“I'll remember that honest,” Grizz said, her eyes still streaming. The roof collapsed and to her anguish Grizz heard the cries from inside cut off abruptly.

“We can't save them all , so work on those that we can!” Chrysalis yelled into Grizz's over taxed ears.

“But...” Grizz tried only for Chrysalis to shake her head.

“There are going to be casualties, accept it and move on,” Chrysalis said with a pained voice.

Grizz felt sick at her harshness, surely there must be something they could do? She reached out with magic to call drones to help, but Chrysalis blocked her with sad eyes.

“They're no more fire proof than you are Grizz. You need to move on alright?” Grizz looked up into Chrysalis' weary eyes before nodding in understanding.

“If Twilight was here she'd…” Grizz began before Chrysalis shook her violently.

“Look your highness, Twilight’s got her hooves full. She's not here and we are. As a queen you can't expect others to do everything for you: You have to be the strong one, you have to make the hard calls and live with them,” Grizz reeled under the tirade of Chrysalis' passionate words, she really meant every one of them.

Grizz fought off Chrysalis' grip and stared at her as if with new eyes, “Is this what you meant by having to make sacrifices?”

Chrysalis visibly wilted, “This is just being a ruler, it's got nothing to do with being a changeling queen. Even your pony rulers understand that at least.”

“I...” Grizz began, but didn't know what to say in reply.

“Just do your job Grizz,” Chrysalis hissed before leading her along another path.

The old castle was alive with drones now, they crawled over the walls and could be seen hovering in the skies above. Both Grizz and Chrysalis agreed that speed was more important than subtlety and so had spread the swarm out to alert any stragglers of their need to vacate the area.

There were only a few places left to search, the majority of the halls and byways were swept clean of any drones, the small pockets of pony resistance noted and avoided. As Grizz and Chrysalis stepped carefully over the fallen debris they came across the bodies.

Both changeling and Equestrian were scattered throughout the ruins, all had evidence covering them which suggested the other parties were responsible for their deaths. Grizz was painfully reminded of the echoing halls of Chrysalis' former home.

Only this time it seemed far more pointless, there was no need at all for this fight. Only the shameful madness of Cadance driving it, “She really hates you doesn't she?”

Chrysalis paused, “Who? It's a fairly long list I'm afraid.”

“Cadance; she's always been so kind and well lovely,” Grizz explained before Chrysalis clicked dismissively.

“Oh her, no I don't think she hates me, she's just agonising over the impending loss of Shining Armour,” Chrysalis announced as if the sun was simply setting.

“Shining? He's dying?” Grizz stopped and looked at Chrysalis with horror.

“In a way we all are my dear, but Cadance certainly seemed to believe he isn't long for this world,” Chrysalis prodded a fallen guard, the poor pony seemed to have bled out from a hundred small cuts.

“That's terrible,” Grizz replied.

“That's life Grizz, we grow old and we die,” Chrysalis announced.

“No I mean the poor soldier, did the drones do that?” Grizz saw the poor stallion just lying there and felt the bile rising in her throat.

“Most likely,” Chrysalis said quietly, “Desperation does nasty things to ponies and changelings alike it seems.

“But why kill him? Changelings...we're normally not so quick in killing prey,” Grizz felt her stomach lurch and Chrysalis chuckled morosely.

“Having second thoughts? We are what we are Grizz. Yes you're doing fine work in lifting us to be better, but some instincts are too deeply rooted to change overnight,” Chrysalis watched Grizz carefully.

“No I, of course not, I just....” Grizz stared at the dead pony and felt oddly detached, she was sad it was true, but he wasn't one of her kind.

“I would imagine that a pony driven to desperation would do something similar to a drone had they been in the same situation,” Chrysalis prompted and Grizz looked around to see drones horribly killed as well.

“I guess you're right Chrissy, when the chips are down we're not much different huh?” Grizz looked up to Chrysalis and expected to see some shared kinship there, but instead was almost a look of admiration.

“No, you care about all of them. You're very different from me Grizz,” Chrysalis said levelly before pressing forward.

Grizz stood stunned for a moment before galloping to catch up, “And you don't?”

“Me? Chrysalis laughed, “Oh it's going to take more than some kind words and ideals from you to make me care about these furry creatures.”

Grizz simply stared in bemusement, “Every time I think I understand you Chrysalis you go and say something like that.”

“Same here Grizz, but I've made my choice for good or bad. As I told you before I'm here to make sure we changelings survive. I don't have to like it or even like you, but that's the way of things,” Chrysalis kept looking ahead as she spoke.

Grizz was getting used to reading Chrysalis now and saw the faintest glimmer of a lie there, “You like me. You won't admit it but you do like me don't you?”

Chrysalis clicked angrily, “Of course I don't, you saved me from death and stole my swarm away from me, how could I possibly like you and your crazy ideas?”

Grizz giggled, “I don't know how but you do, admit it!”

“I think that smoke has addled your brain Grizz,” Chrysalis replied as she kicked a fallen stone.

Grizz smiled playfully, the dreary surroundings momentarily forgotten, “Well I think under all that tough mare stuff you're a nice person trying to get out.”

“The only nice in me is what I've eaten from ponies, changeling queens are not nice,” Chrysalis paused for a moment, “Well except for you it seems, but you're a freak.”

“A freak who's your friend, admit it!” Grizz was certain she had the measure of Chrysalis now and almost bounced after her.

“Enough we still have a lot of things to do and....” The wall behind Chrysalis exploded inwards an enraged Broken Justice rolled across the floor between Grizz and Chrysalis. Her red mane and coat covered in scorch marks.

Grizz was thrown back as heat swept along the tunnel and she was forced to shade her eyes from the glowing princess before her. Cad...Broken’s mane and tail were ragged, but her eyes still burned with dark fire and even before the wall had finished collapsing she'd staggered to her hooves and fixed Grizz with a demented stare.

“Chrysalis I'm not done with you yet fiend, don't think you can run from me!” Grizz shrank back as spittle flew from Broken's mouth and the fire continued to weep from her once gentle eyes.

“Cadance...” Grizz whispered as she took a faltering step backwards, “Cadance it's me Buzz!”

Her aunt seemed to freeze for a moment and her eyes narrowed, “You can't fool me, there's only one changeling queen left and...”

“Then you're as blind as you are wrong Princess!” Chrysalis shouted from behind.

Broken Justice snapped her head around to glare at Chrysalis and Grizz felt a shock run through her as the room seemed to fill with fire, “More trickery bug queen? I don't care where you hide I will make you pay...”

It burned, not the heat but the sorrow for Cadance, she was clearly insane and to see her aunt so reduced tore at Grizz's heart.

“That's right monster, here I am. You think beating me again will bring back your precious husband then you're as crazy as you look!” Chrysalis looked almost happy to see Broken again.

Broken shuddered at the mention of Shining Armour, the heat filling the corridor winked out to be replaced by a freezing chill. Grizz felt it grip her tightly. She shivered uncontrollably even as crystals began to form all around Broken and rapidly spread outwards.

“You dare mention him to me? You...” Broken's rant was cut off as another comet flew into the already ravaged passageway.

Twilight Sparkle struck Broken in the side and both cannoned away through the far wall causing further stone and wood to tumble downwards in a torrent. Grizz was forced to dive back as the over abused ceiling finally gave way.

“Chrissy! Are you alright?” Grizz shouted in between coughs as dust filled the air. As the cloud of debris cleared she saw that Chrysalis was down, half buried in the rubble. Grizz shook herself down and dived across the space, she began to hurl bricks and planks away.

Chrysalis didn't look badly hurt, just a few scrapes and she even managed to groan angrily as Grizz lifted her head, “Remind me not to anger a pony demigod again okay? Every time I do it ends badly for me.”

Grizz laughed in relief before hearing a sound above them. Glancing upwards Grizz saw Luna and Celestia both hovering, their horns crackling with power. Grizz stood up, letting Chrysalis' head sink back slowly.

“Fine job you did of keeping Cadance away!” Grizz shouted up at them.

Celestia and Luna looked suitably chastened and serious expressions formed on their faces, “Sorry Grizz, she's quicker and more driven than we expected.”

“Well don't take it easy on our account, we're just humble mortals....” Chrysalis hissed and Grizz could only smile in an embarrassed manner.

Celestia nodded to Luna before the pair angled their flight to where Twilight and Broken were now glaring at each other over a flattened courtyard. Even as Grizz watched the two royal sisters circled Cadance while she ranted something at Twilight.

Grizz reached down and helped Chrysalis regain her hooves, “You sure you're alright?”

“Nothing I haven't been through before,” Chrysalis muttered and Grizz felt her heart twist.

“Being attacked by a crazy alicorn is all in a day's work for you?” Grizz replied.

Chrysalis hissed, “Something like that. When your chief food supply is ponies then you have regular run ins with those kind of beings.”

Grizz smiled, happy that Chrysalis was her old sardonic self and turned to watch the battle unfolding. Broken was thrashing against an enclosing dome which was being maintained by the efforts of her fellow princesses. She battered herself against the magic barrier, snarling and cursing them all for their interference.

“Now that brings a tear to my eye,” Chrysalis announced and Grizz looked at her to see if she was serious.

“Really? Me too, it's so sad to see her like this,” Grizz replied and knew by Chrysalis' chuckle that she'd miss read her again.

“No: That they won't just squish her and save us all future trouble,” Grizz shook her head as Chrysalis who 'tutted' in disappointment.

Grizz caught a change in the wind and looked up to see the immense bulk of Spike flying in over the horizon. With him she saw the other council members, the famous Element Bearers, and her friends. The cavalry had arrived.

“Oh great more of them,” Chrysalis muttered and Grizz couldn't help but grin.

“You've never seen this before have you?” Grizz asked and Chrysalis cocked an eyebrow at her.

“What when the ponies use their 'lovey-dovey' magic to save the day? Been there done that, it's not as pleasant as you may think,” Chrysalis commented as glowing bubbles of power surrounded Twilight and the others and they drifted slowly into the air.

“Well when you're on the receiving end it's a bit more unfriendly when you’re hit in the face,” Chrysalis said as a swirling rainbow formed out of thin air and crashed down onto the still struggling Cadance.

“But I will admit it's effective, if a bit showy,” Chrysalis added as the rainbow evaporated to reveal a gently sleeping Cadance surrounded by devastation. “It's almost as if the World saw the need for common mortals to be able to reign in crazy demigods every once in a while.”

Grizz nodded as the power faded and the princesses and Council of Harmony gathered around Cadance who was slowly stirring upon the ground. “Convenient isn't it,” Grizz agreed as the first few hints of dawn began to show themselves, Celestia smiling even as she moved the sun.

Epilogue

“How did she get like this, I mean she could have talked to somepony surely?” Twilight watched Cadance through the glass of hospital wing and Zip wished he knew the answer.

“She’s lost and hurt Twilight. She needed somepony to blame,” Celestia replied sadly, her gentle face full of sorrow.

Cadance lay sleeping in a white covered bed, her mane frazzled and her face full of sadness. Zip had never seen her so worn and diminished. At her side was Shining Armour who held Cadance's hoof tenderly while their three children stood mutely around the room.

“Is Shining going to die? I mean he didn't say anything to me about being ill?” Twilight asked as she glanced at Celestia, the fear pouring off her.

Celestia didn't respond right away, but instead gave Twilight a comforting hug, “He's old Twilight, nothing wholesome in this world is going to prevent time from taking its eventual toll. Nor should we be begrudge such.”

Zip felt his own heart sink as Twilight's face screwed up in doubt, “That's easy for you to say Celestia. You're timeless and never have to face that problem.”

“Don't I?” Celestia asked and looked Twilight right in the eyes, “Not for myself no, but I still have to weather the loss of those I care for. I know they're not gone of course, but I still miss them all the same.”

Twilight's expression softened, “You never did tell me exactly what comes after this life Celestia.”

“I didn't did I,” Celestia agreed and Zip shared in Twilight's growing frustration as she snorted angrily.

“Why won't you tell me?” Twilight stamped a hoof only for Celestia to smile indulgently.

“I could describe to you all the wondrous things that come after this mortal toil Twilight, the things to be seen and the joy awaiting the good and loyal, but then you would only long to be there and I need your mind in the here and now,” Celestia explained and Twilight pouted.

Zip pushed their conversation aside as in the room beyond Cadance slowly opened her eyes and blinked in confusion. He could hear the cheers coming from her family even through the thick glass as they all realised she was awake.

“To answer your question Twilight, we did talk to her. Luna and I took a great deal of time to council Cadance on how to cope with loss and grief,” Celestia frowned, “However It seems we did not do enough.”

Cadance's smile was short lived and her face filled with horror before Shining and the others hugged her tightly. Zip couldn't hear what they were talking about, but clearly the princess was deeply distraught and he thought it was a pretty safe bet as to the topic.

“She will need a break, a time away from things,” Celestia said with a heavy voice, “Clearly she's in no fit state to manage her duties right now and I think that the family and you Twilight will get some quality time together.”

“But how did it get this bad Celestia, I mean couldn't you have done something?” Twilight asked again and Zip saw the resigned look in Celestia's eyes.

“What? Watch her all day every day? Make sure she never made a slip up or showed signs of distress?” Celestia asked and Twilight's ears drooped. “I could ask you the same thing Twilight, were you there every moment Cadance needed you? Did you place guards on her to make sure she was doing everything perfectly?”

Zip shied back as Twilight's eyes became angry, “How was I meant to know she'd do something like this? You're the one who has lived from the dawn of time!”

To Zip's amazement Celestia laughed, “We may be old Twilight, but that doesn't mean we're all knowing. We're not perfect Twilight and you can only do so much if a pony isn’t open with their true feelings.” Celestia gave Twilight a reproving look, “Would you be judge and jury over all our actions? Should we be over yours?”

“Well no, but....” Twilight began again but trailed off under Celestia's resolute gaze.

Zip saw that everypony in the room beyond was now tearful, there were lots of kisses and weak smiles. Cadance closed her worn eyes and hugged Shining Armour all the tighter.

“We do the best with what we have Twilight. Sometimes we stumble, that's part of life. That we choose to get up again and keep trying, that's what is important,” Celestia smiled sadly at Cadance and her family. Zip saw a tiny tear in her eye.

“But who cleans up after us?” Twilight asked solemnly.

“Everything will be accounted for, don't you worry Twilight. In the end there will be a just reckoning and thankfully it's not down to us to make that final call,” Celestia said and gave Twilight a hug. “But enough of this, your sister in law could do with a big hug.” Celestia nodded to Twilight who smiled weakly in return.

Twilight headed for the adjoining door and the two guards parted solemnly to let her through. Zip made to follow Twilight but found Celestia's hoof blocking his path, “No, no little one. This is a time for family.”

Zip forced himself to look up into Celestia's face and wilted as he saw the accumulated wisdom of ages staring back at him, still, feeling bold Zip swallowed his nerves, “What happens now your highness?”

Celestia looked for a moment like she wouldn't answer, but then smiled in a way that melted Zip's heart, “For Cadance, a long road of recovery. She will have to be called to answer for those actions she has done. I think that everypony will see she was not in her right mind for most of it and so that will be taken into account.”

Zip nodded as Celestia continued on, “As for the Crystal Fiefdom, they will be without a ruler for a time. I believe that Luna would be up for the job while Cadance recovers. Give her a chance to spread her wings and get to see more of Equestria.”

Zip looked puzzled, “Princess may I ask something?”

Celestia grinned knowingly, “You can ask.”

Zip fidgeted, “Why...why did you let Twilight bring me along to this? I mean this is high level state matters and very personal information.”

Celestia's grin only widened, “Well I could try and keep these things secret, but something tells me that a number of little sprites have a knack of finding out such things. I heard whispers of a new spy network being formed?”

Zip felt his jaw drop, “But we were so careful, how....”

Celestia laughed and Zip could only stare in befuddlement as Celestia as she wiped a tear from her eye, “Not bad for a first try I have to admit, but Luna has been at that game for far longer than you little one.” Celestia's eyes sparkled, “With some further training and guidance you could make a very useful addition to Luna's own impressive contacts.”

Zip could hardly believe his ears, “You’re not angry?”

The look Celestia gave him told Zip everything he needed to know on that point, “Sorry your highness we should have thought....”

“And think you shall little one, I see that Twilight's little experiment has yielded some very unexpected results,” Celestia winked playfully, “I'm sure she'd be very proud to know you're helping keep the peace in Equestria.”

Celestia’s cheerful manner dimmed for a moment, “Secrets have caused enough pain already, time to be more open with our people.”

Zip didn’t hear Celestia’s last words so lost was he in his own thoughts. His heart leaped, he would be doing something important and useful. Forgetting all protocol he surged forward and hugged Celestia's thick neck.

Startled from her revery Celestia smiled again before laughing gently. She carefully detached Zip with a flick of her horn's magic, “Just promise me you will only tell those ponies who need to know things you discover alright? Let us be the judge of what is important.”

Zip nodded excitedly and gave a little salute, “You have my word your majesty.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow, “You will answer directly to Luna and she is a much harsher master than myself understand?”

Zip almost exploded with the sense of value filling his little heart, “When do we begin your highness?”

Celestia nodded and glanced back at the observation room where Twilight had quickly joined in the group hug, “Right away little one, it's a time for change and new beginnings.

Her face became serious again, “Twilight wasn’t wrong, someone needs to clean up after this and we need to do it right.”

“So we will have equal rights with other citizen of Equestria?” Chrysalis asked and Grizz could feel the doubt in her even from across the wide negotiating table.

“Every drone will be entitled to protection yes, but will also need to obey our laws,” Silver Tongue replied evenly.”

“And our royal selves?” Chrysalis asked without a hint of trust.

“Of course you will I.....” Silver Tongue began only for Chrysalis to thump the table in anger.

“Utterly unacceptable,” She hissed at Silver who visibly paled under her gaze.

“Come on Chrysalis, the laws are there to protect everyone. You can't expect Equestria to let you blast anypony you don't like just because you're in a bad mood?” Grizz said with a chuckle.

Chrysalis shook her head, “That's not the problem Grizz, I already understand that we will have to adopt some more 'cultured' behaviour as Silver puts it.”

“Then what is it your highness?” Silver asked in exasperation.

Chrysalis gave her queen a predatory wink and Grizz saw a naughty glint in her eyes, “Section fifty seven, clause c.” Grizz knew that look, What are you planning Chrissy?

Silver glanced at the mentioned law and raised his eyebrows in surprise, “The law of marriage and matrimonial conduct? What could you possibly object to with that?”

Chrysalis grinned at Grizz again before replying, “It states here that any male and female of any race may be allowed to enter into a state of marriage with one other of the opposite gender.”

Silver nodded, “Yes it's a well founded....”

“Do you know how many drones are out there Silver and how few queens? That's incredibly unfair on us don't you think?” Chrysalis demanded with a triumphant smile on her face.

Grizz's mouth dropped open and she caught a sly smile from Chrysalis, the thought hadn't even entered Grizz's head.

“May I ask how you conduct such matters then?” Silver asked levelly, his eyes full of concern.

“Simple: The queen chooses her mates, the best from each available bloodline from other hives.”

“Mates?” Grizz whispered her eyes growing wide with shock.

“Yes mates, it's always been done that way and is essential for a healthy gene pool,” Chrysalis stated if as this was the simplest matter that could be easily resolved. “As there are only two known queens alive right now then to have a state of monogamy is completely out of the question.”

Both Silver, Grizz the other delegates attending the meeting and Grizz all sat there with stunned expressions. Chrysalis tapped her hoof on the table impatiently, “Well?”

“I er I....” Silver stammered before Celestia who had been watching proceedings with a grin came to his aid.

“Chrysalis, I am fully aware of the nature of your races particular requirements in that regard. You can produce male offspring without a mate correct?” Chrysalis nodded and Grizz made a terrified choking noise.

“Yes what of it?” Chrysalis replied nonplussed, “Every queen needs to produce about three to four hundred drones in the first year as a basic start for a hive.”

“Three to four hundred in the first year,” Grizz mumbled as her world tilted.

“But we have many drones already, so a mere two hundred should round things off nicely,” Chrysalis explained, waggling her eyebrows at Grizz who suddenly felt very ill indeed.

“So you won't need to spawn a new queen for sometime then?” Celestia asked her gentle smile never changing.

“Well no, I do admit that we could hold off on that for a while,” Chrysalis replied.

Celestia nodded and Grizz felt relief wash over her, before Chrysalis spoke up again, “Still we should get the union of our queen and suitable drones arranged as soon as possible. She can store their 'contributions' until we're ready to create a new hive.”

Celestia ignored the colour draining from Grizz's face, “Well she's a new queen, maybe just one husband for now? That gives us time to decide if Equestria is ready for more 'creative' solutions to your plight?”

Grizz felt the world spinning around her as Celestia looked to Silver who was also scrunching his muzzle up in disgust, “That would maintain the law of monogamy before we are able to discuss it further at more appropriate date?”

Silver nodded in a daze and made some more notes on his datapad before Chrysalis moved to her next point, “Okay we can leave that point for now, but what about other species? Drones do not mate with non-changelings. The law is too open on that front: females choose their mates, males cannot be allowed to begin a courting. I cannot allow drones to be wooed away by some pony or griffon. Where would it end?”

There was a gasp that ran around the room and to Grizz's astonishment Celestia simply grinned all the wider, “Now, now Chrysalis. I know many of our ways are strange to you as are yours to us.”

“Assuming someone would find a drone attractive in the first place I don't see why....” Silver muttered darkly.”

“Are you saying my children are ugly?” Chrysalis snapped before Silver mumbled some kind of apology.

Grizz's attentions faded from the crowded room, “Three to four hundred drones in the first year? She glanced down at her belly and could almost picture the eggs already being formed within. “Oh my, this is going to be a far bigger job than I thought......”

“This will do nicely, it's so kind that you allowed us the space,” Grizz said as she looked over the glittering walls of her new home.

“Well it's been sitting here unused for far too many years now Grizz and I'm happy to know it will suit your special needs,” Twilight replied as she trotted alongside her daughter.

Grizz felt the first rumblings of pre-birth stirrings and Twilight looked at her with concern, “You're sure you're up to this I mean we could do it another time?”

Grizz smiled weakly, “No, no I got this.” She straightened and nodded to Twilight, “They will just have to wait until I'm good and ready.”

Scrund, never far away these days, took Grizz's hoof tenderly, “My queen you should rest, the drones can complete the inspection.”

Grizz shooed him away, “Thank you dearest, but I've got a lot of little boys depending on me to do this right.”

“He's right you know. Let the drones do the work, it's what they are for,” Chrysalis added with a little smile.

“Not on your life Chrysalis, I'm the one in charge here and I'll not be known for sitting around on my rump while the boys do all the work!” Grizz hissed.

“But they want to your highness,” Scrund urged, “You've given them a new lease of life my dear. They are full of food and hope and you made that possible.”

Grizz looked into her husband's single eye and felt her heart leap, “It's time I started pulling my weight around here though.”

“You're doing a fine job of that already my queen,” Chrysalis smiled wickedly and Twilight glared at her.

“When you've got a whole army in your thorax then you see how easy it is for you to keep a trim figure!” Grizz didn't have the heart to tell Twilight she was just giving Chrysalis ammunition and instead whispered a loving 'thank you' into Scrund's ever attentive ear.

“I did and I did it with style Princess,” Chrysalis replied mockingly.

Another ripple of movement passed through Grizz and she found herself (not for the first time) wondering why she'd ever signed up for this. Eating, that had been a new experience, sleeping too was kind of nice. To sink into an oblivion where her mind could rest for a time. Now she was going through one of life's great ‘pleasures’and was finding the whole event less than appealing.

“Well go easy on Grizz, she's new to all this okay!” Twilight shouted back and a number of busy drones paused in their tasks to watch the scene.

“Fine I'll coddle her if you insist, but I didn't become queen by being nice,” Chrysalis warned only for Twilight to roll her eyes.

“You were born a queen Chrysalis, it's all you've ever known!” Twilight yelled back and Grizz felt a meaningful shudder pass through her.

She leaned in close to Scrund and quickly whispered,“Um dearest, I don't think they are going to wait much longer...”

Scrund's face filled with panic, “Are you sure your highness, I mean it's your first brood you may...”

“Oh I know trust me. Come on leave these two, they will be at it for hours I’m sure,” Grizz replied as another shiver ran through her.

“The off side main chamber is practically completed your majesty, I could make it more comfortable for you?” Grizz smiled as Scrund panicked. Why do men always freak out at times like this? Maybe because I’m about to as well?

Another heave within her gut answered that question for her and Grizz wasted no more time with words, but simply nodded for Scrund to go and do. The air in the new hive suddenly became charged and the drones acted with more haste than before as Grizz waddled her way along. Several drones had broken away from their tasks and seemed bent on attending to her every step of the way. She didn't have the heart to tell them to go.

The shimmering crystal formations lining the caverns under Canterlot passed her by as Grizz allowed herself to be ushered into the awaiting chamber. “The place is looking good boys, well done,” She gasped again, the straining was becoming more frequent now.

Grizz smiled warmly as she saw Scrund and several of her boys arranging pillows and covers in a frantic buzzing frenzy. “Where did you get these?” Grizz winced before she felt her insides give the biggest heave yet.

“The castle your highness,” 'Wignt' announced proudly before Grizz scowled at him. “With permission of course,” he added and Grizz smiled before she laid down on the rich cloth.

“You know this will probably spoil them right?” Grizz chuckled before gritting her fangs, “Wow that was a good one!”

“We know your highness, but.....”

“I was only joking.....” Grizz began before her body really started to push.....

“Sorry, but the queen ordered not to be disturbed,” Chrysalis looked down at the drone who was wearing a helmet, an actual helmet! She peered closer and watched the pair of blue eyes staring at her from under a pony made piece of armour. Oh this hive is already going to the dogs.

Though she was forced to admit that it was a well made helmet. It seemed to have been designed with a drone in mind. Probably adapted from a unicorn's one, Chrysalis mused before she realised what was happening and bared her fangs angrily.

“I am chief adviser to the queen, I should be in there with her during this time of need,” Chrysalis was still getting use to the idea of being just an ‘advisor’, but found life far less complicated now.

“Sorry mu...Chrysalis, but queen's orders,” The drone saluted.

“Orders what orders?” Chrysalis snapped and the drone faithfully explained.

“She said: If those two are so busy arguing then they can darn well stay outside and miss the whole thing....urrrgh!”

Chrysalis turned to Twilight who shrugged before asking, “Urrrgh?”

“That's what she said,” The drone confirmed and Chrysalis shook her head.

“Some habits die hard, why do drones insist on repeating orders verbatim,” Chrysalis muttered before fixing the drone with her best authoritative glare, “I will not be spoken to in such a manner do you hear me! Let me in.”

To her rising anger the drone shook his head, “Sorry mum but queen's orders.”

“Freedom of choice. I knew it would be a bad idea,” Chrysalis hissed and looked to Twilight for help.”

“Don't look at me, it's your hive,” Twilight replied and Chrysalis caught the faintest smugness in her tone.

“Being told what to do by one of my own children, oh I should have stayed dead,” Chrysalis stomped angrily.

“Aww don't say that mum, we'd miss you if you went,” The drone said with a hurt voice.

“Maybe I'll just starve you for a while, then you'd become more compliant?” Chrysalis pressed her nose against the drone who to his credit didn't shy away.

“You're not in charge of rations mum, sorry,” He responded and Chrysalis caught the sniggering from Twilight beside her.

“Yes I can see clearly who wears the crown in your hive Chrissy,” Twilight said and Chrysalis felt the urge to blast something.

“Grizz said she'd never call me that in front of the drones, what makes you think you can?” Chrysalis shrieked, but Twilight simply grinned back.

Before further violence could break out the door opened and Scrund stood in the revealed space, “Will you two keep it down, the Queen is resting.”

“You too huh? Traitor,” Chrysalis muttered and Scrund simply smiled back at her.

He gave them both a long stare, “Grizz said you can come in, as long as you both behave.”

Twilight gave Chrysalis an 'I told you so' look before trotting past the guards and with a click of annoyance Chrysalis followed.

The chamber beyond was now full of glowing green pods, each one roughly the size of a large cherry and attached with thick green resin to almost every available surface. This left just a narrow 'corridor' leading to their mother who lay centre of it all with greatly relieved smile on her face. Grizz beamed at them before beckoning with a hoof.

Chrysalis looked around the eggs which even now were being tended to by several drones and forced a smile onto her face, “Not bad for your first brood. I mean a little rough, but still you got the job done,” Chrysalis peered into the now very slimy chamber.

“You could have warned me about a few things Chrysalis,” Grizz replied with a tired voice.

“Like what?” Chrysalis said with a grin.

Grizz gave her advisor an angry look, “I have muscles I didn't even know I had screaming at me Chrysalis.”

“Part of the job Grizz, anything else?” Chrysalis continued to inspect each egg in turn, they seemed healthy enough.

“Did there have to be so much slime?” Grizz said with a shudder.

“It's vital to have sufficient lubrication around the eggs, allows for a smooth exit and protects them from the outside air,” Chrysalis explained, enjoying Grizz's look of discomfort.

“One more thing, how do I know if they are all boys like they are suppose to be? I mean I know I'm meant to decide but when do I do that?” Grizz asked as Twilight came forward and held her hoof.

“Well your first brood has to be, once you get the hang of things and the hive reaches a certain size you can start making new queens,” Twilight explained and Chrysalis felt her mouth drop open.

“How did you know that?” She narrowed her eyes at Twilight who shrugged.

“Where else, from a book of course,” Twilight replied and Chrysalis rolled her eyes. Should have known.

“Once a hive reaches a sort of 'critical mass' the queen will begin to access stored ehm... 'contributions' from her mate, mates and use them to seed a new egg,” Twilight said, her face beginning to glow red.

Scrund proceeded to salute and Chrysalis rolled her eyes again, boys were so predictable. Ignoring her son Chrysalis continued to study the fresh eggs with grudging respect as Twilight quickly moved on, “The size of the hive is directly linked to the queen of said hive, the stronger the queen the more drones she can control.”

“I was the best of my sisters you know: I once had thousands of drones doing my every bidding,” Chrysalis added and Twilight glared at her before smiling back at Grizz.

“But with you we have no idea: You have your own food supply and are a new breed of changeling queen so who knows,” Twilight's eyes shone, “Polymorphic-Soliartrus-Sustainus.”

“I'm not some science project mum, this is my life now,” Grizz replied and Chrysalis rolled her eyes at how naive Grizz was being.

“I've only truly known Twilight for a few months now, everything is a science project to her,” Chrysalis muttered, but Twilight gave no sign of hearing her.

“I know Grizz, but it's so exciting to wonder,” Twilight said with barely contained enthusiasm, “A pony-bot who became a changeling drone who went on to be a queen. It's almost unbelievable.”

“Oh believe it, when your demigods and others like them are involved, they specialise in messing up the world,” Chrysalis sneered, “And what is it with you and name for things Twilight?”

“It's important to have everything written down for science,” Twilight replied happily before frowning at Chrysalis, “For once can't you just be happy?”

Grizz gave a warning hiss and all the drones around bared their fangs, “Behave you two, I won't have you upsetting the babies.”

Chrysalis quickly changed the subject, “On that subject how long will that glowing thing in your chest last for Grizz?”

Grizz leant back in her covers and sighed, “Well The Tree said I'd need to come back to it every year and fill up again.”

“Bit like recharging a crystal power core, that's not too different for you Grizz,” Twilight added.

“Yeah, and it's the perfect way to keep us under a tight leash. What happens when you have more mouths to feed? Will it still last a whole year?” Chrysalis asked, certain there was something 'hinky' here.

“If it starts to get depleted then I'll know I'll have reached my limits,” Grizz replied.

Twilight nodded with a helpful smile, “Besides, after the first major spawning your body should calm down and simply keep pace in replacing lost drones. All very efficient.”

“And now you’re a complete expert on changelings now huh?” Chrysalis snipped.

“Since my only daughter became a changeling queen? I have to take notes and make a detailed study of her progress,” Twilight beamed and Chrysalis shook her head in resignation.

“Then at some hopefully distant point I can even begin thinking about having a daughter,” Grizz said, giving a longing look at Scrund who beamed proudly.

“And feed all them with your glowing whatever?” Chrysalis asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Gaiac-Empathical Gland,” Twilight said and Chrysalis stared at her.

“Bless you?” Chrysalis said nonplused.

“Gaiac-Empathical Gland. I was going to call it a sack, but gland sounded much nicer don't you think?” Twilight seemed to be lost in her own little ‘world of science’ and Chrysalis gave up on her.

“Whatever you plan on calling it, you're saying that this thing could feed them too?” Chrysalis asked doubtfully.

“I would postulate that any of Grizz's female offspring would carry the necessary genes to have s gland of their own. Meaning that later generations of changelings could benefit from the same food source as well,” Twilight continued on with her technical speech and Chrysalis narrowed her eyes.

“So what you're saying is that we're bound to that Tree for the rest of eternity huh? I knew there was a catch,” Chrysalis sneered and felt more than a little cheated.

“A lot better than starving to death right? Grizz replied, “We have a grace period to prove we can be good if circumstances were different. Well now they are.”

“Yeah I guess you're right,” Chrysalis said feeling defeated. All in all it could have been far worse. She sat gloomily for a while as Twilight and Grizz chatted away about this and that. It was so strange to see a mother and daughter acting in such a way. Not bad per say and Chrysalis suddenly felt she longed for such.

“There, all done for today's report,” Twilight said cheerfully and looked up at the changelings all around with a curious expression. “Grizz?”

“Yeah mum,” Grizz replied and Chrysalis snapped out of her musings.

“What's with all the scavenged clothes and other debris?” Twilight asked and Chrysalis glanced about the drones, everyone of which wore something vaguely resembling apparel. “They could have proper clothes and armour if they would only ask.”

“They've all gone insane since Grizz became their queen,” Chrysalis said. She'd grown so used to the random assortments the drones wore that she didn't even notice anymore.

“Well I kind of gave them an order to decide things for themselves and well, they did,” Grizz said sheepishly.

“We all decided that we wanted something to tell us all apart,” Scrund explained, “And so as our first act we each chose something to do just that.” Scrund lifted his cooking pot off his head and showed it proudly to Twilight who raised both eyebrows.

“Fascinating, self determination and urge to define one's self from others,” Despite her earlier assertions Twilight clicked open her datapad again and began typing furiously.

Chrysalis held her head in her hooves, “Oh great now look what you’ve done.....”

Her latest rant was cut off as a drone opened the door and poked his head in,“Your highness, there's a stallion who wants entry, shall we let him enter?”

“You have guests at a time like this?” Chrysalis asked in surprise, “Do male ponies not respect the sanctity of such a special occasion?”

“Enough Chrissy, he's expected,” Grizz replied with a tired smile.

“You said you'd never call me that in front of the drones!” Chrysalis snapped before everyone else in the room laughed.

“They know already Chrissy plus I think it suits you,” Grizz announced with a grin.

Mercy save me, I've created a monster! Chrysalis thought as with some ceremony a blue stallion with a shocking scruffy white mane entered shyly.

“Hi dad, glad you could make it,” Grizz called out to the trembling pony.

“He's your father? That explains so much,” Chrysalis gazed unimpressed at the middle aged pony.

“Tinker Track is a very successful pony machinist I'll have you know Chrissy,” Grizz scolded.

Chrysalis loomed over Tinker seeing nothing of note and feeling more disappointed by the second. He looked up at her with a mixture of fear and awe and Chrysalis treated him to a wicked smile, “He seems to recognise his betters, I like him!”

“I'm sorry I couldn't make the big event,” Tinker said as he glanced around at the glowing pods, “I came as soon as I heard though Buzz. Spike sends his congratulations but well you know,” Tinker gestured to the low ceiling. Chrysalis could see he was terrified, but with admirable gumption pressed forward with a glowing love for Grizz. “I mean Grizz....”

“That's fine dad. I know you're a little out of your depth here, me too if I'm being honest,” Grizz smiled happily, “Come and meet your grandfoals.”

Tinker swallowed as he gazed about the hundreds of tiny eggs, “Well at least their birthday will be easy to remember.”

Chrysalis watched the bizarre scene and felt an oddly pleasant feeling inside. This was a love that was shared, not demanded or stolen and the odd thing was it didn't ever seem to run out. She could see the glowing heart of both Grizz's parents and felt for the first time that maybe ponies had some idea about true love: The love of a mother for her young that went beyond mere acts.

They would love their child no matter what shape or species Grizz was and Chrysalis suspected no matter what Grizz did either. She thought back to the many mates she'd had and was sad to think they never shared that level of bond with her.

Maybe there was something to this whole pony family thing? She looked about at the tiny eggs, they have no idea what this world holds for them. Chrysalis laughed softly as Grizz began pointing out each egg dotting the chamber and with the drone's help began picking out names for every single one of them.

Chrysalis doubted Grizz would ever remember them all, drones had always picked their own names in her experience, still she wasn't going to stop Grizz from trying, do Grizz and her parents have any idea what this world will hold for them either? Chrysalis mused and to her surprise she wasn't afraid that she didn't know either.

“Whatever it does, it's got to be better than what we've had before,” Chrysalis whispered. No one in the busy birthing chamber heard her, nor did they see the quickly wiped away tears that ran down Chrysalis' face.

We're actually free now, Chrysalis realised: Free to act without fear of being hunted or starved. Sure there are some conditions, but compared to the dread certainties of extinction it was a tiny price to pay and may even improve our way of life.

She watched the happy family before her and suddenly decided she wanted more than anything to be a part of that, it was worth a few rules and directions for everyone's benefit. For the first time in Chrysalis' life she felt the urge to thank The World and closing her eyes she felt a reassuring peace that had eluded her from birth, “Thank you for a second chance,” she whispered before replacing her mask of cold disdain.

With a glow in her soul, Chrysalis moved in close to the happily chatting group and to her overwhelming joy they welcomed her with open hooves. She shared a quick look at Grizz who was watching her with interest. Her new queen leant forward and whispered in Chrysalis' ear, “Welcome home Chrissy.”

The End.