As Radel’s personal shuttle continued to fly away from the hive, the medical android finished tending to him. As he was finally given some space from his androids, Radel turned his attention back to his rescuers, the strange Equestrian agent and her Changeling partners. "Thank you for getting me out of there, who knows what Chrysalis would have done with me."

Sweetie Drops just casually waved his thank you away with her hoof, a small smile on her lips. "Don't worry about it, Commodore. I'm just glad I had the right tools and help with me."

Yes, help. Help which Radel was still utterly baffled by. He turned his attention to the said help with a questioning gaze. "You have my thanks as well, Luminess, but though you've hinted on why you helped the ponies I’ve yet to hear the full story."

"I'm still confused as to why a changeling is even helping us!" Twilight decided to make her presence known again as she approached Radel, giving him her own once over with a few magical spells. "When Celestia sent me with your shuttle to aid in your rescue, I had no idea changelings were part of the rescue team to be picked up." She finished her magical check up before turning her attention to Luminess, a curious expression on her face as she waited for answers.

Luminess looked towards the floor of the shuttle as her facial expression turned from neutral to utter sadness. "It is true that there should be little reason for changelings to help ponies, what with our history..." She then looked at Twilight as her expression began to turn more joyful as she continued. "But after Radel had aided in our capture when we attacked again, Celestia showed us we could still have peace between our species."

Twilight's expression began to mirror Luminess's joy at that news, but she seemed to still have some doubt as she asked her next question. "How could there be though? I'm thrilled there's apparently a chance, but after your first siege of canterlot..."

Luminess and the other changelings all flinched at that. "Yes… a day brought on by desperation and panic.” She then went to a seat along the shuttle’s interior and appeared to be looking through everything, deep in thought. “How I wish that fateful day had not occurred... so many lives ruined because we were starving.”

Radel got up from his own seat, slightly struggling yet from the after effects of Chrysalis’s feeding. He made his way across the shuttle and sat beside Luminess, startling her as he gently laid a hand on her shoulder. “That is all in the past as far as I’m concerned, and if you truly desire peace between changelings and ponies, I know many others will forgive for such a thing to happen.”

Luminess’s eyes widened as she turned her gaze to Radel’s, her gaze filled with both joy and doubt. “You really think ponies would forgive us of our past transgressions?”

Before Radel could answer her question, Twilight beat him to the punch. “Of course they could, given time and the right reasons.” She joined the two by sitting on the opposite side of Luminess, laying a wing across her shoulder and Radel’s hand, but then her expression turned worried as she thought about her brother and sister-in-law. “The only ponies that would have a problem would be Shining Armor and Cadance, but that would be directly with Chrysalis, not with the changeling race.”

Sweetie Drops then made her way to the group as well, standing in front of them as she changed the course of the conversation. “Speaking of the evil queen herself, what’s the plan for taking her down?” She looked around the shuttle, waiting for somepony, changeling, or human to answer her question.

However, once Sweetie’s question settled in the mind of the changelings, they all jumped up from their various seats in anger. Even Luminess joined them as she glared at the mare. “We will not harm her more than what is needed!” She then sat back down, regathering herself before calmly continuing. “We just need to break the bond that has formed between her and this artifact she found.”

At the mention of a strange artifact, Radel’s and the mares’ attention was diverted back to Luminess. Sweetie Drops was the first to speak as she questioned the changeling, a worried look in her eyes. “What do you mean ‘artifact she found’?”

Radel looked over to Sweetie Drops, an eyebrow raised inquisitively. “Is something wrong, Sweetie Drops?” Though the idea of Chrysalis having an artifact in her possession seemed irrelevant, Radel wouldn’t be surprised if it had special magical properties.

Instead of answering him, Sweetie Drops paced back and forth inside the ship, a dark expression of horror on her face. “Yes, something is very wrong!” She stopped and returned her attention back to the group. “After your last attack on Canterlot and the princesses, there was a breach in the Canterlot Vaults as well.”

Twilight just looked at Sweetie Drops in confusion. “Bon Bon, why would a breach in the Canterlot Vaults matter? I’ve been inside them myself, there’s nothing worthwhile to Chrysalis within them.”

Sweetie Drops just shook her head as she went over to Twilight, putting a hoof on her shoulder. “No, there was! You’re too new of a princess to know what secrets are hidden within those vaults.” She went back to pacing around the shuttle as she continued. “And the very artifact that went missing after their attack is most likely what she has in her possession, the Horn of King Sombra!”

Everypony and changeling in the shuttle went rigid, their eyes widening in surprise. Radel just stood there in confusion. Though he knew the basics of the ponies thanks to bits and bobs of history Twilight and the others had shared with him, he did not understand why the horn from a dead body would make a difference. “Why does it matter if she has the horn of a dead pony? What can she possibly do with such a thing?”

Twilight was quick to answer his question. “You know how changelings can harvest the power of emotions, especially love right?”

Radel nodded, remembering that from one of their many discussions.

“Well, if she harvests enough power, she can use it to re-awaken the power from within that horn!”

“How does a horn hold onto magical energy after a pony dies?” Even though it was magic, Radel thought even magic left a being after death.

“You know they are the source of our magic as unicorns and alicorns, Radel. That magic, though faint, remains after death.” Twilight paused for a moment as she stopped to think. “And being from such a powerful being, that horn will still hold much magical power within it."

"So, she has an artifact able to give her immense power... is this what's corrupting her mind?"

"Most likely. Sombra's magic was dark. Those not trained to properly manipulate it could result in horrible consequences." Just to add to her statement, Twilight cast a simple spell of sorts, but unlike her normal violet energy, a deep, dark purple mixed with a little green appeared.

"Well, that explains the situation around Chrysalis." Radel then refocused his attention on Luminess again, an inquisitive eyebrow being raised. "But what is this about 'elites'?"

At the mention of the 'elites', a few tears began to form from her eyes. "They are monstrosities that need to be purged from existence."

That statement only served to confuse everyone but the changelings. Twilight was the first to question Luniness's statement. "Why do these 'elite' changelings deserve death over others?"

"Because they are mindless bodies, with no purpose other than to serve and die by the queen." Luminess brought a hoof to her eyes, attempting to wipe away the tears that were freely flowing. "Ever since she began devising our latest attack on Canterlot, Chrysalis began breeding the 'elites'. It's something I wish never happened."

After that, Luminess was unable to speak, being filled with misery for her hollowed kin. Kin that had no free will or conscious, their only purpose to serve the queen.

While the other changelings went to her side to comfort her, Sweetie Drops, Twilight, and Radel moved towards the cockpit to give them some time and privacy. As they made their way towards the cockpit, Radel's mind suddenly thought back to the elixir Sweetie Drops had used on him to break him free from his defensive mental state. "So, Sweetie Drops, how did you know you'd need that elixir to get me on my own feet?"

She at first looked at him in confusion but quickly understood what he was speaking about. “Oh! That elixir I used to break your magical mental stasis?” She grew a big smile as she continued her explanation. “Luna gave it to me, saying it would be necessary for an easy rescue.”

Sweetie Drops’ answer only confused Radel further. “Why would Luna know such a thing was necessary?”

“The princesses always seem to know things before anyone else. I know from experience!” It seemed Twilight was more so complaining then answering Radel’s question.

“Well then, I’ll have to ask her that when I get the chance.” Before they could continue their conversation further, one of the changelings that was comforting Luminess made their way towards them.

“I apologize for Luminess’s reaction. She has had a horrible… experience, with the so called elites.” The changeling spat out the last word with venom, showing its standing on the matter.

“So, what is their difference from the rest of you?”

After hearing Radel’s question, the Changeling’s expression only darkened more. “They are the remnants of the Changeling Guard. After Chrysalis returned from her last attempt to deal with the Sisters, she did… something to them.” The Changeling shivered in fear as it recalled those very moments.

Radel frowned as he listened to the changeling, both curious of what the changeling witnessed and feeling sympathetic towards the creature. “What’s your name?” As he asked the changeling this question, he placed his hand on its shoulder.

He flinched at first from the contact and gave him a surprised expression, but after a few moments, he spoke. “My name… is Specter. I am… I was captain of the Changeling Guard.”

Gently firming his grasp on the captain’s shoulder, Radel urged him to continue. “Why aren’t you anymore? What happened, Specter?”

Releasing a sigh of sadness, Specter answered his question. “Chrysalis demanded all of the guard to participate in a ritual with her. I was eager like the others to please and aid my Queen, but after some of my men returned from the ritual… I decided not to.”

Sweetie Drops joined Radel with Specter, gripping his other shoulder with her hoof. “What happened, Specter?”

Specter broke from our grasps and went to the cockpit’s window, staring out into the sky. “After my first group of men returned from the ritual, they lost themselves. They were nothing more than empty husks determined to do nothing but serve their Queen.” He turned back to the group as he continued. “They no longer knew who they were. All they knew was what the Queen asked. After that, I tried to convince others to not go, but only a few of the other changelings you see on this shuttle were of the Changeling Guard that left the hive with me.”

He then pushed past again, heading towards the other changelings, but stopped. “If you are unable to break the bond between that accursed relic and Chrysalis… please make her death painless and quick...” And with that he continued onward.

Before anypony or man could say a word, the android piloting the shuttle spoke up. “Coming into range of Ender’s Blessing now, Sir.”

As if on cue, a transmission was being received from Radel’s ship. “Hello? Is the message going through?”

Radel smiled as he recognized who the voice belonged to. “Yes it is, Luna.”

“Oh, thank the heavens... I- I mean, we were so worried you’d been lost for good!”

Chuckling at Luna’s embarrassment, Radel shook his head. “You can tell everypony I’m safe and should be arriving shortly.”

“We’ll be ready with a welcoming party!” And with that, the transmission was ended.

Before Radel could say or think anything else, he received a firm hoof in his side, gaining his attention. As he turned to see who the culprit was, he saw Twilight looking up at him with a devious smile on her face. “It seems a certain pony is smitten with someone.”

Radel’s smile faded, and he gave Twilight a confused look. “What are you talking about?”

Twilight only gave him a deadpanned look and walked back into the passenger side of the shuttle with a sigh. “Nevermind.”

Confused with Twilight’s comment, Radel simply shrugged his shoulders as he watched the shuttle approach his ship and Ponyville beside it.

*************************************************************************************************************
As the shuttle landed inside Radel’s ship, everypony and Radel were preparing to depart. Twilight was making her way to stand beside Radel, but before she could, the androids onboard got in formation around him. Humphing in annoyance that she couldn’t be close to her friend, she settled with being in the back with the changelings and Sweetie Drops, the latter giving her a bright smile and a pat on the back. “Don’t worry, Twilight. They are only making sure he stays safe.”

Twilight just nodded her head as the shuttle finally landed, the door having opened and lowered to form their ramp. As soon as they stepped off the shuttle, they were greeted with quite the sight. Ahead of them in the hangar bay was not only the Princesses and the other elements, but everypony from Ponyville.

As Radel led the way towards the core of the ship, he signaled for his androids to continue without them. As they followed his orders, he waited for Twilight and the others to close the gap between them. Once they caught up, he gave a quick nod with a smile and led the way to everypony waiting for them.

Everypony was stamping their hooves on the ground, clapping them together, and cheering Radel’s name as he and the group made their way towards them. Before the group made it all the way to the other elements and the Princesses, they were stopped by Mayor Mare.

She had a big smile on her face as she extended her hoof towards Radel. “All of us from Ponyville just wanted to thank you for your aid against the… changelings…” Her voice faded away as she saw the other members of Radel’s group. And she wasn’t the only one, everypony else saw it, too.

Mayor Mare lowered her hoof and stepped out of Radel’s way, confusion and fear in her eyes as she looked at the changelings.

Seeing the situation was at risk of evolving into something much worse, Radel went to say something, but before he could, Celestia beat him to it. “Everypony remain calm. These changelings are friends, not enemies.”

Everypony looked between Celestia and the changelings, uncomfortably shifting around. It seemed they believed her, but still held their doubts. Regardless, it seemed Celestia had prevented the ponies from going into a panic, or worse, trying to attack the changelings with Radel.

“It was nothing, Mayor Mare. I will always be here to protect my new friends.” Radel gave her a bow before making his way towards the other elements and the princesses, with Twilight and the others following him. The changelings, especially Luminess, kept casting fearful glances at the ponies they passed. It was clear they felt that peace and understanding between ponies and changelings was impossible.

That was an issue for another time, however, for they all had a greater problem to deal with. As Radel and his party finally made it to the others, he was practically assaulted as the elements all lunged at him in the tightest group hug ever.

“We’re so sorry we caused your capture, Radel darling!” Rarity cried out as she let a few tears flow down her face. In Radel’s opinion, she was being a little overdramatic, but from what the others told him, that was normal of Rarity.

Everypony else continued to give him their own apologies for his capture, but that all was of little concern to him, especially when he was starting to run out of oxygen…

With a little strength, Radel released the group’s death grip around his body so he could once again breathe. Once he had enough air in his lungs, he turned to the group and gave them a hug in return. “Don’t worry about that, any of you. For all we know, I could’ve been captured if you hadn’t involved yourselves.” He then released his hug and gave them all a stern glare. “But next time I give you all an order, I hope you’ll follow it! I may forgive you for your actions, but such behavior can cause horrible consequences we cannot risk.”

Radel’s expression softened as he kneeled before the elements, a small smile on his face. “Just promise me you’ll follow my orders in a situation like that next time, okay?” Then, his expression saddened as he continued. “I don’t know what I’d do if I lost any of you because of it.”

The girls all hugged Radel again after that, but this time it was more tender and caring. Showing the strong friendship forming between them.

“We promise, Radel.” Twilight said as she joined in on the group hug.

“But if we can, we’re going to help your sorry butt out as well.” Rainbow Dash broke away from the hug and gave him a friendly hoof to the shoulder.

Radel chuckled at her statement. “I expect nothing more.” He then took a more serious expression and tone. “But we have some unfinished business to deal with.” Getting back up onto his feet, Radel led everypony into the ship. It didn’t take long for Celestia and Luna to come to either of his sides, giving him their own smiles of relief to see him return safely.

“We’re glad to see you safely returned to us.” Celestia laid one of of her wings against Radel’s back, Luna joining in with her sister with a wing of her own.

“Yes, we were worried Chrysalis had done something horrible with you.”

Luna’s comment made Radel mentally shiver, something only she noticed. She cast him a worried glance but decided to speak of it later.

After a couple of minutes traversing the ship, they made it to the bridge. Taking a slight detour into a room before reaching the main section of the bridge, they all entered the Tactical Command. While Radel went to the Tactical Viewer in the center of the room, interacting with a console connected to it, everypony else looked around until deciding on where to stand around it. None of them knew why they were there, but patiently waited for Radel to say something to clarify. After a few short moments, a holographic display formed in the center above the table. It was playing various video footage from the battle at Ponyville just the day before.

“As you can see, though my androids were still highly effective at fighting the changelings that invaded Ponyville, they are unable to fight against magic effectively.” Various clips of the changelings using their magic to gain the upper hand in various fights with Radel’s troops played. “If it wasn’t for the current strength of my androids in their armor and shields, the changelings would’ve overran our position quickly.” The hologram then switched to showcasing one of Radel’s androids, with another similar model next to it, only the other model seemed to be more heavily armored.

“To combat this tactical advantage the changelings had, one they will undoubtedly be hoping to build upon further the next time we cross paths, Athene has made some modifications for my troops.” The hologram then focused on the different model of the androids, taking it apart and showing each individual modification created by Athene. “To simply put it for everypony here, not only will their armor still be able to take extreme force and absorb strikes from the sharpest blades, their shields will now allow them to absorb more powerful magical attacks.” He turned to look at the alicorns present in the room. “Other than your most powerful unicorns, you three would be the only ones able to breach their shields with a single blast.” He then returned his attention back to the table before them. “Of course, after enough magical energy is within the shield, it will collapse. This should not be an issue, though, for no changeling should be able to concentrate with a big enough group of other changelings to bring a single unit’s shields down.”

The holographic display then changed to the form of a pony, with an identical suit beside it. “Now, this is something I’m both proud and worried to bring up.” Radel turned to Celestia and Luna as he continued. “I do not have the resources to build and manage a large enough army to defend all of Equestria at once, so I’ve had Athene work on power armor for a pony.” As he returned his gaze to the table once again, three different types of armor appeared, each resembling a different pony race. “She’s successfully created versions that work with any pony race, without hindering their flight, mobility, or magic.”

Before Radel could continue, Rainbow Dash cut him off with a squeal of excitement. “Being able to fly around in flank kicking armor like that is gonna be so AWESOME!” She then saw everypony else giving her annoyed glares, causing her to cough and find particular interest in the room around them.

“Yes… the armor is very awesome, Rainbow.” Seeing she was not going to interrupt again, Radel turned his attention back to the princesses. “I am only worried with how you feel about this and how it’ll effect your ponies.”

The princesses gave Radel warm smiles for his concern with mixing his technology, mainly militaristic technology, with them. Luna, however, adopted a more serious expression as she answered Radel’s concerns. “You need not worry about how it will affect our ponies, though the sentiment is nice, Radel.” She shared a quick glance with her sister before continuing. “If this helps us ensure further safety of Equestria, then we give you our blessing to arm the Royal Guard.” And with that, both her and her sister bowed their heads before Radel, acknowledging their acceptance and approval to him.

Radel sighed at their response with both relief and fear. “I will do nothing more than give them the armor and basic gear to ensure they keep other ponies and themselves safe.”

Luna went up to Radel and put a hoof on his shoulder with her wing around his back. “Don’t worry, Radel. I understand your concerns with your technology merging with our race. But we live in a world of magic, and that has already brought great danger to us all and will not be any different from what your technology could possibly bring.”

“Yes. Life is always filled with risk, but that does not mean we hide ourselves from all that brings us both happiness and sadness. We must continue to live life, no matter what.” Celestia joined her sister on Radel’s other side.

Radel nodded to the both of them, but before he could continue, Athene interrupted him. *Commodore, the beacon is now active. Visual feed being displayed now.*

Suddenly, the holographic image turned into a 3D overhead view of what appeared to be the changeling hive. What they all saw brought nothing but surprise. It seemed the changelings were erecting various defenses around the hive. The main of which being a magical barrier surrounding the hive. Thousands of what Radel assumed were the Elites scattered about, digging entrenchments and other defenses. There were even strange, cannon like structures sticking out of various growths that seemed to be spreading like a virus from the hive entrance.

“I’ve never seen anything like this before…” Celestia stared at the display in horror as she watched the changelings change the landscape around them, making it look horrid and grotesque.

“Well, it seems we need to make a move soon, before those defenses become too much.” Radel stated as he scanned over the table, watching the changelings as they further entrenched themselves. “This is not good. Whatever Chrysalis is planning, she must be close to completing it.” He quickly grabbed Celestia and Luna’s attention. “I need you both to gather the best of your guard and bring them here. I don’t want you bringing every guard you have at your disposal. We don’t want to risk inciting panic or leaving ourselves weak in case of a counter attack or this being a trap.” He then looked over to the Elements of Harmony, ponies he’d come to establish a strong bond of friendship with. “As for you girls, I need you all to follow me and the changelings to the armory.”

Luminess gave Radel a curious look as he brought her and her changelings into the picture. “What do you need from us exactly?”

Radel gave her a smile as he turned to exit the Tactical Command Center. “We need someone to lead us through the maze of tunnels to Chrysalis and her artifact.” But before he left the room, he said one last thing. “This is your chance to hopefully win over the minds and hearts of the ponies of Equestria.” And with that he left the room, signaling everyone to attend to their given tasks. The princesses quickly teleported out of the ship and back to Canterlot to prepare their best for the coming mission. After sharing some worried glances, the elements followed Radel out. As they exited, Luminess looked at her reflection off the surface of the holographic table before her. As she stared into her own eyes, a single tear fell. Finally, after thousands of years being an enemy, she was going to be an ally. With that thought, a small smile grew on her lips, and she led her changelings to follow Radel. Finally, changelings could be friends with ponies, hopefully entering a time of peace between their species.

Author's Note

And here we are, finally the next chapter!!! I'm sorry it took me so long to update the story but I've been real busy in RL with things like college and work. Hopefully I'll be able to update monthly at the latest but we'll have to see how things go!

On another note, thanks for all the support guys! We've reached 100 likes for my small and first story, which I not only find surprising but great as well. If the support keeps up like this there may be a special something something from a friend of mine that'll appear related to the story!

But for now, enjoy the update and I hope to update within the next month again to keep the story going till we reach the end.

And as always, a big thanks to my buddies Regreme and Pusspuss for helping me out with either editing or story development!