Hivemind

The night had gone about as good as the past week. Aurora had been in a moonlit field, laying beside somepony else... all alone. When she awoke, she felt warm and fuzzy. How it happened, she wasn't sure, but today, she was determined to find out. After taking a quick shower, Aurora headed downstairs for breakfast. The warm smell of her new signature waffles filled the air... and it didn't please her for once.

"Spike!" Aurora yelled as she stomped into the kitchen, "What do you think you're doing!?".

"Making breakfast," Spike said, "Don't blame me if you leave your cookbook out for anypony to take".

"Why you little..." Aurora said, getting into a crouching position.

Right as Aurora launched herself into the air, Spike ducked and rolled onto the floor to get out of the way. Without wings in her changeling form, Aurora had no way to correct her course, and collided with the wall. After hitting the floor, the poor girl was pelted with cups and covered in fresh, hot coffee. Chitin doesn't protect against temperature very well, so the coffee caused Aurora to cry out in pain.

"Hey, you alright?" Spike asked, rushing over with a cold, damp towel.

"Not really," Aurora said, cringing at the sudden cold sting, "How bad is it?".

"Well, you're black, so it's hard to tell," Spike said.

"Oh yea, cause that's so useful," Aurora said, sarcastically, "Oh, and don't you dare steal my ideas again. I won't miss next time".

"Sorry, it was so tempting," Spike said.

"Yea, whatever," Aurora deadpanned, "Anyway, could write a letter for me? I want to get it to princess Luna before she falls asleep".

After a simple nod, Spike went and grabbed some parchment and a quill and returned to the kitchen.

Celestia was just about to start eating the breakfast Luna made for her when the scroll showed up. She opened it up, but then levitated it over to her upon seeing the first line.

"It's for you," Celestia said.

"What could Twilight possibly need me of all ponies for?" Luna asked, opening the scroll.

Dear Princess Luna,

I've been having the same weird dream every night lately, and I'm not really sure what it means. I won't get into details right now, but I was hoping you could maybe visit and help me figure out what this dream means. If not right now, then tonight would be ok. You can see my dreams, right?

Your favorite changeling,

Aurora

"I'll be gone for a while," Luna said, "Seems Aurora needs some dream advice".

"Say hello for me, will you?" Celestia asked.

After a nod, Luna walked out onto the balcony and took to the air. She flew around the castle once to take in the morning air. She never really took time to admire mornings, she preferred the cool night instead, but she could not deny the sunlit air had an odd calming effect. After a circle round the castle, she headed towards Ponyville.

"Hello Princess," Came a voice from Luna's right.

"Huh? Who?" Luna asked herself as she turned towards the source of the voice, "Oh, hello Twilight. How are you doing today?".

"I'm doing good, on my way to learn some advanced flying techniques from Rainbow, actually," Twilight said, "Say, what are you doing out this late?".

"Well, Aurora wanted some help figuring out the meaning behind a reoccurring dream," Luna said, "Figured it would be best to help sooner rather than later".

"What kind of dream?" Twilight asked, trying not to sound worried.

"She wouldn't say," Luna said.

"Checkmate!" Aurora called out, "See? You're so not unbeatable".

"Yea, that's uh..." Spike starts, pulling up a scroll, "One to eighty three".

"Still broke your winning streak," Aurora said.

Clip clop, clip clop

"I wonder who's here," Aurora said as she got up.

She didn't have to wait long for her answer as Twilight and Luna soon entered.

"Hello, Princess," Aurora said, bowing.

"No need for that," Luna said, lifting Aurora's head up, "Though I do appreciate the humility. Twilight has taught you well".

Twilight just blushes and keeps her mouth shut.

"However, I am not here to assess how well Twilight is taking care of you," Luna said, sitting down, "Tell me about this dream you keep having".

"Well, it always takes place at night," Aurora started, "I'm laying in a moonlit field by a pond and there's another pony laying there with me. Sometimes, we'll just be laying there, staring out into the beautiful sky. Other times, we'd eventually get up and go play in the pond. No matter what, it's always in the same place and the other pony is always the same as well".

"Well, seems like somepony has a crush," Luna teased.

Aurora just cocked her head at that.

"It means you feel love for another pony," Luna explained.

"Wait, how is that even possible?" Twilight asked, "I thought changelings ATE love".

"Remember that changeling queen I told you about back in the dungeon?" Luna asked.

"Yea, why?" Twilight asked.

"She explained to me a lot about changelings," Luna said, "According to her, all changelings, even drones, have the ability to feel love for another, even though they can't produce love energy. She didn't have an answer as to how this was possible, only that it is".

"Well, that's news to me," Aurora said.

"Chrysalis likes control," Luna said, "If this knowledge were to get out in her hive, she might fear it could cost her control of the hive".

"That makes a lot of sense," Aurora said.

"Anyway, back on topic," Twilight said, "So, Aurora has a crush... anything else, perhaps?".

"Well, no, though I am curious as to who you have a crush on," Luna said, "Anything you can tell us about this pony from your dream?".

"Well... she has an orange coat and wings, a kind of purpleish mane and tail, and-" Aurora said, cutting herself off as the realization hit her, "It's... it's Scootaloo".

"Well, you two are close, so I can't say I didn't see that coming," Twilight said.

The day was finally coming to a close. Luna had stayed for a little tea and chat before heading back to Canterlot to get as much sleep as she could. Aurora went crusading with her friends, trying to not act awkward around Scootaloo. Now, the sun was setting, and Twilight and Aurora sat in the dining room, waiting for Spike to finish dinner. Though she was a changeling, Aurora found it difficult to hide her discomfort.

"Aurora, is everything alright?" Twilight asked, believing she already knew the answer.

"Not really," Aurora said.

"Earlier?" Twilight asked.

Aurora just nodded.

"You want to talk about it?" Twilight asked.

"Well... guess it couldn't hurt," Aurora said, "I just... it doesn't bother you, does it?".

"Why would you having a crush bother me?" Twilight asked.

"She's a filly," Aurora said, "And I'm also female. Isn't that... frowned upon?".

"By stuck ups, yes," Twilight said, "Who you love is your choice. Why others think otherwise is beyond me. For me, though, I'll support you as long as you two are happy together".

"That's good to know," Aurora said, perking up, "This is just so new to me, and I was afraid you'd... not like it".

"I just want you to be happy," Twilight said, "If you're happy with a filly, or mare as you get older, then I'll be happy".

The rest of the night went quite well. Aurora, her fear vanquished, enjoyed playing games until she fell asleep and her body fell limply onto the game board.