Recon

Rosinta was almost giddy, her spies came back with great news. The Crystal Empire radiated love like they have never seen before. According to them the team Celestia sent had succeeded in securing the empire and actually kill the previous ruler. She had to witness this empire for herself. So disguised as a unicorn mare she took the train to the empire. She fed on the ambient love on the train ever watching for guards with items or spells to take her disguise away. But she did have an enjoyable talk with the mare next to her. Many times she cursed fate for the needs of her kind. She would love to be able to interact with ponies as herself not in disguise. But that could never be so she settles for this. They talked about general topics but Rosinta did get some interesting intel. It seems she was slightly wrong about Princess Cadenza. She assumed that she was like Blueblood, a unicorn noble that was related to Princess Platinum. Though she clearly had a better reputation than Blueblood. One of her harvesters had to go through love therapy after being with him one night. Since then none of her harvesters are to be near him. In truth she has no relation to Blueblood and is an alicorn. Very interesting, she didn't know before because Cadenza doesn't do much officially. She doesn't govern anything till now. Watching Celestia over the last couple centuries she can bet that Alicorn of the Sun had been preparing her for this. That mare is a chess master, carefully moving her pieces around. Rosinta was interested in seeing this princess now.

When her fellow passenger when to the little filly's room she looked out the window and saw she was close to the Empire's only city. Seeing the majestic city she said.

“Crryystaaaaaalllllllls!” That caused her to think for a minute.

'What was that!? Why did I say that? What's next, me commanding for the construction of additional pylons?' She shook her head to clear those thoughts from it.

Finally the trainStopped and Rosinta got out and views the city....and soak up the love emanating from it. She felt it on the train and going by what she was absorbing. She could have a hive five miles from the city and she wouldn't need pod ponies anymore. Her hive would be unrivaled in power. However unlike Crysalis she would stay to the shadows. This power comes from these ponies and they must be preserved as is.

Something her hive can do.

She walked throughout the city observing the ponies live their lives. She saw many shimmering like they were made of crystals but a handful weren't and were like her looking around. She guessed that the 'crystal' ponies were natives while the rest were from Equestria proper. Well at least she didn't stand out. She felt something hit her leg and she looked down to see a ball next to her right fore hoof.

“Sorry lady.” Rosinta looked up a bit to see a filly nearby and a group of kids just behind her. “We were just playing and it got loose.' Rosinta felt a twinge of fear from the filly.

'They still have a scar from this tyrants rule. Well time to change that.' She smiled back and kicked the ball to the filly.

“Don't worry about kid, have fun with your friends.” She watched them play and was a bit envious. They could play and have fun in the sun. She and her kind never could for fear of discovery. She watched them for a few minutes before moving on. She eyed the various stores and shops. The city seemed to have everything a pony could need or want. This she didn't like for it meant getting in harder for her hive with no pressing need to be filled. She soon found herself at the Crystal Palace and just below it rotating was the biggest source of love she ever felt. A crystal heart made of a cyan gem. She felt the love of the city gather towards the gem and then the gem burst it out amplified for all. She could almost spend the rest of her life sitting right there.

“Beautiful isn't it?” She opened her eyes in surprise and looked over to see a unicorn standing there. He was muscular, had white fur, and a two tone blue mane. But bad looking for a stallion.

“Indeed it is.” She replied. 'More than you know.' She said to herself.

“Sorry to interrupt you but you seemed so entranced by the heart. But I forgot myself. I'm Shining Armor.” He raised a hoof to shake. She took it.

“The Prince of the Empire himself. Well this is an honor. I'm Rose Gem a humble tourist.” He actually blushed at the mention of his title. A modest noble, I didn't think they existed outside of the sisters?

“Well I just like to be around common ponies at times. Remind me of my roots and shows me sanity where I get insanity with the nobles."

“A most misnamed group of ponies I have ever heard.” Shining just nodded.

“So was it just tourism that brought you here?”

“No, my...company is looking to invest in the Empire so I'm scouting around the possibilities.” The unicorn prince opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted when a voice called out.

“Your Highness!” Both he and Rosinta looked to see a guard run up to them. “Princess Cadance and the nobles requested your presence.”

“Oh great what now?” Shining practically whined.

“I Don't know your highness but Princess Cadance personally requested for you.” Shining just sighed and shook his head.

“She wants a mind with common sense with her.” He looked over to Rosinta. “I guess we part ways now. Please enjoy the Empire.” Rosinta nodded.

“I'll check out the local food.” With that they parted ways.

* * * * * *

Rosinta sat at an outside table. She had enjoyed the crystal food though it could not truly sustain her. But her mind was else where. This place was a dream come true. Her hive could not only survive but thrive here. She would never need pod ponies again. But it had one issue. How to explain the sudden rise in non crystal ponies. She wasn't sure her changeling magic could mimic the shimmering crystal look the locals have. But a surge of 'normal ponies' would raise eyebrows. But the Empire didn't have a major need that would easily hide the rise. She seen bakeries, factories and farms. Nearly everything you need is provided so what could her changelings do that wouldn't draw much attention?

“Is this seat taken?” Said a beautiful female voice. Rosinta got out of her thoughts and looked over to the voice and was shocked by what she saw.

Standing there was a tall pink mare with a with a long mane striped in purple, pink, and white. Her eyes were lavender and a smile that was just infectious.

She was beautiful.

Then Rosinta realized the mare was waiting an answer.

“U-um...no it isn't.” With a hoof she offered the seat and the mare took it.

“You're Rose Gem right?” the mare asked.

“How do you know that name?” Rosinta asked.

“My husband mentioned you when he came into a meeting.” The light dawned in Rosinta mind.

“You're Princess Cadenza.”

“I prefer Cadance.” The princess replied.

“Cadance.” Rosinta looked up and she thought about the name and the mare before her. “Yes that does fit better. So what can I do for you Princess?”

“Well Shining told me that your company was interested in investing here so I was curious about it.”

“Well my company has run into some problems recently. The Canterlot attack deeply affected it. When we heard of the return of the Empire we had hope it might be the solution.”

“Why do I sense there is a problem?”

“Your Empire fills all the needs my company requires.”

“But?” the princess said with some urging.

“You have no need of my company. Unless you can take and sudden increase of a couple hundred ponies with no use I'm stuck.” The princess looked thoughtfully before her looks suggest a light went off in her mind.

“I might have something for your company.” Rosinta gave the mare an interested look.

“Really?”

“Possibly. The meeting that I requested Shiny to was about our mineral needs. The Empire has several mines in it filled with gems, crystals, gold, etc. But Sombra used the Crystal ponies to mine them so they don't really want to go in them again. Can your company mine?”

Rosinta thought about the offer. Her hive can easily mine. They had to to make their hives. She could make a new hive and the ponies would just assume they were expanding the mines. This solved all her problems. She looked at the princess with joy.

“We can easily do that princess.”

“Great. I'll fill the permits you need. How long will it take you to set up?”

“Need to get them from our current residence. I can have the first crews starting in a few days. Note we prefer making our own quarters so we will be making those as well as mining. We will definitely be having the first shipment by next week at the latest.”

“Excellent! I will let you contact your ponies and I'll write up the permit. A pleasure dealing with you Rose Gem.” With that the pink alicorn left. And Rosinta was left thinking. Cadance emitted love only beaten by the Crystal Heart. And she was sharp and kind and filled with joy and love. And a looker to be sure. As queen she needs to mate for the future of the hive but she always had a preference for females mares. And now the most beautiful one she ever meant has offered her salvation for her drones. And her love tasted like sweet candy. She looked at the retreating alicorn with lust.

'Oh yes it was a pleasure, but only the start. You will be mine my Sweet Cadance.'