Crawlway opened his eyes and found himself staring at a plain white ceiling. Where was he? Why did he feel all... loopy? He tried to shake the feeling from his head, but found that it only gave him more of a headache.

"Easy friend," a calm voice instructed. "We're not quite to the point where you can go about shaking yourself like that."

Crawlway looked to his right to see one of the doctors from earlier standing next to him. There was also this annoying beeping noise coming from somewhere in the room. He must have been taken to some kind of hospital. The whole room was very bright and conveyed the feeling of being very clean.

"The drugs that we gave you should be wearing off soon. If you feel groggy or drowsy, don't worry. That's perfectly normal. When you begin feeling up to it, you have a few guests who would like to speak to you."

Crawlway simply nodded before closing his eyes again and resting his head back down on his pillow.

"How long do you think he will be?" Celestia asked.

"I'm not entirely sure," Dr. Timely answered. "Could be five minutes, could be an hour. There is still so much that we do not know about his race. It was a risk just giving him the medicines that we did."

Celestia sighed. She hated seeing any creature in so much pain. He looked so broken and helpless. It was almost like looking at any other pony lying on the bed. How? It was all she could keep asking herself. How could she have ignored the signs for so long? How could she have seen them as monsters just like any ignorant child would? It did not matter now. She had to right those wrongs.

About thirty minutes passed before Crawlway finally opened his eyes again. This time everything wasn't blurry. His headache had also subsided and noises no longer echoed through his head.

"How are you feeling?"

Crawlway looked over to the doctor, but didn't answer. His gaze narrowed as he inspected the pony. He was curious, maybe a little too curious for his own good. He was also very excited, although he didn't really show it on the outside. Crawlway could taste it though. There was some worry there as well along with some amazement. Any and all anger or hate was absent. He was able to conclude that the pony wasn't a threat.

"Better," Crawlway said barely above a whisper.

"Do you think you can carry out a conversation?" the doctor asked. "There is somepony here who would like to talk to you."

It was time. Crawlway knew it. He had been waiting for this moment since he found out that they were headed to Canterlot. And now it was happening. He was going to be talking to the Princess of the sun herself. Even after all the time he had spent preparing and going over this moment in his head, he was still nervous.

Crawlway sat up, faced the doctor and nodded. "Bring her in."

The doctor walked out of the small room through the door. In a second he was back, this time walking along side the princess.

"Crawlway," the doctor addressed him. "This is Princess Celestia. She would like to ask you a few questions regarding the nature of your hive and how we might be able to help."

Crawlway felt every muscle in his body tense up as he caught sight of the much larger alicorn. She smiled at him. It was a sad, but hopeful smile. One that said everything was going to alright, even if he knew it wasn't.

"Hello," Celestia said as she took a seat next to the bed. "How are you feeling?"

Having so many constantly ask about how he was doing or if was okay felt weird for Crawlway. He had spent weeks alone in the husklands, the only contact with others being the occasional fight or robbery. The rare few that were friendly usually ended up dead before he could get to know them.

He shook himself from his thoughts. "Fine," he answered bluntly, not even making eye contact with the alicorn.

"That is good. I know it must be hard for you to trust me, but we need your help."

"You say this as if our nations ever truly went to war. We invaded you, and you chose not to take retaliatory measures. It should be you that does not trust me," Crawlway pointed out.

"Yes, I suppose you are correct. That does not change the matter though. I need you to tell me everything about what has happened at your hive. Do you know how we can reach your Queen?"

Crawlway remained silent for a few more moment, carefully inspecting Celestia. Switchback or one of the other princesses had probably already told her what he had explained back at Fluttershy's house, so he figured that there was no use in withholding basic details. He began to explain. He told her about the state that their hive was in, why he was sent out, and how he acquired his injuries. In exchange, Celestia presented him with why exactly she wanted to save his hive.

Later That Evening

The day had been a long, mostly uneventful one for Twilight. She had gotten up at a relatively normal time this morning, taken a carriage to Canterlot, and attended a very important meeting. That was pretty much it though. After that she had settled into a room across the hall from where Shining Armor and Cadence were staying. From there, she had basically just waited for something to happen. She finished reading a book that she was halfway finished with, but besides that there was really nothing else to do except talk to Cadence and her brother about what could possibly happen in the few days.

"If a treaty is signed with the changeling hive," Cadence was explaining. "There will probably be a section representing the Crystal Empire to make sure that we get all the benefits of the peace as well."

"I guess that makes sense," Twilight confirmed. "The Crystal Empire is technically its own sovereign nation despite also being a part of Equestria so it's probably best that you put something in the treaty about it."

"I wonder if the changelings even know about the Crystal Empire," Shining Armor said from across the room as he polished his old helmet. "I mean, it's only been back for a few years now, and if they knew about it, I'm sure they would have tried something by now."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked as she repositioned on the comfy bed.

"Well, think about. If the changelings are as desperate as we think, then what is keeping them from going after the crystal heart? That thing could probably sustain them for decades."

"Makes sense," Twilight agreed. "Speaking of changelings, can you please go easier on Switchback. I really have no idea how he's taking this hole situation and I don't want to risk upsetting him."

"I agree," Cadence said. "I cant imagine what it's like knowing that your entire race is on a path to extinction. I don't think he needs anymore pressure."

Shining Armor sighed as the two mares looked at him. "About that. I've been doing a little thinking lately and..." Before he could finish his sentence, there was a knock on the door that got all three of their attention.

"It's open," Cadence called out.

The door opened slowly and a guard took a few steps in to the room, cleared his throat, and spoke. "Princess Twilight, Princess Cadence, and Captain Armor. I have been sent to inform you that a dinner has been prepared for you in the dining room. It is requested that you attend as Princess Celestia would like to discuss further business afterwards."

"Okay, thanks," Shining Armor said. "We'll be down in a bit."

The guard nodded before turning to Twilight. "Princess Twilight," he said. "I think you should know that when I tried to relay this information onto your changeling friend, he wouldn't open the door and refused to come out. I believe he may have barricaded himself inside his room."

"That doesn't sound good," Cadence pointed out.

"Seems a little suspicious to me," Shining Armor said.

Twilight sighed, being visibly frustrated with her brother. He was generally a pretty nice guy, but when he decided that he didn't like somepony, the feeling would remain for a while. "He's probably just sad or something. I'll go talk to him."

"I'll come with you," Shining Armor said as he began to stand up.

"No, you'll just make things worse," Twilight replied.

"Twilight's right," Cadence agreed. "You go and talk to him Twilight. Shining and I will meet you down in the dining room when you're ready."

While Shining Armor and Cadence exited the room and walked down the hall, Twilight instead walked to another door identical to the one that lead to her own room and the one that Cadence and Shining were sharing. This door was to the room that Switchback was currently inhabiting.

Twilight hesitated before finally knocking. There was no reply at first, so she tried again.

"I told you I'm not coming out," Switchback's slightly muffled voice sounded from the large oak door.

"Switchback," Twilight called through the door. "It's Twilight. Can I come in."

From behind the door, what sounded like a heavy piece of furniture being pushed across the floor, being accompanied by a terrible screeching noise as it dragged across the hard floor, was heard. Only seconds later, the familiar click of a lock being moved into position told Twilight that either Switchback was trying to keep her out, or he was allowing her access.

She enveloped the door handle, with her magic and tested the lock. Sure enough, the knob completed a full turn and the door opened slowly. Twilight peeked her head in ever so slightly, just enough for her to see a distraught Switchback sitting on the floor, back planted against the side of the large bed in the middle of the room, and his head held low.

"Switchback?" Twilight asked softly, conveying as much concern as her voice could carry. She opened the door some more and took a few steps toward the changeling. "Are you okay?"

Switchback didn't answer for a while, instead favoring to let the silence do the talking after a simple shake of his head. After waiting more than a few moments and eventually seeing Twilight sitting at his side, worried, strong taste, he finally mumbled something incoherent to his alicorn friend.

"I'm sorry, what?" Twilight asked after she was not able to decipher Switchback's faintly expressed words.

"This is all my fault," Switchback repeated, looking up at Twilight through tear filled eyes.

Twilight was caught slightly off guard by this. She felt bad that it was only now that she noticed just how grief stricken he seemed. His fins that grew along the top of his head, much like a pony's mane, were a little off kilter, each leaning in different directions. There were bags under his eyes, and his body shook and jittered just slightly as if very nervous. His breathing also seemed to stagger and trip over the air that it grasped.

"What is?" Twilight asked stupidly, already knowing the answer to her own question.

"Everything," Switchback replied through a shaky breath.

Twilight remained silent, allowing Switchback to let out his feelings, something that she never knew changelings had before she met him. She had always seen his species as an insect, which they were, and a parasite, which they also were. All purely by definition of course. Twilight cursed her knowledge of science for a moment knowing that none of her thoughts would help this situation. She felt ashamed every time she saw Switchback sad. Ashamed when she had found Crawlway in the forest. Ashamed when she thought about her being the princess of friendship and having prejudices against beings with feelings.

"Those changelings are dead because of me. I'm a murderer," Switchback confessed, feeling not an ounce better after hearing it out loud.

"Don't say that," Twilight demanded as she put her hooves in one of Switchback's. "We both know that isn't true."

"But it is!" Switchback proclaimed louder, angry only at himself. "If I wasn't so afraid of everything all the time. If I wasn't so useless, maybe they would all be alive."

"You can't blame yourself for..."

"I already do though!" Switchback yelled, allowing his tears to flow freely. "I didn't seek aid. I didn't ask for help when I had the chance. I just assumed that Chrysalis had fixed everything when an invasion force showed up in Canterlot. I took an easy way out while they all died. I don't deserve to..." He didn't finish. It was Twilight's turn to interrupt him, in the form of a hoof upon his lips.

"Don't you dare say what I think you're about to say," Twilight demanded in a soft and loving, but stern and unmoving tone. Switchback felt a deep sorrow growing in her heart. The taste made him even sadder, but also glad to know that she was there for him. "None of this is your fault."

"Then why does it hurt so badly?"

Twilight didn't answer, instead wrapping a hoof around Switchback and pulling him in close to her embrace, allowing him to cry on her shoulder. "I don't know Switchback," she said as one of her own tears escaped. "I honestly, really don't know." She continued to rub the back of his neck and head as he sobbed on her shoulder.

The two sat there, on the floor for several long minutes. Switchback continued to cry until there were no more tears to cry. And when his eyes were dry, he continued to sit, still wrapped in Twilight's hug. He trembled just slightly as he tried his hardest to calm himself and catch his still shaky breath.

When Twilight was confident that Switchback had let out everything that he needed to, she let him go, keeping her hooves on his shoulders as she stared at him through sincere eyes. "Feel better?" she asked softly.

Switchback nodded. "A little," he answered no able to bring himself to make eye contact with her. How could he. After everything he had done, he didn't feel like he was worthy of that.

Twilight placed a hoof under Switchback's chin and forced him to look at her. "I'm not going to pretend to know how you feel, because to be completely honest, I really don't. But I do know that you have to forgive yourself. It's the only way you can keep moving forward with this."

Switchback just sat in silence for a moment before finally replying. "I guess we should go meet Celestia now, huh?" he said, looking up from the puddle of tears that had formed on the tile floor.

"We could wait a little longer if you need more time," Twilight suggested. "I'm sure everypony would understand if we kept them waiting just a little longer."

"No," Switchback denied. "You're right. I have to keep moving forward with this."

"Okay then."

Twilight walked in to the dinning room followed by a very distraught looking Switchback. Everypony, almost everypony that is, had waited for them to arrive before beginning to eat, as was proper etiquette. In front of everypony was a large salad set in luxurious glass bowls.

"Sorry it took so long," Twilight excused. She didn't elaborate on the matter anymore. The way Switchback was laying his head down on the table like a sad puppy told everypony everything they needed to know.

"It is quite alright Twilight," Celestia assured. "Now that you here we may get down to business. Although some of us have already started." She shot a glare at Agent Chaser who sat to her left, already half-way through a second salad. "Do you even know how rude that is?" she criticized, sounding super annoyed.

Chaser looked up from the bowl with an almost emotionless expression. "Oh give me a break," he said through a mouth full of lettuce. "I haven't had real food since that time you sent me to spy on the dictator of Neighpal. He may have been a power hungry nut, but damn did he know how to find good chefs. Too bad I had to blow up the kitchen, because that was a really nice kitchen."

"Yes, of course you did," Celestia said, seeming even more irritated. "As much as I'd absolutely love to argue with you about how I specifically told you not to blow up the kitchen, but we must get to discussing the matter at hoof."

"Yeah, I know, but you have to admit, it was a lot more fun my way."

Celestia sighed as she wondered to herself exactly why she hadn't court marshaled him yet. Maybe it was because deep down, in that part of her that knew dirty work had to be done, she also knew that she needed him. As much as she hated it, she knew it was true. Only seconds later, after straightening her flawless mane that had some how become just slightly frayed, she recomposed herself into a form that suggested that nothing had been said at all. "Anyways, back on topic," she said. "I have consulted my sister on the matter of the changeling hive and we have both come to the conclusion that it would indeed be best for Equestria to formally offer aid."

Switchback perked his head off the table after hearing this. He seemed very hopeful at that moment.

"We have decided that a party will be sent to locate and establish contact with Queen Cicadia. Given that she accepts our help, we will then work toward the stability of the hive and eventually a full peace treaty." Celestia paused. "We also believe it would be best if Princess Twilight was the one to go in representation of Equestria."

"What!?!" Shining Armor exclaimed, practically jumping out of his chair. "You cant be serious!"

"I am," Celestia began to explain. "According to further intel that I have gathered, the changelings know nothing of her ascension. Cadence, Luna, and myself are all known by the changelings and after the invasion, any of us showing up may be seen as a personal challenge in the eyes of some."

"It's true," Switchback confirmed. "The leader of a city that the hive has tried to conquer showing up on the doorstep is actually a way of calling for a duel."

"Indeed. I am afraid that Twilight is the only choice we have."

Twilight thought about this situation for a moment. She had been a princess for quite some time now and she had finally become comfortable with her role, but she had never acted as a diplomat before, let alone one to a hostile nation before. Of course she was scared, but this had to be done. "I wont let you down Princess," Twilight said confidently.

"Then I'm coming with you," Shining declared.

"No," Celestia said simply. "Cadence's status extends to you as well. Perhaps even more so than Luna and I, for it was your spell that tipped the changeling hive over the edge and into the state that it is currently in. This is also the same for the other element bearers. The presence of all the Elements of Harmony would be seen as a threat."

Shining Armor sat back down and grumbled something to himself.

"Do not worry Captain. Captain Rampart has assembled a team of his best soldiers to act as an escort. I have read each of their files personally to make sure that the best choices were made. Twilight is in good hooves." Celestia then looked to Switchback, who looked less sad than he did scared. "Switchback, as the only one with knowledge of the hive, we would like to ask you to act as a guide. Will you please accept?"

Switchback froze. He knew that this was coming. Had been foreseen it. Had been anticipating it ever since they were called to Canterlot. It had always seemed obvious that it would all lead up to this. So why did it shock him so much? What was causing this to come as such a surprise and make his entire body tense up?

All eyes were fixed on the changeling as one thought raced through his head over and over again, dominating his mind. Switchback took a deep breath and swallowed the lump in his throat. "Yes."

Dear Friends,

As you may already know, Switchback and I have been called to Canterlot for an emergency session with Princess Celestia along with Cadence and Shining Armor. After being filled in, some debate, and I must admit a little boredom, it has been determined that Switchback and I are to be sent to the changeling hive to establish contact with their new queen in hopes that a lasting peace can be established.

Unfortunately, none of you are permitted to accompany me in this effort, although both Switchback and I really do wish you could. According to Princess Celestia, the presence of all the Elements of Harmony could be seen as a threat, even with us being disconnected from the Elements themselves. Something I believe that the changelings are not yet aware of.

I will be heading out first thing tomorrow morning. I consider you all family and love you very much. I hope that all will go smoothly and I will be able to return to you shortly. Wish me luck.

Forever your friend,

-Twilight

"Daaaaaw, isn't that sweet?" the changeling said as he crumbled up the letter and tossed it over his shoulder. "She loves you." His tone was harsh and mocking.

All Fluttershy could do was cry, hoping that her tears would somehow melt the green gooey binds that plastered her against the wall and held her mouth shut. She looked around frantically, wishing, hoping, praying that something would save her. Everywhere she looked though, all she saw was more and more of the green slime covering the inside of her cottage, ensnaring every small and big critter that she lived with. They were all absolutely helpless. All of them, but one.

Under the couch, hiding, frozen in absolute fear, Angel Bunny shook uncontrollably. He looked on at Fluttershy and the seven jet black creatures that held them all hostage.

Fluttershy noticed Angel, but did not say anything. She did not want to bring attention to him. For only a few seconds that seemed like an eternity, the two just stared at each other. Angel recognized the look in the mare's eyes. It was a look that he had seen before only on the Nightmare Night when Princess Luna had first come to visit. It was a look of complete and utter terror. And instantly Angel knew what he had to do. He flinched as one of the creatures grabbed Fluttershy by the neck with a dark, sharp, menacing claw and yanked her forward.

Fluttershy closed her eyes and tried to look away as she still sobbed silently, not able to control the violent shaking of her body.

The changeling smiled a wicked smile as he got real close to her face with his own. Close enough for her to feel his warm breath against her coat and for him to hear her pounding heart. He chuckled evilly. "So scared, so terrified..." he leaned in closer, his muzzle nearly making contact with her ear. "So delicious," he whispered maniacally.

Fluttershy shuddered at the sound of his deeply accented voice. If evil ever had a single voice, it would have been this one. It rang in her head like a scene from a horror movie that just kept replaying over and over again. The changeling tightened his grip around Fluttershy's neck, causing her to gag and struggle to cough through the goo that silenced her. With a long forked tongue he licked the side of her face and then worked down to the side of her neck, slowly taking his time as he tasted his prey. He stayed this way for several long, agonizing second.

Just as Fluttershy thought he would let go, she felt them, row after row of jagged, razor sharp teeth piercing through her skin. Pain shot out into her entire body, soliciting a muffled, but still loud scream of desperation from the young pegasus. As her vision became blurry and failing, and her world faded in and out of black, the last thing she saw was Angel darting across the floor towards the door. Then everything went dark and a coldness embraced her.

Author's Note

Hope you enjoyed. Stay awesome.