Author's Note

As if I need to tell you who's POV this is. This takes place during and slightly after the previous chapter.

Intermission: Integration Revelation

While waiting for the revelation of foundling changelings, I waited. During this wait I used what power I could to heal Butterfly's grievous wounds. There were many badly-set bones. I would have done so much more, more quickly, but my power was limited. I could not use it all on one changeling. Without Nohbodi to supply me so readily, caution was required. Slowly but surely, she healed to completion.

Earlier I had explained the process the princesses proposed To Butterfly. We had both watched the efforts of the princesses through the newspapers and direct communication. Once Butterfly was completely healed, we instituted forays of our own.

The laws agreed upon during the peace talks were released to the populace. It would ensure that my changelings would be as safe as possible before integration.

The princesses searched Appleoosa.

We searched Manehatten.

The princesses searched Baltimare.

We searched Las Pegasus.

At each destination, we were largely disappointed.

Eventually, we had covered the whole of primary Equestria. Each city I visited a pulse of energy was sent outward. Each time, any changelings that were in that principality would arrive at my location with alacrity. I would explain the circumstances. Occasionally they would know of the decree, often they would not. It was highly taxing on my reserves to send such a pulse – to reach across an entire city. Regardless, all changelings must be made aware. They must be included into the hive once more.

I retired to my new home. It has been largely finished, needing merely minor additions and ascetic effects in non-necessity rooms. There was collected five changelings to the hive, with an additional three having chosen to stay in their home-towns, now that the laws protected them. I would not, as ponies would put it, 'grudge them'. I imparted the knowledge they would require, and let them as they will, on the condition that they would not hurt the hive as a whole through their actions. It was an empty threat, as I had every confidence in my new citizens.

Though I will never have complete free will myself, I will not deny it to my subjects.

The dragonling Spike arrived at my domicile. “Queen Aranea, Twilight has news from the Crystal Empire. She said you'd want to know it.” He handed me a scroll. Unrolling it, I read that the surmising of a one hundred percent fatality rate was proven fallacious, countermeasures therein due to the most unusual circumstances. A being immune to it's effects had moved them, and was haled as a hero in the Crystal Empire.

Nohbodi was alive.

I had my opportunity to explain the situation to him. The hive was completed within parameters. I could agree to his proposal. Not only due to the hive having a great boon from his emotion.

Because I loved him.

I had arranged for travel effective immediately. Diplomatic protocol demanded a span of time to procure, as they termed it, 'appropriate accommodations'. I consumed the remainder of this time healing my hive as they required. Many were suffering from similar injuries to Butterfly. A lack of medical attention and a harsh life had brought them low, as it had myself. I used perhaps more of my energy than I should have. The belief in Nohbodi's return allowed me to use more than I would allow earlier.

The locomotive arrived at it's assigned station at it's appointed time. I bid my brood farewell, and to remain healthy, as circumstances allowed. The ride was long, and filled with thoughts of the past.

I was met at the station by a royal entourage, including princess Cadence and prince Shining Armor themselves. We greeted each other, and wished well upon the same. With such diplomatic requirements dispensed with, I could begin my mission proper.

“I was informed that the train derailment was corrected due to the actions of Nohbodi.”

Shining Armor stepped forward of the pair. “That's right. In fact, he's done nothing but good since arriving. The crystals left are being cleared faster than we thought possible, and he's starting a local industry to give our ponies something from Earth.”

Cadence took a half-step forward, remaining slightly behind Shining Armor. “He was very depressed when he came though. He... had an attitude too.”

Shining snickered, followed by a brief, useless attempt to hide it. “Well, technically, he wasn't wrong you know.”

“It was rude!” Cadence huffed.

“You know you like it.” Shining smirked, followed by a kiss on her cheek. Cadence developed a slight blush.

“Well, it was still rude.” she said while beginning to nuzzle Shining.

The aspect of the first royal visit by a changeling drew a vast amount of attention. Many ponies crowded the streets, though thankfully keeping a respectful distance. I could sense the residual pheromones.

There were changelings here as well.

Many of them, in fact. More numerous than I had discovered within Equestrian borders, to be certain. “You have a relatively significant changeling population here. You have been made aware of Equestria's shift in laws regarding them?”

The crowd grew uneasy, what few memories they had being darkly tinted by the failed invasion of Chrysalis. “What?”

“How could they sneak in?”

“You have to find them!” cried varying members of the civilian crowd.

“I know.” flatly stated Shining Armor. The crowd returned their shouts.

“You hid them from us?”

“Why would you let them in?”

“We're in for an invasion, like Canterlot!”

“Enough!” Cadence shouted, bordering the strength of the royal voice of Luna. It appeared directed at the last pony to shout, or in their direction. Silence filled the air until she continued. “We've known since the first arrived. Isn't that right Shining?”

“Yes Caddy. After all, I invented the changeling wards. You think I wouldn't have them here? It's been modified. Every time a changeling uses their magic, we know.” The crowd was stunned, muffled utterances of general disapproval being faintly audible. “Most of them know already. A few came directly to us at their own risk, we won't say who, looking for safety. We agreed to let them stay, so long as they don't cause any trouble. But we are watching.”

Cadence announced her reasoning before the crowd. “Everypon- everybody deserves safety and love. We have been watching them, yes, but they've proven safe. Many are respected members of our kingdom. In fact, some of them are here, in this very crowd.” The crowd began to shift glances from the royalty to random ponies standing next to them, in some attempt to divine who was a changeling in disguise.

One of them, a crystal pegasus, stepped out from the crowd and stood between the monarchs and myself. Shining had his wards active, so he was already aware of her nature. “A brave example. And you are?”

“Sangria.”

“A brave example. Hold still a moment whiel I show the crowd. Shining fired a bolt of energy from his horn. This Sangria made no attempt to dodge the magical attack. On striking the pegasus, she shifted to the form of...

A human?

That is not quite accurate. She was a crystal human, according to the ascetic appearance of the local ponies. Shining Armor displayed confusion.

“What? That should've turned you back to your real form!”

She calmly looked back. “It did.”

“But you're a human now.”

“This is now my default, and as you would term it, 'real' form.” She retrieved a loose-fitting, pale dress from the saddlebag that had fallen next to her and donned it. “Nohbodi has granted us knowledge of these new, alternate natural forms.”

“He has given you much, just as he had given them to myself while in Equestria. As his queen, I am here to both collect Nohbodi, and return the changelings in this location to the hive.” Thanks to Nohbodi, my hive would grow greatly, and I would be able to explain my reasoning to him at last. The features of Sangria visibly hardened. I did not expect this outcome. “Why do you display this? All changelings should re-join the hive.” All changelings must re-join the hive. It is in our nature. Her answer was a single word:

“No.”