I got a letter yesterday that requested my audience in Canterlot immediately. When I first got the letter, I never expected what the trip would end with. I spent the next hour or so after I got the letter preparing for the trip. Kara had to stay behind. She was none too pleased, but it was at the request of mother, so she didn't argue.

Anyway, so I get up to Canterlot, and the first to greet me is none other than... my old brother. Yea, that was unforeseen. Apparently, the princesses both got caught up in some legal dispute and so I had to wait to talk to them. While waiting, my old brother and I went shopping. Since I had hardly really any bits, he bought everything. I said I'll pay him back as soon as I can, and I intend to keep that promise. Anyway, so what did we buy? Souvenirs for everyone. Nothing too big or fancy, mostly small trinkets and stuff like that.

So, it finally came time to talk. I entered the room and took my seat beside Princess Celestia, with mother straight across the table from me.

"So, uh... what's going on?" I asked.

"Well, let's start things off strong, shall we?" Mother asked, "The princesses and I have been talking about further integrating changelings into Equestrian society by having a hive within Equestrian borders".

Ok, didn't expect that one...

"As you know, a hive needs a queen, but I am unable to rule a second hive," Mother said, "That's where you come in. I wanted to ask if you wanted to become a queen and rule over a hive here in Equestria".

Ok... WHAT!?

"M...me? A queen?" I asked nervously.

"Yes, though fear not for the transformation is painless," Mother said.

Oh wow... she was serious. She really wanted me to be a queen. On one hoof, I'd finally be a changeling, and I'd live for another thousand years. But, how would ever body react? What would they think of me giving up who I am to rule over a hive? Thankfully, however, Princess Luna had a solution.

"I sense hesitation," She said, "The idea was also entertained to let you rule as an alicorn. It is no secret that you have a connection to Chrysalis's hivemind, so perhaps you could connect to one separate as well?"

"It would be little more than Equestrian telepathy until changeling magic is fed into the hivemind, but it would work eventually," Mother explained "I could feed my magic through a proxy, and it'll start up the hivemind in full. The only thing is, it'll take about a month to finish, whereas it'd be instantaneous if you became a changeling queen".

"One other thing to consider is that you could birth a new species if you stayed as a pony," Princess Celestia said, "Your daughter is proof that hybrids are possible".

"That is true, but... well, I just... I don't know how to feel about taking on another mate so soon," I said, "And the thought of taking on a new material simply for repo pulsation just doesn't right with me... Um, no offense, mom".

"None taken, do not worry," Mother said, "Though, I will urge you to consider everything laid out today. Do not give us an answer so soon, it needs to be thought about".

"I uh... yea, I'll definitely do that," I said.

With that, the meeting came to a close. I was led off to my guest room, which was really nice, by the way. I had a lot to think about. If I became a queen, I'd be a changeling, and everything would be slightly easier at the start. However, staying a pony would mean I'd become an alicorn and live forever, like the princesses, while bringing about the dawn of existence for a whole new pony/changeling hybrid species. The real question was if I was truely ready for such responsibility or not.

After careful consideration for two full days, I had my answer. I had talked about it with Kara over the hivemind, and she even spoke to and for my pony friends down in Ponyville. I talked with my old pony family as well. All in all, it seemed as though ever body was supportive. Kara said she'd be honored the leave our current hive and join mine. Heh... honored... crazy kid. My old brother asked if a permanent transfer to my hive would be possible, to which Princess Celestia said yes, so there's my first guard. My old parents were the only ones opposed to the idea, but that's because of their feelings towards changelings. Though opposed to it, they said they were still willing to back me against any ponies who got in my way. Family is everything, after all.

So, I gave my decision. After which, Princess Celestia took me to some Astral plane of existence and gave me some wings. I was wrapped up in a bright ball of light for a few seconds, after which, I spread my own wings for the very first time. It felt strange, but also... right. After returning to the normal plane of existence, I took off and then immediately plummeted back down, face first. I am so glad Kara wasn't there to see it. Don't need to give her anything else to tease me about.

But yea, so I'm an alicorn now. I'll soon be heading out to start my hive out in the Everfree Forest. A dangerous location normally, but we'll be living underground, so we should be relatively safe. Our main entrance will be located at the edge, close to Flutterby's cottage, keeping us safe on our way to and from the rest of Equestria.

Things are about to get a lot more interesting.

Author's Note

All hail Queen Twilight!

How do you guys feel about this decision? Like it? Love it? Hate it? Despise it? Well, fear not, for things are, as Twilight said, about to get interesting. Next chapter starts a new Ark about the start of Twilight's hive. I'll work to make it as interesting as I possibly can, I promise.