Author's Note

This chapter marks the first POV switch of the story. This one focuses on Chrysalis and the first days of the peace talks.

Harvest permission (Chrysalis)

Twilight had managed to get me an audience with both princesses of Equestria, something I'd not expected. I'm going to make the most of this opportunity. First thing's first, I need to work out a deal where the hive's harvesters can do their job in a safe environment. Shouldn't be too hard.. I hope.

After docking, we are greeted by a small band of guard ponies dressed in the most gold plated armor I've ever seen. After making sure everything is alright, one of the guard levitates out a small, black ring towards me. I figured this was the inhibitor Twilight told me about. One of the terms of being allowed to roam about the castle for the duration of this visit is that I have to wear the damned ring the ENTIRE time. Once it clamped down, I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my forehead. It felt like somebody was driving a dull, round tip knife into my forehead. It subsided after only a few seconds, but those were the longest seconds of my life. Seeing me in pain freaked out my guards, and they probably would've attacked the pony guards if I hadn't told them to stand down.

We walked for whatever felt like forever, but we eventually arrived at the counsel chamber. I was shocked to see only Luna there. When I inquired about her sister, she informed me that Celestia was showing Twilight where her birth parents live. Fair enough excuse to be late. It also means Twilight and her family and friends got here safely, which is great. Strange how I would've wished so badly for the opposite to be true seventeen years ago. I can't believe how twisted I was back then. Anyway, so Celestia finally arrives after almost an hour, and takes a seat beside her sister.

"I believe Luna may have already said this, but welcome back to Canterlot," Celestia said, "According to Twilight, you want a second chance. My sister and I agree that you do deserve one after hearing what all you've done for Twilight, the one pony you should hate the most".

"I must say, it's good to be back in this castle, and under better circumstances," I said, "And I appreciate you giving me this chance. Before we begin, did Twilight happen to explain why I did what I did?"

"She touched on it, yes," Luna said, "Though, I feel you have more to tell us on the matter... is that correct?"

"It is, yes," I said, nodding, "Back then, our massive love stores were running low for the first time in almost five hundred years. Why? It seems as though true love isn't as easily found in these modern days. I don't know why that is, but it simply is. Having to hide in the shadows also meant fewer targets with which to look for true love. We needed to come out, there was no other way. Not knowing entirely how Equestria felt about diplomacy with predatory races, I felt rejection was more likely to happen than acceptance. I couldn't afford to be rejected, so I decided to invade and try to turn Canterlot into a love mine".

"So, you did what you did, not for conquest, but for the future of your hive?" Luna asked.

"Yes, I did," I said, "Answer me this: were you in my position, would you not have done the same?"

"I would do whatever I had to, to provide the best possible future for my little ponies," Celestia said, "However, that does not mean I would be able to take the side of morality. Sometimes, we have to go to the dark side to help those we love, but that does make it right".

"I do not mean to sound rude, but I believe we've talked this into the ground already," Luna said, "We're giving you the chance to repair the damage you wrought back then. I also believe you should be the first to offer up a demand, to which we can then discuss conditions".

"The first thing I ask should be obvious," I said, "I need my harvesters to be given free reign around Equestria so that we can maximize love intake".

"I had a feeling that would come up eventually," Celestia said, "And I suppose it's one demand we can't just turn down. However, there will have to be limits".

"Name them," I said, almost challengingly.

"Firstly, is the process painful in any way?" Luna asked.

"It is not," I assured, "If it were, we would have surely starved to death long, long ago".

"I just wanted to be sure," Luna said.

"Though it is painless, there is one other condition," Celestia said, "The pony whose love is being harvested must be willing to give it up. I do not want my ponies to become thralls".

"Fair enough, I suppose," I said, "Though, Equestria kind of needs to know about us becoming friendly before I'll make that a requirement. It'll be much too risky, otherwise".

"I fully intend to bring these meetings to light soon enough," Celestia said.

"Well, until you do, then I wish to put these meetings on hold," I said, "I want to be sure you'll actually hold up to your end of this agreement before I start to seriously consider an alliance with Equestria".

The rest of the day went by pretty well. Twilight told me near the end of the day how her parents had reacted. Their somewhat poor reaction was to be expected. Hopefully, they'll change their opinions on changelings before too long, for Twilight's sake. After all, it's not good to have one family dislike the other. I wonder how long it'll be before I meet her birth parents? Hopefully not too long, I want to share some stories and baby pictures.