The glow from Silver’s horn faded and the quill gently landed on the table in front of him. With his signature on the magic-imbued document, Silver Skies and Queen Chrysalis were now bound by powers far greater than either of them. Should one of them fail to uphold their end of the written agreement, the contract would render the one at fault at the mercy of the second party.

Though the rules were fairly straight forward, things did seem a little more important in Silver’s eyes. He was back in familiar territory. Yes, he did have a way with words, and his emotional disposition gave him an advantage in verbal negotiations, but documentation was one of the things that Silver was the most comfortable with. He scanned over the contents of the scroll once more, taking in every little detail. Everything was neat and in order.

Silver Skies lit his horn and placed his hoof on the scroll. His gaze drifted over to Queen Chrysalis, who mirrored his actions with a matching scroll of her own. In near perfect unison, they cast the final spell to seal the deal. The two documents became infused with their magic and evaporated into a white mist that swirled around them before re-solidifying around their necks. In place of enchanted parchment, a silver pendant hung from the two participants.

Silver Skies eyed the latest addition to his nonexistent wardrobe casually. Chrysalis, on the other hoof, seemed to be quite pleased with how her new pendant complimented her. Where Silver’s was a simple teardrop shape, hers had taken on the shape of a scorpion. It was a fitting little piece of jewelry for her.

A small smile graced Silver’s lips as he watched the satisfied expression of the Changeling Queen. It seemed that his decision to form the pact with her had been a step in the right direction. “Now that that’s done,” Silver started calmly, “shall we resume the conversation that we were having before… all this happened?”

Chrysalis pried her eyes away from the pendant and eyed Silver with a raised brow. “You mean the conversation that led you to loose that cool demeanor of yours? I think I’ll pass. I have a better idea,” she said and swiftly stepped around the table to approach Silver Skies.

“You see, my original plan was to try and force you to crumble under a verbal assault to figure you out. With this new arrangement in place… there’s no need for that. Instead, I think it’s time I introduced you to the Changeling that will be going back with you to Canterlot as my Hive’s representative.”

Crysalis’ horn lit up with a single dull pulse as her eyes shifted slightly. It only took a moment, but there had been a faint hum in the air when she did that. The sensation slithering up Silver’s spine told him that the spell that Crysalis had just used was not your average one.

“That was a peculiar spell just now,” Silver stated with mild curiosity. “What did you do?”

Chrysalis gave Silver a sly look. “I simply summoned her. She should be arriving shortly,” she replied.

The pendant on Silver’s neck thrummed with a gentle vibration to let him know that what Chrysalis had said was truth. Of course, she had made sure to keep the finer details hidden just to tease him. He glanced down at his neckpiece with a small smile. It was going to be interesting from now on to have a deeper connection to the Changeling Queen.

True to her words, the wait was relatively short lived. A rather unique looking Changeling nymph entered the room the two were in and she stopped just within the doorway. Silver examined the nymph closely. Unlike any of the previous Changeling he had encountered, this new one was taller and sleeker in build. The holes in her legs were smaller and her wings held a more dazzling shimmer than anything he had seen before. To make things even more unique, she also looked at Silver with slitted eyes that resembled Chrysalis’. This nymph was very intriguing…

“Silver Skies, I’d like to introduce you to one of my daughters,” Chrysalis said with an expectant smirk.

Silver eyed the Queen for a long moment before his gaze drifted back to the nymph. Then his eyes widened as the specific wording hit him. “You mean she’s your daughter? As in a Changeling Princess?” he asked.

Chrysalis chuckled with a nod. “Yes. All Changelings are my children, but there are a few who are… more directly related to me. This is Whisper Winds, the second youngest of my seven daughters,” she said before she glanced over to Whisper. “Whisper, this is the one I told you about. You will be accompanying him to the pony capital.”

Whisper’s ears sank slightly, but she held her posture with purpose. Her gaze flicked to her mother for the briefest of moments before she closed her eyes and bowed her head. “As you wish, my Queen.”

Silver’s ear twitched as he heard the melodious voice of Whisper. She was soft spoken, but she sounded like a fine bell – utterly pleasing to the ears. Before he knew it, he was smiling at her. However as Whisper gave him a slightly questioning look, he quickly wiped his expression clean. “Ahem, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Princess Whisper,” he said with a respectful bow.

“Oh, no… please don’t be so formal. I am her daughter, but I don’t like being seen as royalty… it’s embarrassing,” Whisper said with a faintly noticeable darkening beneath the chitin of her cheeks.

She’s… simply adorable, Silver thought just before he heard a sigh escape the Changeling Queen.

“One of these days you must act like a respectable member of royalty,” Chrysalis said with a slight roll of her eyes. “But, since this has already been decided, you can do as you wish. Just make sure you don’t show any weakness while you’re in the pony capital. You’re acting as the representative for all of us. Are we clear?”

“Yes your highness,” Whisper replied with another bow.

“Good. Now, if there’s nothing else then the two of you may go,” Chrysalis said with a turn to leave.

Silver, having been thrown for a slight loop, quickly stepped toward her. “Queen Chrysalis? What about our meeting? We haven’t yet discussed anything about my findings in Canterlot…”

Chrysalis paused to lift a brow toward him. “Then you may inform Whisper about it on the way to the capital. She will relay anything important to me. In any case, there is something else that requires my attention at this time and you also have to meet with the others to discuss your plan for revealing everything to the rest of my Hive. We’ve wasted enough time dealing with this other matter… we shall meet again, Silver Skies.”

With that said the Changeling Queen swiftly left, leaving a confused stallion in the room to stare at the doorway. Silver Skies blinked a few times before he turned a questioning gaze to Whisper.

Whisper Winds offered Silver a small smile. “She has gone to tend to one of the last egg clutches. I apologize if she offended you by leaving so abruptly.”

Silver smiled in turn and shook his head. “Not at all. I’m sure she did it just to get a rise out of me. She has shown a tendency to do that often.”

“Yes. She especially enjoyed your reaction to our form of seating when she took you to the Nest. Even I have to admit that your expression was priceless.”

“Wait…” Silver said with a raised brow. “I do not recall seeing any Changeling Princesses when I was there. How did you know about that?”

Whisper smiled kindly as her gaze drifted to the floor. “We Changelings share our thoughts and experiences through the Hive mind. We’re all connected through it. Our Queen is at the center of it all, but only those closest to her may see what she sees and only if she permits,” she said and looked back to Silver with a slight blush. “I do hope you don’t mind me seeing such a thing. I’m sure it was an uneasy experience for you.”

Silver Skies smiled a little more and chuckled. “I don’t mind in the slightest. Even I have to admit it was a perfectly executed plan on her part. It's fairly amusing as well. In any case, am I correct in assuming that you will be my guide to meet with Miss Antennae, Commander Carapace, and Miss Tender?”

“Yes. Please follow me, Mr. Skies.”

“Just Silver Skies, or Silver will do.”

Whisper smiled. “Then call me Whisper. This way, Silver…”

Silver Skies nodded with a smile and followed after Whisper. They made their way to the meeting place in good time, making small talk along the way. At last they arrived to the war room from Silver’s last visit. Within, Silver noticed that only Antennae and Carapace were present.

“Good afternoon, Miss Antennae and Commander Steel Carapace,” Silver greeted.

Antennae nodded and replied her welcome while Carapace simply grunted with a nod. The two quickly bowed respectfully once Whisper tentatively entered behind Silver Skies. “Oh, please rise you two. There’s no need for such formalities.”

Steel Carapace lifted his head and shook it. “You are a royal daughter to her highness. I will always bow. Especially for you, Lady Whisper.”

Antennae lifted her head as well and offered a small smile. “Indeed. It is an honor to be in your presence once again,” she said and turned her gaze to Silver Skies. “It is good to see you as well, Silver Skies.”

Silver smiled kindly. “Indeed, I’m also glad to see you both are in as good of health as I last saw you. Is Miss Tender going to arrive soon?”

Carapace shook his head. “She’s accompanying the Queen at the moment.”

“I see,” Silver replied. “Then I suppose we are meant to proceed with the current members present?”

Antennae nodded her head. “That is correct. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure Tender is made aware of this meeting and its contents.”

“Right,” Silver nodded and lit his horn to levitate a few items from his saddlebags. He brought out a number of scrolls as well as a hoofful of quills and two jars of ink. With another nod he looked to all Changelings present. “Let’s begin…”

~~***~~

It had taken a few solid hours, but Silver Skies, Antennae and Steel Carapace had gone over every detail of the multiple plans that Silver had formulated. They had taken the strong points of each scenario and combined them into a fairly strong plan of action in explaining the fate of the Hive to Chrysalis’ Changelings.

“So we are all agreed. This was quite the ideal method, you have our thanks for all you’ve done, Silver Skies,” Antennae said with a little bow of her head.

Steel Carapace chuckled and shook his head. “I hate to admit it, but you did good. I’ll get right on my end of these proceedings and make sure that we have adequate security for the big reveal,” he said and offered Silver a thankful smile.

Silver nodded his head and looked between them. “Excellent. Now are you both certain that you don’t want me to deliver the speech?”

Whisper stepped closer to his side. “Though your intentions are admirable, I think it would be best if you were not present within the Hive during the reveal. Most of the Hive simply allows your presence because of our Queen’s wishes, but if you were to tell them of our fate it would only cause unrest for our subjects. Still, we are grateful that you’re willing to do so much for us,” she said with a soft smile.

Silver looked to Whisper and smiled in turn. “I understand. Still, I just wanted to make sure. I meant it when I said I wanted to help in any way I could.”

“And we appreciate that,” Carapace said gruffly, “but we can’t let you do everything. At least I can actually respect you for what you’ve done for us so far. You’re alright, for a pony.”

Silver smiled again and nodded.

“In any case, we now have a clear goal and a well thought out plan. There is much for us to do so I shall take my leave to get started,” Antennae said as she stood to leave.

“Indeed,” Carapace agreed and followed suit.

Whisper gently tapped Silver Skies on the shoulder and offered him a small smile when he looked her way. “We should probably take our leave of the Hive. I’m sure there is much that the two of us need to discuss.”

Silver Skies nodded in agreement. “That we do. When will you be ready to depart for Canterlot?” he asked.

Antennae and Steel Carapace bowed respectfully to the two as they left the room. Whisper returned the sentiment with a small bow of her head before she returned her attention to Silver. “I am ready to go at any time.”

Silver’s ear flicked and he tilted his head slightly. “Truly? You don’t have any belongings you wish to bring?”

“None are necessary,” Whisper replied. “I have a small stash of love crystals and that should last me for a month without any problems.”

Silver Skies huffed with a grin. “Very well. If that is the case then I have but one more question for you. How well do you handle teleportation?”

Whisper giggled softly into her hoof before she teleported to the opposite side of Silver Skies. “I think I’ll manage just fine. Just wait a moment while I get my disguise in place,” she said and her body flashed in a dazzling display of green fire.

Silver Skies’ eyes widened at the new appearance of Whisper Winds. In place of her black chitin stood a slightly shorter mint green mare with a long flowing yellow mane and tail. A well taken care of horn stood out on her head that parted her mane so that a single ice blue eye could gaze back at him. Her cutie mark was a heart shaped ruby.

“This is my preferred disguise… Crystal Heart,” Whisper said as she blushed faintly. “I kind of got the inspiration from the time I visited the Crystal Kingdom in the north. I know it’s not really that original, but I still like it.”

Silver Skies finally managed to get a hold of himself and he offered Whisper a warm smile. “I think it’s a nice look for you. The name fits you, too. Are you ready?”

Crystal nodded her head and stepped closer to Silver Skies. The grey stallion’s horn lit up a deep blue before a faint overglow of pink overlapped it. Crystal lit up her own horn, a light blue shade of magic, and she gently touched hers to Silver’s. Their magics harmonized and an image formed in their minds before a flash of light enveloped their forms.

A pop accompanied the familiar smell of ozone as Silver and Crystal Heart materialized. The disguised Changeling Princess opened her eyes and looked around only to become slightly startled. Not more than a hundred ponylengths away stood the massive structure of Canterlot Castle. Around them was a massive garden, filled with flowers and shrubs of all kinds.

“This is… incredible…” Crystal said breathlessly.

Silver Skies smiled kindly toward her and glanced around the garden as well. “I thought you might like this particular place. This is one of my favorite locations within the royal gardens. We can return to this place if you’d like, but for now we should make our way to my office. We still have much to discuss.”

Crystal smiled warmly and nodded. “I would like that. Lead the way, Silver.”

The two lifted a hoof to proceed, but they came to a sudden stop when the sounds of rushing ponies greeted their ears. Crystal looked to Silver with slight worry only to notice a firm look of annoyance had etched itself into his features. There even seemed to be something invisible dancing just outside of his scarred eye…

A moment later, a large group of royal guards rounded a hedge and charged straight for the two of them. Crystal Heart shrank fearfully under their firm gazes as they surrounded them. She then felt a calming hoof touch her foreleg and Silver offered her a small smile to try and calm her.

The guards came to a halt once they had cut off any and all routs of escape for Silver and Crystal. Two of the guards parted to the side to let a royal mage step forth, his beady eyes sizing up the notable diplomat and his mysterious partner. After a moment, the mage cleared his throat authoritatively. “Sir Silver Skies… it has been brought to our attention that you have been in contact with the Changelings. As a precaution, to prevent any dangers to the crown, we are here to scan you to ensure you are the real Silver Skies. Do we have your consent to perform the detection spell?”

Silver chuckled and gave the mage a fierce grin. “That was a rather pointless question. Go ahead and cast the spell. I have business to attend to with my companion,” he said and stood tall with an intimidating yet blank expression on his face.

The mage gulped and nodded as he lit up his horn to cast the intricate spell. A wave of green magic washed over Silver’s body for a moment before the mage sighed in relief. “No reaction, this is the real Silver Skies,” he said and looked to Crystal as he lit his horn once more.

Crystal did her best to keep a relaxed look about her, but there was nothing that could stop her hammering heart within her chest. She was scared. She looked to Silver for help, to be spared from the spell, to get a hint as to what she should do, but he simply gave her a calm look in return. Her eyes looked deeply into his red eye as she pleaded silently for him to do something to help… but he still held that air of calmness.

The mage’s spell activated and coated Crystal’s body in the green detection magic and she closed her eyes as she felt the effect. Warmth wrapped around her form, as if somepony was pouring syrup over her and she clenched her teeth as she prepared for the inevitable…

Author's Note

Sorry this one took longer to get out guys, but here it is!

The next chapter might be a little late as well (this week is hell week and I'm already hurting from back pain and a messed up shoulder). Still, look forward to it. :)

As always, I hope you enjoyed the read.