It had been a couple of months since that "ill-fated" battle between Princess Cadance and Queen Flurry Heart and the beaten Changeling Queen was actually content. The staff in the castle, with her drone's help, had transformed her room into a combination of lifestyles. All her furniture was reminiscent of the royalty of old Crystal Empire lore, but her walls and floor now had the feel of a cave; which was complete with bioluminescent crystals, moss, and a special heating and humidity spell. However, as much as she loved her room, she was currently having lunch with her parents.

"...and that is why my changelings defected from Queen Chrysalis." Queen Flurry Heart said sipping on her tea and finally being able to tell the story. "That's just the tip of the iceberg of the stories they've told me, I just went with some of the cleaner stuff since we are eating."

"Sounds like what you told us was pretty bad conditions." Her mother commented then decided to change the subject. "I have been wondering something, why have you kept your new look since the Crystaling? Afterall, you are an Imperial Princess to the Crystal Empire, think it is high time you change your presentation back?"

Flurry's demeanor quickly soured. "No mother I will not, afterall I am a Changeling Queen and unless you want me to go into the caves hidden in the mountains and FULLY become one thanks to the Smooze, I suggest you quit being in denial and deal with it."

"Cady...." Shining whispered to his wife recognizing the look in his daughter's eyes. "She means that threat, I suggest you do as she says; keep in mind any act against her would break the Geneighvia Convention Code for prisoners of war so she has us bound."

Cadance sighed knowing, as much as she hated to admit it, her husband was correct. "So what are your plans for the day Queen Flurry Heart?" She asked putting all her bitterness, which everypony in earshot sensed, on her daughter's self-proclaimed title.

"I am going to explore around for a suitable place for my hive of course Princess Mi Amore Cadenza. Ever since the day after our fight, I have had several of my drones out on a long scouting mission. After all this time they have finally returned back with their discoveries, so I am going to inspect the target sites, surprisingly enough the first one I am going to inspect is the Crystal Caverns on the edge of the kingdom."

The pink alicorn cringed at that idea considering how sacred those caves were to her lineage, even if Flurry was her daughter, she will be damned to Tartarus if she let a bug live there considering that is where Chrysalis held her captive. Shining picked up on his wife's distress and cleared his throat. "Flurry Heart my dear daughter you are not thinking things out clearly, keep in mind that is where your Aunt Twilight found your mother bound while Chrysalis was impersonating her. If I may, I suggest another option: considering how you want to live on your own, how about you start at the furthest site first then make your way back in towards home?"

"Hmmm.. that is a lovely idea dad and that is what I shall do." Before the discussion could continue further, King Thorax came in accompanied by the Captain of the Crystal Guard.

"I hope I am not interrupting anything your highness." The guard said with a bow. "King Thorax wishes to speak with you."

"He made an appointment 3 months ago but due to Flurry it had to be postponed." Cadance replied with an apprehensive smile. "What matter of business would you like to discuss?"

"It actually is about Flurry and her drones to be exact, seeing as Flurry is not a Changeling, her title is only considered "honorary" until she goes before the Queen's Council to convince them to make an exception and let her keep her hive even though she is an Alicorn. I must warn you, Chrysalis is on the Council and each of the others owe her a favor. The fact your drones were hers to begin with has her chitin in a bunch so expect the council to vote no."

"How is Cryssy doing anyways? I haven't seen nor heard about her well being since her last failed attack and you took over." Flurry asked with a sincere look of concern.

Everypony and the lone changeling raised their eyebrows at Flurry for what she called Chrysalis, but they mentally decided that was best not to get into, so Thorax answered her question. "She is a lonely and bitter outlasted queen, and as a matter of fact the Council is all she has left."

"When is the meeting?" Queen Flurry Heart asked in an official sounding tone.

Thorax was actually caught a little off guard by Flurry's sudden shift in personality, and deep down he wished she actually was a Changeling to help straighten out things on the more aggressive topics. "5 days from now in a location I am ordered not to repeat, I will be here shortly after Luna raises the moon into the sky so we can begin our journey. Until then Queen Flurry Heart I bid thee farewell. Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armour, thank you both for allowing me to be in your presence in your fair castle and city."

"Of course, we always welcome a valuable ally, especially one who helped to take down one of the biggest thorns in my flank." Cadance said with a radiating, comforting smile that gave Thorax a minor sampling of love. That, however, was cancelled out by the bitterness Flurry felt at that no-so-subtle jab her mother took at her.

"Mother, father, if we are done, I wish to retire to my chambers to prepare for my journey." Flurry said trying, and succeding for the most part, to keep her emotions in check.

"Go on sweetheart." Shining said giving his daughter a kiss. Cadance didn't respond, but her nod was enough of an answer so Flurry teleported onto her bed and cried her built up emotions out. Afterwards she felt a million times better and proceeded to pack, once she was done she looked at herself in the full length mirror.

"Dont worry my love...we will be reunited shortly...." Flurry smiled at her thoughts, losing herself in them to pass the time until her departure.

Author's Note

As stated in the summary, this was inspired by Penalt's "Long Live the Queen" and I have his blessing to write this