Among Hives

Chapters

01: We have something to say here.
02: CMC center stage pt1
03: CMC center stage pt2
04: Take 2 "You are formally invited to..."
05: A Ponyville detour
06: The Emerald Hive

01: We have something to say here.

Chrysalis laughed as the elements of harmony bearers were brought back into the grand hall, everything was going perfectly, this day was perfect! She sneered at Cadence and Shining Armor, Cadence with a dejected look on her face, and Shining still hypnotized.

“Go, my changelings, FEED!”

Except for a few guards, all the changelings in the room made for the exit, each barely able to contain their glee. They were so preoccupied with the upcoming feast, that none of them saw the wave of spell bolts fly out of the open doors to the grand hall downing every changeling before they knew what happened. Chrysalis spun around at the sound of spell bolts and her changelings hitting the floor.

“WHAT!” She shrieked.

Everyone in the room was shocked still as three fillies marched into the room, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Applebloom marched up to the unconscious changelings like conquering heroes.

“GIRLS! Get out of here!!!” Twilight, who was the first to recover, called out to the fillies who probably looked like appetizers to the hungry changelings still in the room.

“Far too late for that, guards! Have a snack.”

Chrysalis turned back to look at the city her army was raiding, yet something was bugging her, a moment later it dawned on her, how did they down my changelings?

Chrysalis got no farther in her thoughts, as her attention was brought back to her guards, who were letting out angry hisses. Looking back Chrysalis now saw that Equestria's second princess was standing behind the fillies, and flanked by two of her night guard.

“Ah, I was wondering what happened to you.” Chrysalis commented.

“Thou should have thought better than to assume we were indisposed.” Luna said with a glare.

“It hardly matters,” Chrysalis said with a sneer. “To me my changelings!”

Any changelings in the area of the castle rallied to their queen, in a matter of moments the grand hall was almost filled with changelings. Twilight who was still with her friends quickly did some calculations, based on the mass of the average changing, along with the overall volume of the room, Luna and her two guards were currently outnumbered about sixty to one. Even the lunar princess would be hard-pressed to beat those odds, she had to do something, they had to do something. Not to mention the fact that there were three fillies in the line of fire.

Twilight's panic was cut short by the slow clapping of hooves, looking over she saw Scootaloo was clapping in a slow, unimpressed manner.

“Not bad,” Scootaloo quipped. “But we can do better, EMERALDS!”

As if by command, the hall behind Luna and the others exploded into a blur of motion. The hall filled with changelings, but instead of attacking Luna, her guards or the crusaders, these stood with them. These new changelings had subtle but noticeable differences from the ones with Chrysalis, their eyes were a light green, they had a forest green back plates, sharp 'lightning bolt' shaped horns, sharpe dragonfly like wings, and they lacked any holes in their legs. It was easy to identify these newcomers as changelings, yet it was clear they were very different.

Chrysalis glared at the new comers, then shifted her glare at Scootaloo. The seemingly harmless pegasus matched her glare, somewhere deep in the pit of her stomach, Chrysalis knew she had bucked up.

“Who are you?” Chrysalis said putting as much venom in her words as she could.

“Who me?” Asked Scootaloo, as if she was surprised by the question. “I'm just a little filly.”

A few of the 'other' changelings could be seen trying to suppress their giggles.

“Rot holes, who or better yet what are you?”

At this Scootaloo straightened up. “If you must know, I am the avatar of your failure.”

In a blink, a pillar of green fire shot up around Scootaloo. The fire lasted only a heartbeat before revealing the filly, only she wasn't a pegasus filly any more. Standing where Scootaloo was, now stood a changeling. It was twice as tall as Scootaloo, but still a bit shorter than the other changelings, its mane was the same purple only now it was slightly transparent. But the one big difference were the eyes, while still the same purple of Scootaloo's eyes, they now had the reptilian features of Chrysalis.

“I am Princess Glimmer, of the Emerald Hive. And you who claim to be the 'queen' of changelings, shall know our might.”

“Forget us not princes Glimmer, thou is not the only one with a score to settle this day.”

“Hardly Luna, now if the introductions are done,” Glimmer said while falling into an attack stance. “ATTACK!”

Glimmer, Luna, and the gathered changelings charged Chrysalis and her hive. Luna's night guard rushed the changelings still holding the elements of harmony, while two emerald changelings stepped over Applebloom and Sweetie Bell. In a flash of green magic, they transformed into armor attached to the fillies.

“Hold on sis, were comin' for ya!”

“You meanies are in for it now!”

The two thestrals, now supported by two changeling armored fillies, knocked out three of Chrysalises guards, Sweetie Bell failing to get hers when the guard locked horns with her. Applejack however bucked the offending changeling across the room while it was distracted, Rainbow Dash joined the main fight now that she was free. Rarity disposed of her guard and rushed over to Sweetie Bell.

“Sweetie! What are you doing??”

“Helping you and the others break free.” She stated heroically.

“While that is quite brave of you, this is no place for a fil-”

Rarity was cut short as Sweetie Belle rolled to one side, launched a spell bolt of changeling magic, and nailed a hostile changeling in the face just as it was about to tackle Rarity.

“Maybe we should talk about this latter? Like when we're NOT being attacked.”

“Darling I really-”

“As much as I hate, *thump* to agree with her, *crash* yer sister and mine are currently, *crunch * wearing armor and holding there own, *smash * we might need em'.”

“But-”

“Behind ya!”

Rarity spun around only to be face to face with a blue changeling, a blur slammed into the side of the changeling's face, downing it and cracking its chitin.

“Ya might wanna pay attention right now, we're still in the middle of ah fight.” Applebloom said standing over the defeated changeling.

Rolling her eyes Rarity lifted Sweetie Belle onto her back. “Fine, Sweetie watch my back.”

“Sure thing sis!”

~o0o~

Luna and Glimmer charged Chrysalis, Luna wielded dual ethereal short swords as Glimmer leveled her royal magic. Though if Chrysalis was worried she did a fine job of hiding it.

“I defeated Celestia in combat, what makes you think you can beat me.” She said charging her horn,

The same lance of green magic shot out from her horn, but it was stopped short from Luna by a green shield. Glimmer hovered next to Luna and gave her a nod, Luna didn't need another cue.

“Thou are truly a fool if ye thinks thou sister should fall so easily in combat, our sister merely did not want to destroy our fair city with her might.”

Luna flew around the shield and fired a spell bolt at Chrysalis, Chrysalis stopped her magic assault and dodged the spell, just as she was about to launch her own spell at Luna a cone of green magic slammed into her side. Chrysalis skidded a few hooves with a grunt before turning her attention to her attacker, Glimmer was readying another spell at the same time Luna was charging the changeling queen. Chrysalis readied a shield and braced for the attack, both attacks hit her shield at once sending the changeling queen back farther.

Chrysalis glared at Glimmer, Luna could have stood up to her in combat, but this nymph? She wasn't even a year or two out of the shell, how could she have so much power?

“How does a hatchling like you possess this level of power!”

“Because I have what you never will, friends who love me for who I am, and who will give me the power to defeat you!”

With a blinding green light, Glimmer launched a spell bolt aimed right at Chrysalis’s head, only for it to slam into her shield. Glimmer did, in fact, have the directed love energy of her two friends, and while powerful Chrysalis had the advantage in the amount of stolen love she had.

An advantage that was slowly draining away, she could no longer drain Shining Armor of his love, and so her love reserve was draining with the battle. Glimmer on the other hoof was still receiving directed lover form Applebloom and Sweetie Bell, and very soon she would over power Chrysalis. That was assuming Luna didn’t skewer her first.

Luna knocked away two changelings who had come to the aid of their queen, returning her attention to said queen she launched several swords, all of which shattered on the changelings shield. She readied another attack along with Glimmer, both however stopped when they noticed a field of pink energy beginning to glow behind Chrysalis.

~o0o~

Cadence watched slightly dumbfounded as these ‘Emerald’ changelings began fighting alongside Luna and the others, up until now she had thought Chrysalis was, as she claimed, the changeling queen, but it seems that was wrong. Distracted by the battle around her and her own thoughts, Cadence didn’t notice three Emeralds reach her and Shining Armor.

“Princess, are you alright?”

Cadence flinched slightly at the slightly buzzing voice suddenly next to her, the changeling that addressed her powered their horn and freed Cadence from the green slime holding her in place.

“M-mostly, why are you-?”

“We’ll explain later,” The changeling cut in. “Right now we need to get both of you out of here.”

“But aunt Celestia-”

“Will be fine, a second team will get her out, my mission is your safety. Now, how about we bring your fiancee out of that spell he's stuck in.”

Cadence turned to Shining Armor, two other changelings were on each side their horns glowing. Cadence went to stop them, until she realized the glow in Shining’s eyes was fading. It took the two changelings a few moments, but they soon had the spell drained away. Shining, now no longer under the control of Chrysalis, blinked a few times to clear his head.

“W-what happened? Is the wedd-”

Shining stopped mid sentence as he saw the battle around him for the first time, as a guard his first instinct was to charge into the fray, but his magic was far too depleted to help.

“Cadence, what? How? Who?”

“No time captain, we need to get out of the castle and rally your guard ponies to retake the city.” The led Changeling explained.

“Afraid that won't be happening.”

Everyone spun around to face the voice, six of Chrysalis's changeling had managed to break off and were now staring down the group of three Emerald changelings and two drained ponies.

“Bring it you leaching ticks, your numbers mean nothing!” The lead changing snarled as the other two took defending positions.

“And what are you going to do about it moss backs, we captured the most powerful ponies in Equestria, what can you three do?”

“Why don’t you try us and find out.” The leader challenged.

They don’t see us as a threat? Cadence wondered. We might be low on magic, but maybe… maybe together…

Cadence looked to Shining Armor, he looked ready to fight, even if he didn’t have the strength to do so. I must give him that strength. Hurrying over the Shining, Cadence tapped her horn on his.

“Shining, let me give you the strength to fight them back.”

As their horns touched, an arc of magic energy jumped between them. There was a flash of light, and both unicorn and alicorn stood pristine with in a vortex of magic energy. They began to float up into the air as their eyes glowed, they were encased in a shield of pink energy that pulsed for a moment before expanding.

“EVERY LING DOWN!” Shouted Glimmer over the Emerald hivemind.

THe warning went out a second before the shield shot outward, the changelings closest to the epicenter got hit the hardest, with the sapphires of Chrysalis getting hurled away, and the Emeralds merely stumbling a few hoofs.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Was the only thing Chrysalis shouted as her and her army were thrown from Canterlot and to the badlands beyond Equestria.

Everything was still for a moment, each of the Emerald changelings had fully expected to get thrown from the city as well, but aside from the three closest to Shining and Cadence, none had so much as moved an inch.

“HUZZAH! For we are victorious this day!” Luna shouted.

The room erupted into cheers, as the changelings and ponies began to celebrate their victory. Suddenly a large magic circle formed in the middle of the room, everyone backed away from the circle just as a portal opened up. With a flash the portal deposited a large group of changelings into the room, everything was quiet for a few tense seconds as the new group of changelings glared at everything around them, weapons drawn.

“Oh come ON!” One of the new arrivals exclaimed throwing down their spear. “We missed the whole thing!”

One by one the other changelings threw down or sheathed their weapons, muttering and over all displeased.

“CELESTIA!”

“Wh-” Celestia had just enough time to be confused as a large black and red blur tackled her.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t get here sooner, are you alright, she didn’t hurt you did she? What happened where is that b-”

Celestia cut off the stream of words with a hoof. “I’m alright Cherry, just a little magic feed back, nothing a horn file and a back rub can't fix.”

“Princess, what is going on?” Came Twilight's voice.

“Yes sister, we too would like to know what is going on.”

“Twilight, Luna meet Queen Cherry of the Ruby hive, a close friend and former student of mine.”

Twilight’s expression could not be expressed in words beyond total shock.

“When did thou tutor a changeling queen?”

“I was Celestia's student about, hmmm a hundred and fifty years ago now? Has it really been that long?”

“Seems like only yesterday, but yes she was my student back then, she had to return home to take the throne, or she might still be my student today if she could get away with it.”

Cherry pouted. “Mom was the first Queen in an age to actually step down, I swear she did it just to make me come home.”

Celestia chuckled. “While I would love to catch up more, I have a feeling the other queens will be here soon, let's make sure our little ponies don’t think they're under attack once again.”

Glimmer stepped up to the group, bowing respectfully. “My mother has sent word she is on her way since our advanced force is already here he is only coming with a pair of guards.”

“Good, I somehow feel the others won't be so discreet.”

No sooner were the words out of her mouth, then a guard pony rushed into the room, oddly ignoring the changelings.

“Princess, we’ve spotted two waves of changelings approaching from the north, the citizens are starting to panic.”

Celestia sighed, it seemed today was still going to be a long day.

Author's Note

I made this story idea before season 6, the name "Glimmer" has nothing to do with Starlight Glimmer, please no hate comments for that.

02: CMC center stage pt1

Celestia was barely able to announce to the city that the changelings approaching where allies before they swarmed over the city, though their reaction was much the same as the Ruby’s, mostly grones and displeasure at missing the fight. The combined changelings quickly gathered in pursuit of Chrysalis and her hive, once they figured out where they might have landed. Celestia returned to the grand hall to find four queens, her sister, Cadence Shining and the Elements still there with only a smaller number of Emeralds.

“How about it doesn't take a mad queen invading my capital to get all of us together?”

“Princess, I live next door, it's not like it's hard to meet.” Queen Wisp, of the Emeralds replied.

“We had lunch last week Tia.” Cherry deadpanned.

Her use of ‘Tia’ got a deadly glare from Luna.

“Sorry Celestia, but you know how busy things get at home, it's not as if I can just hop on a train any old time and see you, much as I would like to.” This from the Diamond queen, Cotton Rose.

“Well, I for one am glad we're all together, despite the circumstances, although we do have some things to discuss, and not by choice.” Copper, queen of the Amber hive laminated.

“Indeed,” Celestia sighed. “However, while we discuss that, I believe somepony has a wedding to get back on track,” Celestia said winking at Twilight.

“Aunt Celestia, are you sure? After all this, I’m sure we could just start over tomorrow.”

“Nonsense darling, we can’t have your special day turned upside down like this.” Rarity interjected.

“Besides, we have plenty of help to make sure everything is fabulous!”

“I couldn’t agree… more?” Rarity said turning to address, herself.

“Uhhhh.”

“I know dear, so much better than a plain old mirror,” The second ‘Rarity’ said. “well almost.” Pointing to her markless flank.

“Ah, so that’s how we’ll tell each other apart?”

“Quite, but right now we have some dresses to get back in order.”

Rarity turned around finding a second doppelganger, or rather the second of several.

“Hold on,” Twilight marched up to the group of Rarity’s. “Why are you all looking like Rarity?”

“Unlike those wanna be changelings, real changelings can take on some of the traits of their disguise, making it easier to blend in, or in the case of making original disguises, less suspicious.”

Twilight was wide eyed as she was being lectured by herself.

“Now we have a very long check list, and we need to make sure it's done correctly.” A third ‘Twilight’ joined.

“You know what, I’m not even going to question this right now.” Twilight said taking her own check list.

There was a gust of wind as Rainbow and her doubles shot off out of the room, Pinkie and her assumed doubles were simply gone. Fluttershy had her song birds on her back, with a second, and third behind her, also carrying identical song birds. Applejack shook her head, turned around and found herself looking at a group of herself, almost. Her doubles lacked her cutie mark, hat and had blue eyes.

“Y'all best be ready to work like Apples if yer gonna’ look like one.” She didn’t even wait for a reply before leading the others off.

Celestia chuckled as a rather stunned Cadence was herded off by the group of Rarity's, Shining was kept from following only by a pair of Rarity’s who kept insisting ‘you don't need any more bad luck today darling’, before shepherding him off, presumably to fuss over him as well. Shaking her head Celestia turned to regard the changeling princess in the room.

“I didn’t realize you were Scootaloo Glimmer, although it does make sense, you were always rambunctious as a nymph.”

Glimmer looked up at Celestia. “You didn’t know who I was?”

“No, your mother told me you were doing your infiltration training in Ponyville, but she did not disclose your disguise identity.”

“You know how much of a taboo it is to reveal a fellow changeling Glim.” Wisp chided.

“Well yea, but I figured you would have told Celestia who I was because you know being your daughter and heir.”

“I did ask her to tell me your identity if you ever got into serious trouble, but only then, I respect your customs after all. Although considering the mischief you and your friends get into, I’m going to have to ask your mother what she considers serious trouble.”

“I’m right here you know.”

Celestia gave Wisp a coy smile.

“Before we begin discussing the repercussions of this fiasco, I for one would like to hear what you three did during the invasion.” Cherry said grinning.

“O-oh we didn’t do much.” Glimmer said tapping her hooves together.

“You are very bad at lying,” Copper said smirking “And as I heard it, you and your friends ‘entered the room like you owned it and stared down the Queen's guard’, sound about right?”

“It was so cool!” Sweetie Bell bounced around.

Glimmer let out a sigh. “Alright, it started once the shield fell…”

~o0o~

The moment the shield failed, ponies began running in every direction, Scootaloo took the opportunity to grab her two friends and run, however unlike everypony else she had a plan.

“What are we going to do?” Sweetie shrieked.

“We’re going to hid until help arrives.”

“Ya mean our sisters and the elements?”

Nope. “Ya, we just need to find some place to hide until they get back.”

Really Scootaloo needed to get her friends out of the line of fire for when her family arrived to beat an overly egotistical queen into the ground. The three turned down a hallway, just as two changelings crashed through a window. Scootaloo reacted instantly, she leapt at the closest changeling punching them dead in between the eyes. Using her wings to keep her momentum going, she kicked the second changeling in the side of the head, both changelings dropped as Scootaloo touched back down. The second she landed she realized she had bucked up, no way ‘Scootaloo’ would have known how to do that. Looking back the shocked look on her friends faces confirmed just that, well it wasn’t like this was going to come out after all this mess.

“What in the hay was that Scoot?” Applebloom blinked.

“Ya, that was awesome! But how did you even-”

The sound of approaching hoofbeats cut Sweetie off.

Scootaloo grabbed her friends again, leading them further down the hall.

“Questions later, running now.”

The other two completely agreed. They made it into another hall, Canterlot castle seemed to be filled with them, in it they found an empty storage closet. Jumping in they slammed the door behind them, plunging the room into darkness. A few tense moments passed, no changelings crashed through the door after them. Once they all let out the breath they didn’t realize they were holding, Applebloom and Sweetie Bell turned to face Scootaloo or at least tried to.

“Now y'all start talking Scoot, and ah mean now.” Applebloom poked her hoof into Scootaloo's chest, or so she thought.

“YIPE! That's not Scootaloo!” Sweetie Belle squeaked.

“Uh, what did I?”

“Flank.” Scootaloo replied.

“How in the hay would you know?” Sweetie asked.

Scootaloo let out a heavy sigh. “Because I can see very well in the dark, all changelings can.”

“Y'all a Changeling?!”

“You’re a Changeling?!”

“Yes, I always have been, before you ask no there isn’t a ‘Scootaloo’ somewhere else,” Scootaloo paused. “Well, as far as I know, it's not a common name, but anything is possible.”

“So yer say’n the Scoot we’ve known is you, and yer not just replacing them, how do we know yer not leyin'?”

“Have I ever lied to either of you?”

“No, well besides not telling us-” Sweetie was cut off as the door was slammed open.

“Well it looks like we have some noisy little ponies, what do you say we shut them up before making a nice little meal of them?” The first Changeling said.

“Oh definitely, and I have just the thing.” Said the second one as they approached the crusaders.

Scootaloo wasn’t having any of it, she charged the two changelings who threatened her and her friends. In a pillar of green magic, Scootaloo reverted to her true form. The changelings had enough time to realize they had bucked up in a whole new way, before the changeling royal they had threatened crashed into them, knocking them out of the room and out into the hallway. One was downed with a magic blast to the face, while the other got a hoof to his snout.

“Scootaloo behind you!”

‘Scootaloo’ spun around just in time to see a third changeling leap at her, and for Applebloom to smack into the chitin projectile. The changeling was thrown off target missing ‘Scootaloo’, he twisted in midair knocking Applebloom to the ground, making a gash on her side as he did. ‘Scootaloo’ saw red as she attacked the changeling, downing him with a vicious hoof to the side of the head.

“Applebloom!” Sweetie called out as she rushed to her friend.

‘Scootaloo’ was to her side almost as quick, the wound was shallow but hit just right to bleed plenty.

“Hold still Applebloom, this might feel a bit weird.”

Before either of her friends could question her, ‘Scootaloo’ gathered a large amount of dross in her mouth, covering her tongue she quickly coated the wound sealing it.

“Sorry, I don’t know much healing magic yet, and I don’t trust what I do know right now.”

Applebloom nodded looking at the now covered gash, it did feel weird but it seemed to work.

“So what do we do now Scoo-”

Sweetie was cut off by an upraised hoof. “Scootaloo is the pegasus I wear in Ponyville, my name is Glimmer, changelings keep our names and identities separate.”

“So when ya’ll are a pegasus you’re Scootaloo, but when you’re a changeling you’re Glimmer?”

“Basically, yes.”

“So what do we do now Glimmer?”

“Yes, what do we do now?”

All three spun to see three more changelings standing in the hallway, it seemed to be a popular area now.

“Gah! Running time!” Sweetie shrieked as she started running, only to be levitated in a field of green magic.

“Actually girls, these guys are with me, meet the Emerald Hive.”

“Ma’am.” All three bowed to Glimmer.

“The hay?” Applebloom asked.

Glimmer rubbed the back of her head. “Ya, I’m kinda a royal, my mom’s the queen.”

Sweetie Belle gasped. “That makes you a princess!? Oh wait until Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon get a load of this!”

Glimmer couldn't help but smile, those two would be in for a huge shock to find out the filly they bullied was really a princess. But that was for later, right now she had a mission.

“Alright, Switchblade right?” Glimmer asked the lead changeling.

“Yes, ma'am.”

“What's the situation, and what are mom’s orders, I've been running dark since cheese legs showed up.”

“City is being over run, the element bearers are being engaged in combat in the streets while they are attempting to retrieve the elements themselves, orders are to assist in repelling the attack until reinforcements arrive, or the local garrison can be rallied and fight off the invasion.”

Glimmer nodded, taking a moment to decide on the next course of action.

“Alright, Celestia is down but I’m sure Luna is fighting somewhere, we find her and help her repel the attack, I need one of you to escort my friends either out of the city or-”

“Hey wait now! We wanna help too.”

“Y'all didn’t think we’d leave ya to fight all those guys by yer self, now did ya?”

“Girls I appreciate you wanting to help but-”

“Ain't no buts about it, we’re helping.”

Both Sweetie Belle and Applebloom had a fierce look of determination that would not be denied, Glimmer was proud of her friends wanting to help, but even so.

“Applebloom, you hit one changeling, and look at what happened, I don’t want you two to get hurt.”

One of the changelings cleared his throat as he stepped up to the trio.

“We might be able to help with that.”

Glimmer facehoofed. “Let me guess, class two’s?”

Two of the changelings nodded.

“Fine, but if things get dicey you get them out of here, that is an order, got it.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Sweetie Belle and Applebloom we rather confused at this point, even more so when two of the changelings walked up to them.

“So whats-!”

Sweetie Belle’s question died as her and Applebloom we surrounded in green changeling fire, when they opened their eyes everything had a slightly green tint to it. Sweetie looked over to Applebloom, only for her jaw to drop to the floor. Applebloom was now covered in black and green chitin, forming around her like full plate armor complete with helmet and visor. Sweetie Belle looked at herself finding herself in a similar state, she looked back to Glimmer, her question written all over her face.

“Short story, we have a special cast of changeling that can transform into armor, all changelings can do objects, but they are the only ones who can turn into armor. Now let's go find princess Luna before she ethers hogs all the fun or gets over run.”

Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both nodded, they had a lot of questions, but right now it would have to wait, they had a princess to save, Sweetie Belle grinned widely as she put her hoof in the air, the other crusaders caught on quickly.

“CUTIEMARK CRUSADER: PRINCESS RESCUERS! YAY!”

03: CMC center stage pt2

Anypony in Ponyville could tell you that when the CMC shouted, you could hear them clear across town, and the changelings in Canterlot knew this now too. Glimmer and Switchblade leveled their full magical arsenal at any changelings foolish enough to cross them, Applebloom gave more than a few changelings a swift kick to their more sensitive regions with her hind hooves, the fact that they were covered in chitin and hit with Apple family strength didn’t help the receiving changelings any. Sweetie Belle was still inexperienced with her magic, but aiming and firing changeling spell bolts was rather easy, as proven by the unlucky ling receiving a face full of magic.

<Nice shot>

“Thanks, Ace.”

It had been weird hearing another voice in her head, as well as frightening, but after the adrenalin kicked in from the first attacking changings the crusader’s shout attracted, that fear had been pushed away.

“Stop cringin’ every time I kick one o these here changelings Burst.” “Y'all told me where to kick!” “Then you should have thought of that.” “No, I ain't sorry.” “Right after you tell ma sis what the first group said they would do.”

“Applebloom, Burst lets worry about finding the princess, we can discuss where to kick the cheese legs latter.” Glimmer interrupted the two.

“Remind me how the three of you haven't flattened Ponyville?” An Emerald changeling asked.

The crusader’s shout had the added effect of letting the other Emeralds who were in the city where the group was, they now had a small force of about twelve that was slowly growing.

“Remind me why I don’t cocoon you, Dust?”

“Because mom would just take me out and stick you in for doing it.” Dust replied smugly.

“How come y'all call this queen ‘mom’? Did she have all of ya?” Applebloom asked as they moved forward.

“It's a long story for later, but the short explanation is we are all descended from our queen.”

Further conversation came to a halt as the group heard very loud, and very colorful language up ahead.

“WE SHALL END ALL OF THEE, CHITIN BASTARDS!”

“Found Luna.” Dust deadpanned.

“Gee, how did you guess.” Glimmer snarked.

The group bolted down the hall, two other groups of Emeralds joined them, also hearing the princess of the night. The group rounded a corner, nearly colliding with Luna and several of her night guard. Luna reacted quickly, charging a spell to hit Glimmer at near point blank.

“Princess WAIT!” Sweetie shouted as she lept in between Luna and Glimmer.

Luna’s eyes went wide seeing the filly apparently covered in chitin.

“What has thou done to our ponies! Release this filly at once!”

Glimmer was thinking every deity she could think of for her mother's foresight right now. “In the darkest night, guided are we by the moon.”

Luna replied, blinking, she hadn't expected to hear a code from before her banishment. “And the shadows fear not the light, but those who walk in it.”

Glimmer sighed in relief as she bowed. “Princess, we have not met formally before, I am princes Glimmer of the Emeralds Hive, we come to offer our aid in repelling the Sapphire Hive.”

Luna eyed Glimmer, then the two fillies. “First explain them, if we are not satisfied with thy answer, thy life is forfeit.”

Glimmer transformed back into Scootaloo. “My friends insisted on helping me, I tried to have them taken out of the city, but they refused. Rather than risk them two of the Emeralds volunteered to become armor to protect them.”

“It's true princess, Glim- er Scootaloo tried to send us away after Applebloom got hurt, but we couldn’t leave our friend alone.”

Luna turned to Applebloom. “Thou were injured?”

“Ya, a cheese bug hit me before Ace and Burst got to us.”

Several of the Emeralds had to suppress guffaws and snickers at the ‘cheese bug’ comment.

“Who does thou wear?”

“His name is Burst.”

Luna’s eyes narrowed. “Have this ‘Burst’ remove himself.”

“He can hear-”

Applebloom was cut off as the changeling fire wrapped around her, Burst was standing over her, Applebloom could feel her back just barely touching his barrel.

“Step aside changeling.”

“Sorry princess, I was tasked with this filly's safety, no matter what.”

The sound of spell bolts firing drew everyone's attention, several Emeralds were holding off attacking Sapphires at the end of the hall.

“Look we don't have time,” Glimmer began. “We need to get to the grand hall and rescue princess Celestia, you can help or we can leave you here princess.”

“Why did thou come looking for us rather than freeing our sister directly?”

“Things would be much easier with an alicorn, but if you're not in the mood to help…”

“They got the bearers!”

“WHAT!” Luna and Glimmer shouted.

Everyone turned to the changeling that had called out, they were near a window at the far end of the hall, outside they could see the bearers being dragged back to the castle.

“Guess it's up to us now, so what is is going to be princes, are you going to help defend Canterlot, or are we going to wait for the other hives to show up and turn this into the most lopsided battle in changeling history?”

“Why not simply wait to strengthen our forces?”

“And risk how many ponies?” Glimmer snarled.

Luna looked back at Applebloom and Sweetie Belle, neither had moved but both looked worried now for their sisters, Burst was crouching low over Applebloom, much as a pony would protecting their young.

Not the same. Luna thought, stepping to the side she could see the wound in Applebloom’s side. Her horn glowed with magic, healing the gash and peeling away the dross.

“It seems we have much to adjust to, for now, let us quell this invasion.”

Burst changed back into armor as the group sprinted for the grand hall.

The group came to a halt just beyond the doors to the grand hall, they had met up with most of the Emerald's advanced force that was in Canterlot, they were still badly outnumbered, but a changeling princess and alicorn leveled the field quite a lot. Glimmer peered into the room just as the bearers were brought in, they had decided against trying to free them in the narrow hall, afraid of hitting them, not that wasn't an issue, just before they stormed the room, Glimmer had an idea.

“Ace, Burst demorph, Applebloom Sweetie follow my lead, Princess follow us in once we have their attention.”

“We have the element of surprise, surely we should-”

“Because this needs to be awesome.”

Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and every Emerald facehoofed.

“You're doing this to show off to Rainbow aren't you?” Ask Sweetie Belle.

“No time, some of her guards are leaving, every ling dust them!”

~o0o~

“And then we made our entrance, the rest you all know.”

Celestia had a warm smile on her face hearing the tale, Wisp was trying hard not to facehoof, Copper and Cotton were holding in their snickers, only Cherry spoke up.

“So, was the entrance attempting to show off to Rainbow Dash?”

Glimmer scuffer the ground. “Maybe…”

That did it, Wisp double facehoofed as Cotton and Copper doubled over snickering, Glimmer pouted glaring as best she could at the amused pair.

“You're just like your mother,” Cherry grinned. “Why I remember this one time she-” Cherry was cut off when magic clamped her muzzle shut.

“You EVER reveal that, and I’ll tell everyone here what's in your treasure room.”

Cherry went wide eye, her face saying you wouldn’t.

“Try me.”

“See Copper, this is why you never tell someone your deepest secret, you have to keep them and take them to your grave, right Celestia.”

“Don’t drag me into this, remember I know where you all live.” Celestia said smugly.

Both Cotton and Copper muttered something about alicorns.

Before the conversation could get any further, an Emerald Changeling entered the room walking up to Wisp and Celestia.

“My queen, princess.”

“Ah Morter, how is Canterlot faring?”

“A lot better than we thought, most of the damage was superficial with the worst being a few changeling sized holes in the streets and some broken windows. Ponies are handling most of the repairs, we are helping as much as we can but most of us are just standing near impact sites with signs saying ‘Cheeze bug landed here’.”

Wisp raised an eyebrow. “Alright two questions, where did you get so many signs so quickly, and why do they say ‘cheeze bug’?”

“Pinkie.”

Wisp pinched her brow. “I am very concerned about that pony, but I guess it's one of those things that I shouldn’t think about too hard.”

Everyone present nodded, Pinkie’s antics were well known, as well as the fact she seemed to be an endless source of love and confusion, it was better not to question the pink mare most of the time.

Celestia decided it was time to get back on topic, and address the white griffin in the room.

“As much as we don’t want to, we need to discuss the repercussions of this ‘invasion’.”

Whisp nodded. “Chrysalis revealed changelings as a whole, while I can vouch for Ponyville not caring much for my hive walking around undisguised, I’m not sure how Equestria as a whole will respond.”

The others nodded in agreement.

“The cities closest to the rest of our hives.” Cherry said indicating herself and the other queens. “Should be more receptive than ones who haven't had any changeling contact, but even then there will be some backlash.”

“We need to convince ponies that with the exception of one have, we are not something to be feared.” Cotton pointed out. “If we can get that far then ponies might not fear us.”

Celestia nodded, she glanced over at her sister who was talking with a few Emeralds, and she got an idea.

“Come, let us discuss this over some tea, I believe I have an idea of how to handle this.”

04: Take 2 "You are formally invited to..."

The preparations for the ‘Royal wedding take two’ went far quicker than Twilight had anticipated, with her own doppelgangers checking everything with her, and the doubles helping her friends, everything was back together before sunset. The ceremony went off without a hitch, the crowd was even bigger than before with the added changelings. The reception was held in the palace’s main garden, it was a lively atmosphere with ponies and changelings mingling together. Twilight had been concerned about some hostility from ponies, but it seemed being rescued by these changelings had given them a positive image, at least in Canterlot.

Twilight had just waved her brother and now sister-in-law off as they left in their carriage, she went in search of her friends. She found them, the crusaders, both princesses and all four queens in a group talking.

“Princess!”

“Ah my faithful student, we were just talking about how ponies are taking the changeling presents in Canterlot far better then we had hopped.”

Twilight nodded. “They did help fight off Chrysalis and her changelings, it seems they realize that not all changelings are the same.”

“True, however we can’t expect all ponies to react the same way.” Celestia said.

“We’ve been discussing how to present changelings as a whole to ponykind.” Wisp added. “And I think Celestia’s plan will go a long way to helping alleviate ponies fears.”

“What plan?”

“Chrysalis was the changeling equivalent to Nightmare Moon, playing to that will help greatly.”

Luna shifted, she didn’t like being reminded of her fall into darkness, but seeing it from the outside now, she had to agree.

“I have an idea as well.” Glimmer added.

“Yes Glimmer?” Celestia eyed the changeling princess.

“What if we have some ponies everyone trusted come to visit our hive, to see what it was like, after all most of the fear ponies are going to have will be from not knowing us.”

“We already have ponies living in our hive dear.” Wisp pointed out.

“But they are use to us, but if we had ponies visit who were new, and came back telling about what they experienced coming from ponies who had no prior experience with us, it might help with the misgivings pones would have.”

Celestia rubbed her chin. “Your plan has merit Glimmer, did you have any ponies in mind?”

Glimmer looked around the group. “Oh a few.”

Twilight and her friends looked at each other.

“You want us to visit your hive?” Twilight asked.

“Who better? You're the Elements of Harmony, ponies would believe what you told them about us and our hive.”

“Our subjects would merely think thee were replaced, or being controlled.” Luna interjected,

“That’s why you would come with princess, to make sure everything was on the level.”

Luna blinked, not anticipating having the invitation extended to her.

“Thou would have us enter thiy domain?”

Wisp rested a hoof on Luna’s shoulder. “Glimmer gave you the old pass code during the attack, where do you think she got it?”

“Tis true, Equestria and Emerald Hive were indeed allies, such was in the past, we did not presume such after our return.”

“You knew my mother, Queen Shard. After Nightmare, she would tell us stories of how the two of you would stand together in battle, she wanted to make sure those stories would be passed down, and they still are today.”

Luna could only look on in shock.

“If you would accept my daughter's offer, you would be most welcome in my hive, many of my children have been fascinated with mothers old tails.”

Luna had to blink to clear her misty eyes, there was an entire hive that thought of her as a champion of nothing else, if only ponies a thousand years ago had the same admiration for her and her night, perhaps…

“We accept thye offer, tis only right to insure the safety of those who rescued us from our nightmare, should they accept thou offer.”

Wisp leaned in and whispered to Luna. “You can drop the old accent, I can tell you're doing it on purpose.” Wisp finished with a friendly nuzzle on her cheek.

The six friends looked between each other, surprisingly it was Fluttershy who spoke up first.

“I’ll go visit the hive.”

The other five gave her an odd look.

“I’m a bit surprised darling, normally you don’t want to venture off into new things.”

Fluttershy shyly mumbled something, Wisp was happy to translate for the others.

“She’s been to our have before.”

Everyone looked at Wisp.

“Since when?” Glimmer asked. “I don’t ever remember her being there.”

“It was about five years ago, one of our scouts got into a tangle with a manticore, Fluttershy was able to calm the manticore saving the scout. She brought him back to the hive afterwards, I invited her to stay the night as it was late by then. We’ve kept in contact since then.”

Twilight facehoofed. “That's how you were able to sneak around the fight without Chrysalis’ changelings finding you.”

Fluttershy nodded feeling very nervous as everyone was looking at her.

“Correct, the scout she saved offered her some lessons on how to blend in as thanks.”

“Alright I’m in.” Said Rainbow Dash. “Shy has been my friend for years, if she is alright visiting your hive, then I’m game.”

“Can we go too?” Sweetie Belle asked bouncing in place.

“Now Sweetie, I don't think that is such a…”

“Of course you guys can come, did you think I’d want to leave my best friends out? Besides we haven't had a sleepover at my place yet, now’s as good of time as any.”

“Now wait just one gosh darn minute,” Applejack started. “Y’all aint just takin’ ma sister by yer self.”

Glimmer lifted Sweetie Belle and Applebloom onto her back with her magic, even though she was bigger than they were, the two fillies took up all the room on her back.

“Well if you don’t want your sister's going by themselves, guess you’ll just have to come with.” Glimmer smirked.

“Now listen here you ruffien…”

Before Rarity could get any farther, Glimmer lifted off flying just out of reach of the two ponies.

“Hay now, since when can you fly?” Rainbow asked hovering next to Glimmer.

“Rainbow, don't just sit there, do something.” Rarity exclaimed waving her hoof around.

Glimmer gave Rarity a flat stare. “Rarity, do you really think I’m trying to foalnap my friends?”

“You could drop them!”

Glimmer just pointed around her. “We have two alicorns, four queens, one future wonderbolt and easily the most powerful unicorn in Equestria, I think they're fine, assuming they fell in the first place.”

“She’s got a point Rare, but seriously how are you able to fly now and not as a pegasus?”

Glimmer rubbed one of her forelegs. “I have a rare condition among changelings, it's called ‘disguise warping’, a changeling can’t get how to use a ponies magic, for me I can’t get how to use a pegasus flight magic.”

“So you can fly with your normal wings, but not with pegasus ones, is that why your are smaller than they should be?” Rainbow questioned.

“Ya I made them like that so I would have a reason I couldn’t fly, and not just ‘she's not smart enough to fly’.”

Rainbow winced. “Sorry, I was just…”

Glimmer waved her off. “It's alright, it's nothing important, besides I’ve been practicing and I’m getting better.”

Rainbow beamed. “That's the stuff kiddo.”

Below them Rarity and Applejack continued to fume, still not happy with their sisters being so high off the ground, even if that was only about eye level with Celestia. Glimmer turned her attention back to said ponies grinning widely.

“So are you guys going to come with, or are you going to let us loose on the entire hive unsupervised?”

Applejack threw her hat on the ground with a huff. “Fine, we’ll come with ya, if in only to make sure y’all stay safe and ya don’t try nothing with ma sister.”

“I agree with Applejack, we’ll have our eyes on you three.”

Oh we’ll see. With that Glimmer landed, Applebloom and Sweetie Belle remaining on her back. Everyone looked at the last two who had yet to agree to join, Twilight and Pinkie Pie.

“I’ll go, then I can throw a ‘We beat the cheese queen’ party!” Pinkie Pie bounced.

“You're not allowed into the love store.” Wisp stated.

“Aww but…”

“NO. Refined love has weird effects on ponies, we are not having another incident like Lemon Twist.”

Celestia gave Wisp a curious look.

Wisp sighed. “She was one of the ponies living in the hive, back when I was a princess she got into the love store, she became drunk, hyper and overly affectionate all at once, for three days. There are still stories being told about her.”

Twilight raised a hoof. “You said she was living in the hive, what happened to her?”

“Old age, this was long before any of you were born.”

Twilight felt silly for a moment, thinking they had kicked her out or something. Shaking her head she looked between her friends, they were all going to this hive, let it never be said she wouldn’t stick with her friends.

“I’ll go too, everypony else seems to be.”

Glimmer smiled. “I’m glad you all agreed, I’m sure the hive will have lots to offer you all, if nothing else you could read our history in our library.”

“You have a library!” Twilight perked up, her eyes sparkling.

Rainbow nudged grinning Glimmer. “Next time lead with that, Twi here can’t pass up a book.”

“Its settled then,” Celestia began. “You all will visit the Emerald hive as a ‘cultural exchange’, with the goal of helping alleviate any fears the ponies of Equestria might have.”

“So, where are we going anyway?” Twilight asked. “Fluttershy is the only one who’s been to the hive, but nopony mentioned where it's actually located.”

Glimmer tilted her head. “It's not obvious? A scout ran into a manticore, close enough to Fluttershy’s house for her to help.”

“Wait… that means it's in…” Twilight said eyes going wide.

“The Everfree Forest.”

05: A Ponyville detour

Celestia’s sun rose slowly, bringing in the new day. Twilight and her friends had stayed at the castle and were now enjoying breakfast together. The crusaders, with Glimmer once again as Scootaloo, were having the time of their lives staying at the castle, even for one night. Luna had joined them after breakfast, along with Celestia and the queens. Wisp informed Glimmer she would be in charge of the hive until she got back, the queens would be staying in Canterlot with Celestia to work on a PR campaign to reduce any backlash towards changelings.

Soon the ten ponies were at the Canterlot station boarding a train to Ponyville, the trip to Ponyville was rather uneventful and filled with lite chatter among the friends. Pulling into Ponyville station the group disembarked making their way into town, while the group would normally not attract attention, having Luna along with turned more than a few heads in wonder as to what was going on. Arriving at the Golden Oaks library Twilight addressed the group.

“Alright everypony, let's meet back here in an hour, that should be enough time to get anything we all might need.”

Scootaloo raised her hoof. “Don’t worry about everyday items, we have more than enough of stuff like that at my place,” She paused turning to Rarity. “And only two suitcases for you, we're not going to be far and you don’t have to stay any longer than you like after the tour.”

Rarity huffed, making Applejack and Rainbow Dash chuckled.

“Very well darling, I will limit myself to your request, but if I desperately need something…”

“I’m sure we can make accommodations.” Scootaloo said with a flat look.

The group split up heading to their different homes to retrieve whatever they needed, Luna remained with Twilight in the Golden Oaks while the crusaders decided to just wander around until it was time to leave, as they did the three of them caught snippets of conversations here and there about yesterday's events.

“There are four of them, to think they have been here and nopony knew.”

“I heard that some are living among us.”

“I think Rose Luck might be a changeling.”

That last one grabbed Scootaloo, looking around she saw who was talking and deeply regretted it. Trotting along was the bane of her and her friends, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, they were absorbed in their own world and didn’t notice Scootaloo listening in.

“I mean she is like always acting weird, you might be right Silver we should make sure ponies know.”

Scootaloo might only be a princess, but she still had a duty to her hive and its allies, in this case, Ponyville and what might happen if some brat filly started stirring up trouble.

“Rose couldn’t be a changeling, not unless her sisters are also changelings.”

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon turned hearing Scootaloo, Diamond fixed her with a glare as she stuck her nose up in the air.

“And what would you know chicken? It's not like you would even know what a changeling is.”

Scootaloo gave an annoyed look. “We were in Canterlot during the attack, were we the flower fillies for the wedding.” Scootaloo gestured towards her friends.

“As if, like you three would be at something as important as a royal wedding.”

“Our sisters were helping out with the wedding, so ya we were there.” Applebloom interjected.

Diamond Tiara gave a dismissive wave. “The princess probably felt sorry for you three, but even if you were there, how would you three even know anything about changelings?”

Diamond Tiara's constant mentioning of changelings began to draw a few ponies attention.

“Well, I would know that as a race of shapeshifters, acting suspicious would make you more easily found out.”

“Ya well I still think she's weird, maybe if enough ponies think she is a changeling I can get her to leave, she always so annoying.”

Scootaloo facehoofed, there was going to be no way around this was there?

“Rose is not a changeling because I know every changeling in town.”

Before either of the bullies could make a reply, Scootaloo burst into a pillar of green light, revealing Glimmer in her full form.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! CHANGELING!” Shouted Diamond Tiara.

Several ponies around them jumped at Glimmers sudden transformation, a few of them started to run, only to be stopped by other ponies in the now growing crowd.

“Yes I am a changeling, but so are several ponies in Ponyville, many of us have lived here for years, we have made friends here and we defend this town, why do you think nothing from the Everfree ever seems to come near Ponyville?”

Diamond looked around at the crowd that was now gathering, even Mayor Mare had made her way into the crowd.

“What are you all doing? She’s an evil changeling, get rid of her!” Diamond shrieked.

Mayor Mare walked up next to Glimmer. “I assume you have a good reason for revealing yourself publicly like this.”

“She was talking about going around stirring up trouble by accusing random ponies of being changelings.”

“Yes, that would be a problem, even if she only managed to frighten a few ponies it would still put our agreement in a bad spot.” Mayor Mare nodded.

“What is going on?!” Dimond asked confused.

“We are discussing the potential problems you might cause for the Emerald hive,” Mayor Mare stated. “After all Glimmer is right, they keep the dangers of the Everfree in the Everfree rather than stomping out into our town.”

Diamond tilted her head. “Who is ‘Glimmer’?”

“That's me,” Glimmer answered. “It's my changeling name, we keep separate identities. As for damage control,” this directed back towards Mayor Mare. “This was going to come out regardless after yesterday, I hope you have an announcement you can put together because we shouldn’t let this sit too long.”

Mayor Mare looked around, seeing the now rather large crowd of ponies, she decided now was the best time.

“I have something I can do right now.” Turning to face the majority of the crowd Mayor Mare spoke loudly. “My fellow citizens, some of you know about the changelings living among us, but for those of you who do not, let me be perfectly clear. The changelings of the Emerald hive are our friends they live, work, laugh and play with all of us. Yes it is true they feed off emotions, and that is why they become our friends, every smile, every hug, every laugh is a meal to them. They help keep us safe from the Everfree, as well as any other changeling that might wish us harm.”

There were some murmurs from the crowd, most seemed to be in agreement, but there were a few questions.

“How do we know who is a changeling? Or that Mayor Mare isn’t a changeling just telling us what we want to hear?”

“I know every changeling in Ponyville, Mayor Mare isn’t one of them. And as part of our agreement, an Emerald will reveal that they are a changeling if asked.”

A few ponies asked those around them, a few answered with flashes of green in their eyes. There were a few gasps of surprise, and an eep or two, but most seemed to be taking the news rather well.

“Wait, why should we listen to you?”

And then there was Diamond Tiara, Glimmer got an evil idea and passed it to the changelings in the crowd, several agreed to her plan.

“Well, I am a rather important changeling.”

Diamond rolled her eyes.

Several ponies stepped forward, dropping their disguises the gave a bow to Glimmer with a respectful ‘Princess’. Glimmer looked back at Diamond Tiara, the look on her face was indeed priceless, the wide open mouth, the completely flabbergasted look on both bullies, it was worth every second of teasing.

“Yes, I am princes Glimmer of the Emerald hive, though I don’t often stand on titles I’ll make an exception for today. If you have any question you want to ask, I will do my best to answer them here and now.”

That was a mistake.

Over the next hour, Glimmer was flooded with questions, ranging from clearing up simple miss understandings, to nearly invasive questions. Her salvation came when Twilight came looking for the crusaders, finding them in the center of the now dwindling crowd. After the final few ponies left Glimmer turned back into Scootaloo and rubbed her head.

“I have no idea how Princess Celestia handles running Equestria, that was literally painful.”

“Well that's what you get for saying you would answer any questions,” Twilight quipped. “Though if you're going to be queen one day you will need to get used to it.”

Scootaloo groaned. “The hive is more organized than this, it's a lot easier and I’m not answering questions we teach in school.”

Twilight's eyes lit up at the thought of a highly organized society.

“Alright let's get going before something else happens, I’d like to get back home today.” Scootaloo lamented.

The six friends had gathered and their group made their way into the Everfree Forest, they stuck to the old path leading to the Castle of the Two Sisters for a while before veering off. Scootaloo transformed back into Glimmer and placed her friends onto her back when asked Glimmer said she wanted to make sure her friends were safe. They continued to walk for a time until they came to a low cliff, it was nothing interesting and looked like many of the other low-lying cliffs in the Everfree.

“Here we are.” Glimmer announced.

Everypony looked around.

“I don't see a hive or even an entrance.” Twilight pointed out.

Glimmer smirked. “Did you think we would have a big sign saying ‘Emerald hive entrance’?”

Before Twilight could respond, Glimmer flew up to the top of the cliff with Applebloom and Sweetie Belle on her back. “You guys coming?” Glimmer called back over the cliff.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash flew up to the top of the cliff easily, Twilight teleported, Pinkie Pie bounced the entire way up and Applejack and Rarity were levitated to the top by Luna who followed them afterward. One they group was on the cliff they found an opening to a cave that was hidden from the ground and overgrown with vines hiding it further.

“Well, nopony is certainly going to find this place.” Rarity observed.

“Can’t attack something you can’t find, that the credo of changeling kind.” Glimmer said as she held open the vines to let everypony though.

Inside the cave was… nothing, it was a small cave with nothing special in it. The others were about to question Glimmer, until she walked to the back of the cave, and then through it. Everypony stared for a moment, Twilight rushed up to the back of the cave giving it a critical eye.

“Illusion magic combined with a perception filter, you wouldn’t know you could walk through it unless you already knew you could.”

“Yep,” Glimmer said sticking her head back out of the illusory cave wall. “That’s why I went first, come on lots more to see than just the fence.”

Everypony followed Glimmer through the illusion, beyond it the cave became a well-lit tunnel, the floor was cut paving stones while the walls and ceiling remained the natural formation. The tunnel had a gentle downslope leading the group deeper underground, here the cave became a dugout tunnel with carved pillars every few pony lengths. Twilight took note of the carvings recognizing them as magic runes of some kind, she wasn’t familiar with the kind of spells and wards they clearly made, but she knew they were very powerful.

The tunnel ended in a massive stone cut wall that was easily three times as tall as Luna, a large iron gate was set in the center of the wall a few hooves back from the outer edge, the gate was raised allowing Glimmer to walk through the opening. Luna took note of how thick both the wall and the gate where the wall was was four times her length from snout to tail and looked very solid with the cave being about a third as thick, clearly this place was built to withstand a significant siege. Beyond the wall was a small group of guards milling about, the area behind the wall was carved out into a large open area for the guard detail, complete with training ground, barracks, and what was most likely an armory. The walls here had large floor to ceiling recesses with equity large changeling statues in them, Twilight guessed they weren't just statuses.

“What in the hay are those for?” Applejack asked indicating one of the statuses.

“Those are defense golems, if anyone ever managed to break through the gate they would just be walking in a world of regret and pain.”

The group went wide-eyed, looking at the golems with new worries and respect.

“Come on, home is just around the corner.”

The open ground narrowed into another tunnel before turning sharply, around the corner was a short hall with a pair of double doors at the end. Glimmer went up to the doors, grabbed them in her magic and pushed them open while announcing.

“Welcome to the Emerald Hive!”

06: The Emerald Hive

The term ‘Emerald Hive’ did not do the hive justice in Rarity’s opinion, the double doors opened up onto a large circular platform that looked out upon a massive underground lake. In the center of the lake was a city easily the size of if not bigger than Canterlot, dozens of tall carved building made up the hive, all of the buildings were made out of a dark green material that seemed to sparkle, above the city sat a large glowing crystal held in place by what appeared to be the central most building and another tower hanging from the ceiling. The city itself was surrounded by low lying well-maintained parks and gardens that were built right up to the water's edge. Nopony said a word for a long moment, finally, the silence was broken by Glimmer.

“Ya, that's about the same reaction all ponies have seeing the hive for the first time.”

Rarity sputtered waving a hoof at the hive. “That is not what you think of when you say ‘hive’, grand city or capital would be better.”

Glimmer shrugged. “To be fair it is the capital of the Emerald civilization, so I guess that counts. Come on it's a lot cooler up close.”

Glimmer started walking towards the edge of the platform, it looked like she was about to walk off the edge, until she and the fillies on her back vanished in a flash of changeling magic. Twilight rushed over to the spot, examining the ground closely, there was a magic circle carved into the floor. The circle was receiving a constant charge from somewhere, allowing the portal it created to remain ready at all times. Twilight walked into the circle, she felt magic wash over her, and she found herself at the edge of the hive. Twilight gawked as she stared up, and up, and up. The massive towers didn’t seem to stop as if they reached into the sky above,wait sky?

Twilight glanced around, indeed the entire hive seemed to be outside, as if it was any other city in Equestria. Twilight was about to demand somepony explain, when she got knocked over by another pony from behind. A few tumbles and flailing of hooves latter Twilight found herself tangled up with both Applejack and Rarity, as the three untangled themselves, they heard two ponies and a changeling laughing loudly.

“Very funny you three.” Twilight glared.

“Sorry,” Glimmer said. “But when I saw how shocked you were, and knowing everyone else was coming through I couldn’t help it, speaking of you might want to move.”

The tree ponies moved just in time to avoid tripping Luna as she came through, Fluttershy was on her right and Pinkie bounced through on her left. Rainbow wasn't anywhere to be seen until she came flying in over the lake. Once all of the ponies got their bearings, had enough time to recover from their shock of seeing the hive for the first time, Glimmer led them farther into the hive. The entrance pad was in a low lying area, meaning if any uninvited guests did happen to make it this far, they were still on the low ground. The hive was laid out in a circular pattern, with the roads fanning out like spokes in a wheel with curved paths connecting them. Buildings were connected by enclosed bridges at various levels, they could see ponies and changelings walking through them going about their business. Some buildings had large rounded platforms connecting three or more of them, each platform had arching supports helping to hold them up, Twilight wondered if they had borrowed such designs from the construction of Canterlot, or if they even came up with them before she could ask Applejack voiced a different question.

“What in the hay are those things?”

Glimmer looked up to where Applejack was pointing to on of the platforms.

“Those are parks, the ones on the outer edge are smaller and usually have grass and fountains. The ones closer to the center are bigger and have all kinds of trees on them and such, and before any of you panic there are safety spells and railings on all of them, the only way off are the exits or to fly.”

Rainbow shot up to one of the platforms, waved to someone on the platform before returning to the group.

“Yep, they look like the parks in Ponyville or Canterlot, just a bit smaller. And they have pony high walls all around them.”

“Well, that is truly a relief.” Rarity said with a sigh.

“Ya, we take safety pretty seriously here, come on let me show you around.”

“Hold on,” Twilight cut in. “How is there a sky underground?”

Glimmer snickered. “Really? You of all ponies are asking me how we have an illusionary sky underground?”

Twilight huffed as she walked past Glimmer, the changeling princess shook her head before leading the group again. They walked towards the center of the hive, Glimmer pointed out various points of interest, needless to say, the group lost Rarity when they walked past the shopping district about mid way through the hive. When they got to the second to last ring of the hive is when the group really began to split up.

“Down there two roads over is the archive, it's mostly underground as to allow it to keep expanding.”

“Expanding?” Twilight said with a twinkle in her eyes.

“Yes, right now I want to say the archive is twelve levels deep with six chambers, we started digging out a seventh last month, but it probably won't… be…” Glimmer trailed off noticing that Twilight was already gone.

“Ya figures that egg head would vanish the second you said library.” Snickered Rainbow Dash.

Glimmer got a mischievous smirk on her face. “Well the race way is on the other side of the hive, we were going to get to it latter, buuuut if you want to fly ahead like Twilight did…”

Glimmer gave Rainbow a knowing look, the pegasus fidgeted for a second, struggling to ‘play it cool’ or be just like an egg head. Race won out and Rainbow rushed off to find the raceway. Glimmer giggled, seeing her idol fly off like a filly who was just told there were hearth warming presents to be had.

“Y'all are frighteningly good at this whole gettn’ ponies to do what ya’ want.” Applejack said eyeing Glimmer.

Glimmer just shook her head. “Naw it's just Rainbow, she has such easy buttons to push.”

Before either of them could say anything else, a rather bulky changeling stomped up to Applejack.

“If your going to try and hide from work, looking like one of the best farm ponies in Equestria isn’t the most subtle way to do it.”

Applejack frowned at the large changeling, while she might have been flattered by the complement his tone and attitude was a different story.

“Ah don’t rightly know what yer’ on about, but ah ‘am the real Applejack.”

“Sure you are, and the east farms are just magically fixed.” the changeling said with an eye roll.

“Um Barley, that really is Applejack,” Glimmer spoke up. “She and the others are visiting the hive.”

Barely looked at Glimmer, seemingly noticing her or any of the others for the first time, then looked back at Applejack.

“Uhhhh, well this is rather embarrassing. I thought you were one of the changelings on farming duty trying to play hooky, I’m terribly sorry.”

Applejack waved him off. “Its fine, but what was all that about the east fields?”

“Ah, you see the irrigation system has been down since last night, were not going to lose our crops just yet, but I rather have them being tended while the system is fixed regardless.”

Applejack rubbed her chin looking thoughtful. “Ah’m not much for all this fancy city stuff, and it sounds like you could use some extra hooves, mind if ah help out?”

Barley grinned. “Certainly!” He said as the two started off. “We have a few farmers here but getting somepony with farming talent and skill is rather rare.”

Glimmer just shook her head as the two walked off, their group was down to Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Luna.

Might as well now. Glimmer thought

“Well everyone else is heading off, want me to show you guys places you might want to hang around for a while?”

Pinkie pounced excitedly nodding her head, Fluttershy just mumbled while Luna shrugged.

“Hey your not trying to get rid of us!” Sweetie Belle glared.

“Actually I was thinking we could explore my place for awhile,” She said gesturing towards the central tower. “And I have a few ideas of where the others might like to see.”

“Ya live in that big old thing?” Applebloom said staring up at the tower.

“Well not just me, mom and a lot of other ponies and changelings, but there are a few floors that do belong to me and mom.”

“Let's go!” Sweetie all but bounced from her place on Glimmers back.

The now smaller group made there way past the last few streets, once they passed the last ring of buildings the hive opened up into a large plaza that surrounded the entire central tower. The area was laid out in large grassy areas, divided by decorative walkways that made patterns of their own. The building facing the plaza were all eateries of some sort, serving all kinds of wonderful smelling foods, ponies and changelings alike sat here and there in the plaza or at tables near each building eating happily. No one saw Pinkie disappear, or where she went, but they all knew she was about to make the plaza just a little more lively.

“Well I was going to see if she wanted to meet our pastry chef, he is considered the best baker in the hive, but I guess she had other ideas.”

“We are sure she will find him in due time, perhaps it would be best to warn him first,” Luna said with a wink to Glimmer.

“Ya, that might be a good… wait a second.” Glimmer turned around, staring right at Luna. “What happened to the old Equestrian accent?”

Luna shuffled her hooves nervously for a second.

“We admit we were holding onto most of our old way out of choice, We have been back for little more than a year, much of this new world is strange to us.”

Glimmer rubbed her chin, an idea seemed to form in her mind.

“Let's go, I have something you will like to see.”

Glimmer led them into the central tower, the ground floor had evenly spaced openings with guardian golems on either side, ponies and changelings came and went going about their business. The group made their way up two levels, passing what seemed to be simple business offices. On the third floor Glimmer opened a large door, the inside was a cavernous domed room, the walls and ceilings were painted to look like the night sky with careful detail. Luna's eyes flicked from one group of stars to another, she recognized them all, each one was right were she had placed it the first time she had brought in the night. She was so lost in admiring the work that had been put into capturing her night, she didn’t even notice the others in the room, or the fact they were staring at her. Luna looked at a constellation near the edge of the painting, when she noticed there were items in the room as well. They were spread around the room evenly, each on a pedestal or platform of some kind, Luna walked over to one of the item examining it closer. When she fully saw what it was she let out a small gasp.

“W-Where did you find this?”

On the pedestal was a simple telescope, it was only about a foreleg in length and was slightly less powerful than modern binoculars, but it was the first telescope Luna had ever made. Glimmer stepped up next to Luna, her friends still on her back as they gazed in wonder at the telescope.

“Mom found it after that day, she wanted to give it to Celestia as something to hold on to, but after she left the castle here, she felt it would be better to hold onto it instead of reminding Celestia what had just happened.”

Luna nodded, silently agreeing with Glimmer. She stared at the artifact from her past, something so personal that seemed to be held in a place of reverence, only when she heard another voice did she look away.

“You really made that?”

Luna looked to her side, expecting one of the crusaders to have said that, instead she found a young changeling looking up at her with wide adoring eyes,

“Y-Yes little one, I made that a very long time ago.”

“And you set all the stars just like they are here?”

Luna looked up as if looking into the real night sky “Yes, they changed over the years but this was my first night.”

Luna looked back, finding not one but a dozen faces looking up at her with eager expressions. They all began to ask her questions, but they didn’t shout or rise their voices as if they didn’t wish to disturb the peace of the artificial night around them. An older pony walked up and quietly hushed the babbling group.

“Sorry princess, they can get a little excited sometimes.”

“It's alright, I’d be happy to answer anything they like.”

At those words, Luna found herself at the center of a group of changelings and ponies all either wanting to ask her something or just wanting to see the alicorn of the night up close. Quietly Glimmer led her friends and Fluttershy back out of the room, leaving Luna in her own little world.

“I don’t think Luna has ever had a group just wanting to talk with her about her night before, I hope it does her some good.” Glimmer whispered as they left the room.

“She seems so lonely all the time, I’m glad so many here seem interested in her work.” Fluttershy said quietly.

“Ya, it's no fun not having any friends to talk to.” Sweetie piped up.

The others nodded in agreement.

Glimmer led them back down the tower and past the main floor, they descended two floors before coming to their destination. Here in a well-guarded area of the hive was the changeling hatchery, one side held pods and eggs in various stages, the other was a large open area filled with changeling nymphs. Fluttershy squeezed at seeing so many adorable little creatures all around, Glimmer let her in with a burst of her magic on the transparent barrier that acted as a door. Fluttershy made it a few steps before getting swarmed by nymphs, they latched onto her and the love she radiated. Fluttershy rested on her belly allowing as many nymphs as possible to snuggle up to her, she spoke to them in her quiet voice as they crowded around her.

“Wow, she really has a way with little ones don’t she?” Applebloom remarked.

“I knew she would like visiting here, remember our sleep over at her house?”

“You mean before or after the cockatrice?” Sweetie deadpanned.

“Point taken.” Glimmer shook her head. She looked back at her friends with a smirk. “So wanna go have some fun?”

The bright grins on her friend's faces told Glimmer all she needed to know, somewhere in the hive a changeling cleaning crew cringed.

Author's Note

Happy New Year to all my readers, I hope you enjoyed this chapter and you all have a great 2018!