"Good.” Storm bantered now that the battle had been finished and they walked away from the wreckage, “If we’re getting drunk, we need to bring him along for the ride."

"Oh?" Twilight asked, "Planning to show him your harness?"

"H-hey... That’s..."

"That's what?" Twilight asked, smirking.

"No. Probably not." She smirked, "What would Night think?"

"Not a clue." She chuckled

"Yeah. I mean, he’s still my mate and I only just got him to agree to it a few months ago." She said with a grin, "Gonna need to spend a month away from the guild after this…”

"Oh?"

"After this Tartarus? I need some R&R." She said, "Look over our dragon egg or something.”

"Feel free. You have a month of leave"

"Good. Got some places to show Xerin anyway."

"Oh?" She said

"Yeah, we're hanging out after all this." Storm explained.

"Ah, so you are planning to show him your harness!" Twilight teased.

"No, I’m not." She stammered.

"Okay then, I guess I’ll just keep it with me then!"

"Now wait just a minute!" Storm protested, seeing Twilight’s smirk and then looked away sullenly. "I ... need that to sleep."

Twilight chuckled some more and patted her head. "Okay, I’ll be sure it’s packed."

Storm blushed but gave a brief smile at that comment, content at that solution.

They walked down a set of stairs as Twilight planned the route to avoid the worst of the battle areas

Storm followed, mind going numb again as she passed close enough to get another glimpse of the fallen form of the zebra captain.

"So, you plan to keep that dragon egg?" Twilight asked as they walked through the areas that had avoided the fighting or only saw a little combat damage.

"Can’t talk him out of it. We’ve tried to find the parents, but there’s been no reply yet. Nightfall's already wanting to name her Vanna, not a clue why."

"Her?"

"Night swears it’s a girl, I have no clue. Maybe he’s just hoping for a filly."

"What do you hope it is?” Twilight chuckled as they walked. Then noted Storm’s shrug.

"Storm, you are going to be a mother. You cannot honestly tell me you haven’t put any thought into it."

"It’s a dragon... a dragon that he wanted to adopt, and I backed him up barely more than a week ago. I don’t care one way or another, as long as they're happy... and can kick the flank of anypony who picks on ‘em." She smirked.

"So you do care." She said

"Course I do. What parent wouldn’t?"

"Well seeing as you just said you had this sprung on you a week ago and yet you already thinking like a parent in a small way. I am curious how this will grow."

"Oh? Why? Plan on being godmother or something?"

"That’s up for you to decide." She chuckled.

"We'll see." Storm replied with a smirk.

Twilight nodded as they walked.

Storm followed weakly, tired out from all they went through.

"So if going through this kind of hell doesn’t make one an alicorn, What does?"

"Not a clue." Twilight said as she used her magic to lift Storm up onto her back, Storm’s legs on either side of Twilight while her head rested on top of the princess’ own. "I was in my seventies when the elements made me one."

Storm nodded, holding on weakly as she enjoyed the closeness and rest she got. She could feel Twilight’s strong body under her. Even after everything that happened, she didn’t act exhausted.

"So I have to ask, just what did Meadow do to save your flank?"

"Kept me apprised of all active threats around me." she said.

"That all? That was my job." Storm chuckled.

"Hey, doesn’t hurt having help does it?" Twilight chuckled back.

"Guess not... Make sure she gets a few good shots in her too then." Storm smiled.

"Heh. I’m sure she will be or I’ll find a way."

"Good.” Storm smiled, “It'll be nice to see her let loose instead of ‘Princess Dawn.’"

"You just want to try to be the one in charge of her rather than her being in charge of you."

"You said it, not me." Storm smirked.

Twilight chuckled as she walked on.

Storm rested on Twilight's back, her eyes flickering as she started to feel the fatigue just wash over her.

"Rest up." Twilight said as her horn glowed while they were out of sight

Storm closed her eyes and let herself pass out, exhausted from the whole ordeal.

Twilight let her rest as she found a cheap motel. The pair registered under their disguises due to Twilight’s magic, and she set down Storm into the bed before climbing in with them to rest for a moment.

Storm slept for several hours before waking up slowly, blinking at the unrecognized surroundings. She saw a dark green unicorn with blue mane sitting at the table, reading something and jolted awake, her body trying to be ready to run if she needed to.

"W-where am I?"

"Oh hay Lapdog! Sleep well?" The mare said in Twilight's voice. "We’re just in some cheap motel I found."

"Oh..." Storm relaxed at the sound of Twilight's voice, then paused as the memories of the events of yesterday started to come back to her and her mood grew somber.

She squirmed in place, trying to get up as she began thinking about the ponies she hurt or killed yesterday when she felt how she couldn’t move. She blinked and recognized the fabric against her and the ties around her hooves. She was in her harness, legs and wings bound but her head free to move around.

Storm struggled against the harness and tried to sit up, then gave up and tried to settle into the embrace, letting the harness hold her like a hug.

"Figured you'd like a good night sleep." Twilight smiled at her.

"It was- … I'd say nice, but I don't even remember falling asleep."

Twilight chuckled and walked over to start unbinding Storm, Storm laying still for the princess and waiting for her movement to return. Once she was unbound, Twilight put the harness away.

“So for some good news, I’ve given my report on the events, and we now have two days and a night to do whatever we want." Twilight informed her, then started to smile, "Our night is already planned for as I found a good bar while you slept."

"All right.” She chuckled emptily, not realizing how serious Twilight was. “What about Xerin?"

"You want him to tag along?"

"Yeah, if he wants to anyway."

She nodded. "I'm sure I can do something. Also, hope you don't mind, but I thought you'd like some anonymity so I changed your looks."

"I’m fine with that." She said, looking in the mirror, seeing she was a pegasus with a dull orange color and a light blue mane. She snorted before laughing, "These colors don’t match at all."

"How about this?" Twilight asked and suddenly she was bright yellow with a pink mane and her teats were about twice their original size.

"Oh hay no!" Storm reacted before pausing and looking closer, “Wait, I look like one of Twilight's friends... the shy one."

Her form quickly changed to dark blue with a dark purple mane like the night sky and then she smiled.

"Now this is more like it."

"So want to choose what I look like?" Twilight chuckled.

"Look like you were my sister if I had one." Storm said. No sooner had she finished did Twilight’s disguise shift to be a dark purple pony with a dark blue mane. “That’ll do.”

"Heh, interesting choice.”

"Why’s that?"

"Me playing your sister?" Twilight pointed out with a raised brow and a smile.

"Well, I was curious what my sisters might look like, but going as my sister in the disguise works too." She shrugged.

"Well, I’m not the best one to figure out what shed look like."

"Ah, that'd be more Chrysalis or Violet huh?"

"Yeah." she said

"Let's do that later then." She shrugged. "So, what'll our names be?"

"Well if you want me to change to look like, whatever you want I’m fine with changing before we go."

"No, no, I like this." Storm said, hopping down to stand by her, admiring how they were similar from the color swap, aside from Twilight being a unicorn instead of Pegasus. "So, what names we usin' and when are we going out to party?"

"What name you want to use?" she asked

"Something midnight..." Storm hummed quietly, considering her options.

"Midnight Flanks?" Twilight smiled, using her magic to grab Storm’s hindside.

Storm laughed, blushing a bit at the grabbing of her flank before saying, "Not quite, try again."

"Midnight… Sky?"

"That's nice. I like it. What about you?"

"Not a clue." Twilight shrugged.

"What about Star Bright?" Storm offered before frowning, "Nevermind, bad one."

"Sounds good to me."

Storm laughed weakly, "Well, ok then. When are we heading out?"

"Just before nightfall. Got to do this right after all. That gives us four hours to do whatever. We have this room for the night as well."

"Dunno what I want to do right now." Storm shrugged.

"Hmm… chat?"

"About what?" She asked, thinking before remembering the events of before.

"Well, what you plan to do with your leave?" She said, "You know, besides you being tied to a bed."

"Ha ha." She laughed emptily. "Probably help get our home set up. Clyde was going to work on our foundation before we got pulled to your rally point project.”

"Heh. Already sounding like a wife and mother." Twilight smirked.

Storm laughed and punched her on the shoulder. "Not ready for that kinda talk."

"Oh? Getting your home set up? Making sure it has plenty of room and is laid out just right? That's not a wife or a mother talking?"

"Nightfall's helping just as much. Maybe he's my wife then.” Storm countered.

Twilight smirked at her. "And who is the one deciding how the place looks and who’s moving the furniture?"

"Nightfall."

"Oh? Then what are you doing? Riding his meat stick?"

"Moving furniture with him." She said, eyebrow raised

Twilight smirked at her. "And breaking it in?"

"After we're done? Sure." She smirked

Twilight chuckled and shook her head. "I'm not sure which of us is worse, sis."

‘Sky’ laughed, "you got some furniture to christen?"

"None that hasn’t already been many times."

"Then I have some catching up to do."

"That you do little sis." Twilight smirked, ruffling Sky’s mane.

"How’s Meadow?"

'Meadow? You okay?' Twilight asked.

'I’m here.’ Meadow grunted faintly, ‘Tired as hell. What’s up?'

'Well, me and ‘Sky’ were going to go out to celebrate and help her deal with what happened by getting totally wasted.'

'Sounds fun. I'll watch, but I have no magic till you get some rest. I only recharge extremely slowly while you’re awake. Have fun.'

'Then I’ll sleep till nightfall. I want you there with us.' she said

'Sorry...' she said tiredly.

'Not a problem..' Twilight consoled, then spoke out loud. "Okay new plan, if Meadow is to join us, I need to sleep."

"Oh? What, she can’t sleep without you?"

"Seems she’s sort of linked to me, so I’m going to have a deep sleep and leave you to watch over things totally unsupervised." she said, heading for the bed.

Sky laughed, "I’ll try not to draw on your fur.'

Twilight chuckled and walked with hip sway, giving her sister a tail flick and a tease of what would come before climbing into bed.

Sky walked over and laid her head on their flank suggestively.

Twilight chuckled as she laid on her side before closing her eyes. She began willing herself into a deep sleep that would be restful, and would only wake if something that shouldn’t be there happened.

Meadow rested with her, feeling energy return to her much more readily during their rest. She ran diagnostics on Twilight in the meantime and watched Storm, who slowly fell asleep for lack of something better to do.

Meadow could feel interacting with Twilight’s systems, slowly growing easier the more she worked with it and becoming more and more aware of Twilight as a whole. She could even tell things from the body like heart rate or other functions, sensing that her connections were growing more to her host.

Meadow took her time in learning, wondering how she has this level of access to her and her systems. After what felt like a long time, but a quick check of the clock revealed only two hours, she realized she was becoming more and more embedded with Twilight. She was almost concerned but started to think on whether she would want to be separated, or whether Twilight would want her separated either.

She knew that was the real question. As she became more woven with Twilight’s systems, she gained more control of not just computerized systems, but awareness of their biological ones as well due to Twilight’s brain naturally being part machine.

Meadow grew deep in thought. She could project that the more she became woven with Twilight, the harder it would be to separate her. She’d almost be like one of Twilight’s other processes, most likely one of the most sophisticated ones outside of maintaining their life and bodily functions. She knew this was inevitable. Despite all her attempts to limit her entanglement with Twilight so they could stay their own separate persons, just in the off chance they somehow merged, she could tell her thoughts were taking less time. Her subjective time was the same, but real-time was passing slower unless interacting with those in the ‘real time.’

Meadow looked over Storm in an attempt to try not to laugh at the idea that she and Twilight might really be together ‘till death do you part.’ The Lapdog stirred heavily in her sleep and appeared to be having a nightmare. She reached out to Storm, using magic to otherwise help monitor and deter the bad dreams of Twilight and Storm both.

As soon as she began connecting to Twilight’s dreams, she saw a unicorn, a far more freshly scarred Twilight gunning down two humans in blue uniforms who were armed and with a shorter and older human in a lab coat as she stood at the doorway to the room pistol in hand.

Meadow did what she could to shift her dream to one with her friends, where she could see them again.

A scene with Fluttershy came over to one of the doors in the hallway, "Over here Twilight!" she could be heard faintly.

Despite her efforts, the "dream” reasserted itself as the door faded. The scientist looked at Twilight in her dark green armor that looked modified to fit her and the mare spoke.

"Hello, doctor" she spat.

The scientist didn’t seem to react to the pistol aimed at him as he spoke. “Ah, hello 438. It has been a long time.” He said in a pleasant, grandfatherly type of voice as Twilight removed her helmet and stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. The room looked to be some sort of medical room meant for surgeries.

“I shouldn’t be surprised a monster like you isn’t afraid of having a gun aimed at your head.” She said as she lowered the pistol and holstered it as she stopped a few feet from the man. All of Twilight’s emotions for this though weren’t fear or anything like it.

They were pleasure.

Meadow watched, allowing it to play out as long as they were pleasurable. She was not about to hold them hostage to her own ideas of pleasure or appropriateness, even if it wasn't her preference.

“That is a bit ironic coming from you, 438.” He said. “I’ve seen the report of what happened at the Federal Press building, there is only one thing I know of that could have done that.”

The unicorn spread her arms to the side. “I’m just what you made me Doctor.” She spat the last word again and looked at him. “But I’m nowhere near as big a monster as you.”

The doctor arched an eyebrow at that. “Oh? And what makes you think that?”

Meadow was rather curious about it herself, though she had a feeling she knew what was coming up nonetheless.

The mare’s hand shot out and grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him down so their faces were inches from each other.

“BECAUSE I’M GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO DIE!” She said, the anger and pure hatred coming off of her in waves.

She shoved him back onto one of the surgical tables as the magic manipulated the controls of one of the lab’s machines. In this case, it was one decided for automated autopsies for handling bodies that have a contagion.

The mare set it for full-autopsy and stood back as the machine restrained the “body” as it lowered from the ceiling. She watched as her tormenter struggled in a vain attempt to get free.

“Don’t worry doctor, this is all for science! I’m sure you can appreciate that better than anyone. “She said with a smile as the medical device made the first incision and the screaming started.

The machine worked as Twilight used her magic to keep the doctor alive as she watched with glee, her face split by a far too wide smile that comes with madness and the feeling of enjoyment and pleasure was strong lasting till she finally allowed the scientist to die on the table.

Meadow pulled away from the dream, it was far too much for her, though it gave her a deeper glimpse into Twilight, something that was connected to the things she was when in the one place with the others.

Meadow simply escaped the dream, deciding to focus instead on Storm, ensuring she was having a good time with her loved ones before peeking once again into Twilight’s dream, just in case.

Twilight's dream continued from the death of the scientist that was connected to a lot of rage, hate, fear, and pain.

Twilight ran into other soldiers dressed like her, blocked by blast doors. Twilight proceeded to tear the door from the walls with brute force before moving on. It was clear she was a mare on a mission and nothing would stop her or slow her.

Meadow watched only once that section was done, considering what this meant about Twilight.

They soon reached a large group of soldiers outside a larger blast door with the label ‘LAB 12’ on them, a soldier working on hacking the controls.

"Sitrep Delco." Twilight said with authority.

"Working on the door, but someone on the inside is fighting me for control." Delco said, still focusing hard on his task.

Soon, the door started to open and flashbangs were thrown in, followed by soldiers. The sound of a brief firefight echoed out of the room before an all-clear was given and Twilight and Delco entered.

Inside, dead soldiers in black and white armor lay scattered behind their defenses as the green soldiers swept the room.

In the middle was a round device with a wire attached to it, leading to large laser-like device aimed at a wall at the top of a ramp.

Twilight slung her SMG and approached the device with a look of awe on her face, as if looking at the most amazing piece of technology ever, reaching out and running her hoof over the device with reverence.

"Plant the charges." she ordered.

The soldiers began planting explosives as Delco began to work on the computers to gain control and an alert came up on his laptop.

"We got incoming."

"Men… go give our guests a warm reception." Twilight order and the soldiers saluted before heading out of the lab. Soon, gunfire was heard as Twilight joined Delco at hacking the computers.

“Well guess this is the last time I’ll be doing a mission like this eh?” Delco said.

“I don’t know, maybe.” The mare said as she typed neither looking up from their screens.

“You deal with that bastard?”

“Yeah.”

“Good.”

After a bit of peeling away layer after layer of encryption, the two hackers had control of the room.

“Ok, now all we need is a way to target.” Delco said and Twilight nodded as she unhooked her Datapad from the computers and made her way to the device. She put the Datapad in her Storage locker just as the first sounds of gunfire echoed down the hall.

Twilight hurried her steps and reached the device as Delco brought it online. The room was filled with the hum of the computer and complex machinery coming to life as lights danced across the device.

Slowly electricity began to climb between the two distant pillars and a few moments later the two triangles shot beams of pure energy towards the center of the pillars while Twilight channeled more and more magic into the device, hoping it would give it a target destination. For good measure, she thought of Ponyville on the off chance that would help, even though it was unlikely.

The sound of electricity cracking and the hum of machines grew louder and louder till all at once a tear appeared between the pillars.

“Ok, it’s open, you should move through now! I have no idea how long we can keep it stable!” Delco called from where he was typing frantically on the computer, the screen repeatedly flashing messages.

Twilight dropped from the device and made her way up the ramp pausing before the rift and looking back at the hacker.

“Are you sure you can handle things here without me?” She asked a bit unsure.

“Relax Commander, we can take it from here.” Delco said with a reassuring smile for the mare.

“Well if you are sure…”She said still uncertain.

“Go! I’m not letting you back out now, Commander. We will be fine, I know everyone has been working towards this for so long, don’t let their sacrifices be wasted.” He told her, his face showing he had never been more serious.

Twilight thought of the soldiers they had lost getting to the labs and replied to him with a smile, “Yes…… yes, you are right. Good luck to you all. It has been an honor serving with all of you.”

“Please. The honor’s been ours, but I’ll pass your words on.” The sound of the gunfire grew louder as a few squads retreated into the labs as the Feds pushed them back. “Fuck, they are getting closer! GO NOW!” Delco shouted as he grabbed his SMG and took cover.

With one last look Twilight gallop and leaped through the tear just as the first of the Feds reached the door. Delco raised his SMG as the rest of the rebels did the same.

“Come on fuckers, bring it on!” he yelled at them and pulled the trigger as the rift collapsed behind the rebels.

The dream shifted to Twilight landing in a small clearing in a forest, the sun shining in the clear blue sky.

She was home.

She had made it back to Equestria.

Meadow joined the dream more fully at that moment, moving to hold Twilight lightly on the side, tear forming in her own eyes.

The dream then shifted to a time with her friends, becoming more like a dream than a memory, and Meadow allowed herself to enjoy the dream while she regained some strength.

They were all at The Gala. Twilight wore a crisp pressed dark green dress uniform. The uniform had gold trim, a braided cord that ended with a tassel on the shoulder, a beret with the EDF insignia, and a pair of mirrored sunglasses on. Her mane showed a single gray strip and her friends all wore nice dresses and looked to be in their middle age years.

Meadow observed as they talked, laughed, and joked. She liked the dream, watching the friends closely and feeling the importance Twilight placed on them and the true happiness she felt around them. She wasn’t just showing amusement as she moved around the room.

Chrysalis walked by Twilight’s side, wearing a fine dress with a small crown on her head. Twilight joined Dash and AJ later and drank them under the table later in the night and Meadow was laughing alongside Twilight when it happened.

Meadow barely noticed how she wore an exquisitely designed dress that fit the theme of the dream until after that drinking game. Twilight simply saw how perfectly it matched her coat and features and that it was part of the whole dream. Meadow made sure she memorized the details of her form and attire as Twilight saw her. She loved being included like this and wanted to ensure she could show it off to Twilight later.

As the night continued, Celestia was given a cake as she usually was, only to see it explode in her face when she was about to use a fork to cut into it, making Luna laugh at what happened until the salad she was eating exploded leafy vengeance upon the laughing mare.

Meadow chuckled at first, then froze, concerned at the second explosion. She noticed all the nobility and pony elite staring in shock before noticing Twilight’s smirk and how she sipped a glass from across the room. Meadow kept her peace, playing the part that the other nobles did of surprise while giving Twilight a very slight knowing smirk.

The two alicorns looked straight over at her and she raised her glass to them and Meadow sipped her drink as she continued to play along, joining the silent toast to Twilight for a trick well played.

The night played on till the gala started to wind down, and then it faded and Meadow found herself in darkness. She tried to stay by Twilight’s side, wanting to be there supportively but she couldn’t sense the mere.

And then there was Reaper.

Reaper was standing there before her, dark mane of near nothingness billowing on its own as it stared at Meadow.

“You’ve been busy.” She said, still using the same emotionless tone.

"I have. I assume you're here for an evaluation of my performance last battle?"

"You did fine. Left more alive than I would have and the place the creatures were in is still standing, but it was adequate."

"I am pleased by your words."

"It is just a statement of fact." she said simply. "Now though, you seem to desire to become part of what is mine." She said, still emotionless, yet Meadow couldn’t help but sense a threat in that statement and again when she asked, “What makes you think you are worthy of such a thing?"

"I’m not, but we complement each other and can do more together than alone."

"And yet you have burrowed deeper and deeper into her."

"An unintended effect." Meadow explained.

"Are you so sure?"

"I was not aware of my access, and once aware of it, stopped, out of respect to her." Meadow nodded.

"The speed in which you burrowed before stopping speaks otherwise."

"I told you the truth." She said firmly. "I am cautious of extracting myself because I don’t know how I burrowed in the first place, and wish her no harm."

"You told the truth as you think it is, but your actions speak of a desire to be part of her."

"I admit, I would like to be together, but that is not my decision to make and I stand by my actions I took once I was aware."

"And yet even now I can feel that strong desire to become one."

"I literally just admitted this. We're going in circles." She frowned, aggravated that Reaper would repeat the unstated complaint after she just covered what happened and why and what she did to prevent it.

"And I am asking why you wish to become part of what's mine."

"Because I’m still tired of being alone!" She yelled, her anger surfacing before taking a couple breaths to calm herself. "I miss having a body, but I’m terrified of being alone again. I won’t go back to that again... Besides," she paused before adding, "I can do things she can't. We complement each other, and I will keep her safe with everything I have."

"Such as what?"

"Spells native to this world, like the princess' healing used earlier today." She answered, ignoring the ones that were more for pleasure so they didn’t bring up her as a sex toy ever again.

"She knows many healing spells."

"There are others." Meadow countered, adding as an additional point, "The choice is hers to make."

"Irrelevant to here and now”

Meadow sighed, exasperated and trying not to show it. She was tired still, but at half strength. "What do you want?"

"You are entering my domain and wishing to become part of it. This is of interest to me."

"That doesn’t tell me what you want." She said swiftly, stifling her frustration and anger trying to rise again.

"I want to protect what is mine."

"And I want to protect Twilight too, but I would be hers, not the other way around."

"You are an outsider. Why should I let you become one?"

"Because I cannot leave, and it’s better to make allies than enemies. I have proven useful to Twilight, and wish to remain such."

"I could expel you or simply destroy you as any other invader."

"And yet you haven’t, proving my point about my usefulness. I know it’s the only reason you tolerate me."

Reaper simply stood there, and then Meadow felt pressure on her head.

The pain, the pain was intense, as if her very mind was being torn open, parts being pulled free and directed… somewhere.

Meadow groaned, trying to will herself back together while trying to use her limited magic to push away Reaper.

Her magic was simply brushed aside as an adult would brush aside a child’s attempt at a punch as she tore more and more of Meadow’s mind was torn apart.

Meadow screamed, the pain growing to be almost all of what she was, quickly trying to reach out and get to Twilight so she could leave a message just in case she should fail… only to feel nothing. She was alone, being torn apart like a child pulling the wings and legs off an insect and watching it intently.

Reaper stood before Meadow, tearing apart the pony’s mind, looking at every single scrap meticulously. Nothing was sacred, no mercy or thought to the subject in question. All that mattered was what was hers, and she would defend it.

Reaper looked into the creature to see everything that made it what it was. She searched every single want, desire, fear, and memory. Nothing was left unchecked, no matter the pain it caused the creature. Pain was irrelevant.

Reaper assessed their history. She saw a pony struggling to be themselves despite all outside pressures trying to force a mold. She saw their desperation for acceptance, love, and friendship. She saw their fierce loyalty letting them get walked and discarded as the tool she had been.

Reaper studied the desire for love and companionship, noticing a desire for purpose mixed in. The fear of rejection and anger of others were the only things that crippled this person.

Meadow was stretched apart until even her body before Reaper was simply pieces. She was unable to register anything but pain. It was her entire world.

Reaper saw her personality laid bare and kept it that way, a decision before her.

As suddenly as it all had started, it was over.

Meadow groaned, the sensation of pain still lingering as she bare made sense of what she went through.

“I claim you.” Reaper said.

“W-what do you mean?” Meadow asked, panting as she struggled to get onto her hooves, grateful she was together once again.

"You are mine"

"And what does that mean!" She said, frustrated and angry at this entity that practically killed her because she could, "What does it mean to be 'yours'?"

"You are part of my domain." Reaper said, unaffected by Meadow’s nearly yelling voice.

"That doesn’t tell me anything."

"You are part of my domain. You belong to me. You are part of Her." She said. "You are one."

"So... you’re not going to kill me, and being a part of you will change what?" She asked, eyes narrowed and suppressing a growl.

"I won't allow you to leave." Reaper said, "I will destroy you before I allow that."

"So even if I could get my body back, you won’t let me."

"Correct."

"So what am I allowed and not allowed to do. Why do you own Twilight and not the other way around?"

"Because I am Reaper and she is my domain. I exist because of her and to protect her."

"Then why do you own her instead of the other way around if you exist because of her?"

"Because I am not one of her toys."

Meadow paused, changing tracks to avoid trying to get in a fight with Reaper because they couldn’t or wouldn’t answer her, "So I’m part of her you say, does that mean I am to use another name like the others?"

"If you wish. Names do not matter."

"I see." Meadow said, internally feeling like that wasn’t the case.

"You are a part of her fully. There is no difference between you and the others now and you are free to continue as you have."

Meadow paused, thinking about what that meant. She was locked in now, there was no more chance to go back to her body. She thought she would be sad at the option, but now she knew her path, she knew she wouldn’t be alone.

"Then I will protect her, and remind her of reasons to hope."

"Very well." Reaper said, a very slight nod given.

Meadow suddenly found herself in a small little library. The bookshelves looked like they were a part of the wood around the walls, and not a single plank or nail was seen despite the shelves being covered with books. A window with frost on the outside and white flakes falling to the ground outside gave the place lit with a fire a very cozy feel, and she noticed a small candle was on the floor was next to two figures.

She saw a small lavender mare with purple mane and a pink streak down it just sitting beside a fireplace, reading a book. Next to her was a purple dragon with some kind of green hair or spongy material on its head down the middle to its neck like hair. It was under a light blue blanket with an open comic book laid open beside him.

She slowly approached Twilight with a gentle smile, expecting she was in another memory. Twilight looked up to her with a small smile.

"Oh hay Meadow. What are you doing up at this hour?" Twilight asked as if this was normal for her to be here, living together.

"Just checking in on you, it’s past your bedtime you know." She said softly, playing the part and enjoying herself in that role.

"Eh… only a couple minutes.” she said while the clock behind her showed it was almost three in the morning.

"Come on filly, the book will still be here tomorrow, I'll make sure of it." Meadow chuckled.

"But… it's getting to the good part!" The filly said in protest.

Meadow chuckled. It was always getting to the good part.

"All right, five more minutes." She said as she settled in next to her.

Twilight went back into the book immediately.

Meadow laid protectively around them both, wondering if it was a dream or if they were altering her memories to be a part of her all along. A quick check informed her it didn’t feel like the scene with the doctor.

Meadow continued to hold them to herself, protective of the filly and the dragon both, and let some happiness fill her soul as she enjoyed their time, watching the clock for those five minutes.

The filly Twilight read her large tomb as the small dragon slept beside her.

Meadow let her read for ten minutes and commented, "Times up kiddo. Come on."

"But, but, butt…" She said, her eyes seeming to grow impossibly wide with a puppy-like pout.

She leaned in and kissed her on the head, "you'll want a nice breakfast in the morning right?"

"Yes…" She said, clutching the book closers to her chest.

"Let’s tuck in and I’ll make your favorite for you when you wake, ok?"

"But..." She repeated as she clutched the book to her chest.

"Twily, I gave you ten minutes. Come filly. Into bed you both go." She said gently with a little firmness.

She gave the biggest puppy dog eyes ever as she held her book.

Meadow lifted her onto her back along with Spike, carrying them to their bed. She laid them down, then curled around them like a mother would, draping a blanket around them all while the purple filly struggled throughout to escape.

Meadow held her tight and made her horn glow and brought the book back over them, "Come on filly, read up. I know you can never sleep when you want to read."

She dove into bed with Meadow, snuggling up before starting to crack open her book to read before she suddenly called out, "Wait!"

"What is it?" Meadow asked, lightly confused.

"Spike needs to be tucked in." She said, setting the book to the side and climbing out of the bed to go over to the basket that was Spike’s. She levitated the dragon away from Meadow onto the basket-like bed, making sure his blanket was tucked nicely around him so it wouldn’t fall. She fluffed up the pillow and made sure it stayed under his head.

Meadow smiled softly at the young mare. It was almost like a cross between a parent and an owner caring for the little dragon. He breathed softly, and it was clear from the care Twilight gave that she cared a great deal about Spike, gleaning that he had just hatched and she was only five or six years old.

"He’s going to be really happy each day, having a big mare like you looking after him." She said quietly.

"The Princess always says that too." Twilight whispered to not disturb the sleeping dragon as she triple checked everything before nodding and heading back towards the bed and trying to climb in.

"It’s because it’s clear you care about him, and I know he knows it." She said, "Now, let’s get this book read so you can sleep."

Her eyes lit up as she dove into the bed once more and got comfy under the blankets against Meadow like a pillow.

Meadow smiled and lit her horn, "Just forgive me if I fall asleep on you."

"That's okay." She said before starting to read

Meadow held her like a mother, keeping the light going as long as she could.

Twilight soon yawned, a great big yawn with a squeaky little noise at the end as her eyes grew heavier and heavier as the book became a hard pillow for Twilight’s head. Meadow chuckled and pulled them up against her.

"Good night little filly."

The room started to fade and she knew Twilight was waking up somehow. A feeling of normalcy filled her, as if she was used to being on a standby mode and then active when Twilight was.

'Morning Twilight.' Meadow called softly.

The hotel room came into view as Twilight started to stir and fully awake.

"Morning Meadow." Twilight said.

Meadow felt something… a connection deeper than ever before. She was fully aware of Twilight, from her current mood to her hunger and hydration, from her vast magic reserves that were still recharging after the fight to her heart and breathing rate and all medical data on the mare. She quite literally knew everything about Twilight in that moment and could see the info just by thinking about it.

Meadow breathed as she realized this, then commented, 'So remember how you asked me if I was an AI?'

'Huh? Yeah?' Twilight asked, surprised at the subject being brought up right as she woke, still stretching carefully so she didn’t disturb Lapdog.

'So it turns out if I wasn’t before, I might as well be now.'

"eh?"

'I’ll warn you this is gonna sound really weird, and I’m sorry I don’t have an easier way of putting it…’ Meadow said, hesitating before answering, ‘You have one hell of an antivirus program in you. I was taken apart, analyzed, and forced to swear loyalty to you or be destroyed. I opted to live. The downside is that it gave me an ultimatum… That if I ever try to leave you permanently, they will kill me. I had meant to talk to you before, try to figure out this shit together but it didn’t give me that option. It took exception to my altering your display, among other things.'

Twilight blinked, surprise clear in her heart rate and thoughts that Meadow had access to. "Uh… so… what… you are part of me forever?"

'It looks like it.' Meadow said quietly. 'Sorry to intrude...'

'It’s fine. I honestly wasn’t sure if I could get you back in your body anyways.'

'Thank you...’ Meadow said gratefully, giving her a hug from behind, ‘just let me know when you want me to work on anything and I will, including your HUD.'

'Uh… alright…' Twilight said, hesitating from not expecting that train of thought. She had nothing she needed Meadow to do.

'You don’t have to of course, but making the offer.'

'Alright. Suppose I best get used to a new roommate besides just Chrysalis.' she said chuckling softly before checking on ‘Midnight.’

Storm was asleep, but barely.

'At least you'll be able to make her pregnant and not the other way around.'

'Eh?' Twilight thought, caught off guard by the comment.

'Chrysalis and Storm. You can be the stud, and she can be the mom.' Meadow chuckled, watching Sky stir and groan as her body ached.

'I hadn’t thought of that...' she said.

'If you were a stallion, you’d already be at half-mast at the idea already.’ Meadow grinned.

'Eh?" she said blinking.

'Nevermind. I'll explain it later.' She chuckled.

Storm moaned as she felt her bruises as she moved, "Someone get the hoofmark of that stallion that ran over me... damn I hurt..."

<<>>

Jeron: Lewds ahead. Those who don’t like it, please skip this small section. It’s just a snack for us so it would feel strange to separate it into its own chapter

Twilight smirked and opted to kiss Sky deeply.

Sky blinked and pulled back at first for breath, then couldn't retreat any further, enjoying the sensation as the feeling of pain was more easily ignored by the distraction.

Twilight slipped her tongue onto Sky’s mouth and made her moan.

Sky leaned into the kiss, a dull haze descending on her mind. It was as if she could only focus on the here and now. She licked at the tongue and slipped her own in toward her 'sisters' mouth.

Twilight was surprised when she returned it, having meant the kiss as a joke, but rolled with it as she twisted her tongue with Sky's own.

Sky moaned lightly as she licked at their tongue, squirming lightly in place as she enjoyed their entanglement with her eyes closed.

A few more seconds and Sky pulled at their tongue needily before reaching with her tongue to rub at the roof of Twilight's mouth, wanting to feel the ridges as sensually as she could manage.

Twilight growled lightly as she put her hooves around Sky and deepened the kiss further.

Sky held onto Twilight more, her mind clearing some but without the pain, and clung to her partner, licking at them more firmly as she pressed against them.

Twilight pressed her body to Sky’s as her hoof found their flank and gripped it.

Sky growled playfully as she tried to 'resist', pulling harder at Twilight's body, only to be pinned down and her neck getting a firm bite to it. She gasped and wriggled against the disguised mare, trying to muster a deeper growl, as if to tempt them to try harder.

Twilight growled into her neck as she held Sky with her teeth and used her hooves to pin Sky's own above her head as she straddled the pegasus.

Sky struggled against Twilight, smiling broadly even as she was expecting their strength to beat hers

Twilight looked down at Sky, not really sure why she was suddenly so horny, but that no longer mattered right now. She had a need, and Sky was going to fill it. Her eyes betrayed the hunger for the pray beneath her. Meadow simply enjoyed the ride, smiling as her little push in the right direction got things exactly where she wished.

Sky looked back with defiant eyes, as if silently saying, 'If you want what’s yours, then come and take it!'

Twilight looked at Sky briefly before she leaned down and bit Sky’s neck hard, growling loudly to show her who was in charge.

Sky yelped, pushing her midriff and hips into Twilight before laying limp, demonstrating her submission in full, turning her head to the side

Twilight held Sky’s neck with her teeth. She didn’t have anything but the harness with her, so she didn’t have a lot to work with, but used her magic to move Sky into position to be bound on her back

Sky moved as she was guided, lower parts glistening in readiness as a small smell all her own could be noticed faintly.

Twilight breathed deeply and her tail flicked as she began to bind Sky. Sky let herself be bound, whipping her tail about and spreading her scent. Soon she was held fast and a blindfold placed over her eyes. The only thing they could move would be their tail. With that done, Twilight looked over what was hers.

Sky chuckled, struggling against those bonds lightly before settling back down and waiting.

Something was shoved into her muzzle, hot and moist.

"Lick."

She gasped at the sudden contact, getting a good whiff of scent before starting to lick firmly at what her muzzle was against. She could hear Twilight moan as something pressed tight on her tongue. Sky chuckled again quietly, making up a new routine as she went. She never wanted to repeat prior techniques if she could help it.

She heard a moan as Twilight closed her eyes, the invisible wings growing stiff.

"Deeper!" She ordered.

Sky pushed her muzzle in after taking a deep breath, licking deeper at whatever she liked.

Twilight moaned louder as she clamped down on the muzzle. Sky squirmed in her bonds, needing a breath but licking frantically in hopes that she'll get a chance to breathe.

Meadow noticed the squirming and realized what happened. A little magic was cast to give Sky enough room to breathe safely despite being muzzle deep and Sky sighed as she could breathe once more, nuzzling her muzzle deep inside and her tongue wiggling even further into her owner.

Twilight moaned loudly as started to grind her hips, wings fully stiff. Sky licked her more firmly, reaching in at the deepest part of Twilight, licking all around.

'Your pet wants quite badly to be a part of you, with how deeply they're licking. She is yours, and yours alone.' Meadow told Twilight sensually.

Twilight moaned louder and became even tighter as she pushed herself down and ground her hips more firmly.

Sky felt her whole muzzle go in and closed her eyes tighter to keep the now dripping fluids out of her eyes as she continued to lick, feeling them flow over her muzzle, then started to hum as loudly as she could muster.

Twilight gasped loudly, letting out a heated moan as she started to ride Sky's muzzle with small bounces.

Sky moaned, echoing what she heard as her face was used as a toy, pulling back her tongue so she wouldn't accidentally get it bitten.

Twilight slowly started to pick up speed and Sky twisted her head a little, trying to make sure she didn't hurt herself in the process before taking another deep breath assisted by Meadow and continuing to twist her head to change the sensations for her captor.

Twilight was soon riding her muzzle hard and Sky could feel the strength of Twilight’s muscles as the earth pony traits started to shine through their more unusual lovemaking.

Sky groaned, enjoying it even despite the pressure, unaware that Meadow was reinforcing her with magic so she wouldn't be harmed in the process.

Twilight moaned louder as she rode, eyes closed as she neared the edge, closer and closer.

Meadow moaned along with her, and wanting more, she used her magic further to make it feel like there was a vibrator rumbling inside, shaking them both and causing Sky to moan out in pleasure as she felt it in her own.

Twilight gasped as her marehood became a vice. She slammed all the way down causing her entire body to shudder as she cried out in sweet, sweet release.

Meadow sighed contentedly as the climaxed reached her as well, intensifying sensations for Sky until she too came, going limp from the quick overload of senses.

Twilight panted as she twitched over the muzzle, waiting for it to be released since she just couldn’t move. Her mind was lightly scrambled from the pleasure.

Meadow gently separated them with magic, enjoying their pleasure.

Once she relaxed, Twilight pulled off of Sky and flopped in the bed beside her panting only slightly, still in disguise.

"Damn that was… fast…" Sky gasped.

"Heh… which part?" Twilight said, smirking at her despite the blindfold not letting Sky see it.

"All of it..." Sky laughed breathily.

Twilight chucked and patted the bound mare’s flanks.

Sky gasped and squirmed fruitlessly against her bonds

"Such a silly pony." Twilight chuckled, getting a towel to clean off Sky's muzzle of the mare so the fur doesn't mat in odd directions.

Sky snorted slightly at the towel before laughing weakly, "You made a bit of a mess on my face huh?"

Twilight removed the blindfold so she could see the white all over her muzzle.

Sky blinked, then looked and smirked, "Yeah, you had a good time all right."

Twilight chuckled and started to wipe off her muzzle except around her lips. Sky laughed and then moved to lick her lips and tasting Twilight, still tied up, before she looked to Twilight again.

"So are you going to have the party in our room then?"

"Naw." She said and started to untie her. "Unless you want to?"

"Prolly not." Sky smirked.

"Good, ‘cause I don't want to have wasted these disguises for nothing, sis." Twilight chuckled as she untied Sky with a final smack to the flanks.

She laughed, rolling onto her hooves. "Yeah, let's go."

Twilight stretched and headed for the door, not noticing her trail brush Sky's nose. Sky sniffed on instinct and shook her head before trotting along to their side eagerly.

The pair walked out of the motel room into the city and Sky breathed the night air and smiled. it was a good night.

Twilight smiled as she led the way. "Honestly no clue what your scene is exactly, but for these situations, cheap bars are the place to go.”

“It’s your night to choose sis. After all, you said you're payin.'" She smirked.

Twilight chuckled as she walked on. Sky stayed close, though with enough space to not be 'too close.'

"So, just lookin' around till we find a good spot huh?" Sky asked.

"Yup." She smiled.

Sky looked around, spotting several places, but none that looked like they served alcohol.

"Hmm..." Twilight thought before she made a turn. They headed for the docks and soon could feel a vibration in their hooves and a thumping sound, making Twilight smirk. "Bingo, bingo bango."

"Now this was my kind of place...” Sky laughed, “haven't been to one in a few years though."

"Why's that sis?" Twilight said approaching the line in front of the club.

"Well now boyfriend gets jealous. He claims he doesn't mind, but I can see it does." She said. "I think he gets jealous.”

"Heh. Just means he's watching his mare." She hip bumped her.

Sky laughed and bumped her back.

"Now then, all we have to do is look extremely sexy and we can get in." She said and smirked at her. "Shouldn't be too hard for you sis."

"Don't sell yourself short sis." She said back, "After all, you've been with more than me."

"Heh true. I'm the experienced older one." She said as they approached the bouncer, Twilight adopting a noticeable hip sway.

"Only by about an hour..." Sky said, making up how much older they were on the fly.

Twilight chuckled and as they approached. She smiled at the bouncer who simply pointed at them and gestured to the rope.

Sky gave her sister a knowing look, letting them take the lead.

Twilight walked up and the ropes were lifted by the large unicorn, much to the annoyance of the line.

Sky walked on by, paying the others no mind as she walked on in. As soon as they entered the door their very bones felt the beat. Sky laughed and looked around, sticking close to Twilight.

The place was full of ponies dancing and loud music

Sky looked about before yelling loud enough for Twilight to hear her, "So, we drinkin' first or what?"

"Whatever you'd like, this is your party."

<>

The guard at the door to Svik’s room slowly opened the door with a green glow of magic, stepping aside as he did to stay out of view.

Svik looked over to the opening door, only noticing it because he happened to be looking in that direction. He noticed the changeling queen’s form walking in and he looked over to her in small interest. She happened to be interrupting his puzzle-solving on the inhibitor ring’s function so he could have them be undone.

"So then,” Chrysalis said, using the same tone she had the last time they met, “your information proved accurate."

"Good, then you will be releasing me." He said, stretching in place.

"And why would I do that?" She asked.

"That was our agreement. I would get you the information, got this cell and room to move while you verified it, and was to be released upon knowing it was correct." He said, raising a brow.

"If you recall, I counter offered that you give us the information then you get this cell to be in rather than be stuck to the wall and you agreed." She said simply.

"And yet I have done you no harm, you have no reason or benefit to keeping me imprisoned." he said cooly.

"You may not have done direct harm, but your reputation precedes you. You desire to know that which is not yours to know, and you shall stop at nothing to obtain it. That makes you our enemy."

"Then what will you do with me? Ponies do not mistreat their prisoners." He said.

"Do I look like a pony to you?" She smiled.

"You are operating under Equestrian law. I've seen it, you report to ponies." He answered, suspecting a change in how they would honor their agreement.

"I operate under Twilight's law, and besides, this isn't Equestria. This is my Hive. I am Queen here. And as they say…" She said with a small smile that grew as she leaned down to his level, finally showing her teeth to him as she spoke sweetly, "Hail to the Queen."

"Who says this?" He blinked, taking the subject matter to the side as his brain wracked itself for a solution.

"Does know one care for the classics?" She sighed as she stood back up. "Bah. Uncultured philistine."

He blinked unimpressed, half sneering at Chrysalis as he continued the distraction, "Considering you don't know half the worlds I attended while crafting relics before you were even hatched, I'm not impressed."

"Yes, and I have the knowledge and experience of centuries of multiple civilizations."

He rolled his eyes and looked back to her, "Then when am I to be released? You had promised I would get more after my information had been verified."

"Oh, don't worry. I did say you would get more. You get to keep your cell and an even nicer one after the EDF arrives.” She said with a confident, condescending smile, “Besides, you will be freed eventually. We don't have any ways to hold your soul when you die."

He looked at her intently for a moment, his expression unreadable. Chrysalis smiled at him pleasantly, tasting the alarm that seemed to course the treacherous pony’s body and enjoying every minute of it.

"You wanted to know changelings. Congrats little pony. You have had your first hand experience at how ill prepared you were to deal with us."

He stood there furiously wracking his mind against the inscriptions on the rings, trying to find a weakness or their composition to counter them, growing infuriated at how his mind kept going in circles. It was his biggest regret about taking over that fool of a mare. Somehow he was saddled with her loops in thinking and it aggravated him to no end.

"So, you intend to be rid of me." He said, stalling for time.

"Not at all. Twilight is very clear about how to treat prisoners; however, nothing is preventing me from holding you here till your natural death."

"I see." He said as he began to relax, his mind calming. Now he knew he had time. No one was greater than him at the use of magic, and this would give him time to plan an escape. He decided to climb onto his bed and reran his calculations once more, ignoring his body’s light shaking.

"Also, we will be finding something more effective than those rings for you as we know you are working on finding a way to bypass them."

"Why would I do something so futile?" He asked as a bluff.

"Because you are you pony. It's not hard to figure out you planned to escape from the start and have been working towards it."

"I have been through worse." He shrugged, even as Chrysalis left the room and allowed the guard to close the door behind her.

'And plotted to escape the entire time.’ Dawn countered in the link, having observed and stayed quiet until that point. ‘This Svikopi is comically easy to predict and as blunt as a boulder compared to ours...'

'Yes. He really is the lesser of the two, but those rings will hold him for quite a while I'm sure. Even Twilight has tested them and knows their effect. She's the one who had the pain compliance bit added for tampering with them.'

'I still can't believe everything is almost settled, that we took care of the ringleaders and all…' she said, conveying her relief at the knowledge.

'Was there ever any doubt?'

'No, not with the best hive in Equestria.' Dawn replied.

'Or the best mate from that hive.' She added with a nod, once again showing her complete trust in Twilight.

Dawn blinked, almost confused from having already processed Twilight as the high queen of the hive before realizing that was a misunderstanding on her part. She nodded, 'Yes queen, or that.'

Chrysalis chuckled in the link as she turned to leave the prisoner, thinking to herself, ‘Ah, the feeling of cutting low an arrogant pony.’

Svik smirked as the queen left. There was no spell he could not learn to do, and by learning how they performed, he knew how they could be undone. He would not be held by his prey. They did not wish to kill him? All the better while he prepared his escape, with their secrets of course.

'What plans do we have for the inferior one?' Dawn asked, smiling contentedly at her mother’s satisfaction.

'For now, he can rot in there for the remainder of his natural life unless Twilight has other plans.' Chrysalis replied, then paused herself, sharing, 'She might… Twilight isn’t usually in the business of leaving those like her alive.'

'I won’t want to be present. As much as it's not me, it will feel like it if that’s the end result for Meadow’s form.'

'Knowing Twilight, she has a plan. She always has a plan.'

'I hope so, for Meadow's sake.'

'Twilight only wishes to remove those like her… Perhaps it is time I share with you exactly who my mate is.'

Dawn braced herself, she did not expect it to be pretty.

She saw Twilight, standing before the throne of the hive, her soldiers moving through it, burning all they came across with their flamethrowers. Chrysalis was surrendering and Twilight just standing there calmly, her emotions mute.

The screams of her drones were filling the link as the hive was conquered with ruthless efficiency until it broke the Queen and she truly surrendered to the will of the mare before her. Only then did it stop.

She then sat in a cell as the very same mare offered her a chance to save her own life and her hive despite her being such a fool. All she'd have to do is swear her loyalty to this mare and obey her.

She saw Twilight demonstrating a takedown maneuver and accidentally broke the arm of one of the instructors in front of a class of raw recruits. Twilight was calling for a medic with concern while her emotions were nothing but pleasure as the pony clutched their arm, whimpering in pain.

The queen began confronting Twilight about this weeks later and the threat she received was a blade only an inch from her eye. If she ever told anyone what she knew, nothing would save her from Twilight on pain of something worse than death if she ever told for her and her hive.

She saw Twilight torture others, using her medical knowledge to inflict maximum pain with little damage both for information and pure unchained pleasure at their pain and suffering as she laughed with madness.

She saw how each one tortured were ones like Twilight, monsters who prayed on the innocent with pain and fear. She never tortured the ones that were innocent, only the monsters. Twilight tortured and hunted them.

She then began to learn of the torture Twilight herself endured at the hands of the first human she ever met, who she trusted and showed no malice towards. How that human opened her eyes to what true evil was, what a true monster was as she was subject to months of torture for information about Equestria and subjected to medical tests that made Ethics and morality flee in terror at the brutality of it all.

She saw her first accidental kill of an enemy soldier she meant to make flee. The death she saw with the rebel soldiers who saved her as she tried to help them in their fight against their government that allowed her torture and then the training she underwent to become a soldier.

She witnessed the betrayal of the second in command and the death of those she cared about because of that betrayal.

The loss of friends at the hands of the intelligence officer known only as White Rabbit, the only enemy she ever truly respected for his single-minded ruthless efficiency in pursuit of his objective, her.

All of these things, how it all twisted her from the kind awkward mare into a psychotic and sadistic mare who relished the suffering of others, and yet under it all, she still cared… She only wanted monsters who were like her. To rid the world of those like her so they could never harm another.

She was dangerous. Deadly. A monster… and she would never harm an innocent and would kill to protect those she cared about no matter who the enemy was.

Dawn cried at first, but those tears dried as understanding sunk in.

As the years wore on, the rage and pleasure didn't end, but it became more subdued as Chrysalis did what she could to help Twilight with her demons. At first, their time sharing a bed was from her fear of refusing the mare, but she came to see the mare was more than the monster who would kill her hive.

When three workers were beaten nearly to death, Twilight launched an attack to bring the ponies to justice for their crimes. When one of the workers died, she demanded the execution of the group responsible and the arrest of the hospital that refused to help the drones.

It was this and many other actions that showed her what lurked under the monster., and it was that part that the queen loved. That desire to protect those that were hers and act as a shield for everyone against the darkness she faced… The burden she bore so other wouldn't have to. The hurt she feels when her soldiers under her command die. The blame she feels for the death of her brother at the orders of a rogue griffin soldier and his unit. The blame she feels for the deaths of the innocents they caused in a mad war against Equestria due to the fact the griffins were no longer the lone dominant military force. How she personally visits the widows of every soldier lost on her watch to deliver the news and take the blame.

There was no random chance with Twilight… to the mare, it was her fault, her failures, her drive to do better, to be better, and cut out the darkness from the world.

'That,’ Chrysalis paused, her voice firm, ‘is Twilight Sparkle. The mare I love and will stand beside even against Tartarus itself and the mare I will die with.'

'That... is one hell of a mate my queen. I cannot picture a pony being better for you.' She said, thoroughly subdued, feeling as if she were a mere infant in light of it all.

'Yes… Yes, she is.' she said unable to help but smile as love for the mare poured through the link to the hive, coming from the queen herself. 'I am her mate, the one over all others she could have chosen.'

Dawn nodded her agreement, still feeling small, as if there were no way for her to compare at all to such accomplishments.

'You will get there my daughter.' Chrysalis assured her.

'We'll see.' Dawn said, doubting herself.

"Meadow Dawn. You are my daughter. I have seen what you have done and are capable of.'

'I’ve done a few things,' Dawn admitted, trying to keep herself from making another comparison. 'Still, you say you have seen what I am capable of, yet all Twilight saw when we first met was that I would grow to be able to move the sun and moon… That was my limit, to only be as good as they are now.’

‘Dawn, you are capable of great things and have grown a great deal in the short time we have gotten to know you.’ Chrysalis said firmly, ‘I have seen what you have done through your eyes, and know you can do whatever you have to when the need arises. As far the magic sight, if you had stayed uninvolved, that would have been true, but that isn’t any longer.’

‘I barely did anything.’ Dawn countered.

‘Daughter,’ Chrysalis said again, even more firmly and made sure Dawn was giving her their full attention. ‘You were our guide to this world, housed us without any reservations, you performed admirably with Zyphon despite your fears, and were a key part of us countering Svik. I have no doubt in my mind that this story, when it is retold, will almost entirely be about you.’

‘I…’ Dawn hesitated, embarrassment coming through the link.

‘And even if that weren’t enough, you are my daughter. It’s practically impossible you won’t do great things in your own right.’ Chrysalis answered. ‘I will grab Twilight and bring her over to redo it if I have to.’

Dawn chuckled, glad her mother was willing to do so much to encourage her.

‘Dawn. What are you?’ Chrysalis said, giving her an order to answer.

‘Legate, an Alicorn drone of the Ridgeback Hive.’

'And?' Chrysalis asked.

'And?'

'You are my daughter.' Chrysalis repeated. 'Tell me. A couple years ago, did you ever think you’d learn magic, find a husband, have foals, defeat an ancient evil, become an alicorn, gain a mother, become my right hoof and become my mates first pet, who only is attracted to strength, on top of everything I had already told you?'

'No, two years ago I had barely become a unicorn and thought if I got to where I could fix relics that would be amazing.'

'And yet you’ve accomplished so much more than that in such a short amount of time.'

'True… I had help.' She thought.

'And Twilight had me and her friends. Stop letting your doubts plague you.

‘Yes mother.’ Dawn chuckled.

‘Good.’ Chrysalis smiled, glad she cheered Dawn up. ‘If you didn’t stop, I was going to bring out your hatching pictures.’

‘Doesn’t quite look right having an adult sized ‘foal’ coming out of an egg though, does it.’ Dawn laughed quietly.

‘Indeed. We’ll have to fix that next time.’

‘Nevermind on that one, I’m good…’ Dawn chuckled, letting out a small sigh as she thought about what Chrysalis meant, the idea that their meeting was more important on her side than theirs. ‘Makes me think… I’ve got a lot to do to catch up with her.’

‘Perhaps.’ Chrysalis said, ‘Right now she is busy.'

'Well yeah, she would have to be after dealing with the aftermath of Manehattan, this also not counting that Luna is tutoring me in the meantime.’

'True, but I’m thinking Twilight will be busy for a while.' Chrysalis suggested.

'With what?’

Chrysalis showed two mares in particular, very similar looking manes and coats while surrounded by other mares on the dance floor. The two siblings were dancing, the pegasus was less focused than the unicorn, dancing in a more wild almost clumsy way while the unicorn looked like she barely drank at all.

‘The unicorn mare is Twilight and the pegasus is Lapdog.’ Chrysalis informed.

‘Oh wow.’ Dawn replied, laughing in her room, ‘Partying away the night? I'd swear if I didn't know any better I'd say they were party animals based what I’m seeing!'

'Twilight enjoys a good time. It’s how she copes… that and dominating others she’s interested in. I suspect those mares caught Twilight’s interest…'

'Yeah... she's stupidly popular it looks like.' Dawn commented.

'Yeah… odd. Usually Twilight takes a bit to get down and flirty… it’s adorable how awkward she is about it.' Chrysalis commented with a small smile at the thought of their first dates. Even now, just how awkward the mare was at romance brought a smile to her face.

'Well, maybe she has a subby green pony pulling them in as bait.' She teased.

'Hmm. Maybe.'

Dawn shrugged internally, 'Don't mind me, she's quite capable of luring young ponies to their doom-I mean pleasure.'

The queen chuckled.

Dawn sighed and let go of her observations of Twilight and Storm, settling in from her previous mood into mild contentment once again. Her foals were continuing to grow slowly in front of her as her desires were catered by the hive. At the very least, it was interesting learning about the political climate in Vanhoover as they continued to relax. Compiling a list of the various political ponies and their approaches and weaknesses.

Author's Note

Well then off to party and Meadow just lost her freedom, forever entwined with Twilight till the Alicorn dies, if she ever does.

I have a PATREON with fair rewards. Every bit is greatly appreciated and helps me out.