Author's Note

Hey peeps!

So, there's going to be a few time-skips, just to keep the story fresh and interesting.

Nopony wants to read through literal day to day stuff.

Also, comment below on what you'd like to see! Instar isn't a 'Queen' without some changes.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy it!

<3

Changes

"How long do you plan to struggle, Twilight? We both know your precious mentor can't save you this time.

One week later

For Twilight, the week had been a long and arduous one. Instar seemed to have claimed her bed, but wouldn't allow the Princess to sleep anywhere else, so each morning she'd have an affectionate Queen to deal which, which didn't help the fact that Twilight did, in fact, find her cute... In a totally scientific way, of course.

"Spike?! Where are you?" Twilight called out as she organised a pile of papers that seemed intent on falling off her desk. "Spike!"

The baby dragon in question scampered into her bedroom and fell to his knees panting. "Yeah- I'm here... What do you need?"

Turning around from her desk, Twilight pulled away and walked over to Spike. She leaned down and nuzzled her number one assistant, just as the pile of papers slipped and hit the floor with a fwoosh!

Holding back her annoyance as Spike giggled, she levitates him onto her back and wanders out of the room.

"I'm taking Instar out into Ponyville today to have lunch with the girls and I want to make sure everything is perfect!"

"Are- are you sure that's a good idea? You know how crazy the ponies around here can be?"

"Spike! They're not crazy..." she chastised, glancing back at him. Recieving a deadpan look, she sighed. "Alright, they're a little weird, but they have had me to put up with- I'm sure it'll be fine! I finally read through all of Dr Hard Cover's Changeling Specifics and I think I've got a grasp on how to calm Instar down if anything happens."

Spike didn't seem convinced. "And why do you need me, exactly?" he asked, raising a brow.

"Don't you want to go to lunch?" She asked, looking a little awkward now. "I know I've been really busy, but I didn't forget you."

"I guess grabbing some gems would be okay. I haven't really spoken to the girls in some time."

Wandering through the castle, Twilight saw a blur out of the corner of her eye and felt her heart beat quicker until she took a deep breath.

She knew what was going on. She had actually read that chapter the night before.

Changeling Hunting Habits

Once again, that blur zipped around the ceiling, using the blindspots and arches to hide itself as it stalked its prey.

Twilight couldn't help but smile at that and levitated Spike off her back.

"Huh?"

"Trust me, Spike, you don't want to be there in a minute."

"Oh, okay?"

The pair continued to walk through the castle and eventually make it to the map room. Twilight pushed open the doors with her magic, let Spike walk in, then began to close them again.

With a gasp, the blur shot down form the ceiling and collided with her, knocking her back against the floor and sliding halfway over to the map.

"Twilight!" Spike shouted, rushing over, only to be held back by Twilight's magic.

Instar stood above the Princess; as a complete copy of Twilight with her wings flared in her usual display of dominance.

The Princess on the other hoof was curled up, her hooves pressed against her chest as she smiled sheepishly.

"Good morning, Instar," she whispered, staring up at her.

"Good morning, Twilight," the Changeling replied, leaning down and rubbing her muzzle through her mane. "Mine."

Twilight felt her cheeks darken slightly upon hearing that, but giggled and pressed her hooves against Instar's chest to try and move her off. "Yup, you caught me!"

"We go?" she asked, closing her eyes as she absorbed some of Twilight's love as her breakfast.

Twilight shivered and wrapped her tail around Instar's leg. "Y-Yeah... We go-" she stammered, shaking her head. "We can go now, I mean. I do need to get up though."

"Sorry," Instar said, moving off of the mare.

Spike looked between them sighed, shaking his head.

Twilight, once again, let Spike sit in her back as they left her Castle and began the trek into town.

"Where are we meeting the others?" Spike asked, taking a glance back at the Queen.

"Where else than Sugarcube Corner, Spike. It'll be quiet at the moment, so it's a perfect place to introduce the girls to Instar."

The Queen perked up upon hearing her name and buzzed over to Twilight's side. "Sugarcube Corner?" she copied, sounding confused.

"Oh, it's a building where ponies can spend time together and eat, or just talk."

Instar tilted her head and seemed to go deep in thought. "I think I know..." she mumbled, forcing the words out slowly.

"It's okay. Learning everything takes time. You're doing incredibly well for just a week," Twilight praised, finding it hard not to be proud of her student.

"I learn more?"

"Of course!" Twilight replied, nodding. "I'll teach you anything you want!"

"I learn you?" Instar asked, slowing to a stop. "Learn Twilight?" She liked her Twilight.

With a burst of green flames, a copy of Twilight stood there, smiling.

"That's always gonna be creepy," Spike mumbled, staring at the new Princess. "I wonder if they'll freak out less with this, than without?"

"Only one way to find out," Twilight added, smiling back at the clone.

"Only one way to find out."

Twilight, Twilight and Spike made it to edge of Ponyville and entered the town. Thankfully it was just before the busy lunch commute, so there weren't the usual amount of ponies rushing about, but enough to where Twilight suddenly felt a silence overcome the town and all eyes fell on the two Twilights.

"Uh, Twilight?" Spike asked, looking about.

"Yes, Spike?" both Twilights replied, causing him to groan.

"Can we simply teleport there?"

"That might be for the best," the real Twilight agreed as she charged her horn. Closing the gap, Twilight cast her spell and within a second they all found themselves within Sugarcube Corner.

Outside, everypony looked to each other, shrugged then went on their way. Having two Twilight's was so much better than having hundreds of Pinkies, so it wasn't that bad.

Inside, Twilight levitated Spike off her back and looked around. Thankfully there were only a few ponies enjoying their food, so it wouldn't be too hard to hide the Queen if need be.

"Do you want to find somewhere for us to sit?" Twilight asked, turning to Instar and gesturing to a few tables. "I have to talk to Pinkie for a second."

Instar simply tilted her head as she tried to decode what she just said.

Spike just walked over and took Instar's hoof in his claw. "We'll find a seat, Twi. Try not to get Pinkie too excited, alright?"

"I'll try. Thanks, Spike," she giggled, watching Spike lead her clone away.

Poking her head into the back of the bakery, Twilight's smile widened as she saw her friend and the Cake's hard at work with their orders.

Pinkie was zipping around the kitchen, almost able to fill the baking trays, whisk the batter and set the oven at the same time.

The sight wasn't new to Twilight, but it still annoyed her inner scientist.

In a flash, Pinkie was in front of the Alicorn. "Heya Twi! You're a bit early? Is everything alright?"

"Oh, everything's fine, Pinkie," Twilight assured, waving a hoof. "I just wanted to make sure that, for once, there's no party planned." She held a hoof to stop Pinkie when she opened her mouth. "I know you want to, and honestly it would be lovely, but she doesn't even know what a party is and I'm sure it would just scare her."

Pinkie thought for a second, her flour-covered hoof rubbing at her chin. "No problem," she agreed, nodding. "I actually only just had a cake baked for her. I know it's a bit late for her birthday and I know that she has some dietary requirements, but it would be nice to celebrate it."

Twilight couldn't help but smile wide at the restraint her friend was showing. "I'm sure she'll love it. Oh yeah, no sudden and loud noises. Also, she'll most likely, you know, copy the girls. So don't get freaked out."

"Silly, I know what she does," Pinkie replied, rolling her eyes. "You'll have to convince Dash and Rarity of that though."

Twilight nodded. "Yeah, that's going to be tricky, but I'm sure they'll be fine with it after a while."

Suddenly Mrs. Cake wandered over. "Come on girls, you're either in or out. Pinkie, you can hang out with your friends. We're almost done here anyway."

"Thanks! I'll just get cleaned up and come out, okay?"

"Sure," Twilight said, backing out of the kitchen.

She returned to Spike and Instar, who had found a table in the corner of the room. She paused for a second upon seeing them engaged in a staring match with each other, then chuckled and found her own seat next to the Queen.

"Who's winning?" she asked, only recieving a 'shh' from Spike in return.

Neither of them were ready to give up and conceded defeat. Instar seemed calm and collected, while Spike's eye was twitching and a bead of sweat dripped down the side of his face as he struggled on. The seconds passed slowly for the competitors, until Pinkie trotted over.

Instar broke eye contact to look over at the new pony, before frowning in thought. She opened her mouth and forced out, "Pink!"

Pinkie blinked at the pair of Twilights, before giggling and waving at Instar. "Heya! I'm Pinkie Pie!" she greeted, before turning to Twilight, "I didn't know you enjoyed that sort of thing," she teased, wiggling her eyebrows towards the Princess.

The Alicorn found her cheeks warm, then heard Spike laugh. With a huff, she leaned down and rested her head on the table, then felt Instar nuzzle and breath in her scent. "Not helping..." she grumbled.

The next few minutes passed slowly as the group simply talked. Mostly about what Twilight had missed during her week in the castle and how Instar was doing with her lessons.

Just as Pinkie was about to go on about her and Cheese Sandwich, a bright flash appeared in the center of the room.

"Greetings, my little po-," Princess Celestia began, but cut herself off when she saw two Princesses sitting there.

Instar looked at the new tall pony, tensing up. She didn't like the other tall pony, but this one... this one radiated love. It made her mouth water at the thought of draining her. Pushing that back, she rushed out, just as the real Twilight did and nuzzled up to Celestia, purring.

"Princess, I wasn't told you would be coming to Ponyville!"

"That's- well, because I didn't tell anypony. I wanted to see who you've taken on as a student. Luna said she was different and now I see why," Celestia explained, staring down at the Queen that seemed content in nuzzling against Celestia's chest.

"Oh, uh- yeah," Twilight mumbled, watching herself. "Is that what I look like when I hug you?" she whispered, covering her face with her wings and letting out a soft whimper.

"She's quite adorable, I must admit," Celestia chuckled, using a wing to guide both Twilight's over to the table. "Pinkie, it's lovely to see you again," she cooed, leaning down to nuzzle her. "How have you been?"

"I've been superduperfantasiriffic, Princess!" Pinkie replied, grinning. "I took your advice!"

Celestia raised a brow and sat down at the table with Instar purring around her. "And?"

"We're going on a date in a few days!"

"I'm so happy it worked out for you."

"Wait, what happened?" Twilight asked, looking between the two. "What date?"

"I asked Cheese Sandwich out on a date!"

Twilight blinked and then grinned. "Ohmygosh, really?" she gasped, clopping her hooves together. "That's amazing! I knew you two had a thing, but I didn't know it was like, really serious!"

Pinkie nodded, her body practically vibrating. "The Princess helped me gather the courage and I sent it a couple of days ago."

Twilight let out an 'aww' and leaned on the table, seeing her clone's tail swish and disappear.

"Princess warm," Instar cooed, having slid under one of Celestia's wings and now cuddled up against her barrel. "Like tall Princess."