Author's Note

I had this chapter ready for release yesterday, but my house got flooded after the hot water connector got disconnected from the hot water tank located inside our kitchen. Fortunately, my mom was at home and had shut off the power before things got worse, and thus no permanent damage was incurred. I helped clean up the mess caused.

On another note I experimented with different writing styles here, and personally I didn't like them. So in the end I'll just stick with my usual style in past chapters. Anyways I hoped you enjoy this chapter as much as I did writing.

Edit: Finished the rewrite. As I've said this chapter will still be up.

Feel free to skip this chapter and go here

Original Chapter 6: Conflict Averted (Optional Read)

Would you take the chance to peacefully resolve a conflict? Even if the chance of success is small, would you still take it?

I grappled with this exact question: should I abandon my disguise and approach the changelings in an attempt to negotiate a peaceful resolution with their leader? Perhaps I could prevent needless bloodshed and spare countless lives. However, there was also the possibility that these changelings were without a queen and were emotionally starved. The right course of action was uncertain, but I knew I had to try.

I turned to the right watchtower and saw four deer standing upright, holding their bows between their hooves. Arrows were already nocked on the bowstrings, ready to face the upcoming swarm. Turning back towards the approaching swarm, I said, “I’m going to try and negotiate.”

“WHAT!” Orange yelled right into my ear, which caused me to recoil a bit. “They might be emotionally starved, you said so yourself, It's dangerous for you to go out alone and meet them.”

After recovering from Orange’s outburst, I faced her and took a deep breath before responding. "I understand the risks involved and yes, they may attack me on sight. However, even if there's only a slim chance to negotiate with their queen or whoever is leading the swarm to come up with terms that benefit both parties, it's worth taking that chance." I paused, seeing the frown that had developed on Orange’s face.

Orange sighed, turning her head toward the swarm which had gotten closer, and turned back. “Listen, Starry, if you’re going to endanger yourself out there then take me and Cherry with you.”

I opened my mouth to retort but quickly shut it after seeing Orange’s look of determination. I looked toward Cherry who looked all the more eager at the prospect of getting closer to a possible fight. I let out a long deep sigh. “I… Okay fine, I’ll take you and Cherry with me.”

With a grin, Orange declared, "I wouldn't want it any other way." She nudged Cherry lightly and added, "Let's get down now, Cherry." To which Cherry just shrugged and began climbing down, followed closely by Orange.

I turned to address the stag. “Listen whatever let Chief Eero or Chieftess Maija know that I’ll be down there to try and negotiate.”

The stag nodded, "Ah, okay, I tell chief and chieftess know, if come." After his response, I descended and reunited with Cherry and Orange.

After we had climbed down from the watchtower and shared my plan to negotiate with the upcoming swarm to the two gate guards, they exchanged apprehensive glances and hesitated for a moment before finally opening the gate to let me, Cherry, and Orange out of the settlement.

As I stepped outside, I shed my disguise, and the green flames embraced me, revealing my true form. Unfurling my wings, I tested them with two experimental flaps, as they hadn't been used since I awakened from my two-century-long slumber. When I felt confident in my flight, I began to flap them in an upward and downward motion. Initially, it was a sluggish start, but I gradually picked up the pace, and soon enough, I lifted myself off the ground.

The familiar buzzing of my wings put a smile on my face, after not hearing them for two centuries. However, I didn't have the luxury to enjoy the thrill of flying as I had a mission to fulfill. Glancing down at Cherry and Orange, who stared at me in awe as I hovered above them. To their eyes, My wings must have been a blur, since they were flapping at such a rapid pace that it was impossible to discern individual movements. I looked back toward the swarm as they had gotten closer since the last time I checked. I estimated that the swarm would reach Smalstad in seven minutes.

Looking back down at Cherry and Orange, I said. “Cherry, Orange, be ready to shoot, I am flying up and.” Both of them nodded as readied their weapons and intently eyed the swarm. I did the same ensuring my RK-30 is securely attached to my battle saddle. I darted toward the swarm. Hoping to meet them halfway, while Cherry and Orange followed me the best they could from the ground.

For four long and tense minutes, I darted toward the swarm. Around two minutes in, the swarm came to a stop, but I continued to fly towards them. By the three-minute mark, a figure appeared at the front of the swarm. This figure towered over the other gray changelings and appeared to be the same height as me, but I couldn't discern whether it was their queen or not. Nevertheless, this new figure began flying towards me. As we got closer, not only could I notice that the figure and the swarm weren't wearing any uniforms or armor, but I fully made out what the new figure looked like; she had a gray carapace, gray mane+tail, and gray eyes. At her side was an MP-30 submachine gun(Sidenote the magazine is on the bottom), and to finish it off she had a black crown behind her jagged horn.

After seeing the crown, it told me all I needed to know. She is a queen and she was coming toward me. I waved my forehooves and called out. “Hey, I came to negotiate! From one queen to another let's talk.”

The Queen waved back and said. “Alright, Let’s talk on the ground.” I nodded and we began descending to the ground. Moments later we touched down on the ground, we sat on our haunches, and began talking.

“So.” I began, addressing the gray queen “Why have you come to attack Smalstad? As one of the queens of Olenia, I cannot stand by and watch your army move and threaten Smalstad.”

She looked downward with a sad look adorned on her face. “I… I’m sorry… I didn’t want this but I have no choice, my hive is hungry. We have no more love, and there are no other emotions available that can supplement love, the previous skirmishes from the deer of Smalstad were from hungry drones that have gone rogue… I had no choice but to kill off any remaining drones who were at risk, and afterward, there were only twenty-six left, and you are seeing the remainder right now.”

A frown had formed on my face. “So the attack on Smalstad was an act of desperation,” I said, glancing at her for confirmation, she nodded in response.

“I… I wish there was any other way.” The queen said, looking downward.

“Hey,” I said, catching her attention. “There's a way. First, order your drones to land, and I can act as a mediator between you and Chief Eero. We can negotiate a peace deal that benefits both our sides." Her face lit up with hope at my words.

“You sure they’ll talk?” She says with a tone of uncertainty.

Smiling, I said. “Absolutely. Oh, and the names Queen Aurelia Zagria, but you can call me Aurelia, and yours?”

She smiled, tears threatening to spill out. “Mine is Queen Drumedia Xandralis, but Drumedia is fine.”

After Drumedia ordered her drones to land through her hive mind. Orange, Cherry, and I went back to relay the news to Chief Eero about negotiating with Queen Drumedia. I decided to go back undisguised and promptly ignored any deer that prostrated themselves to me, for I had far more important things on my mind than tell any of the deer to not bow at me.

Anyway, after we had talked and explained the situation to Chief Eero he had agreed to meet with Queen Drumedia. So now we were at the agreed meeting area outside the settlement right next to a flat top rock, which I hadn’t even noticed until Drumedia chose that as the meeting place. The delegation Drumedia was made up of two changelings wearing dark-purple body armor, which Drumedia had said were her advisors and personal guard, so they were situated at the back.

We didn’t have to wait long as Chief Eero came with his wife and two others, presumably advisors or high-ranking council members. We all took our places, Drumedia and her delegation sat on the right, Eero and his delegation sat on the right, and I sat in the middle, while Cherry and Orange as well as Drumedia’s twenty-six changeling swarm sat to the side spectating the negotiations.

“Alright, now that everycreature is here let's begin the negotiation.” I declared. I then levitated a draft of the treaty that contained a set of terms and hoofed them to the parties involved. “Now, I have drafted a set of terms, please take a moment to review them and propose any amendments or modifications that you deem necessary.”

Both parties took a moment to read the draft paper, Eero after reading the draft spoke up “I would like to make an amendment. If I may?”

I nodded, “Of course, what would you like to amend?” I asked.

“Well it's regarding Article 3 on Love Harvesting. Everything else is acceptable.” Eero Said, “I propose to add a clause that mandates our warriors to observe the process and ensure the safety of our deer.”

I turned towards Queen Drumedia. “Any objections?”

"No objections here," Queen Drumedia said, biting her lip and letting out a sigh. "However, I’ll only agree on one condition."

Chief Eero raised an eyebrow, “And what would that be?”

Queen Drumedia stood up, “the condition that you allow me and my remaining changelings to settle in or around Smalstad.”

Chief Eero was surprised, "I see...this is a weighty matter. I will need to consult with my delegation first." The Smalstad delegation proceeded to huddle around and silently discussed Drumedia’s condition.

We waited with bated breaths, the discussion seemed to take an eternity, as the outcome of this will determine the outcome of this peace talks. However it didn’t take long for the Smalstad delegation to reach a consensus, as it only took them at most five minutes.

Eero stepped forward and cleared his throat. “After much discussion we have agreed to allow the changelings of Queen Drumedia to settle inside of Smalstad.” He smiled and reached out a hoof to Drumedia. “Welcome to Smalstad.”

Queen Drumedia smiled and shook Chief Eero’s hoof. "I look forward to a promising partnership,” she said. Both parties proceeded to sign their names onto the revised document thus cementing the treaty.

Standing up and stretching and hearing satisfying pops, I let out a sigh of relief. Mediating and ensuring the talks went smoothly had been a stressful affair, and I was grateful that it was over. Just then, Chieftess Maija spoke up, "Let's celebrate this newfound friendship with a grand feast inside Smalstad. Come on!"

With that we all got up and walked back inside Smalstad.

The sun had, from what I could tell, set by the time we returned to the longhouse and joined in the festivities. The deer had outdone themselves, as the tables were overflowing with various dishes. I was overwhelmed and didn't know where to begin. Traditional Olenian Viking music filled the air, and there was even a designated dance area where changelings and deer were dancing together.The atmosphere was lively and jovial, which had brought back memories of a time before the Megaspells brought destruction to the world. Tears welled up in my eyes as I basked in this joyous occasion.

Seated in a secluded corner of the great hall, Orange, Cherry, and I enjoyed our meals. Orange opted for a vegetarian dish, while Cherry indulged in a hearty meat-based meal. I on the other hoof went with a classic Olenian dish known simply as ‘Perunamuusia ja lihapullia’ and as the name suggests it’s main ingredients are mashed potatoes and meatballs, but it has more to it than that as it also includes beetroots, onions, and a sprinkle of parsley, all together make for a hearty meal.

Orange after swallowing a salad, “Wow, I’ve never experienced anything quite like this.” Orange said, drawing a nod from Cherry.

“We should enjoy this while it lasts, celebrations like this were fairly rare back then, even then it was still just as lively as this, minus the death and decay that is commonplace.” I said, “It brings me great hope to know that deer and even ponies can come together, build settlements and thrive. That for every Scarlet there's a Smalstad.”

Orange smiled, “Yeah, I know what you mean. Before my old friends and I were chased all the way here, we stayed at a settlement called Vrupsea down in the Tall Tale region.” The mare’s smile then turned into a frown. “Four days after staying in Vrupsea, we ran into Scarlet’s gang and you know the rest.”

I nodded, “If it's any consolation we’re still taking revenge on Scarlet. Even if it won’t bring them back.” I replied, before taking a spoonful of Perunamuusia ja lihapullia and savoring the flavors.

“Yeah your right and--Cherry what the hell!” Orange exclaimed, but was interrupted as Cherry held a bottle of Eramaan olut in her magic, and was clearly drunk as evident of her passing out on top of Orange, fortunately Orange was able to catch the bottle before it spilled. I was amused at this sight, clearly somecreature or somepony I should say can’t handle her alcohol.

“I think we should retire for today.” Orange said, hefting the passed-out mare onto her back.

“Agreed,” I simply said, finishing my meal and standing up. Asking a nearby guard for directions to the guest bedroom was easy, the hardest part was getting them to not fall to the floor and worship me. To be honest with you, it was starting to get really annoying and was making me regret my decision to shed my disguise.

Anyway we entered a guest bedroom and wow it was a sight to see. The room itself exuded a warm and cozy atmosphere which had enveloped us as we entered, the wooden walls were lined with intricate carvings of mythical creatures and past battles, in fact I even spotted a carving that depicted the Battle of Smala Skogar which was Queen Chrysalis’s attempt at reconquering Olenia after the queens of Olenia, my mother included, declared independence which ended in a victory for the newly formed Olenian Hives.

Three beds lined underneath a window that gave a good view of the cloud-covered night sky in Smalstad. The beds themselves were covered with thick furs and woolen blankets and at the foot of each bed was a small cabinet where one can store their belongings.

I removed my peaked cap, saddle bags, detached my RK-30 rifle, and set them on top of the cabinet. I then laid down on the bed, pulling the wool blanket under my chin. I watched Orange do the same to her and Cherry’s equipment.

Orange turned to face me and said. “Good night Aurelia.”

“Good night.” I replied.

I closed my eyes as sleep overtook me, and I wondered.

What would tomorrow bring?