Celestia sat and waited next to her daughter and the other nymphs in the crystal caverns just outside Imagos front door. The old mines were still far from being a proper, modern hive but Imago’s house was a good start, it would serve as her private chambers as the hive grew.

The changeling refugees were all lined up facing them as they waited for Imago to get started. Celestia was curious what would be happening next. Her partner had tried to explain it but even she didn’t understand all of the magic. Should we really let her go through with adding unknown members?We can’t just let them die and she’s their only hope.

Imago stepped through her door and smiled at the lings that she would be accepting into the hive. “Hello my future drones and Den mother.” She stopped just before the group. “Before we start are you all sure you wish to join me? My Hive is only just starting so it will not be easy. My relationship with the ponies is more unique than previous hives.” Imago smiled over her withers at Celestia.

They all shared a look before the den mother stepped forward. “We would be honored to join your hive Princes Imago and share in the love.” She bowed low and the drones followed.

Imago nodded and touched her horn to the den mother. Magic and memories flowed between them both before the flows quickly spread to the drones as Imago took over the tenuous links the den mother had painfully maintained. These poor souls have been through so much.

Celestia got to her hooves but Alicia put a hoof on her mother to stop her when Imago teared up. “Mother is reviewing their memories as they join our hive mind.” The little princess sniffled. “They have been through so much.” She mirrored her mothers thoughts aloud.

As a princess herself, Alicia was also provided snipits during the joining that her sisters wouldn’t have access to until older. Celestia nodded and hugged her daughter.

As the magic intensified the newer changelings all breathed a sigh of relief as the hive mind was connected. Celestia could only watch in amazement as they changed into colors similar to Imago’s so they would match their new princess’s hive.

Just as quickly as it started the process ended. Imago stumbled a bit and her new drones quickly rushed to assist her.

“Princess are you alright?” Elytra, the newly named Den mother asked her new princess.

“Just fine my dear.” Imago gave her a nuzzle and they shared some love. I’m grateful none of them turned out to be spies.

The new hive members immediately began to cheer. The bonded pair of Speculum and Reverb kissed and hugged each other.

“We have a new home.” Shade broke down crying.

Celestia watched the small celebration with a smile on her face. Dawn might still be missing but Imago had brought just a bit more love and harmony into the world.

“They sure work fast don’t they?” Celestia and Imago were nuzzled together in the crystal mines watching the new drones work. After a short celebration that had gotten right into construction of new hive chambers in the crystal caves while the Den mother took to watching over the few fresh eggs Imago had laid recently.

“Yep. We changelings can work fast when needed. It helps that I can just direct them through the hive mind.” Imago waved at Firefly, and the female drone happily waved back. Each of them had gained new names during the bonding and she instinctively knew them all.

“I almost wish I was bonded to my ponies like that. So can you read their minds or how does it work?” Celestia ‘oofed’ when her daughter came running over and climbed upon her back.

Imago shook her head. “Only when bonding drones from another hive. I viewed all their memories but I couldn’t tell you everything without pulling them up again. A good queen acts as a conductor, she guides her drones but doesn’t micromanage. Chrysalis,” she hissed the name. “Is the main example of why you shouldn’t do that. No one mind can handle that much information and not go crazy. She treats her drones as puppets instead of individuals.”

“I see. So they’re all their own… changeling and you just guide them with your thoughts.” She hummed as Scarlet brought them over some tea before returning to her work.

“Yep. They can also pull up almost anything they need to know from the hive mind and when they joined us they added to that collective knowledge. Turns out Mina and Scout over there are actually from separate hives than the rest so it really broadens what was brought in.” Imago pointed out two drones. Celestia couldn’t really tell them apart but that was in their nature.

“So you know more now?” Celestia sipped the tea, it was prepared the same way Imago made it for them.

Imago wiggled her hoof. “Kind of. Even I have to actively seek out the knowledge in our hive mind but I have access to all of it while the various groups are limited, without going through me.”

Celestia didn’t quite understand but chose to trust her partner. If only we could do that with our field agents.

“Sir. We found something.” The pegasus scout gave a salute and her commander motioned for her to continue. “We found an abandoned train engine with only one car sitting on an older side rail. Judging by it’s condition, it was probably used by the foalnappers for at least part of the journey.”

“Excellent work. Finally we have some news for the Princess.” The older unicorn sighed.

Author's Note

Winning changeling names:
Den mother: Elytra
The paired female and male drone: Speculum and Reverb
Other male drones are: Shade and Scruff

Females are
Scarlet, Firefly, Itsy, Euphy, Mina, Scout, Hunter, Déjà Vu(1,2,&3)

Yes imago has a sense of humor and has plans for the three that showed promise as infiltrators. Even if she doesn’t need them against the ponies.

Also last chapter for a bit. I have some others almost ready but not quite yet.