They're home.

With drones satisfied and, frankly, pigging out to a disgusting degree, Chrysalis leaves the High Score Cavern on hoof instead of teleporting out to finish the show. It’s not as if anyone’s paying attention to her anymore due to the radio play anyway.

Outclassed in authority by a radio while wearing a silly, ruined, reindeer costume. What would my mother say if she saw this? If she wasn’t half-insane from the other Queens inside her head, that is. Wrong Queen - she would execute everyone involved. What would grandma say, though? Probably still the same, to be honest. Respect and fear are easy to mix up, and all they valued was obedience which you can achieve by both. Fear is easier, too.

So what have I got? Are my changelings afraid of me? Yes, and that’s good. Are they terrified of me? No. Do they respect me? Enough to tell me the truth. Do they… like me?

Will they do what I say even if they don’t want to? Yes, and that’s the important part.

Taking a leisurely stroll through the upper tunnels, Chrysalis enjoys the complete silence, breathing in huge lungfuls of freezing air. Of course, she can always sense the drones in the back of her head, but no one is talking to her directly nor needs her attention. For the first time in years, she feels alone.

The instant her train of thought arrives at that conclusion, she breathes out and tenses up.

I guess I’ll still have to wait before I can relax.

She can’t sense anyone.

156 and 387 could be excusable. They’ve wanted some time alone before, and 387 has proven able to shield them both from her senses. Even 99, despite her lack of power and skills, could put enough distance between herself and Chrysalis and coupled it with proper mental shielding to be difficult to sense, although that would take serious effort. There are two changelings she should be able to sense from her current position no matter what, though - 2119 and 3012 standing on guard near the throne room.

She ponders the situation and picks up the pace, burning a small amount of love to enhance her physical senses. One might call her effort fruitless, but it still assures her that there’s no ambush waiting for her ahead. Chrysalis concentrates further and, for the briefest second, she finally senses a weak flash of 99’s mind in the throne room, which is immediately ripped away afterwards. That’s all she needs to recognize that 99 is unfocused, dizzy, and surprised. There’s no positive reason 99 would feel like that inside the throne room.

Chrysalis sighs. Time to take the reindeer costume off and put the royal crown back on. Taking it literally, she visits the small cave where 65536’s cart is and disrobes, carefully folding her “disguise” back into its box. No reason to let it get ruined by some foolish conspirators who have no idea what they’re dealing with. Taking the sentries, 156, and 99 likely by surprise means nothing. In fact, emboldening idiots who think they’re strong enough to reveal themselves after taking on rank 99 is one of the reasons for 99’s name.

Once she makes her way to the surface floor of the hive, she decidedly avoids entering the throne room via the main entrance, and instead she drains love from a seemingly random section of a side wall which is thin enough to open, walking through with a stern expression on her face. That expression freezes only slightly when she notices a familiar green barrel directly next to her from the corner of her eye.

There are ten changelings present in total, all clearly expecting her. Two, however, are floating right by the skip exit on the ceiling. All of them are mentally shielded and thus basically unidentifiable with the exception of 99 lying next to another green barrel, all four legs glued to the floor. The first inconsistency of the situation is that 99 seems to be unconscious. With the knowledge of her waking up from before, it’s possible that she’s pretending. As Chrysalis flicks her head almost imperceptibly upwards, the female changeling closest to her chuckles and says:

“Yes, there’s another barrel above you. Yes, they’re all filled by the pressurized acid foam that 99856 and 99111 made.”

“And that’s supposed to stop me from ruining your little gathering, how?” Chrysalis raises an eyebrow.

The mare’s pleasant smile doesn’t fade at all.

“There are two things still missing from this, as you called it, gathering. While we’re waiting, let me do my evil monologue, Your Majesty,” she says. Despite her almost perfect facade, Chrysalis does get a hint that the mare is at least somewhat nervous. Good.

It would be impossible to explain the feeling of mental veil not exactly lifting, but withdrawing slightly and allowing for the identification of everyone present. The Queen, however, stops on the changeling mare going by the rank 745 seemingly leading the group.

“You’re not 745,” she says.

“Yes and no. Care to guess again? As I said, we still have time.”

Chrysalis tries to enter the mind of any of the changelings, and fails. It’s hard to admit, but an infiltrator Queen without mental influence is severely limited and, for the first time, doubt creeps into her mind. She might be in more danger than she expected, but she notices she’s not alone. There’s a string of drool from 99’s mouth dripping exactly on the resin shackle gluing her to the floor. She just needs time to free herself safely. How much help she would be is debatable, but it’s better than being on her own.

“745 died trying to read 65536’s mind, and I don’t think 65536’s mind can be manipulated. You’re pretending to be her using a fake link.”

“Close,” the mare smirks, “745 never existed. There's a limit to how much a Queen can see by reading minds and only interacting with drones. We are a species of deception,” green fire flashes across the mare’s body, revealing a grey mane, tail, and the general visage of 156.

“Then whom did the spell in 65536’s head kill?” it takes Chrysalis’ full self-control to show nothing on her face nor in her voice despite her heart shattering into pieces. Metaphorically, of course. There’s a small but growing part of her set on delivering literal shattering to everyone involved. Times have indeed changed. Unfortunately, like old drones, old changelings carry the old days with them.

“We are a species of deception,” repeats 156, opens her mouth, and lets out an overexaggerated moan as the surface layer of her carapace melts off. Afterwards, she simply wipes the thin layer off, “745 never existed and also never died.”

Only now Chrysalis allows herself a not exactly sad, just extremely exhausted sigh.

“Why you, 156?”

“You should know best, Your Majesty, what it means to be the only one for a job-”

“RUN, QUEEN, THEY CAN BLOCK MENTAL SKILLS, RUN!” 99 rips the green goop keeping her restrained into pieces and, in one movement, grows a blade from her foreleg, hacking a chunk of the barrel next to her off.

“That’s thing number one,” says 156 calmly when pressurized foam fails to explode out of the barrel and melt everyone nearby including 99 as the heroic sacrifice. None of the other changelings move but, with only a brief glance, 156 makes 99 lose control of her limbs and drop to the floor. She looks up at the ceiling where the two changelings are waiting next, “The other barrels really are full, in case you’re wondering.”

Despite 99’s warning, Chrysalis hasn’t moved a step. The pretend calm demeanor of everyone is telling her two things - the rebels expected 99 to do exactly that, but they are also scared of her even in this situation. Running would be easy, but that seems like the expected action. No, they need to think they’ve won, and then she needs to attack, which means she must wait for the second moment of 156’s triumph before striking. As far as she knows, no changeling present has ever seen her fight.

Goad them into talking, Chrysalis.

“Is this about drones?” she looks at the changelings behind 156, “I thought we sorted this out, or didn’t 156 tell you that I agreed to the idea of you having time off to pursue some interest like the drones do?”

Without making any noise or revealing a hive link signature, 387 drops through the skip. Unfortunately, he gets immediately tackled mid-air by the two changelings waiting for him and brought down where they restrain him.

“And thing number two,” 156 smiles, “Being such great assets to the hive also makes you predictable, but only Her Majesty here is an infiltrator, and she put her trust in me for a long time. Well, I guess it’s time for the last thing I wanted to say.”

“Say it, 156. You might be the first changeling in a millennium with a gravestone and I’m out of ideas for an epitaph,” Chrysalis bares her fangs and lowers herself into a combat stance.

She’s not moving. Neither of them are. They still don’t believe I’ll attack them.

“My last words, then, are: Well done, everyone. Let them go,” 156 takes a deep bow and the conspirators do what they’re told, “And to you, Your Majesty, Happy Hard Swarming Eee!”

“What…?” Chrysalis keeps glaring, the only reason for her not charging forward being that 99 and 387 are seemingly really being released, “Explain yourself, immediately!”

“I fully intend to, Your Majesty,” 156 rises up, smiling, “However, if you don’t mind, I’ll save the best for last,” she looks at 99 who darts past her and joins the Queen’s side of the room, “99, how did you enjoy your present?”

“My… present…?” is all 99 can say.

“Yes. Games of tactics are your thing, aren’t they? I know you love Scufflestick, but drones aren’t much of a challenge, and neither I nor 387 play much. On the other hole, you got to unravel a mysterious conspiracy through the week, one too twisted and seemingly nonsensical, because that’s what it was. And in the end, it forced you to make a move, to risk everything by facing the mysterious rebel leader. You lost, but also gained the all-important opportunity for a heroic sacrifice to save the Queen.”

“This was… a game?!” 99 raises her voice, starting to shake.

“A game and a chance to see a glimpse of the world most of us-” 156 looks backwards at the other ‘conspirators’, “-had to live in. Don’t think for a second that drones were the only ones who had it difficult. At least they could always trust each other.”

“What about me then?” asks 387, joining 99 and Chrysalis while glaring at 156, “I spent days creeping around like an idiot.”

“Hmmm, isn’t there one more mystery to unravel, 387? One about how a simple infiltrator could hide everything that was going on from you and, most importantly, the Queen herself?” 156 whistles sharply, and a figure similar to 387 walks out from behind the throne, only dark purple instead of mossy green, “The simple answer is - she had help from someone who specializes in hiding.”

“Whispershade?” 387 squints, “What? How? I thought you died during the invasion. I tried to contact the few remaining changelings in Canterlot when things settled, but I didn’t hear a word about you or the orphanage crew…” he starts walking forward, his voice full of disbelief, “I only heard that the paladins killed some changelings who tried to flee through the secret tunnel leading into the old mines. I thought… I thought…” 387 rushes the few final steps towards Whispershade and wraps his forelegs around the other ‘changeling’s’ neck.

“Yes, it’s me, Twinkleshine. We barely fled before the invasion hit, but we got the last batch of changelings you smuggled out of the hive into safety too. We fled to Fillydelphia before the news spread and most of us are still there. I was shocked that she was able to find me this spring,” Whispershade nods at 156, “Apparently, you couldn’t keep your mouth shut after things supposedly changed and told her a lot about our little underground railroad.”

“If it makes you feel better, without knowing 387 this well, I would have never detected your fake hive link,” says 156, “And I was planning this for a long time. Whispershade’s visit, that is, not this conspiracy. How about you two take some time to catch up? I’m sure Her Majesty will have questions for me soon.”

387, still visibly stunned by the development, just wordlessly nods, and follows Whispershade behind the throne and starts off a muffled conversation. By now, Chrysalis has relaxed and managed to tame the worst of her instinct screaming at her to immediately execute everyone involved but mainly 156, if not for a real conspiracy then for proving she’s too dangerous to keep alive for being able to pull this off under Chrysalis’ nose. The other changelings are still only watching, although now visibly nervous.

“156, game or not, you’re not the only one here who knows this would get you recycled not so long ago,” says the Queen sternly. Several changelings look down at the floor. The most visibly terrified are the two gate sentries who shuffle towards each other, proving to Chrysalis that they must have been roped into this only recently, “I suggest you get to the point.”

“That is the point, Your Majesty,” 156 slowly looks around, pointing her hoof at everyone present, “I successfully pulled off a conspiracy, got you into a vulnerable position by making it impossible for you to use your main strength, and trapped you in a position where your top supporters were defeated and your only options were to flee or take a dangerously risky fight. And look at how this ends, Your Majesty. With your status of power and fear stripped away from you, what are you left with? Do you want me to tell you what I see?”

“You are not helping your case, 156.”

“If this happened, let’s say, a decade ago,” 156 narrows her eyes, “I would see a Queen about to fall and a hive about to die. Now? How can I make it more clear? No one is after your position. You are vulnerable, but no one here wants to hurt you. You are valued by all your changelings, not just drones. Yes, they are trembling in fear -don’t think I haven’t noticed, guys- but that’s because they think we’ve gone a little too overboard with my present for you, which was to prove to you that they see you as a valuable Queen, not as a tyrant ruling by force anymore. We all believe in what the hive can become under your leadership, which is something none of us could say not that long ago,” 156 looks Chrysalis directly into her eyes, “You can, of course, read our minds to confirm the full story. The flutterpony protection is gone.”

“So there never was a conspiracy?” asks Chrysalis, “And this whole thing was a present for me, a proof that I can trust my whole hive to not turn on me if I show weakness?”

“Not entirely,” 156 turns her head and looks at 838, “838 was worried about drone mind control resistance, that wasn’t a trick and we still have no idea how they do it. Some changelings did want time to pursue their interests, and we came to an understanding about that too. On top of that, 415 freaked out pretty badly when he learned about drone acid mines. This just shows they know how many good reasons drones would have to take revenge… if it was in their blood. However, like when you jumped to conclusions about it and I calmed you down, I dealt with their discontent before it could bloom into something serious, as is my job. I just used real concerns to spark a fake conspiracy. Isn’t it great that, for once, it was a fake threat from real friends instead the usual other way around?” 156 chuckles, “To be honest, it was a bit of a present to myself, a test to see if I could pull it off. As I told 99 recently, if there’s one thing I miss from the old days, it’s the chance to test myself against someone better. Peace is difficult to get used to after so long, but it’s proving to be worth it.”

“You’ve risked a lot. One wrong move and I could have killed the lot of you.”

“I would be first, and everyone was instructed to flee and Whispershade was told to withdraw his protection if that happened so that you could read their minds about everything.”

“You would still be dead.”

“Nothing important is risk-free,” 156 shrugs, “I believed I’d grown to know you better than anyone, though, Your Majesty.”

“I know you’re celebrating on the inside that you’ve pulled this off, but you’re still way too smug about it,” Chrysalis reaches out and smacks 156 over the head before lowering her voice into a growl, “Don’t try this ever again.”

“Ouch,” the infiltrator chuckles, “That’s because I have one more present, a more tangible one this time.”

“Oh?”

“Guys, grab the barrels. Carefully!” orders 156 and her group finally starts moving.

“What’s this about?” asks Chrysalis.

“You know how the drones killed a rock worm, right? I distinctly recall you saying that if we ever found a way to hunt those monstrosities, you’d join in a heartbeat.”

“No…” Chrysalis breathes out.

“We have three full barrels, how about we celebrate Hard Swarming Eee by heading down and nuking us some of those gigantic bastards?” 156 grins. That grin fades when Chrysalis shoots her a raised eyebrow and a smug smirk of her own, “Yeah, yeah. I’ll be the bait, you throw the barrels.”

“You’re the one who wanted a challenge,” Chrysalis shrugs.