The two groups mostly started staring each other down. It was kinda funny, in retrospect. A bunch of bug horses, led by a bug moose, were staring our group down. My group was, admittedly, a lot weirder. Firstly, it was mostly ponies, and then there was Chrysalis, and then there was Blaze and Murk. Murk’s tails waved back and forth, as though he was deciding upon whether or not these… I think these are changelings, if these changelings needed to die or not. The selection of ponies was kinda funny too. There was an alicorn princess from way up north, her husband, and six national heroes of the same nation these bugs were allied with.

Behind our group was a bunch of lizard things, that these guys definitely watched get butchered by Murk. Murk in question was beginning to slowly step in front of our group.

“What is going on, here?” The Bug Moose asked. Well, there were actually two. The one that spoke was huge. His head was yellow, so were his legs. I’m sure if he were standing next to Princess Celestia, he’d be either just as tall, or taller than her. His neck slowly darkened to match his green, sparkly torso. That’s the thing, he was fucking sparkly. His wings were sparkly, his horns, which would go nicely on a wall if he decides to be a problem.

I watched as poorly concealed excitement filled his eyes upon seeing Cadance, Shining Armor, and Starlight. “Well? Is anypony going to speak?” He asked.

“Howdy,” I stepped forward, seeing as I was the de facto, totally manly leader of the group. “So our group almost got murdered by a bunch of lizard guys.” I eeped when Murk grabbed me with his paws, and pulled me into his chest. He rested his head on the back of mine; he pulled me so I was still facing them. “This guy here, his name’s Murk, killed them in response. Granted, it was kinda bloodier than it needed to be, but Kumiho are, for all intents and purposes, very thorough in making sure whatever was a threat remains a was.”

“I see. And your name is? You must be important if you are taking the lead of this group, when there’s two Equestrian rulers in it.” The other Bug Moose asked. “And our old Queen as well.” The other Bug Moose was smaller and darker in coloration, and I could tell he wanted to try and size up Murk, but definitely knew how poorly that would go.

“I,” I stepped forward, out of Murk’s grasp. “Am Bald Ostrich, feel free to not call me that name, it’s something dumb I came up with once upon a time when I did not have a name. Call me Ostri instead. I was once the consort of Princess Luna, but Luna’s a bit of a dick despite her not having one. So now I’m your Queen’s consort, and have been trying to leave Equestria to avoid any more of the war that’s apparently going on.”

“Ah,” the smaller Bug Moose hummed and titled his head. “You’re that pegasus that used… fireworks as weapons?”

“Well… I can’t deny, nor confirm that information. I can confirm that I am a pegasus.” I spread my wings, before tucking them against my side.

“So you’re that pegasus that Princess Celestia said would try and attack our Hive…” The Bigger Bug Moose mused.

“The fuq?” I asked. “I came here because Chrysalis wanted to see her kids for one last time, and see if they like her or not.” I waddled around Chrysalis and started moving her forward. It was kinda hard, since her ass was basically in my face due to how much taller she was, but I did push her to the front of the group. “Chryssy ain’t evil no more; she’s got me and I think she’d rather spend her time with me, instead of fighting anyone anymore.”

“...Is this true?” The Big Bug Moose’s wings buzzed. “Oh my Hive…” He started giggling. “MOM’S GOT A COLTFRIEND EVERYBUGGY!” He announced that in something almost resembling the Canterlot Royal Voice in terms of volume. Just like that, the fact that there was a bunch of dead lizards behind us was all null in void. Instead, me and Chrysalis were surrounded by a bunch of bug horses, hounding us with questions.

“How’d you tame Mom?” One would ask.

“Does this mean we can have you back?” Another asked soon after.

“We missed you Mom!” Another would say.

These three general questions, though phrased differently between every changeling, were what we were being drowned with. Chrysalis was looking like she was shocked, happy, and about to cry all at once. She brought a hoof up to her mouth as one of the drones-

“Alright everybuggy,” the smaller of the Bug Mooses raised his hooves. “I’m glad that the Queen is back as well, and that she isn’t completely evil anymore,” he gestured to the dead lizards. “But we are not in safe territory right now. And frankly, despite how powerful that Kumiho is, I do not want to have anybuggy or anypony, or anyone to get set on fire by one of those lizards. Let’s get back to the Hive first!” That at least got all the changelings off of us.

As soon as the changelings got off of us, we all piled onto the wagons and started following along. Pharynx stuck behind, making sure we stayed with the group. Blaze worked over time, since we didn’t want to wait for Apple Jack to get hitched back into her wagon again. Both wagons were moving as fast as the small horde of changelings. We got to what looked like a rocky, stoney, hill-tree mix-thing. Actually, it just looked like an ancient, petrified tree that was massive.

And partially blown up.

“Welcome to the Hive,” Thorax said as soon as our wagons were inside so nothing would try burning them.

“That thing won’t be too dangerous, will it?” Pharynx asked, eying Murk. “I saw what he did to those Pyromanders, and I could sense his growing hostility until we showed signs of being peaceful.”

“Murk won’t hurt anyone,” I began to clarify. “Just don’t attack his mate, or me, and he’s chill.” Murk laid his head right between my ears.

“Okay then,” Pharynx kept a wary eye on Murk for a moment more, before dropping the topic. “So, why are you traveling with two of Equestria’s rulers, and our old Queen?” He asked. He chose to ignore the rest of Twilight's friends and Starlight at the moment.

“Cadance is trying to go home, and can’t ‘cuz of the war. Twilight and her friends are traveling with us because, as it turns out, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna are really not good ponies. Chrysalis is traveling with us because I’m dating her. As Thorax so formally told the hive. ‘MOM’S GOT A COLTFRIEND’ I mimicked Thorax’s voice pretty poorly.

“Pfft, that was pretty spot on,” Pharynx chuckled. “How the buck did you score her?” He asked.

“She was gonna murder me, so I hugged her. Then it turns out she’s horny-” Chrysalis hit me with a newspaper. “So we started dating. It’s been pretty cool so far.”

“So Mom,” Thorax said, he trotted, no, pranced up to us. Chrysalis was still swatting at me with a newspaper. “...Is what your coltfriend saying true? You two are dating? No mind control involved?”

My buggo shook her head. “I’ve actually been trying not to manipulate Ostri. After what Princess Luna has done to him, I’m surprised that he is as mellow as he is.”

“Imma be an uncle,” I smiled, patting Blaze, who was actually laying on the ground. “You alright, girl?”

Thorax was suddenly on Blaze in an instance. “She’s pregnant?” He asked. He took a sniff of the air. “She is! Oh, how far is she? Can I hear the little ones inside of her?!” Blaze and I slowly turned to each other and looked each other in the eyes. “Please?!” Thorax looked at me.

“Hey now,” Blaze giggled. “You can ask me. I am the one that’s pregnant after all.” Once prompted by Thorax, Blaze laid on her side and allowed Thorax to listen to the little rascals in her. She wasn’t too far along, so he probably wasn’t getting much. The bug moose was surprisingly gentle with Blaze.

“So,” I said, taking a step back by Cadance. “You know Thorax the best. Was he always like this?”

“He is.” Cadance giggled behind a hoof. “He loves foals, nymphs, anything that’s young. Kitsune Pups that aren’t even born yet are included… Apparently.” After a moment, Blaze found herself being guarded by a very, very diligent Thorax.

“So Mom,” Thorax said. “Since you’re reforming now, are you going to partake in a metamorphosis? I bet you’d look really pretty!” He kept hugging Blaze.

“Hmm,” she hummed. “Are you inviting me to rule once more? Because I, frankly, do not wish to do that. I’ve been a ruler for damn near a thousand years, and it is about time I took a break.”

“...Could you maybe help me learn how to rule? I’ve been doing my best, but I’m still not what you would call a good king.” Thorax asked, finally letting go of Blaze before Murk could whop the bug moose over the head with a magical frying pan. “And…”

“I can be an advisor, yes, and my first bit of advice, Thorax, don’t work with Equestria. Trust me.” Chrysalis walked over and stood over her son. “I am proud that you’re ruling everyling so well. I do not want you to rule as I once did, as when I ruled, we faced constant hardships and ended up invading Canterlot when I could not find any other alternatives to ending our constant starvation,” my queen shook her head, before planting a kiss on Thorax’s forehead. “It seems you all have been rather busy with rebuilding the Hive; mind showing me and my coltfriend around?” She asked.

“...How do we know you aren’t controlling him,” a smaller changeling, I’m assuming it’s a teenager. She was a grayish blue, changeling and somewhat thin. Her whole build was… rather meek, if I’ll be honest. Chrysalis’s carapace showed just how much muscle she was packing, same with Thorax, and every other changeling I’ve seen so far. This kid really wasn’t packing much of anything. The kid’s cyan eyes stared up at me and Chrysalis with suspicion. “Or everypony here? It seems like something you would do to try and begin ruling the Hive again.”

“I would’ve leapt at that opportunity if I were planning on it, Ocellus.” Chrysalis smirked at the young drone's suddenly wide eyes. “What? Are you surprised that I remembered your name, young one? You hatched not too long before my last invasion on Equestria, which resulted in everyling’s ‘reformation.’” She tilted her head. “After all, I was a mother, I still am. Believe it or not, but I did initially strike out at Equestria for all of you, even you, young one. Even before you and every other nymph hatched. I wanted to ensure your future, Equestria was the key to that future, and I failed. King Thorax did ensure your futures, which is why I am allowing him to rule and want him to rule as he has been; the Hive comes first, and you all being ‘changed’ ensures you all won’t go hungry.” Chrysalis shook her head. “Plus I do not have the power to mind control this many ponies at once, especially when Twilight Sparkle has wards in her mind that keeps it safe.

“As for Ostri? Look at him. He is in tip top condition, and fit. He would not be as such if I were actively feeding or draining him of love; I only use mind control to make doing so easier. Notice how in shape he is?” I wasn’t paying much attention until my name was said. I was laying in Blaze’s fluff, since Blaze looked like she could use a hug. Not really, but she looked huggable, so I hugged her.

After that I got my daily kitsune hug in, I got up and actually joined the fray. “So, Ocellus, was it?” I said, walking over to the kid.

“...Yeah.”

“Chrysalis ain’t here to do shit. All she wanted to do was make sure y’all were okay, and see how y’all felt about her. All she wants is to simply enjoy her life now.” I laid down in front of the kid, where a little book was laying flat open. “Whatcha reading?” I asked.

“...Daring Do, I guess.” Ocellus tilted her head. At the same time, she flipped the book upside down so it wouldn’t close on itself. “Are you alright? You’re kinda lacking emotions… Well, you’re kinda happy, but kinda… empty. That’s usually not a good thing; it’s definitely not the Queen, since you would be dead by now if she were actively feeding off of you.” That was directed at yours truly.

“Oh yeah, I’m fine. I’m just a thread away from killing myself, nothing too big.” I said dismissively. Luckily, Murk walked up behind me and wrapped his forelegs around my chest, and pulled me into his chest. It was kinda cool.

The little drone tilted her head, several other drones around us, including Ocellus, started looking concerned. “Why…?”

“Luna.” I patted her on the head. “Well, enjoy your reading I guess. And give Chrysalis a chance; I can tell what she wants right now. She sees you, a somewhat young changeling. I’m willing to bet she wants to hug you, ey?”

Ocellus slowly looked between me and Chrysalis. Her… left eyebrow remained raised, as a skeptical look came to the fore. “But…”

“Trust me, Chrysalis missed y’all. If she didn’t, I wouldn’t have gone this far out here; I’d be in Gryphus by now if not for Chrysalis’s request.”

Ocellus slowly peaked around me, at Chrysalis who took the time to make herself seem sad and meek, and nodded. “Okay. I’ll give her-” Chrysalis leaped over me and the kumiho holding me, and snapped the little drone in her hooves. In moments, Chrysalis was sitting on her ass, showering the poor girl with love nibbles, nuzzles and raspberries. “Oh dear Chrysalis!” Ocellus started squealing before she became a giggling fit, lying between Chrysalis’s hooves. Somehow Chrysalis found a way to tickle somebody until they were giggling, but not laughing uncontrollably. It was kinda cute.

It made my sad ass actually smile.

“I did not think you all would still use that phrase,” she hummed. She nuzzled Ocellus again. “My beautiful little lady. I heard you were attending school. A School of Friendship. As stupid as ‘friendship lessons’ are, are you at least doing well in those? And your regular courses as well. Your education is very important and ponies, despite their flaws, have better education systems than the Hive has ever had..”

“I-'' Ocellus hiccup's. It was cute. “I-I am!” She hicked.

“Good, you are doing myself, and Thorax, proud then. I am not so sure about sending you to the School of Friendship anymore, hmm? At least the one still in Ponyville.”

Twilight cleared her throat. “We will probably reopen up in the Crystal Empire once we get there.”

“Then I suppose sending you will be all the same. Just keep my sons and daughters away from Equestrian soil, please. I’ve no longer the authority, but this is just a request. Thorax, have you broken into my treasury while I was away? If not, do not refrain. That’s there for a reason. Use that to pay for this changeling’s travels to the Crystal Empire, and do get more changelings into the School of Friendship. As dumb as I may think it is, you all do need to be re-educated on socializing with other races. Plus having actual teachers for things such as math and reading are vital to the development of the Hive.”

“Yes Mom!” Thorax pranced over to us. He ended up hugging Chrysalis who was still holding Ocellus. My marefriend hummed in delight and leaned into the hug.. “So about that tour?” Thorax allowed Chrysalis to stand up a moment later, Ocellus was now on her back. Chryssy decided to hold the young drone’s book in her own magic, keeping it open.

“Tap the side of my carapace when you finish reading the page, dear,” she instructed. Ocellus immediately tapped her side and the page turned. “Now King Thorax, do lead the way and educate everypony here on our rich history. I can help with that if you need; I am only a thousand years older than you are.”

Thorax saluted his mother.. “Got it, Mom.”

The two of them started leading us into the depths of the Hive, as it turned out, Thorax knew a pretty good amount of history about this particular Hive. He knew about how it was founded, all the wars Chrysalis was a part of, all of two. Chrysalis did fill in any blanks… as Pharynx walked up beside me.

“So, the Queen chose you as a mate?” He asked.

“Yeah.”

“Why? You’re a thin, little thing.”

“I really don’t know, but I hope what I was doing will keep working. Why'd You ask?” I tilted my head. “Planning on beating my ass to see if I can keep her safe?” Or some other generic shit.

“No, I was just wondering… Also do stay with her. Even if you two aren’t dating, or your relationship falls through. Mom, and most changelings, need social interactions. You just staying with her is probably what’s keeping her sane, so thank you.” Pharynx smacked me upside the head.

“The fuck?!” I yelled.

“I can’t seem too sappy, y’know?” Murk dropped from the ceiling somehow and sat on top of Pharynx. “Phlurg!” Murk continued to sit there while the rest of the group was staring at us.

“Pharynx, this is why you don’t smack Mom’s new coltfriend when he’s soulbound to a Kumiho or a Kitsune,” Thorax said in a slight, friendly, scolding tone. He was clearly playing around based on that poorly concealed smile.

“Sh-shut up and help me brother!” Pharynx pleaded. Thorax chuckled and walked up to Murk, petted him for a few seconds, before lowering himself to his fallen brother.

“Long live the king!” Thorax has a good evil laugh as it seemed. He walked away cackling up a storm, and Chrysalis couldn’t look any more proud if she tried.

“Thorax?! Thorax?! Don’t leave me here! Thorax!” Pharynx sighed. “How the heck are you so heavy? You’re a bucking magical entity!”

“I can control how heavy I wish to be. However, I do have an Ostri to carry by the scruff, so you get to live… for now.” Murk laughed at Pharynx’s genuine fear. “I’m joking. It wouldn’t be fair to kill you over you playing with my soulmate. After all, I quite like changelings; my last friend was a changeling before he passed on from this plane of existence after we spent half a century together.” I raised an eyebrow at that. “What? I can be social, and often enjoy it. I just wanted to tease Blaze for choosing you as a friend.” Murk let off of Pharynx after placing three swift nips and ear licks. “I like this one, by the way.”

“I hate you,” Pharynx grumbled. “Your fat butt was denting my carapace.”

“Oh please, you’re fine,” Murk rolled his eyes. “Be lucky you weren’t one of those stupid lizards.”

“Oh, I know. I watched what you did. I say I’d feel bad, but that particular group kept trying to get into the Hive to eat us ‘lings. The only reason why noling went and did anything about it was because I didn’t want to risk anyling getting killed in the process; it takes a lot of changelings just to take down one of those… Though you were brutal on those things.”

“They tried attacking my mate and were mere moments away from killing this thing,” he picked me up by the scruff. “They deserved their deaths.”

“I can’t disagree with you on that,” Pharynx nodded. “Bucking things tried getting into our nursery not too long ago.”

Chrysalis’s horn lit up at that. “They what?”

“...The Queen is a mother first and foremost,” Thorax chuckled. “It took everyling to chase those pyromanders out of the Hive.”

“You know,” Murk hummed. “I think I went too lightly on them.”

We eventually made it to the aforementioned nursery.

“Holy shit.” Baby changelings are adorable. I couldn’t help but lay in a pile of them as they climbed up and over me and used me like a piece of playground equipment. I smiled happily as one even took a nap in between my legs. “Can we keep this one in particular?” I asked, looking up at Chrysalis.

“No, it is unwise to take hatchlings out of the nursery until they are at least a year old, that one,” she prodded the blue little fella in between my legs. “Cannot be more than four months old. Old enough to run and fly and play, but not old enough to do so outside of the safety of this nursery.” She smirked. “Are you enjoying yourself?” one hatchling started gnawing on my wings. I couldn’t be asked to get mad, because look at how happy he looks! Who cares if my wings get slobbery? I don’t! “I’ve not seen you so… relaxed. Ever.”

“You didn’t tell me how cute the hatchlings are!” I growled. “How could you?!”

Thorax put on his best shit eating grin. “We went through Mom’s old den; we found her hatchling photos.” Chrysalis’s head snapped in the good King’s direction. “Would you like to see them, Ostri?”

“...Yes.”

“Ostri, no. Don’t you dare.” She then glared at her son. “And WHY THE BUCK DID YOU MENTION THAT TO MY COLTFRIEND?! DO YOU HAVE A DEATHWISH?”

“No, I just thought he’d like to see it, Mom.” Thorax was smirking.

Chrysalis growled, “I will kill you.”

“No you wouldn’t.” That smirk was a shit eating grin.

“Dangit. I tried.” Chrysalis shook her head. “If you call my baby self cute, Ostri, you’re sleeping on top of the wagon tonight.” She glared at Thorax. “And my last act as your Queen, will be making you sit in the corner when you’re done.”

There was a major problem with me seeing that photo album. “That’s cool.” There was a pile of sleeping nymphs on my back. “I can’t move. There’s changelings on my back.”

Several hours later, the changelings were, in fact, removed from my back. “So one of the things I’ve been struggling with,” Thorax said as we wandered into what looked like a ballroom. “Was finding recreational activities for everyling to do. “So Pharynx suggested going out, and stealing a bunch of instruments, sport equipment, and all sorts of pony things that ponies like doing.” I noted that there was a group of changelings. “I didn’t agree with it, but Pharynx went out and did it anyway. So I went back and paid for everything. So some of the changelings have been learning how to play various instruments.”

Various changelings were in fact, holding various instruments. There were violins, violas, bass guitars, acoustic basses, guitars, one changeling even had a piano. There was a church organ, and even a nice set of brass instruments. There was a changeling for each one of these, each one was, I think they were masterfully doing it at least, tuning their instruments to perfection. There was even a changeling with just a microphone and a set of speakers behind him, her, I don’t know. Chrysalis and I started walking towards the center of the room, Ocellus had opted to ride on Thorax’s back for this moment, for some reason.

Every changeling was snickering to themselves.

Right as they started playing. The changeling with the mic started playing, and to be frank, he was a pretty solid singer in my books. He didn’t sound awful, that’s for sure. Chrysalis and I stared at the changelings before we slowly turned to each other. I blinked and now Chrysalis was the size of a normal pony. We kept staring at each other, while the… changeling band, I guess, kept playing.

“They planned this, didn’t they?” I asked.

“It seems like they did.” Chrysalis offered a hoof. “Well, will you allow me to sweep you off your hooves?” She asked. I took her hoof, and despite me not being used to dancing on four legs at all, let alone actually having four legs, Chrys did lead me through the motions pretty well. First the forehoof, left or right, it didn’t matter, then the back hoof. If you went with the left foreleg first, the right back leg came next. Before I knew it, we were twirling around the dance floor, slowly moving around the room. Lights, very small lights in the ceiling twinkled and sparkled as we moved about.

Chrysalis had her eyes closed the whole time, happily taking in the music while dancing with me. Then her eyes opened when I nearly tripped. Since I no longer had Chrysalis to lead me in our dance; she was lost in the moment.

“Are you struggling?” She asked.

“A little. I was doing so well too,” I grumbled.

“Look in my eyes,” Chrysalis said. “And repeat the motions with me, and we’ll fall back into our rhythm.” I nodded and we stared into each others’ eyes. We swayed and we stepped, we spun and we twirled. Chrysalis even decided to throw me, spin me around, before pulling me back into her embrace as we kept dancing. No matter what, we held eye contact as she took the lead again… Before I had a silly little smile for the briefest moment. I spun Chrysalis around, before hopping on my hindlegs.

Chrysalis immediately knew what I was doing and shared my grin. I took the lead, now on two hooves… It didn’t work very well, since walking on two legs is kinda hard without proper feet, and I don’t think Chryssy was any better than I was. We laid there for a moment as the song had come to an end. We were chuckling to ourselves before an idea came to mind. I crawled up to Chrysalis while she continued to lay on her side. She then opened her eyes… right as I pulled her into a kiss.

We laid there for a moment, Chrysalis instantly got over the shock of me kissing her and she kissed back. She pulled me closer to her, wrapping her hooves over my shoulder and around my back as she slowly pulled back. A now predatory smile wrapped onto her face before she dove back into the kiss tenfold. Before long, the two of us were laying there, cuddling while the changeling band played us a song.

“That was…” Chrysalis whispered in my ears. “Wonderful.”

“It was, it truly was.” I chuckled. “Man, we gotta do that more in the future. You and I have all the time in the world to do so.”

“That we do. Would you like to share one more dance with me, or would you like to cuddle some more?”

“We can dance and then cuddle.” I suggested.

Chrysalis smirked and kissed my nose. “I like your line of thinking. Come, this song is rather beautiful. Let us dance again.”

Author's Note

So, I found Starlight Waltz by Ponyphonic and thought this would be a wonderful song to have Chrysalis and Ostri dance to after they had their first kiss. I also would think it's a fun little bit of irony, that a song made for Luna, is being played for Chrysalis and Ostri, rather than Luna and Ostri. Like this could've been them if Luna wasn't such a piece of shit.