If Twilight was going to be entirely honest, her first impressions of the hive was that it was fairly unnerving, the halls that she and Anisoptera now walked through were not very well lit by the luminescent crystals making the whole area dim, and the natural look to the halls made the hive feel much more like a large cavern rather than a place where anypony would live.

Thankfully though, Anisoptera's presence relieved most of Twilight's worries, that and keeping herself occupied with with making a, hopefully final, sketch of what Anisoptera looked like. "So Twi..." Anisoptera spoke up, drawing Twilight's attention away from her notes. "You mind telling me what exactly happened after we beat Discord? I got a general run down but I wanna know what you and the others saw."

Twilight looked up from her notebook. "Not much really, we took you to the hospital, and after waiting a bit the nurse told us that you passed out from blood loss. After that the five of us just sat with you in your room for a while, Fluttershy talked about how she never got to visit you in the hospital, and then the others left to check up on their homes, none of them met your mother." She stated as she rummaged through her memories ensuring that she didn't miss any details.

Anisoptera nodded. "Good, things could have gotten complicated otherwise." She said.

Twilight tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?" She asked.

Anisoptera turned around to face Twilight but continued her flight, only now flying backwards. "It's mostly just with Fluttershy, she thinks that Windy Whistles is my mom."

"Who's that?" Twilight asked.

"It's the disguise of one of my bodyguards, they acted as relatives while I lived in Clousdale to not raise any suspicion because of the fact that they were always around me." Anisoptera said as the two of them reached a three-way intersection intersection. Without looking, Anisoptera continued flying backwards down the right tunnel.

Twilight stopped in her tracks for a brief moment as her brain processed what she just heard. "You have bodyguards?" She asked as she increased her pace to keep up with Anisoptera.

Anisoptera let out a deep sigh. "Yeah. Wish I didn't to be honest, but it's better than my friends, they all got their guards assigned to them, I actually go to pick mine."

Twilight let this new information sit in her mind for a bit before continuing. "So I take it your other friends are also royalty?"

"Yep." Anisoptera simply responded.

"You being a princess is going to take a while to really set in." Twilight said absent-mindedly.

Anisoptera nodded, an amused grin spreading across her face. "Yeah, just wait until you have to deal with Lemon too."

It took a bit for Twilight to figure out what Anisoptera meant but when she did it hit her hard. "Are you telling me Lemon Hearts is a princess too!?"

"Yep." Anisoptera said simply.

This back to back bombardment of information that was rapidly changing Twilight's view on many of those around her was starting to become a bit too much for her. But maybe she could ground her self by confirming an earlier presumption she had made. So she took a deep breath to clear her mind and asked the question.

"So Ani... I've been wondering how old you were?" Twilight asked, mild trepidation in her voice.

Anisoptera groaned. "Twi I already said you could call me Dash."

Twilight let out a sigh. "Sorry, but I would rather call you by your actual name, if you would rather call you Rainbow Dash though I will."

Anisoptera shrugged. "Eh.. I don't really have a preference, the way I act as Dash is pretty much how I usually act, though sometimes a bit more exaugurated, so I don't really see a difference between us."

Twilight nodded. "Okay, so I'm going to call you Anisoptera then, at least when I can."

"Alright." Anisoptera relented. "And as for how old I am, I'm eighty six."

This statement hit Twilight like a sack of bricks and caused her to stop dead in her tracks. "Wh- I... I." She stammered out, as a dull ach began to build in her head. She had expected one of two answers, either that the photos that didn't feature Rainbow Dash were not of Anisoptera and she was the age she displayed herself as when disguised, or that Anisoptera was somewhere in her early to mid forties if the number of photos and the regular time gap between Wonderbolts shows were anything to go off of. But eighty six? Any sapient creature that age were usually wise beings knowledgeable beyond their years, at least that's how Twilight saw them.

Thankfully Anisoptera noticed her friends distress. "Woah Twi, you alright?" She asked as she too came to a stop.

Twilight rubbed at her forehead in an attempt to relieve the ache. "Yeah, this is all just a lot to take in." She said. "It's just... I'm sorry but I can't picture you as an eighty six year old."

Anisoptera's trademark 'Rainbow Dash ego' suddenly made an appetence as she flew up higher into and struck a pose. "I know, I'm too awesome to be that old." She said in an overly exaggerated smug tone.

Twilight rolled her eyes but she couldn't suppress the amused smile that grew on her face.

"But seriously, I am old for a pony but not for a changeling royal, we age slower." Anisoptera said, returning back down closer to the ground.

Twilight hummed in thought for a moment and was about to ask another question, but stopped as soon as she saw the sight before her. The two of them had arrived at the end of the tunnel and were now standing at the edge of its entrance that overlooked a massive hexagonal chamber, even bigger than Anisoptera's room. Leaning over the railing of the ledge Twilight saw that each walls held other tunnel, each a bit lower in position than the last, that was labelled with both glowing signs in a language that she didn't recognise as well as in equestrian made from the luminescent crystals she had seen before. The crystals were also used to create various works of art that adorned the walls of the cavern all in a variety of styles, from a realistic portrait of a changeling that appeared to be made up of millions of tiny crystals, to an abstract landscape, and even several cartoonish pieces that were concentrated around one particular tunnel entrance.

"Twilight..." Anisoptera said, an affectionate smile growing on her face as she looked out into the atrium. "Welcome to my home."

The two made their way down to the bottom of the atrium via the spiral walkway that connected between the different tunnels imbedded in the walls, however their pace was slowed by Twilight stopping each time the two reached one of the tunnels to examine the signs associated with it, and to write down what the changeling script translated into so that she could use it future attempts to learn the language. Anisoptera decided not to comment on this but did grumble to herself every time they were stopped.

When the two finally reached the bottom what they were met with was a wall of changelings blocking their path to the cafeteria.

Twilight wanted to start making notes on the various types and differences she could see between them, but hesitated when she saw the looks on their faces, each and every one of them was staring at her, and despite the pupilless eyes, she could see what they were feeling. Fear. They were all staring at her with a look of fear on their faces, the only ones who seemed to break this trend were some of the more muscular changelings, but even they looked rather anxious.

Suddenly Anisoptera stepped forward. "Alright you guys, you can chill out now. I promises you Twilight won't snitch, she already promised me she won't and she isn't the type to go back on a promise." As soon as she said those words the entire crowed seemed to deflate seemingly out of... shame and soon after the crowed began to disperse, most of them seemingly making their way to the cafeteria, but many others moving to some other place in the hive, some of them even passed by Twilight and Anisoptera, mumbling apologies to Twilight as they passed.

"Wow..." Twilight said as she watched the group dissipate. "I guess you really are a princess, huh?"

Anisoptera rolled her eyes but none the less smiled. "Its not that big of a deal." She said. "Just gotta calm 'em down when they get all freaked out, that's what big sisters are for, right?"

Twilight started formulating a response in her mind, but she got snagged on one particular word. "Did you say Sister?" She asked. "Is that a cultural thing where changelings refer to members of the same hive as siblings, or...?"

Anisoptera chuckled as she began to fly forward. "Nah, we're all actually siblings." She said simply.

Twilight was stuck in thought for a short moment before she rushed forward to catch up to Anisoptera, scribbling down notes in her notebook all the while.

The two made their way into the cafeteria and Twilight was in awe as she saw it. In the centre of the room was wat appeared to be a large multilayer kitchen, with multiple ovens, refrigerators, and freezers all stacked on top of each other, at the top was where the cleaning of dishes was preformed as well as where what Twilight assumed were deep fryers were stored. Surrounding the tower was a circular counter, with changelings running around behind it and shouting orders up to the cooks above. Capping off the massive structure was a massive glass container, filled with a glittery pink liquid which Twilight could not identify, and capped of with a large metal lid connected to a pipe that ran through one of the walls of the cafeteria. Suddenly the pipe begins to vibrate as more of the pink liquid begins to pour out of it, allowing twilight to see that its consistency is much like that of honey.

Anisoptera nudged Twilight in the side to break her out of her furious note taking, that she had started upon seeing the kitchen tower, and directed her towards one of the many tables that she had failed to notice due to her distraction.

At the table was a group of six other changelings that Twilight noticed were different than many of the others that were milling about at other tables, all of them being much taller than the others and Twilight herself, while also sporting wildly different colour schemes from one another.

The group seemed to immediately take notice of the two's approach and one of them called out in a voice that was very familiar to Twilight. "Hey Ani, hey Twi!" The yellow changeling with purple eyes said enthusiastically while waving a hoof in the air, the voice, familiar mane cut, and seeming familiarity with Twilight clewing her in that this was Lemon Hearts. "Come and sit down, Phero's already ordered food."

"Hey guys, how's it going." Anisoptera said as she used her magic to pull up a chair for herself and Twilight before sitting down, sitting in a manner which Twilight had seen Lyra sit in as to not put pressure on her forehooves.

Most of the group gave various responses mostly ranging from 'alright' to 'boring', all except for the smallest of the group, she had a green carapace and eyes with black sclera and white pupils, and though she was short compared to the others she was still a head taller than Twilight.

She began to gesticulate with her hooves as if she was speaking but she never once opened her mouth. Despite this, however, her message was seemingly relieved by everyone else at the table, with many of them congratulating her on a good job.

Anisoptera looked back to Twilight only to see her confuse expression. "Twi? What's up?" she asked.

Twilight pointed at the green changeling. "How do you know what she said? Was it sign language?" She asked.

Sudden realization flashed over the faces of everyone else present. "Ah, right. Kinda forgot about that to be honest." Anisoptera said. "Alright, let me introduce you first, then we'll explain."

She looked over to Lemon Hearts. "You already know Lemon, but her real name is Hymenopus and she's the princess of the Canterlot hive."

Hymenopus flashed Twilight a goofy grin that was made somewhat intimating as a result of her fangs, though Twilight tried to not let that bother her.

Anisoptera then looked over to the all-white changeling who appeared to have their main cut very short with the tips seemingly dyed black. Twilight also noticed that there was a small puppy resting in her lap, happily chewing away on a bone that was far too large for it. "That's Belgica, she's the princess of the Frozen North hive." Belgica then gave a curt nod after Anisoptera was done speaking.

Next was the smaller green changeling with black eyes and a black mane that didn't extend past her neck. "That's Acromyrmex, princess of the Manehatten hive and our resident pyromaniac." Acromyrmex gave Anisoptera a death glair at that last part. "Hey, you know it's true, you literally have a diagnosis." There was then a moment where Acromyrmex began gesticulate with her hooves again. "She needs to know so that you can't trick her into giving you anything explosive." This exchange caused the rest of the group to burst out laughing and for Twilight to become even more confused.

"Anyway." Anisoptera said as she turned to the tallest of the changelings who also sported a red carapace and yellow eyes and a yellow main that seemed to be held in a ponytail despite the fact that there seemed to be nothing holding it in that shape. "This is Pheropsophus and she's the princess of the dragon lands hive."

"Sup." Pheropsophus said ash she extended a hoof out towards Twilight, who responded with a somewhat awkward hoof bump.

Next was the purple changeling, who had a bright orange mane, the top of which resembled a faux hawk while the sides had been allowed to grow longer than somepony with that style would typically allow. "That's Heteropoda who is the princess of the Griffonstone hive."

Heteropoda suddenly rose from her seat and bowed to Twilight. "Madam Twilight, tis an honour to make thine acquittance." She said in a very regal manor.

Twilight was unsure as to what to do, looking back to Anisoptera she saw that her friend was looking at Heteropoda with an unamused expression. "Come on Het, stop messing with her."

Heteropoda looked up from her bow at Anisoptera, a smug grin forming on her face. "What? I do it with everygriffon and everypony I meet, it's a good test of character when you see how they react."

Anisoptera rolled her eyes, but didn't do anything to hide her amused smile. Then she moved onto the final member of the group, a grey changeling with teal eyes and a teal mane that didn't look like it had been cut in ages. "And finally, we have Cocoon, the one with the least interesting name."

Anisoptera received her second death glair of the day, although this one seemed somewhat playful in nature. "Hey, at least my mom doesn't name us after bugs." Cocoon said.

"No, she just names you after bug parts or the things bugs make." Hymenopus butted in. "At least with our names you don't immediately think 'bugs' unless you're a entomologist or a taxonomist."

Cocoon opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself to think for a moment. "Hmm, yeah that's fair." she said simply.

The group had now fallen into a silence, allowing Twilight to finally speak. "Well its great to meet you all, any friend of Ani and Lem- I mean, Hymenop-" She was then stopped by Hymenopus.

"Just keep calling me Lemon hearts Twilight, no offence but it's kinda weird hearing you call me that." She said simply.

Twilight nodded at her other friend. "Any friend of Ani or Lemon Hearts is a friend of mine." She managed to finish before one of Anisoptera's siblings walked up to the table carrying in his magic, a large platter covered by a dome.

"Here's your food." He said as he began to set the platter down on the table before stopping in his tracks as he looked at Twilight, then to the platter, then back to Twilight, and back to the platter once again. Eventually though he set the food down on the table and rushed off soon after.

"What was that about?" Twilight asked, he didn't seem to be afraid of her like the others had, but rather something about the food.

Anisoptera shrugged. "Eh, who knows? Neopetalia's always been a bit of an odd ball." she said nonchalantly as she grabbed the dome with her magic, lifting it up to revel several plates of... Sushi.

Pheropsophus and Heteropoda both immediacy grabbed a plate and began to eat, completely oblivious to the looks the rest of the changelings were giving Pheropsophus.

"Really dude? Sushi?" Anisoptera asked incredulously.

Pheropsophus looked up from her meal. "Yeah, I went fishing this morning and brought what I caught here." she said through a mouthful of fish and rice.

Everyling except Heteropoda facehooved. "Sweet Celestia you're an idiot." Hymenopus muttered under he breath. "You do know ponies don't eat fish right?"

A sudden look of realization and embarrassment appeared on Pheropsophus' face as she finally remembered that ponies were herbivores.

The rest let out a groan of frustration, all except for Heteropoda who was still happily devouring her food. "Sorry about that Twi. We can get you somth-" Anisoptera began to speak as she looked towards her friend, but stopped herself when she saw that Twilight had also grabbed a plate and was eagerly chowing down on the food.

Twilight let out a moan of delight as she chewed on a piece of salmon nigiri. "This is great!" She exclaimed happily. "It's been a while since I could find anywhere that had fish on the menu, and I've never seen it prepared like this before!"

"Twi, you eat fish?" Anisoptera blurted out, surprise and confusion dripping from her voice.

Twilight's eyes suddenly shot open and she abruptly stopped chewing. She looked up to Anisoptera, swallowed the remaining food in her mouth and began to speak. "Well, about a year after Celestia made me her pupil, she let me join a dinner with her and some griffon ambassadors. The ambassadors were served fish, and I guess one of them saw me looking at it curiously so she asked if I wanted to try some, and I said yes." She paused for dramatic effect. "It was incredible!" Twilight paused again for a moment as she quickly ate another piece of sushi. "After that, I've basically had it whenever a restaurant offers it, but as I just mentioned, you only really find places like that in the cities and not in places like Ponyville."

"Huh... And here I thought you'd just be learning things about me today." Anisoptera said with a chuckle.

This comment seemed to bring Twilight out of her fish induced daze as she suddenly brought her note pad back up. "That's right! Is it alright if I start asking my questions now?" She said in an excited tone. However it seemed she was to excited for her own good as she spoke again before any of the others could answer. "Okay first question. How could you understand Acromyrmex?"

The group chuckled slightly at Twilight's enthusiasm, including Heteropoda as she was now paying attention to the conversation again after finishing he meal.

Cocoon was the one to answer this question. "Well, Changeling have an egregore, or hive mind, that we can use to communicate and identify other changelings while disguised. It's usually only usually only between members of the same hive but me and my sister Chrysalis figured out how to create a small one for all of us to connect to."

Twilight began to eagerly wright in her note book. "Is a changeling always connected to this hive mind or is it something that comes later in life, and can they disconnect from it if they want." She asked without looking up from her notes.

Cocoon thought for a moment before she spoke again. "Well, a changeling usually learns to use the hivemind around the age when they first start speaking, but they can hear it as soon as they hatch. And as for disconnecting from it, that can only happen is a royal makes a new one through a magic ritual, those who are a part of it will be connected to the new one but disconnected from the old one."

"Fascinating." Twilight muttered as she continue to write.

"So Twi, I gotta ask, how many questions do you have?" Anisoptera asked, a small hint of worry in her voice.

Twilight stopped for a moment and began to rapidly flip through the pages of her note book. Anisoptera was only just noticing how thick it was and her worry began to grow as Twilight flipped through more pages. Eventually, Twilight stopped and grabbed all the pages she had looked over with her magic, in one fluid motion she tore all of the pages out, leaving a stack of pages around six centimetres thick. "I've got all of them here." She said with a wide smile on her face.

Anisoptera looked at Twilight with a mortified expression, she knew Twilight would ask a lot of questions but this... This was insane. Hymenopus on the other hoof looked at Twilight with shock in her eyes, not because there were so many pages, but rather that there were far fewer than she was expecting. The rest of the group were not looking at Twilight however, instead, they were all staring at Anisoptera as if they were trying to bore holes into her head with just their eyes, all the while silently cursing her out for getting caught and making them endure this.

Author's Note

Well this one turned out longer than I expected, hope you guys don't mind.

This is probably going to be the last update for the year, have a great (insert whatever December holiday you celebrate here), and have a happy new year.

Update: HOLY MOTHER OF GOD I GOT FEATURED!