A1 - P4

⟣ TeaThe gates were quite beautiful, you had beento awkwardadmit.
⟣ thusIt far,was symbolic, at least as far as what you felt.knew.
⟣ The twin alicorns of both night and day, hooves and horns raised proudly.
⟣ A symbol of protection.
⟣ For any other, it may prove comforting. But to you, it was just another promise of death.
⟣ Ponies were packed on the streets leading up to the castle, barely making way for Festive Strike and your cart.
⟣ They all wanted to look at the prize, the prisoner... The monster.
⟣ You staredfigured acrossyou'd give them a show, and so you stood as tall as you could in your cage and hissed loudly at a group of fillies and colts, who screamed and scattered into the ornatecrowd.
⟣ teaA tablesoldier glared at theyou otherand Princesses,banged thenyour lookedcart, downbut you hissed at yourhim own drink.too.
⟣ You weregrinded suspiciousyour twisted horn against the cage, producing green sparks, and flashed your fangs at a particularly shy looking mare in the crowd. For some reason, her buttery yellow coat and long pink mane stood out to you. Then it clicked.
⟣ That was Fluttershy, one of the warm,mares floralwho liquid.stood Itagainst couldChrysalis beand poisoned!
⟣the invasion army! You werefelt definitelynewfound NOTrage afraidboil ofup trying anything that wasn’t royal jelly or sand water… definitely. Not.
⟣ Twilight looked at you inquisitively. You could tell she was barely holding in all of her questions. So much so that she looked a little red in the face, oh dear.
⟣ You clearedinto your throat and spoke,you “Princessalmost Twilight,screeched ifat her, but you havefigured somethingyou didn't want to say,offend please say it.”
⟣ She beamed, oh Gods- “you have NO idea how happy I am to hear you say that, Anon!” she squealed and pulled out a thick notepad. Even from your lineone of sightthe youclose could see it was chock fullallies of scragglyone writing.
⟣of Oh,the thisnation's wasrulers... going to be a long one…yet.

⟣ ByThe crowd began to thin out the closer to the castle you got, which you were glad for.
⟣ It gave you time to fix your emerald green mane and tail into a somewhat respectable state before meeting the end.
⟣ In the reflection of a cage bar, you looked into your lime green eyes and sighed. You hadn't stopped to really look at yourself since your capture.
⟣ To most 'lings you were quite the catch. At hive summits even gotother Queens radiated with envy, and sentient drones drooled.
⟣ But to finisha pony, you figured you were just another monster. Nobody fancied your tea,bright thelime sundraconic hadeyes, nearedyour thedraping horizon.emerald Judgingmane byand itstail, position,your itlithe form or your shining black chitin.
⟣ There was perhapsno 5love orin 6this PM.place, you thought sadly.
⟣ “So you’re saying that Changelings eat emotions to survive?” Twilight’s voice had been ringing for hours, yet it never lost its sparkling tone.
⟣ “Yes, drones at least, rely solely on emotional energy to function,” you instructed,While a bit tired. The line of questioning had not been as bad as you expected, though.
⟣ “Incredible… So what about Royals?”
⟣ “A royal cancould survive without anylove, loveher atphysical all,appearance orwould I’dbecome monstrous. Despite Chrysalis's contempt for you, she did keep you well fed. While you hadn't eaten well in a week, you did still retain some semblance of your best self...
⟣ That wouldn't be muchthe worsecase for wear,”long, You sighed, recalling your poor treatment onif the wayponies here, “physical matter sustains us.”
⟣ Twilight looked confused, and nodded as she wrote down notes, “I wonder why that is…” she mused.
⟣ You glanced at Celestia as she spoke up, “and that is why Queen Chrysalis invaded our lands? Starvation?”
⟣ You nodded, “yes… For our people… And myself.”
⟣ Luna narrowed her eyes, “explain.”
⟣ You bit back a retort and nodded, “when Mother invaded, I was a princess 'ling. During my maturation into a Proto-Queen, I needed more love than the entire hive combined, or I would perish.”
⟣ Celestia gasped quietly, understanding and empathy spreading over her gentle features. Luna’s gaze softened, but Twilight simply continueddecided to takekeep notes.
you alive. Which you doubted.

⟣ You looked away,back ashamed.up Theyand grimaced as you saw the gates to the castle open wide. At the back of the path through what you assumed were the royal gardens were three very special ponies...
⟣ One of alabaster white, with a pastel rainbow mane flowing on invisible winds, taller than the other two. Her pink eyes rested on you, emotionless. She was decked out in golden regalia, it was actually quite impressive. You were almost honored that she dressed to meet you... Her wingspan spread slowly to its fullest, and the other two followed.
⟣ Another, a dark blue with an ethereal mane that resembled the night sky. She was somewhat shorter than the alabaster alicorn, but was significantly more dangerous looking. Her regalia was made of obsidian, with an elegant silver moon carved into her chest piece. Her glare pierced your soul, but she kept her composure well otherwise.
⟣ The third, a lavender pony with an indigo mane and tail. Streaks of purple and pink were inlaid in her straight cut hair. Her horn seemed to be somewhat long, but everything about her was smaller than the other two, even her wings, which indicated that she was much younger. Instead of a hateful glare, her expression was curious, almost admiring, but you could taste the fear rolling off of her.
⟣ You thought back to your Mother's stories, and recognized the lavender alicorn as Twilight Sparkle. Bemused, you were weak…surprised Timethat she'd ascended into a ruler in a year's time.

⟣ The cart stopped, and your cage was lowered to putthe thatpaved notionwalkway just feet away from certain death.
⟣ The alabaster one, Celestia, spoke.
⟣ "Unchain her."
⟣ Festive Strike was flabbergasted, "but Princess-"
⟣ "Are we not a civilized people, Commander?" she challenged gently, "we can handle it from here. Unchain her."
⟣ Festive Strike said nothing more, and he nodded to rest!
⟣his “However,soldiers. now I am in the Proto-Queen stage of maturation. I have but aA few moremoments months before my crown emerges fully,later, and Iyour willhole-ridden behooves ablewere to start my own hive… Or succeed Chrysalis.”
⟣ Celestia looked a little concerned at that, “succeed her?”
⟣ “The wayfree of the Changelings.shackles Itthat isbinded cruel,them. comparedAnother tomoment, and your wayhorn clamp was off, the only thing remaining was the collar preventing you from contacting Chrysalis. You looked up at Celestia, shocked and somewhat impressed.
⟣ "Changeling, we do not know your name. Speak it," the darker alicorn, Luna you assumed, commanded you. You almost scoffed, how dare this accursed pony command YOU?! Instead, you picked yourself up and stood regally as you have been taught.
⟣ "I am Anon, Princess of life, Princess Celestia. When the eldestBadlands of a Queen’s offspring matures fully, they must either leave their birth hive to start their own, or kill their predescessor and succeed her as Queen.”Hive."
⟣ The moodPrincesses dampened at that,nodded, and youCelestia lookspoke, down."Then Youwe hadare fullyon plannedequal uponturf, succeedingPrincess. Chrysalis once you became a full Queen. You may still do it once you escape these ponies. But you could not deny they treated you well… After the whole shackles and cages fiasco.
⟣ “The hour grows late. Anon,Please, would you join meus onfor the balcony?” Celestia smiles at you and you nod cautiously, “fear not, I would not harm you, Anon.”tea?"
⟣ You stillwent felt apprehensive, but you had little choice but to trust her at that moment, so you followed the alabaster Princess outdoors. Twilightbug-eyed and Luna exchanged a glance, and quickly departed.
⟣ Celestia stopped and looked out across her kingdom for a moment.
⟣ “Anon, it occurred to me during the afternoon that… well, you have no idea what Equestria is truly like, do you?”
⟣ “I… I have heard stories from Chrysalis,” you spoke quietly, “that ponies are cruel, unforgiving and selfish creatures. That you hoard your love, food and lands from anyone that doesn’t look like you or fit your definition of ‘normal’. That you hate us, and wouldn’t understand.”
⟣ You glance away from Celestia, mind swimming with conflicted thoughts.
⟣ “But how was I to know she was… wrong?” you choked out the last word as though it was poison. Treason, Anon! Bucking treason! What was wrong with you!
⟣ “Hm,” Celestia turned away from you to gaze out at her kingdom once again, “Chrysalis was not entirely incorrect. Ponies can be selfish, ponies can be cruel, and xenophobic.”
⟣ You balkedslack-jawed at that.
⟣ "ButBut... soYou cancaptured anyme. otherYour creaturesoldiers inassured thisme world,I Anon.would Webe areexecuted, alltreated ourwith ownthe beings.upmost Chrysaliscruelty- isMother, hershe-" ownyou assnarled, well,"you andcan't shetrick choseme, pony! Do not presume I am stupid enough to act with haste and violence, rather than patience and pacifism as we strive to, and so it is there we are different.
⟣ “But so different as to not get along? Well, I disagree.” She turned to you with a kind smile.
⟣ “You put aside your misgivings to share tea with three ponies today, Anon. You are not your Mother, that much is obvious.”
⟣ You sighed, guilty and conflicted, “you’re right, I’m notlet my Mother.guard The hive follows her, not me. If you want me to convince them to stand down and make peace…”
⟣ “That is not my intention, Anon.”
⟣ “Then what was?”
⟣ “Truthfully? I wanted to see what a Changeling was really like. Now it is clear to me that if a future Queen, under the rule of an enemy of Equestria, can be shown kindness… So can the rest of the Changelings.”
⟣ “Sister, that’s enough!” Luna barked from the doorway of the balcony. You jumped, and twisted around to look at her.
⟣ “Sister…” Celestia sighed.
⟣ “To befriend one is crazy enough, to trust a royal is insane. To make peace with ALL of them?! Beyond the pale, sister.”
⟣ You watched as the two sisters began to bicker between themselves for a long while, until you lit your horn.
⟣ Emerald changeling magic sparked to life and you charged a quick spell. Upon releasing it, a sharp SNAP filled the air, shocking the sisters out of their argument.
⟣ “Far be it for me to tell you what to do-”
⟣ “Indeed!” Luna growled.
⟣ “-but I think Luna’s right.”
⟣ “HA!” she laughed at Celestia, who gave her a deadpan expression.
⟣ “But I also think Celestia’s right.”down!"
⟣ Celestia looked at you,you mildlycalmly, surprised."then don't, all we ask is you join us for tea, so that we may talk. I'm sure there is much for both of us to learn about the other, Princess Anon."
⟣ “TheYou changelingsfelt can’theavily allconflicted. She was an enemy, a conniving witch! But then, there was the possibility that Chrysalis had... skewed the story a bit, if these ponies were telling you the truth. Which was new to you; you'd never experienced any sort of treasonous thoughts towards your mother until the past week away from the hive... It was kind of fun.
⟣ "U-Um," Twilight spoke up, stepping forwards, "I know we got off on the wrong hoof. But Celestia wants to extend a hoof of peace to the Changelings."
⟣ You glared, "you're kidding. You CAPTURED me!"
⟣ Celestia sighed, "I asked my Commander and his platoon to escort you. Not chain you up and starve you. I apologize deeply on behalf of my soldiers for your inequine treatment. He and the soldiers under his command will be wonpunished overaccordingly, byI friendshippromise you."
⟣ Luna shot a glare to Festive Strike and rainbows.his Butsoldiers, whatwho canshrunk winunder themher overgaze. isYou almost smirked in satisfaction at seeing that worm put in his place.
⟣ You thought for a solidmoment. deal.They I’vewere beenSPARING you... the least you could do was try and pretend to summits;be civil until they valuehopefully materialreleased gain,you.
⟣ food"Very well then, Princesses. I accept your apology and powerinvitation overto... anything else!”tea."
⟣ OhShe smiled for the first time since your arrival. Droves of relief and joy sloughed off of her, it was almost intoxicating.
⟣ Gods, what werehave you doing! You were telling the ENEMY how to bribe other Queens!
⟣ “It’s not ideal…” Celestia began, “I will have to bring it up with my advisors.”
⟣ “Sister-”
⟣ “Enough, Luna,” Celestia snipped, “I must depart for bed. Please escort Anon to her quarters.”
⟣ “We aren’t letting her go? She is no longer of use-”
⟣ “It is not about using her, Luna. Please escort our guest.”
⟣ Celestia departed before Luna could make more of a fuss.
⟣ Luna glowered at you, “come.”

⟣ The bed was comfortable. You purred as you settled onto it, pulling the soft covers overgotten yourself with your magic.
⟣ Ahh, you hadn’t ever been in a bed so comfortable before. It was… nice.
⟣ You were about to settle in for sleep when you saw a shadow fall from the ceiling onto the rug below with a feminine ‘oof!’into.. Reflexively, your horn brightened up and cast light upon the shadowy form that had fallen.
⟣ “Princess Twilight?” you hissed, “What are you doing in here?!”
⟣ “S-Sorry, Anon! I wanted to study your-”
⟣ “Study?! Am I just an experiment to you, Princess,” you spat, recoiling.
⟣ Her eyes widened, “No! Of course not, Anon. I- It’s just- you’re so fascinating…”
⟣ You blushed deeply at that.
⟣ She spluttered, “WAIT! I didn’t mean it like that!”
⟣ “Uh-huh. Sure,” you purred and nodded towards the door, “here’s the deal, Princess. We’ll talk all you want tomorrow, IF you leave me alone in my chambers. The least I can do is get some privacy after being in a cage surrounded by sweaty dumb stallion ponies for a week, hm?”
⟣ Twilight nodded feverishly and made her way to the door, quickly. Once she was gone, you slammed the door shut and bound it to its frame with a simple spell.
⟣ You weren’t sure why you hadn’t run away yet, but something was drawing you here. Was it the desire for change? Power? Maybe, ugh, friendship? You’d never known another sentient soul beyond Chrysalis until you’d met these ponies… Or maybe this was all a game to you? You tried not to think about it, or much of anything. Thinking brought doubt, doubt brought inaction, inaction brought hooves down upon your head…
⟣ You made yourself comfortable once again, and let sleep overcome you..