Part 1
>You wake up with a start, in an immense amount of pain.
>You are a Royal Changeling, a Princess to your hive in your Proto-Queen stage of maturation. You eat love, and all others cower before your kind because of it.
>Everything around you is sandy. It seems you ended up in a canyon. Drones hover above you, clad in blue iridescent armor.
>As you stand, your front explodes with pain. However you CAN stand, at least...
>Suddenly, a voice explodes in your brain- [Anon! Answer me NOW!]
>You knew this voice. The voice of your predecessor and Queen-Mother, Chrysalis.
>[Yes, Mother?] you ping back through your unique link with her.
>All Changelings shared the Link, a means of silent communication. No other being could access it as a Changeling could, and it made you a dangerous lot indeed.
>[You are to return to the hive at ONCE!] she screeched mentally, causing you to flinch.
>[Yes, Mother.] you calmly returned. As disoriented as you were, you did not want to anger your mother further.
>You took to the skies upon seeing your wings undamaged, and the drones followed you without a word.
>Unlike some other hives, the Badlands Hive's drones were under the complete control of the Queen. You saw no problem with this. It was simply how things worked under Chrysalis' care.
>You pondered if she knew of your crash... Most likely, given the drones are to keep her constantly updated on your position and status at all times.
>Shame overcame you. She was probably disappointed, or equally ashamed that you had been done in by a stray rock formation of all things.
>Instead of mulling over your crash, you decide to fly more carefully back to the hive with the squad of drones. No point in regretting what is already done. However, you do spare a gaze to the North, seeing the distant verdant green of the Southern Equestrian Jungles.
>You were always told to never go anywhere near the place for your whole life.
>'Duly noted', you had thought as Chrysalis instructed you on the hive territories, but in all your 20 years, you had never gotten the chance to do anything except serve her.
>You were constantly under watch. Grounded outside of scheduled patrols, only allowed to eat when you were watched...
>Life was stifling, suffocating and all around boring. Change was the way of your kind, but it always seemed as though Chrysalis fought against it.
>A darkness overcame your features as you glared ahead at the distant towers of the hive.
>Perhaps it was time for change, you mused.
>A royal in her Proto-Queen stage was a weak thing indeed. It would only be a few months more, however, before you would fully mature, and THEN you could-
>You suddenly feel something secure around your body, locking your wings to your sides and forcing you out of the air.
>'Ah, I'm falling' is all you thought before you mentally reached out to the squad of drones, but... they weren't there.
>'Shit' you snarled and look around frantically, only to see a squad of what seemed to be armored ponies, and the ground directly behind them littered with drone bodies oozing sickly green blood.
>Oh.
>You were probably going to die.
Part 2
>You had hit the ground, and everything went black.
>No thoughts, head empty. Just how you liked it.
>But then, wakefulness inevitably returned, and boy did it hurt.
>The second thing you noticed was your situation. You were tied up, put in some sort of magically inhibiting cage, and left with some dry bread to your side. You even had a muzzle and a horn clamp, so there was no way to eat the bread anyways.
>How tasteful. Ponies were SO accommodating.
>You tried to reach for your Link, but nothing happened. It was then you realized you had a collar around your neck that began to glow whenever you tried to call to Chrysalis for help.
>Just peachy...
>Your torn ears perked up as you heard hoofsteps outside of your cage. Your slitted eyes squinted through the darkness to see a bright red stallion with a scraggly white mane and tail glaring down at you.
>His eyes were a deep emerald, seeming to radiate with hatred even in the darkness. His flank emblem, called a 'cutie mark' in some regions, was a pine tree with a broadsword struck through it.
>He spoke, "I am Commander Festive Strike, if that even matters to a creature like you," he snorted as I rolled my eyes.
>This pony was so sure of himself, so arrogant as to think he won...
>"You are under the custody of the Equestrian Military now, 'your Highness'. Do not expect lavish treatment" Festive Strike leaned down and stuck his muzzle into the cage as far as he could "you are scum, you are nothing, yet the Princesses requested that we use... non-lethal methods of-"
>Oh, this ASSHOLE-
>You struggled against your bindings for a few seconds, earning you an amused sneer. But that only fueled your rage further.
>SNAP! The muzzle tore away from your snout and you hissed loudly at him, baring your fangs.
>"Non-lethal my FLANK! You KILLED my subjects!"
>"A Royal is worth so much more than mindless creatures such as them, Proto-Queen," he spat, unfazed by your show of aggression.
>"But do heed this advice" his smile returned, "pray to whatever Gods you beasts worship that your audience with the Princesses goes smoothly"
>You said nothing more, and glared as he walked away while you grabbed the dried bread in your jaws.
>Ponies were assholes.
Part 3
>Morning had come, and the sun was sweltering hot on your chitin. The cage provided no relief.
>However, seeing the soldier ponies at the front of the cart working so hard, panting and struggling through the sand and heat, brought you some smug satisfaction.
>The Commander, who you had discovered to be a pegasus once the sun rose, was leading the small military caravan to the North by air.
>What a smug bastard, you glowered before you laid down, chains rustling enough to put the ponies on edge.
>All except the Commander, apparently. Because all that son of a bitch did was keep on flying.
>Oh you hated that pony...
>Days and nights passed, and you had learned the soldier's routines, but they made up for their repetition with their security...
>You couldn't escape, no matter what cunning tactics you tried, and it was driving you up a Gods-forsaken wall.
>Ponies were despicable beings, but at least they kept you fed and provided water. However, comforts were another thing entirely.
>It was only their so-called decency that they did not inflict injury, but you were sure they only held back because of their beloved Princesses.
>You knew it, you saw it in every glance and every hesitant hoofstep around your cage. These ponies hated you with every fiber of their being... All because of what Chrysalis had done.
>Gods, what did she think? She probably thought you were dead.
>Nobody was coming after you. It'd been a week, and nothing. A tear threatened to fall when you realized, your Mother was probably glad to be rid of you.
>"Useless grub", "obnoxious little rat", among other such insults crossed your mind. You realized as well, that Chrysalis had never had a loving word of praise or pride for you. She didn't love you. How could she?
>You lowered your head and wept.
>They had loaded you into the cart when you heard it.
>"We're a few miles from Canterlot. When we get there, stay in formation... The nobles want this to be perfect."
>"Why? S'not like them nobility types will be 'round to see our catch o' the century! They's scared of the beasties."
>"Celestia's orders, Private. She insists we handle this ceremonially, so that's what we'll be doing."
>You sneered. Celestia was a name you'd recognized from one of Chrysalis's many rants. The chief Princess of the Triarchy, Alicorn of the Sun itself.
>You kept listening, but nothing else the military dogs had said was of any interest to you. So you watched as the thick, shadowy trees of what they called the "Everfree" thinned out.
>Plains with tall grasses passed by, then you saw it. A large mountain that touched the clouds, with a large elegant city stationed on the side the natural spire. Gold, purple and blinding white marble composed it.
>You had heard stories from Chrysalis, but you never imagined you'd see it yourself.
>Canterlot, capital of Equestria.
>And you were headed right there, probably to be executed by these cruel and selfish creatures...
>Lovely.
Part 4
>The gates were quite beautiful, you had to admit.
>It was symbolic, at least as far as what you 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 figured you'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 crowd.
>A soldier glared at you and banged your cart, but you hissed at him too.
>You grinded your 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 mares who stood against Chrysalis and the invasion army! You felt newfound rage boil up into your throat and you almost screeched at her, but you figured you didn't want to offend one of the close allies of one of the nation's rulers... yet.
>The 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 other Queens radiated with envy, and sentient drones drooled.
>But to a pony, you figured you were just another monster. Nobody fancied your bright lime draconic eyes, your draping emerald mane and tail, your lithe form or your shining black chitin.
>There was no love in this place, you thought sadly.
>While a royal could survive without love, her physical appearance would become 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 the case for long, if the ponies decided to keep you alive. Which you doubted.
>You looked back up and 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 surprised that she'd ascended into a ruler in a year's time.
>The cart stopped, and your cage was lowered to the paved walkway 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 his soldiers. A few moments later, and your hole-ridden hooves were free of the shackles that binded them. Another moment, and your horn 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 the Badlands Hive."
>The Princesses nodded, and Celestia spoke, "Then we are on equal turf, Princess. Please, would you join us for tea?"
>You went bug-eyed and slack-jawed at that.
>"But... You captured me. Your soldiers assured me I would be executed, treated with the upmost cruelty- Mother, she-" you snarled, "you can't trick me, pony! Do not presume I am stupid enough to let my guard down!"
>Celestia looked at you calmly, "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."
>You felt heavily conflicted. 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 punished accordingly, I promise you."
>Luna shot a glare to Festive Strike and his soldiers, who shrunk under her gaze. You almost smirked in satisfaction at seeing that worm put in his place.
>You thought for a moment. They were SPARING you... the least you could do was try and pretend to be civil until they hopefully released you.
>"Very well then, Princesses. I accept your apology and invitation to... tea."
>She smiled for the first time since your arrival. Droves of relief and joy sloughed off of her, it was almost intoxicating.
>Gods, what have you gotten yourself into...
Part 5
>Tea had been awkward thus far, you felt.
>You stared across the ornate tea table at the other Princesses, then looked down at your own drink.
>You were suspicious of the warm, floral liquid. It could be poisoned!
>You were definitely NOT afraid of 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 cleared your throat and spoke, "Princess Twilight, if you have something to say, 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 line of sight you could see it was chock full of scraggly writing.
>Oh, this was going to be a long one...
>By time you even got to finish your tea, the sun had neared the horizon. Judging by its position, it was perhaps 5 or 6 PM.
>"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, a bit tired. The line of questioning had not been as bad as you expected, though.
>"Incredible... So what about Royals?"
>"A royal can survive without any love at all, or I'd be much worse for wear," You sighed, recalling your poor treatment on the way 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 continued to take notes.
>You looked away, ashamed. They thought you were weak... Time to put that notion to rest!
>"However, now I am in the Proto-Queen stage of maturation. I have but a few more months before my crown emerges fully, and I will be able to start my own hive... Or succeed Chrysalis."
>Celestia looked a little concerned at that, "succeed her?"
>"The way of the Changelings. It is cruel, compared to your way of life, Princess Celestia. When the eldest 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."
>The mood dampened at that, and you look down. You had fully planned upon succeeding 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, would you join me on the balcony?" Celestia smiles at you and you nod cautiously, "fear not, I would not harm you, Anon."
>You still felt apprehensive, but you had little choice but to trust her at that moment, so you followed the alabaster Princess outdoors. Twilight 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 balked at that.
>"But so can any other creature in this world, Anon. We are all our own beings. Chrysalis is her own as well, and she chose 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 not my Mother. 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."
>Celestia looked at you, mildly surprised.
>"The changelings can't all be won over by friendship and rainbows. But what can win them over is a solid deal. I've been to summits; they value material gain, food and power over anything else!"
>Oh Gods, what were 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 over 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!'. 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.