A Disaster Diverted, A Love Found

>Princess Celestia enters her room after a long day of dealing with nobles' complaining and signing documents.
>At least that second part was only tedious as Raven reads through them all and sorts them into two piles for her, one for those that are good for Equestria, and those which are not and need revisiting.
>At this point, Raven has probably passed more legislation than Celestia herself via proxy, but Celestia has the upmost trust in her stalwart assistant.
>If Raven were a handsome stallion, Celestia would have snatched him up long ago and made him her prince, but alas, that's just wishful thinking and she knows she'll never find such a level-headed, intelligent stallion to marry.
>Regardless, the day is done, and Luna's torture will begin, especially because said mare has yet to hire such an assistant and needs to read her documents herself.
>After taking off her regalia and finishing her nightly routine, Celestia crawls into bed and reached for the lamp, too tired to even use her magic.
>Her hoof stops as she notices a letter on her nightstand.
>Blinking, wondering who could have left it as Celestia keeps her room locked even to the cleaning staff when she's out, she opens the letter, absently noting the paper feels odd and smells like... mushrooms?

>To Princess Celestia, Sol Invictus, Sovereign of the Sun, She of Bountiful Harvests and Thighs, and whatever other titles you probably have.
>Hello, I'm Prince Anonymous of the Changelings.
>That probably doesn't mean much to you, does it?
>That's by design, as you might guess by the name, since it implies we're shapeshifters, and as such prefer to use our innate abilities to stay hidden.
>As a result, the existence of this letter is a very big deal, and frankly would get me in a lot of trouble with my mom if she finds out about it.
>Especially as I had to deliver it myself since I didn't want to risk anyling else accidentally tipping Mom off.
>I suppose I should apologize for breaking into your room; an invasion of privacy against someone you're about to ask help from is not the best way of starting off a rapport, but I didn't have a lot of options.
>And hey, now you know your castle defenses need to be updated for future shapeshifter infiltration, so you can actually thank me for that.
>No really, right now would be a good time.
>You notice that plant by your bed?
>Was it always there?
>Were the colors like that last time you looked?
>Is it too green or not green enough?
>Could it be... me?

>Celestia slowly turns her eyes to the plant in question and gulps.
>wearily, she reaches a hoof out, and with some hesitation, smacks a leaf.
>It sways listlessly, then goes still.
>She looks back at the letter.

>Gotcha!
>Maybe, but it'd be funny if you did just check if the plant was a changeling in disguise.
>And now that we've shared a good laugh at my expert prank, we are friends and I can feel comfortable with asking for your help.
>The changelings are starving, and I don't know what to do.

>The princess sits a little straighter, eyes more focused.
>What was a bemusing, if not very odd letter, has just become far more serious as she shifts back into the mindset of the ruler she had intended to set aside for a night of rest.

>My mom, Queen Chrysalis, has her own plan on how to rectify this problem.
>Invade the bountiful lands of Equestria and take what we need by force.
>She's being quite pigheaded about it, in fact, and only my pointing out the most recent defeat of Discord, a nigh all-powerful Spirit of Chaos, has given her pause.
>But that's only shifted her plan from outright invasion to infiltration THEN invasion after she's weakened your kingdom's defenses enough.
>She's currently torn between her own idea of replacing that pink, lactose-intolerant alicorn with a pizza addiction or my own suggestion of replacing your assistant so she can have your ear and manipulate you.
>Sorry for pulling Inkwell into this, but understand that it was a stalling tactic to keep my mother from doing anything rash.
>She's really not that bad, I swear.
>She just gets a little megalomanic when she's hungry, and she's been hungry for a long time.
>We all have.
>Still, manners are important, and to make up for my transgressions, I've left a small jar of changeling honey in your nightstand's drawer for Raven.
>Not a lot, for obvious reasons, but I hope she accepts the gift.
>Inform her to only eat a spoonful a day, though, unless you want her putting the moves on every male she comes across.
>it's potent stuff.

>At this, Celestia checks her drawer, and sure enough, levitates out a very small jar with a strange wax-like seal, and even stranger viscous green liquid that emanated a faint glow.
>Well, that lends more credibility to the letter's claims, Celestia supposes.

>Or don't tell her and let her eat the whole jar.
>I'll admit to being a little curious of what Miss Inkwell might be like if she let her mane down and put a little swagger into those hips.
>Putting that aside, however, this is a rather serious matter, and I request you respond post-haste.
>Please write your response on the extra sheet of parchment provided and toss it out your window.
>Yes, I'm serious, and don't worry, it'll work just fine, and I'll make sure you get any subsequent responses from me until I'm sure it's safe to meet face to face.
>Perhaps I'm being paranoid, but a lifetime of being told to remain hidden is hard to ignore on top of being told to always be weary around mares.
>Not that you'd do anything inappropriate I'm sure, but my mom already thinks I'm reckless and air-headed, and I'd rather not give her any more ammunition for the inevitable argument my actions are going to cause after this.
>She's always saying, "Your a male that can turn into anything on top of being royalty, females won't be able to control themselves around you, and that's why you mustn't ever leave the hive without your guards."
>Anyway, hope to hear from you soon.
>Anon

>Celestia had a busy night after that, having gathered both her sister and the newest princess to discuss the letter.
>while she might not have immediately involved the latter on such a delicate situation normally, seeing as she was still quite new to the position, the fact that she was a potential target of a foreign queen forced Celestia's hoof.
>The same went for Raven, too, who read the letter over and finished with a blush, eyes turning to the small jar set in the middle of the table.
>"Well, Raven, I think it's safe to say you've garnered yourself an admirer," Cadence says, breaking the silence with a sly smirk. "And a prince no less, you go filly."
>"Surely that line was written in jest," Raven demurs. "This... Prince Anonymous seems a bit on the whimsical side."
>"I might have agreed had he not gifted you literal love in a jar," Cadence counters. "I didn't even know that was possible."
>All eyes turn to her in question, and she points at the jar.
>"That honey is literally chocked full of love energy. I'd say at least a fancy Prench restaurant's Hearts and Hooves Day dinner rush's worth."
>"That's oddly specific, and raises quite a few more questions. Just what are these changelings that they would produce such a substance?" Celestia ponders aloud as her sister leans in to take a closer look.
>"Perhaps an aphrodisiac or marital aide? Has the gifting of such things become common practice in my absence? Truly strange times if so."
>"Um, no, Princess Luna," Raven says as she leans in and gently takes the jar, blush still on her cheeks. "And, well, it was implied this was a food item as he said he could only afford to part with this small amount, so perhaps these changelings need love as part of their dietary requirements?"
>Celestia nods slowly, hoof to her chin.
>"Perhaps. And if that were the case, I can see how innate shapeshifting abilities would be advantageous to their kind. It'd help collect love."
>Luna grimaces.
>"Thou paints not a pleasant picture, sister."
>"Which is made worse by this Queen Chrysalis' intentions," chimes in Cadence seriously.
>"Indeed," agrees Luna. "To think, it was only by the whimsy of a colt that we were warned of such treachery. At the very least, if the worst comes to be, we'll know whom will be taking the throne after their queen is deposed, and that he is more open to cooperation than his predecessor. And as a stallion, he'll make a fine figurehead through which we can influence the changelings."
>"Now sister, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Celestia says chidingly. "We've not even met with any of there kind, and I hardly think it's constructive to start our planning with talk of how best to dethrone their queen and install a mouthpiece in her place."
>"And besides, this Prince Anonymous contacted us in good faith to ask for our assistance despite what his mother would think, and it would be deplorable to take advantage of that fact."
>"Hear, hear!" Cadence chimes in after Raven.
>Raven starts to smile, but it drops as the pink alicorn continues.
>"Besides I propose that a marriage to unite our two peoples would be better. Now normally, It'd either be Celestia or Luna, but I think Raven is the only choice for obvious reasons. Auntie Tia, how has your plans for raising Miss Inkwell into nobility been coming along? I know you were saying she more than deserves it as she does more for this kingdom than the current nobles do."
>At the declaration, Raven's mouth is left hanging open, and Celestia is left wide-eyed as she stares at her assistant.
>She shrugs sheepishly and holds her hooves up.
>"Surprise..."
>"Y-you want to make me a noble?" Raven asks. "What? How?!"
>"Well, all nobles are descended from those who had earned their titles through great deeds and services to Equestria," Celestia explains awkwardly. "And really, who in recent memory has done more in service of Equestria than you?"
>Raven struggles to respond before eventually bowing her head and mumbling, "Thank you, My Princess, I am truly honored."
>"So... the diplomatic marriage is a go?" Cadence asks with a hopeful smile and barely suppressed energy as she jitters in her seat. "Because if so, I already know who can cater the wedding."
>Celestia rolls her eyes.
>"No, it's not 'a go' Cadence, and even if it were, it wouldn't be catered by Pizza Stable."
>"Indeed. We don't even know if changelings partake in the 'za, to begin with," adds Luna. "I can't imagine Miss Inkwell would like to start her relationship with her in-laws by poisoning them."
>"Anyway!" Raven interrupts, face beet-red. "I think we can all agree that we are willing to aide the changelings, yes? If so, we should decide what our response should be."
>"Raven is right, if they are truly facing famine, we need to act fast," Celestia says, expression once again grave as she levitates the strange paper that had been provided. "Let us write our response."
>All four mares become serious after that, and begin hashing out a response.
>After half an hour, they are finished, and then awkwardly go to the highest window in the castle.
>"So... we just toss it?"
>"That is what the letter said."
>"Should we really trust the judgement of a stallion?"
>"I'm sure Prince Anonymous knows what he's doing, and if not, well, I'm sure he'll get in contact with us again regardless."
>As the wind takes the sheet and it drifts into the night to eventually disappear, three mares return to their beds, and the last to her office to file papers after failing to recruit any of the others to help her regain lost time.
>Unnoticed to any of them is the owl set atop a spire who quickly leaves its perch in pursuit of the paper.
>Catching it between its talons, it travels further down the mountain to a secluded alcove and touches down.
>In truth, even if it had missed spotting the note, the pheromones covering the paper made it easy for the creature to track down, and it transforms in a burst of green fire to smile.
>Though he had sat outside of the window and listened to much of their conversation, it's still good to have their final thoughts written out to ponder over.
>There is perhaps a little disappointed, though, to see that their idea of political marriage didn't make it into the final draft of their response.
>It had been an... intriguing suggestion.

>A response suggesting a face-to-face meeting was left wedged in Celestia's window the next night, and she proposed sundown so that both she and Luna would be relatively awake.
>This was also when the changing of the guards took place so that they could arrange for some key outposts to be left unoccupied long enough for someone to traverse the castle.
>In his response, Anon said he appreciated the consideration, even if he didn't need it to enter the castle unnoticed.
>"A bit cheeky, isn't he?" Luna asks as they wait in one of the out-of-the-way meeting rooms in the castle where they wouldn't have to worry about any wayward staff stumbling upon them.
>"He has already approached my bedroom multiple times without detection, so it's not exactly an unsubstantiated boast," Celestia responds as she shuffles some papers and such around on her desk, tidying up to pass the time.
>Raven steps in pushing a trolley laden with tea and biscuits, and Luna scrutinizes her.
>"Um, Luna, what are you doing?" Cadence asked from her spot sprawled across a plush chair against the wall.
>"Our guest can take the appearance of others and is meant to arrive here shortly."
>"And you think I might be him in disguise," Raven surmises. "That's easily rectified, I think."
>Without another word, she pours a cup of tea, adds the cream and sugar, then levitates it over to Princess Celestia who accepts it before taking a sip and sighing contently.
>"Made just the way Raven knows I like it."
>"Well, obviously she's the real Raven," Cadence says in a bored tone. "I should know, since I'm Prince Anonymous."
>The room goes still.
>Three pairs of eyes slowly look over to the young princess.
>She looks back for several seconds, stone-faced, until she suddenly breaks out into giggles.
>"Gotcha! You totally believed I was the changeling!"
>Luna frowns while Celestia rubs at her temples.
>Before she can chastise her honorary niece, however, a muffled voice yells out, "Huh! Good one! I bet their expressions were priceless!"
>This time, four pairs of eyes turn towards the small fireplace at the back wall just in time to see ash begin to crumble down.
>A few grunts and grumbles later, and a body falls out and rolls into the room, smoothly transitioning into a standing position.
>What stood before them now was a tall, dark, and noticeably normal looking earth pony stallion.
>Handsome to be sure, but nothing the mares present hadn't seen before, what with being surrounded by the royal eye-candy, er, royal guard all day long.
>And yet, Raven is wide-eyed and blushing.
>"O-onyx Obelisk?" she gasps, catching the others' attention.
>"You know this stallion?" Celestia asks, getting the unicorn to sputter and quickly back step.
>"Wha-? Me? Of course not! I-I mean, I know of him because a friend gave me- that is, left at my house a, w-well, you have to understand, it's like this-"
>"I didn't choose my disguise poorly, did I? I just saw this guy in a magazine and liked the color scheme."
>Anon looks himself over, patting his charcoal coat and darker mane, green eyes full of concern.
>"Your specific choice of glamour is of no concern, besides perhaps to the model it mimics," Luna says. "We simply were not expecting you to arrive as such."
>"Yeah, we were really looking forward to seeing what a changeling actually looked like," Cadence chimes in. "Aren't you going to show us?"
>Anon blinks a few times before a teasing smile pulls at his lips.
>"Really now, Cadence, asking a stallion you just met to expose himself to you? What would your coltfriend think?"
>She shrugs.
>"I already ask him to do that as soon as the bedroom door is closed."
>Raven enters a coughing fit and a faint "l-lewd" leaves Luna's mouth while Celestia clears her throat.
>"What they mean is simply that you do not need to guise yourself in front of us. You are asking us not just to help you, but your subjects as well, so should we not all be open with each other?"
>The smile falls from his lips as he looks away, rubbing one foreleg with the other.
>"I get what you're saying. I do. And I want to trust you all, and not only because I have no other options. It's just... Mother has always told me- told all of us- that other creatures wouldn't accept us for what we really are. That they would hate us, and ponies most of all. It's hard to ignore something like that, and now I feel anxious when I'm without a disguise outside of the hive."
>As Anon drops his head, shared looks of sympathy pass between the mares, but before any of them can move to comfort the stallion in their midst, he sighs and looks up with a steely gaze.
>"Still, that's no excuse to be rude, so as a sign of my trust, I can at least do this much."
>With that, he holds a foreleg out, and the others recoil as it's overtaken with green fire.
>When it clears, what's left behind looks nothing like a pony's leg.
>The soft flesh and fur has been replaced by jagged and broken plates of chitin with holes passing through its entirety at a multitude of points.
>They all gasp, but it's Raven who rushes forward first, making as if to grab the extended limb, but stopping with her hooves hovering worryingly over it.
>"Oh my goodness you're hurt! We need to get you to the medical wing right away!"
>"Oh no, these aren't injuries," the strange stallion starts, then pauses. "Well, not exactly."
>"Prince Anonymous," Celestia cuts in. "If you're hurt, I assure you our medical staff would be willing to help."
>"It's not that. These aren't, like, stab wounds or something, they're just a symptom of changeling undernourishment. You know, when the body starts to eat itself for sustenance."
>"Um, I'm pretty sure pony bodies don't do that when they're starving," Cadence says with a tinge of green to her cheeks. "We just get really thin."
>"I think it has to do with our exoskeletons," Anon says absently as he his hoof back down and lets green flames shroud his leg in fur once more. "It doesn't grow and shrink easily."
>"That doesn't make it any less concerning!" Raven says, worry and frustration clear on her face. "So you're not wasting away, you're crumbling!"
>"Indeed, and if you, the prince of your kind are at such an advanced stage of starvation, I can only imagine what dire straights the other changelings are in," Luna notes, her own placid facade crumbling at the thought. "The situation is far more dire than we thought and time is of the essence."
>"I'm actually a bit worse off than most of my people," Anon explains as he plops down with a tired sigh. "Not that I won't appreciate hasty assistance, but most changelings aren't as, well, holey as me. Mom is always furious about it, but it's not like I can't not share my rations, especially with the hatchlings. Those lil' buggers are just so cute that I can't help myself whenever I'm down in the nursery."
>As the stallion smiles fondly in remembrance, the mares share a knowing look.
>Of course the prince was giving his food to foals even to the detriment to himself.
>This one clearly has some very strong paternal instincts, and that knowledge brings the mares to more familiar ground.
>Seems even with an unknown species, males are the same.
>"Well, you don't need to starve now, Prince Anonymous," Raven says as she levitates over a tray of sweet biscuits. "While you're here, you can have your fill."
>Giving his head a light shake as he returns to the present, he looks down at the plate curiously.
>"Did you make these?"
>"No, they came from the kitchen staff."
>"Oh... do you think they were made with love?"
>"Ah..." Raven looks over her shoulder, but gets shrugs from the princesses. "I'm sure the royal baker loves his job, if that's what you mean."
>Anon takes a cookie, sniffs it, then takes a nibble.
>Chewing thoughtfully, he eventually frowns and says, "He must be in a rut or something. Still, I suppose it's better than nothing."
>Rave blinks, looking concerned as Anon eats the sweet, not with the fervor of a starving pony, but with the apathy of a one eating unseasoned crab grass.
>"Are they not to your liking?" she asks. "Do you perhaps require something else to eat? I'm sure whatever your dietary needs are, I can find a way to meet them."
>He tilts his head.
>"You mean it? I mean, changelings have a pretty unique diet."
>She squares her shoulders and answers resolutely, "Of course. Whatever you need, Prince Anonymous, I'll provide it."
>"Well, if you're really sure," he begins, standing up and stepping right in front of her. "I really appreciate this Miss Inkwell, you're as kind and considerate as I thought you were."
>She's blushing at the compliment and proximity, then even more so when he suddenly leans in and locks lips with her.
>There are gasps and an excited squeal from behind them, but they hardly register to the shocked mare as her thoughts come to a screeching halt and she feels her brain fizzle out.
>She's kissed a few colts before, but never before has her legs felt like jelly.
>It's the stallion who's supposed to be sent swooning from just a kiss, not the mare!
>She can hardly feel embarrassed at her reaction though as her eyes flutter shut and her weak knees finally give.
>As she sways sideways, breaking the kiss after what felt like an eternity, but was actually only a few seconds, Anon moves to catch her, keeping her steady as she pants, feeling both like she's floating on a cloud, and ready to pass out on said cloud.
>"O-oh my," is all she manages as she blinks drunkenly at the stallion holding her.
>He laughs, smile bright and eyes sparkling with new life that makes her heart flutter.
>"Oh my is right! I know ponies have a lot of love, but I must say, Miss Inkwell, that I've never met a mare with as much love in their heart as you."
>"Wait," Cadence begins stepping over to look more closely at the slowly recovering unicorn. "Did you really just... eat her love?"
>Anon blinks.
>"Well, yes. It is the most important food for changelings, after all. And it's why Mother wishes to invade Equestria. It's the most love-rich nation on the continent."
>He looks back at Raven and gives a fond smile.
>"But I've been trying to convince her that love freely given is so much better for us so she'll abandon her plans to take it through force. Besides just tasting better without the acrid aftertaste, we also don't end up expending extra energy just forcing the love out of the individual so it ends up being more efficient."
>"It seems the situation has become far more complicated," Celestia says as she approaches, eyeing her assistant worriedly. "Raven, are you alright?"
>"Y-yes," she says, standing fully on her own and shaking her head. "Just a little dizzy. Tired too, but nothing a nap won't fix."
>"I'd also suggest plenty of chocolate, also, but yes, a good rest and some food will see you fully recovered by morning. If you still have that honey I gifted you, a couple spoonfuls will have you right as rain in no time." Anon explains. "And thank you, truly, I haven't had a meal like that in weeks."
>"Really?" she asks sheepishly. "My love was that good?"
>He nods enthusiastically.
>"It was great! And I wasn't exaggerating about how much love you have, either. I only ate maybe a quarter of your reserves, and it practically filled me up."
>He licks his lips thoughtfully.
>"It's mostly a deep caring for your fellow ponies and strong desire to help them. Not sweet like young love, or spicy like whirlwind love, but smooth and surprisingly robust. Very energizing. Also way better fresh as opposed to the stored stuff. Honey's alright, and turning it into candy helps, but it's nothing compared to what you've just given me."
>"As... interesting as this all is," Luna cuts in. "I agree with my sister. While it would have been easy to convince our subjects to lend aid to your changelings in the form of foodstuffs, I doubt they'll agree as easily to letting their very love be harvested."
>Anon's smile slowly drops and his ears droop.
>Looking back at Raven and the hoof on her shoulder, he removes it and asks, "Is it really that bad? It wasn't, was it?"
>"Oh no, it wasn't bad at all!" Raven quickly assures, finding that she does not like the upset look on the stallion's handsome face. "You're a very good kisser!"
>Celestia's quick hoof over her mouth prevents Cadence from squealing again as Raven's eyes widen and she back steps both figuratively and literally.
>"I mean the process of having you eat my love wasn't bad! Sorry, my thoughts are just a bit addled is all and my mouth got away from me."
>"Don't worry, Prince Anon is sure to catch it for you if that's the case," Cadence says teasingly as she yanks the white hoof down.
>"Regardless of whether or not the process is painful or pleasurable, the problem lies in convincing ponies to give it a chance to begin with," Celestia interrupts. "Love is thought of as something sacred by many, and so to treat it as merely a commodity or foodstuff will sound sacrilegious to the general populous no matter our endorsements."
>"Maybe yours, but I'm the flippin' Princess of Love over here," Cadence argues, chest puffed out as she polishes a hoof on it. "And as far as I can tell, the process didn't hurt and hasn't left any permanent damage, so I'm giving a tentative go-ahead."
>She gives a sly sideways glance towards Raven as she adds, "As a matter of fact, it looked almost... enjoyable. That might be a good selling point that I'm sure quite a few mares will appreciate."
>"You think so?" Anon asks hopefully.
>"Absolutely," she responds with a grin. "We just need to advertise right and I'm sure we can have ponies volunteering in no time."
>"Wow, that's great!" Anon cheers, tapping his hooves together. "You know, changeling collectors are trained in a multitude of even more pleasurable extraction techniques, so you can probably add that as part of the advertisement if it'll help."
>"Really?" Raven finds herself asking.
>"mhmm," Anon says with a proud nod. "The Ponysutra is required reading for all changelings before they go out in the field."
>"O-oh my, that's very... interesting," Raven says with a gulp.
>"You know, the more you speak of your kind, the more I wonder if they had any influence on the old legends of incubus and succubi," Luna says dryly, which earns another nod from the prince.
>"Oh yeah, Mom told me that was actually Grandma's idea. An added layer of misdirection in case a changeling ever got sloppy. That way ponies would would be looking for summon circles and gateways to the Netherworld instead of right under their muzzles."
>Anon doesn't notice the stares for several seconds, and when he does, looks confused and asks, "What?"
>Luna sighs, covering her face with a hoof as she mumbles, "We're agreeing to help literal sex demons. How did we end up here?"
>"Um, actually he just said they were pretending to be sex demons, not that they literally were," Cadence corrects.
>While Luna glares at her fellow princess, Celestia says, "Perhaps it's best if you keep that little tidbit secret for now. The task of getting ponies to accept changelings would be made more difficult by any... demonic association."
>Anon opens his mouth, pauses, then sighs, "Okay, yeah, I can see that. Ponies are already pretty skittish towards creatures different from them."
>"Hey, I take offense to that," Cadence says with a pout, getting Anon to chuckle.
>"Current company excluded, of course," he corrects. "Still, I get where you all are coming from. Maybe we can keep the love-eating quiet until ponies get more used to us. I mean, we do still need help with regular food."
>Raven blinks.
>"You mean you eat more than just love?"
>Anon rolls his eyes good naturedly.
>"Well yeah. We're not like, say, wendigos who feed entirely on emotional energy. We're corporeal with living, breathing bodies. Those tend to need at least some food and water to sustain themselves and grow."
>"And you have a shortage in that regard, as well?" Celestia asks curiously.
>"Yeah," he confirms. "Though it does cycle back to our love shortage. See, love also powers our magic, and with so little going around, that means we have little magic to spare. And, well, how much food could you ponies grow without magic?"
>It's Luna who answers, looking deep in thought.
>"non-earth pony crop yields are typically far smaller than earth pony farms of equal size, and uncontrolled weather in Zebrica damaging crops has always been an issue... Yes, I can imagine trying to feed your people without magically assisted farming is quite difficult."
>"That's an understatement," Anon agrees with a tired smile. "Plus we live in the Badlands, so the soil isn't exactly ideal for growing crops to begin with. Mostly we rely on mushroom farms underground alongside insects and whatever rodents are unfortunate enough to find themselves in our tunnels."
>All ponies present turn a little green at that, Cadence even gagging under her breath.
>Raven, ever the polite one, gives a sympathetic smile and says, "That sounds just awful."
>"You're telling me. I swear if I have to eat one more bowl of mole rat stew, I'm going to lose it."
>"How carnivorous are changelings?" Celestia asks. "While it'll be less complicated to provide aide in the form of physical food, Equestria won't be able to provide much in the way of meats for obvious reasons."
>"Oh, not very," he informs, much to their relief. "We can eat just about anything. Pony food is actually really popular back home and changelings often bring some back with them whenever they return from gathering love here."
>"And just how often is that?" Luna questions, eyes narrowed. "It sounds like your kind have been illegally crossing our borders and... well, let's face it, molesting, if not outright raping our subjects for a long while now."
>"Sister!" Celestia starts, but is cut off surprisingly by Prince Anon himself.
>"It's been our way since before Equestria was founded."
>"And you see no problem with that?" Luna asks, though it sounds more like an accusation.
>"Is that what you think?" Anon fires back, expression hard. "You don't think I know how messed up it is? How it would look to others? I know how we changelings will be seen if we reveal ourselves and our past, but that's exactly what it is. The past."
>He takes a deep breath as if to calm himself.
>"I'm not going to apologize for what we are. Even if we need love to survive, that doesn't make us monsters. But I can acknowledge that how we've gone about getting that love until now has been morally questionable."
>The steel in his eyes softens to something more pleading as he looks at the mares, his sad gaze lingering a moment on Raven, making her chest tighten.
>"That's why I came here. That's why I've gone against everything changelings have believed for generations to ask for help. I don't just want to save my people, I want to make them and their lives better. We've lived for so long in the darkness, struggling just to survive the night, only to do it all over again the next."
>He swallows thickly as he continues.
>"You know, in our hive, we have a library, full of silk scrolls created by our ancestors. Stories, sciences, philosophies, spells. I've read most of them, I felt it was my duty as Prince to know my people's history, but recently, I've realized something. Those scrolls? Written by changelings scholars and authors? They're all old. For well over a hundred years now, a changeling hasn't created something new. None have the time or energy anymore."
>He shakes his head.
>"More than anything, I want changelings to be able to create again, not just live day to day worrying about when the next meal will be. Do you understand?"
>The mares share a look, Cadence with tears in her eyes she tries to wipe away covertly, Luna with a guilty expression, and Celestia with sympathy.
>Raven, however, is not hiding as tears run down her cheeks and she steps forward.
>"We understand, Prince Anonymous, and we will do everything we can to help you. But for now, I'd like to ask, may I hug you?"
>Anon blinks, but smiles.
>"Yeah, I think I'd like that."
>Then Anon finds himself held against the unicorn, his head over her shoulder as she rubs up and down his back tenderly.
>Anon closes his eyes and hugs her back, reveling in the comforting contact, meant not to provide food, but merely to provide solace and friendship.
>He's glad he decided to come here.

>It's ironic that, as someone who thrives on manipulating emotions, Queen Chrysalis is currently struggling to control her own.
>Anger and worry are warring in her heart as she glares into the distance at the moon-silhouetted city of Canterlot.
>Where her son is currently being held.
>And there were more emotions in that.
>Disappointment, both towards him for being so foolish as to get caught, and in herself for failing to raise him right.
>It's not her fault, though.
>That boy's always been strong willed to the point of pig-headedness, a source of both pride and frustration for his poor mother.
>He's smart, but that's led to him thinking he knows better than his own mom, and now he's gone and tossed himself to their enemies.
>Her chest tightens at the thought of what could be occurring in there.
>No doubt those equine vermin are torturing her poor son for information on her invasion plan.
>She's sure he won't crack, at least not immediately, he's always been tough for a male, but the sooner she can rescue him, the better.
>If anything, their existence is already out there, so she at least won't have to worry about being subtle.
>Smash and grab operations often get messy, but she has little in the way of options or time to pursue different avenues of rescue, and so now she waits as her soldiers get into position to storm the castle.
>A two pronged infiltration starting at the top and bottom of the castle and sweeping through the structure to find their captive prince and meet in the middle to fight their way out.
>After all, he's either in the dungeons at the base, or one of the royal bedchambers at the top.
>Her jaw clenches at the mental image of one of those overgrown horses in tiaras using her son like that, and she has to force it from her mind before it drives her to charge the castle before it's time.
>"My Queen!" a voice in her mind calls.
>"Yes, Captain? Are you in position?"
>"No! I-it's the prince, your Highness!"
>She growls, standing up as her wings buzz in agitation.
>"Do you have a visual?" she demands even as her mind supplies the horrid possibility that would mean.
>After all, the captain should be outside Princess Celestia's bed chambers, so if she can see her son, that most likely means...
>"Yes! I see him, he's, he's-!"
>"Out with it! What are they doing to my son?!"
>"They're leading him out the front gates! He's being escorted by a unicorn mare not in the armor of a guard!"
>"What?" Chrysalis questions, smacking the side of her head to make sure her reception isn't on the fritz.
>Surely she's misheard her captain.
>"He's in disguise, but it's definitely the prince. I can smell his royal musk from here!"
>There's a gasp and Chrysalis growls.
>"What?! What just happened?!"
>"T-the Prince, he just pecked the mare on the cheek! She's very flustered, your Highness!"
>Chrysalis can hardly believe it.
>Did her son manage to seduce his way out of captivity?
>While her son performed well in practice for seduction and manipulation tactics, he always showed an unusual discomfort at the idea of actually applying those skills for real.
>Idly, she wonders if starvation has finally won out over his oddly misguided morality and forced him to see reason, or if he's simply gone insane and is no longer burdened by such thoughts.
>... Probably the latter considering all that has transpired today.
>There's a sudden presence in her mind, gently prodding her connection to the hive, and she sighs as she opens it up and allows their errant prince re-entry into the network.
>As soon as he's in, the entire hive mind is filled with frantic inquiries of his health and why he left which takes nearly a minute to settle.
>"Yes, yes, I'm fine. I'm very sorry I left like that without warning. No, it's not because I was mad- Oh no, it wasn't because of you, sweetie! I could never be angry with you- or you- of course you too."
>"I'm glad to hear you aren't angry, my wayward son," Chrysalis growls through the connection. "Because I am absolutely furious and wouldn't want to have to shout over you. Come here."
>"Ah, hello, Mother, I didn't expect you to-"
>"Now."
>"Right... I'll be right there."
>Chrysalis waits, scowl on her face as her captain gives the play-by-play of Anon's goodbye to the pony mare before sauntering away and turning into a owl as soon as he's around a corner.
>A few minutes later, he settles atop a boulder near her, and she turns her glare towards him.
>He at least has the decency to look guilty as he returns to his true form and opens his mouth.
>He's cut off by her magic washing over him and the sudden shiver it causes.
>"Wow! What are you doing?!"
>"Scanning you for any charms or spells. I wouldn't put it passed the ponies to plant a tracking spell on you in the hopes of following you back to our Hive."
>"They wouldn't do that," Anon says as he shakes like a wet dog once she's finished.
>"Oh? And you know them so well, how?" she fires back. "You've hardly even talked to a pony before tonight, and now your an expert on their immortal rulers?"
>"Well, did you find any spells?" he asks, getting her frown to deepen, which causes him to smile. "Then I guess I can't be that far off, can I?"
>"Your arrogance will be the death of you," Chrysalis begins as she steps towards him. "And you will drag the rest of us down with you."
>"Um, m-mom?"
>She stands over him, her full height casting a long shadow as he leans back and gulps, staring up into her hard eyes.
>"What you have done tonight is beyond reckless and selfish. As Prince of the changelings, it is your duty to protect our people, not put them in harms way."
>"I did this for our people-" he tries, but she continues.
>"Did you even think of what would have happened if you had come to harm? So many of our subjects look up to you. You are their light, and the light of our hive. You are the reason many changelings even get up in the morning."
>She raises a hoof, and he flinches, but no strike comes.
>Instead, she grabs the back of his head and pulls it to her chest as she leans down and whispers.
>"We... I couldn't take that. Losing you. I'm worn so thin, Anon. So many days I feel like I'm going to come undone, but I remind myself I must remain strong for you and the others. So please, I'm begging you, never do something like this again."
>Anon remains silent for several moments, breathing against her chest, before finally saying, "I'll try."
>She frowns.
>"Try? I would like more than just trying."
>"And I wish I could promise more, but Mom, I can't just keep sitting around while things continue to get worse."
>He wiggles until he's looking up at her, eyes focused and determined.
>"You say I'm the reason changelings get up in the morning? Then I want to give them more reasons. I want them to live full, happy lives, and I can't do that alone."
>"And you don't have to," Chrysalis responds, letting go of her son when he steps back. "I want the same thing, and I will achieve it for us."
>Anon sighs.
>"One way or another, right?" he whispers, getting her to furrow her brow.
>"Yes, I suppose so."
>"And the one way you're intent on is invasion and conquest."
>She stands straighter.
>"... Yes."
>"What about the other, though?"
>"Excuse me?"
>"If it's one way or another, that means there's other options. War isn't the only way we can save the changelings. We need to negotiate."
>Chrysalis growls.
>"I've already told you, there is no negotiation with ponies."
>But there is!" he practically shouts, gesturing towards the castle in the distance. "I proved it tonight. I talked to the princesses. All three of them, and they agreed to help us! And I didn't sugarcoat it either, if that's what you're thinking. I told them we feed on love and they know the sorts of things we do to get it. I even told them about what you wanted to do-"
>"You insolent-!"
>"And they still agreed to help!" he yells over her. "After all that, they still agreed to help! They aren't the intolerant, hateful creatures you think they are, Chrysalis! All they ask in return is honesty and for us to stop harming their subjects! If we can just do that, they'll give us food. They've already agreed to supply relief packages, and they're willing to look into alternative, consensual ways of allowing us to harvest love."
>"You would have us beg for scraps, then? Is that it?" she snaps back. "Or do you think they're truly doing this out of the goodness of their hearts? Tell me, Prince Anonymous, how long before we become their servants? Sex slaves and spies. I can see it now, a collar around every changeling's neck, all for a few dredges of love and the same slop they feed to the pigs."
>Anon clenches his jaw.
>"That's not what they want."
>"Oh? Then tell me, what is it they asked for? They must want something, even if they haven't told you yet. The bill will come due, and then all changelings will pay the price."
>His lips form a thin line as he holds her gaze for several seconds, then he growls, "Fine, you're right, they did ask for something."
>She smirks, vindicated.
>"Of course they did. That altruistic dribble their kind constantly spouts off is just moral posturing so that they can feel better than the rest of us."
>He shrugs.
>"Guess you've got them all figured out."
>"I do," she says before her expression grows hard once more. "So, what is it? What's the price for their aid?"
>"It's nothing terrible, if that's what you're thinking," he answers. "A formal alliance between our kingdoms."
>She blinks.
>"An alliance? And they expect us to trust them to treat us fairly? Or for us not to betray them, for that matter. I know Celestia is not that foolish."
>"Exactly right. Mere words alone would never be enough to ensure amiable treatment towards each other, that's why they want something more that just a mere promise. They want a political marriage."
>Her head jerks back, thoughts of that insufferable Prince Blueblood her spies have told her about coming to mind.
>"They're insane if they expect me to marry one of their kind!" she spits angrily. "I refuse!"
>He tilts his head curiously.
>"Well, of course they don't expect you to marry one of them. You're the Queen."
>She begins to relax, until he finishes.
>"They want me to marry the mare, Raven Inkwell, Celestia's right hoof who's soon to be raised as head of her own noble house."
>The queen's expression shifts so fast and so drastically from one to another that one might assume her innate shapeshifting was at play before settling on something flat and cold.
>"Is that so?" she asks.
>"Yeah, but I'm okay with it. Raven's a good mare and- where are you going?"
>"Obviously I'm going to go kill Celestia."
>"Wha-? Hey! Stop!"
>"I will not! If that overgrown meal ticket thinks she can choose who MY son marries she has another thing coming! Namely my horn through her eye!"
>"Mom! It's not that bad!"
>"And not even a royal, no less! Just some pauper who's risen up by suckling at an alicorn's teat! A manipulative, lying,-"
>"Raven's not like that! She's smart, hardworking, and full of love!"
>"Oh, I'm sure. Lust, more like it, and I'm not going to let her near you, now get out of my way."
>"I know the difference between lust and love as well as you do-"
>"A scheming little worm the likes Canterlot breeds is well beyond a sheltered hatching's experience. She would have you believe she's a saint even as she drags you to bed to-"
>"Enough! If she's as dishonest as you seem to think, then explain this!"
>Anon leaps up and grabs the larger changeling's head, yanking it down to his level.
>She growls and prepares to berate him, but then he presses his nose to hers, their lips an inch apart as he parts his own and lets a stream of green vapor flow out.
>She inhales it without thinking, then instinct takes over and she's gulping it down.
>So pure.
>So clean.
>And not a hint of the bitterness that usually accompanies stolen love or the sour aftertaste obtained through dishonesty.
>Such flavors were so common to their kind as to be nearly unnoticeable now, except for when it's absent.
>In the rare moments such as these, every changeling has the same thought.
>How did I ever even manage to swallow love tainted by those impurities?
>In a way, tasting love of this quality is almost cruel for how rare an experience it is.
>Even Chrysalis herself only experienced it years ago from a wounded traveler she had rescued from certain death in the wastes.
>Anon's own father and namesake.
>A tear rolls down her cheek as the stream of energy tapers off, leaving only memories of her lost love.
>Anon leans back slowly to look at her.
>"She gave that to me freely when I told her that we needed love and that I was starving. Even after I drank from her and she was weakened, I felt no animosity from her, and I have no doubt she would have given more if I asked. That's just the kind of person she is. Giving and driven by a desire to help others. Say what you will about the princesses, but leave Raven out of it."
>Chrysalis lifts her head slowly, looking from her son to the castle in the distance.
>After several seconds, she sighs and turns around.
>"Come we have much to discuss."
>"Are you going to let the ponies help?"
>"... We shall see. But first, I want to know more about your meeting... And this Raven."
>Anon smiles and trots after her.

>Once again, Princess Celestia finds herself, along with three of the mares she trusts most, waiting in a meeting room.
>One a little larger this time to account for the new addition of Captain Shining Armor, as well as two guests of the non-pony variety who would be arriving soon.
>Another change compared to last time is her assistance's demeanor.
>She might have a bit nervous before, but she had covered it up admirably while they waited for Prince Anonymous to arrive.
>Now she's a sweating, tomato-faced mess.
>It's gotten so bad that Celestia even covertly offered to magically wick the moisture away when the guests finally arrive as to help her make a first good impression.
>After all, one only gets one chance when meeting your potential mother-in-law.
>At that thought, Celestia reflects on the night of their first meeting with the changeling prince, and the two missives she received after.
>One was delivered to a tower guard by a frantic owl.
>The other tied to a brick magically launched through the glass of her bedroom window.
>The former was from Anonymous, and the latter his mother.
>Anon's letter bore the marks of one hastily written, reading as:

>Dear Princess Celestia, sorry for dropping off a letter so soon, but things got a little more complicated after our meeting concluded.
>Turns out my mother caught onto me sooner than expected, and was waiting only a short ways outside of the city when I left.
>Pretty sure she and some guards were planning an assault on the castle to rescue me before I stopped them.
>Anyway, she was obviously quite upset with me, and would hear nothing of our plans to have Equestria lend aid to the changelings.
>She's adamant in her belief that ponies would never help us unless you had something to gain, and so, to get her to even consider the offer as anything other than a trap, I had to tell a lie.
>I told her you did want something, and well...
>Remember how, a little before I left, Cadence brought up the whole political marriage stuff to fluster Raven?
>Raven insisted it was a joke and that neither she nor any of you would ever expect me to enter an arranged marriage with her, and I completely believe that.
>She's just too nice.
>My mother, however, completely believes you'd demand something along those lines, and while quite angry about it, puts more credibility in your offered aid being genuine.
>So in conclusion, Mom thinks you want an alliance between our peoples in return for aid, and that I'm to marry Miss Inkwell to seal the deal.
>I'm sorry, but it was the only thing I could think of in the moment.
>I hope Miss Inkwell understands and doesn't end up hating me.
>Mom will want to meet with you soon to discuss the finer details of our alliance.
>Maybe we can think something other than forcing Miss Inkwell into an unwanted marriage to officiate it?
>Hope you can come up with a solution to the problem I've made.
>Prince Anonymous.

>Yes, the situation is delicate to be sure, and out of all of them, Raven had to feel the most pressured, not only because of how she's involved, but also due to the contents of the other letter.

>To the most loathed Princess Celestia, congratulations.
>You've managed to convince a changeling, a creature raised on subterfuge and deceit, that you have nothing but noble intentions for our kind.
>Your skills at manipulation rivals that of our finest infiltrators and no doubt reflect your vast experience at beguiling other's to your side.
>I now see how you've managed to convince the world of your benevolence, despite how you openly banished your own sister for a thousand years merely for the crime of seeking her dues after aiding in the rule of your kingdom unrecognized from your shadows for so long.
>Yes, you are truly a mare worthy of both respect and loathing, and honestly, I find myself with mixed feelings on who you've decided to bind my son to.
>After all, while Id obviously tear your throat out before I allowed you to defile Anonymous, I can't deny you are a worthy mare.
>One of the few alive worthy to wed my son, if only by your power and cunning.
>More than I can say for one Raven Inkwell.
>Frankly, it's insulting that you think my son, a prince and royal in his own right, is not worthy of a spouse of equal standing, but, luckily for you, he's expressed his willingness to marry Miss Inkwell, so for now, I'm assenting to his wishes.
>From what he's told me, she seems a decent enough sort, ignoble birth notwithstanding.
>In fact, I've come to tentatively agree with my son that she is a kind, loving mare, and will thus provide a a steady food supply for him.
>Though I hope she doesn't intend to have him live in that minuscule home of hers on the corner of Saddle and Stirrup street.
>Her interior design sense could also use some work, also.
>I don't want for my son's abode to look like a museum, after all.
>And of course there are the in-laws to consider.
>Anonymous would be just devastated if her mother and father didn't approve of him.
>They're retired to that quint little town, Hope Hollow, correct?
>Yes, she has a lot of work to do before I'll consider her truly worthy of my son, but I'm sure she'll have plenty of time to improve herself before the wedding.
>An event I'm going to want majority control over, seeing as how my input on it even happening wasn't considered in the least until now.
>An insult I hope you intend to amend when we meet face to face.
>A meeting that will be soon, as we will have a great deal to discuss.
>Queen Chrysalis of the Changelings.

>The threat was clear, and had Raven shaking after they had read the letter together.
>Even after sending guards to protect her parents as well her staying in a guest room of the castle, she's been a nervous wreck.
>It pained Celestia to see her friend that way, but she did her best not to let the anger towards the changeling queen affect the upcoming negotiations.
>This Chrysalis is in a difficult position, facing both a species-wide crisis on top of what would become a massive cultural shift for her people as their previous way of life would not be able to persist unchanged after her son outed them.
>A son who she also believes is being forced into a marriage with a mare she's never met.
>And so, Celestia would cut the foreign royal some slack and be civil.
>She just hopes the queen returns the favor and acts halfway to cordial herself.
>This is supposed to be an official diplomatic meeting, after all, and she doubts she'll be able to remain professional if Chrysalis sees fit to verbally attack the other ponies present.
>She can weather insults slung her way with practiced ease, but those directed towards her family or friends have always caused her blood to boil.
>There's a knock at the door, and one of her guards enters at her command.
>They'd been informed that they were expecting a very important pair of ponies and an unspecified amount of their entourage, but judging by the crack in the guards stoic facade, something has gone amiss.
>As he opens the door fully, to allow their visitors in, Celestia can see why.
>The hall leading to the meeting room is filled with dozens of ponies, all different in appearance, yet eerily uniform in how they've taken up position lining the walls.
>All there eyes focused intently on the pair now stepping in, one, a familiar dark stallion, and the other a unicorn mare with a light green coat, orange mane, and ladybug cutie mark.
>She'd honestly be quite unassuming in appearance, if she didn't hold herself with the air of a queen.
>Which Celestia guesses is probably the case.
>Prince Anonymous, in contrast, looks sheepish as he walks in, head low and small, apologetic smile on his lips.
>"Um, sorry for bringing so many guests," he says with a forced chuckle. "Hope the invite wasn't a plus one sort of deal."
>"Our subjects only wish to keep you safe, Anonymous, which, after your recent habit of tossing yourself into the lions' den, is a perfectly valid desire," answers the mare haughtily as she scans the room.
>Her sharp green eyes pass dismissively over Shining armor, flash with something akin to respect on Luna, glow with hunger upon the Princess of Love, and not quite concealed disdain when looking at Celestia, which the solar diarch suspects is intentional.
>Especially since, once the queen's eyes land on Raven, her expression smooths out, not a hint of her feelings showing on the surface.
>"I can take care of myself," grumbles Anon.
>"Can you? As I remember, last time you were left to your own devices, you ended up engaged with a complete stranger."
>"That's not..." Anon begins, but just heaves a sigh and trudges the rest of the way into the room and towards the table as the door is shut behind them. "Let's just start the meeting."
>Walking passed Princess Cadence and her coltfriend with a nod, Anon plops down in the seat Cadence insisted be left open.