The central chamber was a room that only few members of the hive ever saw. It’s small size might seem strange considering its importance, but inside the value of the room quickly became clear. Suspended in the middle of the room a small crystal hovered, glowing with magical energy. Since the conception of her people, every queen has had one crystal, one heart, that she has called her own. Through this crystal energy flowed throughout the hive, providing her subjects with light and nourishment. For their entire lives the queens and their hives carefully guarded the crystals.

The central chamber, and with it her heart, seemed like a pale memory of what once was. With a hint of despair Queen Amestis looked upon her crystal. Cracks ran along its surface and only a faint glow basked the room in a dim light. Gone were the days where she filled it with power, lighting the room in a brilliant pink hue. For this her subjects suffered, scurrying about in now dimly lit tunnels. A grumble filled the room as her stomach rebelled, demanding to be filled by the sweet nectar of love. That was one indulgence that did not exist in her world anymore. It has been months since last her changelings had successfully brought back a meal. Even before then, the incident had made any form of nourishment a rare treat.

With a sigh she approached, lowering her head as to let her horn touch the crystal. Delving deep within herself she searched. Combing through her memories, dreams and wishes she desperately hoped to find anything that she could use. Her dreams were empty, a shallow memory with no morsel of hope left for her. The only wish she could find was the survival of her hive, but just as so often before, she could not conceive of a future where her wish might be fulfilled. Her memories were full of desperation, sadness and the relentless fight for survival. Nothing there. If only she were more like her mother, then she could… Her mother… With an idea in her mind she searched, but now that she had a goal, memories quickly faded until she found her last untouched memory.

Her mother had birthed her herself, a very rare thing among changelings. Even rarer was that she had taken care of her personally, but that might save them all now. Queen Amestis remembered her mother’s face. It was round, almost ponylike in its softness. Her hard, black carapace did not betray the warmth of her shell. Amestis always did love riding in her soft mane. It was like her own personal cocoon. A place where nothing could reach her. A place where she was safe. Every single evening her mother would cradle her in her magic and slowly rocking her to sleep.

For one final moment she relished that memory of her mother. For the last time she dove into that feeling of safety, the love she had for her mother and the happiness that was her life back then. Focusing on those feelings she cut them off. Separating them from her most treasured memories she forced them into the crystal. Lifting her head she saw that the crystal was shining with new vigour, though it was not enough to repair the cracks, or lighten the room as it should. Sadly she smiled, though it had cost her so much, now her hive may yet survive long enough.

No longer having the strength she dragged her hoofs across the floor. Outside Pincer, her most trusted advisor, was waiting for her. Without a word she lead the way back to her chambers, her head held as high as she could. It was of no use though, she could tell that Pincer saw right through her charade. He was no fool, and thankfully did not bring the matter up. In the halls of the hive a few changelings that could not go into hibernation were still working, caring for those in the deep slumber. They all bowed down to her, but their eyes shone with worry for both their princess, and for themselves. Reaching her chambers she gave a sigh of relief. The guards hastily opened the doors, allowing her to continue in without slowing down. Inside only one of the lights was on, casting the room into an eerie darkness. Queen Amestis did not mind the light. It saved energy, and it spared her from having to see herself in the mirror on the far wall.

Not trusting her legs to carry her for much longer she laid down on her bed. “Tell us, has there been any word of the candidates?” Pincer’s sad eyes said all that was needed. “I see.” Nigh six months ago she had chosen the most promising of her changeling infiltrators and sent them out on a quest. It was time, and when, or now as it seemed, if any of them returned they just might be able to save the hive.
“My Queen?”
“We are tired, speak quickly so that we may rest.” Amestis said curtly, but not unkindly.
Pincer took a deep breath. “My Queen. We are starving. If we do not send out an infiltration party soon it will mean our end.”
“Is the crazed mare still hold up in that ruined castle, mourning the loss of her sister?”
“Yes, My Queen.”
“And are the tribes still hunting our subjects?”
“Yes, My Queen, but-”
“But nothing. Even our best and brightest cannot infiltrate them now, and I will not send more into their demise.”
“Then we must confront her directly.”
“Speak clearly Pincer, we are in no mood for games.”
“We must go to the so called goddess and hope for favourable terms. Please send me with a small delegation, or if need be, let me go alone.”
“Pincer,” Amestis said with a tired sigh, “The mare has gone insane. For over a year she has been holed up in her castle while the creatures around prevent anypony from disturbing her. Even if you were able to reach her, for her we are a parasite. She has banished her own sister to the moon. We cannot expect such mercy from the likes of her. ”
“Then what shall we do?”
Queen Amestis sighed. “Are there any more changelings we can spare.”
“No, my queen. All that are not hibernating as of now are tending to those that are. If we send them to sleep most will not survive the process.”
“Then there is nothing else we can do.” The Queen said dismissively. “Now be gone, we wish to rest.”
“There is one more thing,” Pincer said nervously, “The team you have sent out has returned.”
“I see.”
“The traitor has been found.”
“Is she alright?” Amestis asked a sliver of hope creeping into her voice.
“My apologies my queen. They only found a body. If you wish I can bring you to her.”
“You may leave.” She said shortly.
“My Queen, is there-”
“Leave us!”

Pincer shied away from his Queen’s outburst. Apologizing he bowed, leaving Amestis alone in her room. She couldn’t help it. As soon as Pincer had left tears rolled down her cheeks. Her little one may have been a traitor, but she had been dear to her. Many years before the moon had rebelled she had birthed her, pouring everything she was into one daughter. Those first few years she had cared for her, guarding her from the harsh world they inhabited. When she had come of age she was immediately enlisted into the ranks of the infiltrators. Even among these elite she proved herself as one of the most skilled changelings of all time. She was the one that was to lead the hive when Amestis time had passed.

Everything was perfect until the fateful day the princesses fought each other. Only few ponies, and fewer changelings experienced the shock that was their fury. Her little one had been caught in the aftermath of the battle. She was trapped in the chaos that followed, filling her with a disdain for ponies, never having been able to feel the elation of their sweet love. When she returned she was different. A thirst for power filled her, and she demanded they strike before Equestria could recover. Amestis tried to bring her back to the hive, to save her little one, but after months of trying the young changeling had done the unthinkable. She broke the three sacred laws of the changelings. She had not only defied her Queen, she had also killed and impersonated a fellow hive member, a feat that had long been deemed impossible for all but the changeling Queens. After this Amestis had no choice. She had sent a small force of her subjects to capture her favoured daughter, that she may judge her. Before they could apprehend her the young one managed to escape, leaving the hive for unknown lands.

---

A knocking riled Amestis from her slumber. Slowly she rose, her body rebelling against her every movement. The knocking came again. “Who disturbs their Queen?” She called.
“My Queen,” The familiar voice of Pincer answered, “One was successful!”
Suddenly awake Amestis stumbled out of her bed. Her legs gave out under her, refusing to carry her. “Have her brought to the central chamber.” She called from the floor. There was no time to waste. If one of her candidates. With one short spell she strengthened the lights in her room. For the first time in ages she could see her room again. Beautiful curtains adorned the walls, framing paintings that had been seized over the centuries. Amestis eyes were fixed on the mirror though. Her illusion spells had failed again during the night, showing her true form. She lay in a heap on the floor, her orange flesh gleaming through the cracks in her carapace. The worst part was her chest though. She looked down to see a large plate of her shell had dislodged itself last night. It was so surreal that she couldn’t help but touch it. A shudder went down her spine as, for the first time in her life, she could actually feel her own heartbeat.

Disgusted Amestis focused her magic, attempting to recast her spell. She couldn’t seem to put it together. The pieces of the spell drifted past one another, not taking hold. She cursed under her breath. There was no way she could let herself be seen like this. “Pincer.” She called, “All our subjects are to remain in their cocoons for the time being.”
“Very well.” Pincer called. After a few moments he came back. “It has been done.”
“Good.” She said standing up, her legs shaking. Next to the door she grabbed a simple coat to cover herself from any curious onlookers. Outside Pincer patiently waited for her, but when he saw her he couldn’t help himself. He ran up to his Queen supporting her. Amestis looked away, ashamed that she would need his help. With his support she did eventually make it to the central chamber.
“My Queen,” Pincer said retreating from her, “It has been an honour serving you.”
Queen Amestis couldn’t help herself. “No, It has been an honour to have you here.” She said smiling. “Do not worry, everything will be better soon.”

With her final words spoken she retreated into the central chamber. Inside a young changeling waited for her. She still had her saddlebags strapped to her back. “Greetings young one.” Amestis said stumbling forward.
“My Queen!” The young changeling exclaimed, jumping forward to support Amestis.
“I am quite all right.” Amestis said donning a false smile. “There is little time, and much we must discuss. If I remember correctly your name was Mandible, correct?”
“Yes my Queen…”
“Very well Mandible, I assume you were successful?” Mandible crammed in her saddlebags, pulling out a crystal. It was still so very small, but hers had been smaller before she had been queen. “Very good. Now place it over there.” She said pointing to a small pedestal in front of where her crystal hovered. As Mandible set it down Amestis sat down on the ground.

“Mandible, you understand what is about to happen?”
“Yes, my Queen.”
“And you accept responsibility for the hive, vow to keep it safe until the time come where you will pass this responsibility on?”
“I do, but, my Queen, do you not wish to instruct me first?” Mandible asked nervously.
“In a perfect world yes, but we do not have such a luxury. In my… in your chambers I have left instructions and guidelines. I am sorry I cannot do more, but you have already proven yourself more resourceful than I.” She said pushing herself to her feet. “Everything about this is improper, but desperate times call for desperate measures. One day you will understand.”

Mandible tried to say something, but Amestis silenced her. Hopefully there would be time for that later. She could feel her body giving out on her. As disgusting as it may be, she could see her flesh already losing its bright orange colour. Gathering all her strength she levitated Mandible’s crystal up to hers. It already shone with more power than what was left in hers, but even after all those trials that Mandible had to go through connecting the crystal with her own essence, there was still one very important thing missing. Something that only existed once in every hive. The essence of the hive queen itself. Concentrating on her own crystal Amestis dove deep within. It felt so week, and so colourless that it made her queasy experiencing just what she had become in her struggle for survival. She knew that she was damning Mandible to the same fate, but this was the only option.

Finding the lush, bright green essence that had been passed down through the hive for generations she took a moment diving into it. She remembered the day her mother had given it to her. She had left this world, a smile on her face, trusting Amestis with her Hive. Amestis had proven her mother wrong. She was a failure, a disgrace for the hive and to all the queens. She wrenched the essence from her crystal, and with it from her very being. A shout of pain filled the small room as her Crystal shattered into a million pieces. Amestis collapsed to the floor, unable to move, the shards of her heart falling around her.

“Yes!” Mandible called out, rising from the magical power coursing through the air. A wicked laugh erupted from her throat. Amestis eyes went wide as she recognized that laugh. Struggling she lifted her head and, just before light engulfed the young changeling, she changed her form ever so slightly. It was only for an instant, but it was unmistakable. The light receded and behind was a transformed changing. “You can’t be…” Amestis said dumbstruck as she realized that the changeling in front of her was in fact not Mandible.
“Oh but I am.” the maniacal voice of the new queen said.
“But you died… Pincer said-”
“Yes, he may have thought that, but if you could have been bothered to see the body you might have been able to see through it.”
“How… How did you do it…” Amestis asked.
“It was simple. After you banished me I infiltrated Equestria.” The new Queen said pulling a few green storage containers, gleaming with stolen energy, out of her saddlebags. “Once inside it was a simple matter to trick them to think that changelings were some remnant of Discord’s reign.” She smashed one of the containers against the floor. The love trapped within filled the air, slowly being absorbed into the crystal in the centre of the room. “It did not take them long to find those you had sent on their quests, and the ponies where ever so eager to send them to the leading authority in changelings.” A mocking smile showed on her face. “Though I must admit, you did choose quite well. It took me weeks to finally get all the information I needed out of them." Again and again the queen smashed vials of energy, the magic draining into the crystal. "finally, after I had collected enough love to sustain me for years, and having retrieved my own heart, I only had to fake my own death. It was actually quite simple once I learned how to imitate the form of another of the hive.”

“You have doomed us all!” Amestis screamed.
The new queen tilted her head curiously. “How so.” She asked playfully.
“Now that they know of us they will starve us!”
Again the new queen laughed. “Do you really think me that dense? We will simply go into hibernation. Nine, or maybe nine and a half centuries should do it.”
“But they can’t survive that!” Amestis exclaimed.
“Many cannot. That much is true, but I have no use of the weak ones anyway.”
“What are you going to do?” Amestis asked, dreading that she already knew the answer.
“What you wouldn’t.” She said with a smile, “I will conquer Equestria, and not only rule this small hive, but the entire world! Now ends the reign of Queen Amestis and begins the rule of Queen Chrysalis!” She bellowed, leaving Amestis alone in the small room, the light of her daughter’s crystal illuminating her for her final moments.