Preserving the Hive (Jump-In)

[ChibiGrrl]

Twilight Sparkle paced the main chamber of her castle, which served as her home.
"I just need to be kind, yet firm. The Changeling Clan will surely see reason. . ."
she mumbled to herself.

Her dragon companion, Spike, watched her with a wary expression.
"Let's hope so. I'd rather not be around for the next Changeling Invasion if they don't take the news well." he replied nervously.

The sun had set in the sky, and they both waited for the Changelings to answer their summons.

[Snowcraft_Pony]

Luna opened the castle doors and entered with her guards, although the castle was more of a giant crystal library. (It's been long enough to have that happen) Silver and Castor came in behind them."Y'ur majesty."

[ChibiGrrl]

Twilight paused in her pacing and quickly sat in her throne, looking uncomfortable.
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and spoke.
"Greetings Luna Lily, Silver, and Castor. There is something of great importance that we must discuss." she replied.

[Naura]

Hazy stayed in her corner hoping that someone would help her...

[ChibiGrrl]

Cestrum turned to address Hazy, "You mentioned berries earlier, so you must be hungry, correct?
If you'll follow me, I can find you some food which Ponyfolk find palatable." The mare-changeling trotted to a corner
of the main chamber, a large crate sat against the wall. She opened it and turned, waiting for the mare to step closer.

[Naura]

Hazy slowly tripped over to the changeling.

[ChibiGrrl]

Cestrum dug around in the crate for a moment and pulled out a few red apples. They were plump and juicy, perfectly ripe.
She handed a couple to Hazy with a smile, and took a bite of her own apple.

[Snowcraft_Pony]

Twilight paused in her pacing and quickly sat in her throne, looking uncomfortable.
Taking a deep breath, she calmed herself and spoke.
"Greetings Luna Lily, Silver, and Castor. There is something of great importance that we must discuss." she replied.

"Wh'ts the matter?"

[ChibiGrrl]

Twilight sighed, her expression becoming serious. "As you know, I had agreed to let your kind remain in the caves, provided that you did nothing to harm the citizens of Ponyville. And all the years you've been here, not once has there been an infraction of this bargain on your part." She stood, walking over to the large windows that overlooked Ponyville. Her expression was solemn as she gazed down at the little town.

[Rush of MLP]

[Color=gray]"So what was this meeting called for?"[/color] Silver asked with a raised "eyebrow".

[Snowcraft_Pony]

Luna nodded. "Is something wrong?"

[ChibiGrrl]

Twilight sighed, then turned to face the Changelings.
"News has spread of your growing numbers among the citizens of Ponyville. They fear that you will rise up against us. I have done all I can to assure them that this isn't so. However, I cannot banish the fear in their hearts.
My guards have warned me that the ponies grow restless, that they are planning to remove you by force. So I have intervened to ask you peacefully: Please, gather your kind and leave the caves as soon as you're able. I do not want an uprising amongst the townsponies." she explained, her gaze level as she gauged their reactions.

[Snowcraft_Pony]

"W-Wh't... Holy..."

The guards glanced at eachother, they looked willing to fight.
"We shall stand!" one of them proclaimed.

"No, we leave..."

[Naura]

Cestrum dug around in the crate for a moment and pulled out a few red apples. They were plump and juicy, perfectly ripe.
She handed a couple to Hazy with a smile, and took a bite of her own apple.

Hazy grabbed the apple and took a bite, finding it more juicy than expected.
"Thank you, how haven't I seen these caves before?" She asks while she continues to eat.

[ChibiGrrl]

Twilight continued, "If this uprising occurs, heavy losses will be inflicted on both sides and all the progress you've made will be for nothing! I have heard of a mountain range to the west that may be suitable for your kind.
I shall also give you all the materials necessary to create a lab that will help to craft the love elixir.
But you must leave soon, my guards are stretched thin trying to keep the citizens of Ponyville away from the caves."

Cestrum paused before replying, "These caves are well hidden within the mountain around us. Most often, they can only be found by those who know where it is. However, the ceilings have been known to weaken from time to time and give way. We usually do a good job of keeping them patched up though."

[Naura]

"What did the others talk about earlier? They went to do something, what?" Hazy asks and finishes the apple.

[ChibiGrrl]

Cestrum answered Hazy, having no reason to lie. "The other have gone to answer the summons of Princess Twilight. She had asked to speak with us about something important, although she gave no hint of what it could be in her letter." she replied.

[Checkmate]

Castor spoke up, thinking slowly.  If I may, Princess...I have an idea...perhaps if we were to make our aid more open.  We've been helping you ponies, but nopony knows it was us...

[ChibiGrrl]

Twilight turned to Castor, "Indeed you have. But I fear that if the citizens of Ponyville were to know your true identities, then all the goodwill in the world would not change their reactions. The fear of Changelings is deeply rooted in the hearts of ponies, simply because they don't understand. And those feeling felt justified after the Canterlot Invasion a few years ago. You may reveal yourselves at your own risk, but I urge you to do so after your clan has relocated. I am having difficulty concealing your presence from the other Princesses, and they may not disregard the actions of your kind during the invasion so easily."
Her intent gaze included all of the Changelings before her, "I strongly request that you gather your clan and leave Ponyville, there are outside variables that will come into play and I will be powerless to stop them if things go wrong." she said solemnly.

[Checkmate]

Castor nodded, thinking.  He turned to the others.  I think we understand.  But...we can't leave.  I'm sorry Princess...but this is my vote on the issue for us.  He was trying to hide it, but he was tearing up somewhat.  This was his home and the home of his friends!