I awoke the next morning to pounding on the living rock door of Chrysalis's chambers and glanced down at the sleeping queen beside me. I rolled out of bed and shuffled over the floor completely naked. As the wall slid open I blinked up at Cain, yawning as I rubbed my left eye.

"Get dressed", he rumbled. "I want to put at least a klick between us and the hive before they wake up.

I realized he wasn't wearing his usual plate armor and stared for a moment. He was now dressed in a black tunic and pants, both trimmed with crimson and gold. Thick leather boots adorned his feet and a dappled green and gray cloak rested around his shoulders. At the base of his neck was a cowl, the fabric just brushing his chin.

"What's the rush", I asked quietly as I hurried to retrieve my freshly cleaned leather armor, placing a gentle kiss on Chrysalis's lips. Cain cocked his eyebrow and fixed an imperfection on his tunic before speaking.

"I don't imagine their state of mind is going to change, would I be correct?"

"They love me here", I mumbled around a Mooban cigar I conjured up and lit it with my finger before beginning to get dressed. "Sweet cheeks here was kinda perturbed about my hive but I fucked her into submission."

To illustrate my point I reached over and smacked her flank causing her to let out a remarkably unladylike snort and roll over before I laughed and puffed my cigar, fastening the first boot.

"Aren't you charming", Cain scoffed and rolled his shoulders, his cloak wrapping around him. "Unlike you, I don't think with my dick. And we have better things to do than spend all our time here fucking random... changelings."

"How many didja bone", I grinned and waggled my suddenly bushy eyebrows, ignoring his hesitation as a pair of thick black rimmed glasses appeared on my face.

"These walls aren't completely soundproof", he muttered ambiguously and smirked as he turned to leave.

"Wait up", I called and stuck the cigar in my mouth, hopping down the hallway on one foot as I worked on getting the other boot on. "That don't answer my question!"

"That's the best answer you'll get out of me", he guffawed and paused, looking back with a wicked smirk. "Let's just say it was more than I left with."

"Sweet", I grinned around the cigar as I finally got the second boot on and fastened the buckles. "Why the rush through? I have six more days here."

"Six", he shouted with a slight jolt before taking a breath and composing himself. "At least in the courtyard your training will be consistent. I've got a few ideas for today's lesson."

"Technically there's no courtyard but the wastelands around here would be good", I replied and puffed my cigar, winking at a passing changeling mare causing her to giggle and blush. "What's the training for today?"

"Focus", he growled, causing my attention to snap back to him as he shook his head and sighed. "Weapon training. I'll give you four options. Longbow, daggers, staves or swords, it's your choice."

"Daggers", I grinned and my cigar flared as twin daggers appeared in my hands spinning in my palms. My grip faltered as a burst of voices whispered in my mind but I maintained my grip and pushed the voices down for the time being.

"Why am I not surprised", he chuckled as he walked, glancing back at me. "Either way, this will be a fun lesson, I assure you."

"I can't wait", I laughed, balancing a dagger on the tip of my finger. As another flood of voices assaulted me I dropped the dagger and grabbed the side of my head.

"How fast do rumors travel here", he asked, unaware of my discomfort.

"Speed of thought", I groaned and clutched my head with both hands. "Too many... Not my hive... What the fuck?!"

"So... they pretty much all know by now, hm? Great", he muttered and turned to stare at me before huffing with what appeared to be amusement. "You did mate with the queen of this hive."

"She better not be", I snarled and turned, my anger silencing the voices as I went racing back the way we came.

"Where are you going", Cain growled and bolted after me.

"To Chrysalis", I shouted and slid to a stop, my fists clenching at my sides as the living rock seemed to take forever to open and grant me entry.

"For what purpose", Cain asked as he stopped beside me, barely avoiding bowling me over, but I ignored him as I fumed.

Fire raged within me as I stormed into the chamber bellowing her name. The barest hint of humor tickled at my mind as she bolted up with an unladylike snort but let out a yelp and fell to the floor with flailing hooves only to pop up from behind the bed wide eyed with the blanket draped over her head like a hood. She began to smile when she saw me but her smile faded and she shrank down as I charged toward her.

"Did you plan this", I hissed as I stood across the bed from her, wings flaring and aura screaming at me for release.

"I-I-I... w-what", she whimpered in confusion.

"WERE YOU IN SEASON", I roared as I let the my aura leak out.

"I don't... oh buck", she whispered, her face shifting from thoughtfulness to shock, then ultimately to silent dread with a trembling bottom lip. "I w-was!"

"FUCK", I roared and slammed my fist into the floor, leaving a crater behind as I withdrew my fist. Cain's eyes slowly drifted toward me and he chuckled lightly as he walked into the room.

"And here I thought your luck wouldn't run out simply by following your lower head", he grinned and nudged my shoulder. "But why are you so panicked?"

"Because now I have two hives in my head", I groaned and clutched my head as the voices returned with a vengeance forcing me to my knees.

"Have you not learned mind barriers", he asked incredulously as he stepped forward, the cloak around him making it seem he was gliding. "Or how to shut voices out?!

"Apparently he hasn't heeded my words", Chrysalis muttered as she hurried around the bed to crouch before me as I cried out in pain, concern driving her fear away. "Jackson? Jackson, listen to me. Go into your mind. Find the door to this hive and force it shut."

"Did you honestly expect him to", Cain chuckled, earning an annoyed hiss as he turned his full gaze on me. "The boy's as stubborn as I was way back when."

I closed my eyes and focused, the labyrinth of my mind rising from the darkness beneath me. My knees buckled as my feet slammed into the ground. Shakily I rose to my feet, stumbling as the floor shifted beneath me. Caution slowed my steps as I made my way down one twisting corridor after another, ducking shrieking phantoms of lives I had ended. At one point I heard a wet noise behind me, like a mouth filled with drool parting, and slowly turned with trepidation to stare at the sight before me. Looming above me was a horribly disfigured marehood of an intimately familiar dark color dripping a foul acidic discharge between jagged teeth with every grotesque wink. I shouted in terror and raced away, chased mercilessly by the abomination. Every move I made was mirrored by the rancid vagina, eventually forcing me to take wing with a full magic charge. Just as I thought I was going to be swallowed alive I spied a smaller passage of familiar grayish green stone and my heart leapt into my throat. I adjusted my angle and tucked my wings tight, rocketing through the opening. It closed behind me just before the mental representation of a certain alicorn slammed into the wall and I breathed a sigh of relief.

The roaring of a million whispers assaulted my ears and drew my attention around in front of me as I stiffly rose to my feet again. Before me stood two doors, both wide open. To the left was a small door barely taller than myself with a gray mist swirling within. As I approached it I felt the brush of a familiar mane, a scent I learned belonged to Hydra ghosting through my senses. A smile spread across my lips as I gently touched the door before I stepped back and turned to my right. The door that now held my attention was easily five times my height with a deep black mist swirling within its depths, a mist that tried to draw me in.

Uncertainty gripped my heart as tightly as my white knuckles gripped the massive door and pulled with all my might, a yelling groan rolling from my chest as the door began to move. One by one the whispers began to be silenced, my teeth clenching so hard I thought they would break into a million pieces. A pressure against the door began to try to hinder my efforts and I faintly registered a hot wetness beginning to trickle from my nose and ears as darkness slowly encroached upon my vision but I pushed these thoughts away as I threw my full effort into pushing the massive barrier closed. My muscles screamed in protest as the door ever so slowly inched closed and just when I felt I couldn't go on, just before the darkness could claim me, the door slid shut and I was left with the comforting balm of the whispering voices of the Everfree hive. But even those faded as I rose from the twisted depths of my mind to find myself on my back in Chrysalis's tight embrace with a rag held aloft in her magic wiping the blood from my face and neck.

"That felt very not awesome", I groaned and Chrysalis chuckled as she closed her eyes and shook her head.

"I'd imagine any mental battle would be difficult for you", Cain joked with a grin. "But congratulations are in order. How's your head?"

"Ha ha, fuck you", I muttered and shivered, leaning into the comfort of Chrysalis's touch as she gently stroked my forehead. "Feels like I blew my brains out with an ice cannon and let a yeti fuck the hole."

"The feeling will fade", she said softly and continued her tender ministrations.

"But why was it so painful", I asked as I clenched my eyes shut to stave off a fresh wave of pain.

"I would imagine it was because you weren't born a changeling, so your mind wasn't meant to be connected like that", she smiled softly but her smile faded as her hooves stilled. "Severing that connection so suddenly was something unnatural and therefore painful. And speaking of connections... what are we going to do about our inevitable offspring?"

"I'll take them in", I replied after a moment of silent contemplation.

Cain shook his head, blinking his eyes that seemed to nearly glow in the low light, and turned away from us. Without a moment of hesitation he seemingly floated across the floor muttering low to himself and out the doorway that oddly hadn't resealed itself behind us. I stared after him for a moment before shaking my head with a sigh.

"What got into him", Chrysalis asked with a perplexed expression.

"That's just Cain", I groaned as I stood, slowly following him. "We'll be training in the badlands today so call me if you need me."

"Be careful", she smiled and I nodded as I left the room.

"Cain, wait up", I called as I stumbled after him, a freshly lit cigar appearing in my mouth as his pace barely slowed, his sharp eyebrow raised slightly as he turned to me.

"Yes Jackson, what is it", he asked as he slowed a little more.

"Something bitin' your balls", I asked as I caught up with him, puffing my cigar.

"The changelings are fond of that", he replied jokingly and laughed a little, shaking his head. "Not particularly. I was just now thinking about the fact that post coital contraceptives don't seem to exist here."

"Ya didn't coat your dick in magic to catch the cum", I asked in shocked dread.

"I didn't need to, as magic can prevent that without having to coat it. I'm not stupid, Jackson", he said with mock insult.

"Good", I sighed in relief. "It's bad enough the badlands hive will have a clutch with my genetics running around on occasion, but both of ours?! The hive would be destroyed within a week!"

I cracked a grin as he laughed again.

"First, there's no clutch of mine", he replied. "Secondly, as far as I know, drones in most insectoid hives can't have kids. They need royal jelly."

"Changeling hives are different", I replied and shook my head. "Drones only pop out a single egg. But anyway, I need advice."

"Oh shit", Cain muttered with a look of dread but laughed as I scowled around my cigar. "I'm just messing with you. What's up Jackie?"

"How the fuck am I supposed to explain the new eggs to Cindra when they're her brothers or sisters", I hissed as my heart began to speed up. "How do I keep them from being bullied?! How am I supposed to be a good dad?! A good king?! A good Reaper or changeling?! What do I tell Shadow?!"

"Tell her that because you're confined to duties to Chrysalis it happened, if they're the offspring of royalty I doubt any of them will be brave enough to bully them, learn the best ways to parent, being king is difficult to learn and takes time, keep doing what you're doing, and same thing you tell Cindra", he listed off in order with an unchanging expression.

"Yeah, easy for you to say because you're not gonna be dealing with hormonal females", I huffed. "If you hear me screaming and see me run by then you'll know it went bad. Fuck I'm an idiot!"

"This much is clear", he smirked. "Don't worry, I'll cover for you. Also, why don't you just use magic to prevent the pregnancy altogether?"

"Because she's already pregnant", I groaned and hung my head as I walked. "She'll pop the eggs out before the week ends. And I have to figure out how to safely transport them. What if they're not welcome in my hive, even though they're mine? We can be territorial buggers."

"I noticed", he rumbled and glanced around, lowering his voice. "Magical sterilization. The eggs will come out but they'll never hatch. Unless... you want to have the kids?"

"Those eggs are innocent", I replied with a hint of anger that slightly surprised me. "I'm not killing them before they even get a chance to live."

"Arrogant. I figured as much", he growled and stepped closer to me, his eyebrow twitching. "Fine then. If you don't want to listen to my advice, get yourself out of your mess."

"Where are you going", I asked as he spun and began walking away.

"Training is postponed until you fix your shit", he replied over his shoulder in aggravation.

"Just because we're Reapers doesn't mean death is always the answer", I shouted after him. "And just because you're older than dirt doesn't mean you can dad me around all the time!"

I growled when he ignored me and Sprinted past him, spinning to stare up at him blocking his path.

"I can't do shit about Chrysalis for another week, so why stop training for so long", I demanded, refusing to back down as his expression hardened significantly. "Why the sudden change? I'm here, so why not train since that's all you want to do?!"

"No but here we are. You've gotten yourself into a situation you may be unable to get out of. I have no idea how your wives will react to you siring more children. What if it costs you your marriage? And why the change? Because you ask my advice then get mad when I give it. So what's to say you'll listen to anything else", he demanded through a growl and stepped toward me. "Get outta my way."

"Because you're suggesting that I basically murder my children", I replied and stood my ground. "I'll find a way to resolve the issue but you're not giving me time! And I will listen because you kicked my ass in our first encounter so I want to get stronger and more skilled!"

I crossed my arms and glared up at him before I scoffed and shook my head.

"Maybe you're right. Yeah, I'll just go back there and sterilize the bitch, get rid of the problem before it occurs. I'll be a good little Reaper and take their lives. Then I'll be like the big bad ancient dragon and get stronger", I spat with venom in my voice as I walked around him, looking over my shoulder. "I'll meet you outside after I finish with Chrysalis."

"Do what you think is right", he snarled as he started off before he went silent and turned to glare at me. "You're not killing children. They've not known life yet. And I suggest you mind your tongue, boy."

He seethed silently for a moment before he turned and stalked away, muttering to himself in a low voice. I let out an angry shout and kicked the wall, the magical amplification in my leg braces leaving a hole in the wall as I muttered and cursed. The heat of my anger rolled within me as I retraced my steps to the familiar bedroom and as soon as the wall opened for me I strode over to a visibly confused Chrysalis. She opened her mouth to speak but before she could utter a single word my hand clamped around her throat lifting her into the air as her eyes bulged and magic pooled in my other palm.

"J-Jackson", she choked out as she squirmed in my grasp. "What... are you... d-doing?!"

"Remedying a problem", I muttered flatly, causing her eyes to widen as she began to plead with me to release her and profess how sorry she was about the situation.

I started to drive my glowing hand into her abdomen, intending to rip the eggs from her body and smash them before her very eyes, but froze holding her aloft with my fingers digging into her throat as my eyes teared up and my arm trembled. The thought of the lives I planned to end before they began clenched my heart as the face of the nameless changeling child I failed to protect floated through my mind, his last moments filled with terror.

"I can't", I sniffled suddenly and dropped her, turning away and falling to my knees as the magic faded from my hand.

Without warning I burst into tears, slamming my fists into the floor cracking the very stone beneath me. I remained slumped over, sobbing as my various failures weighed on me and the thought of what I almost did crushed my heart and stole my breath. My body trembled as the tears fell harder in wracking sobs. I pressed my forehead to the floor wishing I could sink into the stone and disappear.

"He's r-right", I sobbed. "I'm j-just... a... boy! I'm n-not... strong enough... to d-do... what... I gotta!"

"Jackson", Chrysalis whispered and crawled forward, pulling me into her embrace. "What happened, my love?"

I didn't say a word as I curled in on myself and trembled, my thoughts jumbled as they whirled around in a maelstrom of torment. Hours of whispered reassurances slowly brought me back to the present as I slowly uncurled my body and pulled free of Chrysalis despite her protests, stiffly walking to the window. I reached out with my mind seeking Cain and felt his presence in the badlands. I leaned forward, tumbling out the window and fell head first, staring at the ground as it rushed toward me. The thought of my broken body on the ground amid a pool of blood brought a smile to my lips as Chrysalis screamed my name in terror but at the last moment I teleported several feet in front of Cain landing on my hands and knees staring up at him with hollow eyes before I bowed my head.

"You were right", I whispered. "I couldn't do it. I'm sorry."

Cain stared down at me, his cloak still drawn tight around him before he smiled.

"I'm not surprised. With the following of women you draw you have to be at least somewhat caring", he said and knelt down, lifting me up and pulling me into a hug, his warmth surprising due to his outward coldness. "A good Reaper tempers his strength with compassion."

"I'm lost, Cain", I whispered as I clung to him, my arms trembling. "I'm horrible at everything I do. I need your guidance. I'm sorry for what I said."

"Don't be. Tell me, you have a daughter, correct", Cain asked incredulously as he patted my back gently.

"I do", I replied quietly and wiped my eyes. "I don't know how many yet because of my changelings, but I do."

"Have your wives told you you're a bad father? Not out of rage or spite? Judge your skill and your personality based on the thoughts of those closest to you. But don't think I'm saying be what people want you to be. Be your own you. But make changes for the better", he smiled and tussled my hair.

"And yes, I am gonna dad you around. I don't imagine Discord's been much of one", Cain said with a hearty laugh.

"He hasn't", I chuckled and wiped my eyes again. "He was at my wedding but he didn't stick around. And you're right, Shadow never called me a bad father. But I'm not married to Cindra or Hydra."

"You've kids with both, and with the way you talk to Cindra you could have fooled me", Cain replied and nodded.

"Technically only with Hydra because Cindra's soul was in Hydra's body", I replied and smiled softly. "I've been trying to figure out when to have the wedding with Cindra. I was thinking either Hearth's Warming or Hearts and Hooves day because of the symbolism since we feed off of love."

My brow furrowed in thought.

"Come to think of it, I haven't had blood in a while", I muttered. "Maybe that's why I'm physically weaker."

"How often do you need to feed", he asked and cocked his head. "And that's smart, a day of love would make it that much more special."

"Usually about once a week", I shrugged. "Or when I get the urge."

"And how long has it been since you last fed?"

"Uhhh... about two weeks", I estimated. "Twilight is my preferred source because we're bound but I'll take it where I get it."

"I figured that much", he chuckled and shook his head before looking back toward the hive. "Can you feed from your changelings?"

"I can feed from anypony", I nodded and turned my gaze to the hive as well. "But Chrissy wants to be the only one I feed off of. Problem is that she's pregnant now so I don't want to risk it."

"Just pick a changeling and use 'em like a juice box. Chances are they'll enjoy it, given your reputation."

"You have such an eloquent way of speaking", I grinned sarcastically and let out a high pitched, ear piercing chirp.

Cain shivered and stepped backwards, rubbing his ears and shaking his head.

"Warn me the next time you do that", he grumbled. "Sensitive ears..."

"Sorry", I laughed and looked to the sky as three changeling mares and one stallion zipped toward us with clattering wings and excited expressions.

"Yes, your Majesty", the stallion asked as soon as they landed, all four bowing as soon as their hooves touched the ground.

"Which juice box should I choose", I grinned as I turned my eyes to Cain and he pointed to the stallion as he shook his head slightly blinking rapidly.

"Larger. He can take more draining", he said and shook his head once more before righting his posture and drawing back into his cloak.

"What's with the shaking of the head", I asked as I beckoned the stallion forward and dismissed the visibly disappointed mares.

"It's an honor, your Majesty", the changeling smiled as his wings clattered in excitement.

"The chirp", he muttered and watched the changeling closely. "It disoriented me momentarily."

"You're a stallionstabber, aren't you", I asked the changeling with a laugh.

"A hole's a hole", he grinned up at me.

"What is a stallionstabber", Cain asked, tilting his head in confusion.

"Adam and Steve", I grinned and winked as I used two index fingers and poked the tips against each other.

"Now the name makes sense", Cain chuckled as he nodded knowingly. "How widely accepted is it in this world?"

"It's socially acceptable", I replied as I straddled the stallion's back and stroked his neck causing him to shiver as I turned his head to the side. "Vamponies are a taboo, because we're part of necromancy."

"How so", Cain asked. "Vampires where I come from aren't that at all. Do your vampires die during transformation?"

"Yes and no, I think", I mumbled distractedly and with a hungry snarl sank my fangs into the changeling's neck, the warm purple blood flowing over my tongue like manna from heaven. I felt a rush of vitality and energy flow into me, sharpening my focus as he moaned softly and sagged in my grasp. His lustful pheromones slammed into me and my grip turned into a tight embrace as I ground my instant erection against his lower back.

"Oh my Celestia", I groaned as I released his neck, his lifeblood flowing down his flesh and my chin alike.

I went in for another bite, lifting my prey into the air as his knees gave out. My grip shifted as I pulled him against my chest and I inadvertently grabbed his fully erect shaft. The flow of pheromones coaxed my hand into stroking his length and I found myself rewarded with a heavier flow of blood from his elevated heart rate. My eyes darted to Cain as he shifted his stance and my nostrils flared, something in his scent prompting me to growl possessively from deep inside as I tightened my grip and continued to feed. My eyes never left his form as I took a step back dragging my prey but Cain simply laughed lowly and turned away.

"Don't worry, Jackie, I'm not taking your snack", he laughed as he sauntered off a few paces, his laughter continuing to shake his shoulders as he reached up to wipe tears of laughter from his eyes.

Minutes slowly ticked by, my hands massaging his member and throat in tandem to keep up the flow of blood. Eventually I felt the stallion's heartbeat beginning to slow, my own heart struggling in time with his, and reluctantly let go of his neck. My tongue toyed with the puncture wounds until they sealed themselves and I let him slip from my grip as I stood over him struggling to stay in place as an indescribable urge raced through my mind. Slowly I turned my crimson gaze to Cain.

"Ears", I warned with a low growl.

"Huh, what", he asked before realization dawned on him. He hurriedly plugged his ears with his fingers and scrunched up his face, glancing down at the changeling on the ground beneath me. He blinked, chuckled with a smirk and looked back at me.

I let out another chirp, but it echoed eerily in the still air as I stood tall ignoring the blood smeared across my chin and trickling down my neck. A full minute passed in silence before I chirped again, my wings twitching in agitation.

"Something wrong", Cain asked slowly unplugging one ear.

I stared at the still hive for a moment before I let out a roaring yell and slammed my fists into the ground narrowly missing the stallion's head. The strength lent to me by my vamponic aura formed a crater beneath me and my breathing sped up as I turned my eyes back to the silent hive and the life I could sense teeming within.

"More", I snarled with an inhuman and began sprinting toward the hive.

I made it only a few steps before something so hot it felt like my skin was going to melt wrapped around my throat, disappearing just as quickly when I was launched backward. Cain's massive hand caught me by the back of my neck and I found myself pinned to the ground face down with his knee in my back.

"Breathe deeply", Cain commanded softly.

I snarled and squirmed beneath Cain, slashing thin air futilely as I hissed like a possessed cobra. My gaze locked on the hive again and I beat my wings against Cain furiously before I teleported several feet away, hunger driving me to scurry forward on the balls of my feet and hands. As I gained speed I rose and charged forward, upright and hellbent on blood. Cain was on me an instant later, just in my peripheral vision as he swung his fist downward. The ground shook as my body made contact, my head throbbing as he planted a boot in the middle of my back.

"Don't make me do that again", he warned softly. "Take a few deep breaths before I have to put you to sleep."

I growled deeply, my nails digging into the stone beneath me as I reluctantly did as he said. With each deep breath my mind calmed a little more as the desire for blood faded. Minutes later I lay still on the ground clutching my head. The purple blood coating my face had begun to dry, the stickiness prompting me to magically clean my face as I shook slightly.

"Can I get up now", I groaned and squirmed.

"Are you going to behave", he asked before chuckling and lifting me to my feet. "Glad to have you back."

"Yep", I grunted and rolled my shoulders.

"Guess I should have stopped you sooner", he shrugged and gestured toward the unconscious changeling. "Feel better now?"

"Yeah", I muttered as I avoided eye contact. "What happened? It felt like I was... Wait, do you hear that?"

I frantically looked around me as a faint whistling reached my ears. My eyes flicked across the landscape before settling on a gray blur hurtling through the sky toward me.

"Oh shit", I gulped and turned to Cain. "Tactical bat mom inbound."

Half a second later the blur slammed into me causing a crater and small mushroom cloud of dust. As the dust settled I found myself staring into the red gaze of Shadow as she growled like a rabid dog.

"Hi baby", I grinned awkwardly but froze as I heard a low hum coming from the hive.

"Well, fuck."