~MLP NG~ The Decision

Chrysalis stumbled back, suddenly struggling to stand straight. The others were quick to help her sit. 
"My queen, are you alright? Should we send for a medic?" The red general, Tarsi asked. 
"No no, continue with your reports." Chrysalis rubbed her temples with a hoof. 
"Of course," They backed away. Elytra, the green one continued, "Fights seem to be breaking out more often, in competition for food. Despite the higher ranks subduing them, it seems  the situation will only worsen." 
"So far, it's only effected the outskirts of the hive, the lowest ranking members." Cerci, purple, added. "Our resources are rapidly depleting, my queen. We must do something." 
"This blasted drought will be the death of our people." Chrysalis mumbled. "What ideas do you all have?" 
None spoke, except the youngest, newest general, Abita. "My queen, perhaps it is time to turn to our neighboring hive for supplies." 
The other's ears perked. "That's true, we haven't been struggling like this since those traitors split off, food has become very difficult to find." Tarsi remarked. 
"Our numbers still outweigh them, five-to-one. They've become soft, they most likely would never win against us. My queen, it may be time to consider war." Elytra added. 
Anger rose within Chrysalis at the mention of the the sorry excuse of a changeling hive, and she spoke low, "They are allied with those damned ponies, if they join the fight, we will be out numbered." 
"Not if we don't give them time to counter-act. We train until the moment is right, we strike an early summer day, the hottest of the year. If we manage to overpower them swiftly within a day, there will be no time for reinforcements, we will get the supplies and rid of the traitors. It's a win-win." Cerci reasoned. 
"Abita, what is your opinion?" Chrysalis asked, looking at her.
Abita kept her eyes to the ground as they spoke, war is not what she meant but they know best so she will follow. "When resources are thin, it is only natural to fight for it. Our people will continue to starve unless we win." 
Chrysalis nodded, "Then it is settled. We will overthrow Thorax's hive. We will siege, and should they not yield and beg for forgiveness, we kill them. Training will be begin immediately, we will pick a date based on how fast the soldiers learn." 
"Yes, my queen." The generals said in unison. 
"There is something else I want reported." Chrysalis sat up straight. "Abita, kneel." 
Abita looked at the others, though she wore no expression, her mind couldn't help but worry. Nonetheless, she kneeled before the queen, her head lowered. 
"Report." 
"I have observed Abita's suspicious activities around the hive. She shows favoritism to certain members. She personally trains them, gathers them, rewards them independently from orders. One would think she was staging a coup." Tarsi, did not look at Abita, who glanced to his feet. 
"She has been seen purposely throwing her portions away, multiple times. Wasting the limited resources we have." Cerci added. 
"Instead of focusing on her assignments, she sneaks off to other parts of the hive, avoiding her duties." Elytra continued.
"Disloyal, secretive, scheming, wasteful, and spoiled with too much time on her hands." Chrysalis restates, the others nod. "What do we do with a soldier, off the charts, like you?" 
Abita didn't dare look up, "Punishment, banishment, or even death should the Queen choose. My queen, before you decide, allow me to explain myself." 
Chrysalis tilts her head, seemingly amused. "Go ahead." 
"The soldiers I focus on our the weakest of the hive, they will fall behind without the individual training. Once I assess their improvements, I do not call for them again." She started.
"Who gave you authority to assess by yourself?" Tarsi barked. 
Abita stayed quiet, "I recognize what the hive's standards are, I bring them to those standards, I don't dare to pick elite soldiers, just having them be equal." 
Chrysalis stopped Tarsi from talking more, "The lack of respect for your portions then?" 
When Abita didn't answer, Chrysalis slammed her hoof down. "Some of the grubs are starving, I've noticed them going through the feeding area for scraps, I am capable of not feeding for a few days, they need food to grow into adequate soldiers." 
"Where do you sneak off to during your personal time?" Cerci asked. 
"I spend personal time in other divisions of the hive. I don't see how that's violating any rules." Abita looked at Cerci.
"You come into our divisions, without permission. You meddle with our soldiers, instead of focusing on yourself and newly appointed soldiers. When the competition rolls around, are you confident in your soldiers winning?" Cerci replied. 
"I believe my soldiers are up to the task. With all due respect, you and the other generals neglect your weakest and favor your strongest for events like the competition instead of focusing on the whole. My division as a whole is definitely stronger." Abita countered. 
The situation seemed tense, Abita accepted she was already in trouble so she felt more comfortable speaking her mind. But, she wasn't prepared for Chrysalis to burst into laughter. Nor, the other generals laughing as well. Abita looked around, alarmed. 
"Tarsi, Elytra, Cerci, my dearest children, what do you think?" Chrysalis asked. "Has she passed?" 
"Passed?" Abita echoed. 
"I believe we have all come to the conclusion that Abita is the strongest of her generation, physically and most importantly mentally." Elytra spoke, "She is nurturing, observant, and her will is as strong as her loyalty to the hive." 
"My queen, if you are happy with her answers today, then I believe she has officially passed." Tarsi smiled to Abita. 
Cerci helped her to stand, "We got you, didn't we?" 
"I'm not sure, I'm following." Abita looked at Chrysalis. 
"Leave us." She motioned and the generals left. Chrysalis stood up before Abita and put a hoof on her shoulder. "You, child, have made me very proud today." 
"My queen, forgive my ignorance, I don't understand." Abita kept her eyes low out of respect, but Chrysalis raised it again.
"Keep your head up, child. A royal changeling must never bow to others." Chrysalis sounded gentle, it was a tone Abita was not used to. 
Abita's head spun, "A royal changeling? I'm barely worthy of being a general. My queen..." She trailed off as Chrysalis sat back down. 
"My child, how old am I?" She asked.
"You've been around since the drought began... 4 generations at least." Abita replied. 
"Indeed, I have been around far too long, child. I grow weaker everyday. I have seen my closest companions die, I have seen the glory of our hive fall, I have seen rebellions, betrayals, weddings, births, celebrations and wars. I have seen everything and yet, I cannot go." 
"Why?" Abita asked, she sat before Chrysalis. Abita never considered herself close to the queen, but to see her vulnerable, she noticed how truly drained she was. She didn't seem like the out-of-reach, most powerful being anymore. She seemed pitiful. 
"The royal changelings born after me, meant to replace me, were too weak. Most never reached maturity. Those that did, didn't have the strength to continue the hive and lead us out of this drought. It led me to become desperate, it was how you and the other half-lings were made. I needed an heir who could continue our legacy and lead our people to the glory we once had."
Abita couldn't look at Chrysalis anymore, many thoughts ran through her head. "Should I replace you... You will die? You will leave us behind? What if I'm not the heir you hoped for?" 
Chrysalis cupped Abita's face, "Silly child. I made an oath to led our people to prosperity before I can move on. Your half-ling blood will allow you to live longer than the rest of them. You will have time to become a great queen. I will train you until the time comes. Child, if this war succeeds, you must be ready to realize your position." 
"I... understand, my queen. I will do as you say." Abita straightens her back. 
"Good child." Chrysalis uses her magic to summon a gourd Abita's never seen before. "This will solidify your role as my heir. Changelings of any hive will immediately recognize you as a royal changeling, they will cower before you. It is forbidden from having favorites, they are all your children and are equal in your eyes. Everything you will do will be for the hive's benefit, never your own. The phrase you must never forget, "Protect your own," shall be imprinted in your mind and body. You are the backbone of the hive, the others must never see you falter. Drinking the royal brew means you can never go back from this point." 
Abita nodded, taking the gourd with her magic. "I accept. I will lead our people with an iron fist and protect them from any harm." She drinks from the gourd. It's magic surging through her body. She curls over, she feels something within her change, her horn glows, but eventually the magic calms as it mixes with her's. 
"It is done, my princess." Chrysalis stands once more. "Your quarters will move closer to mine, you will continue to teach your division and have free range within the hive, discipline others as you see fit. Help me restore our glorious hive." 
"You can count on me, my queen." Abita stops herself from bowing, and stands up straight.
"Good, you learn fast." And with that Chrysalis walks away. Leaving Abita in the room by herself.
She stands in the room alone for a moment, coming to terms with everything she learnt. She put a hoof over her heart, trying to calm herself. 

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Finally decided on a way to start the story telling! This chapter is already causing me problems lol I can't decide on doing full pictures like this or multiple simpler pictures.
But I thought it'd be nice to see the beginning, the true beginning of how this all started. In this picture, Hawkwasp and Tarsus would still be larvaes, the other half-lings as soldiers, currently working hard to gain a title. Abita was younger here as well, she was a prodigy and genius of her generation, which led to her becoming a general so fast which was honestly an excuse for the other generals and Chrysalis to watch and see if she truly could be a royal changeling. (It's also why she's the biggest sibling.)  

~Enjoy the picture and have a good day~