“Gah! Confounded weed.”
Chrysalis took a moment to steady herself, glaring at the offending tree root that she nearly tripped over. Quickly pushing her annoyance aside, she scanned her surroundings for what felt like the hundredth time. The darkened Whitetail Woods seemed clear of danger for the moment but Chrysalis’ senses remained on edge. The shadows almost seemed alive, with the queen all too aware any one of them could be hiding potential predators.
High Charity was right; the woods were not a good place to be at night. But with the townsfolk treating her with such open disdain, she knew it was only a matter of time before somepony tried taking matter into their own hooves. So, after one last check of her surroundings and pushing the memories of her previous woodland experience behind her, Chrysalis continued on into the dark woods.
She wasn’t certain how long after that she walked on for but only by the time she reached a small clearing bordered by a high rocky ledge did she stop again. The air felt cool with the slightest breeze and the pale moon in the night’s sky bathed the area in a soft light. But through the rustling of the trees Chrysalis’ ears swivelled, ensuring she wouldn’t be caught unprepared again.
“Chrysalis!”
The voice, though faint, instantly froze the changeling queen in her tracks. Chrysalis spun her head around, looking behind her to see no one there. Yet the familiar voice sounded so real.
“Chrysalis!”
This time she definitely heard it, spinning around as her ears constantly pivoted to find its origin.
“S-Synthea?” Chrysalis tentatively called out, unsure if all her trials and torment had finally eroded her sanity. “Synthea, are you there?” A low buzzing sound faded in as Chrysalis’ ears swivelled to her left where, sure enough, a familiar form landed once it cleared the trees.
“Chrysalis...” Synthea huffed, stray leaves sticking out of her mane. “What… what do you think you’re doing?”
Chrysalis remained deathly still for but a moment before answering her younger counterpart by moving as fast as she could into the bushes on the far side of the clearing.
“Wait!” Synthea called out, her wings buzzing to life once more as she again gave chase.
“Stay away!” Chrysalis shouted back, barely managing to stay ahead of the airborne halfling and avoiding obstacles on only three legs. Noticing her follower gaining quickly, Chrysalis leapt over a fallen tree and took flight as well, pushing through the canopy and into the open sky. Rather than test her endurance in a clear-cut chase, Chrysalis immediately dove back under the trees, landing carefully and darting into the shadows of a hunched over tree trunk.
There she waited, focussing exclusively on controlling her breathing and scanning the few canopy openings for any sign of her young pursuer. After a tense few minutes she heard nothing and moved onwards as quietly as possible. Sticking to the shadows, her racing thoughts struggled to consume her mind. What is she doing out here? How did she find me?
So focused on her thoughts, Chrysalis didn’t notice the halfling stood before her until she bumped into her.
“Chrysalis,” Synthea implored. “What’s going on?”
Shocked at how fast she found her, Chrysalis took off again. This time she stayed low to the ground, darting through trees and over shrubs. Her path arced slightly to the right, taking her closer to the clearing from earlier. After five straight minutes of flight she landed, her wings hanging limp at her sides and panting for air. She considered it a blessing her saddlebags had remained on during the chase.
“Chrysalis, we need to talk.”
Despite the fatigue, astonishment still widened Chrysalis’ eyes to saucers as, sure enough, Synthea landed softly before her, barely out of breath.
“H-How?” Chrysalis asked, her breathing staggered. “How could you’ve possibly found me out here?”
“A scrying spell,” she hurriedly replied. “But that’s not important right now. Chrysalis, what are you doing? Why are you out here?”
“I could ask the same of you,” Chrysalis huffed, looking Synthea in the eye as she stood taller. “If High Charity didn’t want me in these woods after dark then I’m certain he would be mortified you’re here now.” Synthea looked away for a moment, and Chrysalis could tell her young acquaintance agreed due to the slight release of guilt and shame.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right about that.” Synthea then shook her doubt away, her resolve strengthening as she met Chrysalis’ gaze. “But I still want to know what you’re doing out here.”
“I thought that would be obvious.”
“Yeah, but… well, why? I mean…” the young mare’s emotions threatened to get the better of her, yet she still pushed on. “I stood up for you. I helped heal you. I even fed you. So, if anything, I feel you owe me an explanation.” She moved closer now, her will surprising Chrysalis as she stood firm and bore a hole into the queen’s soul with her look. “So…why are you leaving?”
The determination Synthea displayed flowed off of her in waves. Somewhere deep down, Chrysalis was impressed.
“For your sake, if not my own.” She finally answered, turning away and resting a hoof against a nearby tree as if to steady herself for what she would say next. “It would only be a matter of time before someone in town decided to take matters into their own hooves and take vengeance for what I did in Canterlot. And with you and your father shielding me, your standing in town would undoubtedly suffer.” It was now she turned back to face Synthea, her emotions uncharacteristically difficult to maintain at the moment. “For the all the kindness and charity you have given me, I… No. This is my burden to bare, and mine alone.”
Chrysalis looked away, admonishing herself for feeling so weak. Having to justify her actions to a… hybrid? Her ancestors were right; she was a disgraceful queen.
Then something rested gently upon her left shoulder. Chrysalis turned to find Synthea with her hoof on her shoulder, smiling that same understanding smile she always wore exuding comfort.
“Chrysalis, you don’t have to worry about us,” She began. “I mean, sure; there are ponies, changelings and halflings alike that are concerned about you. But that’s because they don’t know you yet, and you haven’t given them the chance to know you either. The only way you’re going to change that image is if you let them in.
“And you don’t need to worry; Dad and I can handle ourselves.”
“But I-”
“I don’t need emotion reading to tell you’re scared.”
“Scared?” Chrysalis baulked. “I fear nothing.”
“You fear what’ll happen to you now, don’t you?” Despite the soft tone in which they were spoken, Chrysalis was stunned silent by Synthea’s words. Words that seemed beyond her years. “The future’s a scary thing. Believe me, I know. But Dad told me a long time ago that the future’s ours to change. We only need the courage to do so.
“So, do you think you can be brave enough to make that choice? For me?”
Chrysalis’ answer screeched to a halt on the tip of her tongue, the sound of rustling leaves nearby demanding her attention. As swiftly as she could manage with only three legs, Chrysalis stood and scanned the surrounding woods. Synthea must have noticed her changed posture, as she too was looking around for threats. After a few tense moments, it seemed they were alone.
“Sorry,” she sighed. “I just thought-”
Time slowed horrifically for Chrysalis.
Synthea, eyes widening at something behind Chrysalis, buzzed her wings and shoved the changeling out of the way. The next she knew, the young halfling was dragged backwards as a wooden mass tackled her to the ground.
“NO!” A roar erupted from Chrysalis, ignoring her injured state and charging forward. As the Timberwolf looked up at the new threat it was greeted with an almighty buck to the face, knocking it off of Synthea and back a few feet. A split-second glance revealed Synthea was still breathing, though her hysteria would soon consume her if unchecked. “Synthea, fly!” With that order, Chrysalis took to the sky, hovering a metre or two before turning back to check on Synthea.
She was still on the ground.
Chrysalis soon saw the cause of the horror in the young nymph’s eyes; one of her wings was torn, nearly completely shredded. She wasn’t flying anywhere soon. Noticing the Timberwolf was recovering and all too aware there were most likely more of them lying in wait Chrysalis swooped down, delivering another kick to the beast’s jaw before flying low and urging Synthea to follow her on hoof, an order she promptly followed.
The two weaved in and out of the trees, unsure of whether the wolf was following them. Their worries only multiplied, however, as a new Timberwolf stood in their path. As they nearly skidded to a halt a third leapt from the side, hoping to catch them unawares. Instead the beast itself was caught in Chrysalis’ magic, strengthened with Synthea’s when it looked like it would falter. Together the two swung it into the one blocking their path before them and hurried onwards, hearing paws pounding away behind them.
The two broke through the treeline to find themselves back at the clearing from before, pausing in the centre to catch their breath and turning around to face their pursuers. Slowly the three Timberwolves emerged from the trees as one, their rancid breath making it hard for Chrysalis to think straight. Despite being the injured prey, she still put herself between the monsters and Synthea.
“Chrysalis!” The shout caught Chrysalis’ attention and she looked behind her to see a fourth Timberwolf in mid lunge from the rocky ledge bordering the clearing. It was too close to get out of the way and her magic was still too weak to use to protect herself. But that wasn’t what scared her the most.
What scared her was Synthea leaping into the beast’s path. Again, time revelled in torturing Chrysalis by slowing to a crawl, as the Timberwolf’s jaws dug in. Crimson wisps arced through the night air as the two landed on the other side of the changeling queen. Despite Synthea clearly screaming in agony, Chrysalis’ world became mute at the sight.
“SYNTHEA!” She cried out, fangs bared as she advanced on buzzing wings. A buck to the wolf’s abdomen forced it to release its hold on Synthea, and Chrysalis followed with a strike to the face with her good foreleg before delivering another buck, this one shattering the monster to splinters.
Standing protectively over Synthea, Chrysalis quickly looked over the damage. Synthea was clearly in shock; hyperventilating and gripping her shoulder tightly as her creamy white coat was staining red with blood. Something manifested within Chrysalis, a feeling she became well acquainted with following her defeat at Canterlot. Rage. Pure and unbridled. Raising her head, Chrysalis saw the three remaining wolves hold their positions, but also noticed there were more and more appearing from the woods. Her rage grew. If these beasts could sense emotions as she could, they would be running for their lives.
“You will pay for this,” She hissed, her horn bringing a green tint to the surroundings. At that moment, all of the searing pain and consequences of using her magic didn’t matter. All that mattered to Chrysalis was that these beasts had injured the one being that cared for her, the one individual who hadn’t done so out of obligation.
All that mattered was that they paid for it with their lives.
A green, hexagonal magic symbol formed beneath her hooves as electricity crackled in the air. Sparks of magic flashed from the hexagon to Chrysalis’ horn as it built up more and more power. One of the wolves tried to rush her before the spell was cast, but before it could even lunge at her lightning redirected from the hexagon and left nothing but smouldering twigs in its place. The rest stayed back and watched as Chrysalis winced, nearly collapsing due to the all-encompassing pain she felt. Her magic wellspring emptying, her watering eyes opened with a bright green glow, the collected magic concentrated into a single orb of light at the tip of her horn.
“FULGUR AGRI!” She roared with all her might, completing the spell by firing all the stored magic skywards. At a certain height the beam burst into a wide coverage of storm clouds, blocking out the moon’s soft light as it covered the entire clearing and surrounding area. The hexagon symbol then reappeared beneath the clouds.
With a roar of thunder, Chrysalis’ vengeance began.
Emerald lightning soared down from the symbol, striking an unsuspecting Timberwolf. Before most gathered could figure out what happened, a second was struck down. With rapidly accelerating ferocity, the lightning went on and on with its genocidal purge. A few Timberwolves tried fleeing back into the woods, yet the lightning would either block their path before another bolt finished them off, or strike though the leafy canopy to deliver death from above.
After what seemed an eternity the magic of the spell dissipated, the moonlight revealing a pot-marked clearing littered with burnt scraps of wood. In the centre of all this destruction stood Chrysalis. Her magic spent, she took a few weary steps forward before collapsing, an unconscious Synthea the last thing she saw before joining her in darkness.
\ \~*~/ /
“Well done, my little nymph…”
\ \~*~/ /
With those somehow familiar words echoing in her mind, Chrysalis slowly opened her eyes. Doing so re-introduced her to the searing pain writhing within her skull, instantly forcing her to hiss and close her eyes again. After a few moments to catch her breath, Chrysalis opened her eyes once more to an unexpected sight. A quick survey of her surroundings revealed she was back in the bed of her borrowed cabin.
And she wasn’t alone.
Beside her bed sat High Charity, looking like he had trouble sleeping recently if the bags underneath his eyes were any indication. The moment her saw her awake though, Chrysalis became the recipient of his undivided attention, closing off his emotions from her.
“W-What?” Chrysalis began, only for the pain to return and silence her. High Charity waited for her to compose herself.
“You have some explaining to do.” He stated, his tone as unreadable as his emotions. “And don’t bother wasting time by lying to me Chrysalis.”
“W-What happened? How long was I out?”
“A few days, but I’m the one who’ll ask the questions here.” High Charity’s firm tone made it clear no further questions from her would be tolerated. Slowly, Chrysalis managed to work herself into a sitting position despite her aching body and all-conquering headache. It felt like as if someone had decided to ignite a forest fire inside her bloodstream, such was the pain. Throughout this long task though, High Charity barely moved. He merely waited for his fellow changeling to look him in the eye once more, ready to answer his questions.
“What were you doing in the woods?”
“I was leaving.” Chrysalis replied tiredly. She knew any snarky remarks or agitated retorts would give her little advantage in this situation. That, and she could not physically bother to muster any bitterness to do so.
“Why was Synthea with you?”
“She followed me, trying to convince me to stay. She nearly succeeded before the Timberwolves attacked. She leapt into harm’s way to save me, and so I eradicated them for it.” For a few tense moments, neither changeling spoke. They simply stared into each other’s eyes, searching for the truth.
“What you did was incredibly foolish,” High Charity finally spoke, careful to have a firm grip on his emotions. “Endangering not only your own life but Synthea’s, and then casting one of the most deadly and dangerous changeling spells ever designed? It’s that kind of selfishness that can really get under someone’s chitin.
“But…” He sighed, the tension escaping from his body. “Despite the significant cost, you did save my daughter. For that, I owe you a debt.” High Charity bowed his head slightly. Chrysalis’ mind, however, was focussing on something else he said.
“Cost?” High Charity’s look turned sympathetic, the empathy and regret flowing off of him adding to a fear that was rapidly flooding her mind.
“You were very lucky,” he continued. “Bypass said that, had you not finished the spell when you did, there’s every chance you’d be as magically potent as a new-born earth pony.” Chrysalis’ eyes turned to saucers, her fears flooding the cabin, as evidenced when High Charity shook his head for a moment; no doubt picking up on her fears as he rested a hoof on her shoulder.
“It’s not all bad news though.” There was optimism in his voice, enough at least to give Chrysalis reason to look him in the eye once more. Gone was the serious gaze that greeted her upon her awakening. What she saw now were the same caring blue eyes that were present the day they met. “Bypass also mentioned that, despite nearly running your wellspring dry, there’s still a small amount of magic left. Not enough to cast even the most basic unicorn spells, mind you, but perhaps still enough to shapeshift.”
“Is there any chance I could regain my magic?” Chrysalis asked, seemingly borrowing High Charity’s optimism to even ask the question.
This gave him a moment of pause, bringing a hoof to his chin. “I’m sorry Chrysalis, but you’d have to ask Bypass. He’d know more than I would.” A pang of sadness struck Chrysalis, yet this was quickly flung aside as a more important thought broke through the exhaustion of her ordeal.
“Synthea! How is she? Where is she? I-”
High Charity raised a hoof to stop the queen’s apparent panicking. “She’s asleep back home. If you really want to, and if you’re able, I’ll take you. But you must do as I say. To. The. Letter. Understand?”
Chrysalis nodded immediately, though the motion gave rise to a slight return of her headache. Taking a moment to steady herself, Chrysalis gingerly crawled out from the bed. She winced as she nearly stumbled once on her hooves, though High Charity caught her with a deftly soft touch. As she stood more firmly, Chrysalis noticed her magic hadn’t been the only self-inflicted injury sustained during her spell. There were burns on her hooves, though they looked a decent way towards full recovery. She made a mental note to thank the good doctor when they crossed paths again. Once certain she wouldn’t fall again, High Charity moved over to the door and waited as she walked over at a slow pace.
“Okay,” he began, his horn alighting in a soft glow. “It’s probably a bad idea for you to be seen outside right now, given how the rumour mill’s been lately. So, I’ll cast a Silence Field around you and walk up to our house. You’ll need to remain grounded and not make any sudden movements so that I can concentrate on the spell, understood?” Chrysalis answered with a silent nod, and soon felt the numbing sensation of the spell being cast.
“Okay, here we go.”
With that he opened the door, pausing to fake a sigh so Chrysalis could sneak out. Once in the open, Chrysalis noticed a small crowd further down the hill dispersing at the sight of High Charity emerging. Yet, as the populace went back to their business, one took flight towards them. He was a grey pegasus with a spiked maroon mane, a silver streak running through both it and his tail. Possibly no older than twenty by her reckoning, the colt landed before High Charity. His amber eyes carried an air of aggression and youthful pride in them, yet those feelings cooled into concern and respect as he approached.
“High Charity, sir.” the colt greeted him, unawares he was being watched by another. “How’s Synthea? Is she okay?” His worry very much reflected that Chrysalis had felt not moments earlier.
“She’s doing as well as can be expected. I’ll let you know if her condition changes.” High Charity turned for the top of the hill, but the colt followed. Chrysalis made sure to fall behind the opposite side of High Charity so as not to break his illusion.
“And what about her?” The newcomer tilted his head towards the cabin, the disgust and anger dripping from him. The aggression was intoxicating, but Chrysalis felt something more to it than simple speciesism. There was something more personal, more malevolent, in his hatred for her.
High Charity sighed, a mix of weariness and annoyance exuded in the action. “Steel Wing, Chrysalis isn’t the best shape either. I know what she’s done, but I will not throw her back to the Timberwolves after she saved Synthea.”
“But she’s-”
“Injured, Steel Wing. This is the last I want to hear of this out of you. If you want to make yourself useful, go spread the word; there’ll be a town meeting tomorrow night.” With the firm order given, High Charity huffed before carrying on towards his home. Chrysalis winced with each step as she caught up to her now agitated host. As he paused at the front door of the grand home to let her in, Chrysalis looked back to see Steel Wing shake his head in apparent frustration before flying further into town.
“I’m sorry about him,” High Charity sighed as he closed the door behind Chrysalis, dropping the Silence Field. “He’s… difficult to handle at times.”
“I imagine never this troublesome, though.” Chrysalis replied as she looked around. The entrance opened into a wide circular area, with soft beige carpets covering the floor and a simple staircase on the far side of the room circling around the wall. To her right, a gap in the wall revealed a low table with multiple cushions surrounding it and the end of a kitchen bench further in. To her left there was a closed door, Chrysalis noticing the large lock installed. Surrounding the door on either side were large bookshelves holding an assortment of tomes and photos.
Spotting High Charity had started up the steps, Chrysalis followed him; hovering just above the floor to give her sore hooves a much-needed reprieve. Reaching the second story she followed her host, turning left and coming to an open door at the end of the hall.
There, her breath caught in her throat and her heart jolted by the sight.
Sleeping peacefully in a large bed was Synthea.
Chrysalis landed, biting her lips in an attempt to suck up the pain as she carefully trotted over to the side of the bed. Sitting down, she took in every feature, every motion. Her dark green locks splayed out freely over her pillow, emphasising a beauty to her Chrysalis hadn’t noticed before. Despite everything she’d endured, it looked like her dreams were being far more pleasant than Chrysalis’ had been as of late.
Thank Mother. Turning away, the queen exited the room. High Charity closed the door without a word, but exuded surprise and concern upon looking back at her.
“Chrysalis, are you okay?”
“Why do you ask?” She asked in replied, her voice taking her by surprise at how unsteady it was. High Charity simply brought a hoof to her face, wiping away tears Chrysalis wasn’t aware she had shed. A blush formed on her face as she hurriedly wiped the rest away, yet looking back she saw High Charity smiling. The sight was unsettling for her, considering it was so genuine and bright. And clearly directed at her.
Like father, like daughter, Chrysalis thought to herself.
“So,” he spoke quietly. “I guess since Synthea’s in no position to, I’ll ask. Are you still intent on leaving?”
The question caught her completely by surprise. “What?”
“You’re in no condition to go anywhere,” he carried on. “But, once you’re healed up and if you want to, I’ll let you leave. After saving my daughter’s life, I do owe you, after all. But then you’d have to explain to her why you’re leaving yourself. I’m not going to do the heavy stuff for you.
“Or… you could stay. It won’t be easy, that’s a given. Unlike back at your hive, you’ll have to work to earn your keep here, to earn back any form of respect. But at the very least she’d be happy you stayed.
“So,” he finished, looking her in the eye. “What will you do?”
Chrysalis’ head lowered for a moment in thought. A few weeks ago, she would’ve jumped at this opportunity and yet now she was conflicted? When what she had wanted was within reach? Why?
A small slither of happiness flowed from beyond the closed door. On it, Chrysalis tasted a stream of emotion with a familiar honey flavour to it. She now understood why she was so conflicted, and it made her choice all the more certain.
“I…” She stuttered, unsure how to phrase it before sighing and recomposing herself. “You say you owe me a debt, High Charity. Yet it is I that owes a debt, to your daughter. And I do not leave debts unrepaid.” High Charity’s smile grew as she spoke, as did his pride. The taste helped steel Chrysalis’ will and focus.
“I’ll stay.”