//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Diplomacy Without Tea Isn’t Very Fun to Watch // Story: A Time to Act // by The Sonic Mage //------------------------------// Celestia had kindly, but cautiously, suggested a few times that she and her subjects all be sent back to Canterlot, and that she could take care of Shining Armor and Cadence.  The King always gave the same answer: “No.” His friendly conversational tone was gone, replaced by a cold, focused voice that she was all too familiar with. She shuddered to remember the dark ages of her career as Princess. All of them spent quite a while in the treatment area. Some just got a check up, others got bandages and limb supports. Everypony stayed mostly silent, not saying much to one another and mostly just answering the questions from their doctors and thanking them.  Nopony discussed what had just happened. Some because they didn’t want to at the moment, others just didn’t know what to say. In a separate room Cadence and Shining Armor were extensively treated for their burns, bruises, and fractures. They lay in silence as well interacting little with the doctors treating them. Large parts of their bodies were wrapped in either regular or enchanted bandages meant to ease the pain and speed up recovery.  Cadence’s wings and barrel were completely encased. Her magic exhaustion was severe and had to receive treatment potions from a dripping IV, as to not throw her body into shock.  Shining Armor’s barrel was also wrapped in bandages, along with his left back leg, which required a limb support. There was also a spinal support under the bandages.  After many hours of treatment, four Changeling guards came to Shining and Cadence. “His Majesty is requesting your presence.” One of the guards said. The Royal couple wordlessly complied, helped out of their beds by the nurses. They had no idea what kind of argument they were about to get into. Dr. Cloverfield listened to his stethoscope intently, focused on the rhythmic drumming of Celestia’s heart. *Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub, Lub-Dub* The doctor removed the stethoscope’s receiver from Celestia’s chest and unplugged his ears.  “Seems to be in good order.” “Thank you, Doctor Cloverfield.” The solar Princess said graciously.  “That should clear everyone. You all should still take it easy for a week or so. Especially you three,” the doctor said, pointing his pen at the three Princesses in the room, “We can’t have any of you developing heart conditions.” “Of course, doctor.” Luna said. “Pardon me asking, Dr. Cloverfield, but where are Shining and Cadence?” Twilight queried. “They were placed in a separate treatment room since their wounds were more severe. I cleared them for basic assisted mobility about an hour ago.” “Can we see them?” Twilight asked. “I’m afraid not.” “Why?” Cloverfield looked to the young princess. “I believe Thorax called them to have a word with them.” The walk to the Throne Room felt like it took forever. Silence always makes moments last longer, for better or for worse. It seemed that an hour had passed by the time they had reached the doors of the Throne Room, when it had really only been 3 minutes. The four troopers that escorted them gave a nod to the two guards at the doors. They wordlessly opened the doors, preserving the silence that had followed the small group all the way from the medical wing of The Hive.  Upon entering the Throne Room, there was a noticeable shift in its mood from earlier in the day. The setting sun cast shadows across the room. Shadows that added a good deal of emphasis to Thorax’s disapproving expression.  The young Changeling King sat up straight on the throne, any air of his usual friendliness and approachability was absent from his posture and the room itself. The royal couple made eye contact with the royal Changeling. Not even Thorax’s eyes held any comforting warmth. The bandages around his barrel, shell, and lower legs, as well the three bruises still visible on his face did little to help. The young King motioned for the guards to leave the room. With concern evident in their walk, the guards left, standing just outside the door should they be needed. It was now just the three royals now, sitting in the throne room, with a tense, fragile silence between them. Thorax felt a slight wave of deja-vu come over him. It was only a brief distraction. All he could truly focus on were the two unfortunately familiar faces in front of him. “What happened back there?” Thorax was the first to break the silence. His tone was “cold and professional” as his brother would say. Shining Armor narrowed his eyes at Thorax. “...What?” He asked, as if he hadn’t heard him the first time. Thorax resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The low boil anger in the air around the Crystal Prince made it clear that he heard him just fine.  “What. Happened. Back there?” Thorax repeated, punctuating his speech to make his question clear. “We could ask you the same thing.” Cadance said. Shining spoke up, “What were you thinking, keeping Chrysalis here-” “Why is that any of your business?” Thorax interrupted, “Am I not allowed to have guests without your expressed permission?” “Your guest?” Cadance said with alarm and simmering anger, “How could you call her your guest?”  “Because that is exactly what she was,” Thorax responded, “My guest.” “What does that…wait, were you trying to reform her?” Shining called, clearly displeased with the idea. “Yes, I was.” “After everything she’s done, to you and everyone else in Equestria, you decide to invite her in?” Shining asked with as much anger as confusion. “That is hardly a good reason for her not being allowed to be kept in The Hive.” “How is that not a good reason?” Cadance asked, her tone and anger rising. “Because my other friends include a unicorn who destroyed history, a showpony who used an artifact to enslave a village, and the embodiment of chaos itself,” Thorax countered, “All three of which have done things just as bad as, or worse than Chrysalis, and yet we’re all more than happy to give them a second chance without trashing an entire floor of a castle.”  The royal couple seemed to stumble on their response for a moment.  “That’s…That’s not the same thing.” Shining rebuked. “Unless you can convince me that she’s as unforgivable as the centaur who absorbed the magic of almost every creature in Equestria and turned a large patch of land a burnt waste, I don’t see how Chrysalis is any different from most of Equestria’s rogues gallery.” Thorax countered. “Because what she did is different from the rest of them!” Cadance shot back. “How is it different?” Thorax raised his voice. It wasn’t a shout, but it was loud enough to be a clear demand for an answer. How was what Chrysalis had done different from Starlight or Discord? What logic was the royal couple trying to use to justify their claims? All these questions were up in the air, as Thorax looked Cadance directly in the eyes…  …and then he saw it…then it clicked…  As an empath, it’s easy to tell how others are feeling and understand why, at least to an extent. It comes naturally, like a form of second sight, and Thorax could see it all right there. Cadance had a slight far-away look in her eyes. Like her mind wasn’t completely living in the present, but rather somewhere else…  …Somewhere like the catacombs under Canterlot. It all was starting to make a little more sense now. Why they were so against giving Chrysalis a second chance. The couple never truly got over the invasion during their wedding. It was a far more personal affair than any of the other villains. Thorax’s firm demeanor almost melted into sympathy, as an empath he completely understood why they felt the way they did.  That being said, understanding does not equal forgiveness, and the couple’s destructive response to Chrysalis’s presence was not forgiven.  “*sigh*, Cadance, Shining, I know that her actions affected you very personally, but that doesn’t give you the right to deny her a chance to make up for what she has done.” Cadance took a step forward. The adrenaline coursing through her as a result of her rising anger allowed her to ignore the pain in her leg. “Are you saying that you forgive her for everything she’s done?!”  “No!” Thorax now stood on the throne, his frustration with the couple bringing him to his hooves, “I don’t completely forgive her. But I wanted her to have an opportunity to see that not only was this metamorphosis good for us Changelings, but that she could also be good. I wanted to give her what I was given: a chance!” Shining moved to stand next to his wife. “You were-” “Different? Is that what you were going to say?” Thorax finished the Prince’s sentence, “I could have been lying to all of you, Shining. It could have all been an elaborate ruse. You were willing to take a hefty gamble on me. I felt it was only fair that I take a gamble on Chrysalis.” “I can’t believe you’re defending that monster!” Cadance shouted, her anger surrounded her like a sickly red mist. “She is a threat to Equestria, to my family! You expect us to like this?” “You never had to like it, Cadance. You not liking me giving her a chance does not give you the right to come in here and try to hurt her!” “Is it wrong of me to want her to face justice?” “You two didn’t want justice,” Thorax countered, “You wanted revenge.”  “I wanted her to face retribution-!” “I don’t care what you wanted!!!” Thorax finally snapped, for better or for worse, “You aren't in charge here, and I don’t answer to you, I answer to my people! I don’t care if you and the rest of Equestria decide to paint me as some kind of monster apologist. I am the king of this Hive, and I will stand by my decision, regardless of what you say!” A brief silence came over the room. Thorax resumed sitting on the throne, and, after a moment, retired to the cold, firm tone of voice he had started the argument with.  “You and the others will be sent back home on the next train as soon as possible, travel accommodations are already being made…That’s all.”  Thorax accessed the hive mind and the guards that had left earlier entered the room.  “Take them back to the medical department and make sure they are treated and prepped for the train ride back to the Crystal Empire. With a simple nod, the guards aided the couple out of the Throne Room. Before he left however, Shining turned back to Thorax. “I’m taking the recruits back to the Empire.” Thorax resisted the urge to let his jaw slack a little. “You can’t be serious.” “I am serious, and until this gets resolved, don’t expect much of a welcome mat at the Empire.” “You barely have any free time running the Empire, how do you expect to oversee the training of those troops?” “...That’s none of your concern.” Shining then followed the Changeling guards out of the Throne Room. Silence returned to the room. The feeling of deja-vu returned. Thorax simply let his head hang and sighed. He stood up from the throne and walked to his private quarters.  When Thorax got there, he locked the door, walked over to the vanity in his room, and stared at his reflection. He thought about everything that had led to this point. All the struggling, and trial and error, and mistakes…and the argument he just had. An argument with two of the first few ponies that ever truly cared about him. He couldn’t help but feel frustrated, angry even. The deja-vu didn’t help either.  Thorax felt his eyes beginning to water. It was tempting to just let them run, to just lay down on the bed and cry into the pillows.  But he didn’t. He wiped his eyes, let out a sniffle, and put on a brave face. Now was not a time for tears. Now was a time to act.