Memories are interesting. You’re never sure what will trigger a memory. It could be a comment made by a stranger, an old photo, even when you think of nothing a long forgotten memory can spring forth. They show your mistakes, your failures, what you’ve lost. And try as I might I couldn’t stop the memories that haunted me as I lay in my prison. Memories I’d thought long buried.
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The sun shone brightly as I surveyed my kingdom, bathing it all in soft, warm light. I smiled as I watched my subjects go about their lives, working, playing, or just finding a suitable spot to sit and enjoy what the day had given them. I couldn’t ask for more.
“You’re looking happy today. Mind if I join you?”
I giggled. Well maybe there is something else I could ask for. “I wouldn’t be opposed to some company.”
The feeling of soft wings surrounded me as my beloved took her place behind me. I sighed in delight as she nuzzled my neck.
“Now what’s got you in such a good mood my love?”
I turned slightly to look at her. “My kingdom is thriving, my subjects are loving, and there is peace as far as I can see.” I smiled wider as I kissed her lightly. “Not to mention I’ve got you my dear.”
Her eyes shone brighter at that. Oh how I love those eyes. Those lovely magenta pools were always sparkling with love.
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I awoke violently. I wasn’t sure when I’d fallen asleep but something had disturbed me. I concentrated, straining my senses to pick up anything nearby. I lay in silence for what seemed like hours before I turned to a seemingly empty corner of my prison. I rose to my hooves and glared into the darkness.
“I know you’re there. Either show yourself or leave so I can get my rest.”
There was a faint glow as a figure emerged from the darkness. My eyes narrowed as the figure came into full view.
“Celestia. To what do I owe the honor of being graced by your presence?” I asked boardley.
Celestia regarded me cooly before using her magic to conjure a few magical orbs that lit the cavern I’d been in. I realized that the place I’d been bound to was the exact cavern where I’d held princess Cadence. Ironic.
Focusing on me agian, Celestia spoke. “I thought I’d offer you some light seeing as you’ve been here in the dark for some time.”
I scoffed. “Is that it?”
Celestia sighed. “Some thanks would be appropriate, but no that’s not all I’m here for. I wanted to see if you had considered what I offered you when you first woke here.”
I laughed, long and loud. “Now why would I consider your offer? We both know I’m only here because if I escaped you would hunt me and drag me back here.I’m content to rot in this place.”
Celestia shook her head and her eyes looked....sad? Yes I could feel the slight hint of sadness from her. I always loathed the taste and feel of sadness. It was like a cold oppressive rain.
Before I could think on her emotions for long Celestia came closer. Close enough that I could have touched her had I wanted to.
“Why are you so stubborn Chrysalis? Your kingdom is no more. Your subjects have chosen a new path. Why won’t you accept what I offer?”
I laughed again but this time it was hollow and broken. “Because I’ve lost. All I had you’ve taken. All I was is now gone.”
Celestia stomped a hoof and her words were heated when she spoke. “That’s not true! What happened wasn’t your fault it was..”
I closed what little distance there was between us and glared at the solar princess nose to nose. “Do not blame what I’ve done on a madness that was self inflicted! I may have been enthralled by my own machinations but they were still mine alone!.”
I backed away and my anger ebbed as I averted my eyes from Celestia. “I don’t need excuses or pity. I've brought ruin on myself and I’ll leave myself to that ruin.”
After I finished speaking I turned my back to Celestia, silently demanding that she leave me be. At first I thought she would continue trying to talk with me but after a few moments of silence she simply sighed and I heard her hoof falls as she walked away.
When I no longer felt her in my prison I laid down once again and tried to sleep. I knew that the only thing waiting would be more memories but if they were dreams they wouldn’t hurt as much.
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“Queen Papilio what’s going on? The forest is becoming overgrown and strange creatures are attacking the outlying settlements!”
Chaos. Utter chaos. The whole of Equestria was going crazy and I had no way to stop it. My subjects were confused, scared, and hoping that their queen could deliver them from this catastrophe.
The truth was I had no idea how to fix anything but I couldn’t let them know that.
“Remain calm and evacuate as many as you can to the palace catacombs. They should be safe there until this can be dealt with.”
“Yes my Queen.” With a quick salute the guard left to carry out his orders.
I meanwhile continued to try and contact the only one I hoped could save us. But no matter how hard I focussed my magic couldn’t locate her. And if I couldn’t find her soon I would have to take drastic measures.
“Oh beloved, where are you?”
I continued to try and find her but when I saw massive bolts of unearthly lighting on the horizon I knew I couldn’t wait any longer.
“Forgive me but I must save my breezies as you would your ponies.”
With one last thought of my love my horn lit an electric green as I cast my spell.
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When I woke this time it was to the sight of Celestia seated in front of me.
“How long have you been there?”
Celestia shook her head. “Not long. I have news for you.”
I rose and gave a questioning look to Celestia. “Is it important?”
“I believe so. it seems that the changelings are fitting in well with pony society pardoning a few hiccups here and there.”
I rolled my eyes. “Of course they’re fitting in. My changelings are adaptable.”
Celestia’s brow rose. “I thought you’d lost them. You still consider them yours?”
Giving a chuckle I grinned. “I may no longer be their Queen but that doesn’t change the fact that I made the changelings what they are.”
Celestia gave a wry smile. “Proud as ever, that’s not changed. Getting away from that I wanted to ask again about a decision to my offer.”
Again she insists with this offer of hers. Why does she persist after everything that’s happened?
“My decision is the same as the last time you asked. I want to be left alone.” I growled in annoyance.
Again I tasted sadness from the solar princess. Every refusal brought another bout of this distasteful emotion. It almost made me consider acquiescing to Celestias offer just so I wouldn’t have to tolerate it. Almost.
“Was there anything else?”
Celestia shook her head. “From me no, but Luna wants to talk with you.”
Celestia took her leave and no sooner had she gone past the edge of light in the cavern when Luna appeared and approached me.
Luna had changed. Perhaps she’d looked like this since she’d gotten free of her banishment but I wouldn’t know. The one thing that didn’t change was her eyes. Eyes never change.
“So Chrysalis, my sister tells me you still choose to remain here. Why?”
I laughed mockingly. “Oh I just love cold, dark caverns. Actually I was thinking of ordering some furniture but couldn’t decide on a style. Any suggestions?”
Luna scoffed. “I don’t see how you can joke about this. Celestia is offering you forgiveness, why won’t you take it?”
These sisters are so tiring. After the first few days of just Celestia coming to bother me Luna joined in.
“Like I said, I’ve lost. Now I’ll bear the consequences of my actions.”
Luna sighed and began walking away. “Think about this then. You’re not the only one suffering while you stay down here.”
I stiffened at Lunas words. They couldn’t be true, not after all these centuries. Not after what I’ve done.
Thinking on it for what felt like hours I finally sighed and let my mind begin to wander. With Lunas words still fresh in my head I wasn’t surprised where my memories took me.
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“Are you..... are you repulsed by me?”
I’d been wanting to ask the question for so long but didn’t for fear of the answer. I could feel the love she offered but she loved everyone, it was in her nature. I needed to hear her say it, say that she still loved me.
Her beautiful eyes softened and she drew me into a tight embrace. “Of course not. It’s different that’s true, but you’re still my beautiful little butterfly.”
Her words, her touch, the love from them assured me that it was all true. And oh how glorious it felt! I’ve always had empathic abilities but this was so much more than simply feeling her love. Her love gave me power. Such raw power!
Wait, what am I thinking? Why am I concerned with this new feeling then with my love? Maybe it’s just overwhelming me at the moment. Yes that’s it. I’m still getting used to this new form of mine. Everything's fine.
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Everything is not fine. I can’t think straight. I....what was I thinking about? Oh yes this new feeling. It’s consuming me. Making me crave one thing and one thing alone. Love. That glorious, intoxicating powerful emotion. I need it! More of it!
No! No, I’ve got all I need with my beloved. She’s all I need. But then should I tell her what I did?
No. I only did it once and that pony won’t even remember, I made sure of that. But what if it happens again? What if....
Argh! This is pointless! I’m worrying over nothing. I slipped once and it won’t happen again. I just need to...
“Chrysalis are you here?”
Ah good. She’ll take my mind off this mess for a while. “I’m in here.”
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So much power. So much delicious power! Oh why didn’t I think of this before? This solves all my problems! All I have to do is take the love of beings besides the ponies and everything will be ok. Now where to plan the next raid?
“My Queen. Your meeting with Celestia is about to..”
I turned a sharp stare on the drone that had entered my chambers. “I’ve no time for that. Have one of the senior counsel members speak with her.”
The drone bowed. “Right away my Queen.”
I sighed and went back to my maps. Now where was I....
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I need to leave. We all need to leave. After what’s happened we can’t stay here. It’ll be too easy for the princesses to find us.
“Veld, start organizing the cells. We move within the hour.”
“Yes my Queen.”
This experiment’s gone all wrong but at least now we know that we can’t just keep them in the cocoons indefinitely. Such a shame. All that love wasted.
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She stared at me horrified. The eyes that used to look at me with nothing but love now held disbelief and shock.
Her eyes widened as she scanned the ground littered with her royal guard. Seeing what my spell had done but not believing it.
“Chrysalis...... What have you become?”
I laughed, oh how I laughed. The power was unimaginable. One simple spell and the love an entire detachment of guards was mine!
“I’ve become powerful.”
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I woke with a start. My heart hammered in my chest and I could feel moisture in my eyes. Of all my memories why did I have to relive that one? The day I’d lost myself to the power I sought.
I brought up a hoof to clear my eyes and noticed that neither Celestia or Luna was in the cavern. I suppose work finally caught up with them.
The one time i want them here is the time they’re busy. Although I’m sure there’s a guard close by. Reaching out with my magic I sensed a guard just outside the light provided by the balls of light Celestia had summoned.
“Guard come here.”
I heard the rustle of armor on cloth as the guard moved and then he stepped into the light with a confused look on his face.
“How’d you know I was there?”
I laughed. “My horn is broken not gone. I can still use some forms of magic. But that’s beside the point. Bring Celestia and Luna here.”
The guard rose a brow but shrugged and went to do as I asked.
Before too long both princesses were standing in front of me with questioning looks on their faces.
Luna stepped forward. “Did you need something Chrysalis?”
I nodded. “I know that you’re the one that’s put the binding spell on this cavern. Your shadow magic would work best in this dark place. I’m asking you to dispel it.”
Luna turned to Celestia who, after a few moments of staring at me, nodded. Luna then waved her horn and runes the same midnight blue as her magic began to disolve into the air.
“Now please leave me with Celestia. I need to talk with her and only her.”
Luna looked unsure but began to walk out of the cavern. When I couldn’t sense Luna in the area I walked toward Celestia.
The princess of the sun stood completely still as i approached. When I was mere inches from her I lowered my head slightly.
“Tell me why you offered me a place in your court. Why you offered me freedom and forgiveness.”
Celestia was silent for what felt like hours before she replied in a barely audible whisper.
“Because you’re still my beautiful little butterfly.”
I rose my head and looked into her eyes. Even after all this time, after all I’d done. The love she had for me still shone in her eyes. More then that I..... I could feel her love still.
I shook my head as my vision went cloudy. It was unthinkable but there it was, shining just as brightly as her sun. She still loves me.
“Then I’ll accept your offer.”
Celestias eyes brightened and a small smile settled on her face. “I never gave up on you Chrysalis.”
I chuckled and started walking forward. “You’re a fool Celestia. And I don’t deserve you.”
Celestia laughed and fell in step beside me. Maybe this time her love would be all I need.