//------------------------------// // Royal Meeting // Story: Family 101 // by Kail //------------------------------// “You’re sure you don’t mind watching Scootaloo on such short notice?” Fluttershy giggled and offered Lightning a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry about it. I’m happy to help.” Lightning nodded and turned to Scootaloo. “You make sure to behave for Fluttershy ok kiddo.” Scootaloo nodded. “No worries mom.” Quicksilver tapped Lightnings shoulder. “Come on, we’ve kept Twilight waiting long enough. Whatever it is that’s going on in Canterlot sounds important.” Turning to Scootaloo quicksilver ruffled the filly’s mane. “See ya Scoot.” Scootaloo waved as her parents walked away. “Later guys, be safe.” When Lightning and Quicksilver were out of sight Scootaloo turned to Fluttershy. “Is it ok if I go hang out with my friends now?” Fluttershy nodded. “Just be sure you get back before dark.” Scootaloo smiled and hopped onto her scooter. “Thanks Fluttershy, see ya!” Fluttershy laughed lightly, waving as Scootaloo sped towards Sweet Apple Acres. ======================================================== Twilight sighed heavily and leaned back against her seat in the train car she shared with Lightning and Quicksilver. “I’m sorry but I really don’t know what the princess wants. Her letter just told me it was urgent that I come to Canterlot and that I should bring you two.” Lightning huffed and crossed her forelegs. “Is it always like this? The princess just sends a letter and ponies come running?” Twilight shrugged. “It’s worked out for the rest of us so far. I wouldn’t worry about it.” Quicksilver chuckled. “Don’t mind her Twilight. Lightning’s just worried about Scoots.” Lightning quirked a brow. “And you’re not?” Quicksilver shook her head. “She’s with Fluttershy. Ya know, element of kindness?” Twilight chuckled. “I understand you’re worried, any good mother would be but you just need to relax. We shouldn’t be gone more than a day or two.” Lightning sighed. “I guess you’re both right. I just wish I knew what was going on.” Twilight pointed out the trains window. “You’ll find out soon enough. We’re coming up to the station right now.” Lightning turned and, sure enough, the Canterlot station was only a few hundred yards away. Once the trio exited the train Twilight took the lead and they began making their way towards the castle. When they came to the front gate Twilight walked up to the unicorn guard and motioned to Lightning and Quicksilver with her hoof. “My friends and I have an appointment with Princess Celestia.” The guard nodded. “We’ve been expecting you.” Turning to the gate the guard’s horn glowed as he opened one of the large doors. “The princess will be waiting in her personal chambers.” Twilight rose a brow in question but said nothing as she walked forward, lightning and Quicksilver not far behind. As they turned down a hall Lightning came up beside Twilight. “I saw the look you gave that guard after he said the princess was waiting. What’s up?” Twilight’s eyes narrowed in thought. “I’m not sure but I think this meeting is going to be more serious than I’d thought. Celestia’s always met me either in the throne room or some other common part of the castle. This is the first time she’s ever wanted to meet in her personal chambers.” Quicksilver’s head tilted. “So should we be worried?” Twilight shook her head. “I don’t think so. We’ll just have to see what she wants.” The three continued on in silence as Twilight led them into the castle's main spire. Once at the top Twilight stopped in front of a pair of large ivory doors with a golden sun emblazoned on it. Using her magic, Twilight pulled a velvet rope hanging beside the door. After a few moments the doors were enveloped in a golden aura and opened to reveal Celestia smiling calmly. “Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I know this must be inconvenient but I felt that this was the best way to go about things.” Twilight rose a brow. “Go about what Princess?” Celestia motioned for the three to follow her. “Please, we should discuss this inside. The walls have ears as they say and I’d rather this not get out before the proper time.” Lightning, Quicksilver and Twilight shared a confused look as they followed Celestia into her room. Once inside the doors were surrounded by Celestia’s magic and closed. The sound of multiple locks being engaged sounded from the door as Celestia walked over to a circle of pillows. Taking a seat on one, Celestia motioned for the others to sit before she spoke. “I apologize for the secrecy but this is a sensitive matter. Only myself, Luna, and a select number of the royal staff know what I’m about to tell you.” Celestia paused, collecting her thoughts and inhaling deeply before she continued. “After the destruction of the changeling hive I had my personal guard begin sifting through the rubble. Three days later they found Chrysalis and brought her to the castle where Luna sealed her in the crystal caverns.” Twilight held up a hoof. “Wait. You’re saying the Chrysalis survived not only having her horn removed and suffering a magical rebound loop but also the entire hive falling on her?’ Celestia nodded. “She did.” Twilight shook her head in awe. “Wow.” Lightning got over her stunned silence and narrowed her eyes. “There’s more isn’t there?” Celestia nodded. “Yes there is. Once she recovered I offered Chrysalis something.” Twilight gulped. “What did you give her?” Before Celestia could answer, Lightning and Quicksilver shot up from their seats and turned to a door at the far end of the room. The door glowed an acid green as it opened and Chrysalis stepped out. “She gave me my freedom.” Twilight was about to question Celestia when she noticed a deep rumbling sound coming from beside her. She turned to look at Lightning and Quicksilver, finding them both baring their fangs and flaring their wings. Twilight stared at them curiously. “Are you two growling?” Chrysalis stepped closer and chuckled. “We changelings are rather feral.” She turned her eyes to her former subordinates. “But I’m not going to do anything so why don’t we all calm down and talk civilly?” Lightning and Quicksilver sat and tried to relax but they kept their eyes locked on Chrysalis. Seeing that things wouldn’t escalate, Celestia cleared her throat. “I assume you all have questions.” “That’s the understatement of the year.” Lightning muttered under her breath. “I know this isn’t what you expected but I’d like you to try and bare with me. Chrysalis is a different mare now. And I trust her.” Twilight, Quicksilver and Lightning turned to look at one another. After each of them giving a shrug Twilight spoke. “I’m willing to give her a chance. But can I speak to you privately Princess?” Celestia nodded. “Of course my student.” She turned to Lightning and Quicksilver. “And what do you two have to say about this?” Lightning huffed. “As long as she explains herself I’ll give Chrysalis a chance.” Lightning turned her eyes and glared sharply at her former queen. “But if you try anything I’ll cut off that horn again.” Quicksilver nodded. “What she said.” Chrysalis grinned. “Fair enough.” Giving a nod Celestia stood. “Very well. Lightning, Quicksilver I’ll leave you to talk with Chrysalis. Twilight if you’ll follow me we can have that talk now.” As the princess left with Twilight in tow Chrysalis focused her attention on Lightning and Quicksilver. “You wanted answers to your questions no doubt. Well ask away.” Lightning stood and began pacing in front of her former queen. “Ok then. First off what are you playing at? What’s the plan you’ve got this time?” Chrysalis rolled her eyes. “I’m not planning anything.” Quicksilver scoffed. “And I’m the queen of Griffhala. Why not just tell us everything and we can stop playing twenty questions.” Chrysalis sighed. “That’s not as fun as watching the two of you try and figure out what’s going on but fine. The short answer is Celestia and I are lovers and I’ve no desire to conquer anything anymore.” Lightning stopped her pacing and rose a brow. “Wait that’s it? After the years of going around and draining the love out of countless places you’re just.....done?” Chrysalis nodded. “It’s not as simple as you make it but yes that’s it. I’m done.” Lightning sighed. “You know what? I’m just going to see how things go. I don’t care what you do as long as you stay on the up and up. But like I said, you try anything and I’ll take your horn again.” Chrysalis laughed and gave the two changelings with an amused look. “I’ll keep that in mind.” ========================================================= Celestia walked with Twilight and led the to the lavender unicorns old tower. Once they were inside Celestia turned to Twilight. “So my student, what did you want to talk about?” “Well first Princess, do you think it was a good idea to leave those three alone?” Celestia chuckled. “I wouldn’t worry. The conversation will be short, if a bit agressive between them. Then I suspect Chrysalis will go somewhere private to be by herself.” Twilight sighed. “Well that’s fine I guess. Now um.... Princess can I be completely honest?” Celestia grinned. “I’d hope you could while talking to me.” Twilight nodded. “Why are you trusting Chrysalis? Discord I can sort of understand given his abilities but why are you letting Chrysalis just roam around?’ “She’s not just roaming around. She’s helped me with work and I plan on making her a member of my court.” Twilight’s jaw went slack for a moment. She snapped it shut and gave Celestia a confused look. “But why?” Celestia sighed. “Twilight, do you know what I am?” Twilight tilted her head. “An alicorn. The ruler of Equestria. Right?” Celestia shook her head. “That is part of who I am not what I am.” “I don’t understand.” Celestia walked over to the large window in the tower and motioned Twilight to join her. “My little ponies look to me for guidance. They look to me and see me as their ruler, as their protector. Some even view me as a goddess.” Celestia sighed sadly. “The truth is that while I’m immortal I am still only a pony as they are. I’m not infallible and over my long life I’ve made many mistakes.” Celestia turned to Twilight. “I'm still just a pony." Twilight stared up at her teacher. “Why are you telling me this?” Celestia turned her attention back to the view out the window. “Because the reason I decided to give Chrysalis another chance is because I love her.” Twilight whirled on her hooves to face Celestia fully, her eyes wide. “What?!” Celestia rose a brow at Twilight’s exclamation and Twilight cleared her throat. “I mean, what are you talking about?” A small smile settled on Celestia’s face. “I know it’s hard to imagine but even I can fall in love. And long ago when Luna and I first came to rule Equestria I met with Chrysalis because her kingdom of breezies was fairly close. After our first meeting we began to interact and became good friends. And as the years past our friendship grew into something more.” Celestia sat and turned to face Twilight. “What I felt for her blinded me to how she was being consumed by her insatiable need to acquire love once she changed herself and her breezies into changelings. I didn’t realize until it was too late that I’d lost her.” Twilight’s ears lowered in sympathy. “That’s why you weren’t more surprised when she revealed herself at the wedding. You knew her.” Celestia nodded. “To be honest I never thought I’d see her again. But after the wedding and her second attack I thought it would be the only chance I had to try and get through to her.” Celestia giggled. “Lightning certainly helped with that part. When her horn was removed it gave her system enough of a shock to bring her into a better state of mind.” Twilight shook her head and sighed. “I’m still not sure about this Princess but like I said, if you trust her I’ll give her a chance.” Celestia leant down and nuzzled Twilight. “Thank you Twilight. I’ll need your help to design the best way to reveal Chrysalis to the rest of Equestria.” Twilight chuckled. “I’m happy to help Princess.” Celestia and Twilight made their way back through the castle to Celestia’s chambers. They had work to do.