The silence of the early morning was shattered as a thunderous roar shook canterlot and all its residents, almost off the mountain side. Deep inside the crystal caverns I paced back and forth swatting away crystal formations in a rage, fueled by self disgust.
"How could I have not known he was here?" I screamed slamming my clawed fist into a nearby wall, cutting myself with my own claws. "I am the avatar of fear, Timor created him, how did I not know he was here." For hours I paced back and forth in the deepest recesses of the caverns, roaring, yelling, and leveling formations of crystal in my blind rage. Until a voice cried out, both in the hive mind and the caverns.
"That is enough Thomas." Chrysalis said as she came into the room. "No one saw him coming, why should you have been any different?"
"Because Timor created them Chrysalis." I said in exasperation. " And now that I have all his power I should know when they arrive same as he did. I am now the avatar of fear I should have seen him coming from a mile away, and been ready for him. But no I wasn't, I was to busy being blinded by the rage he spawns and my own troubles. And as a result lives were lost, something I had hoped to forestall as long as possible." A tense silence followed my rant as Chrysalis and I simply stared each other down for what felt like hours. Only to have it broken by Chrysalis as she sighed heavily and shook her head in reproach.
"What is it now Chrysalis? What have I done wrong this time?" I roared making her jump in fear only to have her eyes narrow dangerously, and begin to glow green.
"Your only error is trying to take all this responsibility by yourself." She screamed as she took flight and stared me in the eye with her glowing eyes. "You are so focused on one facet of who you are. The great avatar of fear, when that is only a small part of you. Your are so much more than that Thomas, you have always been more... especially to me." As those last three words left her mouth all my anger left me, making me feel about three inches tall.
"Your the one that looked at me with wonder and curiosity, not fear and reproach. Your the one that showed me the magic of friendship these ponies have been blabbering about all these years. Your the one that showed me even monsters deserve a second chance." Chrysalis said her voice trembling as tears began to pool in her eyes. "But most of all you are my love. And you are now a father Thomas." A long silence passed after Chrysalis finished, during which she settled once more on the floor. Looking anywhere but at me while I stared at her to dumbfounded to even think, my entire mind completely blank and inactive while I tried and failed to process this.
"I..... im a fa... father?" I stammered out still staring at Chrysalis, only to have her shake her head yes slowly. So caught up in my own surprise was I. That as I scanned my memories for any sign of this, my legs gave out and I fell to the floor limp. My eyes glazed and sightless as I searched and searched. Only to have the night Chrysalis claimed me as her king, and then the question of what I thought of children come to mind.
"How long have you known?" I said quietly, dragging myself back from my memories. A heavy sigh echoed throughout the cavern as Chrysalis stood and approached me, lying down right next to me.
"I've known since the night we mated Thomas." Chrysalis said as she looked at me with a tear in her eye, and a huge smile on her face. "you see a changeling can get pregnant anytime she wishes too. Same goes for me, But since I am queen our daughter will be born one as well."
"And how have you been able to keep this from me when we are linked mentally?" I said confused, with pain staining my tone.
" I haven't told you because we were so busy preparing, I didn't want to add more to your already taxed nerves." Chrysalis said reassuringly laying a hoof on my scaled forearm.
"As for how I've kept it secret from you is quite simple really." She said smiling up at me sheepishly. "Every changeling given time develops a part of there mind where they are completely alone. And whatever thoughts, memories, or emotion's kept there cant be seen by another without permission." As she spoke Chrysalis stared into my eyes, and as she did I could feel her reach out timidly with her mind. Only to smile as I reached out as well and began to explore her mind, all her feelings and thoughts. Until I came to a place where I could go no further. Almost as if a wall was barring my access. At this revelation I frowned and looked down at Chrysalis confused.
"Don't ask me how we do it." She said chuckling. "Its just something we do, and given time something you will learn to do as well." As she spoke I could feel the wall diminish until It was no more. And as it faded I was flooded with maternal instincts and feelings from Chrysalis, and then beneath all her love and worry. I could feel a tiny presence, barely a glimmer in her mothers mind, but for the first time I could sense my daughter. Chrysalis smiled at me as I arched my neck around and looked at her stomach thoughtfully.
"Well this changes things." I said dumbly, my mind already abuzz with so many thoughts and worries. Only to have them calmed as Chrysalis reassured me, one thing ringing clear across her whole mind. Everything will be fine
I shared her smile, but couldn't help the feeling of unease that crept up my spine as I thought. I hope your right. For hours after that we simply sat, wondering where to go from here. Everything crossing our minds from our daughters name, to the role Chrysalis would play in the battles to come. After all this was discussed Chrysalis returned from whatever I had drug her from. Meanwhile I left the caverns heading for the castle, the princesses needed to be informed of the change in plans.... and I had some apologies to make.
When I finally found the princesses they were both leaving a side room, with the elements in tow. And as soon as there eyes fell on me the princesses gave me a tired smile. Where as the elements cringed in fear, or just glared as was the case with Twilight.
"Your all probably wondering why Im here?" I said shrinking down to my human form running a hand through my hair nervously. The only answer I got was a slow nod of there heads.
"Walk with me." I said as I turned and began walking, the ponies following shortly after a few hushed words were exchanged.
"What is this about Thomas?" Luna said coming up beside me giving me a questioning look. One that was mirrored on the faces of her sister and the others as they began to walk alongside me.
"Its an explanation." I said simply, before I looked to Twilight "And an apology to all of you."
"An apology?" Twilight said as she shook her head in exasperation, a reaction I had expected.
"Indeed it is and more." I said plainly as I kept walking with no destination in mind. "There has been a change of plans I figured you all would like to be clued in on them." A few hushed murmurs could be heard behind me while only the sound of my foot steps echoed down the halls.
"And what kind of changes would they be Thomas?" Celestia said hesitation filling her voice, making me stop and sigh before turning around
"The first change is our plans to deal with the horsemen, all four affect the world around them in different ways." I said leaning against a nearby wall and sliding down to the floor. "As we have already seen, war spawns a fighting rage in all near him. When Famine arrives crops will start to fail, rivers dry up, and so on. When Pestilence arrives sickness will run rampant, with seemingly no way to cure it. And then finally will come death, and just as his name implies hundreds if not thousands will just simply die. And he can kill anything with but a touch. And then to top it all off Chrysalis is pregnant with my child and wont be able to actively participate in any conflict."
A heavy silence passed as I sat with my eyes closed and back to the wall, and I could feel all their eyes on me starring at me in disbelief.
"Ch...Chrysalis is pr..... pregnant?" Twilight shouted, appearing out of nowhere right next to my ear, making me cringe and try to stop the ringing in my ears. When the ringing finally stopped, I gave Twilight a withering glare growling in annoyance I said.
"Really after everything I just said, the first thing you freak out about is Chrysalis being pregnant?" I growled pulling myself to my feet, glaring down at Twilight.
"She attacked us and has been on the run ever since of course this is going to worry us." Twilight said glaring back at me just as hard. " How do we know she wont do it again?"
"My word will have to be enough for you Twilight, besides the devil you know is better than the one you don't." I said my tone carrying finality, leaving no room for argument. A stare down ensued between Twilight and I, one I lost as I sighed and turned away my head hung low in despair.
"Weather you believe it or not I am truly sorry for yesterday." I said my voice hollow and cold as I began to walk away from them. "For now we will have to trust one another and do our best to survive this. Every nation, every soldier, every creature alive needs to believe we can win and be willing to die for that simple belief. If they don't then we shouldn't even bother trying, find me when you are ready to accept my apology. "
Just as I finished speaking I rounded a corner and disappeared in a geyser of smoke and reappeared atop the highest tower of the castle. Gazing up at the afternoon sky hoping against hope that there was a chance we would be able to pull this off, despite everything Timor's memories were telling me.