//------------------------------// // Apostle // Story: The Dragon and the Changeling // by PrometheusDark //------------------------------// Queen Chrysalis, current leader of the Changelings, took a deep breath and savored the taste of Spike's happiness. It wasn't overly sweet, like pony's happiness, and tasted faintly of strawberry. She could get used to this, she thought. Spike released her leg from his embrace and looked up at her with a smile. She beamed back down at him, but it wasn't long before the grin turned upside down. The news she needed to tell him. “Spike, I'm so sorry for what happened. I had no intentions of an attack on Ponyville.” She started sadly, the dragonling's smile disappeared at the tone. “But, I can't stay long.” She forced the words out. The look of hurt on his face was enough to shatter her resolve, but she pressed on. “I'm a criminal, and just talking to you puts you in danger.” She was doing this for his own good, she told herself. “But, we can hide you!” he wanted desperately for her to stay. She was the only one who understood his carnivore nature without fear. “You can shapeshift and live with Applejack-” she silenced him with her hoof, smiling down at him sadly. “I can't keep hiding forever, Spike.” Her changelings would surely turned their back on her after the scene she caused leaving them. “I have nowhere to go now, but I can't stay here.” She had decided on what she would do now, with no home to go to. “I have to turn myself in.” She spoke calmly. Spike forced her hoof away and opened his mouth to protest again when the unexpected happened. “I think I've heard enough.” A gentle voice said. Shocked, they turned to it's source, and there she stood. Princess Celestia walked toward them, head held high and a serene smile on her lips. “Celestia,” Chrysalis regained her composure first. “I didn't expect you to find me before I went looking for you, but it does save me some trouble.” The Changeling met the Alicorn's gaze. “Allow me to formally apologize.” Chrysalis bowed her head. “There is no need for any formal apologies, or for anyone to turn themselves in.” Celestia said with a tinge of pride in her voice. Chrysalis was just confused. “I see the bond you've formed with Spike is special.” She spoke as if she knew it all and it made Chrysalis slightly uncomfortable. “And I will allow you to live in Equestria as a citizen.” “What?” Chrysalis could barely handle this news. This was just to much to take in, what was she playing at? “That's awesome!” Spike declared, jumping in the air with joy. “Wait, what do ya mean by 'special?'” Now it was his turn to look confused. While he had the utmost faith in the physical goddess, her cryptic ways still got to him. “In time, you will come to understand. I think you understand already, Chrysalis. If you look at it closely, you'll find it's quite simple.” Celestia added with a wink. What could she possibly mean by that? Chrysalis was getting more and more befuddled by the second. Then, it struck her, like a bolt of lightning, and her heart jumped into her throat. She couldn't be infatuated with the dragon, could she? Such a thing was unheard of, not to mention she had no room in her heart. She looked down at Spike, who was looking at Celestia with confusion written all over his face. Maybe there was room in her heart for love. “Spike, Celestia?” Twilight observed as she trotted over. Once she was close enough, she saw Chrysalis. “What's she doing here?” She was less surprised, more confused. There was lots of confusion to go around, it seemed. “Just in time, Twilight Sparkle.” Celestia acknowledged. “I was just granting Spike's friend citizenship.” That threw her for a loop, all right. She was about to protest when she just clamped her mouth shut for a few seconds. “You'll need to tell me this one in detail, Spike.” She sighed before going to the library's front door, unlocking it, opening it, and walking inside. “Its a mess in here, Spike.” She called from inside. Spike just groaned in response. “If you'll come with me, Chrysalis. Or do you prefer 'Chrysie?'” Celestia joked. “We have some paperwork to iron out, and I think we should leave these two to their mess.” The next day, Chrysalis trotted down the road at a leisurely pace, heading toward the library. The air smelled fresh and clean, and though she got a few looks from the ponies she passed by she wouldn't let that dampen her good mood. Upon arrival at the library, she knocked thrice and was soon greeted by a grinning Spike in a frilly pink apron. She snickered, covering her mouth with her hoof, it being the only thing she could do to hold back the torrents of laughter. “Hiya, Chrysie.” Spike greeted. “I didn't expect you this early.” “Obviously, unless you planned on going out in that gaudy thing.” She teased, pointing a hoof at his apron. As soon as he noticed it was on, he let out a sound of dismay before hastily untying it and throwing it across the room. He'd retrieve it later. “Hmm, sad. Pink is certainly your color.” She wouldn't relent. “Ah, who asked you.” Spike waved it off, motioning for her to enter the library. They walked through the main section and into the back, where the living quarters were. There, was a kitchen/dining room combo off to the side. Spike hopped up on his stool at the front of the stove and continued to cook. It was then that she noticed that Twilight was no where in sight. “Where's Twilight Sparkle?” Chrysalis questioned. She didn't really care, but it would be best to know where the slightly hostile mare was, just in case. “Out with her friends. She usually leaves me to myself.” He lamented, she guessed he got lonely easily. “It sucks sometimes, but at least I get peace and quiet when I want it.” He went on. It wasn't long before whatever he was cooking was finished. He set two plates down and put two unidentified slabs of meat on them. Chrysalis poked at hers with her hoof, was it edible? She waited for Spike to take a bite of his before doing the same. All ranges of flavors danced across her taste-buds, spicy, tangy, and sweet. “Whats in this?” She asked, amazed. “Its delicious!” “Its those rabbit I caught in the forest, I sauteed them in a little olive oil with some herbs and spices.” He boasted, a slight blush apparent on his face. She could get used to this whole 'friendship' thing, and maybe even-. She stopped that train of thought where it was. In the shadows deep in Everfree Forest, a circle of drone changelings stood around a large mark on the ground, chanting in an ominous fashion. Green slime oozed from the mark on the ground, pooling. It moved as if alive. The chanting increased in speed and pitch. “I am free at last.” A deep, rasping voice rebounded off the trees themselves. From the pool of slime a figure rose, a tall, lithe changeling in equal size to Celestia, though his legs were skinny as twigs and his neck much the same. His wings spread wide, they looked like that of a dragonfly. His black carapace hard as steel and his eyes florescent green. The changelings stopped their chant and bowed before their king. Author Notes: This story was a lot of fun to write, and I got way more feedback then I expected. Though I didn't go it alone, my proof-reader helped a great deal. He's a budding writer himself and would really appreciate a little attention. While he doesn't write Pony fiction, he is a pretty credible original author. Check him out on DeviantArt, his ID is Spenc53. Special thanks to the commenters who inspired me to continue writing! A sequel to this is already in the works!