The forest grew darker as the sun set. ‘If I didn’t know better, I’d say Celestia’s setting a little early today.’ Chrysalis thought, but knew it didn’t matter. She had to rest. So, she stopped herself in her tracks and fell right to the ground. Her chest was heaving in and out, as she gasped for breath. Her energy resources were getting low from the wagon she had to drag around. ‘Oh, what I wouldn’t give for a single Titan right now.’ She thought. Still, she knew that likely wasn’t going to happen. She’d have to pull this heavy wagon all over the forest. ‘Well, next time I impersonate somepony, it’s certainly not going to be a handypony, or something stupid like that.’ Of course, she’d never think of doing something so idiotic.
“Mommy,” Sugar Rush poked her head out of the cart before gasping. She quickly ran out and rushed to her side. “Are you okay, mommy?”
“No, sweetie.” Chrysalis answered her between breaths. “Mommy’s tired.
Sugar Rush cocked her head to the side. “You don’t usually get tired. You could pull our cart all day, if you wanted.”
‘That’s because your mother was built like an oxen.’ She scoffed inwardly. Still, it unnerved her a bit. She’d already slipped up. She couldn’t let the filly figure it out, especially with her so far away from the hive. “I just don’t have it in me to do that today.”
“Okay.” Sugar said, buying it.
Chrysalis rolled her eyes and unhooked herself with a spell. She stood up on her wobbly legs and walked over to the carriage door. She wanted to set up the tent, so Sugar could rest in it. ‘Father knows, I won’t sleep anywhere near her.’
Once she opened it, she was tackled to the ground by Sugar. “Surprise hug!” She shouted, before laughing.
Chrysalis scowled. “Okay, that’s enough.” She told the little filly. “Now get off of me.”
Sugar Rush quickly did so, but had a sad expression on her face. “But you always liked my surprise hugs.”
“Well, not anymore.” Chrysalis walked into the wagon. “I would make me happy if you don’t do that again.”
Sugar sniffled. “I’m sorry, mommy.”
“It’s okay, sweetie.” Chrysalis looked around the for the tent supplies. “Just don’t bother mommy right now.” She searched for another few minutes before stomping her hoof in defeat. ‘I know she has a tent in here somewhere. That mare had me sleep in it for two whole days, for father’s sake.’ That’s when she remembered a ‘find it’ spell. She’d learned it when she had taken on the guise of an inspector in Canterlot.‘Boy, was that an eventful two weeks.’
The changeling queen closed her eyes and pictured the tent in her mind. Her horn glowed as the spell was activated. Luckily for her, her magic reserves were up to snuff, thanks to the little fillies love. She could see a trail leading her on. She took a few steps, cautiously. Since the cart wasn’t that big, she had to be careful. Then, the trail stopped. She opened her eyes to see a large red bag. She raised an eyebrow.‘Didn’t I already check inside that very bag before?’ She asked herself, but the spell told her that it was in there and she was never wrong.
Chrysalis opened the bag, only to find it empty. She sighed. ‘I knew I checked it already.’ “Where is that tent?” As the words escaped her lips, tent supplies came rushing out of the bag. The changeling was taken aback by this and backed up, knocking into a few things.
When she got her bearing, she scolded herself for being so jumpy. ‘It’s just an enchanted bag. Nothing to get scared by.’ Though, she was impressed that the mare she was impersonating had an actual ‘Bottomless Bag’. Those were rare and hard to come by. ‘Maybe Rove was smarter than she let on.’ She chuckled.‘She still wasn’t smart enough to figure out she was being stalked. And here I thought she was an adventurer. More like thief and charlatan. I’m sure she stole this bag from somepony else.’
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Sugar Rush watched as her mother came out of their cart, carrying some things with her magic. She found it odd, since her mother usually carried things the Earth pony way, but she reasoned that she was trying something new. ‘Unicorns do have magic powers. Maybe mommy wanted to try them out. I know I would.’
Her mother than spent over an hour trying to set up the tent. Sugar still found it odd that she could do it a few days ago, but not now, but she couldn’t help but laugh at how silly it all was. That was when her beloved mother glared at her.
“Stop laughing at me, you little brat.” She seethed. Sugar stopped laughing and stared at her in shock. Her mother’s glare was intense and unkind. It was almost like she was somepony else. For a second, she even thought she saw a flash of green in her eyes. For never before had her mother looked at her like that and talked with such loathing. Yes, she would scold her, but she had always had a kind tone and gentle eyes. Now, her mother looked at her like she was vermin.
Sugar started to sniffle. ‘Why’d mommy get angry? Did I do something wrong? I didn’t mean to? I’m sorry. I’m so, so, sorry.’ A few tears started to flow down her cheeks.
Just then, she felt somepony pull her into a hug. “Shhh, don’t cry. It’s alright. Mommy’s just a little angry, is all.” She cooed.
Immediately, her crying ceased. She smiled and hugged her mother back. This was the mommy she remembered.
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Chrysalis couldn’t stand to hear that infernal hatchling laugh. At her expense no less. She snapped at her, making the filly cry. Initially, she’d felt good about it, but then she felt it. The connection between them wavered and a new emotion flooded her senses. The filly’s sadness made her sick to her stomach. She felt woozy and had a slight headache coming on. She wanted it to end.
So, burying her little tantrum, the changeling rushed over to the young one and hugged her. She cooed and reassured her that everything was going to be alright. The queen hated doing this. She never in her life thought she’d be helping a pony in such a manner. Sugar Rush bought it and the changeling queen could sense the connection strengthen again. The wonderful feeling of happiness returned, and so was the nauseous feeling fled. She reminded herself that she needed to keep her happy at all costs. This little pony was her ticket back to the hive.
“Stay happy, my little one. I don’t want you to shed another tear.” She whispered into the filly’s ear.