//------------------------------// // A Chance Alone // Story: Two-Sided Prequel II: Who You Work For // by FerociousCreation //------------------------------// It was early afternoon. The air was warm and the sky was clear of clouds. Chrysalis walked in between Coco and Suri as they walked through the streets of Canterlot. Fang and Sea More were behind the three mares. Fang was pulling the wagon as Sea More was beside him, finally free from the restraints of the carriage. The queen had a wave of relief sweep over her, glad that Suri Polomare had come along and helped find four red outfits for her gatherers. Not only did that help remove some stress off of the leader, but she and the two ponies talked about past amusing stories, one of them being a time when Suri accidentally sowed a part of her mane to a dress. Chrysalis was talking about how her daughter, explaining how she raised a caterpillar and watched it grow into a monarch. “So,” Chrysalis said, “When it came time for the monarch to leave for migration, the insect brought back a pink rose to Beauty Fly before it left. After it was gone, and many hours of her crying, she asked if we can create a garden with many different colored roses. Now, every year since then, when the monarchs are migrating, a large amount of them come to our garden.” “Aww, what a cute story,” Coco smiled with glee. “I would like to see your garden when we get back to-” The pony paused, almost saying “castle.” She remembered that she needed to watch what she said in the open public so Chrysalis and her two guards were not exposed. “To umm...” Coco continued cautiously, “...y-your place.” “You are more than welcome to do so,” Chrysalis nodded. Feeling she had an appropriate time to speak up, Suri spoke, “So, how come your daughter isn't here with us? I would assume you being her mother would want her around all the time.” Coco tried to stop Suri from speaking by flailing her arms, hoping to distract the earth pony. But it was too late... Trying to keep her composure, Chrysalis said calmly, “She is at home, sleeping. She is always tired and... is always... sleeping.” The queen began swearing at herself internally for sounding stupid in front of her friend. Oblivious to the situation at hand, Suri spoke again, “Why don't you just-” Looking to the other side of Chrysalis, Coco rapidly shook her head and quickly swiped her hoof across her neck several times. Looking up at Chrysalis, Suri saw the queen wore a sad expression and noticed she was staring straight. “Did-” Suri accidentally said as words of curiosity slipped out of her mouth, regretting her question. “She was a good daughter,” Chrysalis said suddenly. “That's all I will say.” Both ponies looked at the queen and saw that she was smiling. They didn't know why she was smiling, but can only assume, not wanting to ask the changeling why she was grinning. Looking back, Coco saw the two guards. It appeared to her that they, too, were listening. Wanting to know if they did hear the last few comments, she said to Chrysalis, “I'm going to go talk to Fang and Sea More.” Looking down at her friend, Chrysalis replied, “Do what you want.” Turning a gaze toward Suri, the changeling said, “I would like to be alone with your friend for a moment.” The way Chrysalis looked down at Suri slightly worried Coco. Regardless of how the queen made her feel, she slowed down her pace and had the two stallions come to her. As soon as they caught up to Coco, she returned to her normal speed. Coco walked next to Fang as he came to her. “So, how are you two doing?” the pony asked. “Well,” Fang responded as he glanced at Coco. He then looked forward at his queen and frowned. “I just do not like seeing Queen Chrysalis in pain...” Without saying a word, Sea More nodded, wearing a neutral expression. “I feel the same way, Fang.” Coco was slightly glad that Fang heard the conversation so she didn't have to ask him if he did. Looking forward, Coco saw Chrysalis talking to Suri. She couldn't hear the changeling talking over the sound of the wheels that rolled on the stone street, occasionally running over a stick and snapping it under its massive weight. Chrysalis then looked back and stared at Coco for a moment and then down back at Suri. I wonder what they are talking about, the pony wondered. “Coco,” Chrysalis spoke, “Can you come here?” Both Sea More and Fang looked at the mare, waiting for her to move. Without a word, Coco heeded the Queen's instruction and walked toward her. When she caught up to the disguised changeling, Chrysalis asked, “Would you like to have your time alone with Inferno Fang now?” Shock ran across Fang's face as he heard the words. He glanced over to Sea More who bounced his eyebrows. Fang slightly bared his sharp teeth, his sharp tooth burning angrily. “Oh, umm...” Coco had to process her thoughts before saying anything else. “W-what about the remaining outfits?” “I want to talk to Suri Polomare about a commission I wish to propose to her,” Chrysalis replied as she shot a glance at Suri before looking back to her friend. “O-oh...” the pony frowned. The queen noticed her statement upset Coco. “Do you not like the idea that I am giving her work?” Chrysalis asked, raising one brow. “Well, I mean, I am glad you are giving Suri work,” she responded, quickly applying a fake smile. Coco turned her head to show Suri that she was happy for her. “But,” Chrysalis said, causing Coco to look back at her. “What has you bothered?” “Nothing,” the pony responded, quickly looking forward. “I am very happy that you want to give her a chance to work.” Chrysalis gave Coco a slight bump in her ribs with her hoof to get her friend to look back at her. “You can't fool me. I know what I said upset you. Be honest with me.” At that moment, the queen gave a genuine smile to the earth pony. Knowing that she couldn't hide what she was truly feeling, Coco said, “I just, you know... I want to keep making dresses.” The pony's ears retreated after she said what was really on her mind. After hearing Coco's reason for being upset, Chrysalis stopped and looked down at her friend. At once, everypony and changeling stopped. “Have you ever heard of giving somepony a second chance?”Quickly, the pony's ears perked up and turned toward Chrysalis. “Also,” the changeling continued, “did you forget your pay?” "Whatever we do not use out of this sack will be the payment for your efforts." Remembering what Chrysalis had said in the early morning, Coco ran over to the carriage and opened the door. Coco scrambled to get inside as soon as her eyes fixed onto the sack filled with treasure. It was bulging from the number of items that rested inside of it. The mare opened it up and saw that there was still a plentiful amount of gold, gems, and bits inside of it. In fact, it looked like they used hardly any of it. Coco's heart began to race, thinking about how she would use all of the treasure that was given to her. “So,” said a voice from behind Coco. She turned around and saw Chrysalis smiling at her. “Do you think it would be harmful if I gave Suri a second chance by giving her some work?” Slowly, the pony shook her head. “Also, with everything inside that sack, I think you can open up your own shop by only using a small portion of it. In other words, if you want to keep making dresses, you should open up your own store.” Without hesitation, Coco quickly went over to her friend and embraced Chrysalis. “Thank you,” the pony said with a happy smile on her face. “I should thank you,” the changeling replied, glancing around, wondering if anypony was watching. But it dawned on the queen that she didn't care if anything saw her. All she cared about was the happiness of her friend. “Sometimes,” Chrysalis continued, “there are some things that are worth more than a simple goblet made of gold and gems. Your generosity and friendship are one of those 'things.'” Then, the queen reached around her friend and held her close. Love radiated off of the pony as she continued to hold onto Chrysalis. Chrysalis inhaled the food through her nose by taking a slow breath of air. After getting all the love she needed, the changeling let out a calm sigh, smiling even more. “Now, why don't you and Fang have your time alone, hmm?” Now parting away by letting go of the queen, Coco let go and looked up at her friend. “Okay.” Walking over to Fang, Coco Pommel smiled at him. “Shall we be going?” she said, holding out her hoof to him. “O-of course,” Fang stuttered as he took her hoof. The mare closed her eyes and gave the changeling a sweet smile as a small tint of blush came off of Coco's cheeks. Fang took a glance at Chrysalis who was looking at the back of Coco's head. But the moment the queen's gaze met his, her smile quickly evaporated and turned into a mean stare. Chrysalis then blinked at him, Remember, do not become too attached, or else there will be more pain... There was nothing to reply to. Fang understood. Fang knew what would happen if he did. But he also didn't care about the future. After all, the future was not the now; the present was. And maybe... Coco would be the answer to all their problems. “Shall we,” Fang said as he gestured an arm for the lady. Coco opened her eyes and noticed the changeling's friendly act. She nodded to comply and began to walk. And soon the two walked away together, hoof in hoof. “Meet up at the cafe we just ate at in one hour,” Chrysalis called out to the couple. “Will do!” Coco called back without turning around. Looking at Suri, Chrysalis walked over to her and said, “Shall we attend to business?”