This is a sequel to Anarchy: Pony of Chaos.
After learning that the Terrible Trio, the three villains who got closer than any other to destroying Equestria, were still aware and awake while frozen in stone, Princess Twilight Sparkle has decided to commute their remaining sentences and find appropriate forms of parole for each of the prisoners.
But while Cozy Glow has been remanded to the custody of Equestria's new Princess of Chaos, and Tirek has been shipped back to his homeland and his family, Chrysalis is proving a very tricky being to imprison, control, or reform. She's simply too cunning, too powerful, and perhaps too crazy.
And that is why Twilight has called in the experts. Not only will she seek answers from the Reformed Changeling Empire and its Royals, but also with a certain former Student of Friendship. Perhaps, together, they can provide Chrysalis a second chance at friendship.
Or it will end in flames. Only time will tell.
FEATURED - 06-09-2021!
Amazing Art provided by the talented Buttery Biscuit! Twitter found here!
Surprise Cameo by Midnight Sparkle can best be explained by reading her own story, here!
Special Thanks to Stinium Ruide and Applezombi for editing and proofreading! You are both gallant gentleponies.
Part of the Anarchyverse.
And mother of dragons
So, Twilight has her own version of a Bat-cave?
Wait... WHAT?! How dare you insult coffee in such horrendous manner!
Literally missed the point of a spear
These kind of phrases gets assassins sent your way
10854083
The plants we grow to make caffeine originally did so because it was a pesticide.
images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,h_1123,w_2000,x_0,y_111/v1554921495/shape/mentalfloss/550096-youtube_0.jpg?itok=ISWUTWlz
Sunset has a sister? That could be cute.
Starlight: IT WAS ONE TIME! YOU ALREADY TOOK MY DAUGHTER, WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?"
Twilight, you massive [CENSORED]
I guess the comedy tag should have warded me off from this.
This isn't the story I expected, needed, nor wanted.
Is it a bad story?
No. It's very good actually. I would surely recommend it.
Does it have what I always enjoy in your stories?
Yes! Could have a bit more, but it would maybe drag on some scenes.
Honestly, the only problem I have with it is the same problem that made me hate half of Sunset Glimmer.
I just heavily disagree with some things.
So, I hate this, but good job, and keep working on this ever expanding universe you've created.
im sorry is this connected to another story about cozy glow?
10854174
I'm sorry the story didn't appeal to you. I take it the problem was the comedy? Or were the disagreements more about worldbuilding?
10854211
It's a sequel, yes. Cozy Glow got loose due to Discord and Fluttershy's kid, and she caused all sorts of problems before being stopped.
so i understand they made her a kid but how dd that reform her in any way?
10854244
Consider it a magical reset. They've pumped so much Love into her that it's forced the change... for now. As things move along, who knows if that will keep. Things are early days for little Chryssy.
I won't lie, I like Pharynx's idea for time out.
10854244
It doesn't reform her. It just leaves her in a state where she can't magically resist or otherwise escape. She's still the same alpha bitch she was, just in a smaller, more manageable size.
10854278
the picture states otherwise.
10854281
Being reformed physically doesn't mean you're reformed spiritually/emotionally/mentally. It's just like a junky, you might get them clean and to the point they're no longer physically addicted, but they still have the addict mindset of craving a fix during times of stress.
10854226
No, the comedy was good, I got my laughs as my previous comments show. I mentioned the comedy tag because it made me think that this wouldn't be a very serious approach to reforming Chrysalis.
Maybe it was just my expectations of the story before it was released.
It was mostly Chrysalis background and way of reforming that I disagree, but it's only a matter of opinion, I can't really fault these scenes from a writing perspective. And I really like the things around these issues. Pharynx and Ocellus's relationship is the kind of really cute and complicated that needs a skilled author to pull off successfully, and you clearly are and did.
I also get a sense of darkness coming from Twilight. Like ruling has slightly shaded her morals.
Opinions aside, this is a very good, funny, and solid story. And while I disagree, I want to know the rest of the background of the changelings and where Pharynx and Ocellus's relationship ends up.
10854301
oh i KNOW that im saying what does an age spell have to do with her changing into a lovebug? how does that do anything?
“We do not put babies in trees!”
Best Out of Context line...
I like this story, even though it quite heavily references other works, it's not so terribly embedded in them that it's unreadable without knowing more about them, kudos for that.
The only thing that doesn't sit well with me is Chrysalis physical form being altered, but that's a personal thing rather than it being bad story telling.
Hope to see more soon.
Edit: CURSE YOU COMPLETE TAG!
My only question: Is the fic talking about Ocellus and Pharynx’s relationship even up? If so, I want to read
10854840
Maybe one day. I have other projects to work on at the moment. But I think these characters and their relationship will definitely have a focus in the next big sequel.
wow chrysalis looks so... wrong in that form. so. soo. wrong.
I cant stop imagining dib is from invader zim
So soon ago doesnt make that much sense
Chrysalis will be like Invader Zim now. lol
10854137
"I thought... they were... UNCONSCIOUS!"
10855031
It does if your brain has been melting for twenty years inside a stone statue.
10854944
Wrong? Or... yeah. Kinda wrong.
10855119
Always has been...
10855134
can't wait to read more Trixie being Trixie and woah, Pharnx dating an younger changeling.. people shipped him with Tempest cause they're both similar.
Speaking of Tempest, she's in Crystal Empire? would have thought she tried enlisting directly under Twilight.
10855131
Okay yeah that's a fair point
10855151
One thing I liked about the comics was the story where Tempest went up to the Crystal Empire to work for Cadance. It was well done, and it was really nice seeing her reconcile with her old friends. So... yeah. I like her there at the moment. Read Guarded Hearts to see what she's up to...
10854652
Twas the thing I most struggled with to still make it into the final draft. I hope I've walked the fine line there.
10855206
never read any of the IDW comics, especially 'Anon a miss' cause f that noise. But i did read your other story, poor Flurry.. trying to be like her mother, the goddess of shipping.
rather funny irony that the one who was the mother of the swarm became their daughter.
To be honest, I don't like the design of the reformed Chrysalis you proposed, mainly due to the fact that she had her hair removed and replaced with a comb. Making her look too much like regular Drones loses much of her charisma.
10855289
Most of the comics are... just okay. Some are bad, or edgy, but there are a few good ones. The trouble is that the more significant ones are clearly in their own continuity that clashes with the show. Anarchyverse is built off the show canon, so it’s rare for me to be able to use any of it.
10855329
It’s the best I had to work with. And the artist was kind enough to donate their time and effort to this project. Personally, I like to think her head fringe is much longer in reality.
why do I feel we are going to see a Suicide attempt later?
10855872
Um... no. No. Those don’t... I don’t write those.
10855872
10856148
I don't think so. Chrysalis is too proud of herself to attempt suicide.
This was a wonderfully well done story, and I truly could feel for each of the characters while reading it (on a sidenote I now wish to hug Celly and Phar). You did a great job, keep up the awesome work!
I think Ocellus's cousin name was reminding me of something. Maybe from diffrent story.
Overall very funny story and now both Cozy and Chryssie are in Ponyville? It would be matter of time to meet again xD
10863194
Hugs do make the world go round.
10863287
He should be familiar if you read this story’s prequel for changelings...
10863748
Yes, indeed they do
10854226
Okay, after some thinking I can give a more concrete answer to this.
Chrysalis isn't a character in this story, she's a plot device. She has no personality or backstory, she's just crazy and delusional and has always been crazy and delusional. No one in the story cares about her, not even Twilight, and only interact with her out of necessity or obligation.
Basically, this isn't the start of a redemption story for Chrysalis, it's the start of a romantic comedy between Ocellus and Pharynx with Baby Chrysalis as the plot device. Which I am on board for, but isn't what I was expecting for Chrysalis in this universe.
And what I strongly disagree with is Chrysalis' reformation method, even if it's to keep her under control. You can't convince me that humiliating someone even further than treating them as decoration is good ground to convince them to not hate you even further.
PS: Unless you retconned the fact that Discord told them he was awake and aware of everything while being in stone when they first tried to reform him, it makes no sense that Twilight just didn't know about the trio. She's either lying or just forgot.
10864810
Alright, that’s not an unfair take. This story is more about setting up future storylines and situations than it is about truly reforming anycreature. I’ll cop to that.
With regards to the Retcon, however, there isn’t one. Different creatures turned to Stone by different means seem to have different levels of awareness. Twilight didn’t even realize she’s been turned to stone by a cockatrice, way back in season 1, and Discord himself breaks the rules of how things should work all the time. So much so, that it really shouldn’t be a surprise she assumed the trio would sleep through their petrification. There’s even a throwaway line back in the first anarchy story about how there are multiple versions of the stoning spell, if we’re also allowing references back to previous entries.
Regardless, I can see why someone might not be completely happy with how the story turned out. I can only hope that the next one, which will feature more serious attempts at reformation (and possibly Cozy and Chryssy trick-or-treating), will be more to your liking.
And thank you for reading!
10864866
Sorry it took so long to get my opinions together, it has been stewing in the back of my mind for a while.
Yeah, that would explain the petrification issue, maybe a little reminder for anyone who hasn't read Anarchy would've evaded that.
I am still 100% on board with where the story will go. The romantic comedy is a fun idea and I love this relationship between the two bugs, just felt a bit out of place with how serious the rest of the premise was.
PS: Cozy and Chryssy trick-or-treating sounds delightful and definitely worth reading
10864879
I might have to toss in a line to remind folks then. Thanks for the catch. And thanks for taking the time to explain your thoughts. Feedback honestly helps me so, so much.
Hopefully, Nightmare Night will be fun...
10865050
I'll try to not take so long next time.
I'm sure it will
This comment's been a long time coming, but I've made it here.
While the story's great as usual with inter-connected worldbuilding/settings, good handling of multiple POVs/characters, and really getting into the inside of said characters without being jarring (especially when Ocellus is in focus), Chrysalis's redemption... well, I like the fact that she got redeemed in the end, but I am not a fan of how she got redeemed. The Sleepless Beholder covers the same reasons I have for why I'm not a fan of the how, but I'll add my two cents:
In Pony of Chaos, one reason why I liked how Cozy Glow was redeemed, even with how "lenient" her and Anarchy's punishments/trials ended up being, is that Cozy Glow is going to be redeemed... on her own terms, for lack of a better term. Sure, there are some measures to make sure she doesn't cause havoc again, but at the very least, Anarchy can prove to be a good friend... as stated in Pony of Chaos, the two of them have some kind of bond... a potential for a kind of friendship between two equals.
In Parole, however, Chrysalis isn't treated as an equal. Sure, earlier villains in the show aren't automatically given the option nor freedom to be friends, and Chrysalis was still a threat right before she got her parole, but once she got her parole... friendship is not much of a choice. She won't really be friends with Ocellus and Pharynx, at least for a long time: their relationship will be that of caretakers or supervisors, focusing more on rehabilitation and neutralizing a threat than redemption and/or genuine friendship.
Thus, this is a great story, and I give it a thumbs-up, but I have big reservations about how Chrysalis's parole goes.
10934585
All good points. All very good points. The story is certainly setting the ground state for her eventual redemption. And that will come with friends on her own terms. But just to begin the process, they had to do something to keep everyone around her safe. Where it goes from there after this, I hope I can start to cover that relatively soon. It’s still 2 1/2 months until Halloween, after all.
Update?
11057302
Sorry, but the story is complete. There is a future story following Chrysalis, but it’s currently on the back burner.
I do hope you enjoyed this one!
Reformed filly chysalis is so ugly!
And why is my brainwashing boner acting up?
11388729
She'll grow into it. And, at least I hope this comes across, my logic is that "She's literally insane, utterly hostile, and cannot be held in any conventional prison. Depowering her is basically all we can do, with the one side-effect that some of her adult maturity has slipped. It's closer to a soft reset/reboot than brainwashing, but maybe not as cleanly as the Elements could have done."
It's controversial. As I figured it would be. But there are reasons I did it, and I still like to think I walked that fine line. Sometimes I don't know.