> Discord vs. the Greeting-Card Industry
>  by SoloBrony
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Tell her how you really feel
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrysalis cackled to herself as she strutted around the decrepit Castle of the Two Pony Sisters.

"Yesss, yes, that is how I shall destroy her. A reformed villain, that's what the pony said. All I've to do is take her form and pretend she's had enough of this candy-coated nonsense! I don't have to steal the elements of harmony; Twilight and her friends will use them on Starlight Glimmer willingly! I'm a genius!"

Chrysalis draped herself across a nearby chair and stroked her hair.

"Oh, Starlight. If only you knew what I have in store for you..."

Suddenly, Starlight's voice echoed around the room. "Well, I know now! Who is this? Chrysalis? Is that Chrysalis? Why am I hearing all of this? Hello?"

Chrysalis stiffened in the chair, and then sprang up into a ready stance, hissing.

"STARLIGHT GLIMMER! How are you doing this?! Where are you, coward?!"

"I have no idea! I just suddenly started hearing you! Are you even in Ponyville right now?"

"No! I'm—ah, clever pony, but I won't give you anything more."

Chrysalis smirked smugly and awaited whatever taunts her enemy would send her way.

Instead she got this:

"Uhh... so I can still hear you breathing... and I've tried walking around and it's not stopping."

Chrysalis paused at that.

Is she being serious? What in Equestria's going on?

Chrysalis carefully strode out of the room, alert for ambushes, and listened carefully.

And heard somepony breathing, as though they were just a few feet away.

"Gah! What sort of spell have you put on me?! I WILL MAKE YOU REGRET—"

"Listen, I really have no idea what's going on. You're the last person I wanted to speak to today! I've actually had two whole students come to me for guidance counseling! This was a great day! You think I wanted to cap it off hearing about your revenge plans?"

"Hmph. You've been magically spying on me, trying to keep a step ahead. But I'm far ahead in the intelligence game, Starlig—"

"CHRYSALIS, I have a LIFE! I don't give a buck about you! I'm not even mad that you're plotting revenge – it's not like I haven't done it – but I don't really feel like being harassed with this right now!"

Chrysalis hissed in rage.

"You dare insinuate I'm not even important enough to spy on?!"

"Have you noticed a pattern with villains who try to mess with Twilight's friends, Chrysalis? I spied on her for an entire year planning my revenge. I noticed a pattern!"

"Hmph. You're saying that just because no one else has succeeded, I cannot?"

"You didn't succeed either! Repeatedly! And if you did succeed, you'd have Celestia, Luna, and Discord breathing down your neck! What's your endgame then? At least my plan involved time-travel so I could avoid all of Twilight's backup. Seriously, did you even think about the fallout?"

Chrysalis balked and took a defensive posture.

"Well, I am a master of deception and disguise! I figured I would just go into hiding, perhaps even hide my involvement altogether, start to finish!"

"You couldn't even manage to pull that off when no one knew what changelings were, Chrysalis. And that was before Discord had a vested interest in making sure Fluttershy and her friends didn't have reason to be upset."

"Well, fine! What would you do?!"

"I don't know! Stage an accident, maybe?"

Chrysalis took a few seconds to absorb that.

"That's.. actually not a terrible idea. But I wanted you to know the suffering you put me through! Being betrayed by those loyal to you!"

"If you wanted to be the one to show me what that felt like, I'm afraid you'd have to go back in time and take Twilight's place."

Chrysalis cocked her head, though she knew the gesture was useless if the pony was really as far away as she claimed to be.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean I was betrayed first by my only friend, and then years later Twilight shows up and turned my whole village against me! I thought you did your research; how is it I am the first person to explain this to you? Did you expect to be able to mimic me without even knowing my backstory?"

"I wasn't done researching! Yet!"

"Oh. Fair enough. I know how hard it can be to gather good revenge-intel without tipping your hand."

There was a long, uneasy silence between them. Finally, Chrysalis broke the silence.

"You weren't kidding about having been where I was, were you."

"Nope. Though I hardly expected to get a chance to explain that to you. I figured you would just show up for revenge, get foiled, and then maybe we'd get a shot at talking. That's how this seems to go, usually."

"And you really have no idea why we're... linked?"

"None. Maybe your desire for revenge triggered some kind of ancient magic? I'll try to look into it. It'll be extremely awkward if you have to listen to an entire conversation from my end and I have to hear your commentary."

Chrysalis scoffed.

"I still can't believe that your primary takeaway from this situation is that it's an inconvenience. I'm the one who had her plan foiled!"

Chrysalis heard an irritated groan.

"Chrysalis, do you have any idea how hard I've been working to put my life back together? I finally feel like I have something good going again, and I've been waiting, every day, for something to just... go wrong and put me back at square one. I've had some really close calls as it is. What I want right now is to stop worrying about what the next big catastrophe will be, and just live my life!"

"Hmph. You've given up all of your pride and want nothing more than to hide like a civilian, is that it? Let someone else handle your enemies?"

"I don't see you as my enemy, Chrysalis!"

Chrysalis rolled her eyes and scoffed as she began striding around the castle, magically scanning it for intruders or a source of the spell.

"Oh really? And what do you see me as, then?"

"Honestly? I have no idea. I barely know you. I know what kind of situation you're in, and I've been there before, but other than that... not much. I mostly just see you as someone really down on your luck."

"I don't want your pathetic Equestrian sympathy—"

"Chrysalis, this whole conversation started because you were talking to yourself about your plans, because you have no friends and are extremely lonely. Are you trying to say this is one of your high moments?"

Chrysalis bit back a nasty invective and sighed.

There's no point in arguing that. I've never been brought so low before. And I will make her suffer for it.

"Just find a way to turn off this stupid spell."

"Right. On it."
> Sleep tight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrysalis groaned as she tried to get comfortable on the ancient bed. With an eyeroll, she addressed her unseen-yet-ever-present conversational partner.

"You had best not snore, pony."

"Same to you, Chrysalis."

"I will hunt you down and make you suffer if you snore!"

"And if you snore I'll enchant a parasprite to seek out the source of that sound, no matter how far away it is, and clamp onto it."

"... What's a parasprite?"

"Oh, good. It'll be a surprise."

Despite herself, Chrysalis recoiled slightly.

I think this pony is being serious. Or at least she's capable of such a thing, both magically and emotionally. Perhaps I underestimated how vicious these creatures can be.

"I thought you were trying to be reformed, Starlight."

"It's just us bad girls here, Chrysalis. Don't try leveraging my personal life against me."

Chrysalis sighed.

"I had to listen to you consult with Twilight, Sunburst, and it sounded like a half-dozen more ponies, all for nothing. How can none of you identify this spell?!"

"Whatever it is, it's persistent and strange. Trying to forcefully dispel it could be dangerous."

"Ugh. I suppose that was something one of them told you? It is so aggravating hearing only one half of a conversation."

"Yeah, I can imagine. Sorry about that."

Chrysalis stared up at the ceiling and thought over her situation. Starlight had done her best, the entire day, to be accommodating. She had even tried to break the spell, true to her word, despite the potential advantages it offered her.

It went against Chrysalis' better judgement, but she decided to discuss something other than revenge, threats, or getting rid of the infernal spell.

"Starlight?"

"Yeah?"

"How is it? Your reform, I mean."

"Oh. Uhh..."

There was a long pause before Starlight's voice returned.

"... It's good. Sort of hard to describe, or compare to my old life. After a while, that's what it feels like; the 'old life'. Like it all happened to somepony else."

"You're saying you couldn't be that way now?"

"To the point I'm not even sure how I was that way before. I mean, I still appreciate a good devious scheme, sometimes I still go overboard using power, but... I don't know. Sometimes it feels like nothing changed at all, and I think I still have everything to learn. But that's not true at all. I don't act out of malice, a need for control, or a sense of... fear anymore. I used to think I was the one in control before, but since getting to know Twilight, I've come to realize how much of my action was really motivated by fear I didn't even know I had."

Chrysalis snorted.

"And you think I'm afraid?"

"I don't know. Probably? Afraid of being alone, or insignificant, or of your hive falling apart without you?"

Chrysalis winced.

This pony is... supremely blunt. And knows exactly where to press.

"... That may be true, Starlight. I'll grant you that."

"I had the same kinds of thoughts about my old village. When I wasn't busy being furious at them, I mean. I don't know, it was weird. Sometimes I hated them for casting me out, other times I hated myself for it. I guess I just directed all of that hate at Twilight. That was easier to accept, I guess. Easier than..."

"Than accepting I had failed myself and my people, because of my own faults."

"... Yeah."

Chrysalis rubbed her forehead with a hoof, trying to quell a small oncoming headache.

"I'm going to kill whatever is responsible for this stupid spell."

"Sure doesn't take much to get on your hit-list, huh?"

"Ugh. Don't push it, pony. I know where you're sleeping."

"... Good night, Chrysalis."

Chrysalis scoffed and closed her eyes, trying to court sleep's embrace for a few minutes, but the phrase nagged at her mind. Finally, unable to make that stupid sensation go away, she muttered back.

"Good night, Starlight."
> Now kiss
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight Glimmer wearily cracked an eye open at the sound of her alarm clock. Vague memories of some dream about Chrysalis came back to her mind, and with them the events of the previous day. She moaned, and Chrysalis' voice answered, like she was in the very same room.

"Ugh, you said it."

Starlight was about to reach over and turn off the alarm when it stopped of its own accord.

She turned over to see what had stopped the alarm.

And she saw Chrysalis lying next to her on her bed, closer to the alarm clock.

Don't do a Twilight. BE CALM. BE CALM. BE CALM.

Starlight very gingerly started to shift out of bed when she heard Chrysalis mumbling, "Wait, where am I?"

"Uhhhh..."

Chrysalis' eyes shot open and she bolted into an upright position, looking around the room, until her eyes fixated on Starlight. A short, tense silence followed.

And then Chrysalis smacked her face with her hoof.

"This is your bedchamber, isn't it?"

"... Yeeeeessss...?"

"In the middle of Twilight Sparkle's crystal castle."

"Uh, yes?"

"With all of her friends right nearby."

"Oh, I think I see where you're going with this."

"So not only are we being forced to listen to each other, I've now been transported into one of the most dangerous places possible for me to be. Great."

Despite her alarm at suddenly having a revenge-crazed changeling queen in her bedroom, Starlight flopped back onto her rump despite herself and began rubbing her chin, contemplating.

"This all seems like some sort of insane prank."

Chrysalis groaned, rubbing her eyes. Starlight gave her a proper look-over and realized she looked quite the worse for wear; she had some dirt and brambles in her mane, and looked thinner than the last time they met.

"Changelings can drink coffee, right? I can go get you some, and you can use my shower in the meantime."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes with a sneer.

"Are you joking? I can't stay here a single second longer than necessary! If Twilight spots me—"

"Just take the form of a pony. I'll cover for you. Now get a shower; we need to figure out what's doing this to us and put a stop to it before one or both of us snap."

Chrysalis opened her mouth to speak, and then suddenly stopped and glanced aside like a thought had come to her.

"I... suppose I'll know if you're lying, since I can hear everything you say. Don't make me regret this, pony."

Starlight stood up and strode out of the room with a grin. After closing the door behind her, she mumbled, "Honestly, what do you think would happen if Twilight found you? She might lock you up in prison. Where you'd have nothing better to do but chew me out every day. Come on, I'm not crazy."

The sound of Chrysalis snickering floated over to her, and Starlight breathed a sigh of relief as she put a pot of coffee on.
> Meet the friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrysalis had taken the form of a tall, slender, black-coated unicorn mare after her shower. It was a bit on-the-nose for her original appearance – especially once she insisted on adding some green-and-turquoise saddlebags she found in the market to it – but so far they had managed to avoid a trademark Ponyville stampede, so Starlight had to admit it was working for her.

Chrysalis, for her part, cackled to herself.

"These gullible ponies don't suspect a thing!"

"Actually, we've been attracting some weird looks. Some of them probably realize you're a changeling."

"What?! I haven't noticed any weird looks!"

"They're doing it when your back is turned. You're definitely the one they're staring at."

Chrysalis shook her head and glared at Starlight.

"You're just ashamed of your species' inherent ease to manipulate. No one suspects."

"I think you're forgetting two important points, Chrysalis."

"Queen Chrysalis."

"Fine, but then you have to address me as Counselor Starlight."

The two of them glared at each other for a few seconds. Starlight smirked.

"Counselor Glimmer will also do."

Chrysalis threw her hooves up in disgust.

"Ugh! Fine! Call me Chrysalis if you insist. It's not like I have a hive to be queen of right now anyway. What am I forgetting?"

"First, changelings are welcome here now. We see them every day."

Chrysalis gaped at Starlight for a second, and then facehoofed.

"Right, the school. I've seen it. Ugh."

"Second, you're with me. They figure if a changeling is with me, they're probably alright."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, setting her hoof back down.

"Right. Because they trust you so much."

Starlight winced at that, and Chrysalis immediately regretted the comment.

It's only been a day, but I've gotten used to being just as blunt as this pony with her. I didn't realize there were still raw nerves to trot on.

"H-hey, they trust me. I... I think. Most of them do!"

Chrysalis waved a hoof placatingly. "Forget I brought it up. Clearly they trust you enough not to accost you over suspicious behavior with strangers, so that must be good enough."

Starlight considered that and nodded, sighing. Chrysalis' mind scrambled for something to change the subject, to get off of this awkward.

Chrysalis didn't do awkward. Chrysalis gave orders and they were obeyed. Being forced to interact with someling else and deal with their feelings was just... eugh. An idea came to her.

"Let's get something to eat. Going to a restaurant forces a waiter to get up-close and personal with you, so you can gauge how uneasy they are and how well your disguise is holding up."

Starlight quirked an eyebrow at that, smirking.

"Well, I wouldn't mind a good breakfast. You just had to make it all changeling-y, though, huh?"

Chrysalis threw her head back with a regal (she thought) laugh.

"Starlight, I am the Queen of changelings. Everything I do is archetypal for my species."

"And how do you take a changeling shower?"

"Simple. Plot your enemies' downfall while you do it. I came up with three new ways to make you pay for your insults against me just this morning."

Chrysalis had actually spent the entirety of the shower entirely focused on detangling her mane and thanking all that was green and gooey for the chance to get a proper warm shower and a cup of coffee after weeks in the wilderness, but really, what did it matter?

Starlight, for her part, brightened immediately.

"Hey, I used to do that!"

"Contemplate your foe's downfall in the shower?"

"Yeah! The whole time-travel revenge idea came to me in a shower!"

Chrysalis laughed as they set off in the direction of a small restaurant.

"Perhaps you would make a better changeling than pony, Starlight. Ever thought of converting?"

"Yeah, but the wings totally clash with my magic flight thing. Just wasn't meant to be, I guess."

Both of them laughed companionably as they grabbed seats at the outdoor cafe.

Starlight took a second to take stock of the situation.

Am I actually befriending Chrysalis? I mean, I'm sure she's just putting on airs to get at me – or at least to escape Ponyville unharmed – but it sure feels genuine. This is... nice.

Weird! I meant it's weird. But I guess it's nice too. I had today off-duty anyway, so I guess might as well spend it bonding with my current-arch-rival or whatever we are to each other. Not like I had anypony else to—

"Fear not, Starlight! Your greatest and most powerful friend has arrived!"

With that announcement, Trixie Lulamoon, accompanied by a small fireworks display for her entrance, took a seat at their table, violently jarring Starlight from her reverie. Chrysalis, for her part, was glancing hurriedly between the two of them, and Starlight could virtually see the gears turning in her head.

Quick, gotta put her at ease!

"Trixie! What a surprise!"

Trixie looked at Starlight quizzically. Starlight suddenly took note that Trixie wasn't dressed in her usual attire; she was wearing a tuxedo of all things. Trixie leaned in as she spoke.

"What are you talking about, Starlight? You invited me here!"

"What? When? What? How?"

Trixie recoiled in surprise and pulled a small letter out of her saddlebag, floating it over to Starlight. Starlight quickly read it aloud.

"Dear Trixie,

I've met a new friend I'd like to introduce you to, so please stop by Ponyville tomorrow.

-Starlight"

Starlight groaned, rolling her eyes. "That's not even my hoofwriting!"

Chrysalis groaned, rubbing her head. Trixie just looked between the two of them, becoming increasingly flustered. She started to rise from her seat.

"Well, if I'm not welcome here—"

Starlight quickly reached across the table, catching Trixie and pulling her back down. "No, no, you're fine. Somepony's just been... messing with us lately. But I'm glad to see you! It's just unexpected is all."

Trixie looked at Starlight suspiciously, but then shrugged and took her seat. She looked over at Chrysalis.

"Well, Starlight? Are you going to introduce us?"

"Oh. Right."

Starlight's mind went into panic overdrive. Before she even realized it, she was mentally preparing to enchant both of her breakfast companions into a stupor while she thought through what she should do. She rubbed her head and immediately dismissed the idea.

Come on, Starlight, just figure out a simple way to deal with this! Hurry!

"Trixie, meet ChrysIMEAN Criss-Cross, sorry. She goes by 'Crissy' to her friends. Crissy, this is Trixie."

Trixie and Chrysalis shared fake smiles and shook hooves. Mentally, Starlight contemplated the many ways she would make whoever had pranked her suffer for this awkwardness. Chrysalis' smooth voice did little to put her at ease.

"Charmed. You're the famous Trixie Lulamoon, stage magician and performer, correct?"

Trixie's fake smile immediately became genuine, and excited.

"Yes! Oh, I didn't know you were a fan of mine!"

Chrysalis shook her head, and Starlight looked across the table at her pleadingly. Chrysalis opened her mouth, a confident and slightly vicious expression taking hold, until she spotted Starlight. She hesitated, and then gave a shrug and took on a much more demure demeanor.

"Oh, I've just heard of you. I've never had the chance to see you in action, but I would certainly like to."

"Well, Trixie will not disappoint! I shall put on a special performance this evening!"

Chrysalis grimaced for a brief second, and then smiled warmly as Trixie looked at her.

"Oh, great! Can't wait."

Trixie looked over at Starlight, and leaned to her. "Starlight, may Trixie speak with you privately for a moment?"

Starlight glanced between Trixie and Chrysalis, and then shrugged helplessly. "Al... Alright."

Not that it will really be private if Chrysalis can hear everything I say anyway...

Trixie and Starlight stood up, and trotted a short distance away. Trixie gave her a playful push and put on a winning grin.

"Starlight, you lynx! She's cute!"

Starlight could only stammer in response, confused, but Trixie paid it no mind.

"Trixie must admit, when called here, she wasn't certain if there would even be another pony. Invitations on Hearts and Hooves day usually mean something else, but Trixie can see you wanted her approval, and she is honored you thought of her. Whatever happens between you and this Crissy, Trixie has your back, Starlight."

Trixie leaned in closer as Starlight's brain slowly digested everything she had said.

"Another mare, too. Trixie always suspected, of course, but she's very flattered you invited her along and trusted her to accept you. Trixie does! And don't worry, your 'someone else sent the letter' ruse is safe with Trixie. Clearly, Trixie was not expected here, but no one can improvise like Trixie!"

With another playful jab to the shoulder, Trixie departed back to their table, leaving Starlight to go into mental overload.

It's Hearts and Hooves day?

Oh, right. That's why I have the day off.

Wait, Trixie thinks we're a couple?!

Wait, wait, wait, Trixie wasn't sure there would be another pony? Did Trixie think I was... wait... is that why she's in a tuxedo? She was entertaining the possibility of us...?

Starlight applied a hoof to her face.

"Buck."
> Trust is vital to any young relationship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight and Chrysalis walked away from the cafe in a daze. It was Chrysalis who spoke first.

"Did you...?"

"No."

"So. Uh."

"I didn't even remember it was Hearts and Hooves day, I swear!"

"But Trixie wouldn't have had a chance to—"

"I know! Maybe the cafe people just assumed, since we came in together?"

They continued on in silence for a few moments, still processing what had just happened. Starlight finally spoke up again.

"The cake was nice, at least."

"I hate sweets."

"Oh. Uh... sorry."

Chrysalis shrugged.

"It was still nice to be showered in attention. Felt like being queen again, for a moment."

There was an undercurrent of sadness in Chrysalis' voice that stabbed at Starlight. She knew exactly what it meant to lose a position of authority and be cast out. Even the misplaced attention of a 'new lovers special' at the cafe would be a welcome respite from months or years in hiding.

The sensation gnawed at Starlight until she started speaking without thinking.

"I know the plan was to just... get coffee, get food, and then try to hunt down whatever bonded us, or at least head our separate ways, but, you don't have to leave if you don't want to."

Chrysalis looked over at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What are you saying?"

"I mean... if you want to stick around, use one of the guest beds in the castle, I, uh... I'd be fine with it. Pretty sure I could convince Twilight."

"You do realize I still intend to get my revenge for—"

"I don't want you living out in the woods."

Chrysalis grimaced and looked away at that. Starlight, for her part, had alarm bells and 'YOU ARE BEING AN IDIOT' alerts going off in her head, but ignored all of it.

"When we first met, I offered to help you. That offer hasn't changed. I never wanted any of that for you. The suffering and all. I wanted to help you skip it. And I'd still like to help."

Chrysalis whirled on her to object, but Starlight jammed her hoof in Chrysalis' mouth before she could speak.

"I know you don't want my pity. It's not pity. I just don't want you sleeping in the woods. Period. You have a warm bed if you want it. Decent food, a shower, maybe some people to actually talk to. I'm saying these things are available. Take them if you want them. Don't read anything into it."

Starlight looked away and began trotting off towards the castle again, growling to herself and trying desperately to shut up the 'She's going to destroy everything' voice in her head.

After half a minute, Chrysalis had caught up to her. The two walked in silence for a time, and Starlight knew that Chrysalis had to be trying to rationalize her decision. When they neared the castle, Chrysalis finally began to speak.

"I have decided to take what you offer, pony. If you rightly recognize what I am owed—"

"Stop. I don't owe you anything. I just don't want to see you hurting when I can do something about it. I know it's hard for you to accept help from someone else, but look at this way; you're down on your luck. Someone has decided to help out. Just don't think of it more than that. This isn't about your failures or successes; it's not like being a great leader could prevent an earthquake from tearing your home apart. Bad things happen. Adapt."

Chrysalis glared at her through most of her speech, but chewed it over in silence. After another minute, she finally nodded.

"Fine. I... hm. Thank you, Starlight."

"... Thank you for accepting."

"Did it really bother you so much to think of me in distress?"

"Well... I can't say I gave you no reason for revenge. I had a hoof in putting you where you are now. I just wanted my friends back; I never intended to hurt anypony. It just... well, I seem to hurt others a lot without meaning to. Something I'm working on."

"And it's been on your mind since."

"Of course! I wondered where you were, what you were doing, whether or not you had even survived on your own... that was the one relieving aspect of us suddenly being bonded. At least I knew you weren't in dire straits."

Chrysalis thought back to some of her more harrowing days in the Everfree Forest. "It certainly wasn't easy getting by."

Starlight, for her part, thought of days spent evading authorities, spying on Twilight, and living on scraps. "Yeah... I can imagine."

The two of them proceeded into the castle, and took seats in the foyer near a fireplace. Chrysalis seemed contemplative a while before speaking back up.

"You wanted revenge on Twilight Sparkle. What changed?"

Starlight groaned, rubbing her head.

"I guess she did the same thing for me I'm trying to do for you. She gave me a shot at something better. I know saying that makes it sound like I want to 'reform' you or whatever—"

Chrysalis waved a hoof dismissively. "No, I understand. Your behavior has made it clear to me what your thinking is on this."

Starlight paused at that, totally uncertain of how to process Chrysalis being understanding.

"Oh. Uhh... good. Good."

"Don't be so surprised. I know when somepony's trying to manipulate me; this whole time, you've been trying to cut away deception, not engage in it."

"... so... you're saying you trust me."

Chrysalis leaned back in her chair with a huff.

"Don't get too excited. But... I suppose the term fits. If I did not trust you, I'd hardly agree to stay here, where you could ambush me at any time."

Starlight considered that. It was true that keeping Chrysalis here was a risk... but it was also a risk to Chrysalis. Arguably even moreso; it would be doubly difficult to scheme or put plans into motion under Twilight's own roof.

"I hadn't even thought about—"

"I know. That's why I'll stay. I—"

Just then, a door to the foyer opened, and Twilight Sparkle trotted inside. She glanced between Starlight and Chrysalis, and smiled broadly at the both of them.

"Hey, Starlight! Who's your new friend?"

Chrysalis did her best to smile, thought it looked distinctly uneasy.

"Hi. I'm Crissy. I'm a friend of Starlight's."

Internally, Starlight applauded Chrysalis' infiltration skills. They avoided so much awkward.

Twilight trotted up, still smiling broadly. "Oh, great! I'm really glad to hear Starlight's made some new friends. I haven't seen you around town; be careful, Pinkie will definitely want to throw you a party when she sees you."

Chrysalis fidgeted in place, nervously glancing between Starlight and Twilight. "Uh... thanks for the warning. I'll keep that in mind."

Twilight nodded, and then looked to Starlight. "Starlight? We've got some school business to chat about, could you come with me real quick? It's a private thing, but don't worry, I'll give her back soon, Crissy."

Starlight followed Twilight out of the room. As she did so, she heard Chrysalis mutter, 'Honestly, how do you put up with that constant niceness?'

Starlight gave a light snort of amusement. As soon as they were out of earshot, Twilight turned to Starlight.

"Tell me honestly; is Chrysalis forcing you to do anything?"

Starlight balked slightly. "How...?"

"I run a school partially populated by changelings. Some of whom are mischievous. And I've had to deal with Chrysalis several times, now. She isn't even in an impressive disguise! She actually almost looks exactly like herself!"

Starlight just nodded.

"So. Is she?"

"No."

Twilight looked Starlight over carefully. "You're being unusually... terse. Can she hear us?"

Starlight considered that, and shook her head, pointing at her own mouth with a hoof.

"Oh, she can just hear you! That's why you borrowed Clover's Tome of Really Annoying Hexes last night! Can you also hear her?"

Starlight rolled her eyes and nodded. Twilight just snickered.

"Well, that's quite a predicament. So, if she's not forcing you to do anything, are you two really trying to be friends?"

Starlight contemplated that for a bit, and nodded. Twilight actually stood up on her hind hooves and clapped them together, much to Starlight's surprise.

"Oh, Starlight! That's so great! Your first nemesis-turned-friend! I'm so proud of you!"

Twilight swept Starlight into a big hug. The entire situation just caused Starlight to blush scarlet. Twilight, meanwhile, ranted on.

"And with Chrysalis! Talk about a tough nut to crack!"

Starlight chewed her lip over, considered that Chrysalis would be able to hear her, and phrased her question carefully.

"Twilight, would you be alright with her staying here? I offered her a room if she wanted one."

Twilight withdrew from the hug and looked Starlight over, eyes still beaming with pride.

"I mean, it's dangerous, but if that's what you think is best, sure! I trust you. And I'll keep an eye on her, too, so you won't regret it. Good luck, Starlight!"

"Thanks, Twilight. Really."

Twilight just nodded, clopped her hooves together excitedly again, and ran off.

And this is why she's the friendship teacher. I did not call that at ALL.
> The strength to adapt
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

After watching Trixie's show, and all of the other events of the day, Starlight was exhausted. She had passed out in her bed without a second thought.

What followed were, oddly enough to Starlight, dreams of happy times with Chrysalis. In fact, the changeling queen seemed oddly... infatuated with her, often making close physical contact, nuzzling her, and so on. In her dream-state, Starlight only had a vague sense that this was 'off', rather than a clear idea of what the problem was. She was surprised to feel herself reciprocating the affection in her dream, and while she initially resisted, at some point she threw caution to the wind and enjoyed the dream. Things carried on like that, with the scene changing rapidly, until a familiar voice interrupted her.

"Well. This is not what we thought it was."

Starlight glanced over from Chrysalis with a start, only to find herself in a blank, starlit space, staring at the Princess of the Night.

"Luna! Wait... oh, duh, this was a dream."

Starlight facehoofed, while Luna just chuckled.

"I saw Chrysalis in your dreams, and I thought it must be a nightmare, or changeling magic. My apologies for intruding, I... did not realize you were capable of such flights of fancy."

"It's been a complicated couple of days, alright? I'm not even surprised at this point."

Luna laughed at that, and then focused on Starlight.

"I suppose you've had some experience which has caused you to rethink your view on Chrysalis? Your mind is trying to adjust to seeing her in a more positive way, I would guess."

Starlight hesitated, glancing around the empty expanse and considering.

"Yeaaah, you could definitely say that."

Luna nodded. "Your life has been a complex one, and I know your feelings on Chrysalis are colored by your perception of yourself and your past. Do not be ashamed of your perspective; perhaps, someday, it will be the key to helping her and others like her live in peace."

Starlight just stared at Luna for a few moments, and then smiled.

"Thank you, Luna. I wouldn't expect anypony to understand..."

She gestured back in the direction where she and Chrysalis had been nuzzling on the couch.

"Y'know, that."

Luna drew herself up proudly and smiled warmly down at her.

"I am the Princess of the Night, the guardian of dreams. While I erred in intruding, understanding and accepting the thoughts of ponies is my job."

"I can see that now. Thank—wait, what's happening?"

The starry expanse they had been conversing in began to rapidly pull away, leaving Starlight in a black void.

"Something is waking you. It seems you heard something while sleeping. Fare well, Starlight."

"You too, Luna!"

Starlight snapped awake in her dark room, lit only slightly by starlight pouring through the window, and rubbed her eyes.

"Ugh... what a weird dream..."

Starlight rubbed her eyes with a hoof before pricking her ears up. She could hear breathing.

Chrysalis again, probably...

Glancing around the room, however, she spotted a dark figure in the corner near the door. Tensing up reflexively, Starlight mentally prepared to cast a powerful defensive spell if necessary.

"Uhh... who's there?"

The figure strode forward a few paces, revealing Chrysalis, still in her 'Crissy' disguise. Starlight breathed a sigh of relief, before realizing she probably shouldn't be relieved.

"Chrysalis? What are you doing here? Was I... snoring?"

"I had to know."

"Huh?"

Chrysalis strode even closer, until she was standing over Starlight's bed. Starlight, for her part, stayed upright and tense, watching her carefully.

"I had to know what I'd do if I had you in front of me, defenseless."

"... Oh."

Chrysalis' faced screwed up in anguish, and she cast her gaze aside, staring into the corner.

"And I did nothing. I just stayed here until you woke up."

"Well... you got your answer, then."

"Yes, but... I hated you! I hated you so much for all you took from me! You turned my hive against me! You took it all! Why couldn't I just take my vengeance and have it over with?"

Starlight looked Chrysalis over carefully, her concern for her own wellbeing giving way to concern for Chrysalis.

"I don't know. I... I guess I was in a similar position when Twilight first invited me here, but I'd already had a revenge scheme kinda backfire terribly. I'd almost destroyed everything in my attempt to get back at her, and I felt ashamed of myself. What... what do you think is holding you back?"

"I don't know! I just... what you said earlier, about just taking things as they are. I've just started letting go of... so much."

Chrysalis began hyperventilating, and Starlight instinctively pulled her onto the bed with her magic, hugging her. Chrysalis squirmed at first, but Starlight held on tight. Chrysalis' voice came out a mix of hoarse and angry.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"At this point, I have no idea. But whatever you're going through, don't do it alone."

Chrysalis glared at Starlight venomously, but soon her eyes overflowed with tears. She pressed her face to Starlight's neck and wept, breathing heavily and sobbing often.

She's really beside herself. Well... I guess if I had someone to really talk to after everything with my village, I'd have been the same way.

After a minute of weeping, Chrysalis' voice came out between sobs.

"This is so pathetic... so pathetic..."

"No it isn't. There are two reasons ponies weep; because they are in despair, or because they're accepting some kind of major change. That's my experience."

Chrysalis looked up at Starlight, confusion writ on her features. Starlight carried on.

"You're accepting that things are different, now. Moving on. You know what it takes to accept change and adapt, right?"

Chrysalis hesitated, and then pushed her head back onto Starlight's neck, mumbling.

"Strength. We changelings often talk about the strength to adapt."

"Yeah. Exactly. It's not pathetic, you're just... letting go of a lot of stuff. And I'm right here if you want to talk about any of it."

Chrysalis sniffled a bit, and after a few moments spoke back up.

"Yes... I suppose it would be good to speak about the old days a bit. My own family, my servants... what I've lost."

"Alright. But, y'know, Chrysalis... you don't need to be in disguise here."

Chrysalis changed back to her default form with a brief flash of green flame. There was a brief silence while Starlight held the changeling queen before Chrysalis spoke again.

"Starlight... thank you."

"S-sure. No problem."

WHEN DID THIS BECOME MY LIFE
> Calling the old man out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discord smiled at Spike across the Friendship Map, fingers steepled.

"I'd say I've finally won the bet. What do you think, Spike?"

Spike, for his part, just rolled his eyes.

"Okay, yes, they spent the night together voluntarily, but there's still no evidence that they're actually interested in—"

The door slammed open, revealing Twilight Sparkle, fuming.

"Discord! You're the one who put the bonding hex on—oh, hey, Spike. Uhh..."

Discord just smiled winningly at Twilight. "Oh, go on. Spike knows."

"Spike knows?! Spike, why didn't you tell me?"

Spike shrugged helplessly. "I couldn't. I'm bound by the rules."

Twilight stood on her hind hooves, throwing her front hooves towards the heavens. "The rules of what?!"

Discord just grinned at her. "The wager. You see, Twilight, I made a bet a very long time ago, and Spike here is acting as the judge of whether or not I have won that bet."

Twilight just groaned. "You're messing with Starlight's life, Discord! Chrysalis, too! You can't do that just for a bet! Spike, why would you agree to this?!"

Spike just held his hands up. "Hey, he just said he needed me to be quiet about it and judge. Discord and I are friends, so I agreed. I didn't know what he'd actually do. I told him it was a bad idea, but it's been working out so far."

"WORKING OUT?! How do you figure?!"

Discord swam up into the air and lazily wafted around above Twilight.

"What I think you should be saying... is 'thank you'."

"THANK YOU?!"

"You're welcome!"

Twilight just yelled in fury and blasted Discord, sending him up into the ceiling. The draconequus turned into a pancake on impact, and gently floated downwards while Twilight directed her gaze to Spike. Spike threw his hands in front of him.

"No no no! Listen! He actually did a good thing! He thwarted Chrysalis' latest attempt at revenge and now she and Starlight are friends! It's a good thing! I mean, roughly! Probably!"

Twilight just kept glaring at Spike for a few more seconds while Discord reinflated himself and teleported back to his seat, pulling out an iron and working out kinks in his body. Discord continued to speak in his calm and smooth tone.

"You see, princess, I decided to do your job and make nice between a couple of would-be enemies. And I believe I've done quite a good job of it, indeed."

Twilight groaned, rolling her eyes. "Fine. What was this 'bet'?"

"Well, my ancient nemesis, Greeting Card, bet that I could never manipulate ponies as well as he could. He made ponies fall in love, you see, without using any magic... and I wasn't ever able to achieve the same, though I tried a few times. I was clumsy back then, you see."

Twilight's eye twitched. "Greeting Card? The pony who started the greeting card industry?"

"Just the same. You see, the bet stipulated I couldn't mess with his mind or his family's unless I won. Pretty slick, getting protection that way. That rogueish pony sure knew how to spin a contract."

Twilight just stared deadpan at Discord. Then her face lit up in recognition. "Hearts and Hooves day. You deliberately set all of this up on Hearts and Hooves day because you were trying to make them fall in love?!"

"Well, actually, I did it because Hearts and Hooves day is practically a holiday worshiping my old nemesis. It seemed the best time to lay the bet to rest."

"But you didn't! There's no evidence that the two of them—"

Just then, two more individuals entered the room.

One was Starlight Glimmer.

The other was Queen Chrysalis, as evidenced by her being a changeling, her size, and some aspects of her appearance. This might be hard to an uninformed viewer to put together, however, given that she now had a soft yellow coat, and mane and tail which were green at the roots and faded into yellow towards the tips, gossamer wings, and various other alterations indicating she had shared love with someone.

The two stood in the doorway, staring at the spectacle, and being stared back at by the three occupants, until Spike finally spoke up.

"Okay, Discord. You've won."
> What comes next
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight and Chrysalis were sitting on Starlight's bed. Again. Discord had been thoroughly chewed-out – by everyone – but had just winked at all of them and disappeared. 

Chrysalis didn't have the energy to talk it all out with Twilight right now, and so she had retreated here. Where she felt a modicum of safety.

Starlight sighed. "Almost anything we could talk about now is pretty awkward, huh?"

Chrysalis just nodded, so Starlight pressed on.

"Discord's a jerk."

"He certainly is."

"But... I'm glad he did what he did."

Chrysalis snorted, and then sighed.

"I suppose it turned out better than what I had in mind."

Starlight gently put a hoof on Chrysalis' shoulder. She didn't flinch.

Well, there's that at least.

"Listen, just because you've undergone this change or whatever, doesn't mean you need to stop being who you are."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "You don't really want me to be who I am. I understand what you're trying to do, but the world has changed, and I must change with it to survive. It's what we do."

Starlight shook her head. "Okay, I don't want you attacking us or whatever, but I don't want you to stop being you. I actually liked having someone to talk to who..."

"Who's devious?"

"Sure. Among other things."

Chrysalis snorted, but looked a bit placated.

I really wish I had a better understanding of friendship now.

The two of them sat in silence for a while before Starlight spoke up again.

"You know... you could rejoin your hive, if you want."

"I don't. They're forging a new path, and I don't really want any part of it."

Starlight nodded. "Yeah... I felt the same way about my village. Going back there was... really tough."

Chrysalis looked right at her. Starlight was almost surprised to see how... casual she looked.

"How did it go?"

"Well... they actually tried to... kinda put me back in charge. It was way too much for me. I ended up... sorta running away?"

Starlight expected Chrysalis to laugh, but instead she just nodded and looked down at the floor.

"... I failed them. They found a way to overcome the hunger, and I was... I was the last to figure it out. To be willing to try. They all... adapted, far faster than I did. I'm a failure as a queen."

"You kept them alive through all the hard times with the same strength that made it hard for you to accept the changes."

Chrysalis laughed. "You really understand, don't you? I never imagined a pony would."

Starlight snickered. "You'd be surprised. There are a few others who might understand, too. Twilight's made some colorful friends."

Chrysalis pondered that, swaying her hooves back and forth over the edge of the bed.

"Meeting them could be... nice, but... right now I think I'd rather just get used to," she waved her hoof around the room, "this."

She wants to get used to my bedroom?

Starlight closed her eyes and mentally chided herself.

Then mental images of her dream last night invaded.

Oh, come on, brain, don't do this to me!

They continued sitting in silence for a little while before Starlight decided to shake her mind out of the gutter.

"Hey. We should go hang out with Trixie. She always appreciates magical help with her shows, and she's in town anyway!"

"Should I go in disguise?"

Starlight shook her head. "Let's get rid of all of the complications right away. Things are weird enough for you as-is without having to juggle a secret identity right now, aren't they?"

Chrysalis shrugged. "Hiding who I am is reflexive at this point, but you know better how to handle this situation."

Starlight pondered that, chewing her lip over, and shrugged. "The sooner everypony is on the same page, the better. It'll help build trust. Don't worry; if anyone starts anything, I'll finish it."

Chrysalis looked up at Starlight in surprise, matching Starlight's own expression.

Whoa. That came out angrier than I thought it would. Guess I feel protective of her at this point.

Well... she doesn't have anypony else protecting her, so I guess that makes sense.

After a few moments of staring, Chrysalis nodded. "Alright. Let's go."
> Intentions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trixie rushed up to Starlight and her unknown changeling friend with a broad smile.

"Starlight! I was hoping you would show up! You want to help with the routine? And who's this?"

Trixie leaned in close and nudged Starlight in the ribs, speaking very quietly.

"Two mares in as many days? You scoundrel!"

Starlight applied her hoof to her face.

That gesture was getting really familiar lately.

"Trixie, this is 'Crissy', better known as Chrysalis."

Trixie froze stiff for a few seconds. Starlight could practically see the gears turning in her head, but Trixie made absolutely no expression whatsoever.

Then she laughed.

"Trixie, I wasn't joking—"

"Oh, Trixie didn't think that you were! Starlight, you, you... hahahahaha!"

Starlight and Chrysalis shared confused looks before Starlight looked back to Trixie.

"What's so funny?"

"Just... you... and her! Trixie knew you were Twilight's protege, but to have befriended Chrysalis? Why, Starlight, you—"

Chrysalis suddenly leaned forward, face full of anger and embarrassment. "I am not some conquest for Starlight! How dare you!"

Trixie reeled a bit in shock, but raised a hoof. "That's not what I meant at all! I'm just surprised Starlight took the time and effort to reach out to you – the last time I saw you two together, you swore vengeance on her, after all! She must have been really determined to prevent you from going through the same things we did."

Chrysalis cocked her head in confusion. " 'We'? What do you mean, 'we'?"

Trixie suddenly clammed up, looking around hurriedly. "We should discuss that later! The show is about to start, after all! Starlight, will you assist?"

Starlight looked between the two of them, and shrugged. "Sure. I'd love to help out."

"Excellent! See you from the stage!"

Chrysalis opened her mouth to object, but Trixie disappeared in a puff of smoke, rushing off to the stage. Chrysalis just glared after her, and then looked to Starlight. Starlight sighed.

"She... kinda made some bad mistakes before we met. Ponies held it against her. Kinda still do, actually."

Chrysalis' expression softened, and she looked to Trixie, who was now on stage. "Ah. I didn't realize she was one of the ponies you were referring to, before."

"Yeah. I guess I have a thing for hanging out with the 'bad ones'."

Chrysalis laughed. "Well, good, because I'm the worst."

Starlight laughed uncomfortably at that.

I do trust her at this point... right?

The two of them proceeded to the audience, where Starlight assisted with a few of the tricks. Most of the performance passed uneventfully enough, although Starlight was surprised to see Chrysalis enjoying herself; it seemed she had an appreciation for Trixie's act. When the fireworks went up, she was practically entranced. Starlight nudged her.

"Impressive, aren't they? Trixie really does know her explosives."

"We... had nothing like this in the hive, and I never saw anything like it while infiltrating."

"Oh. Well, I'm glad I could show it to you, then!"

Trixie's act the day before had consisted solely of magic tricks, and had been done with an angle to 'draw in a crowd for the big night-show'. Chrysalis had found that far less impressive than the spectacular light-show she now witnessed, and Starlight found herself mentally filing this away for later.

Wait... am I planning more dates with Chrysalis?

Is that what this is? A date? Damnit, Discord's talk of fostering love has gotten into my head!

Starlight froze when she realized she had had the dream about Chrysalis before she'd even found out Discord was involved.

Yep, okay, that's going to take some time for me to sort through.

After the performance, Trixie gave a bow, and then stood up and addressed the crowd.

"Thank you all for attending! I hope you all sincerely enjoyed the show, but it wouldn't have been possible without the help of my incredible assistant, Starlight Glimmer! Starlight, please come up here and take a bow!"

Starlight, suddenly the center of attention, nervously made her way onto the stage and took a bow. She had done this before, but Trixie usually told her ahead of time. As they departed the stage, Trixie glanced to her and said, "Starlight, would you mind packing the cannons behind the stage? I need to gather a few things out here."

Starlight knew Trixie had trouble loading the cannons with her own magic, but wouldn't admit it. She rolled her eyes with a smile and nudged Trixie in the shoulder.

"Sure thing. Be back in a few."

Once Starlight had departed, Trixie made a bee-line for Chrysalis. Chrysalis saw her coming and fidgeted nervously in place, while berating herself in her head for doing so.

You are – or were, at least – the unchallenged Queen of the hive! Do not exhibit weakness to this little pony!

Though... she made sure to send Starlight away first... what's her plan? Does she think she can take me on? Is she going to make some kind of threat?

What if... if she starts some kind of fight, Starlight won't understand. I'll have to deal with her, and Twilight, and who knows what else!

With such comforting thoughts, the changeling queen braced herself for Trixie. Trixie, for her part, trotted up, looked her up and down with a shrewd expression, and then, eyebrow raised, asked her, "What are your intentions with Starlight?"

Chrysalis blanked for a moment.

"I... don't intend to harm Starlight."

Trixie rolled her eyes. "I know that. Starlight's amazing. If you've been around her for a couple of days, you must have realized that by now. Besides, Twilight would probably lock you up in the place she banished you to or something if you did that."

Chrysalis shook her head in confusion. "Then what are you asking me?"

"Just what Trixie said! What are your intentions?"

"I... don't have any intentions? Be clear, pony!"

Chrysalis had gone for a threatening, commanding posture, but Trixie seemed entirely unimpressed. She just sighed.

"What Trixie is trying to ask, is whether you have intentions towards dating her friend, or are just friends with her, and so on. Trixie wishes to know."

Chrysalis balked in confusion.

"Dating her? Are you being serious? Of course not!"

Trixie, eyebrow still up, made a skeptical face.

"And have you told her this? Starlight took you out on Hearts and Hooves day, and she just took you to a romantic outdoor performance, after all."

Chrysalis' heart did uncomfortable things inside her chest.

"Are you implying she's interested in me?"

"Trixie is stating it, not implying it! So what are you going to do about it, hmm? Trixie's wrath will be terrible if you harm her friend."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes, as 'terrible' wasn't a word she could ever associate with Trixie – for that matter, neither was 'wrath' – but the question itself troubled her.

What are my intentions? I haven't even bothered thinking about the future since I got here. I've been too busy thinking about the past, and how much has changed.

"Trixie is awaiting an answer, Chrysalis."

Chrysalis sighed. "I have no idea. I hadn't even considered she might be interested."

"Well, Trixie insists you figure it out pretty quickly. Stringing Starlight along would be unforgiveable!"

And I've been hanging out in her bedroom... Ugh! Idiot! I should have thought about this.

"You're right. I will consider it. Much has changed for me, recently, and—"

Trixie cut her off with a wave of her hoof and stared intently up into her eyes.

"You'll consider it? Meaning you're interested in her, at least?"

Chrysalis bit back an invective or two and rolled her eyes. Not seeing Starlight anywhere nearby, still, she groaned.

"... Fine. Yes, I am interested. But given all that's happened, that's perfectly normal, and it doesn't mean—"

"It means the two of you should date. See whether it will work out. That's how dating works. Trixie knows these things!"

Chrysalis just stared down at the little pony, trying to calculate whether or not she could make her death look like an accident.

Still... she has a point. And if Starlight really is interested... well, free love is free love, right?

Even if I don't need it anymore.

"Then we shall. Happy?"

Trixie squealed with delight, clopped her hooves together rapidly, and ran off, leaving a perplexed, embarrassed, and deeply unsettled Chrysalis behind.

I guess she was.

Starlight appeared in a teleportation flash and looked around.

"Oh, hey. Where's Trixie?"

Chrysalis, now starting to feel her face light on fire from the inside out from embarrassment, quickly turned towards the castle.

"She had things to take care of. I'm leaving, too."

WHAT THE HELL HAVE I JUST AGREED TO
> How does this even work
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight was midway through revising a textbook when she heard a knock on her door.

"Come in!"

To Twilight's surprise, Chrysalis strode through the door. Twilight tried to hide an eyetwitch.

Well, I suppose this was inevitable. She's living here, now. You can do this, Twilight.

"Chrysalis! I was wondering when you would come to talk."

Chrysalis closed the door behind her and simply stared at Twilight for a few long seconds.

Twilight fidgeted.

"You... uh, you did come to talk, right?"

Chrysalis simply raised an eyebrow, so Twilight pressed on.

"Uhh... if you came to fight, can we take this elsewhere? To somewhere with fewer priceless books?"

Chrysalis rolled her eyes and coughed, and was silently thankful that Discord's spell bonding her to Starlight was gone.

"Twilight, I'm not here to fight. You know from experience I wouldn't attack you directly, if that was my intent."

Twilight smiled uneasily.

"You've been through a lot of changes lately. I don't really know what you're feeling or thinking lately, so... but! Let's talk about whatever you came to talk about."

Chrysalis sighed, rubbing her temple.

"Right. Twilight... where should I... take Starlight on a date?"

Wut

WAT

Twilight just stared at Chrysalis, mouth open. Chrysalis rapidly turned scarlet and curled a hoof to her barrel defensively.

"Twilight! If you're just going to mock me, I'll—"

"No! Nononono wait! I just, I didn't, I, when, why? What? You want to date her?"

Chrysalis squared off defensively. "And what's the problem with that?"

"But I, you, she... uhh... huh. Nothing, no problem. I just..."

Twilight made a few vague gestures as she tried to think up how to summarize her thoughts, before continuing.

"I sorta thought you wanted vengeance against her? And me? And everypony? And... I'm just a bit surprised at the sudden change of heart."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "Ugh. Ponies always talk about how awkward it is to date friends, but then when you try to establish things as a romance early on, they talk about that being too sudden. There's no winning with your kind."

Twilight waved her hooves placatingly.

"That's not what I mean! It's just, it's a heck of a jump to go from hatred to love, isn't it?"

"I didn't say I was in love with her. I'm just interested. And that means we should date, right? To see where it goes?"

Chrysalis deeply hoped in that moment that Trixie hadn't been talking out of her rump. Thankfully, after a second of stunned silence, Twilight nodded.

"You're... right, actually. Yes. That's how this works. I guess it's just, I didn't realize you could be interested in her—"

"Can you please get over it and answer my question?! I've found Starlight interesting since the first time I saw her! Here was this gutsy little pony trying to break my throne with a rock! Even when she was down and out, she used her silver tongue to turn the whole thing around on me! She'd probably have assassinated me and taken over if she was a changeling! I can really respect that kind of mind. Now, she's my only friend in this whole blighted land, and apparently she's interested in me, so there's no way in Tartarus I'm going to string her along and not even give her a chance!"

Chrysalis pointed an accusatory hoof at Twilight and continued, "As her teacher, you should know better than anyone else why she's admirable! Is it really so hard for you to believe she drew an interest?"

Twilight just gaped for a moment, and Chrysalis – realizing exactly how much she had said – flushed scarlet again and twitched a bit. Twilight shook her head to clear it and stood up.

"Starlight loves books and magic, just like me. You're a powerful mage, so you should be able to show her things about changeling magic she had never imagined. Maybe... theme a date around that? I was going to take her to the Crystal Empire's library soon, but maybe you could take her there on a date, instead?"

Chrysalis, still embarrassed, set her hoof down and thought it over.

"A library date? Doesn't that sound a bit slow-paced and dull?"

"Not if you work in some interesting magic and have an idea of what to show her before you even get there. Here, I made a list of the tomes I thought she'd be most interested in there. Take it."

Twilight levitated a scroll over to Chrysalis, who clutched it uncertainly.

"Twilight... why are you helping me?"

"I want her to have a good time! If this is what she wants, then I want it to work out!"

Chrysalis nodded. "Just checking."

As she turned to leave, Twilight called back out to her.

"For what it's worth, I want you to have a good time, too. You've... been awful to us, but I think I can understand some of what was going on with you when you did those things. When you have others depending on you, you think you have to shut everyone else out, right?"

Chrysalis hesitated at the doorway, pondering over her answer.

"I could just say that was that, and you'd probably trust me more. But if I'm being honest, Twilight, I like to win. I like power. Even after I was kicked out of the hive, I wanted to conquer and rule. It was for them, but it was also for me."

"What changed?"

Chrysalis snorted, and sighed.

"I guess I want something else more, now."

"... Good luck getting it."

Chrysalis strode out of the room, straight to her bedroom, and planted her head against a wall.

I've become weak, stupid, and awkward. Great. Things were so much more simple when I didn't answer to anyone or care about anyone else's feelings.

Chrysalis glanced down at the list she was carrying.

... Well, I got what I wanted. I can handle complicated. If ponies can do it, I'm sure I can do it better. Then again... who else has tried to date Starlight Glimmer?

Chrysalis groaned.

Discord sure knew how to pick'em.
> The key is being smooth
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight strode back into the castle after a long day of doing nothing at her guidance counseling job, plagued by vague worries that something might have happened to Chrysalis while she was gone.

I can't hover over her, but... she's so new here, and I'm still not a hundred percent sure I trust her... well, let's see how her first day without me went.

Yet, though Starlight looked high and low for the recently-reformed changeling, she was nowhere to be found in the castle. She was about to head off to ask Twilight about it when the castle's front doors opened, revealing Chrysalis.

"Oh! I've been looking for you!"

Chrysalis, laden with saddlebags, quirked an eyebrow as she strode in. "For what, precisely?"

"Oh, well... I guess I just wanted to see how you were getting by. Work was really boring, as always."

Chrysalis resisted the urge to remind Starlight that she didn't need a babysitter, and took a deep breath. This was it.

"Starlight. Would you like to accompany me to the Crystal Empire on a date?"

Starlight blinked a bit in confusion. "Uhh... I couldn't hear all of that, but you want me to go with you to the Crystal Empire?"

Chrysalis fought against an intense urge to blush and nodded. Starlight just nodded excitedly.

"Sure! The empire's great! But, uh, why are you heading there?"

"I wanted to take you there on... a date."

Chrysalis internally strangled herself for being so damn awkward at this. Starlight just froze in place.

Oh. Oh.

Oh Celestia.

Starlight's mind went straight back to those awkward dreams, and all of the weird mixed feelings she had been getting about Chrysalis since her arrival. Chrysalis started to become visibly uncomfortable, and Starlight realized the position she was putting her in with her delayed response, and immediately blurted something out to fix it.

"Yes! Sure! I'll, I'll go grab my stuff! Meet you? Train station?! Great! See you!"

Starlight rushed out of the room, her head spinning as her brain failed to compute how much had just changed in her life.

Chrysalis, for her part, realized that this was all real now. Some part of her had just quietly expected this to backfire and for everything to get back to normal, or some approximation thereof.

Nope, they were dating now.

This was real.

The feeling of dread about her total inexperience at courtship was suddenly displaced by another realization:

Starlight legitimately wants to date me. She said YES.

I'M SO GREAT THAT EVEN MY ENEMIES DESIRE ME!

And this would become Chrysalis' mental defense any time she let herself start to worry about how terrible she would probably be at all of this.
> THE DATE
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starlight and Chrysalis had spent most of the train ride in silence. Chrysalis contented herself watching the scenery pass, trying to plan out the date as well as she could. Her internal mantra about her own greatness was the only thing that helped keep the nerves at bay, at this point.

Occasionally, the mental image of Starlight being disgusted with her and sending her packing would come to mind, and it would elicit a wince. The idea of failing at this stage and being rejected wounded the queen more than she cared to admit to herself.

Starlight, for her part, was busy refactoring her relationship with Chrysalis in her head. She had been somewhere between 'friendship teacher' and 'only friend in the world' to Chrysalis before; this sudden change in course meant that she couldn't think of Chrysalis in those terms. She had to treat Chrysalis as an equal, and make sure they were both happy in this relationship.

Except I AM her only friend in the world right now! Rejecting her would be absolutely devastating to her at this point! This puts us both in such an awkward position!

Starlight stole a glance at her traveling companion, who was still gazing out of the window like she didn't have a care in the world. Silently, Starlight implored Chrysalis.

Please, please don't be terrible at this. I don't want to have to choose between hurting you with honesty or lying to you.

The train finally came to a halt, and Starlight was startled when Chrysalis sprang to her hooves, offering a hoof to help Starlight rise.

"Ready to depart? I've got quite a day planned for us."

Starlight blinked a few times, and then took Chrysalis hoof with something between a squeak and a giggle.

Ugh, me! Come on! AAAAAGGH I FEEL SO MANY CONFLICTING THINGS RIGHT NOW

As they made their way off of the train, Starlight tried to be casual.

"Soooo, what kind of day? It seems like you put a lot of thought into this."

"Of course I did, Starlight. If I can apply my mind to plotting revenge for months at a time, what's planning a date?"

Starlight, for her part, snickered.

"I guess I didn't think of it that way. But you're right. Now the pressure is on if I plan the second date."

Chrysalis smiled. Actually smiled, warmly.

"Already thinking that far ahead, are you?"

"Oh! Er, uh, I'm just saying, I thought usually, if they keep dating, couples usually alternate...?"

Chrysalis laughed – her voice had lost some of its menacing multiple-tone timbre since her change, but it still came out in her laugh, giving it an almost musical quality.

"Starlight, relax. I just find it amusing that you're taking this all so seriously, so quickly. The point of a date, as I understand it, is to have fun. So relax and enjoy yourself; I promise nothing I have planned will be too outlandish or bothersome for you."

"Oh! Well, good. Good. Sorry, I'm just... pretty nervous."

Chrysalis frowned at that, looking at Starlight seriously.

"I don't intend to do you any harm at this point, Starlight. You've been very... well. I needed what you offered. Thank you."

It was Starlight's turn to go scarlet, and her mind went back to the evening Chrysalis had changed. Granted, most of that evening had been spent consoling a weeping ex-queen, and the change itself had happened after both of them had nearly dozed off, but the entire thing had been...

Well, like Chrysalis said. She needed it.

"I wasn't afraid you meant me harm, Crissy. I'm just nervous because, uhh... well, because I've never been on a date before."

Chrysalis paused, and then laughed again.

"You haven't? Well, that makes two of us! Sorry, I didn't mean to assume you didn't trust me. It's just, Twilight seemed pretty defensive towards me when I spoke with her – I suppose I let that go to my head. Now, let's set off!"

The two made their way through the city in companionable silence. It hadn't escaped Starlight's notice that Chrysalis had kept her plans hidden, but she decided to express a bit of trust by leaving that be. Her eyes lit up when they reached their destination.

"The library? Do you know about something interesting in here?"

"I do, in fact. Crystal Empire books are not allowed to be taken outside of the city limits, but we can rent a few tomes of interest, and I know just the place to take them within the city limits."

Chrysalis grinned at Starlight mischievously, and Starlight found herself returning the expression.

"You really do have something planned out, don't you?"

"Oh yes. This should be quite a day to remember."

"Ooh, ominous. Well, let's get in there and get our books!"

After renting their books, Chrysalis led Starlight to a secluded park within the city limits. After checking that no one was around, Chrysalis nodded and smiled viciously.

"Alright. Now, take out the first book and open to page 236."

Starlight removed the first book from the bag, and gasped.

"Advanced teleportation and phase theory?! I've been looking everywhere for a copy of this!"

"Don't get too excited about the book, Starlight. It's got some inaccuracies, and you're going to be one of the first unicorns to learn about them."

What followed was a demonstration of various special changeling spells, starting with the fire-portal spell Chrysalis had once used to trap Twilight underground, and discussion of their defiance of conventional unicorn magical rules. Starlight found the entire experience both enlightening and immensely enjoyable – especially when Chrysalis, slightly exhausted from magic overuse, had fumbled a fire portal spell and ended up teleporting the air around an object instead of the object itself, resulting in a loud detonation that sent both of them staggering.

Seeing Chrysalis embarrassed reminded Starlight that despite her past and demeanor, Chrysalis still wanted the same things anypony else did. She didn't lack a care towards what others thought of her.

Once they were both tired and hungry, Chrysalis took Starlight past the outdoor vegetable market to pick up crystal berries, and the two of them dined in a quaint, quiet outdoor area. The whole experience was so simple and companionable that Starlight found it easy to forget that she was romancing one of the most dangerous villains in Equestria's history.

Easy, but not effortless.

Then again, I was arguably the most dangerous villain in Equestria's history. So I guess I shouldn't overthink it.

By the time they finished eating, it was getting dark outside. After spending a half-hour watching a beautiful crystal-lantern event, Chrysalis took Starlight to a hotel she had rented a pair of rooms in for the evening. Starlight laid a hoof on Chrysalis' shoulder before they parted ways for the evening.

"This was really nice. I mean really, really nice. I think most ponies would have defaulted to the classics for a first date – fine restaurant, idle chatter, whatever – but I liked this a lot more."

Chrysalis just smiled back at her.

"You're not most ponies, and neither am I. I can hardly imagine either of us being impressed or happy with such a dull routine."

Starlight just shook her head, smiling.

"You really got in my head for this date. I mean, you knew exactly what I was interested in this month. Hah! Now I know why you spoke to Twilight!"

Chrysalis rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Okay, yes. That was the idea."

"That couldn't have been easy for you, with your history. Thank you."

Chrysalis shrugged. "Not easy, but you've made yourself worth the effort in my eyes. Good night, Starlight."

"Good night, Crissy."

As Chrysalis departed to her room, Starlight ruminated over what she had observed.

That wasn't an act. She really wants to make this work.

Oh Celestia. This is the weirdest situation to be in. But I want to make it work too.

Ultimately, she came to one prominent conclusion

I HAVE A MAREFRIEND! EEEEEE!
> Buck it
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrysalis cracked an eye open as Celestia's pet star rudely interrupted a fine set of dreams about Starlight Glimmer.

And just when things were getting interesting.

Chrysalis groggily made her way to the private bathroom and cleaned up, showering and brushing her teeth, and was about to exit the hotel room before it hit her.

I just took Starlight Glimmer on a date.

Me. Queen Chrysalis. Master of the changeling swarm, devourer supreme of love.

Chrysalis paused and facehoofed.

What in Tartarus has gotten into me lately?! How did I ever sink so low?! I should be destroying that meddling unicorn and everything she loves, not doting on her!

Plenty of contrary feelings and thoughts presented themselves, but Chrysalis still insisted on taking the time to properly hate herself for her weakness. All of her justifications and feelings felt like excuses – the kinds of excuses she had never taken from herself or her subjects in the past.

With a grumble, Chrysalis opened her room door and stepped out, nearly running into Starlight Glimmer in the process. Her heart did strange things on seeing the mare, and this brought a fresh wave of frustration to the ex-queen.

"Oh! Chrysalis! Good morning! I was just about to knock and see if you were ready to grab something to eat. The hotel has a complimentary breakfast going on in the common room."

Chrysalis nodded, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes.

"I am aware. I checked for that when I booked the—"

Chrysalis was cut off when Starlight suddenly planted a kiss on her cheek.

WHA@TTDGPGJ#$TJGJ$GJDGSDJFJXDSFJ@#(JR@#

Starlight, for her part, flushed scarlet at her own actions, and watched Chrysalis for some kind of response.

It wasn't forthcoming, as Chrysalis was too busy staring at something about a thousand yards away. After a few moments, Chrysalis came to a conclusion.

You know what? Buck it all. This is nice. I don't have anyling depending on me anymore, so why should I give a buck about any of that other stuff?

Starlight was just starting to get uncomfortable when Chrysalis leaned in and nuzzled her, shutting the door behind her in the process. She relaxed tangibly as Chrysalis wrapped a wing over her, eliciting a chuckle from the changeling queen.

"Let's go get that food."

That's it. No more of this conflicting nonsense. I'll do what feels nice and seems sensible until I'm given reason to do otherwise. Starlight trusts me. Starlight LIKES me. There's no reason for me to mess that up.

Besides, anyone can betray somepony's trust. Earning that trust without even using deception, that's a lot more impressive.

And with that self-affirming thought, Chrysalis made her way with Starlight to a complimentary breakfast. Before noon, they were on the train back home. It was about halfway through a ride of otherwise companionable silence that Starlight spoke up.

"All of this was really nice, Crissy. Really. I guess you have a lot more experience doing this sort of thing than I do—"

Chrysalis waved a hoof idly with a smile. "First time."

Starlight laughed and threw a hoof up into the air. "Right, you told me that. Of course you would nail it your first time!"

Chrysalis smirked. "Ex-queen Chrysalis, dater extraordinaire."

"I was going to go with 'marefriend extraordinaire', but fair enough."

Chrysalis froze a second in thought at that.

Marefriend, huh...

Suddenly, things clicked. Chrysalis had a place, a role again. Somepony actually needed her around.

I like the sound of that.
> NOTHING COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

True to her word, Starlight Glimmer had planned out a second date. This time, they were in Canterlot – a place which inherently made Chrysalis nervous to be undisguised, even if no one recognized her post-change – and Starlight had sent Chrysalis out on a quick errand to grab a few supplies.

She'd pointed out that this was an obvious diversion so Starlight could prepare things, but all she'd gotten in response was a wink before Starlight teleported away.

She loved it when Starlight got devious.

With a bag full of paraphernalia, Chrysalis was making good time trotting to their assigned meeting spot when it happened.

It started as just a general sense that something was wrong. She instinctively moved towards an alleyway for cover, and her ears pivoted around for the source of the disturbance. Really, she need not have taken the time; a few seconds later, the yells and screams of panicked ponies rushing by made it clear where the disturbance was. Chrysalis spared a quick glance while preparing to flee alongside the citizenry.

Three timber wolves. Not little ones, either; these were taller than some of the buildings nearby, massive amalgamations of smaller wolves. She'd seen it a few times in the Badlands, but never more than one at a time. This was bad. This was deliberate.

Chrysalis felt an intense sense of relief that this was not her problem, and was mid-turn to run when one of the timberwolves broke a hole in a nearby house, revealing a group of panicked ponies taking cover inside.

Protective instincts, honed from decades of leading and defending her subjects, took over for just a second. Chrysalis had already dropped her bag and taken a step towards the confrontation before she halted herself.

Not my problem.

Not my problem!

Chrysalis grimaced as a memory of something Starlight had told her came up. 'You're joining a much bigger hive now'. 'Everyone in Equestria is linked by bonds of friendship and love. No one is really a stranger. When one of us gets hurt, it basically spreads out to everypony. Well, that's what Twilight says, anyway. It was like that in my village, too.'

Twilight Sparkle.

Idiot.

Idiot... but not about Equestria, or friendship.

Horseapples.

Chrysalis hesitantly took flight, and did her best to shake the uncertainty away.

Commit or flee. If you're going to fight, fight to kill.

Just like you told your soldiers. Do it. DO IT.

Chrysalis rapidly gained altitude, craning her head uncomfortably to watch the timber wolf beneath her, until it looked almost like a large insect to her sight.

Then she swerved into a dive towards the creature.

The timber wolf was on its side on the ground, desperately trying to paw into the house at the ponies. It didn't see or hear the incoming dive-bomb. It didn't see the corona of green fire that spread around Chrysalis' forelegs as she picked up speed.

The dive-bomb was one of the most dangerous and reliable tools in the changeling arsenal. All of Chrysalis' warriors had been trained in its use. But it was most effective when used as a swarm against small targets, pelting the battlefield with inaccurate-yet-dangerous attacks. Against a single, large target, a typical changeling would accomplish very little.

Chrysalis was no typical changeling, and stood tall and proud with immense satisfaction when timber-wolf exploded in all directions around her. She had made a two-foot-deep crater into the street, but the corona had protected her hooves, and she was sure the ponies could fix the damage.

Maybe they'll erect a monument in my honor here. They should—

Chrysalis' thought was cut short when another timber wolf, having seen her descent, bounded over a building at her. Chrysalis barely had time to activate a fire-portal, melting into the ground beneath the wolf as it descended.

For years, the soldiers had been taught that if a dive-bomb missed (or failed to eliminate active targets), they should flee or rely on strength in numbers. The technique was too draining to follow it up with shapeshifted combat. Furthermore, most soldiers could only shift into relatively small forms while maintaining any semblance of strength or speed.

Too draining for a soldier, true, but Chrysalis was a queen. And her options were far more broad.

Chrysalis reappeared on the roof of the building the timber wolf had bounded over, and leap towards it, transforming into a mid-sized dragon in the process. The timber wolf had just enough time to stand up and look underneath itself in confusion at the disappearance of its prey before Chrysalis' fire-breath lit it up, followed promptly by a body-slam into the ground.

Fireproof scales. Really, it's the little details that make a combat shift effective.

The burning timberwolf thrashed wildly, but wasn't able to break Chrysalis' pin before the flames had done their terrible work, and it began to fall apart.

The last thing I need is to explain why all of the buildings in the neighborhood caught on fire to Celestia.

As soon as the timberwolf ceased its struggles, Chrysalis leapt off of it, turning back to normal and landing nearby.

She braced for the wave of exhaustion that would follow such a complicated shift.

It didn't come.

What...?

Realization dawned on her face, and she threw her head back in ringing laughter.

A queen with a loving marefriend!

Chrysalis had not once tried to feed on Starlight, but she could hardly claim to be an expert on how her new form operated. Doubts about Starlight's feelings for her faded from her mind as she took stock of the situation around her. She saw the third timber wolf doing battle with the royal guard down the street, but it was in terrible shape, having already had a front paw taken off by a daring pegasus with a sword, and it quickly collapsed as well.

Victorious pride in herself and the guards – for a moment, she thought of them as her warriors – swelled in Chrysalis' chest. Another threat to the hive, dealt with, swiftly and easily. Without another thought, Chrysalis merrily cantered to where she had dropped her bag, picked it up in her magic, and started down the street, until she heard hoofbeats approaching quickly.

"Miss! Miss changeling! Thank you! You saved our lives!"

Chrysalis glanced over to see the ponies from inside the shop she had saved gathered in a group nearby. The one who had approached her was a well-to-do-looking mare with a cerulean coat and brown mane, sporting an expensive-looking business suit. Chrysalis considered for a second and shrugged.

"I did."

The pony seemed taken aback by her response, and Chrysalis just smiled to herself as she turned to leave.

Then she heard another mare's voice from the back of the crowd.

"Wait. Isn't that Chrysalis?"

Murmurs went through the crowd at that, as more of the onlookers started to see the connection.

Oh bugfur.

The lead mare, hearing the murmurs and glancing around in confusion, strode forward a few paces.

"Is it true? Are you Chrysalis?"

Chrysalis sighed, rolling her eyes and looking back at the mare in annoyance.

"Yes. Now, I have an important appointment to get—"

"GET HER!"

Chrysalis reared in surprise when the group began charging her, and her mind prompted a very important question.

Fight or flee?

The whole idea of a 'fight or flight' instinct isn't quite accurate. Most ponies opt for 'panic' or 'freeze up deciding whether to fight or flee'. Chrysalis didn't. The choice was simple; fighting involved a lot of complicated feelings over how much force she should use. Fleeing felt simple. So she went with the simpler-feeling option and bolted, her bag with her. A block down, she glanced behind herself, seeing she hadn't gotten much distance on her pursuers.

They also had... pitchforks and torches?

"OH COME ON! WHERE DID YOU EVEN GET THOSE?!"

"We got them to fight against the timber wolf!"

Damnit, that makes sense. But why are there pitchforks in Canterlot?!

Nearby, a home-defense/mob-offense pitchfork salespony was counting his bits in satisfaction, the recent attack having driven sales through the roof.

"I JUST RESCUED YOU!"

An angry-sounding mare retorted, "YOU TRIED TO ENSLAVE US ALL!"

"THAT WAS YEARS AGO!"

This time, a wheezy-sounding stallion responded, "I AIN'T HEARD AN APOLOGY!"

Wait, isn't he from Ponyville?

Oh, right. We attacked Ponyville, too, sorta. Years later.

Chrysalis groaned at the fact that her past was literally chasing her with pitchforks and torches. This was stupid.

This is stupid.

Her patience lasted another two blocks before she finally came to a grinding halt and turned to face her pursuers, irritably flicking her hair from her face and charging her horn. The ponies came to an abrupt stop as she glared at them.

"Okay. I've tried to leave peaceably, but I really do have somewhere to be, so this is how it's going to be; you're going to lay down those weapons and—"

Chrysalis heard a very loud whoosing noise, and suddenly all of the ponies' weapons were on the ground.

"—huh. I didn't expect you to be so quick to comply."

The ponies looked around in confusion. There was another whooshing noise, and Starlight suddenly came to a stop in front of Chrysalis, squaring off at the pony mob.

Holy mother of Celestia. My marefriend can seriously move.

Starlight growled at the mob – no, really, like an angry dog – and her horn lit up, striking the ground in front of her and causing blue crystals to grow out of it. Another beam from her horn caused the outer layer of crystal to shatter, revealing a wicked-looking sword, which Starlight quickly lifted in her magic and swung around menacingly at the mob.

"It's a good thing there's so much wood lying around now, because THE FIRST ONE OF YOU WHO TRIES TO TOUCH HER WILL NEED A PEG LEG!"

The mob drew back a few paces from the carnivorous-looking unicorn in front of them, who was snarling hard enough she was starting to foam a little at the mouth. Someone in the back of the crowd meekly offer, "You can't take on all of us!"

Starlight's horn flashed, and suddenly duplicates of her split off to the side, sword included. All three of them took a couple steps forward and waved their swords around some more, all in perfect sync. "COME AND TRY ME!"

The mob clearly didn't like that idea, and several of them turned to flee. They stopped when an alabaster (or was she actually slightly pink-tinted? Maybe that was Chrysalis' imagination) alicorn slammed into the ground behind them.

Oooooh today is just going straight to Tartarus.

Like me. Probably.

Celestia scanned over the ground with a neutral expression. It wasn't precisely unfriendly, but it lacked her usual warmth.

And from a being that powerful, that's really all it took.

Life goal: Get that scary.

Celestia rose an eyebrow, and the entire mob held frozen. Chrysalis held tight-lipped, unsure of what the score here was. Starlight, for her part, let her duplicates fold back into her, panting, but still held the sword ready.

My marefriend is the best.

Also, the mare I wanted to take revenge on apparently had superspeed, crystal-growth, and self-duplication powers. Oh, also TIME MAGIC.

Mental note: Send Discord a thank-you gift basket. Gift baskets are what ponies do, right? I'm sure I'll think of something.

It was Celestia who finally broke the silence. "What's going on here?"

One of the ponies stood up on her hind legs so she could point over the crowd. "That's Chrysalis!"

Celestia glanced at Chrysalis. For a second, Chrysalis felt like her blood had been swapped out with ice.

Mental note: Find a spell to swap a target's blood with ice.

Celestia shrugged slightly. "I can see that. What of it?"

"She's returned to enslave us all!"

Starlight screamed in frustration. "THAT'S NOT TRUE! She's here on a date! With me!"

That drew some confused and disgusted looks from the crowd. Chrysalis and Starlight both flushed hard at that, and Chrysalis just idly kicked herself in the face.

It was like a facehoof, but with much more force.

"More specifically," Chrysalis said, finally breaking her silence, "I just rescued these cretins from a pair of giant timber wolves. They came out to thank me, and then pursued me when they figured out who I was."

Celestia glanced down at the mob.

"Is this true?"

Several murmurs of vague protestation went up from the mob, and the mare who had stood on her hind legs earlier waved her hooves around frantically, saying, "Before Starlight got here, she was threatening us!"

Celestia's patience, evidently, had some limitations. She gave a small eyeroll – one Chrysalis empathized with from years of panicked mobs of subjects acting stupid around her – and suddenly all sound in the area simply died. The ponies continued flailing and trying to speak, but nothing came out. Celestia sighed. "Once more. Is this true?"

There was an uneasy silence from the crowd for a few moments, before a few ponies gave shamed nods. Celestia looked up to the sky and made a few hoof gestures, and a few royal guards landed nearby. Celestia gestured to the small mob.

"Put these ponies in lockup for the rest of the day. They attempted to arrest somecreature without alerting the guard or confirming their arrest status – and after an act of heroism, no less."

There were a few protests from the mob, but the fierce, stoic glares of the royal guard quashed those quickly. Chrysalis and Starlight just watched in stunned silence while they were escorted away. Celestia, for her part, watched them depart with that same, frighteningly neutral expression.

Then she turned to Chrysalis with a smile, and strode up. Starlight reflexively bowed, setting the sword down in the process, but Chrysalis just looked uncomfortable. Celestia stopped when she was just a few feet away, still smiling amiably. Chrysalis gave a deeply uncomfortable smile in turn, and Celestia snickered, slightly, merrily, closing her eyes and drawing a hoof up to her mouth. Chrysalis winced, instinctively curling a leg defensively to her barrel, and bit back an invective, settling for, "Are you... laughing at me—"

Celestia waved a placating hoof and shook her head. "Chrysalis, I just can't believe it. I'm just... I'm so glad to see you here. Twilight has written to me so much about your progress, your young romance with Starlight, I simply..."

Celestia let out a happy sigh, and Chrysalis slowly lowered her hoof and regarded Celestia in a new light. She chewed her lip over in consideration for a few moments before speaking again.

"I'm sorry, Celestia."

Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"For what?"

"For... attempting to enslave you. Canterlot. For all of it."

Celestia's face took on a carefully neutral expression again. "Why would you be?"

Starlight looked up at Celestia in confusion. "Uhh... isn't that obvious?"

Celestia shook her head, never breaking eye contact with Chrysalis. "She did what she did for her subjects. She thought it was right at the time, so why apologize?"

Chrysalis took a deep breath, and studied the ground for a moment.

"That was what I said, at first, too. That I had nothing to apologize for. But that's not true. I was wrong... about several things. About my needing to steal love to survive, for one thing. And I could have found that out if I had bothered to look into it, to actively seek alternatives, but I decided I didn't even care if there were alternatives. I was wrong about that, too. And if I had succeeded.."

Chrysalis strode over a bit, Celestia tracking her the whole way, until she stood next to Starlight. Starlight instinctively rose and leaned into her, and Chrysalis draped a gossamer wing over her marefriend.

"... If I had succeeded, Twilight would have been devastated. Equestria would likely be in ruins. Who knows what would have happened, but... one thing that almost certainly wouldn't have happened is us."

Celestia gave a faint smile. "Interpony connection. You've been talking to Twilight."

Chrysalis shook her head and smiled down at Starlight. Celestia smiled more broadly. "Ah, I see."

Celestia gets it. She gets that I get it.

She's... actually okay with me being here.

For the first time since her dethroning – no, if she was being honest, for the first time in her life, since she had spent her years of leadership in constant low-key anxiety – Chrysalis felt like things would actually be alright. She nuzzled Starlight, sharing their warmth.

Celestia regarded the two of them in silence for a moment, and then strode forward to offer a hoof to Chrysalis, which she accepted after a moment's hesitation.

"Chrysalis, I want to apologize for my subjects' behavior. Welcome to Canterlot. And... welcome to Equestria."

And just like that, Chrysalis knew she was one of them, now.

And that was good.

~Fin



Bonus:

"EEEEE!"

Chrysalis and Starlight both looked up at Celestia in alarm, to see her holding both of her hooves up to her face.

"I'm sorry, I just can't get over how cute the two of you are together!"

Chrysalis and Starlight both flushed and glared at the princess. "Hey!"

Celestia just laughed as she took flight. "Get a room next time!"

~Double-fin