“I can't believe you talked me into this..” Rainbow Dash crossed her forelegs.
“Me neither, but I suppose it would at least give me some satisfaction to see that bug tyrant beg for our forgiveness,” Applejack smirked.
“Applejack!” Twilight scolded.
“What? She can't hear us! And besides, I have every right to be angry after how she just casually threw away the food that me and my family worked so hard on,” Apple Jack frowned.
“Aw come on, we all have to learn to take a little criticism! Not everyone loves my cooking! And when they don't, well.. I only spend about 30 minutes in my room crying myself to sleep! It's not so bad...!” Pinkie pie grinned widely.
“You're not helping,” Applejack grumbled.
“Well if you ask me, I think that maybe she just didn't like it because she was a changeling,” Rarity added. “I mean, changelings don't eat food.. or even taste food... do they Twilight?”
Twilight groaned as she and the others walked down the spiral staircase down to reach Chrysalis's cell.
“Well, here we are. Um...” Twilight tilted her head as everyone except Rainbow were cowering in fear at the dark hallway.
“Oh come on! I promise you, she can't hurt any of us!” Twilight stomped her hoof. “Now look. I know this will be hard, but try not to be nasty towards her. I want you all to try to treat her with some respect.”
Apple Jack swallowed. “Well, alright.. but that doesn't mean that were just gonna be treatin' her like she invited us to a slumber party.”
Her friends walked up to the door, and Twilight knocked a couple of times to get Chrysalis's attention. However, there was no response. Twilight knocked even louder, and Chrysalis lunged at the door, hissing and snarling. All of the ponies cowered in fear at the sight. Chrysalis suddenly realized what had just happened, and looked down at the ponies with a worried look on her face. She covered her mouth with her hooves.
“Oh.. my gosh.. I am so sorry! I.. I didn't mean to! I was asleep, a-and I was having a nightmare. Please! D-Don't go!” Chrysalis begged.
Twilight looked confused for a second, but then it sunk in and she looked back at her friends. “It's okay everypony. She just woke up from a nightmare.”
“She IS a night.. mph!” Rarity shrieked before being silenced by Twilight's hoof.
“What Rarity meant to say was, she understands and she forgives you for that!” Twilight smiled sheepishly.
The other ponies finally began to calm down, although they still showed signs of uneasiness.
“Y-you must be the other elements of Harmony,” Chrysalis tilted her head.
“Youuuu betcha!” Pinkie pie cheered.
Chrysalis was surprised to see the other elements of harmony right before her. She knew what she had to do.
“Look.. um.. I'm.. sorry about what happened.. earlier..” Chrysalis blushed. She wasn't quite as confident apologizing to the other ponies. “I'm hoping that there's still a chance for me to make things up to you.. somehow.”
Rainbow dash looked at Chrysalis with a quizzical look. “Welllll.. what can you do exactly? It doesn't look like you can do much behind bars, let alone with that ball and chain.”
Chrysalis's head drooped. Twilight opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out.
“Yeah, I'm afraid she's right darling. We can't just risk giving you the freedom to do as you please, even if it's just to make things up to us,” Rarity inquired.
“Maybe if ya hadn't done all those terrible things, you wouldn't be in this predicament in the first place, now would ya?” Applejack scolded.
Chrysalis couldn't take any more of it. The guilt was enough to crush her chitin into a million pieces. “I get it! I screwed up! I shouldn't have done what I did! I wish I was able to help you and make things right.. I really do!” Chrysalis fought to hold back her tears.
Twilight bore a sad look on her face. She knew there wasn't much else to be done. Fluttershy might have been easy to convince, but the other elements of harmony were far more skeptical. She didn't know what to do. All hope seemed lost.
“Ooh! I know! I know!” Pinkie Pie erratically bounced up and down with excitement. “How about we all play a game?”
Rarity gasped. “You can't be serious! You want us to play a game.. with.. her!?”
Twilight thought for a moment, and realized just what Pinkie Pie was suggesting. Perhaps, a game or two might actually help the other ponies get to know Chrysalis more, and might help rid them of their animosity towards her.
“That's a great idea Pinkie!” Twilight smiled.
Pinkie's face beamed. “Fantastic! I've got all sorts of games! Card games.. party games.. board games.. party games.. video games.. ooh, and did I mention..”
“Yes, party games,” Rarity interrupted, putting a hoof up to her mouth to silence her.
“That's right!” Pinkie Pie nodded.
“Is she always like this?,” Chrysalis thought to herself.
~~~
After gathering up all her games, Pinkie Pie and the others were teleported into Chrysalis's chamber. Chrysalis was happy to have more guests, although the guests did appear rather anxious. Chrysalis tried to keep her composure as not to spoil the mood and make things worse. She loved games, especially card games. However, she didn't like losing. Anytime she lost a game against one of her subjects, she would throw them in the dungeon.
However, she had to prepare herself for the chance of losing. Then again, she wasn't too worried considering she had already lost so much to begin with. Pinkie Pie set up a game of Equestrian Settlers for all of them to play. It was a team based strategy game where ponies create their own kingdoms and battle against each other.
“Okay, Chrysalis, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack will be on one team, and I will be with Twilight and Rarity!” Pinkie pie smiled.
“Alright, then it's settled. Heh.. no pun intended,” Chrysalis chuckled.
Some of the other ponies were surprised to see that Chrysalis actually had a sense of humor. Twilight could already see that this was working. The ponies continued to play as they scavenged for resources. Already they both had finished building up their kingdoms. Unfortunately, there seemed to be a bit of conflict on Chrysalis's team.
“Come on Chrysalis, why'd you have to hoard those magic gems? I could have used those to build up the air defenses!” Rainbow Dash frowned.
“Well, how am I supposed to survive if I cannot raise my chambers defenses on the top floor?” Chrysalis retorted.
Twilight examined Chrysalis closely. She was already starting to worry that something bad might happen, but she made sure to keep a good poker face as not to ruin the 'controlled experiment'.
“This game isn't just about you, we are a team! If we don't protect the air defenses, half our village will be wiped out by their dragon!”
But it was too late. Already, Pinkie Pie sent her party dragon to rain hell from above, turning the mushroom village into a wasteland of death and lost hopes.
“We told you..” Applejack frowned. “You shouldn't have been so greedy!”
“Look, we can do this! I just need.. well.. umm..” Chrysalis didn't know what to do. She had no more move sets left. She had already used most of the gold to protect her throne room. Luckily, the other two players weren't killed.
“Well, it's your go Chrysalis. You can either pick a card, or pass,” Rarity inquired.
“What's the point? We've already lost,” Rainbow dash pouted.
Chrysalis swallowed, and proceeded to pick out a card from the deck. To her surprise, it was one of the super rare attack cards. It allowed her to destroy half the enemy team's kingdom, but with the sacrifice of one character from the party, and half of the teams gold and magic gems. She didn't want to end up having to do this. She hated losing, even if her own team won. However, she didn't want to let down her teammates. She reluctantly used the card, sacrificing herself, and Pinkie Pie's dragon and half the other team's kingdom was no more.
“Whoa, incredible! Way to go Chryssie!” Applejack cheered.
“Aww! My party dragon! Oh well.. goodnight, sweet prince,” Pinkie Pie lamented.
“Well, I have to say, I'm impressed. Good move Chrysalis, good move,” Rainbow Dash complemented.
“Heh, thanks,” Chrysalis blushed. “This game really is fun!”
“I know right? It's the best game ever!” Pinkie Pie cheered.
“T-thanks Pinkie..”
“You're welcome. Anytime!”
Twilight was happy to see everyone getting along. It seems like Pinkie Pie's plan was working after all.
“Anypony hungry? I brought some apple chips!” Applejack offered.
“Great, I'm starved!” Rainbow Dash replied.
Applejack handed out bags of apple chips to everypony in the room, everypony except Chrysalis.
“Umm.. hey.. Applejack.. um.. is it okay if I try some of those chips, if you don't mind me asking, that is?” Chrysalis sheepishly asked, worried that she might be asking for too much after everything she did.
“Well I don't know.. I thought you didn't 'love love looove' my apple based products,” Applejack frowned.
“Oh here we go..,” Rarity thought to herself, while rolling her eyes.
“What do you mean? I.. oh.” Chrysalis realized exactly what event she was referring to. “Umm.. yeah.. about that.. Ugh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so rude. I know you worked hard to produce all that food and.. I apologize. Can you forgive me?”
“Wellll...” Applejack rubbed her chin. A smile crossed her face. “Okay.”
“T-thanks!” Chrysalis was elated.
Applejack handed her some chips, and she gave them a try.
“Hmmm, they're good! I love them!” Chrysalis smiled.
Applejack was happy to see that Chrysalis genuinely liked her food. In a way, she began to feel that Chrysalis really was changing somewhat. As the other ponies continued chatting with her, they too began to notice this. After a long break, they all continued to play all of the different games together until nightfall. Chrysalis hadn't had this much fun in such a long time. She never had a chance to actually play with people who actually seemed like they wanted to spend time with her. This made her feel a warmth she had never experienced in her lifetime. It was something she was sure she would always remember.
However, the night had already come, and the elements of harmony were ready to take their leave.
“Well, it has been a pleasure spending time with you Chrysalis. I'm glad we actually got to have a chance to get to know you better.” Rarity smiled.
“Same here! You were so much fun to play with!” Pinkie Pie cheered.
“You know, I guess you aren't so bad after all Chrysalis.. I mean.. you really seem kinda.. cool.” Rainbow complemented.
“Cool?” Chrysalis tilted her head. She began to chuckle a little. “T-thanks Rainbow.”
“Don't mention it.”
“I'm gonna be blunt. I still don't entirely trust you.. but you still showed a lot of promise today. I'm just hoping you really are set out to change your ways.” Applejack admitted.
“I promise you. I will not let you or anypony else down. I'm just glad we had a chance to have a good time together,” Chrysalis smiled.
And with that, the other ponies made their goodbyes. Chrysalis rested on her bed. For the first time in years, she could barely sleep.