//------------------------------// // Chapter 19: Return of a Queen // Story: The Lost Changeling: Rolling Ends // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// Looking at the changelings, having disposed of Thorax, I see quite a match from the emotion they’re radiating.  It must be satisfying getting rid of a king that doesn’t act as one should, ruling a single structure.  I feel a tap on the shoulder.  Turning to my right, I see Carina, smiling to me like how a proud parent would to a child. After a few seconds, she proceeds to hug me. “Carve... I’m so glad I chose you to be the speaker of that calling. You did such an amazing job there.  Seriously, I don’t think I could’ve said it any better myself if I ever tried.  You seem to relate very well with Queen Chrysalis.” “Thanks.  Had I never landed in Rolling Acres, I would not’ve related so well to Chrysalis.  My name is Carve because Queen Areola had believed that I would someday make one of the biggest marks in changeling history.  If she were down here today and had found out about what I did... who knows how high I’d leap in rank?” “Queen Areola?  Was she a queen that was in power before Chrysalis?” “Exactly.” The two of us turn around to see Queen Chrysalis.  Unexpectedly, I see Pane, Rusty and Aita all behind her. “I thought I’d just stop and see you two before the actual ceremony.” “So, uh, who’s going to introduce you?” “You, Carve.  If you gave reason enough to the changelings on why they need a proper ruler, then you should keep going with that, and introduce who exactly it is that the hive really needs.  Does that sound reasonable?” I nod. “Yes.” ;=; I will always remember when Chrysalis was officially announced as Queen Areola’s accomplice, when I was only three weeks old.  My memory of it was refreshed back when I was seven, when the queen herself came into my nestroom during one particularly restless night I was starting to get. “Carve?  Are you awake in there?” I nodded. “I suppose you’re a little nervous about the invasion coming up." “Uh... yeah?” “It’s okay to be nervous.  I’d rather you tell me if you are.  In fact, back when you were about half a month old, I was quite nervous myself, nervous about what to say when announcing Chrysalis’ jump into studenthood.” “Y-you were?” Areola had chuckled briefly, prompting me to smile. “It made the hive a bit on edge on the last few days before the ceremony.” “So, what happened after you announced Chrysalis as your student?” “Well, everything was back to normal.  All that really changed was that it was publicly known that I had a student, which is still the case to this day.  I hope what I said will help with your slumbers. Knowing that subjects connect with how I've felt over the years certainly helps me.  For now, my little changeling, alada rote.” I nodded, starting to yawn as Queen Areola was leaving the room. “Alada rote, Mone Ehilihora.” ;=; Snapping back from my resurfaced memory, I find myself in front of the same room the hive underwent the session in, listening to indistinct chatter.  The only other changeling in the hall is Chrysalis.  Aita, Carina, Rusty and Pane seem to already be in the chattering crowd.  Looking close at my hooves, they seem to be the only blurry point in my sight at the moment. “Is there something wrong, Carve?  Your legs look like they’re shaking.” “Oh, uh, I’m just kind of feeling a little nervous about this.” “Ha, is that all?” “Uh, I guess.” “There’s nothing to be nervous about.  All you have to do is announce my presence.  I will handle everything in the ceremony after the announcement.” “Okay.  When you put it like that, it doesn’t actually sound that bad.  I guess we’ll head in then.” So, I enter the room.  However, I hear my name getting called to my left.  When I look, I see Carina with Aita, Rusty and Pane.  Pane is levitating herself while Rusty is simply hovering in place.  I wave on and continue walking to the center stage.  Looking around, with the exception of sixteen changelings, standing almost militantly, the rest of the changelings stand on the room wall and the ceiling, all eyes focused on the closed entrance.  I take a moment for a quick deep breath. “Grubs, nymphs, and drones.  I am very pleased to hold this recoronation.  Everyone had thought that Thorax was the ruler that we needed, but with what happened to Correal, it became very evident that that was quite the contrary, and that there was one ruler that was far more experienced than any changeling.  She was Queen Areola’s student for almost thirteen years.  And following one thirteen, she came to power for her mentor.  Changelings, I present to you, Queen Chrysalis!” The entrance to the room opens to reveal Queen Chrysalis, prompting those sixteen changelings closeby to use their wings to play a relaxing piece that brings a slight itch to my cheeks as Queen Chrysalis walks up the makeshift aisle over to me.  The changelings near the center of the ceiling break off a stalactite, applying a swift flame to morph that stalactite into a crown.  The former base regenerates to the point where it looks like the stalactite getting broken off never happened.  Finally, the crown lands on Chrysalis’ scalp, levitation ending.  As the song ends, Chrysalis clears her throat. “When I first became queen, the goal I had in mind was to find love for every one of my subjects.  Back then, I wasn’t as prepared of a queen as I am now.  Right now, I am particularly grateful that you all have given me a second chance.  And finally, I would like to thank the changelings that made it all possible.  Carina, and Carve.  Without you two, I would’ve had no changeling to turn to for this kind of recovery, Carve in particular, for comparing her experience to mine.  And as a recrowned changeling queen, I will give Carve the title of a stand-in queen.  I see that she has what it takes to rule the hive in case I have to leave.  Congratulations, Carve.” And with that, the crowd roars in cheer, causing me and Chrysalis’ wings to become whole. “Th-thank you so much, Queen Chrysalis.  I will visit again as soon as I can.” For the remaining time of the cheering from the crowd, Chrysalis rubs my back. “You may come back anytime so desire.  I have no problem with that.” Following the near minute long cheering, chatter starts to take place.