Narico was sitting on the couch in his and Fang's house. He was reading a book he'd checked out from the library when he heard a knock on the door. He smiled when he saw Silk Snare, Constrictor, and Carapace. "Hey you three! How's it going?"
"Pretty good." Silk said with a shrug. "Finally got a gaming console set up in the house. Care to help us break it in?"
Narico nodded and told Fang he'd be out with his friends. "Game on!" And with that, Narico went on over the his Changeling friends' house. "So how are you all settling into Ponyville?"
"Well, I got a job at Carousel Boutique." Silk Snare said with a smile as she twisted around trying to find a comfy position on the couch. "Apparently, the webbing I can produce from my hands is super light and very sturdy. Not to mention very comfortable as web hammock outside would suggest. So Rarity cut a deal with me to make silk for her and she takes care of dyeing it."
Carapace chuckled. "Me and Constrictor got jobs in demolition. He handles the toppling, and I take care of the crushing."
"Cool." Narico said with a nod. "From what I've heard, a lot of Changelings got job as stunt doubles, actors, or match makers. Good thing shape-shifting gives us plenty of options for jobs. Some even joined the guard and formed a special stealth and infiltration wing. Plus, we don't need to feed anymore. Except for the drones under Heart Eater's control." Narico then scratched his chin in thought. "Hmm. Seeing the rest of our race doing well makes me wonder how Chrysalis is faring."
The Crystal Palace
Cadence was worried. Ever since the destruction of the Umbrum, Chrysalis had been keeping to herself. She was still friendly towards everyone, but she steered of herself and Shining Armor. Most of all her. "Maybe the events of the wedding are still on her mind." Cadence walked over to Chrysalis' room, and knocked on the door. "Chrysalis? It's Cadence. I know you've been keeping to yourself a lot." A sigh escaped her lungs. "Look. I honestly want to help you. But I can't if you go about this all alone." Cadence heard the doorknob turn from the other side, and saw Chrysalis had a sad look in her eyes.
"Are you sure you want to listen?" Chrysalis asked.
Cadence nodded. "Yes. Are you willing to talk?"
"I can't guarantee you'll like what I have to say, but I might as well spill it. Come in." The two headed inside the room, and sat down. "So you've noticed that I've been steering clear of you and your husband after the Umbrum were destroyed right?"
Cadence nodded. "Yes I have. But why do you make a greater effort to avoid me? Chrysalis I-"
"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Chrysalis screamed! Her lungs heaving as she expelled the hidden thoughts she'd bottled inside her. "It started that night before the wedding. When you broke the enchantment I put on him under Heart Eater's suggestion. At that time, I thought he went along so easily with the enchantment because he was a fool But that night...when he held me close...I realized my error." Chrysalis looked at Cadence. Her eyes tearing up. "He trust you completely, and you share that level of trust with him. That attack the two of you fired that repulsed Heart Eater back to the Badlands was the powerful love between the two of you. Then when the Umbrum were released, he saved me. And feelings I felt from the night before the wedding started to come back to the surface." Chrysalis held herself, and closed her eyes. "I feel...complete with him. That he'll keep me safe. Seeing him in action made me wish I had shown my true self to him. Just so I can keep having that feeling. But when I see him with you, I feel so empty and disgusted. Because I know I shouldn't want to take away what you two have! But I feel so alone and empty when I deny these feelings in me!" Chrysalis then gripped onto Cadence's shoulders! "WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?!"
Cadence took a deep breath as she grabbed onto one of Chrysalis' arms. "The answer is simple Chrysalis." A genuine smile graced Cadence's face. "These feelings you have around Shining Armor, that sensation of wholeness. It's love. What you're experiencing is true love for the first time."
"That...that's not right!" Chrysalis cried. "I can't love him! I just can't! He married you! He loves you! He can't love me! There's no room in a person's heart for more than one true love!"
Cadence smiled. "No Chrysalis. You're wrong. I am the Princess of Love. That means I can sense the love between all, and all of its forms. And in all the love I've seen, I know this. True love never changes." Cadence then helped Chrysalis stand up. "But it can change a person's heart. Please Chrysalis. Accept it."
"But...but it's wrong." Chrysalis said with a sniffle as tears ran down her face. "To steal the mate of another...is a crime we Changelings find deplorable. But...I want to feel that wholeness. It saddens me so much when I try to ignore it. And I feel worse because having it would mean stealing it from you. The happiest day of your life was almost ruined because of me. I couldn't live with myself if I found myself putting you through something like that again."
Cadence smiled. "Actually, I think Shining Armor would beg to differ on the matter." Chrysalis gasped as Shining Armor opened the door, and stood between her and Cadence. "I'd been speaking to Shining about your avoidance, and he noticed that you seemed pretty nervous around him. So I took the liberty of sensing any budding love in the Crystal Empire. And I found quite a strong love brewing inside of you for him."
"Chrysalis," Shining said with a kind smile. "I should be honest. I've found myself thinking of you. Especially after the wedding. You cared greatly for your people, and made a choice that changed how all of Equestria for the better. And..." Shining Armor blushed a little. "...I think you're pretty badass. Especially after you gave the Umbrum Queen a piece of your mind." Chrysalis' heart was pounding as she heard Shining Armor continue. "And for what it's worth, I think you're a wonderful mother to your people. Even though you're not tied by blood to them, you're a family by soul. The point is, we've already accepted you as our friend. But if you're ready, I'm willing to accept you as so much more."
Cadence smiled. "It also helps that marriage laws are loose in our lands. Mutliple marriages are allowed so long as all parties are willing and accepting of them. But I have one condition that you must agree to before we go through with this."
"Name it." Chrysalis said almost desperately. "Anything."
Cadence smiled warmly. "That you love him with all of your heart."
Chrysalis threw herself into Shining Armor's arms and wept tears of joy. "My heart's not enough." She then buried her face against Shining Armor's chest. "My soul has bound to him too."
Shining Armor looked down at Chrysalis lovingly, and pulled Cadence in as he wrapped one of his arms around Chrysalis. "And I promise to love the two of you with both of mine."