Chrysalis stared out the window of the private train car she shared with Twilight. In the distance, the city of Canterlot stood in all of its glory. As they got closer, Chrysalis made sure to turn into the guise of True Heart, having to keep her presence a secret until they held the speech later that evening.
“I don’t like the feeling of this, Twilight.” said Chrysalis, pushing herself away from the window. “I understand the risks I have to take to reach peace, but something doesn’t feel right.” Twilight looked up from her book she brought along.
“Not right how?” asked Twilight. “We spent the last week figuring out your speech, the other Princesses have filled in the guards of your coming and have formed a protection detail for you led by Shining, and no one aside from us know what the public meeting is for.”
“And yet it doesn’t feel right.” said Chrysalis with a sigh. “I can’t explain it, but maybe I have become too cautious for my own good over the ages.” The changeling shook her head, closing the blinds so she could change into her natural form. “Since we have some time before we reach Canterlot, I’ll answer some more questions.” said Chrysalis, locking the door of the cabin. Twilight giddily exchanged her ‘light’ reading material for a notepad and pen, sitting at the edge of her seat.
“So first, I remember you mentioning there being more than one hive, how many are there?” asked Twilight, her pen at ready. Chrysalis leaned back, seemingly in deep thought.
“I am not sure what the last count was. Originally when my mother and her sister’s split to create their own hives across the world, there was only four. However, as they had children, they tried to expand. For example, my sister was supposed to create a hive off to the west of Equestria and I was supposed to make one in close proximity to Canterlot. Unless there have been more, there are about eight hives with four main hives and queens. Though, my hive fell out of the secret circle when the hunt happened so I don’t know much about them anymore.”
“Is your hive the only one that has been found?” asked Twilight. Chrysalis winced slightly, looking away.
“Unfortunately, yes. We were removed from the inner works because they didn’t want to get caught as well. Once this goes public, I will probably get a rather unpleasant visit from them in fear of being found by residents of the countries they live in.”
“So you are at risk from not only opposition from ponykind, but your own kind?” asked Twilight, setting down her notebook. Chrysalis nodded solemnly, standing up and pacing back and forth.
“Changelings are a secretive race out of need and not want. We all know the consequence of discovery and that fear has kept us from trying to make peace for as long as I can remember. All I can really hope for is that I at least live to see the next day.” said Chrysalis with a sigh.
“If the risk is great, why take it? I know your motive, but it has a great chance of backfiring, ruining everything that we have worked to accomplish. Why take that big of a risk?” asked Twilight. Chrysalis scoffed, shaking her head.
“Because if I don’t try, no one will. We will forever be hunted, hide like monsters, and act like them. We are not the monsters we are made out to be and no one will see that if I don’t do something about it. I’d rather lose my life trying than not trying at all.” Chrysalis sighed, sitting back down. “Enough of this depressing talk. What is the plans for today?” Twilight nodded, bring out the scroll that the princesses sent the day before.
“Well, the plan is for us to spend the night in main section of the castle and not in the guest wing so there is more security. After we settle in and get something to eat, we are free until later this evening. After the speech, you are expected to stay in your natural form and stay in for the rest of the night.” Twilight closed up the scroll. “Tomorrow, the princesses want you to walk around Canterlot, making your presence known and getting to know the residents before we go back to Ponyville.”
“That sounds like a good way to get me killed.” said Chrysalis with a sigh. “Any other city, my deeds might be forgotten, but considering how much damage I’ve done in Canterlot, it’ll be risky.”
“I knew that, so I may have asked for some assistance that you may or may not approve of…” said Twilight with a sheepish grin. Chrysalis narrowed her eyes, prompting the princess to explain. “I may have gathered a small amount of drones to act as bodyguards within a small radius of us.”
“I am not sure if I should be mad you commanded my changelings or impressed that you actually convinced them to listen.” said Chrysalis with a sigh. “No less, the gesture is appreciated.” The two of them sat in silence, waiting out the time.
“Oh how I’ve missed these beds.” sighed Chrysalis, flopping onto the bed that was provided for her. In a flash of green she rid herself of her disguise as Twilight walked in, a guard carrying in their luggage.
“The beds her are the softest in Equestria.” stated Twilight, raising an eyebrow as the changeling nuzzled deeper into the pillows. “I assume you haven’t slept in a proper bed often.” Chrysalis coughed, rolling onto her back.
“Even when I worked in Ponyville, the bed I had was stiffer than a board. Sleeping on the floor was a much better option.” Chuckling, Chrysalis stood up, pacing the room. “The last I was in a room as lavish as this, it was not meant for me and I was quickly shoved through a glass window a few days later.”
Chrysalis looked around her temporary room, noting that even though it was meant for guests, it was still looked like the princess herself could be sleeping there. The beds were larger than the average, even Chrysalis didn’t fill half the bed and she was only slightly shorter than the sun goddess herself.
The closests were walk-in, leaving plenty of space to move around in if it were full. There was also a large vanity with a selection of make-up, though Chrysalis had no use for a product meant for the fur of a pony and not the chitin of a changeling. There was even a balcony, giving them a view of both the city and the beautiful courtyard.
“And all I have is a collection of rocks and caves.” mumbled Chrysalis. With a hefty sigh, Chrysalis turned to her traveling partner, who was busy unpacking the series of dresses that she borrowed from her friend Rarity. Twilight said she just told her they were for Luna, seeing as they were close in height and size. The result was a green dress with black highlights that actually fit rather snug.
“So how much time do we have till my speech?” asked Chrysalis, watching as the purple alicorn lifted a large stacks of books out of her suitcase.
“Four hours, twenty minutes, and thirty-five seconds.” replied Twilight without even looking at a clock. The changeling queen blinked, not sure how she managed to give such an accurate answer.
“Well, I need to go out and gather love or I will be a walking corpse by then.” stated Chrysalis as she turned into True Heart, the love counselor to Ponyville’s resident’s. “I also never really explored this town since always come here for business. Though, today is not different.”
“Do really have anywhere in particular in mind? We can’t just wander the streets of Canterlot for a couple of hours. It is a large city.” stated to Twilight. Chrysalis paced for a moment, thinking on anywhere in particular.
“I know! I could meet your parents.”
“What?!” stammered Twilight, dropping her books on the floor with a loud thud. “Why do you want to meet my parents?” Chrysalis shrugged.
“We are essentially joined at the hip from here on out. I have only briefly met them and had to pretend I knew all about them, and this has five years ago. Since you can’t meet mine, I might as well meet yours.” said Chrysalis with a slight smile.
“I agree.” The two of them jumped, turning to see Celestia entering the room. “As you two are going to be working together and spending most of your time together, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to get to know your… Twilight’s family. Though I must inform you if you do so it might be better to do so undisguised. As difficult as it seems, it prevents awkwardness later.”
“At the sake of my dad having a heart attack with a Changeling Queen in his living room.” muttered Twilight, letting out a deep sigh. “I guess we can visit them, just try not to spook them too much.”
“I promise.” said Chrysalis with a smile.
“To be fair, I had no idea they react that way.” said Chrysalis, looking at the unconscious bodies of Twilight’s parents. “Though, I think it is safe to say that this will be an interesting couple of hours.
“Instead of making jokes, can you at least help me get them onto the couch?” asked Twilight, trying her hardest not to just turn around and find a hole to live in for the rest of existence.
With a shrug, Chrysalis levitated to two ponies, transfering into their living area. After setting them down, the changeling let her eyes wander around at the many pictures that lined the walls. They ranged from school moments of the two Sparkle siblings to Twilight’s coronation and Shining’s wedding. Chrysalis couldn’t help but wonder what she missed out on when she was younger.
There was a splash of water, prompting Chrysalis to turn around in time to see the unconscious ponies jerk awake from their shock induced coma. They immediately spotted her, flaring up magic and backing into the couch.
“Okay, how about we just put down the magic a second and just talk.” said Chrysalis, sheepishly. That only seemed to make them brighten their magic in ready to use it. Much to her relief, an irritated Twilight walked in between them.
“Mom, Dad, this is Chrysalis. Under a new act that goes into place later tonight, she is now a legal citizen of Equestria and one of the Princesses. Making it very illegal if you use magic on her.” The two older ponies quietly lowered the magic, prompting Twilight to flop onto the nearest chair. “I knew this was a bad idea.” groaned Twilight.
“I wanted to come disguised,” said Chrysalis, taking the adjacent chair. “You can blame Celestia on wanting me to be myself, in a way.” Turning to the still very terrified couple, Chrysalis gave a faint smile. “This is sorta my fault in a way. I wanted to meet you two in a more informal way since I will have to work with Twilight in accordance with this new peace act.”
“Well, I-I suppose it was a nice thought.” said Twilight Velvet with a sheepish smile. “I wish you could have give us more of a, um, warning next time you bring a changeling queen into our home, Twilight.”
“I know, it is sudden, but this whole week has been rather chaotic.” sighed Twilight. After I caught Chrysalis on accident, my whole week has consisted of negotiations, figuring out how to structure the laws to compensate with Chrysalis and her kind, and helping write a speech. To be honest I barely have time to eat.”
“I can agree with that.” said Chrysalis. “It has been a bumpy road, and I fear it will only be get worse from here. This peace act will not be met with the best response, and all I can do is hope for things to pan out like we want.
“Well, we will always be here when things get too much for you two, right dear?” Velvet shot her husband a look, causing him to quickly smile and nod his head. With a satisfied nod, she turned back to them. “Just don’t bring any riots to my lawn, please. My flowers are in bloom and they look gorgeous this time of year.”
“We promise.” said Chrysalis and Twilight in unison. Noticing the time, the two of them quickly said their goodbyes and started to head back towards the castle. The sun was starting to set as the two of them reached the gates of the castle. They hurried to their room to change before the speech.
“I’ll be right back.” said Twilight as Chrysalis pulled her dress out of the closet. “I need to head into the kitchen and eat something before I have to stand in front of the press for the next couple of hours.” Chrysalis simply nodded, staring at the dress before.
She only wore a couple dresses in all of her years, and they were normally put on for her. She could see the amount of detail that was put into the dress and she wasn’t about to ruin it after all the work Rarity put into it.
“Most of her dresses are slip-on.” Chrysalis spun around to see Cadence standing in the doorway. I have a few of Rarity’s dresses myself. I can recognize the stitching.” The door gently shut behind her as she walked into the room. She stopped uncomfortably close to Chrysalis as she inspected the dress. “Could have experimented with the colors more, but I guess she made it without knowing who was wearing it.”
“I’ll have to make sure to thank her on a later date.” said Chrysalis, backing away slightly. “Was there something that you needed?”
“There was a much more personal reason for you spying on Twilight, wasn’t there?” Cadence stared Chrysalis in the eyes. “I know what a crush looks like, Chrysalis. No one spends five years spying on someone then shy away when they raise their voice if they were doing proper reconnaissance. You were trying to find more about her because you have a crush.”
“Had.” said Chrysalis sadly. “I didn’t realize why I was so interested at first. I thought I felt something, looked into it further, and figured out just why I was so intrigued. But the harsh reality is that Twilight will never love a hideous bug monster like me, not after what I did to you and her brother. That’s why I tried to leave, because staying was too difficult after that.”
“Twilight is more caring than you give her credit for.” said Cadence with a smile. “Let her warm up to you, give her a reason to trust you and go from there. There is a good chance that if she likes you for who you really are, things will go well.”
“You actually trust enough to help me with these things?” asked Chrysalis.
“Well I am still rather cautious, but I have a weak spot for possible relationships. Helping a couple together is a guilty pleasure of mine.” said Cadence with a giggle. “And remember, as of tonight you will be a princess like the rest of us. If you ever need help, I am here for you. I understand things will be difficult, but we are all here if you need us.” Chrysalis gave her a small smile.
“Thank you, I really appreciate it. Now, could you help me get this dress on?”