//------------------------------// // Coming to an agreement // Story: Remembering the evil ideas // by reader8363 //------------------------------// After calming Chrysalis down, I walked back to the Sugarcube Corner to see if Twilight is still there. I opened the door to see that only Pinkie was there. I walked up and said, “Hey Pinkie, do you know where Twilight is?” She turned around and said, “I think she headed back to the castle after we made sure that Rainbow is okay. Maybe the writer knows.” I looked at her with confusion and said, “Are you sure you didn’t get hurt. Anyway, thanks.” I hurried towards the castle. Once I got there, I didn’t even bother knocking. I burst in to find Twilight. After checking about a dozen room, I ran into her. She was sorting the books. She turned to me and said, “Eric, are you alright?” I said once I caught my breath, “Discord knows about Chrysalis and went to tell Celestia.” She looked confused and said, “Why not control her to forget, or plead for forgiveness and beg to live with Chrysalis.” I stared at her and said, “I’m not going to plead and I didn’t control her at all.” She looked at me with shock and said, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy that you didn’t control her, but why wouldn’t you? It would’ve guaranteed your rule.” I stared at her and said, “My memories are gone, remember?” She opened her mouth to say something but closed it, then she said as she lowered her head, “I’m sorry for yelling. I’m just stressed that I forgot.” I got up and said as I made my way to the door, “Don’t stress about it, I’ll figure something out. I might do it as I go.” I swear that her color drained out of her after I said that. I know she is a bit of a control freak, so just doing it as I go won’t work for her as well. I closed the library door behind me and started walking towards the entrance when it opened and I almost bumped into Spike, who was carrying a basket of gems. I teleported behind and headed home. Once I got there, there was a note from Celestia on the table. I opened it up and read, “Dear Eric, we didn’t get a lot of time to talk, you were saying something last night, but was interrupted by your friend. I’ll be coming over later today to hang out with you.” Signed, Celestia PS, Luna wanted to say hi, but she has her nose crammed in really dusty books.” I folded up the note and started to see which bottles of wine I have. I got downstairs, passed the cocoons that the changelings were working on, and went to the crates of wine. I looked at each bottle and found one of the oldest bottles I have. I headed upstairs and placed it on the table before checking up on Chrysalis. She was sitting on my bed with her head lowered. I gently tapped her on the head and she jumped as she looked up at me. I said as I sat down, “Chrysalis, I told you already that you aren’t to blame for Discord finding out. So why are you still down?” She lowered her head again and said, “I know, but I can’t help it. If I paid more attention to my surroundings, I would’ve seen him and took a bit more of a detour or go through the back door.” I nodded and said, “Yeah, you should’ve been paying attention, but it’s not great to stay with that thought. You need to learn from your mistakes, that’s how you get better at being a queen.” She looked up and smiled as she hugged me and headed out of the room. I smiled and got up to finally get ready for the day, it’s been hectic today with riding by train, getting pulled into a dark room, Discord finding Chrysalis in my room, talking to Twilight about ideas, and now getting another letter from Celestia. I stayed under the water as if it would wash away most of my problems and add answers to the questions I’ve had. I got out and headed down the stairs to hear a knock at the door. It was as if time stopped in the house, every changeling stopped what they were doing and stared at the door. I saw Chrysalis and whispered to her, “Get the changeling into the basement quickly and quietly.” She nodded and started ushering them into the basement while making sure nothing suspicious was out in the open. I opened the door to see a mare looking around like she was nervous about getting caught. I cleared my throat, which made her jump, and said, “Hello miss, may I help you?” She quickly pushed past me and said, “It’s me, Celestia. I needed to lose my guards so we could talk in private.” I took a small bow and said as I motioned to the bottle, “That’s a good disguise, it fooled me. I was about to have a small drink, do you want some.” She shook her head and said, “No thanks, I think I drank enough yesterday.” I nodded and sat down as she added as she sat down on the other side, “You mention about pages before your accident.” I set the bottle down after pouring me a glass and said, “Yeah, I was talking to Luna and she mentioned them, I was wondering if they were based on your opinion or facts.” Celestia stood up and said, “I think this is better discussed elsewhere.” then she headed out the back door towards the woods. I gulped down my drink I followed her. After we entered the forest, she said, “Most of it is fact, and my opinion as well. I heard something that spoke to me directly and cut metaphorically cut through me like a knife.” I nodded and lowered my head, so I might have placed the idea in her head. I said as I changed her form, “If you are willing to answer, what was said?” The disguise dissipated and she was shocked before dismissing it and said, “I was asked if I think I’m doing a good job. I thought about it and realized that there have been more attacks with me ruling Equestria. So I put out a challenge.” I didn’t push it, since I knew what the challenge was, and followed her. After a few minutes, I said, “Luna’s been having a hard time, you should spend time with her.” She nodded and said, “I will. I’ve been pushing her away again. At least she can tell you things when I can’t listen.” We walked in silence, then she added as she turned towards me, “Oh, Discord came by and said that you found Chrysalis and is letting her stay with you.” I gulped and couldn’t think about what to say, but I didn’t have to. Right there, a few changelings attacked her and started tying her up, while making that she couldn’t use magic. Chrysalis came out from behind me and said, “Master, we captured again, now we don’t have to worry.” Celestia looked down and said, “I guess you knew everything and planned this from the start like a true leader should. I should have seen the clues earlier, changing Chrysalis’ name to Krystal, her pinning Twilight down while being the same size, and should have listened to Discord about what was going on. I thought taking away your memories would change you, but I guess I was wrong. You truly deserve the throne and this time, I’ll stay in the cell.” I motioned the ropes off and said as levitated Celestia back on her feet, “I would appreciate my old memories back, and yes, you should have seen the signs and listened to Discord, but I’m not after the throne anymore.” She looked up stunned and confused. She was about to say something, but I stopped her and added, “I know about the challenge, to capture the throne again, but we aren’t in Canterlot at the moment, are we? I still think that Equestria can do better with a new ruler, but you can grow with more help. I already got the changeling empire and one of the powerful unicorns to change, there are three groups to help you. So what do you say, can we come to an agreement?” She looked at me and Chrysalis before nodding and holding still for the changeling to allow her to use magic.