//------------------------------//
// What comes next 
// Story: Discord vs. the Greeting-Card Industry 
// by SoloBrony 
//------------------------------//

Starlight and Chrysalis were sitting on Starlight's bed. Again. Discord had been thoroughly chewed-out – by everyone – but had just winked at all of them and disappeared. 

Chrysalis didn't have the energy to talk it all out with Twilight right now, and so she had retreated here. Where she felt a modicum of safety.

Starlight sighed. "Almost anything we could talk about now is pretty awkward, huh?"

Chrysalis just nodded, so Starlight pressed on.

"Discord's a jerk."

"He certainly is."

"But... I'm glad he did what he did."

Chrysalis snorted, and then sighed.

"I suppose it turned out better than what I had in mind."

Starlight gently put a hoof on Chrysalis' shoulder. She didn't flinch.

Well, there's that at least.

"Listen, just because you've undergone this change or whatever, doesn't mean you need to stop being who you are."

Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "You don't really want me to be who I am. I understand what you're trying to do, but the world has changed, and I must change with it to survive. It's what we do."

Starlight shook her head. "Okay, I don't want you attacking us or whatever, but I don't want you to stop being you. I actually liked having someone to talk to who..."

"Who's devious?"

"Sure. Among other things."

Chrysalis snorted, but looked a bit placated.

I really wish I had a better understanding of friendship now.

The two of them sat in silence for a while before Starlight spoke up again.

"You know... you could rejoin your hive, if you want."

"I don't. They're forging a new path, and I don't really want any part of it."

Starlight nodded. "Yeah... I felt the same way about my village. Going back there was... really tough."

Chrysalis looked right at her. Starlight was almost surprised to see how... casual she looked.

"How did it go?"

"Well... they actually tried to... kinda put me back in charge. It was way too much for me. I ended up... sorta running away?"

Starlight expected Chrysalis to laugh, but instead she just nodded and looked down at the floor.

"... I failed them. They found a way to overcome the hunger, and I was... I was the last to figure it out. To be willing to try. They all... adapted, far faster than I did. I'm a failure as a queen."

"You kept them alive through all the hard times with the same strength that made it hard for you to accept the changes."

Chrysalis laughed. "You really understand, don't you? I never imagined a pony would."

Starlight snickered. "You'd be surprised. There are a few others who might understand, too. Twilight's made some colorful friends."

Chrysalis pondered that, swaying her hooves back and forth over the edge of the bed.

"Meeting them could be... nice, but... right now I think I'd rather just get used to," she waved her hoof around the room, "this."

She wants to get used to my bedroom?

Starlight closed her eyes and mentally chided herself.

Then mental images of her dream last night invaded.

Oh, come on, brain, don't do this to me!

They continued sitting in silence for a little while before Starlight decided to shake her mind out of the gutter.

"Hey. We should go hang out with Trixie. She always appreciates magical help with her shows, and she's in town anyway!"

"Should I go in disguise?"

Starlight shook her head. "Let's get rid of all of the complications right away. Things are weird enough for you as-is without having to juggle a secret identity right now, aren't they?"

Chrysalis shrugged. "Hiding who I am is reflexive at this point, but you know better how to handle this situation."

Starlight pondered that, chewing her lip over, and shrugged. "The sooner everypony is on the same page, the better. It'll help build trust. Don't worry; if anyone starts anything, I'll finish it."

Chrysalis looked up at Starlight in surprise, matching Starlight's own expression.

Whoa. That came out angrier than I thought it would. Guess I feel protective of her at this point.

Well... she doesn't have anypony else protecting her, so I guess that makes sense.

After a few moments of staring, Chrysalis nodded. "Alright. Let's go."