//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: Chrysalis: Rise of the Changeling Queen // by Mystic Mind //------------------------------// A firm series of knocks alerted Twilight Sparkle. “Just a minute!” she called, putting the finishing touches on today’s study layout. Trotting down the stairs to the castle’s main doors, she pulled them open to greet the young Changeling Prince. “Good morning, Twilight,” Thorax smiled. To a casual observer, he couldn’t look more different to the archetypal changeling. Instead of the short, half-rotten parasite they were known for, Thorax now stood at a height that nearly rivalled Princess Celestia. Though he retained many of his insectoid features—most notably his translucent, butterfly wings, compound eyes, and mandible-like horns—his chitin shined with a healthy mix of greens, oranges, and purples. “Is Spike around, by any chance?”  “I actually gave him the day off,” Twilight admitted, her smile sympathetic. “He seriously needs a break from Equestria’s dark side, and my cursory knowledge of Changeling history is pretty bleak. No offence.” “None taken,” Thorax nodded. “Yeah, I get that. It’s not gonna be a happy tale, but it’ll be good to get it off my chest all the same.” Twilight hummed for a moment. “Well, once we’ve taken care of business, we can always arrange for a fun day out together. What do you say to donuts and milkshakes in Canterlot?”  “Delicious!” Thorax started licking his lips, only to stop halfway and blush. “Although… would you mind if I take a pony form during our day out? I’m still a little self-conscious about the whole ‘Prince of Changelings’ title.” “Oh, of course. I know the feeling,” Twilight flapped her wings a little as she stepped aside to usher in her guest. “We’ll discuss details closer to the time. Please, come inside.” “Thank you, Princess Twilight,” Thorax bowed and walked in. “You can just call me ‘Twilight,’ if you prefer,” she said as she closed the door. “This won’t be a formal interview, or anything. More like a discussion between friends.” He tilted his head a little. “But aren’t you writing a new textbook on Changelings? Y’know, for use in your friendship school? That sounds pretty formal to me.”  “Well, yeah, but that’s for me to work out after I’ve taken my notes,” Twilight smiled gently, keeping her tone soft. “I know a history recital is a big ask. That’s why I want to make it as relaxed as possible for you. No pressure, just chat at your own pace.” “I appreciate that,” Thorax smiled back and let out an awkward chuckle. “Sorry, you can tell I’ve got a lot to learn about royal stuff.” “Don’t forget, I’ve not been a Princess for long, either. Just be yourself, and I’ll take care of the rest.” Walking up the stairs and a short way down the left hallway, Twilight gestured toward her study. “Feel free to make yourself comfortable, by the way. I just need to grab the kettle off the stove.” “Oh? You’re making tea?” Thorax asked with a slight edge of excitement. “I’ve always wanted to try different types of tea.” “Well, you’re in luck!” Twilight beamed. “I’ve made a special brew of chamomile tea, just for us.” “Thank you, Twilight.” Thorax turned his attention to the study space before him. It was exactly as he had imagined. Hundreds of books stacked row upon row on shelves and bookcases, all arranged both categorically and alphabetically. In the middle of the room sat a small table, sporting velvet cushions in lieu of chairs and a small set of teacups on either side. Despite being a single room out of dozens inside a huge, crystal castle, Twilight had a way of making the place feel oddly quaint and cosy. It was quite the opposite of his hive, or rather, what it was all those centuries ago. She chose to maintain the understated aesthetic that resembled her old Canterlot home, even with such grand resources and potential wealth at her hooves. Thorax wished his lineage had taken that to heart. Maybe, then, the destiny of the Changelings would have been brighter, weathering the storm that sent them down such a dark path. “Thorax?” Her voice broke his trance. He shook his head and took a step back. “Sorry, Twilight. Just… got lost in thought for a bit, there.” “Are you sure you’re okay?” Twilight set the kettle down gently in the middle of the table. “We can reschedule if you’d prefer, or even spread the interview across multiple days. However long you’re comfortable with.” “No, it’s okay,” Thorax sat on one of the cushions crossed legged, then took a deep breath. “I’ll be okay. After a life of suppression and forced conformity, it’s good to have somecreature to discuss Changeling history with.” “Understandable,” Twilight replied. Sitting opposite, she poured some tea into Thorax’s cup. “Princess Luna had a lot of… let’s say, ‘unresolved trauma’ to deal with post-Nightmare Moon. I don’t think I ever told you about the Tantibus, but to make a long story short, the nightmares it caused were the least of our problems.” “Wow, that must have been tricky to deal with, huh?” Thorax cringed a little. Holding his cup in both hooves, he took a deep breath in through his nose, inhaling the scent before taking a sip. “Oh, believe me, it was,” Twilight let out a small chuckle. Her dealings with the Tantibus wasn’t one of her fondest adventures, but Luna’s forthgoing happiness made it all worth it. “How’s the tea, by the way?” “It’s lovely, thank you,” Thorax smiled and took another sip. “Good to know,” she drank a little of her own, then grabbed her quill and parchment in her magic. “Anyway, in your own time, we can begin. What were Changelings like before Equestria’s founding?” “It may surprise you, but our current appearance is pretty close,” Thorax answered. Though he tried to sound matter of fact, he couldn’t hide his subtle, sombre inflection. “There are a couple things you should know about Changeling biology. First, we are all genderfluid. Being able to shape-shift means we can choose whatever gender suits us best, though some stick closer to the traditional binary than others. “Secondly, we all inherit the memories of our family lineage. While I’m only a couple hundred years old, I can remember events of my ancestors as clearly as I recall my own. Of course, that doesn’t mean all memories are perfect, but some stuff in life you just never forget. I’m actually the sixth Thorax in my family line, with the first being betrothed to Queen Chrysalis.” Twilight stopped writing with a sharp cut. “Wait a minute, the Chrysalis, or just an ancestor?” “In this case, there’s only ever been one Queen Chrysalis,” Thorax sighed, the words tasting bitter in his mouth. “Some might say that her story is intertwined with that of all Changelings, but it’s more complicated than that. In a way, she was our saviour in our most desperate time, but by the same token, she damned us to a life as parasites—” he paused abruptly, placing a hoof over his mouth. “Sorry, excuse my language.” “It’s fine,” Twilight replied, trying not to squirm at the unpleasant revelation about Chrysalis. “If I had any doubts before about this topic’s emotional weight, they’ve all been squashed now. So, feel free to be as harsh as you need. I’ll be editing the text for general audiences, anyway.” “Thanks, Twilight.” He took another deep breath. “For your sake, I’ll try and keep my rambling to a minimum. Anyway, Changelings have a similar creation myth to Ponies, and for as long as both species have been able to talk, we’ve lived side by side. We did feed off of harmony, but it was a consensual relationship. We helped Ponies in their daily lives, and Ponies gave us their love in return. But there was one problem with this whole idea…” “Go on,” Twilight prompted, though she suspected she already knew the answer. “The pre-unification civil war.”