Luna led her procession through the hospital hallways. Twilight stayed close to her side, ignoring the nervous glances from the ponies around them as they brushed past. Doctor Heart seemed to be struggling to keep up with their rapid pace. A complement of a half-dozen guards brought up the rear, a blend of celestial unicorns and lunar pegasi. Nurses and doctors alike cleared the path for the princesses as they moved purposely toward a room at the end of the hall.
The door opened with a flick of Luna’s horn. Half of the guards took up positions outside the door at their princess’ insistence. The six of them shuffled silently into the room. Chrysalis didn’t spare a glance toward the new arrivals. More than likely, they’d be here to check on Celestia. Even Chrysalis had noticed the decline by now. The alicorn’s vitals grew weaker by the day. Just this morning, small black veins had started to spread across her fur, originating from the festering cut across her side. The changeling finally took notice when a dark purple aura enveloped her.
With a solemn silence, Luna poured her magic into the metal restraints, freeing them from their spell with a flash of color. She turned to Doctor Heart. He stepped forward, cyan light spilling from one of his coat pockets. A small silver key levitated into the air. As soon as she heard the click of the lock, Chrysalis pulled her hoof free from the cuff with a violent jerk. The unicorn guards readied their spells, but the doctor waved them off.
Chrysalis pulled her arm close to her chest, her muscles aching at the now foreign movement. The tight metal had left a set of marks gouged into her shell. Doctor Heart moved from around the bed, releasing each leg with an agonizing slowness. He saved the injured leg for last. With a combined warning and apology to his patient, he turned the limb slightly, revealing the keyhole on the bracelet. Chrysalis hit down hard on her tongue. A paper-thin layer of chitin had reformed across her skin, but it had yet to harden. Even the slightest pressure would send her back to square one. With her injured leg free, Chrysalis rested it gently against the soft cushioning.
Doctor Heart disappeared for a moment, digging into the bottom shelf of a nearby cabinet. He returned a moment later, a surgical brace hovering behind him. After making sure he had Chrysalis’ attention, he explained that her bones had started to heal, but even the slightest misstep would shatter them in all new ways. If she wasn’t careful, it was likely she’d never walk again.
With the precision expected of a royal physician, he slipped the brace on and pulled the straps tight. He kept an eye trained for Chrysalis’ reaction, making sure he didn’t pull too hard. Ensuring it had been fitted properly, he fastened the buckles and returned to Luna’s side. His gaze shifted constantly between his princess and his patient. Without her magic, Chrysalis couldn’t decipher what exactly the look meant. At the slightest turn of Luna’s head, her guards positioned themselves around the bed. Chrysalis watched each of them intensely. A palpable air of anticipation filled the room.
“We’ll need you to come with us.” Twilight finally broke the silence. “Can you walk?” She motioned to the guards, who dropped the rails on the side of the bed closest to the window.
Chrysalis responded by pulling herself toward the edge. Her bones popped into place as she lowered herself onto the floor. The cold tiles felt strange against her hooves. She struggled to steady herself on three legs. The leather straps kept her injured leg bent just enough to stay off the ground. The guards exchanged an unsure glance, but none of them moved to aid her. Her awkward sway slowed as she acclimated to the new center of gravity. Eventually, she felt confident enough to raise her head.
Without a word, Luna retraced her steps back out of the room. Doctor Heart waved with a solemn grin towards the changeling before remaining behind to attend to Celestia. Chrysalis’ chaperones prodded her forward. The three left outside the room formed a vanguard, clearing the hallway for their princesses. Luna did not slow her demanding pace. Neither did the guards intend on letting Chrysalis lag too far behind. With the path cleared, it didn’t take long for the group to arrive at the hospital exit, but Chrysalis’ legs had already started to cramp.
Canterlot boasted a rather plentiful population. Hardly a drop in the bucket compared to a metropolis like Manehatten, but still sizable. Unlike the bustling metropolis, though, Canterlot tended to be far grander. Its citizens preferred a more complex Victorian architecture to the glass towers of the city. The Royal Canterlot Hospital was no exception. The grandiose building had been one of the first completed structures in the town, built in the shadow of the Royal Palace.
Though the streets had been blocked by a battalion of soldiers, a few ponies were still out and about on their daily chores. Their persistence earned them a glimpse of the grim parade to the golden gates of the castle. Chrysalis ignored the multitude of curious glances in her direction. The outer gates led to a walled courtyard. Through archways to either side, Chrysalis spied hedges and stone paths that spread out into the royal gardens. A white stone pillar stood in solitude amidst a sea of green ivy. The base of a statue. From here, she couldn’t see a nameplate. Perhaps her name would be lost to the annals of history alongside her.
The already decent gap between the princesses and their prisoner only widened as the guards surrounded Chrysalis. As soon as they noticed the object of her obsession, they stepped away. While they waited, they took pleasure in watching the dismay creeping across her face. Still, the princesses would notice if they fell much further behind. With a sturdy shove, they pressed the changeling onward. The sudden shift sent her stumbling forward onto the stone path. Twilight cast a concerned glance over her shoulder, but Chrysalis pretended not to notice.
Flowers spanning every color of the rainbow had been painstakingly planted across the courtyard, taking up any space unused by the main path. A handful of gardeners were planting bulbs and pulling weeds, doing their best to focus solely on their work. Past a statue carved in the likeness of the ruling sisters, an oak gate awaited them. Before Luna could even reach the door, it had been opened by a pair of guards standing beside it. They eyed the prisoner as she passed by. The front entryway of the castle led to a resplendent marble hallway. Colossal pillars reached up toward the vaulted ceilings. A thin red carpet had been laid out down the center of the room. The entryway carried a striking similarity to Chrysalis’ throne room.
Soldiers and servants moved in a flurry from smaller doors down the length of the hall. Chrysalis could only imagine they led to the rest of the castle. A barracks, a mess hall, maybe a pool somewhere. Whatever whim the sisters wished added in. Luna approached the second gate. This time, she stomped a hoof hard against the stone. The guards dispersed from their formation, disappearing into whatever duties awaited them. When the three were alone, two thestrals emerged from the shadows, brandishing their bat-like wings. They opened the way for their princesses. The appearance of shadowy, fanged ponies brought some iota of comfort to the changeling queen.
They entered the throne room. The two bat-ponies sealed the door behind them before slinking back into the dark. This room looked much like the previous one, apart from stained-glass murals in place of windows. The shards caught the sunlight as it filtered in, painting the room with a host of floral color. Finally, away from her escorts, Chrysalis allowed herself a moment of rest, feigning interest in the depictions down the length of the room. Twilight and her friends standing against Nightmare Moon. Against Discord. Against Chrysalis. She pushed forward, suddenly apathetic toward the pain.
Towards the back of the room, up a short flight of stairs, a raised platform held two celestial themed thrones. The ceiling above had been fitted with a skylight, allowing an overwhelming ray of sunlight into the courtroom. While Luna ascended to her seat of power, Twilight waited at the lowest step. The two alicorns watched Chrysalis expectantly.
“Chrysalis.” Luna’s voice echoed through the lofty rafters. “The terms of your imprisonment have changed.”
“I see. Here, I thought we were all just out for a midday stroll.” Chrysalis snorted.
“From this moment forward, you will be staying in Canterlot Castle. Unless in your private quarters, you are always to be accompanied by at least two guards . Any attempt to leave the castle will be considered an escape. Every guard on the premises is authorized to use force if they should witness you doing so.” Luna emphasized her point with a wave of her hoof.
“Oh. You were serious.” Chrysalis tilted her head, laughing. “I thought Twilight had finally made up her mind about the whole ‘turning me to stone’ thing.”
“Your punishment has not yet been decided. Rest assured, though, you will be forced to answer for your crimes against Equestria and her citizens.” Chrysalis found herself impressed with Luna’s composure. “But for now, you will be staying in one of the guest rooms under careful observation. Don’t make us regret this decision, Changeling. Even Twilight cannot protect you forever.”
Luna nodded toward the lavender pony. This simple gesture seemed to be enough to bring Twilight back from wherever her mind had wandered off to. “Right. I can show you to your room, if you want.” She started toward the side of the raised platform, to a set of doors hidden from plain view. Chrysalis followed. The double doors led to a thin yet tall hallway. Two ponies in polished gold armor were waiting for them.
Twilight moved with a deliberate slowness. Though Chrysalis would never admit it, her body needed the easier pace. The guard either didn’t notice or didn’t care. They kept their focus totally on the changeling. When Luna had been leading, she felt like a prisoner marching to the gallows. Behind Twilight, though, she seemed more like a pet, kept close to her master with a short leash. Chrysalis took her time climbing the stairs, but they eventually reached the top. Here, a T-shaped hallway held a wide variety of doors. A painting of the sun adorned the largest door. A crescent moon the one beside it. A six-pointed star on the opposite side. The princess trotted past her own bedroom and on to the next. Chrysalis found herself facing the image of a green diamond, the design highly reminiscent of her old crown.
“Thorax thought that symbol would do best.” Twilight admitted, pushing the door open. “He’s on the level right below us. Close enough to visit.”
The interior of the room was shaped like a cylinder. A bed large enough for two ponies had been brought in, complete with a purple and black canopy and sheets. An eyesore brick fireplace protruded from one edge of the room, its rusty décor clashing with the plain white walls. An image that Chrysalis guessed to be a map had been illustrated across the ceiling, marred by a crystal chandelier hanging in the center. An unimpressive door led to a bathroom. Black curtains had been pulled over the windows and balcony door, drowning out the midday sun.
“Well, here we are.” Twilight said overenthusiastically. Her body relaxed as she finally dropped her royal visage.
“It’s . . . nice.” Chrysalis mused. Were there names written on the ceiling?
“It’s not an accurate map. At least, not any map that I’ve been able to find.” Twilight shrugged. She drew herself to Chrysalis’ side, trying to mimic her point of view as she studied the paint. “You recognize it?”
“Nope.”
“Well, at least it’s comfortable.”
“Comfortable?” She snorted. “It’s a cage Twilight. It’s no different than a cell down in the dungeon. Though, I suppose a gilded cage is better than a rusted one.” She draped herself over the satin covers on her bed. “So why did you bring me here, Twilight?”
“I didn’t—”
“Don’t try to lie to me. Only you or Luna could have made the decision to move me, and Luna would rather send me to the moon than let me desecrate this castle with my presence. So that leaves you.”
Twilight steeled herself. “We need your help.”
“You what?” Chrysalis coughed to cover a surprised laugh.
“I need help with my research.” Twilight couldn’t bear to meet the changeling’s eyes. “You’re the only one who knows anything about whatever magic is killing her. I think you might be the only one who can help me now.”
Chrysalis stopped hiding her amusement. A callous fit of laughter echoed around the room. Each sharp cackle dug into Twilight. “Give me one good reason I should even think about helping you.”
“Whatever you want, as long as it’s within my power to give you.” Each syllable stung as she released it.
An eerie smile revealed the full set of Chrysalis’ fangs. “You expect me to believe that? Why would I ever trust you to honor your end of the bargain?”
“All I can give you is my word, as a princess of Equestria.”
“Your word is worthless to me. I won’t help.” She did her best to draw out the final answer. She held just about every card in the deck, and she intended to win everything she could. Enamored by grim satisfaction, she didn’t notice Twilight drag herself to the edge of the bed.
The alicorn threw herself to the ground, bending her knees before the queen. Her head bowed low enough that her horn scraped against the stone. She convulsed, as if every fiber were struggling to stay bound together into her shape. Her body struggled to fight each word as it dripped from her trembling lips. “Please, Queen Chrysalis. I’m begging you. You’re my last hope. She’s like a mother to me. I’m not ready to let go. Please?”
Chrysalis hesitated, more confused than anything else. She thought she heard spite in Twilight’s voice. Then she spied the silent tears, crashing to the rug. Soft whimpers emanated from the prostrated figure. “What are you doing?”
“I’m begging you, Chrysalis. Help her. I’ll give you anything you want, I promise. I swear on my life” Between words, she stopped to catch a shaking breath.
A memory played out before Chrysalis, dredged from an abyss in the back of her mind. A memory she’d left in another life. All that remained of it was a voice. The broken, sobbing form of the creature at her feet sent a shudder crawling beneath her shell. A tight knot she hadn’t even noticed twisted in her stomach. As if lost in a trance, Chrysalis repeated the same words from that day.
“Stiffen up. A princess doesn’t cry.”
Twilight steadied her breathing and glanced up toward the figure on the bed. Chrysalis studied a spot on the wall. A part of her interpreted the words as hostile, an insult that threatened the strained composure of the princess. It was the foreign tone that caught her attention, though. It didn’t sound like a beratement. Rather, it sounded comforting, caring. Like a mother trying to console her foal.
“I’m sorry.” Twilight turned her back, wiping the tears welling in her eyes. “You’re right. I’m a princess. I’ll figure this out.” Seeing Twilight suffer should’ve been a beautiful painting, a keepsake Chrysalis would admire to her dying day. All the nights she’d spent planning revenge and imagining the look on Twilight’s face when she finally fell before the queen. She’d seen the broken shell of that lavender pony in her dreams since the day they met. She should’ve loved this. But she didn’t. She hurt.
“Twilight.” Chrysalis’ bit her tongue. It was barely a whisper.
She didn’t stop.
“Twilight.” Chrysalis raised her voice this time.
She didn’t look back.
“You’ve made your point.” Chrysalis sighed. “I’ll help, but you owe me. I intend to collect that debt from you after I save your princess.”
Twilight turned; her nose scrunched in anger. “Stop. Please, just stop. I can’t handle your games anymore, Chrysalis.” Her body trembled as she waited for the punchline.
“It’s not a game, Twilight.” She didn’t try to think about how many hive rules that sentence had shattered. “I’ll help you.” She sounded ashamed. The sight of Twilight’s blossoming hope made her ego sick, but she swallowed her pride.
“Really?”
“Yes. Now take my answer and leave before I change my mind again.” She yelled, glancing around for something to throw to make her point. Twilight complied.
Chrysalis twisted around until she lay on her back, staring up at the fictional map. She allowed her mind to slip away.
Why did she say that?
Whose voice was that?
Why am I remembering them now?
What in Tartarus did I just get myself into?