//------------------------------//
// Chapter 10- Chrysalis: My life is mine to decide 
// Story: A Little Hope 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
//------------------------------//

“Your Majesty, thank you for answering my request to meet.”
“...”
“Occelus it is, then. As for me, just call me Chryssi.”
“...”
“No Ocellus. I don’t  go by Chrysalis anymore.”
“...”
“My Changeling name? It means nothing to me anymore.”
“...”
“ I’m very serious. I’m no longer part of the Hive, Ocellus. I can no longer shapeshift, my magic nullified; so tell me, am I even a Changeling anymore?”
“...”
“My magic? Oh, this little ring on my horn, it prevents me from casting any.”
“...”
“Why would I remove it? I’m finally free.”
“...”
“You really don’t understand? Ocellus, I’ve consorted with demons, and I’ve been carrying the ghosts of those closest to me, for far too long. I don’t need my magic, I don’t want it. And I didn’t call you here to rejoin the Hive. I brought you here to confess my pain, to finally open the door to the new start I desire.”
“...”
“Yes, a new start. 200 years. 200 years have passed since I ruled. A rule of misgivings, and misfortunes. Truly the song of my life. When I was a hatchling to the Queen before myself, I became obsessed with the Queen’s Magic. My mother beat it into me after all; the only thing I was to be concerned with was possessing that magic.”
“...”
“That’s right. If my focus wavered even a little from my training for the crown, she would snatch away whatever had my eye. Those who were friendly or gave encouragement went missing. Anything I desired, destroyed in front of me. I lived in a cell, not a chamber. Bare walls of stone. No decorations, no amenities.”
“...”
“It was horrible. The first time I saw sunlight was when I killed my mother to take her place.”
“...”
“You heard me right. That was my final test, to see if I could use my magic; if I could rule properly. If I was worthy of being the Hive’s Leadership. In front of my fellow Princesses, I was told to take her head, or die trying.”
“...”
“No, I don’t regret what I did. I could continue searching the entirety of the Royal Crystal Library, and never come across a word describing how much hate I had for her.”
“...”
“Oh, yes. You see it’s part of my daily tasks; to research and study the past 200 years of Equestrian History in the library for 3 hrs every day. Cadence says that if I am to become part of society once more, I need to understand how the world has changed since I was petrified.”
“...”
“Yes, the former Princess of Love, that’s right.”
“...”
"Do I mind being told what to do? By her? Honestly, no, not at all. I was never a leader, I was never the one who wanted to be in charge. If one of the Princesses of the Hive back then had claimed the throne, I would have gladly accepted that. But none did. No Drone, no Princesses, no Advisors. No help and no support. I was alone and forced to manage a Hive I never wanted to lead!"
“...”
“I’m sorry, I just, give me a minute. I told myself I wouldn’t cry.”
“…”
This hug...it feels warm, welcoming. Come on, Chryssi, pull yourself together! This is why you asked her here! Just remember it hurts, but it is needed.
“Thank you. Your concern is touching. I didn’t really want to do this. I buried these memories for many years, but Cadance said if I could say it out loud, I could finally move on.”
“...”
“Why am I mentioning Cadance so much? Er- Well we’ve grown rather close as of late. What started out as her force-feeding me her magic on my medical cot, kind of just became more. She showed me how to water plants in the garden last week, and where to find pretty wildflowers. Why are you giving me that look?”
“...”
“Kinda. Maybe. I don’t know. I would say we’re just friends. Maybe one day we could be more. Between you and me, I wouldn’t mind all that much.”
“...”
“Proud of me? Really?”
“...”
“No. You didn’t upset me. I have longed to hear a Changeling say those words since the day I first hatched. I’m just so happy. I’m sorry for the waterworks, I can’t stop crying.”
“...”
“Thanks, I really do feel better, honest, I’m fine I’m-”
Another hug. This isn’t pity, I can feel it. She really does care. Her shoulder feels nice, it's all I ever wanted, and these cursed tears just won’t stop.
“...”
“Marefriend? No, it isn’t like that! Though, if you would indulge me, I was given a little to go shopping with and I was thinking we could go to the Boutique in town and see about something for her to wear?”

***

Oh, this warmth on my carapace, I love it! The rays of the sun shining down, the wind gently blowing through my mane. And to top it off, I get to go shopping with my granddaughter! Nopony has yelled at me for being a changeling, no pony has screamed in fear. It’s so peaceful. 
“...”
“Oh, that dress is so cute!”
“...”
“I was thinking something like a sundress, maybe the same color as my wings, a soothing teal, and some accents along the seams that were the same green as my eyes?”
“...”
Wait, this pony here, her mane, her tail. It can’t be!
“Rarity?”
“...”
“Sorry, it’s just you look like a Unicorn I once knew.”
She looks exactly like her, even has her unique way of enunciation. 
“...”
“Oh yes, I know her, she runs this Boutique.”
“...”
Her Great-Great-Great-Great-Great Grandmother was named Rarity? That’s right, 200 years have passed, haven’t they? I forgot for a moment.
“I mean, I've read all about her and remembered she once ran this Boutique.”
“...”
“She was quite famous as a Fashion Designer after all.”
“...”
“Oh yes, huge fan.”
“...”
“Changelings? Erm, yes, we are.”
“...”
“I don’t look like a normal Changeling? Oh, I get that a lot. My kin are a bit more colorful but I prefer my own body. I don’t see any reason to change my form, I’m fine being me.”
“...”
“I look familiar?”
“...”
“The statue in Canterlot? That is quite a coincidence”
“...”
“You don't say. Queen Chrysalis? No, I don’t think I know her. I’m pretty sure Queen Occellus here is the only Changeling Queen.”
“...”
“My name? Chryssi."
“…”
“So, your name is Diamond Standard? It's really nice to meet you.”
“...”
“You like my taste in style?”
“...”
“I love your designs, they are so free-flowing.”
“...”
“Very elegant. So, could you please make that dress for me?”
“...”
“Wonderful, tomorrow afternoon is perfect. Oh, Cadance is gonna love it!”
“...”
“The Alicorn of Love, that's her.”
“...”
“Really, no cost? Are you sure? I have 500 bits I could...”
“...”
“Oh, I see. It is a bit out of my price range, isn’t it?”
“...”
“Alright, I accept your generous offer. I’ll find some way to repay you.”
“...”
“Yes, I would be glad to sign up for your reward card.”
“...”
“Thank you so much, I’ll be here tomorrow for the gown, I really appreciate it. Have a wonderful day.”