Queen Chrysalis!
In an instant, my sweetheart was gone, and in his place stood the ruler of the vile changelings herself! My tears quickly turned to those of despair as the shining reality before me faded into one as dark as a new moon.
“What’s the matter, dear? Did you never notice me with all this time we’ve spent together?” she gave a shrill cackle as I looked on in terror and disbelief.
“No… Steedplayer…”
“You fool! The Steedplayer whom you lament like this was never real! It was I who comforted you all this time. Your love goes solely to me!”
The room flashed green again as the world around me bent and twisted. I closed my eyes for a mere second, yet when I opened them next, I was somewhere entirely different. I found myself sitting atop a massive throne in an enormous chamber of the changeling hive.
“What did you do to them? To Quill Weaver, and Featherbangs?” I ask, desperate to gain some level of understanding. A dim light illuminated the room, revealing its ever-shifting walls and tunnels.
“Don’t worry about those ponies. They’re long gone. It’s ridiculous how you still seek answers to those silly questions of yours.”
I try to turn and look around me, hoping to find some indication of their whereabouts, but I am stopped by the feeling of a hoof on my cheek. It jerks my head back to its starting position: facing Chrysalis.
“Why bother with them anyway?” she asked, caressing my face. “ It’s about time you shift your focus to your queen, servant. I’ve watched as you fell madly in love with me; now you’ll do it all over again.”
I stared into her, large, bug-like eyes, and for a moment I saw Steedplayer. Now I remember: Chrysalis is Steedplayer. How rude of me to act so revolted as they showed themself to me. But, really, it’s more than that. I’ve acted so hideously, like those of my life whom I so despised. I’ve become no better than any of them. I too am equally loathsome.
Looking back, my memories are clear once again. Previously I had revealed myself to Steedplayer. I shamelessly showed my true self to him, and yet he stayed with me, even now. However, when my love does the same for me, I bitterly reject them, and refuse to believe that it is really them. I see it now, and for it, I despise myself. Steedplayer deserves much better than me…
“Come now, Poltroon Twirl, I have a gift for you.”
As she asks I follow her, but as we come to a stop, I see nothing of interest. Before I can even ask, she tells me to turn around, but even then I see nothing but an empty hall. I turn back to meet the eyes of my love, Steedplayer, smiling at me as always he had.
“It’s time we finally unite forever, Twirl.”
“Steedplayer!”
He looked at me and chuckled a bit. Nothing was left. There was nothing in my life aside from this one moment, and nothing could ever exist without Steedplayer.
I smiled back at him, wondering why my face was stained by tears, but what reason was there to focus on such trivial matters.
Steedplayer waved his arm, calling me to his new location. Surely I did something outstanding in another life to receive such blessings now. Steedplayer… he even moves quickly!
I follow him, trying my best not to get distracted by the mesmerising tunnels as they open and close around me, letting light in… and out. Such beautiful things; they must be angels. Though if those are angels, perhaps Steedplayer is a god.
After travelling through several such angels, I find us in a beautiful room, light pouring in through the ceiling to illuminate a massive throne, decorated with cleanly cut circles.
“Poltroon, from now on, I want you as my prince; I want your love and only your love.”
I nod as I fall into the loving embrace of Steedplayer. His warmth reaching deep into my heart as he carries me away with him. I let myself gaze at him, his face somehow shifting between his and another’s. A moment later, he sets me down in front of an exquisite chair just next to his own. His eyes speak for him, telling me to take my spot as his prince.
I’ll never leave, Steedplayer; my love is for you alone.
I cry tears of joy, staring into the eyes of my King as I take my place on the fleshy throne. It’s more perfect than any throne in the world; its patchy purple and tan hairs seem to beckon me to a past I never had.