//------------------------------// // Chapter V - Connections // Story: Thanks for the Legacy // by AizakkuHorooee //------------------------------// After the sirens’ song, everyone stomps the ground with applause, whereas I clap my hands. I giggle with pleasure.  “No wonder you girls performed so well.  Even without your pendants, you can still give us a show.” “Well, that may not be countess tier yet, but once we get that bell, you will be.”  Svengallop grins.  “You three have potential.” “And besides,” Stellar Flare adds.  “I’d rather hear you three sing than accept Aita’s new change.” “And why is that?” I cheekily inquire. “Because it’s Discord bringin’ the news!” answers Gladmane.  “He could be lyin’ about Carina’s offspring!” Aria flies up and crosses her hooves.  “You don’t have to mask your disgust under the pretense of somebody being unreliable.” “Yeah,” agrees Sonata.  “What if he was right?” Adagio glares at the two of them, prompting me to shrug.  “Sirens, I have teamed up with Discord once.  Even before that, he wasn’t exactly known for lying.  He’s as much of a child as Aita is.  Sincere, but manipulable.” Wind Rider zips over to me.  “Whoa whoa whoa!  I think you’re missin’ somethin’ crucial there, genius.  The changeling Shadow Spade’d me without breakin’ a sweat.” “So what if she brought you to ‘justice’,” I air quote.  “That’s not going to matter now if we find a way to break her, is it?  Or are you afraid she’ll do it again…” Adagio walks around with a feather under her chin.  “We might have one.  Something terrible must’ve happened to Aita if a transition was underway… we could use that to our advantage.” I finally exit the throne room, walking back to Aita’s room to see if she got the proper time to calm down after so much happened.  I knock on the door. “Aita?  You still in there?” “Come in, Chrysalis,” I hear her say, so I open the door. I see Aita, laying on her bed with an ice pack on her forehead below the horn.  She must’ve teleported it in, since it wasn’t there when Carve and I got her to her room. “Hi, little one,” I greet, hugging Aita, who is silent.  “D… Did you need more rest?” “I’m fine.  Thanks for asking, though.” I sit down next to Aita’s bed and side-table.  “I… suppose I owe you an apology personally.  I’m sorry, Aita.  Celestia and Luna retiring was hard enough already on you, and now I realize I should’ve talked with you before deciding to retire myself.  The only thing I can do about this now is to talk to Starlight and the princesses.” Aita comes up to the edge of the bed and rubs my neck with her head.  “Aw, alright.  I think I’m gonna be okay… at least as okay as I can be.  I just don’t think I can take losing another family I’ve come to know and love.” I hug Aita again.  “I entirely understand.  After what you’ve been through the other year, I can only imagine what it must be like ending up living alone in the Castle of Friendship… as a child, no less.” I pause and look at Aita; she still looks overwhelmed.  All of this change is happening way too quickly.  First the princesses, then me, then Starlight.  I don’t know anyone who’d be available to keep Aita company. “Aita… if everypony still sticks with their plans, why don’t I stay here as Twilight, Spike and Starlight move.  That way, you’ll have at least someone who will look out for you.” Aita gasps.  “You… you’d do that, Chrysalis?” “Someone would have to.  And if it’s not Twilight or Starlight, then it’d be me.  Just know that if you live in this castle, you’ll never be alone.” “I… thanks… I’ll try to remember that.” Aita finishes just as Carve knocks on her open door.  She and I get up and approach the hallway.  Twilight, Starlight and Spike are all behind Carve, waving hello. “Impeccable timing, Carve,” I compliment.  “Aita and I just finished our talk.  And I see you got everyone we need to go back to Canterlot.” “Exactly.  Now, how do you wanna get there?” asks Carve. I smirk, floating Twilight next to me and tucking her and Aita under my wings.  “Oh, you know.” Carve does the same with Spike and Starlight, so she and I teleport to Canterlot Castle.  Unfortunately, it looks like the throne is empty. Twilight is the first to walk around confused.  “Huh?  Where’s Celestia and Luna?  They were right here last we checked.” “Hmm… something’s a little fishy,” Spike comments, flying around the room.  “Why would they leave their thrones now?  I probably would’ve burped up a letter if something came up.” “I’m probably gonna look for them somewhere else in the castle,” Starlight announces, beginning to leave the throne room.  “Maybe they just went out to lunch.”  Aita and I watch Starlight levitate the doors open, only to see a note gliding off onto the floor. I pick up the note and read it. Went to Griffonstone for lunch.  We won’t be back for a while. Princesses Celestia and Luna. “See?  Luuuunch,” Starlight brags in a sing-song tone, thinking she is right about the note. Something about the note seems odd though.  “Huh.  I would’ve thought the princesses’ hornwriting would be neater than that.” Twilight takes the note and reads it for herself, and passes it to Aita while talking.  “You’re right, Chrysalis.  Celestia, Luna and I have written to each other countless times, enough times in fact to know that isn’t any of their hornwriting.  Aita, do you think you can figure this one out?” When Aita reads the note, she drops her jaw.  “I’ve read a letter with this exact hornwriting in the therapy room.” Starlight runs to Aita and takes the note.  “Oh no!  Aita!  You don’t think it’s her, do you?!?” “I do.  Stellar Flare… but how’d she get out?  You, Firelight, Sunburst and I all saw her get hauled away by Mangle!” I growl at the thought of yet another known criminal. “I don’t know,” Starlight admits.  “But that means we gotta stop her.” “Agreed,” I declare, leading the rest of us out of the castle in search for Stellar Flare.