//------------------------------//
// Arc 17-7: A Queen's Lament 
// Story: My Little Pony: One as a Family.  "Trials of Friendship" 
// by SaburoDaimando 
//------------------------------//


	A Queen’s Lament




“STAY AWAY FROM MY MOTHER YOU MONSTER!  YOU WILL NOT TAKE HER AWAY FROM ME!”
Queen Chrysalis woke up, completely groggy.  Standing over her was Princess Celestia, who looked worried.  Right next to the queen was Princess Chrysalis II and Locust, both glared at Princess Celestia.
“What happened?” Queen Chrysalis said.
“Thank goodness you’re alright,” Princess Celestia said.  “I feared I may have ended your life.”
Queen Chrysalis struggled to get herself up, only to fall down on her side.  Locust glared at Princess Celestia as Princess Chrysalis II held onto her mother.
“I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM MY MOTHER!” Princess Chrysalis II yelled.  
Princess Celestia stood back from Queen Chrysalis, Princess Chrysalis II and Locust.  But as she did, she heard a familiar voice.
“Sister.  You did it.  You defeated Queen Chrysalis.”
Princess Luna ran up from one street before standing by Princess Celestia.  Running behind her were Gad Zookes, Helga Hearthsoup, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Trixie, Ditzy Doo, Danged Spell, Golden Lace and Prince Blueblood.  In addition, Hoops, Dumbbell and Score flew down from the sky and landed next to the group.
“I did beat her,” Princess Celestia said.  “Though I think I may have overdone it.”
“I think you did,” Princess Luna said.  “You should lay back on that kind of magic.”
“I didn’t use any magic at all, sis,” Princess Celestia said.  “In fact, Queen Chrysalis locked my magic away, and yet she was still a cinch to beat.”
“She did what?” Princess Luna said.  “Sister, I know you have a lot of experience of fighting without magic and your curse.  But that was careless of you.”
“I know,” Princess Celestia said.  “But at least I was prepared for this scenario.”
“So that explains why you pulled your punches and still won,” Applejack said.
Before Celestia could say anything else, she heard someone yell out “Your majesty.”  Celestia turned to her left to see Chancellor Cinch run up to her.  Behind the chancellor, Queen Novo rode on in with Wanda and Abigail on her back.  
“Chancellor,” Princess Celestia said.  “I was hoping you would catch up.”
Chancellor Cinch looked down at Queen Chrysalis, who just laid there, weakened and humiliated.
“You did a number of her, alright,” Chancellor Cinch said.  
“Mommy,” Wanda said, getting off Queen Novo.  “What happened?”
“Queen Chrysalis let her own rage cloud her judgment,” Princess Celestia explained.  “She made so many mistakes during our fight, that I started to feel sorry for her.”
Wanda walked up to Queen Chrysalis, looking concerned.  But as she approached, Princess Chrysalis II stood in front of her.
“Get back, man’s cub,” Princess Chrysalis II snarled. 
“But I want to see how badly hurt she is,” Wanda said.
“Now you care about my mother’s well-being, when your mother beat the snot out of her?” Princess Chrysalis II said.
“Stand down, daughter,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “It’s over.  She won.”
“I won’t let them take you away from me,” Princess Chrysalis II cried.
“That’s an order, Princess Antagonia Chrysalis the Second,” Queen Chrysalis yelled.
With tears flowing from her eyes, Princess Chrysalis II stepped aside as Wanda walked up to Queen Chrysalis and looked down at the sore on her side.
“That mark was courtesy of your sister when she became that she-demon,” Queen Chrysalis explained.
“It was not her fault,” Wanda said.  “She had no control over her powers.”
Wanda placed her hand on Chrysalis’s side as a glow of magical energy flowed out.  The wound on Chrysalis’ side mended away before it disappeared completely.  Chrysalis looked down at her side, amazed, and yet confused.
“Why’d you do it?”  Chrysalis asked.  “Why’d you heal me?”
“Because,” Wanda said, breathing heavily, “I don’t…want you…to die.”
Wanda pulled out a canteen from her dress’ secret compartment and opened it up.  She drank the water inside before closing it back up.
“A weakness to your magic, I take it,” Chrysalis asked.
“Yes,” Wanda gasped.  “Everytime I use…my magic, it wears…me out.”
As Wanda slowly recovered, Buck Withers, Lemony Gem, Princess Cadance and Shining Armor ran in with Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle with Spike on her back, Karen the Bulldog, Starlight Glimmer, Sunburst, Mooondancer, Cozy Glow, Juniper Montage, Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, Sonata Dusk, Flim, Flam, Rolling Thunder and Short Fuse right behind them.  Sunset saw Queen Chrysalis and immediately ran up to the changeling queen.
“Queen Chrysalis,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “I know we are enemies, and you want to capture me, my sister Wanda and Twilight Sparkle.  But I came here to apologize.”
“For what?” Queen Chrysalis asked.
“For my demon side,” Sunset said.  “I couldn’t control when it came out.  That was why it lashed out at you and tried to kill you.  And I’ll also have to say…thanks for putting it under control for me.”
“I don’t get it,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “After all I’ve done, you’re showing me…sympathy?”
Chrysalis tried to get up, only to fall down on her side again.  Locust and Princess Chrysalis II ran up to the queen in tears as Wanda and Sunset backed off.
“My queen,” Locust said. “Will you be alright?”
“I am,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “But I’m too tired to do anything.”
Queen Chrysalis looked up as ponies began to pour out from the nearby houses.  This included the other wedding guests like Canter Zoom, Argyle Starshine, Bright-Eyes Starshine, Sunlight Starscount, Fortwright and Shanoa, Bright Mac and Buttercup, Granny Smith with babies Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, Filthy and Spoiled with baby Diamond Tiara, and even Snips and Snails emerged.
On the opposite end, behind Queen Chrysalis, many of the injured changelings marched towards the ponies of Canterlot.  Among the group were the injured Inferno and Quickstrike, who were both being carried by Waspinator.  
“I have never felt this much pain in my life,” Inferno said.
“You’re telling me?” Quickstrike said.  “I don’t think I’ll be a hit with changeling mares.”
Inferno looked up and saw Queen Chrysalis laying there helplessly, staring at the ponies who now surrounded them.  Locust and Princess Chrysalis II stood by their side while Wanda stood on the opposite site, worried for the queen’s well being.
“My queen,” Inferno cried.
Inferno stumbled a bit before fire began to pour out of his mouth.
“Do not worry, my queen,” Inferno yelled.  “I will avenge you.”
Queen Chrysalis turned towards Inferno and yelled “STAND DOWN!  THAT’S AN ORDER!”
Inferno paused for a moment from Queen Chrysalis’ words.
“But my queen…”Inferno said.
“It’s over…we lost,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “They won.”
The flames in Inferno’s mouth disappeared as the Predacon brother slumped down in defeat.  Waspinator and Quickstrike sat Inferno down before placing their hoof on his back.
“It’s okay, brother,” Waspinator said.  “We’ll make it, somehow.”
Queen Chrysalis turned back towards the ponies before directing her gaze towards Princess Celestia.
“So in the end,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “It was a trap.”
“It was,” Celestia nodded.  “The entire wedding was a trap set for you.”
“And we volunteered to have our wedding serve that purpose,” Lemony Gem said.
“There is a part of me that wants revenge on the entire population of Equestria for this,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “But the kindness your daughter offered me just weakened that desire.”
“You should also know that I did not see Magistrate Creme Dream nor Sunset’s demon form coming at all,” Princess Celestia said.  “Those were factors that only sped up your defeat.”
“Why tell me all of this when I assume you to be a liar?” Queen Chrysalis said.
“Because while my deception was dishonest,” Princess Celestia said,  “I admit I was not one hundred percent in control of the operation.”
“Sharp words coming from the one I nearly killed,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “I take it the plan was your idea in the first place.”
“No,”  Princess Celestia said.  “ In fact, you should know the one changeling that wished for your well-being.  One that you call a traitor.”
Princess Celestia stepped aside as Baby Ocellus emerged from the crowd with Baby Silverstream right beside her.
“You,” Queen Chrysalis said in a cold tone.  “This was all your doing.”
“Not all of it,” Baby Ocellus said.  “But while I was freed from your influence, I learned that you wanted revenge against Twilight Sparkle for what happened at the Grand Gallopin Gala.  I also knew you would be willing to put your own kind in danger just for one filly.”
“My desire for revenge was to turn Twilight Sparkle into one of us,” Queen Chrysalis said. “To turn her against Princess Celestia by any means necessary.”
“That’s why I was willing to let Princess Celestia help out,” Baby Ocellus said.  “It wasn’t just because of Twilight.  It was also because of you.  You’re going down a path that could wipe our kind to extinction.”
“I’ve been fighting to prevent our extinction,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “To ensure the survival of this species.”
“But not like this,” Baby Ocellus said.  “If you tried to go down your path of revenge once more, you would condemn us all to our fates.  The changelings would forever be referred to as a parasite that should be wiped off all of Equestria.”
“She’s right,” Princess Celestia said.  “I don’t want to be the one responsible for the extinction of your species.  This was why we set this trap, every one of us.  It was for your well-being.”
With that, Princess Celestia reached her hoof out to Queen Chrysalis as Wanda Young and Baby Ocellus backed off.
“Please,” Princess Celestia said.  “End this madness.  Join us.  I will offer your kind amnesty and ensure they will be rehabilitated.  Do this.  For the sake of both ponies and changelings.  And for your mother: Queen Papilionoidea.”
With her eyes flowing in sorrow, Queen Chrysalis slowly reached out to Princess Celestia’s hoof, inch by inch.  It looked as if she were touched by Celestia’s choices of words.  But at the last moment, Queen Chrysalis slowly pushed Celestia’s hoof away in shame.
“I can’t,” Chrysalis said in a sad voice.  “I cannot accept any form of redemption when I know my crimes would disqualify me from any atonement.  I’m beyond your help.  Besides, if I were to accept, the news media would render you a pariah for taking me in.”
“Chrysalis…I,” Celestia said hesitantly.
“The least you can do is to either lock me away in Tartarus, turn me to stone, or put me out of my misery,” Chrysalis said.  “But I can’t accept any offer for redemption.  I’m sorry.”
“Then you know I can’t take your life,” Princess Celestia said.  “Long ago before even Chancellor Cinch was born, I once wanted revenge on you for what you did to my people.  I was consumed, every day with wanting to bring you and your kind down..  But my actions nearly took the life of a pony.  And I nearly lived to regret it.  That is why I cannot, in good will, take your life.”
“Then we are forever stuck in this vicious cycle,” Chrysalis said.
As Queen Chrysalis finished her sentence, a cold front moved into the land, causing everyone to panic as the skies darkened.  Celestia stood her ground, observing the darkened clouds.
“Who goes there?”  Princess Celestia yelled.  “Show yourself.”
“Foolish princess.  You should have taken Queen Chrysalis’ request when you had the chance.”
“Coldnelius Snap,” Princess Luna yelled.  “What do you want?”
In a powerful, yet cold, flash, Coldnelius Snap appeared right in front of Queen Chrysalis, startling everyone.  Wanda was knocked down to the ground and looked up helplessly as Princess Celestia scooped her up.
“You should have done what she said, Princess,” Coldnelius Snap said.
“I will not, Snap,” Celestia snarled.
“Then she who hesitates is lost,” Coldnelius Snap laughed.  “We will meet again.”
Coldnelius Snap raised his right hoof into the air.  A cold, thick fog surrounded him, Queen Chrysalis, Princess Chrysalis II, Locust, and every changeling around in Canterlot, horrifying everyone.  When the fog lifted away, Coldnelius Snap and every changeling was gone in an instant.  Karen the Bulldog growled at where Queen Chrysalis used to be as Wanda held onto Princess Celestia.
“Where did those cowards go?” Hoops said
“So this is the power of the Windigos Guild,” Argyle Starshine said.  “I thought bringing down a snowstorm across Equestria was scary, but this is a whole new level.”
Wanda just looked at where the changelings used to be before she cried into Princess Celestia’s chest.
“Mommy,” Wanda cried.  “Why does fate have to be cruel to us?”
Celestia snuggled Wanda up close before she said “Do not worry, my darling Wanda.  One day, we will end this fight against the changelings, and we will help them find their harmony.”

Sometime later, at the changeling’s lair outside of Canterlot, Queen Chrysalis sat there on her throne room, staring out at the clouded sky with her emotions drained.  Outside of the throne room, Inferno, Quickstrike, Waspinator, Locust, Princess Chrysalis II and Coldnelius Snap looked inside, worried for the queen.
“I have never seen the queen this broken before,” Inferno said.  
“Tell me about it,” Quickstrike said.  “One moment she’s peeved to the next dimension, the next moment, she’s depressed.”
“Mother doesn’t deserve to be like this,” Princess Chrysalis II said.  “Not after what those ponies did to her.”
“It’s going to take a lot to repair her fractured ego,” Coldnelius Snap said  “Go speak with her.  Right now, she needs her people like I need my cult.”
Inferno slowly opened the door to the throne room before he, Quickstrike, Waspinator, Locust and Princess Chrysalis II walked inside.  Though the sounds of their hoofsteps were loud, Queen Chrysalis continued to stare outside, paying no attention at all.
“My queen,” Locust said.  “Are you alright?”
Queen Chrysalis barely tilted her head to them and said “Yeah, sure.”
Princess Chrysalis II lowered her head to Locust’s ear and whispered “I expected her to yell after that.”
“I know,” Locust whispered back.
Quickstrike walked up to Queen Chrysalis and asked “Boss queen.  We’ve been worried sick about you.  We want to know how we will get our revenge on those blasted ponies for tricking you into attacking.  In fact, I’m about ready to keelhaul those tin horned toads..”
“Feel free to do so,” Chrysalis sighed.  “But don’t expect our underground lair to be available, now that it’s in the hooves of Princess Celestia.”
Quickstrike just stood there, dumbfounded.  He shook his head in disbelief before turning to his Predacon brothers.
“You two got any better ideas?” Quickstrike asked.
“Waspinator has an idea,” Waspinator said.  “Waspinator will convince Chrysalis into blasting Waspinator.”
“Are you crazy?” Quickstrike asked, outraged.  “Provoke the queen into blasting you to smithereens?”
“No,” Waspinator said.  “Waspinator not shot once.  So Waspinator will make that up by being blasted by Queen Chrysalis.  And Waspinator knows what to do.”
Waspinator walked up to Queen Chrysalis, who slowly turned to face the wasp-colored Predacon.  Waspinator cleared his throat before turning his attention to the changeling queen.
“Waspinator have confession to make,” Waspinator said.  “Waspinator saw Gold Banks try to take Princess Wanda.  Waspinator not want to see Gold Banks take Princess Wanda.  So Waspinator scared the living daylights out of dimwit Gold Banks.  But by doing so, Waspinator aided enemy, unintentionally.  So Waspinator ready to accept punishment for aiding enemy, and even going as far as to fail to capture Princess Wanda.”
Waspinator stood perfectly still, eagerly awaiting to be blasted by Queen Chrysalis.  Though the queen stared down Waspinator and did lower her horn, no magic came out, and all Chrysalis could do was sigh.
“I don’t even have the gall to punish you for aiding Princess Wanda,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “And it’s not because you did aid the enemy.  It was what she did after you saved her.”
“Wha?” Waspinator said, confused.
 Queen Chrysalis breathed in and pointed to her healed side before she said “It was the first time in a long time that I was shown kindness by our own enemy.  The very human that you saved.  I also received a report that confirmed you stopped Gold Banks from taking Princess Wanda away.  That’s not worthy of any punishment when what she did at least was a bit of kindness.  And as a result, you unintentionally showed me what that kindness was.”
As Waspinator stood there, surprised, Queen Chrysalis opened a nearby treasure chest with her magic and pulled out a small medal.   She pulled it up and placed the medal on Waspinator’s chest.
“What’s this for?” Waspinator asked.
“Princess Wanda may be our enemy,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “But knowing what kind of monster Gold Banks is, you at least did the man’s cub a favor.  And the end result was that bit of kindness she showed me.  You;ve earned it.”
Waspinator looked down at his medal in confusion as Princess Chrysalis II walked up to her mother.
“That was unexpected of you, mother,” Princess Chrysalis II said.
“It was,” Queen Chrysalis said. “But it seems my nastiness has disappeared…for now.”
Princess Chrysalis approached her mother and sat right next to her as Inferno saluted the Queen.
“Would you like for us to part for the time being, my queen?” Inferno asked.
“Please do,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “In fact, let all changelings know they are not required to partake in any invasions until further notice.  You are dismissed.”
“At once, my queen,” Inferno bowed before he, Quickstrike, Waspinator and Locust made their way to the exit, leaving Princess Chrysalis II with Queen Chrysalis.
“So,” Princes Chrysalis II said.  “I’m sorry the plan didn’t go well.”
“It was worse than a failure,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “It was a setup from the beginning, all in the name of saving us.  But why?  We’re irredeemable.  We’re the most despicable beings of Equestria.  And yet, while I am sad from this revelation, I’m still thinking about what Princess Wanda did for me.”
“The wound from your side?” Princess Chrysalis II asked.
“Yes,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “She is our enemy, and I want her to become a part of the changeling hive for the benefit of us all.  But I still don’t understand why she showed mercy to us when we came close to killing her mother.”
“I don’t understand either,” Princess Chrysalis II said.  “Perhaps naivety?”
“Perhaps,” Queen Chrysalis said.  “But the more I look at her eyes, the more it may have warmed my heart a bit.  I mean, sure I don’t want to cast aside my evil ways.  But she did remind me of my own mother.”
“You mean the late Queen Papilionoidea?” Princess Chrysalis II asked.
“She may not be her reincarnation,” Queen Chrysalis replied.  “But she does remind me of the warmth that she gave me before her death more than a thousand years ago.  I was only a mere filly when I saw her die.”
“That’s why you want to bring down Equestria,” Princess Chrysalis II said.  “It’s because of what they did to her.”
“And as long as I still breathe,” Queen Chrysalis said, “I will not rest.  No matter what.”
“That’s the mother I know,” Princess Chrysalis II said with a chuckle.
“Is that laughter I hear?” Queen Chrysalis laughed. 
Immediately, Princess Chrysalis II covered her mouth in horror.
“Please don’t be angry at me, mother,” Princess Chrysalis II said.
“Oh I’m not angry,” Queen Chrysalis said with a smirk on her face.  “But you still have to be punished.”
Queen Chrysalis turned her daughter on her back before placing her hoof on her tummy and tickled it.  Princess Chrysalis II broke out in laughter.
“I’M SORRY, MOTHER!” Chrysalis II laughed.  “I PROMISE I WON’T CHUCKLE LIKE THAT AGAIN! “
“Oh no, my daughter,” Queen Chrysalis said. “You don’t have to apologize.  In fact, you’ve lifted my spirits with your laughter.  And I have you to thank for it.”
As Queen Chrysalis tickled Princess Chrysalis II with both mother and daughter breaking out in laughter, Locust observed from the outside of the throne room with a sigh of relief.
“The queen is back in good spirits,” Locust said.  “That’s what I needed to see.”
Locust stepped away from the entrance and walked down with Inferno, Quickstrike and Waspinator by his side, all while Waspinator looked down at his medal.
“Still getting used to that medal of yours, brother?” Inferno asked.
“Yeah,” Waspinator said.  “Waspinator not expect to win a medal.  But Waspinator will take anything to boost spirit.”
“Well, with the queen back in good spirits,” Quickstrike replied, “I think this will help boost our morale back to normal.”
“Agreed,” Inferno replied.
“So,” Locust asked.  “What will you do for the time being?”
“It is simple,” Inferno said.  “We will go and drown our sorrows in fire water and reminisce about the good old days of when we used to scare the stuffing out of those ponies.”
And so, Inferno, Quickstrike, Waspinator and Locust walked down the halls of the changeling hive, laughing together like a bunch of friends.  But nearby, Coldnelius Snap watched the four changelings walk down with a smile on their face.
“So it seems the Queen is back in good spirits,” Coldnelius Snap said.  “Good thing, too.  She needs all the help she can get.  But for now, I must prepare for my own plan.  Word has it Princess Celestia has figured out ground bridge magic, and I plan on taking it from her.  For the glory of the Windigos.”

Meanwhile, back in Canterlot at the park, Wanda Young laid on the grass and looked up at the sky with Sunset Shimmer by her side.  There was barely anyone else in the vicinity with the exception of Abigail the cat and Karen the Bulldog.
“Still worried for the changelings?” Sunset asked.
“I am,” Wanda said.  “Why do they have to be so cruel when they could have benefited from the kindness I offered?”
“I’m not so sure,” Sunset replied.  “It does feel hard to want to help those who claim they don’t need it, even if they have to be changelings.”
“Lost,” Abigail said as Karen laid there with a whimper.
Wanda just let out a sigh and let her eyes drift towards the sky.  But as her mind began to drift, she felt a tap on her shoulder.  Wanda looked up to see Snips and Snails hovering above her.
“Are you Princess Wanda?” Snips asked.
Wanda slowly got up on her two legs and said “I am.  Is something up?”
“Well, your mommy was worried about you and your sister,” Snails said.  “And she wanted to check up on you both.”
“Guess it’s because of what happened to Queen Chrysalis,” Sunset said.  “I take it she’s with you, correct?”
Both colts nodded as Princess Celestia stepped out of the shadows and approached the two younglings.
“You’re both still worried about Queen Chrysalis and the changelings, I take it,” Princess Celestia asked.
“Even after all we did today,” Sunset Shimmer said.  “Yes.”
“Mommy,” Wanda asked.   “Why do the changelings hate us?  Why do they don’t want to redeem themselves?”
“Wanda, Sunset,” Princess Celestia said.  “I think it’s time I told you about why Queen Chrysalis’ heart is filled with hatred for our kind.”
“You mean she used to be kind-hearted?” Sunset replie.d
“Yes,” Princess Celestia said.  “Before the civil war that resulted in the loss of both Queen Eternia and Queen Icelina, the changelings were ruled over by a benevolent monarch by the name of Queen Papilionoidea.  She was close friends to my mother and aunt when Luna and I were fillies.”
“What was Queen Papil…whoever she was, like?” Wanda asked.
“Queen Papilionoidea,” Celestia laughed.  “But anyway, Luna and I once looked up to Queen Papilionoidea like she was a second aunt.”
“Like how we look up to Aunt Novo,” Wanda said.
“And Pailionoidea was as warm as you would expect,” Princess Celestia explained.  “She knew my mother and aunt well enough that we had a trade pact with the changelings during those times.  And back then, Chrysalis was far more of an innocent, and yet shy, filly.  Luna and I got along with her, hoping to at least give her some joy in the world.”
“So Chrysalis was a far sweeter person back then,” Wanda said.
“She was,” Princess Celestia said.  “But one day, a rogue alicorn of some sort attacked the changeling hive.  Many who fought to protect the hive were wiped out.  And although Queen Papilionoidea fought her with all her might, this rogue alicorn, whoever she was, killed her.  The species was almost wiped out by this rogue’s actions.”
“Oh no,” Sunset said.  “All because of a rogue.”
“Chrysalis was traumatized by the rogue’s actions and from her mother’s murder,” Princess Celestia said.  “I believe it was that event that made her hostile towards all ponies.”
“Why did your mommy save what was left of the changelings?” Wanda asked.
“She was going to do so,” Celestia said.  “But not long after, tragedy struck our people and the civil war took place.  The months-long event that scared Luna and I, and resulted in the loss of the original kingdom: Everfree City.”
“When did you last see Queen Chrysalis?” Wanda asked.
“Sometime after Canterlot was built,” Princess Celestia said.  “Queen Chrysalis launched her attack on our people in a desire to avenge her mother’s death.  She was no longer the shy and innocent filly we knew.  Instead, she had become a monster that was filled with anger and malice towards other races.  Luna and I had no choice, but to defend our newly-formed kingdom from Queen Chrysalis and her changeling forces.  And it was on that day, we no longer saw the changelings as allies, but now adversaries.  They desired to assimilate our kind to their cause as a means to avenge Queen Papilionoidea.  And thus began their conquest to turn ponies into changelings.”
“That is just horrible,” Sunset said.  “To think, our kind used to be friends with them.”
“You know,” Snails said.  “This is something we were never taught before.”
“Yeah,” Snips said.  “None of the history books talked about the changelings and this Queen Papilionoidea person.  I bet she was a sweetheart.”
“That is a fault on my behalf,” Princess Celestia said.  “But that being said, I did desire revenge against the changelings after that first invasion.  But I realized later on, that my desire for revenge was destructive, that it would result in not just their extinction, but the extinction of all ponies.  I didn’t know what to do afterwards, though I still had to dedicate myself to protecting Equestria from her wrath.”
“So where did this trap come into play?” Wanda asked.
“It was on the day of the Grand Gallopin Gala,” Princess Celestia replied.  “Once Twilight Sparkle defeated Queen Chrysalis, and she got swooped into the changelings’ desire for revenge, I realized this may have been the last straw.  So that was why Buck Withers and Lemony Gem agreed to have their wedding be a trap set for Queen Chrysalis.  I never expected for Magistrate Creme Dream and Sunset’s demon form to do more than enough damage to Chrysalis’ psyche.  But in the end, despite all we did, they refused to accept any second chances.”
“Wow,” Sunset said.  “To think we’re now forever trapped in a fight against those who were once our allies.”
“I should have told you both this from the very beginning,” Princess Celestia said.  “But I didn’t want to worry you both with the changelings’ desire for vengeance.  I’m terribly sorry.”
“It’s okay, mommy,” Wanda said, rubbing her adopted mother’s cheek with her hand.
“Now then,” Princess Celestia said.  “What say we finish up Buck Withers and Lemony Gem’s wedding?  After all, they still want to get hitch.”
“I was wondering if they were gonna finally tie the know,” Sunset said as she and Wanda got up.
Princess Celestia led Wanda, Sunset, Abigail and Karen away from the grass of the Canterlot Park.  Snips and Snails got up and followed the group, walking right alongside Karen.
“It’s all so much to take in,” Snips said.  “The changelings used to be good along with Queen Chrysalis, and the fate of her mother Queen Papilionoidea.”
“It’s almost as if I do feel sorry for them,” Snails said.  “Even if they claim to be irredeemable.”
“What do you think, doggy?” Snips asked.
But all Karen could do was whimper in silence.
“Yeah,” Snails said.  “That’s what we think as well.”
As the group walked out of the park, Magistrate Creme Dream stood in the distance with a smile on her face.
Queen Papilionoidea,” Creme Dream said. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time.”


	To Be Continued in…


	Happily Married