//------------------------------// // Chrysalis // Story: The Cutie Alchemist // by Visharo //------------------------------// Chrysalis: a sheltered state or stage of being or growth ------------------------------------------------------ Starswirl sighed, he thought he would be doing one thing with Celestia, but it seemed she had other plans. Wasting no time, the white unicorn had dragged the poor old stallion to make amends with everypony. Despite her size, she had incredible strength. The very first pony he had to reconcile with was Fizzlepop Berrytwist. Celestia chuckled and left with a perfectly innocent smile. He blinked, then grinned. Wasting no time, he swung the young shy filly onto his shoulders and together they ran around in the field laughing and howling with glee. Their game became so intense that the maroon filly collapsed in a fit of giggles. Starswirl ignored the sharp pain in his back and collapsed next to her with a huge grin. Before he knew it, he was whisked away by a white hand. Celestia's pink mane whipped into his face, but he didn't mind. His face hurt from all the smiling, but he wouldn't stop, he couldn't. He was having too much fun. With another giggle from the mare, Celestia dropped him off with Mi Amore Cadenza. Cadance wore a predatory grin, she stalked closer with her wings fluffed up in a very aggressive manner. Starswirl's previous joy was replaced with a fear he never knew he possessed. Every step the alicorn took, oh wait, that's a new word! The revelation was quickly washed away, just like his joy. Every step the alicorn took, he took a step back. Then within a blink of an eye, she pounced. There was no time, but still Starswirl tried. He whirled around but his hooves slipped and he took an undignified fall, landing with an oomph. His voice went incredibly high, much higher than he thought was possible, when she landed on him and started tickling him mercilessly. The torture lasted an uncountable amount of time. Starswirl came to with a tired sigh but then got hauled to his hooves without his consent, and then got twirled on a dime by none other than a grinning Celestia. Her expression hasn't changed and with a flick of her wrist, Starswirl was sent spinning on the slippery grass before he crashed into a padded rock. Groaning, he looked around and saw nopony. Then his vision was covered by a cup. He looked up and saw Granny Smith smiling somewhat kindly. "Starswirl. Apple Cider?" She helped him to get comfortable on the seat. "Apple Cider?" He took it cautiously and looked in it. It bubbled slightly, it was reddish orange, and were those...fruit bits? He threw a questioning glance at Granny. She motioned as if saying for him to continue. Starswirl took a tentative sip. The flavors hit him like a bolt from Kind Sombra, but infinitely more delicious. He drank it all in one gulp. "Ah made it several sunrises ago, Sunny helped me. She's quite the saint." Granny chuckled and took another gulp of this...this...this heaven! He was so enthralled he completely ignored the fact that Granny knew somepony called 'Sunny.' He definitely did not notice the creeping unicorn before it was too late. "Enough rest time Swirly!" With a shove, Starswirl fell forwards before getting surrounded in a teal light. He gasped in astonishment when he started floating and then started rising up. There was a whoosh beside him and he had to blink several times to understand what he was seeing. Sunset Shimmer giggled loudly, much bigger than he remembered and adorned with fiery wings on her back. The two of them flew together, the entire time under Sunset's power. It was amazing and Starswirl shed several tears. Up and down, side to side, through the clouds and the sky. When they landed, Sunset looked completely exhausted, her forehead completely drenched in sweat, but she was grinning. He swept the filly in a large hug and whispered his pride into her ears. The moment he let go, his hand was grabbed, he barely glimpsed white before he smacked into a tree. He heard a giggle in the background as he rubbed his head. A dark blue hand extended into his vision, offering help. He grasped it gratefully and Luna hauled him back to his hooves. She too was strong, they all were strong. Getting stronger without him. A lonely tear slipped over his cheek. "Starswirl, do you remember the stars?" Luna guided him to a soft patch on a hill, away from the hut and the others, and sat him down. Night had fallen and Starswirl was surprised to see how fast the day went by. Taking his daughter's lead, he laid down and looked up. The two of them stayed on that hill together for the rest of the night, she would point out a cluster of stars and gave them a name. After the fifth one, Starswirl was beyond impressed. By the 12th, he couldn't hold himself back and crushed the young mare with a hug. Luna squeaked in surprise, her cold and aloof attitude melted in his grasp. That night was the most rested he'd ever had in a while. He woke up to see a grinning Celestia. Before he could have a chance to groan, he was dragged away. It did ease his heart slightly to see that Luna was already awake and watching with an amused expression. "Swirly." She finally said after dragging him a considerable distance and letting him reorient himself. "Celestia." He found the strength to smile with all the warmth he could muster. He was surprised to notice how easy it was and he smiled even wider. "It's my turn now, do you want to go on a walk? Like we did way back then?" Her face lit up with hope. He chuckled, there was no way to say no to that. "Lead the way, your highness!" He bowed, both mocking and genuine at the same time. The movement and the words were foreign to him and felt weird, but it felt right at the same time. "What?" "Ignore this old man, shall we?" He smiled. She smiled back. *** The two unicorns walked, packs on their backs, and the horizon in the distance. The wind was in their manes and bright grins on their faces. Step by step, they made their journey. "Hey Swirly?" "Yeah?" They had stopped for a small midday break. They sat on a log they had padded with moss that overlooked the glistening lake. The multicolored leaves painted a beautiful landscape below them. "Do you think Rain Shine is happy?" She sounded uncertain. Starswirl turned to look at her. "I think she is where she belongs, she did have a leafy mane and tail. That and my gut did not feel bad after she left." He took a bite of his salad. It was delicious. "Your gut?" "Yes. Always trust your gut, Celestia. When you grow up and nopony is around to tell you what is right or wrong, trust your gut. Promise me you will trust your gut." Starswirl looked deep into her eyes, determined to get that promise. "I promise." "Good filly!" He smiled. "I'm not a filly anymore, Swirly!" She crossed her arms and pouted. Starswirl couldn't help but laugh. "Of course, I apologize. But you will be my filly forever, nopony will take that. I want you to remember that." He leaned over and hugged Celestia much to her displeasure. She tried, feebly he might add, to escape his grasp but gave up once she realized he wasn't budging. *** The two were heading back, the sky above slowly darkening. The stars started to show themselves and Starswirl was pleased to recognize some of the patterns Luna showed him last sunrise. When he asked Celestia if she knew about them, she nodded with pride. "Luna has been waiting forever to show you, last night meant so much to her." She was also beaming and he wasn't sure if he was tired or a trick of the light, but he thought he saw her mane flicker into something more ethereal. It was gone before he could look closely. "I know I'm proud." "As you should. I am proud of you two as well, you both have done so well." He ruffled her mane much to her annoyance. He merely grinned. They walked for a few more countings before Starswirl noticed a glint in the grass. He paused and deciding quickly, he made his way over. He ignored the questioning glance Celestia threw and brushed away the grass. His gasp was so loud, it echoed in the thick canopy. There lay the Chalice of Life, even more cracked then it was before. Shivers went down his spine as he picked it up. The glass felt cold and unnatural. Quickly shaking his head, he gestured for Celestia to keep on going and he hurried after her. They barely made it 20 steps when they encountered a strange creature. "Help meeeee..." The creature was wrapped in a black substance, as large as Rain Shine, had holes in its legs, and had an insectlike back, wings included. To make the creature even more curious was the jagged horn on her brow as well as the fangs that adorn her mouth. Wasting no time and acknowledging how queasy his gut felt, he helped the strange creature to its hooves. He nearly froze in shock to feel the same exact cold as the Chalice on the creature's...skin. Together with Celestia, they were able to haul the creature with them. "Thank yoooou..." It sounded in pain. The three of them nearly made it back to the clearing, back to the hut when the shrieking began. Starswirl dropped the creature in surprise and stared in horror as the black being had its jaws opened wide and was sucking a pink tendril out of the terrified Celestia. Thinking no of himself, Starswirl rushed forwards and blasted the creature, it letting go of his daughter, After a quick hug, the two stared off into the distance and heard a cackle that made their blood turn cold.