//------------------------------// // Issue #9: Metamorphosis // Story: The Blue Queen // by TheLegendaryBillCipher //------------------------------// Chrysalis’s vision was a blurry sea of pastel colors and her ears were full of anxious buzzing as she regained her senses. As she blinked her eyes into focus, she realized that the scarab’s usual overlay was missing, though she was still gazing through its orange lenses. “Huh… what…” She grunted as she worked to get her hooves under her. A gasp and a hush fell around her as she stood upright, the scarab’s suit disintegrating off of her. “Your Majesty!” came the startled chirp from Thorax. Chrysalis blinked once, then several more times. The gathered changelings around her surely had to have been hers but they were so vibrantly colored. Their chitin, wings, mane and tail, even their compound eyes varied between changelings. “What has happened?” Chrysalis asked, frowning in confusion. “We transformed after we gave our love to you!” Antenna exclaimed, grinning giddily. “The hunger we felt before is gone too,” Pharynx added. “We don’t crave love.” “How bizarre.” Chrysalis set a hoof against her forehead, then her eyes widened as she examined her foreleg. Her chitin had brightened to a dark grey, and was no longer riddled with holes. She checked her other legs, and each looked similar. Her eyes fell on a fallen chunk of smooth crystal nearby that acted like a mirror and gawked at her appearance. Her mane—an actual mane, not matted membrane-like material—curled and flowed like hair. Her wings were rounded like those of a butterfly’s, and had a few heart-shaped holes in them. Her horn was sleek and curved. She was whole once again. Chrysalis’s first thought, of all things, was anger. “Khaji Da!” she barked. The scarab’s voice was quiet in her ear. “Systems: recharging.” “Did you do this to me?” she demanded. “Negative. Per your request… I only healed you during combat. Transformation… seems biological in origin.” “Biological?” Chrysalis’s muzzle scrunched. “Your changelings transformed when they willingly gave their love to you,” Cadance said as she and Shining stepped through the crowd of changelings. “You must have transformed when you gave your love to the Crystal Heart willingly.” “It’s, uh, a better look,” Shining admitted, chuckling when Cadance nudged him. “I’ll admit, you do look better. More… whole,” Cadance admitted with a nod. Chrysalis’s cheeks burned, and only brightened when a new voice added in: “I agree as well.” The changelings parted to let Princess Celestia through, now looking much like her old, regal self. Cadance and Shining Armor gave her a bow. “Not only have you saved the Crystal Empire from King Sombra, it would seem you have saved your Hive from their unyielding hunger for love,” Celestia continued. “You have changed much since we first met, and I’m glad to say it is for the better. Queen Chrysalis.” Chrysalis blinked in surprise as Celestia bowed to her. Glancing around, Chrysalis returned the bow. “Thank you,” Chrysalis muttered. She looked down and set a hoof on the scarab still buried into her chest. “And thank you, Khaji Da.” The group turned at the sound of rushing hooves. Twilight, Spike, and their five friends raced up to the group. “We got here as soon as we could!” Twilight panted. “Where’s—” Her eyes widened at the sight of Chrysalis and the changelings. Her mouth opened and closed as she struggled to find her words, eyes darting between her mentor and the queen. Celestia hid a giggle behind a hoof. “Ah… it would seem there is much to explain, my faithful student,” she admitted. “But I’m sure Queen Chrysalis would have no trouble in helping fill in the blanks.” She gestured a hoof to Chrysalis, who gave a sheepish chuckle. “Yeah, it’s a crazy story, to say the least.” The End.