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// Chapter 33: Image Snapshot-Part One 
// Story: Mechaniquus 
// by DougtheLoremaster 
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The light faded, revealing Flurry Heart standing at the back of a large room, staring at a large circular table. Around the table she witnessed her Aunt Twilight and the Elements of Harmony. Flurry’s eyes grew wide in surprise. Not only were they still alive, they were young. Really young. As though they were still in their prime of youth. 
Next to them, larger than any other, Princesses Celestia and Luna stood proudly adorned with their legendary regalia; from the coronets to amulets, they were the picture of royalty. Next to them, Starlight Glimmer stood holding the same crystal that had been in Thorax’s possession. She looked vibrant and full of life, and next to her, was an Alicorn that caused Flurry’s heart to leap into her throat.
She was an exact copy of Flurry Heart as she was now, down to the stripe of her multi-colored mane. Though her eyes weren’t green, there was no mistaking the cutie mark upon her pink-hued flank. The Crystal Heart, a cutie mark that had been unique to the Princess of Love, Princess Cadence.
 Flurry Heart had never known her mother growing up; Cadence having sacrificed herself to defeat the Wendigos once and for all when she was just a foal Alicorn. Seeing her in the flesh, caused a wave of many emotions to wash over Flurry Heart.
Flurry Heart wanted to scream, to cry, to shout with excitement. Opening her mouth to speak, Flurry Heart was at a loss for words. No sound came forth, and so she stood there closer than she’d ever been, yet completely out of reach.
Next to Cadence, an in-his-golden-years version of her father stood. And on Shining Armor’s back, swaddled in a swath of woolen blanket lay a sleeping foal. Flurry Heart’s gaze lingered on the baby form of herself for a few seconds, before noticing the Stag-form of the Changeling King Thorax standing proudly beside the two, as though all three were the best of friends.
On the other side, Gilda, the newly elected Mayor of Griffonstone sat in a chiseled stone chair chatting away with a sapphire blue dragoness wielding the fabled scepter of the ruler of the Dragonlands. Dragonlord Ember seemed to be laughing at something her Griffon friend had said, both taking a moment to down whatever had been in two identical crystal goblets before carrying on once more.
A massive Yak, whose eyes were covered with tufts of overgrown fur, wore a golden crown was discussing the joys of smashing things with a younger version of Autumn Blaze. The spokespony for the Kirin giggled incessantly at the ridiculous discourse; simultaneously offering Prince Rutherford of Yakyakistan a cupcake made by Pinkie Pie, herself, from a tray that had appeared on the table. Though none knew exactly how Pinkie did it, not one of the creatures gathering around the table questioned it, after everything they had just been through; all happy to simply accept the confectionaries of friendship.
Such a scene had never been witnessed, all the various cultures, species and values of the continent of Equestria gathered in true Unity. Even Discord stood there, teasing Celestia and Luna while all three chuckled good-humoredly. It was simply unheard of at the time.
All were jovial and chatting amicably and then Twilight cleared her throat. It wasn’t particularly loud, but the noise within the crystalline room instantly fell quiet as all eyes fell upon the young Princess of Friendship. Twilight looked around the table at each member and said simply.
“Thanks to friendship, the Unity of our races has come to fruition. Thanks to your help, Equestria’s greatest foes have been defeated.”
The room erupted in celebratory cheers; however, Twilight wasn’t done. She patiently waited for the shouts of jubilation to die down, before glancing at the stone statue that sat off to the side and speaking once more.
“However, there is one that should be celebrating with us, for without her, this never could have happened.”
Around the table, looks of confusion appeared on the faces of the attendants, that is except a select few. Cadence’s eyes began to tear up, as Shining Armor glanced at Thorax, who nodded in understanding before speaking.
“True, had it not been for her plan, we Changelings would still be outcasts in Equestria.”
Discord chimed in, while clicking his tongue dismissively.
“As much as I hate to say it, her plan really did work.”
Celestia and Luna gave each other glances before inquiring.
“Who is this you speak of?”
Starlight glanced at Twilight in curiosity.
“Yeah, Twilight, who are you talking about?”
Spreading her wings to their full length in dramatic flair, Twilight watched a hush fall upon all present. Glancing from Cadence to Shining, to the baby Flurry Heart asleep on her brother’s back, Twilight spoke just two words.
“Queen Chrysalis.”
The effect was instantaneous. All around the table objections erupted and chaos ensued.
“What in Tarnation, Sugarcube?”
“Darling, you cannot be serious.”
“Totally not awesome. She tried to kill us!”
“Oatmeal? Are you crazy?”
“We d-did give her plenty of chances though, Twilight.”
“Trix will totally get a kick out of this later.”
Twilight sighed, before uttering a single word with such force that it shook the very walls of her crystal castle.
“Listen.”
Folding her wings as the hubbub subsided, Twilight’s voice returned to its normal tone.
“Chrysalis isn’t who you think she was. And I can’t hold this secret anymore, it isn’t right. I’m sorry Cadence. Forgive me.”
All eyes turned towards Princess Cadence, who cast her gaze sheepishly downward, nodding half-heartedly. Shining Armor immediately hugged her, speaking to Twilight as he did so.
“Go ahead. You’re right, it is time, you’ve kept your end of the promise.”
At the word ‘promise’ Rainbow Dash seemed to become more attentive while Starlight laughed as though the funniest joke had just been told.
“Oh, c’mon Twilight, be more serious.”
Twilight opened her mouth to reply only to be interrupted by the Element of Loyalty, herself.
“Give her a chance to explain. Go ahead, Twilight.”
With those words, Dash landed beside Applejack, her full undivided attention on Twilight. Twilight began to explain, her voice carrying a bittersweet feeling to it.
“Chrysalis has been on our side this entire time! It all began back before the wedding, when Chrysalis was dating Cadence, in the guise of my brother.”
Celestia and Luna exchanged shocked looks, but neither spoke as Twilight continued.
“After she and Cadence spent a night of passion together, within Cadence new life blossomed.”
Suddenly Celestia blurted out.
“You can’t be referring to Flurry Heart. Twilight this joke has gone on long enough.”
Thorax just laughed.
“Didn’t it seem odd to you, that a baby Alicorn was born to a Pegasus turned Alicorn, and a Unicorn, but has no traits of her father, yet looks like a clone of her Alicorn mother?”
Luna chimed in.
“You can’t mean-”
Thorax nodded.
“The Changeling seed within Cadence transformed its own genes to match its carrier.”
Twilight continued amidst the silence that followed.
“Because Cadence had originally been a Pegasus, the life within her became the spitting image of what her Alicorn form would look like had she been born a Alicorn.”
Celestia pointed an accusatory hoof at Cadence.
“Why didn’t you tell us? Me?”
Streams of anguish fell down Cadence's muzzle. Opening her mouth to speak, only unintelligible, sobbing utterances came forth. Luna instantly understood, however.
“We would have killed her, sister.”
Celestia’s face fell as recognition dawned in her eyes. She whispered.
“The Changeling Laws.”
Twilight watched as Shining gently nuzzled his wife in an effort to calm her tears, as she told everycreature at the table, all of which were muttering in confusion.
“That’s right, Princess. For those unaware, at the time the Changeling Laws were a set of mandates passed that were enforced without leniency: Confirmed interaction with a Changeling was considered treason to the Canterlot Royalty. In other words, the penalty was death for all involved.”
As the murmurs became more aggressive, Twilight continued after taking a breath during the pause.
“But that’s not even the worst of it because Cadence is Princess Celestia’s own niece. Imagine the fallout ramifications of confirmation that a member of the Royal Family fraternizing with a Changeling leaked to the public. Such a scandal amidst the crown could have never been lived down.”
All eyes turned angrily towards the Royal Sisters, as Twilight hurriedly added.
“Though the laws have since been annulled, at the time, they were very much active. And surprisingly, the one that was most worried about it being revealed, was Chrysalis. She was worried about how it would affect the sisters' reign.”
Celestia and Luna traded surprised looks before Luna spoke up.
“Why would Chrysalis be concerned for our sakes?”
That’s when Discord stepped forward, gesturing with his griffon claw.
“Perhaps I can shed somewhat light on that.”
With that, Discord snapped his fingers.