“Ready to go?”
“You know it. This chair isn’t being good to me,” Chysalis said asshe stood from the chair, her back cracking in multiple spots. Amor sat on the edge of his bed as the doctor came in.
“So how have you been?”
“Good, I feel like I’m ready to go.”
“We’ll see.”
The doctor began poking and prodding Amor. He poked him once in the spine, and a look of irritation filled Amor’s face. The doctor paid no attention to it and began feeling down his front left leg. When he reached the cast, he began pushing harder, seeing if he could shift the bone. Amor let out a snarl in pain.
“Hmm, still extremely tender. Alright, just stay off that leg for a while longer and you should be fine. You’re free to go.”
“Thank you.” Amor began to rise from his bed and hit the ground on his three good legs. He began beating his wings, which were finally able to lift him off the ground, and quickly landed again.
Amor was quickly met at the door by Celestia on their way out.
“I see you’re out and about. How are you two feeling?”
“Better than I have all month.”
“But you’ve been out all month.”
“Exactly. I couldn’t feel a thing.”
Celestia only smiled. “So, you are to be staying at the hive now, King Amor?”
“Yes, and it’s not king anymore. I am retiring.”
Celestia’s eyes widened and she turned to Chrysalis, waiting for the joke. Chrysalis looked back at her, slightly cowering in fear and guilt. “He’s telling the truth. We decided to retire.”
Celestia’s eyes half closed in ease. “Well, if you feel you have done right, good for you.” A comforting smile. “If you ever need a place to stay, you are welcome at the castle.”
Chrysalis looked down. “Thank you for the offer, but…but…”
Amor could tell she felt uncomfortable speaking to the princess. He stepped forward, put a wing over Chrysalis, and finished her statement. “But we feel we have taken advantage of your hospitality. Thanks for the offer though.”
“Well, you are always welcome back,” Celestia said as she walked to her nearby chariot. “Please, allow me to give you a ride.”
“No, no, we’ll be fine.”
“Nonsense, I insist. Just getting out of the hospital, you don’t expect me to have you walk or fly the way there. Please, get in.”
Amor and Chrysalis did as instructed. Celestia got in first, but Amor stopped just before getting in and waited.
“Ladies first.” Chrysalis only smiled as she hopped into the chariot. Celestia watched on and chuckled.
“Well aren’t you a gentleman.”
Amor grinned as he hopped in. “Did you expect any less from me?” Both Celestia and Chrysalis couldn’t help but smile as Amor took his seat next to Chrysalis.
Celestia leaned over the side of the chariot. “Lovely view.”
Both Chrysalis and Amor looked over the railing at the city below. The streets shined like gold as the floated over them. Soon they were flying over the forest. The site below left them in a state of admirement. The trees, lakes and ponds, colorful birds decorating the scenery, it was beautiful. Soon they were at the now completed hive. The cave entrance was reinforced, twice as thick as Amor remembered it. As the chariot landed and the three exited, the soldiers guarding the exterior bowed as they passed through the entrance. When they finally passed, the guards rose.
Chrysalis looked back. “New guards I see.”
“Can’t be too careful. It’s good we had some volunteer to stand guard.” Amor looked back at Celestia, who was following behind them. “Sorry if our ways are strange to you.”
“Not at all. If anything, I find it interesting how your people live.”
Amor nodded and continued down the cave into the large chamber. It looked similar to when Amor left it, but the castle was complete and most of the houses were done, all but one. Amor looked at the incomplete house as he passed. It was an outer shell, but the roof and interior were nothing. It was four walls standing, nothing to protect, no roof on top.
“I can’t believe nopony helped while she was out.”
“I’m sure they have their reasons.”
Amor didn’t want to push the issue, so he kept walking. Soon they were at the castle. The main chamber resembled that of the old hive. The main chamber was a wider room, empty other than a few decoration items and the two thrones far against the wall atop a staircase of about ten stairs on three sides. Even the thrones looked the same. Tall black seats lined with a bright bluish green cloth, green pearls down the arms and one at the top. Purity sat at the one throne, but rose when she saw the three enter and met them halfway in the room. She hugged Chrysalis.
“Mother, it is so good to see you.” She then turned and hugged Amor. “Father, I am glad to see you up and moving.” She then bowed before Celestia before hugging her. “And my teacher. It is so good to see you all.” She then stepped back. “Ready to lead again?”
“Nope.” Purity looked at Amor, a look of shock and confusion in her face.
“What do you mean?”
Amor stood straight and tall. “We have retired.”
Purity’s eyes opened wide and her jaw fell open. Chrysalis stepped forward.
“What he means is, you still lead the hive.”
Now Celestia did the same. “And you are the queen.”
Amor stood as tall as he could. “Queen Purity, leader of the changeling hive, with the retirement of the former king and queen, you have inherited leadership.” He then bowed. “Lead your people well.”
Amor stood but Purity was still in shock. “But I have no experience in leading! I only filled in, made minor decisions, I don’t know the first thing about leading a hive!”
Chrysalis stepped forward and held Purity’s hoof with her own. “We will be there with you. You have the most authority, but if you need help, you know you can ask us.”