So this is how it ends? The queen cornered, her pawns gone, her knights vanquished. While the enemy barely lost any of it's forces. And just who was I combating against? It was nopony other than the purple harlot herself, Twilight Sparkle. Twilight was my executioner and I had underestimated her on the battlefield. She was an excellent tactician, leading her troops against mine flawlessly. Every move I made she countered with one of her own, and just when I thought I was turning the tide she would strike me back down. She was toying with me and I couldn't do a damn thing about it.
I turned tail and retreated my forces behind our lines, my guards were valiant but soon enough she took them down one by one. Eventually she had me in a corner, my back against the wall in my room with nowhere to run. How could I let it get this far? Now it was just she and I face to face, with her charging her horn to ready the killing blow. I was finished.
This is the end of Chrysalis, if only I was more careful! I sat in silence awaiting my end, staring at the floor of my room and my grave, clank!
“Checkmate!”, Twilight sang victoriously as she knocked over my queen piece.
“I bucking hate chess”, I groaned. Looking up from up from the table I gazed angrily at the chessboard in front of me, and to the mare who vanquished me.
“Its not so bad! I'm sure if you keep practicing you can be quite the opponent!”, Twilight giggled as she tried to reassure me. But it was too late, my pride was damaged and I lost, again. I watched as Twilight cleared off the chessboard and placed our pieces back to their original places ready to for battle once more. I just groaned again, pinching the bridge of my muzzle and exhaling an annoyed breath. “Another round, Chrysalis?”
“I have practiced, against you! Fifty six times to be exact and you continue to dominate me. And no, I would like a break from this horrid game, Twilight”, I muttered bitterly as I sunk into my cushion. Twilight frowned with a sigh and cleaned up the chessboard, flinging the marble pieces into a wooden box on top of the chessboard.
“You are just a sore loser, my friend!”, Twilight mused while she floated away the infernal chess set and brought over a tray carrying a steaming kettle along with a just as fresh plate of muffins. Oh, and yes Twilight did call me her friend, you aren't going insane. I would explain now, but those muffins were calling my name, more on that later.
“We did bet that the winner would get the first muffin, but I suppose you earned first rights for your valiant effort”, Twilight teased as she passed me one of the confections in an aura of purple.
“Valiant effort my flank, you destroyed me”, I tisked aloud, snatching the muffin in my hooves and gobbling it up in one bite. Immediately my taste buds were assaulted by the sensation of sweet, buttery goodness baked just right in perfect harmony. My compliments to the chef, baker, whatever.
“Their pretty good huh? Not as good as Pinkie's, but their still up there”, ah yes that bubbly pink psychopath. Twilight told me about her and introduced me to the party pony as well as to her other friends. I received glares and frowns from all of them, but that pink idiot nearly snapped my spine in half from a bone crushing hug! Apparently she was really, really happy that I turned a new leaf. Perhaps a bit too happy for my tastes.
I can already hear your exclamations, Twilight and I are buddies and she trusted me enough to meet her friends on good behaviour!? Yes, I suppose I have some explaining to do. And I did finish my muffin so here we go. A lot has happened these past few months. So I might as well start from the beginning of my time spent here, ahem.
A few weeks after my incarceration I had become good friends with Luna, spending most nights chatting about this and that during our little sleep overs. Of course no sleeping was done and we just talked the night away. Sometimes Luna brought along Twilight to join in on our escapades and when she did, well lets just say the purple alicorn still didn't like me and complained every moment she got. I know Luna was trying her best to prove I was a good egg to her, but at least somepony was trying. Most times Twilight would just ignore me completely and just bury herself in a book, such a annoying defense mechanism.
She was still wary of me even though I was behind bars and magically incapacitated. But who could blame her? Having a sleep over with your would be nemesis is a little uncomfortable isn't it? Well soon enough those awkward weeks became a few months and Twilight began to warm up to me, after from some insisting from Luna of course. I still remember that night she finally opened up to me. She came trotting through the chamber doors with several saddle bags in tow. Without a word she plopped herself across from my cell and emptied her bags. Revealing a hefty pile of papers, some inkwells and a feather pen.
I was curious so I asked her what she was doing, her answer surprised me. And it still does to this day.
“Would you mind if I ask you some questions about changeling society? I understand if you don't want to, but looking back on my previous notes....I feel I've been biased on the whole thing about you and your kind. So, I think its time I set the record straight! What do you say?”
I still remember my reaction, my dumb sounding approval and the warm feeling of acceptance in my chest at the time. She was willing to rewrite everything she knew about my kind. Entrusting me with the finer details to write her wrongs, I felt honored to say the least. Hours passed and Twilight threw question after question at me. She was relentless! She had a list that looked like it was five feet long, and she had several of them!
“Do you mate for life, how many live in a hive, do you rule in a monarchy, can you survive on love alone without food?”, she asked all of that and more. However I was more than happy to relay every single thing to her as she went. But there was the last set of questions that popped up that caught me off guard.
“Is it normal for changelings to fall in love with a species besides their own? Could you describe your relationship with, what was his name again? Page was it? Is it possible for you to bear offspring from er, relations with other species outside your own? And can you tell me if the moment of reproduction is similar whether you are disguised or not?”, my response was intelligently stumbling around my words and wringing my hooves together nervously.
“W-What kind of question is that? Ponies trounce around with other species all the time, why does it seem so odd?”, I was overreacting obviously, the question just caught me off guard is all! And asking about sex, intimate moments that I have not even spent with Page yet mind you, was simply uncouth. Unlike Gynaephora, I was never one for bed talk, yes I did seduce like her but I never did go all the way to copulation at all. It just never did sit right with me to get intimate with a pony I never cared for.
“No no no! I wasn't judging you! I just want to know about the basics, ponies date outside their species all the time! Hay, I walked in on a friend of mine, whom I will not say, with a gryphon. So I know all about that stuff, kinda!”
Poor Twilight, oh how the tables have turned. I watched with morbid glee as the once stoic and calm Twilight was now fumbling over her words all flustered like. I teased her about it and received a playful lash or two but soon we both calmed down and I answered her question.
“I haven't had sex with Page, not yet anyway, but I can tell you that I can bear his children. Although they will be hybrids, not that I mind, it adds diversity to my bloodline in a sense”, Twilight nodded as she listened while scribbling away on her notes. Looking back on the idea of Page and I having little hatchlings running about in our castle, it was a little image that I looked forward to seeing in the future. I sighed wistfully as Twilight wrote down her notes, I missed Page so much, I wonder how he is doing in the citadel? Is he even still there?
“Okay, now then, tell me about how you raise your young!”, little did I know that question would spark a little moment between us. And don't ask me how but we ended up talking about babies and motherly topics, personal ones. Twilight told me she had her future pregnancy all planned out on paper and she decided on the stallion she would spend her life with. That is when I learned of Twilight's crush and how she wanted to marry him one day. She was crushing on a guard named Flash Sentry, if I remember correctly. Twilight also spoke about she met him in some interdimensional adventure and creatures called hue-mans, she described them as apes wearing clothing. I never did like apes, always being grabby with those appendages on their hands.
Anyways, apparently Twilight is quite the parent, technically. She told me she raised a baby dragon since it hatched. Spike, the way she said his name when she reminisced, she sounded like my mother when she would talk about her moments raising me. Such a motherly tone, I wouldn't doubt she would raise her future children perfectly with the experience she has now. And if she never does bear children for whatever reason, she still has a son. A scaly, fire breathing one at that.
So after that little moment between us she packed her things and set off to leave. But right as she was about to ascend the spiral staircase she stopped. She was silent for a little while before turning around and clearing her throat.
“I'm sorry, for everything”, now that was a surprise.
“For judging you and treating you like dirt when all you have done was be nice to Luna and I. Personally I never thought I would actually say this but, I want us to start over.”, Twilight said as she approached my cell, holding a hoof through the bars towards me.
“Hello, I am Twilight Sparkle, student of princess Celestia, and I would like for us to be friends!”, I was so confused, I thought this had to be a dream. A short pinch later proved that it wasn't. With a smile I took her hoof in mine and gave a firm shake.
“Pleasure to meet you miss Sparkle, I am Chrysalis, incarcerated former changeling queen, and I would also like to be friends”, Twilight just giggled and shook back. With out little charade done Twilight left and I was alone to meddle with my own devices. So that is how we became the best of buds. After that she visited me nearly everyday after with new questions every visit as well as a stack of books. We had our own little book club and surprisingly she invited several of the maids to partake. Imagine my surprise to see the very same ponies that I terrified on my arrival here treat me like an old friend.
I guess when two of the three princesses make friends with a former enemy, word gets around that I'm not so evil anymore. I won't lie that I miss being feared and watching them tremble at my presence. But it feels nice to feel accepted, not as exhilarating as causing fear but I still enjoyed not being treated like a disease to be avoided.
Another set of months pass and during said months Celestia had finally returned from her business in the Crystal Empire. Twilight and Luna warned me that she was coming and that's when the anxiety sank in. Three hours, three tortuously long hours and Celestia had not come down to see me. What is taking her so long? Was she deciding to execute me? Were Luna and Twilight talking her down from some sort of angry rant? Those were some of my thoughts swimming through my mind as I paced my cell.
Rusty creaking, the sound of the door to my room opening made me jump out of my shell. Slowly I turned to my new visitor, my heart racing, my breath quickening at the sight of her. There in all her majesty stood Princess Celestia by herself. Not a twinge of emotion laced her features as she scrutinized me with squinted eyes. Without a word she approached my cell and I did the one thing I could I could think of at that moment, I swallowed my pride and bowed.
“Greetings your majesty”, I said with a curt nod. I felt so degraded to have to both bow and be courteous but I had to prove I had changed. And what better way to do so by doing something nopony would expect of me? Thankfully Celestia returned the bow and sat down in front of me, still staring at me silently. After a few silent moments Celestia finally spoke.
“To be honest, I wasn't expecting this”, Celestia said while she idly played with her necklace. What was she expecting? A rabid animal in a cell growling at her while trying to reach her from these bars? “The changeling queen had surrendered herself after risking her own life to save my sister and student. And now here she is, an entirely different changeling compared to that tyrant during my niece's wedding. I doubted your reformation, but seeing you now I know you have changed. I can see it in being, in your eyes and right down to your very stance. You are a far cry to what you once were.”
I wasn't expecting that, I was prepared to plead my case to her but this works too. I said nothing but smiled at her, to which she returned with a small one herself.
“Luna and Twilight trust you and even call you their friend. That is no small feat, especially for someling in your case, Chrysalis. I would love to learn more about you like they have, so without further ado....”, Celestia trailed off as her horn flared in a gold aura. I couldn't help but flinch, expecting her to blast me but instead a small click echoed in the room. To my surprise my cell door swung open and Celestia beckoned me out with a wave of her hoof.
Carefully, I left my cell for the first time in months, finally stretching my legs in a bigger space was a relief!
“You no longer have to stay in that cell anymore, I hereby give you free reign of the castle. I will send for a maid to ready a room for you to live in for the rest of your sentence. And I think you will be happy to know that for this one time, I will clear you of your past crimes during the wedding.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing, I was free! I could go home and see-wait, a room for the remainder of my sentence? Oh bucking hell....
“Unfortunately I cannot clear the crimes from your rampage in the city. You will stay for a year in my custody, maybe more but after that you will be free to go. Believe me when I say that this was the best solution I could settle on with the day court.”
Well at least I won't be here for the rest of my life, and the change from the cell to a proper room is a welcome change at least. Now how about this restraining collar?
“I know what you are thinking, but the collar will stay on. It will stay on due to the demands of the day court, it will be a deterrent in case you try to leave the castle. If you try to leave you will receive quite a shock and be rendered paralyzed. Know that I trust you completely Chrysalis, but I had to adhere to the day court just to quell their uproar in just clearing your crimes from your past. Forgive me, but this is how it must be.”
Well buck, yay to wearing this bucking thing for the rest of my stay. Damn thing chafes like a motherbucker, I'll go see Twilight to see if she can loosen it or something. But things could be worse, just have to grit my teeth and bear it for now.
“Now, lets go shall we? I think you would rather not spend another night in here?”, I nodded furiously at her question. Instantly springing up to her side at the base of the staircase. Oh gods yes, finally a comfy bed instead of a wooden cot with a raggedy sheet to sleep in! And so up the staircase we went. As soon as we hit the top we were greeted by a few maids I remember from Twilight's book club and a single guard. All of the maids smiled and waved, and the guard just yawned, no screams or anything.
“Ready a room for our guest, and I appoint you to watch over and protect Chrysalis, understood?”, Celestia ordered. The maids and guards nodded in unison. As the maids trotted off to do their duties, the guard ambled his way over to my side.
“Razorwind at your service, madam”, the guard named Razorwind said with a curt bow. What a gentlecolt, Squelch could learn a thing or two from this stallion in the first impression department. But he lacked the flare Squelch had, Razorwind just looked like any of the royal guard here under all of that armor he was wearing. And let me tell you now that I have never seen what he looks like under it, he was hardcore at what he does.
“Now then, let us walk shall we?”, with that said Razorwind, Celestia and I did just that. Strolling through the halls of Celestia's castle all the while making small talk about politics and pastries. I learned that the princess of the sun simply adored her cakes, perhaps a bit too much in my opinion but nonetheless it was a pleasant topic. Razorwind had little to add to our conversation, resorting to the occasional nod or shake of his head when we included him in.
“So that is why I prefer vanilla over sherbet! I simply cannot stomach Sherbet after that incident”, Celestia and I shared a laugh while Razor chuckled silently. I still don't know how Pinkie Pie could manage to jury rig the door to Celestia's room to explode with Sherbet ice cream when opened. What a random mare that one. Eventually we arrived to a dead end hall that lead to a single door, outside stood the maids from earlier.
“And here we are, thank you ladies”, Celestia nodded to the maids as she opened the door and went inside. Razorwind and I followed, shutting the lavish door behind us and taking in the just as lavish room. What a huge room! It was like a huge circle all around, filled with dressers and any amenity you could imagine to find in a bedroom. Times ten in ticket price of course, she spared no expense. And right in the center lay a enormous circle bed covered in pillows and expensive looking sheets.
“Wow, this beats the cell by a mile, thank you very much Celestia!”, I was truly impressed. Now with a room like this you can make any mare feel like a queen. With a giddy laugh I launched myself onto the bed and rolled around on the sheets. Relishing in the heavenly feeling of the fabric against me.
“Indeed, I want to show you that even though you are under house arrest you are our guest. No more cells or lies between us!”, Celestia giggled, plopping herself on the other side of the bed next to me. Razorwind however rolled his eyes at our childishness and sat down on a nearby chair. But Celestia's words reminded me of the plan mother told me months ago. No more lies huh? What do I have to lose if I told her?
“About that, I have something important to tell you, Celestia”, my voice was shaky as I spoke. Celestia smile instantly turned into a worried frown at my words, but she remained quiet as did Razorwind. Suddenly I had second thoughts about this, this information could turn the benevolent ruler before me into a dictator with a iron fist. But I bucked up and told her, no reason to show fear now, right? This could make everything easier for mother, if things went nicely however.
“My mother is going to sneak into Canterlot during the merchant clan meetings at the end of this year. She wishes to enact diplomacy with you and your sister, Celestia. For peace, an alliance between ponies and changeling kind. Things are tough for us, we are running out of resources and we seek to end all of this fighting between our kinds. I tell you this because I don't want secrets between us, and with the hope that if I warn you in advance that you will consider her plea for peace.”
Celestia's said nothing, gazing into my eyes with a blank unemotional face. Razorwind however had eyes like dinner plates, his mouth agape. Maybe I shouldn't have been so blunt with my wording....
“Peace? Seriously? I can take having Chrysalis running around freely but this, this sounds like a trap, princess. With all due respect this sounds far fetched.”, Razor stated bluntly as he crossed his hooves. Thankfully Celestia didn't share his point of view.
“Your concern is noted, Razorwind, but I believe her. As surprising as it sounds I believe that you would not lie about something of this matter. Thank you for trusting me with this information”, I breathed a sigh of relief at that. She believes me, oh thank the gods.
“I will think on what you have told me, the wounds of what you had done at my niece's wedding are still fresh but I believe every word. From what Twilight told me you attacked us because of desperation. So in order to stop something like that from ever happening again I shall consider a course of action. Perhaps it is time we reach an agreement between our species and consider an alliance.”
Celestia's words still give me goosebumps when I look back on that moment. The defining moment of hope for a bright future for both pony and changeling kind. After that, Celestia had left me alone with Razorwind whom stayed to protect me. He opted to stay outside but I told him it was alright for him to stay and relax. I mean who is going to attack me and incur the wrath of Celestia? And besides it must be hell on his hooves to stand in one position all day after all.
So that is how I ended up under house arrest with Celestia as a new friend. Of course Razorwind and I had a small camaraderie but it never went past the whole protector and VIP idea. He made me miss Squelch, Squelch! I won't say it to his face but I missed Squelch, he's the annoying little brother I never had. The kind of brother that you just want to ruffle his mane and tease the hell out of kind. Anyways the next few months flew by at a snails pace, and it didn't help that I had to accompany Celestia to her day court.
She had told me that it was the best way to prove that I had reformed to her underlings. A way to improve changeling relations in preparation for mother's arrival. But they didn't buy it, they just ridiculed me at every turn. I knew what they were doing, they were trying to get under my shell and make me lash out at them. But I just bit my tongue and stayed courteous, much to their dismay and annoyance. Bucking idiots, the lot of them.
And speaking of mother's plans, Celestia, Twilight and Luna are the only ones who know about them. I half expected Twilight to freak out but she just rambled on and on about creating a schedule to prepare ahead. Luna was surprised but agreed to keep the knowledge secret, she was delighted in the idea of an alliance for peace. Everything was in place, all I had to do now was wait for mother at the end of the year. Hopefully I can finally leave when an alliance is brokered, hopefully.
“So, today is the day huh?”, Twilight's voice brought me out of my reminiscing and to my bedroom.
“Yes, I suppose it is isn't it?”, I said absentmindedly. This was the day, the meeting of all major merchant clans in Celestia's throne room. Mother should be in there right about now if not later. Gods I hope everything goes well, but how could they not? Celestia said she loves the idea as did Twilight and Luna. It was only a matter of time until everything comes together.
“Lets go, wouldn't want to keep Celestia waiting, especially for a day like this!”, Twilight said as she made to leave the bedroom. I nodded and left with her. No words were said between us as we slowly made our way to the throne room. It was good that Twilight hadn't spoken, I was too nervous to speak anyways. A heavy feeling lay in my gut and my nerves were on edge. Finally we made it to the throne room doors, and by the muffled sounds of chatter behind them it was safe to say the meeting was under way.
We nodded to the guards as they let us in, instantly the sounds and sights of a room full of nearly a hundred or more ponies, gryphons and zebras attacked my senses. It was literally packed with the merchant clans. And standing at the front of the mob stood three beings, a gryphon, a zebra and a mare garbed in a hooded cloak. Those were most likely the leaders of them all, and I had a pretty good idea of which one was my mother. As I made my way past the trio the mare and I made eye contact and I saw a flare of surprise in her features. But as soon as her surprise had shown it was gone and replaced with a calm expression.
I nodded to mother and she nodded back, her orange eyes sparkling, a small smile creeping up on her lips. With my the knowledge that my mother arrived safely I made my way over to Celestia and Luna who sat in their own respective thrones. Twilight sat in her own throne next to Luna's and I stood next to Celestia's.
“So we are in agreement then, the traders will receive a bonus in profit in accordance as long as trade between the smaller colonies is continued. Is there anything else any of you would like to ask? Do so now, or else this meeting is adjourned.”, Celestia's voice held an air of power as she spoke.
The throne room was silent save for the silent murmurings in the crowd. The trio of leaders nodded to each other before returning to their respective groups, all except for the mare.
“I have one more favor to ask of you, princess Celestia,”, the mare asked taking a step forward.
“You do? Well please, tell me my friend.”, this was it! The moment that will define changeling history! As soon as Celestia spoke, the mare burst into striking orange flames, burning away her cloak to ashes. As the flames died down to nothing but smoke, what stood at the center of the flames made everypony gasp out in horror. There stood my mother, strong and proud with her head held up high.
“I wish to employ diplomatic relations if I may, Celestia”, my mother bowed to the princess in question as she spoke. Two of the three merchant clans were in uproar, many of them yelling for Celestia to execute mother on the spot. The last group of merchants stood silent and watched for Celestia's answer intently.
“Silence! I will not have you all treating our guest with such barbaric manners!”, everpony gasped in surprise at Celestia's words including my mother. I bet this wasn't the reaction she was expecting now huh?
“Now tell me, what do you wish to speak about, miss?”, Celestia asked as she straightened in her throne. Mother just smiled a toothy smiled and spoke.
“Queen Artiidaes at your service, Celestia. I have come here to represent both my people as well as the other kingdoms to the east, south and west. And I am here today to propose an alliance between the changeling kingdoms and all pony kind. I believe it is time we stop this fighting between our species, that there is no need for deception and lies any longer!”
The crowd listened to mother intently as she went along. I expected one of the gryphons to tackle her at some point but even they stood calm and attentive. This was going well so far, come on mother, bring on home!
“It is my belief that with an alliance both of our species can flourish together, we would no longer have to hide and hunt ponies anymore. We can live in harmony together, work together and endure the future together if you allow it! All I ask is that you give us a chance, besides all our differences we are not so different. So please, consider my plea and if you reject my proposition then I shall surrender myself and my guards.”
Just then the pony merchant guild transformed, morphing into a horde of changelings who all bowed together. All except for one pony I had not noticed, Page! He was here! And lo and behold standing right next to him stood Squelch with that shit eating grin of his. I fought the urge to run to them both, resorting to just giving them both a huge smile to which they returned. Page winked at me, mouthing out a, “I love you”, my heart just melted.
The room was dead silent as Celestia watched the event unfold but she was smiling.
“That is a wonderful idea, I too believe that an alliance will benefit us both greatly and it is time we end our hostilities. I accept your proposition, Artiidaes. May this alliance flourish and our new friendship last forevermore!”
The room was in uproar, but this time with cheers and cries of elation. Mother's changelings all hugged each other and jumped with joy. And to my surprise some of the zebras and gryphons joined in the cheering, how about that?
“Thank you princess, let it be known on this day that our days of struggling to survive are finally over. And I see you have my daughter, has she been good? She has been on her best behavior I hope?”
Oh gods not in front of all of these ponies mother. Don't you dare!
“Oh she has been quite the the house guest actually. Such a respectful young mare she is, she saved our lives and changed our outlook on her and her kind. You could say she has been an influence on us all,” with that eye rolling statement said Celestia cast a spell, tapping her horn against my collar. With a loud clank the collar popped off of my neck and I felt months of pent up magical energy rush back into my body unhindered. Oh by the gods that feels so much better, feels like my entire body feels lighter all of a sudden.
“Well that is a relief, my underling and her coltfriend had told me about what she did. And I would gladly help pay for the damage if there is anything left to repair”, mother said with a impish grin. I once again rolled my eyes at her and left her alone with Celestia. I wanted to get reacquainted with a certain changeling and pegasus. And there they were, I spotted them pushing their way past the crowds. My heart soared at the sight of my lovercolt running over to me with Squelch close behind.
I galloped the fastest I have ever galloped in my life and tackled Page. Wrapping my hooves and wings around him as I smooched all over his face all the while still tumbling from the tackle.
“I missed you so much, oh my gods I can't believe you came all this way! Oh Page I am so sorry for sending you away and-mph!”, before I could say another word Page silenced me, pressing his lips against mine. And to my surprise he forced his tongue against my own, my oh my, seems time in the citadel has made him braver! Our tongues wrestled against each other as we sealed our lips together, kissing each other as hard as we could to make up for the year we spent apart.
“Guys, hey guys I'm right here too you know! Not going to say hi to your favorite guard, princess? I know its been a year and all but I deserve some recognition too!”
With much disdain I pulled away from Page's tasty lips and stood back up, pulling Page along with me and turned to face our idiotic friend. Now that I look at him I can see that he looks good, he has gotten considerably more bulky since I last saw him. Quite a far cry from the skinny guard of yesteryear, but even though he has all of that muscle he is still lanky as ever.
“You really do know how to kill the mood bro”, Page whined as he leaned against me, nuzzling into my neck. I guess he wanted me to deal with big bad Squelch, how submissive. I nuzzled him back and smirked as I thought up a witty response for the runt. But I let Squelch make the first move of this teasing war.
“Really, you mean like the private moment of making out in a throne room full of ponies and all that jazz?”, and there is the Squelch I remember, I wonder if he is still easy to fluster? Even though he looks more like a guard he is still the idiot I remember I'm sure.
“Considering you kept me awake with those squealing 'private' moments between you and Medley, I don't think you have the right to call us out, hmm?”, I teased. Squelch just glowed red as a tomato and mumbled a few curses at me. Still the easily flustered Squelch, I don't know whether to be happy or disappointed his personality hasn't changed. I'll tell you one thing, I would never trade his idiocy for anything else.
To add insult to injury I smacked him right upside his muzzle, but in a playful joking way of course! Squelch still winced at my struck and grumbled as he rubbed the pain away.
“Aw don't be such a baby, but hey, speaking of Medley where is she? Is she not with you two?”, I couldn't spot neither head nor tail of the ditzy mare in the crowd.
“Oh yeah, that's cause she aint here, ow buck, my muzzle! Jeez you still haven't lost your touch with those smacks of yours”, Squelch mumbled, still rubbing his muzzle. Oh cmon I didn't even hit him that hard, what a foal.
“Just making up for lost time, I am sure I missed out on countless stupid moments that needed a good wacking!”, I mused, playfully punching him in the shoulder.
“Fair enough, but yeah Medley is back home at the Citadel. And don't ask me why she couldn't come along, she made me promise not to tell you, not until you went back home. She didn't want me to ruin the surprise!”, a surprise huh? Now what have those two been up to the past year?
Before I could pry any further I felt Page wrap a hoof around mine. He gave me a gentle squeeze, beckoning for me to follow.
“Enough about that, I think we all need to catch up and its a bit too crowded here for all of this personal junk yeah? Come on, before your mom and Celestia finish talking!”, Page tugged on my hoof as he spoke. I sighed and motioned for him to follow, and so we Page and I made our way pushing past the crowd with Squelch close behind. I doubt mother would mind if I was gone for a few moments anyway. After a brisk walk through the halls I led the duo to the royal gardens. Not a single sign of guards or maids, finally found a secluded spot for us to catch up.
“Woah, nice place! And here I thought you were worse off than us! Speaking of us, why don't ya ask me how my guard duties have been doing?”, Squelch whistled innocently as he sat on a nearby bench. I rolled my eyes but asked anyways.
“Alright, how have your guard duties been faring this past year?”, I asked in a monotone voice. As soon as I asked, Squelch jumped up into the air flying, performing aerial loops and barrel rolls all the while yelling at the top of his lungs.
“I got promoted! Artiidaes and my dad had heard of all of my heroism in the face of danger from Shell! She made me honorary royal seeker captain! Captain of the scouting brigade! Can you bucking believe it!? Got a pay raise and everything, big daddy Squelch ain't the underdog anymore and I got you and Shell to thank!”
Well would you look at that, Squelch has made quite a name for himself. The seeker captain, now that is a prestigious position I would never had imagined Squelch be in. Organizing all of the scouts sent out from the Citadel and leading patrols when needed....hard to see Squelch sitting behind a cushy desk all day but hey, he's Squelch. I guess a congratulations is in order then? But before I could congratulate my guard he dove out of the sky and tackled me in a bone crushing hug.
“Thank you for choosing me as your guard that night we left the citadel. If ya didn't, I wouldn't have met Medley and never got this promotion. Thank you, Chrysalis”, Squelch said sincerely as he tightened his hug even more. Even though he was squeezing my lungs of all of my oxygen I hugged him back instead of swatting him across the muzzle.
“Yeah yeah, sappy moments and all that. Now let go of me before I bop you....and good job Squelch, I am proud of you, seriously,”, Squelch brightened up at my praise and squeezed me once more, looks like this hug isn't going to end anytime soon, may as well hug it out to his hearts content. I meant every word of my praise by the way, my little idiot guard has grown to be an idiot seeker captain and I am proud of him. A few more moments of hugging and we broke apart, both of us wearing a goofy grin on our faces. A short, “ahem” brought our attention to Page who was fiddling with his hooves nervously.
“I hope your success story doesn't end with a crushing me in a hug, not that I would mind though.”, I teased with a wink, causing Page to blush wildly.
“N-Nothing like that Chryssy. I j-just want to say that none of this would ever have happened, the whole alliance thing if it wasn't for me, kinda. My special talent is the reason, cartography is in my blood and your mother saw that and asked if I would take a chance to bring my family name out of the dark. And so I agreed and well, I made maps and coordinate suggestions to sneak Artiidaes's horde past outposts into Canterlot. Sure I only did just that but she needed somepony with natural navigation skills, and so for the first time in years a Breakwatt has been part of something good in history. Because of a Breakwatt, changelings and ponies can finally be allied together peacefully!”
I smiled, mother knew about Page's family problems and gave him a chance to rewrite everything.
“A Breakwatt cartographer designing entire maps for the changeling diplomatic escort that enabled peace, ending a feud all across Equestria....it's got a nice ring to it don't you think?”
And now Page has finally gotten his wish, his family name written in the history books for a good deed outshining his father's follys. My heart swelled at seeing Page so happy, and not just physically but emotionally as well. He was a beacon of positive energy without a trace of negativity. And how could he not be so happy? He finally achieved his dream of proving the Breakwatt name, now he won't be seen as his father's child but as the cartographer that helped make all of this possible.
“Thank you, if I hadn't met you....I don't know what I would be doing with my life now”, small tears left Page's eyes as he spoke. Sure enough I felt tears of my own threaten to escape. Without saying a word I embraced him, wrapping my hooves around him with my wings as a blanket over him.
“You are the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life, Chrysalis. I know I am getting really sappy but I-”, I didn't let him finish, silencing his lips with a firm press of my own. Before he could ease into our kiss I pulled away and licked his snout playfully.
“I love you too, my little love bug”, I heard Squelch gag from somewhere behind us but I didn't care. Choosing to just kiss my lovercolt to my earnest. Suddenly I felt myself become energized like I had just drank fifteen cups of coffee. That is when I realized I had been feeding off of Page's love subconsciously and it was too much for me to handle. And as embarrassing as it is to admit, I prematurely shot out a spell out from my horn from the stimulation. Never in my entire life have I ever done that, I blame it on the pure love, and I wasn't prepared.
“Hahahaha! Oh my gods, did you just? Pfffhahaha!”, Squelch laughed, clutching his sides as he chortled.
“I don't get it, what?”, Page raised an eyebrow at Squelch who finally stopped laughing enough to answer. You say one word Squelch and I will end you!
“You know how pegasi get wing boners when they get all hot and bothered? Same thing happens to unicorns but its a bit more explosive if you catch my meaning!”, Page facehooved and I on the other hand blushed furiously with both embarrassment and fury. Leave it to bucking Squelch to ruin a special moment.
“Chrysalis? Squelch? Page?”, mother's voice echoed throughout the garden. I looked to Squelch and gave him the 'its not over' glare. Squelch snickered as he galloped to my mother's voice laughing all the way. He was an idiot but I couldn't stay mad at him for long, it was just Squelch being Squelch. You get used to his idiot ways after a while, its his charm. And now we were alone, with nopony to interrupt us, hmm.
“Well I guess we should head along then? After you milad-mph!”, poor Page couldn't finish his sentence seeing as how his mouth has been muted by my own. I giggled into the kiss, pulling apart for a moment.
“Now that the annoying idiot is gone for a moment how about we continue were we left off hmm?”, I cooed seductively coupled with the alluring batting of my eye lashes. My little Page could only blush furiously all the while darting his eyes to anywhere but my own. I love it when he gets nervous, he is so cute when he gets all hot and bothered.
“I-I suppose we it wouldn't k-kill us to be a few minutes late?”, now were talking, good boy. Slow and steady I eased back into our lip lock, intertwining our tongues in the age old dance we knew too well. I won't tell you what happened next, just know that I have still kept myself 'pure', although Page might be a bit weak in the knees for a bit. So on wobbly jelly legs we followed Squelch's path and arrived to the outer gates leaving the castle. Waiting for us was Squelch, mother and her small army of changelings.
“Ah there you are, I was about to send Squelch back to look for you two. For a second there I had thought you had been imprisoned again and we would have to leave without you!”, good, at least mother is oblivious to our still red faces and Page's slight panting. That would have been embarrassing, although Squelch had a knowing grin on his face. If he wants to be able to smile in the future he will keep his mouth shut. I also noticed several royal guards standing around our group in a defensive perimeter, Celestia must have sent protection for when we left, just in case I suppose.
“But alas you were simply enjoying a private moment, but dear please do that on your own time. The gardens aren't as secluded as you think!”, mother chuckled and a few of her underlings joined in. Squelch was having trouble keeping his mouth shut, a hoof stifling his giggles and snorts. I shot everling a threatening glare and they all shut up, except for mother. “Don't worry, I didn't watch I just merely saw you two alone and I put two and two together.”
Well that's a relief, the very thought of mother watching us spend an intimate moment together was utterly degrading. And it would give her ammunition for future arguments against me, she would never let me live it down.
“At least she isn't flaunting herself about like her sister, Gynaephora would probably take this moment to brag on her sexuality or something!”, Squelch snickered as did mother and Page. But I kept silent, instantly forgetting about the world around and me, only focusing on that single name. Gynaephora, just the mention of her name brings guilt flooding into my sense. I cannot leave home until I know she is, dare I say it, safe. As crazy as it sounds I need to find her and make things right between us.
“Chrysalis, is everything alright?”, Page nudged me with his muzzle as he spoke. I returned the nuzzle albeit a bit halfheartedly. Damn Page and his perception of me, even though we have been separated for a year he still knows the signs of me worrying about something, even when I am stone faced.
“No, everything is not alright. We can't leave yet”, Squelch, Page and mother as well as everling her horde perked up at my words. No doubt curious as to what is holding up their departure home, and they aren't going to like the answer. I have to tell them what I have been thinking about these past months, its now or never.
“There is one thing that is bothering me and I cannot leave until this loose end is taken care of.”, I kept my voice low as I paced in front of my captive audience, thinking on what to say next. I was getting worried about the reaction of mother and the others, they definitely won't like this idea one bit.
“What could possible be bothering you Chrysalis? Everything is fine and well, the alliance is brokered, everypony and everyling is safe. What else is there to stress over?”, mother asked, tilting her head in a curious fashion.
“Gynaehpora, I have to confront her to make sure she will no longer be a threat....and to fix the ties between us. And when all is said and done we will bring her back home.”, every was quiet, okay so they aren't yelling yet that is good.
“Wait a bucking second, you want to bring that backstabber with us?”, Squelch yelled, getting right up in my face as he did. I nodded, standing my ground against the seeker captain. I was afraid of this, but I expected this reaction nonetheless. But the reactions would only get worse, and my love, Page was next to assault me.
“She tried to kill you along with me, Squelch and Medley! Hell even the princesses too! I understand you want to make sure she can't hurt anypony but taking her back with us is just madness!”, Page yelled, he was absolutely livid. My love barking in my face and I could not blame him. He suffered both physically and mentally under her torture so of course he would be against the idea. I just hoped that he would at least consider it and just trust me on this one.
“She is my family, Page. Her crimes against all of us are terrible but I will not allow her to hide in the dark, and neither should any of you either.”, Page shook his head in disbelief as did Squelch. Mother just stared without a hint of emotion. I fear the thoughts running through her head at this very moment. Things were silent between us, that is until Squelch laughed sarcastically before ambling up to me.
“Frankly I don't see why she is even worth the trouble. Gynaephora is ju-WHAM”, before Squelch could finish his retort I stamped the ground, hard. If the very land before us could speak he would curse my very name and blame me for the new cracked scars in the aftermath.
“Do you not understand why she has done all of this?! Are you blind to her suffering like I was?!”, Squelch was stunned without a word to say. He slowly shook his head 'no' as he recoiled slightly. He dared not move nor speak a word and neither did Page.
“I was blind to her pain, I was too full of myself and rubbed my status in her face my entire life. What I saw as a lust for power was in reality a cry for a chance to prove herself as the better choice for Queen. I did a lot of thinking this past year and as odd as it sounds I have come to terms with her. Looking back at her actions, I pity her for making them. Mother, you know how she tried to one up me every chance she got right? We both thought she was just being an uppity bitch and the problem child, but she just wanted to be accepted and loved. For bucks sakes she worked as hard as I did and never got any recognition, anypony or anyling would grow mad from just that!”
Page and Squelch refused to look me in the eyes, keeping their sad looks aimed at the ground. Mother however kept her eyes locked on mine, a frown on her lips.
“Perhaps if I had tried to treat her as an equal than this would have never happened....maybe her madness could have been avoided....”, Guilt, pure and utter guilt plus a sense of pity created a heavy feeling in my belly. I felt horrible when I realized that Gynaephora was simply trying to be noticed by her own mother and she couldn't even get that. And what did I do when she was in pain? I rubbed it in her face and treated my own flesh and blood like dirt. I am Chrysalis, the evil, deceitful changeling who wanted to treat everypony as a lesser being and here I am trying to justify my sister's horrifying deeds. But even she is worth forgiveness, if I can be forgiven of trying to destroy a monarchy then so can she.
“Mother, we must find her and make things right, I must forgive her for all of this or else this bad blood will never end”, I pleaded to my mother, begging her to at least consider the idea.
“Finally you understand”, mother's words threw me off for a second I expected yelling, yet she is calm and collected. What does she mean by that?
“I had known of Gynaephora's jealousy, it was quite obvious. But what I am saying is that it shall not change a thing if I gave her the same praise at this point. She is too far gone, Chrysalis. It is too late, perhaps you are right about her motives but it does not change the fact that she is a deranged traitor. If we look for her you might not like what you find. I know she is family, but seeking her out may make things worse.”
Maybe she is right, maybe it would be easier to forget about her and move on. But how could I? My sister has been in my shadow her entire life and I feel responsible for what she has become.
“We have to try, you may not feel responsible for her but I do. I will go alone and seek Gynaephora out myself if I must”, mother glared at me as I spoke. But I did not budge and inch, keeping my stance proud and strong, my eyes glaring and unblinking. I will not submit to her, but I still hope she would reconsider and help me, but the burning look in those orange eyes said otherwise. The air was filled with the sound of deafening silence as we stared each other down. Squelch, Page and the other changelings watched with bated breath.
“You know what, if Chrysalis sees that someling like Gynaephora is worth redeeming, then I will stand by her side. Chrysalis was forgiven for a crime that nearly toppled the kingdom and she got redeemed. Why not Gynaephora? I still don't like the idea, but I trust my marefriend on this one”, my heart fluttered as Page spoke. The young cartographer broke away from the opposing group and stood by my side. Honestly I would have smacked the living tartarus out of him if he even thought of not coming along.
“Ah buck it, I'll come along too, someling has got to watch your back if your little plan screws up anyways. And hey, if we can turn that ice queen to turn a new leaf then it would be a nice bonus yeah? And besides, Page is your coltfriend so he is entitled to follow your every whim, I even this one out in my opinion!”, Squelch announced as he spun into a hero like pose before trotting over. Squelch, always the fool even in serious situations. Page and Squelch stood by my side, all that was left was mother and I hope she comes along. I could do this without her but this is a family issue, and mother needs to burn the bridge between her hatred of her daughter.
Mother looked to Page, Squelch and then to me as if sizing us up for a fight. I really hope she doesn't do what I think she is going to do. Suddenly mother broke out into laughter, the crazy maniac kind.
“What character my daughters have, now this is something I never expected! My how you have changed, dear daughter. I don't know whether to be proud or angry of your outburst to protect that conniving sister of yours. The old Chrysalis I knew would have let her sister fall into oblivion itself, to die a traitor's death. I wonder, has life in Canterlot civilized you that well? Whatever the reason I shall accompany you to see this plan's outcome!”
Confusion and anger were the two prominent feelings I felt right now. Confusion for mother's 180, and anger for how she called me 'civilized', the implications were infuriating. One day my bipolar mother will be the death of me I know it.
“So you are fine with this?”, Page asked cautiously, running a worried hoof through his hair.
“Yup”, mother simply said with a curt nod and a toothy smile. Squelch, Page and I simultaneously facehooved at my mother's actions. I keep forgetting she walks the fine line between crazily sane, and bucking crazy if that makes sense.
“Oh and henchman! I hereby give you all a weeks worth of vacation! Tata!~”, mother ordered her changelings with a wave of her hooves and a sing song voice. Mother's henchman all cheered and disguised themselves of ponies ranging from all shapes and sizes before dashing out of the main entrance. All of the guards around us chased after the changelings, no doubt wanting to keep watch on them to both protect them and the city itself.
“Oh and before you ask, Celestia gave us free reign of the city as long as we behave. My own guards can behave themselves I assure, now back to the task at hand hm?”, mother explained.
“Aw I want a vacation!”, Squelch whined. I went to smack him but to my surprise he dodged my right hook. He even dared to stick his tongue out at me along with a wink.
“Not this time Chryssy baby! Months of slapping me back in that apartment has toned my sense just fo-WHACK”, and with a swift smack mother backhanded Squelch right on the muzzle. Didn't see that coming did you?
“Okay, shutting, ow that smarts, up now!”, I rolled my eyes and turned back to mother, eager to move this plan along.
“As fun as it is to watch the slapstick, how are we going to find Gynaephora?”, Page took the words right out of my mouth. This is quite the conundrum, she could be anywhere. “I hope you don't expect me to find her, my talent is in finding stuff and cartography but that's for mapping, folks. I don't have the talent for finding changeling escapees.”
Page was right, and I was going to ask him for help but that was a foolish idea to start with. What to do?
“Do not worry gang, I know exactly where she is”, we all turned to my mother and just stared at her slack jawed. How did, you know what? I am not even surprised anymore,
“Oh don't be so surprised, did you really think I would have not kept an eye on her ever since her betrayal? Remember children, I know everything”, mother said with a mischievous smile. Mother turned towards Canterlot and beckoned us to follow. “It is quite a walk to our destination, and I think it would be best for us to disguise ourselves. We may have an alliance but it news hasn't spread among the populace and I don't think ponies will react nicely to three changelings walking the streets nonchalantly.”
And with that said we disguised ourselves, I as Flare, Squelch as Stonewall, mother as Nova and Page as, well Page. Its been so long since I wore this disguise, it feels so alien yet comforting, my second skin that I had to live without. So with our disguises on the four of us went along our way, nodding to the guards at the gates and went on our merry way into the city. We spent the next half hour trotting through the streets. It was a sweltering day out but at least it was sunny. As we followed mother I caught sight of several of mother's guards relaxing among the populace, lucky bastards.
Half an hour past and we arrived in front of a shop, 'Bijoux Jewelers' was printed in big cursive letters on a sign outside. Jeez it looked like the sign itself was encrusted with a few gems too, the owner must be full of himself. We all looked to each other, nodding to each other silently as we made our way inside. The jingle of a bell sounded from somewhere in the store as we entered, followed by a crash and clopping of hooves.
“I'll be there in a second! One moment please, don't leave!”, yelled a high pitched voice from deep within the store. It was hard to tell if it was a mare's or a stallion's voice but soon enough we'll see whom it belonged to. Meanwhile while we waited I took in the scenery, this was a very expensive looking store. It was a quaint store that looked extravagantly made, a set of stairs rested at the end of the shop leading up. Everything looked like it cost a fortune, from the jewelry laying in their cases to the wooden shelves and marble podiums.
I can already feel my wallet crying just at the sight of the price tags on some of these trinkets. I can't even afford half of this with what I have leftover in my bedroom back at the Citadel.
“Five thousand bits?! Holy bucking shit, who in the right mind would willingly pay this much for something this tiny?”, Squelch held in his hooves a pair of golden earrings that was encrusted with a dozen or so blood red diamonds.
“Somepony with class and bits to spend, honey! So if you don't intend on buying that I suggest you put it down”, turning towards the sound of the voice I met with the visage of the literally most flamboyant stallion I have ever seen. There behind the cash register stood a bright pink stallion with baby blue flowing locks held together in a ponytail. His eyes were of a deep alluring blue as he gave us all a wink. He was leaning over the counter, giving me a glimpse of his cutie mark, seven hearts swirling over a heart shaped gem.
“But for you, I might give ya a discount pretty boy!”, the stallion cooed as he winked slyly at Page. On reflex I put myself between Page and the stallion. I nearly let a growl escape my muzzle but I kept it in, resorting to just glaring at the pink store owner. “Awww, guess you're taken then? Ah what a shame. Anyways welcome to my store the Bijoux Jewelers the best place in town for the most luxurious of jewelery! And I am Falsetto!”
Falsetto announced as he struck a pose with his hooves on his hips, complete with him blowing a kiss towards all of us. Falsetto huh? Totally didn't see that one coming at all.
“Greetings Falsetto, I am looking for a mare who works here, she is my daughter. She's about my daughters height right here, blue coat with a green mane cut short?”, mother asked the flamboyant shop keep whom hummed thoughtfully to himself. After a few seconds of thinking Falsetto let out a silent 'ahah' and clapped his hooves together.
“Yes I know who you are talking about, Amethyst is the one yes?”, mother nodded and this seemed to please Falsetto as he let out a feminine giggle.
“Oh she is a doll! One of the hardest workers I know! I had just sent her upstairs on her break, did you know this shop is actually built into a house with this area as the ground floor? I have two rooms upstairs and one is being rented out by Amethyst and her coltfriend. My oh my is she helpful, because of her my sales have increased tenfold! Just the other day she went along an-”
I just tuned out Falsetto at this point, the flighty stallion just kept rambling on and on about how great she was. By the gods was this coltcuddler annoying.
“Yeah she's amazing we get it, but can we see her please?”, I interrupted the stallion, smacking a firm hoof against the counter.
“Watch the glass, honey! Just had this cleaned! Show some manners!”, Falsetto whined in that oh so high pitched voice of his. I just grimaced at him and grinded my hoof into the glass just to piss him off for rambling.
“Please excuse my daughter she has had a long day and really wants to see her sister. Would it be alright if you showed us to her room?”, Falsetto tore his eyes off me and immediately brightened up at my mother's polite manner.
“Now I see where Amethyst gets her manners from, such class! You however must take after your father if I had to guess, so uncivilized”, Falsetto turned his nose up in the air and scoffed at me. The very nerve of this flamboyant idiot! I'll show you who's uncivilized! But before I could show him what for mother placed a hoof on my shoulder and shook her head. Giving me the whole 'stop embarrassing me', glare. With a angry sigh I slunk away from Falsetto, but not before kicking my hoof against his precious glass counter leaving behind an unsightly crack.
“Why you-you know what? Its alright Falsetto, just breath in and breath out, release the demons. Don't let the instigator win”, Falsetto muttered silently to himself as he rubbed his temples. After a short mantra whispering moment later he bounced back to attention and motioned towards the stairs behind him. “Follow me if you please!”
Up the stairs we went and we came upon a short hallway that split in two with a door at each end. Falsetto led us to the right side to the wooden door that reside there. A wooden barrier is all that stood between a quite possibly deadly situation. I started getting nervous, what if she expected us and would spring a trap on us as soon as we touched the door knob? What is Falsetto is under her control and this is all just an elaborate ruse to get us all under one roof?
All sorts of implications swam through my mind, and every single one ended with either Gynaephora or I dead and buried six feet under.
“And here we are! I shall leave you to say hi and what not, if you don't mind I have a shop downstairs to return too. Oh and bye bye cutie!~”, Falsetto sang a goodbye as he smacked Page's ass and quickly dashed down the stairs. Page was speechless, sporting tomato red face. Squelch just laughed and mother rolled her eyes, I however was seething. That motherbucker! How dare he touch my Page like that! Why I outta strangle him!
“Let it go my daughter, this is far more important don't you think?”, mother said calmly, placing a hoof on the door as if to knock. Fine, I will ignore Falsetto and his gay antics, for now anyways. I moved past mother and went to knock but I stopped halfway. Apprehension and fear hit me like a ton of bricks, my sister is behind this door, the one who tried to murder me and I am just going to knock? How am I going to go about this, “Hi sister, you nearly killed me but I wanna forgive you, so bffs?”
“This little rivalry between you two will never end if you don't confront her and knock, Chrysalis. No matter what has come to pass, she is still your sister.”, a little rivalry was an understatement. But she was right about this, if I never knock then this will never end. Time to bucking mare up and just go with it.
Knock, knock, knock, the sound of my knocking echoed down the hallway and just made my anxiety worse. It was quiet for a moment, until the sound of somepony clambering around behind the door broke the agonizing silence.
“Ahm comin, hold yer horses!”, my heart started racing, that was my sister's disguised voice alright. The southern cowpony drawl that was just as annoying as when I first heard it. The sound of several locks clanked on the other side, I held my breath. I felt the need to just bolt out of here and run as fast as I could but I held my ground, running won't fix this as much as I wanted it to. A final clank and the door swung open, revealing Gynaephora's persona, Amethyst.
“Howdy, how may ah-oh, its you....”, Gynaphora's voice lost its accent and turned to normal at the sight of me. There was a short pause as she eyed me and the others, stopping to linger a second longer at mother before returning back to me. In reality it was only a few seconds but it felt like an eternity. “What the hell do you want?”
Gynaephora's tone was ice cold as she gave me a loathing glare. I gulped, say something Chrysalis!
“I came here to talk, nothing more”, I said softly, hoping a softer tone would ease the message along. Gynaephora squinted her eyes at me before sighing loudly, rubbing a hoof over her eyes.
“Come in, but be quiet my coltfriend is sleeping and he had a long day so keep your trap bucking shut!”, Gynaephora whispered in a quiet yell as she retreated back into the room. We quietly followed her inside, shutting the door with a clunk. I quickly scanned the room and found it to be quite homey. A single room that held a kitchen, living room fit with a two couches and a television set along with a quaint dining room that could seat four. There were no windows so escape routes were limited to the door we came in. And finally there was a door near the kitchen that most likely led to a bedroom, all in all it was a solid home, wonder how much the rent costs?
“All right, what the buck do you want? Came here to gloat or to drag me back to the Citadel in chains?”, Gynaephora barked as she sat herself on a couch, flipping on the television with a flick of her horn. The channel she switched too was the news station, an image of a mare in a suit forecasting the weather flickered on screen. Well if the weather mare is to be trusted then at least the weather will be nice outside if we end up duking it out outside. “Or perhaps you came here to kill me for my crimes, if you are then please let me say goodbye to my coltfriend, he deserves that much.”
“No! We did not come here for any of that! I just want to talk”, I exclaimed, sitting opposite of my sister on the other couch. Gynaephora snorted in disbelief, keeping her eyes glued on the tv.
“Chrysalis has some things to talk to you about, and I think you should listen, Gynaephora”, to my surprise Page spoke first, not showing a hint of fear in his voice. Gynaephora again ignored us, focusing on the tv instead.
“I don't believe you. She comes down all this way and brings along mother just to talk? Quit beating around the bush and do what you came here for”, Gynaephora muttered as she sank deeper into the couch cushions.
“Its true! Chrysalis wants to just talk things out”, Squelch added, sitting himself down next to me. Page followed close suit and sat on my other side. Mother opted to stand, staying silent as she watched the event play out.
“....I'm listening, speak”, Gynaephora turned off the tv and turned herself to face us, dissipating her disguise in the process. Mother, Squelch and I followed suit, disrobing our second skin and got comfortable. Here goes nothing.
“I know why you did what you did, sister. All those years of never being noticed had pushed you to the edge. I understand why you did it, and I came here to forgive you....for everything you did to my friends and I. I know that this seems so sudden, that it doesn't make sense but I have done a lot of thinking this past year. About you, about me, about everything really. Looking back on everything, I should have treated you as family, not as my enemy.”
Gynaephora's eyes grew wide as she listened, but she didn't speak a word. She stayed silent and let me continue with a wordless nod.
“I was always in the spotlight and I should have shared it with you, but I was blind with success. We used to be so close, Gynaephora. As hatchlings we were inseparable but everything changed when mother chose me for ascension to queenhood didn't it? Sisters turned into foes, where did we go wrong? But, what I am trying to say here is that although I understand the whys, I will not justify what you have do-”
“You don't understand what I have been through! You don't know what it was like to play second fiddle your entire life!”, Gynaephora growled, thursting herself off the couch as she yelled. Page and Squelch recoiled in their seats but I stayed stoic and firm, she will not intimidate me.
“Mother praised you for every bucking thing you did, even when you failed! When you came back from that failure in Canterlot I expected you to know what it feels like to fail but what did mother do? She bucking gave you a second chance! I worked harder than you at everything and never got any recognition! Don't you bucking dare act like you know how I feel! Chrysalis is so amazing, Chrysalis you did so well, what about me?!”
Gynaephora was in my face now as she roared. Mother took a step towards us but I held a hoof out to stop her. Disdainfully, mother stepped back but never kept her eyes off of Gynaephora.
“What about me? I tried so hard to gain her affection and what do I get? I get treated like shit by my own mother for working my hardest and you get the meal ticket. What did I do to deserve this....”, my sister collapsed on top of me, breaking down into tears. Pounding her hooves weakly against me as she wailed. “Why....why is it that no matter what I do I never get noticed? Why did fate choose you to be the favorite one?”
I said nothing at first, just embracing her gently and rubbed her back hoping it would sooth her suffering. After a while she finally calmed down enough to only sobbing softly.
“I don't know why fate did what it did. I want you to know one thing, Gynaephora. I am sorry for everything....and I want to help you get better. You did terrible things and so did I, and if I can change then so can you. Just trust me, we'll get through this together”, I whispered softly into her ear. Pulling away she gave me a look that had a mixture of both shock and disbelief. She opened her mouth to speak but the sound of something crashing open interrupted us.
“What's going in here?! Gynny where are ya?!”, yelled a familiar yellow stallion who burst from the bedroom door. His disheveled green mane tumbled over his eyes but I didn't have to see his face to recognize him. Beacon, that guard pony that Gynaephora seduced to allow us entry here when we first arrived to Canterlot. “Who the buck are you guys?”
“My family, the ones I told you about....”, Gynaephora muttered as she tore herself away from me and sat on the other couch. She kept her eyes to the ground, little droplets of tears fell from her face staining the carpet. As soon as my sister explained who we were Beacon's face contorted into anger.
“What the buck do you all want? Hasn't she been through enough already?”, Beacon growled as he eyed us all angrily. He circled around us, sizing us up like he was going to charge. Mother just scoffed and readied a spell, oh crap.
“Beacon stop, its alright. Come, sit”, Gynaephora beckoned in a soft voice. Begrudgingly Beacon acknowledged her wish and sat next to her. But he never dropped that hateful glare he was giving us. Thankfully mother let the aura around her horn fizzle away, that would have been a disaster.
“What are they doing here? They come here to take you back? Cause if you motherbuckers are you aint gonna buckin succeed”, well isn't he being protective, I wonder what kind love spell Gynaephora used?
“Beacon, darling, there is no need for violence. My mother and sister came here to talk, nothing more. So please, calm down my love.” Beacon just snorted but he let his anger die down as he laid back against the couch, hooves folded across his chest.
“Fine I'll be civil, but I don't bucking have to like it. I don't trust these folks after what they did to you”, Beacon grunted. Wait a minute, that means he isn't brainwashed! He is here willingly? I was about to ask but I kept my mouth shut. She will explain herself if she wanted to, I didn't want to push her.
“I assure you I regret treating Gynaephora the way I did, I have myself to blame in some of this, and I believe mother has something to say?”, mother just gave me an incredulous glare for putting her on the spot. Too bad, you have to say something, this is just as your fault as it is mine.
“Yes I believe I do, I would first like to say that I am disappointed of your actions, daughter,” Gynaephora froze up in her seat and Beacon rolled his eyes. Mother, really? You are going to do this that way? “But, I want to tell you something I should have told you a long time ago. I am proud of you.”
Gynaephora gasped along with everyone in the the room, including me. I was expecting her to say something else, phew.
“I didn't give you enough props when you were growing up and I am sorry for that. But know that I was always proud of you for being the most devious, cunning and cruel of the two of you. I just never thought you needed the praise but I see now that your insanity is part of my fault. Perhaps if I coddled you more as a child you wouldn't have resorted to such a betrayal. I was cold to you because I wanted you to grow strong, but that was such a foalish action from my part. Your father was always better at raising you than I was, you know that.”
Well that is a odd way to say you are sorry, but this is my mother speaking after all. Unorthodox ways are her passion.
“Just, buck this was easier to say in my head, what I am trying to say is that as crazy as you are, you are still my daughter. Sometimes we get a little crazy and perform a blood pact with black magic sacrificing a pony for power, and sometimes we royally buck up an invasion and lose everything we hold dear. But besides all of our many flaws we are still family, and this one time I can look past what happened so that we can be a family again. And....Iamsorryforbeingaterriblemotheralloftheseyearsyoudeservedsomuchbetterthanwhatyoureceived! There I said it, and I shant say it again!”
Mother looked like she was in pain from just saying she was sorry. But its good that she finally spoke her peace, even though it was cringe inducing to suffer through, in my opinion anyway.
“And I want to say that even though you put me through hell, I forgive you. I know what its like to never feel appreciated, that was every day of my life until recently, so I know how it feels. But you can't let it rule you like it almost did me, hell I almost killed myself because of that reason. I had something to help me get better, and if you will let us, let us be that something to help you change.”
All eyes were on Page as he spoke, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of pride for his words. Gynaephora smiled, it was a small one but it was a sincere one. Fresh tears flowed down her face but these were tears of joy.
“I-I'm so sorry, for everything I did to you all....looking back on that moment of insanity, I was such a foal. By the gods I sacrificed so much just to get a chance in the spotlight and somehow I knew that it still wouldn't have changed a damn thing. But even from all that happened you all still want me to be part of the family even from everything I did huh? You are all sappy bastards, but your my sappy bastards....thank you.”
Finally, Gynaephora has seen the light. Maybe now we can be a family again
“And besides, if you hadn't won that battle against me I would never have got back with Beacon. Not saying that Phylum's life was worthless, but no one is going to miss him right?”
We all chuckled at that, except for Beacon who squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. Poor Beacon is going to have to get used to this if he intends to be my sister's coltfriend.
“Speaking of Beacon, so uh, how did that happen?”, Squelch asked cautiously as he propped his head on his hooves.
“I am curious as well, is he under a love spell or something?”, mother added with a raised eyebrow.
Gynaephora just shook her head at the both of them and let out a wistful sigh. She looked over to Beacon who put an arm over her, nuzzling into her side reassuringly.
“I suppose I should explain, and since we are all back on peaceful terms it won't hurt to tell you the hows right? After you had defeated me, sister, I wandered the streets looking for safe haven. But I barely had enough energy to hold a disguise and I wasn't going to last much longer so I sought out Beacon. He was my last chance and I really hoped he would take me in, or at least not kill me. What happened next still surprises me today.”
So where she went off too, I thought she had escaped the city. But that was a risky move to put her faith on somepony she seduced, especially a royal guard.
“You should have seen the look on his face when I told him who I was, and that I had been tricking him this entire time. But even though he learned that I was seducing him just to gain passage into the city he still took me in. I don't care what you've done but I won't leave anypony out to dry, that's what he told me when he carried me inside his home”, Gynaephora sighed happily, easing into Beacon's chest. Beacon just smirked and kissed my sister's forehead.
“Sure I was mad as hell but I just couldn't turn her away to get lynched by the guards. That's not my style and besides, I wanted to know why you know? I wanted to know if the mare I loved really did love me back. The answer I got sucked to be honest, everything I felt was a big fat lie, but it didn't stop me from growing attached to her as time went on.”
So a relationship started to grow between them on a fresh start huh? Page and I had feelings between us to push us along but these two started with nothing. Just a royal guard and a changeling princess living together under one roof, I smell a sitcom.
“Beacon nursed me back to my prime, and he asked me if I could stay, to pay help pay the rent. But he couldn't hide his feelings from me, I knew he was falling in love with me but I kept quiet. At first I didn't want to hurt him anymore, I thought that pursuing a relationship with my food would be uncouth. But as time went on I started to see Beacon as more than a food source, I blame it on him being so bucking nice all the time around me. He's such a big softy, he's the reason I got this job here too.”
Smooth move Beacon, pay the rent? Not even Squelch is that cheesy.
“So after a few months we moved out his little apartment and rented this one, its so much roomier here than that dingy old hovel. I got a stable job that payed well and I had this hunk of a stallion to keep me company. I still felt empty you know, the thought that I could never go home floated around me like a annoying parasprite. But one night Beacon told me something that changed everything for me. He told me he loved me, he didn't care that I lied to him and used him to my own ends.”
Gynaephora nuzzled into her coltfriend and he nuzzled back. They looked into each others eyes with a burning love so hot it might have turned the couch on fire if it could. And let me tell you that Beacon glowed like a, well beacon with all of the love flowing out of him. Just like how Page was when he told me he still loved me during the fight between Gynaephora and I.
“And so here we are, two bucked up lovebirds living together peacefully. Not how I pictured my future but it will do,” with another wistul sigh my sister leaned towards Beacon and kissed him. I felt uncomfortable that my sister was kissing someone she truly loved, and not for the goal of rutting. She has changed just like I had, just in her own way.
“So this means I will have more hybrid grandchildren? Wonderful! I expect no less than six grandchildren from both of you combined, understood?”, mother squeaked as she hopped around the room all giddy like. We all facehooved at my mother's antics, mother's are supposed to be embarrassing but this was just ridiculous. After that embarrassing moment we talked about what Gynaephora had been up to and we asked her if she would come back home with us. She declined, wanting to stay a few more weeks in Canterlot with Beacon, but she promised she would come home until then.
Mother also asked if she wanted to be queen, stating right then and there that she could grant her rights over her own hive. To my surprise she refused and said that she isn't cut out for leading a hive, to much work is how she put it. She did promise that she will come to visit us soon, she just wanted to finish some things with Falsetto, something about repaying old debts with the rent.
So we all had a group hug and said our goodbyes, and finally I felt that guilt ridden hole in my chest fade away. Things have been settled with Gynaephora, peace between changelings and ponies is possible now, and I can finally go back home with my love. Everything is right in the world, finally I can relax. With those happy thoughts in my head we teleported back to the Citadel with a help from mother's magic, ending up in the throne room.
“And here we are, ah lair sweet lair! Now make yourselves at home, I have to prepare my emissaries to travel to Canterlot as my diplomats, ta!”, and with that said mother disappeared with a flash of light, leaving us alone to our own devices.
“Alright I think its time we relax huh? Oh right, you need to meet up with Medley for her surprise!”, Squelch said as he grabbed my hoof, dragging me along as he galloped down the castle halls. Moments of dashing around in what seemed to be circles we finally arrived to a unassuming door. I raised an eyebrow in question and Squelch said nothing and simply opened the door, slipping inside as he did.
“If Pinkie Pie is in there with a welcoming party I am going to strangle him”, I deadpanned as I walked into the room. I tensed for a moment, expecting party steamers and confetti to explode in my face but nothing happened. Just calm silence, phew. But instead of a party room, I was standing in what looked to be a nursery. There was a crib and everything you'd expect in a foal's room, and there sitting in a rocking chair in the middle sat Medley. And she was holding something, something bundled up in a shawl and whatever it was it was crying.
“Aw don't cry Minuet, daddy is here, and your auntie Chrysalis is here to meet'cha!”, oh buck me they multiplied. Medley looked up from her crying bundle and nodded at me with a warm smile. Page pushed me from behind, urging me to take a look, slowly I went over to the two and peered down at the crying foal. To be honest, the foal was the cutest thing I have ever seen that it nearly put me into a sugar coma. “Say hi Minuet, this is your grumpy auntie I told you so much about!”
Ignoring Squelch's comment I took in the adorable visage that was Minuet. It was a girl and she was a unicorn just like her mother. She had a orange coat like her mom, but she had her dad's mane color and eyes, striking ocean blue. But the one thing that stood out was her horn, it was curved and bent just like Squelch's. Imagine a regular looking unicorn with the eyes of a changeling and a exotic looking horn, all in all I was expecting a six legged abomination to be honest. Well there's your answer folks, changeling pony hybrids are possible and they don't turn out to be the ugliest thing ever.
Thank the gods for that!
“It is wonderful to see you again, Chrysalis. We all missed you, its good to see you alive and well”, Medley said with a warm smile as she lifted Minuet up towards me. The little foal immediately stopped crying as it regarded me with curious eyes. Minuet reached over with wobbly hooves and grabbed a hold of my muzzle and squeezed. Jeez the little thing had a strong grip, gotta get this runt off before she tears my muzzle off! Just then Minuet giggled a little laugh that melted my heart, I think I just got diabetes.
“Well I see this little girl got the annoying part of the gene pool, cute kid though”, I grumbled as I endured Minuet's fumbling. Medley giggled and Page just daawed while Squelch grumbled a curse under his breath.
“She is our little bundle of joy alright, Squelch is such a good daddy, you should see it when he-”
“Okay who wants dinner? I'm hungry, is anyone else hungry?!”, Squelch yelled desperately, oh I so want to hear this one.
“Oh do tell, what kind of things does he do that makes him a good father?”, I asked, watching Squelch squirm as he waved his arms for Medley to shut up in the corner of my eye. Oh this is going to be delicious.
“You should see him when he is all alone with our baby girl, he baby talks in the cutest voice you have ever heard! And when we go out with little Minuet he always freaks out about what kind of milk to bring and whether or not if I am holding her right. Are you holding her right, is she warm enough, did you bring her the stuffed manticore? You'd think I would be the overprotective one here but Squelchy has that part covered.”
I tried to hold it in, I really did but it was too much. I burst into a fit of laughter, tears running down my face. Medley and Page joined in my laughing fit, even baby Minuet chimed in with her little giggling.
“Oh my bucking god I just can't! Oh my gods, oh my gods I can't bre-e-eeaath!”, this was just priceless! I am never going to let Squelch live this one down!
Minutes of laughing like a crazy mare I finally calmed down and caught up with Medley over what she has been up too since I've been gone. Apparently she returned back to her classes shortly after the Gynaephora incident and graduated top of her class. Scored a job as an opera singer in the symphonic orchestra along side the likes of a mare named Octavia. The way she spoke so highly of the mare obviously made her out to be some sort of celebrity in the music industry. But that excursion ended abruptly when she became pregnant, so she returned back to the Citadel and has been here since. She told me she plans on returning to her job one day, but right now Minuet comes first, that is what she told me anyways.
I am happy that her dream job had been obtained, and even more elated at that fact of her successful pregnancy. She and Squelch are wonderful parents. Everything really is going in the right direction isn't it? Not a single bad thing has come to pass and I hope it stays that way. After leaving the two parents alone with their child I was finally left alone with Page, in my room, us sitting on my bed, definitely alone.
“So, how has living in the Citadel been like? Everyling has treated you nicely I hope? If anyling has given you any trouble just tell me who they are and I will make their life a living hell. Just say the word, no one is going to hurt my Pagey wagey and get away with it.”, I asked, breaking the ice.
“Oh it hasn't been that bad, a few guards tried picking on me but your mom immediately dropped the whole thing about us being together. That shut all of them up pretty quick, noling wants to mess with the coltfriend of Chrysalis herself. Sure a few changelings gave me some flack for, 'diluting' the bloodline with future children, but I just ignored them”, Page said with a smirk. That was both a relief and a disappointment. A relief because Page hadn't been given hell, and a disappointment that I wouldn't be cracking any skulls. Oh well, plenty of time to get an excuse for that later.
“And how have you been spending your time here alone without me? Find any cute mares to keep you satisfied?”, I teased as I leaned into Page's side, idly tracing a hoof on his shoulders. But Page kept a straight face, but he couldn't stop a blush from appearing. Huh, usually he would be stammering like a fool at the mere mention of sex, impressive.
“O-Oh nothing like that, I spent most of my time here studying about changeling culture with your mother's advisers. They were pretty annoyed at me first, but when they figured out I was just curious they warmed up to me. Oh and I made maps here and there for the scouts, hung out with Squelch, and spent time with your mom talking over tea. And for the mare thing, I haven't seen any girls here that really caught my eye, but I am afraid I have been smitten by a changeling I met....”
Page stopped, leaving me in suspense as he twiddled his hooves, trying his best not to look in my direction. And then it hit me, he what? He fell in love with someling else? I felt the oh so familiar heat in my chest rise up as my instincts screamed at me to hunt this mystery mare down. I am going to-ooh I get it. Phew that was a close one.
“And just who is this mare, hmm? Is she beautiful? Cause if she is I think I can prove myself as a better marefriend. I doubt she knows about that one spot right on your....”, I trailed off and whispered something into his ear. He instantly froze up and his once blushing face was now completely red. If he blushed any harder he would probably catch fire.
“Um, yeah she's beautiful, but she's pretty b-b-bossy sometimes but I find that bossiness attractive. And unfortunately she does know about that one spot, I think I have it bad for her,”, Page muttered, playing coy as he continued to stare down at his hooves. So that's how he wants to play huh?
“If that doesn't make you change your mind then I could just capture her and make her watch us make love. I'm sure the torture of being forced to watch would drive her insane. And besides, I need to show you just how much I missed you this past year~”,I cooed, making sure my voice was as seductive as possible. Leaning myself over Page until I was right on top of him.
“Eheh, are those the instincts talking or are you just that horny right now?”, Page chuckled as he squirmed beneath me. He tried to get up but I had pinned his hooves at his sides with my own, he wasn't going anywhere.
“A little bit of both, now how about we stop this charade and just get right on to it?”, I purred, licking the side of his cheek slowly, savoring the taste that was Page. Page just kept on stuttering, trying his best to formulate a sentence, how cute.
“S-s-so you w-w-want to do it? I-I mean if you want to that's f-fine, b-but I am not very experienced in s-s-s-s....”, poor Page couldn't manage to say the last word. He was just too flustered to say it. Oh he is just so precious, and he's all mine. But if he has the first time jitters then I won't force him .
“Yes I am, but if you aren't ready I can ju-”
“Nononono! I mean, er, I didn't say I didn't want to, I'm just worried that I am going to mess up!”, Page stammered, suddenly being a lot more eager than he was moments ago. With a mischievous smirk I straddled him, leaning down until we were muzzle to muzzle. My heart was racing, lecherous thoughts swam through my mind and my breath quickened in excitement. Page looked just as rearing to go, a nervous smile sat on his lips. Without another word I kissed him and he kissed back, with a flick of my magic I pulled the covers over us and sound proofed the room.
And what happened next became the most amazing night I have ever spent in the embrace of another. Page was a natural, and I was satisfied, that's as much as I will say about that. I don't kiss and tell, that's Gynaephora's department.
The next morning I awoke in Page's arms, the artificial light flowed in from the crystals outside, bathing us in its warmth. Suddenly the dull familiar sound of a bell resounded in the room, I groaned. I completely forgot about that damn thing, its been so long since I heard of it. With another groan I disdainfully pulled away from my dear Page and stretched, popping the kinks in my back with a grunt.
“Hmmwuzzat? Morning already?”, I looked over to a very sleepy Page whom was rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. I grunted a yes and pulled myself off of my oh so comfy bed went along with the old morning rituals.
“Yes indeed, looks like mother didn't wait long to enforce the old rules of the morning. Guess we have to work today,” I grumbled, working out the kinks in my wings as I stretched. Today was going to be a long day, but this time I get to face the day with Page by my side.
“Wait we? Why do I have to work? I'm not the royal one here, I just wanna sleep!”, Page whined as slumped back under the sheets. I grinned evily, oh so mother hasn't told him about his new title then? This is going to be good.
“Mother didn't tell you? Since you are my coltfriend that means you are entitled to several things in the Citadel, as I'm sure you know. But there is one important thing to know, since you are my coltfriend it means you are going to be future king of my hive”, Page jumped up from out the covers and just looked at me with a horrified expression.
“And being my future fiance means that you have duties to uphold now, so get ready to meet your subjects at the royal council, my king”, I made sure to draw out the word king as I trotted to the bathroom and shut the door behind me. A tumble and shriek was all I heard as Page scrambled around the room.
“WHAT!?!”
I smiled evilly to myself as I drew out a bath and sunk into the warm waters. Relishing in the warm waters I listened to Page hyperventilating, the sounds of hoofsteps pacing back and forth came muffled from outside the door.
“Maybe I should have told him in a different way? Eh, he'll get over it”, I muttered to myself.
I should have told him there was no guarantee that he would be king, mother hasn't even told me if I even earned queen status back anyways. Regardless he still has yet to adjust to life in the Citadel, and being the lover of changeling princess is full of surprises. Ah but such is life in the Citadel, and besides, the future is looking bright for once. And with Page by my side, I have nothing to fear of the future. Even if I don't become queen again I doubt it will bother me, as odd as it sounds I no longer care about that anymore. I have friends and the love of my life, what more could I ask for?