//------------------------------// // The start of the life in ponyville // Story: Cupid Chrysalis // by Nightmare Darkness //------------------------------// Chrysalis body was stiff, sore, and she was in a more foul mood then she had ever been since her crushing defeat at Canterlot. Boren hadn't woken her because he himself was just as tired and worn out. She rolled over and placed a hoof on her eyes sighing. She felt so comfortable there she could simply just lay there all day and not care but she had a prior engagement she couldn't miss, plus she was hungry. Rolling out of bed she cleaned herself up and walked down the stairs and was surprised to see Button Mash sitting on her living room couch as Bolt sat across from him. Button was looking around her living room that was converted into more of a home office as he nursed an apple juice box. His eyes fell on her and he smiled waving a hoof. “Hi Heartstrings! Im ready to start the day.” she looked at the clock above her desk. ‘8:12’ “You're early…” she said putting on her friendly mask that crack slightly as her eye twitched. Button smiled and drained the rest of the juice and putting it on her couch as he approached her. “I couldn't wait. So I went to the tree but you weren't there and then I saw the stallion from yesterday and I followed him then he let me in and gave me a juicebox.” He said smiling up at her. Chrysalis looked at Bolt who looked everywhere but at his queen. “That's fine, but have you eaten?” she asked walking to the kitchen where Boren was waking up sitting upright in his custom made bed in his corner of the kitchen. Rubbing his eyes and looked up at her. “Morning, oh hi.” he then said as he saw Button. Button looked at the dragon with hesitation. "Hello." He responded. Chrysalis guided him with a hoof over to her table as she eyed Boren. "Boren, make some tea." Chrysalis said as she pulled out her chair and sat down across Button. Button look at her with the enthusiasm only known by the young and smiled. Chrysalis raised a questioning eyebrow. "How do feel about Sweetie Belle?" She asked only to gauge him. His cheeks reddened as he tapped his hooves together becoming flustered. The feeling for her was a crush which was she needed to get a small taste of the kind of love he was capable of. Closing her eyes she could feel it around him. She chuckled making him look at her with a quizzical look. "I see you do genuinely like her." She said as Boren placed a teacup in front of her. She lifted it up and began to casually sip. The statement only further made him redden as she began to feed off the small bit of love he was exposing. Think of it like toast with a good jam...she finished her tea and indicated she wanted another. "How are we going to do it?" Button asked suddenly as Boren poured another cup. "How are we going to what?" She asked. "How are we going to get me to be with Sweetie...." His voice faltered as he thought of her. Chrysalis chuckled lightly. "Love is much like a..." She then tried to think of something to relate to him. "A game?!" Button said suddenly. Chrysalis raised a eyebrow. "I guess you could say that. You first must place the pieces on the board then." She stopped as button looked at her with a loss of understanding. "I don't get it. Is love like my game?" He said then pulling out a device that she had never seen before. "This is my goy-boy." He said holding it up. She picked it up with her magic and looked at it unsure. She found a switch and turned it on and the small screen came to life. "Right..." She turned it off and put it down on the table . She looked at him again then began to explain to him in words she hoped he would understand. "Like a game it has to start and the only way to do that is to interact with her. Best way to do so is to be around her. Not skulking from the shadows." She pointed out. Looking to her clock. "Its still early but I think we can start out today. Come." She said getting up from her seat. Button hopped down quickly throwing his saddle bags over his back. Chasing after her. Bolt stood up as they entered the room, he quickly made his way to follow behind them along with Boren. "Bolt, Boren stay here I will be fine." She said but stopped suddenly. They looked at each other unsure. "Boren get me my purse...." Chrysalis and Button walked past a few morning couples who nodded to them in greeting. She simply nodded them. After a few quiet moments she saw that Button was looking unsure of himself. Sighing Chrysalis rolled her eyes. "What troubles you Button." She asked. Button kept looking at the ground as they walked along. "W-what if she doesn't like earth ponies." He said. She considered this for a moment. 'So race division is still a thing in Equestria.' "What's not to like about a ...pony" she smiled. She really didn't like ponies and to play matchmaker/ confidant to them sent shivers up her spine. She would have to come to terms with that. But Button himself wasn't a bad colt, full of uncertainty and was much like her subjects. She guessed maybe to treat her "customers" how she would treat her subjects. She stopped Button and came down to his eye level making him look into her green eyes, capturing him. "If anypony were to not like you for who you are Button that pony is not worth your time. Sweetie Belle is not so shallow as that she wouldn't like a fine young colt such as you." She said. Button held her gaze for a moment and a spark of confidence flickered in his eyes. She stood back up looking down at him. "Thanks Heartstrings." He said with a broad smile. She simply smiled back and began he walking toward a pink pastry looking building. "What is that place?" she asked "That's sugar cube corner." He said. She already didn't like it but she could feel a fully matured love come from it. Finding herself walking into the door she was greeted by a very light blue coated, pink maned mare. Her smiled seemed to cause Button to break into smile at the site of her. “Hi Ms Cake.” Button said smiling. “Well hello Button Mash where is your mom?” she asked raising her eyebrow. He chuckled lightly looking round. She looked at him disapprovingly then turned her attention to her. Chrysalis got a perplexed look. “You must be the new unicorn in town Highness Heartstrings. Nice to meet you i am Cup Cake and.” before she could finish a yellow gangly earth pony with carrot orange mane backed into the room balancing a box of cakes on his head as he also held some in his teeth. "That talented stallion is my husband Carrot Cake." She finished with a chuckle. Chrysalis inhaled the intoxicating love that the married couple exuded. "It is nice to meet you." Chrysalis said as she ate her fill. She looked around the warm home/shop. "Hey Highness!" Chrysalis looked deadpanned as a Pinkie Pie hopped down the stairs. Pinkie Pie hopped up to her and smiled. "How are you this morning I really had a lot of fun when you were serving us at the cafe." She beamed. Chrysalis internally shivered as she tried to wipe that day from her memories with little success. "It was my pleasure." She said forcing a smile. Button nudged her leg making her look down at him. He pointed out the door to where the cutie mark crusaders were walking by all smiling talking about how they will get their cutie marks. "I would love to stay and chat but I must get going I am helping Button with some things he's been having problems with so if you can excuse us." She said as politely as she could. "Okie doki Loki!" Pinkie said smiling wider than Chrysalis thought pony possible. Walking with Button the CMC saw her and all trotted over to her. "Hi Heartstrings! How are you today." Apple Bloom said. "I am great. But I was wondering how does one join your club?" She asked. The three looked at one another. "Well you have to not have a cutie mark yet." Scootaloo said looking to her. "And you have to want to help your fellow crusaders achieve their cutie marks." Sweetie seconded. "Yea but why do you want to know?" Apple bloom asked raising her eyebrow. "I have a young stallion who wants to join." She said looking to her and Button wasn't there. She looked back and saw him hiding from them still in the doorway of sugarcube corner. Her eyes became half lidded with irritation. She picked him up with her magic bringing him to her side he looked shocked and couldn't move. "This is Button Mash I think you know him." She said placing a hoof on his pinwheel hat making him snap back to reality. "H-hi." He said looking at Sweetie Belle and then blushed looking quickly at the ground. The three looked at one another, which they simply shrugged. "OK your in but you will have to take the oath and you have to get your uniform. Were on our way to the clubhouse now." Sweetie Belle said coming over to grab him by the hoof to pull him along. His face went beet red but didn't stop her. "O-ok I'm looking forward to it." He said quietly. Button then followed after Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. "Sweetie." She said to her making her stop. "Yes?" She asked perplexed. "Button is very shy but once you get to know him he's pretty outgoing make him feel welcome ok?" She said smiling. Sweetie Belle blissfully smiled and nodded. "I'll make it my duty to make sure he's happy in the club." She said then quickly ran to catch up with them. Chrysalis chuckled despite herself, she never thought she could come to not loath these ponies but maybe she could tolerate them. Chrysalis spent the afternoon walking around then after killing a good six hours walking she decided to go home. On her way she stopped as she crossed paths with Fluttershy who looked fairly talkative with somepony. Chrysalis couldn't see who but he was tall. Fluttershy giggled and then she saw her, waves at Chrysalis who waves back with a light fake laugh then the pony or creature stepped out from behind the building. Now know this nothing can truly scare the great queen but who stood before her smiling warmly at Fluttershy. The lord of chaos himself Discord. Her eyes became pinpricks her lungs failed her, and all of her plans for her people to live in secret would be quickly undone. "Discord this is Highness Heartstrings. Highness Heartstrings this is my friend Discord. " Fluttershy introduced, but Chrysalis just stood there stunned. Discord looked at her up and down. "I am not one for forgetfulness but I feel we have met before." He said putting his paw under his chin in thought. "Well no matter I'll think of it eventually. Nice to meet you Highness Heartstrings." He said civilly. Which was not like him at all. "Nice...to see-I mean meet you. Nice to meet you. Its nice to see you Fluttershy." She said to her. "What are you up to today...if you don't mind me asking" she said quietly. Chrysalis raised her hoof. "I have to head home, I have some paperwork to take care of." She said smiling uneasily as she saw Discord begin to really look at her. "Well I better be going those letters and things won't sort themselves out you know." She said quickly as she moved past them and trotted away quickly rounding the corner and briskly making it to her home where Boren and Bolt looked up from a game of chess at her as she slammed the door. Walking to her desk she sat down and sighed feeling like she was coming apart at the seams. "Something happen your Highness?" Bolt asked placing a piece on the board making Boren frown. "The fact the mane six live in this bucking town and if that wasn't even enough Bucking Discord also lives here!" She exclaimed. "He doesn't live here he's simply being reformed by Fluttershy." Boren said like it was nothing. Her eyes locked on him like daggers and she lifted him up. "Wait..what did I do!?" He looked around surprised. Bringing him closer to her she looked at him icily. "You thought not to tell me this before hoof...." She hissed as her voice trembled with rage. "Uh...it slipped my...mind?" He smiled innocently. She lifted him up and with all of her force she was slamming him to the ground when her door burst open and Rarity walked in. Quickly she slammed Boren into her arm and made it look she was giving him a hug. "Oh Boren you are the 'best'" she squeezed tightly around his neck. "Assistant ever... Nice to see you how may I help you today..miss..." She paused waiting for her to introduce herself. "Rarity." She said. Looking at them oddly. "Nice to meet you Rarity I am Highness Heartstrings what can I do for you?" She said releasing Boren who rubbed his neck. "Am I to understand you are a pony who deals with love problems?" She asked. Chrysalis looked perplexed but answered. "Love just needs a spark but I'm not just a match maker I am also someone who helps with relationship problems." She said. "So a relationship counselor?" She said sitting down beside Bolt who looked uncomfortable. "Yes I guess I am." She said looking at Boren who simply shrugged. "Ok that's simply marvelous, I have need of your services." She asked. Chrysalis looked at her deadpanned. "Come again..." She asked "I have a problem but have need of a counselor." She said matter of factly. "Ok miss Rarity what seems to be troubling you." She asked lifting a quill and paper. Then looked at Boren and Bolt with a look that spoke volumes. They quickly left the room and went for a walk outside. She closed the door and lifted her red reading glasses up to her face with her magic. "Oh its not for me. I can manage but when it comes to my sister I am at a loss to talk to her about such things." Rarity said looking uncomfortable. Chrysalis sighed putting her quill and paper down. "You want to know what to say to her in regards to stallions? Is she showing interest?" She asked. "Well I don't rightly know she went on and on about a new cutie mark crusader and how he was a cute boy....she said CUTE! I don't know what to tell her. She's to shy to admit it to him and I don't even know who this Button mash is." Rarity exclaimed. Chrysalis inside did a victory cheer. "Is your sister Sweetie Belle by chance?" She asked. Rarity looked at her surprised. "Yes." "I've an idea of what's going on but not to worry just let them discover their feelings for each other...nothing is more amazing than young love...which I wonder do you have a special somepony?" ?" She said moving the conversation to her. "Well I suppose so...but what my love life? Couldn't be better stallions are lining up to..." She slowed and stopped as Chrysalis raised an eyebrow cynically. "Oh OK maybe I'm having some problems but its nothing I can't handle...." She assured her. "I see, if you ever need something just ask and if you wish it I'll talk to Sweetie Belle." She said nodding. Rarity looked less worried but smiled meekly. "Thank you." She said standing up. When Rarity left she paused closing her eyes for a moment glad to have the moment to herself. "Chrysalis...I knew I recognized you." A voice said slyly. Her eyes flashed open and Discord was sitting across from her. Her words failed her. "What strikes me is that the fact you are now living here." He said as he said nonchalantly. Chrysalis horn glowed but she stopped herself. "I just want what's best for my changelings..." She said giving up placing her hoof over her head as she leaned back in her chair. "I had herd rumors but didn't think them true...the lord of chaos reigned in by the princesses. Even I have the decency to just want the best for my subjects. You willingly just cowed to them and all because of friendship." She said then looked at him. Clearly she had struck a chord as his face contorted into a sneer. "For your information I did this of my own accord. Fluttershy is the nicest pony I have ever known and the fact you are here means you wish to cause trouble. Don't get me wrong I love a good bit of trouble but you have the means of causing a complete hum dinger of a problem." He said appearing beside her with a snap of his fingers. "So tell me dear Chrysalis. Why are you in ponyville." He asked sternly. Chrysalis lifted him up with her magic making him look at her unamused as she placed him in the seat across from her. "I'm here just to survive but I have something I want to know now. What are your feelings towards Fluttershy?" She said inquisitively looking at Discord hesitated for only a brief moment. "She is a great friend who.." He planned to carry on but was cut short. "You like her don't you..." She said smiling. She had him now. "What are you crazy...I know I am but what you're proposing is is straight out of the loony bin." He said as he poofed himself into a straight jacket. “Heres the deal.” she said “I won't say anything to her if you keep your lips shut about me being here or ill tell her.” she offered. Discord glared at her. “Fine… deal but if you dare breath a word no magic in Equestria will stop me from getting to you.” He said. “Duly noted.” she said relaxing feeling that she had some control of her situation. “If I may interject I have something else you may wish to know about the residence of ponyville I hear stirrings of a new pony who is suppose to be reformed…” he said smiling devilishly. “What…” she said now looking more annoyed then interested. “You might know him well I think you had a thing for him a while back...before he sealed himself and his kingdom away.” Discord said shrugging. Her eyes went wide. “No...not him.” she whispered. “What did he call you again? Smooky poo?” he said Chrysalis snapped and everything in her office lifted as her magic careened out of control. “IF SOMBRA IS ALIVE AND COME'S HERE I SWEAR ON ALL THING'S DARK I WILL KILL HIM!!” she shouted angrily. “Still bad blood I see... well he did leave you high and dry at the altar…” Discord to himself.