//------------------------------// // A day for Change // Story: The Swarm Returns // by Digital Ghost //------------------------------// The meeting with Shining Armor and Cadence had just adjourned. They talked about tomorrow's program and the measures they had implemented to make sure everything went smoothly. It reminded Chrysalis of the old days. Sombra would always go through the trouble to make extra sure things didn't get derailed or interrupted. Her questions were entertained and answered without using fancy words that could have masked a hidden agenda, except for one. She never got a straight answer to the reason behind the changeling's sudden invitation, only that there were ponies who wanted to see her after the meeting. It was supposed to be something important. She was told to go to the square to meet the ponies, which gave her a sense of security. Upon reaching the ground level, Chrysalis noticed that one of her escorts was disturbed by something. "Is something bothering you, Siren?" The mareling looked up and shook her head. "Don't lie. I saw you looking back at something with a guilty look on your face." "I... I just saw somepony I wanted to talk to, that's all." "Then go." "B-But I can't leave your side for personal matters while I'm on duty." "Then you are relieved for the rest of the night." "My Queen?" Siren wasn't sure she was hearing right. "Go talk to that somepony. Vigil, Cross, and Rook will be enough to deter any threats. Go, before I change my mind." "I... uh... Thank you, my Queen." Siren lowered her head in respect before galloping to the gardens. The group continued onwards to the heart in silence, passing through the crystalline halls. The guards bowed to Chrysalis and opened the doors for her. She felt her heart skip at that moment. She sensed it... the pure, innocent, and calm heartbeat of a changeling born from crystal. She felt a hint of it the moment they arrived at the empire, but only now did she recognize it. And she couldn't help but smile. ===== "Do you know about the Crystal Changelings, Chrysalis?" asked Arcane Quill, the changeling scholar charged with educating the young and soon to be high priestess on everything there was to know about changelings. Chrysalis nodded. "They're very rare and are different from both crystal ponies and changelings, and that they're born as a changeling even though their parents are both crystal ponies." Arcane looked proud. "They're also thought to be lucky, hence the term, 'Lucky Birth.' Whoever coined that wasn't very creative, was he? Its good to know you've been reading the books I lent you. What else can you tell me about them?" "Uhm..." Chrysalis put a hoof under her chin, "they look like regular changelings, but during the crystal fair, their crystal coats begin to show." "That's right. The average changeling can't adorn a crystal coat because their magical auras don't harmonize with the crystal heart's in the same way a crystal pony's aura does." Chrysalis tilted her head. "Huh?" "To put it simply," Arcane said, "the crystal heart's magic doesn't resonate or react well with the average changeling's aura." "Why?" "Why?" the scholar repeated, somewhat embarrassed "Weeeeeelllll, we're not entirely sure yet. But my theory is that us changelings, instead of letting the love from the heart encase us like what crystal ponies do, we absorb it instead, hence why we don't get our sparkling coats. It makes sense, really. I mean, how else could you explain the feeling that we've just eaten a whole buffet for a week after the fair?" The both of them giggled. "So that means crystal changelings can somehow stop themselves from absorbing the love?" Chrysalis asked. "Either that, or they aren't absorbing the love as quickly as regular changelings, which would explain why their coats don't stay for more than a moon. But enough about the crystal changelings and their enviable sparkles, lets see if you can pick one out of the crowd." Arcane whistled and a group of ten volunteer changelings walked into the room. "But, isn't it impossible to tell them apart?" The scholar put a foreleg around the filly. "Some changelings, crystal or not, can tell at a glance, some can feel their presence, and some just instinctively know. I'm just curious if you have a similar talent. Give it a try." Chrysalis looked at each of the changelings in the room. They didn't seem to have anything that popped out, except maybe the third one from the left, the one with a horn slightly bent the wrong way, but it was probably just a physical defect. Unicorns had those too, sometimes. Wait, what was that? Chrysalis saw a glint coming off of one. It was the seventh changeling. "Um, are you the crystal changeling?" She asked her. The changeling shook her head. "Sorry, but I am not the crystal changeling." Just as she said that, a glow seeped from the walls and swirled around the tip of Chrysalis' horn. "What's happening?" she worriedly asked. Once the aura condensed into an ethereal-like ball, it shot at the changeling Chrysalis pointed to earlier. After the flash of white that followed the impact, the changeling that got hit was revealed with a fresh crystalline coat. The changeling was speechless for a while, as was the others including Arcane. "I..." she sighed and smiled, "Okay, you got me, I'm the crystal changeling. That was a pretty neat trick." "Fascinating!" Arcane shouted gleefully. "Simply fascinating! That magic was not your own, was it, Chrysalis?" Chrysalis shook her head, feeling ashamed. The scholar gently roughed up her mane. "Don't feel bad. I think it was the heart that helped you with that spell. Didn't you feel its presence when the ball emerged? I need to record this event, I'm sure the king would want to hear of this too. That's all for today. Oh and, try to figure out how you can do that spell again. I'm fairly certain the king would want to see that in action." ===== "Why did you discharge her?" Vigil asked, thoroughly confused with the queen's actions a few moments ago, and oblivious to the fact that he had just broken Chrysalis from her reminiscing. "Because a distracted escort is no use to me." Chrysalis replied, not letting her excitement nor annoyance drip into her voice. "Is that all?" "Are you questioning me?" She raised an eyebrow, prompting Vigil to lightly shake his head. "No. Its just that I never really seen you this way before. Its as if something changed you so much in the short time we -" "Just because you are my personal guard doesn't mean you know everything there is to know about me, Vigil." "... I'm sorry, my queen. But I needed to be sure for your safety. I have concerns about the ponies who asked to meet you." "Oh? I'm sure they won't be any trouble." "How can you be so sure?" Chrysalis stopped abruptly and gently nodded her head to a couple approaching with a stroller. The two crystal ponies bowed. The stallion and the mare were beaming with joy. The mare began the introductions "I am Rosetta, and this my husband, Lancet. It's an honor to meet you, Priestess. We're so glad Princess Cadence invited you." Chrysalis returned the courtesy with a smile and took a peek at what was inside the stroller. A young changeling was sleeping peacefully, tucked inside with a pink blanket. "So you must be the reason why we're here," she said. The proud father smiled and nodded. "It truly was a fortune's birth." Rosetta said. Chrysalis couldn't agree more. "What is her name?" "Muse." Chrysalis closed her eyes and lit her horn, letting it pulse in sync with the Crystal Heart, which was right behind the lucky couple. It began to glow and emit a soothing aura. "Muse," Chrysalis said, "you have no idea what you've done for the Empire, and for us, who were so far from home for far too long. You have indirectly eased the minds of the members of the swarm, and made it possible for the Changelings to once again be part of the Crystal Empire. I thank you for that, and you shall receive a very special gift from the relic that has protected us since the Empire's foundation." The aura that had surrounded the Heart swirled around the tip of Chrysalis' horn, concentrating to a ball no larger than the young changeling herself. Chrysalis leaned down to guide the ball to Muse's horn. From there, the ball's essence was absorbed, making the changeling filly glow like moonlight for a moment. When it subsided, the filly was adorning her first crystal coat. "May the Heart protect you and your loved ones." Sentimental tears escaped from Chrysalis' still closed eyes. She had forgotten how good it felt to perform that spell. The residual love she got out of it had a different 'taste' than what she normally experienced, somewhat like a rare treat. When she opened her eyes and looked down to see the reason why the wind by her hooves felt different, she could see that her hooves were free from holes and were coated in shimmering crystal that shone as brightly as it did lifetimes ago. This is unexpected, Chrysalis thought, but it was something she welcomed. She missed her crystal skin. "My Queen... is that you?" Cross asked, dumbfounded, but not as much as Rook, who was stunned at the queen's transformation. "Yes." She replied to her escort. "This is what I looked like before taking the swarm and leaving the Empire. It's... it's a long story. I'll discuss it later." "We are eternally grateful for the blessing, Priestess." Lancet and Rosetta said with wide grins as they bowed again in gratitude. "You're welcome. Please take care." They exchanged goodbyes and separated. Chrysalis looked to her escorts. "Let's return to the tower. Tomorrow will be a busy day." ===== "So you forgive me then? ... Thank you." It was a strange sight, to be sure, but it somewhat felt natural, seeing a changeling and a pony sitting and watching the stars together. The long silence between the two was not at all awkward. It radiated a feel of mutual understanding that generated a tranquility around them. All that need to be said was said, and an unlikely connection was formed, which still felt alien to her. Siren couldn't understand it herself, but she found peace in knowing that there could more to the changeling-pony relationship than being simply predator-prey. She felt as if a need had been met. Something she could compare to getting her first taste of love, fresh from the source. Siren recognized the feeling of making a friend, it was something she knew well back home, but it felt so new and different to be experiencing that joy coming from a pony who was freely giving it to her, and not to some character she was pretending to be. The mareling looked at her yellow companion fidgeting with her long, pink mane. The first impression Siren got when she first saw the pegasus was that she was a weakling that couldn't have possibly stood on her own. Someone who had to have a supporter just to get her out of whatever hole she hid herself. Someone too fragile to be even allowed to go out for fear of having her mind shattered to pieces at the sight of a hamster and their bizarre and twisted defense strategy to defend their young. But now, Siren knew she was wrong and this weakling was anything but that. She appeared weak, but inside she was strong, capable of standing on her own hooves. Not everypony would forgive so easily as she did, and considering how bad of a trespass Siren committed against her, to accept an apology so easily showed an inner strength like nothing the changeling had seen before. If she didn't know any better, she'd say the pony had gone through that situation before. Though Siren got to wondering, why did Fluttershy forgive her so easily? Suppose it didn't matter. Siren stood up and turned to leave. She could feel Fluttershy's timid eyes follow her. "Are you... going already?" Fluttershy asked, sounded as if she didn't want her to leave. "Fluttershy," the mareling looked back, "you're the first pony I genuinely apologized to. And this feels weird, but... thank you. Thank you for giving us a chance. I know it must be hard for you to trust us." "N-Not at all... some ponies are worth giving a second chance." Siren nodded off and turned a corner in the garden where she had another business to attend to. "I know you've been listening." She addressed a breathing hedge. No response. She sighed. Her horn lit up and she grabbed hold of the eavesdropper with her magic, dragging her out by the tail. "Alright! Alright! Ya got me." It was Applejack. "What are you doing out this late at night?" Siren questioned. "Ah wanted to make sure Fluttershy was alright, but ah hung back after I saw you chasing her. Ah would have stopped you back then, but I saw something in yer eyes that made me give you a few moments." "Really now? What was it?" "It was unmistakable. Ah saw the guilt in yer eyes, and the determination to set things straight. After seeing that, ah just had to give you a chance. But make no mistake, ah only did so for Fluttershy and this peace deal with your kin and the empire, and had you made a move to hurt her again, ah would have kicked yer bug-flank back to where ya came from." "I appreciate the sentiment. I suppose you're going to tell me to leave her alone now?" "As much as I want to, it's not for me to say, but ah'll keep my eye on ya just the same." As Applejack left, Siren had a smirk painted on her face. Feelings were hard to hide from changelings, and Applejack gave off quite the fierce signal. And it wasn't anger or the like. "I really overdid that spell." ===== Ponies from as far away as Manehattan to Trottingham, and even Appleloosa gathered in the empire. Most of the visitor had only arrived that day, and had no idea who the guests of honor were, or had completely no idea why everypony turned up so suddenly. Guards were stationed around the stage area, each carrying the empire's flag and acted as barriers should things turn sour. When the changelings trotted up to the stage, there was a mix of cheer, fear and confusion. The crowd grew restless as ponies who were unaware began to panic. The guards attempted to contain the situation while Cadence and Shining Armor reassured everypony that Chrysalis -- now back in her changeling skin -- was no threat to their safety. It wasn't until Chrysalis herself fired a bolt into the air did the crowd settle down enough to hear her. "We're not here to cause trouble," Chrysalis explained, "we're here because the empire's rulers have generously extended their hooves in friendship." "Like hay they have!" a pony from the crowd shouted. "Everypony knows what you changelings are capable of! And we wont stand for what you're planning!" another cried. "You changelings are nothing but trouble!" "We should have hunted you down after Canterlot!" Soon, the sea of ponies began to form an angry mob. The ones who didn't share their views were accused of either being brainwashed, or being a disguised changeling. Those ponies were threatened, and some had felt hooves upon their faces. Pegasi guards swooped down to control these small fights, but if nothing would be done to calm the mob soon, there was no telling how far they would go with their rampage. "EVERYPONY! LISTEN UP!" Everyone was shocked stiff at the sudden voice which came booming in like a howling family of Manticores. Even the changelings felt like goats. Twilight was up on the stage. She used her magic to amplify her voice. A neat little trick Princess Luna taught her. "HA! You're in trouble now, Chrysalis!" a mob pony cheered. "You have no chance against Equestira's saviors!" "Actually," Twilight said, not anymore using the equestrian voice, "we're not here to fight the changelings. We're here... to vouch for them." "WHAT?" A collective gasp echoed. "Have you gone insane? These changelings have committed crimes against Equestria, and you're defending them?" "Yes, its true that the changelings have done horrible things and attacked Canterlot Castle, but they proved to us that they could be something other than our enemy. All we're asking is that you give them the chance they need to prove the same to you." "It's not what they need, it's what they want! They want you to let your guard down, and BAM! You're left rotting in their cocoons. That's not a risk I'm willing to take, even for Equestria's heroes." A flash of blue went to the protester and held him up by the collar of his fancy suit. "Well that's some gratitude!" Dash said in disgust. "We went out and fought Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, and Tirek, reforming the first two, destroying the third, and throwing the last back to Tartarus! What, you can't do this one measly thing for us? We even threw the changelings miles away during their attack! You don't think we can do it again if they dare cross the line?" The stallion was sweating nervously as Dash continued on with her rant until he finally nodded to the idea of giving the changelings a shot at living within pony society. "That's more like it!" Dash let go of the stallion and joined Twilight on the stage. "You sure know how to convince a pony." The alicorn said, impressed with Dash's, uhm... diplomatic technique. Dash grinned, "Of course, its part of why I'm awesome!" Twilight then turned to the crowd. "So what do you say? Are you willing to let the changelings show you that they can be our friends?" The crystal ponies, of course, were unanimous with their decision, and the majority of the rest of the crowd approved as well. All it took for the ones still skeptical to agree was just Dash's glare. During all this, Chrysalis was impressed and surprised on how bent Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash were on letting the changelings stay. Not only those two, but the other four were also in the crowd convincing others to accept the changelings, and soon more and more joined in until they sounded like they were chanting. This brought back a flutter to her heart. She was moved by how highly they thought of them now. "So it's settled," Cadence said, trotting right beside the mane six, and soon joined by Shining Armor. The royal couple smiled at each other and said, "From here on, the changelings will now call the Crystal Empire, home!" Chrysalis tried her best not to choke as her eyes suddenly watered at the word. "Home... we are home."