//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Ebony and Ivory: Mother's love. // by SGZone //------------------------------// Chrysalis sat anxiously waiting for her doctor’s return. Rubbing her hands, kicking her feet, biting her nails, anything to make the time pass faster. This was the third time she had seen him after what started as a simple check up had apparently turned into something more as the doctor described finding “something unusual.” She must have checked the clock a dozen times but the infernal thing had barely moved an inch since he left. Chrysalis gave an annoyed grunt glaring daggers at the insubordinate clock. “When this is over I’m having that stupid thing melted.” she muttered to herself. After what felt like eons she heard the door click open and a friend of her personal doctor stepped through. The clock read about five minutes. The doctor was visibly shaken staring blankly at the ground before him. He took a seat opposite of the queen his eyes still focused on the ground not looking up at her. Chrysalis swallowed a bit of fear that crept into her throat before getting his attention. “Doctor what is it?” She asked knowing she would not like the answer. Silently praying that this is some kind of joke. Upon hearing his Queen’s command he looked up at her. He took a shaky breath before responding. “I am so sorry my Queen but upon your test results we discovered that you are… infertile. As for how, as you know reproduction involves magically fertilizing the eggs with the power of true love. Well it seems that you're eggs have no magic in them to either be fertilized or fertilize another. It's a very rare disorder I hear the odds are 1/10,000, but I am sorry my Queen but you can never have hatchlings.” Though it wasn’t visible on her face Chrysalis could feel her heart sink and shatter to the news. She stared wide-eyed for a moment before putting on a false confident smile. She gave a slight chuckle before responding. “Is that it, doctor? Honestly, the way you were behaving I thought I was about to be given a bill of death.” She joked. Leaning back in her chair and giving a terrified breath of relief. The doctor was stunned. “You are okay, my Queen? It’s just, with getting an heir and all…” He said but Chrysalis responded with another chuckle. “Please, you think I’d be worried? When the time comes I’ll merely find a worthy successor, it’s happened before. Honestly, you’ve given me some great news. The mere thought of giving birth is sickening. Now I can just pick one and avoid the messiness.” She chuckled. Chrysalisrose from her chair and opened the door. “Thank you, doctor, I think I’ll be enjoying the rest of my day in my chambers. If anyone asks where I am, simply tell them I would like some time to enjoy myself.” She said walking out of the room. She didn’t shed a single tear during the long walk to her castle. A Queen couldn’t look weak in front of her subjects. She didn’t weep when she entered her home and walked down it’s long halls. She didn’t cry during her climb to her quarters. Not until she shut and locked her door did the dam finally break. Silently weeping into her hand she collapsed onto her bed. Curling up into a ball she sobbed into her sheets and pillows. ‘WHY!? WHY!? WHY? Why? why…” She thought. For so long she wanted to become a real mother. Of her four sisters only Arthemis has had hatchlings and she envied her for that. She envied the joy they brought her. From the way she described giving birth to their eggs as a difficult but wonderful process. To the day they finally hatched from their eggs and opened their big eyes welcoming the world around them. Then watching them grow up, she envied that joy and now she could never experience that. She continued to cry until she heard a knock at the door. “Sister? Are you ok,” speak of the devil it was Arthemis, she knocked a few times more. Arthemis was Chrysalis’s eldest sister and during the trials to become Queen of the Hive she removed herself from the competition. Stating that she had no desire to rule. It was most likely because at the time she had just lost her husband to some Equestrian settlers and was too devastated to rule. Equestrians have been trying to settle in the savage lands for years in a desperate attempt to mine the lands rich mineral deposits. Though they paid dearly for it when retribution came. There were never any survivors. “I am qui-quite fine, Ar-Arthemis… I, I just had a long day and wa-wanted to relax.” She responded trying to calm herself down. “Chryssie, I know that’s a lie, we can all feel when your upset. Now open the door.” She said shaking the handle. Chrysalis silently cursed to herself for forming a mind link with each of her sisters. “I sa-said I’m, I’m fine, jus-just go away.” She demanded and pulled the covers over head. “Chryssie, you know I can open this door even when you lock it.” She said. When no reply came she pushed against the handle the right way and with a satisfying click the door opened for her. Arthemis walked over to Chrysalis’s huddled form. Taking a seat next to her she pulled off the covers. She could see the stains of tears on Chrysalis’s face and on her bed. Wrapping her arm around her she pulled Chrysalis up and comforted her. “What’s wrong, Chrysalis? Is it about the doctor?” She asked. Chrysalis only nodded in response. “Well, what did he say?” “He said-he said-I’m infertile. He-he said I coul-couldn't have hatch- I’m broken.” She responded clutching her stomach her voice cracking from her pain. “I can never be real mother, I can never, never… Oh by the mothers above why me!?” She cried falling into her sister’s arms breaking into rich sobs again. Arthemis began stroking her hair as she nestled into her bosom. “It’s okay Chryssie, you can always adopt.” She said trying to cheer her up. “But it won’t be the same!” She howled. “I won't’ get to experience giving birth to them or seeing them hatch. They won't be mine…” She said her voice growing tired. “Then, we can find other ways. Don’t forget who you are Chrysalis. You are Queen of the largest Changeling Hive. You can do anything you set your mind to and we’ll be there to help any way we can.” She said pulling her even closer. “Come on let’s go get the others. You shouldn’t face this alone.” She said helping Chysalis to her feet.