//------------------------------// // Egglaying by Knight of Lycaeus // Story: Tainted Love: A Twysalis Prompt Tag Collab // by Foals Errand //------------------------------// by Knight of Lycaeus The following morning I teleported to Canterlot to inform the other Princesses in pony, however my timing couldn't have been worse. I found only Luna but she was armed with her weapons ready to head out, a last minute issue she had informed me; a potentially dangerous creature was too near a pony settlement. Celestia was in some trade negotiations and couldn't leave before the week was up and Cadance and Shiny were on a goodwill mission…. on the other side of the world. It would be two weeks if not more before we could convene as it was not deemed a national emergency in light of Chrysalis's surrender and Outcasting from the Collective. Promptly I was assigned Guards to help enforce my decree, I refused but Luna persuaded me and I relented to allow them around Ponyville and its territories to ensure that no Changelings leave the area. Ten Lunar Guards were joined by ten Solar Guards once Luna had managed to reach Celestia; three Pegasi, three Unicorns, four Earth Ponies, three Luxicorns, three Caligo Ponies, and four Thestrals who proceeded to escort me home. Upon reaching my home the Earth Pony and Thestral Captains proceeded to work with me to determine the best way forward. A few days later I decided to try and introduce Chrysalis around beginning with my friends, I had hoped to start off with Rarity but I had forgotten she was out of town on business so Applejack it was. I knew that Applejack's acceptance or tolerance of Chrysalis would go a long way to help ease tensions in town. I led the way to Sweet Apple Acres with Chrysalis behind me a Solar Guard patrolling just above. As we arrive I saw Discord handing a basket over to Applejack, he noticed us and with a poof a mini-Discord hovered just between us. "Fine morning for a visit is it not?" Discord snapped his talons and another poof he was dressed like a school teacher with thick glasses and Chrysalis looked like the most disgruntled student ever offering an…. egg, a polka dotted egg to the teacher; another snap and there were back to normal but Chrysalis still held the egg. "Eggs, something about new life isn't that what most of you call them. With how many of you that hatch from eggs, it makes sense." Discord leaned back, "Reborn, redemption from the bad sounds like hatching maybe bursting out of an egg." Another snap and he was full sized again, "Well I'm off to help Pinkie and Rainbow plant silverware. Ciao!" with a snap he was gone but not before leaving a garland of eggs and apples on Chrysalis's head. Discord, reformed or not he still confused me at times. Chrysalis however looked annoyed either at Discord, her new headwear, or both I wasn't sure, I was going with both; Discord definitely took some getting used to. Chrysalis swiftly threw away her new headwear while Applejack who had gone inside to put down the basket had come back outside again. "Mornin' Twi" Applejack said smiling at me but frowned when she noticed Chrysalis. "Mornin' to you as well" this greeting was certainly less friendly than how she greeted me. "Good morning Applejack." I said. Chrysalis however remained silent. Mentally I sighed, I knew this would be difficult but I had hoped for a bit more than just tense silence. I reviewed topics to see if anything would catch their interests, I thought of one. "Chrysalis, Applejack I realize this is difficult for all of us but I'm sure you two could relate on something." "What might that be, Twi?" Chrysalis finally spoke for the first time this whole trip, "Do enlighten us." Mentally sighing again, why did I ever thought this would work, "Family" I said firmly. "Chrysalis you care for you Hive, I saw that when you pleaded sanctuary for your whole Hive not just you. Applejack the first time I came here and many times after that I was reminded how much family means to you." "The Hive is not a family" Chrysalis retorted. "It is, in a sense. You are their Queen and it is your eggs that allow the Hive to grow and survive. In a sense you are the mother of your Hive." "Their existence allows the Hive to continue, nothing more." Chrysalis added, firmly set in her stance on the matter. I shook my head, "They share a link with you. They know you like you know them. They may work for you but you care for them. Applejack may not have foals but she cares for her family." I took a deep breath knowing I was about to take a plunge, "You invaded Canterlot not for conquest but for food, didn't you?" Chrysalis growled, "Of course I did! Changeling Hives are named for where they are based, I was in a desert! There were so few other beings around to provide positive emotions to create Nectar for the Hive. I needed food and I was tired that we lived endlessly in the shadows! A chance for me and the Hive to rise above our meagre existence, of course we would take it." I saw Chrysalis breathing heavily after her tirade, I moved closer to see if I could comfort her but I was cut off by an orange hoof. Applejack approached Chrysalis slowly, "Ah understand" as she placed a hoof across Chrysalis's back. "Some years are bad, gettin' little for what we till. Hard harvest, hard year. Ah lived 'em." Chrysalis turned to look Applejack in the eye, "So how did you get through them?" "Family. Only thin' you have when every bit o' the harvest is rotten. Family, friends, neighbours, help gettin' through the year. They help us an' we help them, we share in the good an' the bad. Met Celestia b'fore. Likely would have helped, if y'all just ask. Did the same for mah family, gave us this here land." Applejack swept her hoof across the farm, "Apples been here ever since." The two were silent for some time. Chrysalis was the first to speak, "You're still uncertain about me." Applejack sighed, "Course. Your lies tricked me to turn mah back on mah family", indicating me who had backed off slightly to allow them to talk. "Family is more than just your kin. For me, Ah value mah kin and truth." "Why?" "As Ah said, family be yer only help in bad years. The truth or rather honesty, fact o' life when you be farmin'. Hidin' the truth dont' do much, acceptin' things as they come, part o' life for me.", Applejack removed her hoof. "Reckon we all need time. Twi, I need to get. Applebucking's soon and Ah got mah work to get things ready." Applejack headed off towards the barn leaving Chrysalis and myself standing on the edge of the property. Things had not gone smoothly, I didn't expect that it would but it seemed Applejack was starting to tolerate Chrysalis a bit. Author's Notes Lunar Ponies are part of my headcanon, each has a counterpart with Solar Ponies seen in the show. Their origins are unclear but they existed long before Luna ascended the throne. Luxicorn = Unicorn Caligo Pony = Earth Pony Thestral = Pegasus Frigidus Pony = Crystal Pony (Technically no one has seen one, doubtful of their existance)