“You shant ‘isobey tha’ night!” A high pitched voice woke Cadance, and she quickly cantered downstairs to see that it was nearly pitch black in the room, excluding where Twilight was standing, horn glowing as she held something that was wriggling in her magic. Turning to Cadance, a relieved smile fell on her face.
“Cadance, thank Celestia! Luna’s turned into Nightmare Moon. Celestia made fun of the moon.” Twilight glanced toward a small filly looking guilty in the corner of the room, pouting. Twilight could tell she still stood by her argument. Cadance nodded once, and her horn began to glow. After a moment, she sent a brief pulse of magic at Luna, who stiffened, and stopped struggling. Twilight gently put her down as Cadance approached the filly. Both had grown substantially.
“Moonie, you know your sister doesn’t mean what she says.” Cadance glanced to Celestia and narrowed her eyes in warning. Celestia’s pout grew and she turned away.
“Fine. I am sorry.” Celestia’s grumpy reply wasn’t enough for Nightmare Moon, however Cadance was quick to interrupt any act she had been about to do, and brought the filly into a hug.
“Dear, don’t worry about what others say about your pretty moon. Only worry about what you think of your pretty moon.” Letting the filly down, Cadance was satisfied to see Luna had returned to normal. Temper tantrums from Alicorns were not fun even on a good day.
“Why is Luna here anyway, isn’t Dash meant to be watching her?” Cadance raised her head as she let the two fillies find something fun to do together. Twilight motioned to the window.
“Weather duty. Dash won’t be back until the afternoon. I also have to pick up Discord and take them over to Applejack’s for a picnic. Fluttershy needs a day to tend to the animals. I hope that’s alright, I assumed you would be fine with it for a few hours now they’re not as high maintenance.” Twilight began to pack things that would be required for the picnic. Cadance picked up Celestia and Luna and placed them on their clouds, pulling a tuft with her magic to drag them along.
“Stay on the clouds you two, or no ice cream for dessert.” Cadance’s words were a death sentence to the two fillies, and they both nodded gravely, giving each other the look. You did not mess with dessert.
“Alright, let’s go meet up with Applejack, and grab Discord on our way.” Twilight opened the door, and the group left the house.
“What do you mean Applejack’s, Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Apple Bloom aren’t here?” Twilight was almost in mute shock, they never left on such short notice. Chrysalis leaned against the barn door, and hovered a basket of Apples over.
“Applejack said to give you these and tell ya’ the north field is yours to use for the picnic. She also said; ‘sorry, but Bloomberg is sick with Tree Fungus.’ You know how Applejack is about family.” Chrysalis glanced behind her to the barn, and opened it, poking her head inside and muttering something quietly. Closing it, she turned back and gave a smile. Chrysalis was still wearing Applejack’s hat.
“Alright then, would you like to join us?” Twilight smiled warmly, juggling Discord in her magic. It seemed to keep him entertained, for now. Chrysalis considered it, glancing once more to the barn. Twilight turned and they headed toward the field. Chrysalis paused for a moment, and made a motion toward the barn when no pony was looking, and quickly followed Twilight and Cadance out of sight of the barn as it slowly opened. After setting out the picnic, Luna and Celestia were quick to eat, and then head to the top of the hill to play.
“So, did Applejack assign you some work?” Twilight looked to Chrysalis curiously. It was the logical reason for her glances toward the barn. Cadance began to chase after Discord, who had drawn a moustache on her face.
“Yes, I am to harvest the Apples from one of the fields.” Chrysalis raised her head and glanced back in the direction of the barn.
“Twilight, can you give me a hand with Discord? He’s straying too close to the Everfree and he won’t come back.” Cadance caught the attention of both ponies, and indeed they were alarmingly close to the Everfree, which was quite a distance away. Twilight stood up, and quickly glanced back at Chrysalis.
“Mind the other two for now, we’ll be back soon. Come back Discord! I’ll let you rain chocolate!” Twilight quickly galloped after the retreating form of Cadance, and Chrysalis looked to the two Alicorns playing in the flowers. For a brief moment, Chrysalis considered attacking them.
“Oh noes, eeht is a ‘hangering!” Luna pointed at Chrysalis and both rounded on her, giving her the death stare. Chrysalis felt her mouth pull up into an awkward smile, her eye twitching. Were these fillies serious?
“Ahrack!” Celestia and Luna charged, knocking Chrysalis over and kicking her in the stomach. Chrysalis looked at them awkwardly trying to damage her, and confusion overrode curiosity. What should she do?
“Uh. Oh noes you have defeated me once again?” Chrysalis was sure the fillies wouldn’t buy it, but as they stood on top of her they beamed and giggled to each other. Standing tall, both were proud of their victory. Chrysalis felt the beginning of a smile slide onto her face. So they wanted to play ‘Changeling attack?’ What an amazing coincidence.
“Oh noes, I have overpowered you rawr!”
Applejack returned home shortly after noon, pleased to find out Bloomberg would make a speedy recovery, with Granny Smith staying there for family support. All three of them paused at the gate to the barn and blinked, glancing between Applejack and the sight before them.
In the barn were stacks of Apples, being delivered by Applejack, who was being given them by another Applejack, forming a daisy chain right up to the trees where the sound of a least a hundred thunks could be heard.
“CHRYSALIIIIS!”