//------------------------------// // Recovery by Level Dasher (foal steps) // Story: Tainted Love: A Twysalis Prompt Tag Collab // by Foals Errand //------------------------------// by Level Dasher “Don’t you realize that you could lose complete use of your lower extremities, Chrissy? You need to get up and move around!” the alicorn chastised. “…But I’m still tired. Besides, I have been moving around.” Chrysalis stretched out on the bed, her rear legs tingling. “Trotting six hooves to the little fillies’ room and back doesn’t count.” “Oh, come on! It’s better than nothing!” Chrysalis whined. “Oh Faust, Chrissy. You really don’t understand how serious this is, do you? Do you want to be able to walk again?” “Well… I could always fly if I—” “That’s not the point! There are ponies out there that can’t use parts of their bodies because they don’t have a choice! I am not going to let you WASTE your legs because you were too lazy to get out of bed!” The newly acquired Royal Canterlot Voice rebounded around the room, causing Chrysalis to put her front hooves up. When she brought them back down, a look of sheer terror lay on her face. It took a long time for the majority of the pony community to get accustomed to Twilight and Chrysalis’ relationship. Some were still unsure about it, but they learned to tolerate it. Of course, nopony ever actually tried to harm either the Queen or the Princess over it. Who in their right mind would attempt such a feat? That was why it was such a surprise when Chrysalis and Twilight were out late one night together in Ponyville, and five cloaked figures attacked the two of them as they approached Twilight’s castle. One figure attempted to restrain Twilight, while the others attacked Chrysalis as quickly as they could. Restraining an alicorn is difficult. In fact, it proved too difficult for the single figure to achieve. After a mere five seconds, Twilight broke free and retaliated, causing all five figures to flee. However, those five seconds were enough for the other four figures to beat Chrysalis within an inch of her life. Twilight rushed to Chrysalis’ side, hoping against hope that she was alright. She couldn’t imagine how five ponies (at least, she assumed they were ponies), could injure Chrysalis so badly. It could have been that their guard was down. Unexpected attacks usually do cause the most damage, after all… Twilight rushed Chrysalis to Ponyville General to have her treated. It was clear upon their arrival that some of the doctors and nurses were nervous, but who were they to question Equestria’s newest princess? After a preliminary treatment, enough to bring Chrysalis back to consciousness, a horrifying realization was made by the patient. “They… they were drones!” Chrysalis exclaimed when she had enough energy. “They were some of my drones! How could they do this to me?!” Twilight sighed. “Well, the entirety of the pony community hasn’t quite accepted ‘us’ yet, Chrissy. It seems that—” “NO!” Chrysalis cried. “You don’t understand! We are a hive mind! If any of my drones had any objection to us, I would have known! How dare they attack their queen! They must have severed their connection somehow! And if that is the case…” Chrysalis paused. “…they are a danger to the entire pony race. They must be captured!” Seeing the fear upon the Changeling’s face, Twilight sighed and shook her head. “Chrissy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to use the voice. I’m still trying to control it. I just want you to understand the gravity of the situation. You know, you’re not participating in the Running of the Leaves here. We just need to work with foal steps. Simply walking to the entrance of this chamber and back is a start. We can do a little more than that another time.” “But… but the bed is safe,” Chrysalis whispered. “Chrissy, I told you, the last of your attackers was apprehended. Celestia sent me a message. They’re all in the dungeons in Canterlot and are nowhere near any of us. Not you, not me, not Ponyville, not the rest of the Hive.” Twilight sighed again. “Getting up and walking 15 hooves to the door and back is not going to put you in danger, and I’ll be right next to you if you need help.” “Oh… okay.” Chrysalis stretched her legs again, swinging her rear extremities to the side of the bed. After being discharged from Ponyville’s hospital to be under Twilight’s care in the Hive two months ago, she hadn’t moved from that spot, aside from the occasional six-hoof walk to the restroom. She touched all four hooves to the floor, feeling the strain in her rear legs. “Do you need any help?” Twilight asked. “No, I… I think I’m alright.” Chrysalis slowly began walking forward, toward the chamber’s entrance. She focused on the chitin-armored doors, but made sure that Twilight was still by her side. Slowly advancing, Chrysalis turned to Twilight and said, “This… this isn’t so difficult. I don’t know why you made such a big—” Her right rear leg suddenly gave way and she began falling sideways, but was caught in a magenta-colored aura. Her horn glowing, Twilight responded, “That’s why I made such a big deal out of it. Your legs are starting to atrophy, Chrissy. I’m surprised your left didn’t falter as well.” Twilight shook her head. “Now, don’t think you’re getting out of this. I’m putting you back down, and you’re going to continue walking.” She lifted Chrysalis and set her back on all fours. Pressing her hooves into the floor, Chrysalis regained the feeling in her leg. “I… I see what you mean, Twilight. This is no condition for a queen to be in.” She continued to walk towards the door, being wary of any strange feeling in her back legs. “This is indeed a good idea. A good start.” When the two of them reached the armored doors, Chrysalis let out a sigh. Twilight smiled. “Very good. I’m proud of you, Chrissy.” She leaned toward her wobbly companion and kissed her on the cheek. “See? Foal steps. Eventually you’ll get full feeling back in your legs, and you won’t even need to think about it. Do you want to go back to the bed?” Chrysalis slowly turned around and looked at the large bed in the chamber. It was so inviting, but the feeling of helplessness she had felt moments ago when her leg fell from underneath her was frightening. She turned back around. “Perhaps…” Chrysalis let out a deep sigh and looked at Twilight. “Perhaps I ought to address the Hive.” She put a hoof to the armored door and opened it. Then, with foal steps, she walked out.