//------------------------------// // Ashamed by nioniosbbbb (mystery) // Story: Tainted Love: A Twysalis Prompt Tag Collab // by Foals Errand //------------------------------// by nioniosbbbb The cool afternoon breeze blew upon Chrysalis’s castle. Built into the rocky sides of Styx gorge, the whole construction was a miracle of architecture. Shielding the changelings inside from rain, built on the crossroad of two other nations: the Dragonic Empire, and the Equestrian Diarchy, the Changeling capitol thrived. It went without saying, that the sudden, “strange” and “weird” relationship of Princess Twilight Sparkle with the infamous… no… notorious Queen Chrysalis, did wonders to aid the two species in crossing the gap. It was a little bit embarrassing to see Twilight wandering inside the castle’s many corridors. It would take her time to adapt, it was not too long ago that Chrysalis had finally relented and introduced her to her own subjects. Chrysalis had made her relationship with Twilight known, but she hadn’t yet made any public appearances. When she did, some were suspicious, others were happy that their Queen had finally found a mate. The most genuine smiles were the ones of the hatchlings. The little ones had curiously approached the equally curious unicorn with hungry looks upon their faces. Just as Chrysalis’s heart had melted with Twilight’s love, so had the changelings slowly opened up. But there were still things that Twilight wanted to ask. Things Chrysalis kept avoiding. But now, the last week before solidifying their bond, Twilight could wait no more. She needed to confront her about those moments, before she confronted the joint presence of changelings and ponies at the ceremony. Chrysalis said that she would tell her. When that time did come, if she still wanted to know, she would give her the answer to the long overdue question: how she ascended to Queenhood, and how she gained her kingdom. Each time Twilight asked Chrsyalis turned her face around, hid her expression with her mane, and pleaded her to change the subject one way or another. After cornering her in a fight Chrysalis had looked Twilight with eyes ready to burst in tears. She finally found it: the door that led to the throne room where Chrysalis resided during the day, handling the diverse political problems of the “Proteans”, as the changelings called themselves. Chrysalis noticed her first and promptly urged the others to bow respectfully. “You really shouldn’t do that. I get really embarrassed when that happens,” said Twilight, rubbing her neck and smiling awkwardly. “They must learn to pay proper homage to their future Queen.” responded Chrysalis. They looked at each other, and after a minute Chrysalis understood. It was time. “Leave us…” she said in a serious tone. The changelings sensed the heaviness of the situation and wasted no time exiting the room. “It’s time, isn’t it?” She continued. “Yes. You said that I would know in time. That I needed to be “ready.” I still don’t get it… What’s so terrifying about your ascension that stopped you from telling me? What is it Chrysalis?” Twilight was clearly worried. Why all the secrecy? What happened in the past? Twilight took Chrysalis’s hoof and held it towards her heart. Chrysalis turned away for a moment, closing her eyes tight. She realized she couldn’t turn away from Twilight. “Twilight… it’s not important how i gained my kingdom. Right now my kingdom, is the kingdom that resides inside my heart. The kingdom that you made my love, my messiah.” She leaned in closer rubbing her nose with Twilight. Still… Twilight did not budge with flattery. She was determined on finding out the root of the problem, and cut it off. “However I said I would answer, and I will.” She sighed, her hoof brushing her teal mane to the side. “By the time I gained my kingdom, by the time I ascended to the throne, I gained three things and lost one.” Twilight gulped… she could sense it, here goes. “I gained the love of my subjects. They called me ‘Liberator’, for I freed them from their squabbles, united them in one kingdom.” She paused a bit. “The ancient rulers of the changelings came. Metis the cunning and wise unifier of hearts. Proteus the overfather, unifier of souls. And Nousios the blind and fair, unifier of minds. They judged me capable of leading the changelings. To them i was the ‘Monarch of the Black Sanctuary’.” She smiled at her lover as she got ready to speak once again. “The enemies I faced were many. As my kingdom came into being, as I waged war against all that would oppose the formation of a united Protean nation i gained my third title…” “The Black Siren.” The moment she heard that title, Twilight finally figured out why Chrysalis couldn’t tell her this story. Why she couldn’t look at her while remembering those events. She was ashamed.