//------------------------------// // Chapter Three - Celestial Confrontation // Story: Changeling Society // by EvePony //------------------------------// Princess Celestia is a wise pony. She is level-headed, and will defend her ponies at all costs. After the defeat of the Changelings, Princess Celestia had been making sure her security was at its highest, and no intruder was to be detected, or even entering the land. She took the highest precautions for not only the 3 princesses, but all of her ponies. But when the Elements of Harmony stood before her, telling her a Chrysalis-lookalike has appeared here in Canterlot, she was shocked. Confused. Concerned. But as a Princess, she had to keep a composure. "So, you're saying you saw her walking through the streets of Canterlot? Without causing anypony harm?" "Precisely, Princess! Why, she didn't even look much like Queen Chrysalis! She was only our height, no holes or anything. She was a regular unicorn! Except for an interesting cutie mark and color scheme, I might say" Rairty described. "But we are sure it's her. We heard her talkin' about how she has nowhere to sleep, and that 'ponies didn't even take much of a glance at her'. But we are sure it is that Chrysalis" Applejack said, tipping her hat down. There was a pause. Celestia contemplated her next action. The situation was... confusing. Queen Chrysalis? The Queen that tried to suck the love from every pony in Canterlot? In Equestria? The Queen that now could be roaming the streets without a place to sleep? Celestia seemed it was quite odd, and her curiosity got the best of her. She had to find out who she was, just in case. But the Princess of the Sun roaming about in the streets of Canterlot would strike some ponies confused. "Well, if you truly believe it is her, and you saw her doing no harm, why don't you try befriending her?" Celestia suggested. Everypony except for Twilight gasped, and began complaining about how it's Queen Chrysalis, and they should take more drastic measurements. "Girls, girls. Girls! GIRLS!" Twilight yelled, and everyone hushed. "Princess Celestia is right. We saw that she wasn't terrorizing innocent ponies, and she was here all alone! We will get to know her, and see if she is up to anything. We have the Elements of Harmony if we need them". The 5 others sighed, nodded, and Celestia arose from her throne. "I will always be here too, including Princess Luna and Princess Cadence. Please, seek us if you need anything". "Okay!" the girls chimed in union. They bowed to the Princess and trotted out of the throne room. "So, we're going to search for Queen Chrysalis?" Fluttershy asked. "Mhm! And we're going to get to the bottom of her visit" Twilight said with a smirk. ~ The Mane 6 had been searching for at least an hour now. They were scouring streets and alleyways, shops and vendor stands, all while trying to look inconspicuous. Rainbow Dash, while continually complaining about how they haven't found her yet, pointed out a shop that they haven't searched yet. They cantered up to the entrance, attempting to look casual. What surprised them the most was seeing a grey pony with a bag of bits held up by her green magic inside the store. She stood at the register, levitating the cupcake in front of her. She nodded at the pony, and walked over to a table in the corner, setting down her small bag of bits and her cupcake. Under her eyelashes, she looked up at the 6 familiar ponies that had just stepped into the shop. Twilight was the first to approach, sitting down next to her. "Hi there, I'm Twilight Sparkle! These are my friends Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy." she said, hoping the supposed Queen of the Changelings would strike an interesting conversation. "Uh, hello there. I'm..Chrya" she smiled. Chrysalis had not expected anyone to strike a conversation with her, and never thought of a name for herself. "Well howdy there, Chrya. We noticed you were ne-" "New ponies are Pinkie's friends by default!!" Pinkie Pie chimed in, smiling widely. Chrya laughed, and bit into her cupcake. "Well, we saw you yesterday and wanted to give you a proper tour of Canterlot!" Rarity said, putting her hoof on Chrya's shoulder. "Well, I would enjoy that. How about I finish my treat and then we will start?" Chrya suggested. "We'll wait here with you" Fluttershy smiled. ~ Chrysalis, on the inside, was surprised that the Elements of Harmony had stopped her in that shop and offered to take her around Canterlot. Perhaps they did not notice that it was Chrysalis, and more a lookalike. Maybe they had seen right through her, and Chrysalis was too foolish. They had been wandering around Canterlot for a while now, and Chrysalis was absorbed in the different types of shops and ponies that were there. Some were upper-class, some were normal ponies. They had finally come to a close of their tour, and Chrya had enjoyed herself a lot. She never thought that these 6 ponies who tried to stop her before could be so friendly, so nice to a complete stranger they had just met. Then again, they represented the embodiments of harmony, and Chrya figured they were like this to everypony except for Discord himself. They were approaching the castle, which Chrya felt a nervousness building inside her as they drew closer. "Chrya, where are you staying here in Canterlot?" Applejack asked, walking beside her. "Well, Applejack, I... don't have anyplace to stay. Last night, I slept on the ground." Chrya stated. "On the ground? Cold and alone? Well that's not good at all! Nopony should be sleeping there" Fluttershy flew on the other side of Applejack. "You're right Fluttershy. Tonight, would you like to stay with us here in Canterlot Castle?" Twilight asked. Chrya paused, looking at the 6 faces awaiting her answer. "That would be very nice, thank you. But there is no need." she said. "Now, now dear. We insist, I'm sure Princess Celestia wouldn't mind a bit. Any friend of Twilight's is certainly allowed. Right Twilight?" Rarity asked, looking over her shoulder at Twilight. "Of couse, now let's head inside and ask. Princess Celestia may seem intimidating, but she is one of the nicest ponies I know" she said, allowing Chrya to head up the stairs first. "Twilight, are you sure about this? I mean, it could be Qu-" "Queen Chrysalis, yes I know Rainbow. If we let her meet Celestia and get to know all of us, it could help us figure out her purpose for coming here" Twi whispered, then trotting up the stairs. Chrya paused at the door, waiting for the mane 6 to open it. "Come on now, don't be nervous" Rarity said as she creaked the large doors open with her magic. The light from the outside grew larger as the door open, revealing the familiar throne room to all seven ponies. On the throne was Princess Celestia herself. They trotted up to her, Chrya trailing behind. They bowed to Celestia, and Chrya followed the action. "Hello my ponies. I see you've brought a friend, who might this be?" "Princess, this is Chrya. She is new to Canterlot, and we saw she was alone in a shop. We decided to show her around Canterlot." Twilight explained, motioning for Chrya to stand at the front. She waved at the Princess, who waved back and laughed. "She doesn't have anywhere to sleep, so.. we were wondering if she could stay with us, here in the castle for the night? " Applejack asked, looking up at Celestia. "Is that so? Where did you sleep last night, Chrya?" Celestia asked, looking down at the mare. "I slept in an alleyway on the ground, your highness. But I really shouldn't stay. I would like to travel to places like.." she tried to remember the places on the map, "Ponyville, and the Crystal Empire". she finished, looking to Celestia's quizzical gaze. "We head back to Ponyville tomorrow, you can take the train with us" Fluttershy said softly. "What a lovely idea, girls. Of course you can stay here for the night. As long as you are up for it, I'm sure they wouldn't mind you staying in Ponyville with them." Celestia said kindly. The 6 nodded, and Chrya turned back to Celestia. "Okay, I'll stay. Thank you all so much for allowing me to stay. Thank you too, Princess" she said. Celestia nodded, "It's not a problem. Go on, show Chrya to her room. You girls can chat, and get to know her". They headed off to the large recreational room, and the door shut behind them.