Who you Work for
Ch.12
The words “killed my daughter” made Coco Pommel practically speechless. Coco would have never thought that the reason Queen Chrysalis hated Princess Celestia would be so serious. If she were to have guessed, Coco would have thought that Chrysalis hated the princess because of a past disagreement or failed treaty. But this... this was far from what the pony would have imagined.
It was quiet. Even the sound of the falls began to fade in order to respect the queen's sorrow. Everychangeling showed sadness for Chrysalis and kept to themselves. The leader still looked down at the water with tears streaming down her face, though she didn't huff, nor whimper. All she could do was allow her salty eye-droplets fall.
Because she is now her friend, Coco came close to Chrysalis, looking upward. Coco realized how tall the queen was compared to her and all the others. As if she was reaching for the stars, the pony reached for her friend's neck, hoping Chrysalis would allow herself to be comforted.
To Coco's surprise, the large changeling lowered her neck to the pony. Like a hook, Coco's arm came around Chrysalis' neck and gently lifted herself, brushing her cheek on the queen's face in the process.
Then Coco felt her body being tugged. The queen's arm reached around the pony's body. Instinctively, Coco scooted in closer. A rush of warm heat was felt on Coco's chest as her body was now in close contact with Chrysalis.
Turning her gaze, Coco looked into Chrysalis' eye. Within her friend's eye, she saw how pretty her eyes were. As the tears formed at her bottom eyelid, the queen's emerald colored eye shimmered. Even though she was one, Coco could not see the so-called evil changeling everypony labeled her to be. All she could see was a creature who was broken because of a past event; a tragic past event.
Without removing herself, the pony asked, “You can trust me. You can tell me what happened. You can tell me why you hate her.”
A black pupal moved from its place and stared at Coco's eye. “Do you really want to know?” Chrysalis asked. “This may change your view about your princess.”
“You said 'inadvertently killed my daughter'. I... kind of don't think my opinion of Princess Celestia will change that well.”
“Suit yourself.” In unison, both Chrysalis and Coco removed themselves and stepped away from each other. “Thank you by the way,” the queen smiled. “It's... nice to at least have somechangeling- umm... somepony want to at least befriend me.” Just as it came, her smile left. “And regardless of your opinion toward Celestia, I will not change view toward you.” Even though Chrysalis' last statement made Coco happy, the queen's expression kept the pony from smiling. “Are you ready to hear my story?”
Lightly, Coco nodded her head.
Taking one last look, Chrysalis looked at the changelings who continued to spectate the two mares. I am shocked to see myself tell my tragic past of my daughter to an earth pony. Whatever...
Without any further delays, the queen took a deep breath began her story.
“About one-thousand years ago, I had a daughter named Beauty Fly, the most amazing creature to have ever entered this world.” A bright smile shined on Queen Chrysalis' face. “She was such a good child. She almost never disobeyed my wishes and was always by my side, or rather under me because she was such a the small thing.”
“I remember how she would lift her head and brush the back of her skull on my lower torso, just to remind me that she is always there. And how I always let her wear my crown, knowing that my daughter will one day she would become a stronger leader than I.”
“How cute,” Coco instinctively replied with a gleeful grin.
“You cannot fathom how special she was to me and the others.”
“Others?”
Glancing toward the stars, Chrysalis said, “Yes, others. My daughter was an interesting changeling because of how the other changelings loved her presence and her skills. I don't know how she was able to possess such power, but nonetheless, she had great arraignment of abilities.”
“And what power did she have?” the pony asked. “Was it strong powerful magic?”
Scratching her chin, Chrysalis replied, “Well yes, she did possess a unique magical ability. However, her magic was not her strongest suit. It was her intelligence. And I believe she got some of her smartness from her father.”
A question began to arise in Coco's mind. “Who is her father?”
Looking down at the pony with the most serious of stares. “The better question is what is her father...”
“O-okay... Then, what is her father...?”
“He is dead and not important.”At that moment, the slightest hint of rage glinted in the queen's eyes. “Anyways, where was I?”
“You were talking about how Beauty Fly's intelligence.” Wow, she must have not liked her husband, that is... if she had one.
“Right.” Looking back at the sky, Chrysalis continued. “Though out her... short life, Beauty Fly watched and observed me, watching how I rule and command. As such, my daughter learned from my ways and became quite the leader.
“But Beauty Fly was interesting in the way that she lead. I lead with an iron hoof, while my daughter was a kind negotiator.”
“She was a negotiator? You mean with other leaders.” Coco was impressed at how Chrysalis' daughter was.
“No, she only negotiated with our own kind, but that didn't make her any less impressive. Whenever somechangeling would desire something and I would deny them their wishes, they would ask my daughter, who happened to always be below me, for a second opinion. And because they would ask her for a second opinion, she would calmly try to convince me to give in to their demands.”
“And did you give in at all,” Coco asked.
“Let's just say she was successful half of the time,” Chrysalis replied with an unsure smirk.
Letting out a small giggle, the pony looked up at her friend who was smiling as she was reminiscing about her daughter. “So what about Beauty Fly's other unique ability?”
Slowly, the queen's lips went to a natural expression and looked downward at Coco. “It was her magic. I don't know how she got it, when she could perform such power, what, or who gave it to her, but what she had was a power that no changeling has ever had before.”
“And what was it?”
Looking at the dam, Chrysalis replied, “She had the ability to feed changelings without the use of transferring of love.”
Instinctively, Coco blurted out questions, “What? H-how?! When?! Who-”
“I just told you I do not know those questions...,” the queen replied looked back at her friend. “You need to learn to understand that some questions cannot be answered.”
The pony was in thought as she tried to comprehend how a changeling can feed its own kind without love, but that only created a headache instead of an answer. “Well... how did she feed others?”
Letting out a long sigh, Chrysalis' expression morphed into a depressed expression. “She... was able to feed other changelings with her own life source. The best way I can explain it is how she told me: you know when you have the energy to do something, let alone anything?” Coco nodded in response. “That's how she was able to feed other changelings without the use of love. She would use her magical gift to feed others at the expense of her own energy. I didn't mind this much because she was a young little filly with so much pent up energy, she would stand longer than I would, even if we both stood longer than twenty-four hours.” The look of shock fell upon Coco's face after hearing how Beauty Fly could stand for so long, let alone stay awake for so long.
“And then...” Quickly, Coco's the look of shock went into a slight frown. “A harsh winter came...”
Concerned, Coco placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder. Feeling the warmth of the earth pony's contact, Chrysalis reached her arm out of the water and wrapped her own hoof onto Coco's so that it won't go away. Being new to the concept of being friends with a pony, the queen didn't want her food to run away from her. Though the sadness weighed in her heart, the compassion from her friend was helping her keep a strong composure.
“During the harsh winter,” Chrysalis continued, “the hive had a difficult time finding love. Usually we are prepared for the harsh environment that is winter, but... things got complicated.”
“Complicated?” Coco asked. “As in it was hard to find love?”
“No...” A sudden change of emotion writhed on the queen's face. If Coco would have guessed what a queen's wrath looks like, Chrysalis would take the crown, literally. Her eyes flared with green energy as it began to wisp through the air. With her teeth bared, Queen Chrysalis said with distortion in her voice, “Her wretched father kidnapped my daughter!” Frightened, the pony tried to pull her arm away from her friend in order to give the queen some space, but the changeling proved to be stronger and held on tightly.
She continued, but with less anger, “Because of his treason, the hive used up a large amount of our rations so we can find him. And we did find him...”
Coco was even more afraid as she saw Chrysalis getting carried away with her emotions. The changeling now had a mixture of an insane smile and burning hatred. Instead of trying to remove herself, the pony shivered in place and asked, “A-and what happened t-to him?”
“The better question would be what he is,” Chrysalis replied with a reassuring grin.
For once, Coco knew the answer. But instinctively, she asked, “Then... wh-what is he?”
Giggling maniacally, the queen happily answered, “Dead!”
Hoping somechangeling would assist her, Coco looked to the other changelings for help. However, they too, remained frozen in fear of their queen's emotion. It dawned to her why they feared Queen Chrysalis. It wasn't for the fact that she was powerful. Yes, she was their queen, and yes, she possessed power beyond her loyal subjects. However, it was a different power. A power that all rulers have over their kingdoms: the power to bring down those who oppose or threaten one's home or values. And because Chrysalis has control over a race that is willing to do her every bidding, that alone is a thought to be feared.
“M-my queen,” Fang said from behind Chrysalis. Quickly, she twisted her neck to look at her personal guard in a harsh gaze. But even though he was terrified of her, Fang gave a small nod in hopes to calm the angered changeling down. Thankfully, his efforts went into effect as the queen began to calm herself down by taking in deep breaths.
Looking back at Coco, she said, “I'm... sorry for getting like that. I just-” Chrysalis swallowed a lump in her throat, refusing to resurface anymore emotion other than a strong composure. “I just hate him... a lot.”
“I can understand why,” Coco replied looking down at the water.
“No, you do not understand Coco.” Realizing she had gone off course, Chrysalis remembered where she was in her story about her daughter.
“Resuming where we left off, my daughter was kidnapped by her father, but both were quickly apprehended and...” She cut herself off and looked down at her friend who still looked frightened but not as much from before. So, in order save Coco from the trouble of being intimidated by her powerful wrath, Chrysalis gathered her thoughts before continuing, “After he was dealt with... we noticed that our efforts to rescue my daughter took a tole on our rations. Because of this, we had no choice but to go to Celestia and tell her of our problem.” Upon finishing her statement, the queen's brow began to crease.
“Are... we getting to the point of why you hate Princess Celestia?” Coco asked carefully.
“Yes,” Chrysalis said, but in a calm tone. Despite the water was keeping her warm, the changeling could not help but feel a cold shiver down her spine. The queen knew what was coming. Every time she thought of the past even of her daughter and her death was going to cause her to break down. However, she felt compelled to tell her new friend. Chrysalis remembered what Coco told her: A friend continues to support another friend's actions, so long as it assists them in the long run. Perhaps the pony who remained in front of her would help stop the nightmares that have haunted the changeling for hundreds of years.
Prepared, Queen Chrysalis resumed, “We went to her, that is my daughter and I, to ask Princess Celestia to feed off of some of the love that her kingdom had to offer. There was so much color and happiness in that kingdom that would feed the hive five times over. All we wanted was a fraction of their love in comparison to what we needed.” A few moments of silence came over her before she continued. “Needless to say, that princess refused my offer...”
Coco let out a concerned huff. “I'm... sorry that happened.”
“Oh no!” Chrysalis said with a burst of emotions. “There's more!” Coco could tell her friend was becoming upset and saw the emerald eyes of the queen begin to liquify. “Being the negotiator that she was, Beauty Fly attempted to convince Celestia, telling her that we cannot eat simple means of food and that we need love and that love was not hard to give. But then my daughter, the one time she stepped her hoof out of line, was when she said, 'If you do not give us the love that we need, we will become desperate and take your love by force.' It was at that moment that Celestia sealed her fate with me when she told my daughter, 'Go back to the hole you crawled out of, you insect!'”
This time, Chrysalis tried to keep a glare on her face, but sorrow began to invade her heart. “How... how can you say that to a child?”
Coco couldn't answer that question. The thought of insulting a child to their face was sickening.
“So...,” Chrysalis said in a chocked up voice, “because we were unable to negotiate with that princess, the hive was literally left to starve. However... Beauty Fly would not allow our home die of hunger.”
Coco could tell the story of Beauty Fly's life was about to come to an end.
“W-whenever my daughter would eat any amount of love, she would regurgitate it and multiply its energy by literally tenfold and feed it to the other changelings in the hive. I begged her to keep some food for herself, but she continued to help others while she remained hungry.”
“In hopes of keep my daughter from giving all of her energy to the others, I stopped eating as well... But when I began to starve, I could understand the madness that my daughter was enduring.” Chrysalis looked at Coco sincerely and asked, “Have you ever gone a day without eating and you began quivering with discomfort and lack of energy?”
“Yeah, I have,” Coco responded. “It's happened to me a few times when I got carried away on projects of the past.”
“Think of that but worse. You began to feel helpless. Time moves slowly. You want to cry yourself to sleep, and yet, you become an empty husk, not risking the chance of wasting useful energy.”
“While I was going mad from hunger, Beauty Fly would still give all of her energy to others. It got to a point when I asked her, 'Why do you feed others and not care for yourself?' And she replied, 'Because a leader without followers shows irresponsibility.' Then I asked, 'But what about followers without a leader? What are they?' She then gave an answer that to this day, makes my heart quiver, 'They are lost.'”
Beauty Fly's quote made Coco think. A leader without followers shows irresponsibility, but followers without a leader are lost. I can understand why... If one can't lead properly, followers will begin to fall away from the leader's values. But without any leaders, all those who need a following are lost in chaos.
“T-then... that f-fateful day happened...” Chrysalis said grimly, regaining Coco's attention. At this point, tears began to run down the queen's face uncontrollably. However, Chrysalis still managed herself to talk in calm sentences. “Beauty Fly couldn't get up. She kept telling me she was tired... really tired.”
“I immediately panicked and told the hive to not follow me as I went for some food. Some requested that they go with me and search for love in order to help my daughter, but I ignored everychangeling that tried to speak to me.”
“As I carried my little one through the cold winter sky... she kept telling me that she was warm, even though the weather was bone chilling. I don't know how long or how fast I was flying, but it got to a point where I lost all energy... and almost all hope. I landed on a cloud, high in the sky, trying to get as close to the sun as possible without leaving the atmosphere. Just when I told Beauty Fly I was going to go retrieve some love for her, she literally screamed at me, begging me not to go. It was at that point that it was going to be Beauty Fly's last negotiation with me.”
“Did... you have to leave her behind?” Coco said as she embraced her friend.
“No,” Chrysalis said as she welcomed her friend as she wrapped an arm around the pony. “The negotiation was to let her feed me so that I may return to the hive safely. I kept telling her that that was not an option that I was willing to take. Then she told me about followers without a leader. She said that the hive needed me... that I was the only one who could lead them... B-but I said to her, 'What about you? What about us? Your future? Our Future?! Everychangelings future?!' I know I said more... but you get the idea.” Chrysalis felt Coco's mane brush against her torso, clarifying that her friend was still there and still listening.
“Beauty Fly understood what was at stake and she knew that if I cannot lead over the hive, the changelings would go into chaos. She also knew that... she was dying... and was willing to die for our kind. She was so... brave... No fear, just brave.” Chrysalis' tears almost burned Coco's shoulder as they pattered onto the pony. “After what seemed to be an eternity, I allowed her to feed me. She placed her horn onto my heart and surged energy into me. While it flowed into me, I could feel the power that she had. I felt my energy becoming revitalized. But it didn't take long before I felt the energy from my daughter fade...”
“Just before she collapsed... Beauty Fly told me this, 'Don't become like father... I love you mother...'”
It was at that moment, Chrysalis grabbed Coco Pommel and held her close. Tears rolled down the face of the two of them the queen began to whimper in sorrow.
Then, Coco heard a cry that would stain her heart for the rest of her life.
“GRRAAAAAHHHHAAAAAHAAAAA!” Chrysalis gasped for air as she shouted the same wallow into the air, “AAAAHAAAHAAAAAA!”
It hurt Coco's heart. She didn't know what it was like to lose a family member because the only family she had was her own mother and father. Nonetheless, it pained her to see her friend in such agony.
Several more seconds passed as the Queen of Changelings cried aloud. No changeling nor pony dared to interrupt her lamenting over the loss of her daughter. It was after those long seconds that Chrysalis' cries became small huffs of sadness, and then, no more crying at all.
“That's why I hate Celestia. I hate her because of what she said to my daughter and the consequences Beauty Fly had to suffer...” But amidst the gloomy atmosphere, Chrysalis smiled, “At least she saved the hive from starvation. She was the only one who perished during that winter. A true and brave hero she was.”
Coco found herself smiling as well. “At least she cared enough to save you and every changeling that was alive at the time.”
“Yes,” the queen nodded as her smile went away. “I still hate that princess. I hate how happy she is and how she has not suffered like I have.”
“Are you sure?” the pony asked, turning her head in curiosity. “I mean, she is like, a thousand years old. Maybe even more. Don't you think she hasn't felt pain by the lost of many loved ones throughout her years of existence? Of all the friends and possibly family have... died?” The word “died” weighed on Coco's heart.
I really wish you wouldn't ask as many questions as you do... Chrysalis thought, trying to reject the idea that Celestia has suffered as much as she has.
Then an idea popped into Coco's head. It was crazy, but it might be the thing that could help the queen and hive in many ways. “What if...,” she said, hesitating to ask. “What if... you talked to Celestia... and let her know how you feel?”
Chrysalis was about to shout at the pony and tell her that was the most ridiculous idea she had ever heard. But then she gave thought to it. Coco's idea doesn't sound like a bad idea... Hmm... “Do you think that Celestia would talk to me and hear my story?” she asked.
“Well, are you going to show up to the Grand Galloping Gala as yourself?”
“Of course not!” Chrysalis exclaimed. “This is a mission of being hidden and blending in with other ponies.”
“Then...” Coco had to come up with an idea to further convince her friend that talking to Celestia could help her vent her emotions to the princess; though, if Chrysalis were to vent, things may turn nasty. “Do what Fang did?”
Fang's attention was immediately brought to Coco upon hearing his name.
“What about him,” Chrysalis asked, looking back at him.
“It was the way he introduced himself and how he gained my trust. When we were at the train station, he stood up for me, protecting me from my ex-boss' insults. And when we were on the train, he warned me to not be afraid and then reveled who he really was to me. Fang gave me a chance to take your commission or to return home. Of course, you know the answer.”
“Correct.” Chrysalis scratched her chin in curiosity. “Go on...”
“So, why don't you go to the gala as planned and just let the night go on. Try to befriend Princess Celestia and then show her who you are and give her a chance to choose whether or not to hear you out. And even if that doesn't work out, you still have the love you are going to collect while you and the other gatherers are there. In other words, there is no loss.”
No loss you say... So even if things go haywire, I still get what need, which is love... Giving a light chuckle, Chrysalis said, “You are quite the pony. Alright then, I will take your suggestion and... try to talk to Celestia.”
“I am glad you are at least going to tr- OPP!” Without warning, Chrysalis grabbed the pony and held her close. “Thank you for listening to me... You truly are an irreplaceable friend...”
Even though she couldn't move by the amount of force being applied to her, Coco replied, “A-and you are a good friend for giving me a commission to work on. You are also crushing me...”
“Forgive me. It has been years since I have held somechangeling like this.”
“Then will you please release me?”
“Just a little longer please,” the queen said as she clenched her friend tighter. “Now, let's not talk about the past and focus on the present. Specifically, how wonderful the hot water feels.”
***
Coco Pommel stood at her door, covered with darkness as she stared at Chrysalis who remained at the entrance of her room.
“Alright Coco,” Chrysalis said as she spoke to her friend. “I wish for you to rest easy. I also wish for you to take a break from work and relax tomorrow. You deserve a day's rest.”
“Okay,” Coco replied. “Thank you.” And with that, the two of them gave a light embrace before the queen started to walk away, along with Fang at her side. However, Coco walked out of her dwelling and called out, “Fang!”
As the guard stopped in his tracks, Chrysalis looked down at him in the corner of her eye as he turned toward the pony. He saw Coco move toward him and remained stationary. As soon as she came to him, Coco gave Fang a longer hug then the one she gave to Chrysalis; though, it didn't bother the queen. “Just wanted to say goodnight,” Coco said as her cheek pressed against his face.
“Uhh, t-thanks,” Fang replied, flustered by her embrace. His blush was as bright as hot metal that had been removed from a blazing furnace and had to keep it out of Coco's sight. “G-goodnight.”
As soon as they broke their embrace, Coco gave him the brightest smile he had ever seen. She had her eyes closed, not clenched, and her head was cocked a little to the right, with maybe the slightest hint of blush in her cheeks; he couldn't tell...
Departing from them, Coco went into her room and closing the door. A changeling stood at the entrance of the door on guard with a spear in his hoof, ready to ward off any possible intruders, and perhaps the pony back into her room if she decides to wander off.
As Chrysalis and Fang went away from the pony's estate, they walked in silence. A turn here and a turn there they went. Up some stairs, in hole, and then, onto the sealing they now stood. The world below them looked different as their perspective of their surroundings were reversed.
Both of them were at the entrance of Fang's home, or rather, hole in the ceiling.
“Fang,” Chrysalis asked. “Why are you ignoring my wishes?”
“My queen,” Fang said in a panicked tone. “I-I would never go against your bidding! Never!”
“Then why are you becoming attached to the pony...”
The personal guard had his jaw open wide upon hearing this. “But... I thought Coco became your friend.”
“She is. She is the first pony I have ever befriended and will cherish the friendship I have with her. However, you must not get too close to her. I don't know what you two have done behind closed doors-”
“We have done no such things!” Fang exclaimed assuming Chrysalis was thinking Coco and he were doing more than just work.
“DON'T YOU DARE CUT ME OFF LIKE THAT!” Green haze began to wisp from Chrysalis' eyes, angered by Fang's interruption. “Now where was I...,” she said as she cooled her temper. “I don't know what you two do behind closed doors, but I will say this: once this job is over, you will never get to see her again...”
“W-why is that my queen,” Fang asked with a lump in his throat, fearing the worst.
Chrysalis looked upward, watching her hair dangle as it swayed through the air. “When she is done here, she will return to her normal life. She will go about what she wants to do as she normally has done and things will return to normal for us as well.”
“But what about what Coco had said? What if Celestia would hear you out and things may turn out good for us?”
The queen was fast on her hooves and asked another question, “What is a princess to a queen?”
Fang was silent. He had no answer for his queen.
“I can give you that answer, but that will wait for another time.”
Even with his leader's statement, he was not convinced by her question. “Are... are you saying that as an excuse to not speak to the princess?” Fang asked carefully, “or are you unsure that things will go right?”
Shivering, Fang was expecting his queen to erupt with rage as he questioned her statement, for she hated to be questioned after stating something. But instead of wrath, he saw a frown. “I just... have a feeling things won't go according to plan...,” Chrysalis said. “And I don't want my friend to end up hurt in the end... Also, if you become attached and things don't go according to plan, it will break your heart if you cannot see her again, regardless if your relationship is intimate or romantic.”
Romantic... Fang thought with a weighted heart.
“Now get some rest,” Chrysalis requested. “You have been awake for several days. And I don't want my personal guard to lose his flame.”
Romantic... he thought again.
***
Laying in bed, Coco Pommel was on her side, looking out the large window, watching the moon as it rested in the sky. She felt happy about how things were going and knew things would get better. But something cramped the pony's heart. She was worried about her friend, Chrysalis.
It was only natural to care about somepony when their friend was hurt. However, Chrysalis' past about the loss of her daughter seemed to weigh on the queen's shoulders and caused the fangs of wrath to sink into her heart and have the venom of hatred course through her veins.
And as always, more questions went through Coco's head. Who was Beauty Fly's father? Why does Chrysalis hate her daughter's father? Was Chrysalis wed to him?
Lucky for Coco, her exhaustion was overtaking her and began to find little interest in questions as each second passed her. She realized that it was better to rest things off before wondering why certain things are the way they are.