//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Idyllic // by lollipopchica //------------------------------// "Are you ready?" Elytra's voice surrounded him sounding like a whisper in his thoughts. He nodded. Shining Armor, Princess Celestia, Elytra, Triste and Felizi were all gathered in the changeling's holding cell. There was the bed that the changeling resided in and another brought in for Shining Armor. Elytra had used a special spell to open the gateway to the changeling's whereabouts. She'd send Shining Armor's essence to where she'd sent the other so he could bring her back to them. "Just relax." She breathed into his ears. "Okay..." He breathed. "Is this safe?" Celestia asked with concern. Elytra's laughter was soft as she regarded the Princess. "Of course, Princess." She turned her eyes onto him. "The world she's in is very real, Shining Armor... Just remind her that it is not hers. Time passes differently there so don't forget why you're there." And then the chanting began. "You'll be fine," she assured him. The world around him fell away as he felt a disconnect between mind, body and soul. Colors drained and swirled as they recreated space showcasing the most brilliant of stars. One seemed to beckon him closer and as the stallion faded into the light, his world was reconstructed. Though it was foreign, it felt oddly familiar as his essence was gathered and his senses engaged. The sound of music, laughter and the clinking of glasses was first. The scent of black currant and vanilla filled his nose, and he slowly became aware of a very feminine presence. He opened his eyes and was greeted with the sight of the mare that haunted his dreams. Chrysalis' bright eyes were smoldering as they burned into his. She didn’t look like a changeling and yet this could be nopony but her. Shining Armor blinked as he realized all of himself was whole. Taking in his surroundings, he saw he was in some kind of ballroom at a party of some sort. All of his family and friends were there including some he didn't recognize whose names he realized he knew. It was crazy how familiar everything felt. The most unnerving was how being engaged with her felt. They were dancing and the world, or rather this world, was exactly as it was supposed to be. And then she spoke as they continued to sway around the floor to the sultry voice that sang 'The Nearness of You.' “Two years ago if somepony would’ve asked me if I saw myself a wife and a mother, I would’ve laughed in their face.” Shining Armor blinked as a slow smile crawled across his face as he allowed himself to be. “You’re amazing with kids.” And he didn’t know where the revelation came from just that he knew it was true. “Says Daddy dearest…” Chrysalis rolled her eyes despite the mirth shining in their gem stone depths. “Gemma adores you…” She stole a quick kiss much to his surprised delight. Why did this feel so easy? “Just like her mom.” “Conceited much?” She teased as they continued to dance to the nostalgic piece. “You can thank my wife.” He laughed as the compliment rolled off his tongue so easily. Where was this affectionate attitude coming from? “I love you, Shining Armor.” Her dark features were suddenly soft as her eyes locked onto his. “I love my husband… my daughter… our life. I wouldn’t trade this for anything.” “Not even an Oscar win.” Again, somehow he just knew that was important to her. “Not even…” He kissed her full on the mouth humming into the action as their mouths fused together in a sensual embrace. It was fire when his lips touched hers. And the stallion was surprised to find how much he enjoyed the burn. All kinds of dark and eager thoughts filled his mind as he lost himself in this world. What... No! He forced himself to shun the feelings he had for her as he remembered himself, bringing their kiss to an abrupt end. “This isn’t real, Chryssie…" He violently shook his head. "Chrysalis… This isn’t us.” Chrysalis tilted her head in confusion, “What are you talking about?” “It’s time to go…” “Go? But…” She stepped away to really study him. Was he sick? He didn’t look- No scar. He looked like her Shining Armor, but something about him was off… Like she could feel that this was not the stallion she arrived with. “You’re not… my husband.” Her green eyes narrowed. “No… And you’re not my wife… I married Cadance, not you.” “Cadance?” Harlequin eyes shone bright with disbelief. “Is this is some kind of joke…” “Daddy dance?” A child’s voice interrupted the two. A filly with a coat the color of clouds stared up at the stallion with eyes much like his own. Shining Armor felt his breath catch as he stared at the foal who favored both he and the mare he’d come to collect. She was beautiful with her pristine and sky-like looks. Chrysalis tore her eyes away from the pony in front of her as she regarded her daughter. “Hey baby,” she cooed accosting her little one’s attention, “Daddy’s not feeling well right now- how about you steal a dance from your Aunty Twilight? You know how much she likes dancing with you.” Gemma grinned up at her mother with a look of pure innocence. “Okay! Aunty Twiley dance!” Chrysalis watched as her daughter hobbled off in search of her aunt. “You aren’t an actress, we’re not together, she… she doesn’t exist. This isn’t where you belong.” With every statement his conviction grew. She closed her heart to his words before giving him her undivided attention. “Why are you saying these things?” “Because they’re true… no matter how much you might not want them to be.” “I..uh… I need some air…” Chrysalis quickly moved away from him, moving as fast as she could without raising alarm. She ignored the various ponies who called for her attention until she was safely outside the balcony doors. Her thoughts took her back to a period of a few years ago. She remembered waking in the hospital confused, upset and pregnant. As she assimilated into her daily routine and lifestyle she’d forgotten the initial feelings and memories she’d awoken with as they were replaced by events that had happened in this time stream. She believed what they had told her- that it had all been a dream induced by a serious lump to the head. With love and care from her family and friends she found her groove and never looked back as time unfolded. And now years later, here was this stallion she had distant memories of. “He’s right….” “Shining Armor?” What the hell was going on? She felt as if her reality was violently clashing with some other. “You’re not my Chryssie but you and her are one in the same.” He sounded so sad. “I don’t understand… This is real isn’t it?” “Yes… I love you like I love her because you are her. But this is a reality wholly different from your own.” “But how can I exist in a world that isn’t mine?” “How could you not? Time and space are infinite and who’s to say yours is the only reality in existence? She was quiet as it was slowly coming back to her. The infiltration, her engagement… her failure. “So all those things… I… I did that?” “Yeah, baby you did.” “He’s come to…” “He doesn’t want to kill you love. He might not accept his feelings for you, but I feel that he feels deeply for you. He's confused right now.” “I don’t want to go….” She cried as she began to grasp what he was purposing. “I can’t…" Already she felt herself buckling under the weight of her actions. “Yes you can…” He nuzzled her comfortingly. “And while things may be hard now, it won’t always be like this.” “There’s nothing for me there… I have no people… no crown… nothing…” “There’s Gemma…” “But…” “It’s time to go… Being a victim never did suit you.” He kissed her and for a moment none of it was real. *-3333-* Elytra raised a brow at the look on the stallion’s face beside her. She could feel his jealousy for the stallion conversing with his ‘wife’ and she found the whole thing amusing. “What’s he doing?” He frowned as the two locked in a kiss. “Preparing her.” “For what?” “For the trip home.” Moments later, the changeling cautiously approached the duo with a dull expression on her face. Shining Armor frowned as he noticed though she stood on the balcony with her husband, 'she' stood with them. Just as the three began to fade he watched as the other Chrysalis collapsed into the scarred Shining Armor. The look on his face was painful. *-3333-* "Did you know?" The Love Alicorn's violet eyes were wild with anger and accusation. "Did I know what?" Faust was used the Princess' emotions nowadays. "That Chrysalis is here!" Cadance seethed. "That that changeling bitch is my house and I have to sit and take it like a good little princess!" "I'm sorry... I didn't." "And Shining Armor... I thought he was coming around... that we were recovering..." Suddenly the events seemed to catch up with her and her anger turned into a deep sadness that brought tears to her eyes. Cadance allowed the dam to break as sobs made her sink to her haunches. Without missing a beat Faust wrapped his arms and wings around her as she cried burying her face into chest. "Faust," Cadance breathed as she inhaled his scent. Why couldn't Shining Armor pay attention to her the way her private guard did? Any time she had a fight with the stallion or she caught him thinking about the changeling wench, she knew Faust could make her feel loved and wanted. The stallion held his Princess tighter, pressing a chaste kiss to her mane. "You don't deserve this," he whispered in her ear making her tremble. She spent so much time with her guard, and anytime she wanted to know something he was always honest. Painfully so. She wasn't sure how she felt about the stallion, but despite everything she knew she still wanted her husband to love her. Faust was a friend. A friend whose affections reminded her she was very much desirable. "Let's not talk about him," She smiled up at him teary-eyed after breaking contact with his body. "Let's go somewhere else." "I know just the place." Said the Pegasi. Cadance really wasn't sure where the Pegasi was taking her. But after hiking for 20 minutes she was immediately weary when they came to the mouth of a cave. "What're you doing?" "Trust me..." He urged her with the most honest gaze she'd ever seen. He held out a hoof to her hoping she'd take it. The changeling queen had taught her well, but something about Faust made her want to trust again. With a timid smile, she touched his hoof and he rewarded her with a bright smile. Ten minutes later, she was glad she did. The view that the duo were witness of was simply breathtaking. The city of Canterlot lay sleepily before them as did the rest of Equestria. Lush land stretched for miles and the Princess of Love was entranced by beauty of her homeland. Even the scent of the cool mountain air added to the mystique. Candy colored eyes stared on in childlike wonder as she allowed herself a slight reprieve. She wasn't aware of the stallion staring at her until she turned to thank him. Dark eyes seemed to latch on to her figure making her flush. "Is something wron-" And before she could finish her statement she felt his body crash into hers as he knocked them both over the cliff. She screamed into the weightless feel of falling as he tightened his hold about her. The air whipped around them as the refreshing mist from the fall coated their coats. He howled into the fall making her blood pump even faster. Cadance clung to the stallion as the world rushed past them. Just when she feared the worst, the pegasi snapped his wings out breaking the fall. She felt him barrel roll into the action until he hit an air current coasting down to the earth below in a lazy fashion. The Love Princess gasped for breath as her heart continued to thunder. She realized that Faust was laughing as she felt his body rumble against hers. She couldn't hear him over the roar of the falls, but she was aware of it all the same. She chanced a look at her guard, and couldn't help but share his excitement. He looked like a different pony when he laughed and she found she liked it. The two locked eyes, and the stallion sobered till only a twinkle of mischief remained in his eyes. Finally, she felt her hooves on solid land. Faust released her, only to gather her back in his arms as he saw she couldn't stand on her own due to shaky legs. "Cadance," he chastised amused by her reaction. "You're an alicorn, you'd have been fine regardless." "What?" She giggled finding humor in the fact that she was still alive after such an invigorating rush. "You can fly too." And with that knowledge she buried her face in his chest laughing until she cried.