Twilight and Chrysalis Switch Jobs

by Not a pipe

Chapter One

Twilight sized up the chair as she approached it. Made of mahogany, it looked uncomfortable in the way only really expensive furniture could get away with. Its only saving grace was a worn pillow on the seat which Twilight lowered herself onto. She moved around in an effort to get comfortable, gave up, and added an entry to her mental checklist to go furniture shopping. Having taken care of the immediate business, she finally turned and looked at the horde of changelings surrounding her. They looked back, waiting.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Two hours earlier

“Why would I do that? I don’t know anything about ruling changelings!” said Twilight.

Spike came rushing down the stairs waving an opened scroll. “Twilight, Princess Celestia just sent a letter asking you to switch positions with Queen Chrysalis! Something about a diplomatic exchange. Also you can’t take any books because you’ll take too long to pack.”

Chrysalis just smiled.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Now

Twilight cleared her throat. “I have been asked by Queen Chrysalis to take up leadership duties for the hive for a period of one week. After which she will return and resume her rank and legislative duties. Are their any questions?”

No one spoke. A cricket like sound came from the back of the chamber. Twilight wondered if a changeling had made the noise.

She continued. “As I have little experience with ruling, and no experience ruling changelings I might need a little assistance from you. And Queen Chrysalis didn’t exactly leave any instructions, so uh, some advice would be good. Or an instruction manual.”

The changelings continued to do nothing.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile

Chrysalis was poking a book with her hoof. Spike had watched her explore Twilight’s bedroom, going through her desk and looking at her clothes. At one point she had stopped and spent some time styling her hair to look like Twilight’s, and was wearing a pair of her saddlebags. Once she had finished upstairs she had started to examine the library proper. Watching Chrysalis look at books with a Twilight level of attention only served to increase Spike’s unease. Suddenly Chrysalis spun around to face him.

“You, minion!” snapped Chrysalis.

“Yes ma'am!” Spike stood at attention.

“What exactly does Twilight do here?” asked Chrysalis.

“She lends out books and helps ponies- ”

Chrysalis interrupted him. “Not at the library. That’s just a hobby, like knitting or impersonating princesses. What does she do here to study friendship?”

Spike paused a moment, his brow creasing. “Well she visits her friends and sees if she can help them with anything.”

Chrysalis started for the door. “Then we will do the same. Come minion.”

Spike followed without protest.
___________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight was still attempting communication. “Seriously girls, or guys,” she waved her hooves in the air, “or whatever! Give me something. A sticky note even.” The changeling swarm continued its silence, perhaps practicing for the group stage of the next world championship of keeping quiet.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Chrysalis and Spike walked away from Fluttershy’s cabin.

“But you didn’t actually help her with anything,” protested Spike.

“She’s no longer afraid of me, so that counts,” replied Chrysalis. “It wasn’t even that hard, I just had to turn into the most harmless creature I could think of.”

“You turned into her. I still think she might have thought someone placed a mirror on her doorstep,” countered Spike.

“Nonsense. I solved a problem she had, therefore I am doing Twilight’s job according to what you said. Who’s next?”
_____________________________________________________________________________________

“Please say something,” begged Twilight, “anything.” She had gotten off the throne and was now trying individual changelings. “What’s your favourite colour? Favourite song?” The changeling under questioning recoiled slightly.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

“I think that went well,” said Chrysalis. She and Spike were walking away from Sweet Apple Acres.

“All you did was tell Applejack you hated apples,” replied Spike. He was picking bits of apple from his scales. “I even got her to calm down and listen after you showed up at her door and then you had to go and insult apples. Why would you do that?”

“Twilight’s notes were very clear on telling your friends if they did something that bothered you. I was just applying them.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________

“You know what? Fine. Don’t talk to me.” Twilight had begun to twitch. “Since none of you seem to want to give me advice on how to run an entire nation I’ll just start making stuff up. And my first decree is that I need a drink.” A changeling immediately left to fetch one.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Chrysalis was sitting on a chair in the library while Spike paced the floor.

“So Rarity didn’t need any help modeling, and Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash weren’t home. How can you say that you’re done learning about friendship?” asked Spike.

“I offered assistance to a friend, and whether she took it or not is immaterial,” said Chrysalis. “And if the other two are out of town well obviously I can’t do anything more.”
_____________________________________________________________________________________

“And the worst thing is I’m not even sure when she’s testing me or not.” Twilight was sobbing gently into her hoof, the remnants of several drinks on a stand next to the throne. “Sometimes I just want a simple task, without any hidden meaning behind it. Is that too much to ask?”

The drone who had been serving drinks gave Twilight a half hearted pat on the shoulder.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Princess Celestia was presiding over court, and was about ready to end the day’s session when a new petitioner walked in. The hooded pony proceeded to push through the crowd until they stood in front of the throne; where they tapped their hoof three times on the polished marble floor.

At the signal changelings throughout the throne room began to reveal themselves as more poured in from outside. The royal guards stationed inside immediately raised their weapons and prepared to defend the Princess, only to find that none of the changelings were attacking. Instead they all stood behind the hooded figure.

Celestia told the guards to hold, and waited. After a moment the hooded pony stepped forward and removed their cloak. Twilight stood in front of the changelings.

“What brings you to Canterlot Twilight?” asked Celestia.

Twilight tried to dig her hoof into the floor. “It’s been kind of a long week. I couldn’t really figure out what to do so I sort of tried to copy what I knew Chrysalis had done. Except Cadence was in the Crystal Empire, and I didn’t want to wake Luna, so I had to kidnap and impersonate myself.”

Celestia raised an eyebrow. “You decided to invade Canterlot?” She asked.

Twilight ducked her head in embarrassment. “It seemed like the best option. I really just came by to get some love from my parents. But from what I could understand it seemed like I had to do this first.”

Celestia gave an understanding smile. “It seems like you had a difficult week. Chrysalis has told me that she enjoyed her time in Ponyville, and I think she’s learned a lot about the magic of friendship. Do you think your time among changelings has given you a valuable lesson.”

Twilight thought hard for a second. Had losing her temper, drinking more than was good for her and invading Canterlot taught her anything? “No.” She said and walked away.

Comments

[Perteks]

I liked it, only bad side of this it was so short.

[Nuramor]

"So I had to kidnap and impersonate myself" - Only you, Twilight.

[henke37]

This concept is nice, but you never really do anything with it. Try cutting away the last part and expand the story with maybe five or so chapters.

[KizerZin]

I like this story, it's funny and simple, I love that Chrysalis did alot better with Spike then Twilight did with the changelings...

"Come minion.” that line sold it for me.

[Godzalis-of-Irithyll]

I DEMAND MORE! AS KING OF THE CHANGELINGS!

[LordBucket]

Cute, but hopefully the "completed" flag on this story is an error. Even as a one-shot, this feels like it needs another chapter. You only explained one day. What happened during the rest of the week? How did Ponyville react to Chrysalis? What happened in the aftermath? What embarrassing changes to Library policy did Chrysalis make that Twilight now has to deal with? How will Twilight deal with the fact that Chrysalis did a better job on an assignment than she did?

[Not a pipe]

3938830
You're right that I don't go anywhere with the concept, but I really only wanted to make a quick story in order to actually finish and publish something. So instead of trying to set up a whole story I decided to have the characters not really do learn or do anything special, unlike how these stories normally go. I might redo it one day with an actual plotline if I get some inspiriation.

[Not a pipe]

3939430
I know that it's short, but that was sort of the point, at least while I was writing it because I didn't have much time. I'm not dismissing any chance of continuation, I just don't have anything planned. Still, if I think of something good I might write some more. The questions you raise are certainly a good starting point though.

[Ysengrimmus]

So, I did a reading of your story. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41v-iwDeapE (I will take it down if you want, but I don't know why you would)

[Not a pipe]

3941373
Wow, I was not expecting anyone to do something like that. Thank you.

[Puzzle Reader]

Amusing enough premise, but it could do with a second work-through; if you ever feel like doing this again and expanding upon it, tightening it up, when there's no time limit, it'd be pretty good.
Also, I noticed that a bunch of times you used "it's" when you meant "its". "It's" is a contraction of "it is", while "its" means "belonging to it". Take the word "his" as your model. See how there's no apostrophe?

[Not a pipe]

3953737
Thanks for the corrections, I know the difference but I didn't really edit this much. And yeah, I'm definitely getting the impression that I should redo this with a little more effort.

[Themaskedferret]

*Grins and claps* Very nicely done. I gotta admit I really felt for the poor changelings

[nioniosbbbb]

Too short and I didn't exactly like the ending.

[Daring Cammie Do]

The drone who had been serving drinks gave Twilight a half hearted pat on the shoulder.

I feel like that would be so adorable, but I can't find a picture that even closely resembles this.

[Scorch215]

ok this was very entertaining. But it would be nice to see this expanded somehow. to cover the entire week.

[Shenzy]

No one spoke. A cricket like sound came from the back of the chamber. Twilight wondered if a changeling had made the noise.

Hahahaha... Already cracked.

[Shenzy]

Biggest complaint: way to short :))

[KvAT]

Well Twilight got her therapy session, at least. No pony would ever listen to her ranting all week long.