Queen Chrysalis, Relationship Doctor

by Prismfire Productions

Of Light and Shadow

The early morning sun shone brightly over the Crystal Empire, but its rays brought no warmth to the citizens. Everypony was on edge, doubly so since Princess Cadance released an announcement through her advisor that she would not be accepting any visitors other than family, and, for the meantime, Princess Luna would be holding court. The guards, anticipating a rush of petitioners, had organized a line that stretched from the door of the throne room to the Spire courtyard, with Celestia volunteering to help in any way she could.

What nopony expected, however, was Queen Chrysalis and Queen Nebula trotting along in lockstep when Luna came to the throne room to begin the proceedings, and almost immediately shouts started to ring out against the changelings being in attendance.

"Silence!" Luna boomed, keeping her tone just below Canterlot-Voice levels, but clearly not in the mood to deal with any rousers. "Do we need to remind thee both are members of the royal family? They both have executive permission from your princess to be here, but I want to make one statement clear: anyone who is here for the sole purpose of asking about her is to depart. Rest assured, she is in good health, but needs time to adjust to the messy results that occurred in Baltimare."

Almost immediately, all eyes went to Celestia, making the drone shudder in her chitin from the amount of hate directed at her. Much to her surprise, however, Chrysalis left Luna's side and stood between her and the gathered group.

"I do not appreciate you all giving my drone any more grief than she is already dealing with," The queen snipped, the tide shifting from hate to shame. "Have I not strived to make relationships regrow? Have I not sent my drones to help assist around the Empire? They are happy to work, and I am happy to do my part. Celestia made a mistake, we all do. Now please, unless you had an appointment with either Cadance or me, I ask you to leave."

Almost immediately, ponies started to filter back outside the palace, spreading the word to those who had not been in earshot. Like a silent cloud they returned to their homes and businesses, starting their traditional morning routine and leaving behind one very relieved drone.

"Thank you for protecting me," Celestia said, sliding onto her haunches as she looked down at her hooves. "You didn't have to do that, all things considered."

"I did have to do that," Chrysalis' tone was low, but lacked the heat that it had just moments earlier as she watched the petitioners that had stayed behind start to filter into their place in line. "You may be my drone and a part of my hive right now as a result of your actions, but you are still my sister. I would hate to have lost another family member again."

"Such is the price we pay for our positions, death is an inevitability," Celestia sighed, leaning against one of Chrysalis' legs. "So much happening so fast, facing emotions I had long kept away… It is a lot to process at once."

"Tell me about it," Chrysalis chuckled, watching as Nebula and Luna led the first petitioner into the throne room as she wrapped her leg around Celestia in a half-hug. "I never thought I would see my daughter and sisters again, let alone be on good terms with the latter. I do want you to sit in when I do my session in a bit, but for now, your queen has a personal task that she wants you to do."

"A personal-" Celestia stammered, shocked that Chrysalis had used that wording. She had heard from her hivemates that doing a personal errand of the queen was the highest honor a drone could have. Reaching out with her new neuro network, she was surprised to find no hints of jealousy, but rather only felt encouragement as she snapped into a salute. "What task do you ask of me, My Queen?"

"A simple one," Summoning a small bag of bits, she levitated them over to the drone and put it on her back. "I got a feeling that I am going to be occupied for a while, so I want you to take that bag of bits down to the orphanage at the edge of town and present it to them in my stead. Afterwards, I want you to report to Optical to start learning changeling magic until lunch, at which point you are to report back here. Think you can do those two things?"

"Right away, My Queen," Celestia nodded, and she could feel from the weight of the bag that it was no paltry sum. Breaking free of the hug, she started off down the hall, but paused before she got out of Chrysalis' earshot. "Um, if you don't mind me asking, how is it that you have this many bits? Unless I was mistaken, I thought you only took love as payment?"

"I do," Chrysalis said, letting out a slight chuckle as she used her magic to give Celestia a light head pat. "However, that doesn't mean I don't have bits stored around for emergency use, I have had several centuries to rack up interest after all. If that sates your curiosity, you may run along."

"Yes mam," Celestia turned as she spoke, heading out the door and taking off in a gentle trot to avoid making the bag fall off her back. Even with it being flanked by her insectile wings, she knew that they were more delicate than her normal alicorn ones, and had to be more careful. With the morning events still fresh on her mind, she decided to not stop for anything until she reached the orphanage, giving a knock on the door. "Delivery, is anyone in?"

"One moment," A voice said from within, and a couple minutes later the muffled sounds of the young ones stopped and the door opened to reveal an elderly unicorn mare with a fading orange coat and blue mane and tail. "Hello there, may I ask who the delivery is for? I have not put in any special orders."

"It is for you mam," Celestia said, motioning to the bag on her back with a hoof. "I was specifically asked by My Queen to bring it to you in her stead, seeing as how she is currently wrapped up in court."

"Did she now," The mare said, taking the bag with her magic and taking a peek inside, her grip almost slipping from pure shock. "Oh my goodness…"

"What's wrong?" Celestia's question was met with a single bit that the unicorn levitated over to her. Instead of the traditional gold piece that everypony used, the bit she was holding was platinum, which brought back a rush of memories of having to use the heavier metal during the Second Purrsian War due to the scarcity of gold during the timeframe. In the present, the platinum bit was highly valued with collectors, often fetching a rate of 2500:1 for one in less than mint condition. "I-I think we need to continue this conversation inside, lest anyone sees. If I may enter, that is."

"You may," The mare, taking back the bit, said as she stepped aside and allowed Celestia to enter. "I know it isn't much to look at, but I try to make due."

"Thank you," Celestia said, looking around at the establishment, and what she saw made her frown. The furniture was worn down, multiple toys and books were in rugged condition, and the young ones themselves looked a little worse for wear. Seeing the conditions made something inside Celestia's mind boil, with Chrysalis having to send a mental comfort wave to smother the flame before it got too big. "Wh-what happened? I thought orphanages were supposed to be well-kept and had a nanny or two, but this is the complete opposite of that."

"Sounds like some drone has spent too much time in the poshness of Canterlot, eh Celestia?" The mare's emotions soured, but her overall tone did not change due to the fillies and colts being able to overhear. The moment the fallen princess' name was invoked, however, every single one of the little ones' attention fell on the two, and Celestia could feel youthful excitement coming from all of them. "This is how things are when they are not run by nobility or have an unlimited flow of bits. I am certain that on your many tours of Equestria you have noticed this, or were you often directed by a city's officials where to go?"

Celestia merely lowered her head, for if she possessed her normal tail, it would have been flat against her as she pinned down her ears.

"Thought so," The mare nodded, gesturing the two to the kitchen after explaining to the youngins that she needed to discuss 'adult matters', when in fact she had them both sit at the table and start counting the bits after retrieving Celestia a juice box. "Getting back on point, it is one reason why I left Equestria, got tired of seeing so many ponies being neglected, even at the school in Horseton where I was overseer had it bad. Thus, I packed up my bags and moved up here with my husband and opened this orphanage as a way to give back to a community that took us in no questions asked, but things got rough after he passed a couple years back. That you can clearly see, and the allotment I get from the Princess helps keep food on the table for the ones I care for, but not much else considering how expensive things got after Tirek decided to attack."

"Not the first time I heard that complaint, but that was mainly from nobles who are strict with their spending." Celestia, taking a few sips of her juice, allowed that thought to stew in her brain. "Guess dealing with them made me numb to the actual problem. I can't help but wonder, why didn't you petition Cadance for extra bits, or at the very least, some hired help from one of the castle staff?"

"Spoken like a true princess," The mare smiled, sorting the bits into even stacks. "As for your question, when do I have the time? I have to rely on Chrysalis' drones to do my food runs, and with the ruckus that is happening in Equestria and now the Princess herself, it is just a case of bad timing."

"Fair," Celestia mused, sorting everything that she had been giving into mental folders and processing into sequence. "I noticed that there was not a single crystal pony in the group, how are there orphans up here if it is not the crystal ponies who are the ones giving their foals up for adoption?"

"Adults who do not want to pay for an expense," The mare said coldly, making a shiver run down Celestia's spine as the mare narrowed her gaze. "They come up here, drop the foals off, then board the next train back to Equestria. I have tried to adopt the ones we have out, but nopony has been willing to take up the fees. Which, I should mention, I only charge 250 bits compared to what it is back in Equestria. A happy and loving home for the children is my primary concern, and I worry as to what will happen to them considering my age. I am not getting any younger."

"Sounds like a big problem, but a manageable one," Tossing the now-empty juice container in the trash, Celestia looked as the mare finished counting the bits. "It is clear you are an excellent caregiver, but you're stressed. Before I present my solution, how many bits did My Queen give you?"

"2-200…" The unicorn stammered, and Celestia did not need to feel the mare's shock to see and hear it, it being plain as day in her tone and facial expression. "That comes out to 50,000 bits depending on the collector, what have I done to deserve such a boon?!"

"I can think of a few good reasons, and they all are in the next room," Celestia said, gesturing with a hoof in the direction of where the fillies and colts were now playing, if the sounds of giggles were any indication. "But, perhaps, I may have a solution that is more beneficial to how current circumstances stand. Although, you have not told me your name, I only ask so that I can address you properly."

"Lilac Amber," The mare said, a hint of embarrassment registering at the edge of Celestia's emotion pick up. "So, Celestia, what is it that you have in mind that could improve this place with the bits I was given?"

"Well Ms. Amber, my suggestion is that you open a boarding school," Celestia could see the wheels of recognition turning in Lilac's eyes, her orange pupils slowly widening as the suggestion started off a chain reaction in her mind. "The Crystal Empire doesn't have a school, so that will save a lot of headache from parents needing to send their children to Equestria during the spring for schools there. Plus, you won't have to worry about the young ones you currently have needing to be adopted out, they can be your first class."

"A boarding school you say," Lilac, now bearing a bright smile, rubbed a hoof under her chin as she thought the idea over in more detail. "I suppose that is a rather promising outlook, but the question I have for you is how would I go about getting more hooves to help? Not to mention, I will have to update the furnishings to a more suitable environment, and put in a formal permit request."

"I can help with that!" Celestia giggled, leaping to her hooves as Lilac looked at her confused. "I can let My Queen know, and between her and Luna, they can handle the paperwork to get everything off the ground. I will even see if I can get a few drones who worked in the old hive nursery to lead a hoof if they are able."

"You would do that for me?" Lilac asked, only to scoop Celestia up in a hug when she gave an enthusiastic nod. "Oh, thank you! You have no idea how much this means to me. Say, do you think you can say for a bit? I am sure the others would love for you to."

"I kinda do know how you feel, changeling, remember?" Celestia chuckled, knowing that the spark had been ignited back in the caregiver. "As for your request, I have to decline at this time since I am on a rather tight schedule. Not only do I have to go do magic lessons, I also have to be back by lunch to attend My Queen's session with her appointments."

"Oh dear," Lilac frowned, eyeing the clock on the far wall with a worried frown. "I do hope that I am not going to get you in trouble with how late I kept you."

"I should be fine," Celestia shrugged, having already explained over the hive mind that she was running late due to helping a pony in need, something that Chrysalis approved of but demanded to know details when she got done with her magic session in the courtyard. "Any punishment given is worth the trouble since I was able to help you out with your problem."

"Quite sweet of you to say," Lilac said, leading Celestia to the door after saying goodbye to the others, much to their disappointment. "I do hope that you will be able to visit sometime soon?"

"I should be free most evenings and on Sunday," Celestia said, giving her wings a few buzzes as she got into a hover. "But I will try to visit as soon as I can, I promise."

"That is good to know," Lilac said, letting out a soft sigh as she gazed towards the Spire. "You know, you don't make that bad of a drone."

"Anything to help me be a better pony," Celestia surprised herself at the fact she did not argue Lilac's remark, which stirred up some conflicting feelings deep inside her mind. "I may be the Bearer of Chaos, but this form limits what I can and cannot do. Anyway, I must be off, take care!"

Turning with a start, Celestia set her sights back on the Spire, a strange eagerness filling her as she started to mentally prepare for her first lessons on trying to control her new changeling magic. Up to this point, she had not dared to tap into her mana once, having been disgusted with the fact that the magic was now that of a changeling instead of her normal magic, but the events of this morning had started to make her rethink her position. Chrysalis defending her from the morning crowd had given her pause, which set a mental stone in motion that picked up speed with the fact she had actually been giddy to help Lilac while presenting Chrysalis in a positive light.

That fact slightly disturbed her, how for so long she had fought to keep the changeling queen at bay, only to now be her willing servant. She knew that Chrysalis could 'keep her in line' should she try to rebel, but before she could descend further down her mental rabbit hole, a sharp whistle caught her attention.

"You are late greenhorn," A voice, who Celestia understood to be Optical Fibrus, Captain of the Changeling Infantry, said as the drone walked over. Unlike most of the others, he had a bit more build to his frame, muscles that made his chitin look like chiseled obsidian, and a slightly more angled face that made his fangs look deadlier. "Our Queen told me that would be the case seeing as how you got delayed from an errand you were running for her, but I will not accept constant tardiness, is that clear?"

"Yes sir," Celestia said, snapping into a salute that seemed to satisfy the guard drone. "So, what are we going to start with, transformation magic?"

"Not in the slightest," Fibrus sneered, causing Celestia to take a step back and gulp as a sharp wave of agitation assaulted her senses. "You may be the Bringer of Chaos, but you get no special privileges with me. I am doing to run you the same way I run any of my other recruits, so drop and give me twenty pushups."

"Wait," Celestia said, pausing as she raised a hoof to voice her confusion. "I thought that I was here for magic lessons, not guard training. Was a change made that I am not aware of?"

"Nope," Fibrus' horn glowed, and when it died down Cekestia could feel a saddlebag on her back, and by her estimate fifty kilos in weighs on each side. "You will get you magic lessons, but I always run my recruits through a warm up routine first. After all, what good is a drone that is strong in magic, but weak in body? Not good at all I tell you, so start the routine, the faster you get through it the more time we have. Clock is ticking."

"This is so much more intensive than I thought it was going to be," Celestia thought, making sure to do a full repetition to not draw the ire of her instructor. "No wonder they were able to fight so well at the invasion, they are trained to brawl. No, they are trained to survive…"

"Not bad recruit, though you tired out towards the end," Fibrus smirked, noticing that Celestia was a little wobbly the last few reps. "You have a long way to go before I can consider you an elite drone, but you show promise. Now, with the saddle bag still on, ten laps around the courtyard. Go!"

Taking off with a gallop, Celestia did her best to do as instructed. She knew better than to try and to cheat with her chaos magic to maintain her stamina, a slight trickle of fear creeping into her mind about what Chrysalis would do if she saw that plan through. The logical part of her brain told her that her sentence likely would have been extended, something that she did not want to happen, so when her energy finally dropped halfway through her eighth lap, she slowed to a shameful trot back to where Fibrus stood.

"No more," Celestia panted, sliding onto the ground with her hooves outstretched, no small part of her knowing that her days of sitting on the throne and eating cake were coming back to haunt her. "I need a breather, please."

"Seven and a half laps," Fibrus chided, slightly shaking his head as he removed the saddlebags, much to Celestia's relief. "Pathetic! I have had more scrawny drones than you put up more of an endurance run. Now, seeing as we are running a little behind, we are going to go on to the start of your lessons. The first one is simple: love collecting."

"Love collecting?" Celestial asked, tilting her head as she got back onto her hooves, her breathing slowly returning to normal. "Why would I need to learn that when I was appointed to help Our Queen with her love therapy sessions? Besides, I won't be getting any love as payment anyway, and the hive mind is saturated."

"Ah, but I said I was going to treat you no differently than any other drone, did I not?" Fibrus said, grinning as he looked down at the now-quivering Celestia. "What if Our Queen has to travel abroad and finds herself unable to sustain your company? You would have to fend for yourself, and a changeling that cannot collect love is dead in the ground. Now… let's dance."

---

"You did WHAT?!" Chrysalis was mad, and while she had excused Celestia for being late to training, she had grown rather annoyed at the fact she had missed her noon return time. So while her client, Sweetie Belle, looked on, she lashed at her Captain for putting Celestia on mandatory bedrest due to burning through her love reserves. "What made you think that moving straight into levitation and teleportation after teaching her how to collect love was a good idea?! Unlike the rest of the hive, her love pool is strictly limited, so she ended up burning through her supply without being able to refill it."

"Many apologies, My Queen," Fibrus stammered, sinking as low as he could against the floor. "If I had known-"

"Why do you think I only wanted you to teach her defense and attack spells that have a low draw rate?" Chrysalis snapped, picking up Fibrus in her magic. Before she could fully unload, however, she curbed her rage enough not to scare off Sweetie Belle. "Her horn was smoking when she was brought in by the Crystal Brigade, do not let it happen again or there will be consequences."

"Understood, My Queen," Fibrus said, being unceremoniously dropped to the floor, got into a deep bow. "I shall follow your instructions to the letter."

"Good, now get out of my sight!" Fibrus did not need to be asked twice, teleporting out of the throne room the moment Chrysalis finished her declaration. Taking a few moments to recognise herself, she turned to her young client. "Sorry you had to witness that."

"I have seen uglier arguments between my sister and Rainbow over the Wonderbolt uniform," Sweetie shrugged, not knowing that statement had captured Chrysalis' attention. "Anyway, Your Majesty, I came to give an update since the last time me and the other crusaders visited you."

"Very well," The queen nodded, and although she could feel the friendship love that Sweetie had for her two fellow crusaders, a love that she had been able to salvage, she dared not to drink. "What all has occurred since we last spoke?"

"Our bond has grown stronger," Sweetie smiled, showing off her flank to show Chrysalis her cutie mark. "We even got our cutie marks at the same time, and they all have the same shield backdrop!"

"Do they now?" Chrysalis was intrigued, never before had she heard of more than one pony sharing the exact same details in their cutie marks. She had seen cutie marks that share a similar realm or purpose, like how the Apple Clan all had cutie marks relating to apples, but for a trio to be so closely intertwined brought a smile to her face. "Well then, since the three of you have your cutie marks, what is next for the Cutie Mark Crusaders? If I recall, the reason for the club's very existence was to find your marks, with that done, what is your new focus?"

"We are going to try and help fillies and colts find their way," Sweetie beamed, a giggle escaping as she bounced briefly in place. "The three of us, Silver Spoon, and Babs Seed are going to try and help ponies that were like us, that have no cutie mark or are outcasts, to help guide them towards getting their own marks and being more sociable."

"That is quite an ambitious goal," Chrysalis said, leaning forward from where she sat on Cadance's throne. "Of course, schooling should come first, but when you all get older you should open a center or something that can actually start putting out resource material to help promote your endeavor."

"That is the plan," Sweetie nodded, pulling two jars out of her backpack and levitating one over to Chrysalis. "I know that you refuse to drink my love, but Applejack and Granny Smith figured this was a good substitute since they are busy with the harvest. It is also why Scootaloo isn't here, she is helping pull the carts to the market."

"A drink is a bit of an unorthodox payment, but if it is from Applejack and Granny I am not going to complain," Chrysalis' eyes widened as soon as she popped open the jar, the strong aroma of the love put into the apple from seed to final product overwhelming the alcohol that was also present. She knew that one sip would likely put her out of commission for several hours, but her attention turned to the fact Sweetie Belle was sipping out her own jar. “Um, Sweetie, aren’t you a bit too young to be drinking?”

“It helps me cope,” Sweetie’s reply made the entire room drop a few degrees, a look of concern crossing both the guards and Chrysalis’ faces as the filly continued on. “Like I said on our last trip, I am really proud of my sister, but when the seasons change she gets swapped with orders from all over. I often am left alone when my friends are not available, and since I am banned from cooking after I almost burned down the boutique making toast there is nothing much else for me to do.”

“Ok, this is a problem,” Chrysalis thought, making a mental note to scold Rarity later for being a neglectful caregiver. “Ok, first off, no more alcohol. That stuff is bad for adults and even worse for ponies your age. Does anyone know about the fact you feel lonely and drink?”

“No, Your Majesty,” Sweetie sighed, swirling her drink in her magic as she looked into the fermented beverage. “I snuck this jar and poured a little off the top of yours just so I could have a taste for myself. As for the loneliness, it got worse after me and Button called off our friendship because he got upset that I whined about him only wanting to spend time with me while I watched him play video games. Literally, no other time, just watch and nothing else.”

“Oh dear,” Chrysalis frowned, realizing that Sweetie was experiencing circumstances that would wear down even the hardest of adults over time. Without a second thought, she picked the filly up in her magic and brought her into her lap to hold her, something that she felt was right. “Well, sounds to me like you need to have a hobby, is there anything that you like to do?"

"W-well," Sweetie, trying to hold in a sniffle, stuttered as she clinged onto the changeling queen. The chitin felt different than fur, but not in a way that she would complain due to enjoying being held. "Sometimes I like to sing when I am in the shower or doing chores. Imagining that I am in front of a crowd and putting on a show to help ponies cheer up, it helps to make the tssk go by quicker."

"Singing is a nice activity," Chrysalis could tell that Sweetie was a ball of emotion, and much like when she had preserved the friendship the filly had with Scootaloo and Apple Bloom, she was compelled to act. "How about you sing to me?"

"Your Majesty?!" Sweetie leapt to her hooves, eyes wide in shock while Chrysalis gave herself a mental pat on the back for snapping the unicorn out of her funk. "I-I do not think that I am good enough to sing for you, no offense."

"If you think you are good enough to imagine performing in front of a crowd, you are good enough to perform for a single changeling, don't you think?" Chrysalis could tell her question hit home, a degree of nervousness creeping into Sweetie's emotions telling her that she was at least considering it. "It can be anything, something that you learned in school perhaps? Or, maybe, you fancy to write your own music?"

"The songs at school are ok," Sweetie huffed, pawing a hoof on the crystaline floor as started to calm herself down. "However, there is one song that I came up with that resonates within my mind."

As soon as Sweetie cleared her throat, Chrysalis could feel the room start to drum out a beat.

Oh oh oh oh oh…

The sun always shines,
But why not within my mind?
What am I supposed to be…
How can I break free?
Awake in the dark,
The thoughts bite like a shark…
But what am I supposed to be…
And how can I break free?!

Oh oh…
How can, I break free?!

Growing up is always hard,
And I'm just tryin' to do my part.
Yet the feeling always stays,
In both the nights and days.
Am I the one that's w-w-w-wrong?

I try, I try, with all my might,
To silence the shadow in my sight.
The lies told are strong.
Beating like a gong.
Do I even belong?...

The sun always shines,
But why not within my mind?
What am I supposed to be…
How can I break free?
Awake in the dark,
The thoughts bite like a shark…
But what am I supposed to be…
And how can I break free?!

Oh oh…
How can, I break free?!

All of Ponyville knows who I am,
For the Crusader Cause I will stand.
Long as there's a chance, I will carry on,
For there is no hope if I am gone…
I'm a fallen soldier.
Lost to the gloom.
But I won't surrender unto my doom!

The sun always shines,
But why not within my mind?
What am I supposed to be…
How can I break free?
Awake in the dark,
The thoughts bite like a shark…
But what am I supposed to be…
And how can I break free?!

Oh oh…
How can, I break free?!

I, don't know how much longer…
That I can push, back the tide.
I, got to get stronger…
Unless, I run and hide.

The sun always shines,
But why not within my mind?
What am I supposed to be…
How can I break free?
Awake in the dark,
The thoughts bite like a shark…
But what am I supposed to be…
And how can I break free?!

Oh oh…
How can, I break free?!

"That was… wow," Chrysalis struggled even to put that response together, mentally blown away about how much heart someone so young had put into such a depressing song. She knew the unicorn had talent, a raw untapped potential that she could latch on to pull her out her mental rut. "I am ordering that you start to write to me at least once a week to keep me informed on how your mentality is, and also get in touch with Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch to start composing your music. I will send correspondence to both of them, so don't worry about having to have Rarity fret over another expense. This is not negotiable."

"Really?" Sweetie raised an eyebrow and set her face in a deadpan, her emotional output having gone flat. "And when I write to you, how am I to pay for those writing sessions since you refuse to feed off someone my age?"

"Considering the circumstances, I am waiving the cost," Chrysalis' reply, much to her chagrin, did little to move her client's expression. "What? I will feel guilty about having to request my normal cost to a minor, so don't worry about having to pay to write your pen pal a letter. Talk to Twilight when you get back to Ponyville about getting you a specialized dragonfire candle so you can message me directly. Oh, and before you think you can get out of that, I will be messaging her to see if you went by to get it."

"You really are serious about that huh?" Sweetie sighed, finally relenting when Chrysalis gave a firm nod in return. "Fine, I will do as you asked, but I do have one question. Mrs. Melody lives in Canterlot, when will I have time to have lessons with her?"

"Oh, you must not have heard then," Chrysalis facehoofed, mentally reminding herself that Ponyville often got their news a minimum of four days late, something that she made a note to look into later. "Octavia is moving to Ponyville to help revamp Vinyl’s nightclub and so the two of them can spend more time together. That also opens the door for you to talk with both of them, like I had initially suggested.”

“Oh,” Sweetie said, giving a slight nod as she headed for the door. “I will send a message via the candle once I get back to Ponyville and get it from Twilight. Until then, Your Majesty.”

“Until then,” Chrysalis waited until Sweetie had left the throne room to summon a pillow, screaming into it in frustration at the situation she had put herself in. She knew that she would take an extra-long swig of the cider later, but as she sent the pillow back to her room she composed herself before looking at the stationed guards. “Send word to Lulu and Cadance that I am going out for a couple of hours, I have a personal matter to attend to that needs to be addressed. Also, have my sisters be told that when they depart to Luna’s mango fields tomorrow, I will be there to see them off.”

Making sure the instructions were followed, she summoned a few blank scrolls and an inkwell. She had grown accustomed to the task, having to sign enough papers between her time disguised as Cadance and just to set up her therapy business, and with a flick of her magic the letters were sent off as she strolled out the Spire doors and headed for a specific destination. Deep down, the changeling queen hoped that her ensuing visit would sooth over the rough patches that had been uncovered the night before, or at the very least, kept things from getting any worse as she knocked on a specific door.

"Just a minute," The occupant said, only to reveal Shining Armor after the locks were undone, a frown on his face immediately forming at seeing his former seductress. "What are you doing here, Your Majesty? Let me guess, Cady or Luna asked you to come on their behalf to get me to come back?"

"I am here on my own violation," Chrysalis said, entering the room and locking the door, throwing up a soundproofing spell to ensure the conversation was private as she sat on the bed. "Now then, I gave you last night and most of the day to sort your thoughts, I am curious as to how you are feeling right now."

"You are a changeling, you know good and well how I am feeling," Shining quipped, drawing a frown out of the emotivore as she lowered her gaze at him. "My stance on the matter has not changed a single bit, when my time comes, it has come."

"Which I respect in earnest," Chrysalis was in full therapist mode, her face setting into a neutral expression as she relaxed her frame. "The well-being of the Empire is firmly in capable hooves between Cadance and me, and should Flurry not want the throne when she gets older-"

"I do not want her to," Shining's statement made Chrysalis' jaw drop, making the stallion get a smirk at the reaction. "Was not expecting that reply huh? I know it will be her choice in the end, but I do not want her to take up after me or Cady. What I want for her is for her to have a full life, free of the responsibilities the throne entitles. If she wants to pursue down our paths? I won't like it, but I will still support my daughter."

"You were awfully quick to try and derail, but you forget who you are talking with," Chrysalis huffed, making Shining's ears droop slightly. "You cannot blame your wife for feeling like she does, she has spent all day in her bedroom crying so I can tell you that she does feel bad about the argument."

"One that should have been avoided entirely," Shining leveled a hoof at Chrysalis, a glare in his eyes as he unleashed his pent up emotions. "You are trying to steal Cady away from me, just like you tried to steal my love of her for your failed invasion plot."

"Are you seriously accusing me of that?" Chrysalis deadpanned, unamused by the accusation that had just been thrown in her face. "Look, we both love her dearly, I would rather face the guillotine than do anything that would hurt her or Lulu."

"Oh, but not me then?" Shining raised an eyebrow, but motioned that he was not done talking by waving his hoof sideways. "Celestia is already a changeling as punishment for her crimes, Cady came to me all happy and hopeful, after you two returned from vanishing I might add, I would agree to be a changeling princess to extend my life. Can't help but wonder if that is your eventual plan, to have everyone become members of your hive then take down the other queens to be the top bug."

"I would nev-"

"Before you finish that thought, let me remind you of something," Shining interrupted, Chrysalis suddenly feeling like the smaller of the two as the Prince Consort continued to tear into her mental defenses. "You did horrible things to me and Cady, things we both have forgiven you for. The scars, however, remain, and no amount of therapy can fix that. Have you seen the Crystal Heart today by chance? It has emerald streaks in it, the same color as your eyes in fact."

"No surprise there," Chrysalis sighed, looking at the floor to avoid Shining's heated glare. "The embodiment of Harmony me and her saw was made of the Tree and the Heart, so I have a sneaky suspicion that I am now bound to the Heart and Empire through Cadance."

"Well isn't that convenient?" Shining was a stallion disciplined by Celestia herself, but even he had an end to his patience and the end was now met. "Want to know the irony? Me and Cady were going to let you in as our third, but in light of recent events, I need to reevaluate my stance and give it some more thought."

"Even if it means Cadance has to suffer?" Chrysalis bellowed, leaping to her hooves in a fury and making Shining go on the defensive, lowering as his horn started to glow. "I have done everything I could to atone for my past transgressions, I have turned over a new leaf, and I finally have my family back together. For someone with a shield cutie mark, you have done a good job at shielding your heart. Drop that shield so-"

For Chrysalis, everything went dark, a broken night lamp by her head as Shining stood tall over her with a triumphant look on his face.

Author's Note:

Two chapters since the start of the year, where will the ride end? -Lily-Ann

Comments

[NevianDragonPhoenix]

Uh-oh this can't be good.

[TheVirtuousOne]

Bad move Shiny, bad move.